AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

EMBASSY THEATRE. George Curson Warner Baxter Weudv Van Klettering .. .loan Bennett Mary Curson Helen Vinson Prince Muratov Mischa Auer Mr. Morgan Alan Mowbray Mr. Brockton Jero'.iie Cowan Sophie Miller M:ua Kruger Producer: Walter Wagni'r. Cnited Artists "Vogues of 1!138" is a brilliant spectacle. Not only that, for perfect production, lavish sets, authentic colouring: and skilful acting combine to make "what must be one of the most unusual and entertaining films yet screened in this city. A capacity audience attended the Auckland premiere of the film at the Etnba>s\ Theatre last night. | Colour films are comparatively new to theatre-goers. it is not long in >eais since colour was introduced in pictures, but Hollywood s technicians have not been idle during that peiiod. and here is proof that the Technicolour process is nearing perfection. lhe picture opens at. dawn over a sleeping New \ork._ and from that point it is apparent that "\\ alter Wangcr's mighty production is a landmark in the colour film industry. It is indeed a far cry from the garish, blurred toning* of the "Gold Diggers to the polished and authentic colouring of the "Vogues. 7 ' Modernity is the keynote. Every set is an artistic masterpiece in itself, ■and it would be hard to imagine anything more ultra than the gowns of Wanger's models. Through all this runs a tale of New York's fa-fhion world. W amer Baxter appears as Cursoit, head of a famous American fashion house, who falls in love with a rich customer who has just

" walked-out' on a wealthy bridegroom-to-be. The bridegroom then gains the services of a Russian prince to set up in the business and ruin Curson. He is welt on the way to doing so when Curson loses all his money in backing a theatrical show for his empty-headed wife. Then it is that he conceives the idea of putting on a show —"Vogues of 1938." Its magnificence wins the heart of the fashion world and his creditors. In the meantime Mrs. Curson (Helen Vinson) has divorced her husband, thus leaving the way open for true love, the other side of the romantic team being Joan Bennett. 1 hroughout the acting is consistently good, and skilful comedy relief by Mischa Auer. as the Russian prince, is one of the highlights of the production. Alan Mowbray heads the supporting cast. The gowns'. Last night the best gauge of their excellence was the "oh s and "all's" ' of delighted Auckland feminity. The film is a whole series of fashion journals come to life. Musically, \ ogues of 1038'' is superb, and some of the_ sequences should delight the hearts ot "swing"' devotees. The best of them is laid in the Cotton Club, where dusky maidens dance and sing the latest in "hot" music and a nigger«boy does remarkable things with a piano. The " piece-Je-resistance of the supporting programme is a hilarious colour cartoon depicting the antics of Donald Duck in a museum of modern inventions. CITY SHOWS. Picture programmes at theatres in the citv are as follows:—St. James : Opening of'the Marx Brothers' latest production, Dav at the Races. ' Embassy: _W altei Wanger's "Vogues of 1938," with Warner Baxter and Joan Bennett. Civic: His Affair," with Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor. Regent: Randolph Scott and Irene Dunne in "High- Wide and Handsome." Strand: "No Man Of Her Own " with Carole Lombard and C laik Gable. Majestic: "You Only Live Once and "The Devil is Driving. Plaza: The Road Back." May-fair: * San Quentm ■Rrvxv and Tivoli: "White Bondage and "She Had To Eat." State. Symonds Street: "I'd Give Mr Life and Hideaway Girl." Star. Newt on: 'The Green Liglit" and "Sabotage." COMEDY HARMONISTS. The Comedv Harmonists, famous Continental sextet which has gained worldwide acclaim for its gramophone and radio performances, has been engaged by the National Broadcasting Service. Several performances will be ,n public in Auckland, the first in the Town " Hall on Wednesday. The singers repertoire covers all kinds of music.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE.

PICTURE THEATRES. PLAZA —John King and Richard Cromwell in "The Road Back." Civic Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck in "His Affair." MAYFAIR (late National) —rat O'Brien and Humphrey Bog-art in ''San Quentin. REGENT Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott in "High, Wide and Handsome. HOXY —Jean Muir and Gordon Oliver in "White Bondage" and Jack Haley ana Rochelle Hudson in "She Had To Eat. STRAND —Clark Oalile and Carole Lombard in "No Man of Her Own." MAJESTIC —Pvlvia Sidney and Henry Fonda in "You Onlv Live Once" and Richard Dix in "The Devil Is Driving-." ST. JAMES'—The Marx Brothers in "A My at. the Races." EMBASSY —Warner Baxter and Bennett in "Vogues of 1938." LONDON —Elissa l.andi in "Enter Madam" -* and Tom Keene in "Renegades or the West." ADELPHI —"Seventh Heaven" and "California Straight Ahead." AMBASSADOR —"Theodora Goes Wild" and • The Luckiest Girl in the World." ALEXANDRA—"Winterset." ASTOR —"When You're in Love" and "Tt.» Golden Arrow." AVONDALE — "Ourselves Alone" and "Criminal Lawyer." (BRITANNIA —"Camille" and "Motor Mad- | ness." ICAPITOI "Green Pastures" and "They Met in a Taxi." j, CRYSTAL PALACE —"Wing's or the Morning." DE LUXE—"Ready, Willing and Able." EMPRESS—"Care Metropole" and -West Bound Limited." GAIETY —"Beloved Enemy." GREY LYNN —-Adventure in Manhattan ' and "Man or the People." i KING'S—"As Good As Married" and "Great Barrier." ■ KINGSLAND — "Champagne Waltz" and "Mad Holiday." MAYFAIR—"LIoyds or London and "Women Are Trouble." ; PRINCE EDWARD —-ruder Cover or Night"' and -Dangerous Intrigue." ' PRINCESS —"Go Getter" and "Step Lively, ! Jeeves." r REGAL—"Charlie Chan at the Olympics" i and "Call It a Pay." - REGENT — Ha ilia ry Coast" and "When's our Birthday ? " I RIALTO —"Wings or the Morning." STAR (Newton) —"Green Lignt" and "Sabotage." STATE (Symonds Street) —"I Give My I.ire" and "Hideaway Girl." STATE (Devonport)—"Prince and the Pauper" and "Melody For Two." STATE (Onehunga)—"Care Metropole" and "Hills ol' Old Wyoming." STRAND (Onehunga)—"Rose Marie." TIVOLI—"White Bondage" and "She Had I To Eat." '• TUDOR—"Thier Meets Thier." II VICTORIA —"It Isn't Done" and "Espionage."