ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE \ Australia's entry into the realm of talking-picturo production achieves epic status in "On Our Selection," which commenced a season before large audiences at (he Regent Theatre yestfrday. Received by the Australian public with unprecedented enthusiasm, the picture created- attendance records in the Commonwealth, which could presage nothing but a production of exceptional qualities. The initial presentation at Auckland yesterday .went to prove (he validity of preconceived opinion, and to demonstrate a breadth of appeal even where (ho basis oi* national sentiment is lacking. Tliero are few people who are not acquainted with the rough-hewn, hut del'ghtful characters so graphically drawn in Steele Rudd's stories of outback life in. Australia. In "On Our Selection" they are superbly and faithfully presented —the flowingly bewiskered countenance of Dad, the buxom proportions of Mum, the rugged swagger of Dave, the contrasting refinement of Kate, and the unsophisticated candour of young Joe, all shown against, the traditional background of great untamed spaces. They are seen in the spirited struggle with adversity known only (o the pioneer, in courageous endeavour prosecuted in snite of misfortune and disaster, and in that triumph of grit and perseverence which, in the final analysis, is chiefly epitomised in the works of the Australian author. But while trial and tribulation provide the groundwork of the story, the dominant note is one of happy contempt for hardship and disappointment. In its apt presentation of this aspect of the family life of the Rudds, the picture has its greatest claim to success. Clothed in the full richness of Ruddian humour, from the viewpoint of both dialogue and situation, its gaiety is emphasised, ever and anon, by the swift shaft of pathos, and one feels that a more humanly accurate portrayal of the subject could hardly have been secured. Most of (he players in the principal roles contribute to hilarity, but it is not difficult to single out the one who most frequently raises (lie laughter. For Bert Bailey transfers his original stage characterisation of Dad Rudd to the screen with conspicuous success, and admirably fills the role round which all others revolve. He is truly and sincerely the irascible, determined, but thoroughly likeable old chap whose vigour of mind and limb is equalled perhaps only by his remarkable penchant for opprobrious comment. His presence is the surety for mirth-provoking dialogue, and few can claim (o escape discomfort in verbal combat with him. Even the innocent fall victim to his ready tongue. There is the occasion, for instance, on which his eldest son indicates his preference in the field of matrimony. His fervent "My oath, Dave, you're game," may not be altogether gallant, but it is certainly succinct. In creating so successfully the typical atmosphere of the piece, he has the support of four other players who participate with the perfection gained in similar stage roles. These are Fred Macdonald, who plays the part of Dave, Alfreda Bevan, as Mrs. Rudd, William Driscoll, as (he uncle, and Lilias Adeson, as Lily White, Dave's somewhat picturesque fiancee. Efficient characterisation marks the work of each, the courtship of Dave and Lily providing some of the most uproariously funny episodes in the picture. On Molly Raynor, who makes a charming figure in the role of the more genteel Kate Rudd, and Dick Fair, who plays the part of her sweetheart, Sandy Graham, fall the de velopment of a pretty romance, which has its climax when the latter is accused of the murder of a rival suitor. The serious theme lends excellent balance to the train of lighter incident, and is notable for the masterly and sympathetic portrayal given by the two lovers. Appropriate supporting films precede the principal picture. "A Symphony in Steel" features the Sydney Harbour Bridge, close-up and distant views providing a splendid conception of its magnitude and beauty, Mr. Frank Hurley's running commentary, in poetic vein, adding greatly to the enjoyment of a film which depicts many of the panoramic beauties of the New South Wales capital. A Oinescund Review, showing scenes at the opening of the swimming season at the famous Bondi beach, and views taken at Wairoa shortly after (he recent earthquake, and a Mickey Mouse cartoon complete a memorable programme.

STRAND THEATRE In 'the perfection of its comedy, the nature of its photography and the acting of a notable cast, "Hold Everything," the first film of a fine double-feature pro gramme which opened a season at tho Strand Theatre yesterday, is a picture which provides first-class entertainment. The entire production is in technicoluur and the. true value of colours is brought to the screen with strikjng results. The principals, Joe E. Brown and Winnie Lightner, are afforded unlimited scope for their unfailing comedy efforts. It is a comedy which is always, bright and never fails to produce tho desired effect.* The story deals with the aspirant for a boxing title, who, although never known to win a bout, is persevered with by tho superstitious manager, who believes that every time he loses another aspirant for tho world's boxing title (a part taken with singular appropriateness by Georges C'arpentier) will win. The bouts in which Joe E. Brown appears are among the funniest episodes the screen has given us. The second production, "Keepers of Youth," is one of the most oowerful films yet produced in England, dealing in a thoughtful manner with the problem of the private lives of schoolmasters. Garry Marsh, around whose personality most, of the action revolves, giyes a characterisation nothing short of perfect. 0. B. Clarence, as a fussy master, and Vaughan • Powell as a junior master, give true character studies. Fine production and acting make it a gripping entertainment. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA Johnny Weissmuller, former swimming champion, is a virile character in "Tarzan the Ape Man," which heads the programme at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra- Theatres. "Is My Face Red?" (Ricardo Cortez) is also shown. \ ' GREY LYNN CINEMA "Mystery Ranch" and "Brown Sugar" comprise (he major entertainment at the Grey Lynn Cinema this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE The vivacious Winnie Lightner is the principal in "Gold Dust Gertie" at. the Britannia Theatre this evening. "The Vice Squad" will also bo screened. LYRIC THEATRE Ruth Chatterton is at her best in "Tomorrow and To-morrow," to be screened at the Lyric Theatre this evening, with "The Silent Witness." TUDOR THEATRE Warner Baxter, of "Daddy Long Legs," has a similar role in "Amateur Daddy," which will be screened at tho Tudor Theatre this evening. CAPITOL THEATRE "Ladies of the Big House," with Sylvia Sidney and Gene Raymond, and "Tho Lost Squadron" are the Capitol Theatre films. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "One Hour With You,'* with Maurice Chevalier, and "Weekends Only," head the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE A film with all the elements of firstclass entertainment is " The Misleading Lady." which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Ifc contains a pleasant blending of romance and subtle comedy, culminating in _ moments of dramatic intensity and action. Claudette Colbert lias the leading part and is ably supported by that virile artist Edmund, Lowe, and by Stuart Ervvin, who fills the comedy role with conspicuous success. " The Misleading Lady" is the story of a gamble between a society girl and a theatrical producer, after the girl had been turned down a« " not the light type" for the leading part in a forthcoming feature. Helen Steele, played by Claudette, determines to prove herself worthy of the role, in which outstanding qualifications in the art of vamping are essential to the success of the production. In furtherance of this she extracts a promise from the producer that the role will- be hers provided she can obtain a genuine proposal of marriage from Jack Craigcn (Edmund Lowe), adventurer, unattached, and quite indifferent to feminine wiles. A condition is that Helen shall extract this promise before (ho conclusion of the week end party during which she met Craigen for the first time. The artful Helen obtains the required proposal, but her victim discovers (he reason, kidnaps her and carries her off in an autogyro to an isolated mountain cabin, where, to tame her, he chains her up. To this point the film moves more or less dramatically. The comedy is introduced by " Boney" (Stuart Irwin), an escaped lunatic, who thinks he is Napoleon. He has made the cabin his hiding place. From then on the picture is an exceedingly merry production. Two inebriates, with a mystery on the tips of their tongues, an irate lover bent on avenging the kidnapping, a determined reporter and two keepers from a near by asylum are involved in the developments, which become highly exciting and end with dramatic and unexpected suddenness. In a good supporting programme, events of world-wide importance are brought before the public by an interesting Paramount News film, while "Meet (he Senator" is a farce so .ridiculously funny that it cannot fail to produce a good laugh. The popular Civic Orchestra, under Mr. Harold Baxter, gives renderings of " A Day in Naples," " Minuet in C" and " Hungarian March." PLAZA THEATRE The producers of "Sunshine Susie," showing at the Plaza Theatre, may well he proud of their efforts. The production is without doubt the brightest and most entertaining picture ever shown in Auckland and'the audiences leave the theatre feeling all the better for having seen it. Distinguished by flawless direction, faultless acting and haunting songs, the picture is carried along on a note of gaiety until the conclusion. Renate Muller, the attractive German "Susie," is undoubtedly a screen "find" and picture-goers will await her reappearance with eagerness. The film deals with the adventures of a young stenographer, who arrives in Vienna and seeks a position in a large bank. Here she mistakes the managing director for a clerk and although the two fall in love, she is convinced until the end that he has but a minor part in the affairs of the institution. Owen Nares appears as the director. Much of the hilarious comedy comes from Jack Hulbert, as a middleaged reception clerk. He reveals himself as an unusually talented comedian, tapdancer and contortionist.

NATIONAL THEATRE One of the ultra-modern stories wherein all the players and situations are exceptionally human, "The Silver Lining," opened a season at the National Theatre yesterday. With "The Wickham Mystery," the second attraction, it should make a most popular type of programme. The principal in "The .Silver Lining" is Maureen O'Sullivan, the charming actress of many successful productions. The story deals with a society debutante and her love for admiration and publicity. While she and her friends live a life of continued luxury and ease, the tenants of her dilapidated tenements risk their lives daily in the ramshackle homes she refuses to keep in repair. Then comes a drastic change in the life, of the social butterfly and before she realises what has happened she finds herself in e penal institution. She experiences a decided change of heart and the film ends on happy note for all concerned. John Warburton. Betty Compson and Montagu Love are others prominently cast. "The Wickham Mystery" revolves around the mysterious theft, of a string of pearls and a batch of documents in a sealed package. Eve Grey has the main feminine role and Doris Clemence, John Longden and Lester Matthews are in support.. MAJESTIC THEATRE Marion I)avip.j. Rillie Dove and Robe't. Montgomery arc all well cast in "Blondie. of the Follies." which opened a season at the Vajcstic Theatre 011 Thursday. The film deals with the careers of two girls, who leave the squalor of their, tenement existence and rise to the heights of popularity in the Follies. Events reach a climax when they fall in love with the same man. Jimmy Durante provides a wealth of his particular type of humour and sings several songs in his inimitable manner. Zasu Pitts also is responsible for unlimited merriment. There is an excellent supporting programme. « CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Concerning "Alexander Hamilton," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres, an English critic writes:—''l feel sure that all filmgoers who appreciated 'Disraeli' will appreciate 'Alexander in which we have a pageant of historical personages and at the same time a drama in which there is emotional substance added to pictorial beauty, and a perfect performance by Mr. George Arliss, who, in Miss Doris Ivenyon, finds his ideal leading lady." The second attraction on the programme, is "Tnrzan the Ape Man," which presents the ex-champion swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, and Maureen O'Sullivan in the leading roles. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The latest London fashions are prominently displayed in "Nine Till Six," the drama of a mannequin, now being presented with Tom Keene's "Beyond the Rockies" at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, Elizabeth Allen, Richard Bird and Loiuse Hampton are the principals. It. was produced by Basil Dean from the famous stage play by Aimee and Phillip Stuart. Rochelle Hudson makes an appealing heroine in "Beyond the Rockies." LONDON THEATRE A melodrama of tho American West that should please all kinds of audiences. "The Painted Desert," opened a season aL fhe London Thcatrp yesterday. The powerful acting of William Boyd is the outstanding feature of the production, which is full of action of the most exhilarating kind. Helen Twelvetre6s,' who appeared recently in "State's Attorney," is the hcroini. ONEHUNGA STRAND PICTURES "But the Flesh is Weak" (Robert Montgomery) heads the programme at tho Onehunga Pictures. EMPIRE THEATRE William Powell's "The Road to Singapore" and "The Big Shot" (Eddie Quintan) ate the films at, the Empire Theatre. SCOTS HALL PANTOMIME The pantomime, "The Further Adventures of Alice in Wonderland," will' be presented by Miss Cecil Hall and her pupils in Scots Hall on Saturday, November 5. Spectacular costuming and gorgeous ballets will be a feature of the production.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE The vein of dry wit, totally unexpected at the moment, and therefore all the more telling, that is invariably associated with any film in which Will Rogers appears, runs through ''Down io Earth, a semiserious picture in which the noted comedian is at his very best. The film, which commenced a season at St. James' Theatre yesterday, is naturally notable chiefly for the presence of Will Rogers, but there is j also some excellent work by members of the supporting cast. Rogers, who never seems comfortable unless his collar is : crumpled, his hair untidy and his trousers baggy at the knees, is admirably suited to the part of the rich but unspoiled head of a family with marked social aspirations. As a successful business man who has accumulf.ted his own fortune, Rogers has a whole hearted contempt for the hundreds of so-called friends who frequent I his country house, but sneer almost openly I at the homely appearance and blunt man- ! tier of their -host. Afraid of his butler's supercilious manner, his wife's fashionable j friends and the round of social duties i into which his wealth has thrown him, Rogers is a nonentity in his own home until the inevitable happens, and the Wall : Street crash destroys his fortune along with ' thousands of others. For the first time, I Rogers is happy, and his family, after a momentary hysteria, also manages to find contentment in more humble circumstances. Irene Rich performs with disi tinction as the ambitious wife, her work | in the last scene, where she is persuaded j against her will to adopt a friendly atti--1 tude toward her cheerful husband, is parI ticularly effective. Probably one of the I most amusing scenes in which Rogers has ever appeared on the screen is that showing the grand ball at his house, when the unwilling father appears grotesquely arrayed as the unhappy Louis Quatorze. The supporting programme is also of exceptionaf interest. One of the Magic Carpet of Movietone series, "Here Comes the Circus," deals briefly but thoroughly with life under the top," as seen by both the public and the players themselves. There is another clever screen song, while two newsreels deal with items of importance from many corners of the earth. There are included pictures of Mollison's departure ori his transatlantic flight, the observations of scientists of-the recent total eclipse of the sun, and Professor Piccard's record-breaking balloon ascent, while the famous German tenor, Richard Tauber, is seen and heard singing at a charity fete in England. MUNICIPAL CHOIR CONCERT The Auckland Municipal Choir will give a concert in the Town Hall this evening. A wide selection of compositions will be rendered. Assisting in the programme will be Mr. Frank Sutherland, baritone, Dr. Trevor de Clive Lowe, 'cellist, and Mr. Arthur E. Wilson, organist. Mr. E. Varley Hudson will conduct.