AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 230, 29 September 1933, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"HOLD YOUR MAN." It is an amazing thing how millions of people to-day admire such an actor as Clark Gable. First of all, the man at times displays complete ignorance of the first rules of acting. Secondly, he is illmannered to a point of insult. He sneers at one's finer feelings and bully-rags everyone he encounters —particularly women. But the everlasting marvel of it is that he is one of the most popular "matinee idols" of the screen to-day. Still move amazing is the indisputable fact that most of hiß admirers are women. Perhaps in their heart of hearts they welcome this domineering "he-man" attitude —however, this is no dissertation of the ways of woman. It is a review of "Hold Your Man," in which Clark Gable and Jean Hallow entertained an excellent first-night audience at the Majestic last evening. Now that "Strange Interlude" is over, it is fair to say that Clark Gable was well out of his depth in that type ol role. But in "Hold Your Man" he tits the part perfectly. He is a passionate, yet carefree lover, taking his conquests with a nonchalance that is maddening to the rest of the less-accomplished males who witness his proficiency as a hunter. His lights o love respond to hie treatment ra the approved fashion—until real love comes with the advent of beautiful, sirenesque Jean Harlow. Human drama of an extremely high tension comes into the story at this stage, with the separation of the lovers. From then on Gable is more the devoted, self-sacrificing sweetheart to whom the world can offer its sympathies rather than its jealousy. As .tor Jean Harlow, her amazing head of hair— "suicide blonde," it has been called—and dark flashing eyes, render her a veritable modern Cleopatra. She has tile svelte appearance and movements of Iheda -ty'ia and the inimitable manner of—Jean Harlow What man among the audience did not yearn to be in the shoes of the hero for a while? Perhaps, as "The Secret Six," "Red Dust" and "Hold \our Man appear to show, these two exponents of the present-day version of the art or romancing are ideally suited to eacli other's personality and appeal. Be tnat as it may, they are at least great box office attractions. The Majestic is fortunate in being able to present "1 ho White Man's Paradise," a litzpatrrek I raveltalk " in which the famous Hollywood raconteur would almost persuade us that New Zealand is a wonderful country to live in. However, it received the rare tribute of a film audience's prolonged acclamation. A most hilarious Charley Chase comedy, "Fallen Arches," added to the entertainment. Newsreels showed the Italian air armada over New York, in addition to many other topical events. CITY SHOWS. The six new films to be released in the city this evening include, " Moonlight and Pretzels," a delightful musical romance, at the St. James'; another of Gene Gerrard s popular English comedies entitled Leave It To Me," at the Civic; "One Precious Year " with Owen Nares and Anne Grey, at the Regent; " Lilly Turner," a Ruth Chatterton vehicle, at the Plaza; and Ine Song of the Eagle," a Richard Arlen-Mary Brian romance, together with Gary Cooper's Western drama, "Fighting Caravans," at the National. The Majestic ("' Hold Your Man ") opened last evening, and the Roxv and Tivoli (with " Girl Missing " and " The Sport of a Nation ) opened on Wednesday. George Wallace returns in " Harmony Row " at the Strand to-night. " HOBSON'S CHOICE." The final presentation of the enjoyable Lancashire comedy, " Hobson's Choice, which was so successful on the screen here some 18 months ago as a British production starring Frank Pettingell and Viola Lyell. will be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber this evening by the Auckland Little Theatre Society, under the directional guidance of Producer Frederic E. McCallum. PSYCHOLOGY LECTURES. The New Zealand lecturer, Miss Cilia Enid Bates, who has just returned from a world tour, will speak this evening in the Unity Hall on Visualisation for Prosperity." Further addresses on faith and auto-suggestion respectively will be given on Sunday and Monday evenings. EVELYN FIRTH HOME CONCERT. An enjoyable concert was given at the Evelyn Firth Home last evening by Mr. A. Hamblin. The programme was provided by members of the Beresford Street Congregational Church and friends, under the direction of Mrs. D. Linthwaite and Mr. G. Butler, consisting of songs, duets, violin and pianoforte solos, elocution and dancing. Those taking part were: Mrs. J. Cowan, Misses T. Scallv, Alma Cowan, Beatrice Balfe. Avis Arthur, Betty Birch, Messrs. H. Winn, J. Cowan, A. Hamblin, and Mr. Norman Tate ("Fun Doctor"). Miss T. Scally also acted as accompanist. R.S.A. CONCERT. The Ethiopian Revue Company presented an excellent entertainment, entitled "Over the Top," in the Glen Eden Public Hall last evening, to a packed house. The following artists took part: Miss Belle Starkev (soubrette), Miss Molly Green (contralto), Leon Sisters (instrumentalists). Miss Kathleen Reid (fancy danc-' in). Bob Reid (comedian), George Brewer (light comedian), Fred Hill (baritone), George Meeder (mouth organ soloist). Miss Eve Shepherd was the accompanist. The funds of the Glen Eden unit of the W.S. R.S.A., for relief work, will benefit considerably.