ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20969, 4 September 1931, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

RALPH LYNN AT THE REGENT. Ralph Lynn's comic genius was never more apparent than in "The Chance of a Night-time," Travers'. speciallywritten photoplay, which is assured of great success at the Regent Theatre. As an inconsequent and rather self-conscious solicitor who, by a curious train of circumstances, is forced to impersonate the absent partner of a pretty dancer (Winifred .Shotter) at a country house party, Mr. Lynn dominates the fun with his humorous inspiration and brilliant invention. The English critic Michael Orme says: "To see 'The Chance of a Nighttime' is a truly refreshing experience, and moreover, a revelation of Mr. Lynn's complete command of cinematic material; for both his part and the whole picture have a pace, a variety, a value of sheer movement not inherent in the mere adaptations of stage farces, such as 'Rookery Nook,' however funny they may be. The ensemble is smooth; even the minor characters are delightfully sketched in. Winifred Shotter, graceful and appealing as the charming, dimpling dancer with whom he pairs off; Kenneth Kove, in his customary pose of complete vapidity; and Sunday Wilshin, as the blonde beauty who scornfully betrays the amateur Nijinsky, do admirable work. But the picture is essentially Ralph Lynn's, and he carries it to triumph." MAJESTIC THEATRE. The subtly-humorous English actor Seymour Hicks has a role which suits his particular accomplishments to perfection in his own adaptation from the French of Louis Verneuil's delicious farce "The Love Habit," which should prove popular at the Majestic Theatre. It will commence a season to-day. Even more adroit than he was in a somewhat similar comedy, "Sleeping Partners," shown in Auckland some time ago, Mr. Hicks is thoroughly engaging as an ardent wooer, whose ingenuity is severely taxed to overcome the "pretty girl's" fancied affection for her philandering and inconstant husband. Margot Grahame, who had a leading part in Fay Compton's recent "Uneasy Virtue," is the perfect choice for the part of the heroine, and Edmund Breon, the awkward bachelor of "On Approval" and the easy-going husband in "Uneasy Virtue," is just the type of actor for the erring husband. Another wholly appealing player is Ursula Jeans, who appeared in a prominent role in the London stage presentations of "The First Mrs. Fraser" and "The Fanatics," in the part of a capricious young woman who is not in the least perturbed by the fact that her luxurious flat is sandwiched between suites occupied by an archbishop on the one hand and a canon on the other. PLAZA THEATRE. 4 All the artistic resources of the audible screen have been availed of to produce " The Love Waltz," the wonderful Viennese musical screen romance which may be seen at the Plaza Theatre to-day. With John Batten, the young Auckland actor who has won fame both in Germany and at Elstree, and Lilian Harvey, a dainty English actress, in the leading romantic roles, it has been produced with an eya to originality by Erich Pommer, an individualistic German director. Writing of wha4 he calls a " refreshing and amusing entertainment," an English critic says: "The story is essentially a satire on the Ruritanian tradition done by people who know how it should be done. There have been few cleverer portrayals of errant royalty than that given by George Alexander in the role of an archduke philanderer. The recording is excellent and the voice quality splendid. It is an altogether delightful film with a deal of, shrewd satire, some very good acting and tuneful music*" STRAND THEATRE. Reputed to be one of the most accomplished female impersonators in America, Julian Eltinge contrives to convey an impression of almost complete femininity in "Maid to Order," in which he makes his screen debut at the Strand Theatre today. .In a thrilling story of the activities of desperate diamond thieves, Mr. Eltinge gives a remarkable portrayal of a dual ro le—fi rs t as a robust man of the world and then as a demure and charming young woman. In private life Mi* Eltinge is said to be one of the most masculine of men; once he discards his true, per- > sonality for that of a woman, however, he becomes intensely feminine. His voice rises to a higher pitch, and his mannerisms are those of a girl. On the stage or screen he sings in soprano falsetto, as some people imagine. "Maid to Order" is brimful of swiftly-moving action and breathless suspense.

LONDON THEATRE. The artistry of Florenz Ziegfeld as a producer of gorgeous revues is evident throughout "Whoopee," the magnificent United Artists picture directed by him which will open a season at the London Theatre to-day. Of a series of memorable settings perhaps the most is the opening scene, which shows a of rolling country slowly spread before the camera. Then from opposite . directions come two troops of cowboys splendidly mounted, one group on black and the other on snow-white horses. Galloping two-deep, the troops unite to form a vividly striped column, which wheels in the courtyard of the ranch where the greater portion of the action takes place. From this attractive prologue the welldefined story moves along at a great pace, a riot of spectacle and colour. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Chinese Bungalow," a drama of the East, in which Matheson Lang appears and "Paradise Island, comprise the main portion of the entertainment at the Empress Theatre to-day. RIALTO THEATRE. "The Bachelor Father," in which Marion Davies and C. Aubrey Smith apnear will be presented with Tover Come Back" at the Rialto Theatre this evening. Jack Mulhall appears in the latter. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Marion Davks gives .another of her inimitable "madcap" portrayals in The Bachelor -Father" at the Crystal P Theatre this evening. 0. Aubrey Smrt plays the title-rale. Lover Come Back, also a comedy, b a second film. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Constance Bennett and Eric , Stroheim appear in the spy drama Three Faces B-t/'.-l the Grey Lynn Cinema this evening. ' . _ • BRITANNIA THEATRE. i El Brendel lis laughable in the farce ••Mr. Lemon of Orange, to headjhis evening's programme at the Theatre. VICTORIA THEATRE. Winnie LiglWs !g£ "ThA Ladv Who Dared, with iiiUie Dove, seen at the Victoria Theatre this evening. • PRINCE EDWARD Adnlphe' > Ca " irt'K at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. itSer? at tl» Bp»m Eegent Theatre this evening.

CIVIC THEATRE. Remembered for his rugged portrayals in the silent films, Thomas Meighan makes a welcome reappearance in pictures in "Young Sinners," the new attraction at* the Civic Theatre. A performance which should provfe popular with Auckland people will bo a demonstration by Tom Lurich at the evening session of wrestling, a sport which has grown rapidly in the Dominion. • Mr. Lurich will be assisted by a selected company of pupils of both sexes. There will be an exposition of how to keep fit, Mr. Luricli's training methods and his various holds. There will be a wrestling bout between two athletic girls. It is appropriate that the accompanying film should be "Young Sinners," for it deals with the regeneration of a seemingly worthless social scion who is won over to a more robust outlook on life through the influence of an invigorating if strenuous life at a training camp amid the fastnesses of the Canadian woods. There are some splendid character studies. In addition to the vital portrayal given by Thomas Meighan, delightfully natural performances come from Hardie Albright, who won fame ' on the Broadway stage in "Young. Sinners" and "The Greeks Had a Word For It," and Dorothy Jordan, the whimsical actress of "Min and Bill" and "The Call of the Flesh." The whole is artistically photographed. NATIONAL THEATRE. George Bancroft, who has few peers in virile portrayal, gives a dynamic performance in " Derelict," the vivid marine melodrama to be shown at the National Theatre for the first time to-day. He is splendid as a ruthless seacaptain whoso merciless tyranny earns for him the hatred of all those who come under his command. His intense rivalry with a fellow captain who by an unusual circumstance is appointed mate on his vessel culminates in a dramatic scene in mid-ocean when their common love for a beautiful woman bares their true natures. Jessie Royco Landis acts well as the heroine. As a spectacle " Derelict " is reputed to surpass any previous production since " Old Ironsides," regarded as the classic of this type of film. It shows a staunch ship ploughing blindly through an almost impenetrable pall of fog; a terrific storm tvpifying the capricious nature of tropical weather; and two ships crashing head-on in the blackness of a terrible night. In short, " Derelict" is something to thrill film-goers. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. All one's appreciation of art and beauty goes out to "Viennese Nights," the glorious screen-operetta by 'Sigmund Romberg and t Oscar Hammerstein 11., which continues to delight large audiences at St. James' Theatre. It would be wellnigh impossible not to be captivated by the enchanting music, the tender romance of thwarted love and the dignified and natural acting of the leading artists. Artistic technicolour photography adds picturesqueness to what already is a masterpiece among musical films. Vivienne Segal is a charming leading lady, and fine performances are also contributed by other well-known players.

TIVOLI THEATRE. So great has been the popularity of the two English farces, " Uneasy Virtue" and George Bernard Shaw's " How He Lied to" Her Husband," that the season at the Tivoli Theatre has been extended for two days. The first is enlivened by the wholly delightful performance given by Fay Compton, who is superb as a woman piqued because her husband does not believe her beneath suspicion. Her attempts to disillusion him by engaging iu a flirtation with a handsome philanderer, the unexpected and untimely arrival on the scene of a burglar (Donald Calthrop), and the lepentant woman's desperate efforts to prevent the discovery of her ruse are extremely funny. Edmund Breon is excellent as the ponderous husband, Dodo Watts plays an ingenue role charmingly and Margot Grahame also appears to advantage. LYRIC THEATRE. Grace" Moore, v the gifted Metropolitan Opera artist, sings wonderfully in the romance of Jenny Lind, "A Lady's Morals," to be presented at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Reginald Denny also acts well. TUDOR CINEMA. English farce is presented at its best in "The. Middle Watch," in which Dodo Watts and Owen Nares appear at the Tudor Cinema this fevening. "DRAMA THROUGH THE AGES." Under the title of " Drama Through the Ages," the Workers' Educational Association will present an entertainment in the Technical College Hall this evening and to-morrow evening. The drama of four periods will be represented: by excerpts from the works of Euripides, Shakespeare, Sheridan and Shaw. Music characteristic of each period will be supplied from the works of Bach, Gluck, Coleridge-Taylor, Alfred Reynolds and John Ireland. This will be directed by Mr. John Taifc (at the piano), with the assistance of Miss Lois Walls (violin) and Miss Lalla Hemus ('cello). The dances for the Greek play have been arranged by Madame Baird, and the whole production is being directed by Mr. _ Arthur Parsons, whose successful production last year of " In the Spacious Days " will be remembered. GREEN PARROT DANCE CLUB. The Green Parrot Supper and Dance Club is proving a popular innovation in Aucklana. Appreciative patrons have welcomed the splendid service and pleasant dancing facilities available each night. The Friday evening and Saturday afternoon tea dances are also popular.