ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20989, 28 September 1931, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Rridolf Friml. / composer of "Rose "The Vagabond King" and "Rating 3/' wrote ino mus ' score • 'The Lottery Bride," tho romantic J-i 3 dramatic operetta which is assured successful season at the Regent £i!tre Arthur Hammerstcin produced ? film, which was directed by Paul L. « rti- for United Artists. Thete is an unSmmonly talented cast of players. It f° , nf i es Jeane te Mac Donald, the wholly Shtful actress of "The Love Parade," ••The Vagabond King" and "Annabelle's" John Gnrrick, the engaging JLntic actor of "Song o' My Heart" jLi "Always Goodbye"; Joe E. Brown, fhe inimitable comedian wiilra cavernous outh; Zasu Pitts, the lachrymose and woebegone maid of conn.less pictures; Robert Chisholm, a popular stage Although music is tho essence of the production, there is a vital story of Land hate set against a shifting pa tern of background, which quickly changes Lm the tranquil contentment of the Korwegian CO un ryside to the forbidd.ng L fas nesses of the frozen Arctic. There £an excellent supporting programme. / CIVIC THEATRE. William Haines, last seen in "Remote Control" and "A Tailor-made Man," acts ffjth hi s customary extreme self-possession the title-role of "Dancing Partner" /"Just a Gigolo"), the new film at the Civic Theatre. It is a thoroughly refreshing and delightful film, enlivened by the impudent assurance of Mr. Haines, who revels in the part of the aristocratic Lord Brummell; tho g'racious charm of Irene Purcell. as the heroine made the victim of an hilarious subterfuge; and tho deft acting of c. Aubrey Smith, the, veteran English player, who is splendid as the imperious but lovable Uncle George. The ffieme traces the hero's ingenious plan to catechise the young woman selected by liis benevolent uncle as his future wife, ijhe evening performance includes an exhibition of dancing by Miss Margaret O'Connor and Mr. W. E. Priestley. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Although they are now in tjhe second week of their/season at St. James' [Theatre, "Pardon Us" (Laurel and Hardy) and Robert Montgomery's "Shipmates" continue to prove popular with Auckland filmgoers. Their success is not surprising. An hilarious burlesque of the recent spate of melodramatic films depicting the most horrible aspects of the American bootlegging evil, "Pardon Us" scintillates with shrewd satire and moments of uproarious farce. The comedians are excellent as would-be manufacturers of "home-brew" who are incarcerated, escape from prison in the guise of Negro cotton 7 pickers and are pardoned when they inadvertently quell a convict riot. Robert Montgomery is an engaging character as a somewhat renegade sailor in ' Shipmates." ■SEED" FOR ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The triumph of motherhood is the motive of the Universal screen adaptation of Charles Norms' novel "Seed," which will be shown at St. James' Theatre, commencing on Friday. Its story has an intense appeal in that it deals with a subject paramount in the home of every man and his wife. Although "Seed" has for its central characters a wife, her husband and the "other woman," the charm of its story is that one's sympathies go out to' the other woman just as much as to the wife. In "Seed" one sees John Boles in a new role, not as a linger, but as a dramatic actor. Genevieve Tobin's refreshing personality is admirably suited to the "other woman," and she contributes a wonderful performance. But perhaps the most striking portrayal is that by Lois Wilson as the mother, in which she reaches great dramatic heights. It is her characterisation that makes "Seed" a picture that will not he forgotten for a long time.

LONDON THEATRE. Filmed entirely in colour. "The King of Jazz," which is being shown at the London Theatre this week, is a futuristic production, interpreted by an exceptionally talenterl cast, headed by Paul Whiteman and his famous band. The film comprises a series of novel sketches in the form of pages from Mr. Whiteman's scrapbook. There is the "Song of the Dawn," sung by John Boles and a male chorus; the luxurious "Bridal Veil" scene, in which Jeariette Loff appears; and items by Laura La Plante and Jeannie Lang. TIVOLI THEATRE. The final performance of "Unfaithful," in which Ruth Chatterton gives a splendid portrayal of a disillusioned woman, will be given at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. Paul Lukas and Paul Cavanngh are the leading men. John Galsworthy's drama of the encroachment of industry upon the English countryside, "The Skin Game,'' will be shown to-morrow. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Madam Satan," the magnificent Cecil B do Mille production now being shown £t the Prince Edward Theatre, is a futuristic of social life. Kay JohnEon and Reginald Denny are the leading players. LYRIC THEATRE. Melodrama is raised to a high level in "The Cat Creeps," the main film on the programme to be presented at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Comedy is the keynote of "Check and Double Check," with Amos 'n' Andy. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Captain Applejack" (Claude Allister) ®nd "Six-cylinder Love," with Edward Everett Hortoh, are the main films to bo screened at the Britannia Theatre this erening. VICTORIA THEATRE. Ma l'ion Davies acts with characteristic abandon in "It's a Wise Child," to head the programme at the Victoria Theatre this evening.^ HI ALTO THEATRE. A provocative thnme is well handled •B "The Virtuous Husband," the subtle comedy of manners based on the stage success "Apron Strings," to be shown the Rialto Theatre this evening. The characterisation i.s splendid. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Ralph Lynn is in his element as a harassed Englishman always besieged by tenacious creditors in "Tons of Money," which may lie seen at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Yvonne Arnaud g'ves a delightful performance. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Chinese Bungalow" and "Paradise Island" comprise the main entertainment ®t the Epsom Regent Theatre this eventag. EMPRESS THEATRE. Jackie Coogan, famous child actor, reW'ns to the screen in Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer," the main film at the impress Theatre to-day. TUDOR CINEMA. Astounding realism has been achieved 11? Howard Hughes aviation epic, Angels," to head this evening's jP°gnitnin6 at the Tudor Cinema.

national theatre. ?or l'" and "Tim n„- • i , •Abraham Lincoln makes a w?™ 1 C ° d °'" Walter Hus^> audible srrl!,1 0 . a P peai '? nce on the audible screen in "The Virtuous Sin" ThreatrI InS Ka reS r nled - at the National of J, rancls >. svelte actress croft's "<?/■> j f notabl y George Banbca t fnl fi ndal Sheet >" is an alluringly tocr t . gm '° iIS a wealtl, y Rowan arisdoesnot W«°" J £? IS to marr y a she ,v , • T'ie outbreak of war and baso on' 311 !r 1 lsa^on °f her husband's tm,« l J 06 paves the wa Y a tensely dramatic denouement. The suprStifh P fT gra T me is Varied and includes L < m °l- gems from a Production by the famous Ziegfeld Follies.

STRAND THEATRE. John Barrymore, regarded as one of . screen s '""St gifted dramatic actors, makes a strangely impelling figure of the merciless and embittered Captain Ahab in Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick," which heads the entertaining double feature programme at the Strand Theatre this week. He is excelelnt as the dashing sailor whose love for a clergyman's winsome daughter ( oan Bennett) is turned to unreasoning hatred by the duplicity of his jealous !° h ® r -, rhe man's obsession to kill the almost legendary Moby Dick, a huge wmte whale, culminates in a thrilling scene. The second film is "Party Husband, a modern drama in which Dorothy Mackail appeals. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Sheridan's evergreen satire on 18th century conventions. "The School for Scandal," interpreted by a remarkably accomplished cast of English players, is delighting audiences at the Majestic Theatre, where it may be seen with Leslie Fuller's hectic farce, "What a Night!" None of the subtle wit and brilliant dialogue has been lost in the transference ol "The School for Scandal" to tho audible, screen. It is presented as it was on tho occasion of its first production at Drury Lane in 1777. Here lies its greatest charm. The old-time dialogue has a curious fascination for modern cars. Besides What a Night!" there is screened a recent issue of the Pathe Super-sound Gazette, embracing a wide rango of subjects. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. A brilliant comedy by Ben Levy, "This Woman Business," will be the 23rd production of the Little Theatre Society. Under the direction of Mr. Gaston Melville it will be staged in the Town Hall concert chamber for a season of five nights, commencing on Tuesday evening, October 13 A talented cast of local artists has been selected.

MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERTS. There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Municipal Band's concert in the Town Hall last evening, when an interesting programme of operatic and sacred items was given. The band, under the baton of Bandmaster G. Buckley, commenced with Ketelby's mafch, " Knights of the King," tho second item being Beethoven's operatic overture " Leonore," which proved extremely popular. Perhaps the most outstanding item of the evening was Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 1," part of which was repeated as an encore. Others items by the band included a descriptive suite, " Hyde Park," by Jalowicz, a selection, " Reminiscences of Sullivan," Mason's hymn, "Nearer, My God, To Thee," and the march, " Old Panama." A cornet duet by Messrs. F. Bowes and J. Davies was enthusiastically received. Another popular item was a flute solo, Krantz's " Idyll," by Mr. H. C. McLennan. The programme was completed bv a, xylophone solo, " Bisley," by Mr. Rowland Jackson. The accompaniments were played by Master Jack Buckley. Another enjoyable concert was given by the band at the Zoological Park yesterday afternoon.