ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20867, 8 May 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" THE SHjENT ENEMY." A film, which, for the beauty of its presentation, has won the praise of critics wherever it has been shown is " The Silent Enemy," the drama of the Ojibway tribe of Indians ' and their light against the adversities of nature, to bo shown at the National Theatre for the first lime to-day. Writing of the film an English reviewer said: " Far less sensational than ' Africa .Speaks,' ''J lie Silent Enemy' has a shy, wild beauty as elusive and enchanting as the single lluted notes with which one of the native ' actors' lures his prey within arrowshot. The film is a record of the w.v that must eternally be waged against their silent enemy—hunger—by the Ojibway Indians in the Temagami Forest Reservo of Canada's sub-arctic region. Simply and beautifully, scenes in forest, on lakes and rivers, in the snow-covered wastes of the ' barren lands' follo\v one another as the Indians trek froru camp to camp in search of food. And the completely natural acting of the all-native cast is dignified, aloof and marvellously restrained. The real drama is, of course, that over-present threat of famine wliich drives the trilie. week after week, toward the far-off North, where a great herd of caribou must pass and be stampeded from wilderness to wilderness—a magnificent scene of whirling, trampling, exultant pursuit and panic. The film, moreover, has a fine sincerity and a rare sensitiveness to the racial customs and outlook of the people with whom it deals that make it a moving and long-to-be-remembered experience." It is a film which should hold a particular appeal for children, who will revel in the depiction of the customs and mode of living of a real tribe of Indians. The second picture, " The Man From Wyoming," a virile outdoor film, is also specially chosen to meet the needs of children.

CIVIC THEATRE. Miss Marion Davies. the delightful comedienne seen recently in the satirical film "In the Gay Nineties." is an appealing "character in " The Bachelor Father," which will have its initial showing at the Civic Theatre to-day. She appears as a young girl of no culture who takes English society life by storm, winning (he love of a young man of wealth and endearing herself to her " bachelor father." The film is adapted from the David Bolasco stage success which enjoyed a nine months' season on Broadway a "few vears ago. Playing the title-role he created on the stage both in London and New York, C. Aubrey Smith, the veteran of the English stage, heads a cast of talented London who have achieved distinction on the talking screen. Ralph Forbes, who was last seen as the disappointed suitor in " The Lady of Scandal," is just the type of actor for the part of the leading man and others in the cast are David Torrence, the actor who played tho detectives in " Raffles " and " Scotland Yard," Doris Lloyd, the gifted actress who was the spy in " Disraeli " and the genuine aunt in " Charley's Aunt," Halliwell Hobbes, also seen in " Charley's Aunt," Edgar Norton, well known for his " butler ' portrayals, Ray Milland and Elizabeth Murray.

STRAND THEATRE " The Boudoir Diplomat " is the title of the sophisticated comedy-romance of the numerous love affairs of a philandering nobleman which will open a season at the Strand Theatre to day. Produced by Universal Pictures, who have given the screen many films of this type, the delightful story is interpreted by talented players, prominent among whom is Miss Betty Compson, one of tbe most popular of silent picture actresses. The setting is a tiny and mythical European kingdom and some of the most lavish scenes represent the terrace outside the royal palace of Luvaria during a state ball. The majority of the men in attendance are dressed in the gorgeous uniforms of their various military units and beautiful women in court dress throng the terraco, the whole being a magnificent spectacle. Others in the cast are lan Keith, Mary Duncan and Jeanette Loff. A special attraction for children at tho day sessions will bo the opening episodes of the serial " The Indians are Coming."

PLAZA THEATRE. Zane Grey's virile outdoor adventureromance " Fighting Caravans" has lost none of its appeal by its transference to the talking screen. Produced by Paramount with a cast of notable players, the film is at present being shown at the Plaza Theatre, where it should- prove particularly popular with children. Gary Cooper, the lending actor of " The Virginian," " Only the Brave" and, more recently, " The Texan," makes a romantic figure as Clint Belmet, who scouts for a gigantic caravan on a hazardous trek across the prairies. Those who delighted in Cooper's slow, deliberate stride, his shy, quick smile and southern drawl will not be disappointed with his performance in " Fighting Caravans." In a role which suits his particular accomplishments to perfection Cooper has innumerable opportunities of wearing picturesquely quaint clothes and generally to perform those feats of daring and fine horsemanship in which he excels. Lily Damita, the beautiful French actress who played opposite Ronald Colman in " The Rescue," makes a charming leading lady and splendid character-sketches are given by Tiilly Marshall, Fred Kohler and Ernest, lorrence. An added attraction at the main afternoon session is the appearance on the stage of performing dogs and monkeys, also of Charles Valentine, ventriloquist.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. " Call of tho Flesh " and " Young Woodley " will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE. " Our Blushing Brides" and " The Yellow Mask " are the main films at the Tudor Theatre this evening. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Monte Carlo" and "Oh, For a Man." aro included in tho programme at the Epsom Regent Thentro this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Bad Man" anrA "Maybe It's Love" will he screened at the Empress Theatre to-day. , LYRIC THEATRE. "Enter Sir John," tho British film which will head tho programme at the Lyric Theatre this evening, is the screen version of Miss Clemonce Dane's mystery play. "Lovin' tho Ladies," with Richard Dix, is a second picture.

• CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Hook, Line and Sinker," with Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, and "Queen High," a musical comedy, will comprise the main films at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. COMMUNITY SINGING. Old and now favourites will be sung at the community singing gathering to be held at the Lewis Eady Hall this evening. "Uncle Tom" will be the song leader. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' PLAY. " Frenzy," the play to be presented by students of the Auckland University Cotlego in His Majesty's Theatre for a season commencing ■on May 16, is a delightful French farce. It is a departure from the usual type of musical productiou.

REGENT THEATRE. Harold Lloyd, the successful comedian of numerous silent pictures, appears iii his second talking film in " Feet First," which will replace " Playboy of Paris" at the Regent Theatre to-day. > He is at his best in the role of an ambitious assistant in a large shoe emporium, who poses as a millionaire in order to impress a girl whom ho loves. The film was enthusiastically received by English critics, one of whom says: '' Although the highlight of the action is a repetition of the hair-raising adventures on the face of a skyscraper in ' Safely Last,' the breathcatching funniness of the scenes is sharpened by the drawling speech of a fatuous negro who addresses the comedian from various windows, as he sways,, and is always about, to fali. There is, too, a most amusing sequence that as ' straight' comedy and ends as slapstick, in which Harold Lloyd, who has been trapped on the liner Malolo as it leaves for Honolulu, endeavours to destroy innumerable copies of a magazine in which he is featured as having graduated in a ' personality plus' correspondence course."

"CITY LIGHTS." Tho forlorn yet whimsically humorous tramp which Charlie Chaplin has endeared to filmgoers the world over returns to the screen in " City Lights," which will follow Harold Lloyd's " Feet First" at the Regent Theatre next Friday. Wherever the film has been shown it "has created a sensation, chiefly because it proves the value of pantomime, unencumbered with spoken dialogue, as screen entertainment. However, the film is accompanied by music composed by the comedian and there are also incidental sound accompaniments. Without mechanical aid there could not be the comedy of the whistle-blowing scene, described as one of the most, hilarious things the screen has yet offered. With the whistle lost down his throat and with considerable liquor beneath it, Chaplin's hiccoughs become short blasts, which shatter the serenity of a sedate drawing room, summon unwanted taxis and hail all the stray dogs in the neighbourhood when Charlie retreats to the street in shame.

MAJESTIQ THEATRE. " Kismet," which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day, is a lavish screen adaptation of the gorgeous stage production set amid the picturesque charm of ancient Bagdad. Otis Skinner recreates for the screen the role ho made famous on tho stage as the " rascal of Bagdad " —a beggar by trade and a king by inclination—who trusts no man and honours no woman. All the olden splendour of the ancient city of the period has been captured for the screen and in some of the crowd scenes there are as many as 4000 " extras," who comprise the multitude of court attendants, attaches, guards and musicians who surround the Caliph. The imposing array of supporting artists includes Loretta Young and David Manners, last seen in " The Truth About Youth," Sidney Blackmer, of " Sweethearts and Wives," who has tho part of the blundering Wazir Mansur, a captain of tho Caliph's guards, Ford Sterling, the comedian of " Sally " and " Spring is Here," Mary Duncan Blanche Frederici and Montague Love. A feature of tho production is the exotic Oriental music which accompanies the various dances and cpurt processions. At the day sessions, " Fair Warning," with George O'Brien, will be shown.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. So great is the popularity of Miss Marie Dressier and Wallace, Beery in " Miu and Bill." the comedy-drama of the vyaterfront of a large port which has been shown at St. James' Theatre during tho past week, that the season has been, extended. Although Marie Dressier dominates the action thoughout, many laughable incidents come from Wallaco Beery, who gives an inimitable performance of an uncouth yet wholly likeable sea-captain, a perennial lodger and indomitable friend. Few more impelling character studies have reached the screen than Miss Drcssler's portrayal of tha sharp-tongucd proprietress of a wharfside establishment, whose solo purpose in life is to ensure the future happiness of her foster-daughter and to remove her from the sordidness of her surroundings.

LONDON THEATRE. Clivo Brook and Evelyn Brent, two of the most accomplished of screen artists, have the leading parts in " Slightly Scarlet," the Continental adventureromance which will open a season at the London Theatre to-day Miss Brent, who appears as the agent of an unscrupulous master criminal (played with his customary polish by Paul Lukas), is in lo'vo with an independent jewel thieif (Clive Brook). They meet under strange circumstances, when each of them, unknown to the other, is intent upon securing a valuable necklace owned by a family of wealthy American tourists. The strong comedy element is in the capable hands of Claude Allister, whose most, notable recent appearance was as the duke in " Monte Carlo," and Eugene Palette, a favourite with screen audiences.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Scintillating English dialogue and adroit situations abound in "French Leave/' the deliciously humorous war-time skit to open a season at the Tivoli Iheatro this,, evening. The predicament of a young man whose wife, having grown lonely, arrives at the front to meet him, and poses as «i French maid, has been used with amusing effect as the basis for an uproariously funny story. Tho fact that tho hapless husband dares not reveal tho true position for fear of the wrath of the colonel does nothing to add to his com- . posure.

RIALTO THEATRE. A delightful and lovable character is portrayed by tho noted English actor Mr. Cyril Maude in " Grumpy, the Paramount film to open a season at the Rialto Theatre this evening. He is seen, as an eccentric and hot tempered but kindhearted old.gentleman, a retired crime lawyer, who takes a prominent part in the solving of a mystery which threatens to wreck the happiness of a youthful romance. The story concerns the theft of a diamond from a wealthy country home.