ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20518, 20 March 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Mr. Freddie Forbes, the London comedian who has been gaining popularity with Auckland audiences by his work in the series of musical comedies being presented at His Majesty's Theatre, has another amusing role in "Lady Be Good! which is now being staged. Mr. Forbes is ably supported by Miss Catherine Stewart and the other members of the company. The vocal numbers are of an attractive nature, while some effective work is done by the ballet. " Sunny " will commence a season next Saturday.

CIVIC THEATRE. " Love, Live and Laugh," now showing at the Civic Theatre, is the tragic love story of a young and carefree Italian organ-player of New York, who returns from the war blinded to discover that his fiancee, believing him to have been killed, has married another man. George Jessel appears to advantage in the principal role others in the imposing cast being Lila Lee, David Rollins, Henry Kolker and Kenneth MacKenna. Selections by the organist, Mr. Fred Scholl, and Mr. Ted Henkel's popular orchestra, a "talkie" comedy entitled "His Birthday Suit and several short films are also presented. The new programme to commence a season on Saturday is headed by " The Sky Hawk," a Fox Movietone production starring John Garrick. The theme deals with a youthful British aviator, who, by his outstanding gallantry in the air, clears his name of an unwarranted charge of cowardice. An appealing romance has been incorporated. The action of the story takes in London during the German Zeppelin raids, a notable feature of the film being scenes showing the aerial combats between scout planes and the raiders. Garrick, who is claimed to give the best portrayal of his career in the part of the daring airman, receives support from a strong cast, prominent members of which are Helen Chandler, Gilbert Emery, Lennox Pawle and Lumsden Hare. Musical numbers and other shorter pictures will be included on the programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. With a bright background of the gay night life of war-time Paris and an interesting plot dealing with the revels of the soldiers of the Allied armies seeking relaxation on leave, " The Battle of Paris," a Paramount "talkie" production, will commence a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Gertrude Lawrence, a popular musical comedy actress renowned for her engaging personality, plays the leading feminine role, that of a young street song-seller. She falls in love with an artist, but they are separated on the outbreak of the Great War, the

youth joining the army and the girl becoming a nurse. When the artist returns he is foolishly infatuated with another girl, the manner in which his old sweetheart recovers his affection providing an entertaining climax. Charles Ruggles, Walter Petrie, Gladys Du Bois, Arthur Treacher and Joe King assist Miss Lawrence. The programme will include several excellent short films.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Exceptional popularity is greeting the screening of " The Desert Song," a Warner Brothers' operetta now at St. James' Theatre. The film possesses all the elements of a successful stage play, containing, in addition to an abundance of excellent music, comedy and clever dialogue, an interesting plot. The setting is in the desert hills of French Morocco. The "Red Shadow," the idealistic son of the commander of a French outpost, is the hero, the theme relating to his efforts to redress the wrongs of the natives in the region and the complications which arise when he makes love to his father's ward under the cover of his disguise. The part is enacted by John Boles, a tenor whose voice and acting ability admirably .fit him for the role. Supporting him are Carlolca King, a lyric soprano, and a strong cast of stage and screen favourites. Several excellent supporting films are shown.

REGENT THEATRE. Norma Shearer, the popular actress who appeared in the leading role in " The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," achieves another notable success in " Their Own Desire," the current "talkie" attraction at the Regent Theatre. The film is a domestic drama dealing with the love affairs of a wayward father whose folly threatens to wreck the happiness of his family. Lewis Stone gives a sterling character portrayal in the part of the erring parent. There is also a number of all-talking supports. Adapted from "La Bataille des Dames," a stirring drama of the France of revolutionary days, "Devil-May-Care," a musical romance, will commence to-morrow what promises to prove a very popular season at the theatre. The principal actor is Ramon Novarro, who will be remembered for the fine characterisations he gave in "Ben Hur" and "The Pagan." The part, which demands a great deal of spirited action and some excellent acting in the romantic passages, suits Novarro's type to perfection. In addition to the chief feature, several supports will be screened.

ROXY AND EMPRESS THEATRES.

Some skilfully conceived stage settings have been incorporated in " Peacock Alley," which is now being shown at the Roxv and Empress Theatres. The picture does not depend entirely upon these for its appeal, however, but contains an entertaining plot which is unfolded with a pleasing rapidity and freshness. Mae Murray, who has gained a reputation for the character of her portrayals appears to advantage in the leading role. Sue is ably supported by a well-selected cast. The supporting films are of an entertaining nature.

PLAZA THEATRE. " The Cock-Eyed World," the talking sequel to "'What Price..Glory," is being shown for an extended season at the Plaza Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of two quarrelsome marines who are continually coming into conflict regarding their respective love affairs. Victor McLaglen, Edmund Lowe, and Lily Damita have the leading roles. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. Hard Boiled Rose," in which Myra Toy and William Collier, junr., appear, will be shown at the Moulin Rouge Theatre for the last time this evening. To-morrow " Abie's Irish Rosewill commence a. season.

WTRTH'S CIRCUS. Graceful horses, lumbering elephants, and powerful polar bears all contribute to the entertainment provided at Wirth's circus, on the old dock site. In addition there are several skilful human performers. These include "The Flying La Mars," a troupe of acrobats who perform agile feats in the air; Claudia Alba, the strong woman; and the Lias Troupe, who give a clever exhibition of tumbling. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. " The Man They Buried," a play by Karen Bramson, which proved successful at the Ambassador's Theatre, London, recently, will be presented by tho Little Theatre Society at the Town Hall concert chamber for a short season commencing on April 2. The plot raises --a serious problem of a strongly controversial nature, but the authoress treats it so lightly and so skilfully that the play is rightly termed a comedy. The production will bo of an ambitious nature, since it calls for 22 speaking parts. Members' preferential booking arrangements are advertised.

STRAND THEATRE. An' exceedingly well-presented story of the incessant battle between the law and crime is told in "The Mighty," which opened for a iieason at the. Strand Theatre last evening. By tlit sheer strength of its action, the' picture is raised above the average. It is an all-talking picture. The majority of die scenes are laid at tile front during 'the Great War and later in an American city, which harbours more than its share of criminals. George Bancroft, one of the greatest personalities on the talking screen, is the chief figure in the story, Major Greeson. His is a peculiar character, one capable : of rising to great heights or sinking to the depths. The theme ol the story is of his regeneration through the war and his meeting with people who believe in him. The first scenes show him and his little, wizened partner in crime sneering openly as the first drafts of the American forces march through the city streets. Although conscripted, he boasts of his intention to join the army only "when the green grass grows in Broadway." Military police find him drinking in the bar of a hotel, but only after a spirited battle do they succeed in arresting him. Some splendid war scenes ' follow. Greeson, fearing nothing and nobody, rises from the ranks to the position of captain and finally of major. There is a finely-drawn comparison between his character and that of a young lieutenant, who, fearing death, eventually overcomes his cowardice and dies bravely. After the armistice Major Greeson returns to the city where live the parents of the lieutenant. He is feted as a popular hero, and admiring civic dignitaries offer him the position of chief of police. It is a Gilbertian situation for the former law-breaker. Hearing news of him;, his old companions in crime seek to enlist his services. Things are not made easy for him, but he finally wins through for the forces of right, helped by the love of the lieutenant's sister. There could be no better portrayal of the principal part than that given by Bancroft, whose personality dominates the picture. One of the ;most thrilling scenes deals with his successful frustration of a raid upon a bank* His special "flying squad" chases the criminals through the .streets, finally running them to earth in a warehouse. There a desperate hand-to-hand struggle ensues in the dark, ending only with the wounding of the police chief and the death of the leader of the bank robbers. The most entertaining of the supporting pictures was a recording of the singing of excerpts from "Cavalleria Rusticana" by Benjamino Gigli, of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Humour of a. varied nature was provided in a short comedy-play and a "Mickey the Mouse" cartoon. A news picture was includcl on the programme, while a well-photo-graphed New Zealand scenic of beautyspots in Westland was also shown.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The adventures of a recruit in the An Force form the theme of "Flight,"' which is now being shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre. ' Jack Holt and Ralph Graves have the leading roles. Good supporting films are shown.