AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

"DIVORCE IN THE FAMILY." The domestic drama, "Divorce in the Family," which commenced a season at the Majestic last night, is one that should have a' wide appeal by virtue of its simplicity and truth. It is a heartsearching story dealing with a child torn between love of his mother and his father, who are divorced. The child, played by Jackie Cooper, who reveals strong emotional qualities for one so young, and plays his part to perfection, would have the love of both, and continually importunes his father, who is an eminent ethnologist, to come home to his mother. But that is impossible, for the father's ambitions are in the field of science and far lands, while the mother (played by Lois Wilson) craves for home-life and all it means to a woman, whose instincts are strongly domestic. The mother remarries, and the boy's doctor stepfather, Conrad Nagel, does all in his power to fill the place of .his father. But he fails to understand the child, who is rebellious and grows despondent, and finally runs away. He is sought for by his elder brother, who meets with an accident while searching in a row-boat on the river. He hovers between life and death. It is a blood-transfusion case, and both his father and his stepfather offer, to ■ transmit their blood, but the father's blood is unsuitable. The stepfather's 'blood is used, and the life of Jackie's brother saved. It is this fact that; cements the breach between Jackie and his stepfather. Domestic relations, which were a little, though not seriously, strained between Nagel and his .wife, are brought into concord again. The father, who leaves for his African ethnological fields once more, is played by Lewis Stone. There are some excellent supports in the news reels, and a Charley Chase comedy, "The Nickel Nurser," a comedy typically American. One of the most interesting items in the news reels is that in which is shown a plague of locusts in Egypt making the air black with their numbers, and their disastrous ravages on all plant life. The comedy is hilarously funny, and Charley Chase is seen let loose among four beautiful blondes, whom he entertains with his inimical absurdities in word and deed. TO-NIGHT'S CHANGES. Several city theatres, will make complete change of programmes this evening. At St. James' comedy will be featured, when Joe F. Brown will keep the audience roaring in laughter with his antics in "The Tenderfoot." This is said to be Browns funniest picture. At the Civic will be shown "White Zombie," rated the weirdest and spookiest picture to come to the screen. It claims to be more creepy than "Dracula" or "Frankenstein," and the 6tars are Bela Lugosi, who was "Dracula, and Madge Bellamy. At the National a South Seas romantic drama, "After the Rain" will be the feature, with Spencer Tracy and Peggv Shannon as the principals.' "The Middle Watch," a delightful comedy, comes to the Strand, and at the London, "Lonely Wives," a bright and breezy comedy, will be the -big attraction. At the Regent "On Our Selection," and at the Plaza, "Sunshine Susie" continue their successful runs. HOSPITAL CONCERT. A very enjoyable entertainment was given to patients of Ward 2, at the Auckland Hospital, last evening, by the Neville Carlsen Revue Company. Vocal, elocutionary and humorous items were rendered, the artists, without exception, being heartily applauded. Many patients and nurses from other wards were present. COMMUNITY SINGING. Community singing will toe held at Lewis Eady'6 Hall this evening at 7.30. The song-leader will be Mr. Wm. Garratt, and the soloist, Mr. J..Wallace Gill. "ALICE IN WONDERLAND." At -Scots Hall to-morrow afternoon and evening, "The Further Adventures of Mice in Wonderland" will ibe presented by Miss Cecil Hall and her .pupils. AUSTRALIA LEAGUE BAND. Next month the Young Australia League Band and Revue Party will make a tour of New Zealand. The party leave Sydney ,on December 16, and open at the Auckland Town Hall on the 21st. There are 38 boys and two adults, and the tour is being conducted for educational purposes only, all the profits going to charitable objects in the towns visited. AMATEUR COMPETITIONS. Four further classes were finalised in connection with the Auckland amateur competitions on Wednesday. Mr. Inos. •H Vivian, judging in the elocutionary division, made the following awards:— Girls recitation, Daphne Harman; girls' humorous recitation, Betty Watson. In the pianoforte section Mrs. K Holt awarded first prizes to Miriam Leach lu the senior class, and Gwen Baraett in tne junior class.