ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The adventures of two girls who give up living in a New York tenement house | to go and play in the Follies, and who | both fall in love with tho same man, are well represented in "Blondie of the Follies," which commenced a season at the ••Majestic Theatre last evening. Marion Davies, Billie I)ove and Robert Moptj gOmery portray the leading foles with entertaining vigour, while an amusing interlude is provided by.the skill of the reinarkablo Jimrnie Duranfc singing his inimitable songs, and Zasu Pitts, with her usual unlimited store of natural humour. The author of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," Anita Loos, has written the dialogue for this film and throughout, the story there is a plentiful supply of scintillating wit and American repartee. The theme concerns the friendship of Blondie McClune (Marion Davies) and Lottie Callahan (Billie Dove),'who work together in the same department store and livo in the same tenement. Lottie, owing to her ideas for "something better," manages to get into tho Follies, and when Blondie goes to visit her one day she meets Lottie's millionaire "boy friend" Larry Belmont. Both of tho girls are inseparable friends, but- both arc in love with Larry, and their friendship suffers. Blondie obtains a position in the Follies, too, and raises jealous, feelings in Lottie when she pays too much attention to Larry. The' eternal triangle situation becomes more complicated, but the tangleis skilfully unravelled with clever handling which brings it to a satisfactory conclusion. In tho supporting programme a Hearst Metrotone News gives a good pictorial record of the historic opening session of the Imperial Conference at Ottawa. Delegates of the various countries are filmed making their speeches and a personal message from the King is heard. Other items include the first inspection of the fleet bv tho King since 1024. Travel talks take one to the island paradise,-Bali, and.there tho simple and picturesque native life of the country is shown. A sound cartoon, entitled >'Any Little Girl That's a Nice Little Girl," with the familiar entertainfng littlo figures, completes the programme. REGENT THEATRE Auckland picture-goers will'have their first opportunity to-day -to- see,, st,' the Regent Theatre, what is claimed .Jo be the Australian film industry's" 'greatest masterpiece, "On Our- Selection." This delightful story of tho trials arid, tribulations of a typical pioneer-family-in the, back-blocks of, Australia, has won. the unstinted praise of. critics wherever, it has been screened. The way 'in' which it has been received in Australia proves that this screen version of the famous., novel by Sicele Itudd is something quite out of the ordinary. At Sydney the production ran for a season of over six weeks and at Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth tho phenomenal success of the fllri) was repeated. Bert Bailey, who played the character of "Dad" Rudd for many years on tin! legitimate stage, is again in his old part, and those supporting him are not new to their roles. The picture was directed by Ken Hall, Bert Bailey acting as producer. All the members of the cast, are Australians and the film was produced in the Commonwealth by tho /Cinesouml Company. ST. JAMES* THEATRE The droll humour of Will Rogers, as exemplified in "They Had to See Paris," "A Yankee at King Arthur's Court" and "Liglitnin'," has won for him a place in the forefront of screen comedians of the present day. His latest production, "Down tp lu-n-th," will open a season at the St. James' Theatre to-dav. While.in a sense .the picture is a continuation of his first talking picture, "They Had to See Paris." its", theme and locale are entirely different. Rogers appears as a millionaire, who returns from Paris with his wife and family. How he overcomes his difficulties in getting his extravagant wife and equally extravagant son down to earth again forms the basis of the situation. Irene Rich, who appeared as Rogers' wife in his first two pictures, again portrays the socially ambitious spouse, who brings about most of his hilarious troubles. Dorothy Jordan and Matty Kemp are others in tho film. NATIONAL THEATRE Maureen O'Sullivan, tho charming ingenue of "Tarzan the Ape Man," and many other productions that have proved her exceptional ability, appear? at the National-Theatre to-day iir.lLo "The Silver Lining," which is said to be one of the most modern " human interest " stories to reach the screen. Previously Miss O'Sullivan appeared as a modern young lady, whose forte was solely of a sentimental nature. In " The Silver Lining " she goes much further, and in each of the many dramatic scenes' acquits herself in a most convincing manner. John Warbtirton is the hero. A most thrilling and well-produced mystery story, " The .Wickham Mystery," is also on the programme. ' !• STRAND THEATRE '' A thoughtful produotfon dealing..outspokenly with the. private lives of schoolmasters, "Keepers of Youth," will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The film, an unusual type of drama, reveals th£- corrupt habits of a certain type of master at a school "for the sons of gentlemen," this part being played by,Garry Marsh. Robin Irvine and John Turnbujl are in support. LONDON THEATRE The forceful acting of William Boyd is the dominant note of "The Painted Desert," which will open a season at the London Theatre to-day. There is action in plenty that' holds the attention of the audietico until tho final scene. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO George Arliss, the most lovable actor in films, gives another superb portrayal in "Alexander Hamilton," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace and Riallo Theatres. Ho will be remembered for his performances in "Disraeli," "Old English" and "The Millionaire." Doris Kenyon and June Collyer are the leading ladies.

EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA "Tarzan, tho Ape Man," with Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan, and "Is My Face Red?" (Riehardo Cortez) are being presented at the Epsom Regent and -Alexandra Theatres. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Maurice Chevalier's "One Hour With You" and "Week-ends Only" (Joan Bennett) are the films at tho Prince Edward Theatre. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Gold-dust Gertie" (Winnie Lightner) is heing shown with "The \ ice Squad* at the Britannia Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE Ruth Chatterton's "To-morrow and Tomorrow" and "The Silent Witness' are the Lyric Thcatro films. TUDOR CINEMA * "Amateur Daddy" (Warner Baxter) heads the Tudor Cinema programme-. HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS A fairy pantomime, interpreted bv a cast of 50. directed by Miss Lillian Braitbwaite. will be given by the St. Andrew s Society as of Halloween celebrations in the Town Hall concert chamber tomorrow evening.

CIVIC THEATRE. Moments of romance, subtle comedy and dramatic intensity should make " The Misleading Lady," which is to open a season at the Civic Theatre to-day, one of the most appealing and entertaining films tcr be presented in Auckland for some considerable time. In addition to an excellent story, the picture boasts an uncommonly fine cast of artists. The captivating actress, who has appeared opposite Maurice Chevalier in numerous pictures, Claudettei Colbert, has 1 tho main feminine role, as Helen Steele, a stage celebrity, whose wrath is aroused when she lenrns that Sydney Parker, the producer, lias given to a rival a role she particularly'wanted. To prove that she could be a vamp when necessary, Helen sets her web to catch Jack Graigen, an "adventurer from Patagonia, who falls in love with her. Discovering that he is being used for her own ends. Craigen takes her to a mountain cabin and chains her up. Tho comedy is introduced by "Boney," an _ escaped lunatic, who believes that he is Napoleon, and has mado tho cabin his lair. From then on the film is exceedingly merry entertainment. Friends of Helen follow her to tho shack and warders strive to run "Boney" to earth. Fast-moving action, full of interest, brings the film to a conclusion. Stuart Erwin is said to contribute bis best performance to date as "Boney," others in the cast being Robert Strange, George Meeker and Selena Royle. The supporting programme contains a Paramount News, a Talkartoon and a Paramount Pictorial. PLAZA THEATRE "Sunshine Susie," which is now in its second week afc tho Plaza Theatre, is a musical comedy, from an English, studio, far above anything of its typo that has previously been shown here. The comedy js more spontaneous, the direction more original and tho song numbers far more haunting than any heard hero, before. The director, Mr. Victor Saville, has achieved a real masterpiece in the manner in which he has handled the production, and the whole film bubbles merrily along on a note of gaiety until the conclusion. Much credit must, also go to the two principals, Benate Midler and Jack Hulbert, who portray respectively a very determined and happy young lady )n search of a position in a large Viennese bank, and the reception clerk, who falls victim to Susie's delightful wiles. Owen Nares appears as the. managing director of the bank, whom Susie mistakes for a clerk and whom she eventually marries. Commencing to-day, the management of th« theatre will conduct a "Typical Typist competition, for which valuable prizes are offered.