CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22240, 3 November 1937, Page 5

CITY THEATRES

RICHARD TAUBER FOR CIVIC

SCREEN VERSION OF OPERA "PAGLIACCI"

OUTSTANDING SINGING

The great German, tenor, Richard Tauber, is now as familiar with cinema audiences as he is with opera enthusiasts. His thousands of admirers will find much to their heart's de'sire in his latest picture.. "Pagliacci," a brilliant screen adaptation of Leoncavallo's famous opera, which is coming to the Civic

Tauber scores a great personal triumph in this film, in which he plays a difficult role, but one with which he is thoroughly familiar. His acting is a revelation and shows a marked advance on anything he has previously done for the screen.

In- adapting the opera to the requirements of the screen Karl Grune has compromised in a way that is eminently satisfactory to both die-hard opera lovers and entertainment-seek-ing film-goers. The principal role, of Canio, is naturally played by Tauber. He is presented as the doting but jealous husband of Nedda (Steffin Duna). pretty and flirtatious, who acts with him in the comedies produced by their travelling troupe. However, Nedda is involved in a love affair with two other admirers unknown to her good-jiatured husband. But Canio eventually learns the truth and takes a dreadful revenge during a climax that is the last word in dramatic suspense. Incidentally the final scenes are in the latest chemicolour process, which greatly emphasises their beauty. There are outstanding performances by a large supporting cast, including Diana Napier, Esmond Knight, and Arthur Margetson.

"Big Fella"

The powerful and richly-melodious voice of Paul Robeson has never been heard to greater advantage than in his latest film, "Big Fella," which is showing for another week at the Civic Tneatre. Those who were captivated by his fine singing in "Show Boat" and "Sanders of the River" will be more than pleased by his outstanding performance in this film.

AVON

"THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER"

A happy combination of humour, drama, and satire in a historical story makes "The Prince and the Pauper," showing this week at the Avon Theatre, one of the most outstanding pieces of entertainment that has come to the city for some time. Th:.', the story is by Mark Twain is a recommendation in itself. It deals with an incident at the close of the reign of Henry the Eighth, and the plot is built around the accession of his heir, Prince Edward Tudor. It hangs, too, on a coincidence, in that at the same moment as the birth of the heir, a son is born to a commoner in a squalid hovel in London.. Ten years elapse. Meanwhile the children, all unknown to the characters that count most, have grown U> resemble each other in almost every detail, and their childish lives are mixed up in a bewildering manner.

"The Prince and the Pauper" is an arresting production which develops many unusual angles, and provides one of the- best entertainments screened this year. Quite apart from its exciting plot, it has a big appeal in that it is a period picture dealing with one of the most eventful chapters in English history.

STATE

"SHALL WE DANCE"

The latest Astaire-Rogers release, "Shall We Dance," which is now showing at the State Theatre, more than maintains the brilliant standard of all the productions in which these talented dancers and comedians have appeared. It has been said that "Shall We Dance" is the last picture in which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers will as a team, but their admirers will hope more than ever after seeing the picture that there is no truth in this, for it seems impossible to tire of them They have no equal on the screen - to-day in their special type of entertaipment. Astaire has always had a charm of his own, and Ginger Rogers has improved so consistently that she is now indispensable.

PLAZA

TWO NEW. FILMS ON FRIDAY

A vivid and exciting film, "Slim," with four leading stars in the principal roles, will head the new programme at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. In the cast are Henry Fonda, Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, and Stuart Erwin. Nine-tenths of the action of "Slim" is outdoors, and there are said to be many amazing scenes depicting the perils and thrills of the wirr-stringers, who erect 100-foot towers, clamber up and down them, and put into position the strands that carry energy, sometimes braving blizzards to do so. The second attraction is "King of Gamblers," starring Akim Tamiroff, Lloyd Nolan, and Claire Trevor. As a night club entertainer loved by Akim Tamiroff. who plays the title role, Miss Trevor sings "Hate To Talk About Myself," a new Robin and Rainger melody, and "I'm Feelin' High," by Burton Lane and Ralph Freed.

Curitent Programme "Moonlight on the Prairie," with Dick Foran, the singing cowboy, and "Make Way for To-morrow," with Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi are the attractions at the Plaza Theatre this werk. Both films are excellent entertainment, and provide a pleasing contrast.

CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS. LIMITED

John Lodge and Claude Allister appear in "Bulldog Drummond at Bay.' the film at the Majestic Theatre. The story is reputed to be "Sapper's' best, and provides plenty of action and* excitement. The acting is excellent. The comedy, "Love in a Bungalow, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The stars are Nan Grey, and Kent Taylor, and their acting is a large factor m the success of the film. For hilarity, the story compares with 'Charleys A "Cafe Collette" and "Let Them Live" are the films at the Liberty Theatre. Greta Nissen and Donald Calthrop ap,near in the first, a romance and spy story, and Nan Grey and John Howard in the second, a hospital drama A stirring drama of the British Maw "Brown on Resolution," is showing at the Grand Theatre. John Boles Ind Jean Muir appear in the fecond film. "Orchids to You." a pleasant story with an airy theme. "After the Thin Man," starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. a rnys-erv-cornedy. is showing this week at the Resent; Theatre. The film is a successor to the earlier success, "The Thin Man."

FINE NEW MUSICAL FILM

"WAIKIKI WEDDING" FOR MAYFAIR

BING CROSBY STARRED IN ROMANTIC COMEDY

The three stars who made such a success in "Rhythm on the Range," Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, and Martha Raye, helped by Shirley Ross and a supporting cast of 250 dancers, musicians, and specialty performers, appear in "Waikiki Wedding," another comedy hit, which is coming to the Mayfair'.

"Waikiki Wedding" is a gay and robust comedy, garnished with splendid music, both instrumental and vocal, of the romance between a publicity agent and a contest winner, played respectively by Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross. Shirley Ross wins a trip to Waikiki in a world-wide contest organised by Bing Crosby, to find a new pineapple recipe. She doesn't find the place nearly as glamorous as she thought it was, and prepares to leave. ReaLsing this would ruin his campaign, Bing Crosby takes it upon himself to make Waikiki glamorous. This he does'with a vengeance. He falls in love with Shirley Ross in the process, and when she discovers that he had tricked her, she is heartbroken. IV en he has to win her back all over again, and the way in which he docs this iurnishes some genuine high comedy. The barbaric "drum dance," once performed by the natives of Honolulu before a young girl was hurled to her death as a sacrifice, is performed for the first time in "Waikiki Wedding." The dance, which is still performed at ceremonies by the Polynesians, although human sacrifices are no longer made, is performed by beautiful Miri Rei, the noted Tahitian dancer who was the sensation of a recent Ziegfeld Fol.lies show and who is now back in Tahiti after having taken Broadway and Hollywood by storm. "Angel's Holiday"

Jane Withers, more engaging than ever, gives a new and altogether fascinating turn to a detective story by playing the part of the detective herself in "Angel's Holiday," the film which is showing at the Mayfair Theatre this week. It is doubtful if the methods of any screen detective have ever pleased an audience more.

CRYSTAL PALACE

NEW DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAMME

A new Philo Vance blood-chilling murder story, Paramount's "Night of Mystery," as exciting as all the other S S. Van Dine screen attractions, will begin at the Crystal Palace Theatre on Friday. It successfully introduces a new Philo Vance and Sergeant Heath in the persons of Grant Richards and Roscoe Karns.

Treating its basic theme of the fraudulent stock racket from a lighthearted angle, RKO-Radio has evolved a delightful and hilarious comedy in "Don't Tell the Wife." the second attraction, starring Guy Kibbee and Una Merkel. Current Programme Joe E. Brown is very good fun at any time, although he may not be equally good fun for every taste. His latest film, "When's Your Birthday?" is showing at the Crystal Palacp Theatre this week.

REX

"Michael StrogofT," adapted from Jules Verne's famous novel, will be screened at the Rex Theatre, Riccarton, to-night. Thursday, and Friday. "Michael Strogoff" is an outstanding picture, and combines romance, spectacle, and drama.