AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Every .conceivable part of a rumrunning ship is seen as the background for various scenes in "Destination Unknown," the sea drama which comes to the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, with Pat O'Brien and Ralph Bellamy in leading roles. Every scene in this unusual picture takes place aboard the storm-tossed Prince Rupert, where 13 men take part in a desperate intrigue to gain possession of the scant ten gallons of drinking water loci.id up in a barrel on deck—while a b;v.u.. il girl hides below in the stateroom ot the dead captain. There are scenes o:i every pari of the decks of the lumbering craft; in the cramped quarters of the fo'c's'le; in the galley presided over by the slovenly cook; in the hold, where 5000 cases of contraband whisky are stpred; in the captain's cabin, where the girl cowers in fear of her life; at the foot of the only remaining mast, where a dilapidated sail hangs useless in the dead calm of a sweltering tropic sea; at the pumps, where exhausted gangsters are eventually forced to sweat and labour in an effort to keep the stricken 6hip afloat. An interesting and instructive study of the Vatican City and Pope Pius XI., claimed to be his Holiness' only appearance on the talking screen, will be shown at the Majestic in addition to "Destination Unknown." The final screening will be given this evening of "Fast Life," an entertaining William Haines comedy. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which produced the film version of the hauntingly beautiful drama "Smilin' Through," has banded together one of the finest arrays of acting talent the screen has seen. The combination of Norma Shearer with Fredric March, Leslie Howard, 0. P. Heggie, and Ralph Forbes represents a brilliant assemblage of artists. Added to this is the sparkle which Sidnev Franklin brings as a director, and the effort to attain the "perfectly acted'' picture comes close to realisation. Norma Shearer in this picture—now showing. at the St. James' Theatre—turns away from the sophistication of her past roles. In her dual characters of Moonyeen and Kathleen she attains an ethereal charm as the one and touches new dramatic heights as the other. In going back to pure romance she brings freshness and the mellow tenderness that arises from the revisiting of memorable places. It it the Norma Shearer of old in a refreshened mood, and the result is delightful.. Fredric March also has two roles. In both he ■is the suitor for Norma s hand. His is a finely sensitive characterisation, and he proves again that he is. one of the screen's most versatile actors. . Leslie Howard, too, carries ' a dramatic burden. He retains the same character throughout the story, and makes a transition from youth to old age. In this he gains new laurels, as "?? °- P „- He SS' e > Ralph Forbes, Bervi Mercer, Margaret Seddon, and Forrester Harvey. ROXY AND TIVOLF. Eye, ear and emotional appeal are effectively combined in "Broadway Bad," the romantic drama featuring Joan Blondell, Ricardo Cortez, Ginger Rogers, Victor Jory, Allen Vincent, Adrienne Ames and others, which is now showing at the Rosy "and Tivoli 'Theatres. More than 100 of Hollywood's prettiest girls provide the eye appeal. There are also colourfullystriking settings designed by Gordon Wiles, winner of the 1931-32 Academy of F ->tion Picture Arts and Sciences Award. Ear appeal is provided by two original musical numbers, composed specially for the picture by the famous song writers, Harry Aket, Sidney Mitchell, L. Wolfe Gilbert and James Hanley. "Forget the Past" and "Little Man" are the new "hits." A typical picture is listed on the programme at the Rosy and Tivoli-4n "The Dark Horse," which deals with election comedy. Warren William, Guy Kibbee and Bette Davis star in this film, which was adapted for the screen by two former political correspondents. It concerns the difficulties encountered when a political party cannot reach an agreement on its candidates for Governor and compromises on a "dark horse." The situation is productive of a brand of comedy rare 4 on stage or screen. NATIONAL THEATRE. To-night will see the final performance of Eddie Cantor's highly-successful musical comedy, "The Kid From Spain," produced by Samuel Goldwyn, at the National Theatre, where it has done a fortnight following on a' similar stay at the larger Regent. Just the same experience would appear to await "The Sign of the Cross," which will be transferred from the Regent, where it has shown for the past _ fortnight to splendid houses, to the National. It promises to remain another two weeks at that theatre. This beautiful and spectacular romance of ancient Rome, under the baleful NeJ'onian rule, as adapted from the immortal Wilson Barrett play by that master of film spectacle, Cecil B. de Mille, features Elissa Landi in an almost perfect role as Mercia, with handsome young Fredric March in a striking portrayal as Marcus Superbus. Charles Laughton has perhaps the finest piece of acting in his meteoric career to his credit in the important part of the Emperor Nero, while his beautiful but scheming Empress Poppaea is splendidly done by Claudette Colbert. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. A combination of two contrasting films should provide varied and acceptable film fare at the Crystal Palace and Rialto. Theatres this evening. - The two pictures listed for screening are Ruth Chatterton's fine drama. "The Crash," in which her husband, George Brent has his second male lead opposite her, and "Robbers Roost," a fine comedy-Western, featuring George O'Brien and Maureen O'Sullivan in a virile story. LYRIC THEATRE. To-night's programme at the Lyric Theatre, Symonds Street, will include two fine films. These are "Miss Pinkerton." with Joan Blondell in the title role, ami "The Indiscretions of Eve," featuring Steffi Duna and Lester Matthews. LONDON THEATRE. To-night will see the final offering at the London Theatre of the current revival of "The Love Habit," with Seymour Hicks in the lead. This fine British comedy will give place to one of the first and finest German films (done in English) ever released here—"The Love Waltz," starring Lillian Harvey and John Batten, the Auckland actor. * HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert given by Mrs. Raeburn and 'Mr. A. Hamblin was held in Ward 4 at the Public Hospital last evening. An enjoyable programme was provided, consisting of 6ongs, mandolin solos, duets, dancing and humorous items. Those taking part were: Misses Balfe, Eileen Smithson, Beatrice Balfe, Mesdames J. McCarthy, C. Fitzpatrick, Balfe and Messrs. J. McCarthy, C. Fitzpatrick, W. Smithson. Mmc. Dunn and Mrs. Fitzpatrick were the accompanists.