AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1934, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. "Should Ladies Behave," based on "The Vinegar Tree," Paul Osborn's scintillating comedy of a group of people who get into amusing difficulties at a week-end house party, comes to the screen at last following its triumphant Broadway run of eight months. This film version of tin? play which starts to-morrow at the Regent Theatre, has a sterling cast headed by Lionel Barrymore and Alice Brady. The principal trio of the play, which lias been described as a wry commentary 011 modern life, include Augustus Merrick, a touchy but lovable old fellow with liver trouble, whose picturesque country estate provides the romantic setting for the action of the story; his "giddy" wife Laura, who constantly cherishes love affairs of the but who can never remember the names of the men involved, and Max Lawrence, a specialist in amorous adventures. Also involved are Laura's sister. Winifred, fresh from Europe and awfully sophisticated. who thinks she has Max in tow: her niece, Leone, who seems so young and innocent, but who manages to take Max away from Winifred from under her very nose, and Geoffry, Leone's supposed fiance, whose life is made miserable by the presence at the week-end party of his more worldly rival. Wills are crossed, temperaments clash and a general fireworks ensues as a result of the emotional conflicts of the various persons involved, with the story rising to a side-splitting climax when young Geoft'ry attempts an heroic window-climbing act of the medieval age and meets with disastrous results. The pivotal roles of Mr. and Mrs. Merrick are, of course, played by Barrymore and Miss Brady, and the cast is rounded out by Halliwell Hobbes in another of his well-known butler characterisations. Harry Beaumont, who filmed the successful "When Ladies Meet," in which Miss Brady made her talkie debut, directed the current production. The Regent is also offering a Laurel and Hardy comedy, "Twice Two."

STRAND THEATRE. A splendid cast of atage, screen and radio stars is to be seen in "International House," the enjoyable musical comedyromance, which is being revived this coming week at the Strand Theatre, in conjunction with the initial release in Auckland of Zane Grey's story in talkie version, "To the Last Man," "International House" boasts the names of such favourites as Sari Maritza, W. C. Fields, Peggy Hopkins, Joyce and Stuart Erwin, together with a wide range of radio celebrities. and the justly famous "Cellophane Girls." "To the Last Man" is Esther Ralston's second American picture in three years, the first being the recent "By Candlelight." She has been in England during that period, appearing in "Rome Express" and "After the Ball." In "To the Last Man" she is featured with Randolph Scott, "Buster" Crabbe, Jack La Rue and Noah Beery. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Janet Gaynor and Warner Baxter are starred in the leading roles of "Paddy the Next Best Thing," which shows at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. They were previously seen together in "Daddy Long Legs." HOSPITAL CONCERT. The weekly concert at the Public Hospital, arranged by Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. A. Hamblin, was held in ward 1 last evening. The programme, under the direction of Mrs. Boyle, consisted of songs, choruses, fancy dancing, etc. The performance was given in. fancy costume. Those taking part were Misses Betty Crew, Joyce Chapman, Jean Martin, Dorothy Everson, Helen Coney. Valerie Haw, Loraine Guinevere and Mavis Btadshaw The accompanist waa Mr*. Boyle.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Genial Gone Garrard is in marital trouble again, with a "battle cruiser" of a mother-in-law in tow, as was his unhappy experience in "My Wife's Family," "Let Me Explain, Dear," and others of his films. The film this time is "The Love Nest," and Gene is seen as a young man happily engaged to a beautiful young lady with an outsize in cranky mothers. When the picture opens Gene is seen engaged on the eve of his wedding in preparing his house, "The Love Nest," for his charming young bride-to-be. But it is raining hard outside, a fact which is but an omen for the stormy weather that follows. The fun commences when trouble enters in the form of a lovely stranger in pyjamas, soaked to the skin. 1 Despite all Gene's strenuous protestations and heart-rending pleas, she insists 011 staying. The situation threatens to ruin all his expectant matrimonial bliss, for he receives an indication as to how it is likely to be interpreted from the charlady, Mrs. Drinkwater, who, misunderstanding the circumstances, is shocked to I the roofs of her being, and makes no secret of the fact. There is, in fact, 110 help for the unfortunate young man, and the incriminating evidence is still there when the blushing bride arrives with her mother. Even this is not all, for the lady in pyjamas has a husband named Hugo, and Hugo is as fearsome as his name would imply, and moreover Hugo invades the precincts of "The Love Nest" in search of his wife. Of course, everything turns out all right. Gene's leading lady is that clever American star Camilla Horn. Camilla assists Gerrard to keep the fun moving in great style, and makes a notable British debut. Others in the big I cast of this brilliant comedy, which comes to the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, include Nancy Burne. Amy Vcness, Garry Marsh and Gns McNaughton. The Majes-1 tic's supporting programme is headed by an interesting study entitled "Bridge Calls." ROXY AND TIVOLI. No doubt exists that the most enjoyable kind of entertainment awaits prospective Roxy and Tivoli patrons this week in the presentation of "Jimmy and Sally," the leading roles of which are ideally suited for James Dunn and Claire Trevor, who are co-featured in this up-to-the-minute picture of the American tempo. In fact both principals are excellently cast and do justice to their particular roles. The story describes the loves and sorrows of a typical American pair of love birds. It delves deeply into their lives and touches gently and sympathetically on their numerous misunderstandings. The boy and the girl, deeply in love with each other, are forced to postpone their marriage, not merely because they lack money, but because of his too extravagant ideas. The young man is publicity agent for a large corporation and is continuously getting himself into hot water because of his high-pressure circus attempts to secure publicity for the firm. One "sure-fire" stunt leaves him without a job. And because of his non-marriage ideas, 110 is left without a sweetheart. He leaves town, only to realise what he has failed to appreciate both in a job and a sweetheart. Returning to start over again on a conquest of a career and his sweetheart, he encounters more difficulties. How he accomplishes both, brings the film to a stirring conclusion. James Dunn as Junmy and Claire Trevor as Sally give fine performances. Dunn, who sings for the first time on the screen, renders a sparkling song entitled, "It's the Trish In Me," with a delightful appeal. Miss Trevor proves to be both charming and appealing in the role of Jimmy's new sweetheart. The other picture on the Roxy and Tivoli programme is "Exposure," a powerful drama of the sensational type of newspaper known peculiarly to America. Bryant Washburn and Lila Lee arc featured,

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. Just now the nations of the world are engrossed in the problem of better methods of transportation, and it therefore seems highly appropriate that Hollywood should bring out a service car story in the film "Cross-country Cruise," which opens with the British "Anne One Hundred," at the National and Prince Edward Theatres to-morrow. Betty Stockfield is the 6tar of the latter production.

"Cross-country Cruise" tells of the loves, lies, hopes, ambitions, laughs and tears of five people in particular as they traverse America from coast to coast. Pacific as the trip appears at first blush, even murder lifts its ugly head before the jaunt is ended, and love, of course, in the way it has. finds its own at the end of the trail. Directed by Eddie Buzzell, with a cast including June Knight, Alice White, Minna Gombell. Alan Dinehart, Eugene Pallette, and Henry Armetta the production is said to offer a new type of screen fare. RIALTO THEATRE. Sterling human emotion appeal forms the central theme of "Tugboat Annie." in which Mario Dressier and Wally Beery are co-featured this evening at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket. "One Man's Journey" is also screening. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA. Two amusing British comedies are being screened currently at the London Newsreel Cinema. These are Lupino Lane's "Never Troul\le Trouble" and Betty Amann's "Strictly Business."