ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE'

"Alias the Doctor," the new film at the Regent Theatre, which commenced a season before large audiences yesterday, comes with a definite tang of authenticity regarding hospital life.. It also serves an additional purpose in bringing before Auckland audiences in a convincing way the claims of Richard Barthelmess as an actor of importance on the talking screen. It seems that Mr. Barthelmess has been somewhat overlooked since speaking films actually achieved prominence, but there is no doubt that the First National organisation could scarcely have chosen a better player than Mr. Barthelmess for the necessarily difficult role he is called upon to carry through in "Alias the Doctor." Unfortunately, the title ha s a flippant quality which is not true of the film. Indeed, the subject is somewhat moro grim than the average, and obviously demands the most careful treatment. Mr. Barthelmess appeal's as Karl, the orphan son of a Bavarian peasant, Frau Brenner. With his step-brother Stephan, a part ably played by Norman Foster, he takes a medical course at Munich. Before graduation becomes possible, Stephan, a dilatory student, becomes involved in a criminal act in surgery, but Karl accepts responsibility and is promptly sentenced to prison. lie emerges to find Stephan's practice in tho country in existence, although Stephan lias, died, apparently from his debauched habits. A chance motor accident causes Karl to represent himself as Stephan, principally at the instance of his step-mother, played by Lucille la Verne. A further complication ensues in that he is in love with Stephan's sister, Marian Marsh, while he has to represent himself to the world as her brother." There is no doubt about Karl's genius as a surgeon, and, posing as Stephan and using his deceased step-brother's degree he quickly wins renown, not only in Austria, but throughout the Continent. After responding to an appeal to save life in an earthquake in Cicily, lie becomes installed as a brilliant surgeon in a Vienna hospital. At the height of his success he is torn between a desire not to continue as an impostor, although he has the ability, and his allegiance to his step-mother and his fiancee, who demand further attainments on his part. It is when he exerts his individual rights that his stepmother is led to expose his criminal record and his lack of qualifications to the hospital authorities. At the same time, his step-mother is seriously injured and is admitted to the institution. Karl instantly decides upon an urgent operation, and, when his step-mother is in the theatre, the hospital council, learning his real identity, and unsavoury although unjustified record, summons him for an explanation. There follows the most poignant piece of an intensely gripping picture when Karl appeals, at the risk of further imprisonment, to be allowed to carry out the operation against the hospital rules. Permission is granted at the last moment, but the operation, although a success, marks the end of the career of a distinguished surgeon. Karl loses no time in forgetting the surgical world in which he won fame, and returning to peasantry, the activity from which he sprang. The Continental atmosphere of the "film is well emphasised, and there is much to interest the audience in the exceptionally good photography characterising the production. The 12 finalists in the theatre's beauty contest for typistes are shown, the supporting programme including a Paramount news reel, an Australian Cinesound review, a Vitaphone comedy and a [ number of the "Strange as it Seems" series. NATIONAL THEATRE Tom Mix again proves his outstanding popularity in the fine film of the outdoors, " Destry Rides Again," at the National Theatre. The story is the screen adaptation of the book by Max Brand, and all the thrilling nature of the original has been retained. It deals with a candidate for the position of sheriff, who causes the sheriff uneasiness by his popularity. He is trapped and sent to prison on a false charge. As his business partner is the ringleader of the lawless element, he has the greatest difficulty in establishing his innocence. The film works up to a powerful climax. Mr. Mix's wonderful horse Tony plays his part with his usual amazing intelligence. Claudia Dell and Zasu Pitts have the chief feminine roles. MAJESTIC THEATRE All the thrills of life in the dense jungle of Africa are brought to the screen in " Congorilla," which opened a season at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday to large and appreciative audiences. The film, which- is the first talking picture to be entirely produced in Africa, was made by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson, intrepid explorers and adventurers, who are engaged in filming all the wild life possible.'The most interesting aspect of the production is the insight which it gjves into the lives of the pygmies of the Itura Forest. Their growth is permanently impaired bv the almost total lack of sunlight in the jungle. An atmosphere of intense realism is created by the inclusion of sound, and all the weird animal noises are reproduced with startling vividness. LONDON THEATRE Eddie Quillan is the main mirtli-pro-voker in "Night Work," the laughable production at present at the London Theatre. He has the part of an assistant in a drapery store, who takes a post as a waiter in a restaurant in the evening. STRAND THEATRE Owen Nares takes the title role in "The Impassive Footman," which is delighting audiences at tho Strand Theatre. It is a gripping mystery story woven around tho romance of a doctor with the wife of one of his patients—a hypochondriac. Betty Stockfield makes a charming heroine. EMPRESS THEATRE An astonishing picture of the wilds of Northern Australia, The Captive Blonde," and a vivid melodrama, T lie Beast of the City," are being shown at the Empress Theatre. Walter Huston appears in the latter. BRITANNIA THEATRE Leslie Howard's "Service For Ladies" and "The Sundown Trail," with lom Keene, comprise the Britannia Iheatre entertainment. LYRIC THEATRE "Alexander Hamilton," with George Arliss, is the Lyric Theatre attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE " The Cheat" (Tallulah Bankhead) and " The Champ," with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper, will be shown at the Capitol Theatre this evening. ONEHUNGA STRAND PICTURES " Tiirzan, the Ape Man" (Johnny Weissmuller) heads the programme at the Onehunga Strand Pictures. TUDOR THEATRE " Service for Ladies" (Leslie Howard) beads this evening's programme at the Tudor Theatre. Tom Keene in Sundown Trail" and a Mickey Mouse cartoon will be screened at the matinee. EMPIRE THEATRE " Her Majesty, Love" (Marilyn Miller) ar)( j "Pardon Us" (Laurel and Haidy) are tho Empire Theatre films.

CIVIC THEATRE A riot of delightful nonsense is provided for picturegoers in " Million Dollar Legs," the principal picture on the current programme at the Civic Theatre. This extremely funny picture is entirely different from anything seen before and strikes a new note in humour, an almost unbelieveable achievement in an age when it seems that all forms of humour have been exploited. Crammed with clean and clever fun, it is a sure antidote to depression. In situation and dialogue it bears u master touch throughout. One can only pay a tribute to the mind that conceived it and be thankful that such laughter makers still exist. The story is set in the fictitious republic of Klopstokia, where all the men are named George and all the women are called Angela. The president appears to hold his office and continue to hold it because he is the best weight lifter in the country. All the natives are athletes of a most remarkable order, in fact of an order that exists only in fairy tales and on the pantomime stage. An American brush- salesman, played by Jack Oakie, falls in love with ono of Klopstokia's Angelas and misses tlic boat that would have taken him back to the United States. In a series of absurd adventures, with equally absurd -but clever dialogue, he finds himself appointed a Privy Councillor with the task of filling the empty Treasury chest. Realising the great athletic potentialities of the inhabitants lie enters them in the Olympic Games, in order to win an endowment offered by his employer, whose ambition in lite apart from manufacturing brushes is to sponsor a winning Olympic team. The Klopstokian team, including the president, is shipped to Los Angeles, but they fail to throw off the scheming Cabinet which, accompanied by the equally scheming Mata Machree, boards the boat and follows them to the games in order to ruin their chances. In spito of all, however, Klopstokia carries all before it. Such speed on the track and such prowess at jumping has never been seen anywhere but on the screen, and it is all jolly good fun. The cast includes W. C. Fields, Andy Clyde and Ben Turpin, each in his inimitable way contributing to the hilarity. An excellent supporting programme also is shown. It includes another excellent comedy, " Harem Scarum," which deals with the adventures of a clerk who visits a fortune teller in order to get rid of an inferiority complex. Scenes follow in which talos of Robin Hood and the Arabian Nights are inextricably mixed, and for a time the fun is fast and furious. An animated cartoon provides more humour, and the news reels, always so popular, are outstandingly good. They give glimpses of inter-university athletics, a sensational train wreck and a demonstration of blind and low flying by members of the Royal Air Force. Attractive scenes of rural England arc shown in the course of a canal journey on the waterways between London and Birmingham. Musical numbers by the Civic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. 11. Baxter, prove again the popularity of a " flesh and blood " orchestra. The audience last evening demonstrated this in a vigorous manner. PLAZA THEATRE Seldom is it the lot of the picturegoer to witness a film that strikes such a responsive note as " No Greater Love," which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. It is the poignant story of a cripple girl and her fight to health, and its instantaneous appeal was plainly evident as the intense pathos of the story touched the audience. There is probably no audience that would not be moved, so amazingly real is the acting and so deft the direction throughout the picture. Great credit is due to the director, Lewis Seiler, for the manner in which he has handled the many scenes, which, in less skilled hands, could very well have been made ridiculous. At no 6tage is the film overdone, as is the case with too many productions of the kind. Set against the background of the New York tenement quarter, the story opens with Richard Bennett, as Sidney Cohen, the proprietor of a grocery store, who, on the death of her mother, takes over the care of a cripple girl, Mildred, a part taken with sympathetic insight by Betty Jane Graham. A great love springs up between them, she treating him as her father and he looking upon her as his daughter. When the great Dr. Kreisler visits the country, Cohen sells his shop in order to pay for an operation on Mildred, which does not prove as success ful as expected. She is still crippled, hut Cohen cheers her with the vow that he will live to see her walk, run and play the same as all the other children of the neighbourhood. Then, in spito of his protests, she is taken from him and sent to an institution, where he is allowed to see her but once a week. Between the visits, Mildred pines for him to such an extent that her progress is hindered. Eventually he is persuaded to tell the child that he no longer loves her in an attempt to make her forget him. This nearly breaks his heart and he becomes very ill and is on the verge of death when she is restored to him, cured. This happy reunion terminates a remarkably well-acted and thoroughly enjoyable production. Other important parts in the film are taken by Hobart Bosworth, who took the role of the aged patriarch in " The Miracle Man," Alexander Carr and Dickie Moore, one of the most talented juveniles on the screen, while Beryl Mercer again captivates the onlooker with a tender and heart-warming " motherly " portrayal. The best in screen entertainment is provided by the uniformly excellent programme of supporting features. These include a comedy, " Melondrama," the latest Screen Snapshots, depicting Walter Huston, Norma Shearer, Colleen Moore and many other favourites " off duty," a Mickey Mouse cartoon, and the Melbourne Herald Newsreel. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The screen adaptation of the delightful stage play "Private Lives," by Noel Coward, heads this evening's performance at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. The principal roles are taken by Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery, who appear as two people who realise their love for each other only after they are divorced. The film is notable for the beautiful mountain settings, which only the added facility afforded by the talking screen could have made possible. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A thrilling story set .against the background of the turmoil of the Sino-Japanese war, "War Correspondent," with Ralph Graves and Jack Holt, is the main attraction this evening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Many unusual aspects of the struggle are provided as Jack Holt, as a newspaper representative, gathers news of the fighting. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE Fannie Hurst's "Symphony of Six Millions," with Ricardo Cortez and Irene Dunne, is the main picture at the Epsom Regent Theatre. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "The Easiest Way," with Constance Bennett and Robert Montgomery, and "The False Madonna" (Kay Francis) are being presented at the Prince Edward Theatre. GREY LYNN CINEMA " Lovers Courageous" (Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans), and " Black Coffee" are the Grey Lynn Cinema films. VARIED RECITAL A song and elocutionary recital will be given in the Lewis Eady Hall on October 4 by Madame Ailecn Johns, soprano, and Mr. Dennis Johns, elocutionist, assisted by Mr. Trevor de Clive Lowe, 'cellist, and Mr. H. Luscombe, accompanist.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE In striking contrast to the generality of motion pictures, dealing as many do with complicated careers in the big cities of the world, is " Rebecca of Snnnybrook Farm." The film, which was presented for the first time at St. James' Theatre yesterday, can lay no claim to subtlety of plot or ingenuity of action, its charm lying in its marked difference from the conventional. Simplicity is the keynote, and, wisely, no attempt has been made to introduce any momentous incidents to complicate the plot. The whole story deals with small happenings that might well occur in any town, there being a complete absence of sensations, dark plots, unscrupulous foreigners and jaded millionaires. The unquestioned success of the film is largely duo to the accurate representation of New England life of comparatively recent times, with the rising generation, full of modern ideas, attempting, often without avail, to sweep away the Puritanic conventionalism of their elders. Every attention has been given to securing accuracy of detail. The fine New England house, standing in spacious grounds, is furnished in typical style of 50 years ago. Innumerable mats prevent desecration of the much-polished floors, " what-nots " are in every corner, and great-uncle William, with a wealth of glossy whisker and wearing an uncomfortably high collar, stares in cold austerity from a heavily-gilt frame. Thomas, the old family retainer, polishes the harness and drives the buggy, and lives in fear of "the mistress"; patchwork quilts adorn each heavy four-poster bed, and on the front door is a heavy knocker that will never be replaced by an electric bell. Into this frigid atmosphere comes Rebecca, a poor relation, who immediately earns the disapproval of the mistress, Aunt Miranda, and the pity of her other aunt. Miss Jane. Marian Nixon has the part of Rebecca, a youthful, almost juvenile role that she fills to perfection. Louise Closser Hale is the disapproving aunt, while the modern atmosphere is supplied by Ralph Bellamy, who is cast as a young doctor, vainly trying to earn the confidence of stern elders who have soundly smacked his head in his youthful days. Naturally, Rebecca and the doctor fall in love, and Aunt Miranda's back becomes even stiffer, while her thin lips threaten to disappear altogether. An alert mind and a bitter tongue make Aunt Miranda a fearsome opponent, who is not to be won over until the doctor has proved his skill and the girl her sincerity. Alan Hale, as a free-thinking tramp, is a remarkably natural figure, while there is also included in the cast a cheerful infant, Ronald Harris. The picture contains some remarkably beautiful scenic glimpses, and, on account of the excellence of the settings, some of the simplest scenes are the most impressive. The supporting programme deals with a diversity of subjects. A 6hort colour film, " The Bridal Veil," is charmingly handled, incidental music being supplied by Paul Whiteman's orchestra. The day-dreams of a bride-to-summon visions of other beautiful brides who have worn the same veil. r lhere is real excitement in "The" Trail of the 'Roo," which shows the thrills of kangaroo hunting on an Australian station. The quaint animals are seen in their hundreds, making good' time across the plains against fast horses, and even faster motor-cars. The sea tales of yesterday are recalled in " Square-Rigger," which shows life on board a Polish training ship, while two newsreels complete the programme, with glimpses of modern life in many countries. TECHNICAL COLLEGE CONCERT The pupils of the Seddon Memorial Technical College held their annual concert in the college hall last e\ - ening. The hall was well filled and the talented players were received with enthusiasm. The play chosen was "The Golden Amulet," a delightful operetta, the principal roles of which were interpreted by Miss Doreen Atkins, Ray Grant, Douglas Adams, Jack Nicholson, who was responsible for the humorous side of the production, Miss Nydia Albrecht and Miss Betty Brooks. The play, which was played by the students under the direction of the college staff, reflected great credit on those responsible, the lighting effects, which were done by the electrical department, being particularly fine. The ballet dancing, the participants in which were trained by Miss M Johnson, was very favourably received, as were the many bright choruses. The college orchestra acquitted itself well during the evening. The operetta will be repeated this evening. REPERTORY SOCIETY A number of short plays will be presented by the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society in the Town Hall concert chamber on October 14 and 15. BOY SOPRANO The talented boy soprano, Lex Mac Donald, who has scored such outstanding successes in Australia, will present his first concert in New Zealand in the Town Hall on October 6. The concert will be under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston and Mr. Ri P. Herbert. This concert will not bo broadcast. KNOX CHOIR CONCERT The choir of Knox Church, Parnell, and assisting artists presented a concert programme of unusual merit in the Knox Hall on Thursday evening under the direction of Mr. Claude Laurie, organist and choirmaster. The unaccompanied choral items were excellent, and vocal and instrumental numbers were contributed by Miss Mae Craig, Miss Alice Walker, Miss Beryl Tulloch, Mrs. Wallace, Miss Giles, Mr. Griffin, Mr. L. Pountney, Mr. J. Cowan. Mr. 11. Crocker and Mr. Keys. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA The Bohemian Orchestra will present the third concert of its 19th season in the Town Hall next Thursday evening. A fine programme lias been' arranged, which includes compositions by Wagner, Thomas, Saint Saens and Victor Herbert. The orchestra will bo under the baton of Mr. Colin Muston, and Miss Edith Whitelaw will be the leader. A feature will be a special appearance of the Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Choir, under Mr. 11. Wooley. Miss Winifred Hill will contribute vocal solos.