ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. After a successful extended season " Within the Law " will be shown at St. James' Theatra for tho last timo to-mor-row evening. It is a convincing piece of drama. A part, from the tense nature of the plot it is distinguished particularly, by the excellence of tho acting of a cast of gifted artists, notably Joan Crawford. Sho brings to tho part of a young woman wrongfully imprisoned a sincerity and depth of feeling which make Mary Turner a living figure, who earns the sympathy of the audience from the outset. Other notable performers are Mario Prevost, as a precocious city girl, John Miljan, in tho part of a police official, Robert Armstrong and Tyrell Davis. FOX FILMS' " EAST LYNNE." Seldom has such a distinguished cast of accomplished players been assembled for ono picture as that to bo seen in " East Lvnne," the distinctive Fox Films' version of Mrs. Henry Woods' vivid drama, to open a season at St. James' Theatre on Friday. Ann Harding, the gifted emotional actress of " Condemned and " Holiday," is superb in the part of Lady Isobel Carlyle, the epitome of 'Victorian womanhood. Sho imparts to an exacting role -» dignily and restraint which entitle her to rank among tho most competent dramatic actresses of the screen. She is exceedingly fortunate in her supporting artists. Nd more polished actor than tho inimitable Clive Brook could have been chosen for Ihe part of tho debonair . Captain Levison, and Conrad Nagel is just the type of man for the part of the inconstant Lord Carlyle, whoso infatuation for a former lover causes much of the sorrow in Lady Isoliel's life. Others in the. cast are Beryl Mercer, the mother in " Common Clay," Cecilia Loft lis, a noted stago actress, 0. P. Heggie, tho character actor who was the reigning king in " Tho Vagabond King," and Ernest Torrcnce, the detective of " Raffles." REGENT THEATRE. " Morocco," the artistic romantic drama of the French Foreign Legion to have its final showing at the Regent Theatre tomorrow evening, has an elusive beauty which has, not been lost upon Auckland filmgoers. Introducing to the Auckland screen Marleno Dietrich," a beautiful German actress, and artistically produced bv Joseph von Sternberg, " Morocco " has a bizarre and picturesque quality which makes a definite appeal. Gary Cooper, as a reckless legionary, and Adolphe Menjou, fin tho part of his wealthy rival for tho love of an aloof cabaret entertainer, have th 9 chief supporting roles.

" TONS OF MONEY." So popular have been tho Aldwych Theatre farces already shown in Auckland —" Rookery Nook," "On Approval," " Canarios Sometimes Sing " and " Plunder"—that Auckland filmgoers ore eagerly awaiting "Tons of Money," the latest London success. It will succeed "Morrcco" at the Regent Theatre on Friday. I'roduced by the noted actor-director Tom Walls,' who also acted in the previous v films, "Tons of Money " shows Ralph Lynn at his best in a rollicking story of a wealthy West Indian planter who assumes the guise of an unassuming parson in England and becomes inveigled into a scheme of burglary. Mr. Lynn is supported by Mary Brough, the fussy and .self-righteous housekeeper of " Rookery Nook and "On Approval," and Yvonne Arnaud, the caustic widow of "On Approval." NATIONAL THEATRE. There is an indefinable chann about I " Follow Thru'." tho musical j comedy now at the National Theatre. | The film will close its season to-morrow j evening. Engaging interpretations are | given by Charles Rogers and Nancy Car- ! roll, tlie appealing lovers of " Close Har- ! inonv," in an entertaining story with an ! entrancing musical score. The supporting l east includes a number of artists who j took part in the highly successful stage [ production. The songs comprise " But- ! ton Up Your Overcoat." " A Peach of a Pair " and others. The fact that the picture, is filmed entirely in technicolour adds to its appeal. STRAND THEATRE.

"Not Exactly Gentlemen," the unusual outdoor comedy adventure-romance which is ■to conclude its season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow evening, is a stimulating narrative set against the magnificent prairie country of the Western States of America. Victor McLaglen, Lew Cody and Eddie Gribbon portray three rascally adventurers who form a a ill-assorted trio who unite to take part in tho Dakota land. rush. This particular scene is filmed on a stupendous scale and is a remarkablo piece of camera work. PLAZA THEATRE. Drama, is raised to a high level in "Millie," the tragedy of a woman's life which continues to appeal to large audiences at the Plaza Theatre. It shows Helen Twelvetrees, the gifted actress of "Heir-Man" and "Tho Cat Creeps," in an exacting role, but she gives an c.x trerrely convincing portrayal. She appears as a. woman who after two unsuccessful marriages renounces all men. The remainder of the story, deals with her efforts to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy of her own life in that of her daughter, who becomes infatuated with a wealthy man-about-town. LYRIC THEATRE. "Romance," with Greta Garbo supported by a cast of important players, begins a seasion of three nights at the Lyric Theatre this evening. There is a particularly interesting story in this Metro-Gddwyn-Mayer production, and Miss Garbo has one of her best roles. A Dogvill.e comedy, "All Quiet on the Canine Front," will also be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. ; " Fighting Caravans," with Gary Cooper arid Lily Damita, and " Forward March," with Blister Keaton, will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. Richard Dix, Irene Dunne and Estpllo Taylor are important players in the film version of Edna Ferber's story, " Cimarron," which will be shown at the Empress Theatre this evening. NEW REGENT AND ALEXANDRA THEATRES. Marion Nixon, Neil Hamilton and Norman Kerry are in "Ex-flame," a modernised version of the story, " East Lynne," vrhich will bo screened with." The Rampant Age," with James Murray, at the New Regent and Alexandra Theatres this evening. CAPITOL THEATRE. Leslie Ilenson, tho well-known English comedian, heads the cast in "A Warm Corner," which is being screened at the Capitol Theatre. COMMUNITY SINGING.

An exceptionally attractive programme has been prepared for the community singing gathering to be held in the Town Hall from 12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. today. The well-known New Zealand actress Miss Ethel Morrison, and two other members of the J. C. Williamson comedy company, Miss Mary MacGregor and Mr. Roger Barry, will appear. Mr. Alan McElwain will give humorous items and the song leader will bo Mr. M. Guthrie. Mrs. Barrington Sno\y will bo the accompanist.

CIVIC THEATRE. The buoyant air of high spirits which characterises the entire film is ono of the most appealing features of "Sunny," in which Marilyn Miller, tho charming leading actress of "Sally," has been delighting large audiences at the Civic Theatre during the week. The picture will close its season to-morrow evening. Miss Miller is still the same engaging personality and whimsical character she was in "Sally," appearing this time as a dancer with an itinerant circus troupe who is inadvertently detained on a liner which has left England for America. Tho magnificent settings on board the ocean steamer afford a lavish background for tho greater portion of the deliciouslyhumorous story. "NEW MOON." Auckland filmgoers need little reminder of the remarkable singing talent, of either Gracei Mooro or Lawrence Tibbett, who appear on ihe screen together for the first time in "New Moon," the musical romance to follow "Sunny" at tho Civic Theatre on Friday. Miss Mooro won world-wide acclaim for her persuasive porformanco in "Jenny Lind' and Tibbett will bo remembered for his rousing singing as a modern Robin Hood of the steppes in "The Roguo Song." Adolpho Menjou, of "Morocco" and "Men Call It, Love," and Roland Young, tho English actor of "Don't Ret on Women," have tho chief supporting roles. MAJESTIC THEATRE. . Sophisticated comedy-drama is presented in its most entertaining form in "Men Call It Love," to havo its final showing at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow evening. Tho three central characters are portrayed by Leila Ilyanis, as a young woman moving among a "smart set" who strives valiantly to retain her ideals of life in spite of her environment; Norman Foster, as her misunderstood husband; and Adolphe Menjou, in the part of a debonair bachelor whoso finer instincts prevent him from coming bt> tween the young couple. Tho new programme on Friday will be headed by "Tho Seas Beneath," an engrossing marine melodrama depicting the operations of the "mystery ships" during the war. Vessels which ono moment are innocuous-looking trawlers and tho next, are menacing ships of war havo been faithfully reconstructed by tho producers to convey successfully an atmosphere of realism. Tho manner in which the "mystery ships" come into conflict with deadly submarines which it is their aim to destroy provides some of the most intensely thrilling marine scenes yot depicted on the talking screen. The chief players aro George O'Brien, Warren Ilymer and Marion Lessing.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES

The talking picture version of tho famous play, -"Charley's Auutj" will be screened at the Tivoli and Riulto Theatres to-day. Charles Ruggles, who is veil known for his performances in a number of productions, has the title role, and heproves liia versatility to a marked degree. Tho story is centred in an English university town, and concerns the complications attending the ill-considered effort of two students who represent Ruggles as a wealthy aunt. There is ample action an'd the fiim is a highly entertaining comedy. Tho supporting programmes chosen.

TRAINING COLLEGE CONCERT. Students of the Auckland Training College will appear in perfoi-mances to be given in tho University College Hall tomorrow evening and on Friday evening. "On tho Bag," C. H. Box's one-act piny of New Zealand life, and "Cleopatra," J. W. Brigliam's burlesque on college life, will be staged.