AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. 1 lie supporting progi amine, in the ej ts ot many patrons, supplies the best pur tion of the Regent's current entertainment hill ami that is high praise in view <«t the public's response to the main feature, "The Big Broadcast of ]<)37." (. Ititf supporting item is a masterpiece of its kind. "I'opeye the Sailor Meets Sinbad the Sailor," by far the funniest "I'opeye ' cartoon that has yet been produced. Made entirely in colour, it is much longer than-the usual run and in a queer, outlandish fashion is distinctly impressive. The story of "The Big Broadcast of 1937,"' which abounds with entertaining items, is a comic treatment of radio work. Jack Benny, in his hilarious performance as head of a broadcasting station, has the unenviable task of keeping scatter-brained (iracie Allen satisfied because she is the spofisor of his biggest programme. He is also responsible foi keeping Shirley Ross off the air at her little country station in order that she will not annoy Frank Forest, his biggest star. But Miss Ross gets on the air - teaming with Forest to provide delightful entei tainment for the audience. She and Ray Millantl provide the romantic interest. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Sparkling entertainment is provided in "Piccadilly dim,'' the film version of I'. (!. Wodehouse's famous novel, which is enjoying a successful season at St. .Tames' Theatre. Robert Montgomery and Madge Kvnns make a delightful combination in the principal roles and able support is received from Frank Morgan and Eric Blorc. Judging from past successes, this type of humour is greatly appreciated by filmgoers. who like to laugh their shillings and halferowns into the box office. And "Piccadilly Jim." while following any story but the original Wodehouse one (in the true Hollywood tradition 1 succeeds in making of itself a thoroughly amusing entertainment. Montgomery is excellent in what is perhaps the most suitable role to which he has yet been assigned. He keeps the whole show going from becinnintr to pud. With "Picctdillv .Tim*' is another of the '"March of Time" series. EMBASSY THEATRE. Much ink has been spilled in the traditionally antagonistic American Press it, praise of the Fnglish historical liliu "Ri mbrandt." which opc>ns a season in Auckland to-day. Richard Watts, jun.. of the New York "Herald-Tribune." one of the highest paid dramatic critics in the world, says of it: "'Rembrandt' captures all of that enigmatic, intangible quality of the demon of artistic greatness by the seemingly simple method of casting Charles Laughton for the title role. When yon remember Mr. Laughton's Captain Bligh and his other gay portraits of psychopathic sadists, it is hardly possible to imagine him succeeding in the depiction of an immortal painter. Here, however. in calm, honest terms, which give the lie to the belief that he is merely a superb trickster, Mr. I.,aughton shows us. not an actor impersonating an artist, but something of the very spirit of artistic greatness. Watching his Rembrandt, you seem to learn something of the soul of the artistic process itself. The picture may have its structural defects, but I do not see why you should bother with such things when you can come across such a scene as the encounter between the great Rembrandt and a humorous, insolent beggar, beautifully played bv Roger Livesey. Here is a photoplay that should ma'. the stage prettv humble." AMALGAMATED THEATRES. Houses under control of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd.. will present the following cinema attractions: —Civic (to-morrow), "Charge of the Light Brigade." with Krrol Flynn; Plaza. Jane Withers in "Pepper"; Roxy-Tivoli. "Without Orders" and "Revenge Rider." the latter with Tim McCoy; Strand fto-dav only). "The Man I Marry" and "Conflict"; National (to-morrow), "The General Died at Dawn." STAR AND STATE. Another of the ever-popular films based on adventures of Karl Derr Biggers' famous Oriental detective, Charlie Chan, taking him into Kgypt. will be seen tomorrow at the Star Cinema. Newton. Jack Buchanan's amusing version of the famous old statge comedy. "Brewster's Millions." will also be showing. To-night will see the final screening of "'Roberta." At the State this evening's entertainment will be supplied by "Anna Karrninn." with Greta Garbo. Frc'rie March. Basil Rathbone and Freddie Bartholomew, and "Moonlight Minder."