ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21426, 25 February 1933, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE A women's devotion to members of hexfamily, carried to an extremity which seriously involves her in an unusual murder case, and the doubts of an admirer who, ns a lawyer, is compelled by circumstances to bo prosecutor, are the dominant events in "Two Against the World," the Warner Brothers' production, which commenced a season before large audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Archie Mayo, the director, makes an eminent success of a frequently difficult subject, which, is based on the novel by Marion Dix and Jerry Horwin. Incidentally, Mr. Mayo directed Constance Bennett's work in her first Warner Brothers' film, "Bought." and it was to be expected that Miss Bennett, as the principal player in "Two Against the World." would appear to advantage. The characterisation of Dell Hamilton, daughter of an American millionaire, who is dragged into the public Courts and the unpleasant harshness of sensational publicity, is one which makes great demands on the actress' talent, but sho proves that she is conspicuously qualified to take the part. In "Two Against the' World" Miss Bennett must win fresh fame for a reputation which places her already in the forefront of screen players. The actual story of the production opens unconventionally in an elevator. Miss Bennett, conscious of her social importanco and the power of her wealthy family, is evidently accustomed to bo dictatorial, but a fellow passenger in the elevator is a, successful young lawyer, David Norton, played by Neil Hamilton,, who has made it his business to.champion tho interests of the less fortunate. Not unnaturally, the ideas of the pair clash, but they are entirely unable to let any conflict of notions overcome an immediate mutual attraction. The consequence is that Norton finds himself invited to a reception at tho Hamilton home. He is not altogether a favoured guest until the Haruiltoris learn that he is a member of a prominent family, 'although it is his wont to question the power of' the wealthy in some directions. The romance between Norton and Miss Hamilton flourishes up to a point. It is then that the somewhat objectionable attentions to Miss Hamilton of Victor jLinloy, a conventional man-about-town type, played by Gavin Gordon, intrude. The position is not helped by the attitude of a married sister of Miss Hamilton, played by Helen Vinson, who is infatuated with Linley. At the risk of her reputation Miss Hamilton elects to save her sister from being connected with an unsavoury alliance with Linley, but her action causes a brother to exact revenge on Linley by murdering him: It is not long before Miss Hamilton is linked with the murder. In her efforts to save her brother she is suspected and is brought to trial. Her romance' with Norton is broken when he is forced to act as prosecutor. Dramatic scenes happen in Court, and the guilt of Miss Hamilton's brother is revealed, the Judge deciding that there was justification for the crime. When Miss Hamilton is trying to escapp old associations the persistent Norton manages to renew his romance. Clara Blandick, Roscoe Karns and Harold Nelson provide the humour of tho story. The supporting programme includes exciting incidents in the fourth cricket test at Brisbane, views of Rome, with interesting impressions of Mussolini, Bernice Claire in a musical number, and a Fox Movietone News.

MAJESTIC THEATRE With a cast of many prominent players, including Jack Oakie, Thomas Meighan, Marian Nixon and William Collier, "Madifoii Square Garden," showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a vivid story ol the exciting incidents that take place in the great sporting centre. Many of the oldtime sports favourites make an appearance. and one sees such well-known figures as Jack Johnson, Spike Robinson, Tom Sharkey and Tammany Young as characters in the story. Marian Nixon, who will be remembered in 1 "Amateur Daddy" and "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," - takes the part of a telegraph opierator, and Jack Oakio plays the role of a fighter, Eddie Burke, who falls in love with Bee, the telegraph girl. The supporting,attractions are varied and interesting, and include a comedy " Bring 'em Back Sober."

NATIONAL THEATRE One of the most arresting dramas which has been shown in Auckland is " The Mummy," with Karloff in the role of 1m-Ho-Tep, a high priest of ancient Egypt, and a cast of exceptional ability. ISita Joliann, the dual personality of a modern girl with the spirit of a priestess of Isis,. is well portrayed by Helen Grosvenor, who has the appropriate profile and personality necessary for the Anglo-Eyptian role. The story is based on the power of an Egyptian spell to last through a period of 37 centuries and reappear in the reincarnated body of lm-Ho-Tep, and it is still capable of the most devastating effects. The high priest defies the efforts of a party of explorers to break his power over the girl, and the story culminates in a thrilling climax.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The double-feature programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres is enjoying wellmerited popularity. The films are " Shop Angel," a production from the Celebrity Studios, and " End of the Trail." Marion Shilling heads a notable cast in the former film, in which parts are also capably interpreted by Holmes Heibert. Walter Byron and Anthony Buslmells The action of the story is set against the background of New . York, and tho interest, is sustained from start to finish. The denouement is sensational. The second attraction, " End of the Trail," is distinctly different from the usual type of Western film. Tim McCoy is in the cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A notable cast interprets " Divorce in the Family," the splendid drama which is being presented with " Strictly Business," a bright English comedy at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Tho players include Lewis Stone, Lois Wilson, Conrad Nagel and Jackie Cooper. Betty A mann and ; - Carl ILarbord appear in " Strictly linlsiness." STRAND THEATRE One of the best comedies of the year, " Broadiuinded," is attracting large audiences to the Strand Theatre. It is notable for the hilarious antics' of Joe E. Frown, the comedian of " Fireman - Save My Child." There arc good supporting features. LONDON THEATRE An engrossing talking plav, " The Rosary," in which Margol Grahamo has tho leading role, is the current attraction nt the London Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE . Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas are the talented principals of "As You Desire Me," which heads tho current, programme at the Capitol Theatre. " The Miracle Man" is the other film. * TUDOR CINEMA Frederick Lonsdale's " Spring ' Cleaning " is being shown at the Tudor Cinema under tho title "Women Who Play." LYRIC THEATRE " Merrily We Go To " heads the Lyric Theatre programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE " Down to Earth " and " My PaL the King " are the Britannia Theatre films.

REGENT THEATRE Clever and uniformly satisfying acting marks the Paramount feature picture, "lie Learned About Women," which was presented in the new programme at the Regent Theatre yesterday. The idea of a New York youth, long confined to the world of books, suddenly inheriting a vast fortune, lends itself to the developing of intriguing situations, and these are brightly handled. As the millionaire youth, Peter Potter Kendall 111., Stuart Erwin has a somewhat artificial part to fill, . but he invests the character with real life and cleverly depicts his rapid development under the pressure of the influences that gather about him. Alison Skipworth, who is speedily winning popularity among theatre patrons gave an outstanding characterisation of the old actress fallen on evil days. To begin with she is not averse to taking some advantage of the inexperienced Peter, but when danger threatens him her heart softens and she becomes his loyal friend. Susan Fleming is very charming as Joan Allen, the pretty young typist, who is so fortunate as to find a position in the imposing mansion of the kindhearted Peter, The romance between them with its. Ups and downs, is 'very pleasingly and -tastefully unfolded, to a fitting climax. The parts of Wilson, the perfect valet, of Eddie Clifford, the scheming criminal, and his less unscrupulous associate are all clearly and convincingly drawn. Though there is a semi-serious theme and interest yet the play is largely comedy, and the manner in which the ■ old actress, Madame Polidor, takes charge of the Kendall mansion and dominates those about her is exceedingly ludicrous. Kendall himself is a very amusing figure, though there is a touch of pathos about his simplicity. The story ends -with.a free-for-all pursuit and fight behind the scenes ■ and in, front of them in a New York theatre, reminiscent of the doughty battles that used -to so delight patrons in, the days of the silent picture. When Joan is threatened in this scene Peter the recluse finds his manhood and lays about liim to good and satisfying purppsc. -So realistic did tho. battle becoihe that it had many in the audience shrieking with involuntary excitement. The- supporting certainly lack nothing in wealth of variety, &nd they have a fair share of originality too. Some of them have, instructive as w?U as entertainment value, and s h°w how increasingly valuable the sound film is becoming as a vehicle of np-to-date news and information. One of the best of the Australian pictures told in condensed form the story of the fourth test in Brisbane. It shows a good deal of Larwood's bowling, and explains clearly enough why his deliveries strike terror into the hearts of batsmen. Great herds of buffalo being rounded up in Yellowstone Park made another fine picture, and it was an educational treat to listen to Sir Walter Layton defining Britain's attitude toward the repayment of war loans to America, Amy Mollison was heaiu in a few words of acknowledgement of her overwhelming welcome when she returned from hei record-breaking run to Capetown and back. Another film told of the strange creatures found in the Gobi Desert, and yet another passed in review typical glories of the autumn season. Most exciting of all the news pictures was one of the extraordinarily dating and dangerous aquatic races and contests engaged in by high-powered speed-boats in Florida. All these and more, including several comic items are included in a programme that should find wide favour during its currency here. ST. JAMES' THEATRE An eerie story of a baffling murder mystery containing an under-current of subtle cross purposes "was unfolded to large audiences at Si. James Theatie las evening, when "The Phantom of Crestwood" was screened for the first time. The element of suspense is responsible for sustaining intense interest in an exciting series of incidents, which are woven around tho tale of a woman's ...uncanny power over four ni p, n. With a cast which interprets the thrilling nature "of the plot with exceptional ability, and scenery and photography of a high standard, the fiim ranks foremost among those dramas "vhinh have been, presented, before Auckland audiences in recent times. Karen Morley as Jenny Wren, about whose sudden death the mvstery is laid, plays' a part of a cold-blooded and mercenary woman with restraint and sympathy. In the opposite lead Ricardo Cortez characterises a crook of international repute, Gary Curtis, who unwittingly arrives at a house party at the very 'moment the murder has been committed. Also in the list of stars are H. B. Warner, as Priam Andes, a banker of good standing, and his sister Faith, played by Pauline Frederick; Esther Wren, acted by Anita Louise, and Skeets Gallagher cast in the role of Mack. Opening with Jenny Wren's arranging a house party which is to assemble at the country home of Priam Andes, the story gradually leads one through a maze of intricate happenings dexterously assembled together to give weight to the nervous suspense and add to the uncanny and apparently inexplicable trend of events. The house party is called because Jenny to advise four men, with whom she .has "been friendly simultaneously, that she wishes to extort large sums of money from each in order that she may leave the country and live in comfort elsewhere. Faced with the alternative of a public scandal and disgrace, the men decide among -themselves that she must be prevented from carrying out her aims. -That niglit -the guests are startled by a gruesome, scream, and find that Jenny Wren has been murdered. The entrance of a gang of crooks just as Faith Andes is calling the pblice over tho phono causes panic, but Gary Curtis assures everyone that his one object is to prove who .is the' murderer in order that the police might not claim him. A shiver of apprehension is provided by a "floating mask, and mysterious * consequences culminate in an unexpected termination. In the supporting programme there is a well-acted old-time drama entitled "The Snake in the Grass," as well as other humorous and interesting items.

EMPRESS" AND WEST END A thrilling drama of speed-boat racing is told in " Speed Domou," which is being shown with " Handle With Care " at the Empress and West' End Theatres. Charles Collier, jun., the actor of " Street. Scene," is the principal in " Speed Demon." A splendid performance comes from James Dunn in " Handle With Carer" EPSOM REGENT THEATRE A masterpiece of restrained dramatic acting is achieved by George Arliss in " A Successful Calamity," which is the main attraction at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Excellent entertainment is afforded in "A Successful Calamity," Which is now showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. " The Bargain " (Lewis Stone) is also screened. GREY LYNN CINEMA " Stepping Sisters " arid " The Misleading Lady " comprise the Grey Lynn Cinema entertainment. ONEHUNGA STRAND PICTURES Ronald Colman's " The Unholy Garden," heads the. Onchunga Strand Pictures programme. EMPIRE THEATRE " Street of Women " and " The Fourth Alarm " are being shown at the Empire Theatre. " THE HAPPY ENDING " To augment the funds of the Plunket Society, the St. Cuthbert's Old Girls' Association will present lan Hay's "The Happy Ending" in the Town Hall concert chamber on March 10 and 11.

PLAZA THEATRE " The Flag Lieutenant," a picture of naval activities and adventures on the high seas, which • contains many action scenes of various units of the British Fleet, isbeing shown for an extended season beforo crowded houses at the Plaza Theatre. In the production of this talking picture,which is a successor to the silent film ancl stage versions, the full co-operation of the British Admiralty has been obtained, and in the bombardment of a Mediterranean town by one of the first-line ships, the scene is most realistic. There is a wellchosen cast which adapts „itself to tha demands of etiquette which the story possesses. Henry Edwards takes the part of Lieutenant Dicky Lascelles-, and Peter Gawthorne is cast -as the Major of Marines. Anna Neagle takes the heroine's part with great charm and distinction, and included in minor parts are Clarence Neagle, Michael Hogan and Luis Goodrich. The plot on which thfj picture is based provides a point of strong interest in which the best elements of comedy, drama and romance have been instilled; The actual appeal rests on the glamour of life iri the senior service, which is represented in an attractive mariner. In the supporting programme scenes of the centenary celebrations of the Order of St. John are given, in whicli many of this world-famed personalities at the head of the organisations! are shown. There ara many glimpses afforded iinto the variout workings of the Order, and distinctively-" clad figures take part in a number of funoi tions.