ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Dramatic scenes of remarkable intensify .no enacted in " Condemned," tho Para- . mount production which is sliowing to , largo audiences at tho Regent Theatre. Tho picture is based on the novel by Mrs. Blair Miles. who, after spending some time 011 Devil's Island, tho notorious French penal colony, astounded thousands of readers by her revelation of conditions , in tho malaria-infested natural prison off 1 tho coast of French Guiana. In trans- ' ferring tho story to the screen, the pro- ' ducer of the picturo has mado a masterI picco of realism, force and romance. Tho horror of life in tho settlement is outlined • with powerful effect. The ceaseless hardship of toil in the fields under a tropical sun, the cells of solitary confinement for those who break in any way tho rigid rides of the prison and the cruel rampart of shark-infested sea and deadly jungle that, form better enclosures than any stone 1 walls, aro shown in all their brutality. But (ho picturo is lightened by a story . of real beauty. Ronald Colman, in tho . part of a young Frenchman convicted of ■ bank robbery, comes into the life of the • wardon's wife when he is set aside for duty in the household. She feels herself . as much a prisoner as he is, and together . they determino to break away from their • miserable lives. Ann Harding, in tho • role opposite to Colman, gives an appealI ing and forceful characterisation. There is an interesting programme of shorter films, including sorig numbers and a news r reel. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Lovers of farcical comedy produced by ■ a talented east of English artists will find tho present programme at St. James' Theatre of genuine interest. Tho subletics of the many amusing situations in Rookery Nook," which is perhaps Ben Travels' most successful farce, aro (lono full justice by tho identical cast which appeared in 409 consecutive performances in a London theatre, and aro still playing Bon Travers' plays there. All tho ingenuous humour of tho piece is admirably brought out. Tho story tells of tho wearied young husband who seeks respite at Clmmpton-hy-the-Sea, only to have tho serenity of his country cottago disturbed by a pretty [ young girl and an indignant wife. • NATIONAL THEATRE. Delightful English humour is provided in " Sleeping Partners," the comedy with Seymour Hicks in tho principal role, which is at present being shown at tho National • Theatre. Seymour Hicks, well known in : England and olsewhero as an exponent of 1 the witty and droll typo of humour, gives 1 an amusing interpretation of tho humorous side to philandering. His sayings, his facial expressions and his actions ail form a perfect characterisation. The comedy has a Parisian setting. The plot of the story is ingenious and full of ludicrous situations. " Half Marriage," tho second main feature, is a story dealing with a young couple's fight for tho recognition of their love and their ability. CIVIC THEATRE. Improved technique makes " The Arizona Kid," which is enjoying a most successful season at tho Civic Theatre, an even better production than " In Old Arizona," tho first outdoor talking picture. Warner Baxter again appears as the debonair bandit who conceals his true identity under the guise of a highlyrespected, although mysterious, citizen of a snfall Utah village. Round tho exploits of tho highwayman is woven a romance of love and duty. A special film describing the Rugby match at Eden Park between Britain and Auckland will also bo screened. Lovers of classical and popular music are well catered for by tho Civic orchestra and Mr. Fred. Scholl at the organ. LYRIC THEATRE. A programme of exceptional merit has been chosen by tho management of the Lyric Theatre for the initial talking picture presentation this evening. Modern sound apparatus has been installed and the theatre is recognised to have splendid acoustic properties. The picturo selected for tho first performance is "Slightly Scarlet," an absorbing drama concerning tho activities of international jewel thieves in opposition to one another. Clive Brook and Evelyn Brent appear in the leading roles, and give convincing portrayals. Prominent among the first-class supporting items are a laughable comedy, a "Mickey the Mouse" cartoon, and a delightful "Irish Fantasy." There are also an excellent news item and a "Musical Featured,e." STRAND THEATRE. " Tho Hottentot," which is being shown at tho Strand Theatre, is a picture of the racecourse which lends itself to a very comic interpretation. Edward Ilorton gives an inimitable characterisation of a ioppish young man with an inherent aversion to "horses. His antics when ho is called upon to ride a recalcitrant thoroughbred over a difficult steeplechase course | are highly amusing. " Itoad-house Nights," which concerns tho conflict bo- ' tween newspaper reporters and rumrunners, is a drama full of exciting incidents. RtALTO THEATRE. A well-conceived plot, sevoral excellent ! songs and technicolour scenes combine to , rnako "Puttin' on tho Ilitz," which will be shown at tho Rialto Theatre this evening, ono of tho best of its typo The story deals with tho adventures of a band of New York "troupers" and their efforts to gain recognition on tho stago Tho supporting items are of a high stan dard. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Tho present programme fit the Crystal I'alace Theatre is making a strong appeal. "The Bishop Murdor Case" is a picturo with a strong mystery element and there i is nn excellent selection uf supporting items. EMPRESS THEATRE. The three Mooro brothers aro cast in tho leading roles in "Side Street," a ' drama of brother love which will bo screened ni tho Empress Theatro this evening. "Guilty," au absorbing drama, will i.Lso bo shown. TUDOR THEATRE. Richard Dix appears to advantage in an amusing comedy, "The Lovo Doctor," which will bo screened at tho Tudor Theatre tins evening. "Painted Faces," tho second attraction, is a story which has circus life for its background. TIVOLI THEATRE. "Tho Pig Party" will he screened at the Tivoli Theatro this evening, PLAZA THEATRE. "Tho Big Party," which will bo screened at the Plaza Theatro this evening, is a romanco of tho night life of New York. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Tho Delightful Roguo" is tho main atraction at (ho Britannia Theatre this even, ing. VICTORIA THEATRE. " Why Bring Tlmt Up?" which will be shown at tho Victoria Theatro this evening, is notable for its humorous dialoguo.

ORPIIEUS THEATRE

" Lovo Never Diiw," u British picture full of exciting incidents, will bo shown at tho OrpLcua Theatre this evening.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. " So Long, Letty," tho Warner Brothers production, which opens a soason at the Majestic Theatre to-day, is a farcical comedy of adventures and misadventures in a fashionable hotel. The picture includes in its cast a selection of many of the best-known vaudeville stars in America, including Charlotte Greenwood, Grant Withers, Patsv Ruth Miller and Bert Jloach. The story opens when an eccentric millionaire brings his two granddaughters, typical modorn young American girls, to a fashionable beach hotel. The girls are expecting to have a gay time, hut their grandfather has other ideas about tho best way to spend a holiday. A comedy of errors ensues when he becomes confused between his granddaughters' husbands. A feature of tho film is tho bright and unusual dancing of Charlotte Greenwood, the principal, who first gained prominence by her comedy dances, Miss Greenwood has played her role in the picture for many years on tho legitimate stage. Claude Gillingwater, who plays the important part of tho millionaire grandfather, originally left tho stage for tho moving pictures to take tho part of tho old lord in " Little Lord Fauntleroy." AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. A well-chosen variety of items was presented by the Aeolian Orchestra at the second concert of tho season in tho I/swis Eady Hall last evening. Tho numbers played by the orchestra ranged from a swinging march to a de!icato_ morceau, and each pieco received a line interpretation. Vocal items given by Miss May Mitchell and Mr. Arthur Thompson were enthusiastically encored.