AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE MASQUERADER." Intriguing in its technique, pleasantly amusing and entertaining in comedy phases and often intensely dramatic, the latest Ronald Colman-Elissa Landi feature, "The Masquerader," released at the Regent last evening, is the top of the bill in a thoroughly enjoyable programme. Ronald Colmau scores an impressive success in a dual role, portraying two diametrically opposite personalities with baffling effects. John Chilcote, M.P., is a hereditary politician for whom a brilliant career has been mapped out and on whom the hopes of his party are centred. Like many other Parliamentarians and great men of fietioa, however, he has one or two skeletons in his eupboaidj and o£ these incompatibility of temperament with his charming wife, a role excellently taken by Elissa Landi, and an insatiable drug habit, are the most dominating. There is a dramatic and sensational scene in the House of Commons when the young member is expected to make a memorable speech, but he completely collapses and fails his party. He wanders into the midst of a London fog of traditional density and makes his way to the Embankment. Suddenly he comes face to face with his double—actually his cousin— and is baffled to decide if it is a figment of his distorted mentality or a shadow of his real self. It ;s then that the double personality enters the theme, and John Loder, with whom fete has not been over kind, becomes inveigled into taking the place of his helpless and nerve-broken relative. Taking up the threads of the other man's life with its personal idiosyncrasies and. its most minute social and political detail, demands the utmost skill, and at the hands of Ronald Colman it becomes an unqualified success. Besides the relationship between husband and wife, however, there is an affair with "the other woman," and the eternal triangle becomes an intriguing and novel square. John Loder finds he cannot wholeheartedly assume the relationship of Mr. Chilcote to his wife, and she finds a most remarkable change towards her in her "husband," while the paramour is_ baffled by the difference in her lover. It is all so baffling, but so intensely gripping that the development of the theme reaches a climax with almost dramatic suddenness. The outstanding recollection is the wonderful acting of the principals, the excellence of the settings and production generally, and the delightful admixture of comedy and drama. The supports are in keeping with the high standard of the principal feature, and include interesting news reels, a Walt Disney Christmas fantasy in colour ("Santa's Workshop") and revue ("The Pirates"), while Mr. Knight Barnett, at the organ, provides charming musical and vocal numbers with artistic effect. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The story of "Tell Me To-night," the British musical production which is screening so successfully at the moment at the Majestic Theatre, in conjunction with "Our Fighting Navy"—a splendid record of the activities of Britain's mighty Fleet in peace and war —holds more interest than is usual in such productions. Done in a simple style, it relates the romance of the singer, Enrico Ferraro, who' is dominated by his business manager, Miss Barker. He eventually slips away from her and on the train bound for a place referred to as Zern, Enrico encounters Alexander Koretsky, who proves to be a companionable sort of chap. At Zern, it is discovered that the great Ferrara is stopping at the most pretentious hotel. The newspaper gives part of its front page to the story about the tenor's arrival and because the Mayor thinks that Koretsky is the singer, it occurs to Ferrara that it would be a good idea to permit the mistake to continue. There is, as one might surmise, a pretty girl in the narrative and she pretends that she believes Koretsky to ibe the great Ferrara. Enrico calls upon Koretsky, who, incidentally, is a crook, to seranade the charming young woman, Mathilde Pategg, while he (Ferrara) actually sings. This is a very effective bit of combined song and fun. Jan Kiepura portrays the role of Ferrara, Magda Schneider is cast as Mathilde, Sonnie Hale as Koretsky, Edmund Gwenn as Pategg, the Mayor, and Athene Seyler as Pategg's wife. ROXY AND TIVOLI. The manner in which the drug-smuggling traffic is being combated by the Government is vividly shown in "Soldiers of the Storm," the production which is now screening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The locale of the story is near the Mexican line, where the Border Patrol is stationed to prevent the illicit shipment of narcotics into United States territory. The chief appeal of "Soldiers of the Storm" hinges mainly on its fast and furious action, but it is also backed up by some first-rate acting and excellent production. A .perplexing problem confronts Jack Holt as a husband in "The Wrecker," the dramatic photoplay showing with "Soldiers of the Storm." Cast as an erring pair, wife and lover, are Genevieve Tobin and Sidney Blackmer. The devastating earthquake that shook Southern California early last March provides the powerful climax to the screen story and furnishes the highly dramatic setting for the situation. This is perhaps the strongest dramatic role Jack Holt has ever had. He receives able support, too, in the semi-comic, semi-tragic portrayal by George E. Stone in the role of the ambitious little junkman. Others in the stellar cast are Ward Bond and Russell Waddle, a two-year-old newcomer who shows considerable promise as an embryo star. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. The supporting feature programme for the Tudor Cinema, Remuera, for this evening will include a hilarious Laurel and Hardy comedy, "Me and My Pal." The main production is "A Night in Cairo," Ramon Novarro's singing romance, formerly entitled "The Barbarian," and still earlier, "The Man on the Nile." Myrna Loy is the feminine lead in the film. BRITANNIA THEATRE. A thrilling story of modern life is enacted by Kay Francis, David Manners and a solid cast in "Man Wanted," which screens this evening at the Britannia Theatre, Ponsonby, together with "The Cohens and the Kellys in Trouble," starring George Sidney and Charlie Murray. LYRIC THEATRE. There is little doubt that George Wallace is one of the most successful of all Australian comedians, and his second" film, "Harmony Row," will prove to a Lyric audience to-night that he is just as funny on the screen as on the stage. AMBASSADOR THEATRE. Few things could be imagined more hilarious than the antics of Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts in "They Just Had To Get Married," which screens at the Ambassador Theatre to-night. Roland Young and Fifi Dorsay are also in the cast. GREY LYNN CINEMA. A powerful story of the African tropics is supplied in "Nagana," as a vehicle for the glamorous 6tar, Tala Birrell, whom Melvyn Douglas supports. This film, with "Lucky Devils," shows at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-night. GAIETY THEATRE, TAKAPUNA. With a splendid cast headed by Janet Gaynor, Lew Ayres, Will Rogers, Louise Dresser, Victor Jory, Norman Foster, Sally Eilers and "Blue Boy," the film "State Fair" is sure to please to-night's audience at the Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Using a Zulu word for the title of his entertaining show — "Sinr-Sala-Bim" — Dante, the Danish magician, presents the current flesh-and-blood entertainment offered at His Majesty's Theatre. His 23 overseas artists are word and actionperfect in the roles they play in his light--1 ning show, in which he stages 50 mysI teries. This surely is a feat worthy of . note, both from the producer's and the I 1 spectators' points of view. The presentation of "Sim-Sala-Bim" will continue nightly during next week, with matinees on Monday, Wednesday ,jx4 Saturday,

"KING KONG." j Nothing during the era of sound films has reached the heights of realism and sensationalism achieved by this picture, shown for the first time yesterday to amazed audiences at the St. James". The management's note that it is quite unsuitable for children is perfectly under-1 standable to those who have followed the : marvels of photography. One recalls "The Lost World" of the silent days, but in "King Kong" there is much more of realism, and virtually nothing that suggests mechanisation of the fantastic creatures. The story reaches the limit of improbability, but, when that is allowed for, its action is so gripping, and its development is so dramatic, that the gasps of the audience, their screams, and even their laughter at some of the situations come spontaneously. There is no mistaking the tense interest with which last night's big audience followed the dis- j covery of the giant ape-god, and its career 1 in jungle and in civilisation, to the tragedy which marked its end. The plot centres , on the trip of a camera man to film some weird creature of the East Indies jungle, concerning which he has had vague information, and round which he hopes to weave some romance by the introduction of a woman into his animal pictures. The romance develops in a way quite unforseen when the fabled creature materialises, and shows a 6trange animal affection for the fair film artist. She is captured by a Malay tribe, servants of the great ape, and her offering to the huge creature is one of the first of the many awe-inspiring scenes which come in quick succession. She and her rescuers have entered a world of pre-liistoric creatures, with 110 regard for human life, and the struggles of these monsters against one another, and against puny men, are certainly thrilling. The escape, the capture of the ape-giant by means of gas bombs, his exhibition to the public, with all that it means till he falls and his breaking loose in New York, riddled with machine-gun bullets from the pinnacle of a skyscraper, supply enough excitement for the greediest of sensation lovers. "King Kong" has a double interest. The story is intriguing, but it iB overshadowed by the remarkably realistic effects created in it, so realistic that the mighty ape 6eems really to live, and to haunt one with the naturalness of its actions and its _ ghastly_ utterings. In marked contast is a delightful film, "So this is Harris." wherein the popular KFI radio personality, so often heard in New Zealand, is featured in an adventure that has both humour and originality, and the "Coconut Grove" comes to the screen to provide a setting for the theme song which produces such a merry mix-up. An unusual piece of entertainment this, with a decided appeal to all radio listeners. Tt is preceded by a well-varied Cinesound Gazette. STRAND THEATRE. I The glamorous romance of Jenny Lind forms a splendid background for the wonderful singing of Grace Moore, opera artist and star of several musical pictures, including ''New Moon," etc., in "A Lady s Morals," which was revived last evening at the Strand Theatre, where, together with "The Man In Possession," it is sure to attract excellent houses. Wallace Beery, that firm favourite of such nroductions as "The Champ," "Flesh," "Grand Hotel," "Min and Bill," and the long-promised "Tugboat Annie," also has an excellent role in "A Lady's Morale. "The Man In Possession" serves as a first-class vehicle for Robert Montgomery, who is seen at his best in this fine production. NATIONAL THEATRE. Glorious innocence of the world and its wickedness was Peg's before she inherited a very worldly fortune of £2,000,000 or thereabouts from a miserly old relative who insisted that she should leave her well-loved father, against whom lie had a grudge. At the latter's insist- ' ence she did so, and soon became a leading light in London and other centres of the world of fashion. But behind it I she was always _ Peg of the simple heart and forgiving spirit, an Irish colleen who would do anything to help others at ner own cost. In the end she saw the impossibility of the life she was attempting to lead, and went back to her true-hearted friends and her faithful old father. Roughlv, that is the .plot of "Peg o My Heart." in which Marion Davies stars. The film is showing for an extended city season at the National Theatre. EDENDALE CINEMA. A powerful piece of acting is turned in by Fay Wray in the central role of "Ann Carver's Profession." The film, in conjunction with the musical romance Its Great to Bo Alive," screens this evening at the Edendale Cinema. KING'S THEATRE, NORTHCOTE. A free bus service from Devonport and Bayswater is accorded to-night's patrons of'the King's Theatre, Northcote, who will see the popular radio artist Kate Smith in her first full-length film, "Hello, Everybody!" NEW DE LUXE THEATRE. The latest production starring Joe E. Brown in the comedy lead—"Elmer the Great"—will, together with the hilarious Wheeler and Woolsey film "So This Is Africa," form to-night's entertainment at the New de Luxe Theatre. " CAVALCADE." The affinity of the film version of "Cavalcade," Noel Coward's epic of English. history from the Boer War to the present day, in the eyes of the Auckland public is still apparent by the crowds which frequent the various suburban theatres at which it is screening. "Cavalcade" at the moment is at the New Regent, Epsom, and the Alexandra, Green Lane, where it is drawing- capacity houses. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The artistry of George Arliss is very evident in his latest and probably his best modern production, "The Working Man, in which he is just now entertaining patrons of the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden. He is delightfully human as the shoe magnate who shows the children of his former rival in love and in business the falsity of their standards of living. RIALTO THEATRE. An excellent career is promised for Bette Davis, one of Hollywood's nevvest stars and a genuine 1932-33 "find.' She has her latest and undoubtedly one of her most appealing roles to date with the inimitable George Arliss in "The Working Man," which forms the current entertainment at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket. Hardie Albright and Theodore Newton divide the juvenile male honours. EMPRESS AND WEST END. Prepared as a film tribute to the memory of one of the greatest Americans, "The Man Who Dared" tells roughly the life story of Anton J. Cermak, Mayor of Chicago, who was killed this year by a would-be assassin of President Roosevelt. The Empress and West End Theatres, which are screening "The Man Who Dared," are also showing "I Loved You Wednesday," with Warner Baxter and Elissa Landi. ADELPHI THEATRE. The unhappy fate of being the last man in the world falls to Raul Roulien in the film "It's Great, to Be Alive," which shares to-night's bill of fare at the Adelphi Theatre with "When Strangers Marry (Jack Holt and Lillian Bond). LONDON THEATRE. An absorbing racing story forms the plot of "The Thoroughbred," the Celebrity picture in which Wesley Barry and Pauline Garon will be seen this evening at the London Theatre. "Hot Heir," a thrilling comedy-drama, is also showing. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The amazing story of a murder committed before a huge sporting crowd is told in "70,000 Witnesses," which screens at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The dramatic picture "No Man of Her Own" (Carole Lombard and Clark Gable) is also offering. GAELIC SOCIETY'S SOCIAL. Scottish Highlanders and their friends will be interested to learn that a diversified programme of piping, dancing and singing will be presented at the Gaelic Society's social on Thursday next.

"KISS ME AGAIN." Colour photography has been used with brilliant effect to enhance the appeal of the Victor Herbert type of operetta in the film "Kiss Me Again,"" ac tne Civic Tneatre. It is a romantic theme, set mainly amid the _ gay and fashionable background of Parisian society, and gives abundant scope for artistic reproduction. Military officers in blue and scarlet uniforms, with gold braid and such other adornments as are displayed by the Army on special occasions, are seen enjoying the l ; gliter side of life, and the effect is completed by the riot of colour in the dresses of a group of singing and dancing girls. The love story which runs through the picture concerns a girl with charm of voice and manner, one who immediately wins the heart of an officer of rank. Between the two there is the -barrier of different social standing, a gulf which is difficult to cross. In the part of the girl, Bernice Claire has opportunity to show her powers as actress and si.ager, at times alluring and loving, at other times flashing lefiunee, and always giving the impression, either subdued or expressed in passion, of a highly emotional spirit. Opposite her is Walter Pidgeou, as an officer she has met while a milliner in Paris. Difficulties arise through the intervention of the officer's father, and there comes a parting, the man going on military service to Morocco, and the girl to the studios of Italy. She rises to heights as an operatic singer under a new name, and he is thrilled in his far-off camp by the sound of her voice across the air. Time brings both back again to Paris, and there is staged the triumph of the picture. It is a scene in which Bernice Claire sings "Kiss Me Again," from which the film takes its name. There is a gala note about this performance, and one which is well worthy of the operetta form of entertainment. Around it all is brightness and humour, with music, dancing and light dialogue. There are, beside the two principals, Edward Everett Horton, June Collyer, and Claude Gillingwater, who do their parts .well. A splendid supporting programme is shown, including "Beauty Spots of the World," featuring historic and architectural wonders; "Little White Lies," with a strange and amusing underwater effect; a variety of topical features. Particularly good is the .performance of Paul T. Cullen in the playing and singing of Maori songs and local "hits," which last evening were very popular. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. The typical entertainment to be secured from Wheeler and Woolsey films is to be found in plenty in "So This Is Africa," the comedy screening this evening, together with Joe E. Brown's "The Local Boy Makes Good," at the State Theatre, Onehunga. The latter film is also a hilarious comedy. VICTORIA THEATRE, DEVONPORT. St. John Ervine's most famous play comes to the screen in the British version of "The First Mrs. Fraser," which screens to-niglit at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. Henry Ainley, Harold Huth and Joan Barry are the principals. CAPITOL THEATRE. Adapted from Rex Beach's well-known story, "The Past of Mary Holmes," the film of that title, starring Eric Linden, will be co-featured at the Capitol to-night, with "Evenings for Sale," a tine romance, with Herbert Marshall and Sari Maritza. EMPIRE THEATRE. A happy title covers a really pleasant story in the case of the Arliss picture, "A Successful Calamity," which shows at the Empire Theatre this evening. Also on the Empire's programme is "Handle With Care" (James Dunn and "Boots" Mallory). RIALTO SUNDAY PICTURES. Music and laughter pervade the pleasant English picture, "Sleepless Nights, ' which has been selected as to-morrow evening's chief charity entertainment at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket. Stanley Lupino and Polly Walker divide the honours. KINGSLAND TALKIES. The first film to have been made almost entirely with the amazing new "rhythmical dialogue," A 1 Jolson's "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp" will entertain patrons of the Kingsland Talkies this evening. George Wallace, in his second film, "Harmony Row," will form no small part of the programme. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL THEATRE. The splendidly executed English comedy, "Wedding Rehearsal," directed by Alexander Korda and starring George Grossmith, Roland Young, Lady 'iree and others, will form the bulk of the film programme at the Avondale Municipal Theatre to-night. "The Cheyenne Kid" will also screen. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band will give an interesting programme in Albert Park to-morrow evening, appropriate to Trafalgar Day, including patriotic selections. The band will also give a concert at Western Park on Thursday next. "ALCESTIS" OF EURIPIDES. The famous "Alcestis" of Euripides will form the bulk of the entertainment to be staged by the present and old pupils of the Auckland Girls' Grammar School in the Scots Hall on Tuesday next for the benefit of the British Drama League. An excerpt from Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale" and Shakespearean songs will also be presented. SCOTS HALL PANTOMIME. Described as a new version of the "Babes in the Wood" pantomime, a stage presentation entitled "Auckland Calling, will be staged by Mme. Valeska and her pupils in the Scots Hall on November 10 'and 11. GASTON MERVALE AT RIALTO. Next Monday Mr. Gaston Mervale will stage the first of a series of one-act plays at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, comprising an entertainment supplementary to the film programme. The play will be the thrilling Indian mystery play, "The Drums of Oude." The cast includes Whetu Ivayher, Graham Brown-Douglas, Rex Saycrs, and Gaston Mervale. LYRIC SUNDAY CONCERT. Mr. Neville Carlsen will present a varied programme at the Lyric to-morrow night. The Smithson Family, the "New Zealand Duo," Parkinson's Band, "Marie and Co., and the "N-and-C Duo," will render special numbers. During the evening, Mr. J. A. Smithson will endeavour to establish a world's record in vocal range. At present Italy claims this distinction. Among the performers will be the following first appearances and favourites: Misses Jessie Williamson, Lai Whitcombe, Eileen Smithson, Clarice Palmer, Marie Dunstan, Zoe Pearson, Mavis Reilly, Irene Larkin, Ilia Howe, Hannah Baker and Minnie Parker; Messrs. Johnnie Negri, Stan Holthouse, Lai Porter, Ern Parkinson. Proceeds are for the funds of the Down-and-Out Mission. COMMUNITY SINGING. The final "sing" of the 1933 season will be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, November 1. It is the intention of the management to make this sing a memorable one. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Russell will be song leaders, assisted by an orchestra supplied by the Musicians' Union, led by Mr. Frank Poore. Items will also be rendered by Messrs. Tom Maguire, Reg. Morgan and Frank Poore. Mrs. Barrington Snow will be at the piano. A box plan is now open at Lewis Eady's. VAUDEVILLE COMPETITIONS. Vaudeville competitions will take place in the Scots Hall on November 8. Excellent prizes will be offered. The organiser, Mr. Neville Carlsen, will receive entries personally or by mail at the Scots Hall. Profits from the competitions will _be donated to the "Down-and-Outs" Mission. ONEROA BEACH CARNIVAL. An excellent dancifig, musical and sports programme has been arranged for presentation this evening and over the week-end at Oneroa Beach, where the first of a series of weekly summer carnivals is being held. To-night, a gala dance will be held at the Beach Cabaret. Orchestral music will be heard from 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Starting 15 minutes after the Sunday midnight hour, a carnival dance will again be held in the cabaret. Two orchestras will supply musical interludes on the Monday morning, greeting the new arrivals of Labour Day. A pierrot and ! revue show will also be presented. The | afternoon will be taken up with 30 sports ' events, including straight and povelty ' events of all descriptions.

"THE REBEL." Vilma Banky, with all her usual appeal, returns To tne serein in "The Rebel," which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre last evening. It is hoped that this will be the forerunner of more talkies by this actress, if all her future pictures are as pleasing as the present film. It is a story of love, adventure and war in the Tyrolean Alps, and shows some impressive spectacles. The camera work is remarkable in its interpretation of this romantic drama of the love of a fine daughter of the aristocracy for an outcast —a rebel. Vilma Banky's ability to portray the maid brought up on indoor fripperies and then to become a convincing and robust lover of an outdoor rebel gallant, marks her as an artist worthy of the name. The leading man, Luis Trenker, is the actor who was starred in "The Doomed Battalion," voted one of the ten best pictures of last year. The fact that Trenker was formerly a Tyrolean mountain guide favours him witli naturalness in the role of the rebel outlaw. There are some spectacular scenes in the wild mountains, when soldiers by the hundred and rebels by the thousand struggle for their respective causes. The tremendous avalanches aimed by rebelling peasants at the soldiers provide a thrill at the great forces of Nature. The action throughout is kept at a stinging pace. The combination of a Hungarian actress and a Tyrolese actor in the leading parts gives the film that touch of the Continental which has become a point of unfailing popular attraction. Trenker also directed the production. The supporting programme is a substantial supplement to the main feature. Two Universal Newsreels show current events, and a Fox Movietone News from Australia comes nearer home. A humorous cartoon, entirely devoid of vulgarity, is a welcome addition, and the musical film, "My Pal the Prince," is a pleasing short, crowded with smiles. SOUTHERN CROSS, ELLERSLIE. A happy modern romance runs throughout the enjoyable film, "Walking Down Broadwav, in which James Dunn, "Boots" Mallory and Zasu Pitts are to be seen at the Southern Cross Theatre, Ellerslie, this evening. "Tn the Wake of the Bounty," a novel film dealing with the origin of Pitcairn Island, is also screening. STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. The inimitable comedy work of Tom Walls is seen at its indisputable best in the Arthur Rawlinson story, "Leap Year," which, together with "Man Against Woman" (Jack Holt), forms the film fare at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, for tonight. DANCING. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, to-night, My-T-Fine Dance Club's race carnival. Peter Pan, Lauri Paddi and lan Pitcaithly, special Labour Night programme. Dixieland, Race Night, special Labour Night programme. Masonic Hall, Newton, Grey Lynn Labour Party's "Oriental Night." New Gaiety Hall, Labour Night, special opening. "C-Side" Club, Kohimarama, opening dance; Alf. Coughlan's Band. Crystal Palace Ballroom, Waitemata Club's Dance. Akarana Yacht Clubhouse, usual weekly dance. Stratton Studios, Dan Callinan's Parisian Orchestra. Click Clack Cabaret, singing and dancing demonstrations. Mayfair Cabaret, May fair Novelty Band. Orangj Hall, Newton, Rio Grande oldtime dunce. Mayfair Cabaret, Labour Night, annual Fire Brigade Ball. King George Hall, Mount Albert, ExServicemen's Social Club Dance. O'Neill Street Hall, Ponsonby, ExServicemen's Club Dance. Kitchener Hall, Workingmen's Club and Watersiders' Band dance. Point Chevalier Hall, Chevalier Dance Baud. Municipal Hall, Newmarket, Thursday, Invicta Cricket Club's Dance. St. Benedict's Hall, Newton, Wednesday, children's fancy dress ball. Gaiety Hall, Surrey Crescent, Connon's Orchestra. Kitchener Hall, Labour Night, Watersiders' Silver Band. Symondsville Studios, Miss Spencer's final dance. Swanson, November 4, "Movie Ball." Bon Ton Hall, Royal Oak, dancing. Zealandia Hall, Dominion Road, oldtime dance.