AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Who has not read and been carried away by the vivid range adventures of Clarence E. Mulford's Hopalong Cassidy Now they are being transferred to the screen, and the first, "Hopalong Cassidy," opens at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Not to be associated with melodramatic "westerns" is this stirring outdoor film. ■'Cassidy, called 'Hopalong' because of the limp which remained with him after a shooting affray, is a more picturesque character than the usual run of western stories can boast," wrote a Melbourne critic. "William Boyd fills the role admirably, with the requisite suggestions of daring, wise experience and sense of justice. The cowboys of the Bar 20 Ranch are famous, and 'Hoppy's' pals have to be taken care of —Buck Peters, Red Connors and Uncle Ben,' who are well cast. Almost as important as Hopalong v is Johnny Nelson, a part to which Jimmy Ellison brings his pleasing personalityPaula Stone appears as Mary Meeker." They are all'in the film, which is said to be noteworthy for its fine acting and photography. Cassidy earns his nickname in this, the first of a series which is bourid to be eagerly awaited. The picture also brings to the screen the battle between cowboys and rustlers on Thunder Mesa, 60 thrillingly described in Mulford's story. Others in the cast are Robert Warwick. Kenneth Thomson, George Hayes and James Mason. Christmas Pantomime. Every Yuletide the Regent Theatre presents its own pantomime entertainment, this year's offering, "Santa's Toy Shoppe," being announced as the "most expensive and elaborate" of the series. A number of spectacular and comical effects will bo presented, including a beautiful skating arrangement, the seasonable "Toyland Party." the imposing "March of the Tin Soldiers," and other scenas and sketches. Between 30 and 40 children will take part under the direction of Miss Lillian O'Leary, representing the same group as was seen in the highly successful "Nigger Minstrel" entertainment produced at the Regent earlier this year. CIVIC THEATRE. It is Christmas eve. The old miser, Scrooge, has come home from his office, and sits hunched over a poor fire sipping Jiis gruel. Christmas? Bah! The ghost of his dead partner, Marley, conies to warn him of the dreadful fate that will be his unless he mends his ways. The apparition prepares him for the visit of three more ghosts in the shape of the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. They take him on a tour of London, showing him something of the misery which exists and which he has the power to eliminate. It is the immortal "Christmas Carol" of Charles Dickens, transferred faithfully to the talking screen as "Scrooge," which opens at the Civic Theatre on Friday as what must prove to be an ideal Christmas attraction. Lovers of Dickens will be pleased to know that the adapters of "A Christmas Carol" have preserved, almost verbatim, the dialogue of the original story, instead of attempting, as so many modern writers do, to better the original. The sets used also are said to follow closely the descriptions of places in the story, thus ensuring that the spirit of Dickens is faithfully kept. Sir Seymour Hicks plays Scrooge. A fine array of radio, stage and screen stars will appear at the same theatre in the radio musical comedy "In Town To-night." The cast is headed by Dave Apollon and his band, and includes Stanley Holloway, Leslie Holmes and the Three Radio Rogues. STRAND THEATRE. Hollywood did not retain much of Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton's immortal story in its transcription of "The Last Days of Pompeii"-—which is now screening at the Strand Theatre —but introduced a fairly presentable romantic, dramatic and spectacular tale of its own, not unlike the famous "Ben Hut" in many respects. Preston Foster leaps to film fame in the central role of Marcus, who rejects God for gold, and the other characters are also splendidly portrayed. But by far the most impressive portion of the film is the amazing destruction of Pompeii by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and accompanying earthquakes. Hollywood spectacle is seen here at its ultimate. CAROL CONCERT. The programme arranged for the Auckland Municipal Band's carol concert in the Town Hall on Saturday evening should maintain the high standard of the band's previous Christmas carol concerts. Favourite Christmas carols will be played by the band. Madame Ailecn Johns (soprano) and Mr. Robert Simmers are the vocalists, while many instrumental solos will be included. Mr. Owen Jensen will bo accompanist.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Large audiences are being entertained by the helpless meanderings and accidental adventures in which that priceless pair Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy find it impossible not to be involved in their full-length film, "Bonnie Scotland," at at the Majestic Theatre. And what complications they fall into this time. Straying far from their home in America they join a Highland regiment by mistake. They journey to Scotland to claim a legacy which Mr. Laurel expects out of his grandfather's estate. Their first setback comes when they find it is nothing but a bagpipe and a snuffbox. Hardy's famous look of despair can be readily imagined. Left destitute, they go to an advertised address to get a free suit of clothes, but accidentally enlist in the army instead. The regiment is detailed for duty on the North-west frontier of India. Here they take part in fierce frontier warfare, much against their will, and the film works up to a high pitcluof mirth. There is a pleasing romantic story running side by side with their antics, enacted by William Janney and June Lang. Anne Grey and Vernon Steele are also in the film, which was produced by Hal Roach. There is a fine programme of smaller films, including an "Our Gang"- comedy and a coloured cartoon. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Tuneful new songs, excellent dancing and a good cast are combined in "The Broadway Melody of 1936," to make what promises to be ideal holiday entertainment. This new film opens at the St. James' Theatre on Friday, starring Jack Benny, famous for his comedy work on the radio, and Eleanor Powell, a star new to Auckland filmgoers . . . "a really superb tap dancer," said one critic, "performing the most intricate steps with ease; she should thrill those who enjoy dancing." Robert Taylor takes the part of a play producer who is in the midst of casting his musical show and is visited by Miss Powell, his home town childhood sweetheart, who begs him to let her appear in his play. But he refuses, feeling that she is too nice a person to be mixed up with Broadway life. But Una Merkel, as Taylor's secretary, has confidence in Miss Powell and hits upon an idea to make her famous—and here the sparkling comedy begins in earnest. Like its brilliant predecessor of the earliest days of talking pictures, it introduces songs that are sure to be hummed and whistled for weeks. Among the numbers are "Broadway Rhythm." "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' " and "On a Sunday Afternoon." It introduces also another newcomer to the screen in the person of Harry Stockwell, who, because of a fine voice and a pleasing personality, should become very popular. PLAZA THEATRE. "Freckles," the most popular novel in American literature, a fact attested to by the tremendous sale of the book, has been brought to the talking screen, and opens at the Plaza Theatre on Friday with Tom Brown and Carol Stone in the romantic leads, and with the child actress Virginia Weidler, of "Laddie" fame, as the delightful Laurie Lou. Written by Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter, it unfolds simply but dramatically the love story of a lonely orphan boy and a girl of the out-of-doors. "Freckles," the orphan, finds his way to the Limberlost, the timber country of Indiana, where Laurie. Lou, a bright and sprightly youngster, befriends him, and with the help of Mary Arden, the beautiful country "schoolma'am," gets him a job as a guard with a lumber company. Unversed in the ways of the woods, Freckles is terrified by outlaws and the unseen wild life about him, but his courage steels him to the requirements of his job. He proves his mettle in rescuing Laurie Lou from a tragic death beneath a falling tree, and then undertakes the greater job of capturing a band of lumber thieves. With the exception of a few interior scenes, "Freckles" was filmed in the "Mother Lode" country of California. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. Conchita Montenegro, raven-haired enchantress of numerous films, has a small but surprisingly convincing role opposite Warner Baxter in "HeH In The Heavens," a gripping drama of aviation in the Great War. Baxter is cast as an American air "ace," who, although actually afraid of being afraid while in the air, forces himself to shoot down his enemies in recordbreaking manner, loathing the whole business the while. Hollywood also manages to introduce the over-worked and over-killed Baron von Richthofen into the theme of this film. A new mystery melodrama, "Riverside Murder," is also being shown with "Hell In The Heavens" at the National and Prince Edward Theatres jointly. Basil Sidney and Judy Gunn are principals in this picture.

STAR, NEWTON. Mrs. Alice Hobart Tisdale's well-known drama of American influence in age-old China, "Oil For the Lamps of China," makes one of the year's most stirring films. With Pat O'Brien and demure Josephine Hutchinson in splendid roles, the picture is being screened currently at the Star Cinema, Karangahape Road, in conjunction with "The White Cockatoo," an eerie murder-mystery melodrama of the Riviera coast. Jean Muir and Ricardo Cortez—and the cockatoo —are starred in this production.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE,

PICTURE THEATRES. LONDON—Kate Smith in "Hello! Everybody." ROXY AND TlVOLl—Edmund Lowe in "King Solomon or Broadway" and Jack Holt in "Storm Over the Andes." ST. JAMES'—Ralph Bellamy and Karen Morley in "The Hea'.er." PLAZA—Conrad Veidt in "The Passing or the Third Floor Back." NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD— Warner Baxter in "Hell in the Heavens" and Basil Sydney in "The Riverside Murder." REGENT—Richard Arlen and Virginia Bruce in "The Legion or Valour." MAJESTIC—LaureI and Hardy In "Bonnie Scotland." STRAND—Preston Foster and Basil Rathbone in "The Last Days or Pompeii." CSVIC—-Edward Arnold and Binnie Barnes in "Diamond Jim." ADELPHI—"Phantom or Crestwood." ALEXANDRA—"The Great Jasper." AMBASSADOR —"Charlie Chan's Greatest Case."

ASTOR—'"Counsel's Opinion." AVONDALE—"Employees' Entrance." BIRKENHEAD—"The Mystery or Edwin Drood." BRlTANNlA—"Mississippi." CAPITOL —"'Frisco Jenny." CRYSTAL PALACE—"TiIe r.av Deception." DE LUXE—"The Thirty-nine Steps." EMPRESS—"Shanghai Madness." GAIETY—"This is the Life." GREY LYNN—"The liirl From Tenth Avenue." KlNG'S—"Strange Justice." KINGSLAND —-"Orchids to You." LIBERTY— I "Flying High." MAYFAIR—"Star of Midnight." PRINCESS—-"Don't net on 1.0ve." REGAL-—"Most Dangerous Game." REGENT—"The Circus Queen Murder." RIALTO—-"The Woman I Stole." STATE (Devonport)—"Trick For Trick." STATE (Onehunga)—"Below the Sea." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Life Begins at 40." STAR (Newton) —"Oil For the Lamps of China." STRAND (Onehunga) — "Horsereathers." TUDOR—"One More Spring." VICTORIA—"Whoopee."