ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21254, 6 August 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE The presence of two popular artists such as Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery in ono film is sufficient to guarantee excellent entertainment and followers of either of these players will find a picture to satisfy them in "Letty Lynton," tho Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production which opened its Auckland season at the St. James' Theatie last evening to a large and appreciative audience. Containing moments of the most intense drama and covering a remarkably wide scope, "Lettv Lynton" is the story of a prominent society girl who finds that her previous indiscretions threaten her happiness. After travelling through South America, where she mingles adventure with a series of romances, the girl decides that one of her infatuations is likely to becomo dangerous, an'cl returns to New York. On the voyage she meets Jerry Darrow, to whom she becomes engaged before the steamer berths, j On arrival she is surprised to find that a fiery South American, Eniile, with whom she/had flirted before her departure, is ' awaiting her, after having taken an aeroplane. He laughs at the engagement, and threatens to use letters she has written to him. In a final effort to get him to leave New York, she goes to his hotel, and therp tragedy occurs. Eniile is poisoned, and Letty is threatened with a j charge of murder. Darrow makes efforts I to obtain her liberty, and as a gripping climax the girl faces the choice of prison or a wrecked reputation. A battle of wits between the girl, hor mother, Darrow and I the district attorney follows before the 1 conclusion is reached. Joan Crawford | makes a glamorous figure of the society ; heiress, while when the film reaches its dramatic peak she achieves what is probably the finest work of her career, her ' portrayal of the girl who is torn between j two courses of action being exceptionally effective. Robert Montgomery as the flippant young American, a role which perfectly suits his personality, is entirely at l - home throughout the film, while he also I ri'ses to striking dramatic heights at the crucial moment. After a long period of retirement from the screen, Nils Asther, who was one of the most successful actors in silent films, gives an unusual portrayal as the South American lover, while Lewis Stone is responsible for another finished performance as the district attorney, and May Robson, who was last seen in "Mother's Millions," contributes a striking character study as the girl's mother. The drama of the film is leavened with moments of comedy, and for these Louise Closser Hale, who is seen as a maid, is largely responsible. The film was directed by Clarence Brown, who makes the most of the powerful situations and the rapid transformation of scene from the decks of a liner to New York. The latest issue of the Fox Movietone News contains an excellent record of the third Rugby test match in Sydney, when New Zealand beat Australia by 21 points to 13, and the recent wrestling match in Auckland between Karasick and Walker. Included is also a camera interview with Hans Bertram, the German flier who was lost in Northern Australia. A Slim Summerville comedy, "The Eyes Have It," in which Summer- / ville and Eddie Gribbon have a further series of misadventures in the Philippine Islands, concludes the splendid programme. PLAZA THEATRE A powerful and dramatic film that grips the attention of the audience from the very first scene, "Attorney for the Defence," is being shown at the Plaza Theatre. It deals with the great change which comes over a relentless district prosecuting attorney when he discovers that he has sent an innocent man to his death. Ho changes to an attorney for the defence but incurs the enmity of the lawless element in the city. He is himself accused of murder and conducts his own defence. Edmund Lowe is the principal and he is (supported by Evelyn Brent and Constance Cummings. ' STRAND THEATRE Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes, the indefatigable detective," have retained their popularity for a preat number of years and still have enthusiastic admirers. This was demonstrated at the Strand Theatre cm Thursday, when the screen version of " The Missing Rembrandt" was presented for the first time. The part of the famous detective' is taken by Arthur Wontner, who acquits himself admirably in a difficult role. Paul Lukas, Charles Rogers, Frances Dee and Judith Wood are the principals in "Working Girls," the second film. u LONDON THEATRE The English comedian, Leslie Fuller, is very laughable in "Why Sailors Leave Home," the nautical comedy which is being shown at the London Theatre. The film gives him every opportunity to bring ,/ his unusual gift of hilmour into play. NEW REGENT THEATRE All the Aldwych Theatre players are reunited in the farce, "A Night Like This," which will amuse patrons of the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, this evening GREY LYNN CINEMA Joan Crawford and Clark Gable are an appealing romantic pair in "Possessed," which will be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema this afternoon and this evening with "The Cuckoos" (Wheeler and Woolsey). GAPITOL THEATRE Wheeler and Woolsey are at their best In "Road to Reno," which is being / screened with Ann Harding's "Prestige" at tho Capitol Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE A drama of the illicit liquor trade of the United States, "Corsair," will be shown at the Lyric Theatre this afternoon and this evening, with "Travelling Husbands" (Evelyn Brent). BRITANNIA THEATRE "Amateur Daddy," with Warner Baxter, and "His Woman" (Claudette Colbert), are the chief attractions at the Britannia Theatre. ONEHUNGA PICTURES "One Heavenly Night," with the principal roles filled by the English actress Evelyn Laye and John Boles, is being shown at the Onehunga Pictures. AVONDALE TOWN HALL "The Devil's Lottery" and "Man of Mayfair" are the films being screened at the Avondale Town Hall. TUDOR THEATRE One of the favourite English comediennes, Gracie Fields, is the principal in the entrancing musical comedy, "Sally in Our Alley," which is the Tudor Theatie attraction. RIALTO THEATRE Robert Montgomery is the chief character in "Lovers Courageous," which is the main attraction at the Rialto Theatre. GRAMMAR SCHOOL CONCERT A varied programme has been arranged for the annual concert of the Auckland Grammar School, to be given in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. SCHOOLS' MUSIC FESTIVAL Pupils of 26 schools will take part in the music festival to bo presented in the Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 16 and 17. The programme will / include choruses and folk songs and dances.

CIVIC THEATRE I Clive Brook, in "Husband's Holi- J day," the Paramount production which opened a season to large audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday, gives a polished performance in a difficult role. The film is a sincere and entertaining drama of modern family life, and its naturalness and lack of pretension make it stand apart from recent pictures on tho vexed question of divorce. Clive Brook has the part of a wealthy business man, who, at the time the picture opens, has become infatuated with Christine Kennedy, a part appealing portrayed by Juliette Compton. His wife, in which role Vivienne Osborne gives an outstanding characterisation, refuses to wreck her home and affect the future of her children's happiness, by paying too serious attention to an affair which she considers will prove to be only a trivial and passing affection. She therefore keeps her eyes shut to her husband's drift from her, and even when her officious family conies in a body to inform her of the facts, she refuses to divorco him. She is willing to sacrifice her selfrcspcct and personal pride, she says, in order to ensure a more real and lasting happiness. In this resolve, she is strengthened by the example of her own mother, who divorced her husband, only to realise afterward that his momentary infatuation was meaningless compared with the true affection he felt for her. Clive Brook, however, is torn between his deeper love for his wife and his children, and the temporarily powerful attraction that Christine Kennedy holds for him. His full resources of restrained yet powerful acting are required for a rather unsatisfactory, indecisive and almost ludicrous rolo that he has to play at this stage. Ho finally makes a compromise by visiting his children at his own home once a week. It soon becomes evident that this slate of affairs cannot last, and the picture moves on to an interesting and logical climax. A droll note of humour is added to the film by Charlie Ruggles, who takes the part of an irrepressible brother-in-law. The supporting programme is preceded by the Civic Orchestra's splendid rendering of selections from "Show Boat," while its interlude is equally enjoyable. A newsreel covering among other events the running of the 1932 Derby, a Paramount pictorial and a Smith and Dalo comedy, dealing with their adventures in the Foreign Legion, complete tho programme MAJESTIC THEATRE One of Maurice Chevalier's earliest talking pictures, " The Love Parade," made a welcome reappearance in Auckland at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday. Chevalier's infectious charm and magnetic personality have never been displayed to better advantage than in this production. Produced on a lavish and spectacular scale by the famous Ernst Lubitsch, the film is set in a mythical European kingdom, the part of the queen of which is taken by Jeanette Mac Donald, who won much praise recently for her work with Chevalier in " One Hour With You." Hearing of the exploits of Count Alfred (Maurice Chevalier) in Paris, she decides to call him home. The rest of the picture is taken up with the delightful romance that develops between the two. Many entrancing song numbers are rendered by the two, most of these having been popular tunes ever since the film was previously shown in Auckland about three years ago. REGENT THEATRE The genius of Mr. George Arliss is the outstanding feature of the magnificent production, " The Man Who Played God," which is having an extended season at the Regent Theatre. With his fine performance in "Alexander Hamilton" fresh in the minds of Auckland audiences, he comes to cap all his triumphs with what is undoubtedly the most; polished role of his career—that of a musician suddenly stricken deaf. He brings to the part of Montgomery Royale a naturalness and realism that would be almost impossible of achievement by any other artist. Robbed of his one ideal in life—his music—he loses faith in his fellow-men, but is regenerated by helping others through the medium of lipreading. The supporting programme includes another of the Bobby Jones series. The next film to be screened at the Regent Theatre is "The Honourable Mr. Wong," adapted from the celebrated play by David Belasco and Achmed Abdullah. Edward G. Robinson is the principal. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Raquel Torres is a fascinating character in "Aloha," a romance of the South Seas, which is being shown with "Society Girl" at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. A splendid performance also comes from Ben Lvon, seen recently in "Lady With a Past."' The leading players in "Society Girl" are James Dunn, the "good boy" of "Bad Girl," and Peggy Shannon, an attractive actress of promise. The film is a vivid drama of life in a large city. Mr. Dunn appears as a prize-fighter who falls in love with a beautiful heiress. \ CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The "wooden-faced comedian," Buster Keaton, is funnier than ever in "The Passionate Plumber," which will be screened with "The Big Shot" at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. A skating number will be given on the stage by Preston and de Lome. RUSSIAN PIANIST'S CONCERTS Advice has been received in Auckland that the concerts of the famous Russian pianist, M. Vinogradoff, previously scheduled for July 26 and 30, will now be held in the Town Hall concert chamber on August 25 and 27. M. Vinogradoff is claimed as the greatest exponent of the works of Scriabin, but does not confine his attentions to these compositions only. Concerning his Wellington recitals, a critic writes: —"His performance revealed a mastery of technique that no performer here for many years has surpassed, and coupled with his amazing technical ability, is .a musical imagination far above tliat of the average virtuoso." Musical circles elsewhere have hailed his concerts with delight and his appearance in Auckland will be eagerly awaited. A. A. MILNE PLAY A. A. Milne's "Fourth Wall" will be presented by a band of local amateurs this month. The production is in the hands of Mr. Charles McCallum", and rehearsals are well in hand. A season of two nights will be played in His Majesty's Theatre on August 19 and 20, the proceeds being devoted to the Navy League. A well-chosen cast includes Misses Burges Watson, Althea Parker, Joan Hudson, Mrs. Hugh Fenton, and Messrs. J. Mackle, H. M. Geddes, J. Gordon, H. Henderson, H. Fryer-Raisher and A. Leonard. PLAYBOX PLAYERS An entertaining comedy-drama, "Pros and Cons," will be presented by the Playbox Players, a recently-formed amateur theatrical company, in the Technical College Hall, on Saturday and Monday, August 13 and 15. TRAINING COLLEGE PLAYS A successful repeat performance ol "Trial By Jury," by Gilbert and Sullivan, and "Romeo and Juliet," an operatic burlesque, was given by students ol tho Auckland Training College in th< Town Hall concert chamber last evening. MUNICIPAL CHOIR CONCERT The first concert of the season of the Municipal Choir, under the conductorship of Mr. E. Varley Hudson, will be given at the Town Hall this evening. Items will be presented by Miss Gwenda Weir, vocalist, Mr. Vincent Aspey, violinist and Mr. Trevor Sparling, organist. Th« accompanist will be Mr». V. R. Roach,

NATIONAL THEATRE Auckland picture-goers will welcome the return season of the Aldwych Theatre farce, "Canaries Sometimes Sing," which opened afc the National Theatre yesterday. Large audiences were kept thoroughly amused throughout the, film which displays English comedy at its highest pitch of excellence. Written with the master touch of the famous humorist, Frederick Lonsdale, the picture is brimful of witty dialogue and adroit situations follow in quick succession. Only Mr. Lonsdale could write such scintillating comedy, in which every conceivable situation is made the motive for mirth and merriment. Although the popular Ralph Lynn does not appear in this production, Tom Walls, with his inimitable touches of satire carries all before him. His performance recently in "A Night Like This," as a London policeman with a pronounced Irish accent, was the outstanding feature of the film and in this, one of his earliest films, ho easily reaches the peak of comedy which ho attained in the last-mentioned picture. The chief feminine role is capably taken by Yvonne Arnaud, who will be. better recollected in "On Approval," another of the hilarious Aldwych Theatre plays. The supporting pictures are well up to the standard set by " Canaries Sometimes Sing." and include No. 11 of the Bobby Jones series, " Practice Shots." A travelogue, " The Home of the Sheik," a comedy and a clever cartoon complete the entertainment. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Films particularly suitable for children will be shown at the Prince Edward 1 hcatre this afternoon. The programme will comprise "Polly of the Circus," "The lighting Sheriff," in which Tim McCoy is a virile character, an Our Gang comedy and a Flip the Frog cartoon. In the evening "Polly of the Circus," with Clark Gable and Marion Davies, and Clive Brook's "Twenty-four Hours" will bo screened. Kay Francis is the leading lady in the latter. EMPRESS THEATRE "Love Affair" will be presented at the Empress Theatre this evening. The Swedish character actor, W'arner Oland, makes a sinister figure in "Drums of Jeopardy," the second attraction on the programme.