ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

i MAJESTIC THEATRE Words almost fail one to convoy adequately the primitive charm and barbaric splendour of "Congorilla," the astounding film of adventure among the impish pigmies and towering gorillas of Central Africa, now showing at the Majestic Theatre. The picture amazed and delighted the audience which filled tho theatre last evening. Not since the advent of tho audible-screen has such a weird medley of noises been captured by the sound-camera. It is the first film entirely photographed and recorded in Africa. For the first time one hears gorillas pounding their hugo chests; the chatter of pigmies; tho yelping of wild dogs; tho yawn of an indolent hippopotamus; the screech of voracious vultures j tho champing of a recalcitrant camel. But one merely senses tho helplessness of a newborn giraffe, unable through tho entire absence of vocal chords to warn its parents of the approach of the explorers. "Congorilla" 1 presents an astonishing succession of stark facts of native and animal life in the heart of the "Dark Continent." Nevor does the atmosphere of authenticity leave tho film. Moreover, its naturalness becomes even more convincing in retrospect. The whole is a picture to wonder at and ponder over. Nothing quite like it has gone before. It was two years in the making and lured Mr. and Airs. Martin Johnson, noted American explorers, into the very heart of Africa, travelling with camera and gun, "shooting" as much as possible witli tho former and as little as was necessary with the latter. Although natural sound sustains the picture throughout, there is occasional welcome commentary by Mr. Johnson. The film opens with a rapid survey of the stranger sights the spectator is to encounter. There follow remarkable slow-motion pictures of giraffes and gazelles fleeing across the plains; unsurpassed IB scpnes of tho countless myriads of flamingoes on Lake Nakuru, repellent crocodiles swarming tho river banks, hippopotami kept awake so long by the presence of the explorers that they are unable to stifle yawns, the death of a defenceless zebra at the mercy of tho king of beasts, and innumerable other unusual sights. But chief interest centres in the seven months spent amid the 50,000 pigmies of the Ituri Forest. There is much that is quaintly amusing in the child-like contentment of this tiny people. The wooing of a chief's daughter by a scarred warrior and their marriage»and subsequent honeymoon is a study of unaffected charm. Then there is the attempt of two pigmies to light a cigar with safety matches, to the derision of their companions at their incompetence. We see the readiness with which the pigmies accustom themselves to the rhythm of modern jazz music. Tho final scenes among gorillas, including a l catch-as-catch-can encounter between two of the largest, are probably unique in the history of motion pictures. There is an I! uncommonly fine array of supporting films. The latest issues of the Fox Movietone News include views of the most exciting events at the Olympic Games, the unveiling by the Prince of Wales of the Thiepval Memorial, with His Royal High- ! ness speaking first in perfect French and i then in English, military horses doing a gavotte to music, and the opening of the Welland Ship Canal. Imaginative photo- | graphy and adroit instrumentation charj acterise a Magic Carpet travelogue, "Broadway by Day, ' giving odd glimpses ; of one of New York's most famous road- ' ways. An ingenious animated sound cartoon completes a programme which may unhesitatingly be recommended. REGENT THEATRE j A magnificent story of sacrifice and do- ' votion constitutes the basis of the fine ! production, " Alias the Doctor," which will commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. In tho principal role is Richard Barthelmess, who is claimed to give the most outstanding performance of his career in the role of the Austrian farm boy, who rises to great heights of surgery under a false name. After gaining his diploma through persistent effort " and hard work, ho takes the blame for a friend's crime and goes to prison for three years. After this, he becomes a famous doctor, only to find that he is known as another. The main feminine part is taken by Marian Marsh, who scored a wonderful triumph in " Beauty and the Boss." Norman Foster and Boris Karloff are others in tho cast. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Adapted from the screen play by Noel Coward, " Private Lives " will be screened this evening at the Crystal . Palace and Rial to Theatres. The film has a notable cast, headed by Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery and Reginald Denny. Owing to the added scope afforded by the talking screen, some picturesque mountain scenes have been woven into the story, and these set the tale off at its best angle. It is based on the lives of two people who only realise their love for each other when they have been divorced. STRAND THEATRE Owen Nares, of " The Woman Be- • tween," takes a powerful role in " The Impassive Footman," which is delighting | audiences at the Strand Theatre. The j dramatic film is based on a story by tho ! ' popular " Sapper " and deals with a doc- ! i tor's treatment of a hypochondriac and j , the complications which ensue when he falls in love with his patient's wife. Betty Stoekfield is the heroine. J ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES J Set against the background of the SinoJapariese war, the picture, " War Corres- 1 pondent," which heads the programme at < tHe.Roxy and Tivoli Theatres this even- | ing, provides an interesting insight into j >' this sanguinary struggle. The principal • roles are taken by Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, the story being woven around the adventure of a newspaper representative engaged in chronicling the events of the fighting. y

LONDON THEATRE i Eddie QuiUan reaches the peak of comedy in " Night Work," the hilariously funny production, to open a season at the London Theatre to-day. lie is seen as an assistant in a department store, who falls in love with a nurse. NEW REGENT THEATRE " Symphony of Six Million," at the New Regent Theatre, tells a, powerful etory of the career of a young doctor and how he loses his nerve after an unsuccessful operation on his father. Ricardo Cortez acquits himself splendidly in the | principal role. ! PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE . " The Easiest Way,"' with Constance Bennett, will he .screened this evening at the Prince Edward Theatre, with "The False Madonna." BRITANNIA THEATRE " Sundown Trail " and " Service for Ladies " comprise the major entertainment at the Britannia Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE Leslie Howard is the principal in " Service tor Ladies," to he shown at the Tudor Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE V Alexander Hamilton," with George Arliss, is the Lyric Theatre attraction.

NATIONAL THEATRE Seldom have actors retained their popularity as has Tom Mix, and times in-' numerable he has demonstrated tho universal appeal of tho vigorous outdoor dramas in which he has appeared. The : reception which " Destry Hides Again," ; his latest film, received at the National . Theatre, where it opened a season yester- [ day, shows that Auckland audiences welcome the fast-moving action and thrillpacked pictures of tho American West. Tom Mix focusses tho attention but shares ' the honours of the production with a ' group of younger screen players, a fact that makes the film particularly suitable for matinees. Tho story deals with Tom Destry, tho partner in a stago coach service, who is a candidate for the position ' of sheriff, and his popularity makes the reigning sheriff and his satellites dccid- ' edly uneasy, lie is a stickler for law and 1 order and makes it his business to see that coach hold-ups are tho exception 1 rather than the rule. They decide to trap hi?n and in duo course ho is sent to prison " on a fictitious charge. Tho fact that liis , business partner is the guiding genius in the gang's activities makes it difficult for him to make any headway in proving \ his innocence. How he eventually vindicates himself and brings about the down- ; fall of his'persecutors forms the climax of tho engrossing picture. Claudia Dell | makes a charming heroine, while Earle Fox is a particularly sinister and menacing villain. Tho supporting programme is well up to the standard set by the main attraction and includes tho latest news reels, a Lloyd Hamilton comedy, and an Oswald tho Rabbit cartoon. CIVIC THEATRE Concerning tho delightful comedy, ' "Million Dollar hogs," which will commence a season at tho Civic Theatre to--1 day, an enthusiastic critic writes: ! " Loaded up with all the comcdiaris about the place, and linked with the Los Angeles Olympiad, there is a great deal of humorous nonsense and no serious logic in this effort. There are many good laughs and at all times a simmer of merriment to carry the subject over. With the title, 1 the Olympic Games angle, and the splendid array of comedians, the 'film provides all that could be desired in entertainment. The story is a fantastic affair, dealing with a mythical European kingdom, where the president is in dire financial straits and only maintaining his post by strength superiority over his Cabinet, a gang with the treason complex in a bad way. An American brush salesman falls in love with the president's daughter, and, noting the athletic prowess of the inhabitants, he points to the Olympic Games as the avenue toward wealth, his superior having offered a fortune to the successful team. The members of Cabinet engage a vamp, Mata Machree, to upset the morale of the team and, although she docs so to 6ome order, tho president's daughter is one too many for her. In Los Angeles, after many queer experiences, the team easily ousts the rival nations and everybody returns to Europe in high glee." There is a fine cast interpreting the production, the comedy element, which predominates, boing in the capable hands of W. C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Ben Turpin. Andy Clyde and Hank Mann. PLAZA THEATRE An inspiring romance that should find an instantaneous response from Auckland audiences, " No Greater Love," will open a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. It deals with the powerful lovb that springs up hetvveen a. little child and an old man. The cast interpreting the picture is headed by Beryl Mercer, whose " motherly " performances have won for her a reputation far above the average, Hobart Bosworth and Dickie Moore. It, will be remembered that Hobart Bosworth took the part of the agpd patriarch and faith-healer in " Tho Miracle Man " and Diekio Moore scored well in " The Expert," in which he was cast opposite " Chic " Sale, " THE GREAT ADVENTURE" " The Groat, Adventure," by Arnold Bennett, will be presented by the Auckland Little Theatre Society in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on September 29 and 30, and October 1. The cast of artists includes many well-known and talented performers who have appeared previously in the society's productions. KNOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT An enjoyable variety concert was given at the Knox Home, Tamaki, last evening, under the auspices of the Auckland City Mission. Items were given by Mrs. Bart Clark, Miss M. Iljggins, Messrs. Bart Clark, A. Austin, J. Walker, .T. McKay, H. Samuel and W. Harris. The accompanist was Mr. P. Hicks.