ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"AUGUST, 1914."

This afternoon, this evening and on subsequent evenings, the famous London comedian, Ernie Lotinga, and hi 3 complete English company of 20 notable artists, including the brilliant actress, Miss Kathleen Barbor, will make their first appearance here at His Majesty's Theatre, in the military dramatic comedy, "August, 1914." which enjoyed a longer season than "The Better 'Ole" in London. It was acclaimed as being, by far, the best, most original and cleverest of the military comedy dramas. That playgoers are appreciating the fact that they are to enjoy an all-English attraction has been manifested at the box ollice, where the booking is very satisfactory. Ernie Lotinga has been compared more than favourably in London with Dan Leno, and many critics have described him as a comedy genius. He is said to be a comedian who can extract humour from every situation, and he lias iiis audience in roars of laughter the whole time lie is on the stage. "August, 1914," will be preceded at. every performance by two vaudeville acts, by Karl Brothers, who, in the uniform of midshipmen, present their eccentric dancing act, which was the outstanding feature of the successful Australian production of "Clowns in Clover."

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The Very Idea," which commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre last evening, is something decidedly new for Auckland picture audiences. Dealing with the modern eugenic theory, the picture moves rapidly along, albeit skating on very thin ice, but with a brilliance of satire which alone is sufficient t.o make it noteworthy. The longings of a childless couple have been played before, but certainly not in a manner which displays such novelty of treatment. The couple agree to a plan formulated by the wife's brother, a scientist who has devoted himself t.o a study of eugenics, and leave to him the question of obtaining an heir for them. He scorns the idea of adopting a foundling lest its unknown parents may have left it some hereditary taint. The only thing, therefore, is to start with the parents and make sure that they are healthy specimens. Eventually he finds a couple who are prepared to allow their prospective offspring to be adopted by the childless pair. With an amount of circumspection which might better perhaps have been left to the imagination the bargain is arranged. The arrival of the son and heir, however, brings the inevitable result, that the parents do not wish to part with it. The situation is a perplexing one, but its treatment is brilliant in the extreme, and there is a riotous flow of comtdy throughout the performance which takes the edge off many a delicate situation. Whatever may be the justification for such a subject, " The Very Idea " contains a great deal of admirable cleverness and a fund of genuine humour which make it an interesting study, and a picture that is worth seeing. The supporting programme is an unusually fine one, containing two very divert ins comedies. The first of these is a school concert in which credit for most, of the fun rests with Mickey McGuire, a diminutive actor with a delightful store of spontaneous humour. The second is a sound cartoon featuring further adventures of "Mickey the Mouse." Its title is "Mickey's Oprv House," and the gymnastic convolutions of Mickey and his various musical instruments provide constant amusement. "Raising the Roof" is a musical number introducing a Broadway star, Lilian Roth, in a couple of singing and dancing numbers. One of the most interesting items is a film scenic dealing with the rugged mountain coastline of tile French Riviera. The photography is excellent throughout, and the views of the harbours of Villefranche, Monte Carlo and Mentone are particularly striking. A Fox Movietone News deals in comprehensive fashion with various items of world-wide interest, including a sound record of the recent motor record-breaking race by Mr.

" Wizard " Smith on the Ninety Mile Beach. The orchestra, under Mr. Whiteford Waugh, renders enjoyable musical selections, and a pleasing interlude is offered in the form of a cornet and clarinet. duet bv Messrs. Stanley and Wilis.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The attempts of four New York chorus girls to marry wealthy husbands have been made into an entertaining and amusing plot in "The Gold Diggers of Broadway," the all-talking and colour production which is drawing to the close of its record season at St. James' Theatre. The bril-liantly-tinted scenes, the elaborate stage settings and the cleverly-conceived ensembles form an admirable background for the plot, while popular features are the numerous vocal and dance numbers. Winnie Lightner. Conwav Tearle. Helen Foster and Nick Lucas head the cast. The popular musical comedy, " The Desert Song " will be shown as a " talkie " in the next change at the theatre.

ROXY THEATRE. Lloyd Hughes and Margaret Livingstone play the leading part 3 m "Acquitted," the thrilling melodrama showing this afternoon and this evening at the Rosy Theatre. The second picture on the programme is "Light Fingers," which is founded on the conflict between the police and criminals in New York. There are many tense moments during the unfolding of the story. The next, change of programme, which will be made on Wednesday, includes a picture exclusive to the lioxy, "The Long. Long Trail."' In it the well-known "Western ' actor. Hoot (ribson. takes the part of the daring voung rider who found it easier to manage horses than girls, it is Gibson s first talking picture.

MOULIN ROUGE. Acknowledged to be ono of the finest talking pictures yet produced, "Interference," which is being screened to-dny at the Moulin Rouge, has delighted audiences wherever it has been shown. Ruth Chatterton and William Powell play the leading roles. Interesting short films will also be screened.

VICTORIA THEATRE. A well-selected cast appears in "Careers," the main feature of the current programme at the Victoria Theatre. Gillie Dove, Noah Beery, Antonio Moreno and Carme.l Myers, all well known to picture patrons, have the principal roles. The story deals with a girl who is compelled to choose between love and success. Several supporting features are shown. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The sparkling comedy, "Hard to Get," in which Dorothy Mackaill, Louise Fazenda and Jack (Jakie appear, will be shown this evening at the Prince Edward Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. A double-feature programme is being shown at the Lyric Theatre. George Bancroft, Neil Hamilton and Evelyn Brent have the leading roles in "The Show Down," the main feature, while Chester Conklin appears in "The Big Noise," the supporting picture. PICTURED ROME THEATRE. The popular artist Marie Prevost appears in "A Blonde For Choice," the main feature of the current programme at the Picturedrome Theatre. Dancing will take place at the conclusion of the programme this evening. EDENDALE THEATRE. The all-talking mystery melodrama, "Through Different Eyes," will be shown at the Edendale Theatre this evening. In addition, there will bo two short comedies, two news reels and vocal items*

REGENT THEATRE. The current programme at the Regent Theatre has the comedy element well to the forefront. Commencing with an excellent. little comedy, "Men of War," in which two very amusing actors, Stan. Laurel and Hardy Oliver, contribute some clever miming that ends in a climax of the true knockabout variety, it follows on with a comedy-drama, "Marianne," that has many claims on tho en-tertainment-loving public. To the majority of people to whom tho silent screen drama was familiar this picture will attract notice because of the appearance of Marion Daviea in a talking and singing role. The beautiful film actress, for long the idol of the screen, does some surprisingly good work. She riot, only talks well, but sings well, and her acting is unimpeachable. The story, which many will lind reminiscent of Mottram's "Spanish Farm," deals amusingly with the lite of the American troops behind the lines in Franco just after the Armistice, and their relations with the French peasantry. The scenes in which Marianne, a French girl who lias adopted a number of war orphans, bullies the troops billeted on her farm and rules over them, as if she were twice her age. are full of excellent comedy and not a little touch of wistfulness. To achieve the right atmosphere, Alias Davies speaks a great deal of French and an even greater amount of broken English, which is extremely laughable to hear, and sings several songs which are skilfully wedged into the story. It, is perfectly clear that the musical comedy stage is her proper home and that her best talents have been lost during the years she has played in the silent films. Toward the end of the picture she introduces some burlesques and imitations of famous stage folk which are worth seeing in themselves, particularly an amusing impersonation of Maurice Chevalier singing " Louise " and a wonderfully realistic impression of the divine Sarah Bernhardt. In this kind of thing silo is very much at home, leaving tho spectator with a distinctly Oliver Twist feeling. The picture of the sturdy, selfreliant French girl, who keeps faith with her French lover in spite of the attentions of the best part of tho American Army, must remain one of the great contributions that American film actresses have made to tho "talkies." She is ably supported by Lawrence Gray, Cliff Edwards and Benny Rubin and a number of other people, including several French children. Mr. Waugh's orchestra plays the overture and entr'acte, "The Elephant and the Fly," which is notable for the solo playing by trombone and flute.

" THE TRESPASSER." Gloria Swan son. the well-known screen actress and one with an enviable reputation as a player of dramatic parts, is earning renewed popularity in "The Trespasser," her first talking picture, which is now being shown to enthusiastic audiences at the Crystal Palace, Empress and Alexandra Theatres. The picture is a study of pride and prejudice. Miss Swan son appears as a typist, who elopes with the son of one of Chicago's wealthiest men. The father lias the marriage annulled and orders his son to take a bride of his own social status. The typist is befriended by her former employer, and at his death is left living in luxury with her infant son. Then comes her greatest battle—the desire to shield her son conflicting with the knowledge that the father can best ensure protection. Her struggles against the laws of convention make an absorbing story, and the interest is maintained until the happy climax is reached. Robert Ames, William Holden. Purnell Pratt and Blanche Frederici have subordinate roles.

GRAND THEATRE. An entertaining programme is showing at the Grand Theatre, headed by the comedv " Hard to Get, in which the four popular comedians Dorothy Mackaill. Louise Fazenda, Charles Delaney and Jack Oakie play the leading rojes. This breezy farce tells the story of a mannequin who sets out to marry into society. At last she meets a wealthy man who shows an interest in her. She makes several amusing blunders, one of the worst being when she gives as her address the mansion of her admirer's mother. He. of course, realizes just who she is, but continues his pretence of love for her. She sees her foolishness in the end and finally marries one of her own class. Many amusing situations are provided. The second comedy is the First National Vitaphone picture Lay On, Mr-Duff." while a third farce, " West of Hot Dog" is also shown. A cartoon and a news gazette complete the programme.

CIVIC THEATRE. All tastes are catered for in the new programme to commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-dav. The overture will be Karl Friedmann's "Slavische Rhapsoiiie." followed by a pictorial representation of interesting news items. Mr. Fred Scholl, who is well known to the Auckland public as the able exponent of the Civic grand orjian, will render two numbers, "Souvenir" and "How Do ou Like This One?" Mr. Ted. Henkel's stage presentation is entitled "Orientale." and comprises a variety of clever novelties in an attractive Eastern setting. 'Die main feature, "Broadway," is the screen version of a play which ran for over two years on the New York stage. The story deals with two young actors who become embroiled in the activities of a gang of criminals. Olenn Tryon. Evelyn Brent and Merna Kennedy fill the leading roles.

PLAZA THEATRE

One of the most perfectly-arranged ballet dances seen in Auckland is shown in the Charity Concert scene in "Sunny Side Up," the popular picture at present showing at the Plaza Theatre. As the catchy number, "Turn on the Ileat," is sung, the stage settings gradually change from an arctic scene to an infernal region, until finally the ballet leaps into a gigantic, mirroring pool of water. The two prinupals, Janet Gavnor and Charles Farrell, sing several bright songs together. The plot is woven around the the elevation of a young girl to heights in society through the agency of. a wealthy man who is impressed bv her wonderful voice. He does his best to secure for her the fame she deserves, and in the end she proves worthy of all that he did for her. A selection of interesting short subjects completes the programme.

MUNICIPAL BAND. Tho Municipal Band will play in tho Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon. Tho fine programme to lie rendered includes the "Bohemian Girl" overture, tone poem "Night's Enchantment. "Nights of Gladness" waltz, selections "Princess Ida" and "Lilac Time," bright marches, hymn tunes, and other attractive numbers. A complete change of programme will be given in Albert Park in the evening. Mancinelli's brilliant march, "Cleopatra," '•Jubilant" overture, and selections, "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "11 Trovatorej" are included in a, fine programme. LEWIS EADY HALL. A specially-arranged programme is to be given in "tho Lewis Eudy Hall to-mor-row evening under tho auspices of the Auckland City Mission. A violin solo will be given by Miss Moya Cooper-Smith, "The Mighty Deep" will bo sung by Mr. V. Archibald, and tho Mission Choir will render tho anthem, "The Rich Man and Lazarus." An address will bo given by Mr. J. M. Hickson. VTOLIN RECITAL. Mr. John Dunn, a. noted violinist, will appear in Auckland early next month. Mr. Dunn will bo abln to give only ono concert in Auckland. Ilia selections will include tlm Mwdelsitohn "Concerto," tho "Andante" and "Finale," and tins Max Brucli "Coneni'Uv"

STRAND THEATRE. Singing, dancing, comedy and romance combine to provide excellent entertainment in " Rio Rita," which is being shown at the Strand Theatre. Most of the musical plays produced so far on the talking screen have had to do with stage people, for the obviou3 reason that thia provided an excuse for the introduction of theatre scenes. They have really been play 3 within plays, but it is not so with " Rio Rita." Every thing that was good in the Ziegfeld success—and there was very little that was not—has been retained, and it has been shaped into a new form by the magic of the camera, ihe director, Mr. Luther Reed, has tried no new tricks of camera-craft, but he has proved in most convincing manner how the screen can impart to a musical play_ a generous sweep of action. The whole picture is produced on a scale which almost beggars description. The latter part, set 011 board a river barge on the Rio Grande, is filmed entirely in colour. Brilliant effects arg obtained in shades of green and gold and the grouping has been carried out under the eye of an artist. In spite of the care which has been devoted to the settings, however, " Rio Rita ' 'does not depend entirelv on these to attract, the attention of the public. A clearly defined plot runs through the picture, dealing with the endeavours of a gallant captain of Texas Rangers to capture a bandit with the curious name of Kinkajou. A beautiful senorita forms the other angle of a conventionally triangular situation, which ends satisfactorily with the hero and heroine united and the villain completely baffled. The acting is a high standard throughout. Bebe Daniels has the leading role, and plays it with the assurance one would expect from so capable an actress. But. more than that, she proves that she has a voice which would do credit to any stage star. Creditable performances are also given by John Boles. Robert, Woolst.on. Bert Wheeler, Dorothy Lee and Helen Kaiser.