AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. "Desire," the romantic comedy which brings together Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper for the iirst ti'ine since "Morocco," is to show for another week at the Regent Theatre. The combination of these screen favourites and a fastmoving, surprise-filled story make for delightful entertainment. The stars complement one another perfectly. To see them is to apjirove Director Frank Borzage's choice in placing them first in his list of famous screen lovers of all time. To judge from the applause which here and overseas has greeted their performance, they have a profound hold on the imagination of jncture patrons. The mood of this exciting picture changes constantly. One moment, Marlene Dietrich is suavely consummating the theft, through a ruse, of a costly string of pearls from a leading Parisian jeweller. The next, she is in danger at a border town in Europe, when the Customs officials are unexpectedly thorough in • their search. The encounter with the American vacationist, played by Cooper, begins with comedy and turns to ardent romance. Ihe action, dialogue and situations combine to make "Desire" a most attractive production. The principals are supported by John Halliday, William Frawley, Ernest Cossart, Akim Tamiroff and Alan Mowbray.

1 ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A really exciting 1 story, culminating in a • dramatic court scene, makes "The Unguarded Hour," now showing at the Jst. . James' Theatre, a picture that will enter- ■ tain almost any class of audience. 1 he , climax shows a woman taking the witness • stand to give the only testimony which can save a nnan from being convicted 01 ' murder, and an even more dramatic tuin of events when her husband, the prosecuting counsel, is arrested on circumstantial evidence. Franchot Tone takes the part of the attorney, who is noted for the number of cases he has won on circumstantial ■ pyidence, and the role of his wife is taken by the beautiful Loretta Young, who has been absent from the screen for nearly a vear Both are outstanding for sympathetic handling of their role.:. The production is one of continued suspense, with a variety of sensational complications in which Loretta Young fights desperately to uphold the reputation of her husband while another man's life is at stake. The acting of the principals, together with the sup'poi't of a fine cast, makes the film highly realistic. As usual, the dapper Roland Young takes a prominent supporting lole, and provides plenty of humour in different situations, while Lewis Stone gives another fine performance as the head of Scotland Yard. The story was written by the Continental play writer, Ladislaus r odor, and met with acclaim as a stage play. AMALGAMATED THEATRES. The following entertaining programmes are showing at the city picture -houses of Amalgamated Theatres, Limited:—ui vie (Friday), tlie new screen personality Bobby Breen in " Let's Sing Again ; Plaza (Friday), Katharine Hepburn and Free I Mac Murray in " Alice Adams' ; Strand (Fridav), William Powell and Jean Arthur in "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford"; National (Friday), a return season of the Ginger Rogers-Fred Astaire attraction, " Follow the Fleet"; Roxy and Tivoli (current), "'The Last Outlaw," with Hoot Gibson and Harry Carey, and " Love on a Bet,„ with Wendy Barry and Gene Raymond, CHARITY CONCERT. One of the best entertainments of the year is to he presented at His Majesty s Theatre next Wednesday, when the National Broadcasting Service will stage another of. their celebrity concerts, this time in aid of the Crippled Children's fund. Artiste will include Freddy Cholmondeeey, English entertainer; Vincent Ryan, Australian'comedian; Dave Howard, saxophone comedian; Dora Lindsay, Scottish character artist; Senia Chostiakoff, Russian tenor, who made a tour through New Zealand two years ago; Thea Phillips, Eng- | lish lyf'c soprano; «nd Eileen Boyd, con- | tralto. The plan is now open at Lewis Eady, Ltd. J

EMBASSY THEATRE. A tenor famous throughout the world and claimed by many to be the greatest since Caruso, makes his first appearance on the screen in "Forget Me Not," a delightful film opening to-night at the Embassy Theatre. He is Beniamino Gigli, the latest of the opera stars to succumb to the talkies. In a story, credible and well constructed, Gigli reveals himself as a first-class actor, as well as the possessor, of a voice of unparalleled beauty and power. Unlike many other singers of the "grand" class, Gigli has very wisely forgotten any platform mannerisms he may possess. The result is a pleasing performance which one can enjoy without being an opera enthusiast. "Forget Me Not" is expected to provide unusual and interesting entertainment. Not only is Gigli singing in it, but he is acting in a film with a very strong story into which he naturally fits and not an artificial vehicle written merely to exploit his wonderful voice. The picture was directed by Zoltan Korda, who handled the direction of that great success "Sanders of the Rivet'." There is a strong supporting cast, including such names as Joan Gardner (claimed to be a discovery), Hugh Wakefield. Ivan Brandt, Allan Jeayes, Jeanne Stuart and Charles Carson. UNIVERSITY PRODUCTION.

Good audiences seem to testify as to the popularity of the University College version of Shakespeare's " Macbeth," which is being produced 'by Professor A. W. Sevvell, bead of the English department. The absence of " drag," unusual lighting effects, and the absence of delay between the acts, make it a good evening's entertainment. Tt is 'being staged in the University Hall.