FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 193, 15 August 1936, Page 17

FILM PROGRAMMES REVIEWED.

«THE MARRIAGE OF CORBAL." REGENT.

Citizen-Deputy Varennes. .Nils Asther Marquis of Corbal .... Hugh Sinclair Countess Cleonie Hazel Terry Sergeant . Noah Beery Pierre Davy Burnaby jean Clifford McLaglen Fugitive . . • Ernest Deutsch Major Arthur ltigby. jun. Director : Karl Grune. Author : Rafael Snbatini. Capitol.

The first British production of the famous Continental director, Karl G'rune, "The Marriage- of Corbal," which began' a season at the Regent Theatre last evenjug is interesting, not only in its colourful story, but also in the man lieu in •which it is presented. With English actors and actresses, and made at an English studio, it yet has distinctly a Continental air about it, a clarity of detail that yet leaves much to the imagination, and a drama that is expressed as much in the setting as in the acting. Thus it js essentially a director's picture. It is to be commended not only for the colour of the story and the manner in which the atmosphere of the period it represents has been transferred to the screen, b«t also for some magnificent photography. In few films has such artistry been captured as is exhibited in the opening scenes illustrating the peace and contentment of the countryside about the estate of Corbal. Each is a eame'O 0 f beauty,- and.it is with the memory of these carrier in the mind through the film that the ■ great contrast of the film is achieved. . The shadow of the guillotine hangs over , the picture as it hung over France in the bloody days of the Revolution In itself that gleaming, threatening blade gives drama to the picture—a drama that removes from the picture most of the little lightness with which it is embellished. The peasants and the revolutionary soldiery dance , and sing their solids, but they do so rather with hysteria than with any real conveyance of lightness of heart. Based on Rafael Sabatini's story, "The Nuptials of Corbal," is the story of a French countess who is saved from the guillotine by a young revolutionary, Deputy-Citizen "V arennes, who falls m love with her. From him she escapes to the house of the Marquis de Corbal, handsome young humanitarian, who is so loved bv his people that even the Revolutionary Tribunal hesitates to arrest him. From then on it is .a picture m which the suspense is held to a fine point with an ending that is surprising. A ilsi Asther „ives a fine characterisation of the role of the revolutionary—a .characterisation that must stand among Ms finest performances on the screen, and associated with him in the title roles are Hugh Sinclair, Noah Beery and young Hazel Terry, a grand-niece of the great Ellen Iciiy. Miss Terry shows promise of developing with experience into a very capable actress. One of the finest roles of the film is, however, that of Ernest Deutsch as the fugitive aristocrat.

There is a good supporting programme, and the fcegent orchestra .under Trevor Eady provides a pleasant interlude.

EMBASSY THEATRE.

Beniamino Gigli continues to thrill Embassy Theatre audiences by the quality of a magnificent voice, and has shown that he is also capable of displaying real acting ability. Unlike most of the famous singers who have been persuaded to take parts on the screen, he has not been forced to play one of those meaningless parts in a story that is distinctly thm. Nor has he had to take a role in •nhich he is shown rising from squalor to fame within a few weeks. The story is a real one that lias a definite, human appeal, and. together with the new discovery, Joan Gardner, who takes the female lead, Gigli makes the most of it to produce a picture that is real entertainment. Included m the list of songs rendered by the tenor during the course of the picture .-are some that have achieved widespread popularity on opera stages all over the world; GREY LYNN CINEMA, f* \ The glorious voices of Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle, which are heard in-some m the mosfeffiwholewide ranfe;of - (^erSv^^hd'-ihe 1, clowning of the Marx /brothers, are the main features of "A Night at the Opera," now at the Grey Cinema. The second-picture is "The Big; Broadcast of 1936." K'INGSLAND TALKIES. William'- Powell and' Luise Bainer in "Escapade? and Hoot Gibs On and William Cafiey.: in "Powder-Smoke Range,' ate the attractions at the Kingsland Talkies. "Escapade" is a thrilling comedyromance ' like most of Lowell's pictures, and "Powder-Smoke Rajige" a Western feature of the most exciting' fcind. AVONDALE MUNICIPAL. Wallace' Beery, Claris Gable and Jean Harlow head the cast of "China Seas," the main'; 'attraction at thfeY Avondale ilunicipajiTheatre. The.story is an exciting one tjf adventure ori the high seas, and concerns the adventures of the notorious "China, Doll." Also' screening is Zane GrjSy's "Nevada." , VICTORIA, DEVONPORT Those wiio have enjoyed reading "Little Lord Fanii'tleroy" will be well satisfied with the. pcreen version, . which stars Freddy Bartholomew and is. now at the Victoria Theatre, Devqnport. . With the child actor' are teamed Dolores Costello Barrymore,'and Guy Kibbee. • BRITANNIA, PONSONBY. With tiVo such talented actors as Lionel Barrymoreil and Eric Linden iii , the cast, "Ah Wilderness," now at the Britannia Theatre, 'Ponsonby, is a human story of American family life that is sure to "please by its family vein. :.EdfaXili'di L(>we ; and Victor MdLaglen head cast of "Under Pressure," the seconds-attraction. - ASTOR, DOMINION .ROAD. ■ The programme at .thfe": iAstor. Theatre, Dominion-iltoad, is headed by the Greta Garbo-Fredric March' Freddie Bartholomew attraction, "Anna,- Karenina." All the cast give remarkable performances. Also on the programme is "Ladies Should Listen," with Robert Montgomery. TUDOR, REMUERA. Bright '. .appealing, romance are provided I ShV if'Si-iLive *My ; Life," cut s ' rently sdreenin^','at ; the Tudor Theatre, Eemuera.i good cast,; headed by Brian iAhe|mfe, aii(l "Joan Crawford, it is an attractive.Jit6i'y"of;'tlie squabbles of two temperamental people,/ both of ..whom Have decided opinions on everything. ■ s &AIETY, TAKAPUNA.

A of tlxb same type as "Hands Across the Table'' and. "Love Before '"Iff-Yoti !; 'Could Only' Cook," Dow the'-., Gaiety Theatre, Takapuna. It stars Jean Arthur and Herbert Marshall and Vi- sure: -to. provide first-class entertainment for -air xiictutegoers.

ambassador, point chevalier. Carole Lombard 5 • and Fred MacMutrag are the stars ;of ."Sands Across the Table, another o£;i7.£hose bright comedies that always seem ' £§ /'prove so •popular, heading the progranimei-ijf-'the Ambassador Theatre* Point Chevalien. v Included in the cast is Ralph Bellamy; . The associate feature is ''Calm Yonrself," with Robert Young and Madge Evans. CAPITOL, BALMORAL. Capitol' Theatre audiences will receive .plenty of excitement over the "next week i£ they see' "Mutiny of the Bounty," the main feature on the programme. Featuring a;"-gbod cast, headed by Clark Gable, Franchot Tone and Charles Laughton, it is more or less authentic account of the faitiaiis' episode. Also showing u Byrd's "At;jjthc Bottom'of the World." STRAND, ONE?HUNGA. "Woman ..Wanted" is the title of the thrilling nja'jor attraction on the programme of tlie Strand Theatre, Onehunga, the stars"bcrag such talented players as Maureen / O'Siillivan and Joel ■' McCrea. The cast' also includes the versatile Lewis Stone. The second film is "Gentlemen the Navj'." -

"MYSTERY OF THE MARY CELESTE." -MAJESTIC.

Anton Lorenzen Bela Lugosd Sarah Brings Shirley Grey ,r, a l', ta ' Q Briggs .... Arthur llargetson loby liilson Edmund Willard loin Guodsliard Dennis Hoey Captain llorehead . Clifford McLagieu tommy Duggan George Mozart Director : Dennison Clift. Hammer Films.

Also: I. A. R. \Vylie's "A FEATHER IN HER HAT" (Columbia), siarrw» Pauline Eord. Wendy Barrie and Louis Hayward

On November 7, 1872, a ship left Xew Yolk 'with a cargo of alcohol. No member of her crew was ever seen again; she was sighted 300 miles from Gibraltar with all sails set, and yet without a living thing aboard exccpt a black cat. Since that year stories have been told about her; rumour has grown, theories founded and disproved. She has passed into the legendary mysteries of the seas. She "as the Mary Celeste. This is the foundation for the great interest that the public of Auckland will take in the picture which opened its season at the Majestic Theatre last evening, for its title of "The Mystery of the Mary Celeste." lhe picture does not attempt to solve the mystery in detail; there is much that it leaves untold—that is in the nature of things; but it gives a theory of how tragedy overtook the vessel and its entire company. lhe whole_ audience last night was wrapped ijp in the mystery of the story. As soon as the picture began, a sense of impending tragedy became apparent, and this atmosphere deepens as the picture moved on. • The scene began in a couit of inquiry at Gibraltar. Here all that the world ever knew about the fate of the vessel was told. Then the picture moves to the inside, so to speak. It tells of the marriage of the captain and his honeymoon voyage. It tells of the desperate rilf-raff that comprised the crew and how the crow was collected. It tells of the hatred which grew between the captain of the Mary Celeste and the captain of another vessel from whom the former man took the woman loved by the latter. It gives details of the crew, of the hatreds which existed there, of the secret under-currents of death-to-be. The audience is shown a ship in mid-ocean in which death stalks. First one man goes, then another : then comes the climax —but that is the picture, which is definitely worth seeing. "A Feather in Her Hat" is a beautiful story. It tells of what must be th?», essence of a mother's love, for it shows how a mother of the lower cla?s sacrificed everything that her son nrght be educated as a gentleman. She even sank her own motherhood and told her son she had been his nurse. Pauline Lord, Louis Hayward and Wendy Barrie are all particularly good.

STATE, SYMONDS STREET. A splendid picture lias been obtained by the management of the State Theatre, Symonds Street, for the entertainment of its patrons over the next week. It is the film version of Rafael Sabatini's famous novel of adventure on the high seas, "Captain Blood," and features the Australian actor, Errol Flynn, and the charming Olivia de Havilland in its leading parts. The story concerns an English doctor, who is sent to the West Indian plantations for helping a refugee in Monmouth's rebellion. He manages to escape with a number of his fellow victims, and after stealing a Spanish galleon turns pirate and makes his name dreaded along the Main. STAR, KARANGAHAPE ROAD. Smart, modern comedy and delightful musical romance are brought to the screen of the Star Theatre, Karangahape Road, where "After OfKce Hours," with Clark Gable and 'Constance Bennett, and "The Night is Young," with Evelyn Laye and Ramon Navarro, are being shown. The first, although a murder melodrama, provides great entertainment because comedy, dominates the story and the dialogue is clever throughout. "The Night is Young" tells the story of the trials of a young "Aiiistsfeh arohdukey>wi»o is./being forced,. in'toJlS marriage- with a foreign princess when he wants tp- ma.rry £t, ballet gill, a role taken by.' Evelyn Laye. Also in'the cast is Charles Butterwortli. PRINCE EDWARD, NEWTON. Comedy, romance, adventure and novelty, all are contained in the main feature on the bill of the Prince Edward Theatre, Karangahape Road, It is "Call of the Wild,"-an exciting story of goldseekii.g in Alaska, the leading players being Clark -Gable, Loretta Young,-Regi-nald Owen and Jack Oakie, the latter supplying the lighter moments. For the most part. ?it' is brimful of action, and should prove excellent entertainment, for almost any audience who demand a little more than.just a good cast and storyAlsO: ofi'the programme is Its a Great Life/' a comedy-drama that shows many magnificent scenes of a forest fire and the bursting of a great dam. The cast_is a talented one. .and includes. 1 aul Js.elly, ißosalind, Sale . and . Joe Morrison. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM. Those two famous players, 'Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea, combine with Edward G. Robinson to make first-Class fare of the current attraction' at the Mayfair Cinema, Sandringham, "Barbary Coast/' It is a story stirring days on the Pacific Coast when, the gold *rush was at its height. Also showing is the charming story, "Way Down East, with Henry Fonda and Rochelle Hudson. LONDON THEATRE. Two romantic dramas head the programme of . the London Theatre. The first is "One Man's Journey," a human story that is sure to please air picture-goers, and the second, "Sisters Under the Skin. The stars of the first are Lionel Barrymore, Frances Dee and May Robson, while Elissa Landi and Frank Morgan play principal roles in "Sisters Under the Skin. STRAND, SUNDAY. "The White Devil," a spectacular musical drama founded oil the work of Count Leo Tolstoi, will head the Sunday night picture programme at the Strand Theatre. The cast includes the . famous Cossack Olioir. Mr, Leo Fowlei'.will give a short address on "Education and Religion." ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. The St. Andrew's Society will hold a Sir Walter Scott anniversary social evening in the Concert Chamber of the TownHall to-night. The evening will take the form of "A Night with J. M. Barrie," and an address will be given by the Rev. W. Bower Black. MUNICIPAL BAND. Under the conductorship of Mr. T. J. O'Connor, the Auckland Municipal Band will give its seventh winter recital in the Town Hall to-morrOw evening. The assisting artists will be Mr. Fred Baker 'baritone) and Mr. E. Pheloung (clarinetist). A short organ recital will be given by the honorary city organist, Mr. E. S. Craston, Mus. Bac. MASSED CHOIR CONCERT. Over 500 girls and boys from Auckland secondary schools will combine to give, a concert at the Town Hall on Wednesday, August 19. Individual items will be given by the Diocesan, Epsom Grammar and St. Cuthbert's Schools, and Maori songs, pois' and hakas will be presented by Maori boys' and gills' schools. Professor Hollinrake will act as conductor. COMMUNITY SINGING. In the Town Hall on Wednesday, at noon, the usual community singing* will be continued under the leadership of Mr. Vernon Drew, with Mrs. Barrington Snow as pianiste. Solos will be, given by Mr. Cli'nton Williams. RIALTO, SUNDAY. A merry evening is promised at the Rial to Theatre;' Newmarket, to-morrow 'night, •When the" picture programme will include the .Sydney Howard attraction, "It's, a Cop," one of thi* famous come- ■ dian's best stories up to the present time.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. In view of the large audiences still wishing to see the outstanding attraction ac the St. James' Theatre, "The Unguarded Hour," the management has decided to continue the season for yet another week. The merit of the production has been acknowledged by all those who have been to see it. The stars are Loretta Young, who gives a great performance after a year's enforced absence from the screen, Franchot Tone, still enjoying his triumphs in "Exclusive Story" and "Mutiny of tlia Bounty," Lewis Stone and Roland Young. The story concerns the lives of a young English barrister, a role taken by Franchot Tone, and his wife (Louptta Young), lhe barrister has gained a reputation for sending men to prison on circumstantial evidence and when he becomes caught in a web of evidence himself he has to call on his wife to get him out and clear his name. The final scecns are most dramatic, a feature of the production being the way m which all traces of Americanism have been eliminated, to make the plot, which is supposed to happen in England, very realistic.

AMALGAMATED THEATRES. The following entertaining programmes are being shown at the city and suburban picture houses under the direction ot Amalgamated Theatres, Limited:—Civic, an epic of British courage, "Rhodes ot Africa," with Walter Huston; Plaza, tlia well-known comedians, Ralph Lynn, jom Walls and Robertson Hare, in Pot Luck": Strand, Pat O'Brien and Josephine "iV'tcliinson in the screen version ot Sinclair \ewis' novel, "I Married a Doctor"; National, nine stars in the comed> "If I Had a Million"; Roxy and Tivoli. two convict thrillers. "Parole" R° a d Gang"; Empress, "Captain Blood, il r a, '~ rinf Errol Flynn. and Wheeler and Wolsey in "Silly Billies"; Regal, "Captain Blood," and Richard Dix in Yellow Dust"; Crystal Palace and Rialto, Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in "Mr. Deeds Goes to' Town," and Edward Everett Horton, with Glenda Farrell, in "Nobodv's Fool"; Adelphi. Herbert Marshall in "The Lady Consents. and Wheeler and Woolsey in "Silly Billies ; King's, Warner Oland in "Charlie Chan at the Circus," and Paul Cavanagh and Helen Woods in "Champagne Charlie De Luxe, Fred Astaire and "Ginger Rogers in "Follow the Fleet"; Regent and Alexandra, Jane Withers in "Gentle Julia" and James Cagney m The Frisco Kid"; Princess, William Powell and Jean Arthur in "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford, and Marion Davies and Dick Powell in 1■ a "° Miss Glory": State (Devonport), Jack Hnlbert in "Jack of All Trades, and Pat O'Brien and Jean Muir in Stars Uver Broadway": State (Onehunga). Warner Baxter in "The Prisoner of Shark Island, and George Bancroft and Ann Sothern in "Hell-Ship Morgan."

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. On Thursdav, August 20, the Royal Auckland Choir, of 70 male voices under the conductorship of Dr. W. E.Thomas, will give a concert in the Town Hall. I lie full strength of the choir will he heard in such numbers as "The "Roneh Ridor, "Faithless Sallv Brown." "Night m the Forest" and "A Border Raid." Among the assisting artists will be Miss y ( 'M.',T n Clarke (soprnno). who will sing villanelle" and "The Nightingale"; Mr. Vincent Aspey (violinist), playing Komanza Andalusia" and "S'ciliano an Rigaudon : and the Mount Albert Hrammar School choir in "O. Peaceful !Nicrht and O, Who Will O'er the Downs." CHAMBER MUSIC. The Auckland Chamber Music Society will hold its third concert in the Lewis Eadv Hall on Thursday next. to be civen include the Trio rs 1 Jat fTVoralO. trios on Swedish and Danish folk songs fF-rman and a piano quartet bv Brahms. The artists will include Kathleen O Learv, Lois Wallis. Lalla Hcmus and Helen Grey.

AUCKLANDERS' "FAUST." The Auckland Choral Society, under the '.laton of Mr. Colin Muston, intend to del ; ght lovers of opera mu«ie by jriving a r>resen*it ; on of Gounod s Faust in the Town Hall on Thursday. September 3. In addition to a full chorus there will be a •number of prominent, 'artists assisting. These' will include Madame eta Cornwall M'=i CatJh In en Madame Ph'vMis TTazel. JMess'-c. Robert Simmers. Tjpslie Riis-WSJ© ■Barnes. TKfc rbdflet h* Af:«s Cecil Hall, and Mr. f"ohn Muston will take char-* of. the orchestra. Box nlans open on Monday at the record shop. Queen's. Arcade.

ROUSHWORTH'S RINK. A first rate programme has been arranged for natrons this eveningat Roushworth's Skating Rink. Kli.vber Pass Roact, where a representative hockey o skates mat oh will be played, between the Auckland "Lions" and the Wellington "Tigers." A challenge one-mile race on skates will be held between C Bucliannn (Auckland) and W. Turner "anj HonV The result of the hockey match ml] be broadcast over IZM later in the evening. troubadour concerts. Bringing old and new items from their extensive repertoire,' the two New Zealand sisters. Joan and Betty Rayner, who were. seen, in this country several years Street. The first, on Tuesday, will bear the title "Scarlet and Grey, wn k second to be presented on Thursday eve - St SZ&?JZ'2SZi and France. • * '

SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS. A grand.complimentary concert to Mr. Arthur B Thompson, the Auckland baritone, has been arranged by Auckland Society of Musicians and the Classic flub and will take place in the Technical College Hall on Thursday. A number .f the city's leading artists have promised to ghe items and excellent entertainment is assured.

DANCING. Peter Pan, Laud Paddi's band. Pirate Shippe, "Oiseaux de Plume ear- " Carlton Cabaret,, Art Larkinjs band; Tuesday, Comrades Football Club. qt Sepulchre's Hall, Technical 0.8. Rifgby dance; Len Meredith's orchestra. Orange Hall, Newton, Embassy Dance Club; Ted Croad's Cheval.er orchestra. Municipal Hall, Newmarket old-time carnival; Bob Adams orchestra. Rialto Ballroom, modern dancing, Edgar Bendall's orchestra. . . , Scots Hall. Astoria old-time carnival, Tnpir Palmer's band. Arts Hall, Kitchener Street, old-time and modern; Monday, carnival. Druids' Hall, Wednesday, Realm oldtime dancej tap demonstration. Crvstal Palace Ballroom, Manukau Cycle Club's dance; Epi Shalfpon s, band. Labour Hall, Newton, ); old-time dance, Clemm's "Melody Boys. Ambassador's Hall, Dominion Road, Columbia Social Club s dance. Foresters' Hall, Onehunga, Stan Ashton's Havana band. ' Manchester Unity Hall, Thursday, Parnell Oddfellows' dance; Trevor Reeves orchestra. . T 1 u<a A St. Columba Han, Grey Lynn R.b.A. old-time dance. . Show Boat, Wednesday, Surf Ball. Zealandia Hal],' Balmoral, old-time carnival; Zealandia dance band. Otahuhu Public Hall, Ritz Dance Club. Purl Hall, Ponsonby, old-time dance; The Vagabonds' orchestra. St. Mary's Hall, Ellerslie, old-time dance; Connon's orchestra. •