AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 15

AMUSEMENTS.

"DANGEROUSLY YOURS." The lure of diamonds, the machinations of a man who has found the stealing of them his most suitable post-war occupation, the vagaries of his accomplice, and the triumphant failure of a woman to foil the thieves provide the theme "for "Dangerously Yours," the, thrilling and amusing drama which opened last night at the Civic The theme is not new, but - its treatment is so novel, and many of its situations so delightful, "that it provides entertainment of high quality, with innumerable flashes of hilarity. The diamonds of a wealthy and alcoholicallylnchned old lady disappear during a seance in her own home, but the adventures through which they pass, and the clever method of their reappearance, .should not be disclosed, except visually.! W arner Baxter, as the gentleman adven-' turer operating in high circles, is the cool, calculating and daring character as of yore, carrying off his high schemes till he ' falls _ for the attractiveness of the charming orphan of- a banker who followed his crash with suicide. Miriam Jordan, personating this lady, has also sought occupation, but in her case it is the detection, not the perpetration of crime. How she senses the theft, and fails in her effort to secure the apprehension of the thieves provide the thrills of the tale. The scenes on the yacht, where she i 3 well and truly "anchored." provide novel opportunities for comedy and for clever overcoming of rescue ' attempts. Laughter and pathos intermingle, love looms up, turns temporarily to hate, and in the end wins out. The reformation of the thief is a most unusual one, providing an unexpected conclusion for a fascinating story of a quite probable adventure. Herbert Mundin, as the valet-accomplice of Baxter, has a role in which comedy and craft are delightfully blended, to reach their highest point in the transfer of a kiss. Two gazettes, a Magic Carpet which gives an excellent education upon the real Berlin of to-day, and a cartoon in which all firemen will revel, complete the programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The leading light of the amusing comedy featured on the Majestic's current programme, "The Half-Naked Truth," is Lee Tracy, playing the part of the most famous press agent of Broadway, Harry Reichenbach. Lee Tracy was bom in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been marching ever since —through college, through the army, through the stage world and through the screen world. He has punched cattle in Colorado, and worked as a railway electrician. Pair-haired and jocular, he is sft lOin and weighs only 1401b, but is as full of vitality as a wildcat. A wise boy with a disarming smile, he is superstitious and will walk across the street rather than have a black cat cross his trail. He is afraid of nothing tangible. His mother was a seminary teacher. She didn't want him to' become an actor, but to study surgery. He went on the stage, though, as a-.juvenile. His first leading role was in "The Cat and the Canary, and his big opportunity camevwhen he played the lead in Broadway" for 850 performances for two and a half years. He followed this with another long engagement as the lead in "The Front Page." He appeared on the screen in "Big Time," "On the Level," "Born Reckless," "Blessed Event" and "The Powers of Evil," to name a few of his film engagements. ' The Majestic offers an interesting and varied supporting programme* ROXY AND TIVOLI. A fine job of casting, which bespeaks excellent entertainment for all classes of audiences, is evident iu the list of players in "Stranger in Town," one t of the two pictures now screening at the Boxy and Tivoli. In the leading roles there are "Chic" Sale, Ann Dvorak, David Manners, Noah Beery and Raymond Hatton. The story of competition between "Chic's" country store and a chain store which opens in his town .affords him an excellent opportunity to deliver the finest characterisation he has yet done on the screen. His is a fighting role—a fight of a pioneer against two irresistible forces. Screening on the same programme is "Central Park," with Joan Blondell and Wallace Eord in the leads. These two ideally suit the characters of the people which they portray In the film, which is itself full of thrills and romantic interest. Both Ford and Miss Blondell, in their days of trouping, underwent the experiences of the characters in "Central Park." That is,, both have been stranded and "broke'' on their, varied careers before they attained to substantial success, just as it- happens to the boy and girl in the picture. Others in, the cast include such sterling names as» Guy Kibbee, Patricia Ellis, Henry B. Walthall, Spencer Charters. John Wray, De Witt Jennings. Holmes Herbert, Henry Armetta and Willard RoWtson.

NATIONAL THEATRE - Josef von Sternberg drew on all his varied experience in the art of photographic direction in the beautifullyexecuted romantic film, "The Blonde Venus," jv-hich opened a revival season at the National Theatre last evening. The star of the production is, of course, the irlamoroui? . Marlene Dietrich, German genius of "Morocco," "Dishonoured," and '"'Shanghai Express," who brings tears to the eyes one moment and sighs of pleasant satisfaction the next. "The Blonde Venus" opens with a love-at-first-scene between the leading characters (Miss Dietrich and Herbert' Marshall), who meet in a tree-shaded pool in the Black Forest, Germany. Then comes the happy romance of them as man and wife, with talented little Dickie Moore playing the role of their infant son. A rather painful story ensues, but never losing its sheer beauty of construction and acting. The play ends with happiness all round. An excellent round-of supports completes an enjoyable programme. '■ j STRAND THEATRE. ."George Arliss deserves considerable credit-for: the masterful manner in which lie portrays the character- of- -AlexanderHamilton 'in the film of that name, which is at the moment doing well as a revival at the Strand Theatre. He receives sterling support from Doris Kenj'on, who plays the part of his preat-hearted wife. Particularly interesting are the glimpses of the President himself, George Washington, whose portrayal was said to be one of the gems, despite its small size, among all • the acting done in Hollywood productions last year. "News of the World films will comprise the Supporting programme. LONDON THEATRE. I A new programme is introduced to the London Theatre to-day. This features a pleasant British society comedy-drama, "The Perfect Lady," with Betty Amann in the leading role. Reginald Gardner is competent in the male lead. PRINCE EDWARD. Reckoned one of the best money-winners in America during last season, "The Sporting Widow." which will screen with Big City Blues" (Joan Blondell) at the Prince Edward this evening, shows Alison SkipWorth at her hilarious best. LYRIC THEATRE. i Is splendid partnership is seen for the sixth time recently in "One-Way Passage, featuring William Powell and Kay Iraneis.i Jt is a story of adventures on a Pacific liner. It will be seen to-night at tHel Lyric Theatre, together with His Woman." ,: ; BRITANNIA THEATRE. A happy-go-lucky, pleasing romance forms the basis of "Gentleman For a Day." with Douglas Fairbanks, jun., which shows this evening at the Britannia Tjieatre, together with "The Strange Case of Clara Deane" (Wynne Gibson). VICTORIA THEATRE, DEVONPORT. Winnie- Lightner, although, less acclaimed,' is just as funny in "Side-Show, her latest starring film, now at the Victoria Theatre. Devonport, as she was in the. famous "Gold Diggers of Broadway. RIVOLI SKATING RINK. '' Under the direction of Mr. M. A. Nas-. Boor, the.Rivoli skating rink, Upper Queen Street, will this evening present a | series of enjoyable events. The old wooden floor has been replaced with a fine com-j position material which is claimed, to be both noiseless and, dustlesa. I

"THE MAYOR'S NEST." Someone helped an old gentleman across a crowded London thoroughfare, and when that old gentleman died the good Samaritan found himself richer by £5000. That was the front page newspaper story read by Joe Pilgrim, (frozen-faced Sydney Howard), one of "the great army of unemployed, in "The Mayor's Nest" at the Plaza last night. It at once gave him ideas. He had been sacked ironi the Luton Prize Band because he would persist in playing "William Tell" while the whole orchestra was playing "Zampa." But Joe, from, the door, pad iris Parthian shot: "Yah, I've seen better conductors than, you in trams." he informed the bandmaster, who daggers." Cast out on an unkind world, Joe was at a loss as to how he could get employed again. When a newspaper blew up to his feet, he picked it up. He read the legacy story and resolved that he should become a beneficiary either soonej: or later. Fate kindly decreed that his reward should be soon. There was the proverbial old lady, who needed assistance only a few yards away. He had been rebuffed already by two gentlemen, one a retired Army officer, who said he had led 20,000 men to battle. Therefore, clearly, he did not need to be led across a mere street. But the old lady reciprocated at pnee, and the two arrived safely on the other side. Although unemployed,' Joe said that he stood for! progress, and he was taken seriously. The old lady said he must stand for Mayor at the coming elections. He does, and gets •in by a large majority, and his deportment and his adventures as the Mayor are truly humorous'. Ludicrous, ridiculous, impossible—the story is all that—but it is, nevertheless, delightful comedy. Muriel Aked, as the old lady, Mrs. Ashcroft, was convincing, and Claude Hulbert, as her son, was as amusing as ever. Sydney Howard filled the difEcult part of the Mayor with entire mastery. The supports were particularly good and instructive. The scenic beauties of Rotorua and the "soaping" of a- geyser were particularly interesting. There were other news reels, one depicting the life of the frog from an egg embedded in jelly-like substance to the croaking creature whose only interest was flies—for food. Another short on London shipping activities rounded off an excellent programme.

NEW REGENT, EPSOM. Paul Lufcas, Charles Bickford, and Ralph Forbes vie with each other for the male honours in "Thunder Below," Tallulah Bankhead's film, showing to-night at the New Regent, Epsom, with "The Man From Yesterday," in which CHve Brook and Claudette Colbert are the stars. ' * ALEXANDRA THEATRE. Repeating its phenomenal success as a "silent," "The Flag Lieutenant" will be seen in talkie form .at the Alexandra Theatre this evening. Henry Edwards, as in the earlier version, is the 6tar. Anna Neagle is seen as the heroine. ADELPHI THEATRE. With the story written by Major Leo Trevor ' and Lieutenant-Colonel W. P. Drury, C.8.E., "The Flag Lieutenant" should be authentic as to its particulars of the British Mediterranean Fleet. It shows to-night at the Adelphi Theatre. NEW DE LUXE THEATRE. A first-class romance, "Face in the Sky" (Marian Nixon, Spencer Tracy, and Stuart Erwin), shares to-night's screening honours at the New De Luxe Theatre with "Red Dust," the dramatic Jean Harlow-Clark Gable film of the tropics. KING'S THEATRE, NORTHCOTE. Based as it is on R. L. Stevenson's famous mystery story, the film "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" should provide excellent entertainment for patrons of the King's Theatre, Northcote, this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. Adapted from Michael Arlen's wellknown story of the same name, "Lily Christine" will be seen as a British film on to-night's programme at the Empress Theatre. Also showing is "Tess of the Storm Country," the latest co-starring vehicle for Charles Farrell and Janet. Gaynor. WEST END THEATRE. j Janet Gaynor has a rather more dramatic role in "Tess of the Storm Country" than 6he has had in any of her pictures, with the exception of the second, "High Society Blues."_ Charles Farrell is once more her hero in "Tess," which shows to-night at the Empress Theatre. "Face in the Sky" will also 6creen. EDENDALE CINEMA. Tallulah Bankhead has another of her tragic but impressive roles in "My Sin," which will screen at the Edendale Cinema this evening in conjunction with "Red Dust." Jean Harlow and Clarke Gable are the stars of the latter production. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. With • Rouben Mamoulian's first-class direction and Hollywood's finest photography, "Love Me To-night" will show the third Maurice Chevalicr-Jeanettei MacDonald partnership to-night at the Tudor Cinema; Remuera.

GREY LYNN CINEMA. Some clever acting is given by Lewis Stone and Jackie Cooper in "Divorce in the Family,'.' which is listed to share tonight's screening honours at the Grey Lynn Cinema, with "The First Year," a GaynorFarrell film.

GAIETY THEATRE, TAKAPUNA. Joe E. Brown's nonsensicalities have an excellent foil in petite "Ginger" Rogers, feminine star of "The Tenderfoot," which will show at the Gaiety Theatre to-night. EMPIRE THEATRE. Probably the first film featuring a girl detective, "Miss Pinkerton," showing tonight at the Empire Theatre, deals with the famous Pinkerton private inquiry agency. Joan Blondell takes the title role, with George Brent in the male ]pad. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Two entertaining films are to be screened at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres this evening. They ' are "You Said a Mouthful," in -which Joe E. Brown and "Ginger" Rogers, together with little Farina, of "Our Gang" comedy fame, secure laughs by the score, -and "Me and My Gal," a pleasing romance with appealing Joan Bennett and rough but kindly Spencer Tracy in the respective leading parts. Henry B. Walthall has a splendid character part in which he is seen as a cripple able to move only his eyes. STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. Many weird scenes are incorporated into the Haitian "horror" film, "White Zombie," which is offering at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, this evening. Bela Lugoei (of takes the lead, while Madge Bellamy is the heroine. CHARITY DANCE. A dance in aid of the Discharged ■ Prisoners'. Aid Society, organised by Miss Donna Voorhees, who has produced several plays for the same cause. Was held in the Power Board Social Club's rooms. Walter Smith's Orchestra played, and a special dance number was given by Miss Mavis Davidson. SUNDAY CHARITY CONCERT. A varied programme has been arranged for presentation at the Empress Theatre to-morrow evening. Proceeds will be in aid of the "Down and Out" Mission. Reserves.may.be arranged at,the shop next to the theatre. "A DOLL'S HOUSE." Henrik Ibsen's significant drama of 50 years ago. "A Doll's House," will be staged by the Garrick Dramatic Society as its premiere presentation in the Lewis Eady Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. Box plans open on Monday. RIALTO SUNDAY NIGHT. In aid of charity under the personal supervision of the Mayoress of Newmarket, Mrs. S. Donaldson, the Rialto Theatre will to-morrow evening present the fine Gallipoli film, "Tell' England," together with the amusing picture, "Maid to Order," featuring the well-known female impersonator, Julian Eltinge. _ - MUN |ciPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band will give interesting programmes to-morrow, afternoon at the Zoological Park and to-morrow night in Albert Park, under the baton of Bandmaster /gßoxge Buckley, '

REGENT THEATRE. Laughs pile on laughs in the hilarious Eddie Cantor song-and-dance film, "The Kid From Spain," which is now enjoying a second week's success at the Regent Theatre. In addition to his talented supporting cast and his groups of beautiful ballet girls and senoritas, Eddie is aided by one of the world's most famous matadors, or bull fighters, Sidney Franklin. An American boy, who went to Mexico and later to Spain, he made good in a sport far removed from anything he had ever known before. The producer, Samuel Goldwyn, presents a new screen romantic pair in Robert Young and Ruth Hall, who have the juvenile leads in "The Kid From Spain." After he saw Young's work in "The Wet Parade," Goldwyn knew immediately that this was the lad for the Cantor picture; Young had also played in "The Sin of Madelon Claudet" and "Hell Divers." He was born in Chicago and lived in Seattle before going to Los Angeles. Ruth Hall came from Tampa, Florida, where 6he had been a native daughter in Henry King's production of "Hell's Harbour." She had gradually risen to prominence as a player of minor parts, when, to break her luck, she enrolled as one of the Goldwyn girls in "The Kid From Spain." Goldwyn gave her a test along with a number of betterknown players, and that ended the other long search for a new romantic partnership. The Regent's supporting programme includes the Roland Sextet, a technicolour cartoon, "Babes in the Wood," and a newsreel showing "Smithy's" landing in Australia after his return Tasman flight. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. On the screen of the St. James' Theatre there lives a mighty spectacle of hope and romance, adventure and history. It is the. ambitious production, "The Conquerors," co-starring Richard Dix and Ann Harding, which opened on Thursday. A sweeping story from 1873 to 1932, "The Conquerors" brings an inspiring and encouraging message to every man and woman and child. The film-makers have taken a great expanse of canvas and thereon painted a stirring story of believeable human beings whose vision founded banks, built railroads, created phonographs, harnessed electricity, discovered the use of steam, invented flying machines and submarines and the many other miracles of science that have made our civilisation the most advanced the world has ever known. It is an epic—an epic that, within an hour and a half, portrays the great love of a boy and a girl who are privileged to live through many generations to see come true the dreams they held for their country. Roger and Caroline Standish, just plain, everyday people, with faith in the land of their birth, live through three financial crises in the history of their country—the depressions of 1873, 1893 and 1929. They see their nation come back, better and stronger than ever in each instance. A cast of excellent players support Dix and Miss Harding in this, their first appearance together on the screen. They are Edna May Oliver, Guy Kibbee, Julie Haydon, Jed Prouty, Robert Grieg and others. Howard Estabrook is the author of the original screen story. William A. Wellman, director of many successes, made the picture. CAPITOL THEATRE. The most recent dramatic role played by Elissa Landi was the lead of "Burnt Offering," which will be screened at the Capitol Theatre this evening, together with "Skyscraper Souls," the stars of which are Warren William and Maureen O'Sullivan. ROUSHWORTH'S SKATING RINK. A large programme of novel events will be presented this evening at Roushworth's skating rink, Kliyber Pass Road, Roushworth's skating baud will supply suitable music for the occasion. Special attention is drawn to the smooth, dustless floor and the well-regulated ventilation system. DANCING. Dixieland, Eileen Olsen in novelty tap dance.

Peter Pan, Merv Bree's novelty band. Strand Theatre, Pukekohe, opening ball on Monday. Orange Hall, Newton, Jackie Aston's Band. Crystal Palace Ballroom, Waitemata Swimming Club's dance. Oak Hall, Liverpool Street, Aloha Dance Club. Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Connon's Orchestra. Columba Hall, Surrey Crescent, Ted Lonergan's "Syncopators." Oddfellows' Hall, Highland Pipe Band's dance. Olympia Ciub, Dominion Road, Mount Eden Boys' Band dance. Masonic Hall, Newton, Grey Lynn Labour party's dance. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, My-T-Fine Dance Club. Druids' Old-time Cabaret, Newton, dancing. Mayfair Cabaret, Hugh Tatton's Band. Orange Hall, Tuesday, Weir's Orchestra. Bon Ton Hall, Royal Oak, Pleasure Broadcasters' Band. Point Erin Kiosk, Te Koraenga Social Club's dance. Kontinental Kabaret, Kohi, dancing.