ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE,

" Sunny," the third of a series of ?"'• Mopular musical comedies, will commence a short season* at His Majesty's Theatre this afternoon. Mr. " Freddie" Forbes ~ and his versatile English company have I won considerable popularity with their ii- presentations of " Lido Lady" and "Lady fe $e Good" andy "Sunny" should meet i with an equally'good reception. Like its .enjoyable predecessors "Sunny" abounds 1 in tuneful melodies, attractive dances and bright dialogue/. Mr. " Freddie" Forbes gives an amusing characterisation in the leading role, and he is ably supported by the remaining members of tho cast. Booking arrangements are advertised. GRAND THEATRE. Tho chief feature on the interesting 'double-feature /programme at the Grand Theatre is a talking production entitled //"The Girl in the Glass Cage." The story, /unusual yet entfi'laining, concerns a young cirl whose suspicious uncle forces her to work in a box-office at a theatre in order that hj» may constantly watch over her His action exposes her to unforeseen dangers, however, and the adventures which befall her have been made into a thrilling plot. The climax takes the form of a sensational courtroom scene, probably one of the most impressive yet filmed. The leading parts are played by. Loretta •Yountj, an actress with a number of important screen successes to her credit, Carroll Nye. Matthew Betz, Lucien Littlefield Ralph Lewis, George Stone and Julia Swayne Gordon. The supporting silent feature is "The Land of the Silver Fox," a drama adapted from the novel bv Charles Condon. The story is a thrilling romance of the trapping trade in the snowbound and remote region of upper • Hudson Bay. Bin Tin Tin, the popular screen dos, appears. There is also a strong cast, j MAJESTIC THEATRE. Wartime Paris forms a vivid back- . • ground for "The Battle of Paris," the currenti attraction on the splendid talk- / ing programme at the Majestic Theatre. The central figure of the story is Georgie, a street song seller, who occasionally turns her attentions to picking the pockets of passers-by. She steals a wallet from a youno- artist and when, in a mood of remorse" shjfe returns it to him, he begs her to stay and pose as his model. They subsequently fall in lbve but are parted on the outbreak of the Great War. The adventures and trials they undergo before being happily reunited make the basis of an intsresting story. Gertrude Lawrence, a New York stage actress, heads the cast, others taking part being Charles Ruggles, Walter Petrie, Gladys Du Bois and 'Arthur Treacher. Supports are also shown. CIVIC THEATRE. Thrilling aviation scenes have been incorporated in "The Sky Hawk," which V will commence a season at the Civic v Theatre this evening. The story deals with the endeavours of a young British aviator to rid himself of the stigma of cowardice. His daring exploits in the air form a succession of thrilling scenes, culminating in ,an exciting contest with a raiding Zeppelin. The cast has been chosen with especial care. John Garrick, a young English actor of considerable ability, has the leading role, and lie is ably supported by Helen Chandler and Gilbert Emery. Some interesting numbers .will be played by Mr. Fred. Scholl on th'e Civic grand organ, while Mr. Ted. Benkel's stage orchestra will also make an appearance. Booking arrangements are advertised. PLAZA THEATRE. Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen, who played /the respective parts of Quiit and FJase in " What Price Glory, ' have i the same roles in " The Cock Eyed World," a " talkie" sequel to that production which is now enjoying a success- : ' ful season at the Plaza Theatre. _ The pair are again cast as marines, rivals in Jove, who cause a great deal of amusement by the spirited fashion in which thev conterid Jor the hand of the same , girl" Lily Damita and Jean Bary fill prominent roles. Several excellent supports are presented. /. ST. JAMES* THEATRE. Striking stage settings have been incorporated in "The Desert Song," which is still proving popular at St. James I Theatre. A number of attractive vocal numbers have been skilfully interwoven into the plot. The main roles are enacted by John Boles and Carlotta King, both of whom are well-known on the New York x stage as vocalists. Their voices blend perfectly in the duets which form a feature of the film. Shorter supporting pictures are shown. STRAND THEATRE. George Bancroft has a suitable role in "The Mighty," the Paramount picture now being shown at the Strand Theatre. The plot deals with the war experiences of a hardened criminal. The manner in which the outcast of society is acclaimed as a national hero and receives a position in the police force of his native city forms an entertaining plot. Good supporting fsatures are shown. ROXY AND EMPRESS. Some spectacular colour scenes have been incorporated in -" Peacock Alley, which is now being shown at the Roxy and Empress Theatres. The picture has a cleverly-conceived plot, which is unfolded with a delightful rapidity and freshness. The cast has oeen chosen with especial care, each of the principals giving a convincing portrayal. Mae Murray, who has always been popular with Auckland audiences, has the leading role. The shorter supporting features are of an entertaining nature. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. The distinctive features of the Irish and Jewish types of humour form an interesting / contrast in " Abie's Irish Rose," the main feature of the current programme at the Moulin Rouge Theatre. Short talking features are also shown. " Three Li,ve Ghosts " will commence a eeasuu at the theatre on Tuesday. EDENDALE THEATRE. . "Why Leave Home?", the talking screen version of the popular plav " Cradle Snntchers," is the principal attraction at the Edendale Theatre. The shorter " talkie" films include a I'ox Movic-tonc News, a comedy, an siddress by Mr. Bernard Shaw and orchestral numbers. PICTOREDROME THEATRE. A clevfr comedy, " Chicken a La King," will be screened at the Picturedrome Theatre, Milford, this evening. Dancing will also be held. PRINZE EDWARD THEATRE. Billie Dove, the charming and vivacious actress of " Careers" and other successful j productions, has the leading role in "Her Private Life," which is now being shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. Good supporting .features are shown. VICTORIA THEATRE. Rin-Tin-Tin, the popular dog, appears Sn " The Land of the Silver Fox," tho main feature of the current programme at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport. Good supporting features are shown. ORGAN RECITAL. The city organist, Mr. Mauglian Bar- • nett-, will give a recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. Tho programme will include organ works by Dienel, Bach and Widor, and three movements from , Sthe Faust ballet music..

REGENT THEATRE. In " Dovil May Care," which opened a season to a large audience at the Regent Theatre Jast evening, Ramon Novarro achieves an outstanding success as the leading actoi in a picture of the romantic times of Napoleon's " Hundred Days." Excellent settings, thrilling escapes, good singing and romantic love-making, all combine to make " Dovil May Care " a picture that holds the audience from the first to the last scene. Although it is his first appearance in a '-'talkie," Novarro shows that lie is even better adapted for the new medium than for silent pictures. He has a very clear speaking voice, while his singing voice is well modulated and pleasing. As Armand Treville, the young supporter of Napoleon Bonaparte in the days when he was exiled at Elba, Novarro is condemned to death for plotting to restore the Emperor. By a clever ruse he escapes at the last moment, but in his 'light, is forced to seek shelter by force in the room of a young girl, Leonie, who is portrayed very appealingly by Marion Harris. The two do not meet again until Leonie visits her cousin's house. Here Armand has found it necessary, for purposes of safety, to adopt the role of a footman. Leonie does not recognise in him the fugitive from the Royalist forces, but, although he is to her a " menial," she slowly falls in love with him. Finally, on the eve of her wedding to " a flower of the French aristocracy, she is carried away on horseback by her lover, and she succumbs to romance. The plot is cleverly carried through by the producer, and the photography in many scenes is very effective. Numerous songs are introduced, one of the best being the " Old Guard " male' chorus sung by the Bonapartist troops. The main picture is supported by short features of equal excellence. Laurel and Hardy appear in " Night Owls," one of their funniest pictures yet seen. George Lyons, the singing harpist, is_ heard in several good numbers, and an interesting picture of performing dogs is also shown. Mr. Jack Waugh and his Regent Syncopators supply the incidental music. CRYSTAL PALACE. Jack Holt, who is well known to pic-ture-goers for his work in outdoor roles requiring much action, has the leading rolo in " Flight," the main feature of the current programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of a recruit in the United States Air Force. Good supporting features arc shown. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. " The Man They Buried," the dramatic plav by Karen Bramson, will be presented 'by the Little Theatre Society in the Town Hail concert chamber on April 2 3, 4 and 5. The production will be the 'seventeenth of the society. " The Man They Buried " had a successful season at the Ambassadors' Theatre, London, and should meet with a good reception in Auckland. The arrangements for members' booking are advertised. ARTILLERY BAND. A programme of modern and classical music will be rendered by the Artillery Band at the. Domain Gardens to-morrow afternoon.