ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

GRAND THEATRE

THEATRE

REGENT THEATRE The thrills, / the laughs, the exciting suspense of the baseball fiold are present in full force in "Fast Company," the bright comedy romance that heads the programme commencing a,t the Regent '■ Theatre to-day. The cast appearing in it . gpeaks as will as anything else for the ' picture's value. Evelyn Brent. Jack Oakie, Richard ("Skeets") Gallagher, Sam Hardy and Arthur Housman take the principal jSarts, Jack Oakie in particular playing outstandingly well. The plot is based on a story written by that great American humorist, Ring Lardner. / The hero, ' played by Jack Oakie, is a boastful but lovable young man, whose ■weaknesses are his strongest assets. Brought up in the country, he finds the lure of city life too strong in him. and when he finally reaches the metropolis as a member of a famous baseball team, he / falls into company that is far too fast. Influenced by an actress and some" sharp gamblers he gets himself into a mess that rot only nearly ruins his future, hut also nearly loses his team their final match Fortunately, at the last irnnute something happens that alters the whole posit ion Oakie is a new type of comedian to Hip j screen and in this picture he will win jmanv thousands of admirers. Another amusing role is that played by Chester Conklin, an old-time favourite, who shown ■ Jie has' plenty" of fun still' left in him. [A selection of' interesting supports will close what should be an excellent proj gramme.

STRAND THEATRE. - Ample evidehce that Harold Lloyd has Jost none of, his reputation, or ability as a screen comedian is afforded by the large crowds whi ;h flock to see !/*.■, latest production, "Welcome Danger." now screening at the Strand Theatre The leading role offers Llovd an excellent opportunity to display his undoubted talent , for humour. He is shown at the beginning of the'story as a young botanist.

a resident of Boston, with a hobby of floriculture. He is induced on the strength of the reputation of his father, a, famous detective, to assist in apprehending the Dragon, a sinister criminal of San Franciscp's Chinatown. His unorthodox methods of investigation, however, bring him into disfavour with the authori-

ties. He perseveres nevertheless, and in epite of the countless dangers which beset Shim, triumphs in a remarkable manner. !A delightful romance runs through the etory parellel with the principal's hectic adventures. Barbara . Kent capably fills the leading role, a well-selected cast appearing to advantage ir. other pro-

minent parts. The short supporting programme includes a Pathe News and a number of entertaining scenic and news items.

All the atmosphere arid scintillating flitter of New York's theatrical life has been incorporated in "Gold .Diggers of Broadway," the wonderful Warner Brothers' and Vitaphone all-talking and colcur production now showing at St. James' Theatre. The technicolour scenes are probably the most lavish and gorgeous yet presented through the medium of the screen. The talented cast of vaudeville and musical 'revue favourites, attractive song and dance/ numbers, a competent ' chorus "and elahorafely'-coriceived stage settings ensure enjoyable entertainment. Included in the strong cast are Winnie Lightner. Conway Tenrle, Nancy Welford, Nick Lucas. Lilyan Tashman and Helen Foster. The featuies which are shown in support include "Realisation," an amusing Comedy-drama, and a pleasing dance by tho Vitaphone Girls, entitled "Serpentine."

The famous stage play, "Lilac Time," by Jane Murfin and Jane Caiol. has been faithfully brought to the screen in "Love Never Dies." the First National production which is the principal attraction to be shown at the Grand Theatre to-day. story, which abounds in thrilling scenes in the air and includes an appealing theme of romance, deals %vith Jeannine, a French giil who falls in love with Captain Blythe, a young "ace" stationed at. her mother's farm near the fnW lines during the Great War. While the girl is hiding in the cockpit of Blvthe's fighting plane, wishing to surprise the young j,viatoi, a mechanic starts the pngine. and, startled by the road of the motor, she accidentally opens the 'throttle, causing the plane to start across the field. Blyttie finds the girl unconsciois in the resultant wreck and realises that he loves her. The entertaining plot is based on the manner in vruch the couple triumph over all obstacles, the film ending happily. The leading roles are played by Colleen Moore and Gary Copper. An enjoyable budget of supporting films will 'also be presented.

The romantic adventures of a poor plumber on vacation, posing as a screen star, have been woven into an entertaining plot in y "Two Weeks Off," the First National ''talking" film, which will be shown at the head of a fine double-feature programmer at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Jack Mulhall is the plumber. Dorothy Mackaill being the girl at the seaside who falls in love with him. "The Fall of Eve," an amusing farce, interpreted by Ford Sterling and Patsy Ruth Miller, is the second attraction. Talking supports of topical interest will also bo screened.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves sustain the main parts'in "Flight," the thrilling Columbia "talking" film which will head the splendid programme to be shown at the Tivoli Theatre to-day. Graves is suitably cast as "Lefty Phelps," an aviator, who with "Panama" Williams (Holt) is'ordered to assist in suppressing a minor Nicaraguan rebellion. Some of the most exciting aerial acts yet filmed have been included in the production, which is liberally interspersed with comedy. Several excellent supports will be shown in addition'to the main feature.

MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. The remarkable colour effects make >"Redskin," the principal attraction at fhe Moulin Rouge Theatre, Retnucra. a production of considerable merit. The chanting of Red Indian songs by large choruses of men and women is of outstanding interest. A comprehensive range of singing and dancing films is also screened. A matinee will be held tomorrow. / EMPRESS THEATRE. The successful "talkie" pictures "High iVoltage," -/featuring William Boyd, and The Shady Lady," starring Phyllis Haver, will bo screened for the last time at the Empress Theatre to-day. Hie new programme to morrow will comprise two splendid talking productions j " Mother's Boy " and "Square Shoulders." 1 here will be an interesting supporting programme. LYRIC THEATRE. A new programme will be shown at the Lyric Theatre to-day. The films are " The Fleet's In," a breezy tale of the loves of a dance-hall hostess at an -American naval base, starring the inimitable Clava Bow, and "The Hawk's Nest," a powerful drama of the underworld with Milton Sills in the role of a gang leader. Supports will also be shown. ARCADIA THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is provided in (the talking production, " Fashions In ■Love," which is being screened at the 'Arcadia Theatre. The other films are a, high standard.

CIVIC THEATRE. From the initial lifting of the curtain to the final laugh, the programme at present showing (ft the Civic Theatre goes with a swing. The first half consists of a diversified and colourful entertainment by the well-known artists engaged by the management. No expense has been spared in tho presentation of the items and stage settings, costuming and lighting effects are magnificent. The overture is provided by Mr. Ted Henkel and his orchestra, who render excerpts from "Rigoletto." Mr. FredScholl delights the audience with two numbers, "Dream Melody" and the amusing "Automobilious Episodes." Civic News and Views, and a talented Vitaphone trio, 'cello, flute and harp, follow. With appropriate settings and accompanied by the stage band. Ramon and Madeline, Patricia and Kanui, and Pedro and Edna, give temperamental Spanish dances, including a tango inminiature by the two little tots, and an acrobatic bolero by Pedro and Edna. Filially, completing the first half with great effect, the Civic Corps de Ballet perform the "Dance of the Shawl.' 1 The main picture is quite on the same level of excellence as the prceding entertainment. It is a screamingly funny' Columbia farce-drama, in which Patsy Ruth Miller and Ford Sterling aVe as funny as ever. The next change of programme promises to be another great success: To btj screened for the first time on Saturday, its chief attraction is to be Reginald Denny in a •laugh-provoking "feat(ire, "Embarrassing Moments," which deal" with the consternation and confusion that occur in a small-town household when a "trial marriage" is brought into their midst, ft is Denny's first dialogue pic ture. A complete change has also been prepared by Mr Ted Henkel and Mr Scholl.

ROXY AND CRYSTAL PALACE. Two excellent films of widely-differ-ing appeal, but offering' a common high standard- of entertainment comprise the splendid programme now .at the ...Rosy and Crystal Palace Theatres. The popular Morton Downey has the leading part in " Mother's Boy," the first attraction. The picture embraces an appealing plot and abounds in pleasing musical numbers, Downey, who has earned the name of " New York's golden tenor," being heard to advantage in several songs. Beryl Mercer, the Cockney mother of " Three Live Ghosts," fills successfully a similar role in this production. "Square Shoulders," a bright tale of life in a military academy, is the second feature; Junior C'oghlan, one pf the bestknown juvenile screen actors, appears to advantage in the principal part, Louis Wolheim supporting him at the head of an exceptionally strong cast. Some excellent- subordinate pictures are shown. LUNA PARK. No visit to Auckland is complete without an afternoon or evening being spent at Luna Park, Auckland's popular amusement ' centre. The scenic railway with its hairpin bends and steep grades is of outstanding interest. Other attractions are the caves,-the whip, the-dodg-ems, the wheel and the merry mix-up. When the round of pleasure devices is finished an abundance of sideshows .and interesting exhibitions awaits the visitor's attention. The park has been well patronised during the week and a large attendance is expected this evening. A bus service is run from Endean's Buildings.