ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. The now 73iitish Ijitcrnatioti.il film, " Hobson's Choice,'* which commenced ;i season before largo audiences at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, must, he ranked as 0110 of the" most quaintly amusing and best-acted pictures seen in Auckland. Mr. Thomas Rentley's direction of Mr. Harold llrighouso's play of Victorian Lancashiro has deservedly won praise wherever the production has appeared, and the players have been so appropriately cast, that the entertainment provided is eminently satisfying. The dialogue throughout is in the Lancashiro dialect. '.l ho speech rings strangely but pleasingly on New Zealand ears ;iL the beginning, but the audience, quickly becomes attracted to the strange expressions used and linds .1 wealth of enjoyment in the colloquialisms. "Hobson's Choice" represents What can be done in the way of employing dialect to llio greatest, possible advantage, and the film comes as a refreshing change from Americanisms and even standard English. In a particularly able group of players, there are several impressive performers. Tho most conspicuous arc .Tames Harcourt, who appears as Henry Hobson, the, irascible bootmaker of Salford, Joan Maude, as Hobson's ambitious and shrewd daughter, Maggie, and Frank Pettingoll, who is eminently suited to play tho part of tho extremely provincial workman in Hobson's store, Willie Mossop. The story concerns 1110 conduct of Hobson's shop in a patently Victorian age. Hobson is not a bio to appreciate that his business really depends on the business acumen of Maggie and the quality of Willie Mossop's workmanship, and he makes himself a thoroughly unpleasant employer. Maggie is generally regarded in Salford as a confirmed spinster, but she astounds the townspeople and her father by proposing marriage to Willie Mossop. The workman has not sufficient courage to deny her advances. Hobson is further perturbed when Maggie and Willio combine brains and skill and open an opposition store. Ho is loft with two other daughters—Viola Lyel and Belle Crystal]—to manage tho shop, and a staff of incompetent workmen. The result is that Maggie and Willie win away his trade. Hobson eventually is compelled, much against his will, to join forces with the opposition and to allow Maggie and Willio the controlling share in his business. " Hobson's Choice" is a simple story, and its attractions lie in its polished acting and remarkably fine dialogue. The supporting programmo is full of interest, a Donald Mackay travel film about Darwin and the Northern Territory, and a British Nature film being of especial note. There are also a Pat he News, an Australian Cinesound Review and a Walt Disney cartoon. NATIOXAL TIIEATRE. An imposing array of artists interprets " The Ruling Voice," tho splendid film of graft and corruption in modern business, which seems assured of a successful season at tho National Theatre, where it was shown for the first timo on Saturday. Walter Huston, the convincing actor of " The Criminal Code " and " Abraham Lincoln," gives a dynamic portrayal of the seemingly merciless financier "whose " system " of service charges extorted from unfortunate business proprietors to secure freedom from molestation grows and extends until it becomes stronger than tho man himself. Moreover, Mr. 1 Huston brings to the part occasional quiet humour, which is usually foreign to his characterisations. Special praise must be accorded tho performance contributed by Doris Keiiyon, a favourite of the silent era, who is thoroughly delightful in the part of a charming widow, who, having been caught up in the remorseless system, convinces the financier of the repulsiveness of his vocation, but in vain. Miss Kenyon brings dignity and grace to her interpretation, which is enhanced by a cultured land pleasing voice. Her next appearance (in George Arliss' "Alexander Hamilton") will be eagerly awaited. Youthful romantic roles are delightfully played by Loretta Young, as tho racketeer's gently-bred daughter shocked bv her father's revelation of the truth, and David Manners, of "The Miracle Woman " and " The Millionaire," as the girl's boyish lover. Other notable members of tho cast are Dudley Digges. in the part of tho racketeer's robot-like henchman; John ITalliday, as an unfortunate character who is a mere pawn in the game; Gilbert Emery and Willard Robertson. Although the plot contains many tense moments, (be story is relieved by refreshing flashes of humour and delightful touches of romance. The ending is most unexpected. The supporting items include a Booth Tarkinglon juvenile comedy, " ''no floor] Deed a musical novelty, "The 'Big House' Party"; a comedy of American lower ebs's life, "Of All People " ; and tho Pathe Super-sound Gazette, showing views of Dr. Bruening, the German Chancellor, and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Now in the second and final week of its season, "Strangers May Kiss" continues to enjoy great, popularity at St. James' Theatre. Norma Shearer, "the most decorative actress in films." and Robert Montgomery, in the part of her tipsy but everlastingly faithful lover, make a delightful romantic pair. Tho cast also includes Neil Hamilton, Irene Rich and Marjorie Rambeau. Laurel and Hardy are very amusing in their second medium-length milledv, "Beau Hunks," ;i burlesque, of (lie most riotously funny description. A comprehensive film of the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening will be shown, commencing at this afternoon's session.

" MATA 11 AIM." " Mat ;t If a iithe first, of a series of .Metro (loldw yn-Mayer films, with astonishingly imposing casts, to follow "Strangers May Kiss" at. St. James' Theatre on Friday, has (Ireta flarbo, Pamon Novarro, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Karen Morlcy io the principal parts. (Ireta (inrbo, whose audible-screen performances have improved with each successive appearance, rises to great, heights in tho part of the. beautiful but enigmatic spy. POXY TIIISATRft. Puck Jones and r l im Met ov rule and shoot, with their customary daring and skill in the two invigorating Western films now being shown at the Po.\y Theatre. In the first-, "Branded." Puck Jones plavs the part of a tenderloot, cowboy, who finally proves his worth and wins the winsome heroine. " I he, Fighting Fool" shows Tun McCoy as a determined sheriff. LONDON 'l'll ft AT lift. A wide variety of tastes is entered for in the, three exceptionally diverse types of films now being shown at, the London Theatre. " Mango" is an unusual jungle fi.lin. "rSocial Krrors " is a comedy of manners, and " A Perfect Day " is a hilarious Laurel and Hardy burlesque. LYRIC Til RATH-ft. Lionel Marrvn.'ore, Kay Francis. Madge Kvans and Alan Mowbray are members of the notable cast in " < lullfv Hands, which heads - tho programme at the Lyric 1 heat re. CIIKY LYNN OIN'KMA. Lionel Barrymore and Kay Francis ap pear in "(luilty Hands" at the (.Irey Lynn Cinema. A VON DALE TOWN HALL. Janet CJaynor and Charles J'"nrre!l are delightful in " Merelv Mary Ann" at the Avondalo Town ilall.

PRINT'!'"! EDWARD THEATRE. " (let-Ti.n l) Quick Wnllingford (William Haines) and "The Lawyer's Secret," with Olive Brook, are the maiu films at the Prince Edward Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE. Tlio bewitching music of Bizet, and tho glamorous story of love and intrigue by Merimce, that go to make " Carmen " oiio of tlio favourites with lovers of grand opera, have been faithfully reproduced in " Gipsy Blood," tlio principal item of the, new programme which commenced a season at the, Civic Theatre on Saturday. Tlio possibilities of Merinico's story liavo been fully recognised by tlio director, who has produced " Carmen " on a scale impossible except on (he screen, tlio story being given a more life-like touch than could ever bo .imparted with the narrow confines of the operatic stage. The filming of the opera has called for certain departures from the original, but nothing extraneous has been added, and tlio picture has authentic backgrounds more convincing than the most artfully arranged stage settings. More important, however, is the fact tliaL "Gipsy Blood" includes practically all of the original music, interpreted by a very fine orchestra indeed, and a full cast of talented operatic singers. As is ■the case with the opera, Carmen, the passionate, but inconstant, Gipsy girl, dominates practically every scene. Marguerite Namara, a prominent operatic soloist, lias caught to a nicety the moody temperament of Carmen, and gives an excellent performance. She is admirably suited to the part, and her singing is one of the. outstanding features of the film. As might be expected, the musical side of the opera has been carefully handled, and although the solos are infrequent, they are, extremely well done. The principal malo role, that of Don Jose, one of Carmen's numerous lovers, is taken bv Mr. Tom Burke, the well-known English operatic tenor. He has an extremely rich voice, obviously trained in the .Italian school, and sings with that consummate ease attained only by the greatest vocalists. The duet which he shares with Madame Namara is one of the finest items in the whole film, although the solo sung by Mr. Burke in (ho, prison scene is also very effective. Another singer, Lance Fairfax, who is well known to New Zealand audiences, gives a good performance. Ho is cast as Escamillo, the toreador, and gives the " Toreador Song," probably the most famous selection from ' Carmen, in inspiring style. The principal item in the supporting programme is the "Darktown Revue," a typical old-time minstrel show consisting principally of clever local'children. The revue has been skilfully staged, and provides a welcome variation in entertainment. Creditable ballet dancing is performed by a number of older.girls, while the smaller children, dressed in appropriate negro costume, show remarkable talent in their tap-danc-ing and concerted numbers. Mr. Duncan Black, who conducts, also sings " Swannee River," and a running fire of humour is maintained by " Mr. Bones " and " Mr. Johnsing." The programme also includes a very interesting film, " Thar' She Blows," dealing with whaling in West Australian waters. PLAZA THEATRE. Hilarious knockabout comedy is the keynote of "Splinters in the Navy." the English extravaganza which is enjoying tremendous success at the Plaza Iheatre. It is plaved by Sydney Howard, Alf. Goddard, *Lew. Lake, Fred Bentlev and all the others of the concert party which appeared in "Splinters" some time ago. Mr. Howard is the mainstay ol! tho production and repeats the success that was his in tho original film and, more recently', in lan Hay's "Tilly of Bloomsbury'" One of the most uproariously funny incidents in tho film is a ludicrous boxing bout between the timidly aggressive Joe Crabbs (Mr. Howard! and a burly naval pugilist, played by Mr. Goddard. There is a splendid supporting programme, including varied iiewsrcels and short comedies. A film of the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening, including tho remarkable incident in which Captain de Groot severed (lie ribbon with his sword, will be shown, commencing on Wednesday. The film was banned in New South Wales, but is being shown in tho other Australian States and overseas. " CARNIVAL." " Carnival," Herbert Wilcox's remarkable film version of the exotic story of Venice, will be shown at the Crystal Palace, Tivoli and Empress Theatres today. Sefon Margrave says: "In the leading part Mr. Matheson Lang is perfect in every respect. It is a great joy to see one of the most distinguished actors on the English stage contributing so royally lo the advancement of British talking pictures. The most fascinating feature of ' Carnival,' however, is the first talking-picture appearance of Miss Dorothy (formerly Chili) Bouchier following the tiansforniatioii affected in her personality by Miss Doris Zinkcisen. Miss Bouchier brings to a difficult emotional part real talent." A second film .it tho Tivoli and Empress Theatres will be " Honeymoon Lane," a comedyromnnce, in which Eddio Dowling is the leading player. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Few who see the modern audible-screen version of "Over the Hill," now being presented to largo audiences at the Majestic Theatre, will fail to be moved bv the tender pathos of the story and the magnificent acting of Mao Marsh in the part of (ho mother anguished by her children's callous neglect of her. Romantic roles are refreshingly played by James Dunn and Sally Eilers, the appealing pair of "Bad (lirl." The supporting films include a Fox Magic Carpet travelogue, the Fox Movietone News, and nil ingenious Silly Symphony cartoon.

STRAND THEATRE. "Sailv in Our Alloy," which introduces the London vaudeville stage idol Grade Fields In Auckland film goers at tho .Strand Theatre, must appeal to well-nigh everyone who sees it, for its very novelty and freshness. tirade Fields is wonderful in the part of tho completely lovable Sally Finch, waitress-entertainer in a typical coffee shop in a London slum district. She sinps with irresislihlo charm "Sally." "Fall in and Follow the Hand" and "Fred Fanackapan." RI ALTO THEATRE. Ann Harding, tho beautiful actress of 1 East Lynno," and Leslie Howard, the English ador seen last in " Five and Ten," appear together in " Devotion," a delightful romance, at. the Rialto Theatre io-day. It, is a story as English as Devonshire. There is a splendid supporting programme. EI'SOM REGENT THEATRE. The screen sophisticated comedyromance is presented in its most delightful form, in "Strictly Dishonourable," to be shown at 'ho Epsom Regent 'Clientko this evening. Paul Lukas and Sidney Fo.\ are the leading players. CAIMTOL THEATRE. " Honour Among Lovers" (Olaudeftc (Vilhert and Frederic .March) and "Too Many ("rooks" may lie seen at (ho Capitol I heat re. TUDOR CINEMA. Maurice Chevalier, Claudetto Colbert, and Miriam Hopkins appear in "The Smiling Lieutenant" at tho Tudor Cinema. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Lionel Barrymore and Elissa Landi act snpcrhlv in "The Yellow lieket, at the Britannia Theatre.

RIVOU RINK SKATING. The programme at the Rivoli Skating Ring 011 Saturday proved most popular. Special prizes were given at the. evening session for Monte Carlo and lucky spot competitions. The programme will be repeated to-day.