AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 235, 4 October 1935, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE GIPSY ROVER." The Howick-Pakuranga Musical Society last night presented a romantic comedy, "The Gipsy Rover," at the picture theatre, Howick. Among the most attractive scenes were the hunting chorus (in which hounds from the Pakuranga. Hunt appeared on the stage) and a fairy dance by small girls. The production was under the direction of Mr. Norman Day, with Mr. Scholium as stage manager. "LES MISERABLES." Sheerest drama and deep-seated human emotions, with.romance only as an incident in the story, form the appeal of Darryl F. Zanuck's amazing film version of "Les Miserables," which was privately screened yesterday at the Regent Theatre, where it will be released generally next Friday. Fredric March's performance in "Los Miserables" is amazing in both power and restraint. Through all the great drama which is Victor Hugo's book, he is superbly in character as Jean Valjean, victim of a social condition which is monstrous. But ho brings much more than dramatic force to the film. He brings tenderness, true sentiment and splendid courage. He is not only an heroic figure, he is a lovable, simple man, swayed by human passions and having human failings. In the long duel with. Javert, Valjean is often afraid, but he carries on, through the awful hardship, the terrible ignominy of the galleys; he rescues the child, little Cosette. He obtains sanctuary for her when Javert discovers him all those years after " his escape, and he himself finds a place near so that he -can continue to watch over her. Always the hunt goes on, for Javert is insane in'his determination to administer the law. He is the really pitiable figure of "Les Miserables," and Charles Laughton presents him so that the contrast between the two characters is one of the greatest fascinations of the film. Javert drives himself ever onward, shutting his mind against mercy which he sees only as weakness. It is a poignant study of an honest man whose first utterance is to the effect that if he ever failed in his duty to the law he feels sure it would break him —which it does in the end. As a further contrast, Sir Cedric Hardwicke adds his bishop, and so inakds a trio'of j great actors. This is a study in the beauty of gentle charity, a wonderful contribution. CITY SHOWS. In addition to the current musical comedy season at His Majesty's Theatre, featuring Cyril Richard and his wite, Madge Elliott, to-night's entertainmentseekers in the city will have the following choice of programmes:—Plaza, Grace Moore's second recent musical, Love Me For Ever"; Civic, "The 39 Steps,' a thrilling adventure melodramft adapted lioni John Buchan's famous novel, starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll; Regent, gay Parisian musical romance. "Paris in Spring," with Mary Ellis and Tullio Carminati; Roxy and Tivoli jointly, "Manhattan Moon'* and Silk Hat Ivid » Majestic. Mae West's new comedy. Now I'm a Lady," in which she burlesques everything from opera to burlesque itself; St. James', thrilling drama of the United States Federal campaign against gangsters, "Public Hero No. 1"; National and Prince Edward jointly, revival of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" (Norma Shearer, Fredric March and Charles Laughton); Strand, extended season of "The Farmer Takes a Wife" (Janet Gaynor) and revival of "Three on a Honeymoon (Zasu I itts and Sally Eilers).