ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE " Wonder Bar," the Warner Brothers extravaganza, which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, is unquestionably one of the most ambitious and entertaining of tho recent cycle of musical films to come from Holywood. The public demand for good musical entertainment apparently is still unsatisfied, and if future productions attain the standard of " Wonder Bar " there should be no dearth of appreciative film patrons. The reception accorded the film yesterday testified to that. Lavishness is a term applied too often nowadays to musical films which have lesser claims to brilliant conception than " Wonder Bar," which can be qualified by the adjective without any discount to truth. The film is something of a departure from the usual gambit of the Hollywood scenario writers and composers who in the past have collaborated so well to entertain the multitude. " Wonder Bar " is new fare and is to musical films what " Grand Hotel " was to screen drama. The narrative conception of both productions is basically the same. In Grand Hotel "we were introduced to the dramas behind the scenes in a Berlin establishment. Jn "Wonder Bar" are revealed the tragedies behind the gaieties of a Parisian night club. As in " Grand Hotel," there is a large and distinguished cast. Tho film is notable for the return to the screen after a long absence of A 1 Jolson, of " Sonny Boy " fame. Then there is Dolores del Rio, the fascinating Mexican actress, who dances with Latin grace and loves with Latin fervour. Other players who make definite contributions to the entertainment are Tlicardo Cortez (this time in an unsympathetic role), Dick Powell, Guy Kibbee, and that old favourite, Louise Fazenda. Fifi D'Orsay is suitably decorative and bewitching. The programme is completed with an unusually varied selection of shorter films, including a Vitaphone musical comedy. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A very amusing and unusual story is told in "A Very Honourable Guy," which heads a double-feature programme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. It concerns a gambler who makes a contract to deliver his body in- one month so that he may settle his debts. However, there are many humorous incidents before the end of the appointed time. Joe E. Brown ap- j pears in the principal role and makes j the most of a comedy which moves | briskly and abounds in complicated and : humorous situations. Alice White, who j appears in the other leading part, gives | a pleasing performance. The supporting cast includes Harold Cavanagh and Alan Dinehart. The second attraction, "She Learned About Sailors," is also a comedy-drama. Lew Ayres and Alice Faye appear in the principal roles. Miss Faye is seen as a night club singer and is given a good opportunity to render tho tuneful song, "Here's the Key to My Heart." Mitchell and Durant, wellknown stage players, also give good performances. MAJESTIC THEATRE Powerful melodrama of the oldfashioned sort, combined with fastmoving modern comedy, make "Murder in the Private Car," the new attraction at the Majestic Theatre, a thoroughly enjoyable film. The most ardent "spook" lovers should be delighted with the abundance of bodies, sliding panels and ghostly voices. Mysterious eyes are seen peering through curtains on a private attached to the rear of tho transcontinental express. A guard disappears. A gorilla is let loose in the carriage. A passenger is found stabbed through the eye, and a : voice from the roof of the carriage chants "Eight hours to live." Last night's audience was breathless with excitement during the final scenes when the murderer slips the coupling between the rear car and the rest of the train at the top of the Great Divide, Colorado. The passengers find the car running backwards down the incline with the fast-approaching New York express, only a few miles off, coming in the opposite direction. Sticks of dynamite are attached to the carriage, which is certain to explode at the least impact. These are undoubtedly the most thrilling scenes- seen on the screen for many a day. Revolving round tho telephone operator, who turns out to be an heiress, the story is novel and original.. The charming Mary Carlisle is most capable. in the role of the young heiress, the part of her lover being taken by Russell Hardie. Una Merkel gives a delightful performance as the friend of the heiress, while most of the comedy is provided by the inimitable Charlie lluggles, a detective who aims at "deflecting" crimes before they are perpetrated. Heading tho excellent supporting programme are an hilarious "Our Gang" comedy, "The Wild Man from Borneo," and a Hearst Metrotome Newsreel, containing excellent close-up scenes during the recent San Francisco riots. Also on the programme is an amusing musical novelty entitled "What Price Jazz."

CIVIC THEATRE Two actors who have won wide reputations for their performances in "horror" films appear together in "The Black Cat," which opened a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Boris Karloff, who will be remembered for his performance in "Frankenstein," and Bela Lugosi, the vampire of "Dracula," are cast as two old and bitter enemies, and it is not surprising that the settlement of their feud involves a succession of thrilling and startling incidents. Karloff appears as an arch-villain, whose during the Great War resulted in the death of a large number of his men. A master architect, he has built himself an amazing house on the scene of his treachery, and there practices a strange and horrible religion, involving human sacrifice. Lugosi is cast as one of tho victims of his betrayal, returning after 15 years in prison to exact vengeance. The rigours of his imprisonment have made him mentally unbalanced also, and his plans of punishment for the man who stole his wife and daughter and sent him to prison, are as sinister as the designs of his intended victim. Their meeting in the architect's house, through the rooms of which walks a black cat, which strikes terror into the heart of one of the enemies, is full of exciting scenes, and the mystery of the fate of the avenger's wife and daughter is unfolded in a surprising manner. Further interest is lent through the presence of a young couple on their honeymoon, who are forced to spend a night in the house through a motorbus accident. Their efforts to escape from the house and the final settlement between the two enefnies bring the film to a powerful climax. Karloff and Lugosi act admirably in their respective roles, while excellent support <s given by Jacqueline Wells, David Manners and Lucille Lund. A wellvaried supporting programme includes two newsreels, another of tho "Strange As It Soems" series of short films, a comedy, "The Pest," and an Oswald the Rabbit cartoon, "Wolf! Wolf!" NEW EMPIRE THEATRE "Fugitive Lovers" and "Above the Clouds" comprise the programme at the New Empire Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA "The Lady is Willing," a fine English comedy-drama,, heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema. There are several good short films.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE A story of Mexico, with some exceptionally fine characterisations, is presented in "Viva Villa," which commenced a season before large audiences at St. James' Theatre yesterday. The production is one of varied interests, the photography, acting, story and presentation all being of high order. One great purpose is served, even discounting other qualities, and that is to show Wallace Beery as a player of versatility and talent. There was a time when Mr. Beery was given parts which undoubtedly did not represent his capabilities truly. Lately, "The Bowery" served to show him as an actor who can properly interpret his part rather more than the standard which would satisfy the average audience. But it is obvious that Mr. Beery, in "The Bowery," was not called upon to meet the exacting demands of his characterisation in "Viva Villa." 11l this film ho is required to fit into a strange world, strange, that is, to the Anglo-Saxon, where the horsemen peons of turbulent Chihuahua embark on bloodthirsty sorties against their oppressors. What is more, he has to be Pancho Villa, the almost legendary bandit saviour of the peasants of Mexico. It is undeniably a difficult part, but Mr. Beery acquits himself with conspicuous success, dominating a film which is certain to afford attractive entertainment. Not that he pretends to conform to the conception of the Latin as a suave person. He is never that, nor could he be. He is a roistering figure, a leader' with the human qualities of devotion to his few intimate friends and a qitick determination to right their wrongs. Embittered by the ruthless slaughter of his peon parents by the oppressors, Villa as a boy goes out into the world with tho resolution to gain justice for the peasants. Primarily, he does this with the only means .at his disposal—banditry,- and often brutal banditry at that. Then he comes under the softening influence of a gentle patriot, Francisco Madero, whom he places in the presidency of Mexico in a revolution. Villa is exiled, and Madero is murdered by traitors. Hearing the news in Texas, Villa returns to his old leadership once more to save Mexico for his own class and to avenge Madero. And it is only when he has scorned the triumph of position that he is shot down by enemies. There are other aspects to the story, notably the antics of an American newspaper correspondent who rides with Villa in his assaults. Fay Wray, Leo Carillo, Henry Walthall and Stuart Erwin are among the other prominent players. The interesting supporting programme includes "Another Wild Idea," a comedy featuring Charley Chase, and a Cinesound Review.

STRAND THEATRE The interesting story of one of the most prominent figures in French history is told in " The Affairs of Voltaire," which was screened for the first time at the Strand Theatre yesterday. George Arliss gives his usual excellent portrayal in the leading role. He makes the quaint figure of Voltaire a richly human one. His previous films, all of which were excellent, were " Disraeli," " The Man Who Played God," " The Millionaire " and " The Working Man." The story is a. fine one and stresses the intimate life of this dominant character, and Arliss is seen at his best in several comedy scenes. The cast also includes Doris Kenyon and Margaret Lindsay. There is a wide variety of interesting short films. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre is headed by "The Mvstery of the Wax Museum," which is filmed in technicolour. The second film is "Convention City," in which Joan Blondell and Dick Powell appear. The strong supporting cast includes Adolphe Menjou, Guy Kibbee, Mary Astor and Hugh Herbert. An hilarious Laurel and Hardy comedy, "Their First Mistake," is also being screened. RIALTO THEATRE Three well-known boxers, Max Baer, Primo Camera and Jack Denipsey, appear in "Every Woman's Man," which is being shown at the Rialto Theatre. The second picture is "The Crime Doctor," with Otto Kruger in the principal role. It is an usual film which makes good entertainment. STATE THEATRE Gracie Fields has ample opportunities to display her characteristic type of humour in her latest picture, " Love, Life and Laughter," wllich is being screened at the State Theatre. She is heard in several catchy songs, of which the comedy number " Out in the Cold, Cold Snow " is outstanding. There is a good supporting programme. SUNDAY PICTURES Lew Cody appears in the principal role in the entertaining comedy-drama "A Parisian Romance," which will be screened at the Rialto Theatre to-mor-row evening. The excellent scenic film, "Romantic New Zealand," is also to be presented. Proceeds will be donated to local charities. NEW REGENT THEATRE "The Cat and the Fiddle" and "A Southern Maid" are the films being screened at the Regent Theatre, Epsom. CAPITOL THEATRE Jack Hulbert in "Jack Ahoy" heads the programme at the Capitol Theatre. "The Crosby Case" is also being screened. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA * A particuarly strong cast appwrs in "Bright Side Up," which is the main film on the programme at the State Theatre, Onelmnga. "I've Got Your Number" is also being shown. BRITANNIA THEATRE Lionel Barry more appears in "This Side of Heaven," which is being screened at the Britannia Theatre. "Girl Without a Room" also is being shown. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA " Just Like Heaven," with Anita Louise, is the first of two full-length films which are being shown at the London Newsreel Cinema. The second picture is " Jerry Builders." " MERRIE ENGLAND" The Auckland Choral Society will present Sir Edward German's light opera, "Merrie England," in the Town Hall on Thursday, October 4, under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston. There is an excellent cast of soloists supported by a strong chorus, and a ballet under the control of Miss Cecil Hall. Particulars are advertised. COMMUNITY SINGING A community singing gathering will be held in the Town Hall on Wednesday, when a feature of the programme will be the Dargaville Boy Scouts' mouth organ band. Mr. Vernon T. Drew will act as song leader. A collection will be made in aid of unemployment relief. MUNICIPAL BAND I A varied programme of popular and classical music will be given by the Municipal Band at the Zoological ParJc J to-morrow afternoon at 2.45. «

REGENT THEATRE Never has George Arliss revealed sd completely his mastery of changing moods as he does iu " The House, of Rothschild," which opened the second week of a popular season at the Regent Theatre yesterday. His performance as Nathan Rothschild is outstanding. As the third of five brothers, he becomes the acknowledged leader of the great banking house which had its being in the five capitals of Europe. In the crisis of the Napoleonic wars Nathan used his wealth in supporting England and his assistance in the crucial moment enabled its forces to conquer Napoleon. The Duke of Wellington, Ledranty, Talleyrand and Metternich, the prominent iigures in this important era. are brought faithfully to the screen. In addition, a tender romance runs through the film and Arliss' flashes of kindly humour are delightful. The final scene, in which Nathan is created a baron in recognition of his patriotic services, is filmed in technicolour and provides a most colourful and picturesque climax to a memorable film. The cast includes Boris KarlofF, Loretta Young, Robert Young and Helen Westley. An excellent supporting programme is headed by a clever Silly Symphony, " Fuuny Little Bunnies."

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD More than a decade has passed since the well-known play by Eugene Brieux, "Damaged Goods, - ' was performed in New Zealand and circulated widely in printed form. Hence it is not unfitting that the same theme, the havoc wrought by the so-called social diseases, should be again presented to an even larger public through the new medium of talking pictures. This has been done in an American dramatic film, "Damaged Lives," which was shown for the first time yesterday to largo audiences at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. Included in the programme is an instructional picture giving specific information, and more of the same, is obtainable from booklets prepared by the Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales, which are offered for sale in the theatre lobby. Needless to say, the programme is not for children, and by the censor's order admission is barred to persons under 16. The two films, in their different ways, handle a most unpleasant subject with sincerity and frankness, even to the point of giving the onlooker occasional quite salutary shocks. At the same time there is little in either to satisfy merely tnorbid curiosity. The story unfolded in "Damaged Lives" is a simple one of presentday American life. A shipowner's young son, about to be married, makes a single false step under the influence of bright lights, jazz and liquor. When he and his wife are expecting a child, the family physician makes a discovery and the terrible truth is revealed to them. Good fortune saves the distracted wife from taking both their lives, and the play ends on a note of hope when the young couple accept the assurance of their doctor friends that if they obey orders implicitly for a couple of years all will be well with them and with their child. The story finds room for a testimony against quackery in this branch of medicine arid illustrates the good work done by special clinics in American cities The instructional film is admirably clear in its exposition, which is illustrated by many diagrams and photographs The spectator is not spared in eith< r picture the sight of actual clini* al examples of the manifold dreadf il effects of the diseases upon the banian frame, and the power of rnoder n science to combat them effectively in the early stages is fully emphasise''. The programme is in no sense entertainment, but it conveys facts which should be part of everyone's stock of knowledge. GRAMMAR SCHOOL CONCERT Pupils of the Auckland Grammar School will giio their annual concert in Scots Hall next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. An excellent programme has been arranged, consisting of items by the choir, orchestra, band and gymnasium squad. A musical play, "The Castaway," is also to be staged. ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY A special entertainment of vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items will be given at a concert arranged by the St. Andrew's Society at the Town Hall concert chamber to-night. A comedy, "Domestic, Mutual Improve* ment," will also be staged.