ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20727, 21 November 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Ronald Colman, in "Raffles," his third talking picture, which will open at tho Regent Theatro to-day, takes tho part of tho refined "amateur cracksman" created by E. W. Hornuug in his well-known series of stories. Although a polished English gentleman, a society favourite and a popular athlete. Raffles finds tho lure of criminal adventure more than ho can resist. In consequenco his many distinguished associates are victimised time and again without having tho faintest suspicion who tho malefactor can be. Being similar in theme to "Bulldog Drummond" and "Condemned," "Raffles" is a fit successor to Colman's two previous talking successes. At tho time tho picture opens, Raffles, having fallen desperately in love, determines to break definitely with his career of crime. Gravo complications develop when his best friend becomes involved in financial embarrassment, and a charge of embezzlement seems likely to follow. Raffles undertakes tho task of extricating him from his difficulty. One last robbery is the only solution. If ho fails, Raffles knows he will lose his freedom, his happiness and the girl he loves, but to save his friend he undertakes a daring robbery. The midnight excitement of the burglary, tho chase, tho attempt of a despcrato rival thief at revenge, and tho glamour of the social life to which Raffles returns between his adventures, all join in making a picture that holds tho attention of tho audience from first to last. Playing opposite to Colman, Miss Kay Francis makes a charming heroine, her performance being oven better than the 0110 sho gave in "Streot of Chance." An interesting feature of the pictuic is tho cricket match, in which Colman's ability at tho gamo provides an interesting sidelight 011 his real personality. I'ictorially tho film is in tho tradition of tho previous United Artists pictures, a specialty being made of tho photography. In England tho picture has proved to bo one of tho greatest successes experienced for somo time, and reports from London show that, after a three months' season at the Tivoli Theatro, tho film is still drawing largo houses. NATIONAL THEATRE. Tho delightful English actress Betty Balfour, whose work in tho famous "Squibs" series of pictures endeared her to so many theatre-goers, is given another appealing role in "Tho Nipper," which will commenco a season at the Theatre to-day. She is seen as a young entertainer in a public house where sho has been left when her father is sent to prison for burglary. By Iter clever performances and her winning manner, sho attracts many patrons to tho hotel. An associate of her father, however, prevails on her to embark on a series of burglaries. While engaged on one of these sho is knocked down by a car as sho is running away from tho scene of her crimo. The driver of the car takes an interest in his victim and, seeing her talent as an actress, decides to take her away from tho unpleasant surroundings of her early life and have her educated. A new life appears to be unfolding before her, but her prospects are momentarily shattered by an act of self sacrifico on her part. The way in which she wins her way back to happiness and success forms a powerful climax to the story. The supporting cast is in the hands of a number of notable English players. STRAND THEATRE. "Rookery Nook," ono of tho funniest and wittiest talking pictures vet made, will open its return Auckland season at tho Strand Theatro to-day. Hie British and Dominions studios, which produced the picture, reassembled the original cast which presented tho well-known farco on tho stage of the Aldwych Theatre, London, and as a result the film is a perfect example of British humour at its best. The fun is produced by tho situation caused when a pretty young girl seeks refupo at tho seaside homo of a newly married young man whose wife is away for a few days. Tho players includo Ralph Lynn, Tom Walls, Winifred Shottcr and Mary Brougli.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. California during the gold rush days in the middle of last century forms the hackground for the romantic story of "Song of the West," the Warner Brothers and Vitaphone production which will bo shown at St. James' Theatro for the first time to-day. John Boles, the talented singer whose voice was heard to great advantage in "The Desert Song" and "King of Jazz," Joe E. Brown, the inimitable comedian, who was so successful as the "duke" in "Sally," nnd Vivienno Segal, an attractivo stage artist whoso most notable performances were in "Carmen" and Ziegfeld's ' Throe Musketeers," aro (he threo principal players. "Song of the West" is filmed entirely in colour, and includes somo spectacular scenes. BOXY THEATRE. Thrilling mystery is the keynote of "Ternplo Tower," the screen version of tho engrossing novel by "Sapper," which is being shown at tho Boxy Theatre. Kenneth McKcnna acquits himself well in tho part of tho immaculately-attired gentleman detective, "Bulldog" Druinmond, and there is a capable supporting cast. "Let's Go Places," a Fox movietone comedy romance of life in Hollywood, depends largely on humour for its success. PLAZA THEATRE. "Border Romance," with Armida and Don Terry in the leading roles, and "Jerry Builders" will bo shown at tho Plaza Theatro for tho last time this evening. To-morrow "Around tho Corner" and "Soldiers and Women" will bo shown. In "Around tho Corner," Charlie Murray and George Sidney, who aro recognised as two of tho foremost comodians of the stage, aro seen in a series of ludicrous situations, which allow them amplo scope to create an abundance of humour. "Soldiers and Women," in which Grant Withers and Aileen Pringle appear, is a thrilling story of lovo and intrigue in a negro republic. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The accomplished actress Ruth Chatterton gives one of the best portrayals of her career in "Sarah and Son," which will be shown at tho livoli and tho Rialto Theatres this evening. She has the part of a woman whoso worthless husband disappears with their son in revenge. Ihe Golden Calf," a lighter story of modern Life, will also bo shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Norma Shearer, an appealing and talented actress, plays tho part of a disillusioned wife in "The Divorcee," which will bo shown at tho Crystal' Palace Theatre, Mount Eden, this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Mamba," which will bo shown at tho Empress Theatre, Newton, this evening, is a story of Africa. "Beau Bandit" will also bo scrocned. ADELPIII THEATRE. George Arliss gives a finished portrayal of tho famous English statesman in "Disraeli," at tho Adelphi Theat.ro, Grey Lynn, this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. "Free and Easy," which heads the programme at the Lyric Theatre this evening, is the first talking picture of tho popular comedian, Buster Keaton. "Tho Shrimp," with Harry Langdon, will also bo shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ißased 011 a witty, original story, and interpreted by an exceptionally capable cast, tho film, "The Flirting Widow," which was presented to a largo house at the Majestic Theatre for the first tirao last evening, is sparkling entertainment. The picturo follows very closely tho stage adaptation of A. E. W. Mason's delightful book, "Green Stockings," and all the ironic and amusing situations abundant in the book aro taken full advantage of by tho producers, First National-Vitaphouc studios. Tho theme of the story is oxplained by the title of tho novel, which alludes to tho old custom which decreed that if a younger daughter in a family was married before her elder sister, that sister would have to wear green stockings nt tho wedding, to her great embarrassment. In tho picturo, tho charming Dorothy Mackaill is tho elder sister Celia, who seems to be m danger of having to follow the old custom. Sho is no "old maid," however, but a freedom-loving young modern girl, who affects independence and "mannish" clothing. Her father, Sir William Faraday, is determined that Celia's younger sister, Evelyn, shall not marry until Celia has found a husband Naturally, Evelyn does all in her power to pcrsuado her elder sister to fall in lovo with some man. Finally, in desperation, Celia astounds everyone by saying that sho is engaged to a Colonel John Smith, in Arabia. She even goes as far as to write and send a letter, feeling quito certain that such a man does not exist. Finally, to bring tho matter to a successful end, sho inserts an advertisement telling of Colonel Smith's death of wounds. The scene when tho family trios to break tho sad news to Celia and her affecting signs of grief is particularly funny, but tho irony of tho situation becomes even moro apparent when tKo real Colonel Smith arrives at tlio Faraday's home, calls himself Colonel Vaughan and protends to convey tho last message of his friend Smith to tho stricken fiancee. As "Colonel Vaughan," Basil Rathbone, whose part in "Tho Last of Mrs. Cheyney" won him many admirers, secures the greatest possible wit and humour from his anomalous position. William Austin, as the "bally ass" typo of young man, is also very amusing, while Claude Gillingwater as Sir William Faraday, Emily Fitzroy as Aunt Ida, and Leila Ilyams as Evelyn, the younger sister, all fill their parts excellently. Tho cast is almost entirely British, and the settings are of a wealthy English homo. Tho picture is bright, entertaining and witty. The supporting programme is of an equally high standard. The two newsreels screened include views of an Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph, London, and the investiture of Sir James Barrio with tho freedom of Kirriemuir A "Micky Maguire" comedy, pictures of a little-known New Zealand industry. "Rugmaking," and a comedy entitled "Playmates," complete the programme. CIVIC THEATRE. Bebo Daniels, v whose many charming portrayals, chiefly as a comedienne, entitlo her to a high place among screen actresses, essays a moro dramatic characterisation in "Lawful Larceny," tho Radio Pictures adaptation of. tho Samuel Shipman play of the same title. Tho film version will open a season at the Civic Theatre to-day. Although Miss Daniels has usually appeared in lighter roles, she proved her aptitudo for drama in "Alias French Gertie." in which she played the part of a femalo "Raffles." In "Lawful Larceny" she is seen as a young wife who determines to squaro accounts with a notorious woman who lias alienated her husband's affections. In accordance with her plan sho sets out to infatuate the man tho woman really loves, a rolo filled with distinction by Lowell Sherman, a stage artist of wido experience. Ilis previous talking pictures liavo been "Ladies of Leisure" and "Ho Knew Women." His urbano and polished manner makes him ideally suited to tho part of a sophisticated man-about-town, whoso favourito haunts aro fashionable night clubs. Witty dialogue and subtlo humour abound in the film, which was also directed by Lowell Sherman, to whom much of its undoubted success is due.