AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 4, 6 January 1938, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

1 ST. JAMES' THEATRE. r The extraordinary singing talents of • De-anna Durbin are given lull rein in her latest til in, *'100 Men and a Girl," now I screening at St. '.James' Theatre. Deanna 1 is teatured at the head of a large east, [ which includes Adolphe Menjou, as her ; lather. Alice Brady. Miseha Auer and Eugene l'allette. All important part in the production is taken by the worldfamous leader of the Philadelphia Syni,phony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowsky. An oiche-stra of 100 musicians, under his ibaton. renders several offerings of stirring •appeal. The story concerns 100 unemployed musicians who are desperate because of the scarcity of engagements. One in' their number, Menjou, tinds a purse belonging to a rich society woman, and when his daughter returns the lost money, she agrees to sponsor the orchestra. Later, however, she goe's e»tt to Europe and forgets all about it. Desperate. 1 lie men go to interview her husband. Hia euic-t is, "Cet Lcopeild Stokowsky, and I'll sponsor it.' 1 his is elone. and the subsequent climax provides music in plenty. All Miss Durbin's numbers are worth going to hear on their own. CIVIC THEATRE. Set amidst glittering Alpine slopes, "Thin Ice," which marks Sonja Henie's seconel starring appearance, is a gay musical film, with the scintillating skates of Miss Henie as principal attraction, 'lyrone Power, young and handsome leading man of "Cafe Metropole" and other recent successes, appears opposite the lovely Norwegian champion. Much brilliant comedy relief is provided by Joan Davis, Arthur Treacher and Raymond " alburn. Joan Davis appears as the leader of an orchestra of feminine talent, and she sings one song, "I'm Olga from the \ olga, that should be a popular number. alburn gives a fine characterisation as the worthless uncle of the skating teacher (Miss Henie). The story moves at a fast pace throughout. It concerns a young Prince, who meets Sonja while ski-ing, and introduces himself as . Miller, a newspaper reporter. Mistaken identity causes an unusual situation to arise, and this forms the basis for the plot. Miss Henie is provided with three magnificent skating sequences. Her dancing on skates is a feature that should not be missed. A "March of Time" is included 011 the programme. EMBASSY THEATRE. Classic Anthony Hope tale of romanct and adventure, "The Prisoner of Zenda" has been made "into one of the best filing of the season, and is now attracting largholiday audiences at the Embassy Theatre. 111 the screen version of the" immortal story Ronald Colman is featured in a dual role—that of Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf Y. A liignly-talented cast is also listed, and this includes Doughs Fairbanks, junior, who gives what is undoubtedly one of the outstanding pelformances of his career, Madeleine Carrol! as Princess Flavia, C. Aubrey Smith as Colonel Zapt, Mary Astor as mistress of the King s brother, Raymond Massey as Black Michael, and David Xiven as Fritz. Ihe entire film is made in a new sepia tone that is pleasing to the eye and enhancing to the beauty of the outdoor scenes. The effectiveness of this method is apparent in the added magnificence that is given to the court scenes in the kingdom of Zenda. The photogrardiy is outstanding throughout, and Colin-in handles his dual role to perfection. Miss Carroll has an ideal role as Princess Flavia. PLAZA THEATRE. Tt seemed a foregone conclusion that "Make a Wish," featuring Bobby Breen, would run for a second week at the Plaza '1 heatre. Now the management has decided to run the film for a third term. It is a picture with universal appeal, for young Bobby, apart from his delightful singing voice, is apparently a born screen performer. "Make a Wish" is largely screened in the outdoor atmosphere of a lakeside artists' colony. And this lends itself to enchanting photography. The story is that of a composer and a young widow who. before her marriage, was a noted Continental opera star. They are drawn together first by the composer's interest in the son. but an attachment a solid, substantial person who does not. believe in music causes the widow to dec-line the composer's offer of the leading part in the operetta which she has inspired. The eomposcr. an embittered man, disappears, after entrusting th delivery of the final act of the work to a hitherto faithful servant, who nroceeds. with dubious success, to substitute his own work. The supporting programme includes a Mickey Mouse c-artoon. "Hawaiian Holiday." MAYFAIR THEATRE. By popular request the Kipling film. "Elenhant Boy" (actually "Toomai o* the Elephants") will return to Queen Street to-morrow and onen a season at the Mayfair Theatre. Shown hi Auckland some months ago the film attracted great attention. The leading pl::yer. Sabu. a 12-year-old Hindu boy. gained fame •tin-ouch this film. The story te'ls of his life as the. s<<n of mahout, and how !he longs to become a great ole'diant | hunter. Lost in tlie Mysore juni.de lie 1 locates the long-sought burial c.<-e:nd of j tho elephant held and witnesses the nr- s- | tenons elephant dam e. Found, he is J acclaimed as a great hunter. j STRAND THEATRE. I Who has not heard the famous Enzltsh comedian. Stanley Holloway. singing "Pick I Oop Tha Musket. Sam." and telling the I tale of the linn that ate Albert? lIVV j way is a famous character on the gr.imo- | phono and the radio. Tn-mmrnw he w". be seen ,it the Strand Theatre in th- ■ English production. "Song of the 1' ; which is said to be a clever mixture 1.;" i comedy and drama. II"How ay not the i stiaight-out comedian one might expo t : from the tone of his gramophone reco'r is. jHe is recognised as a strong and c'-v-.— 1 actor, capable of holding the attention jof laige audiences. His s'->ce<-p. t-io. not confined to tlie dialect of Xmhern England. 111 conjunction with "S .ng ~f the Forge" will be screened another English production. "Variety Punic." which the cast is li-aded by Mt ■=. -Ta- 1 ; Hvlton and lie;- band. II my T-"c "Motoring" famel and Xnt Ocoinel'a. famous "swing" band leadei a.e also in the cast.