ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20642, 14 August 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. V JAMES' THEATRE. " Rookery Nook," tho delightful English farce, which is ono of tho best productions presented by tho management of St. James' Theatre, will conclude its season to-day. The British and Dominions film version of this uproarious farce of misconstrued situations, from tho pen of Ben Travel's, is tho best picturo of its type which the Elstree Studios litis given the talking screen. " SALLY." " Sally," the delightful romance with a musical background, which will commence a season at St. James' Theatre tomorrow, not only introduces Marilyn Miller to the talking screen, but also has an appealing theme. In the title role, which she created on the legitimate stage, Miss Miller is seen to advantage as a little waitress who becomes premiere danseuse of the "Follies." When the musical comedy was first produced by Ziegfeld in New York it ran for two years, as it did in most of the other largo cities in America. All the charming songs which made the original play so popular are retained, augmented by new numbers especially written for the film version, i Tho production is filmed entirely in technicolour and incorporates many magnificent scones, including a dancing chorus of moro than 100 and an orchestra almost as large. Alexander Gray appears opposite tho principal and enhances a reputation already established by his performance in " The Desert Song." The comedy element has been stressed in tho picture and several leading players have humorous roles. Joe E. Brown is seen as a grand duke who has descended in the social Scale to the menial occupation of a waiter. Other humorous roles are portrayed by T. Roy Barnes, Ford Sterling and Jack Duffy. REGENT THEATRE. In " Journey's End," R. C. Shcrriff has skilfully brought out both the nobility and the weaknesses of men facing almost certain death in the front line of an attacking army. The film version ot this noted war play, produced by TiffanyGainsborough and interpreted by a cast of prominent English actors, is enjoying a most successful season at the Regent Theatre. The essential details of the original have been preserved in tho picture, although modern motion-picture technique has been fully exploited to provide a number of spacious outdoor scenes. 'I he death on the battlefield of Osborne, the visionary schoolmaster, which is necessarily absent from the stage play, is a good example of tho greater scope of the film production. The story is essentially a character study, although the love for a beautiful woman " back there," which Captain Stanhope, tho central character, keeps before him, gives the picture the requisite touch of romance. The author has taken several characteristic Englishmen and has made of each a prototype of every class of soldier. It has boon said that any soldier who has seen " Journey's End" could recall from his own experiences several counterparts of every character in tho picture. STRAND THEATRE. " Paramount on Parade." (he magnificent technicolour production in which manv popular players contribute sketches, will finish a season at tho Strand Theatre this evening. To-morrow a double-feature piogramme will be shown. in the "Great Divide" Dorothy Macl>aill has the part of a modern girl kidnapped by a man she both loves and hates. Olive Borden is the principal in " Dance Hall, a stoiy of modern love. LONDON THEATRE. Seymour. Hicks, the noted English actor, is introduced to tl;e talking screen in "Sleeping Partners," which will commence a season at tho London Ilioatio to-day. The picture sparkles with the drollest wit. Mr. Hicks shows the humorous side of philandering in an inimitable way and Miss Edna Best plays up to him charmingly. Mr. Hicks has tho part of a wealthy bachelor with a professed love for the charming wife of a Frenchman. The Englishman's antics in his efforts to win tho beautiful woman bear all the elements of airy absurdity. Mr. Hicks makes full use of the many talents which won him fame on tho legitimate stage and he gives an excellent performance. TUDOR THEATRE. Delightful song numbers are included in "Sunnyside Up," the comedy-drama which will be shown at the Tudor Theatre. Rcmuera. this evening. Janet Gaynor and Charles Earrell are the principals. RTALTO THEATRE Richard Dix is seen at his funniest in "The Love Doctor," which is the majn attraction of the current programme at the Rialto Theatre. A most ingenious and witty plot is found in the picture. Tho second feature is "The Lady Lies," a powerful drama of modern life. TIVOLI THEATRE. In "Honey," the Paramount production which will bo shown this evening at the Tivoli Theatre, Nancy Carroll gives a most appealing characterisation. "Salute." the story of two boys' rivalry through life, is the second main attraction, BRITANNIA THEATRE. The amusing adventures of a pair of American marines in various countries form the basis of "The Cock-eyed World," the Fox production which will be shown at the Britannia Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. The remarkably talented Duncan sisters arc tho principals in "It's a Great Life," the singing and dancing extravaganza which will be shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Appealing song numbers abound, and there is a surprising selection of novel dances. An interesting story runs through the picture. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. The story of a music hall artist's rise to fame is told in "The Melody Man," the chief feature of the current programme at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. Interesting shorter films will also bo shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. " The Woman Racket," a powerful indictment of New York night life, will be shown at. the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Tho story holds tho interest of tho audience throughout. In addition, a number of shorter items will be screened. ROYAL AUCKLAND CIIOIR. The Royal Auckland Choir will give a concert in the Town Hall this evening. A male chorus of over 80 voices will take part in a selection of part songs, and the choir will lie assisted by a number of talented artists, including Miss Mina Galdow, the Moore sisters, Mr. Eric Bell and the Mount Albert Grammar School Choir. A fine programme has been arranged. SALVATION ARMY CONCERT. The Congress Hal! Silver Band will provide an enjoyable programme at a concert to be presented by the. Salvation Army iu its hall at Onohunga» this evening.

CIVIC THEATRE. Scones of amazing realism are shown in " All Quiet on the Western Front," the Universal production which is attracting largo audiences daily to the Civic Theatre. The filin is based on Erich Maria Remarque's book, with its frank indictment of war and the war spirit. The producer, Mr. Lewis Milestone, lias followed the book closely, but he has outlined tho main characters more distinctly than they appeared in tho book. The'picture opens in a high school classroom at the outbreak of the war, where a jingoistic master is exhorting his boys lo vol'iiiteer to " fight and die for the Fatherland." Carried away by his emotionalism, they enlist, and in a few days ale in camp. With a brutal shock they realise "hat they " have to forget all they ever were or ever hoped to he and have to ho merely fighting machines. Tho rest of the picture iollows the little band of schoolfellows through four years of warfare until the score of eager youths is reduced to a few .disillusioned men, old in everything - except years. Lewis Ayres, in the 'role of Paul Banmer, the typical hoy soldier, gives a striking characterisation that will live for a long time in tho memories of those who see the picturo. Another fine portrayal is given by Louis Wolhcim who takes the part of katcinsky, the kind-hearted but gruff old cynic who initiates tho boys into the difficulties of their new life. The picture has been acknowledged by leading critics to be a masterpiece of technique and realism. Prior to tho screening of the film, excellent items are contributed by Mr. Howard Moody's orchestra. MAJESTIC THEATRE. " Loose Ankles," a farcical comedy, will bo shown at the Majestic Theatre for tho first time to-day. Loretta Young takes the part of Ann Harper, who has been bequeath ;d a million dollars subject to a proviso in the will that she shiill many a man who meets the approval of her aunts. Otherwise the estate goes to other relatives, unless there is a scandal in tho family, in which case the whole estate is Willed to «l cat and dog hospital. Ann plots so that her aunts are forced lo approve of her lover in order to save a scandal and the consequent loss of the estate. With this situation as a basis the producer has a very amusing picture. Douglas jun., plays tho iole opposite to Loretta Young. , PLAZA THEATRE. A spectacular picture of Bohemian life is shown in "The Golden Calf, which will be screened at the Plaza Ihealro today. The story, which is set in Greenwich Village, tho "Latin Quarter" of New York, concerns the effects of an advertising artist to find a model. The cast of the picture includes Jack Mulhall, El Brendel, Sue Carrol and Paul Page. Iheio are a number of bright song numbers, and a ballet of over 100 girls supports tho principals. The second attraction on tho programme is "Hide Out," and in addition, a film of the fourth Rugby test match is shown. LEYS INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA. The Leys Institute Orchestra gave its second concert of the season at the Unity Hall last evening. Originally formed as a training ground for young instrumentalists, this orchestra, with a strength of 80 members, occupies an unusual position, and tho conductor, Mr. Harold Baxter, has every reason to be proud of the performance of his young players. lhe programme included " The Little Army, played with a strong sense of rhythm, and Raff's "Cavatina," with all tho strings and unison—an excellent demonstration of the beauty of stiing tone. In " Spring Song " (Mendelssohn) and "Elfentanz" (Lehan) the wood winds had an excellent opportunity of showing their worth. The difficult solo violin passage in "Hymn to tho Sun " (Korsokov) was excellently played by Master Harold Taberner, the. young leader of the orchesEntracte No. 2 (Schubert) called for more wood wind than the orchestra possesses, the absence of the oboe, in particular, being very noticeable. A selection of Irish folk songs was the most popular item on the programme, the orchestra receiving quite an ovation for this number. Other items were:—Selection, "Katinka," incidental music to "Mons. Bcaucaire," and the march, "The Gladiators." Vocal items were given by Mrs. Colli coat am] Mr. Bruce Hutton. Masters Frank Harris and W. Wheeler gave violin solos. Miss Phyllis Graham, t lie capable pianist of the orchestra, played " Liebestraume " (Lizst). The accompaniments were played by Misses Wheeler, Moses and Graham.