ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20405, 6 November 1929, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

■" JOURNEY'S END." # Tho powerful war play "Journey's End," by R. C. Rherriff, will conclude a successful season a I His Majesty's Theatre next Saturday evening. The production, ■which is interpreted* by an all-male cast, . is one of tho most dramatic presentations rver staged in Auckland. Matinees will bp held this afternoon and on Saturday afternoon. Booking arrangements are advertised.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. 'A strong cast has been assembled in "''Pleasure Crazed," tho talking film which is thg principal featuro now showing at * tho Majestic Theatre. The leading players have had considerable stago experience, with tho result that they are ".well suited to the "talkies." Although •tho film is modern in every detail, it introduces no bewildering trick photo/graphv, and relies on carefully-arranged, settings and contrasting interests for its up-to-date tone. Tho picture deals with modern life in American society, and includes some very exciting scenes. An /R.K.O. production, directed by George B. Seitz, "Blockade," heads tho new programme of "talkies" to commence a season on Friday. Anna Q. Nilsson is seen as the heroine, and her work is said to bo highly dramatic throughout. / Tho film is a vivid description, of the ceaseless warfare that is carried on along tho east coast of the United States between organised rum runners and the ' Government patrols, and is said to be rich in thrilling scenes.

REGENT THEATRE. Tho thrills and romance of circus life liavo been brought to the screen in a realistic manner in "Dangerous Curves," the Paramount talking picturo which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. Clara Bow has one of the best roles of her i career as a daring equestrienne in a circus, and her work is of a high standard throughout. Charles Rogers is seen iopposite her, and there is a strong supporting cast. Two films of outstanding interest will be presented on Saturday, ■vvlien the principal attraction will bo "The Pagan," a romance of the South Seas. directed by W. S. Van Dyke, who was instrumental in making "Whito Shadows •in the South Seas," a former Metro-Gold- ' "wyn-Mayer success. Ramon Novarro has the leading role, and he is said to possess a tenor voice of exceptional quality, which will bo heard in a number of *ongs. The second feature will be '"Divorce Made Easy," a humorous Paramount production which should prove •popular. Douglas Mac Lean plays the leading part, and he is assisted by Marie Provost, Johnny Arthur, Frances Lee. Dot Farley and other artists of note. The film is a comedy of domestic life and / ;is said to introduce many laughable situations.

PLAZA THEATRE. / 'A gripping story of love and adventure •'is unfolded in "River of Romance," the •■'"talkie" film which heads the current ■programme at the Plaza Theatre. Southern life has been transferred to the screen in . / its varying moods and with it is the ■picturesque scenery •of the Mississippi. On Friday, Richard Barthelmess will /;inake his first "talkie" appeai'ance in Auckland in "Weary River," a dramatic ■production which should be enthusiastically received. In his latest picture Mr. ■Barthelmess has the part of a gangster who is arrested and imprisoned. While ;in prison he develops a taste for music /.and his singing at a prison concert .quickly wins fame for him. After being ; relea3ed the ex-gangster obtains a vaudeville engagement, but he is recognised as ; fcn ex-convict and hissed from the stage. His final success is shown in a dramatic .climax. The supporting programme will -include shorter "talkies" of interest. STRAND THEATRE. "Follies of 1929." a musical revue, produced by men who have given Broadway its fame as the home of the world's , greatest entertainments of this type, is : the principal attraction on the excellent ■programme at the Strand Theatre. The •picture is all-talking and contains many ; new song and dance numbers, including ■".'Big City Blues," "The Breakaway," / '"Why Can't I Be Like You," and the ,enchanting old ballad "The Pearl of Old ..Tapan," sung by David Percy, who will "foe remembered for his songs in " The Black Watch." Many of the scenes are ; in natural colour. Included among the principals are such well-known enter- '■>■ tamers as Sue Carol, Sharon Lynn and David Rollins. The excellent selection of .supports includes Richard Bonelli, the , : -well-known baritone, in excerpts from •"The Barber of Seville," an hilarious "talkie" comedy, and the Fox Movietone i "News. TIYOLI THEATRE. Eddie Dowling, an American stage, 1 and actor of note, makes his first appearance in a "talkie" picture in ■the leading role of "The Rainbow Man." ■which is delighting audiences at the Tivoli Theatre. Some fine singing and > .dancing numbers have been incorporated •in the film. Marian Nixon, Frankie Darro, Sam Hardy, Lloyd Ingraham and ' .George Hayes are included in a large .cast in support of Dowling. The Rounders' .Quintet are responsible for many of the . -pleasing musical selections -with which the -picture js liberally interspersed. The .careers of the" Rainbow Man, a member ,of a small vaudeville troupe, and his . .adopted son, Billie Ryan, are told in a number of interesting scenes, and form •the basis of a plot of outstanding ap- / peal. Supports of a diverting nature are also shown.

EMPRESS THEATRE. "Submarine," the dramatic film showing the manoeuvres of the United Spates ; Navv, heads the current programme at •the Empress Theatre. Jack Holt and ;Italph Graves show very fine acting ability ■in extremely difficult roles and these two stars are supported by a very able cast. Some of the authentic scenes of naval life depicted in this picture are the placing .of depth bombs, divers raising wrecks, •the rescue of a diver entangled in a deepsea cable and many other exciting and interesting experiences. Supporting films ■yiJl be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE. "Manhattan Cocktail," the fine musi.cal production starring Nancy Carroll and 'Richard Arlen, will be shown this evening at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The film has a dramatic theme, dealing with the lives of two childhood sweethearts, •whose love is shattered by the girl running away with another boy to a life on the stage in the city._ A number of varied supporting items is also shown. ARCADIA THEATRE. The absorbing all-talking _ drama, ."Speakeasy," will be shown this afternoon and this evening at the Arcadia Theatre. An interesting programme of short talking pictures will also be screened. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. The successful production, " Show People," starring a number of well-known artists, is the principal attraction at the Moulin Rouge Theatre this evening. The shorter "talking" features include orchestral numbers, novelty items, an interesting gazette and an excellent comedy. MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT. 'Another enjoyable concert will be given fry the Municipal Band, under the con,<luctorship of Mr. Christopher Smith, in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. Several new numbers will be played, including "Eurvanthe," two dances from •the incidental music to "Faust," "Songs jof the Hebrides," music by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser, also numbers by Evan Marsden, "From a Russian Village," •'Funeral March of a Bumble Bee," and .a fine selection from Mozart's works. Solos will be given by Mr. T. Davies and Mr. McLennan, and vocal items by Miss Matty Youngson and Mr. Roy Dormer; accompanied by Miss Thelma.

ROXY THEATRE. One of tho finest pictures telling of the lives and loves of player folk in vaudeville ever produced, "Show Folks," should have a successful season at the Rox.v Theatre. The featured players, including Eddie Quillan, a versatile comedian, Lina Basquette, a famous dancer, Bessio Barriscale and Carol Lombard, a clever actress, are reported ,to acquit themselves with fine artistry. Tho themo is decidedly theatrical, and many of the scenes take place behind tho curtain of a vaudeville theatre. An enjoyable vaudeville programme, in which talented players perform their various turns, is presented The lovo romance of Quillan and Miss Basquette, who arc dancing partners in the story, has interest and charm. Bessio Barriscale, who returns to tho screen after several years' retirement, is said to provide her old admirers with an excellent portrayal of an old burlesque queen. Tho picture is cleverly directed by Mr. Paul 1,. Stein, and from tho opening sceno to tho conclusion, tho interest in tho picture should bo well sustained. Another talking picture included in tho programme is "Sal of Singapore," a fino romantic drama of the East starring Phyllis Haver, Alan Halo and Fred Kohler. It is an unusual sp.i picture. Other smaller supporting items will also be shown.