ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST JAMES' THEATRE An expert in the art of characterisation, Lionel Barrymoro is seen at his best in "Sweepings," a very human film story, which commenced its Auckland season at St. James' Theatre yesterday. According to tho author of "Sweepings" tho best-seller from which this film has been adaptod, romance which lies in tho development of any great industry or enterprise far exceeds tho more commonly portrayed personal romances of man and woman. Aptly termed an epic of industry, this film is rated as one of the most ambitious of its kind ever undertaken, from both an artistic and production standpoint. Tho intrigues and adventures of a family wbo build up a great mercantilo business in Chicago form tho main theme of tho story. Lionel Barrymoro lives through tho seven ages of man and adapts himsolf admirably to tho varying portrayals necessitated by each passing decado. In a notable cast of supporting players, Alan Dinehart, Ninetta Sunderland, Gregory Ratoff, William Gargan, Gloria Stuart, Georgo Meeker,. Eric Linden, Lucien Littlofiold, Ivan Lebodeff, Ilelon Mack, and Esther Muir all carry out tho important parts allotted to them with marked distinction. Immediately after the great Chicago fire of 1871, Daniel Pardway (Lionel Barrymoro) establishes a bargain clothing storo in an old livery stable. With tho help of his wife (Ninetta Sunderland) his efforts are crowned with success. His wife's death comes as Daniel's first real misfortuno. Tho huge department storo now bocomes his greatest prido and ho resolves to build up a splendid business for his sons and daughter. By the time tho children reach maturity tho father is ranked among the multi-millionaires. Alas, for all his hopes and good intentions. Pampered, spoiled, ruined by luxury, each of his children proves worthless. The eldest, Geno (William Gargan), disgraces tho family by becoming involved in a sordid love tragedy. Phoebe, tho daughter (Gloria Stuart), indulges in lovo affairs which make her the subject of much'- cheap press comment. Bert (Georgo Meeker) has no ambition or strength of will, and Freddie, the youngest (Eric Linden), develops a craving for drink. Unknown to Daniel, who is already "so enmeshed in tho tragedy of futility, his children sell their .stock in his cherished storo to one of tho employees, "Ullman (Gregory Ratoff), who finds in each of tho children's failures a stepping stone toward a coveted partnership in the storo. Tho shock of this discovery completely staggers Daniel Pardway, breaks his heart, but not his spirit. With tho end dawning on him lie calls his sons and his daughter to his sido and forcibly denounces them, tells them that ho disinherits their souls, although leaving them his millions. But the storo, tho only thing ho really loved, lio leaves to Ullman, unless one of his own can make good within six months. And Freddie, his better nature aroused by tho dramatic manner of his father's death, accepts tho challenge, leaving no doubt that the name of Pardway will live and bo honoured as of old. A much lighter sido of life is displayed in a specially good supporting programme, which, in addition to the usual Paramount news items, includes a Mack Sennctt comedy and a ccmic cartoon. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Jack Holt, popular actor of "Dirigible," "War Correspondent" and "Man Against Woman," gives a dynamic portrayal in "The Woman 1 Stole," one of the splendid full-length films now being screened at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. He is cast as Jim Bradier, a swaggering oil producer, who falls in love with tho wife of one of his superintendents. Fay Wray is convincing as tho woman who leaves her husband only to find that Bradier considers the oil company's business of greater importance than his private affairs. Others in an exceptionally strong cast are Noah Beery as a bandit chieftain, Raquel Torres as a cabaret dancer, Donald Cook and Edwin Maxwell. The second film is "Tho Best of Enemies," in which Buddy Rogers makes a welcome return to the screen. Marian Nixon has the main, feminine role. "SO THIS IS AFRICA" One of tho most hilarious comedies Wheeler and Woolscy have yet made, "So This is Africa," will be screened for the first timo at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres on , Wednesday. They appear as two penniless owners of a group of performing lions, and they are engaged to .go to Africa wjth Mrs. Johnson-Martini, an explorer, who is to make a jungle picture in Africa, but is unfortunately afraid of lions. Once in Africa the company undergoes a series of ludicrous adventures, which are probably tho most amusing of their kind ever filmed. A feature of the picture is the biting satire on the making of jungle pictures. The cast in support of the two comedians includes Raquel Torres, Esther Muir and Berton Churchill. STRAND THEATRE One of tho brightest films yet produced by an English studio, "Wedding Rehearsal," heads the current programme at the Strand Theatre. Roland Young, as a young guardsman for whom his match-making grandmother is endeavouring to find a bride, gives one of the finest performances of his career. George Grossmith, a noted London stage comedian, supplies much of the humour, while Lady Tree, one of the best-known actresses on tho English stage, makes a successful screen debut. An unusual treatment of New York night life is given in "Night After Night," the second film. Georgo Raft, a specialist in underworld roles, is seen as a retired prize-fighter, who has bought a "speakeasy," while the supporting cast includes such wcll-knovvn players as Constance Cummings, Alison Skipworth and Wynne Gibson. RIALTO THEATRE Wheeler and Woolse.y, the popular American comedians, aro seen at their best in "Hold 'Em Jail," a comedy of life in prison, which is now showing at the Itialto Theatre. There is an exceptionally strong supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE "Hold 'Em Jail," the current attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre, is a humorous treatment of life in an American prison. Wheeler and Woolsey are seen as two new convicts who are not troubled by prison routine. PRINfcE EDWARD THEATRE " To-day " and the first episode of " King of tho Wild " are the films at the Prince Edward Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA Give Brook, Charles Ruggles and Lila Lee aro tho principals of " The Night of Juno 113," which is now at tho Tudor Cinema. There will bo a children's matinee. i BRITANNIA THEATRE Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge aro seon at their best in " The Ghost Train," which will be shown at the Britannia Theatre with " Tho Great Decision."

REGENT THEATRE Tho lives of tho passengers on a j great liner, from steerage to first class, their loves and hates, their joys and sorrows, arc faithfully portrayed in "Luxury Liner," which opened a season at tho Regent Theatre yesterday. Tho whole action of tho film takes placo during a six days' voyage from Bromon to Now York. A moment boi'oro tho lnigo vessel sails, a young doctor presses up tho gangway and implores tho shin's doctor to find him a placo on tho .ship. His struggles to regain the lovo of his wife, who is sailing on tho boat with a wealthy shipping magnate, form tho basis of a very real and moving drama. But the producer, B. P. Schulberg, has not been content to deal with the experiences of just a few of ■ tho passengers on the voyage. Tho whole ship is his field. Ho takes his audience to tho steerage, where there is a poor woman, denying herself medical aid that sho may see her son onco before she dies, a once wealthy textile manufacturer who has just been released from prison, and a girl whose ambition is to livo with tho rich people in tho first class. Tho scene shifts back to tho more luxurious suites, where tho shipping magnate is engaging in a new flirtation With an opera singer. Tho film reaches a climax when the doctor's wife, in despair, seeks a dosperato remedy. Tho diverse activities of tho passengers in so many walks of life aro woven together into a picture of great human interest. Tho acting is uniformly good. Georgo Brent is cast as tho young doctor, and Vivienno Osborno as tho wife, while excellent performances are given by Zita Joliann as tho sympathetic and understanding nurso, Frank Morgan, C. Aubrey Smith and Verreo Teasdale. Ono of tho most delightful characterisations is that of Alico White, as the girl who discovers that life in the first class is not the paradise sho imagined. An unusually interesting supporting programme includes another issue of the New Zealand Soundscencs newsreel showing a wrestling match between "Whiskers" Blako and Varga, skiing on Mount Egmont, the football match between King's College and Auckland Grammar School, and a curling contest in the South Island. Other shorter films include a cartoon, "Touchdown Mickey," a picture of tho 19-13 Derby, anil several hewsreels. MAJESTIC THEATRE Ono of the most stirring maritime dramas in history, the mutiny of tho Bounty, with its intense prelude and aftermath of suffering, has been brought to the talking screen in the current attraction at the Majestic Theatre. "In tho Wake of the Bounty" is its.title, and it enthralled largo audiences yesterday, when it was given its initial screening—enthralled by the breathtaking beauty of its photography and tho stern reality of its story. In this Australian production, history is coloured anil vividly dramatised. Tho illfated Bounty is seen thrashing her way through mountainous seas, manned by a fnixed crew; and then becalmed in tho tropics, scorched by tho sun, with not a breath of wind. With water and ratioiiß low, tho ship sails into the island paradise of Tahiti, to bo greeted royally by the native queen. It is here that the photography is really beautiful. All the glories of tho island scenery have been captured by the camera —the hills shrouded in mist, the verdant valleys and shimmering bathing pools. And then there aro tho traditional native dances to tho beat of drums, and the lithe grace of the dancing girls. Reprovisioned, the Bounty continues her voyage under the command of the unrelenting Captain Bligh, with the crew dissatisfied and murmuring of mutiny, which eventually occurs when Christian, a young officer, overpowers tho captain and takes command. Every schoolboy knows how 'tho Bounty returned to Tahiti, how Christian and some of his men set out again in uncharted seas, and how they disappeared from human ken. But the twentieth century picture camera follows in tli«S wake of the Bounty through the treacherous approaches to Piteairn Island, where the ancestors of Christian and his crew aro still living. For tho first timo the life of tho islanders is revealed on the talking screen. Theirs is a simple existence, and a lonely one, for few steamers call. At the conclusion of the film a note of poignant drama is struck when the wireless transmitting station vainly broadcasts an appeal to a passing ship for urgent medical aid. The supporting attractions include a comedy, a " Strange as It Seems" novelty and two news reels. NATIONAL THEATRE Based on the novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart, "Miss Pinkerton," whjch commenced a season at tho National Tlieatro yesterday, provides gripping entertainment. Joan Blondell heads the cast as a young nurse with a flair for criminal investigation, while George Brent, ono of the most sought after leading men on tho screen, is seen as a police officer in charge of a murder case. The nurso and tho detective work together and, although temporarily baffled by falso clues, they are eventually successful. There are several thrilling moments and these aro cleverly offset by the well-sustained romance that runs through the story. The second film is "Tho River's End," from the novel by James Oliver Curwood. A special children's matinee will bo held this afternoon. CIVIC THEATRE Described by conservative critics as the finest picture yet produced, "Cavalcade," is enjoying an exceedingly successful season at the Civic Theatre. The history of Britain over the past 33 years is depicted with vivid realism, not merely as a collection of facts, but as it affects the emotions of a wife and mother. The real spirit of English lifo has been brought to tho screen, with an extraordinary degree of sympathetic insight, dignity and feeling. Miss Diana Wyn,\ard plays tho part of Jano Marryot with tenderness and understanding, whilo Clive Brook as her husband is admirable. Obviously inspired by tho groatness of the theme, lie gives by far tho best performance of his career. It is tho tame with the other players, who include Herbert Mundin, Frank Law ton, Ursula Joans and Una O'Connor. STATE THEATRE Clivo Brook, popular English actor, is well cast as tho great detective in "Sherlock Holmes," which is now being shown at the State Theatre, Onohunga. "Walking Down Broadway," which is being screened on the same programme, is a vital dranta of modern New York, in which James Dunn and Boots Mallory appear. LONDON THEATRE Madeline Carroll and Brian Ahern aro the principals of "Madame Guillotine," a drama of tho French Revolution, which is now being shown at the London Theatre. NEW REGENT THEATRE Stanley Lupino sings his popular song "I Don't Want To Go To Bed" in "Sleepless Nights," which is now at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. There is an excellent supporting programme. CAPITOL THEATRE The Capitol Theatre films are " Air Mail" (Ralph Bellamy) and "HalfNaked Truth" (Leo Tracy and Lupe Velez).

PLAZA THEATRE Tlio new picture at the Plaza Theatre is the United Artists' production "No Funny Business." Its nature is the very antithesis of its title. It is a concoction of ridiculous episodes which are farcical in their improbability and it partakes of a measure of humour which makes it excel as a medium of light-hearted entertainment. Gertrude Lawrence is the presiding genius in a surfeit of fun-making. Without her, indeed, the film would undoubtedly bo deficient as far as comic appeal is concerned. She takes the part of the wife in a domestic squabble which sees the principals headed definitely for the divorce court and her talent for sprightly acting is given full play.. To see her in "No Funny Business" is to seo her at her best for she performs with great distinction throughout and frequently adds a touch of inimitable brilliance. Sho indulges in some delightful frivolity in bringing a placid litis- i band to heel with the aid of a little incriminating "evidence," which she artfully plants in the apartment ho occupies for the purposo of furthering the divorce proceedings. To give praise to Miss Lawrence, however, is not to discredit the other members of the cast. Edmond Breon impersonates the husband with a fine "appreciation of t.ho demands of tho part. Jill Esmond makes an extremely charming and attractive female co-respondent, who finds her duties as an employee of a professional inquiry agency very disconcerting, while her husband in real life, Lawrence Olivier, plays well in a similar role opposito her. A picture from tho Grainsborough Studios completes tho programme. This is "The Man Tho.v Couldn't Arrest," from the story by "Seamark," and it provides a most acceptable contrast. The battle of wits between tho formidable "Black Pearl" gang and "The Ghost," whose information aids Scotland Yard in the solution of many a knotty problem, but yet is unable to prevent suspicion falling upon himself, is splendidly presented. Notable British players fill tho principal roles and cive finished portrayals. Hugh Wakefield appears as "The Ghost," and Gordon Hnrker cives a characteristic study as one of the coterie of criminals. EDENDALE CINEMA James Cagnev gives a dynamic portrayal in "Hard to Handle," which is being shown at tho Edcndalo Cinema with "State Fair." GREY LYNN CINEMA Tho program mo at the Grey Lynn Cinema comprises "Tho Faco at the Window" and "Come o*h Danger." SUNDAY PICTURES One of the most promising of Hollywood's younger actresses, Marion Shilling, is seen in "Shop Angel," a drama of modern life which will bo at tho Rialto Theatre to-morrow evening in aid of charity. There is a strong supporting programme. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY 4* The Little Theatro Society's 31st production, "R.U.R.," will bo presented at Scots Hall on Wednesday and Thursday. It is a splendid modern drama in which gripping situations abound, and will be interpreted by a capable cast, including Yvonne Watson, Anita Webster, Jean Goudie, John Neville, John Mackle, Tom Harris, William Lindsay and Kenneth Warburtan. CHORAL SOCIETY The delightful light opera, "Merrie England," by Edward German, will be presented by the Auckland Choral Society in tho Town Hall on Thursday evening. There will be a full orchestra and chorus under tho baton of Mr. Colin Muston. Tho soloists include Madame Irene Ainsley, Miss May Mitchell, Mr. Gordon Fagan, Mr. John Bree and Mr. Frank Sutherland. Booking arrangements are advertised. AUCKLAND THEATRE GUILD Several well-known young Auckland stage performers will be seen in " He Walked in Her Sleep," a delightful farce, which will bo presented by the Auckland Theatro Guild in the Lewis Eady Hall on August 15, 16 and 17. Mr. H. G. Hobday is tho producer. GARRICK DRAMATIC SOCIETY , Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's well-known play, " The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," will bo presented by tho Garrick Dramatic Society in the lx?wis Eady Hall on Monday and Wednesday evenings. A capable cast includes Miss Minna Mays and Messrs. Norman Tibbutt and S. Irwin Grookcs. \ RECITAL OF MODERN VERSE A varied programme of modern verse will bo given at a recital by Mr. Walter Russell-Wood, Auckland elocutionist,sin tho Lewis Eady Hall on Tuesday evening. Selections from Masefield, Noyes, Drinkwator and A. P. Herbert will be among those heard, and there will bo musical items by local artists. MUSIC WEEK A music week, similar to that which proved so successful in 19.30-, will bo held in Auckland from Sunday, August; 13. until the following Friday. An excellent series of programmes lias been arranged, and concerts will bo presented either in tho Town Hall or tho concert chamber on every evening during tho week. COMMUNITY SINGING Mr. and Mrs. Albert Russell will bo tho song leaders at the community Singing in tho Town Hall next Wednesday. CHARITY PERFORMANCE Tho final performance of "A Romeo in Rags," a spectacular . musical romance, will be given in Scots Hall this evening Tho proceeds are in aid of charity. "THE NEW LADY BANTOCK" ' Jeromo K. Jerome's delightful comedy "The Now Lady Bantock " will bo presented by tho Diocesan High School Old Girls' League in His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday, August 17.