AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. j One woman among slinking, treacherous I - Malay natives and outcast whites; that's | . the predicament in which Carole Lombard, j 1 as Judith Denning, finds herself in "White Woman," the new film which opens tomorrow at the Civic Theatre. However, the central figure of the production is Charles Laughton, the famous English character actor, rather than Miss Lombard. Laughton, whom we know so well as a lijht comedian and romancer for his Nero in "Sign of the Cross and his English "Henry VIII.," and as a sterling dramatic star from his roles in. Deferred" and "Devil and the Deep, _is cast in "White Woman" as Horace Prin, coarse and brutal King of the River in his savage trading area. For quite different reasons, Judith Denning is shunned by white society, a victim of malicious gossip, seeking a livelihood as entertainer in a questionable Malay dive. .She accompanies Prin far into the jungle which is his homo and trading post. She is the only white woman in tins rendezvous of broken renegades, but nevertheless fights with all hex womanly instincts to redeem David aon Eltz (Kent Taylor), a young, handsome member of Prin's band. And this etiange romance between this lone, white woman and the man who has lost his soul in thn> "legion of the damned" furnishes the substance of the story. "CRADLE SONG." Of Dorothea Wieck's first Hollywood production, "Cradle Song," which opens a season at the Civic Theatre at Easter, the critic of the "New York .Times" wrote: "This German star's initial Ameiican vehicle is an adaptation of Martinez Sierra's famous play 'Cradle. Song/ whic.i, besides Miss Wieck's glowing portrajal, has the advantage of other admirable interpretations and also compelling of a Spanish convent. It is a aeiicatsimwle story of the Dominican nuns. Its, drama is not its strong point, foi it i» merelv concerned with a girl being'left at the convent and >eaib latei of U the a people involved are expertly etched -ssr ss ssr&s pleasingly P la > ed j* is a philosopher. This doctor, Don Jose, o{ the nuns, but they find him a g Lo^o Ssng.TS&r -A • •'«" vicaress." TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA Hn»ntyof.l;e»» .UWjedj. JJ; ably presented b» C «*■ of the King," SB E&S' tot " rrf """ Mi " ; London newsrkl cnema. ; In addition to the . Shaw film—one ° r ..j j "How He Lied . read, the ' Snd?n Ne.v.-Eeel S /XS LUa" P LS. a»d Walter I Byron.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Her Sweetheart," based on the play "The Late Christopher Bean," one of iSeu York's outstanding dramatic "hits, opens to-morrow at the St. James .Theatre, bringing together Marie Dressier and Lionel Barrvmore in their first appearance as co-stars. This new offering is based on Sydney Howard's celebrated | drama, "Christopher Bean," of a woman who shows a man the road „ to honour. It was adapted originally from the French of Bene Fauchois. Miss Dressier, fresh from her film triumphs 111 "Tugboat Annie" and "Dinner at; Light, and Barrymore, famous "Rasputin ana recently seen in "The Stranger's Return, head a distinguished cast which includes Helen Mack, Beulah Bondi, Russell Hardie, Jean Hersholt, and H. li. Warner. The uniting of Miss Dressier and Barrymore recalls the fact that they won the awards of the Academy of .Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Miss Dressier for her work in "Min and Bill, and Barrymore for his brilliant portrayal 111 "A Free Soul." The story of Her Sweetheart" deals with the family of a country doctor and their servant, Abby. They learn that the paintings ot an obscure artist whom the doctor once befriended are now worth a fortune. Those they had have disappeared with the exception of one. a portrait owned bv the servant. The kindly doctor under the lash of greed becomes a scheming fraud until the dramatic denouement, 111 which he returns to his better nature under the influence of the kindly Abby. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD.

Mary Brian and Bruce Cabot comprise the newest romantic team in Hollywood, making their first appearance together in "Shadows of Sing Sing," Columbia production, which will open at the and Prince Edward theatres to-morrow. Miss Brian has been a featured player since she made her motion picture debut in "Peter Pan" nine years ago, while Cabot's association with films dates back two years ago when lie was acting as master ot ceremonies in a Hollywood night club. Others in the cast are Bradley J "age, Claire Dußrey, Grant Mitchell, Irving Bacon and Dewey Robinson. Phil Rosen directed. What happens when the eon of a police officer falls in love with the sister of a racketeer is the theme ot "Shadows of Sing Sing." Bruce Cabot is the boy and Mary Brian is the girl who are determined to marry despite the opposition of their relatives. Comedy, drama and tragedy are crowded into the confines of an East Side New York boarding house in "East of Fifth Avenue,' which also begins its run at the two theatres to-morrow. Heading the cast of this interesting production are Wallace l'orit, Alarv Carlisle and Dorothy Tree, with Walter Connolly. Walter Byron, Lucien Littlefield and Maude Eburne 111 supporting roles. The direction is by Albert Rogell. STRAND THEATRE. Recent fire scandals in London, involvinff conspiracy and other charges against brigade officials and business men operating in fire insurance, lend topical interpst to one of the newest releases of British pictures, a film entitled "The lire Raisers," which comes to the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Commercial villainy is not a new inspiration for screen writers British or otherwise, but the stor.v ot "The Fire Raisers" gives the theme a verv unusual setting, while the strength of the plot lies in its simplicity and the forthrightness of the swift action with which it is packed. An illuminating cast of players includes the names of Anne Grey, Carol Goodner, Francis L. Sullivan and Frank Collier. The Strand is also screening a revival of the cleyer Roland Young comedy Pleasure Cruise, in which Genevieve Tobin reveals her hitherto hidden- talent as a light comedienne of the philandering type.

ROXY AND TIVOLI. Gradually all the popular books and silent films of earlier days are being made into talkies, the latest being the British "Dick Turpin," which opened a season, together with an American film, Defenders of the Law," at the Rojiy and Tivoli last evening. It is some years since the silent film based on Harrison Ainsworth's "Rookwood" appeared. In tin.-, new sound version \ ictor McLaglen is Dick Turpin. He performs some amazing feats of horsemanship, and his ride to York is very thrilling. Hut the Dick luipin of our boyhood's imagination was a handsome hero. Victor McLaglen hac> i specialised in "tough" parte, and in this | film he has a role surprisingly suited to , his special talents. Frank Vpspcr, whom we saw in "Rome Express, plays the part of the highwayman Tom King. Dick Turpin" as a film shows a curious and unusual treatment in both dialogue and I sequence. It has plenty of movement, and I Black Bess, the famous horse that Dick Turpin rode to death, is all that the most vivkl imagination pictured her. J his animal is a natural actress. She nods her head when asked if she would like a pan of beer, and shakes it when she disagrees with her master's olie (lies rather robustly because Dick I urpin insists on a kiss. Underworld stories seldom have much room for comedy, but in JJefenders of the Law" AJ Cooke, the popular funster, has an important part in tlie picture, that of a newspaper reporter and photographer, and it is his rather stupid eagerness to get a "scoop for his paper which gives the racketeers advance information regarding the activities of the police. What happens after that, provides a thrilling climax to a fast-moving melodrama. interpreted by a cast which includes Catherine Dale Owen, John Holland Robert decider, Edmund Breese, Mae Busch, Kit Guard. Al. Cooke, Joseph Girard, , Pliilo McCullough and Paul Panzer, each of whom is a featured artist in his own right.

| STATE THEATRE. If not her most amusing role, "Tugboat •Viinie" presents the inimitable Mane Dressier with one of her most human parts since she commenced to portray lovable old women 011 the silver sheet. ''l"s £ xccl ' lent comedy-drama, in which Wallace /JC el y is cast as Marie's ne'er-do-well, shiftless husband, and Robert \oung is seen as their handsome and talented young son, will entertain current audiences at the new State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street (old Lyric Theatre). CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. One of Ronald Column's most polished performances is given in the picture version of the successful Broadway stage play "Cvnara" ("I Have Been I-aithful ), which is showing to-night at the Crjetal Palace Theatre, Mount Lden. Kay Francis and Phyllis Barry, Australian stage star who has invaded Hollywood, are featured. RIALTO THEATRE, NEWMARKET. Her latest and probably her most lighthearted comedy, "This Week of Grace, • has definitely established Gracie tields popularity in the hearts of Auciilandeis. > The film, which also features Henry Ken- . clall, shows to-night at the Rialto Theatre, • Newmarket. HOSPITAL CONCERT. i The weekly concert at the Public llos--1 pital arranged bv Mrs. Raeburn and Mr. ; A. Hamblin was held in Ward 6 last even--1 inf. The programme, under the direction t of Mine. Aileen Johns, consisted of songs, 3 violin and pianoforte solos ami duets, - elocution and fancy dancing. Those tak--5 ing part were: —blisses Helen e Dykes, r Marjorie and Jovee Roberts, Phyllis Tre- ' main, Lilian Malton, Maureen Finhnson, r Marjorie Yorke, Olive Jarvis and Phyllis t Hammond and Master Robt. Boyd. Hie accompanist was Mrs. Anne Morris.

CATHOLIC CHARITY CONCERT. A highly successful concert in aid of the Convent of the Good Shepherd, Waikowhai, was held in the Good Shepherd Hall, Telford Road, off Dominion Roau, last evening. Mrs. Reuben O Brien organised the programme, which included items by Mesdames G. Hillyer and Reuben O'Brien, blisses Theo. Ilalpin, Frances Lee, Erica Blamires, Lalla Ilenius, Jessie Smith, Mr. G. Laird, and the Rev. Father Terry. The accompanists were Misses Theo. Halpin and Clarice Lowry. '-L'lie Rev. Dean Murphy and t'nc Hon. C. J. Ciirrington thanked the artists for thenwork. At the conclusion of the concert both performers and audience sang the National Anthem. v MAREO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

The eagerly awaited initial 1934 recital by the recently formed Mareo Symphony Orchestra will be given to-night in the Town Hall, under the baton of Mr. Eric Mareo, conductor-composer. The promising programme is headed by Mendelssohn s Violin Concerto (soloist, Mr. Vincent Aapcy), and by Beethoven s famous 1' ittu Symphony." A feature of. the concert will bo tlie special stage and lighting etiects. Arrangements are being made at the "front of the house" for quantitative concession prices for students, school and college pupils and members of musical societies. "THE CRUCIFIXION." A performance of Dr. Stanier s immortal composition, "The Crucifixion,' given in the Remuera Methodist Church by the United Methodist Choirs this even-1 in". Soloists will be Messrs. Roger Errington and Frank Sutherland, while the organist will be Mrs. Winstone, and the conductor the Rev. Mitchell. RELIEF WORKERS' CONCERT. Mr. Arthur Austen's concert party gave a vaudeville programme oil behalf of tlie Newmarket Relief Workers' Association in the Municipal Hall, before a large and appreciative audience. This is the first of a series of concerts proposed to be given throughout the coming winter to help in alleviating sickness and distress. The following artists appeared:—Messrs. Arthur Austen, Will Harris. Jack Riley, Stan Holthouse, Miss Sylvia Pynter, and others. Mr. Bert Hicks was pianist. AUCKLAND CHOFiAL SOCIETY. The next production for the Auckland Choral Society is "Hiawatha," rehearsals for which will commence next Tuesday, March 27. MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. Mr. Frank Sutherland will present _ a musical evening to-night after the meeting of the Missions to Seamen in the Seamen's Institute, Sturdee Street. Archbishop Avcrill will be in the chair.