ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20880, 23 May 1931, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. A husband who was 60 sure of his wife's affection for him that he was prepared to bet 011 it, and an attractive young man who was only too anxious to prove him wrong, are the leading characters in ''Don't Bet On Women," which was presented before a large audience at the Civic Theatre last evening. Edmund Lowe is cast as the young man, and he plays the part in his usual finished style while Roland Young is an admirably trusting husband. The lady in the case is Miss Jeanette Mac Donald, who is n.> less charming than in her many previous successful films. It is a pity that there is no opportunity for Miss Mac Donald to sing, as her beautiful voice is a rare treat for picturegoers, but her skilful acting in a role which calls for subtle inflections and swift changes of mood, more than compensates for the deficiency. The slory opens with a recital of the difficulties of Roger Fallon, a young man who decides to leave on a protracted yachting cruise to the West Indies to escape the unwelcome attentions of his divorced wife. He consults a solicitor, Herbert Drake, in connection with the settlement of an allowance upon his former wife, and is amused at the lawyer's serious notions concerning the secrets of domestic happiness. Fallon is frankly sceptical of the merits of all women, and arouses the anger of Drake, who imagines himself to understand his wife completely. The argument results in Drake laying a wager ! that Fallon cannot kiss the first woman the pair encounter, but affairs assume a. more serious aspect when chance makes Mrs. Drake the object of the wager. The two men decide to call the bet off under the circumstances, but Mrs. Drake hears of it, and decides to teach her husband a i lesson. The plot moves swiftly from this point, and Mrs. Drake finds herself out of her depth, but an unexpectedly sporting aspect of Fallon's nature asserts it- > self, and saves an unpleasant situation, i The dialoguo is particularly clever, and ] the whole film is rich in quiet humour, j The supporting programme is one of the I most enjoyable presented in Auckland for j some time. Signor Costantini and his Puccini Choir appeared in a series of wellknown excerpts from grand opera, which were presented in very pleasing style. The item was particularly well staged, the singers appearing in appropriate costume and entering into tho spirit of the scenes chosen. Choir numbers were the "Pilgrims' Chorus" from "E Lombardi," and a selection from "La Forza Del Destino," while the solos included the popular drinking song, "Brindisi," from "Cavalleria Rusticana," and the "Toreador Song" from "Carmen." Tho final number, one particularly well chosen to please the audience, was the famous quartette from "Rigoletto." The soloists were Miss D. Jenkins, soprano; Miss H. Rosieur, mezzo-soprano; Air. G. Fagan tenor; and Signor Costantini, as the ban tone Rigoletto himself. The shorter pictures included another of the travel-talk series, dealing with Peking, a sound cartoon, and the Fox Movietone News At the grand organ Mr. Howard Moody plaved a medley of well-known drinking songs, to complete a most enjoyable programme. PLAZA THEATRE. Exceptionally good photography assists to make "Beau Ideal," which is continuing a successful season at the Plaza Theatre, splendid entertainment. Herbert Brenon has directed the picture in order to emphasise the drama attending tho hazardous life of the French foreign Legion. Ralph Forbes plays convincingly as John Gesto, who is brought safely from the rigours of a penal batallion by tho sacrifice of Otis Madison, a part splendidly played by Lester Vail. George Rigas, Loretta Young and Irene Rich are other important players. The long-awaited film version of Edna Ferber's intensely human story, " Cimarron." will bo screened at the Plaza, shortly. The pioduction emphasises the achievements of colonisation in the American West. The story is crammed with action, and there are many fino characterisations. Richard Dix has tho forceful part of Yancey Cravat, and others in a cast of 30 important artists are Irene Dunne, as Sabra Cravat, Estclle Taylor, as Dixie Lee. William Collier, jun., as the "Kid.' Stanley Fields, as Lon Yountis, George Stone," as Sol Levy, and Eugene Jackson, as Isaiah. "Cimarron" has been popularly received in other countries, and is said to be a vivid record of the adventuring days in America. It is a triumph for Dix, who acts an entirely new role with marked success. The story reveals all human emotions, good and evil. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. At St. James' Theatre, the British comedy "The Middle Watch is continuing its popular season. Owen Nares, prominent for his acting on the London stage, and Jack Raine have important parts. They appear as harassed naval officers who endeavour to conceal from a stern admiral the unwitting presence on board a cruiser of two young women. Jacqueline Logan and Dodo Watts act as tho young women. "The Middle Watch was directed by Norman Walker, and the quality of the production typifies the progress achieved in tho British film industry. Lan Hay and Stephen KingHall wrote the story. There is a good supporting programme. LYRIC THEATRE. Two full-length films will bo screened this evening at the Lyric Theatre. "Good News." with Bessio Love, Mary Lawler and Cliff Edwards, is a bright comedy with scenes in technicolour. The other picture is "Du Barry, Woman of Pasj sion," with Norma Talmadge, Conrad Nagel and William Farnum in the leading roles. At the afternoon session, "Good News" and a selected supporting programme will bo shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Tho Big Trail," a pioneering epic of the settlement of the Middle West of America over a century ago, will head the double-feature programme to lie shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre this ! evening. Il is a memorablo screen i achievement. The second picture, Fcsti and Loose," is a striking draina of modj crn social life. At a matinee perform- | anee this afternoon children will be ; catered for. CAPITOL THEATRE. "Balaclava." the fino English produc- : tion which heads the double-feature pro--1 gramme to be shown at the Capitol i Theatre to-day, recounts vividly incidents from the Crimean campaign, notably the famous Charge of tho Light Brigade. Hie second film is "Half Marriage." EMPRESS THEATRE. The two full-length pictures to be screened at the Empress Theatre to-day comprise " Fighting Caravans, ' with Gary Cooper, and " After the Fog," a lighthouse drama. PICTUREDROME THEATRE. Jeanette Mac Donald is the leading lady in " Let's Go Native." the original farce to be shown at the Picturedrome Theatre to-day. PARNELL TALKIES. "Show of Shows," a spectacular revue, will bo shown at the Parnell Talkies today. A DELPHI THEATRE. "Dixiann." the mail, film to be screened at the Adelphi Tl<eatie\to-dav, is a lavish musical romance in which Bcbc Daniels appears.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Any picture with Marie Dressier or Polly Moran in the cast can be depended upon to provide bright comedy. Associated, as tho two are in "Reducing," which commenced a season at the .Majestic Theatre last evening, they are responsible for one of the most amusing pictures imaginable. Both players are genuinely funny, but it is when they apyear together that they are at their best, and they are at their best in "Reducing." The story is an excellent one for their purpose, for they depend largely upon their antics for their success. No place could provide better scope than a reducing parlour, and it is here that most of tho comedy is enacted. The two principals appear as sisters, one, Polly Moran, the successful proprietress of a reducing parlour in New !t*ork, and the other, Marie Dressier, the wife of a humble mail carrier in a small town. The fun begins when the country relations are invited to come and live in New York, where Mario is to bo given a position as an attendant in the reducing parlour. The family's experiences in csldling the train and the countless amusing situations are among the brightest moments of the picture. Troubles arise from the very start and they come in quick succession. Marie's first introduction to the reducing parlour is hardly a success and her mishandling of t lie many anpliances in the reducing process afford the brightest of comedy. Her blundering manipulations involve her sister in considerable expense and no little inconvenience. The sisters' differences all end happily, but the underlying drama, which eventually leads to their estrangement is provided by the growth of jealousy between their two daughters, both of whom receive attentions from a young millionaire. The mothers become involved in tho trouble, each as the champion of her daughter. Reconciliation comes only after many amusing incidents and others of a more dramatic nature. It, is Marie Dressier who restores harmony and in no indefinite way, and in doing so she is as funny as ever and allows no situation j to become over dramatic. As usual, she dis- ! plays her ability for combining comedy I with remarkable character acting. There I is an excellent supporting cast, which inI eludes Anita Page, Buster Collier, LuI cien Littlefield and Sally Eilers. Ih.e j programme includes an interesting Pathe ! gazette and a Hearst Metrotome newsreel, ; a most amusing rartoo*n, "The Village Smithy," and an "Our Gang" comedy. STRAND THEATRE. Two leading artists whoso names are invariably associated with pleasing screen entertainments, Miss Janet Gaynor and Air. Charles Farrell, are seen in "Tho Man Who Came Back," which has been transferred to the Strand Theatre for a continuation of its Auckland season. Tho charming manner, which is the secret of the popularity of each, has not been effaced in this production, and the two screen lovers appear as of old in parts of the film, but in other scenes they reveal now aspects of their skill. As tho irresponsible son of a very wealthy man, Mr. Farrell is extremely successful, and Miss Gaynor is equally pleasing as tho girl who realised his shortcomings and determined to help him regain his control and self-respect. The story deals with a young man, accustomed to having his lightest whim indulged by his father, who suddenly finds himself bereft of all his advantages and forced to make a name for himself. He takes the line of least resistance and drifts eastward, finally becoming a derelict in Shanghai. His sweetheart follows him and after many vain efforts restores the youth to his former level, but in doing so herself becomes a social outcast. Together they find new confidence and gradually win their way back. Although many of tho scenes are extremely dramatic, nowhere has the director overdone this aspect and a judicious mingling of light and shada gives the film a distinctly human and living touch. The comprehensive supporting programme includes a Mack ) S e p* nett comedy, "Honeymoon Zeppelin,", in which Nick Stuart and Marjorie Beebe, with a splendid cast of comedians, provide a-quartpr of an hour's bright entertainment by their amazing antics on a Zeppelin in the air. A series of interesting glimpses of native life in Siam, Indo-China and Korea are depicted in a travelogue, while the latest issue of tho Fox Movietone News completes the excellent bill. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. " Plunder," the second of Ben Travel's' works to reach the talking screen, will continue its season at tho Tivoli and I Rialto Theatres to-day. A reappearance ; together of the engaging English artists who mode 11 Rookery Nook such a delight is most welcome. The rollicking tale of justifiable burglary moves a merry pace from the first scene, in which Freddy Malone, a suave society thief, played by Tom Walls, takes the guileless D'Arcy tuck (Ralph Lynn) into partner- , ship with him to relieve the scheming Airs. Hewlett (Miss Marv Brough) of her , ill-gotten gains. The fact that the vic- | tim of the artful Mrs. Hewlett, is Tuck's fiancee, charmingly interpreted by Miss , Winifred Shotter, settles any qualms he might otherwise have had at suddenly embarking upon a career of crime. ; LONDON THEATRE, i One of the most amusing of tho several . Aldwych Theatre farces to be transferred [ to the screen, "Rookery Nook," is continuing a successful season at the London Theatre. It was the first English farce to bring before Auckland film-goers the talent of Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Winifred Shotter and Mary Brough, and a return season of the picture in Auckland is most welcome. Tho plot hinges on the chivalrous action of two young men who accommodate a truant daughter of an irate stepfather at a country cottage. The arrival of the wife of one of them precipitates an embarrassing situation. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Hook, Line and Sinker." a riotously funny comedy, in which Bert. Wheeler and Robert Woolsey appear, and the Princess and tho. Plumber," will be shown at the Epsom Regent Theatre to-day. - PAPAKURA PARAGON. ; "French Leave," an English farce, and 1 "Lawful Larceny," with Belie Daniels, ' constitute an excellent programme at the Papakura Paragon Theatre this evening. \ On Friday the" film will be "Such Men Arc Dangerous." PAPAKURA STAR THEATRE. An African drama, "Mamba," and the hilarious comedy "Animal Crackers," with the four Marx brothers, comprise the double-feature programme at tho Papakura Star Theatre this evening. On Monday "Disraeli" will -be shown. EMPIRE THEATRE. "Girl of the Golden West" and "Wed- ! ding Rings" are tho main films on the programme at the Empire Theatre to-day. TUDOR THEATRE. "The Lady of Scandal" and "Enter Sir John" will be shown at the Tudor Theatre this evening. 1 ONEHUNGA STRAND THEATRE. Ramon Novarro oppcars in "Call of the Flesh." to be shown at the Onehunga Strand Theatre to-day. COMMUNITY SINGING. The popular community singing gatherings will be continued 011 Wednesday in the Town Hall during the luncheon hour. Mr. Leu Barnes, of IYA, will be the songleader, and Mrs Barrington Snow the accompanist. The gatherings increase in ( popularity each week.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An event of considerable importance in Auckland theatrical circles will be the presentation of St. John Ervine s brilliant comedy, "The First Mrs. Fraser, commencing at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, Juno 3. A strong company, headed by Miss Ethel Morrison, will arrive here 011 June 1, and will undertake a tour of New Zealand, under the J. C. Williamson mangement, presenting a repertory of three plays, "Ihe First Mrs. Fraser," Us I3e Gay, and "Hay Fever." St. John Ervine's play, which was hailed by the critics as one of his finest dramatic works, was first presented with Miss Marie Tempest .11 the leading role, at the Haymarket Theatre, London, in July, 1929, and it ran continuously until its withdrawal this year. In reviewing tho play, the limes stated: "Mr. Ervine has written a comedy of genuine substance, firmly rooted in character from which humour and feeling spring with natural ease, and decorated with a wit, never forced and never ugly, that continually sends laughter rippling through the attentive silences of the house." With masterly handling tho part of Janet Fraser stands out as one of the great things in English drama. Miss Ethel Morrison plays the title role with great success, > and she is ably supported bv .T. B. Rowe as James Fraser and Miss Mary McGregor as the second Mrs. Fraser. Others in the cast are Noel Boyd, Leslie Victor, John Wood, Roger Barry and Eileen Morris. Booking arrangements are advertised. REGENT THEATRE. "City Lights," which is being screened beforo large audiences at the Regent Theatre, lias concluded two remarkably successful weeks in Auckland. Its season will end next Thursday. Tiie production is recognised as revealing the artistry of Charles Chaplin to the greatest advantage. The comedian appears in his famous characterisation of a tramp who is bewildered by the difficulties of life in the poor quarter of a city. There are many amusing episodes, but the sense of pathos which Chaplin contrives to sustain in all his film work is always conveyed successfully. Harry Myers, the well-known comedian of the silent screen, is convincing as an eccentric millionaire who is interested in philanthropy. There is a third prominent player, Virginia CherriU, a newcomer to the screen, who takes the part of a blind flower girl befriended by Chaplin. "City Lights" is not a talking picture, but it is synchronised with music, most of it created by Chaplin himself, and there aro amusing sound effects. NATIONAL THEATRE. "Hell's Angels" enjoyed a successful opening of its return season in Auckland at the National Theatre yesterday. A notable cast acts in this thrilling and distinctive drama of aerial combat during the Great War. James Hall, Ben Lyon and Lucien Prival have parts calling for a fine sense of drama, and Jean Harlow is happily cast in tho principal feminine role. While there is an interesting romantic theme, the exciting war scenes alone are sufficient to make "Hell's Angels" absorbing entertainment. Howard Hughes, who produced the picture, is stated to have spent £BOO,OOO and employed 20,000 players and technicians in an endeavour to obtain stark realism. Squadrons of aircraft appear in remarkable manoeuvres, and tho scenes of actual conflict are gripping in the extreme. There is a particularly exciting Zeppelin scene. Many of the aviators taking part in this film saw active service in France. The supporting programme is very interesting. MUNICIPAL BAND. A fine Empire Day programme will be given at the Town Hall to-morrow evening by the Auckland Municipal Band. It will include English, Scottish and Irish selections and works by some of England's greatest composers, Elgar, Sullivan and Wallace, as well as cornet and flute solos. The band will also play at the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2.45. ORGAN RECITAL. The items to be presented by the city organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett, at the organ recital in the Town Hall to-morrow afternoon will include works by Purcell, Sullivan, Bach, Hollins, Coleridge-Taylor and a number composed by Mr. Barnett. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. The first concert of 'the season of the Royal Auckland Choir will be given at the Town Hall on Thursday. A number of talented artists will take part, including Miss Molly Atkinson, Mr. Len. Barnes and the Savage Club Quartette. An attractive programme has been arranged. The choir's concerts are always eagerly awaited and this one should be 110 exception. BENEFIT ENTERTAINMENTS. Another entertainment consisting of moving pictures, musical numbers and other items, will be given in the Civic Theatre to-morrow evening under tho auspices of the Auckland Philosophical Society. Tho film programme will include talking newsreels, a comedy, and "Four Feathers," in which William Powell, Richard Arlen, Clive Brook and Noah Beery appear. It is from a vivid story of African wild life. Mr. T. B. Slipper will give an address entitled, ' The Truth About Samoa." Items to be given by Gordon Cole's Wintergarden Band will include "You're Simply Delish," "Sweet Jennie Lee" and "Pat on the Back. At the Rialto Theatre to-morrow evening, the United Artists film "Evangeline" ] will be the chief picture on the programme. There will be a varied selecI tion of shorter films. Proceeds are in aid of local charities.