ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE A notable cast interprets "Divorce in the Family," the distinctive film of modern life, now at the Majestic Theatre. It includes Lewis Stone, who needs scant recommendation to Auckland film-goers; Conrad Nagel, whoso recent screen appearances have been all too few; Lois Wilson, remembered for a fine performance in "Seed"; and Jackie Cooper, brilliant child actor of "Skippy," "The Champ" and "When a Feller Needs a Friend." Lillian Harvey, tho fascinating English girl, who is tlie most popular actress in Continental films, is the lending lady in "Old Vienna," the magnificent U.F. A. musical romance, to head the new programme on Thursday. Miss Harvey last appeared with the Auckland actor John Batten in "Tho Love Waltz." "Old Vienna" is tho new title for "Congress Dances." An English critic remarks; " 'Congress Dances' is entitled to your presence in queue formation." CIVIC THEATRE The spell of the supernatural was never ii).ore potent than in "White Zombie," tho amazing film of occult practices in Haiti, which seems assured of an unusually successful season at tho Civic Theatre. It is based on the result of a recent poll conducted by Will H. Hays in the United States, which showed that mystery pictures were the first choice of film-goers, with those set in foreign localities next in order of popularity. Bela Lngosi, accomplished Hungarian actor of "Dracula," makes an appropriately menacing figure of a fiendish demon who brings a beautiful young woman under his power. Madge Bellamy, a favourite of the silent era, returns to tho screen after an absence of two years in the part of the tragic woman. There is a splendid supporting programme, including items on tho organ by Miss Dorothea Ryan. RECENT THEATRE Undiminished popularity continues to greet "On Our Selection," the wholly delightful film of Australian out-back life, which is in the second week of a season at the Regent Theatre. It brings to life on the screen all the inimitable characters created by Steele Rudd. Bert Bailey heads ft notable cast in tho . part of "Dad." There is a worthy supporting programme* including first pictures of the English cricket team. There arc also an impressionistic film of tho Sydney Harbour Bridge, "Symphony in Steel," and a Mickey Mouso cartoon. Tho theatre's next programme will be headed by "Street of Women," a vital human drama. Tho leading artists are Kay Francis, seen recently in "Strangers in Love," and Roland Young, accomplished English actor.

PLAZA THEATRE Crowds are still flocking fo see " Sunshine Susie," the brilliant English musical film, which is now in the fourth week of a phenomenal season at the Plaza Theatre. It is a picture of pure delight. From beginning to end it holds the audience under its spell. Most appealing performances come from Renate Muller, a German actress who positively radiates happiness; Jack Hulbert, one of the most resourceful English comedians yet to have appeared on the screen; and Owen sares, who invariably acts with distinction. Miss Muller's next film, " Marry Me," in which the comedian George Robey will also appear, will bo eagerly awaited, as will Mr. ITulbert's " Ghost Train," "Jack's the Boy" anrf "Love on Wheels." Victor Saville's direction of " Sunshine Susie" is particularly artistic. NATIONAL THEATRE The peal fisheries of the South Seas form the colourful background of ".After the Rain," which is enjoying great success at the National Theatre. Some of the scenes are particularly beautiful. The principal parts are interpreted by Spencer Tracy, last seen in "Sky Deviis"; Peggy Shannon, a promising young actress; William Boyd, a favourite of the silent screen; Irving Pichel, of "An American Tragedy" and "The Miracle Man"; and Raul Roulien, whose first screen part was in Janet Gaynor's "Delicious." There have been many films of the South Seas, but few have caught so perfectly as "After the Rain," the glamour which is invariably associated with tho tropics.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE "The Tenderfoot," in which Joe E. Brown, a comedian with a large mouth, 'takes the principal part,- is at present being presented at St. James' Theatre. Mr. Brown cuts a comic figure as a somewhat timorous cowboy who invades New York, only to fall an easy prey to thp producers of a dud musical comedy, which he is persuaded to finance. Other wellknown players who appear are Ginger Rogers, an appealing soubrette, and Lew Cody, appropriately sinister as the villain of the piece. The supporting programme covers a wide range of interest.

STRAND THEATRE "Show of Shows," an entrancing musical film, photographed entirely in colour, has begun a return Auckland season at the Strand Theatre. The imposing array of leading artists who appear includes John Barrymore, Winnie Lightner, Jack Buchanan and Irene Bordoni. There are numerous magnificent scenes. LONDON THEATRE Sparkling comedy is the keynote of "Lonely Wives," which heads the programme at the London Theatre. Laura La Plante, Edward Everett Horton and Patsy Ruth Miller are the leading artists. TUDOR THEATRE "Private Lives" (Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery) is the Tudor Cinema film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "Lctty Lynton" (Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery) and "I Take This Woman" (Gary Cooper) are the pictures at the Princo Edward Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "The Cheat" (Tallulah Bankhead) heads (ho current programme at the Crystal Palaco Theatre. RIALTO THEATRE Jack Buchanan is a most engaging character in "Man of Mayfair," the main film at the Rialto Theatre. Joan Barry is the heroine. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE "Daughter of the Dragon," with Warner Oland and Anna May Wong, is being shown at the Epsom Regent/ Theatre. " ALICE IN WONDERLAND " An appreciative audience welcomed the performance of the pantomime, " Further Adventures of Alice in Wonderland," given by the pupils of Miss Cecil Hall in tho Scots Hall on Saturday evening. This very fino show was in seven scenes, interspersed with interludes of dancing and singing, so that there was not u dull moment. Tho pleasing performances of the tiny dancers, no loss than the older ones, were evidence of a skilful training turned to good account by enthusiasm on the part of everyono. Tho generally high standard displayed was something of a rovelation, and a number of performers showed a finish that was little short of amazing. The dressing and stage effects were splendid contributions to tho success of tho presentation, providing as they did settings of undoubted beauty that cast the spoil of fairyland ovor all..

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE It is estimated that nearly two million people saw "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" in London and New York, during its record runs in those cities, and ninny peoplo saw it several times. For instance, one well-known Wellington lady informed tho manager that she had seen it no fewer than five times in London, and was one of the first to reserve seats for its New Zealand premiere. This testifies to the amazing popularity of the play, tho art of Miss Margaret Rawlings and tho new English company that supports her. "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" will have its first presentation at His Majesty's Theatre-under (he direction of J. 0. Williamson, Limited, on Saturday evening. An admixture of love, tragedy and comedy delightfully blended through three acts and seven scenes by the author, Rudolph Rosier, makes one of the most charming romantic plays that tho theatre has seen in this . generation. Robert Browning, one of England's greatest poets, rescues Elizabeth from a living death by contracting a secret marriage with her and taking her off to Italy away from the tyrannical and narrowminded father, who has forbidden marriage to all his children. Tho part of Elizabeth in the play is said to be a most exacting one, but Miss Rawlings earned tho unanimous approval of Australian clitics in tho manner of her impersonation. "Tho Barretts of Wimpole Street will bo staged in tho Hamilton Theatre Royal on Friday evening. '1 hero will be only one performance in Hamilton.