ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CrnC THEATRE > "An American Tragedy," the drama of a factory girl who was willing to stake her Hie for love, wait shown t«£nr« a large audience at the Gnic Theatre last evening Three youthful screen personalities come to the fans in this gripping and. dramatic prod action and aS' of' them are playing their .first- tie roles far the films. They are Phillips Holmes, Sylvia Sidney and Frances Dee. "An American Tragedy" is the, stcry of youth wish ambition vising with love, one leve conSicting with another, and a hoy groping his way reckktssiy oat of a situation which he is too wisak to face Thtf scenes in the courtroom are the mosi sincere arid tragically real :pages from life that the screen has yet captured. The drama 1b woven ronnd the lives of Clyde Griffiths, an ambitious young man from a poor family, Roberta Alden, a factory gird, who sacrifices everything for her great love, and Sondra Finchley, the glittering society girl. After meeting Roberta, in the factory where he is -workin b: as foreman, Clyde, finds that the only remedy for estrame loneliness is friendship with her, and together they start a secret affair. After months of companionship Clyde finds that, the position ;s complicated because he has nasi another and, to him. more *;iigib)e omqaest in Sondra, whose soda! status and wealth make ber friendship more desirable. When he discovers that he can have besides her lore, wealti and position, be decides that- he must terminate the situation which has grown up between the factoiy girl and himself. In an effort to rid himself of Roberta's unwanted attentions, he resorts to a fateful mistake and brings down ail the hate and scorn of society upon his head. The courtroom rs the setting for scenes of \ dramatic intensity, in which Clyde is j forced to live over again the moments j in which he and Roberta entered into i the phase immediately preceding her ! drowning. All" through the trial Clyde has the support of, Ms mother, and! itis only her strength and solace wliich ; hold, him together after the -vesiict is made known. Phillips Holmes plays the role of Clyde Griffiths in a con-riming manner, forcing the spectator to realise that it is Ms selfishness is2m& is responsible for the -tragedy isfto widch he falls. Holmes has already *'on praise in "The Devil's Holiday" anci in Heaven." Miss Sylvia Sidney is ttie true-to-life factory girl, strong in her unwavering love for Clyde. She has only one previous picture appearance, with Gary Cooper in "City Street's." Frances Dee. who is the attractive society girl, was an unknown "'extra" not long ago. hut came into prominence in support of Maurice Chevalier ia "Playboy of Paris." The supporting programme is of a _high standard and includes a Paramount News. There is also an interesiing Sim 'Entitled ''Screen Souvenirs," depicting life in; retrospect, and an amusing Talkartoon, 4 'Bimbo's Express." NATIONAL THEATER A well-knit story of a somewhat self-in-dulgent financier, who is blind to his genuine leva for his chancing secretary until she marries a ne'er-dowelkis told with fluency and ease in " Honour Among Lovers," Dorothy Araner's film version of a stage success, which shouM prove popular ai the National Taeasre. lii commenced its season yesterday. JTradrte March paints a subtle portrait of the wealthy, business man who refuse; to accept his secretary's high : ideals of Me. No more mienigffltt : and beautiful actress than Clandette Colbert, nrho jtppßarsd wUh Mr. March in " iiCanslaagt-ter," could have been chosen for lie part ctf the questing young woman whose desce for a home allows her to overlook" the shallow msracierifcy of the man she marnett,- ptiayed with just the right air of jaunt iness by Monroe Owsley. The urbane man-of-fashion of " Holiday" and " This Modern Age" acts uncommonly well as the man whose fever for gambling urges him to risk other people s money on the stock exchange. Other engaging menihei-s of the east are Charles "Ruggles. as a nonchalant man -a bout- to vm, whose philosophical cakn remains unruffled ensn at the news that " Japanese silk," in which he had invested- his aIL has failed; and Ginger Rogers, the petulantly appealing soubrette of many pictures. She is delightful as the beautiful bat dumb cam- • par.ion of the jovial inebriate. ...... " j STBAND THEATRE. Owing to its remarkable success, Canstance Bennett's 41 The Common -Law" is to be shown for an extended season at the. Strand Theatre. Miss Beniaefct is entirely at her ease in the -emotiaoal role of a woman living in Pam under the most exacting conditions. ; Determined to earn. her Imrtg independently, she becomes an artists' model and wins tie genuine love of a young American artist, pitayisd by Joel SlcCrea- important roles are also interpreted by LeW'Cotfy. jis a man-about-town, Hedda Hopper and the late Robert Williams. BOXY THEAIRE. Racy action and tense incidents characterise " Secret Sendee," in wiiich Richard Dix gives another dytuamic characterisation, now being presented at the Rosy Theatre. Mr. DiS plays tint part of a daring Union spy during the American Civil. War, who assumes the guise of a Confederate and enter* the luicmy camp to discover valuable information. Sliirley Grey is the heroine.

AVONPALE TOWN HALL. " One Heavenly Night," ir» which Erelrn Lars and John Boles head the cast., offers splendid, entertainment at the Avondale Totrn Hall. Dsncinc vrJI i>e ;held at the conclusion of tie evening | performance. GRET LYXN CINEMA.. Romance and camea? are excellent<y ! hiended in " Shipmates." which the j rnain attraction si the Hrey Lynn n,nenia-. I Pne leading roic is taken by Robert Mont- . ! gornen - . • I t : ; LYRIC THEATRE. ! The accomplished actress Rath Chatter- i : fmi is the principal in " The Right, t-o | Love," which is being screeiwd at the : Lyric Theatre. The supporting attraction 1 is " Up Pops The Devil," in whirls Li i van' Tashrnan and Carol Lombard appear. TUDOR C1>"EMA...,... I# Ramon Ncrrarro end Maa#e are ; associated in some spfendlti anfihg in "San ' | of India," which will hm. fihmrn, at the i Tudor Cinema-to-day., shorter films . | inclndo a Charlie Chase tuaadj', a Metro | coloured rtvse and a-British ««u®3 news- : STRAND, ONEITHNGA. ' Lionel Barrymture girais am untfftJindinp: ; pnrtxayal in r.he,mystery drama. i Hands'," art the Strand Theatre, One. i hunga. : t".,' CAPITOL TEEAERSSr. "Bad Sister'** {Sidn«y" F«i) will be shown with. * Bks&J»f£££ss?« Theatre to-day. Thomas ®&Sjcltan and Matrrera O'SnlliTao ttppear iM- tbe latter picture. , " OTAHEBO CaENIVAL. The AnokiaßcL Girls 5 JBand <wiE play at the Otahufaa ;Cai3rjxHl, !a& I>e .held on TYiday evening; An enjoyable entertainment is promised. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Marks* Danes and Lisße EEowardtoad a tiata&fe cast an Fannie gaapst* and Ten," to be Kfawm *S2 Woman" (Mary Autor) ■* '&» C*J* m Palace to-day.

v k v. '*- v" %5 '"** '?< - !£?£ *]s" *sf?S ST. JAMES* THEAIBE." 3. powarfal drama of love azwt misunderstanding is contained in Lenos—Her FaH aad Kise," wincb.. cum- ; menced a season at SL Jußls' TiesO"® ■.".. yesterday- - The film contain". -Stc ■._ .■ * which is fcfl of dramatic force and which gives the star, Greta. Gar bo, admirable opportunities fsr the emotional- acting lor which she is famnpc The .story opens :.-v-; ■ wiih. the birth of Heiga. at the ccsfc of ber mother's life. Her grandfather is relentless in his determination that she sbjall not follow in the footsteps -oi her mother and before the girl has properly grown np he plans to many her to a luagbbeming farmer, before any inherited tendenaas can manifest themselves. Helga runs away from home and finds a refuge in the. summer cottage of Rodney Spenser, a yoarig engineer. The couple fall in love and Spencer leaves for his borne after pnodising 4c return and marry Helga. During .his absence, her grandfather SnCs ber and comes to take her back, bat Helga again runs away and by mistake boards a circas train. She has to join tha fiircus- Ris there that Spencer finds her on bis return, bet be is disfllruaoned -and leaves herHelga or Susan Lenox, as she now calls herself, then parstves a lite of gaiety and pleasure. Eventually she . meets Spmjcer again and makes a desperate effort to persuade him to make a fresh start' in In® with her. .The ..acaac^of'""Greta Gari>4> is of the high standard which, .is. always associated with her shfi„ is cajk--ably supported by Clark Gable, who plays the part of Rodney Spencer in iect manner. A fine performance is aJstt' : given fay-Jean HershoJt in the role of Helga's grandfather- The supporting programme -contains in addition : to same' interesting ne*s fpsrtwres,. farther film, m the sports series, this feasance being contrfhoted by William TSdcSf the famous tennis champion. There is also an -eatertaininc comedy, entiiied " Kick En," which restores the '* tHsr Gang" : ccmedy team. *•. - PLAZA THEATBE. " So great, has been the popularity of "Lonely Wives," the deßcious comedy of . manners which has delighted andiences at the Plaza Theatre for thepast week, that tie season : has been exteodecL Spai&iing' wit and adroit stuations -m*3re» tbis sophisticated comedy a riot of humour. And it is done 'fnS justice By the uncommonly fine cast of arSsfea. ; There are Edward Everett Hnrton, ranJCTifes'ed for ■ i a long list of inimitable "repressed ambition" rales, in the part of an ostensibly staid and prosaic attorney, who is nothing loth to turn bis wife's temporary absence from home to account, in spite of his vindictive mother-in-law's prying curiosity. The leading ladies are Esther Ealstotr. fonnerly seen in ""The ProdigaF'; Laura La Plants, charming tajmedieimej and Patsy Rati Miller, an actress of piquant appeal. Sktlfid trick photography has heightened the interest ot the Story, and Mr. Horton, in dual roles; is seen actually '*taking*bands viih himself." EEGENT THE Aim A b.hnngh George Ariiss* -*Tbe Milßanaire" is now in the second week of its season at the E-egent Theatre, interest is still bans keenly maintained , on the part of Auckland filmgoeES. ' 'lt is- without question one of the most delightful fihrra of its type yet seem in Auckland. It pots aside all subtlety aad- siepMsticatann.. Mr. Arl ; ss transcends even bis gerfnrmances in "Disraeli" and "Old EngHsh" in bis interpretation of the sgemg motzvr mag- . nate who, having been persuaded to retire, frets at inactivity until be hits nptm the idea oi mnniag a garage busness as a secret hobby. Florence Ariiss, as. the ■ nhSiotiaire's wife, Dai id Manners and | Evalyn Enapp, both mast appealing in romantic roles, are otises* members of a nni?Kit» cast Ncsab Beeiy makes an appropriate -pitlam. " SptradM cbaracbsrstudles are also- cratnbntad ' ' TaGy Marshall, as a agii Bramwell Fletcher, in the part of a rather ' innocuous man-of-fashion. '■ • MAJESTIC THEATRE., An indefinable exotic .charm pervade* "• The Cuban Love Song," the djstinctiys aad artistic film of the South Seas now being shojsra at .the Majestic Theafa-e. Lawrence the robust 'singer of -* The Ebgue- Sotie." J*. sTew Moon"" sad " The Prodigal," gives another rollicking performance in the part «£ a <scs«s*a;r marine, whose i-ifatcafeion for aa aßaring peanut vendor (Xjipe VMfa:) daases considerable unhappiness to bis iisnaee, played with austere beauty by Eartra Moriey. Boisterous enmedy is prasided -by Jimmy Durante and Ernest Torrance, the genial partners in.crime flf "The New ; Adveni.nres of W affingajri'* Other notable membm of tba- cast ar» Louise Fa3iemfa.-"wbo lias a sasall-pari, and Hale Hamilton- The orchjsstiai accaTEpananeTtt to the pietace eserls ja fascinating sf»eS on the, aadismce. •; ' .• LONDON THEATRE. \ Maurice Chevalier; now the screen faTourrte of 'millions, gives a typically dashing performance in "The 8%. which is being shown with "Her Private Affair" at' the London Theatre. He stags several captovatisg songs wiuch kave a strong appeal. Ann Hanfeig brings', .dizmtv and grace to her part in the second I picture. -

TTYOLI AMD EXPRESS TEEATEES. An acraffipiisheri cast of Encfch artists interprets. the' vital dnnna.-<w " the film version of the noted siass play, i.o he presented again • at. '-fie Tivoli arid Empress Theatres to-day. Gedric HardvicJie is taaCTi.fi«?Rt a s tltp rnfin the victim of 8 terrible travesty <£' -jitsizse. At thp aistinw pen'crctiairccs two eomedie* •will also be screened.

EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. " A Dangerous Affair.'' in which. Jack. Holt, Raiph Graves and SaUr BlffTVe apppnr. is the main fflpi to bp sSiowb at tie £nscrn Rrgrni TKeafcne to-day. ' '"-V----PRIXCE EDWARD \ John Gilbert plays tie part xrf a Afl- ;v; fui magicam ia " The Phantom of Paris,?-", to bead thfl Prince Edward Usata® fcr»- jiJ day. The second picture will, be Money,"' \ntli Joan Bennett and Kwd» Aibrisrbt. ' : f kialto Leslie Sowiird, S&oarn - Douglass, Bkhaxd ISanajasti Jxgat> Rick appear in FsnffiHrsfao3%. Ten.'* to f«' presested with. ' *%hsmA~ hreak" at the ESalto TlirffTe yto-dajf.^"- •' • - .. ':r •• i* -'■&&. •?- •; ■» 7 MUMA; ■' TECELSSm ;*-■■. " Joe 51" Brcrarii arid an. .tspraarmnaly, ianny comedy .gair ia "' Sit TiefetV" to be sbowti Avitn "* Two Crowded. Bouts" . at " the Britannia Theatre to-day. - " AanafepSe's AfEaJrS" (Jeaaetie MarDo&aMT trill' be shades at- the Psctare- ; drome Theatre this -evfcrt:-Dg. . There tth* I also be jazz.