ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Rookery Nook," the British film which is enjoying a most successful season at St. James' Theatre, is almost an exact replica of the original stage version. That fact enhances rather than detracts from the valuo of the film version, for. it would be difficult to improve upon the ingenuous humour of the piece as Ben Travers wrote it. The addition of spacious out-door scenes preserves the atmosphere of life in tho quietude of rural England. Tho original cast, which appeared in 409 consccutivo performances in a London theatre, aro entirely at ease in their roles and do full justice to tho subtleties of the many farcical situations. The story deals with the adventures of a wearied young lnisband who seeks a rest cure at Chumpton-by-the-Sea, taking with him a companion of his bachelor days. The appearance at the cottage, "Rookery Nook," of a pretty girl seeking refuge from an irate step-father causes some hilarious complications in which an indignant wife appears. On Friday, "Sally," a Warner Brothers-Vitaplione production, will open a season. While it is screened most lavishly and is full of varied entertainment, it is in no sense a revue, but is a musical comedy with a j.highly interesting story running through it. One of its most important features is that it introduces Marilyn Miller, the ■ "original. Sally," to the talking screen. Miss Miller achieved a remarkable success in that role on the American stage and it is considered she is likely to becorno ono of the leading figures in the motion picture world. She has a most appealing personality, which is given full scope in "Sally." Tho picture is filmed entirely in technicolour and there are a largo number of spectacular scenes. RECENT THEATRE. "Journey's End," R. C. Sherriff's noted war play, which has been translated into no fewer than 25 languages, has lost none of its vividness by its. transference to the talking»screen. In the Tiffany production, which is enjoying a most successful season at the Regent Theatre, the realistic nature of the story has been retained for the screen. All the essential details of tho original aro preserved although full advantage has been taken of tho greater scope of tho motion-picture camera. General Sir John Monash's description, "It is war without tho horror and bitterness of war," is very apt, for tho picture is essentially a character study and depicts in an uplifting manner the agony of mind which men in the front line had to endure. First there is Captain Stanhope, who buoys up his shattered nerves with drink and keeps always before him his love for a beautiful woman "back there." Raleigh, the girl's brother, and heroworshipper of Stanhope; Osborne, the visionary schoolmaster; Trotter, the cockney officer; Ilibbcrt, tho coward; and Mason, tho cockney servant, are all convincing characters.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Greta Garbo, the gifted Swedish actress, gives a sincere portrayal in "Anna Christie," which is showing for an extended season at the National Theatre. Tho actress has the part of a woman, who as the daughter of a renegade barge captain, knows only the coarser side of human nature. Embittered against all men, she is brought by a remorseful father from tho farm where she spent a chequered youth and accepts the life 011 a barge without enthusiasm. Although ho frequently resorts to drink in order to overcome his fear of "dat debil sea," tho bargo captain cherishes a genuine affection for his daughter, who resolves to do her best; by him. The father's love is put to the test when a shipwrecked sailor's jealousy precipitates a tense situation in which "Anna" reveals her tragic past. Tho conflict between love and .ideals in the hearts of both men is perhaps tho most dramatic portion of this excellent picture.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho thrills and hazards of modern motor-car racing are the basis for the action in "Burning Up," which will conclude a season at tho Majestic Theatre to-day. Richard Arlen and Mary Brian aro the principals in this picture of excitement and romance. A film of the fourth Rugby test match between Britain and New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday heads the strong supporting programme. A colour fantasy, "The Hawaiian Love Song," a comedy, "Sweethearts," and varied newsreels complete an excellent entertainment. To-morrow, "Loose Ankles," in which Loretta Young, Louise Fazenda and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., appear, will begin a season. <? STRAND THEATRE. "Paramount on Parade," tho magnificent technicolour production which is enjoying great popularity at tho Strand Theatre, is stated to include more principal artists than any production. The presentation is in the nature of a series of bright sketches to which all the players contribute a share. Pleasing portrayals are given by such popular players as Maurice Chevalier, Clive Brook, Charles Rogers, Gary Cooper, Ruth Chatterton, Nancy Carroll and many others. The supporting programme includes a film of tho fourth Rugby test match, a sound cartoon and news reel. J ' PLAZA THEATRE. "Sunnvside Up," a delightful comedydrama dealing with the attempt of a nowly-rich family to' enter New York society, will be shown for the last time at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, the two popular young artists,'take-the leading roles. Comedy, music, dancing, youth and beauty are said to bo the chief features in "The Golden Calf," tho Fox production which will commence a season at the theatre to-morrow. The picture is essentially a comedy, full of uproarious situations, but many appealing song numbers havo been included. Tho cast includes El Brendel, Marjorie White and Paul Page.

RIALTO THEATRE. "The Love Doctor," which will be shown afc the Rialto Theatre this evening, is ono of the most amusing pictures in which Richard Dix has yet appeared. It tolls of a young doctor whoso first case is to cure a young man of his infatuation for a girl in whom the doctor is himself interested. The plot is cleverly worked out and the dialogue is full of wit. The second picture on the programme is "The Lady Lies," a drama in which the theme has been capably handled. TIVOLI THEATRE v Based on the successful stage play,. "Come Out of the Kitchen," "Honey," which will bo shown afc the Tivoli Theatre this evening, is an entertaining coinedyromance. Nancy Carroll has the part of a daughter of a wealthy but impoverished Virginian family who attempts to retrieve its fortunes. "Salute" will also be screened. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. A malo chorus of 80 voices will tako part- in a concert to bo given by tho Royal Auckland Choir to-morrow evening. Tho chorus will sing varied part songs and items will bo given by Miss Mina Caldow, tho Misses Moore, Mr. Eric Bell and the Mount Albert Grammar School Choir. MOUNT ALBERT ENTERTAINMENT. A number of plays, sketches, songs and dances will bo given by Mr. and Mrs. W. Bailey afc tho King Georges Hail, Mount Albert, to-morrow evening-

CIVIC theatre; Described by a leading English critic as -"immense in conception and background, poignant in human detail and overwhelming in its pictorial and aural realism," "All Quiet on the Western Front," which is being shown at the Civic Theatre, is a picture that has been greeted with admiration wherever it has been screened. It is based on Erich Maria Remarque's book which, by its frank and uncompromising indictment of war and the war spirit, has caused great public interest and discussion. The book is followed very, closely, but in the picture the characters are made to stand out more clearly and individually. They are seen at first as high school boys, fired by the jingoistic speeches of their fanatical master and volunteering to "die for their Fatherland." A few days in camp make them realise with a shock that they "have to forget all they ever were and all they ever hoped to be." The rest of the picture follows them through four years of warfare until, from enthusiastic boys, those that are left become men shattered in mind and body and disillusioned of all ideals. Lewis Ayres in the part of Paul Baumer, the typical boy soldier, gives an unforgettable characterisation. Another fine portrayal is that of Kateinsky, the fatherly cynic who looks after the recruits and takes off much of the bitterness of their first initiation into warfare. Excellent items nre contributed to the programme by Mr. Howard Moody's orchestra, which also presents a programme of well-selected items at a preliminary concert.

LYRIC THEATRE. "It's a Groat Life," which will be shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening, shows tho luxury which surrounds the lives of tliG majority of motion-picture artists. The Duncan sisters, who achiovcd success on tho legitimate stage, are seen to advantage and sing such popular numbers as "Following You," "Sailing on a Sunbeam," "Won't You Be My Lady Love" and "It's An Old Spanish Custom." SCHOOL CONCERT. Pupils of tho Good Shepherd School, Dominion Road, will give a concert at St. Benedict's Hall, East Street, next Tuesday.