AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. "The Silence of Dean Maitland," which is now doing so well at the Regent Theatre, has set the hall-mark on Australia's attempts to produce the really good serious film drama. Coming after the worthy "Squatter's Daughter," it sets a standard Id Australian film production which is so high that future pictures will, of necessity, be very good indeed. Mr. Ken Ilall has thus done yeoman service for the industry in Australia. One of its features is the superb photographic work of Captain Frank Hurley, noted Australian cameraman. John Longden, seen in many British films, including the first British talkie "Blackmail," also "Atlantic," "Escape," "The Ringer," and others, is a definite acquisition to the Australian cinema. His brilliant work in the dramatic role of the dean is exciting great admiration in Auckland. Taken from Maxwell Gray's English story, the film modernises the plot and gives it a setting on the rugged Australian coast. Tin central figure is Maitkmd, a young curate home from college, and engaged to one Marian Everard. He succumbs to the wiles of the alluring village siren. Alma Lee. This drags into the case Marian Everard's brother, a doctor, played mewt effectively by John Warwick. .-Mm a Lee's father makes the inevitable i recovery, is unintentionally killed by Maitland, and tragedy succeeds the homely life of the pleasant little town. Here begins the famous silence, and the story becomes thorough-going melodrama, with Everard in prison and Maitland rising in the church pulpit and denouncing himself as seducer, murderer and traitor of h ; s innocont friend. "Cinesound Varieties," Australia's first attempt at a musical revue, is also screening at the Regent. ROXY AND TIVOLT. A new star and superb entertainment are two contributions made to the screen of the day by "Man of Two Worlds," one of tiie two current 111111 attractions at tlie Roxy and Tivoli Theatres jointly. One ot the sensations which the European and New York stage has produced in the past year or two, .Francis Redder, star of the play "Autumn Crocus," is featured in "Man of J wo Worlds, ' which opened its Auckland season yesterday. Heralded as an artist with irresistible charm and amazing talent, Lcdcrer lived up to all expectations. Stellar honours are shared by Elissa Landi, who gives a strong ana vivid portrayal as the blonde siren of. the story. Scientists invade the frozen North to snare specimens of animal fife for an English Zoo. There they find Lcdercr, in the role of Greenland's greatest hunter. During the expedition he conceives a strange and idealistic passion for the photograph of the leading scientist s daughter. The scientists return to London with Aigo. Bewildered and enthralled by the amazing world of civilisation, Aigo begins to forget his young native wife in an infatuation for the cultured Mayl'air belle. Then the spark which ignites an explosion of emotions is accidentally struck, and the young hunter's dream world crashes about him. l'rom that heart-stirring climax, events move swiftly to a logical and satisfying conclusion. A finished production with tremendous appeal, "Man of Two Worlds, is the type of picture destined to be popular with every class of audience. The other picture at the Roxv and Tivoli is 'Bedside," in which Warren William is starred, with lovely Jean Muir in the leading feminine role. Kathryn Sergava, famous Russian dancer, and Allen Jenkins, comedian, are also in the cast of the splendidly filmed romantic drama of the operating-tables. PLAZA THEATRE. Ruby Kceler played a dual role during the production of "Footlight Parade, ' the musical-comedy "hit' which is now showing at the l'laza Theatre. Ruby, although one of the members of the all-star east, also taught the dance steps to the chorus girls who appear with her in the picture. This is her actual part in the production. She instructs girls in dancing for musical prologues to motion pictures, which are crcatcd by Jimmy Caguey in his role of stage director. Busby Berkeley, who staged the spectacular dance ensembles for "Footlight Parade," had his hands full with 250 girls on the stage, there were many new and intricate steps tor the girls to learn. Not all of the gir,s were experienced in stage dancing, for Berkeley had picked them for their beauty and personality from all walks ot Some needed private coaching before they could master the steps. Ruby Keeler, famous for her tap dancing on the JJroaclwav stage, was assigned the task ot putting the girls through their steps. So she actually performed during rehearsals the work which she is shown doing in the finished production. "Footlight 1 araue is a fast-moving picture of backstage production- work and life much along the comic-romantic lines of "42nd Street anu "The Gold-Diggers of 1033. Others in the cast includc Joan Blondcll, DitU Powell. Frank McHugh Guy Kibbee Ruth Donnelly. Hugh Herbert and Clane Dodd. The spectacular ensembles were created and staged by Busby Berkeley, probablv the genius dance director ot Hollywood. There are many catchy songs in the picturewhich have already become popular in Auckland. STRAND THEATRE. There is said to be a wistful charm in "The Only Girl," which is to come to the Strand Theatre to-morvow on a dual programme with "The Night of the Party," that appeals to all who like their entertainment romantic in period no less than in sentiment and with the lilt of a love song running, like a glittering thread, through all the daintiness. "The Only Girl" has been "filmed in no less than three languages in Europe—French, English and German—with Winsome Lilian Harvey playing in all three, although with a different lead in the German version. Charles Boyer, who, like Miss Harvey, has now been - captured by the lure ot Hollywood dollars, plays the leading role in this pleasing story of a romantic duke and a chambermaid in the colourful days of the Empress Eugenie. "The Night ot the Party" is described as a thrilling drama providing ample meat for the lighter fare of "The Only Girl. Leslie Banks, of "I Am Suzanne! ■ and Ihe Fire-Raisers" fame, is the star, with .lane Baxter, Malcolm Keen and Ernest Thesiger (seen in "The Old Dark House and "The Ghoul") heading the supporting cast. RIALTO THEATRE, NEWMARKET. In addition to the pleasing romance, "I Believed In You," which introduces wistful and appealing little Rosemary Ames it- her first big film, opposite handsome John Boles, the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, will this evening offer its patrons the hilarious Wheeler and Woolsey extravaganza, "Hips, Hips, Hooray." Music, dance and love-making are all featured in this production, but even pretty girls and catchy theme songs cannot swamp the clowning of such prize comedians as the Wheeler-Woolsey combination.

STATE THEATRE. After to-night's final screening of the brilliant impressionistic war romance, "Men Must Fight," with Diana Wynyard and Lewis Stone- starred, the State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street, will tomorrow reintroduce the wonderfully successful "Roman Scandals," in which Eddie Cantor is at his frivolous best.

CLEM DAWE REVUE COMPANY. To-night at His Slajesty s Theatre Clem Dawe and his company of 30 ill appear for the last time in the re\ tie J.he Laugh Parade." To-morrow night and until next Thursday, with matinees on Saturday and Wednesday the company will stage "The Whirligig," in which Clem Dawe will present some of his best ami most amusing features- It was in ' Ihe Whirligig" that the company achieved its best success in Sydney, where it attracted large audiences for over two months- In it will be seen for the first time some amazing adagio dances, new song successes, original ballet ensembles, while the scenery, lighting effects and dresses are outstanding features. At the matinee 011 Saturday afternoon Sir. Dawe will present. among 50 gifts, a Shetland pony, with saddle and bridle, to a lucky child in. the audience. "IS LIFE WORTH LIVING?" The Auckland Little Theatre Society will present as its next production the amusing Irish play. "Is Life Worth Living?" by Lennox Robinson. Irish author connected with the famous Dublin Abbey Theatre Players. It is to be presented by Sir. Frederic E. SlcCallum. producer, in the Town Hall Concert Chamber for a four-night season commencing June 30. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Probably Slavie Dressler's finest piece oi comedy since her memorable "Emma" was movided in the title role of_ the intense V human ' comedy-drama. "Tugboat Annie." which is screening with Lionel Barrymorc's "Long-lost Father," at the Crystal Palace Theatre. "Tugboat Annie" is out on its own as entertainment, featuring as it does that popular and highlysuccessful combination of Dressier and Beery. LONDON THEATRE. The thrilling English melodrama "No. 17" and the horse racing romance "Bad Companions" will give way as a dual bill at the London Theatre after this evening to a programme headed bv Constance Bennett's romantic drama, "Rich People." TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. The same brilliant combination of "Leap Year'! and "Just Smith" is at hand in the rich Irish brogue comedy, "The Blarney Stone." now screening at the Tudor Cinema. Remuera. This is the Tom WallsAnne Grey partnership.