AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 228, 26 September 1929, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Maurice Chevalier,* new to the world of pictures, has been the idol of France on the stage. In "Innocents of Paris," which opens, at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow, he- is said to be - superb, and wherever the film has been presented record attendances have been the order. It is a revue with all the dressing and effects the singing and humour of Paris. It is a picture ■ of gaiety " that has a great appeal'to those in search of real entertainment., The motion .picture has tempted many famous characters from footlights of the theatre to the giare of arc lights in the studio. Perhaps the most distinguished of all is Maurice Chevalier. Before he was signed by [Paramount, his-career had been.a brilliant one. He distinguished himself at the Folies Bergere in -Paris as the dancing partner of the famous Mistinguett. During the war he was wounded and taken prisoner, but subsequently escaped and was decorated. In spite of his injuries, he returned to the stage, and again appeared with Mistinguett at. the Casino de Paris, and later still in a large number of musical comedies. Soon the name of Chevalier was known the length and breadth of Europe. He was the idol of Paris, nor was he less famous among London audiences, in which city he made many appearances. Hollywood has now claimed the great Chevalier, and his first picture, "Innocents of Parte," should have a successful season. The supports will all be interesting.

STRAND THEATRE. "Tho Black Watch," the attraction at the Strand Theatre, is another directorial achievement of John Ford's and stars Victor McLaglen, with a supporting cast of twenty of, the most capable players in filmdom and with Myrna Loy the sole feminine member of the personnel. Of the old numbers played and sung during the progress of the picture may be cited "Blue Bonnets Over the Border," "Wha' Widna Feeht for Charlie ?" the official marching song of the "Black Watch," each number played: by the _ bagpipe band, which figures, largely in the various sequences of the story. Other numbers are "Annie Laurie," "Auld Lang Syne" and "Loch Lomond." The theme song of, "The Black Watch" is called "Flower of Delight" and was written by William Kernell, remembered as having written "Sally of My Dreams," theme song of "Mother Knows. Best," . the sales of which have reached a million copies. "The Black Watch,". however sugges-, tive of Avar its title may be, is not a war film. _ Almost all of the action takes pace in the ageless East, and the theme is one of love and intrigue, passion and adventure.

PLAZA THEATRE. "Tunderbolt," at the Plaza Theatre, has been attracting large attendances. George Bancroft is the featured player. No stronger drama has ever been conceived; no greater emotional climax ever screened than Von Sternberg and Bancroft have brought forth. Opening 'in the intriguing atmosphere of New York's underworld, where Bancroft,as a fearful death dealer sways this' lives and destinies of hundreds of human beings, it- swings to the awe-inspiring setting °of Sing Sing's Death Bow, where the final exciting climaxes in this most excitinoflramamre enacted. The story captures .and vivifies tho- dramatic incidents that cross the news horizon in the newspapers every day. It goes behind these flittinoepisodes and brings the whole tale forward. . Superbly acted by a splendid cast, headed by Bancroft, Richard Arlen and Fay; Wray, it is a slice of contemporary life made to live. A full supporting programme of talking feaurettes is also being screened. "RIO RITA." To-night, the last performance of "Rio Rita" in New Zealand will .be given at St. James' Theatre, and the company will sail for Australia, to-morrow. The reputation with which this musical comedy came-: to New Zealand was an assurance to theatre-goers that it was a first-class show, and they were by no means disappointed. The 'ballet, the costuming and the dancing are .of an unusually high standard, and it is quite safe to say that no musical comedy has had a voice of such quality as that of .Miss Gladys Moncrieff. One of the •brightest personalities in the show is Miss Janette Gilmore, the eccentric dancer and comedienne, who has won her way into the hearts of Aucklanders. The music of "Rio Rita" has 'been known to ■ Aucklanders for a long time, but'it is enjoyed (the more when,the selections are rendered by such a splendid'company as has been 'brought to New Zealand.

EMPRESS THEATRE. An all-comedy talkie, "Give and Take," is the current attraction at the Empress Theatre. It features j George Sydney, Jean Hersholt, George Lewis and Sharon Lynn. It is adapted from the popular Aaron Hoffman stage play, and is a human as well as; a humorous picture. "Give and Take" concerns an old fruitcanning factory owner, played by Hersholt, and his superintendent, played by Sidney. Lewis plays the owner's son and heir, and Miss Lynn the daughter of the superintendent. That young lady also has the dual role of secretary to the boss.and fiancee to the boss' son. It is when the son "comes home from college and tries to reorganise his' father's business on a profit-sharing basis that the fun .startsi . The addition ot{& "hardboiled". banker ' who . holds -* a ' mortgage on the factory, and a crazy millionaire, with a wild chain store scheme, rolls the plot merrily along, butt almost v wrecks the romance. It is good entertainment.

NATIONAL THEATHE. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayei"'s all-colour film, "The.* Viking," ,will open its.,, Auckland season'at? the' National i Theatre tomorrow. Pauline Starke, Donald Chrisp and Le.Roy Mason head the cast of this thrilling' epic; .of ■ a thousand. years • ago. The subject which has been selected foT the theme is one ;fchat lends itself to suitable filming in natural colours and it is obvious that the producers have given the closest attention to even the smallest detail in making the picture technically j perfect. A budget of good supports, which include an interesting gazette with scenes of recent events in all parts of the world, and a laughable short comedy, are billed in "the same programme. The entertainment will be complete with enjoyable music from Mr. F. Bartlett's orchestra. GYMNASTIC DISPLAY. .At. Scots Hall to-night a gymnastic display will be given by Mr. Frank Rogers. Gymnasts from the Y.M.C.A., j Mount Albert, Takapuna and Devonport clubs and a team from the Y.W.C.A. will give high class displays. An interns ing and instructive evening's entertainment is assured. BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA. giv^bvti^T l ? f the season will be Town Hall "t °^ e ™, lau -Orchestra i n the gramme haa beKa arraif P r °"

CRYSTAL PALACE. ' i Clive Brook, the, polished gentleman of the screen, is cast as one of the four central characters in "Interference," to be presented at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden Road, to-night.' In this all-dialogue feature Brook essays the role of Sir John Marley, an eminent English surgeon, who narrowly escapes ai tragic climax to his brilliant career. The other three characters with whom Brook appears are William Pdwell, Evelyn Brent, dnd Doris Kenyon. Before turning to the stage and screen for a career Brook was a reporter in Lon-' don. He became interested in elocution, and gave up his career as a newspaper man. for - the study of the • art. This naturally led him to the stage, and he appeared'in; several English stage productions. Screen offers followed, and after working in several English pictures he was taken to America to appear in' the films. "Interference" was adapted to the screen from the stage play of the same name. It-was pre-, sented in England' for two years, and enjoyed a successful run in New York for nine months. Lothar Mendes, the famous German director, handled the direction of the screen version for Paramount; ■ The production offers each of the four central characters equal opportunity for performing stellar work, and each of them has previous stage experience in preparation for this fine talking production. The film had a successful Queen' Street run some weeks ago.

REGENT THEATRE. "Madame X" will have its premiere presentation at the Regent Theatre on Saturday, when theatregoers will he offered the first talking version of this famous play. "Madame X" has heen put on the screen twice hefore (hy Pauline Frederick and Pola Negri), hut this latest version has an added attraction . in the fact that the players are heard. Ruth Chatterton, the famous New York stage star, who made her screen debut in "The Doctor's Secret," plays the title role in this latest film, and her performance is one which will long be recognised as a brilliant piece af acting. The role demands an unusual variety of work, hut Miss Chatterton plays every, mood with the finish of aft experienced artist. Other good performances are the portrayals of Madame X's husband (hy Lewis Stone) and her son. To the original version of the play" have been added scenes set in China, the South Sea Islands and Buenos Ayres, where Madame X meets the cardsharper for whose murder she is eventually tried and defended in a strong appeal by her own son, whom her husband had forbidden her to see and whom she had not known since he was a baby. The tragic, story of the outcast woman is .unfolded with'an exceptional 1 appeal and the tale is enacted-with tho greatest sincerity. Well-selected supports will accompany - "Madame X" at tho Regent, and selections will he played on the Wurlitzer-organ by Mr. Arthur Frost. 1 ; NICOLA AT ST. JAMES'. Although other types of entertainment have their waves of popularity and disfavour, the irresistible appeal of "magic"' is always answered by an eager public. Auckland theatregoers will welcome the return to this country of Nicola, the magician' who thrilled them with his wonderful tricks on -his visit of seven years ago. It nnist be admitted that in some of his tricks, Nicola seems to have developed a spite against the fair pex. He cuts off the head of one of his pretty assistants, forces a dozen or so, steel spikes through another and stretches the arms and legs of yet another in the most amazing manner—all without any apparent discomfort to- the young ladies, who, in each case, come up smiling for more. And these are but a few of the startling things, that are billed on his programme. Mystery follows mystery so rapidly that there is not time to figure out any theory of how one is done before another is whirled on and presented. A straitjacket, a sealed milk-can and a sealed mail-bag were a few:of the "cages" from which Nicola escaped on his last visit to Auckland, and it is announced that he will repeat these performances oh this trip. The season, which is to be a short one, will open at St. James' Theatre tomorrow niffht. . "A SCRAPE 0' THE PEN." Graham Moffat's successful Scottish comedy, "A Scrape o' the Pen," will commence a short season at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall to-night. It is . beipg put. on as .the annual contribution, to the stage by the St. .Andrew's Society. The play is being produced by Mr. Kenneth Brampton. A good cast lias heen selected and much hard work has heen put in at rehearsal. The,society should have good houses for the season. Booking arrangements are advertised.