CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1024, 15 July 1930, Page 15

CIVIC

‘THE CZAR OF BROADWAY” It has been claimed that ‘ The Czar of Broadway,” which is now at the Civic Theatre, is one of the best Underworld pictures yet produced. Anyone who has seen the picture must concur in this view. Although John Wray, who plays the part of a criminal, adheres strictly to the underworld code, there is nothing grotesque in the acting. The particular type of “gunman” which one lias learned to associate with underw'orld films is absent. Indeed, the characters might be members of some exclusive set. Popular Betty Compson, who has the only feminine part, plays opposite the principal. She appears in cabaret and night club scenes which give her ample scope to demonstrate her ability as a singer. The type of picture calls for many tense situations, but generous comedy relief is introduced, i In addition to the main picture there I is an entertaining progratnme of short j talkie items, as well as a full list of j musical numbers from Ted Henkel’s Civic Concert Orchestra and organ. ! Action, romance and suspense are the triple keynotes of “The Arizona j Kid,” an Alfred Santell all-talking production for Fox Movietone which opens at the Civic Theatre shortly as the next change, and which brings the popular Warner Baxter again to the speaking screen in the best performance of his soinbreroed career. From all appearances, this picture will surpass both “In Old Arizona” and I “Romance of Rio Grande,” the two j productions which elevated Baxter to first place in outdoor romantic roles. | With every' bit of the film taken on j the exact locale of the story, "The Arizona Kid” sets a new record in screen history. * STRAND , “SIDE STREET” “Side Street,” the exciting melodrama of American underworld life, which is thrilling audiences at the Strand Theatre, is acclaimed by American critics as one of the outstanding pictures of the year. An unusually interesting feature of the production is that the three Moore brothers —Tom, Matt and Owen—appear together as principals for the first time in their # long individual screen careers. The picture is admirably suited to ; them, for it concerns the lives of three ! brothers* who ha've been forced to take up occupations that throw them into conflict with each other. The eldest, Tom. is cast as a conscientious New York traffic policeman, and Matt is a police surgeon. but Owen is a member of one of the , underworld gangs of New York. The ; other two brothers do not know of , Owen’s occupation and eventually Tom is ordered to capture the gang of which Owen is the leader. A sensational climax results. In addition to the Moore brothers, the cast includes Kathryn Perry, Emma Dunn, Frank Sheridan, Walter McNamara, Mildred Harris and Dan Wolheim. The chief item on the interesting supporting programme is the. fil 1 m record of the famous second Rugby Test at Christchurch. LECTURE ON FRENCH HISTORY The second public lecture of the series dealing- with French history will bo given in the University Hall this evening. The lecturer will be Professor Grossman, and his subject "The Shadow of the Revolution.” Admission is free and the public is ixvit.ul to attend.

VICTORIA CRUISING CLUB The annual dance and presentation j of prizes of the Victoria Cruising Club ; will be held in the Manchester Unity Hall tomorrow evening. Dancing will { be enjoyed to a late hour to music by a first-class jazz band. VICTORIA. DEVONPORT ‘ The Wolf of Wall Street." at the Victoria Theatre, is an unusually engrossing tale of the private lives of New York financiers. George Bancroft appears as a ruthless stockbroker, riding roughshod over every dealer who stood in bis way. His one soft spot was his love for his wife, played by Baclanova, and when slie became infatuated with bis partner, the Wolf planned a terrible revenge. Excellent supports complete the i programme.