AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 241, 11 October 1934, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

PHILIP HARGRAVE, PIANIST. At His Majesty's Theatre, commencing on Saturday, October 20, Messrs. J. and N. Tait will present Philip Hargrave, the boy piunist, whose recent Australian tour proved such a remarkable success. Spellbound enthusiasm has greeted the young prodigy everywhere, and tremendous interest has been evoked by the announcement of the concerts to be given here. "This boy is a serious artist of the most amazing accomplishment," asserted one Perth critic. ' The youngster speaks the language of music with an authority, a fullness of expression that leaves one dumb-founded." On this particular night Philip Hargrave played eleven encore pieces in addition to nine programme items. Everything, from Bach Fugue to Chopin waltz, from Haydn and Mozart to Mendelssohn and Schubert, was played from memory. One outstanding feature of the Australian concerts was the fact that Philip Hargrave's concerts appeared to appeal not only to the strictly musical section of the public, but to those who admire genius and good entertainment. Only four concerts can be given in Auckland.

ROXY AND TIVOLI. When Irvin Cobb's daughter Elisabeth skyrocketed to literary fame with her novel, "She Was a Lady," she precipitated a scramble by the studios for the motion picture righto to her widely discussed work for the turning of it into a film. And that film opened a joint season with the comedy "A Private Scandal" at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday. "She Was a Lady" presents the 6tar, Helen Twelvetrees, with plenty of opportunities. And little Miss Twelvetrees makes the most of them; for she rises to new dramatic heights ip her absorbing interpretation of the heroine of Miss Cobb's novel. Over many byways "She Was a Lady" travels to attain her goal, but the effect is well worth the effort. Sharing,- the acting honours with Miss Twelvetrees is Donald Woods. Together the two handle the love scenes with •masterly adroitness, imbuing them with tenderness—but no false sentimentality or straining for effect. As for background the film is rich and colourful —a broad canvas indeed. Prom a Montana ranch it traces the girl's career to a circus, to an English castle, to New York—and always with a note of genuineness. Prominent also in the cast besides Miss Twelvetrees and Woods are Monroe Owsley and Ralph Morgan, in addition to Paul Harvey, Doris Lloyd, Harold Goodwin, Barbara Weeks, Karol Kay, Ann Howard, and that sterling boy actor, Jackie Searl. _ "A Private Scandal" is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of the present day, with Zaeu Pitts in an outstanding comic role, supported by Ned Sparks and Phillips Holmes.

STRAND THEATRE. The glamour and individual appeal of Mae West is best shown in her first starring film, "She Done Him Wrong," which is to be revived for a season commencing to-morrow at the Strand Theatre, in conjunction with the initial Auckland release of "Double Door." This latter film is a thrilling drama of life behind the sedate portals of a fine old New York aristocratic mansion. It stars the New Zealander, Colin Tapley, in what is by far his biggest and best role on the screen to date. He is Dr. John Lucas, one of the principals. Kent Taylor, Evelyn Venable, Mary Morris (villainess de luxe), Halliwell Hobbes and Sir Guy Standing are other members of the pretentious cast. The interesting plot tells the story of a tyrannical, halt-mad spinster who rules the fates and the fortunes of one of New Yorks' wealthiest families, from within the gloomy family mansion overlooking Fifth Avenue.

STATE THEATRE. • Wallace Beery and George Raft divide the chjef acting honours in the first of Darryl F. Zapuck's films, "The Bowery, which closes its season at the_ State Theatre, Upper Symonde Street, this evening. Jackie Cooper also has a good role. The theatre will introduce its patrons to-morrow to the first release production, "The Countess of Monte Ci isto," starring Fay Wray and Patsy Kelly, with I'aul Lukas and Reginald Owen in brilliant support. An enjoyable theme provides the bulk of entertainment in thia amusing modern romance,

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. An interesting comparison between an American courtroom and one in England is furnished by a setting in which Diana Wynyard and more than 200 supporting players appear in the film, "One More River," adapted from the late John Galsworthy's last novel, "Over the River." The set represents a courtroom in London, with judges and lawyers gowned and wigged, and seats for spectators steeply hanked opposite his Worship's high bench. A refreshing type of entertainment is provided by the English comedy-drama "Freedom of the Seas," which will commence a season at the St. James' to-nior-row. It bears a resemblance to "The Midshipmaid," "Jack Ahoy!" and "The Middle Watch," all of which proved successful. The film abounds in drama, comedy and romance and is set against the background of the British Navy. The story is a fast-moving one, full of wholesome humour, and an hilarious climax is reached when a young sub-lieutenant finds himself on board an enemy ship together with the girl he loves and a prospective father-in-law who hates _ him. Clifford Mollison, who appeared in "A Southern Maid," gives another fine performance, and is well supported by Wendy Barrie and Henry Wenman.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. In order to benefit the funds of the St. John Ambulance Association, the management of the Bialto Theatre, Newmarket, is providing a screening this evening of the spectacular Australian bushranging romance "Stingaree," proceeds from which will be devoted to this cause. An excellent supporting programme has been selected with a Charley Chase comedy entitled "I'll Take "Vanilla" as the chief item. "Stingaree" itself, with Bichard Dix starred opposite talented and beautiful Irene Dunne, is a tale of tlie adventures and love of a celebrated outlaw of Australia during the wilder years of last century. The tale of his love for a beautiful girl of civilisation and of his sacrifices in sending her to Europe, where she achieved world operatic honours, forms the basis of the film's drama. The Crystal Palace programme this evening is comprised of two films, "Stingaree" and the Australian-made drama "The Silcnce of Dean Maitland," in which John Longdcn is starred as the dean.