AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1934, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

H!S MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Preliminary announcements are made of the forthcoming staging of a new musical comedy in His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, by the newly-formed AngloAustralian Amusements, Ltd. The play selected is a specially-writtce and composed production, entitled "'lAcam Girl," whicii is reported to have enjoyed considerable success in several Australian cities, where it is still playing under a different company. The Auckland production, which is dated to open on February 10, lasting for a week or fortnight, will comprise in great part local singers and actors. The 26 musical numbers are shared by no less than ten vocalists. A Press critic wrote of "Dream Girl": —"The dialogue i.s original and clever and the humorous quips are all well timed. The staging is a revelation, the dressing colourful, while right throughout tho comedy there is life and movement. The ballets have been made a distinct feature, being the essence of grace and rhythm, no matter how intricate the movements." REGENT'S "HENRY VIM." When the current English comedyromance, "Pleads, We Go!" which stars Constance Cumniiugs and a popular comedy cast, leaves the Regent after to-morrow evening, it will be giving pride of place to the eagerly-awaited English production,

"The Private Life of Henry VIII.," which has received more acclamation alnoad, one can safely assert, than has any other English picture. Given its world's premiere at Xew York's greatest theatre, the New Roxy, it has proved a success wherever shown, and a private screening recently in Auckland drew high praise from commentators. Besides the extraordinary interest in things historical to-day, particularly of the actual time involved in the film, "Henry VIII." holds great interest throi'gh Charles Luughton— himself an Englishman, born and bred at Scarborough—having been cast as the jovial, tyrannical monarch. He lias given us fine portrayals on the screen, as Nero in ''The Sign of the Cross," also in the dramatic films, "Payment Deferred" and "Devil and the Deep," but here he departs entirely from this type of role. He assumes instead a blustering yet kind-hearted part, a man of mercy conforming to the mercilessness of his day. The story, as 'written by Lajos Biro and Arthur Wimperis, is concerned with the romantic rather thau the historic phases of Henry's reign. "Bluff King Hal" is shown as a man with human, lovable finalities and with as many domestic difficulties as any husband who has married six times. In fact, the story of "The Private Life of Henry VIII. , leans decidedly toward the humorous.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Comedy will replace comedy next Friday at the Majestic Theatre, when Tom Walls' latest amusing film "The Blarney Stono" will supersede the Sydney Howard farce "Night of the Garter." According to a critic in the South, where it has already been shown. "The Blarney Stone" is "an altogether delightful comedy-drama, as refreshing as a breath of Old Ireland. This must indeed be the greatest triumph of England's finest comedian aud shure he's a broth of bhoy throughout the masterpiece. Possessing an Irish atmosphere of charm and wit, the production is altogether different from the usual film with which wo have become so accustomed to associate Tom Walls aud his partner Ralph Lynn, for, though it abounds in droll whimsical humour, a particularly strong dash of convincing drama makes tears the twin sister of laughter. As Tom Fitzgerald, a true son of Erin, he dominates every scene of this really outstanding production and, cleverly assuming the irresistible allure of a rich Irish brogue, he shows undoubted genius in interpreting a difficult type. The touches of romance are as delightful as they are pronounced, while, thanks to the brilliant direction as well as the acting of Walls, the story in many scenes is told as much pictorially as by the dialogue. There is, however, room for some excellent acting by the strong supporting players. Anne Grey, as Lady Cranton, is positively charming, but all'portrayals arc, in fact, well worth while."

PLAZA THEATRE. Ample evidence is afforded in the continued popularity of Gracie Fields, shown definitely during the 1933 New Year festive season through her second film, "Looking on the Bright Side," by the decision to carry over her latest musical comedyromance, "This Week of Grace," for a further week at the Plaza Theatre, where it is enjoying a highly successful season. Gracie Fields is cast as Gracie Milroy, a North Country factory girl, and the role is one which gives full play to her unassumed Lancashire humour. The story, although slight, is entertaining, and tells how Gracie loses her position through a series of misadventures, only to meet an eccentric duchess who offers her a position managing her estate. The arrival of the Milroys, with their rather commonplace manners, at a dignified castle makes a splendid opportunity for unrestrained humour. Gracie sings several charming songs, including "Mary Rose," "Happy Ending and "Heaven Will Protect an Honest Girl." Supporting cost includes Frank Pettingell, Henry Kendall and Douglas Wakefield. Mr. Denis Shcard is heard in a bracket of songs at the evening session.

STRAND THEATRE. Rod La Rocquc is staging a welcome come-back to the screen,, after several years of voluntary retirement, in the Universal drama of the arctic, "S.O.S. Iceberg," now screening at the Strand Theatre. "Movie" fans who remember him in "Resurrection," "The Ten Com; mandments" and "One Romantic Night will understand why he was selected to portray the role of an expedition leader lost in the icy wastes of Greenland. Other featured players in this daring film of love and adventure in the polar region include Leni Riefenstahl, the famous German alpiniste, adventuress and film actress, and Major Ernst Udet, the German air "ace." The Strand's attraction for Friday is "The Big Executive," in which Ricardo Cortez makes a definite departure from his previous film roles. From highly emotional and fiery Latin types, he now plays the part of a cold, sure-footed financial king of Wall Street. "The Big Executive," one of the most enlightening stories yet filmed of the money-mad stock manipulators in New York's financial lane introduces a new and refreshing actress to the screen in the person of Elizabeth Young, who recently jumped from the social register to a Hollywood film contract.

NATIONAL THEATRE. A young and beautiful girl gifted with the powers to commune with spirits attempting to unmask a maniacal killer is the eerie theme of "Before Dawn," the current film at the National Theatre. Stuart Erwin, Warner Oland and Dorothy Wilson are starred. Written by Edgar Wallace, "Before Dawn" unreels the gruesome story of a scientist gone mad with gold and murder lust, who attempts to slay an entire household to gain possession of 1,000,000 dollars of gold hidden in the house. The tale reaches its climax when the police enlist the services of a girl psychic to discover the culprit by communication with the maniac's victims. The National, besides this obvious adult "thriller," this week also offers its patrons an enjoyable musical comedy introducing and featuring the popular radio pair, "Myrt and Marge." who give their name to the film. On Friday next, the change of programme will be effected by two new pictures, "King For a Day," which stars Helen Twelvetrees, seen in several recent films, and Chester Morris, and "Flying Devils." MUNICIPAL BAND. A well-chosen programme of popular and classical music will be given by the Auckland Municipal Band at Mission Bay tomorrow evening. As the tide will be high local residents and visitors are assured of an enjoyable evening's entertainment in pleasant surronudings. On Sunday the band will play at the Zoological Park in the afteifcoon and in Albert Park at night.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The beautiful acting of Margaret Sullavan in the dramatic central role of "Only Yesterday," in which she plays opposite handsome John Boles, has thoroughly captivated picture-going Auckland. The film ends its St. James' season to-morrow evening, being replaced on Friday by "Broadway to Hollywood." As the "Sydney Sun" film writer remarks, this him •'is absolutely crammed witli incident. Ho-goes on to say: "The Hacketts, vaudeville entertainers, are on the road in the late "SO's; in ]932 they are at Hollywood where their grandson is starring. In the interval they have twice been the Three Hacketts, first with their son, played by Jackie Cooper, and then with the grandson, played even better by Mickey Kooney. The story is rather tremendous to be (•rammed into a feature-length film, but it is generally interesting, and in parts it is enthralling. The old-fashioned vaudeville is most absorbing. Here you see one of those acts which never varied. Each night Alice Brady receives a bouquet, and each night her husband and partner, Frank Morgan, says: 'If I could find the man who sent those I'd break his neck.' Then they return to the dressing room, and Alice tells Frank that he really should not have gone to the expense of buying the flowers. Russell Hardie plays the son grown to manhood, and Madge Evans is cast is the heroine. The dancing right through is first-class, Eddie Quillan giving rather a surprising performance just at the end. 'Broadway to Hollywood' is remarkable for the wealth of featured players, Jimmy Durante, May Robson, Una Merkel and Tad Alexander making appearances which might almost be counted in seconds."

CIVIC THEATRE. The superb anti-depression tonic which Maurice Chevalier supplies his patrons will be available at the Civic Theatre in "The Way to Love" for only this evening and to-morrow. Friday's change of programme will consist of "It's a Boy," an enjoyable new English farce, starring Edward Everett Horton (last seen in "Soldiers of the King," "A Bedtime Story" and "The Way to Love") and Leslie Henson, of "Tons of Money" (silent), "A Warm Corner" and "The Sport of Kings." Adapted by Austin Melford from the original by Franz Arnold and Ernst Bach. this merry farce ran at the Strand Theatre, London, for many months, and Gainsborough, realising its possibilities as a screen comedy, produced it and signed Leslie Henson for the role he made so popular on the stage. The story, full of nonsensical eituations, is written around .Tames Skippett (Leslie Henson), bachelor friend of Dudley Leake. Skippett endeavours to rescue Leake from the too loving attention of Joe riper, a hefty lad, who visits him on the eve of his wed'ung to a charming girl, with the awful ai.nouncement that'Leake is his "dear daddy." A youthful indiscretion scares the timid Leake into believing the young man s claim and the friendly Skippett gets into every kind of scrape in his hard-working efforts at keeping Joe from meeting the bride. One of the biggest laughs in the filjn is a scene in which Leslie Henson disguises himself as a famous woman author, fashionably attired and tottovinp; about on ridiculous heels. Unfortunately he meets the genuine novelist at the bride s house.