ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIO THEATRE. A delightfully humorous" theme, sparkling dialogue and- excellent acting distiiiguish- " Dancing Partner"- (" Just a Gigolo"), nipw being shown-ft the Civic Theatre. William Ilairies, the engaging actor of " A Tailor-Mado Man," is in his element as the somewhat irresponsible Lord Brummell, who, however, demands that the young heiress selected as his future wife by his imperious Uncle George (0.-Aubrey Smith) should be faultless- — and proceeds to catechise her, Mr. Howard Moody plays the organ and at the evening sessions there is also an exhibition of dancing by Miss Margaret O'Connor and Mr. W. E. Priestley, as well as a stage presentation by Alf. Healy and his orchestra. "THE MAN IN POSSESSION." Robert Montgomery, the engaging young actor of " Shipmates," whose rise to screen fame has been remarkable, has his second leading role in " The Man in Possession," to succeed " Dancing Partner" at the Civic Theatre on Friday. The film is based on the uproariously funny stage success, with dialogue by P. _G. Wodehouse, the noted English humorist. Mr. Montgomery revels in the part of a romantic bailiff wJio is commissioned to lake possession of a young.widow's home, with surprising results. C. Aubrey Smith, of " Dancing' Partner," has a characteristic role, and Beryl Mercer, of " Common Clay," also appears. REGENT THEATRE. The fact, that Rudolf Friml, composer of "Rio Rita" and "The Vagabond King," wrote the score of " The Lottery Bride," the gorgeous operetta now at the* Regent Theatre, ensures the film's musical enchantment. The singing is magnificent. Besides Jeanette Mac Donald and John Gnrric-k, gifted players possessed of delightful voices, the film is notable for the introduction to the audible screen of Robert Chisholm, an eminent stage singer. Comedy relief is contributed .by Joe E. Brown and Zasu Pitts. Two appealing items are played on the organ by. Sir. Paul Cullen. "THE DEVIL TO PAY." Ronald Colman cuts a debonair figure as a scapegrace Englishman in the speci-ally-written Frederick Lonsdale photoplay " The Devil to Pay," which will replace "The Lottery Bride" at the Regent Theatro 011 Friday. Loretta Young is a winsome heroine. A splendid study of an irascible but lovable English lord is contributed by Frederick Kerr, who portrayed a similar role in Mr. Colman's recent picture, " Raffles." There are some splendid scenes of the English Derby. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Tlie comic genius of Laurel and Hardy, the favourite comedians of countless short films, finds adequate expression in " Pardon Us," their first full-length film. With Robert Montgomery's " Shipmates," it is approaching, the close of its second and final week at St. James' Theatre. Subtle satire and riotous comedy are deftly blended in " Pardon Us," a burlesque 011 recent melodramas of prison life. "SEED" FOR ST. JAMES' THEATRE. None of the essential drama of Charles G. Norris' "best-seller" novel "Seed" has been lost by its transference to the talking screen by the Universal Studios. It will replace the present' films at St. James' Theatre on Friday. The three principals in this vivid story of the conflict between home life and the pursuit of art are John Boles, Lois Wilson and Genevieve Tobin. There is a talented supporting cast, including Raymond Hackett, Zasu Pitts. Better Davis, and. Frances. Dade. . r > v —: *

MAJESTIC THEATRE. " The School for Scandal," Sheridan's classic satire on 18th century foibles, presented as it was originally afc tho Drury Lane Theatre in 1777, and Leslie Fuller's hilarious burlesque of modern life, "What a Night!", represent two entertaining phases of English comedy. They are being shown this week at the* Majestic Theatre. A fascinating old-fashioned chafm pervades " The School for Scandal." It is admirably acted. Madeleine Carroll, a popular English actress, is a charming character as the leading lady, and the other members of the cast also are splendid. STRAND THEATRE. No more suitable actor than the famous John Barrymore, who also appeared in the silent-film version, could have been chosen for the part, of the merciless, embittered Captain Ahab in Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." which heads the line doublefeature programme at the Strand Theatre this week. Although liberties have been taken with the original to conform more with tho screen tradition, nothing of the broad sweep of drama in the ceaseless quest for Moby Dick, the huge white whale, has been lost. Dorothy Mackail has a typical role as a modern young wife in " Party Husband,'' tho second film. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Ralph Lynn, the inimitable Aldvvych Theatre actor, is at his funniest in "Tons of Money." to lie shown again, at the Crystal Palace Theatro this evening. Yvonne Arnaud, Mary Brough and others of the Aldwych cast also appear in the film, which was directed by Tom Walls. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A racy story of the attempts of two suburban families to outdo each other in the matter of owning the more luxurious motor-car is told in " Six-cylinder Love," in which Edward Everett Horton will be seen at. tho Prince Edward Theatro this evening. Sidney I'ox makes a. pretty heroine. EIALTO THEATRE. " The Virtuous Husband" is the appropriate title of the film version of the stage success, " Apron Strings," to be presented at tho Rialto Theatro this evening. The cast includes Betty Compson find Elliott Nugent. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Lavishness characterises " Madam Satan," the Cecil B. de Millc film to bo shown at the Britannia Theatre this even-, big- . LYRIC THEATRE. An eerie atmosphere of mystery pervades " The Cat Creeps," one of the two long films to be screened at tho Lyric Theatre this evening. " Check and Doubio Check" is the second picture. TUDOR CINEMA. " Hell's Angels," the amazing Howard Hughes aviation epic, will be shown at tiie Tudor Cinema this evening. .7."; EI'SOM REGENT THEATRE. " The. Chinese Bungalow" and " Paradise Island" comprise the main entertainment at the Epsom Regent Theatro this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" (Jackie' Coogan)' heads tbo programme at tho Empress Theatre to-day. ZELANDA RECITAL POSTPONED. The recital which was to have been given by Margherita Zelanda in the Town Hall this evening has been postponed.

NATIONAL THEATRE. ~ " The" VirFuoufi Sinai's the title of the vital drama of an enigmatic woman, which is proving popular at the National Theatre* Kay Francis is superb as a_ woman who, having married a man she does not love, is driven to desperation when her husband reveals liis: innate cowardice and'refuses to go to battle for his country. The film is also notable for the incisive portrayal by Walter Huston of an opposing, military leader who suddenly realises "his love for his prisoner's wife. Kenneth McKenna is the other leading man. TIVOLI THEATRE. - Drama as only John Galsworthy can write it is presented in the Elstree film version of his "The Skin Game," to be 1 shown for the first time at the Tivoli Theatre tins evening. Edmund Gwenn, . recreating the role he made famous on the stage, gives a dynamic portrayal of a wealthy parvenu, who worships at the altar of industrial progress. There is a talented cast of supporting players, including Phyllis Konstam, Helen Haye, Jill Esmond, C. V. France and John ■ Longden. %: ■ %. .' - . . MT. ALBERT GRAMMAR CONCERT. The mass singing of 600 boys will be a feature of the concert to be given- in the Town Hall to-morrow evening by pupils of the .Mouufc Albert Grammar ~ School. There will be items by a choir' of 100, and a talented orchestra. Drama - and farce will also be presented. " THIS WOMAN BUSINESS." Ben Levy, author of " Mrs. Moonlight," wrote " This Woman Business," a brilliant comedy, which will be the 23rd production of the Little Theatre Society. It will be staged in the Town Hall concert chamber for a season of five evenings, commencing on Tuesday, October 13. Sir. Gaston Mervalo is producing the piece. MUSICAL RECITAL. A piano and song recital presented by Sir. and Mrs. Cyril Towsey was held in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening before a large audience. The principal performers were Miss Molly Atkinson, who sang a wide selection of songs, and Miss Phyllis Graham, who proved her versatility as a pianist by her interpretations of the works of a number of composers. They were assisted by Miss Moya Cooper-Smith, the young violinist, whose playing of De Beriot's Scene de Ballet was particularly well received. One of the most popular numbers was Massenet's "Elegie, snag by Miss Atkinson with a violin obligato by Miss Cooper-Smith. Miss Atkinson's singing of' Sinding's haunting "Sylvelin" was an excellent performance and other notable songs were Brahms' "Faint and Fainter," Davies' "When Childer Plays." Schumann's "Humility," Scarlatti's "0 Cessate," and Schubert's "Her Portrait." Miss Graham and Miss Cooper-Smith were excellent in Beethoven's Sonata, Op. 24, No. 5, and Miss Graham was heard to advantage, especially in her Debussy numbers, "Clair de Lune" and "Golliwog's Cake Walk." Other selections were from Chopin, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Brahms.