ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

- . REGENT THEATRE. A number, of most spectacular scenes have been introduced in tho picture "The Lottery Bride," which opened a brief Auckland season at tho Regent Theatre last evening to a large and appreciative audience. The production, which was supervised by Oscar Hanimerstcin, the noted Broadway producer, is memorable for a number of musical gems by Rudolf Friml. the composer of "Rose Marie" and a number of other light opera successes, while the cast includes such noted singers as Jeanette Mac Donald, John Garrick, who was formely well known on the New Zealand stage as Reginald Dandy, and Robert Chisliolm, an English tenor. Tho story opens in a cafe iu Norway, where a numjjor of students are making merry, among them being Jennie and Chris, in an endeavour to further popularise the cafe the proprietress sends for an American leader of a dance orchestra, whose first step in obtaining publicity for the resort is to arrange a marathon dance. Finding that her brother has been guilty of theft from the bank where he is employed, Jennie decides to enter the contest, but the police arrive in search of the brother, whom she helps to escape. She is arrested under circumstances which lead Cliris to believe that she has been toying with his affections, and he leaves for Spitsbergen as a miner. On her release from prison Jennie's spirit is broken and she decides to enter a lottery arranged to provide brides for the miners. She is event ually claimed by Chris' brother and a dramatic situation ensues when the two former lovers are brought face to face. Further complications enter the plot, and tho later scenes depict a thrilling dash in a dirigible to reach the North Pole, Chris being one of the crew. Tho airship is wrecked and before the survivors are finally rescued a number of exciting incidents follow one another in rapid succession. As Jennie, Jeanette Mac Donald is provided with a role giving her every opportunity to display her ability as a dramatic actress, while she is heard in a number of charming selections with John Garrick, who has the role of Chris. Other fine musical numbers are given by Robert Chisholm and Joseph Macaulay, a well-known stage baritone. A vein of bright comedy runs through the story, the humour being contributed by Joe E. Brown and Zasu Pitts. A special feature of the production is a lengthy sequence in colour, the beauty of the scone being enhanced by the exceptionally clear photography. An exceptionally varied supporting programme is presented. Paul Cullen, the organist, plays "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Rose of Tralee," his rendering last evening resulting in his reappearance in an encore. Included in the latest Paramount Sound News are a number of scenes taken at the tecent world's heavy-weight boxing championship fight between Max Schmeling and Young Stribling at Cleveland. A British "Secrets of Nature" film gives many fascinating glimpses of undersea life, while a contrast is provided by "Thrills and Spills," a sporting film, showing, speed-boat racing and aquaplaning at Florida. An hilarious Aesop Fable completes the splendid bill.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Walter Huston, the noted American stage actor, whose work in " Abraham Lincoln " and " The Criminal Code " r stamped him as one of the finest character ' crators on tho screen to-day, adds to his reputation by the part he plays in tho Paramount film " The Virtuous Sin," / which opened a season to enthusiastic bouses at tho National Theatre yesterday. , The cast is a particularly fine one, includ- ' ing Kay Francis, who appeared in " Raffles " and other recent successes, and Kenneth McKenna, of " Bulldog Drummond." Based on the work of the Hungarian playwright Lajos Zilahy, "The General," the pieture deals with an unl usual and highly dramatic emotional conflict arising out of the war. Miss Francis takes the part of Marya Ivanovna, a wealthy and beautiful Russian girl, who ! agrees to marry Lieutenant Victor Sablin, a young medical student, although she ; realises she does not really love him. On the declaration of war Sablin attempts to ' secure exemption from service, thinking • that he would be of greater use to his ' country in the laboratory than on the field of battle. The request is refused but Sablin proves to bo a poor soldier. A neglect of duty results in his being called before General Platoff, the part played bv Huston. Tempers are lost and Sablin is arrested for insubordination and sedition. Marya goes to Platoff to plead for her husband but realises that she is really in love with Platoff, and he with her. She finds herself unable to plead for her husband but in the morning she feels it her duty to ask for a pardon. The general, thinking that her professed affection for him the previous night was only a plan, spurns her. On this difficult emotional situation a drama of great power and realism is built. There is an entertaining supporting programme. LONDON THEATRE. The amazingly spectacular production " King of Jazz " will continuo its season at the London Theatre to-day. Produced on a huge scale by the Universal Studios, the picture has a notable cast of prominent players, headed by John Boles and Laura La Plante. The chiqf feature, however, is the appearance of Paul Whiteman and his world-famous jazz band in a number of clever items, which are staged in a lavish fashion. The production is filmed throughout in technicolour and many of the scenes are almost indescribably impressive. One of the finest portions of the picture is that- showing in music and pantomime " The Birth oi Jazz." TIVOLI THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton, aptly described by many critics as the "first lady of the screen," gives one of the finest portrayals of her career in "Unfaithful," to be shown again at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. The popularity of tho film is attested by the fact that the theatre was filled to its fullest capacity last evening. Miss Chatterton appears as an unfettered American heiress, who marries a wealthy but inconstant Englishman. Paul Lukas and Paul Cavanagh also are iu the cast. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. There will be a special matinee at the Prince Edward Theatre this afternoon, when "The Sky Hawk," a thrilling aviation epic, will bo presented in response to special requests. The evening's programme will bo headed by Cecil B. de Mille's lavish production "Madam Satan," in which the principals are Kay Johnson and Reginald Denny. It is an ingenious fantasia, which culminates in the descent by parachute of tho guests at a magnificent ball held on a dirigible. PICTUREDROME THEATRE. Marlene Dietrich appears in "Morocco," to head this evening's programme at, the Picturedromo Theatro. There will be dancing. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Warner Baxter and Joan Rennet give dramatic portrayals iu the powerful film "Doctors' Wives," which will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. In the second attraction "Behind Offico Doors," Mary Astor and Robert Ames are tho principals. EMPIRE THEATRE. " Millie " and " Up tho River " will comprise the splendid programme at the Empire Theatro to-day. ONEHUNGA PICTURES. The musical comedy, "Tho New Moon," will be screened at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, to day, and "Tho Mysterious Rider " will be shown at the Foresters', Hall.

CIVIC THEATRE. 'la real life it is generally supposed to bo the woman who puts a man through an exacting catechism before accepting him, yet in "Dancing Partner," which opened a season at the Civic Theatre last evening, the situation is reversed by William Unines. The distinctly unusual theme traced out in this story reveals tlio impudently humorous Trot hod by which a gallant nobleman of England proceeds to find out whether a girl marked out as his wife-to-be by nn uncle is really good enough for such a man as lie. "Danciug Partner" takes ils title from the masquerade of Lord Robert Brummell, who decides to fill the role of what in America, and presumably also in France, where tlio plot unfolds, is called a "gigolo," or professional dancing partner. In this anything but blue-blooded manner Lord Robert attaches himself incognito to the girl Roxana Hartley, played by Irene Purcell, well-known as a stage actress on Broadway. The burning question which intrigues the young lord is whethei "Roxy" will withstand the test of advances by a mere paid dancing partner. If she resists the attentions paid by one she believes of inferior station, well and good. If she yields to a flirtation, she is not the wife for Lord Brummell. The young aristocrat has made it a consistent pastime to interest himself in other men's wives and to spend • his rich uncle's allowances with a prodigal hand. The relative, Lord George Hampton, at length becomes satiated with a trail of unpaid bills littered gayly about Paris by young Lord Brummell. The uncle, a part played to perfection by C. Aubrey Smith, irascible yet benevolent, issues the ultimatum that his nephew must marry within a month, or he will suffer disinheritance, the idea being a stiff corrective. Lord George himself selects the mate for Lord Robert, and out of this display of high-handed choice of a life partner on his behalf emerges the character test which Brummell undertakes against the girl whom Uncle George has chosen. All goes according to schedule until "Roxy" learns the true identity of her "gigolo." Humiliated and roused to anger over the deception (for she had fallen in love with her dancing partner) the girl pretends that she has not discovered the identity of the man, and stages a desperate flirtation in revenge. Disappointed, Lord Robert again believes that all girls are heartless and insincere. Thereafter the plot whirls merrily, to work out happily ever after in a breezy denouement. It is good, fresh comedy well played and photographed with exceptional merit, some of the outdoor scenes being charming to a degree. As an interlude on the stage Miss Margaret O'Connor and Mr. W. E. Priestley, of the Margaret O'Connor School of Dancing, presented a clever ballroom dancing number in support of the principal picture. Mr. Howard Moody, on the grand organ, scored marked success with a selection of pieces taken from well-known musical comedies. The programme was balanced with a Hearst Newsreel, and a ccunedy acted throughout by a cast of dog actors. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Stan. Laurel and Oliver Hardy, whose series of short comedies have made them the best-known inirth-provokers of the talking screen, appear in their first fulllength picture in " Pardon Us," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production now in its second and last week at St. James' Theatre. They ai*e seen as two ne'er-do-wells, who are arrested for selling illicit liquor and sent to prison. In a series of intensely amusing scenes a clever satire on several recent American films of prison life is provided. Later they escape and, disguising themselves as negro cottonpickers, run through an hilarious series of adventures in their endeavours to elude the police. The , climax of absurdity comes when they make pets of the bloodhounds sent out on their trail. Plenty of fun is also provided by the second attraction " Shipmates," in which Robert Montgomery takes the principal role. He is seen at a young American sailor, who, as the result of a train of unusual circumstances, attends the admiral's ball and engages in a romance with the admiral's daughter. " SEED." That the life of a family man is a barrier to freedom of thought is the thesis on which "Seed," the outstanding picture to open a season at St. James' Theatre next Friday, is based. The story concerns Bart Carter, who, at 19, shows promise of becoming a brilliant young novelist, but marries a woman of the essentially maternal type. There is soon a family and the young man finds it a drag on his progress. The self-sacrificing attitude taken up by the wife and the difficulties that it ultimately produces form a dramatic and realistic story. In a recent issue of a London journal a critic wrote:—"The acting throughout is of a very high order of excellence. Lois Wilson, as the unfortunate mother fighting for the existence of her home, is bound to hold the sympathy of film-goers. John Boles, in this iiis first attempt at a straight part in a drama of intellect, shows himself capable of thoughtful and skilful stagecraft, for his style throughout is rather that of the stage than of the screen. The film has wisely been kept as short as is consistent with tlio full consummation of the ' story it tells." GREY LYNN CINEMA. "Tlio Last of Mrs. Cheyney." in which Norma Shearer gives\a splendid dramatic interpretation of an exacting role, will be screened at the Grey Lynn Cinema this evening. B RITA N NIA THEATRE. "Captain Applejack" (Claude Allister) and Edward Everett Horton's "Sixcylinder Love," are the main films to bo shown at the Britannia Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA. Norma Shearer acts superbly as a disillusioned woman in "The Divorcee,»o distinctive drama of modern life, to'lWiil the programme at the Tudor Cinema this evening. She sweeps from mood to mood with ease and grace which stamp her as an actress of exceptional talent. There will be a special matinee. LYRIC THEATRE. Ono of the most thrilling films yet made,, "The Cat Creeps," will bo shown at the Lyric Theatre to-day. Based on tho silent picture, "Tlio Cat and the Canary," the film deals with desperate attempts to circumvent a strango will. America's leading radio humorists, Amos and Andy, will appear in the second attraction, "Check and Double Check." VICTORIA THEATRE: Marion Davies has a typical "madcap" role in " It's a Wise Child," which will bo shown at tho Victoria Theatre this evening. At the matinee "The Spell of the Circus" serial will be shown. CAPITOL THEATRE. Gary Cooper appears in "Fighting Camvans, *' which, with "Once a Sinner," will be shown at the Capitol Theatre to-day. RI ALTO THEATRE. Joan Crawford- gives one of her finest characterisations in tho powerful drama, "Within tho Law," at the Rialto Theatre to-day. EMPRESS THEATRE. The love of two mon for one woman forms the basis of the film, "The Lady Refuses," which will be shown at the Empress Theatre to day. The second attraction will bo "Borrowed Partner," iu which Rex Leas© and Vera Reynolds appear.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho fact that a work of genius is rot merely for the period in which it is conceived, but for all time, is amply borne out by tho application which Sheridan's brilliant comedy, "The School for Scandal," written in 'the eighteenth century as a satire on contemporary manners, bears to modern society I'he Screen version of this famous comedy, which commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, is undoubtedly one of the best pictures that has yet come from the Elstree studios, and reflects gi*at credit on both the director and the cast. Perhaps the most praiseworthy feature of the picture is the fact that tho costumes, speech and manners of Sheridan's time have been faithfully reproduced with a nice regaitl for detail. Sheridan's witty dialogue which made the original the remarka* ifsuccess it. has been since it was produced in 1777 at Drury Lane, hns befcii, carefully preserved, and although some of the terms are archaic to modern ears, there is no difficulty in following every word spoken by the players. As Sir Peter Teazle, the elderly bachelor, who is disgusted with the follies of polite London society and decides to marry a simple country-bred girl, Mr. Basil Gill is excellent. The ponderous manner and irascible temper of tho dignified old knight he reproduces to a nicety, while Miss Madeleine Carroll, as his wife, also performs well. Other members of the cast are Hayden Coffin, lan Fleming, Henry Hewitt. Edgar K. Bruce and Dodo Watts. The programme also includes another English comedy, but of a very different type. The riot-ed comedian Leslie Fuller heads the cast in "What a Night," u humorous film dealing with tho hectic career of a more than usually enterprising salesman. The hero encounters strange adventures in a haunted house and the action is fast enough to satisfy the most exacting. There is also the latest super-sound gazette, which shows the new motor patrols of the Metropolitan Police setting out for their day's duty. STRAND THEATRE. John Barrymore, the best-known member of a family which has contributed many famous players and directors to the American stage and screen, creates one of tho most dynamic and forceful portrayals of his career in the Warner Brothers film }" Moby Dick," which impressed audiences ai its opening sessions at tho Strand Theatre yesterday. ' Latterly he had become associated with a particular type of " romantic " role but in this he returns to Ins ability to create arresting, virile characters. The film is based on Herman Melville's noted novel of the old whaling days, and it captures perfectly the spirit-of the rough and eventful life of the old schooners. The settings are realistic and the scene showing a furious storm, during which the conflict of human wills and emotions almost equals the fury of the elements, is one of the most thrilling episodes ever screened. Legends of the depredations of " Moby Dick," the great white whale, with which sailors' wives quietened troublesome children a hundred years ago, form the basis of the story. It is the one great ambition of the obsessed whaling skipper Captain Ahab to capture this whale, which has been the terror and the coveted prize of whalers for years. As the powerful sailor who drove his men nnd his ship insanely in his endeavours to outwit the monster of the deep, John Barrymore gives a characterisation that impresses itself on the imagination. Joan Bennett plays opposite Mr. Barrymore, and there is a fine supporting cast. In the second attraction, " Party Husband," Miss Dorothy Mackaill gives a typical portrayal of a young woman who had very modern ideas about marriage until experience forced her to modify them.

REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM. An amusing story of life in an American military academy is told in "Present Arms," which, with "The Lady Refuses," will be shown at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-day. NAVAL CONCERT. A concert in aid of the Auckland City Mission was given in the Town Hall last evening by the band of H.M.S. Diomede and officers and men from the Diomede. Laburnum and Philomel. Several numbers, including Ewing's "Classica" and Alford's "Vanishing Army," were played by the band under the of Mr. H. W. Barnett. The supporting programme consisted of piano solos by Elec-trical-Artificer A. G. Harrison, a violin solo by Ordnance-Artificer W. Horrocks, South Seas dances by Stokers LaSerty and Milne, a cutlass-swinging display by Physical Training Instructors Canty and Collins, songs by Commissioned-Gunner Taylor, a monologue by Able-Seaman D. Phillips, and humorous items by Chief Pay Officer G. Blackiston. "EGYPT, LAND OF MYSTERY." An illustrated address entitled "Egypt, tho Land of Mystery," will be given by Mr. E. Headlarn Greenham, of the London Authors' Society, in the Town Hall concert chamber to-morrow evening. It will be preceded by an appropriate musical recital. Proceeds will bo devoted to the Mayor's relief fund for unemployed women. The fascination of Cairo and the pyramids, the country 1000 miles up the Nile, the ancient Kamak and Thebes, the Valley of tho Kings and other equally world-famous places aro splendidly described by the lecturer. More than 120 gorgeous coloured photographs will be used. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. "This Woman Business" has been chosen for tho next presentation of the Little Theatre Society, to be staged for a 6eason of five nights in tho Town Hall concert chamber. It will commence on Tuesday evening, October 13. Mr. Gaston MervtfV 1 , tho society's recently-appointed director, will produce "This Woman Business." SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY. Items by the llukarere Maori Girls' School Choir and a Highland Lassies' Band, as well as musical drill and a gymnastic display, will bo given at tho annual rally of the Auckland Sunday School Union in the Town Hall this evening. The presentation of prizes will take place. ORGAN RECITAL. Iho programme selected for the organ recital in the Town Hall to-morrow afternoon will include works by Bach, Cesar Pranck and Rheinbergei\, three old English pieces by l'urcell, Jones and Greene, a set of well-known variations by Beethoven and Bendel's popular "Wild Rose." AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. The third concert for tho season of the Aeolian Orchestra will be given 'in the Lewis Eady Hall on Thursday evening. Vocal solos will be given by' Miss Patricia McLeod and Mr. Frank Sutherland, and Miss Edna lye will give a pianoforte solo. Mr. Gerald T. Lee will conduct. LOCAL COMPOSERS' CONCERT. A programme of compositions by local musicians will be presented by the Auckland Society of Musicians in the Lewis Eady lla.ll on Tuesday evening. The programme will bo comprised of interesting numbers. COMM UNITY SING INC.. Tho last community singing gathering but one of the season will be held at'the Town Hall during tho lunch-hour on Wednesday. MUSICAL RECITAL. A piano and song recital will be given by Miss Molly Atkinson and Miss Phyllis Graham, assisted by Miss Moya CooperSmitll, violinist, in "the Lewis Eady Hall on Monday evening. An interesting programme has been arranged.