ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20987, 25 September 1931, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIO THEATRE. The efforts of a "Beau BrummcU" to test tho affections and character of the girl chosen by a wealthy undo for his bride provide t lie material for a scint.ilatirig story in " Dancing Partner," which heads tho new programme at the Civic Theatre to-day. The picture has been successfully adapted from the David llelasco plav, which enjoyed an extended season on Broadway last year. 'I ho role of Lord Bruiumcll is played by William llaines; that of his selected bride, Boxana, by Irene Purcell; and that of the irascible uncle, Lord Hampton, by C. Aubrey Smith. The plot begins in real earnest when young Bruininell promises his rich undo to marry Roxana, provided he cannot, within a month, prove her to be unworthy of the Brummell line. Hilarious situations then follow in rapid succession and culminate in Brunimell realising lie has fallen in love with Boxana. The acting of Smith as the rich uncle is worthy of special mention, while excellent characterisations are contributed by tho other players, included among whom arc Charlotte Granville, who together with Miss Purcell appeared in the original stage production, Lilian Bond and Albert Condi. An exhibition of the latest London and New York dances, including the " Gigolo Glide," will be given at the evening sessions by Miss Margaret O'Connor and Mr. W. E. Priestley. Tho selections by the organist. Mr. Howard Moody, will comprise " You Will Remember Vienna" and " Musical-comedy Gems." MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The School for Scandal," which will bo screened for a season beginning to-day at tho Majestic Theatre, is a picturesque and deligHtful all-talking screen version of Sheridan's immortal English comedy, which, since it; was first produced at Drury Lano in 1771, has been enacted the wide world over and has been noted for moro revivals than any other play. Concerning tho first screening at London the Stago wrote: "Tho illustrious comedy has been elaborately mounted, gorgeously costumed and admirably acted. A splendidly realistic atmosphero has been achieved by tho producer, Maurice Elvey, and a magnificent cast of British players interpret Sheridan's famous characters. A very polished and interesting performance is that of Basil Gill as Sir Peter Teazle, while Lady Teazle is charmingly played by lovely Madeline Carroll." A British comedy, "What a Night!" with Leslie Fuller iu tho leading role, will also be shown. STRAND THEATRE. A stirring story of whaling operations is unfolded in "Moby Dick," the screen version of Herman Melville's powerful novel of the sea, which heads the new programme to-day at the Strand Theatre. The celebrated actor John Barrymore gives an outstanding portrayal as the resolute Captain Ahab, who does not spare his men in order to capture a full cargo of whales. The photography is of a particularly high standard, one of the most vivid spectacles being an encounter between the harpoonists and a gigantic whale, which gives the picture its title. A pleasing romance has been woven into the story, the role of the heroine being played by Joan Bennett. The supporting attraction will be "Party Husband," a fast-moving comedy-romance, in which the vivacious Dorothy Mackail is the principal. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is provided by Laurel and Hardy in "Pardon L's," which is being screened at St. James' Theatre. The versatile comedians appear as two penniless adventurers who are sentenced to prison, where they become very unpopular with the officials and the other prisoners. The film also serves the purpose of ridiculing American prison methods. The comic pair escape later and keep for their pets a number of bloodhounds belonging to the prison authorities. How the two are recaptured and subsequently pardoned is told in a series of equally mirth-provoking episodes. The romance between a sailor and the daughter of an'admiral forms tho basis of "Shipmates," the supporting production. TIVOLI THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton reaches the summit of her artistry in "Unfaithful," in which she appears in a dual role at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. She is seen first as a tractable country-girl coerced into an unhappy marriage and then as the woman's daughter, who is almost caught up in the same tragic set of circumstances. Paid Lukas is the hero, arid he acts with his usual polish. LONDON THEATRE. The technicoloured production " The King of Jazz" will commence a season at the London Theatre to-day. The picture, which takes the form of a series of tableaux and sketches, has been filmed on an unusually lavish scale and is a veritahlo feast of colour. Tho playing of Paul Whiteman's orchestra is a feature of the production. LYRIC THEATRE. Mario Dressier, the gifted tragicomedienne, and Wallace Beery portray the title roles in " Min and Bill," to head tho programme at the Lyric Theatre this evening. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Lavishness characterises " Madame, Satan," the Cecil B. do Mille film to lie. presented at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Winnie Lightner's " Sho Couldn't Say No " and " The Other To morrow " (Billio Dove) will be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Captain Applejack" (Claudo Allister) and "Six-cylinder Love," with Edward Everett lforton, will bo screened at the Britannia Theatre this evening. VICTORIA THEATRE. " Coder a Texas Moon " and " Playing Around " comprise tho main portion of tho entertainment at the Victoria Theatra this evening. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Present Arms" and "The Lady Refuses" will be the main films on this evening's programme at tho Epsom Regent Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. "The Lady Refuses" and "Borrowed Wives" will bo shown at tho Empress Theatre to-day. RI ALTO THEATRE. Joan Crawford ads superbly in "Within the Law," the dramatic film to bo presented at the Rialto Theatre this evening. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "Doctors' Wives," with Joan Bennett, will bo shown with "Behind Office Doors" at tho Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE. Norma Shearer is an alluring figure in "The Divorcee," the main film to he presented at the Tudor Theatre this evening.

NATIONAL THEATRE. .An intensely dramatic story of a romance between a woman and a war-embit-tered Russian general is related in the Paramount production, "The Virtuous Sin," which will be shown at the National Theatre to-day. The well-known character actor Walter Huston, who won conspicuous success by his masterly portrayals in "Abraham Lincoln" and "The Criminal Code," has the leading role of General Platoff. The leading feminine role of Marya, a wealthy and beautiful Russian girl, is admirably enacted by Kay Francis, while Kenneth MacKenna acquits himself well as Lieutenant Sablin. Marya marries Sablin, but their happiness is shattered by the outbreak of war. Marya pleads to Platoff for her husband's exemption on the grounds that Sablin would be of more value to Russia in a research laboratory. The general refuses and upon being later insulted by Sablin orders his execution, the order being stopped by Marya, with whom the general has become infatuated. The story ends with the death of Sabin under tragic circumstances. There is an excellent supporting programme, including one especially fine film, which comprises gems from the Ziegfeld Follies, renowned the world over. Other entertaining pictures are a musical film and a recent issue of the Paramount Sound News. REGENT THEATRE. "'lhe Lottery Bride," a spectacular musical - comedy incorporating many dramatic episodes, will be presented for the first time at the Regent Theatre today. The picture was produced under the direction of Arthur Harnmerstein. a noted New York theatre manager, while many of the delightful vocal numbers were composed by Rudolf Friml, whose best-known work was in "Rose Marie." The leading role is taken by the fascinating Jeanett.e Mac Donald, who is ably supported by such accomplished screen singers and artists as John Gar tick, .Joseph Macaulav and Robert Chisholm. The rich humour in which the operetta abounds is largely in the capable hands of Joe E. Brown, who needs no introduction to Auckland theatregoers. Miss Mac Donald, whose singing was a feature of "The Love Parade" and "Monte Carlo," is heard to advantage in a number of new tuneful melodies. The photographic effects are of a remarkable nature, the scenes embracing picturesque Swedish countrysides and the icy wastes of the Arctic. The dramatic episodes include the crashing of a giant dirigible and an eleventh hour rescue of the survivors of the disaster. A portion of the film is in technicolour. CONCERT BY NAVAL PARTY. Entertainment, at once novel and delightful will be provided at the performance to be given by the band of the warship Diomede and the concert party from the Diomede, Laburnum and Philomel in the Town Hall this evening. A well-chosen variety of items will be given by men who are among the most gifted performers in the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy.