ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

The high standard of entertainment set by the management of the Majestic Theatre is worthily maintained by the very excellent programme which couiinenced a season at the theatre yesterday. Variety is the keynote, and once again there is a splendid selection of short films in addition to the principal attraction, "The Champ." A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "The Champ" tells a delightful story based on the companionship existing between a father and his small son. Throughout, the picture is intensely human, and that fact, coupled with "the superb acting of the leading players, must place it among the foremost of the talking screen's masterpieces. Popular Wallace Beery enacts the chief role, and he lms never appeared to greater advantage. His interpretation of a carefree prize-fighter and inveterate gambler is magnificent. With all his faults, however, the "Champ" is far from being an unlikable personage, and the love he displays for his son is very real and very human. In his latest part Wallaco Beery proves himself to be not only a first-class comedian, but also a dramatic and emotional actor of the highest order. Little Jackie Cooper, of "Skippy" fame, is admirably cast as the "Champ's" son. His acting is characterised by a natural grace, and lie ably masters the different styles of acting and expression demanded of him. Although a new "find," he is outstanding among the screen's juvenile players. Other parts are taken by Irene Rich, who appears as the boy's mother, Roscoc Ale's (ho "stuttering comedian," Edward Bropliy and Hale Hamilton. Of particular interest among the supporting features is a film in which William T. '1 ilden, the eminent American tennis player and Davis Cup representative, demonstrates a number of his strokes in both quick and slow motion. Tilden, who, it will be remembered, visited Now Zealand some years ago, also gives an interesting talk on (he methods he adopts in his play. Another fine film shows the prominent swimmers Ryan and Charlton in competition in a carnival in Melbourne. Among the events depicted in the news gazettes are a recent disarmament demonstration in Paris, at which international stalesmen spoke; the testing of the railway tracks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge bv (ho crossing of 92 locomotives; the launching of the new American liner Manhattan; and the ringing by electricity of the famous bells of St. Peter's Cathedral, Rome. A clever "Flip the Frog" cartoon completes a programme which is assured of a most successful season.

REGENT THEATRE. As glamorous as "Viennese Nights," which enjoyed a record season in Auckland recently, "City of Rone," said to he the best picture to come from a British studio, will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. The oast is notable for the appearance of Betty Stockfield, beautiful Australian actress, and Jan Kiepura, renowned singer of tlie Viennese Opera. The fascination and charm of the plav lies in the wealth of natural settings" through which the audience is transported —Naples, basking in the sunlight, the beautiful Isle of Capri and the splendours of old Pompeii. Hugh Wakefield, successful comedian of the London stage, contributes some delightful wit. Some interesting glimpses of London are presented. '1 he motif of the film, the impossible romance between a London society girl and a young guide of Naples, is exceedingly well carried out and the logical issue is not abandoned. There are excellent subordinate films. NAT lON A L THE ATR E. Auckland theatre patrons will welcome the return of the gorgeous technicolour film "Viennese Nights," which will be the new attraction at the National Theatre to-day. For javishness and splendour it cannot bo surpassed and th o delicious musical score enhances the excellent entertainment provided. Romanco and pathos are deftlv intermingled with Ihe plot and delightful lyrics add piquancy to the sad story of a musician's hopeless love which he sees blossom anew in another generation, for his son marries the daughter of the woman round whom he wove youthful dreams in vain. Oscar Hammerslein 11. composed the lyrics which add glamour to the beautiful and authentic settings of Vienna, where the story mainly lakes part. The denouement is effected in America and the film ends on a pathetic, yet happy, note. HONV THEATRE. "Keepers of \outh, ' which is attracting large audiences to the Boxy Theatre, is a scathing indictment against a certain type of English boarding school. It, is noted for the deft characterisations offered by Garry Marsh, Boliin Irvine and John Turnhull. An all British supporting programme is included. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "This Modern Age," in which Joan Crawford has a congenial role, is the main attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre. It deals with vital modern problems. "Virtuous Sin" is the other film. Walter Huston and Kay Francis arc included in the cast. LONDON THEATRE. Evelyn Lave, beautiful English musical comedy actxes-s, and John Boles, a prominent singer, appear together in the lavish United Artists operetta " One Heavenly Night," to head the new programme at the London Theatre to-day. It, has been magnificently produced. LYRIC THEATRE. " Man in Possession," now at. the Lyric Theatre, is sophisticated comedy at it's best. Robert Montgomery is splendid as a mnn-about-tnwn, while Charlotte Greenwood contributes her usual boisterous humour. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Elissa Landi, glamorous actress of "The Yellow Ticket," acts convincingly in "Wicked," the main attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre. "Office Wife" (Dorothy Mackaill) is also shown. RTALTO THEATRE. .Tonn Crawford acts superbly in "This Modern Age," to be shown at the Rialto Theatre this evening. Other members of the cast arc Neil Hamilton and Blanche Frederic. TI VOL I THEATRE. Jack Holt acts with power and conviction in "Maker of Men," to head the Tivoli Theatre programme this evening. "The Secret Witness" will also be shown. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Maker of Men" (Jack Holt) will be shown with "The Secret Witness" at the Empress Theatre to-day. Richard Cromwell also appeal's in the former. Una Merkel is the heroine in "The Secret Witness." EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Lan Keith is appropriately unscrupulous in "The Deceiver," to bo presented with "Shanghaied Love" at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. Noah Beery appears in the second film. TUDOR THEATRE. " Phantom of Paris " (John Gilbert and Leila Hvams) heads the current programme at the Tudor Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE. John Batten, the young Auckland film actor who has won the acclaim of critics abroad, will make personal appearances at, the Civic Theatre, beginning to-day, when his latest film, "Men Like These," will be screened for the first time. Inspired by the recent disaster in China waters to the British submarine Poseidon, when Petty Officer Willis displayed great bravery, "Men Like These" is gripping in its realism and intensity—an epic of the British submarine service. The picture is invested with a fine panoramic quality, with touches of comic relief, humour, sentiment and pathos. It will remain an everlasting memorial to the men of the British submarine service. There are glimpses of a broadcasting announcer sending out news of the submarine disaster, of the wives and parents of the trapped men waiting for further tidings and of ships—liners, tramps and fishing boats—rushing to the rescue. It is stirring drama. It is also authentic, for the film was produced under the supervision of the British Admiralty. Some of the most vivid scenes of peril, especially those which show the men imprisoned in the forward torpedo compartment shooting upward through the water, one, by one, transcend description. "Fascination," with Madeleine Carroll, will complete the all-British programme. PLAZA THEATRE. "The Rosary," directed with consummate skill by Guy Newell, will be the new attraction at the Plaza Theatre today. The notable cast assures its success. Margot Grahame acts convincingly in the lending part and she is ablv supported by Elizabeth Allen, talented English actress, Walter Piers and Leslie Perrius. Although the incidental music is inspired by "The Rosary." the tenor of the story is in direct contradistinction to the famous lyric. The plot is sophisticated, with intriguing sub-plot and counter-plot. The main story concerns the love of two sisters for the same man and does not lag throughout. It reveals touches of romance, drama, melodrama and pathos. A baffling murder and a cunning forgery precipitate a climax that adds piquancy to the drama. Although the designation of the film is suggestive of a convent, religion figures little in the production. There are two scenes with a convent background when one of the sisters seeks temporary sanctuary in the Church. The peak of dramatic tensity is reached when she shoulders the blame for a murder committed by the other woman. The way is paved, however, for a happy ending. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Such success has attended the screening of "Possessed" at St. James' Theatre that the management has decided to present the programme for an extended season. The quality of the picture justifies the decision. Joan Crawford is well cast in a dynamic role of a factory girl who rises from obscure poverty to social affluence, only to renounce her hard-won position so that her lover can attain to the Governorship of his State. As the young lawyer, made a victim of an insidious political campaign because of his associations with the erstwhile factory girl, Clark Gable enhances his recentlywon popularity. Included in the interesting supporting programme is a Laurel and Hardy comedy, in which the famous pair perform their usual amusing antics. BRITANNIA THEATRE. " Gun Smoke," with Richard Arlen, and " Wicked " (Elissa Landi) will be presented at the Britannia Theatre this evening. THE T.O.Y. PLAYERS. In an interpretation of an entirely different form of dramatic art, in which the whole success of the scene depended solely on th« personality of the players, the Misses Rayner last evening delighted a large audience at the Lewis Eady Hall with a series of troubadour entertainments after the style of the old-time folk-songs and ballads. Simplicity was the keynote of the programme and the settings and costumes were chosen with that object strictly in view. At the outset an explanation given by Miss Rayner concerned the unusual type of entertainment and thereafter one had no trouble in imagining the most realistic environments for the wide variety of places represented in the series of little acts. The audience was taken to unexplored corners of comedy, drama and verse and it showed warm appreciation of each item. A wide range of talent was exhibited with finished skill by the Misses Rayner. The troubadour programme is to be repeated to-morrow evening and "Cottages and Castles" is t o be given next Thursday and the following Saturday, March 3 and 5.