AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 205, 31 August 1933, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. According to one writer "The Crime of . the Century," which opens a season at ] the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, "is a murder-mystery-thriller in every sense. It J opens with a thrill and a mystery, carries ■ on throughout in the eame tense strain, ] and finishes with yet another thrill and, of course, the solution." First, the crime is confessed to the police before it its committed, and a second murder is carried out while they watch. Second, during the course of the production, there is a 60 second intermission, during which time the clues to the crime, and the persons who might have committed it, are flashed across the screen, thus offering the audience the opportunity of picking the murderer before the final solution is presented on the screen. Jean Hersholt plays the part of Dr. Emil Brandt, who inforiVis the police that he is about to commit a murder, while Wynne Gibson is cast as his wife. Frances Dec and Stuart Erwin, the juvenile leads, eventually 6olve the mystery on their own initiative. A Mack Sennett comedy, a "Hollywood on Parade" film, and a British news-reel complete the Majestic's fare. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Fra Diavolo," the first comic opera to appear as a talking picture, will conclude a successful season at St. James' Theatre this evening. Dennis King is admirably cast as the debonair bandit chief whose voice charms ladies into revealing the hiding places of their jewels, while Laurel and Hardy give one of their best performances as two simple souls who become bandits after being robbed. Dennis King is supported by a massed choir of 150 voices. Slim Summerville and Zaeu Pitts make a successful reappearance in "Her First Mate," which will open a season at the theatre to-morrow. Slim Summerville and Zasit Pitts have become famous as one of the most consistent screen comedy teams. Either of them is funny without doing anything, no less than when they are supplied with a continuous flow of dialogue and action. "Her First Mate" is the fourth in their series of farces, the earlier ones being "The Unexpected Father," "They Just Had to Get Married" and "Out All Night." The supporting cast of "Her First Mate" inclines Una Merkel, Warren Hymer and Henry Armetta. PLAZA THEATRE. "Their Night Out" is the title 1 of the new British comedy which is coming to the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, replacing "The Fires of Fate." The title clearly indicates the cause of the complications which involve Claude Hulbert iu his first starring role. It is his attempt to entertain an important buyer for his firm, that leads to all the trouble, and considering the buyer is a Scots lassie bent on seeing a notorious night club ; it is not difficult to understand how serious Claude's plight becomes. An interesting newcomer in the film is Renee Houston, the irrepressible half of the popular London variety stars, the "Houston Sisters." She is cast as the Scottish buyer, and it is expected that this, her first appearance in a full-length film, will be the forerunner of many similar experiences. This part is said to show Renee as a character actress of great artistry and reveal a side_ of her talent which has, as yet, been given no opportunity of. expression on the stage. The supporting cast includes Judy Kelly, Jimmy Godden, Amy Veness and Gus McNaughton. Harry Hughes directed the production. NATIONAL THEATRE. Irene Dunne recalls her magnificent work of "Back Street," "Cimarron," and "Secret of Madame Blanche" in the leading role in "No Other Woman," in which she will be seen for the final time in Queen Street this evening. " This film, together with William Boyd's "The Great Decision," in which Dorothy Wilson is introduced to film . followers, will give place to-morrow to another dual progammc which consists of a British dramatic picture ("That Night In London") and a really thrilling Richard Arlen "Western," "Gun Smoke." The latter is a tale of a battle between cowboys and the outlaws of the West, and is said to contain all the traditional Western 6peed, action and romancing that children and adults alike thrill to witness. "That Night In London" is interesting inasmuch as it brings before us, besides that excellent character actor Miles Mander, two new faces in Robert Donat and Pearl Argyle, in the romantic leads. The former, an English stage favourite, is said to give a convincing performance in the part of young Dick Warren, who sets out for adventure and 'finds it with a vengeance. Pearl Argyle is also said to prove her abilities soundly. Rowland V. Lee, the director of "That Night In London," attained considerable fame in Hollywood some years ago, where he directed such films as "The Return of Fu "A Man From Wyoming" and "Derelict." ROXY AND TIVOLI. Tom Mix faces plenty of villains in his latest starring vehicle, "The Rustlers' Round-up," which opened at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres on Monday last. It is one of the fastest moving pictures in which he has been seen. The list of his 1 opposition includes Douglas Dumbrille, the despicable "heavy" of "Laughter in Hell," Roy Stewart, who has been up , to screen chicancery for 20 years, Sidney Bracy, Frank Lacktcen, Nelson McDowell and Bud Osborne. The battle to the ' finish between Tom and Dumbrille is an ' action classic. A real "honestrto-goodness rodeo, with thrilling events, such as roping i steers, lariat throwing, stage coach races ; and many other breath-taking stunts, is incorporated in the film. It forms a good . portion of the footage of the picture, lending an unusual, thrilling note of suspense and excitement to a Western story which is brimful of action, feats of horsemanship and a charming love story. The iilnigoing public lias an opportunity of seeing "Chic" Sale for the first time performing without make-up when he appears in "Lucky Dog/' the other film at the Roxy and Tivoli. "Sale, internationally known ; as a humorist, writer and actor, is fea; tured in this production with Buster, the wonder dog of Hollywood. The story I of "Lucky Dog" is the story of a man who loses position, prestige, wife, property and servants —in fact, everything but 1 the love of his dog. Their separation, the ' roads they both follow, and their final reunion under tremendously dramatic circumstances brings a lump to the throat ol every human who loves pets.

STRAND THEATRE. When "Cavalcade" concludes its excellent five weeks' continuous city season at the Strand Theatre this evening, it is estimated that the Noel Coward production, the credit for the film version of which must go to Hollywood, will have been seen by over 70,000 Aucklandere. English players are cast in every role, large or email, albeit some of them have been seen on the Hollywood screen tor some time previously. In particular this applies to Clive Brook, Margaret Lindsay John Warburton, Herbert Mundin and Tempe Piggott.. Those who are new to Hollywood include Diana Wynyard, Irene Browne, Una O'Connor, and Merle Tottenham. The Strand will. to-morrow release for the second time in this city, that excellent musical romance "Adorable, in which Janet Gaynor and Henry Orarat are the stars. Janet is seen m something quite different from her famous Diana, Tess and Heather roles, being more of the Jeanette Mac Donald type — beautiful, sophisticated and reacting to the joyousness of music and the modern age. Henry Gdrat is the talented young Chevalieresque Frenchman whose work has previously been seen only in a small part in Lilian Harvey's German film "In Old V lenna ("Congress Dances"). "Adorable' will provide entertainment for all. RECITAL OF SACRED MUSIC. The choir of St. Aidan's, Remuera, will be heard under the conductorsllip of Mr. J E Morton at a recital of sacred music in the church this evening. Other contributors to the programme will be Mrs. A Lee (contralto). Miss Adele Taylor (soprano) and Mr. E. Thomas (bass). Mr. Morton will also give organ solos.

CIVIC THEATRE. " It's Great To Be Alive," the new film which replaces the current Elissa Landi picture, " I Loved You Wednesday," at the Civic Theatre to-morrow, is a musical comedy based on the entertaining if not novel theme of a world filled with women, but only one man. The music is said to be well above average, and the comedy good. Carlos Martin, a dashing young Don Juan, decides to confine his love-making to one woman. A certain situation arising, the girl sends him off, and he leaves a still male world on a trans-Pacific flight. His plane falls in mid-ocean. Carlos is listed among the missing, being joined in the course of seven years by the rest of the male population, which has fallen victim to a disease known as masculitis. The feminine world, finding itself in a woeful state, sets about the manufacture of a synthetic man, but without success. Just then a flyer spots Carlos on a desert island. The hue and cry begins. The world steps in ; each nation demanding the "victim. Carlos finally establishes his right to werl the girl of' his earlier choice. Raul Roulien, a Brazilian tenor, has the central role as Carlos. Edna May Oliver does wonders, according to overseas critics, in the chief comedy part, while Gloria Stuart has the feminine romantic lead. LONDON THEATRE. A typically thrilling Western film, "Ride 'Em, Cowboy," together with the interesting picture of the Empire's hub, | "Mighty London," form the current fare at the London Theatre. To-morrow "The Elusive Blonde" will be brought back. RIALTO THEATRE. To-night's offering at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, is composed mainly of the highly enjoyable and swift-moving English musical comedy "For the Love of Mike," in which the star is laughable and loveablc Bobby Howes, who was 6een earlier in "Lord Babs." Constance Shotter makes her debut in the film. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Jimmy Godden, unforgettable in Auckland as the Doc Knott of "My Wife's Family," has another hilarious role in "For the Love of Mike," which is the present attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden. Constance Shotter, sister of the illustrious Winifred, and Bobby Howes are starred. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. Henry King, when •ho filmed "State Fair"—now showing at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera —managed to secure an excellent acting performance from "Blue Boy," a 0001b champion hog. Janet Gaynor and Lew Ayrcs are the romantic leads, with Will Rogers, Louise Dresser and Sally Eileis in support. ROUSHWORTH'S SKATING RINK. The final of the hockey ou skates competition for the Atta Shield was held at lloushworth's Skating Rink, Khyber Pass Road, last evening, Radio, Limited, beating Wiseman's by three goals to nil. Miss Doreen Buchanan won the ladies' 15-lap handicap by inches from Miss Jackie Parker. Mr. Harold Adolph won the gentlemen's 15-lap handicap race. A novel presentation, the crocodile race, was won by tho following team: —R. Feran, W. Pearson, A. Henderson and A. Brown. HOSPITAL CONCERT. Tho weekly concert arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin was held in Ward 1 at the Public Hospital on Wednesday evening. An enjoyable programme was provided, consisting of songs, choruses, dancing, recitations and other items. Those taking part were: Mme. Valeska's pupils, Miss Kathleen Boyle's pupils, Misses Patricia Boyle, Koanui and llekanui Simeon, Pattie Christmas, Dorothy Everson, Miriam Jeffers, Melva Marchant, Jean Martin, Olga Hansen, Dolly Marchant, Leila McConnell, Joy Knock, Bettv Crew and Master Noel Matheson. Miss Roma Christmas also assisted, and the accompanist was Mrs. Boyle. COMMUNITY SINGING. This evening in the Town Hall Mr. and Airs. Albert Kussell will lead a community singing gathering in promotion of their £100 fund. Reg. Morgan's Dance Band will attend. Mrs. Barrington Snow will be at the piano, and Mr. Trevor Sparling, city organist, will give an organ recital during the evening. Admission will be by collection.