ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21099, 5 February 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Lawrencti Tibbett, principal of the Metropolitan Grand Opera Company, Now York, has a typical rolo in his fourth screen success, "The Cuban Love Song, which opened its v Auckland season to a crowded audience at the Majestic Theatre last evening. As in all his previous productions, his wonderful voice is an important feature of the picture, but tho romantic story of a restless soul forced to choose between two blind and overmastering loves is in itself sufficient to make tho production outstanding. A largo proportion of tho action takes placo in tho picturesque island of Cuba, where tho relics of the old Spanish culture and the carefree life of the inhabitants blend to make an unforgettable atmosphere of simplicity and romance. Much of tho importance of tho picture is duo to the director, W. S. Van Dyke, whoso sympathetic treatment of tropical scenes has been responsible for a lengthy list of noted pictures. The photography throughout is of a very high standard. Tibb'ett takes a role very similar to tho one he played in "Tho Prodigal." Once again ho appears as a man of good family whoso wild spirit leads hint to break away from home associations. Signing on as a marine, ho is sent to Cuba shortly before tho outbreak of war. He is farewclled by Crystal, his fiancee, who believes that a period of hard, rough life will enable him to settlo down eventually to the position it is his duty to fill. Karen Morloy gives a sincere and moving portrayal of a difficult role as tho woman who is prepared to humiliate herself in her efforts to maintain her influence over the man she loves. She invests her part with pathos and emotion. It is not long after the arrival of the marines in Cuba before young Terry is attracted by the fascinating Nenita, played in a natural manner by Lupo Veicz. The romance that springs up between them contains much of real charm and, were it not for the calls of duty to his family and to Crystal, Terry's happiness might almost have been assured. The idyll, however, is broken by tho commencement of war, and Cuba is soon forgotten. Tho final choice that Terry makes and the sequel after ton years form the conclusion to a story of great power and interest. The producer has made music tho keynote of the whole picture. In addition to the catching numbers that Tibbett sings with his usual verve, Lupe Velez is heard in one charming song which, by its repetition, forms a connecting link between the different portions of the action. An undercurrent of rhythmic native music supplied in many scenes is particularly effective, one of the most famous Cuban orchestras having been engaged by the producer. Ernest Torrcnce, Jimmy Durante and Louise Fazenda supply much of the abundant humour of the picture. The supporting programme includes two excellent newsrecls, a film showing brilliant diving feats, and an amusing Mickey the House comedy cartoon. REGENT THEATRE. Words fail to describe the sheer wit and delight of George Arliss' lovable characterisation of benevolent old ago in "The Mililonaire," now in the second week of its season at the Regent Theatre. The dialogue of this story, based on the Earl Derr Biggers novel, "Idle Hands," was written by Booth Tarkington. The sly art of Mr. Arliss is given full scope iu the rolo of the motor millionaire, ordered by his doctor to cease work for good, who' secretly effects his own cure by buying up a-half share in a small petrol station, and incidentally fosters a halting romance between his daughter and his youthful partner. Florence Arliss also gives a typically delightful performance. NATIONAL THEATRE. Fredric March and Claudette Colbert form a delightful romantic pair in "Honour Among Lovers," the film directed by Dorothy Arzner to head the new programme at the National Theatre to-day. The picture achieves a fluency of action and secures the interest of the audience in the story of a financier who tries to help the woman he finally realises he loves when she marries a no'er-do-well. Miss Colbert preserves the warm glow of her personality beneath the reticence of the ideal secretary, and Mr. March paints a splendid portrait of the somewhat self-indulgent financier. LONDON THEATRE. Two excellent full-length films of differing type, "Her Private Affair'' (Ann Harding) and "The Big Pond," in_ which Maurice Chevalier appeals, comprise the new programme at the London Theatre to-day. No elaboration of Miss Harding's talent as an emotional actress is necessary. "The Big Pond" shows tho magnetic Chevalier in the part of a romantic Frenchman who falls in love with the daughter of an American chewing-gum king. ROXY THEATRE. A spacious sweep of action lias been achieved in "Secret Service," the engrossing adventure-romance of the American Civil War, now being shown at the Roxy Theatre. Richard Dix, established as a dramatic actor of power by his portrayals of rugged manhood in "Cimarron" and "The Public Defender," is splendid as a Union spy. Shirley Grey is a demure heroine. STRAND THEATRE. Constance Bennett gives the clever emotional typo of characterisation one has come to expect of her in "The Common Law," the moving drama of a promisingartist who fails to keep his word, which continues to enjoy great popularity at the Strand Theatre. Joel McCrea is suitably handsome as tho hero. Lew Cody, Hedda Hopper and tho late Robert Williams also act well. TIVOLT AND EMPRESS THEATRES. The Dreyfus case forms tho basis ot " Dreyfus'," the distinctive English film now being presented at the Tivoli and Empress Theatres. The suffering of an innocent man is realistically conveyed by Cedric Hardwicko in the part of the unfortunate man forced to suffer in- order to conceal a nation's blunder. All the other characters are skilfully portrayed by accomplished English artists. « PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. John Gilbert gives an excellent performance in " The Phantom of Paris," to be shown with " Girl of (he Golden West" at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Ann Harding appears in the latter. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. .Tack Ilolfc and Ralph Graves once, again appear as rivals in love in " A Dangerous Affair," to head the programme at the Jilpsom Regent Theatre this evening. Sally Blane is tho heroine. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Fannie Hurst's " Five and Ten," with Marion Davies, Leslie Howard and Kent Douglass, will be shown with " SmartWoman" (Mary Astor) at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. " Pardon Us" (Laurel and Hardy) and " Scandal Sheet" comprise the main films to be shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening. George Bancroft and Clivc Brook appear in the second film. HI ALTO THEATRE. Marion Davies and Leslie Howard are the principals in Fannie Hurst's " Five and Ten," to be screened with " Heartbreak" at the Itialto Theatre this evening.

PLAZA XHEATHE. " Friends and Lovers, 1 ' to be shown at the Plaza Theatre for the first time to-day, is a distinctive film version of Maurice Dekobra's novel, " The Sphinx Has Spoken." An interesting cast includes Adolphe Monjou, suave actor, as an English officer whose nffcctioii for his fcllow-officer (Laurence Olivier) withstands the deceit of the girl tliey love, played with charm by Lily Dainita; Eric vou Stroheiin, suitably cynical as the lady's blackmailing husband; and Frederick Kerr, onco again delightful as the garrulous host at a London dinner party. An English critic says: " ' Friends and Lovers ' has two outstanding merits. They are Mr. Stroheiin and Mr. Kerr. As a blackmailer with a sense of humour and a passion for porcelain, Mr. Stroheiin i" Iho early part of this picture makes crime a pleasure. Unhappily, for Iho sake of a cynical ending, he lias to bo shot before the film is half-way to its climax, but, by way of compensation, Mr. Kerr, in one of his most delightful parts, arrives as a genial substitute." ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Greta Garbo gives a superb portrayal /if tragic womanhood in "Susan Lenox, Her Fall and Rise," the film version of David Graham Phillips' novel, to commence a season at St. James' Theatre today In the part of the hero is Clark Gable, former leading man of Joan ( rawford and Norma Shearer. Miss Garbo and Mr. Gable are regarded by many critics as the ideal screen romantic pair. Even more appealing than she was in "Anna Christie," "Romance" or "Inspiration," Miss Garbo is magnificent in the part of a farmer's daughter forcibly married to a man from whom she runs away to New York. Through the difficulties'that beset her, she finally emerges, after a genuine love affair with a leading dramatist, and becomes a noted actress, "Tenuis Technique," chief among the supporting items, is a remarkable exposition of the game by William Tilden.