AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 58, 10 March 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"MASK OF FU MANCHU." Without the least desire to haggle with author Sax Rohmer or director Charles Brabin, the film which opened an auspicious season last evening at the Majestic Theatre, "The Mask of Fu Manchu," would have been far more suited to its story if the title had been "The Sword of Fu Manchu," for it dealt almost continuously with the mighty scimitar of that greatest warrior of old Asia, Ghengis Khan, who conquered the entire Eastern world before his plans to conquer the West were frustrated by death. Sax Rohmcr created the human fiend, Dr. Fu Manchu, with the express purpose of making him lead Asia's uncounted hordes against the civilised but very puny West. In "The Mask of Fu Manchu," the doctor —university man of Oxford, Edinburgh and Harvard —does not quite achieve his terrific aim, through the amazing luck and bravery of a young Englishman in love, who braves the ire of a thousand of the greatest chieftains or the East in their own sanctuary to rescue his beautiful fiancee from a sacrificial altar. Such astounding things happen—weird and uncanny visitations, unwarranted strokes o£ luck, and melodramatic rescues from a myriad horrific perils—that the story must be accepted as pure fiction. It is the photography, the unreal mysticism of a down-trodden, yet resentful, Oriental race, which forms the chief appeal in tlie film.- - Karloff in the role of Dr. Fu Manchu may be said definitely to be the successor of Warner Oland in this particular part. He is an excellent fiend, heartless, yet imbued with a maniacal love for his people, a true tyrant of the East who has learned all the scientific secrets of the West. Lewis Stone has a typically solid piece of acting to his credit as Detective Naylancl Smith, while Myrna Loy deserves mention for her entirely i satisfying portrayal as the daughter of Fu Manchu. Charles Starrett and Karen Morley are cast as the headstrong young people who are caught in the mesh of the Oriental spider, while Lawrence Grant gives a sterling performance as an English, scientist who is killed by torture. A laughable comedy, "Red" Noses,' ■with. Zasu Pitts and Thelma Todd, is also screening, in addition to a well-executed "short." "Fisherman's Paradise," dealing with the art of Izaak Walton as regards mountain stream trout. Pete Smith gives an amusing running commentary _on the subject. Two newsreels, containing a i varied assortment of pictures, complete a thoroughly entertaining programme. CITY SHOWS. Four new shows will open seasons ia city theatres to-night. These are: Regent, "Evenings for Sale," a beautiful romance starring Herbert Marshall, Sari Maritza and Charlie RuggTes; Civic, "Bitter Tea of General Yen," a romantic drama of the Eastern war area, with Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther; St. James', "Rockabye, -the latest Constance Bennett drama, with. Joel McCrea in support, and Strand, "Siege of the South," Captain Frank Hurley's gripping photographic record of Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic voyages. The Majestic ("Mask of Fu Manchu") changed last evening, and Roxy and Tivoli ( Make Me a Star" and "Heritage of the Desert, dually) on Wednesday. The National Theatre is offering a revival of lhe Old Dark House." TECHNICOLOUR FILMS. Three beautifully executed technicolour "shorts" by Walt Disney, the famous creator of " Mickey Mouse," were tradeshown at the Strand Theatre this morning. Under ■ the general title of " Silly Symphonies," these films, set to music, are coloured with a process new to the screen, and the action is cleverly conceived. The three screened this morning were: " Neptune, King of the Sea," " Babes in the Wood," and " Santa's Workshop. They have been many months in preparation, and their imminent release in Auckland is a screen event to be watched for eagerly. Also trade-shown were two fine " Filmcraft " studies of wrestling bouts in Wellington. Some fine wrestling is seen between George Walker and Harry Mamos, also Al Karasick and Dene Detton. "THE HAPPY ENDING." lan Hay's delightful play, "The Happy Ending," will be presented to-night and to-morrow evening at the Town Hall t/oncert Chamber by the St. Cuthbert's Old Girls' Association, in aid of the Plunket Society. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. The Auckland Little Theatre Society will stajre the first of its five 1933 attractions, "Ambrose Applejobn's Adventure," a three-act comedy by Walter Hackett, in His Majesty's Theatre for three nights commencing March Iβ. MUNICIPAL BAND. The popularity of the Municipal Band was further enhanced last night when it was greeted by a large and enthusiastic audience at its first recital in Victoria Park, Freeman's Bay. CONCERT FOR UNEMPLOYED. An entertaining concert and revue was staged at the Delta Theatre, New Lynn, last evening by the Neville Carlsen Revue Company, in aid of local unemployed. The troupe will play in the Empress Theatre on Sunday night.