AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 68, 21 March 1935, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

GRACE MOORE AT PLAZA. I The beauty of voice which Grace Moore lias brought to Auckland in '' One Night of Love" has earned the him a--record season, after its purchase for release at the Plaza at a price stated to be a l'ecord for the Dominion. Incidentally, this was merely a repetition of affairs in Sydney, where the proprietors paid a record price for it and screened it with enormous success. The picture has encountered magnificent opposition, including Graci'e Fields and " The Barretts," but it lias gone on in spite of them all. Produced by the small but exceedingly successful Columbia Studios, with resourcefirl Harry Gohn at the helm of affairs, the picture is a successor to such productions as " Lady for i Day" (with May Robson) and "It Happened One Night " (Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable), both of which were directed by the brilliant Italian-born director, Frank Capra. One Night of Love" was directed by Victor Sebertzinger, who is famous in oth(sr circles as a musical composer. Indeed, in .addition to classical arias (from " Carmen " and "Madame Butterfly"), Grace Moore sings a number of Schertzinger's compositions in the film. Taken by and large, the picture is line entertainment. It gives its audience polished brilliance and tine acting, together with the all-important popular appeal of the cinema. There i.s glamour in every foot of it. Miss Moore's male lead is Tullio Carminati, a born and bred Italian, while her supporting cast includes Australian Mon'a Barrie, or Barlee (Phil Smith's daughter) and the Italian Count Andre de Segurola. TIVOLI AND RIALTO.

Gay song numbers and pleasing scenes of Parisian life form much of the first rate entertainment to be experienced in the film " Lottery Lover,'' which is screening dually at the Tivoli and .Rialto Theatres this week. The production features the popular male star Lew Ayrcs, Janet Gaynor's romantic interest in such films as " State Fair " and " Servants' Entrance," while the feminine lead in the picture is taken with great success by the little English invader to Hollywood, Pat Paterson, who lias appeared with excellent results in two or three recent films. Other players in an impressive cast are Reginald Denny, Alan Dinehart. Nick Foran, Walter King, and Peggy Fears. The story moves at a fast pace, with many complications when a party of sailors become enmeshed in a revue company in Paris. Of the many catchy songs which are introduced. perhaps the best are " There's a Bit of Paree in You," "Close Your Eyes and See," and " Ting-a-ling-a-ling." Combined with this film at the two entertainment houses is a stronger dramatic production, entitled " Jealousy," featuring Nancy Carroll and Donald Cook, George Murphy, Inez Courtney. Arthur Hohl, Raymond Walburn, and Robert Allen. An exciting blend of romance, comedy, and pathos comprises this powerful story, which deals with a prizefighter's suspicion that his wife is not true to him. An nteresting feature of the film is a ring contest, in which the never-to-be-forgotten Jim Jeffries, ex-world champion, is seen as referee. ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

Despite all that has been written, said and photographed concerning Greta Garbo, the fascinating Swedish actress still finds herself regarded by an admiring world as the acme of screen perfection. Her brilliance is not diminished by its persistence: rather is it increased, if increase is possible. Her films are not so frequent as formerly, bnt sTie still draws her fabulous Hollywood salary and her pictures still "hold oyer" at their release theatres, besides packing the second showing houses. Greta is seen at her best in the screen version of W. Somerset Mauejham s famous .novel and play, "The Painted Veil," which heads the entertaining programme attracting large audiences to St. James' Theatre. Miss. Garbo is undoubtedly one of the most popular actresses on the screen and has made notabie appearances iry such successful films as "Queen Christina" and "Grand_ Hotel. She receiver sound support in 'The Painted Veil'' from Herbert IVfarshalJ. A wide number of topical subjects are introduced in the selection of shorter films. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Described generally as one of those fine screen efforts which slip by the public s notice by reason of their very excellence, "Crime Without Passion" will receive its initial suburban screening in Auckland tomorrow at the State Theatre, Upper Symonds Street. To-night's programme is composed of the Galsworthy story. Over the River," filmed as "One More River/ with Diana Wynvard Frank Lawton, Colin Clire and Jane Wyatt in the chief parts. "Crime Without-Passion." made in New York by two enterprising young men, one a journalist and the other a cinematographer, features Claude Rains, the courageous player who was Wells' "Invisible Man" on the screen. Whitney Bourne and Margo, the feminine lead, complete the cast. A fine emotional drama. "The House of 56th Street," ■ starring Ricardo Cortez and the popular Kay Francis, with Gene Raymond in support, will also be screened to-morrow at the State. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. One of the season's most popular musical comedies, "The Gay Divorcee," is being screened currently at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Plenty of humour is effectively introduced by the brilliant English, dancerleading man. Fred Astaire. He forms a strops combination with Edward Everett Horton. The film is a lavish production dealing with the musical comedy stage and is based on the stage hit "Gay Divorce." played in London, New York and Melbourne. The film introduces the sensational new dance, "The Continental," as demonstrated by Astaire and "Ginger" Rogers. Five new song hits are sung in the picture—-"Night and Day," "A Needle in a Haystack." "Don't Let It Bother You," "Let's Knock Knees" and "The Continental." - NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. Laughter will be th«< order of" things to-morrow at both the National and Prince Edward Theatres, where "Friends of Mr. Sweeney," a riotous .Charlie Ruggles comedy, is to be released. On the same bill is listed the thrilling British drama, "No Escape." featuring the popular Binnie Barnes, with lan Hunter as leading man. "Friends of Mr. Sweeney" is a comedy to bo recommended. It takes Charles Ruggles a little while to get properly into action, but. -once lie and Eugene Pallette and ; Ann Dvorak become friends of Mr. Sweeney the farce Wves with amazing vigour. Ruggles is a "gimpus," his best friend tells him so. He is bullied by everyone, even waiters at lunch counters. Being a gimpus is a dull business, so Ruggles makes an abrupt change, and becomes a terror —with his own deprecating. LONDON THEATRE. Plenty of thoroughly enjoyable comedy is to be found in the gay production "Fast Life," with William Haines, Madge Evans and Conrad Nagel in the principal roles. The picture is screening at the moment at the London Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. One of Shirley Temple's best pictures to date is "Little Miss Marker," which will be presented this evening at the Tudor Cinema. Remuera. Adolplie Menjou and Charles Bickford also have excellent parts in the story, which lacks the oversentimentality that has marked some of Shirley's other films. ALEXANDRA HOME CONCERT. The Crimson Ramblers' revue company last evening visited the Alexandra Convalescent Home and presented -an attractive programme. The following assisted: Misses Gwen Wilkins. Isabel Stowards, Betty Tilney, Jean Scott and Joan Porter, Messrs. Reg Normo, Tom Whittaker, John Stokes and Fred Irvine. NEW HENRY VIII. PLAY. Clifford Bax's new London success, "The Rose Without a Thorn," which Auckland has not yet seen either on the stage or screen, is to be presented for a season of four nights by Sir. Frederic MeCallum for the Auckland Little Theatre Society in I the Town Hall Concert Chamber, comI mencing on April 6.

STRAND THEATRE. Dark-haired and polished to a degree, Jlona Barlee, of the Australasian stage, is making of Hollywood's jealouslyguarded screen a second career. She has done a number of brilliant roles, such as those of "the other woman" in "All Men Are Enemies" and again in Grace Moore's "One Night ,of Love." She also had an excellent opportunity in "Sleepers East." actually her initial film venture, although it was not released here first. Now she has a still better role in "The Mystery Woman," a powerful emotional drama, which, together, with Warner Oland's thrilling "Charlie Chan in Paris," forms the bulk-of the current entertainment at the Strand Theatre. To-morrow's new programme at the Strand will consist of "Rendezvous at Midnight," an up-to-the minute mystery-drama of modern life, starring Ralph Bellamy, Irene Harvey and Val Hobson, plus a second-feature production. "QUALITY STREET." The St. Cuthbcrt's Old Girls' Association has chosen for its tenth annua) production J. M. Barrie's charming play, "Quality Street," and it will be presented to-morrow and Saturday nights at the Town Hall Concert Chamber. Special attention has been paid to period costuming and settings. A capablc cast, which includes some of Auckland's best-known amateurs, should assure patrons of an excellent, evening's entertainment. Proceeds are in aid of the Auckland Community Sunshine Association.' AVONDALE SOCIAL. At the Oddfellows' Hall, Avondale, a social held by the Avondale Rugby League Football Club was largely attended. Mr. A. Stanley, chairman of the Rugby League primary schools' committee, presided, and presented prizes won during last year. A musical programme was given during the evening.