ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. There is enough laughter in "Love Lies," the British International film, which opened a season to crowded audiences at the Regent Theatre yesterday, to suffice for two or three ordinary comedies. British farces have earned tremendous popularity with Auckland audiences, but all previous heights of wit and scintillating humour are surpassed by Lupino Lane's epic of drollery. From start to finish the film is characterised by an almost'fantastic lightheadedness which absolutely compels laughter. The only fault that could bo found with the whole production is that the jokes follow each other so fast that even the audience's desire not to miss ono atom of wit cannot prevent the irresistible laughter from drowning tho next sally. Stanley Lupino, a cousin of the author and director, Lupino Lane, makes his screen debut in tho principal rolo as Jerry Walker, whoso "clowning" strikes an entirely new note in film comedy. An inveterate "punster, ho creates his humour, not only by his wit and his droll manner of speech, but also by his mobile facial expressions. His partner in madness, Jack Hobbs, is little behind him, and it is ono of the features of the picture that every role, no matter how subordinate, is filled by a real comedian. It is this fact which keeps the film at an uniformly high level of mirth. Audiences are not given a respite from laughter. The opening scene shows Jerry Walker in gay Madrid, where his efforts to obtain admission to a bull ring, with a forbidden camera, cause endless amusement. Finally he falls into the ring and is confronted by the bull itself. Describing this scene later to his friends, ho explained his escape from death quite easily. "I just made a noise liko a cow and the bull kissed me/' he said. In spite of various adventures, including a battle of wits with a traffic policeman, he manages to got back to England in time for the wedding of his friend, "Roily" Rider. Tho difficulties that ensue when the two uncles of the young men arrive form a complication -of endless amusement. Mr. Wicll, the uncle of the young ma n who has been married, has warned his nephew to remain celibate, and Air. Watt, the uncle of the bachelor, Jerry, is always looking for a bride for his ward. To save the situation the newly-married bride pretends that Jerry is her husband. The ludicrous events that follow contain wit and farcical action at every moment. The high standard of tho main picture is maintained by the supporting items, which include two newsreels, a fine bracket of Irish airs, excellently sung by a male choir and accompanied by scenes of the Emerald Isle, and short mystery drama, "Ihe Lame Duck, which shows how a wounded English officer baffles two international thieves who have come to steal the formula, of a new high explosive.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Po successful was the previous season of " My Wife's Family" at the end of last year at St. James' Theatre that this delightful English comedy enjoyed a popular revival there before a. large audience last evening. This film is the best example of the high standard set by Biitish International Pictures, produced at the Elstree Studios, London. The actors excel in their various parts, and the diction impresses the listener with its excellent English quality. Gene Gerrajrd heads the cast, and, coming as he does from leading comedian roles on the London stage, successfully keeps the audience in a constant state of mirth. Jimmy Godden, in the part of the irrepressible Dr. Knott, actually appeared four years ago in person at the St. James' Theatre, and with Jack Gay (Gene Gerrard) is responsible for endless quips. The feminino roles are played by Muriel Angelas, as Peggy Gay, who skilfully sets off Gene Gerrard's humour; Amy Veness, as Arabella, the mother-in-law who is guaranteed to produce trouble out of any number of the mildest people; and Dodo Watts, the charming little housemaid whose offspring is intimately concerned with the main source of all the intensely amusing misunderstandings. The story opens with the blissful life of two newly-weds, Jack and Peggy Gay, across whose horizon of happiness there looms the black cloud of an impregnable mother-in-law. 'J be mother-in-law does not fail in her endeavour to cast a shadow on the happy union, although the unquenchable flow of good humour on Jack Gay's part stands out all the more against the black background. The presentation of a baby grand piano leads to ,1 host of complications, and the audience is many times treated to double-sided conversations, made even more funny by the cross purposes at which the players are talking. Monty Banks, who was the director of " My Wife's Family," has created a film which is bound to succeed in drawing crowded houses from the Auckland public owing to large stores of that which is made more valuable by bad times—comedy of the highest standard. The supporting programme includes au interesting and comprehensive Movietone News depicting noteworthy incidents from all quarters of the globe. Another film shows scenes ori a trip from Istanbul (Constantinople) to Baghdad, with types and places rarely encountered. There is also a sound cartoon, " Farm Foolery," which is bound to amuse.

LONDON THEATRE. Tlio delightful pair, Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, appear to-day at the London Theatro in the romantic comedy, "Merely-Mary Ann,"- a story enchanting in its simplicity. There is a varied supporting programme. TUDOR THEATRE. An exciting story of romance and mystery, "Tlio Spider," with Edmund Lowe and Lois Moran, will be shown nfc the Tudor Cinema this evening. "Indiscreet" (Gloria Swan.sun) will head the programme on March 22. NEW REGENT THEATRE. The powerful actor of outdoor roles, Jack Holt, appears in "Maker of Men," a vigorous production, at the New Regent. Theatre, Epsom, this evening. Zasu Pitts is funny in "The Secret Witness," also showing. LYRIC THEATRE. Eddie fan tor and Charlotte Greenwood are a comical pair in "Palmy Days," the lavish musical comedy to he shown with "Derelict" (George Bancroft) at the Lyric Theatre to-day. "Indiscreet" (Gloria Swanson) will be shown on Friday. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. A special matinee programme at, the Prince Edward Theatre this afternoon will he headed by "Sporting Blood," a romance of the lurf. A Laurel and Hardy comedy will also ho shown. "Bad Girl" (Sally Filers) will be presented in the evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Had Girl" (Sally Filers) and "Father's Son," with Lewis Stone and Irene Rich, will he presented at the Britannia Theatre to day. GREY LYNN CINEMA. Marion Davies and Leslie Howard appear in Fannie Hurst's "Five and Ten" at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. AVONDALE TOWN HALL. Joan Crawford's "This Modern Ago" will be shown with "The Lawyer's Secret" (Clive Brook) at the Avondale Town Ilall to-day.i

CIVIC THEATRE. "My Sin," the Paramount picture, in which Tallulah Bankhead, the American actress who appeared so prominently on the English stage, takes a part calling for unusual dramatic ability, commenced a season at the Civic Theatre before a large audience last evening. Except by her reputation as a foremost actress and her performance in "Tarnished Lady'," Miss Bankhead is comparatively little known in New Zealand, but Auckland has before it a production, the story of which affords Miss Bankhead admirable opportunities for her peculiar talents. Th& story opens, in a town in the Panama Canal zone, where Miss Bankhead, forced from a social position of some importance by the blackmailing attentions of a former acquaint ance, appears as an entertainer of notoriety in a Latin American cafe. There sho en counters the worst side of human life and is regarded as beyond redemption. She shoots Iter blackmailer dead in a quarrel and such is her reputation in the town that reputable lawyers decline to defend her when sho is charged with murder. The opportunity to conduct a criminal defence is taken by a young American lawyer, a student of Harvard, who, because ot years of dissipation, finds himself in the lowest social level in the town. In stirring Court scenes he makes a successful appeal for Miss Bankhead and, following the trial, he also prevents her from taking her life. It is through his inspiration and assistance that Miss Bankhead is led to attempt a new life. She travels to New York and regains social position when she is connected with a leading interior decoration firm. In New York she becomes engaged to a member of one of the best-known families, but sho refrains from giving the story of her past. She ultimately makes her Confession when she is confronted by a former acquaintance in Panama, and she deliberately wrecks her career. It is then that the lawyer who helped her, a part played capably by Frcdric March, again provides a way out of her difficulties and an opportunity to forget her associations in the past. The characterisation taken by Miss Bankhead is eminently suited to her talents and her acting at all times is polished. Mr. March also acquits himself with distinction, his acting in the Court scenes being of a finished order, with the correct degree of force. Scott Kolk, Harry Davenport, Anne Sutherland and Margaret Adams take prominent parts in the production,' which is directed by George Abbott, who earned much praise for his handling of "Secrets of a Secretary." The supporting programme is of particular interest. A cartoon with synchronised music and effects, "Little Annie Rooriev," was a popular attraction, and topical world events were excellently photographed in two Paramount newsreels. The opening of the winter sports at St. Moritz, riding to hounds on the Epsom Downs, a flight i' l a glider from a height of 2700 ft., and German military manoeuvres in tho Bavarian Alps, were among some of the events shown. Another of the series of "Screen Souvenirs" caused much amusement.

STRAND THEATRE. E. H. Griffith is the director of " Rebound," the polished production which is proving popular at the Strand Theatre. As he was responsible for " Holiday," his new effort could not have a better introduction. Miss Ina Claire gives a supremely delightful performance of a girl who married "on the rebound." that is to say, won her husband after he had been rejected by another woman. The association of her husband and his former lover is renewed and from then 011 the film treats of the manner in which the wife comes into her own. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The grandeur and immensity of the spectacular " Ben Hur," which is at present screening at the Majestic Theatre, are not easily forgotten, and to those who saw the silent version of this epic film six years ago, the addition of appropriate sound effects cannot but appeal. The vast action of the story renders speech almost superfluous. The Roman world is graphically depicted at the height of its splendour in a series of unforgettable scenes. The principal roles are superbly taken by the magnetic Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman. The picture has a cast of 20,000 and the filming occupied three years. NATIONAL THEATRE. Douglas Fairbanks, jnr., featured in First National's whirlwind comedy, " I Like Your Nerve," which is assured of a most successful season at the National Theatre, gives a dashing performance in a role similar to those which his father filled years ago. The story is replete with romance, action and adventure in sequence after sequenco of well-built suspense. Some fine scenes of high-powered racing cars have liee.ii cleverly incorporated. It is the story of an enthusiastic young American who becomes involved in political and romantic intrigues while making a motor tour of Central America.

TIVOLI .AND EMPRESS THEATRES. A -vivid story of a girl's readiness to sacrifice all that life held dear for the happiness of her half sister is told in "The Rosary," which is being screened nfc the Tivoli and Empress Theatres. Margot Grahanie and Elizabeth Allen are perfectly matched as the two principals. The second feature to be screened is "The Fourth Alarm," with Nick Stuart and Ann Christy. It is an exciting rue-fight-ing melodrama. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Norma Shearer, a beautiful and talented actress, acts dynamically opposite Clark Gable in "A Free Soul," which will be screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. The second film, "Maker of Men," has Jack Holt in the leading role. RIALTO THEATRE. "A Free Soul," with tho chief roles in tho capable hands of Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, will be shown at tho Rialto Theatre this evening. "The Secret Witness," with William Collier, junr., in the leading role, is a second film. ONEHUNGA STRAND THEATRE. " The 'Cisco Kid " (Warner Baxter) will be presented at tho Onehunga Strand Theatre to-day. CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL. A recital of chamber music will be given in the Lewis Eady Hall on Monday, March 21, by Helen Grey, violinist, Jean Clarkson, . 'cellist, and Owen Jensen, pianist. They will be assisted by Mr. A. B. Thompson, baritone. SOCIAL EVENING. A social evening will be held by the St. Andrew's Society in tho Town Hall concert chamber this evening. There will be an address by Mr. J. W. Shaw and items will bo given by Mrs. Culford Bell and tho St. Andrew's Quartet. PIANO DUO RECITAL. A piano duo recital will bo given by Miss Marjorie Gully and Mr. Cyril Towsey in the Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday evening. CAPITOL THEATRE. " The Spider," with Edmund Lowe and Lois Moran, and " Finn and Haitio " (Zasu Pitts' and Leon Errol), will bo tho main films shown at the Capitol Theatre to-day.

PLAZA THEATRE, " Carnival*" Herbert Wilcox's audiblescreen version joI the glamorous stage success, is a feast of loveliness and pictorial beauty amid the enticing charm of Venice. Its success at the Plaza Theatre, where it began a season yesterday, seems assured. The latest adaptation of the Matheson Lang-C. M. Hardinge drama, with its ingenious dovetailing of vital portions of Shakespeare's " Othello " and a tale of marital jealousy in Venice, has taken on a new, exotic beauty. Appropriately, it is called " Carnival." It captures perfectly the exuberant spirit of gaiety and abandon which characterises life in Italy. The scenes of gondolas and gentle lapping water, which flow in never-ending succession across the screen create beauty and enchantment. In spite of the exacting nature of the theme, the artists never allow the action to become theatrical. There is a notable cast of players, including Matheson Lang, as the somewhat tragic Silvio Steno; and Dorothy (formerly Chili) Louchier, who makes a sylph-like figure of his dainty, frivolous wife, eagerly sought by other men. Joseph Schildkraut is a handsome count as the passionate Ipvor who would come between man and wife. An uncommonly fine child study is contributed by little Dickie Edwards, who gives a performance of sensitive intelligence. There is also a most ingenious Krazy Kat cartoon, a ludicrously funny interpretation of the polite nursery myth. An Australian newsreel completes the programme.