ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20903, 19 June 1931, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMISS' THEATRE

An uncommonly talented of | players takes pan in " East Lynne, the Eox Films' version of Mrs. Henry \\ ood s immortal love dm ;na, to open a season at St. James' Their re to-day. It is a convincing piece ol drama. Ann Harding especially has won the ol clitics, 0110 ol whom says: " 'East Lynne' is a personal triumph for Ann Harding. In ' Holiday' she was the peisonification of :he guy, sophisticated modern girl; in 'East Lynne' she is the tragic, beautiful Lady ,lsobol Carlyle to her finger-ends. If possible she is even better than sho was in ' Holiday.' But there is not a tingle weakness lrom the top of the cast to the humblest extra. Clive Brook is die suave, almost brutal Captain Lcvisor to perfection; Conrad Nagel makes an appropriately smug puntan of Lord Cirlylo; Cecilia Loftus, a noted stage act: ess, gives a lively chai-acter-sketch of he harsh, righteous Loinelia; Beryl M< rcor is delightful as tho splendid old nirse, Joyce; and 0. P. Heggie acts ext: omely well in tho rolo of the shallow, self-centred Mount Severn. Tho story is not, perhaps, entirely tho 'East Lynne' <>f a thousand barnstorming companies, but alterations that have been made ha>'o vastly improved tho production. Tie framework is tho same, but some of Iho archaic corners have been remodelled, giving the outline of the plot a lest harsh contour than tho original."

MAJESTIC THEATRE

The activitie i of the " mystery" ships during tho war in their efforts to cope with the submarine menace are turned to exciting account as tho basis of an intensely gripping marine melodrama. " The Seas Beneath," to open a season at tho Majestic '.'heatre to-day. Seemingly powerless tramp steamers which, how ever, can at r, moment's notice bo converted into armoured ships of war aro seen nosing their way cautiously through tho night while experts skilfully manipulate instrumerts which locato the position of the "U" boats. The actual encounter between the two types of craft affords scope for some thrilling action and magnificent scenic effects. George O'Brien, who excels in roles demanding virile action, is a lively character as the commander o: tho " mystery ship. Marion Lessing, a gifted stage actress, makes a delightful heroine as a woman suspected of being a spy. Warren llymer, Mona Maris and William Collier, senr., are also in the cast. Created during the war to counteract the " menace, tf mystery ' ships, or Q ships, are officially credited with having sunk 11 of the 200 or so German submarines which succumbed to the Allied Fleet. " Mystery" ships varied from large 16.000-ton passenger liners to small schooners. Each, however, had a heavy armament of guns cleverly concealed in falso deck-houses or behind folding bulwarks.

CIVIC THEATRE

Artistically produced and preserving the entire musical score of the magnificent stage imccess, "New Moon" will open a season at the Civic Iheatro today. It is distinguished particularly by the singing of Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett, two New York Metropolitan Opera House artists who need little introduction to Auckland filmgoers, as thoy have both appeared on the screen formerly. Miss Moore will be remembered for her memorable peiformance in "Jenny Lind," not only for her wonderful voice, but for her gracious personality. Mr. Tibbett, the modern Robin Hooc. of the steppes in Iho Rogue Song," sinijs and acts with a robust vigour and vitality which make a definite appeal. Naturally the film version makes concessions to . the greater breadth of the movingpicture camera and swiftly moving outdoor sceies have been added to lend a sweep of i.etion to the story. Particularly notable are those of charging picturesque Russian horsemen. Little need be said of the entrancing musical score except that full justice is done to it by the gifted leading players The singing by Miss Moore and Mr. Tibbett of " Lover Come Back to I Me" is a musical gem.

LONDON THEATRE

The late Lon Chancy, regarded as the most accomplished actor of bizzare roles tiie screen lias produced, used veutiiioquism to lend further eceriness to his characterisation in " The Unholy Uiree, to open a return Auckland season at the London Theatre to-day. He appears as a sinister circus performer who, with a giant and a dwarf, form a queer brotherhood of crime The ventriloquist masquerades as an aged woman, the proprietress of a bii.d shop, the giant poses as her sor-in-law and the midget assumes the role of a babv. r J his ill-assorted tiio embark upon a career of crime as ingenious as it is unorthodox. An innocent vouth is made the unwitting accomplice of the gmg nnd his love for a certain girl arouses the intense hatred 01 tno master ciiininal.

STRAND THEATRE. All tlui stirring adventures of tho defiant "Don Juan" who ,ruled the lawless Western States of America with reckless daring live anew in "Billy the Kit!,' an exhilarating adventure-romance to open a season at the Strand 'theatre to-day. John Mack Brown, last seen as the angular cowboy with Joan Crawford in ' Montana Moon," ?ives a stimulating performance in the leading role. Ho has every gesture and modulation of voice for the part of the picturesque bandit who at tho age of twenty-one was regarded as "the most dangerous man of the west" in the turbulent 'eighties. There is a competent cast of supporting players. Wallace Beery, of "Mill and Bill." appears as the sherriff, and Kay Johnson is a charming heroine.

PLAZA THEATRE. "Bachelor Apartments" is the title r>f nn aniusing <it)< 1 sophisticated comedydratu.'i which opens a season at, tlm Plaza Theatre to-day. Lowell Sherman, polished and urbane actor of a long list of cessful films including "He Knew Women," is at his best as a debonair manabout tewn, who forever is emieavounng to escape the toils of four designing women. The four chorus girls are portrayed by Irene Dunne, who gave such a distinctive performance as Sabra Cravat in "f'iirarron"; Mae Murray, of "Peacock Alley"; Kitty Kelly and Noel Francis. The marine' in which the suave man-ol-fashion finally eludes them all only to stumble upon a fresh series of disconcert - infr situation- is a source of continual merriment.' J here is a varied supporting programme

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Just, Imagine," an impression• of life 50 years from now. and "The Santa I'e Trail," in which Richard Arlen appears, comprise the main films to be screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Cimarron," the stupendous film version ol the famous Edna Ferbcr novel, will head the programme at the Empress Theatns to-day.

EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Part-time Wife," a golf comedy, and "Fighting Caravans," in which Gary Coopei and Lily Damita appear, are the two' main films to be screened at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. The portrayal of a disillusioned operatic principal given by Greta Garbo in "Ronnnce, to be shown again at the Lyric Theatre this evening, is as glamorous as lier "Anna Christie" was drab. Thero is also a "Dogvillo" comedy.

REGENT THEATRE. Tho i accomplished Aldwych Iheatre actor Ralph Lynn, in "Tons of Money, tho new picture at the Regent Iheatre, is seen in four distinctly different comic characterisations and the film is even more hilariously funny than " Rookery Nook," "On Approval," ' Canaries Sometimes Sing" or "Plunder.' Still funnier than ho was as the timid husband in " Rookery Nook" or in the part of tho timorous and inconsequent 1) Arcy Tuck in " Plunder," Mr. Lynn is seen first as an unscrupulous Englishman who hits upon a scheme of masquerade to gain possession of the estate of a deptiitec relative. In pursuance of his plan he assumes tho guiso of a gauche Mexican planter, complete with sombrero and cigar. When this fails ho pose? as an unoffending cletgyman. His next role is that of a "wandering" minstrel; and when all elso is unavailing lie becomes himself once more, feigning acute loss of memory. Mary Brough and Yvonne Arnaud arc also in the cast.

NATIONAL THEATRE

"The Last Hour," an engrossing English melodrama, and "Tho Gang Bustei, in which Jack Oakie has a characteristic rolo in a thrilling melodramatic farce, are the two main films on tho programme to commence a season at the National Theatre to-day. The fust concerns the rivalry between enemy forces to gain possession of the plans for tho death lay, a machine capable of destroying even the most powerful aircraft. 'I ho competent cast of polished English artists includes Stewart Rome, Richard Cooper and Kathleen Vaughan. Comedv and dramatic suspense have .been bleiioecl with particular effect in "Tho Gang Buster." Besides Jack Oakie, tho cast includes William Boyd, in a semi-villainous rolo, and Jean Arthur, of "Young Eagles."

TIVOLI AND RI ALTO THEATRES. Weird scenic effects add io the ecritiess of "The Oat Creeps," tho gripping melodrama which continues to attract audiences to the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. Helen Twelvetrees gives a restrained portrayal in the leading rolo and there is a talented supporting cast. The entire story is set within tho gloomy walls of a deserted mansion, unoccupied for 20 years, to which tho six possiblo heirs to tho immense fortune left by an eccentric old man are summoned for the reading of the will. Tho entire estate is bequeathed to a young woman (Helen Twelvetrees) with the proviso that if she is found to he of unsound mind a second sealed envelope is to be opened. There follows a night of terrifying events, culminating in the mysterious murder of one of tho guests. COMMUNITY SINGING. Community singing is definitely increasing in popularity if recent gatherings are any indication. Young people will be especially welcomo at this evening s meeting in the Lewis Eady Hall. For the past three Fridays there has not been a vacant seat in the hall.