AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1933, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A thrilling kaleidoscope of the progress of invention provides an interesting and colourful accompaniment to the intensely dramatic theme of "'The Conquerors, costarring Richard Dix and Ann Harding, to be screened initially at the St. James Theatre to-day. This pageant of science and imaginative skill shows the intioduction of the -writing machine, the telephone, the submarine, the electric light, phonograph, trolly car, elevated_ railroad, wireless, the coruine of the first railway train through the West and other great milestones of advancing civilisation. All of these are secondary to the major theme of "The Conquerors," which splashes on a vast canvas the dramatic story of a nation's second battalion of pioneers: the men and women who followed the scouts and trappers into the West to build the commercial frontier. The picture m a thrilling document of rman s accomplishment and courage in times of adversity and stress. It is particularly timely because it teeats of a nation's consistent victories over recurrent periods of financial reversals. Edna Slay Oliver and Guy Kibbee vie for comedy honours in "The Conquerors." REGENT THEATRE. Eddie Cantor, in "The Kid From Spain," is now showing at the Regent Theatre. It is Samuel Goldwyn's annual presentation of Cantor song-and-dance, following last year's "Palmy Days" and "Whoopee" the year ibefore. In "Ihe Kid From Spain," Eddie marches out, neither bravely nor willingly, to show his skill and grace as a matador. Escape from the police who are. pursuing him, protection from the Mexican "thugs" about to put him "on the spot," the adoring eyes of the blonde sex menace, and solving his room-mate's difficult love affairs all among the reasons that bolt Eddie into the arena in the thrilling, colourful climax to the story. It is a role in which the weak-kneed, docile, helpless, beady-eyed Eddie is funny in a Chaplinesque magnificence. Cantor tops himself as a bouncing, bubbling minstrel. He has never been better; he has seldom been as good. Lyda Roberti is excellent as a second for his comedy. An easy grace marks the playing of Robert Young and Ruth Hall as the romantic "leads, and John Miljan and Carroll Naish are more than properly menacing as the Mexican had men. Sidney Franklin, as himself, is an exciting novelty to those who have followed his career in the Spanish arenas in which the hullfighting of the _ world centres. The Regent's supporting programme includes items by the Roland Sextette, and the second of Walt Disney's ingenious technicolour cartoons, "Babes in the Wood.

ROXY AND TIVOLI. A man's battle for life with, an enraged lion in its cage, a panic on a ballroom floor when the ferocious beast leaps into the midst of the dancers, a chase for the escaped animal in the darkness of a park forest, are among the exciting incidents in "Central Park," one of last evening's two new pictures at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Among the leading players in "Central Park" are Joan Blondell, Wallace Ford, Guy Kibbee, Patricia Ellis, Henry B. Walthall, Charles Sellon, Spencer Charters, Harold Huber, John Wray and Harry Seymour. The film was directed by John Adolfi. and Ward Morehouse was on the "set" during the "sheoting" of many of the scenes. The other film on the dual programme is "Stranger In Town." It was long ago that "movie" audiences used to get a great thrill seeing Raymond Hatton and Wallace Beery as a comedy team. Hatton always acted as a perfect foil for the burly Beery. Now, after a lapse-of a'couple of years, by one of those coincidences familiar to motion picture studios, Raymond is again teamed with Beery, although in "Stranger In Town," with Ann Dvorak playing the feminine lead opposite "Chic" Sale, it is Noah Beery that makes the other half of the Beery-Hatton team.

STRAND THEATRE. The final screening will be given to-day at the Strand Theatre of "Delicious," the beautiful romance starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in one of their most successful partnerships since "Seventh Heaven." The Strand's change of programme for to-morrow is another firstclass revival, "Alexander Hamilton," George Arliss' fine interpretation of the famous statesman of Washington's era. Similar to "Disraeli," in that it reveals Arliss in his acknowledged best work of characterising historical figures, it Also resembles that first great screen triumph of the veteran stage actor inasmuch a 6 he has an excellent feminine foil. Whereas Florence Arlies, his wife, was seen in "Disraeli," • in "Alexander Hamilton" Doris Kenyon plays the part of Mrs. Hamilton.

NATIONAL THEATRE. When the hilarious Australian comic film. ' "On Our Selection" leaves the National Theatre this evening, it is to be I replaced by a revival of the glamorous romantic film, "The Blonde Venus," the latest starring vehicle for Marlene Dietrich and her final appearance with her amaz-ingly-successful director, Josef von Sternberg, who raised her to fame in "The Blue Venus" (a German film) some years ago, and who directed her in "Morocco," "Dishonoured" and "Shanghai Express." Herbert Marshall, the fine British actor j-ecently imported by Hollywood and starred in "Trouble in Paradise" and "Evenings For Sale," plays the romantic lead. Little Dickie Moore" is well cast as their child, who eventually brings them together after tall and handsome Cary Grant had effected a partial estrangement. The picture shows Miss Dietrich in several novel and daring cabaret costumes.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. To-night's screen fare at the Crystal Palace, Mount Eden, and the Rialto, Newmarket, will consist chiefly of the British comedy romance, "Jack's the Boy," featuring Jack Hulbert in another of his amusing characterisations, this time as a London policeman. His adventures in Madame Tussaud's waxworks with Cicely Courtneidge, are hilariously funny. Winifred Shotter plays the romantic lead with Hulbert.

LONDON THEATRE. A fine story of a modern American city "graft," featuring Sue Carol and Regis Toomey, is the current attraction at the London Theatre. To-morrow's chief film will be "Heaven on Earth," a fine romance of the lower Mississippi, with Lew Ayres and Anita Louise in the respective leading roles.

HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert given by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin was held in Ward 14 at the Public Hospital on Wednesday evening. The programme was provided by Miss Theo Halpin, assisted by Mr. G. T. Lee. A number of patients from other wards were present. The items consisted of songs, violin solos, 'cello items, and humorous sketches. Those taking part were: Misses Lalla Hemus and Patricia McLeod, Messrs. Thomas Harris and G. T. Lee, with Miss Halpin as accompanist.

EMPRESS THEATRE. . With Mary Pickford in the title-role in the silent version, Janet Gaynor has a great reputation to uphold as Tees in "Tees of the Storm' Country," which is showing at the Empress Theatre to-night, in conjunction with "Lily Christine," a British version of Michael Arlen's wellknown ifctory.

LYRIC THEATRE. Frank Pettingell and Viola Lyel share honours in the British comedy, "Hobson'6 Choice," which is on to-night's "programme at the Lyric Theatre, together with "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (Ralph Bellamy and Marian Nixon).

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A lively comedy drama of publicity jncii and their clevcr "stunts," and one which is alive with personality, The Naked Truth," opening to-day at the Majestic, parallels some of the xeal-lile exploits of the late Harry Reichenbach, generally conceded to have been the most spectacular Press agent. Lupe Velez plays opposite him as a girl who becomes famous through high pressure publicity. It was Reichenbach who conceived the idea of having a lion brought in a trunk to a hotel room occupied by Mr. T. K. Zan. After this story was printed it was revealed that "T. R. Zan" was none other than Tarzan, which at that time was the title of a silent motion picture about to open on Broadway. He also had "tanbark" placed on the streets outside the house being occupied by Mrs. Patrick Campbell, the noted actress. There was a great hullabaloo about that. " The excuse was that Mrs. Campbell's sensitive ears could not stand the noise of the rumbling traflic. The publicity which resulted from that "stunt" was measured almost by yards. Supporting and Miss Velez in "The Half-Naked Truth' are Eugene Pallette, Frank Morgan and Shirley Chambers. In order to capture the authentic spirit of the theatre, Gregory La Cava took his entire troupe to the Baltimore Theatre in Los Angeles, where he filmed scenes for the Lee Tracy-Lupe Velez picture. The Majestic also offers an enjoyable Clark and McCullough comedy, "Hokus Focus."