ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21616, 7 October 1933, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE One of the brightest, most tuneful and most amusing productions ever filmed, "International House," this week's feature attraction at the Regent Theatre, last night commenced what should prove to 1)0 a very successful season. The picture i;s a musical comedy, or, rather, musical farce, if such a designation can bo employed, and each word of this designation is significant in describing the film. Music, and farcical comedy "are the features of the production, features that are blended to-, got her so as to make "International House" one of the most outstanding shows of its type this year. With regard to the centre of action and the scope of the story, the picture is in a way a burlesque on "Grand Hotel." The action of the story takes place in International House, an hotel at Wu-Hu, China, where agents from all parts of the world meet to bargain with Dr. Wong, a Chinese scientist jvho has invented a radioscopo, an instrument which enables one to see and hear events in all parts of the world. The American representative, who has a habit of contracting juvenile complaints, lias a high temperature on the eve of his marriage, and the authorities. in the belief that he is suffering from measles, place the hotel in quarantine. The stage is now set for the uproariously funny scenes that follow, the piece dc resistance being the arrival at the hotel m an autogyro of that popular comedian W. C. Fields. Laughable sequences follow. Fields dominating the action with his innumerable smart quips and ridiculous antics. His performance is breezy and most enjoyable from start to finish. Others of the large cast that contributes to the fun are Peggy Hopkins Joyce, Sari Marit/.a, Stuart Envin and Franklyn Pangborn. Tho music in the film is incorporated into the story in the demonstrations of Dr. Wong's radioscope. Many of America's favourite stage and radio stars take part, including Rudy Vallee, Baby Rose Marie and Cab Calloway and his orchestra, all of whom present bright and attractive numbers, and add considerably to the enjoyment of the picture. The supporting programme is one of the best seen for some time. An excellent pictorial record of Crawford's great tennis victory over Vines at Wimbledon this year, especially interesting to those who saw the Australian champion play in Auckland yesterday, is included in the newsreel. A Paramount Pictorial contains delightful and most artistic impressions of the spring season, supported by other very satisfying items. Sport of different kinds is presented in a Grantland Rice Sportlight, which is, as usual, of great interest. An amusing cartoon and comedy complete a very generous and bright programme of high entertainment value. ST. JAMES' THEATRE

The lovo of a man for his wife in conflict with the intensity of his devotion to a friend is the foundation of "Storm at Daybreak," the featured picture which bewail a season at St. James' Theatre last evening. It is a storv which is ages old, yet ever new. It is, too, a narrative portraying the tragedy of middle ago united in marriage with youth. " Storm at Daybreak" in its essence is a noble tale illustrative of the great lovo of a broken-hearted man who gavo his life that his young wife might find happiness in her new-found love for his friend. The appeal of "Storm at Daybreak" lies in its simplicity and the deep emotional sweep of its tender romance. Acted to perfection with a cast which is headed by Kay Francis, Nils Asther and Walter Huston, this picture embodies the dramatic qualities which give it the stamp of first-class entertainment. Sot in Serbia, the story opens with the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and his consort in June, 1914. Kay Francis, as the beautiful young Serbian wife of a man many years her senior, meets and falls in love with a handsome Austrian officer, who on the declaration of war, is sent to search her husband's estate for deserters. In spite of the traditional hatred of the Serbs for their Austrian oppressors, the lovo of the young soldier and the girl deepens. But their mutual admiration for the husband forbids disloyalty. In time ho learns of his wife's love for the younger man and determines that by his own sacrifice both shall find happiness. This is not a war picture. It is an aside to war. The atmosphere of the turbulent Balkans is faithfully captured and the photography excellent. The supporting programme is well chosen. The newsreels depict, amoiiK other interesting scones, the recent revolt in Cuba and the final of the Davis Cup contest. A fishing scene Tahiti and a merry "Our Gang" comedy complete a fine all-round entertainment. NATIONAL THEATRE One of the most lavishly produced musical films to be shown in Auckland for some time, "Moonlight and Pretzels," has been transferred to the National Theatre after a very successful season at St. James' Theatre. The story running through the film concerns a young vaudeville artist who rises from a. posi tion in a small country music store to an important part in a Broadway musical production. Eight new and tuneful songs are features of the film. The cast includes Boger Pr.vor, Mary Brian, Lillian Miles, Bernice Clairo and Alexander Gray.

EMPRESS AND WEST END Hailed by critics in both England and America as one of the greatest motion pictures that have yet been made, "Cavalcade" is now being screened at tho Empress and West End Theatres. Diana W.vnyard gives, a performance of remarkable sincerity and charm as Jane Marryot, mother of tho family whose fortunes are followed during tho last 30 years of English history. She is supported by ('live Brook, Herbert Mundin and a talented cast of English players. GREY LYNN CINEMA The Grov Lvnn Cinema programme is headed 'by " If I Had a Million " and " The World, Flesh and the Devil." | STATE THEATRE The programme at tho State Theatre, Onehunga, comprises " Blondio Johnson " (Joan Blondell) and "■ The Death Kiss " (Belft J/iigosi). NEW REGENT THEATRE " The Conquerors " (Ann and " Ann Carver's Profession " head the programme at the New Regent' Theatre, Epsom. BRITANNIA THEATRE

There will be a children's matinee at the Britannia Theatre this afternoon, and in the evening " Harmony Row " and " Goldie Gets Along " will be shown. TUDOR CINEMA " The Secret of Madame Blanche '' will be shown at the Tudor. Cinema this evening. There will be a children's programme this afternoon. CAPITOL THEATRE... " Lucky Devils " and " Hot Pepper " head tho programme at the Capitol Theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE . A fast-moving drama that combines highly exciting incidents with some delicious comedy, "Private Detective (52" proved very popular when shown for the first time at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. William Powell, suave actor of such outstanding successes as "Lawyer Man," "One Way Passage" and "Jewel Pobberv," has a role to which he is well suited, and his subtle humour, as well as his talented and finished acting are allowed ample scope. He is cast as a secret service agent, who is dismissed when lie fails in an important European mission. Returning to New York tho only position he is able to secure is as assistant to a private detective of rather doubtful reputation, who specialises in obtaining or manufacturing evidence for divorce proceedings. The detective also is a partner in a gambling business, and when a society girl wins £IO,OOO he decides to get her into his power in order to regain some ot the money through blackmail. _ Unconscious of the plot, Powell is assigned to follow her, but complications arise when he falls in love with her. From this point the film works up to a thrilling denouement as Powell endeavours to rescue the girl from the clutches of the gamblers, and is finally called upon to aid her when sho becomes involved in the murder of one of them. Powell's acting is ably supported by that of Margaret Lindsay, a comparative newcomer to .the screen, who will be remembered for her refined acting in the Titanic scene in "Cavalcade." Her performance in the present film should further enhance her reputation. The supporting cast includes Arthur Byron, Cordon Wostcott, Ruth Donnelly and Natalie Moorhead. The film is based on the story by Raoul Walsh, and was directed by Michael Curtiz, whose skilful work is responsible for niuch of its success. An excellently chosen programme of shorter films includes an amusing and satirical burlesque on travel films, "Around the World in Eight Minutes," a genuine travelogue, "Main Streets of the World," a. musical film, in which Aby Lyman and his orchestra are heard to advantage, a comedy, "Pie a la Mode," and a cartffon. The programme is wellbalanced and is excellent entertainment. MAJESTIC THEATRE One of the most baffling and unusual mystery films to bo screened in Auckland for some time, "To-morrow at Seven," began what should bo a very successful season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. A plot that is so ingenious as to be almost bewildering, numerous highly-exciting incidents and abundant humour provided by those inimitable comedians, Allen Jenkins and Frank McHugh, combine to make a very entertaining film. The story concerns a wealthy merchant, who is warned through tho medium of a crossword puzzlo that ho is to be the next victim of a murderer who has killed a number of people exactly at the time appointed by him, in spite of the utmost efforts of the police. His secretary's daughter, Martha Winters, resolves that this tinio the criminal will be foiled. At the time set for the murder the merchant, his secretary and the secretary's daughter, together with a crime novelist, who has been tracking the murderer, and two detectives, take off in an aeroplane. Exactly at the fatal hour, however, the lights in the aeroplane go out and the secretary is found stabbed through the heart. The detectives order the pilots to land and all the passengers and crew of the aeroplane are herded into an eerie old mansion, pending investigation of the crime. The mystery becomes more and more complicated as one remarkable event follows another, and tho excitement reaches a climax when a man claiming to be the coroner carries off Martha Winters and reveals that he is in league with the crime novelist, the only person on whom suspicion has not yet been focussed. Meanwhile a terrific tight at tho old mansion at last reveals tho identity of the murderer in a direction that creates as great a surprise as any of the amazing incidents of the film. A strong cast includes Chester Morris, Vivienne Osborne, Allen Jenkins, Frank McHugh, Henry Stephenson and Grant Mitchell. A good supporting programme includes a highly amusing film, "Mickey's Big Broadcast," a cartoon, "Hokum Hotel," and a I'athe News.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Clark Gable, virile actor of "Hold Your Man," "Red Dust" and "Tho White Sister," has a role to which ho is well suited in "No Man of Her Own," which is the principal attraction at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Ho is cast as a man-about-town who earns a profitable, if dishonest, living by his unscrupulous methods at cards. How a girl in a small country town proves more than a match for his confident love-making forms tho basis of a delightful film. He is ably supported by Carole Lombard and Dorothy Maekail. A special children's matinee will bo held this afternoon, when "Life in tho Baw," in which George O'Brien appears, will be shown.

STRAND THEATRE A brilliantly witty satire on London society, "Our Betters." commenced a season at tho Strand Theatre yesterday. Constanco Bennett, who has the principal role, is cast as an American heiress who marries a titled Englishman, only to discover on her wedding day that lie does not love her. The second ( film on the programme, "Let Us Be Gay," is acted by a particularly strong cast, including Marie Dressier and Norma Shearer. LONDON THEATRE Seymour Hicks and Betty Stockfield appear in "Money for Nothing," which is tho main film at the London Theatre. EMPIRE THEATRE 'The films at the Empire Theatre are " Tho Keyhole " and ' Lucky Devils." STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Tho entertainment at tho Strand Theatre, Onehuuga, comprises " Her First Mate" and "Deception." BOY • SOPRANO'S CONCERT The well-known Auckland boy soprano Desmond Casey will give a concert in the Town Hall 011 Thursday evening, when an excellent and varied programme will bo presented. Master Casey will be assisted by Mr. Athol Jonas, organist, Madame Wynfrida Spiers, Mrs. H. Armstrong Kevon and Miss V. Robinson. This, will be Master Casey's first concert in Auckland since his triumphant Australian tour, wher6 ho fulfilled numerous concert engagements in addition to making sovenjl records and a short sound film. ,

SUNSHINE ASSOCIATION The comedy "La Poudro Aux Yeux" A%ill ho presented h.v W.vnfreda Spiers and lmrty at the Holy Sepulchre Hall 011 Thursday. October 10, in aid of the funds of the Community Sunshine Association. Incidental music will he played hv the Dorian Trio. SUNDAY PICTURES An excellent programme will he presented at the liialto Theatre to-mor-row evening in aid of charity. "The Shadow Between," in which Mary O'Regan and Conway Tearle are the principals will be the main film.

CIVIC THEATRE A stirring talo of the adventures that befall two officers in tlio Foreign Legion, whose love for the same woman entails sacrifices 011 both sides, is well portrayed in "The Devil's in Love, which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre last evening. The excellent cast of plovers is headed by Victor Jory in the role of Andre Morand, a surgeon in the Foreign Legion, Loretta Young as Margot Lesesne, and David Manners as Captain Jean Fabien. Only the real facts of life have been chosen for inclusion in the story that centres around tho isolated Fort Kondet, where both Morand and Fabien are stationed. From tho first scenes of the production realism enters 111 the form of a pitched battle between attacking Nomads and soldiers of tho Legion, and owing to the bad leadership of tho hated and feared Major Bertran many soldiers are wounded and killed. A chance threat by Morand that he would like to kill the commandant is overheard by a servant with a grudge against Major Bertran, and when a convenient opportunity occurs tho servant adds .poison to a medicine, with fatal results. Morand is found guilty of murder, but escapes and finds his way to loi t Zamba with assistance from his friend, Fabien. After some time spent as a doctor in tho native quarter, Morand goes to hoip at the mission, and there meets Margot Lesesne, who is on a visit to her uncle. They fall in love, but it is only later that Morand finds 51 argot is rcallv engaged to his friend Fabien. Meanwhile, the I search for tho suspected murderer continues to close round Morand, and when Margot wishes to go to her fiance at Fort Rondet ho decides to guide her there. The closing stages of "Tho Devil's in Love are filled with poignant moments, but in the call to duty tho sacrifice of one gives happiness to two others. Th® singing organist, Paul Cullen, introduced some new numbers at the Civio organ, giving an entertaining comparison between songs of long ago and more modern melodies. In an interesting Fox Movietone News scenes aro included of the return of Italy's great air armada from its record-breaking trip to America. There i 3 an amusing sound cartoon, Hansel and Gretel, and a Fox Australian Movietone News manv happenings in the Commonwealth. The' Magic Carpet of Movietone's production is entitled "Chugmar " a film of the jungles of Siain, where the chief motive power is tho elephant. The C °P~ trol of these huge beasts by the natives, the means of extracting timber from the bush, and the other use?, to which their great strength is applied, form a production of considerable interest. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES

Joe E. Brown, the ludicrous comedian of "You Said a Mouthful" and numerous other comedies, has one of his most hilarious roles in "Elmer the Great," a clever comedy which is attracting largo audiences to the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. He is seen as a champion baseball player who is so devoid of ambition that he spends most of his time eating and sleeping. He is persuaded to leave his i home town and join a team in a big city, but his colossal conceit earns him the displeasure of his team-mates. Brown has played the same role in the stage version of "Elmer the Great." Associated with him are Patricia Ellis, Frank McHugh. Claire Dodd, Preston Foster and Russell Hopton*. The second full-length picture on the programme is "Private Jones," in which Lee Tracy, Donald Cook, Gloria Stuart, Shirley Grey and Russell Gleason appear.

HAMILTON OPERA The three-act comic opera " The Firefly" will be presented at the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, on Monday evening and for the five following evenings. Tuneful music, delicious humour and spectacular ballots and frocking are features of the production, which has never previously been played by amateurs in New Zealand. The opera is being produced by Mrs. Cecily TaberGregorv, of Wanganui, and the musical work is under the direction of Mr. Harold Piper. MUSICAL COMEDY PRESENTATION A musical comedy, " The Ladv of the Terrace," will be presented by fthe Balmoral Presbyterian Choir in the Centenary Hall, Dominion Road, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. "THE MAN FROM TORONTO" The Catholic Repertory Society's third production of the season, " The 3lan from Toronto," will bo presented for tho last time in the Lewis Eady Hall this evening. SUNDAY CONCERT A varied concert will be presented at the Lyric Theatre to-morrow evening by a company of -'SO artists under the direction of Mr. Neville Carlson.