ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"JOURNEY'S END." R. C. SlierrifT's famous drama "Journoy's End," admirably interpreted by J. C. Williamson's splendid dramatic company, is attracting large audiences to His Majesty's Theatre. There will ho a matinee this afternoon, beginning at two o'clock, and to-night's performance commences at eight o'clock. . "Journey's End" will bo staged until Saturday night next. MAJESTIC THEATRE. \ Novelty of Ihcmo, including a double love affair, and excellence of production, combine to make "Pleasure Crazed," an all-talking film which commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, one of the most outstanding features of its kind which has boen presented in Auckland. The film contains remarkable diversity of interest, as well as swift-moving action into which is .woven an excellent plot. It is a modern society drama, yet it avoids the well-worn means of securing effect There is a freshness of presentation which assures the picture of a high standing. The dialogue is clear and cleverly conceived, and the technical side, so important in a talking film, has obviously received considerable attention. A new standard is attained with magnificent settings, dramatic tension and sequence of thrilling episodes. Adapted from the play, "The Scent of Sweet Almonds," by Monckton Hoffe, the story concerns the fortunes of Colonel Farquar, Nora Wesby and Gilbert Ferguson, three California!) land-owners, who sub-let a property to a wealthy couple. The trio prove to be dishonest in their intentions, and the theme is woven round their efforts to complete the deal. Captain Anthony Dean and his wife, Alma, arrive to lake possession while the three are completing their plans. Nora is introduced as Farquar's secretary, who is to remain to deal with certain business. She is given the keys of a strongroom, and Gilbert leaves with Farquar. Dean's wife has been taken to California to break up her love affair with another man, who. however, arrives at a nearby country club as a member of a polo team. Within a few days Gilbert and Farquar become impatient. They aim to steal the valuable jewels of Dean's wife, but Nora advises that the time is not ripe. Dean begins to show affection for Nora, who becomes disgusted with her work. Dean has turned from his wife in view of her love for the other man. The. climax comes when Dean finds Nora trying to open the strongroom, and from then the story moves with rapidity. The situation is peculiarly complicated, and its unravelling provides an exciting conclusion to a first-class story. Marguerite Churchhill, who plays the part of Nora, is responsible for an excep- ! tionally fine piece of acting, and she is ably supported by Kenneth McKenna as Colonel Dean. Dorothy Burgess, an actress who has already made her name on the silent screen, reveals herself as the possessor of a fine voice and dramatic temperament in the role of Alma, the wife whose affections conflict with her marriage-vows. There is an excellent supporting programme. Charles Hackett, the noted singer, is responsible for some excellent vocal items, the "Yacht Club Boys," vocal harmonisers, render a combination of well-chosen songs, while in addition there are movietone topical films.

REGENT THEATRE. The vivacious Clara Bow has the leading role in the talking production "Dangerous Curves," which heads the new programme at the Regent Theatre to-day. Miss Bow, who was successfully cast in "It," "Rough House Rosie" and other bnjoyable productions, is presented in an entirely new type of role. She is portrayed as an equestrienne in a circus, where sho meets a tight-rope walker. The mutual love of the two artists and their many adventures form the theme of the film. The nature of the picture gives Miss Bow ample scope for dramatic and emotional acting. Richard Arlen, one of the most popular actors of the screen, has the leading masculine role, and in company with Miss Bow is largely responsible for the success of the film. The notable supporting cast includes such accomplished players as Kay Francis, David Newell and Anders Randolph. A variety of highly diverting talking and dancing features is included in the supporting programme. GRAND AND LYRIC. Two interesting films, "The Iron Mask" and "The Port of Missing Girls," are the features of the current programme at the Grand ..and Lyric Theatres. "The Iron Mask," which is the principal attraction, is a historical film taken from one of the famous stories by Alexandre Dumas, and adapted specially for the screen. The star in this picture is Douglas Fairbanks, who takes the role of D'Artagnan, the close friend of the Three Musketeers. Other members of the cast are Marguerite de la Motte, Dorothy Revier, Vera Lewis, Rolfe Sedan, William Bakewcll, Gordon Thorpe, Nigel,, de Brulier, Ulrich Haupt, Lon PofT, Charles Stevens and Henry Otto, all of whom are accomplished actors and actresses. The film deals with the intrigues of the Court of Louis XIII., and is a faithful reproduction of the dresses and customs of that period. The second attraction, "The Port of Missing Girls," although a different type of film, is exciting end no less interesting. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Tom Mix has the leading role in "The Painted Post," the thrilling production which is the main attraction on the excellent programme at the Prince Edward Theatre. Supporting pictures includo two hilarious comedies, "On To Reno" and "Hold 'Em, Yale," and several shorter numbers. "Black Magic," a thrilling mystery drama of the South Seas, is the principal attraction on the splendid programme showing at the Grey Lynn Cinema. The popular players, Josephine Dunn and "Henry B. Walthall, appear to advantage in the principal parts. The entertaining film, " Parisienne," and a / gazette and comedy complete the programme. The sound-synchronised and "talkie" picture, "The Divine Lady," an adaptation of Barrington's famous novel on the lives of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton, will he shown at the Victoria Theatre. Devonport, to-day. Corinrie Griffith and Victor Varconi take the parts Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson respectively, while H. B. Warner is cast as Sir William Hamilton. All three are responsible for outstanding portrayals. A portion of the film is shown in technicolour: J.n addition there will be shorter talking features, including "Evolution in Dixie," an overture by the Vitaphone orchestra of 60 players. Roy Smick, banjoist, and Martinclli, operatic tenor,, will'also contribute items. ARCADIA THEATRE. "Close Harmony," starring Nancy Carroll and Buddy Rogers, will be shown at the Arcadia Theatre this evening. Next week, "Speakeasy," a picture of romance" and boxing, will be screened. MOULIN ROUGE. "Tropic Madness," an interesting and thrilling film of mystery and adventure in the tropical jungle, will be shown this evening at the Moulin Rouge Theatre. "Talkie" featurettes, topical scenes and a comedy will bo included in the supporting programme. GRAMOPHONE CONCERT. The complete opera "La Traviata" will be presented by the Columbia Gramophone Company in conjunction with Lewis Lady, Limited, in the Lewis Eady Hall on iNovember 11 and 12.' Records of the opera, featuring famous artists, will be played. No charge will be made, for admission. Booking arrangements are advertised.

ST. JAMES 1 THEATRE. ; The musical revue at the St. James* Theatre at present is " Barehacka," another Jim Gerald success. ( Mr. Gerald, who is a noted comedian both in New Zealand and abroad, seems to have an inexhaustible fund of humour, which; combined with his engaging personality, gives much pleasure to his audiences. He is supported by clever actors and dancers. A complete change of programme will be made on Tuesday evening, when the revue " Oh, Mum " will be produced. PLAZA THEATRE. The picturesque old-world atmosphere of the plantations 011 the Mississippi in the middle of last century forms a delightful background for "River of Romance." the main feature of the excellent programme presented at the Plaza Theatre last evening. The picture, which has been adapted from Booth Talkington's well-knowri play, " Magnolia," deals with the adventures of a young northernbred man who fails' t>o understand the eighteenth-century notions and the exaggerated respect for "honour" and for duelling ability of the Southern States Refusing to fight & duel that is forced 011 him by a bullying rival in a lovo affair, he finds himself renounced by his financce and in disgrace with his father. _ Driven away from his home, with the stignni of cowardice attached to bis name he wanders into a Mississippi gambling hall. Here he falls foul of a river-front " bad man," but discovers that a quick eye and an alert brain make him more than a match for his skilled and practised adversary. Ho is taken into partnership with the proprietor of the gambling-hall and, aided by the memory of this one lucky rough-and-tumble and by the amusing bluster of his partner, gains a river-wide reputation for bloodthirstiness. as "The Notorious Captain Blake." Ho returns to his homo on the night of the ball in honour of the coming-out of his father's ward, the one person who had been in sympathy with his ideals' and had understood his motives in refusing to fight his rival in her elder sister's affections. Secure from recognition by reason of the mask that is part of his ball costume, and trading on his newly-gained reputation, he turns the. tables 011 his former rival by forcing him into refusing a duel. Unfortunately, his identity is unmasked by the girl who is in lovo with him, and ho is forced to make good his bluster. Ho succeeds in this so well that he is reinstated in the good opinion of his father and receives his permission to marry his ward. The picture is remarkable throughout for its accurate reproduction of the picturesque costumes and courtly old-world customs of the Mississippi riverfront in the forties. The sound synchronisation is admirably clear, and the delightful drawling accent of the Southern States is reproduced with charming fidelity. The acting is of a particularly high standard. Charles Rogers appears, in the role of the soft-mannered Northern youth, and he is ably supported by Wallace Beery as General Orlando Jackson, the proprietor of the gambling hall. Mary Brian, as the heroine, and June Collyer, as her coquettish elder sister, both give admirable performances, while other members of the cast include Henry B. Walthall, Fred Koliler and Walter McGrail. The main supporting feature is "The Night Court," an all-talking comedy in which a Broadway revue is presented in a noi'cl form, while the small features \nclude the singing of "Plaisis d'Amour" and "La Paloina" by Madame Rosa Raiso, tlie well-known opera artist, and n picturesque representation of Schubert's well-known "Serenade." Of especial interest is the singing cartoon entitled "The Sidewalks of New York," in which a comic song is shown on the screen with an amusing pictorial accompaniment. STRAND THEATRE.

Probably the most instructive talkingpicture yet produced is "Follies of 1929, ' which commenced a season at the Strand Theatre yesterday. Following much the same lines as "Broadway Melody" as regards' subject matter and aims, it goes further in camera technique and entertaining qualities. The greater part of the film is a lavish reproduction of a musical show of the type of the Ziegfeld Follies, tlio Follies Bergeres or a Cochrane revue, the gaps being filled with a typical musical comedy plot which'holds the piece together. The ingenuity of the camera man in discovering unusual angles from which to view the dancing of the ballet girls suggests innumerable avenues for widening the scope of the new screen medium. The dancers are viewed now from above, now from the wings, sometimes between the heads of the audience, and sometimes between the instruments of the orchestra. They are never still for a moment, and all the time the band plays catchy music and the shoes of the ballet keep up a rhythmic tapping that makes the onlooker want to keep time. One of the tunes, "The Breakaway," sets the tempo for tiie production, fast and snappy, while an equally irresistible number, "That s You, Baby," has many welcome recapitulations. "Most interesting of all is the colour scene in which a full-stage screen is specially employed. In this short interlude the spectator is vouchsafed what mav well be a glimpse at the future of the' "talkie," for it is upon the development of colour photography and the fullstage screen that cinematograph engineers are at present feverishly working. 'J his particular sample is a gorgeously-mounted scene representing the bed of the ocean a w.ator-glade inhabited by beautiful mermaids in sea-green raiment. A ballet on semi-classical lines with an acrobatic display by several girls on swinging ropes brings the brilliantly-coloured episode to a close. Another device suggesting novel uses is a multi-mirror reflecting a singer or a dancer in a multiplication of poses and conveving a dazzling kaleidoscopic effect. Sometimes figures are magnified to gigantic size in comparison with others, a negro chorus is introduced with comical effect, and a negro comedian walks in and out of the picture with hilarious results. The performers are all artists in their respective musical comedy spheres, and experience no difficulty- in surmounting the "talkie" difficulties and keeping the audience entertained. Altogether, it is a picture which no one who is curious about the possibilities of the talking medium can afford to miss. The supporting programme has equallv entertaining films, including a beautifi'l U.F.A. gem, an excellent comedy, and a selection by Richard Bonelli from "The Barber of Seville. / NATIONAL THEATRE. Thrills and amusing situations abound in the latest production of the inimitable comedians Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, "China Bound," which heads the current programme at the National Theatre. Josephine Dunn and Polly Moran ably support the principals. Ihe many occasions which occur for the introduction of lnimour into the theme have been fully exploited, and the film is the best produced by Dane and _ Arthur to date. A comprehensive selection of supporting pictures is shown. THE MUNICIPAL BAND. Another enjoyable programme will be rendered by the Municipal Band at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. The selections will include the "Martha," the "Ballet Egyptian" suite, numbers from "Carmen" and "Madame Pompadour," instrumental solos, hymn tunes and bright marches/ A free musical recital will be given by the band in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. The attractive programme will include,the hymn "Saviour, Breathe an Evening • Blessing," overture "Nabuco," cornet solo "Cleopatra," by Mr. J. Davies, morceaux "Prelude" and 'The Christmas Scene" from Humperdinck's "The Miracle Play." euphonium solo "Nazareth," by Mr. J. Purchase, morceau "A Woodland Serenade." and selection from Gounod's "Faust." The scries of Saturday evening concerts will be contjqued next week. V SACRED RECITAL. A sacred recital in aid of choir funds will lie held in All Saints' Church, Porisonby Road, next Wednesday, when an enjoyable programme of vocal sofas, anthems, and organ solos will be presented. A number of well-known soloists is engaged.

RIALTO AND EPSOM REGENT. Excellent entertainment is offered at the Rialto and Epsom Regent Theatros this afternoon and this evening. The principal attraction is "The River Pirate," a powerful drama-romance in which the wellknown actor, Victor McLaglen, has the leading role. The stirring action of the story takes place in the pirate-infested 'Eastern waters. McLaglen is cast as the master of a small trading schooner. He rescues a party of British tourists who are threatened with robbery and violence by a band of Chinese pirates in an opium den. The party, which includes a young and beautiful English girl, embark as passengers on McLaglen's vessel. Many «jxciting encounters with pirates occur before the ship reaches its destination. The mutual love of McLaglen and the girl provide an absorbing subordinate theme. The supporting feature is "The Tip Off." PICTUREDROME THEATRE. "Racing Romeo," an interesting picture of the motor track, will be shown at the Picturcdromc Theatre this evening. Dancing will be hold at the conclusion of the programme. AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY. A special musical recital will be presented by the Auckland Choral Society in the Town Hall next Thursday evening. The recital will be devoted to a largo extent to selections from the famous operas " Stabat Mater " and Cavalleria Rusticana." Items will be given by Miss Kate Campion, Miss Mollie Atkinson, Mr. Arthur Ripley, Mr. Ernest Snell and Mr. Arthur Colledge. A fall orchestra and chorus will bo conducted by Mr. Colin Muston, while Miss Edith Whitelaw will act as leader. Further details and booking arrangements are advertised. I