ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

• - • • CIVIC THEATRE. ' . . " . £V .' • * 'f' % ! ,' - raoro exciting film, than "Scandal for Sale," at tlio Civic Theatre, would be hard to imagine. Starting with .the screams of a woman being muwlei'ed and finishing with a realistic pictorial account of a transatlantic flight that ended' In disaster, it has all tlio elements that go to tho making of a first-class melodrama, with just that right amount of comedy for light entertainment. American "yellow" journalism and the things that are done in its name provide the; film with a dramatic talking subject. The editor of the Comet knows no law but that of news, no matter of what kind nor how It is obtained. If exciting news is lacking it must bo manufactured, and manufactured at any cost. Theft, lies, and all tho venial crimes are resorted to by .enterprising reporters, and when threats against tho life of the editor, are growing scarce, a newspaperman must fire a revolver through the editorial window to. provide a front page story. Tho incident which provides the film with its final thrill is an attempt to fly the Atlantic by a German airman engaged by tho Comet .in an endeavour to build up its circulation to tho 1,000,000 mark. This is really a fine piece of melodrama, although it would bo ungenerous to attribute to it any foundation in fact. Tho machine takes off from New York at night with the newspaper's star. reporter on board as passenger For him it is a forlorn hope, and ho fortifies himself from a large supply of liquor which comprises his baggage. His wireless messages from the aeroplane, supplying a running commentary of the flight, thrill two continents,, but half-way across the Atlantic a broken oil line brings disaster. There is a moving scene in which German and American spend their last few' living moments praying in their respective languages as tho machine plunges' headlong to a watery grave—the • one really fine episode in the .film. Comic relief is supplied generously by tho brisk 'dialogue and some amusing film types, 'while tho interior scenes of the mechanical side of bringing otit a newspaper involve some clever photography, Sterling work is performed by ■ Charles Bickford, as the ruthless editor, and by Pat O'Brien.' as the reporter, but a host of other sound, players deserve equally favourable mention. In support is an exceptionally good sporting film in which Charles Paddock, •the world-famous sprinter, who ran 100 yards in 9 2-5s at Antwerp, demonstrates, -his own particular style of running. "Officer, Save My Child" is an amusing comedy, featuring the popular "Slim" Summerville, whilo two news gazettes record topical events in the day's news. The Civic Orchestra played in its. customary meticulous fashion, and enjoyable organ items were given. Considerable interest was taken at last evening's session in tho appearance on the stage of members of tho English Rugby League team, who were introduced by the theatre manager, Mr. P. Malono. NATIONAL THEATRE A film full of action, "suspense andthrills, " Radio Patrol," which opened a season at the National Theatre yesterday, should be assured of a successful reception in Auckland. Tho pace of the picture is extremely fast and events move so quickly that the audience is given no time to lo6e interest in the production. Tlio picture deals with tho whirlwind lives of the police force of a great city and the struggle to maintain law and order is vividly depicted. The players in the film have been chosen with the utmost care and no part that is beyond his capabilities has been allotted any of tho actore. Robert Armstrong, who will bo remembered as taking a prominent role in " Suicido Fleet," has the chief part, and ho is supported by Lila Lee,. June Clydo and Andy Devine. The features in support of the main attraction arc of a. uniformly good standard, pride of place being given to " Trouble Shots," which gives tho famous golfer Bobby Jones further opportunities to show the methods he employs in wiuning his matches. Several interesting news reels and a comedy novelty .complete tho programme. STRAND THEATRE After a long absence from.the talking screen, tlio talented actress of many of the Sjreat 5 silent successes, Pola Negri, makes ler talking picture debut in "A Woman Commands," which is showing at the Strand Theatre. With her, newly-acquired English, Miss Negri discloses a particularly mellow and pleasing voice. Tho film is set against the background of-a mythical European kingdom., Roland Young, Basil Rathbono a nd H. B. Warner are others in support of the celebrated actress. LONDON THEATRE Two full length pictures are at present being shown at the London Theatre. Thd British film, "Blackmail." is followed by a comedy entitled " Hot Curves," in which the inimitable humorist Benny Rubin goes through some hilarious escapades. CAPITOL THEATRE "Get-Rick-Quick- Wallingford'' (William Haines) and "Rich Man's Folly,", in i which Geovge Bancroft acts with vigour,: j.are tho films at the. Capitol Theatre/ There will bo a special children's programme this afternoon. | AVONDALE TOWN HALL !' Janet Gaynor ; and Charles Farrell are | an engaging pair in the musical romance, i "Delicious," at tho Avondale Town Hall. ..... GREY LYNN CINEMA k "Twenty-four Hours," with Clive j. Brook, and "Bought" (Constance Beuj nott), are the films at the Grey Lynn Cinema. ONEIIUNGA STRAND THEATRE Frederick Lonsdale's photoplay, "Lovers Courageous" (Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans) heads the Onebunga Strand Theatre programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE "The Devil's Lottery," with Elissa •Landi; and - Victor McLaglen, ,-. and. „ Olive .. Brook's •' 'Twenty-four Hours' * are. the .Britannia Theatre films. TUDOR CINEMA 'Joan Crawford" and-Clark Gable appear ■in "Possessed," \to' ; bo shown with a, ■ Laurel and Hardy comedy at the. Tudor ICinema this evening. , (1 - I - LYRIC THEATRE Wallace Beery and 'Jackie Cooper both, ■■act superbly ' in- "The ■ Champ," to bo shown ■ with "Freighters- of Destiny" at. the Lyric Theatre Uhday. EPSOM • REGENT; THEATRE!/;. , ; Nool Coward's "Strangers May Kiss," with Norma Shearer and-: Robert .Mont ; .gomery,; and "Beau Hunks" (Laurel'and; .Hardy) comprise the entertainment-at.the "Epsom Regent Theatre.- • ! ,'' v < ' tivoli theatre ',. i Two full-length films, "Drums of .Jeopardy' '. . apd "Love, Affair,' aro being shown . atv-the . Tivoli Theatre. • Warner Oland, accomplished Swedish_ actor' - of Oriental; rotes ,1 heads the cast in tHefpr-i me?. - The'-principal. * n "Lover Affair". 13 Dqrothy Maekaill, . % . .... , .'j_, i PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE 'The magnificent aviation film "Hell's Divers" heads the Prince Edward Theatre programme. Wallace Beery and Clark Gable-ar'e-lhV prihcip'alsi-

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Every new motion picture which Greta Garbo graces with her presence leaves one with admiration refreshed for .the peculiar genius; of- this inimitable;• screen*• actress. Gfirbo is unique, and in her latest .film, "As You Desire Me," which opened a season 'jit'the''St. James' Theatre last evening she gives a performance fiiUy m keeping with her reputation. There ia some subtle quality about Garbo —the ,magic of her deep, low voice, perhaps, or her supremo ability to be eloquent without speech—and it successfully . defies.;: criticism, even in her less successful screen plays. But "As You Desire Me" is a, piece of, fine dramatic craftsmanship tba.t could stand safely on its own; as a vehicle for Garbo it becomes a screen work of major importance. The film is based on ;a play by Pirapdello, Italy's national dramatist, whose work, unfortunately, has been overlooked locally. It is written as a character study in faith and in it the elements;-of drama and emotional {suspense are woven admirably round one glamorous figure. In post-war Buda Pest, a young man discovers a girl. 6iriging in a disreputable cabaret and seeking forgetfulness in champagne. In her ho recognises the wife of his best friend—a woman of whom all trace had been lost when her hoine was destroyed by war 10 years previously. She does not know him, she does not know anything about the past life of which he tells her 2 but she goes back with him to her husband, even although there is no definite proof that she is the wife. Romance is portrayed as only Garbo can portray it, and when a former lover from Buda Pest attempts to make her husband doubt her, there are some tense dramatic situations in which Garbo is incomparable. The whole play is produced with a superb delicacy of touch and its chief charm lies in the fact that it poses a problem and then, at the end. leaves the audience to find its own solution. Garbo has been •more successful in her supporting cast than was.the case in "Mata Hari." Mr. Melvyn Douglas makes a most competent leading man of the more virile romantic school, and Mr. Owen Moore plays his friend with the polished good humour of an accomplished artist. Then there is Mr. Erich von Stroheim, displaying masculine vileness with all his accustomed urbanity. Miss Hedda Hopper alsd does well in a small part. Several interesting' films are finchided in> the supporting programme. Outstanding is a film which introduces ■ several of the American competitors at the Olympic Games, which open at Los Angeles to-day, and compares _ modern methods of training with those in vogue 20 years ago. There is an uproarious comedy, dealing with soda fountains and singing undergraduates, and the Australian Movietone News contains some fine pictorial studies of Sydney at night. PLAZA THEATRE Last seen in Auckland in "Rose Marie," the artistry of the English comedian Billy Merson is again evident in the fine comedy which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre on Thursday, " Bill and Coo." A feature of the picture is that one is taken behind the scenes of a_ small touring theatrical company, in -which Billy Merson takes the role of " Bendo," the strong man, whose habit of getting into everyone's way is not in the best interests of his popularity in the show. He falls in love with the leading lady of the troupe and to impress her Bendo attempts to play substitute for the tenor of the company when he does not appear. His effort at singing a sentimental song is ridiculed and he meets with very little more success in a comic item. He falls asleep to dream of his castles in the air ana an idyllic existence married to the leading lady, only to be awakened to find that be has to carry on the part of " Bendo," the strong man. There is also a drama of family life, " Many Waters," which shows what a difference may exist between the apparently ideal existence of a happy family and tho true state of affairs. REGENT THEATRE Probably no actor on the talking screen to-day could elicit such whole-hearted admiration as does George Arliss in hia role of the world-famous musician in " The Man Who Played God," which is enjoying undiminished at tho Regent Theatre. The dominant note of the production is undoubtedly the personality of Mr. Arliss,. who . possesses the power to hold an audience spellbound by the sheer artistry with which ho invests the part. All his dramatic ability is brought into play when, he portrays the pianist who is stricken deaf by the explosion of a bomb that is intended for the king before whom he is about to play. After a period of despair he. learns liprreading and is able to play a part in the . affairs of others, mysteriously helping them in their troubles. MAJESTIC THEATRE An intensely gripping drama of the trial of a young society girl on the charge of ■murdering her fiance, " Tho Trial of Vivienne Ware," which opened a season at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, should be assured of a fine reception. The "film : is the picture version of the radio play that caused a sensation when it was broadcast in America, the thousands of listeners acting as jurors. The chief role of the accused is ably taken by Joan Bennett, and others in the splendid cast include Zasu Pitts, Herbert Mundin, Maude Eburne and Donald Cock. An English film, " Black Coffee," is also on the programme. ROXY THEATRE " Drums of Jeopardy," a thrilling story of the lust of a demoniacal medical man 'for revenge for:the death of his daughter, is the main attraction at th6,Roxy Theatre this evening. The principal role has been taken by the, Svvedish character actor Warner Oland, who. is well known as the 'astute "oriental detective of fiction Charlie Chan. The second .film to be presented: is ;"Love. Affair," a romance of. modern, life, in which the main roles are taken by Humphrey Bogart and Dorothy Mackaill. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A-spectacular story of the night life of the pleasure capital of Europe, Vienna, is told in the lavishly-produced film "Goodnight, Vienna," which is the chief attraction this evening at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Tho London celobrity Jack Buchanan is cast as an officer of the f Austrian cavalry. EMPRESS THEATRE An appealing romance between an officer of the Austrian cavalry and a flower girl •is unfoldefl in,. "Good-night, ..Vienna-," which will be shown'this evening at" the! 'Empress Theatre. • ! ,DRAMA AND BURLESQUE: A one-act mystery-drama, "El Besa de le T' ("The-Kiss of-Death,") and a ir'licking ..burlesque will be presented by . S;v Casio's Spanish-American players in'the Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. There will be an orchestra of' 30' player?.' ' k ' - • ' j