ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The graft and political corruption that is practised in some types of American courts is the basis of the dramatic production, "Night Court," which is screening at the Majestic Theatre. The story deals with the adventures of a young taxi-driver and his family, who unwittingly become tools in the hands of an unscrupulous night court judge and his satellites. Phillips Holmes, Anita Page and Walter Huston head the talented cast. " MR. BILL, THE CONQUEROR " "It has always been claimed," writes an enthusiastic .English critic, "that English films should show more of the real England. Not the jazz of London's night life, not the murky undercurrents of Limehouse, but the rural beauties of the Homeland as a background for comedy, dramivyes, and the spell that the English soil weaves around the nation. Hero is one instance in which that request has been fulfilled. 'Mr. Bill, tho Conqueror,' may not go down in history as a great achievement, but it docs impress the Empire with tho qualities that gave birth to tho men of Empire." Henry Kendall is the principal, as a young farmer who inherits Hardacres Farm, which on tho spot where William the Conqueror landed. He decides that if one man could conquer England from where he stands, he can conquer his farm. Imbued with this idea, he sets to work. How he eventually overcomes his many difficulties and the enmity of his neighbour forms the theme of tho remainder of the film. Tho picture will commence at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday, STRAND THEATRE Excellent entertainment is provided by " Tho World and the Flesh," an intensely absorbing story of life in Russia, which opened a season at tho Strand Theatre on Saturday. The powerful acting of George Bancroft is the dominant note of tho picture, which is rich in suspense and dramatic situations and should appeal to a wide circle of patrons. Tho picture has also been directed with novelty and the exciting scenes have been photographed with more than usual skill. The story deals with the sacrifice made by a Russian dancer in order to save her life and the lives of others who are in the power of a Russian rebel leader. Miriam Hopkins appears as the dancer and George Bancroft portrays the Red leader. She is one of the many fleeing from tho revolution to a haven of safety. They all fall into the hands of tho plunderers. The arrival of the Cossacks means the reversal of the situation. But not for long. While at sea, bound for the port where they are to be made prisoners, tho revolutionaries break free and gain control of the ship. The dancer's trick to hold the rebel leader's attention, while the compass is tampered with and the ship headed for a point of safety, fails and "everyone on hoard is preparing to meet- the flying squad. Having promised to save tho dancer from this fate, and finding appeals to the authorities of no avail, the rebel and his men rescuo her from prison by a ruse, and after another brush with the officials break through to safety. There is an interesting programme of supporting features, including the latest newsreels. REGENT THEATRE Glorious landscapes of snow and icecovered mountain peaks in the Austrian Tyrol, bewitching in their grandeur, form the background of " The Doomed Battalion," the intensely thrilling picture which opened a season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. The picture is woven around the story of the friendship of an Italian gentleman and his mountain guide, whose mutual affection is shattered _by the outbreak of war between the Austrians and Italians. Luis Trenker, who was born only two hours' journey from the scenes in the film, has tho principal role, and Tala Birell, who has figured largely in many outstanding European films, takes the part of his wife, who becomes the victim of cruel circumstances when her husband has to leave her in tho course of his duty. There is a fine supporting programme. CIVIC THEATRE " Forgotten Commandments," which opened a season at the Civic Theatre on Friday, is a daring exposure of the modern conditions existing in Russia and the way in which beauty and virtue have been desecrated for the sake of " freedom.'' The picture traces the developments of the new' doctrine evolved by a powerful and famous surgeon, the evoiilual crash of tho carefully-planned existence and the disillusionment of the schemer. The film is notable for th» introduction of Sari Maritza, a clever Hungarian actress, who first entered films at the age of 17. Irving I'ichel takes the part of the communist leader, Dr. Marinoff. Others in the cast include Marguerite Churchill and Gene Raymond. Some spectacular and impressive scenes from " The Ten Commandments " add colour to the production. NATIONAL 'THEATRE " Tho Sentimental Bloke," which scored such,an outstanding success at the Regent Theatre, has been transferred to the National Theatre for a further season. The film has a peculiar appeal, for the Australian vernacular of the verses by C. J, Dennis has been closely followed, and the naive romance between Doreen and tho " bloke " is unfolded with all the deft touches of the original. No better artists than Ray Fisher and Cecil Scott could have been chosen for the principal parts, and much should bo heard of these two young Australian players in future. Tho supporting programme is an excellent one. Tho well-known and popular comedian, George Wallace, is seen in a short and very funny film, and there is a suporblyphotographed picture showing scenic views of Ballarat. LONDON THEATRE Leslie Fuller, of " Old Soldiers Never Die," is equally amusing in tho hilarious burlesque, " Not So Quiet on the Western Front," which is showing at tho London Theatre. " Song of Soho," with Carl Brisson, is also on the programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Robert Montgomery in "But the Flesh is Weak" and Charles Rogers in "This Reckless Age" are the attractions at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE Elissa Landi enacts a typically dramatic rolo in "The Woman in Room 13," to be presented this evening at the Tudor Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE A bright comedy, "Her Majesty Love," with Marilyn Milier, and "No One Man" are the Lyric Theatre films. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Tho Lost Squadron" (Richard Dix) and "Tho Unexpected Father" arc tho main attractions at tho Britannia Theatre. RIACTO THEATRE Set against tho background of the recent strife in China, " War Correspondent," with Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, is the film to be shown at the Rialto Theatre this evening. NEW REGENT THEATRE Betty Stockfield and Seymour Hicks appear in " Money For Nothing," at the New Regent Thea'tro this evening. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Jack Buchanan and Joan Barry are the principals in " Man of Mayfair," to bo shown this evening at tho Crystal Palace Theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE ' Judging by the seception which has been accorded "Sunshine Susie," at the Plaza Theatre, where many people wore unable to gain admittance on Saturday evening, it seems evident that this production, which has been acclaimed by critics as "the best English talking picture ever made," will meet with the phenomenal success here that it achieved in Australia, where it ran for recofd seasons. The centre of this bright musical comedy is the charming personality of the talented German girl Renate Midler, who has something about her that wins the audience her way. His first Auckland appearance is also made in this picture by Jack Hulbert, a clever comedian, who gains his applause through the slightest variation in facial expression and remarkably good tap-dancing. "Ho appears as an elderly bunk porter, a characterisation so hilariously funny that the audience is immediately reduced to a state of uproarious laughter. A Sydney critic writes: — "Sydney met yesterday two fascinating people, orio a comedian who is going to grow more and more popular with each picture that he makes for Gainsborough, and the other a charming, wholesome girl, with an exceptionally pretty voice. They are Jack Hulbert and Renate Muller. 'Sunshine Susie' is one of those things that happen rarely. It is a musical comedy, like dozens of others, but it has infinitely more sparkle, its songs are infinitely more tuneful and its love scenes ring true. It is the best light musical entertainment that the screen has provided. As soon as you have seen 'Sunshine Susie' once, you decide that you simply must see it again." ST. JAMES' THEATRE "Emma," Marie Drcssler's latest film, is now in its second week at the St. James' Theatre. Picture-goers who have seen the production claim that this is her finest and most genuinely appealing role, combining pathos with pleasing touches of comedy in the inimitable Marie Dressier fashion. An English critic writes: "While Miss Dressier occupies the screen, the film is always diverting, and good as this actress' interpretations have been in previous pictures, her acting hero is, if anything, better. Marie Dressier is one of those miracles of the screen — one of the incredible figures which make washerwomen and tired mothers of families believe in their hearts that, given the opportunity, they, too, could be film stars." The theme of "Emma" is the unselfish devotion of an old housekeeper to four motherless children. The story was written by Frances Marion, who wrote both "Min and Bill" and 'The Cl^amp." CATHOLIC REPERTORY SOCIETY The season of the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society's first production concluded at the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening. Four one-act plays, " The Marriage of St. Francis," " The Golden Doom," " Cathleen Ni Houlihan" and " The Coffee Stall," were presented. At tile conclusion, members of the .casts were " presented with bouquets, and the producer; Mr. Gaston Mervale, was called on to the stage. The society's next production will be Sierra's " The Kingdom of, God," on December 2 and 3. "THE SPINSTER WHO SPUN" In aid of the St. John. Ambulance funds, Mrs. Nello Porter's three-act play, "The Spinster Who Spun," will be presented in the Town Hall concert chamber on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Miss Edna Herrick will take tho leading part. AMATEUR COMPETITIONS The Auckland amateur competitions, which will be continued at the "West End Theatre this evening, have reached the interesting stage where the separate events are being finalised. Three will be held this evening. The school choir section will be represented by 30 voices from the Vermont Street School. Several awards have already been made.