ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20468, 21 January 1930, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. A graphic film showing Mr. "Wizard" Smith breaking the world's record for ten miles in his special racing car on the Ninety- Mile Beach, is included on tho current programme at the Civic Theatre. Tho picture gives a remarkably clear record of the run and the audience gains a good impression of the high speed at which the car travelled* Incidents prior to the start are also depicted. The main feature is "Embarrassing Moments," a comedy by one of the most popular of screen humorists, Reginald Denny. As the husband in a fictitious "trial marriage,' 1 the principal is called to book by the irate father of the girl concerned. Many highlyainusing incidents and a great deal of comedy follow, the nature of the plot providing Denny with an excellent opportunity for tho introduction of that type of humour in which he excels. There is an imposing cast of supporting players. The variety numbers maintain the high standard of entertainment established by the theatre. The chief presentation is an elaborate number by Mr. Ted Henkel's stage band, entitled, "Noveletta." In this it is capably assisted by the wonderful Civic Ballet, a combination possessed of better qualities than mere efficiency. "L'ltalia" and "Honey Bee's Kneeze," two widely-contrasted selections played in inimitable fashion by Mr. Fred Scholl on the Civic grand organ further prove this artist's versatility. Several'enjoyable dance items and a Fox Movietone News are also presented. ROXY AND EMPRESS. The excellent double-Feature programme now showing at both the Roxy and Emperss Theatres is headed by " Mother's Boy," an entertaining "talkie" starring Morton Downey, known as New York's golden tenor, and Beryl Mercer, the character actress who was so successfully cast in "Three Live Ghosts." The film embraces an appealing romance. The socond attraction is a "part-talkie" drama dealing with life in a military academy for boys. It is entitled " Square Shoulders," and Junior Coghlan, one of the most popular juvenile screen actors, and Louis Wolheim are admirably cast in the leading roles. Supporting pictures are also shown. A new programme will be shown at the Roxy Theatre to-morrow, when the two pictures, "The College Coquette," starring William Collier and Ruth Taylor, and "Father and Son," a splendid "talkie" featuring Jack Holt and Mickey Mcßan, will be presented. "Innocents of Paris," an attractive alltalking production dealing with the gay life of the French capital, will head the programme to succeed the present one at the Empress Theatre. Maurice Chevalier, "the idol of: Paris," has the principal part. Excellent supporting programmes will be screened at both theatres. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Two Broadway favourites in Lee Tracy and Mae Clarke have the chief parts in "Big Time," the entertaining "talkie." now being shown at • the Majestic Theatre. The story concerns two minor stage players, Eddie Bums and Lily, whose ambition it is to play "big time" together. They finally succeed, the many trials and adventures which befall them on their way to triumph making interesting entertainment. Josephine Dunn and Daphne Pollard support the principals. A film illustrating the story of "Faust," a diverting comedy and a Fox Movietone News are also presented. Commencing on Thursday, "Street Girl,", a Radio Pictures-talking production, will be shown at tihe theatre. Eetty Coinpson will play the leading role, others prominent in the cast being John Harron and Ned Sparks. STRAND THEATRE. Large and appreciative audiences are enjoying the excellent entertainment being provided by " Welcome Danger," Harold Lloyd's first talking picture, which is being screened at the head of the current programme at the Strand Theatre. Lloyd has previously appeared to advantage in parts where the humour is supplied by his numerous hairbreadth escapes from disaster, but probably never before has he been confronted with so many perils as in his latest production. He is cast as a young and inoffensive botanist plunged into a hectic war with the hardened criminals of San Francisco's Chinatown, the manner in which he, as a detective, eventually makes good being told in countless hilarious incidents. Barbara Kent, is the feminine lead, a strong cast supporting the principals. Soveral shorter features are also shown.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Gold Diggers of Broadway," the spectacular Warner Brothers' and Vifaphonn all-talking and colour production, now in its fourth week at St. James' Theatre, continues in popularity, the number of people having attended the house to date being in excess of 90,000. The picture deals with the "gold digging" activities of four New York stage girls and embraces a very light plot, the splendid dancing and music, and the effective stage settings providing the bulk of the entertainment. Winnie Lightner has the principal role and is assisted by Nick Lucas, Conway Tearle and Helen Foster at the head of a talented cast. Several enjoyable short supports complete a very fine programme. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Maurice Chevalier, whose wonderful personality and pleasing voice have earned for him a reputation on the French stage, has a congenial part in "Innocents of Paris," the entertaining all-talking, singing and musical production now enjoying an exceptionally successful season at the Crystal Palace Theatre. In addition to the main picture, some fine shorter features are screened. PLAZA THEATRE. "Two Weeks Off," which is now being shown at (he Plaza Theatre, is proving extremely popular. At the end of the week "Melody Lane," the story of a vaudeville artist who is deserted by his wife, will commence, a season: Eddie, Leonard, the popular negro music-hall singer, has the leading role, a special feature being the. rendering of a number of apposite vocal items. TIVOLI THEATRE. "Flight," the thrilling aviation drama in which Jack Holt performs many thrilling feats in the air, continues to attract large crowds to the Tfvoli Theatre. Tho story deals with the adventures of a young airman who embarks on an expedition to Nicaragua to quell a bandit uprising. There is a good supporting programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Excellent entertainment is promised by the fine double-feature programme which will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre for the first time, to-day. The main attraction will be " Tho Perfect Crime," starring Clive Brook, " The Jazz Age " being screened in support. LYRIC THEATRE. " The Hawk's Nest," starring Milton Sills and Doris Kenvon, and "The Fleet's In," a. delightful Clara Bow comedy, comprise the fine double-feature programme at the Lyric Theatre. An enjoyable selection of silent supporting films of topical interest is shown in addition to the main attractions.

REGENT THEATRE. The baseball field forms a fitting background for "Fast Company," a splendid all-talking picture which is now being screened at the Regent Theatre. A country lad, whose self-esteem is only equalled by his ability on the playing field, is the central figure. He is shown as the baseball hero of his home town. Lured by the wiles of an itinerant actress and the persuasiveness of the agent of a big city baseball team, he joins the Yankees' team in New York. His first jubilation vanishes, however, when he discovers that he has incurred the disfavour of the actress with whom he has fallen in love. He is also suspected of having stolen a sum of money and his game is affected by the worry which his unfortunate position causes. He is given a last chance, the sequences showing the progress of the game which means so much to the young player providing a stirring climax. Jack Oakie, Evelyn Brent and Richard Gallagher play tho important parts. Some interesting supports are screened in addition. "The Virginian," an adaptation of Owen Winter's famous novel of tho West, will commence a season at the theatre on Friday. Gary Cooper, Mary Brian, Walter Huston and Richard Arlen enact the main roles. "MARRIED IN HOLLYWOOD." The first Viennese song romanco to be brought to the talking screen, "Married in Hollywood," will commence a season .at the Civic Theatre on Saturday. This Fox Movietone production was given a private screening recently and can »c classed definitely as one of the major ■achievements in " talkies " to date. Tho story follows the traditional Ruritanian theme of " a crown well lost for love," but it is embellished with some clever twists of construction, lavish and spectacular settings and music of haunting rhythm beautifully sung by trained singers. Tho music is credited to Oscar Strauss, who wrote " The Chocolate Soldier " and " The Waltz Dream," and the score is rich in dreamy waltzes and charming folk songs. The leading roles are sung and acted bv Mr. J. Harold Murray and Miss Norma Teriss, both stars of Broadway musical .comedy, and the supporting cast has been chosen with an eye to all requirements. The film covers a wide range, embracing the oldworld charm of Vienna and the hustle and bustle of work on a motion picture stage. It should attain great popularity.

LUNA PARK. The over-popular Luna Park amusement area has been well patronised at every session this week and another large attendance is expected this evening. One of the most attractive .features at the ground this season has been the introduction of now vaudeville acts and sideshows from overseas. This is well demonstrated by the crowds of pleasureseekers. Among the most popular features are " Doc " Hamilton's mysterious guillotine act and the sensational motor-cycle riding by Miss -May Staig. The permanent devices, such as the, scenic railway, dodg'ems and river caves, are also 'being widely patronised.

MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. Richard Dix's first talking picture. " Redskin." a spectacular film photographed in "colour, is the principal attraction on the splendid programme at the Moulin Rouge Theatre. Entertaining shorter productions are also shown.

ARCADIA THEATRE. Paul Muni and Marguerite Churchill enact the leading parts in "The Valiant," the thrilling all-talking mystery drama now being screened at the Arcadia Theatre. Several supports are also shown.