AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1934, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. A mucli-divoiced 'phiiandress, au impressionable young girl looking for "experience," a silly, simpering wife, a suave Continental lover and a suspicious husband, under one roof for a hectic week-end, provides the characters and venue of the hilarious and sophisticated situations that make up the plot of "Should Ladies Behave?" which opens a season at the Regent on Friday, replacing the current "Song You Gave Me," with Bebc Daniels. In its juxtaposition of mixed romances, loves, hates and jealousies, the picture is funny enough, and with such talented players as Lionel Barrymore, Alice Brady, Conway Tearle, Katharine Alexander, Mary Carlisle and Willkim Janney filling the leading roles, ihe various incidents are sure to be played to the full. Everyone loves the wrong person in this scintillating plot. Young, sopliomorie William Janney loves the equally juvenile Alary Carlisle. Uut Mary is fascinated by a man of the world, Conway Tearle, who is loved in turn and dominated by the catty Katharine Alexander. Alice Brady is Barrymore's wife and Mary's mother, a romantic, lovestarved dreamer who mistakes Conway for an old "flame." Barrymore, as Ihe vitriolic father, interested only in his daughter's happiness and absolutely convinced that all the rest are idiots, gives another of his sharp, penetrating portrayals. As for Miss Brady, with her good intentioned blunders, outlandish gestures and gushing superlatives, it is no longer necessary, now that "When Ladies Meet"' has been shown here, to report that she is one of the most entertaining comedians of the screen. The settings in "Should Ladies Behave" are unusually artistic, and the whole production has been handled with expert craftsmanship and a discriminating finish. CIVIC THEATRE. Some pertinent comments were made regaining tue iUue. West, vogue by tne .Loiiuon T'uuch on tne reieuse 01 "i m Ao ivngel,' which js to be shown jii Auekiauu on luiday at tue Lnic lueatrc. "i'uncli" said: "iiiia mucn-iU»cusscd linn certainly liua a seamy slue 01 lite lor ns tneme, but i was astoinsiied wnen, Willi so much to choose lioin, the punsUs made it their special oujccl 01 aitacK. it is no novelty, lor now mat the "Wild West' no longer has any attractions lor tne screen, and cowboys and Indians have galloped out of it, and tne war is forgouen, and air stunts have had their season, ana stories oi millions ot dollars leave a bitter taste, and bootlegging gangsters are out oi work, Hollywoou nas liail to return to tne oldest and surest and most respected dramatic motive, tne iracture of what Joseph I'oorgrass called 'the Seventh.' Cinema theatres lor some time past have not been abodes ol sweetness and light, and there have been many recent pictures to which I should dislike to take the young; but again 1 say that why "I'm No Angel' should have been singled out for so much amateur censure i cannot see. Mae West's lira, tile lion tamer, may lie vulgar, but there is no vice about her. She is of the school of Bessie Bellwood and Marie Lloyd; free of speech, impulsive of heart and pre-eminently jolly; and to see her triumphing over her mean and petty enemies is a joy. American courts of justice are, to Lnglish eyes, sources of excited amazement, but the one in 'I'm No Angel' is among the beat. In addition to Mae West, who rides the whirlwind, there is an attractive Lnglish leading nuiu of the Gary Cooper type, named Cary Grant, who is destined for a 'fan mail' that will break a postman's back; and I am always pleased to meet again the dark lady who has been dresser and maid in so many pictures—Gertrude Howard, this time known as Beulah." MAJESTIC THEATRE. "When British International Pictures decided to make 'The Love Nest' they determined to give the popular star Gene Gerrard a supporting comedy cast capable of assisting him in dispensing the laughs in the story, and it must be admitted that they have succeeded," wrote an Knglish reviewer of the film, which comes to the Majestic next Friday. Gene himself needs 110 introduction to picture patrons. lie gave the screen one of the greatest comedies ever produced in "My Wife's Family," and he followed up that riot of laughter with other screamingly funny pictures as "Out of the Blue, ' "Let's Love and Laugh," "Brother Alfred," "Lucky Girl," "Let Me Explain, Lear" and "Leave It To Gene." This writer says "The Love Nest" is the funniest of them all, with the possible exception of "My Wife's Family," although he admits some go so far as to say it is even funnier than that picture. Camilla Horn, who plays the feminine lead opposite Gene, is another who needs no introduction, for in the course of her screen career this beautiful star has played many notable roles 111 Continental and American productions. Then there is Nancy Burne, one of the most promising young ladies on the screen, and a certain star of the future. Nancy created 11 strong impression with her role in her first picture, "Facing the Music," opposite Stanley Lupino. Other roles are played by Garry Marsh, Amy Veness (the mother-in-law of "My Wife's Family") and Gus McNaughton. The story tells of a gay young bachelor who celebrates his last night of freedom, preparing "The Love Nest" for his bride. A knock on the door, and in walked a lovely stranger in the latest creation in pyjamas aud wet through to the skiu, seeking shelter for the night. He objected; yes, of course lie did. but she was equally insistent, and amid the argument, witey-to-be and her "terrible" mother arrived. PLAZA THEATRE. The latest gorgeous example of the scenario writer's most popular venue, Broadway on the screen, will be seen at the Plaza Theatre on Friday, when 'ihe Gold Diggerß of 1933" will be released here. Made as a sequel to the glamorous and popular "42nd Street," with the same lavish outlay and much the same Broadway back-stage appeal, it should send another wave of popular songs through the community. Among its spectacular stage numbers stands out Ihe Shadow Waltz," in which the lightning makes a frivolous and exquisite debut. "We re in the Money" and "Remember My forgotten Man." This last interlude, which illustrates Hollywood's passion for cmrent history, provides an unexpected interlude of human emotion in musical effects. The presentation of these, and other elaborate, scintillating scenas is distinguished by a fine polish and brilliant workmanship. "The Gold Diggers of 1933 scores over "42nd Street" with the presence of Aline MacMahon. A grand comedienne, most superbly dressed, she has the best lines in the picture, and remains the centre of attention throughout She goes a-digging with Joan Blordell into the wealth of Guy Kibbee and Warren William Rubv Keeler has. a romantic attair with Dick Powell, and these six obtain a happy ending. Ned Sparks, as the producer, is excellent in the first two reels, and then disappointingly disappears. Powell, by the way, takes the part ot a mysterious young song writer who puts up the money for a show, falls in love with a chorus girl and is found out by his conservative relations. J.hese disapproving gentlemen are, of course, Kibbee and William, so you can see where the fun begins. STRAND THEATRE. After to-morrow night's final screening ofthe splendid and timely romantic drama nf the great wheat industry of America to-day, "Golden Harvest," at the Strand Theatre, two new films will be released as entertainment for Strand audiences. The first of these is the popular Intel - national House." in winch Peggy Hopkins -Joyce—America's startling "high priestess of millionaires and matrimony -also W C Fields, and a big cast of stage, scicen and radio stars are featured. Ihe othei production, also coming on 1 rld ?>' " h< :" t will be given its initial Auckland e}ease, is To the Last Man," stirring film version of the famous Zane Grey esten. tale, in which Randolph Scott, a newcomer to Hollywood and a tall and handsome leading man, stars opposite the li'sh players Esther Ralston, seen recently in "Rome Express" and "After the Ball. "Buster" Crabbo, the Olympic swimming champion of 1932, has a fine "young brother" role.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. In reviewing "Lady For a Day," which will open a season at the St. James' Theatre next Friday, the world-famous Mordaunt Hall, film critic ot" the "New York Times," said: "It is an agreeable changc to find a picture in which the main interest does not concern a pair of young lovers, for granted that all loves a lover, when romances come to the screcn they so often cling to the same formula: The good-looking girl and the handsome man meet and fall in love, quarrel aud then 'make it up' in the final scene. 'Lady For a Day' is a happy instance of welcome originality, for, while it docs not neglect the romantic interest, the narrative is devoted principally to an old woman who sells apples in Times Square and a kind-hearted rogue who goes out of his way to help her to pose as a 'lady' of means. It is a well-balanced film, with pleasant sentiment and excellent fun. It holds the spectator's attention with its surprises and gratifying freshness." "Lady For a Day," which was at the Radio City Music Hall, the world's greatest cinema house, was directed by Frank Capra. It has bright dialogue and amusing gangsters whose most reprehensible deeds consist of tho kidnappings of three society reporters, who arc kept out of the way to prevent them divulging Apple Annie's secret when she is posing as Mrs. E. Worthington Manville. This deception is for 110 bad purpose, for the white-haired woman has a daughter. Louise, who has lived the greater part of her young life in a European convent. Annie wants the girl to believe that her mother is not only wealthy but also well-born. May Robson gives a most effective portrayal of Annie. At first she is beheld as the dishevelled apple vendor and later as the smart woman of the world. Warren William is excellent as "Dave the' Dude," and Ned Sparks is very humorous as the stoicfaced ruffian known as "Happy."' Guy Kibbee contributes to the gaiety of the film by his fine acting, and Walter Connolly makes the most of the role of the Count. Nat Pendleton. Olenda Farrell, Ilobart Bos worth and Wallis Clark also serve this picture well. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. The two modern dramas which present a pleasing contrast in lilm fare at the National and Prince Edward Theatres this week are "Gambling Ship" (Cary Grant and Benita Hume) and "No Marriage Ties" (Richard Dix and Elizabeth Allan). They will be replaced 011 Friday by two new films, a British romantic drama entitled "Anne One Hundred" and starring the popular Betty Stock field, and "CrossCountry Cruise," the first of a new cycle of transcontinental bus or railway romances produced in Hollywood. L? w Ayres and June Knight (she of Ladies Must. Love" fame) are the two chief stars in this production. MUNICIPAL BAND. A programme of popular and classical music will be given by the Auckland Municipal Band at Port Erin Park to-morrow evening. The band will also play at the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon and in Albert Park in-flic evening.