AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 12

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE

Those who already have seen the new Marlenc Dietrich-Gary Cooper attraction at the Regent Theatre, "Desire, _ seem to be unanimous in their expression ox surprise that the glamorous Marlene lias made a complete change in her screen personality. Instead of her usual role of intense sophistication she blossoms forth as something more human; she is no longer the cold, arrogant creature thp.t she has been in nearly all her films over the past few years. Five years ago she and Gary Cooper won the approval of every picture-goer for their brilliant performance in "Morocco." For the first time since that memorable production they have been teamed once again in "Desire." Ihe mystery and allure of Dietrich and the easy-going smiling temperament of Cooper are combined in a thrilling story which depicts the daring adventures of a beautiful jewel thief, whose cunning and determination baffe the police of two countries. The stars are supported by John Halliday, William Frawley, Ernest Cossart and Alan Mowbray, all of whom give excellent performances. Picture-goers are eagerly awaiting the appearance of Hazel Terry, a member of the famous acting family, who is to take the leading part in "The Marriage of Corbal," Rafael Sabatini's story of the French Revolution, shortly to be presented at the Regent. She will receive support from Hugh Sinclair (male star of "Escape Me Never"), Nils Asther and Noah Beery.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The popularity of the screen's new romantic team, Loretta Young and Franchot Tone, as far as local audiences are concerned, has caused the management of the St. James' Theatre to extend the season of "The Unguarded Hour" for another week. These two talented players have proved many times that they must be placed in the front rank, and this time, as a combination, they are at their best. The story of "The Unguarded Hour" concerns a London barrister (Franchot Tone), whose brilliance enables him to send men to the gallows by circumstantial evidence alone. In his most sensational case he finds his wife (Loretta Young) the witness whose testimony absolves the defendant, after which he himself becomes involved in a murder, trussed in a ring of circumstantial evidence which he cannot break. It is a mystery melodrama which does not lag from the start to the thrilling court room finish. The supporting cast of Lewis Stone, Roland Young, Robert Greig, Jessie Ralph, Dudley Digges, Aileen Pringle and others is outstanding. The picture is based on the play "The Unguarded Hour," by Ladislaus Fodor.

LA MERI'S CASTANETS. The castanet-playing of Madame La Mei'i, the dancer who is visiting New Zealand for a recital tour, will be a revelation to all who hear her. Spanish dances which La Meri will present will be accompanied by castanets. It is not generally known that the note given out by the right-hand Castanet is two full tones higher than that emitted by that of the left hand, also that the climate of a country affects the reasonance of the little wooden instruments. During her recent series of recitals in London Madame La Meri discovered that the damp northern atmosphere, coupled with the firtificial heating of the Savoy Theatre, had a very bad effect on her castanets, which lost their brilliance of tone. In the hands of a great dancer castanets become most expressive, and the changes and nuances in the clicking play an important part in the dance. BROADCASTING CONCERT. The New Zealand Broadcasting Board will present another of its popular concerts in the Town Hall next Wednesday evening, August 12. Artists will include Freddy Gholomondoley, English entertainer; Vincent Ryan, Australian comedian; Dave Howard, saxophone comedian; Dora Lindsay, Scottish character artist; Senia Chostiakoff, Russian tenor, who made a tour through Now Zealand two years ago; Thea Phillips. English lyric soprano, and Eileen Boyd, contralto. Proceeds from the concert are to be devoted to the Mayor's crippled children's fund. The plan is now open at Lewis Eady, Ltd. DRAMA LEAGUE FESTIVAL. The large public which enjoys drama and comedy played by local amateurs will have an opportunity of seeing some excellent plays at the fourth annual festival of the British Drama League, which takes place in the Town Hall Concert Chamber over four nights, commencing next Tuesday. Twelve societies in 15 plays will anpear before Miss Elizabeth Blake, official critic for the festival.

SCOTTISH EVENING. Under the auspices of the Auckland Scottish Societies, a social evening will bo held in the Town Hall this evening. A perusal of the programme shows a real feast of entertainment for Scottish folk, dozens of reels, Scotch songs, bagpipe solos, orchestral items, national dances and ordinary ballroom dancing. Members of societies and visitors will be able to fill in forms at different inglenooks representing their various counties. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. The following programmes are featured at the city picture houses controlled by Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd.:—Civic, Jane Withers in "Little Miss Nobody":' Strand, Irene Dunne in "Sweet Adeline." and Joe E. Brown in "Son of a Sailor": Plaza, second week of "Private Number"; National, the big musical "Colleen," with Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell.

AMUSEMENTS GUIDE.

PICTURE THEATRES. REGENT—Gary cooper and Marlene Dietrich in "Desire." EMBASSY—"Whom the Gods Love." ST. JAMES'—Frnnchot Tone and Loretta Young In "The Unguarde:! Hour." LONDON —Ding- Crosby and Carole Lombard in "We're Not Dressing." AMBASSADOR—Guest Night. MAJESTIC—WiIIiam Boyd and Jimmy Ellison in "Call or the Prairie" and Johnny Downs and Betty Burgess in "Coronado." ASTOR—Guest Night. AVONDALE—"Lord of tlie Manor." BIRKENHEAD—"CharIie Chan in Egypt." BRITANNIA—"Escape Me Never." CAPITOL—Guest Night. GAlETY—"Heart's Desire." GREY LYNN—"She Couldn't Take It." KINGSLAND—Guest NigM. MAYFAIR—Guest Nigilt. PRINCE EDWARD—Guest Night, STAR (Newton) —Douglas Fairbanks, Jun. and Elissa Landi in "The Amateur Gentleman." VICTORIA—Guest Night.

TUDOR—"Mutiny on the Bounty." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Riff Raff." STRAND (Onehunga)—Guest Night.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Westerns" are receiving a new lease of life in films at the moment, and Zane Grey stories are, as ever, to the fore in this revival. Among the best-known ol the famous novelist-angler's tales of the West is "Desert Gold," which comes to the cinema screen for the fifth time, as tlie talkie, which will be released jointly with "The Oharm School," a musical comedy, at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. "Desert Gold" features Buster GVabbe, world swimming champion at the Olympic Games of 1932, Tom Keene, Marsha Hunt, Robert Cummings, Monte Blue and Raymond Hatton. "The Charm School' is a bright tnusical of the essentially modern type, with Jack Oakie, Joe Penner and Frances Langford in principal roles. Stirring action, hard riding and clever gun-play provide the chief ingredients in the exciting Western film, "Call of the Prairie," currently at the Majestic. Based on one of Clarence E. Mulford's popular novels, with William Boyd taking the part of Hopalong Cassidy, the film provides first-class entertainment. "Coronado" is the second attraction.