AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 288, 5 December 1935, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

For breath-taking speed, suspense, mystery and romance, "The Murder Man," the new film to be presented at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, promises to be equalled by very few pictures. In a way its title is misleading, for it has nothing to do with gangs or gangsters. Instead, "The Murder Man" is the "ace" reporter of a big New York newspaper who has won the nickname through his success in solving crimes that have baffled the police. The role is played by Spencer Tracy. Virginia Bruce is the paper's "sob sister," who is adept at giving advice to the lovelorn through ber columns, but who cannot control her own heart when it comes to Tracy. She loves him and he, embittered by a tragedy that has wrecked his home, is tolerantly fond of her. One day a mysterious crime shocks the city, and Tracy swings into action for his paper. Through his alert detective work he is able not only to give his paper "scoops," but to uncover clues that help the police to bring about the arrest and conviction of the suspected man. Then Tracy suddenly takes an amazing step in tearing to pieces his reconstruction of the crime by which the suspect had been brought near the gallows. PLAZA THEATRE. Hollywood's unflagging search for new faces and new personalities has resulted in a real find in bringing to the screen the charm, singing voice and dramatic talent of Tutta Rolf, who makes her first appearance in "Dressed to Thrill," to-morrow's attraction for the Plaza Theatre. "Dressed to Thrill" is said to be an ideal vehicle for Misß Rolf. It gives her ample scope for her acting talent in the difficult dual role of tantalising coquette and demure Franch dressmaker. With new "hit" tunes by Pollack and Webster it introduces her contralto voice, said to be remarkably rich and warm. Supported by the popular Clive Brook, Miss liolf plays the part of a woman who seeks to punish the man who has forgotten her, but who fails because she finds that love is sweeter than revenge. Opening in a village in Northern France, the scene shifts to Paris, several years later. Miss Rolf, once the sweet village dressmaker who had been left behind by Brook, is now a fascinating actress. Determined to give Brook, who no longer recognises her, a taste of his own medicine, she lures him away on the eve of his wedding to another woman, breaks up his business, and leads him a tortured life. Acting in turn the coquette and the simple sweetheart of old she at last persuades Brook that the simple sweetheart is the better. STRAND THEATRE. Screening to-night for the last time at the Strand Theatre are two highly entertaining films, "Evergreen" and "Charlie Chan in Shanghai." Lavish production, tuneful musical numbers and a novel and amusing plot combine to make "Evergreen" a truly delightful film. Its high 1 quality owes much to the charm of the star, Jessie Matthews, who possesses a vivacious personality and unusual talent as a singer, dancer and comedienne. Posing as her mother, a famous actress, and pretending to have retained her youth like an evergreen plant, Jessie becomes the rage of London. But she is unhappy, for she is in love with her publicity agent, Sonme Hale, who is posing as her son. The story comes to a happy climax, however. J. he second film, "Charlie Chan in Shanghai, stars Warner Oland in further hair-raising adventures. ROXY AND TIVOLI. A new screen team made its debut with a promise of great success at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday, when "Baby Face Harrington," with Una Merkel and Charles Butterworth, began a season at the head of another attractive double-feature programme. It is a partnership that should before long take its place in the ranks of Holly wood s most famous screen combinations. Myrna Lay and William Powell have exemplified the smart and jocular married couple, and Joan Crawford and Clark Gable the ideal combination of the youthful and the romantic. "Baby Face Harrington was written especially to suit the joint talents of Butterworth and Miss Merkel. As Willie Harrington, Butterworth gets mixed up with gangsters, and is given a false reputation, becoming known as Baby Face" —Public Enemy No. 2. And then he is thrown into the role of a national hero, which is all to the bewilderment of the timid and extremely funny actor. From the pen of the author of f-he Inm Man" came "The Glass Key, starring George Raft, the second feature. The politicians of a big city are the principals in this enthralling picture. A young man is murdered, and Raft determines to solve the crime. He takes the audience through thrilling sequences until a completely unexpected climax is reached. NATIONAL-PRINCE EDWARD.

"She Married Her Boss" and "Cham- [ pagne For Breakfast" are screening for the last time at the National and Prince Edward Theatres to-night. To-morrow both theatres will present "Baby, Take a Bow" and "My Weakness." The first film is one of Shirley Temples earliest productions—and one of her best. It has lmman interest, comedy, together with the engaging personality of the little star. James Dunn, as her father, plays the part of an ex-convict who goes "straight' when lie marries Claire Trevor, and six years later shows them happy with their child, Sh'rley, with Dunn holding a position as chauffeur to a wealthy family. But a diamond necklace is stolen from the house and Dunn is suspected. Thrilling scenes follow, culminating in a chase across root tops, with Shirley being used as a shield. "My Weakness" is a tuneful musical show, featuring Lew Ayres and Lilian Harvey.

STATE, SYMONDS STREET. To-night for the last time the thrilling screen version of "The Gall of the Wild, Jack London's most famous novel, is to be screened at the State Theatre, Symonds Street. The gripping stoiy of man and nature in Northern America stars Clark Gable, Jack Oakie and Loretta Young. To-morrow Clark Gable is again seen, teamed with Joan Crawford, in "Chained, an absorbing drama of modern life. Otto Kruger, Una O'Connor and Stuart Erwin are in the supporting cast. Also to be screened is "The Spectacle Maker, a coloured musical revuft. CRYSTAL PALAOS AND RIALTO. Music and comedy are the keynotes of the splendid double bill screening at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden, and The Rial to, Newmarket, The programme comprises "Reckless" and "The Girl Friend," two o£ Hollywood s most recent musical productions. Reckless" brings a new team to the screen in Jean Harlow and William Powell, and an unusual and entertaining triangle is completed by Franchot Tone. The _ film abounds with such catchy songs -as Reckless" and "Everything's Been Done Before," and brilliant dance scenas. T" e Girl Friend" stars Ann Sothern and Jack Haley. TUDOR, REMUERA. Outstanding in its settings, photography and acting, "The Informer," to-night's attraction at the Tudor Cinema, Remuera, tells a story of the Irish rebellion. The central character, Gypo, played magnificently by Victor McLaglen, is a strong and bullying Irishman, who betrays his best friend (Wallace Ford) for £20. There are many touching scenes, the most powerful being that in which Ford, as one of the rebels, is cornered by the police in liis mother's home and is killed by them in the presence of his mother and sister. It is a grim record of the 1922 uprising in Ireland. There is a well-chosen associate programme.

PERCY GRAINGER CONCERT. The New Zealand Broadcasting Board! will present a most varied and enjoyable, concert in the Town Hall this- evening in aid of the Mayor's metropolitan unem- I ployed relief fund. A recital will be given by the pianist-composer Mr. Percy Grainger and assistance will be provided by the Auckland Choral Society, the Bohemian Orchestra and the Commercial Travellers' Choir, in addition to the following local artists: Misses Dorothea Ryan, Kathleen O'Leary, Dora Judson, I Messrs. Len Barnes and Owen Jensen. »

AMUSEMENT GUIDE.

TOWN HALL—Broadcasting Board's Celebrl'ty Concert, featuring' Percy Grainger, Pianist-Composer. CONCERT CHAMBER—Auckland Horticultural Society's Flower Show. PICTURE THEATRES. STRAND—Jessie Matthews in "Evergreen" and Warner Oland la "Charlie Chan In Shanghai." ClVlC—Walter Abel and Paul Lukas In "The Three Musketeers." LONDON—Warren William and Loretta Young In "Employees' Entrance." ROXY AND TIVOLI —Charles Butterworth In "Baby Face Harrington" and George Raft In "The Glass Key." ST. JAMES'—PauI Lukas and Madge Evans In "Age of Indiscretion." PLAZA-—Sonnie Haie and Winifred Shotter In "Marry,the Girl." NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD— Claudotte Colbert in "She Married Her Boss" and Mary Carlisle in "Champagne for Breakfast." REGENT—James Cagney and Pat O'Brien in "The Irish in Us." MAJESTIC—Peter Lorre and Frances Drake In "Ma(i Love." ADELPHI—"LittIe Orphan Annie." ALEXANDRA—"West Point or tho Air." AMBASSADOR—"Air Hostess." ASTOR — "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back." BRlTANNlA—"Flirtation Walk." CAPITOL —"The Great Defender." CRYSTAL PALACE—"Reckless." DE LUXE—"Bride of Frankenstein." EMPRESS—"Arizona to Broadway." GAIETY —"Mask or Fu Manchu." GREY LYNN—"Blondie Johnson." KING'S—"The Sports Parade." KINGSLAND—"IO3S Scandals." MAYFAlß—"Deception." PRINCESS —"Love Birds." REGAL—"Trick For Trick." REGENT —"West Point or tho Atr." RIALTO —"Manhattan Moon." STATE (Devonport)—"Arter To-night." STATE (Onehunga)—"The Conquerors." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Call or the Wild." STAR (Newton) —"Devil Dogs or the Air." STRAND (Onehunga)—"Oil Tor the Lamps or China." TUDOR —"The Inrormer." VlCTOßlA—"Callente."