AMUSEMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1937, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

With three of the screen's leading players in the main roles. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," which will enter on its second week at the St. James' Theatre on Friday, is proving an undoubted attraction to Auckland audiences. Fast-moving, witty, and etudded with humorous situations, this film is a sophisticated comedy which will appeal to all those who appreciate the modern American trend towards subtlety in their comedy. Joan Crawford. Robert Montgomery and William Powell are the stars in the film. The story concerns a gay American widow named Mrs. Cheyney (Joan Crawford), who invades London society in a whirl of gaiety. She poses ns a wealthy woman of leisure, and Robert Montgomery, as a young and handsome Kiiglieh lord, falls in love with her. Powell is cast as a butler, and throughout the film he plays rather an unsympathetic part, although his polished acting L< a treat to watch. Frank Morgan. who i« also in the cast, plays the part <.f Lord Kelton. who writes a proposal of marriage to Miss Crawford with disastrous results. Supporting players are Jessie Ralph. Colleen Clare. Nigel Bruce. Benita Hume, Ralph Forbes, and Aileen Pringle. STRAND THEATRE. A young boy's attempt to escape the luxurious but inhospitable surroundings of a Yankee grandmother's mansion in Xew Yoik to return to a negro mammy's humble cabin in New Orleans where he was reared provides a situation of dramatic intensity in "Rainbow on the River," Bobby Breen's current musical vehicle, now showing at the Strand Theatre. ( 'aft as a golden-voiced orphan whose Southern parent'-; were victims of the Civil War. the brilliant boy lyric tenor has a role which offers him raVe dramatic opportunities. Another attraction on the programme will be "Daddy and T." starring Herbert Marshall. Anne Shirley. Gertrude Michael, and Margot Gr.ihame. This comedy-romance is said to be notable for some fine acting. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Gracie Fields is the dominating figure in "The Show does On." is to open at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. She gives further evidence of her versatility. Cyril Ritchard, whom Aucklandera know well from his appearance in J. C. Williamson productions, plays opposite Gracie as her accompanist. He makes strong appeal in a role which fits this popular musical comedy star like a glove. (Jracie will in future appear in Hollywood productions, and whether she is to be further glamorised time will tell. The new Gracie has more dignity and polish than one would suspect, but the old Gracie has an individuality of her own. and as such she is inimitable. Besides directing the film. Baeil Dean is credited with having written the story, a very simple affair. After a Mieccssful appearance in a local amateur show the Lancashire lar=s leaves home to win fame in the theatre. There i« a s-ene of bustle and excitement when Gracie is on the Queen Mary. She is recognised by some Lancashire lads on a troopship, for whom she sings. "You've Got To Smile When You Say Gnndbve." .Another number. "I Never Cried So Much Tn All My Life." causes good humour and enthusiasm in a theatre audience.

REGENT THEATRE. An exciting glimpse into the surroundings and inner workings of what in at one and the same time one of the world's greatest industries and the centre of more glamour, fame and heartbreak than anywhere else in the world is afforded in "A Star is Born," the current success screening at the Regent Theatre. This film is a tine dramatic story revolving round the life of the mythical Hollywood actress— a little unsophisticated country girl whose burning ambition to become a film star takes her to the Celluloid City. She goes through the trials of the "extra" girl at the Central Casting Bureau, where she is told that her chances are just one in 100,000. Her undying hope keeps her going and eventually that impossible chance comes her way. With it comes success —a success more dazzling than she had dreamed of—and personal happiness of a degree she had not imagined could come her way. Then tragedy stalks into ■the picture and she is ready to quit when she is rescued by the courage of her magnificent grandmother, who had fought with her husband, till his death at the hands of an Indian savage, in the "prairie schooners." May Robson as the grandmother almost steals the honours from Janet Gaynor, who is the star. Fredric March is her Prince Charming who falls by the wayside. CIVIC THEATRE. Two aviators, closer than brothers, fight the enemy from the eame 'plane and, unknown to each other, love the eame woman, the wife of one of them. Tine bizarre situation takes place in the powerful melodramatic film "The Woman I Love," which will present Paul Mum, Miriam Hopkins and Louie Hay ward in a remarkable triangle etory at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. When the unusual situation which forme the motivating pivot of the picture becomes known in its entirety, the emotional stress- of the trio overshadowe the events of the Wortd War, against the background ot which the i drama is enacted. This first American film based on the adventures of the French Hying corps during the last great conflict shows some hair-raising combat scenes an the aii-, but the intimate affairs of the flyere behind the lines dominate the etory. Taken from Joseph Keesel s best-seller "L'Equipage," the story was first produced as a sensational motion picture in France, with Anatol Litvak as director. He also directed the American film version of the story. Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins have in support, besides young Hay ward, such'players as the late Colin ('live Paul Guilfoyle. Madv Christians, Owen Davis, jun., Donald • Barry, Minor Watson and Elizabeth Rwdon. NATIONAL THEATRE. In the rollicking comedy "Mind Your Own Business," now at the National Theatre, Charles Ruggles provokes a record number of laughs. The popular ifltnr plays a romantic role in ;i polished mnlV.iVr." An additional ;■ Uraetion i= "O'Keilly's Luck," a comedy starring Ekvtnqre Wibitney.

CHORAL SOCIETY'S " ELIJAH." To-night'e Town Hall concert presented by the Auckland Choral Society, when "Elijah" will fill the programme, will mark the final local appearance of Mr. I-ren Barnes, popular coricert and radio sinner. Mr. Barnes will take the principal part, supported by Misses Ada Lynn, ]>awn Harding. Winifred Johnson and Phyllis ,lara«, Meeere. Leslie Russell, Horace Maddocks, Len iHeatli aaul Master Gerald Craft. Mr. Colin Miieton will l>e conductor and Mr. Trevor Sparling orpranist. A full chorus and orchestra will be heard. AMUSEMENTS GUIDE """ PICTURE THEATRES. CIVIC —Fred Mac Murray and Carole Lombard in "Swing: High, Swing: Low." BOXY —William Boyd In "Hills or Old Wyoming" and Brian Donlevv and Frances Drake in "Midnight Taxi." STRAND —Jessie Mattnews ?n "Head Over Heels" and Sylvia Sidney In "Sabotage" NATIONAI C.has. Ruggles in "Mind Your Own Business" and Eleanore Whitney In "O'Rlley's Luck." REGENT — Janet Gaynor and Fredric March in "A Star Is Born." MAJESTIC —Grade Fields and Cyril nitrhard in '•The Show Goes On." ST. JAMES , —William Powell and Joan CrawlOrd in "The Last or Mrs Chryni'y." EMBASSY —Roland Young a/nd Alice TVrady in "Call It a Pay."' PLAZA —Ray Miiland and Heather Angel In "Bulldog , Drummond Escapes." LONDON —Miriam Hopkins In "Richest Girl in the World' , and "The Mistress or Atlantis." ADELPHI —Guest Night. ALEXANDRA —"Hanjo On My Knee." AMBASSADOR —Guest Night. ASTOR —"Anthony Adverse." AVONDALE —"Craig's Wire." BRITANNIA —"White Hunter" and "Three Maxims." CAPITOI "Panl<*l Boone" and "Laugtolng at Trouble." CRYSTAL PALACE — "Stowaway ,, and "Cr.minal Lawyer." DE LUXE —"Lloyds or London" and "Popeye Meets sinbad." EMPRESS —Guest Night. QAIETY —"The Man Who Found Himseir.' QAIETY (Otahuhu) —"It Happened One .Night." GREY LYNN— "Hair Angel" and "To Beat the Kami." KINGSLAND —Guest Night. PRINCE EDWARD —"Diamond Jim" and "Forsaking All Others." PRINCESS —Guest Night. REGAI "Thrvp Smart Girls" and "Nobody's Kool." REGENT —"Three Smart Girls'' and "Public Knany's Wife.' , RlALTO —"Stowaway" and "Criminal Lawyer.'' STAR (Newton) —"Men Are Not Gods." STATE (Symond* Street) —"Bun to Ounce." STATE (Devonport) —"Wintersot" and "Sunday Hound (p. ,, STATE (Gnehunga)—Guest Night. STRAND (Onehunga)—'Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.' , TUDOR —"That Girl From Paris." TIVOL1 —"Hills of old Wyoming" and ■•.Midnight Taxi." VICTORIA— Guest Nigin.