AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Jackie Cooper makes his latest appearance on the Majestic screen this evening in "Divorce in the Family." Based on an original story, the new picture shows Jackie as the son of a scientist, divorced from his wife. When the boy is placed in the care of his mother and stepfather, he experiences a longing for his real father and a reluctance to attune himself to the strange environment of his new home. In the story Lewis Stone is married to Lois Wilson, and they have two children, Jackie Cooper and Maurice Murphy. Stone, being an archaeologist, travels much, and Lois. becomes lonesome and divorces him, to marry Conrad Nagel. Jackie cannot understand it all and longs to be- with hie father, and runs away to join him. Jackie's brother is injured when searching for him, and the climax is reached when Stone sees Nagel giving his own blood to save the boy. Stone decides to leave the boys aloue, rather than kidnap them, as ho proposed to do. The story is a good one, containing much human interest. PLAZA THEATRE. One of the many highlights contained in "Sunehine Susie," which continues to delight crowded audiences at the Plaza Theatre, is the theme song, "To-day I Feel So Happy," which trickles right through the production in most entertaining fashion. The number is contagious and, rendered as it is in whimsical style by Renate Muller, one feels like standing up and joining in. "Sunsh-'ne Sueie" is a captivating musical corned/, something entirely different from what picturegoere are accustomed to seeing. It is no idle statement to claim it as the best a British studio lias produced, and it goes down as almost faultless. Jack Hulbert is the comedian in the cast, and- he ie sublimely ridiculous in his enjoyable antics, including eccentric dancing. A more sparkling and joyous film it would be hard to find. REGENT THEATRE. Few pictures have given such genuine enjoyment as "On Our Selection," now running at the Regent Theatre and doing big business. The first big talkie made in Australia by Cinesound, the producers have scored an undoubted success, as the everyday life of Steele Rudd's family, Dad, Mum, Dave and others, as depicted on the screen, is admittedly one of the best comedies to be shown. The humour is screamingly funny and from beginning to end there is hardly a let-up, the audience at times being almost convulsed with laughter. The picture is typical of the Australian wayback, and can honestly be recommended to all who enjoy, an hour or so of hearty laughter. The picture, in addition to providing uproarious comedy, has all the glorious setting of the Australian bush. NATIONAL THEATRE. A South Seas romance that's "different" —the dramatic and vivid tale of the rivalry of two strong men for the love of a girl of the Far East ports—this is the colourful theme of "After the Rain," which opens at the National Theatre tomorrow. With Spencer Tracy, Peggy Shannon, William Boyd and Irving Pichel in the featured roles, the picture is hailed ae a welcome novelty among the season's screen offerings. When Boyd, as a trad-ing-schooner captain, sails from Singapore for Australia, Miss Shannon goes with him to escape the police, and he puto her ashore on an island nearby to await his return. There she meets an adventurous and reckless pearl-fisher in the person of Spencer Tracy, and the two fall in love, with Tracy finally proposing marriage. Fearing Boyd's return she refuses him, but subsequently learns of the captain'*; supposed death, and changes her mind. Soon after the ceremony she finds the repors was false, and that Boyd will arrive in a few days. The situation results in a highly dramatic climax and one that provides a thoroughly satisfactory ending after many breathless moments. - STRAND THEATRE. An entertaining comedy, overflowing with delightfully funny and unexpected situations, in which two pretty girls are involved, will make a strong appeal to picturegoere. "The Middle Watch," which has all the racy ingredients of amusing comedy, conies to the Strand Theatre tomorrow and will be the attraction on the new programme. The two girls, Jacqueline Logan and Dodo Watts, attend a party on a warship and are left on board when other members have departed. It is then the fun really begins, as a couple of officers resort to all sorts of ruses to avoid the presence of the girls being discovered by the admiral. Everything goes along merrily till the wife of the admiral comes on board and finds the girls. Naturally she demands an explanation, and in the pouring of oil on the troubled waters there are many hilarious scenes. In the cast are Owen Nares, Jacqueline Logan, Jack Raine and Dodo Watts. ROXY AND TIVOLI. The first New Zealand screening of two feature pictures will be made this evening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, where a very strong programme marked the mid-week change. All the thrills of a fast-moving Western romantic drama are supplied in "My Pal, the King," in which Tom Mix goes through, the most daring escapades in protecting a juvenile king from the underhand diplomacy and intrigue of a band of bad men. There are a series of exciting adventures, filled with spectacular action and new stunts, as the hero smashes the bandit gang. A striking feature of the .picture is the showing of the circus. "Love is a Racket/ , the second feature film, has a strong cast, with Ann Dvorak and Lee Tracy opposite each other. This is a good story well acted, and concerns the adventures of a wise Broadway columnist, who discovers he is not so wise in the ways of women as he thought. His love for a chorus girl wae doomed by her ambition to marry wealth. Doug. Fairbanks, jun., is the wise columnist, whose ideas are rudely shattered when he falls in love. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Comedy is the strong feature of the programme to be introduced to-night at the Crj'stal Palace and Rialto Theatres. The change is headed by "But the Flesh Is Weak." Robert Montgomery, -who appeared with, such success in "Private Lives," "Shipmates" and other films, plays the star role, and with him are Heather Thatcher, one of England's leading stage players, Aubrey Smith, Nils Asther and Edward Horton. Montgomery is seen as the debonair young London fortune hunter who falls in love with the wrong girl and lands himself in all sorts of trouble. The complications grow fast and furious when a Russian prince comes on the scene as a claimant for the wrong girl's hand. But the wrong girl has the right cash book, and our hero has a worrying time. "Vivid glimpses of London's casinos, of the play haunts of society in the British capital, and dramatic and comical adventures at the races, in Berkeley Square and other famous locales, abound in the comedy of love and other complications.

LONDON THEATRE. All the ingredients which, are essential to a good picture are contained in "Borrowed Partners," showing at the London Theatre, It is a story of romance, thrills, laughter, and is exceedingly well constructed. All through the attention of the audience is held and the principals are Rex Lease, Nita Martin, and Paule Hurst. It is a good comedy-drama and one to please all tastes. A strong programme of shorts supports the featured film. At the cTiange of programme to-morrow the feature film will be "Lonely Wivee," a bright comedy which is brimful of laughs. An address on her 1600 mile walk through New Zealand will be given by Miss Esther James. LYRIC THEATRE. The new programme shown at the Lyric Theatre last evening, is one to particularly appeal to adult audiences. The feature film is "Private Lives," which gives a "behind the scenes" insight into the true lives of high-brow society. Robert Montgomery and Norma Shearer are ■ copartnered in the principal roles, and they are responsible for clever acting in the many dramatic situations which constantly arise. An excellent series of shorts makes up a very enjoyable entertainment. PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT. The Epsom Presbyterian Concert Party, consisting of 22 voices, gave a programme of several concerted pieces with telling effect last night at Onehunga. The rendering of "The Lost Chord" and 'Just a Song at Twilight" was especially well received, and a musical farce, "Harmonious House Hunting," by Mr. and Mrs. J. Smerdon, Misses M. Kyle, Jean Carrick, Messrs. H. Baillie and F. Furgell was greatly enjoyed. Solos were rendered by Messrs. D. and P. Black, H. Denton, P. Bell, J. Simpson, and Mrs. Tanner, and a violin solo by Mr. N. Walker. Mr. D. W. Dunlpp conducted and Mrs. Dunlop was the accompanist. There was a good attendance, the proceeds being in aid of the Onehunga Presbyterian Church funds. COMMUNITY SINGING. Community singing, under the conductorship of "Uncle Tom," will be held to-morrow at. Lewis Eady's Hall at 12.30 pjn,