ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Two fine films and a supporting programme of a diverse character entertained a large and appreciative audience at the Civic Theatre yesterday. The fare provided was of an international nature. First a British mystery play, ''The Man at Six," from the studios of British International Pictures; second, a Columbia offering based on Grace Perkins' famous novel "No More Orchids"; and then a Fox Australian News film showing events of Australian and Now 'Zealand interest. The English director llarry Hughes uses the suggestive method of photography whereby the audience learns from its own observations the time and place of the various happenings. "The Man at Six" opens when a telephone call is put through to Scotland Yard. By listening at the telephone exchange the audience gathers that a murder is suspected to have taken place. For a few seconds attention is focused on the exchange, but as only mundane calls come through. it is inferred that this announcement causes no stir thero. Next a letter is seen lying on the floor and is picked up and read by a person standing in the shadows. A bell sounds and a man appears. In this way the audicnco is introduced to the two chief figures of the mystery-drama. A letter is to bo delivered to a man who appears at <ho Gables at six o'clock, and as at this hour several men are on the scene, it is impossible to discover the one actually concerned. The police arrive and, in the midst of trying to discover the whereabouts of Mrs, liowson, are interrupted by a scream and tJio charlady (''pardon, the domesticated help!") Is brought in. I From this moment events move at a fast pace, and the audience is unablo to follow for themselves the clues which are discovered. After the finding of the butler's body, the finger of guilt points first to one person and then at another. There is a real Edgar Wallace touch at the finish, when the crime is ultimately sheeted home to the guilty individual. The last scenes in the picture provide any number of thrills. The star. Anno Grey, and supporting cast, all do their share "to sustain interest to the finish. Ihe second feature. "No More Orchids," shows beautiful Carole Lombard, first as tho spoilt darling of her grandparent, and granted any whim, and the gradual change when she meets the man who is different from the rest. Her father has become involved in difficulties through his management of affairs at the bank, and his father-in-law will help him if tho daughter marries a prince, as previously arranged. The sufferings of mind of all concerned, mainly tho daughter, father and his mother, also tho man who was different, are depicted *in excellently-acted scenes. Naturally, the money necessary to put tho bank in a sound position again is obtained, but in a most unusual manner. Carole Lombard adds to her laurels in this picture, and Louise Closser Hale provides comedy relief both in nn unexpected manner and under unexpected circumstances.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Emotional acting at its best is presented in tho featured film ".Men Are Such Fools." which began its Auckland season at St. James' Theatre last evening. True artistry of a standard rarely met with outside the sphere of the "legitimate" stage is revealed by Leo Carillo, whoso performances in stage successes such as "Lombardi. Limited," and "Mister Antonio" are still fresh in the minds of Auckland theatregoers, who flocked to see him a few years ago at Ill's Majesty's. The high wit of this J well-known Latin actor lias lost nothing in its transference to tho wider and perhaps more exacting world of tho talking film. His beautifully modulated speakyig voice wins him new fame in this, Lis latest and most finished role. His native tongue, adapting itself to the unfamiliar intricacies of tho English language, and his. difficulties with the idioms of raw .Americanesc, disclose delightful moments which only Carillo could provide. He is cast*as t lie adoring lover of a fickle girl, played by Vivienne Osborne, u lovely blonde. They marry, leave Vienna for the United States, and icact, each, according to temperament, to the gaudy nighf, life into which they are drawn. Sober-minded, immersed in his ambitipn to becomo a great composer, the mail loses his attraction for tho highspirited girl. Despite evidence to tho contrary, lie refuses io believe her unfaithful, and is cast into prison for assaulting an unscrupulous libertine by whom his wife had been beguiled. Carillo, in prison, gives an appealing characterisation, and is hero seen at the height nf dramatic power. He is. befriended by ;v young girl, played by Una Merkel, who gives another interpretation of the whimsical typo in which she lias no equal. Released, tho composer learns of his wife's infidelity, and murders her seducer. Events move swiftly to a climax with Carillo back in tho The supporting programme is well balanced, with a. comedy, another of the Souvenir series, a cartoon and news items. PLAZA THEATRE The night life of London forms a glittering background to " When London Sleeps," which is attracting largo audiences to the Plaza Theatre. It, is a British production interpreted by a British cast, and worthily upholds the standard set by the British film industry in the past. Excitement is the keynote and the action is sustained until the final scenes, which reach a sensational climax. Tho film has all tho elements of gripping entertainment. There are tense scenes at gambling houses where fortunes are risked on the turn of the wheel, the abduction of an heiress and the thrilling hunt by Scotland Yard officers for an elusive criminal. The shorter films arc of universal interest. MAJESTIC THEATRE The lifo story of Lena Rivers, who begins life under a stigma and is alienated from her relatives, is dramatically told in " Lena Rivers," the film heading the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. Tho title role lias been entrusted to Charlotte Henry, of the New York legitimate stage, and she invests the part with a patjios that is never banal. The actress also appeared in "Huckleberry Fin " with outstanding success. Bervl Mercer, the talented portrayer of " mother " roles, enhances her reputation in a typical part. Included in the cast are Betty Blythe, Joyce Compton, James Kirkwood, Morgan Galloway and John St. Polis. There is a good supporting programme. STRAND THEATRE Frederick Lonsdale's brilliant stage success, " The I,)evil to Pay," will be shown as a talking play for the first time at the Strand Theatre to-day. It has all the wit and sophistication of former Lonsdale plays. Ronald Colman heads the cast. The supporting features include the popular " News of the World " series. LONDON THEATRE The main attraction at, the London Theatre is the clever English comedy " Potiphar's Wife." It is very cleverly done and there is not a dull moment. EMPRESS AND WEST END Jack Hulbert and Winifred Shotter head a notable cast in "Jack's tho Boy," tho principal film at the Empress and West End Theatres. "Vanity Street," with Charles Bickford, is also shown. EPSOM RECENT THEATRE Jack Hulberfc is a most amusing character in "Jack's the Boy," which heads | the programme at t,be Epsom The-

REGENT THEATRE There is a suspicion of a sly lilt, at American political, custom in " The Phantom President," which heads the new programme at the Regent Theatre. fhis fact, however, loses all significance to the patron who finds in the wholesome fun and gaiety of the film all that he demands in diverting entertainment. It has been made to provoke merriment and the aim is achieved in an unmistakable manner. To Hie integrally humorous theme, nevertheless, is added a satisfying element of romance and the leaven of a little drama, while bright melody, interspersed all too casually, is not (he least notable feature. .A new artist is introduced in George M. Cohan, credited with a Broadway reputation as a playwright, composer and producer. In " The Phantom President " he shows that, as an actor, lie possesses attributes which make for high popularity. Versatile to a degree, he fills a dual role calling for impersonations of completely opposite types. As Theodore K. Blair he is seen as a presidential candidate with every qualification save that of personality. I'll is one defect causes his influential supporters to despair of his success in the field of politics. It also causes Felicia Hammond, daughter of an cx-Pre-sident, to reject his offer of marriage. Into town conies Doc Varney and Curly Cooney with Varney's medicine show. They are seen by Blair's backers, who are astounded by Varney's resemblance to their principal. Varney naturally knows how to sway the mob, and unknown to Felicia, is induced to impersonate Blair, in the interests of his candidacy for the duration of the campaign. Nomination is secured through Varney's experienced tactics and all goes well with the subsequent electioneering until tho real candidate becomes restive, especially when he finds that Tarriey impresses Felicia aswell as the electors. Intriguing' complications arise when tho impersonator, 011 his part, discovers that lie is very definitely in love with Felicia, the knowledge of which influences him to make a public declaration of the part he has been playing. Ifis co-campaigners arc equal to the occasion, however, and circumvent him, and on Felicia falls the responsibility of finding a way of escape from the consequences of the imposture. The broad comedy with which tho story abounds is handled, for tho most part, by Jimmy Durante, whoso characterisations both as assistant to tho glib vendor of medicines and major-domo to tho prospective president aro Ihe essence of farcical fun. Claudetto Colbert makes a charming heroine, and other important parts are played by George Barbier, Sydney Toler, Louise Mackintosh and Julius McVicker. A wide interest is catered for in the supporting films. Louise Fazenda and Marie Prcvost are associated in a delightful comedy, " Hesitating Love," in which they discipline an .erring husband, and " Fighting Fins " gives a graphic insight into tho joys of trout fishing in Canadian lakes and of big-game fishing in the warmer waters off the coast of the United States. Review films bv the Paramount and Cinesound companies and a revue item, "Hollywood 011 Parade." complete a programme of outstanding attraction. '

NATIONAL THEATRE Eric Linden ;ind Sydney Fox are the principals in " Afraid to Talk," the Universal production which began a season at tho National Theatre yesterday. It is ii stern indictment of "gangster" terrorism in the United States. Eric Linden is cast as a bell boy at the Metropolitan Hotel, and be is a witness to a. murder committed by a powerful " gangster." Although threatened by the " gangster's " friends, the young man reveals the murderer's identity to the police. Then there ensues a series of events in which political graft is the main factor and tno bell boy is arraigned before the police on a false charge. As Eric Linden's wife, Sidney Fox is very appealing, while Mayo Methot acts well in an unsympathetic role. Karl Freund was responsible for the photography. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A swift-moving story, brimful of action, is told in "Speed Demon," which is being presented with -"Me and My Gal" at tho Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. William Collier, jun., and Marian Marsh are the principals in the former. In "Me and My Gal" the principal parts are taken by Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett, both of whom have several recent notable performances to their credit. Altogether the programme offers entertainment which should appeal to a wide rango of tastes. CAPITOL THEATRE " Man About Town," with Warner Baxter and Karpn Morley, and " The Beast of Iho City," in which Walter Huston and Jean Harlow appear, are the Capitol Theatre films. ONEHUNGA STRAND PICTURES Lewis Stone, Conrad Nagel, Lois WiL sou and Jackie Cooper act, splendidly in " Divorce in the Family " at the Onehunga Strand Pictures. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "The Love Pace/' a brilliant English comedy, in which Stanley Lupino and Jack Hobbs are a comic pair, will be shown with "Tiger Shark" at tho Crystal Palace and Bialtu Theatres to-day. Edward G. Robinson is tho principal in the second film, a thrilling drama of the sea. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE A special matinee programme at the Prince Edward Theatre this afternoon will include a Mickey Mouse cartoon, "The Bench Party," and "The Fighting Fool" (Tim McCoy). In the evening "Mayfaiv Nights" and "Life Goes On" will be shown. ADELPHI THEATRE Marie Dressier acts magnificently in "Emma," the main picture at the Adelphi Theatre. VICTORIA THEATRE Constance Bennett, Neil Hamilton and Lowell Sherman act splendidly in " What Price Hollywood ?" at tho Victoria Theatre. GREY LYNN CINEMA "The Sentimental Bloke" and "The Silent Witness " comprise the entertainment at the Grey Lynn Cinema. BRITANNIA THEATRE " Sunshine Susie," with Renate Muller and Jack Hulbert, and Ronald Colman's " Tho Unholy Garden " are the films at the Britannia Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE " Amateur Daddy," with Warner Baxter and Marian Nixon, heads the Lyric Theatre programme. TUDOR THEATRE "Unashamed" (Helen Twelvetrees) and " County Hospital," with Laurel and Hardy, will be shown at the Tudor Cinema this evening. PONSONBY BOYS' BAND A concert will be given by the Ponsonby Boys' Band in conjunction with the Porisonby-Herne Bay Ex-servicemen's Club at Point Erin Park this evening. AUCKLAND THEATRE GUILD " A Warm Week-end," a witty drawing room comedy, will be presented by the Auckland Theatre Guild in the Town Hallj .concert chamber on February 23 and 23* A talented feast fcsmt beeix selected)