ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. In "On tho Level,' '1 ho Fox Movie fono production which opened its Auck land season to a large house at the Ma jestic Theatre last evoning, tho inimitabli Victor McLaglon is given a rolo tha suits perfectly his typo of blustering gooc humour. As in "Tho Cock-eyed World' and other previous productions, he is seei as tho nidri who thinks lie is a rnagne for any woman who comes withii his sphere of influence, but in."On thi Level," lie finds that his ever-ready \vi has met a match. The incidents tha bring about his disillusionment make tin picture one of the funniest he has yr appeared in. As "Biff" Williams, ; riveter on structural steel works, he i: first seen making arrangements to leavi ono of his admirers, Miini, who is por trayed by tho fascinating Fifi Dorsay Unfortunately for him, his boastings an overheard by Mimi and when be goes t< her, she receives liirn with a pistol ii her hand and bis departuro is much fastei than he had anticipated. Wiliams has no been long at a, new job before he at tracts tho attention of Lynn Crawford a dangerously charming young woman wh< is in league with a party of un scrupulous land agents engaged in tlx selling of non-existent properties. Claim ing that she wants him to be alwayi at her side, Miss Crawford coaxes hiir into persuading his workers' union tc buy a large block of the property for re sale to members. When Williams find that not only has ho been duped, bul that he has been the means of dupinj, his fellow-workers, he does not waste iirn< in words, but immediately takes aetior that finally results in lighting tho situa tion. With this story as its basis, a delightful human and humorous picture has been made. Victor McLaglen touche: real heights of acting in his more seriou; scenes, as when he confronts the moL leaders, while ho is able to keep the audience almost continuously amused with his conceits. As the heartless womnu who was responsible for entrapping him in the bogus scheme, Lilyan Tashman gives an impressive performance. Arthur Stone and Mary McAlister, in two supporting roles, which add a further touch of romance, make two appealing lovers. The supporting programme adds much to tho high standard of the entertainment provided. A "Mickey the Mouse" sound cartoon gives the fantastic adventures of a | fire brigade i:i tho little world of black and white created by tho Walt Disney studios. "Tha Prediction," an unusual comedy, and orchestral selections by Roy Fox I and his orchestra were well received, while included in the three news reels that arc shown is a particularly tine record of tho Melbourne Cup and Pliar Lap's sensational victory. Pictures of long poi dancing by a Maori party filmed at liolorua are also excellently produced. NATIONAL THEATRE. " .1 ho Sea Bat," a powerful and beauti- | ful picture of tho South Seas, will open a season at, the National Theatre to-day. I Raquel lories, who takes the principal part, gave a delightful characterisation in a similar role in " White Shadows in tho South Seas," which was recognised as one of tbo finest taming pictures produced in 1929. In I he Sea Rat " she is seen as | a young white girl who is adored by tho little native village where sho lives, on a small tropical island. Tho idyllic life of ! tho settlement is disturbed when tho j " Reverend Sims," an escaped convict masquerading as a clergyman, lands on tho island. A bitter jealousy between Juan, a native lover of the girl, Nina, and Sims springs up and each looks for means j of getting rid of bis rival. The chief industry of the inhabitants is sponge-fish-ing, which entails diving in the sharkiniested tropical seas. A worse danger i than tho sharks is a giant rav. known as J lie Sea Rat, ' which hovers around the island. Nina has become involved in the .strange "voodoo" worship of tho islanders and sho despises the Christianity represented bv the missionaries. On the death of her brother, who is killed in an encounter with the " Sea Rat" Sims conducts tho burial service and although he is only acting his part Nina is impressed by tho service. In the meantime tho jealousy between the two lovers increases and the action of the picture moves rapidly. Tho photography of tho tropical scenes, and particularly of the under water combats with the monster of the deep, is exceptionally good. REGENT THEATRE. A panorama of the " good old days " at tho end of last century, with the'quaint costumes and prim adherence to social convention, is presented in " The Gay ' Nineties," tho amusing comedy-drama j which will open a season at the"Regent 'Theatre to-day. The plot, which is delightfully interspersed with many famous old songs and much humour, concerns tho love of a chorus girl, charmingly portrayed by Miss Marion Davies, for a well-to-do young man. who is noted for his racing stables, and who loses a fortune through ill-luck. b ST. JAMES* THEATRE. In point of lavishness of presentation " Show of Shows," the Warner Brothers and Vifaphone technicolour film at present being shown at St. James' Theatre has not been surpassed by any production of its type. Seldom before has such an imposing array of talented artists appeared m any one picture. Among the 70 principal artists who contribute to a series ot varied sketches are the popular Winnie Lightner, Irene Bordoni, Betty Compson, Alico Day, Louise Fazenda, Chester Morris, 11. B. Warner, Noah Beery, and the clever dog performer, Rin Tin Tin. TIVOLI AND RIALTO. Light, and wholesome entertainment is offered in " Nothing But the Truth " and " Smiling Irish Eyes." which aro being screened at (ho Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. The popular comedian Richard Dix has a congenial role in " Nothing But tho Truth." Dix is seen as a young society man who undertakes a wager that ho will not tell an untruth for a eompleto day. Tho manner in which ho endeavours to succeed makes an amusing story. " Smiling Irish Eyes " is of a different nature, but is equally enjoyable. As the principal, Colleen Moore gives a pleasing portrayal. Many picturesque views of Ireland are shown in the film. Interesting shorler pictures are also screened. PLAZA THEATRE. The final screenings of " Mamba," the dramatic story of Central African life, will bo given at tho Plaza Theatre today. The action of the story revolves around tho conflict of personalities in a small European settlement entirely surrounded by hostile natives. Jean Hersliolt, Eleanor Boardman and Ralph Forbes are included in tho cast. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Ceorgo Sidney and Charlie Murray aro happily cast in Around tho Corner," which is being presented at tho Crystal Palace. Theatre. Mount Eden. The* second attraction is "Alias French Gertie," in which the vivacious Rcbo Daniels heads tho cast. EMPRESS THEATRE. " 1 hoy Learned About Women" is tho principal attraction at tho Empress Theatre, Newton. LYRIC THEATRE. " Lord Byron of Broadwav." which will be. shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening, is a technicolour film rich in tuneful songs. A DELPHI THEATRE. " Journey's End " is being screened at the AdoJphi Theatre, Grey Lynn, j

CIVIC THEATRE. " Wild Company," which will open ; season nt tho Civic Theatre to-'day, is ; tenso drama of iho revolt of who younge generation against established social tradi lions. IT. B. Warner, the accomplishe< English character actor, who mini bers among his outstanding por trayals tho leading parts in " Kin) of Kings," " Sorrell and Son,' and, liioio recently, " Tho Doctor': Secret," is tho principal player. He i; seen as a prominent social figure whos< high sense of duty impels him to delive to tho law his son, involved in the deatl of a criminal leader at a notorious nigh club. In spite of the knowledge that hi: son has also appropriated many costh articles from his department store as gifn to an unprincipled woman, the father doe: all in his power to save the boy. During tho tenso trial scenes the acting reache: a high standard. Although tho weight o evidence is against Larry, his father'; plea and self-denunciation for lack of con trol over the youth, win for him a verdicl of manslaughter in tho second degree with a recommendation to leniency. As r result the boy is sentenced to live years imprisonment and is then paroled in hi; father's custody. There is a promise o! the boy's renewed love for his formei fiancee and a better understanding between father and son. ROXY THEATRE. A story that is full of action and romance is told in " Call of tho West," the chief attraction in the current programme at- tho Ro.xy Theatre. Dorothy Revier and Matt Moore are the principals. The second picture is " The Medicine Alan," in which Jack Benny is seen in many amusing situations.