AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 198, 22 August 1935, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

NELLIE BRAMLEY SEASON. Continuing to attract large audiences to Hie Majesty's Theatre, "Fair and Warmer," the production of Miss Nellie Bramley and her comedy company, is to conclude ite season to-morrow. Another production, which is also expected to prove very popular, is "Polly With a Past," and it is to be staged on Saturday. The large audiences at the plays produced by this company have proved that interest in theatrical productions still runs high in Auckland.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. The romance of the gipey Herries family which Hugh Walpole—our own Aucklandborn novelist of world fame—published in 1933, and which has since captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of readers under the title of " Vanessa," now finds its way to the moving screen, eventual destination of all great literary works, as " Vanessa —Her Love Story." The part of Benjie Herries is admirably portrayed by Robert Montgomery, who manages to depart most convincingly from his eternal portrayals of typical wealthy young American manhood. Helen Hayes plays the appealing role of Vanessa, and a splendid cast of capable character players assists the two stars. " Vanessa — Her Love Story " will be ecreened this evening jointly at the Crystal Palace and Riulto Theatres. At the former house, tho timely romantic comedy, " Ten-Dollar Raise," featuring Edward Everett Hortoii, Karen Morley, Grant Mitchell, and James Dunn, will be presented. Tho Rialto's supporting film is " Society Doctor," starring that brilliant comedy star Billie Burke, former wife of the late " Flo" Ziegfeld, with Chester Morris and Virginia Bruce in the juvenile leads. ROXY AND TIVOLI.

An exciting tale of a frontier marshal's activity in curbing renegades who infested the West in its young stages of formation and settlement, "The Arizonian" shows Richard Dix in a. similar role to that which he portrayed in "West of the Pecos," although even more action is incorporated in the current production. "The Arizonian" is showing jointly at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres together with the hilarious farce "Lightning Strikes Twice," featuring Thelma Todd, Skeets Gallagher, Pert Kelton, Chick Chandler, Walter Catlett and Laura Hope Crews. Richard Dix's role in "The Arizonian" has been likened to that which ho played in "CimaiTQii." As Yancey Cravat, it will be remembered, Dix characterised a pioneer who regulated an Oklahoma community at the point of a gun. In ''The Arizonian" he portrays Clay Tallant, an itinerant bandit chaser en route to California. He halts at Silver City, Arizona, to visit' his brother and encounters a graft and outlaw-ridden community. When the unscrupulous sheriff's machinations involve his kin and sweetheart, he dons the lnarshall's badge, reforms a notorious killer and purges the town. Blood is shed on the streets of Silver City, but the West had to be fit for peace and progress. "The Arizonian" is distinguished in its supporting cast. Margot Grahame and Preston Faster, who appeared in "The Informer," have prominent roles in this production. Louis Calhorn, Willie Best, Ray Mayer and J. Farrell Mac Donald are also among the cast.

STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Samuel Goldwyn'e brilliant Soviet diacovery, Anna Sten, who burst forth on the screen world in Zola's " Nana," ie the leading player in " The Wedding Night," a romance of the soil, which aleo features Gary Cooper and Ralph Bellamy. The film k showing to-night at the State Theatre, Upper Symonde Street. Gary Cooper is also starred in the new film to be screened at the State to-morrow. This is " The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," which took four years to make and was the subject of an almost uncanny succession of mishaps, delays, and illnesses before being released ae one of the' greatest box office sensations of years. Seven famous directors and a mass of popular figures wero used in production of the film. STAR CINEMA, NEWTON. To-night's fare at the Star Cinema, Newton, consists of the two thoroughly enjoyable and up-to-the-minute productions, "Looking for Trouble" and "The Trumpet Blows." The former is a gay, romantic comedy-drama dealing with the adventures of a pair of happy-go-lucky young men engaged in the work of repairing cross-country telephone faults. These roles are played by Lee Tracy and Jack Oakie, two of the screen's irrepressibles, with Constance Cuminings as feminine lead. "The Trumpet Blows" is another gay production starring George Raft as a Spanish bullfighter in Mexico. Music and romance are incorporated in this excellent entertainment in just the correct proportions. SMOKE CONCERT. A benefit smoke concert was held in the Trades Hall last night by the Auckland Hotel Workers' Benevolent Committee in aid of Mr. George Phillips and the dependants of the late Mr. R. Roebuck. About 200 people attended. Items were contributed by 18 artists.

GLADYS MONCRIEFF CONCERT. The New Zealand Broadcasting Board announces plane to hold another popular concert in aid of local charities, with Miss Gladys Moncneff, Australian soprano, as principal artist. The concert will be held in the Strand Theatre on Thursday evening, September 5, and proceeds will be devoted to the Mayor's metropolitan unemployed relief fund. Box plans are now open at Lewis Eady, Limited. STRAND THEATRE. Thie evening will see the final screening at the Strand Theatre of the gay, modern comedy-romance " Ladies Love Danger " (Mona Barrie and Gilbert Roland) and the thrilling dramatic film, " Charlie Chan in Egypt " (Warner Oland). To-morrow's change of fare will bring the first release show " Strangers All," starring that grand old trouper of the eilver screen, May Robson, with young Preeton Foster as principal support. The Strand's Friday programme will be notable for its inclusion of a series of acts by the noted Egyptian telepathic magicians Aleko and. Panthea. Three other artiste help in the entertainment. TUDOR CINEMA, REMUERA. J. M. Barrie's creation of Thrums, Scotland, in hie romance, " The Little Minister," comes to life on the eilver screen in a film of the same title, with Katharine Hepburn and John Ileal starred, which is to be presented thin evening at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera. To-morrow , a feature film at the Tudor will be " Forsaking All Others," a witty dialogue play, with Robert Montgomery, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, and Billie Burke in principal roles. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. A total of "0 male voices will be heard in this evening's concert to be given by the Royal Auckland Choir in the Town Hall. Tho choir's items will include " Down Among tho Dead Men," " Beautiful Blue Danube," " King of Worlds," " Tho Spider and the Fly," etc. Assisting artiste will be Mrs. John Farrcil (soprano), Messrs. Stewart Harvey (baritone), Vincent Aspey (violin), and Eric Bell (piano).

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. The thrilling dramatic film, "Four Hours to Wait" (Richard Barthelmess, Noel Madison and others), will be shown together with the gay romantic drama set to music, "Enter Madame' (Elissa Landi and Cary Grant), for the last time this evening at the National and Prince Edward Theatres jointly. To-mor-row's change of programme at the two theatres will bring a fine children'e holiday bill of a surprise nature. The first portion of the programme will consist of three Walt Disney productions, the two "Silly Symphonies" of "The Three Little Pigs" and "The Pied Piper," and the latest Mickey Mouse cartoon.