AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. ] Introducing to the world's cinema public the vivacious Continental actress, Dolly Haas (aptly described as "four feet of captivating feminine frivolity"), " Girls Will be Boys" is to be released on Friday at the Regent Theatre. In this film Miss Haas is seen to equal advantage as a "boy" and as the sparkling and charming young lady which she really is. Her masquerade as a, boy, eventuates when, as Pat Caverley, she writes to her grandfather, the Duke of Bridgewater, whom she has never seen. When sent for by the duke, she learns that he is a firm woman-hater, and decides to pose as a boy for a joke, not realising what piquant situations are bound to ensue. In the gymnasium, Geoffrey, the duke's young estate manager, appointed to "make a man" of Pat, who appears to need such treatment, puts her through her paces unmercifully. Later, when Geoffrey rescues her from drowning, he is confronted with the awful but undeniable truth. He decides that the duke must be told, and they think an ideal way out has presented itself when the duke is perturbed at having no lady in ilic house to receive a princess friend and her son who intend visiting him. Pat appears in curls and feminine attire, just as the princess arrives. How it all works out is delightfully told in a laughter-laden climax to this sparkling, unique comedy. Although Dolly, the boy-girl's adventures comprise the film's theme, most of the enjoyment is supplied by Cyril Maude, the star of ••Grumpy,'' '•These Charming People" and "Orders' is Orders." Irene Vanbrugh (in her second film) heads the supporting cast. while Ksmond Knight is well cast as Geoffrey. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Evelyn Prentice," a thrilling new mystery drama revolving about a girl murder defendant, circumstantial evidence and an amazing domestic crisis in a defence lawyer's home life, brings together once more Myrna Loy. and William Powell, the brilliant pair of that most estimable comedy-melodrama, "The Thin Man," in a somewhat more dramatic story. The now picture, which is to be released at the St. James , Theatre on Friday, following to-morrow's final screening of tho current Cecil 13. de Mille spectacle Him "Cleopatra," which stars Claudette Colbert and Henry Wileoxon, contains two mysteries in one—the mystery dramatically unfolded in a great courtroom, and me other, a mystery in the household of a married couple, which threatens their happiness, and which is so tied up with the mystery in court that one cannot be solved without the other. The story presents Powell and Mise Loy as man and wife, in the grip of a trick of fate from which they emerge in a surprising tlenouinent. Thrills, comedy, inyetery and romance are blended into this rapid-lire piece of entertainment. Powell, as the defence lawyer, rises to dramatic heights in his impassioned pica to the jury, on which not only his client's life, but his own life happineee depends. Miss Loy provides some tense dramatic acting in the blackmail and murder sequences, and Una Merkel, as the cynical friend, and Edward Brophy, as the investigator, add comedy relief.

CIVIC THEATRE. With all of the gaiety, whimsical imagination, tempestuous moods and lovable nature that has endeared her to fiction readers lor a quarter of a century, "Anne of Green Gables" has come to life on the motion picture screen. In this picture, which has been proclaimed the screen's worthy successor to the memorable •"Little Women," we see come to lite the orphan heroine whom .Mark Twain once described as the "dearest and most moving and delightful child of fiction since the immortal Alice." As a novel, L. M. .Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" has won world-wide recognition as a classic of childhood and early youth. The picture is said to fall into the same cle: ilication. Directed by George Nicholle, jiin., and portrayed by an ideal cast, including Anne Shirley, Tom Brown. O. P. Hoggie, Helen Westley, Sara Haden and others, the picture is one of great charm and strong heart appeal. Powerful in its very simplicity, and so human that it strikes a responsive chord in every breast, it. should'find universal favour. Anne Shirley, who adopted the name of the character she portravs in the film, gives a superb performance as the orphan heroine. She has made good in a most impressive manner. Tom Brown proves that he was the perfect choice to play Gilbert Blythe, Anne's schoolboy beau. O. P. Heggie and Helen Westley, two ot the finest character players of the stage and screen, add new laurels to their already impressive records by their portrayals of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. "Anne of Green Gables" is to replace the current attraction at the Civic Theatre, "The White Parade," on l'nday. PLAZA THEATRE. Not since "Sunshine Susie" was released well over three years ago has a him enjoyed a straight run at one.,.theaire oi five weeks, or even of four, in Auckland, while a three weeks' first release season has not been a frequent event,. Grace Moore is persisting in detaining all hands at the Plaza in her superb piece of musical entertainment, "One Night oi Love," for just that five weeks, but ene does not appear to be inclined to depart for quite a while yet. A change o: supporting foaturettes effected recently w pleasing those patrons who see the Him more than once —and they are no small percentage of the total. An interesting member of the cast of "One Night o: Love" is -Mona Barrio, known to many Australian' ami New Zealand stage enthusiasts as Mona Barlce, daughter of Phil Smith, the comedian. ; She plays Lally, the feminine "menace." Born in London 24 years ago, she spent her childhood in Australia, where ehc went on the stage as a ballet dancer at the age of 1(5. She had studied both music and dramatic acting in addition to dancing. A year ago Miss Barrie decided to leave Australia, where she had established quite a reputation through her appearances in such notable etage successes as "Autumn Crocus" and "Private Lives." She played the leads in . both of these. Her screen debut was in "Sleepers East, , ' in which she played the second lead to Wynne Gibson. She was also in "Carolina," with Janet Gaynor. In "One Night of Love" Mona Barrie is Miss Moore's rival for the affections of the dashing Tullio Carminati. Mies Barrie is a statuesque and striking brunette with large dark brown eyes.

STRAND THEATRE. Little Shirley Temple is entertaining patron's of the Strand Theatre splendidly at the moment in '"Bright Eyes," one of tho most outrightly sentimental tilms ever produced. She is east excellently us the adopted charge of the aviators at a Californian airport, following a tragic end to her beloved parent's career. Her adventures, her joys and sorrows and her innumerable conquests form the theme of a most suitable film, built frankly around her personality, her smile and curls. The degree of "naturalness" which this utterly un-precocious child is capable of on the screen is, however, the greatest factor in her enormous popularity in the United States and the British Empire countries alike. On Friday, another popular film will be revived at /he Strand. This is Jan Kiepura's "Tell Me To-night," which broke not only Australasian and British Empire records on its release in Melbourne, but the world's record for a continuous run in one theatre. It went for something like 28 weeks, with monthly changes of supporting features. The film was .also highly successful in Auckland on its initial release, running for three weeks in Queen Street. The feminine interest in "Tell Me To-night" is supplied by Magda Schneider, a charming Continental Star, while Soimie Hale provides plenty of-comedy. "DANCING AND MIME." A special request entertainment under the name of ''Dancing and Mime" is to be presented by Madame Edith Bait'd in the Scots Hall this evening, consisting'':of novelty' numbers, ballets, vocal items ami the playette "Clementine."

MAJESTIC THEATRE. One of Britain's most amusing comedyromances to bo released for some considerable time, "Mr. Cinders/' will be presented at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, replacing the Hollywood comedy "Bighearted Herbert." "Mr. Cinders," ecraen version of a famous success on the stage of the London Hippodrome, stars Clifford jMollieon, the amusing comedian whom we saw recently in "Freedom of the Seas" and another feature Him. Clifford, a most entertaining and original laugh-getter oi the style of Gene Gerrard, is starred opposite, Zelma O'Neal, the petite and clever actress who, after no inconsiderable degree of success in Hollywood films, made her English screen debut a while buck in "Give Her a King." Zelma, who is the wife of that other handsome Hollywoodian who has visited England for film work of late, Anthony Bushel!, is fond of many outdoor sports, but she admits that of all games there is one game she will never understand completely—that is cricket. The supporting players in this enjoyable him are Renee Houston, Loina Doonc (no, her middle name is not Blackmoic), Edward Chapman, Henry Mollieon, Julian Roycc _ and Kenneth and George Western. Some spectacular scenes were made in the filming of "Mr. Cinders." One huge ballroom sequence required the use of more than 200 artists, pretty girls and dancers. Another scene was "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and . provided muc 1 comedy. Laughs are also oDtalned through a hilarious scene in which Clifford Molli--6011 sings a love duet with Zelma O.Nea while encased in a suit of medieval armour. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD. "Grandad Rudd," Australia's second film to be based on the popular Steele Rudd comedies of the backblpcke, is enjoying a most successful extended season run at the National and Prince Edward Theatres jointly. It is in a manner ot speaking a successor to that earlier Australian farce "On Our Selection," which proved amazingly popular throughout the Dominion, inasmuch as Bert Bailey again plays the character of Dad, with many of the original cast supporting. Innumerable laughs are to be had from this entertaining film, which has a tang which English and Hollywood "features can never hope to capture. It is something more kindred, something nearer home. A complete change of programme will be made on Friday next. YUGOSLAV CHARITY DANCE. Organised in order to benefit the Auckland Hospital fund, a most enjoyable dance was held in the Delta Theatre, New Lynn, last evening, under the auspices of the Yugoslav Club, Auckland. Music was supplied by the orchestra of the Delta Theatre, and by the Yugoslav Tamburitza Orchestra. Free bus transport from Queen Street was provided. A brief address of appreciation of the objects of tho function was given by Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of the Hospital Board, who thanked the organisers for their efforts. MUNICIPAL BAND. Tho Auckland Municipal Band will give a varied programme of popular mueic in L'nrnell Park this evening. AMUSEMENT GUIDE. scots haul — "Dsnolng and Mime," Madame Edith Bairri. PICTURE THEATRES. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD— ncTt B.iiley In '-Grandad Hurtd" and Joan Blondcll in "Kansas City Princess." MAJESTIC —r,uy Klbbee and Allnn MacMalion In "Biff-nearted Herbert." REGENT —Anna Sten and Fredrlc March In "We Live Again." LONDON —Belie Daniel? and Luplno Lane In "A Southern Maid " strand —Shirley Temple and James Dunn In "Bright Eyes. ,, ST. JAMES'—Claudotte Colbert and Warren William in "Cleopatra." civic—Loretta Young ana Jotin Boles In "The Wlitte Parade.'• ROXY AND TlVOLl—Mrhard Arlm in "Mf'lldorndo" and Fred Kohlcr In "The Ship or Wanted Men." PLAZA —Grace Moore and Tiilllo Cnrminatl In "One NltfiH of Love." ADELPHI—"You Made Mβ I.ove You." AMBASSADOR—Guest Night. ALEXANDRA —"My Song- For You." BIRKENHEAD —"I Am Suzanne." BRITANNIA—"Lei's Fall in Love." CRYSTAL PALACE —"Wild Cargo." CAPlTOL—"Hollywood Party." DE LUXE—"Servants , Entrance." EMPIRE—GIIPSt Night. EMPRESS —"Mret My Sister." GAIETY (Takapuna)—"We're Rich Again." GREY LYNN CINEMA—"Dames." KING'S (Northcoto) —"The Illde-OUt." KINGSLAND —"Little Friend." MAYFAIR —finest Night. REGENT (Epsom)—"My Song For You." RIALTO —"Wild Cargo." STATE (Devonport)—"Registered Nurse." STATE (Onahunga)—"The Man Who Reclaimed Ills llrad." STATE (Symonds Street) —"Last Gentleinn n." STRAND (Onehunga)—"Circus Clown." TUDOR —"20X11 Century." VICTORIA—"CradIe Song." WEST END—"Meet My Sister."