ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20720, 13 November 1930, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. The spirit of adventure and romance which runs through tho early history of North America lives again in " Only the Brave," the distinctive Paramount production, which will close a season at the Civic Theatre this evening. Gary Cooper has the part of a Unionist officer who undertakes a hazardous commission as a spy through piquo with a woman, and as' a charming Southerner whoso acquaintance the soldier later makes, Mary Brian is an appealing heroine. H. B. Warner, tho gifted English actor, whose many notable performances include tho leading parts in " Sorrell and Son " and " The Doctor's Secret," is called upon to portray a difficult role in " Wild Company, a drama of the revolt of the younger generation against the, established tradition, which will open a season to-morrow. As 'a father whose high sense of duty prompts him to deliver his son, charged with murder, to the law, the actor gives a restrained and convincing characterisation. In a story which faithfully represents modern conditions of social life in a large city a series of tense scenes pave (he way for a most thrilling climax. NATIONAL THEATRE. "■ Wise Girls," an amusing story of n. middle-class family, and " The Feather," an intensely dramatic film produced in England, will be shown at the National Theatre for tho last time this evening. " The Sea Bat," which will open a season to-morrow, is a thrilling melodrama of the sponge fisheries, filmed off the coast of Mexico and in tho Bahama Islands by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Among the most gripping incidents is an underwater encounter between a sponge diver and a sea bat, a giant sting-ray weighing several tons and having a wing-spread of over fen feet. Raqt»el Torres, as a Spanish girl who offers to marry the man who succeeds in killing the sea bat, which has been responsible for the death of her brother, played by Nils Asther, gives a delightful portrayal in tho leading role. Charles Bickford has the part of an escaped convict in the guise of a. minister, who undertakes the task. Others in the cast are George Marion, who has a role similar to that which he played in " Anna Christie," and John Miljan. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Fiti Dorsay and Victor McLaglen, the two popular artists who scored such a success in "Hot For Paris," make a welcome reappearance together in "On the Level," the Fox movietone comedy-drama which will head the new programme at the Majestic Theatre to-day. McLaglen has the part of a, structural steelworker whose numerous philanderings lead him into an amusing situation when he becomes in an affair with a temperamental French singer, delightfully portrayed by vivacious Fifi Dorsay. On the eve of his departure from New Orleans for New York, "Biff" Williams visits Mimi with the intention of regaining possession of a diamond ring and his hurried esit before the running fire of Mimi's revolver is only the first of a series of hilarious incidents. In the part of an unprincipled woman who inveigles the structural steelworker and his companions into a real estato swindle, Lilvan Tashman is appropriately cast, and the capable supporting cast, also includes Arthur Stone and Mary McAlister. STRAND THEATRE. To-day is the last opportunity Auckland theatre-goers will have of seeing " All Quiet on the Western Front," the striking adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's widely-read book, which has enjoyed a successful return season at tho Strand Theatre. "The Furies," which will open a season to-morrow, is a dramatic film in which 11. B. Warner, Lois Wilson and Natalie Moorchead are the principal players. Produced by the First National and Vitaphone Studios, the story opens with the attempt of a millionaire to secure a divorce from his wife and the efforts of another man to gain both the woman and her alimony. The sudden death of the millionaire paves the way for a thrilling mystery story, abounding in action. REGENT THEATRE. Lillian Gish, the accomplished actress whose most notable successes have been in "The Birth of a Nation," "Orphans of tho Storm" and "Broken Blossoms," makes an appealing princess in "One Romantic Night," tlie United Artists film which will close a successful season at tho Regent Theatre this evening. "The Gay Nineties," which will be shown tomorrow, is a delightful social satire of tho older generation, in which Marion Davies gives a charming portrayal. ST. JAMES* THEATRE. "Singing in the Bathtub," in which tho inimitable Winnie Lightner appears with Bull Montana and a chorus of 50, is only one of the many delightful sketches presented in "Show of Shows," the tcchnicolour extravaganza at present being shown at St. James' Theatre. Produced on a lavish scale by the Warner Brothers and Vitaphone studios, the film includes in the cast John Barryrnore, Dolores Costello, Monte Blue, Myrna Loy, Nick Lucas and a host of others. TIVOLT AND RTALTO. Richard Dix is at his best in "Nothing But tho Truth," which will head tho programme to be presented at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres this evening. The story is founded on a wager made l;y a sophisticated "man about town," the part taken bv Dix, that, ho could go through a complete day without telling an untruth of any description. The results of his efforts to win tho wager are ludicrous in the extreme. The second picture to bo shown will be "Smiling Irish Eyes," a charming comedy-drama in which the vivacious Colleen Moore takes the chief role. BOXY THEATRE. Two virile stories of outdoor life are being shown at tho Roxy Theatre. "Call of the West," is the apt title of an appealing film set, amid the open spaces of the Western States of America. Tt. deals with a music hall principal, who, broken down in health, seeks rest, on a ranch. "Medicine Man," an uproariously funny comedy-romance, has Jack Benny and Betty Bronson in the leading roles. PLAZA THEATRE. "Mamba," the unusual dramatic film, produced entirely in colour by TiffanyStahl, is drawing near to the closo of a most successful season at, the Plaza Theatre. Tho intrigue and ferment, of a native state in tho danger-infested wilds of Africa, form tho striking background for a tense drama in which Jean Hersliolf, in tho part of a grasping and odious German trader; Eleanor Boardman, as his refined wife; and Ralph Forbes, in tho role of a military officer, are the leading players. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. In "Around tho Corner," which will bo screened at. tho Crystal Palace, Theatre this evening, George Sidney and Charlie Murray cause great amusement. The second attraction is a dramatic film, "Alias French Gertie," with Bebe Daniels in tho chief role. SANDRINGIIAM CINEMA. "Sarah and Son" will be shown at tho Sandringham Cinema this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Inside the Lines," a dramatic story of spying and intrigue, will bo screened at Iho Empress Theatre, Newton, this even-