ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20779, 23 January 1931, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Sophisticated comedy-drama is presented in its most entertaining form in "A Lady Surrenders," the Universal film version of John Erskine's much-discussed novel, which will have its initial showing at the Majestic Theatre to-day. None of the author's delicacy of treatment of the modern problem of marriage and divorce has been lost by the transference of the story to.- the screen. It tells of a modern young novelist wife who, tiring of lier conventional life, with a wealthy bed manufacturer, seeks gaiety and excitement on tho Continent with a handsome but philandering Frenchman. On the eve of her divorco from her husband she is deserted by the lighthearted Carl Vaudry and yearns again for the love of the prosaic manufacturer. She returns to America only to find that he, believing his wife's application for a divorce in Paris to have been successful, lias found consolation with her best friend. Apart, however, from, the excellence of the dialogue and the novelty of tlie plot, the picture is raised to a high level by the splendid acting of tho principal artists. Conrad Nagcl, ''whose most recent notablo success was . with Norma Shearer in "The Divorcee," is just the type of actor for the part of tho prosaic manufacturer who tends to neglect his wife in favour of tho pleasures of duck shooting, and no more charming actress than Miss Rose liobart could have been found for the part of the sopiiisticated and blase authoress. Other talented members of the cast are Basil Rathbone, as tho inconsistent Frenchman, Genevieve Tobin, in the part of the wife's best friend, Carmel Myers and Vivian Oakland.

CIVIC THEATRE. "Our Blushing Brides," which will succeed "The Big House" at the Civic Theatre to-day, is an appealing story of modern lifo dealing with the romances of three shop girls who occupy the same lodgings and share tho same ambitions. Joan Crawford, Dorothy Sebastian and Anita Page, who also appeared together in "Our Dancing Daughters" and "Our Modern Maidens," app.ear as the three young women who find ultimate happiness in different ways, and tho leading male roles are in the capable hands of Robert Montgomery, Raymond Hackett and John Miljan. Tired of the monotony of their humdrum lives in the large department store each of the girls awaits an opportunity to escape from it. One becomes infatuated with a wealthy customer who later proves to be a criminal, an6ther is convinced of the earnestness of tho proprietor's son in his professed love for her, only later to discover his duplicity; but tho third is at first disdainful of the advances of the owner's elder son. Tho manner in which each of tho young women finally attains happiness makes an appealing story with a blend of drama and pathos. A gorgeous fashion display occupies a prominent position in the film and some beautiful modes are shown. Other scenes include an ingenious bungalow built on tho top of a tree, the interior of a large emporium and a Grecian dance by the well-known Albertina Rasch ballet.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Vividly clear is the portrayal of a young woman for whom love can hold nothing but bitter memory given by Miss Constance Bennett, a gifted emotional actress, in "Common Clay," tho convincing drama which is making a wide appeal at St.. James' Theatre. The actress has the part of a young woman who, convinced of the shallowness of her lifo as a hostess in a notorious night club, accepts a position as maid in the luxurious Fullerton home. Although at first she repels the persistent advances of tho youthful Hugh Fullerton she is finally convinced of his earnestness only to have her genuine love for the boy imposed upon by him. As the vacillating and rather weak-willed youth, Lewis Ayres, the Paul Baumer of "All Quiet on the Western Front," makes the most of a difficult rolo.

REGENT THEATRE. A favourite on tho English stage for many years, Mr. Cyril Maude re-creates for the screen in "Grumpy," at present being shown at the Regent Theatre, tho delightful personality which made him well known throughout the British Empire and America. Tho actor revels in the role of the'eccentric and garrulous, but none the less lovable, personality of "Grumpy" Bullivant, whose gruff and impatient exterior conceals a strangely likeable nature. Apart from the central character, however, the story is notablo for the entertaining plot in which mystery, comedy and romance have been skilfully combined. Tho story concerns tho attempt to steal a diamond which has been secretly brought to a country residence. The unmasking of the thief by old "Grumpy" forms an exciting climax.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The fact that "Journey's End," the film version of E. C. Sherriff's brilliant war drama, which will be shown at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres for the last time this evening, is a faithful adaptation of tho original, is perhaps tho greatest factor in its undoubted success. Excellent character portrayals are given by tho talented cast of English stago players who appear in the film. Almost every type of British soldier is represented. First there is Stanhope, tho courageous yet weak officer, who resorts to drink to steady his nerves; tho enthusiastic Raleigh; fresh from school; Osborne, the idealist schoolmaster; and Trotter, the Cockney, who has risen from the ranks.

LONDON THEATRE. Noted for her sincere and moving portrayal of dramatic roles, Miss Ann.Harding, who takes the chief part in "Holiday," at present showing at the London Theatre, is cast as one of the most appealing characters she has portrayed. The picture is set in the exclusive inner circle of New York society and it describes in an engrossing manner the battle fought by youth against tho conventions of family and society. Miss Harding is seen as a girl who is willing to sacrifice her greatest happiness for the sake of her pleasure-loving sister, and in many scenes she reaches great heights of acting. The supporting programme is of great interest.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND EMPRESS. In "Shooting Straight," tho principal attraction at the Crystal Palace and Empress Theatres this evening, Richard Dix gives one of the most amusing characterisations of his notable screen career. The film is not a "Western" one, but is the hilarious story of a notorious gambler who, by a stroke of chance, is persuaded to undertake the moral reform of a town. Tho second attraction at both theatres is "Strictly Unconventional," a brilliant modern social comedy, in which Lewis Stone and Catherine Dale Owen givo striking portrayals. Clever wit and unusual situations make tho film very enjoyable.

LUNA PARK. In these times when every sixpence counts. Luna Park caters specially for "light hearts with light purses," and a whole family can spend a very enjoyable night at very little cost. Practically all tho fun is enjoyed in the open air, with tho cool breezes blowing from the harbour. pleasure is obtainable not only from one's own experiences on tho numerous devices, but also from watching others enjoying themselves. Special concession tickets are available and a bus service from the foot of Queen Street is arranged.

STRAND THEATRE. Jack London's thrilling drama of the China Sea, "The Sea Wolf," adapted to the talking screen by the Fox studios, will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The central characten of "Wolf" Larsen, the merciless and tyrannical sea captain, whose domineering personality makes him both feared and hated by his crew, is given a convincing portrayal by the late Milton Sills, the accomplished actor of such outstanding silent films as "The Sen Hawk," "Men of Steel," and "Valley of the Giants." Other distinguished members of the cast are Raymond Kackett, the youthful actor of "Footlights and Fools" and "On Your Back," who has every qualification for the part of the sensitive boy who in fleeing from the disgrace of his father's ruin finds regeneration aboard the "Ghost," where he is subjected to the cruelty of the sinister "Wolf," who seeks to impress the boy's lover with his own undisputed power. The final escape of the young couple forms a thrilling climax to a fast-moving story replete with exciting incidents. The atmosphere of the waterfront of Hakodate, Japan, where a great part of the action takes place, and of life on a sealing vessel amid the surges of the North Pacific, has been realistically conveyed by the producers, who have also incorporated some remarkable scenic effects.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The fascinating actress Clara Bow is seen to advantage in "True to the Navy," which met with an appreciative reception when it was shown at the National Theatre for the first time yesterday. As a soda fountain attendant with a heart apparently capacious enough to accommodate the entire personnel of the American Navy, Miss Bow acts and sings with a whole-heartedness and vigour all her own. In order to attract customers to the booth over which she presides, "Ruby Nolan" carries on a mild flirtation with a sailor on each of the warships which calls at San Diego. Many of the men regard her seriously, with tho result that when the whole fleet happens to visit the port at the same time a ridt ensues in the soda fountain. In revenge upon the girl for her "callousness" the sailors solicit tho aid of Gunner McCoy, a debonair philanderer with an established reputation, to disillusion the girl. Events, howover, take a surprising turn and tho final episodes are brimful of comedy and romance. Fredric March, the youthful artist of "Sarah and Son" and "Manslaughter," shows his versatility as an actor in the part of the "lady-killer" and Harry Green is splendid as the restaurant proprietor who is the butt of the sailors' riotous humour. Prominent .among the entertaining supporting items is a film of a wrestling match between Abe Coleman and Kara Pasha in Wellington recently. Thero are also a recent issue of tho Paramount Sound News, an amusing comedy, "Oh, Teddy," and other varied items.

PLAZA THEATRE. Various aspects of modern night life in a large city are dealt with in "The Pay Off," which will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day, together with "She's My Weakness." Lowell Sherman, whoso performances in "Ladies of Leisure" and "General Crack" stamped him as an actor of rare ability, gives a convincing portrayal of a sinister leader of the underworld who, because of his love for a young woman, sacrifices his life in order that she may find happiness with the man she loves. William Janney, in the part of the youth who incurs the enmity of the "ganster"; George F. Marion, the veteran character actor who will be remembered for his portrayal of tho barge captain in "Anna Christie"; Marion Nixon, the beautiful actress who appeared opposite John Barrymore recently in "General Crack"; Hugh Trevor and Walter McGrail, are included among the imposing array of supporting players. Although tho plot is essentially a story of the underworld, it deals more with the emotions of the characters than with melodramatic action. Adapted from tho stage success "Tommy," "She's My Weakness" deals with a romance between two young people which is threatened by tho energetic approval of their parents. Sue Carol, Arthur Lake, Lucien Littlefield and William Collier, senior, are the principal players. ROXY THEATRE. The spirit of adventure which characterises life on the open plains and amid the magnificent canyon country of the Western States of North America has been successfully captured in the two outdoor films at present being shown at the Roxy Theatre for the first time in New Zealand. In "Tho Concentratin' Kid," Hoot Gibson, the popular actor of roles demanding exceptional skill as a horseman and in tho use of firearms, has the part of a gay cavalier of the plains who becomes attracted by a radio singer he has never seen. Bantered by his fellow cowboys, he makes a wager that he will succeed in marrying the girl, who visits the town with a travelling troupe of performers. With this situation as a basis a story brimful of action has been constructed. "Tho Fighting Legion," in which Ken Maynard is seen as a young cowboy who sets himself tho difficult task of avenging the death of a lexas ranger, is the second picture. LYRIC THEATRE. Lon Chaney, tho talented actor of bizarre roles, gives one of his most amazing characterisations in "The Unholy Three," which will bo screened at tho Lyric Theatre this evening. "WILD WEST" RODEO. City folk will be treated to unusual outdoor entertainment at Carlaw Park tomorrow afternoon, when a "Wild West Rodeo will bo staged in Auckland for the first time. During the past week workmen havo been busily engaged in preparations for tho event and to-morrow the park should bo similar in appearance to .an American ranch or an Australian cattle station. A largo number of "outlaw cattle, horses and mules havo been procured, and New Zealand horsemen will compete against somo of tho best-known American and Australian roughriders in mounting and riding these animals. Many entries have been received for tho buckjumping championship of New Zealand, riders coming from as far south as Wellington. Red Montgomery has been cholen to represent America and ho will contest honours with Lanco Goodger, of New Zealand. There will also bo two independent exhibitions of roughriding, first in saddle and then bareback, which will bo repeated in various parts of tho arena in order to enable the entiro assembly to witness the fdats of horsemanship. A clever act by a horso performer and a demonstration of boomerang throwing will bo included in tho programme. John Aason, tho American giant, will make his first public appearance and will bo escorted by tho Dovonport United Brass Band. The novelty of tho entiro entertainment should make a wido appeal.