AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The Uhsil Dean product ion, "Lonely Road," now screening at the Majestic Theatre, wan adapted from an original storv bv Nevil Shute, ami pi events ( live Hi onk with an opportunity i'or a fine portrayal as a sec! cl seiviee agent, a role I entirely noted to hi« abilities. Victoria Hopper is cast as a hostess in a Midland dance hall, tlie no I with whom Brook tails in love and bisonics involved in a smuggling investigation. The picture is said to lack nothing in dramatic tension, atlil at all times is stated lo retain interest, with thrills and excitement. The backgrounds include many coastal scenes, anil one thrilling scene shows a i mining tight between the Government ollicials, Headed by (live Brook. and the gunrunning smuggle! s. It is leported that a number of thrilling ami I art-moving scenes result from the dramatic liend of the story, culminating ill tense climax. Also in the cast is Nora Swinburne, who lias made a great impression with her acting. htliel Coleridge is also prominently cast. EMBASSY THEATRE. "Keinbi unit, which is enjoying a most successlul lull at the Kinbassy Theatre, is interesting lor several reasons. For one, Alexander Korda has announced that it is the last picture he will direct personally. preferring in future to concent rate solely on production. And Charles Lmmliton, whose portraval ot Henry \ 111. under Kordu's di I eel ion, put Biitisli films oil the map tlilce veals ago, is the star. I ethnical qualities o| I lie tilin Hie superb. Its beaut Mill staging and photography set a new stamlald ol peilectioli which even America will tind haid to siii pass It. lias a luminous <|uallly win, h gives it tlie riclincs* o! old paintings. The ipiaint. pri'cise landscape ol seventeenth cent in y Holland lias been Inoiiglit to lite with a fidelity which enchants and astonishes. Laughton. too. adds another inarvclloiis portrait, to a long and vailed gallci y . His study in frustration for Iteinbralidt was the \ei> epitome of tliistli.ted genius is the finest piece of acting lie has accomplished on the screen. Now that, .laiinings no longer plays an active part in "movies." and Vcidt has failed to fulfil the pioniise he once possessed. Laughton ranks with I'aul Muni as one of the two greatest I character actors in the cinema to-diy. Rembrandt is indisputably the most dillicult role which Laughton has attempted ' Captain Bligli was unabashed nielodi auiii. 1 Mr. Barrett a study in psychology , and Buggies pure sparkling coined> . Hut Henibrandt is a genius, and it calls lor • immense gifts and a certain audacity to portray genius. Laughton sm-cecdw in ' creating a character which gains in depth and power as the picture progi esses: and r as an old man. hall childish. 11 ant ically painting his fiftieth or so sell portrait just before Tie dies ill obscurity, he puts something into his acting which conveys the greatness of Henibrandt and the inevitability of a destiny which brought him penniless to a lonely death. REGENT THEATRE. A tin illing romantic drama, based hwmcly ■ enough on incidents alleged to have occurred during the liish rebellion ol e lir2l-'2"i, forms the appeal of "Helovd Kneinv," which is to replace doe e Brown's "Polo doe" at the Hegent Thciitic lon Friday. Brian Alierne and Meilc Oberon are principals in the lavishly staged Sam Goldwyn production. One ot '■ the important supporting roles is played g by our own I>unedin-born Ka Hould (his e first Hollywood engagement). He pla.vs the part of .leny O'Brien. Dublin street f ragainiitlin, and iloes it cxcecdingl V well. This handsome New Zealand lad made " his first theatrical appearance at the age r of lour as an elf m "The Sleeping Beauty in Diinedm. In ><>.'«. when Da Sybil t Thorndike. the celebrated Knglish i. el . ess ] visited the city, he was cast as one ol lei two children in "Medea ol the Luripidcs (Mi.the strength ol his splendid woik lie was given the leading child s role in New 1- Zealand's first talking picture, "Down on rj the Farm." Ha was determined to iniiUe v acting his career. and persuaded his y parents to take him to Holly wood, wlui 1' within a week he was signed by a najot company, and was iinineduit.cly boitow.d >r by (ioldwyn for "Beloved hncniy. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Bundling, a lost art in these days ol "8 Steam heat, oil furnaces, and <1< cti n it. . has been revived on the screen. A book i of etiquette, printed in pioMd.il tin ; Metro-( ioldwyn-Mayer rcscuid, de P«< - II nient. with the proper procclui. ct 1'- bundling for "The Gorgeous Hussy wI i h li, will star .loan (rawloid. H"l»cit and Lionel Barryniore at tlie SI. daim* Theatre on Friday, replacing I ; « » "• current "Dishonour Bright Iho e he bovs in one bed ' it Hlat.-.1. 1- voting women in the other, lully clothe I. v I sing licitvv thread, well waxed, sew then, ,' in tightlv." This is the I'ennaylv ania ■' Dutch stvle of bundling, which is opposed i*' to the New Knglanii rtietliod of placing )f spike<l hat tier betw n the couples .loan m ( rawford and Robert 'laylor del tonsil ale «e bundling in an amusing scene limn t ie pi, tnrisation of Samuel Hopkuw A Urns K ' historical romance, in which Miss ( tawft ford has four leading men. lav lor sliai»s ing that nonour with Hanchot lon., 1P James Stewart, and Melvyn Douglas The storv, laid in the picturesque period of early American history in whu li lk \ndrew .Tiiekson became the seventh I resident of the I 'nit ed State*, depicts the .1. career of Peggy O'Neal, innkeeper * daughter who rocked the political world and . social foundations of Washington in her effort« to pr<»Hi»rvp tin* 1 mon. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. la Current Hints screening at cinemaa under control of Amalgamated lieaties Ltd.. are a* follows: Civic. Charge of to the Light Brigade", Plaza, "The Magnifi,d cent Brute": Roxv-1 ivoll. "Guns of the i Pecos" ami "Hollywood Boulevatd , !' e Strand. "Dimples" and "Tarzan the Fearless"; National. "Career Woman and "Charlie Chan in Kgypt." id HAYDN'S "CREATION." A performance of Haydn s "( t ration ss will |,e given in the Town Hall to-morrow nn evening bv the massed Methodist chons „„ CWO voices) ill the Methodist < inference Musical Festival. Soloists will include Miss Winifred Hill and Messrs. Leslie " e Husscll and Robert Simmers < onduetoi -er will be Mr Alfred Bryant and organist le- Mr. Kdgar Itamlal.

amusements guide. FiCTURE THEATRES. LONDON (iniro Moore and I.'Hi Carrlllo in "love Mr I-''ll ever." RKQKNT .loc !•' Brown rmrt Cnrol lliiKlics In "I'olo Joe " EMBASSY 'tinrlr* l.n u >rh ton *nrt Fl«i l.anrlieMcr In "H»fnt>rim<lt." ST. JAMES' Turn Wnil- nrnt Hetty StorUtlelrt in "liNhotiniif flrlirlil " MAJESTIC Cllve PinnU and Victoria Hopper In "The I onely Howl." AMBASSADOR " Tin" K lliir Hep* Out" BIRKENHEAD • 'Walking 'in Mr." ASTOR -';«an l-'ranrlsro." AVONDALE- "N<i\v imrt Forever" BRITANNIA—"The Country portor " CAPITOL- Guest Mglit GAIETY —" Tlio fitlrtert I.arty." GREY UVNN - <"!iio«i| Mfrht. KINQSLAND 'iuest >' .(rlit MAVFAIR Guest Mtrlit PICTUREDROME T«|i lliil ' PRINCE EDWARD Oiimi Nlglit. STAR (Ntwtcn)-"l-mMiimvo *iory." •TATE (Symond* Street) —"Tin; Wti;t« AlIRI'l." TUDOR - 'llliortes of \rrlca." VICTORIA -Guest Mk'H. BTRAND (Onehunga) f' lost Nlglit.