AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 88, 15 April 1933, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

"" "NAGANA" AT MAJESTIC. I That distinguished tropical medicine expert, Dr. Arthur Torrance, showed unforgettably in a recent book that the real and most dangerous enemies of man were the flying insects —mosquitoes and the deadly tse-tse fly—rather than the carnivorous jungle animals which generally, unless molested, slink away at the sight of man. The tremendous toll of life and the terror caused amongst the African negroes by "nagana," or African sleeping-sickness, spread by this tse-tse fly, the struggles of an American an ft a Japanese doctor to save a native village from the appalling ravages of the plague and the love of a white woman for the American doctor all combine to form a compelling theme in the fine production, "Ngana," which had its premiere at the Majestic on Thursday night. The production is most realistically done and the jungle animals —lions, leopards, tigers, monkeys and crocodiles, upon which the doctors experiment for a: cure for nagana—add excitement and interest to a dramatic picture. Then there is the burning of a native _ village, the prancing and yelling natives in their devil dances, the beating of tom-toms, which is so effective in producing fear in the super-j stitious African mind, and the turning loose of the caged animals by the doctors on the frenzied native villagers, who havej tied the white woman (Tala Birell) to a tree to await a terrible death from a hoard of crocodiles temporarily held at bay by a ridge of fire along the bank of the stream. The two intrepid doctors, played by Mervyn Douglas and M. Morita, have | assured the old native chief that they can arrest the ravages of the fever. They have all but succeeded in this, when the chief dies stricken with the plague. The natives put it down to the evil medicine of the doctors and resolve that they _ and the white woman shall die. A thrilling rescue of the woman by the American doctor provides a fitting climax. There are some good supports, chief amongst which is an amusing comedy entitled "Room-Mates. Two young fellows, who have resolved to eschew marriage, eventually succumb to female wiles and the couples spend their honeymoon together in a fashionable hotel. Complications, which cause much merriment, arise when the two grooms forget the numbers of their rooms. A comedy cartoon, "The Plumber,' and two newsreels round off an excellent holiday programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI. The engrossing story of three girls, starting as classmates in the same public school, and the varying fortunes that cause their paths through life to intersect ten years, later, is told in a fascinating manner m| "Three on a Match," featuring Joan Blon-1 dell, Warren William, Ann JDvorak and j Bette Davis, which is now showing at Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. How the destinies of the three work themselves out is the drama that the film unfolds. Mervyn Le Roy directed the production. The large cast includes Lyle Talbot, Hale Hamilton, Grant Mitchell, Humphrey Bogart, John Marsden, Muster Phelps, Frankie Darrow, Dawn O'Day and Clara Blandick. George O'Brien usually plays a 'lone wolf role" in his screen offerings, but in Smoke Lightning," the other film on, the dual programme offered- at both theatres, he is teamed with the British comic, Frank Atkinson. Taken from Zane Grey's "Canyon Walls," this up-to-date tale of the cattle country is said tobe one of the most exciting of all the Western star's pictures. Nell O'Day and BetsyKing Ross head the supporting cast. Nell O'Day, as the charming heroine, Frank Atkinson as O'Brien's humorous pal, and Morgan Wallace as the "crooked sheriff, all do well in their portrayals. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Glamorous as regards settings and story, "Call Her Savage" features the inimitable Clara Bow in her return to the screen after an enforced absence of over two years through illness. The fihn, which will be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres this evening, is improved by the addition of Gilbert Roland, Thelma Todd and Estelle Taylor m the supporting cast. NEW REGENT, EPSOM. The famous Grace Miller White romance, "Tess of the Storm Country, m its second screen version and featuring Janet Gaynor in the title-role, wdl be the chipf entertainment offering at the New Regent/Theatre, Epsom, to-night. MUNICIPAL BAND. Under the baton of Bandmaster George Buckley, the Auckland Municipal Band] will to-morrow evening render an interesting programme in Albert Park, lhe band will also play in the Zoological Park in the afternoon. ! ALEXANDRA THEATRE. A further partnership of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. is'the chief feature of the absorbing New England romance, "Tess of the Storm Country," which will be on to-night's programme at the Alexandra Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE. With Richard Dix featured opposite a brand-new star, Gwili Andre, the film •"Roar of the Dragon," showing to-night at the Capitol Theatre, is a splendid example of romance and action well interwoven. EMPfRE THEATRE. One of the finest portrayals of the year was given by the virtual newcomer, Helen Hayes, in the lamous Sinclair Lewis story, ; "Arrowsmith," in which Ronald Colman will be starred at the Empire Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. I A first-class sporting romance, "Touchdown!" with Richard Arlen in the virile lead, will be co-featured with "Two Against the World," a Constance Bennett drama, at the Lyric Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. The ex-Australian actress, Phyllis Du Barry, now known by the name of Phyllis Barry, shares feminine honours with Kay j Francis in the latest Ronald Colman feature, "Cynara," showing to-night at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera. BRITANNIA THEATRE. , A typically laughable Joe E. Brown comedy, "The Tenderfoot," with "Ginger Rogers in the feminine lead, will be shown at the Britannia Theatre to-night together with the Carole Lombard drama, "Sinners in the Sun." GAIETY THEATRE, TAKAPUNA. The hilarious New Zealander, Pat Hanna, stars in his initial Australian talkie, "Diggers," at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna, this evening. This film is a tale of many amusing adventures on the Western EVont. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Very amusing situations arise in the Douglas Fairbanks, jun., film, "It's Tough to be Famous," now sharing screening honours at the Grey Lynn Cinema with "Thunder Below" (Tallulah Bankhead and Ralph Forbes). PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The first-class jungle film, "Bring 'Em Back Alive," is listed as to-night's chief fare at the Prince Edward Theatre. This picture, made by Frank Buck, is the only film ever made entirely in the Malayan forests. VICTORIA THEATRE, DEVONPORT. The entertaining British film version of the Frederick Lonsdale musical comedy, "Maid of the Mountains," featuring the stage star Harry Welchman, will be screened to-night at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. AMBASSADOR THEATRE. An all-Australian programme, headed by the fine romance, "The Sentimental Bloke," will be to-night's main offering at the Ambassador Theatre, Point Chevalier. George Wallace, the revue comedian, will also be. seen in a short comedy. LONDON THEATRE. A very clever and original film play is incorporated into "Maid to Order," which will form the holiday attraction at the London Theatre. The stw af this film is the_ famous feipale snperqpnatoE, Julian Eltmge, who is a natural com'sdiari. " N

"PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES." That inimitable pair of woe-begone ] comedians, Laurel and Hardy, made another film appearance on Thursday, and a St. James' Theatre first-night house rocked with laughter. Although there is a sameness of style in this foil and counter-foil duo, it is a sameness which does not pall, for there is always fresh incident and strange and most ingenious surprises in their adventures and misadventures. On this occasion the two are ensnared in the web of recruiting spun _ when U.S.A. entered the war, and their inconsequential careers follow through conflict not_ very serious for them, to a peace that is far more crammed with struggle, excitement and furious pace than was all their period at the front. A search for Grandpapa Smith, so that a little orphaned girl may be placed with her relatives, becomes a herculean task wherein a negro apartment house is visited, a boxing school receives a hurried entry and a more hurried exit, a society wedding is most unceremoniously interrupted, a bank is robbed, success is eventually achieved, and an ex-army cook secures a revenge which he had promised himself upon two raw recruits two years before. Delightfully inconsequential farce, all of this "Pack Up Your Troubles — with little doubt that it is the best yet from this droll pair of comedians. Yet, almost overshadowing their efforts is the charming naturalness of a real child, a girt not yet in her 'teens, whose unaffected portrayal must appeal to the hearts of old and young alike. There are two fine gazettes 1 , one with the inimitable Graham MeNamee as raconteur, and the other supports well maintain the St. James standard. An "Our Gang" comedy gives another sample of delightful child acting by the characters in an uproarious American school for small youngsters; _ "World Dances" gives intriguing peeps into the national types of dance adopted by many different nations round the globe; Chalk Up" gives the most mystifying display ot cue prowess that has yet come to the screen, a display that will set many a billiardist off wondering, and practising. REGENT THEATRE. In the opinion of most critics it can be said that only once or twice in the swift cycle of years does there come_ a motion picture of the depth of "The Sign of the Cross," the Cecil B: de Mille epic, opening to-day at the Regent Theatre. The transference of this great stag'e play, and greater book, by the veteran Wilson Barrett forms the culmination of years of creative, effort which de Mille has given to the screen. He has made just 58 feature-length pictures, including two particularly outstanding productions—"The Ten Commandments," in 1923, and "The King of in 1927. "The Sign of the Cross fitted in with all de Mille's conceptions of the ideal box-office success, combined with the same in theatrical entertainment and technical brilliance. It had a religious theme, the same as those other two successes, and, being delicately treated, should appeal to every class of human being, all of whom are basically respectful _ of religion. More than that, it has a vivid setting in the Neroian Court, with its profligacy and licentitiousness, with its hint of mighty power crumbling into dust beneath the feet, of those great-hearted martyrs who died in the arenas rather than abandon their faith. Such an epic is The Sign of the Cross."/ STRAND THEATRE. Commencing this evening is a general programme of interesting items which is sure to appeal to every type of film audience. Heading the list is a revival of the picture "Puttin' On the Ritz," a gay musical romance, done along revue_ lines ana featuring wistful Joan Bennett in rather a sophisticated role —for which she_ loses none of her piquant appeal. She is supported by Harry Richman, Lilyan Tashman and James Gleason. A children s Pantomine, in colour, "Alice in Wonderland, and two most interesting studies of wrestling matches at the Wellington Town Hall, form a really enjoyable programme. STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. The hilarious British comedy "Splinters in the Navy," with sad-faced Sydney Howard in the stellar role, will be shown at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, this evening. An excellent supporting programme is listed. CAPITOL THEATRE. Richard Dix has the honour of a new female star, Gwili Andre, in "The Roar of the Dragon," which will he eeen at the Capitol Theatre this evening ■ on a programme with "Unashamed (Helen Twelvetrees). I KINGSLAND TALKIES. Said to be* modelled on the famous Pinkerton detective, agency's _ thrilling activities, the film "Miss (Joan Blondell and George Brent) will share screening honours with "Bird of Paradise" (Joel McCrea and Dolores Del Rio) at the Kingsland- Talkies this evening. v SOUTHERN CROSS, ELLERSLIE. i Two highly amusing films, one British and the other American, will be seen to-night at the Southern Cross Theatre, Ellerslie. They are "The Indiscretions of Eve", and "The New Adventures of Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford." ADELPHI THEATRE. The chief film fare offered to patrons of the Adelphi Theatre this evening will consist of "Red Dust," a fine story of the tropics, featuring a new dramatic team in the shape of Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. KING'S THEATRE, NORTHCOTE. Sally Eilers has another pleasing part to play in "Second-hand Wife," the film which is featured this evening at the King's Theatre, Northcote, together with "Girls About Town" (Kay Francis and Lilyan Tashman). - EDENDALE CINEMA. One of the most assured of British box office winners, "The Flap: Lieutenant" will be seen at the Edendale _ Cinema, Sandringham, to-night in its talking form. 'Henry Edwards again takes the title role, while Anna Neagle is cast as the heroine. NEW DE LUXE THEATRE. Highly amusing comics continually intermingle with Jack Hulbert's romancing in the new British film "Love on Wheels," which will be screened at the New De Luxe Theatre to-night. Leonora Corbett has the female lead. WEST END THEATRE. A new vehicle for that coming Hollywood star Joan Blondell, "Big City Blues," will be' seen at the West End Theatre to-night, where the British comedy-romance "Love On Wheels" (Jack Hulbert) will also be screened. RIALTO SUNDAY NIGHT. A really entertaining story, indicative of Chicago's reputation, is embodied in "The Man from Chicago," which will be shown at the Rialto Theatre to-morrow evening in aid of local charity under the personal supervision of the Mayoress of Newmarket, Mrs. S. Donaldson. On the same programme will be the "thriller" "The Black Hand Gang." I EMPRESS THEATRE. I Two pleasant modern studies, "Central Park" (Joan Blondell and Wallace Ford) and "Stranger in Town" ("Chic" Sale, Raymond Hatton, and Ann Dvorak), are listed for screening this evening to patrons of the Empress Theatre, Ponsonby. COMBINED CHOIRS. Stainer's immortal composition, "The Crucifixion," received a fine interpretation last evening at the hands of the combined choirs of Epsom, Mount Eden, Remuera and Newmarket Methodist churches. The service was • conducted in the Epsom Methodist Church by the Rev. A. Mitchell. Messrs. Frank Sutherland (baritone) and 1 Roger Errington (tenor) were the soloists. ROUSHWdRTH'S SKATING RINK. A special series of enjoyable events has been arranged and announced for presentation at Roushworth's skating rink, Khyber Pass Road; this evening. Chief among these will be a gentlemen's one-mile handicap race, a ladies' half-mile handicap race, an "obstacle glide," a partners' distance glide, with several other interesting j competitions. Further novelty and sports events, have jbeen listed for Easter MonI day, i

CIVIC THEATRE. In his recent screen characterisations George Arliss has been a captain of industry, a world-famous financier, a brilliant musician, a Cabinet Minister (Treasury), a Prime Minister, and an Indian Prince. Now he has moved up a peg in the cinematic social scale. He plays the part of a king in his latest picture, "The King's Vacation," which commences what is planned to be a long-run season at the Civic Theatre. Although previously his greatest success was attained as a Prime Minister ("Disraeli"), his studio confidently expects that on this occasion his performance will outdo the splendid success achieved on that long-distant event. It is around his kingly prerogatives and his relinquishing of the same that the story of "The King's Vacation" was written by, Ernest Pascal in a highly humorous vein, The comedy throughout the film is said to be pleasantly intermingled with delightful romance. It is a modern comedy-drama, in which a monarch steps down from the throne to take a surprising holiday. George Arliss is supported by a fine cast of players, including Dick Powell and Patricia Ellis in the juvenile and ingenue roles, Dudley Digges as an old man, O. P. Heggie, the South Australian actor, Marjorie Gateson, and Florence Arliss, wife of the star. I PLAZA THEATRE. j When Renate Muller burst on the filmgoing public as the Sunshine girl of "Sunshine Susie," the public promptly took her to its heart. That, in itself, should ensure the success of "Marry Me," which opens at the Plaza Theatre to-day, and this film should increase the star's popularity. The story, which never is the strong point of musical comedy, is relegated still further into the background, without detracting a scrap from the entertainment. Renate Muller's personality overflows everything, and she sets out to make a young man, who does not know he loves her, realise that fact. Matters are helped and complicated by Bernstein's Matrimonial Agency, an up-to-date creation of a film producer's mind, which is excused because it presents Harry Green, an excellent comedian, in the role of Bernstein. George Robey, making his screen debut, adds to the gaiety as a Hungarian pig farmer. The three young Englishmen—lan Hunter, Maurice Evans and Charles Hawtrey—make three charming. brothers, of which Hunter plays the elder, the one whose'mind has to be made up for him. He is a London matinee idol, but many of Auckland's younger people will take Evans still more to their hearts. Altogether these small pieces are built up into a delightful whole by Director William Thiele and Renate Muller. NATIONAL THEATRE. Extended from its well-attended season at the Regent, Queen Street, "The Kid From Spain" commences one week's stay at the National Theatre to-day. This production is Eddie Cantor's annual song-and-dance . spectacle for Samuel Goldwyn. "The Kid From Spain" shows the popeyed Eddie getting in and out 06 many successive scrapes through his being mistaken for a famous bull-fighter. One of the world's best-known proponents of this sport, Sidney Franklin, actually appears in the flesh in the film, which includes a bevy of beautiful senoritas in full cliase after Eddie's heart. The National will also show the Regent supports, headed by the techni-colour cartoon, "The Babes In Wood," and the Roland Sextette on the stage. SUNDAY CONCERT. A programme will be presented at the Empress Theatre to-morrow evening. Admission will be by collection, and the proceeds will be devoted to the "Down-and-Out" Mission. The following will con-j tribute items: Ted Lonergan's "Syncopaters," the Smjthson Family, James O'Kane, Mme. O'Kane, Robert Blackie, Eileen Smithson, Clarice Palmer, George and Neville Carlsen, Harry Reece, Kathleen Boyle, Lai Porter and others. RIVOLI SKATING RINK. Something which is claimed to be a novelty in skating entertainment will be featured to-night at the Rivoli_ skating rink, Upper Queen Street. This is the distribution of 500 envelopes, some of them (Containing cash, to the first 500 skaters in the grand march. The Rivoli on Easter Monday will hold a "Mad Hatters' Night, during which there will be a competition for the funniest or weirdest hat. DANCING. Dixieland, Race Night Ball to-night; Easter Monday, Easter Ball. Peter Pan, Race Ball to-night; Easter Monday, Ella Shields as guest. Masonic Hall, Newton, Grey Lynn Labour party's Easter dance. Crystal Palace ballroom to-night, Kowhai Easter dance. Crystal Palace ballroom, Easter Monday, d s n t ( ; i s!pulchre's Hall, Ventura Dance Club opens on April 22. . „ Orange Hall, Jackie Aston s Astonians. Mayfair Cabaret, Hugh Tatton's Orchestra St. Columba's Hall, Grey Lynn, exservicemen's dance. ' ■ , aiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Connon s orchestra. „ _ . Point Erin Kiosk, Ponsonby Swimming Club's dance. „ „ , , Rangitoto Island Hall, masquerade and fancy dress ball. _ . .. St. Francis Hall, Point Chevalier, dancing. ' w ~ „ Manchester Unity Hall, Novelty Orchestra. . , Kontinental Kabaret, Kohl, dance proI 6 ' Clack Cabaret, Newmarket, Liverpool Street, Aloha Dance Hall, Newmarket, My-T-Fine Dance Club. . . , Labour Hall, Newton, special dance programme; pianist, Frank Stacey. Druids' Old-time Cabaret, Easter C Bon Va Ton Hall, Royal Oak, Pleasure Broadcasters' Band.