ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE

Dramatic acting of the highest order distingu slies tho Universal Pictures' film version ■>f Count Leo Tolstoy's immortal drama <f life, "Resurrection," which is assured treat success at the Civic Theatre. It has tllowed scope for Mr. Edwin Carewe, the director, to introduce some beautifu. and magnificent settings of the frozen wastes of Siberia as well as the indolent luxury which surrounded the Russian aristocracy of the period. No more talented actress than Miss Lupe Velez could hive been chosen for tho part of Katushii, the peasant girl, who, disillusioned by the indifferent Prince Dimitri, loses 1h r grip on life. Then conies tho realisation on the part of tho irresponsible noblenn.il (John Boles)' that ho has been respons bio for the woman's degradation. When bis plea for mercy for the girl, facing a charge of murder before a jury, of which te is a member, fails, he follows her into the depths of Siberia in an effort to seek ' her forgiveness. The supporting films include "The Romance of Radio," depicting (lie marvel's of wireless, and ..a wrestlii g bout. Mi. Howard Moody gives a delightful interpretation on the organ of "The Seasons." PLAZA THEATRE. A convincing piece of drama has been brought to tie screen in "The Criminal Code," now at the Plaza Theatre. It is notable for the .splendid performance given by Walter Huston, the eminent characier actor, in the part of a relentless prosecuting district attorney, who is later made warden of the prison in which tlie majority of tho prisoners * are men i; has been his duty to convict. Although lie is the dominant character, a magnificent portrayal is also contributed by lips Holmes, who makes the most of the part of a steadfast country youth who, by his chivalrous protection of a city girl against tho abusiveness of an inebriated man, is sent tft prison on a charge of manslaughter. The plot traces his transformation from a vigorous youth to a disconsolate and embittered man without hope and then his final regeneration by tho leve and, faith of the daughter of the piison warden. LONDON THEATRE. The appreciation which Auckland filmgoers have for the superior type of musical pi ;ture filmed in technicolour is proved by tie enthusiasm with which "Chasing Lainbows" is being received at tho London Theatre. Dealing with the joys and sorrows of theatrical lifo, tho slight, but entertaining story is a series of connected sketches of infinite variety. Among tho talented artists in tho principal roles aro such accomplished players as Marie Dressier, Polly Moran, Charles King and Bessie Love. NATIONAL THEATRE. None of the power of the story of an adolescent youth by Joseph Ilergeshcimer has been lost in the talking film version of "Tol'able David," now at the National Theatre. It promises to bo as great a success as was tho silent picture with Richard Barthelmess in tho leading role. Richard Cromwell is just tho type of actor for the part of tho boy who is transformed into a purposeful man overnight by tragedy, and Miss Joan»Peers makes a delightful heroine. Noah Beery appears as a villain. * 9 STRAND THEATRE. Elsio Ferguson, Marian Nixon, Grant Withers and John Halliday are the principal. players in "Scarlet Pages," the drama of a mother's neglect of her child and subsequent repentance, which is one of tho two full-length pictures now being shown at the Strand Theatre. Particuhrly notable are dramatic courtroom scenes, in which a young woman is charged with murder. The second film is "Oh Sailer, Behave," an hilarious comedy. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The efforts of a youilg married woman to escape the shadow of a questionable ' past; form the theme of "Once A Sinner,' whbli should enjoy a successful season at the Majestic Theatre. As the woman whose future happiness is threatened by a former indiscretion, Miss Dorothy Mackail is called upon to portray a'more difficult role than she had in "Tho Flirting Widow," or, more recently, "The Office Wife." Joel McGrea, the youthful actor of "Lightnin'," gives liifj usual engaging characterisation as the idealistic husband. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. An intensely dramatic role is superbly acted by Miss Joan Crawford in "Within the Law," tho vivid story of a woman imprisoned by a travesty of justice, at St. James' Theatre. She invests the part of Mary Turner with a sincerity and depth of feeling which make her a living character. In an unforgettable courtroom scene she denounces the duplicity of her employer, who has seemed her false conviction on a charge, of theft, and in an impassioned speech swears to square accounts with him. I lie working out of her plan is the main theme of the plot. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The United Artists' production "Hell's Angels" is meeting with an enthusiastic reception at the r J ivoli and Ivialto Theatres. From the opening scenes tho interest of tlie audience is held by tho many realistic pictures of aerial battles and by the successful manner in which tho spirit of adventure with which the voting airmen faced death during the war lij.s been captured. Ihe picture, besides describing exciting encounters between swooping squadrons of aeroplanes, also gives vivid impressions of Zeppelin raids on London. In addition to the many "trick" fliers, who perform every manner of aerial feat, there is a talented cast, which includes Jean Harlow, James Hall and Ben Lyon. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A special attraction "on the programme commencing at tho Prince Ldwaid Theatre to-morrow evening will be a concert partv of nine Sanioan performers. They will sing typical lurtive melodies and present several Sanioan dances, which aie notable for perfection of rhythm. '1 lie film will be "The Romantic Vagabond," in which Reginald Denny is at his best. This evening "Passion Flower" and " Shooting Straight" will be shown. CRYSTAL I'ALACE THEATRE. Leslie Henson. accomplished English c.linedian, is at bis best in A Warm Corner," which is one of the two fulllength pictures to be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The second film is " The Rampant Age," a modern drama. EMPRESS THEATRE. Richard Arleri is the leading player in 'The Santa Fe Trail," the film version of " Spanish Acres," to be shown at the Empress Theatre to-day with " The Ramj:ant Age." LYRIC THEATRE. " Let's Go Native," which heads the programme at the Lyric Theatre this evening, is an original musical farce, in which Miss Jeanette Mac Donald appears. "She's My Weakness" is a second film. CAPITOL THEATRE. "Canaries Sometimes Sing," with Torn Walls, and Zane Grey's "Last of tho Duanes" will be shown at the Capitol Theatre this evening.

REGENT THEATRE. The phenomenal rise of the picturesque American President "from log cabin to White House" is graphically told in the United Artists' production "Abraham Lincoln," which has opened a season at the Regent Theatre. Just as Mr. D. \V. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" and ''Way Down East" were classics of the silent cinema, so the pioneer director's latest talking picture is regarded by many critics as an epic. Although great care"lias been taken to secure an accuracy of detail, the story is more a vivid drama of the joys and sorrows in the man's life than a bald recital of historical fact. " MOROCCO " FOR REGENT. . "Morocco," the picturesque film of the French Foreign Legion, which introduces the. noted German actress Marlene Dietrich to the talking screen, will replace "Abraham Lincoln" at the Regent Theatre next Friday. An artist of radiant beauty and undoubted dramatic ability, Miss Dietrich brings to her characterisation the same poise and detachment which has made Miss Greta Garbo, the Swedish actress, a traditional figure on the screen. r ihc other important playeis in "Morocco" are Gary Cooper and Adolphe Menjou. EL'SOM REGENT THEATRE. " Call of the Flesh," to head the programme at tlio Epsom Regent lheatre this evening, is an artistic film with Ramon Novairo as the leading artist. " A Warm Corner," an English farce, will also bo screened.