ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 188, 8 May 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS.

DE LUXE THEATRE. , Laurel and Hardy are causing shrieks of laughter at the De Luxe Theatre, where one of their best films is being screened, “Sons of the Desert.” The two 1 popular comedians decide to break away from their watchful wives and enjoy life in a big way. This they try to do, and their cunning planning in the face of opposition gives rise to much merriment All sorts of ruses have to be adopted, but a happy idea is struck on when the healthy-looking Hardy develops an ill- ■» ness which, according to the expert advice of a veterinary surgeon,, only a sea voyage will cure, It is a tip-top picture, and is preceded by a budget of shorts definitely above the average. Mr. Paul Cullen supplies popular music at the Wurlitzer organ. “Queen Christina.” Playing the role of her lifetime, Greta Garbo returns more beautiful than ever to the screen of the De Luxe Theatre on Friday in the title role of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer championship picture, “Queen Christina.” Opposite her is John Gilbert. “Queen Christina” is the story of Sweden’s glamorous regent of the seventeenth century who sacrificed her country and her throne for love and religious motives. As portrayed by Garbo, she is a seventeenth century woman who might have lived in the twentieth century. On the throne she was a sP e £* tacular figure, who disdained the fashions and customs of feminism for mannish garb until love overtook her. The picture relates how Christina, besieged on all sides by wars, obtains peace for her country against the wishes of Sweden s triumphant armies. It is during an incognito flight from the worries of state- “ craft that she meets Gilbert, the hand- ~ some Spanish envoy, and falls madly in love with him. The role is Garbo s L greatest triumph. She is not only every inch the queen but she has never evidenced so great n diversity in moods, and she has never been more beautiful to look upon. Too much praise cannot be attributed to Rou'ben Mamoulian, whose m directorial skill has enriched the picture „ with a feeling of majestv which gives a “ fitting background to the stirring tale. ed d REGENT THEATRE. ”• Bebe Daniels weaves her latest triumph )’ I in “A Southern Maid,” which is screening ii at tlie Regent Theatre. She is as dainty I and vivacious as ever in a dual Spanish / role, and scores with the way m which e she handles her vocal numbers. Clifford h Mollison (Willoughby and e don) opposite her fits the parts of the gay .- and carefree lovers exactly. Lupino e Lane as LOpez. bandmaster, ma.yor amt ii brigand chief, adds the greatest spice ot - fun to a show which abounds in hilarity. ; The forlorn lover, Francesco, is played by e Harry 'Welchman, in a clever piece of ; work'. The delightful songs he sings contribute n great deal to the high class of the musical entertainment side of the show. There is au excellent supporting programme. Rene Rich, violinist, and Rex Desmond, saxophonist, commence a return season on the stage. “Meet My Sister.” ti An eminent English film critic. to - whose opinions screen audiences attach f especial value, describes “Meet My »m--1 ter,” which conies to the Regent Theatre t on Fridav ae offering "a laugh in every - foot.” With Britain’s gayest comedian, 1 Clifford Mollison, playing the leading role i there is every reason to anticipate an - uproariously funny interpretation of his ■ role of Lord Victor Wilby. Lord Victor. 3 it seems, is one of those individuals who - imagine that life has no greater blessings > Ilian that of perpetual bachelorhood. If ’ he must marry, then money, rather than love, must be the deciding factor. And so Lord Victor is honouring the America". Sowerby family—the Sowerby of "soups, snuees and savouries” notoriety—by allying bis name with theirs. But he reckons without the little imp of mischief. Constance Shotter is the Joan of the story, the lovelv employee of a perfumery salon. Jimmy Godden has the role of Pogson. the biitler. mid Fred Duprez. Enid StampTavlor. Helen Ferrers and Frances Denn are also prominent in nn excellent cast. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The uudiminfehed popularity of “Catherine the Great” is indicated by the appreciative audiences which are flocking to the Grand Opera House to see this London Film production which reflects in some degree the glory of Russia under the Czars. An unusually strong cast includes Elizabeth Bergner, Douglas Fairbanks, jun„ and Gerald du Maurier.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A purely imaginary country provides a background for the buffoonery of the comedians, thd four Marx. Brothers, who 1 appear in “Duck Soup” at the Majestic Theatre. A fantastic burlesque, this, of ministerial matters. Grotesque in the extreme, there is a light-fingered skill in the oddity of the Marx brothers that is more than, clever. Groucho Marx as Rufus T. Firefly, the Minister of Finance who s steers his country through a storm of plots and pranks which lands him and it very much in the soup. Chico and Harpo are Chicolin and Brownie, two spies who do everything but spy, and mix themselves up in a turmoil of trouble. “Narrow Corner.” A clever author, front-rank actors, and intelligent direction are responsible for a really good picture, “Narrow Corner.” which will begin its season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday next. Headed by Douglas Fairbanks, jun., this film has •been aptly described as an alluring romance of tropical love on an island paradise. The picture, which is based on the powerful novel of < Somerset Maugham, has also in its excellent cast Patricia Ellis and Ralph Bellamy. ’ STATE THEATRE. Comedy, romance, and tragedy are contained in “Friday the 18th,” which is screening at the State Theatre. An omnibus full of people running through a London storm with certain disaster ahead of it on the night of Friday the thirteenth; what fate gathered them all together for that Al-ending trip? Tlie answer will be found in this Gainsborough picture. The clock is put back to early morning of the same day, and seven separate little dramas are played out, until the principal characters of each are brought to their places in the bus. Then the crash comes, and although it happens on such an unlucky day, it is the cause of far more good fortune than bad. Jessie Matthews, Sonnie Hale. Gordon Harker, Edmund Gwenn, Max Miller, Robertson Hare. Emlyn Williams, Frank Lawton, and Belle Chrystall play their tense and humorous scenes with complete conviction. t “I Am Suzanne.” To the State Theatre on Friday next comes an extremely ambitious and elaborate film, “I Am Suzanne.” Comedy, drama, bright singing, intriguing dancing, all on a lavish scale, make the picture one that should be remembered. At the same time, with all the variety of interests whieh are contained in this one show, tne story never falters on its enthralling way. Lilian Harvey is the central figure. Her pictures have been all too infrequent in New Zealand, but she has never been seen in a bad one here, and “I Am Suzanne promises to give her the type of alluring, vivid acting at which she is adept. Supporting her are Gene Itaymond and Leslie Banks. parmount theatre. It ie seldom that a picture receive* universal praise, but both Press and public alike have expressed thp utmost pleasure hi seeing “Going Gay,” which is showing for the last three days at the .Paramount Theatre. Moulded upon a similar plan to “Tell Ale To-night, which was also a universally popular film, .it. blends opera with comedy, resulting in a delightful and satisfying entertainment. Magd is excellent, and her sweet soprano X leaves onj.with the desire to hear more. Arthur Riscoe and Wayne, noted English comedians, cottar with Miss Schneider and provide Plenty of laughs. The pretty complete a firet-class P lct « re - - Th ,® f’?e norting subjects are good and inclu Paul T. Cullen in novel vocal and musical numbers at the Wurlitzer. ST JAMES TIteATKE. “I Like'it That Way,” which is showin- at the St. James Theatre, is rollickng musical comedy vrith just ° the essence of drama to give it lengthen ed interest. The story >? «t « snrance salesman who, with his bu.in ■ stnrv patter, sells himself very successMiWn a night club hostess. The songs are excellent, and includ^ tllc ,,®?A^ y i934 ” hers “I Like It That Way.” “Miss 193 L, and “Let’s Put Two and Two Together rn the cast are Marian Marsh, Shirley Grey Noel Madison. jLucille Gleason, Gloria Shea, and others. “Tilly and Gus.” A wholesome and bright film, ‘“EHJ and Gus,” will begin its season atthe St. James Theatre on Friday next.. a guarantee of its reputed excellence » the fact that it is headed by the inimitable W. C. Fields and Alison Sktpworth, who always make the most of any picture i which they are cast. Tilly and Gus, It is said, is the greatest laughter success of the year.