AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

"LET ME EXPLAIN DEAR." Maintaining the high level of the prime favourite, "My Wife's Family," the latest Gene Gerrard picture, "Jjet Me Explain, Dear," released at the Civic last evening, raised cyclonic storms of hilarity and mirth throughout its screening. It is seldom that the walls of any theatre have reverberated with such unrestrained laughter a.s did the Civic's last night, and notliing funnier than some of the complications into which the young husband, the villain or the hero of the piece, drifts could be imagined. The film portrays the adventures, within and without a strictly limited marital sphere, of a smart young husband about town whose principal mission in life appears to be tlie study and evasion of the model standards of conduct cherished by his wife. There is no single plot in the story, it seems to be all piot and counter-plot, with climax and anticlimax continually threatening, but being warded off just in the nick of time. There is, of course, another woman in the case and there is also a string of extremely valuable pearls that find their way into the coat pocket of the husband and is claimed by an attractive, albeit casual, lady friend. But the greatest comedy episode of all is when complications arise over a newspaper insurance claim for a supposititious injury sustained in a river boat-taxi smash. The husband gets his next-door neighbour to impersonate an old lady who was in the boat and is claiming that the husband was responsible for the mishap. While the neighbour is dressing to impersonate the injured lady, which requires considerable facial plastic surgery, the lady herself appears and is mistaken by the husband for the spurious character. Then the fun becomes fast and intensely furious, and last night the speaking parts could not be heard in the din of uproarious laughter that was provoked. "Let Me Explain, Dear," is without doubt one of the cleverest fun creators brought tj the screen. Gene Gerrard and Claud Hulbert prove irresistible, and they are supported by a talented company. The supporting films are of an extremely interesting and varied character. Two Movietone items deal with happenings throughout the world, while the Pathe Pictorial is in itself a high-class variety entertainment, with the Pathe Weekly also picturising varied subjects. The orchestra adds several bright and snappy numbers, making up a very attractive; programme.

PLAZA THEATRE. The comedy of Ralph Lynn appears to go well with the theatre-goers of Auckland. A fine reception is being accorded "Just My Luck," his latest screen effort, which is doing a second week at the Plaza Theatre. It is no idle boast to declare that the Plaza can turn hundreds away with its British programmes, _ for that position has quite frequently arisen since the introduction of "Sunshine Susie" about last October. Last Saturday every seat in the house was sold out shortly before eight o'clock, and it is expected that this will recur to-niglit. The picture was adapted by Ben Travel's, author of most of the famous Aldwych Theatre farces, from an original stage play by H. F. Maltby entitled 'I 1 itty Fifty." It deals with the adventures of a crushed, unfortunate music teacher (a brilliant piece of character work by Mr. Lynn), when he realises that half of his allotted span of 70 years has been all misery, and that the other half, about to begin, must be therefore an era of unrestrained prosperity. So well does lie set to work in this belief that he emerges in a few hours with a £2000-a-year job as a hotel manager, with a beautiful girl to help him through life. Troubles come despite his assurance, and lie learns that to be bombastic and selfish is not to be prosperous. The picture does not moralise, however, and ends oij. a happy note, sucil as, indeed, is maintained, throughout. Winifred Shotter is the heroine, with Viola Lyel in a fine portrayal as her mother. Frederick Burtwell and Phyllis Clare bring up the supporting cast. An excellent programme, of supports is also offered, making excellent all-round entertainment.

STRAND THEATRE. The brilliance of technicolour film production combined with the true-to-lite drawings of Walt Disney, the Mickey Mouse creator, form fine entertainment, it 'King Neptune/' which was screened at the Strand last evening, is any criterion. A new type of "short" has come to the screen, of which this is the first to arrive. The main entertainment at the btranct, however, consists of "Cynara, 9 the t>rilliant stage play based on Ernest Dawson s poem, and picturised with Ronald Column in the leading role of Warwick, Kay Francis as his wife and Phyllis as his heart's desire—and "Trouble in Paradise, an Ernst Lubitsch production, featuring Herbert Marshall and Kay Francis. Marshall is a fine young actor irom the English stage, where he and his wire, Edna Best, rose dually to the pinnacles of fame. They also secured substantial triumphs together in a number of British films, such as "The Calendar,' "lhe Faithful Heart" and "The Ringer. Herbert Marshall made several films 01 a high quality in Hollywood, including "The Blonde Venus," "Evenings 1< or Sale" and "Trouble in Paradise." He is an exceedingly popular .male lead, his handsomeness and pure diction being conducive towards appeal to both sexes, lhe entire programme contains the best of the year's screen product.

RIALTO THEATRE. Tlie drolleries of Will Rogers are' extremely popular with many regular film patrons. They receive excellent interpretation in the "latest Henry King directorial effort, "State Fair," which features a cast headed by Janet Gay nor, Lew Ayres, Will Kogers, Sally Eilers and Norman Foster. NEW REGENT, EPSOM. Nat Madison, who has now made good in Hollywood, had one of his first parts in "Warner Baxter's "Man About Town, which shows at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, this evening, together with Disorderly Conduct," featuring Spencer Tracy, Sally Eilers and El Brcndel. ADELPHI THEATRE. Three productions will be on to-night s entertainment bill at the Adelphi Theatre. These are "I Am a Fugitive" (Paul Mum), "They Call It Sin" (Loretta Young and Davicl Manners) and "Two Crowded Hours," with Jerry Yerno. KING'S THEATRE, NORTHCOTE. The colourful and swift-moving charm of Western pictures is fully expounded in "Rainbow- Trail," in which Tim McCoy will be seen at the King's Theatre, Northcote, to-night. "Sailor's Luck" (Sally Eilers and James Dunn) is also 011 the programme. LONDON THEATRE. A modern version of the famous "East Lynno" is the chief film farce on the programme which opened at the London Theatre yesterday. It was first released here some years ago as "Ex-Flame," Neil Hamilton and Marion Nixon being the stars. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A gripping story of the prize ring is! embodied in the film, "Hie Big Fight,'' which receives its second Auckland release at the Prince Edward Theatre during the current season. Guinn Williams, Ralph J nee and Lola Lane share the chief acting honours in the production. EMPIRE THEATRE. In addition to the inane but vastly amusing behaviour of Wheeler and Woolsey in "Hold '"Em, Jail," Empire Theatre patrons to-night will enjoy a brilliant modern romance. "One-Way Passage," -which boasts William Powell and Kay Francis as its stars. CAPITOL THEATRE. Adapted from the popular .T. B. Priestley novel, "Benighted,*' the film "The Old Dark House," which screens to-night at the Capitol Theatre, has an impressive east headed by Boris KarlofY, Ernest Thesiger, Eva Massey, Gloria Stuart, Lilian Bond and Melvyn Douglas. VICTORIA THEATRE, DEVONPORT. Hilarity is - the keynote of "Sleepless Nights," the amusing British musical comedy-romance which has done so well for three weeks in the city (not consecutive). It will be the feature for to-night at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport.

"TO-NIGHT IS OURS." A story by ]S T oel Coward is of itself a guarantee that there will be worth-while picture from it, and undoubtedly there is in "To-night Is Ours," so favourably received at the Regent yesterday. The action is carried from gay, but real, Paris to one of those mythical central European States beloved of novelists and scenario writers. There must have been created sufficient of these indefinitely located kingdoms to cover several planets. However, a princess of the ruling line of one of them holidays in Paris, and there finds love. Fate steps in on the morn of the wedding. An assassin's deed has made her queen of her own land, and loyalty to it triumphs, with great difficulty, over love. She goes east to rule in a turbulent State, and just as fate intervened on the eve of her Parisian wedding, so it does again before she is united to the prince of another reigning house. It is a delightfully impossible story with a very mddern revolution by midnight, and an ending where another commoner weds royalty—a growing European fashion. '"To-night Is Ours" gives us Claudette Colbert at her best. From the moment she appears as a glorious Columbine at a fancy-dress bull till she defies the revolutionaries and abandons her throne for her heart's desire she is convincing, beautiful, and charming in her witty dialogue and grace of movement. The cameraman has had golden opportunities and has made the most of them; he has produced bome studies of Miss Colbert that are gems in their artistry. Fredric March, as the lover who eventually follows from Paris, stays the hand of an anarchist, and becomes prince consort, has a role that is somewhat overshadowed by the dominant character of the wonderfullyportrayed queen, but he is the same convincing actor, and the pair carry almost all the honours in what is spectacular and very fascinating dramatic entertainment, for "To-night Is Ours," in both construction and presentation, stands high in its class of film. And it has fine supports in an English and an Australian gazette, a couple of bright short comedies and a splendid presentation of a newly-discovered Irish tenor. Knight Barnett displays the full capacity of the organ in old-time melodies, and his own Ronald Frankau touch is a highly-diverting comedy number.

ROXY AND TIVOLI. The art of Erich von Stroheim in perceiving what no other Hollywood director has done—that Zasu Pitts is a finished tragedienne—is demonstrated as much as her comedienne reputation will allow in "Walking Down Broadway," the new film now showing at the Roxy Jlnd Tiyoli Theatres. Miss Pitts in this production certainly comes out as an artist who can discriminate between the fine lines of laughter and tears, and she combines all the elements of her art intp her role as an equal of Beery and Dressier. James Dunn, the handsome young hero of "Bad Girl," "Over the Hill," "Dance Team," and "Sailor's Luck," has the chief male role in this pleasant human drama, while the newcomer to the screen "Boots" Mallory, seen in "Bondage," is the feminine lead. Terrence Ray is the only other important player in the small but well-chosen cast. Erich von Stroheim was also responsible for the adaptation and dialogue of the piece. The two theatres are showing in addition the British comedy "Money Talks," which was made as "Magenta Street," featuring the popular Jewish comedian Julian Rose, whom we saw in Gracie Fields' "Looking On the Bright Side." Judy Kelly, the Australian beauty contest winner, receives her first big screen part, and she definitely makes good. Kid Berg, the handsome and popular English boxing champion, is the hero. The cast also includes Jimmy Godden, Gus McNaughton, Hal Gordon, Griffith Jones, and Gladdy Sewell. lhe programme is one well worth its price of admission. NATIONAL THEATRE. "They Just Had t9 Get Married," the hilarious comedy which opened a return season at the National Theatre evening, merits the well-known application ot a "riot." It is certainly one of the best balanced and therefore most substantial comedies of the season, and credit ioi this must go not to the principals on the acting side, but also to Edward Ludwig. the director. The picture was adapted from the play by Cyril Harcourt. . It brings together for the first time since "The Unexpected Father," those monarchs of farce, Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts. The former's awkwardness is a perfect foil for Miss Pitts' lackadaisical nervousness, as expressed in the woebegone look, the wailing voice and the exquisitely helpless flutter of her magical hands. As man and wife they are the centre of a thousand and one hilarious complications, and it is doubtful it' they could have been cast in roles more ideally suited to their respective talents. The supporting cast of the film, which does very well for itself in introducing the merest shade of a dramatic note, comprises such artists as Veree Teasdale, the "discovery" of "Skyscraper Souls," Fifi Dorsay, Roland Young. C. Aubrey Smith, "Bob" Greig. David Landau, Elizabeth Patterson, Cora Sue Collins, Henry Armetta, Vivien Oakland and David Leo Tillotson, together with halt a dozen other players. AMBASSADOR THEATRE. Declared to be the most successful allround picture released in the United States last season. "Horsefeathers," featuring the four Marx brothers, will be shown together with "The Gay Caballero" (Ceorge O'Brien) as the entertainment for this evening at the Ambassador Theatre.

STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. A gripping tale of the perilous ways travelled by fivers over the transcontinental airmail routes forms the basis of "Airmail," the film to be shown to-night at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga.' Ralph Bellamy, Slim Summerville, Russell Hopton and Gloria Stuart are the chief players in the picture. WEST END THEATRE. A cleverly conceived story of adventures on an Atlantic liner is unfolded in "Infernal Machine," which shares tonight's bill of fare with "I Am a Fugitive," the gripping Robert E. Burns' chain-gang film, and "Peace and Quiet," a British film featuring Rene Ray. ALEXANDRA THEATRE. Written-by Warden Lewis E. Lawes, of Sing Sing prison, New York, the story of the film, "20,000 Years in Sing Sing," will be sufficient drama for to-night's audience at the Alexandra Theatre. "They Call It Sin" will also be screened. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Two romances arc conducted in the human drama "State Fair," which is the current "draw" at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden. They are between Janet Gaynor and Lew Ayres and Sally Eilers and Norman Foster. Will Rogers, Louise Dresser, Frank Craven and Victor Jory comprise the supporting cast. EMPRESS THEATRE. A surprising disclosure of many tricks in the magician's trade is made in "Trick For Trick" (Ralph Morgan, Victor Jory and Sallv Blane), which screens this evening at the Empress Theatre, in conjunction with "Infernal Machine.' "THE KING'S VACATION." That most recent and entertaining Arliss product, "The King's Vacation," depicting the famous star as a Ruritanian monarch on holiday, will form the main part of this evening's entertainment bill of fare at both the Edendalc Cinema and the New de Luxe Theatre, Mount Albert. Arliss' excellent supporting cast includes Marjorie Gateson, Florence Arliss (his wife), Dick Powell, and Patricia Ellis. MOVIE CHARITY BALL. The ball to be liekl in Dixieland Cabaret on Thursday, July 13, the second movie charity ball, is being organised in aid of the Mayor's Unemployment RelieE Fund. The event is sponsored by the motion picture interests of the city, who are issuing a special souvenir programme along the lines ot last year's magazine. ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY CONCERT. A musical evening, during the course of which- a one-act play ("Mrs. Watson's Window") is to be staged, will be held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening by the St. Andrew's Society, in honour of the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

"RASPUTIN AND THE EMPRESS." History contains few stranger stories than' that of the priest Rasputin, whose influence over the Romanoff family during the war is blamed for the downfall of the royal house of Russia. It is a big theme to portray,, even with all the resources of Hollywood, and the immense success of the film, "Rasputin and the Empress," which opened at the St. James' Theatre last evening, is a monument of what can be done by treating historical subjects truthfully and choosing the right cast for their requirements. Were tliis a story from medieval times, the producer's task would have been easier, but it is recent history, though much of it was expunged in the Russian revolution. The producer lias kept as closely as possible to known history, and the three famous members of the Barrymore family, John, Lionel and Ethel, make history live again. John Barrymore, as Prince Cliegodieff, has little opportunity of displaying the debonair humour that has made him popular in previous pictures, but he flashes a smile occasionally to lighten the gloom. His sister has the difficult role of Czarina, conscious of impending doom and unable to escape. But the dominating figure is Lionel Barrymore, as Rasputin, half-mad, wholly unscrupulous, an hypnotic figure of evil. Even before his advent at the court, tragedy is already there. Politic;) 1 assasinations are reported, the populace is restive and the Czarevitch, still a mere child, but the idol of the mob, lies at death's door. That was Rasputin's opportunity. His evil hypnotism cured the boy when the doctors failed, and thereafter his influence was supreme at the court. At the outbreak of the Great War, the well-meaning and weak Czar, was completely in his power, and the House of Romanoff was tottering. Too late the royal :amily awoke to the evil of the man. Prince Chegodieff, who had been banished for his opposition to. Rasputin, was recalled by the Czarina, and took upon himself the assassination of the priest. Nothing quite so gruesome has ever been recorded on the screen as that famous murder, when Rasputin's enormous fund of energy that gave him his hypnotic powers, enabled him to fight to the bitter end. That the evil he did lived after him is a matter of common knowledge. A lesser picture might stop with the villain safely dead under the river ice, but the tragedy is played out to its awful finish, the scene in the cellar at Ekaterinaburg, when the royal family of Romanoff were butchered by the Bolsheviks.

TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. The-leading role appears to have been made for Tom Walls in the production. "Leap Year," which is the current attraction at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera. Raven-haired Anne Gray is beautiful as the feminine lead. Jeanne Stuart takes a good supporting part. LYRIC THEATRE. Good measure awaits to-night's Lyric Theatre patrons, when "Strange Justice" (Reginald Denny and Marian Margli) and "Tess of the Storm Country" (Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrcll) will form the dual bill of fare. BRITANNIA THEATRE. A fine wrestler's figure is revealed by Joel McCrea in "The Sport Parade," which shares to-night's honoui-s at the Britannia Theatre with "C'ynara," the beautiful Colman-Francis-Barry dramatic romance. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Some of the screen's finest comedy "gags" are incorporated in "Movie Crazy," the latest Harold Lloyd film, which shows to-night at Grey Lynn Cinema. "Little Orphan Annie," with Mitzi Green in the title-role, will also be presented. GAIETY THEATRE, TAKAPUNA. In spite of only moderate success in the city, "Once In a Lifetime" is really one of the cleverest of all the farces written by Hollywood against itself. Jack Oakie, Sidney Fox, Aline MacMahon, Russell Ilopton and a large supporting cast interpret the chief roles. It wiH screen to-night at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. The newest link in the chain of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., will be the opening of the State Theatre in Onehtmga in tjie near future. The State has been built on the site of the old Orpheum Hall. SUNDAY ART LECTURES. Following the successful series of lectures held last year in the Art Gallery, the library committee has arranged for another course of Sunday afternoon lectures to be given at the gallery, commencing to-morrow. The present series, to be delivered by Dr. H. B. Wallace, will form a unit under the general title of "The Pageant of the Arts." During the course, the lecturer will deal historically with the relationships of the arts, painting, sculpture, architecture, the general principles underlying decoration, the meaning antf character of the great "styles," and the origin of the present-day forms and problems of art in the traditions of the past. The first lecture will deal with the ancient background of art. CATHOLIC REPERTORY SOCIETY. The popular Barrio play "Mary Rose" is to be staged by the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society for a three-night season, commencing July '20. The producer, Mr. Gaston Mervale, has selected a suitable cast. COMMUNITY SINGING. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Russell and Mr. T. T. Garland will act as song leaders at Wednesday afternoon's community singing gathering in the Town Hall, when a collection will be made for unemployed. OLYMPIA SKATING RINK. The programme announced for presentation to patrons this evening at the Olympia Skating Rink, Dominion Road, will consist of a Monte Carlo, a ladies' balloon race, a gentlemen's potato race, and other novelty events. On Wednesday' a hockey match . will be held between Farmers' Combined and Olympia.

"DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND." | It has been said that a clever woman can. outwit a thief, and one is ready to believe it after seeing "Diamond Cut Diamond" at the Majestic Theatre. The picture sparkles with witty incident and dialogue, and there is abundance of humour ill the farcical situations. It is a British film and as such makes a strong appeal, handling an intricate theme in a breezy and delightful way. In the performance of Adolphe Menjou there is a pleasing change from the roles which this star has taken in the past, and here he is seen as a man who must be busy doing something instead of relying upon the single-track appeal of a suave and charming manner. Menjou is seen now in the part of a- keenly-alert seeker for fortune, beginning penniless in the South Seas, where he and Claude Allister, who plays beside him, steal a valuable pearl from a native and use the proceeds to go to London. Then follows a sequence of robberies veiled in mystery, and the two crooks lead a luxurious life. Though at times coming' perilously close to arrest, they , manage for some time to maintain an appearance of innocence in the eye of the law. and their experiences bring them into touch with a girl who is also a crook. The struggle of wits between man and girl is interesting, and ends in an exciting climax which turns the .-tables completely on Menjou and his partner. The humour gains much from the work of Allister, who has a gift of light and frivolous dialogue, and the impression is left that credit is due as much to him as to the clever Frenchman. Menjou speaks a variety of languages with equal ease, accompanying each by versatile changes iu character. Benita Hume is seen as the clever woman-thief, and does her part with ease and skill. The supporting programme includes an unusually varied topical newsreel, which shows some remarkable glimpses of Hitler and the Nazi demonstrations in Germany on May Day; thrilling and dangerous incidents in motor racing and in motor cycle hurdling at British military performances; views of the ex-Kaiser's home at Doom, and also the returning popularity of the ex-Crown Prince, and the engagement of the exKaiser's grandson. There is a descrip-' tion also of the huge Chicago Fair, covering 424 acres, and of actual military and naval practice of the American armed forces. The comedy, "Wreckety Wrecks," deals with the hilarious adventures of two taxi drivers, and a Flip Frog cartoon gives a novel touch to the bill.

RIALTO SUNDAY NIGHT. A hilarious comedy, "Oh, Yeah?" featuring Robert Armstrong and James Gleason, will share honours at the Ilialto Theatre, Newmarket, to-morrow night with the film version of the famous Leon Gordon play, "}Vhite Cargo," in which the latelamented Leslie Faber made his first and only film appearance. The screening will be in aid of charity. CHARITY REVUE ENTERTAINMENT. On Wednesday next, at the Scots Hall, Symonds Street, a vaudeville-revue .entertainment will be preseuted by Neville Carlson's Company in aid of the "Down-and-Out" Mission. Excellent entertainment is promised, the east of 60 including many well-known and popular variety artists. Tickets arc available at Lewis Eady, Ltd. The entertainment will not be' held this evening, as stated in the supplement (Stage Jottings), but will be 011 Wednesday next. TIVOLI SUNDAY CONCERT. Mr. Neville Carlson has arranged a varied programme for presentation at the Tivoli Theatre, Newton, to-morrow night on behalf of the "Down-and-Out" Mission. Mr. D. Callinan's Parisian Orchestra wilt render selections, and the Smithson Family will also be seen. 111 addition, the following will contribute:—Misses D. Kingston, June Breere. Joyce Trainer, Joyce Cain, Messrs. E. Parkinson, Stan Holthouse, Will Collins, M. Darley, Robert Blackie and Master Albert Parkinson. RIVOLI SKATING RINK. A "mystery night" will be held at the Rivoli Skating Rink, Upper Queen Street, this evening, the management stating that it will have a surprise for all patrons. A series of races for the Auckland mile championship er.p will lie commenced at the Rivoli 011 Wednesday.. An enjoyable evening, is promised for all would-be patrons. MUSICIANS' CONCERT. A concert in aid of Auckland's unemployed musicians will be held this evening in the Scots Hall, the contributors to the programme being George Poore's Orchestra, "Jadoo" (magician), Miss Aileen Beresford's ballet, Miss Jean Morrison (soprano), and Messrs. Vincent Aspey (violin), Peter Dawson (dramatic recital) and Alan McElwain (humour). MUSICAL RECITAL. A musical recital will be given by Misses May Mitchell (soprano) and Phyllis Graham (piano), assisted by Mr. Vincent Aspey (violin). The entertainment will be presented in the Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday evening. ROUSHWORTH'S SKATING RINK. The initial hockey match in a cup series will bo played between "Oddfellows" and "Dominoes" at Roushworth's Skating Rink, Khyber I'ass, this evening. A gentlemen's 25-1 ap handicap race, a 25-lap challenge race between Miss Sheehy and Mrs. Macfarlane, a relay race of 23 laps by hockey players, and an exhibition of tap dancing, skipping and hand-springing on skates by young: Grace Rae, will go to form the entertainment. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. The first public concert of the 20th season of the Auckland Bohemian Orchestra will be given in the Town Hall on Thursday next, June 29. Among the many favourite selections to be presented will bo Sir Edward Elgar's "Polonia." Mr. Colin Muston will conduct the orchestra, with Miss Edith Whitelaw as first violin. The choir of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association will contribute several part songs under the direction of Mr. H. Woolley.