ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20539, 14 April 1930, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. "Tho Locked Door," which opened a season to a full houso at the Civic Iheatro on Saturday evening is a notewoithy picturo. An ingenious plot, thrilling incidents, and clever dialogue, make it an oxcellent form of entertainment. Tho audience is held from first to last by the fast-moving action of tho story, which blends mystery, adventuro and tragedy. At tho same time, tho picture can be classed as a "problem play," because it is based on the question whether a woman should hide a doubtful incident in her lifo .however iunocent in reality sho is. In the case of Anno Carter, the train of unhappiness is set when she foolishly consents to go with Frank Devereaux, her employer's son, to a "drink-ship" outride tho 12-milo limit of American territorial waters. Late in the evening, the enforcement officials cut tho anchor of tho ship, which drifts shorewards and comes within the limit. All on board aro arrested and as Devereaux and Anno aro being escorted by two oflicers, a photographer secures a flashlight of them. Tho negative is immediately bought by Devereaux, hut is destined to play a more serious part in tho story later. In eighteen months time Anne has forgotten Devereaux and tho incident, and has married Lawrence Reagan. Devoreaux returns tragically into her lifo some timo later, when she learns that ho is attempting to induce Helen Reagan, her sister-in-law, to elope with him to Honolulu. Devereaux's reputation is bad, and to mako matters worse. Lawrence Reagan's friend, Colonel Dixon, has just discovered that lus_ wife and Dovereaux havo been concerned in an intrigue. Lawrence Reagan is ready to do anything to assist his friend to vindicate his honour. Devereaux keeps secret his plan to elope with Helen, but Anne discovers it accidentally and determines to foil him whatever happens. Sho hurries to his apartments and attempts to plead with him. Sho is warned that if she hinders him in any way tho incident on tho "drink-ship" will bo exposed by means of tho photograph. Just at this moment n. knock is heard and Anne hides in an upstairs room. Her husband walks into tho main room. He has come to thrash Devereaux for his affair with his friend's wife. Dovereaux seizes a revolver, but in tho struggle it discharges, mortally wounding himself. Lawrence Reagan is appalled, but ho makes every efforts to cover up his tracks. He cleverly makes it appear as if the case is a suicide. But in making his escape, he has unknowingly locked Anno in tho apartment with tho dead man. Sho cannot escape, but her wits supply her with an ingenious plan. The picture should be seen to understand tho clever way the tangled threads of the plot aro sorted out and a happy ending is reached. Rod La Rocquc plays his first "villain" role, and ho makes a very suave figure. Tho characterisation of Anno by Barbara Stenwyck is outstanding. In the high lights of dramatic power sho is an accomplished actress. William Boyd Elays tho part of tho strong man of action, awrence Reagan, and Betty Bronson is a charming and pathetic Helen Reagan. Touches of humour, are supplied by several supporting artists, the most noteworthy being Zasu Pitts, as the telephone girl. Tho voices aro very pleasing and well reproduced. The supporting programme is opened with a very fine orchestral concert by Mr. Ted Henkel and hi« Civic Concert Orchestra, who play from 7.30 to 8. Michielu's "Turkish _ Patrol" and Luigini's "Ballet Egyptien," were well played, but tho gem of the concert was the "William Tell" overture. A news gazette, featuring parts of King George's speech at the Naval Conference, as heard over the radio in America, was full of interest. Two comedies, "The Stage Door Pest" and "Fifty Miles from Broadway," were also shown.

STRAND THEATRE. " Tho Love Parade," an all-talking picture, is continuing its successful season at the Strand Theatre. Maurice Chevalier, who plays the leading part, is cast as a gay and careful attache to an embassy in Paris. His queen orders his recall becauso of his indiscretions, but she soon falls in love with him. Chevalier attains the position of prince consort, but there aro many quarrels before lie becomes absolute ruler. Jeanetto Mac Donald plays the part of the queen and Lupino Lane and Lilian Roth provide many good laughs. Tho excellent musical numbers include "My Dream Lover," "Paris, Stay the Same," and " Let's be Common.' 1 MAJESTIC THEATRE. The Columbia musical revue, " Broadway Scandals," is at present proving very popular at the Majestic Theatre. The plot is the conventional one concerning tho struggles of two penniless vaudeville artists to reach fame on Broadway, but tho picture is distinctly above tho averago of this type. Jack Egau and Sally O'Neil play the parts of the actors, and Carmel Myers is cast as Valeska, a famous Broadway star. Jack Egan's singing of an excellent theme song, "What is Life Without Love," is a feature of the film, which contains many good melodies and some spectacular revue scenes. There is a good supporting programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A mystery play that really mystifies the audience is Tho Argyle Case," a Warner Brothers' production which is now being shown at St. James' Theatre. The plot is built round the murder of John Argyle, a capitalist, in his library. Suspicion falls on tho ward and son of John Argyle, and many complications ariso from their efforts to shield each other. The services of a famous detective, Alexander Kayton, are invoked to solve the mystery. The part of the detective is effectively played by Thomas Meighan, while 11. B. \farner and Lila Lee have supporting roles. REGENT THEATRE. " It's a Great Life," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, in which Lawrenco Gray and the Duncan Sisters have the loading roles, is the principal attraction now being screened .'it the Regent Theatre. The Duncan sisters arc equally good in dance, dialogue and song and tho story gives them excellent opportunities to show their capabilities. Most of the scenes are behind" tho stage, a setting which provides many opportunities for their abundant wit. The stages scenes in technicolour are very effective and several ploasing songs are introduced. Selections from " Maritana " are given I>y tho orchestra under Mr. Whiteford Waugh. ROXY THEATRE. John Batten, an Auckland actor, plays tho leading part in "Under the Greenwood Tree," a talking picture, adapted from tho novel of that name by Thomas Hardy, which is now being screened at. tho Roxy Theatre. The picture contains some excellent scenes in an old world English village. '1 hero are several old English folk songs. . CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE, The light and amusing comedy, ".Marianne," starring Marion Davies, is the chief attraction in the current programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The pic ture deals with the lighter side of life behind the trenches. Interesting supporting features aro shown. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, played a number of selected items in the Town Hull yesterday afternoon. The numbers chosen' included Concerto, by Bach, Mendelssohn's "Cornelius March," and Paderewski's "Minuet." As a variation to tho classical items three negro spirituals by Gillette wero played. ARTILLERY BAND. Visitors to the Ellerslie racecourse yesterday afternoon wero entertained by a, well-selected programme of musical items played by tho Auckland Artillery .Band.

ALEXANDER WATSON. Another largo audienco greeted Mr. Alexander Watson on Saturday evening, and heard with evident appreciation his varied programmo of excerpts from Shakespeare, Kipling, Dickens, Mascfield, ■Milne and Relloc. In the forum scene from " Julius Caesar" • Mr. Watson displayed as of yore his mustory of interpretation, the orations of Brutus and Antony being given with excellent effect, while tlio voices of the populaco were presented in a way that lent tho wholo sceno dramatic reality. Kipling's " Mandalay " was rendered with very enjoyable discrimination of tho witching music of tho lines, and " If " evoked long-sustained applause, hut tho vividness and humour of tho other items from this author had expressions just as telling. In " Tho Flight of Little Emily" (David CopperJield), tho power of Dickens in characterisation and dramatic incident lost nothing at Mr. Watson's hands; l'egotty's passing from whimsical gaiety to an agony of anxiety and determination was finely portrayed. Description, grim and lightsome humour and playful fancy, as interwoven in tho examples from Mascfield, Milne and Belloc, found Mr. Watson answering all elocutionary demands with equal facility. At the end of a wholly pleasing programme ho was enthusiastically recalled and gave another " cautionary tale." Mr. Watson will coneludo his Auckland season to-night, when the feature of the programmo will be a group of selections from three of tho inimitable novels of J. M. Barrio. Vorse will be represented by Tennyson's " Tho Defence of Lueknow," and a further selection of Kipling's poems. Humorous items by Harry Graham, A. P. llorbort and Mark Twain completo a programme which should interest every lover of_ the art of tho spoken word. A recital in Hamilton to-morrow night will mark tho termination of Mr. Watson's sixth and final tour of the Dominion.

MUNICIPAL CONCERT. Anothor interesting concert was given by tho Municipal Choir and assisting artists in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. There was a large attendances and both tho choir and tho soloists wero given an enthusiastic reception. 'I lie opening number, Mendelssohn's "Judge Me, Oh God," was artistically treated ty tho choir, and tho voices blended well, particularly in tho latter stages. Tho well-known Auckland violinist, Miss Ina Bosworth, also choso a selection from Mendelssohn for her opening number. Sho played the "Andanto from Concerto in E Minor" in particularly pleasing style. A contrast was afforded by the choir's next number, "Tho Little Sandman," arranged by West. Tho air is well suited to choir work and was given appropriate treatment. Miss Mina Caldow's lirst number was Goring Thomas composition, "My Heart is Weary," while later in the evening sho sang "Invitation," by Dodd. Both items were very favourably received. Two organ solos, Gluck's "Air and Gavotte," and a concert scherzo by Mansfield, wero played by tho city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, who also conducted tho choir. Miss Bosworth played Tschatkowsky's graceful "Melodic," arid followed "it with "Strathspey," by L. H. D'Egville, two items which proved very enjoyable. While the "Melodio" is better known, (here are some beautiful cadences in D'Egville's work, and tho violinist did ample justice to both selections. Tho choir's items included Dudley Buck's "Hymn to Music," a dramatic work of unusual strength, which was followed by "Dear Harp of My Country" and "The Laird o' Cockpcn," two national airs remarkably dissimilar _in both tune and sentiment. Tho choir's iinal item was Edward German's "Rolling Down to Rio," a rollicking seachanty, which revealed a now side of tho choir's talent. It was a pleasing conclusion to a most successful concert.

EMPRESS THEATRE. The spectncular talking picture, "Rio Rita," in which John Boles and _ Bcbe Daniels play the leading parts, is now being screened at the Empress Theatre. MUNICIPAL BAND. The Auckland Municipal Band, conducted by Mr. Christopher Smith, entertained visitors to tho Auckland Zoological Park with a well-chosen programme yesterday afternoon. Tho numbers played included tho festival march leather Rhine " bv Paul Lincke, the hymn "Lead Kindly Light " and " Vnlso Triste." A cornet solo by Mr. F. Bowes and a flute solo by Mr. *ll. C. McLennan were excellently played. In the evening the Municipal Band gavo another well varied programme in the Town Hall. A cornet solo, " L'Adieu," by Schubert was given by Mr. F. Bowes. The programme included somo old English songs by nenry Bishop and the waltz " Casino Tanze."

OBSTETRICAL APPEAL CONCERT,

The Regent Theatre was crowded last evening for tlio obstetrical appeal concert organised by Mr. Whiteford Waugb. The Misses Ida and Laura Walker contributed a much appreciated vocal duet " Garden of Happiness," and Miss Ida Walker also sang Mary Brett's " Arise Sad Heart." Mr. Ernest Snell's singing of " Onawny Awake " and " The Blind Ploughman " was heartily applauded. Mr. Alan McElwain delighted the audienco with two humorous recitations, " All About Love " and " Reminiscences of an Olct Soldier." Mr. Whiteford Waugh and his orchestra were in their best form and their renderings of "Abide With Me." " Liebstraume," ".Tarantella," from "A Day in Naples," and " Maritana " selection were beautifully played. Mr. George Pooro and bis saxophone quintette gave an excellent rendering of tho " Angelus."

LUNA PARK. It is announced that Luna Park, which has been closed for some time, will reopen on Wodnesday evening. All tho machines will bo working again. ARCADIA THEATRE. Ciivc Brook, Ruth Chatterton, William Powell and Mary Nolan play tho leading parts in " Charming Sinners," an alltalking drama now being shown at the Arcadia Theatre. TUDOR THEATRE. Dolores Costello plays tho leading part in tho " Madonna 'of Avenue A," a First National Picture now being shown at the Tudor Theatre, Remucra. There is a full supporting programme.