AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 285, 1 December 1932, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

j ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "When the current glamorous South Seas romance, "Bird of Paradise," finishes its I I season at the St. James , Theatre to-night, 1 it will be replaced by another film which is decidedly of the impressive and box office _ type. This is ''Chandu, tlie Magician," the film version of a radio drama which fascinated literally millions I of listeners in the United States last year. I Chandu, the hero of the piece (Edmund I Lowe), is seen in mystic rivalry with I Roxor, the embodiment of sorcery and 3 black magic (Bela Lugosi). The picture I was filmed in a spectacular manner, with an awe-inspiring "death ray" and its tremendous potentialities as the prime factor in the plot, which is always fast moving and novel. Edmund Lowe outdoes his earlier triumph, "The Spider," whila Lugosi once more rises to great heights of horrific evil, as witnessed in similar I roles in "Dracula" and "White Zombie. ,, I H. B. Walthall, one of the screen's great--1 est character actors, and Irene Ware, a I rising beauty in the film world, take the a main supporting roles. Thrills come thick 8 and fast in the picture, the theme revolves ing about an invention by Walthall of a 1 ghastly death ray machine, its theft and I the kidnapping of its inventor. Chandu § makes valiant efforts to release the seien- £ tist from the merciless clutches of li'.? i supernatural foe, and is finally responsible for the final destruction of Koxor's hendS quarters in a huge cavern mi the Uppc: I Nile. "Chandu, the Magician" combines I an a'etion film with a mystery drama to i form excellent entertainment. J MAJESTIC THEATRE. i A film combining almost every type of screen entertainment —vivid romance, exI citing action, abundant .comedy and I mystery of appeal—is released at the Majestic Theatre to-day, it in "The Roar ot the Dragon," a dramatic romance of the wild lawlessness of Oriental banditry, and featurea that master of action, Richard i)i.\. One stirring incident of the picture shows u band oi ravishing Mongols riding out of the night into a terror-stricken town in Manchuria. Flaring torches light a scene of panic. Chinese in hundreds scarry to shelter. A small group of whites hastily stockades a deserted mandarin palace and prepares fc-r a stoic defence. The bandits, led by a vicious 'half-caste, loot the town and slaughter its inhabitants, seeking chiefly as their prize, a beautiful woman, a Russian emigre, who has taken shelter with the other whites in I the etockade, where a rough and cynical American river-boat captain, has assumed command. Gwili Andre, dazzling Danish beauty, makes her first screen appearance in the picture, takes the role of the 'beautiful Russian, and the love that springs up between her and the captain in their mutual peril provides the strong romance in this story of the modern Manchuria. PLAZA THEATRE. The British film which is about to enter its second week of screening at the Plaza Theatre —"The Ghost Train"—is a faithful version of the famora stage play which delighted Aucklanders some years .ago. It was also seen here in the silent film days. This "talkie ,, is one of tho best "uight-of-scaree" pictures ever produced, and it is a definite triumph for its director, Walter Korde. It contains all the thrills of the play as written "by Arnold Ridley, who also wrote the story of another successful British talking picture, "Keepers of Youth." "The Ghost Train" embodies in its make-up a great deal o£ jnyetery of the eeriest type, some splendid photography and much excellent comedy of dialogue and situation. It has an appeal for every type of audience, yet does not lose point through mixing heavy and light entertainment. -lack Hulbert, the comedian of "Sunshine Susie," has the role of the "silly ass," who causes all the trouble, but later partially redeems himself. His characterisation could not be .bettered ._ He ie ably supported .by Cicely Courtneiclfrc (his wife), Angela Baddely, Donald Calthrop, Ann Todd, Cyril Raymond, Allan Jcaves and Tracey Holmes. NATIONAL THEATRE. Gracie Fields and lan Hunter will cease to entertain patrons of the National Theatre after this evening, when their musical comedy, "Sally in Our Alley," ends its season. Florence Desmond has an important role in the picture, which shows Miss Fields in her first talking picture production. Basil Dean, the famous British actor-playwright and producermanager, was responsible for the direction. The National's release for to-morrow is "Bird of Paradise," that glamorous romance of the South Seas, in which Dolores Del Rio and Joel McCrea have been delighting St. James , Theatre patrons for the past week. This picture is a version of one of America's stage classics, and every thrill of the tropical love story has been brought faithfully to the silver screen. LITTLE THEATRE PLAY. "Rope," the next Little Theatre production, will be staged at His Majesty's Theatre on Friday and Saturday next. From its title one would gather that "Rope" was a morbid play, but the play is actually an interesting psychological discussion of a subject of wide interest. The society intends playing a matinee, as the play is expected to appeal to a wide public. The curtain will rise at 8 p.m., and "latecomers" are to be excluded from the theatre until 8.15. HOSPITAL CONCERT. The Public Hospital Christmas "Cheerup" concert, arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin, was given in Ward 28 on Wednesday evening. An enjoyable programme was given under the direction of Miss Gladys Barton, consisting of songs, dancing, violin solos, instrumental items and special items by Mr. A. Thomas and Mr. F. Bicherdike, from H.M.s. Veronica. Those taking part were:—Misses P. Best, Gladys Barton, Meredith, Joy Stevens, Eunice Chaplin, Dorothy Katipa, and Mr. A. Copeland. Miss C. Brook was the accompanist. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The Bohemian Orchestra will present the fourth concert of its nineteenth season in the Town Hall this evening, a suitable programme having been arranged. Miss Eva Stern (late of New York) will play Schubert's pianoforte "Concerto," with orchestral accompaniment. Miss Helen Gray will play the Lalo violin "Concerto," also with orchestral accompaniment. The vocalists will be Miss Doris Moore and Messrs. Simmers and G. Fagan. CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME. A Christmas pantomime will be staged in the Scots Hall on December 10 by the Misses Beresford, the purpose being to supply gifts for sick children in the Public Hospital. LECTURE ON HIMALAYAS. An address on "The Peoples and Plants of the Himalayas" will be given in the University College Hall this evening by Professor Arnold Wall, who recently returned from a seven-months , stay in India. The lecture will be illustrated. "THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Very thought-provoking but entertaining withal, "The Kingdom of God," by Sierra, which will form the second production of the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society, will be presented in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-morrow evening. Miss Maisie Free takes the main part of Sister Gracia. The play will be repeated on Saturday evening. RIVOLI PALAIS DE DANSE. The "grand opening" of the Rivoli Palais de Danse along Continental lines will take place to-morrow evening, when a special dance and entertainment programme will be presented. The site is the old Rivoli Skating Rink renovated and redecorated. ST. ANDREW'S NIGHT. In celebration of St. Andrew's Night, a Scottish national concert was held last evening in the Onehunga Presbyterian Hall. Musical and elocutionary items were rendered by Messrs. W. G. Stoupe, Hugh Murdoch, D. Black, L. Harry, E. Black and Misses B. Smith, L. Woods, Kay Christie and the Rev. D. D. Scott, [ who gave an interesting address on Scottish J characters. *

REGENT THEATRE. I His final film appearance in Auckland for several months will be made by George VVallace, the Australian comedian, when his first talking picture, "His Royal Highness," con-eludes a very successful season at the Regent Theatre this evening. The j film fare offering at the Regent to-morrow | will be the British picture, "Mayfair Nights," starring leobel Elsom, -who -has been called ,; the Ruth Chatterton o£ the London stage." The picture is essentially a dramatic romance, dealing with that other world of after-dark London, •where the light-hearted clientele of the night clubs entice away the hours by the glint of wine glacises, the music of a merry orchestra or -band, and the rhythm of a ballet of -beautiful dancing girls. There is a kind of magic in euch tilings, of which the outer world know nought. That magic has been cleverly transposed to the screen by the cameramen and directors of "Mayfair Nights." It tells the story of a woman of fine 'breeding who is forced by her husband's worthlessness to establish a night club in order to support her two | small daughters. She sells liquor, after hours, and also rpermi'ts gambling in the club. Aα old friend, who had been a head waiter, acts as her efficient manager. Business booms, and she is able to send her children to the finest private schools, where neither they nor any one else can know that she gains her income, from such sources. But when the girls grow up and leave school, their .mother is eventually arrested by the police. Then their lives become the centre of many dramatic situations. Isobel Elsom is a'bly supported by Margot Grahame and Moira Lynd as the daughters, and fey Ivor Barnard, as her manager-6weetheart. STRAND THEATRE. Proof that romance is not wholly dead in this world of commercialism and marriage for money and position is. afforded in the film, ■'Sinners in the Sun," which forme the Strand Theatre's change of programme for to-morrow. It tells the story of two young -people who, although in love with each other, botli taste the joys and sorrows of married life with the accompaniment of -wealth. The lure of gold, of fine dresses and of polished company is indeed hollow if the real 'basis of humanity—love—is absent. "Sinners in the Sun" is not a sermon on .behaviour or a heavy emotional drama, but just a happy romantic tale of the terrible mistakes and ultimate happiness of two ultra-modern young people. Carole Lombard and Chester Morris take the -main roles. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. In. Hollywood there are good actors and bad, as everywhere else, both, receiving prominent parts. One of the _ most genuine of artists in the Film City is Roland Young, an Englishman, who stars with a rising actress, Margaret Perry, in "New Morals For Old," a film version of John Van Druten's stage play, "After All." Lewis Stone, another trouper, is in the cast. The picture will be seen tonight at both the Crystal Palace and the , Rialto Theatres. Barbara Stanwyck's ! "Shopworn" will also be screeued at the Crystal Pulace.