ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

Following an auspicious opening of their Auckland season last Tuesday evening, Mr. Jim Gerald aud his accomplished company of entertainers have maintained their popularity with Auckland audiences. Their present revue, " Happy Days," will be presented again tliis evening, and to-mor-row a fresh programme will commence. Numerous bright song and dance numbers and the humour of Mr. Gerald and his assistants make the offerings of this com. pany excellent entertainment. Among the members of the company are Mr. Reg Hawthorn, Miss Essie Jennings, Miss Linda Foy, and Miss Mercia Elliott.

ROXY THEATRE. A unique and weird atmosjjliere imbues " Tho Hole in . the Wall," the fine talking picture now screening at. the Rosy Theatre, with unusual interest. Tho film is an adaptation of a play which proved popular in New York some years ago. It centres round a criminal gang which employs thei aid of a medium and other spiritualistic means to further its schemes. One of the leading players is Claudette Colbert as the good-looking young \Voman who joins forces with the criminals in order to revenge herself upon a wealthv society woman. She kidnaps the grandchild of this woman to bring it up as a criminal. Tho police meanwhile become active in following up the gang and its existence is imperilled. Exciting events follow in close order with an interesting climax in which the child is l'estored to its grandmother and the girl reunited with a bovhood sweetheart. Nelly Savage, Edward Robinson, Alan Brooks and David Newell are prominent in the large cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS. Regarded as one of the best of it-s kind yet produced by the Paramount studios, "The Dangerous Woman," a fine talking drama of general appeal, is now showing at the Crystal Palace and Empress Theatres. The jungle and the brooding mysteries of Central East Africa form the background upon which is woven the'story of the lives of a few white people. Clive Brook, the experienced English actor, plays with decided success the difficult role of a British Commissioner responsible for the maintenance of law and order in an isolated settlement. Baclanova,_ as his wife, is carrying on. flirtations with her husband's assistants. The breaking-point and the commencement of much dramatic action comes when her infidelity leads to one of the men shooting himself. Shortly afterwards the commissioner is told that his brother is to be his new assistant. The interest- is excellently sustained throughout the rest of the film to a surprising finish.

REGENT theatre. Excellent entertainment is provided in the M.G.M. talking production ".Madame X." which, owing to its popularity, is being screened for an extended season at the Regent Theatre. The story relates the adventures of a pretty young girl, Jacqueline, who marries a man who cannot understand her. She deserts her husband and gradually sinks into the lower strata of society. How Jacqueline redeems herself makes an absorbing story. The difficult role of "Madame X" " played by Ruth Chatterton, who gives a faithfu characterisation. Her acting in the final dramatic scenes is of, an unusually high standard. Lewis Stone appears as the husband, while the subordinate roles are played by Raymond Hackct, HolmesJlerbert Eugenie Besserer and Richard Carle. The' varied supporting programme includes songs by Gus Edwards Revue, novelty numbers by Johnny Marvin ana other talking films. STRAND THEATRE. The popular actress, Miss Mary Pickford, has the leading role in " Coquette, the United Artists' "talkie" presentation, which continues to attract large audiences to the Strand Theatre. Miss Pickford is cast ,as Norma Besant, a village coquette, who has the reputation of being a 'heartbreaker" and her gaiety and youtlifulness are sources of worry to her father. Olio dav she meets a man from a different world .1 serious young mountaineer,. Michael Jeffrey. Norma sincerely loves Michael, but her father does not approve of him. How her father shoots the young mountaineer and how Norma, trying to save his life, is forced to blacken Michael's name, make a powerful story. John Mack Brown is cast as llio young mountaineer, and John Sainpolis as the loving but over stHct parent. The other roles are played by Matt Moore, Wuliain Janney, Henry Ko'lker, George Irving and. Louise Beavers. The supporting talking films, which comprise instrumental and novelty numbers, provide splendid entertainment.

PLAZA THEATRE. One of the most colourful and realistic pictures ever produced, the First National talking film, "The Divine Lady," is being presented at the Plaza Theatre. Tlio theme deals with the somewhat, tragic romance of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson. Actual historic personages, instead of mythical characters -woven into' the plot, are the central figures of the story and their lives are dealt with exactly as historians have recorded them. Miss Griffith has what many believe to bo her greatest screen role as the unfortunate beauty, Lady Hamilton. Victor Varconi, as Lord Nelson, and H. B. Warner as Lord Hamilton, have roles of almost equal prominence. The thrilling reproductions of naval battles in Lord Nelson's time are said to be features of the film. The shorter talking pictures include an overture, " The Evolution of Dixie." a selection from " Aida" and other interesting items.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A powerful mystery story Is " Masquerade" the all-talking tone film which heads the anient i gramme at the Majestic li e film has been adapted from the P opulnr novel " The Brass BowJ, by JjOUis Vance and is proving very successful. The storv deals with the adventures of a bachelor, who in appearance might, i>e Jus twin brother, and a mysterious and beautiful young adv. Alan Birmingham plays the Sc ,t dual role of the millionaire and the burglar. His ability to maintain tho resemblance between the two men .and •Uso to control the individual mannerisms is' a feature of the production. Other prominent artists are Leila Hyams, Clyde Cook, Farrell MafcDonald and Arnold Lucv. A number of excellent subordinato '"'talkie" films completes an attractive programme. ■ , ■

ARCADIA THEATRE. The two screen favourites Gary Cooper and Miss Lupe Velez are tho stars in "Wolf Song." now showing at the Arcadia Theatre. The programme includes an alltalking comedy, "That Party in Person.

MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band, gavo an enjoyable recital before a largV attendance at the Zoological Park yesterday afternoon- After the overture, "Morning, Noon and Night," a variety of selections was given, including a cornet solo, "A Dream of Paradise," by Mr. J. Davies.

ORGAN RECITAL. 'A well-attended organ recital was given in the Town Hall last evening by Mr. Maughan Barnett", city organist. A number of interesting items was played including throe short chorale preludes by isacn.

RATIONALIST CONCERT. The concert, held in the SiS Theatre last evening ssoc j a . of the New Zealand lion was very. woll att «" d ® u y ct of an and the Future" was, tho Wg (E . V. $ w* Mew ! was screened*