ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20480, 4 February 1930, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

" LOMBARDI, LIMITED." The famous comedy triumph " Lombardi, Limited," in which Leo Carrillo has achieved phenomenal success during its Australian season, will bo presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, February 12. It is anticipated that there will bo record audiences to witness the ronowned actor in this gay and most laughable production. In reviewing the play an Australian critic statod:—' It "is tho most delightful and most original comedy the Australian stago has ever enjoyed. Carrillo's acting is simply ebullient joyousness, which infects the audience immediately. Ho prattles happily on in his broken English, revealing a humour of subtle form, that cannot fail to appeal, while his changing moods onablo him to give full play to his versatility. The famous star has splendid support to carry tho production to tho highest flight oi' success. Others in the cast are Barbara Luddy as tho little mannequin; Margaret Cullen-Landis, tho model, Brandon Peters, as the lovesmitten " Vonnicelli King"; Rowena Ronald, as Lombardi's designing sweetheart; Natalie Moya, Leslie Victor, Henrietta Cavendish, Maidio Hope. Daphne Baird, Cecil Mannering, Pop Cory and others in congenial roles." The dressing, particularly in the mannequin parade, is said to be one of the attractive features. The box plans will bo opened next Monday morning. STRAND THEATRE. Excellent entertainment is provided by the programme now being shown at the Strand Theatre. Tho main feature, " Tho Lady Lies," is a Paramount production, in which a daring theme has been ably handled. Tho story deals with a wealthy widower who falls in love with a shop girl, and is mainly concerned with tho reactions of his two* children to a situation which threatens to endanger their family life. Finally they interview the girl and inform her that her intrusion into their life is ruining their home. Realising the extent to which the children aro involved in tho matter, tho two lovers determine to abide by their decision. Eventually the children decide that they have made a mistake and givo their father permission to marry, bringing the picturo to a harmonious conclusion. Tho serious nature of the problem raised in the picture is cleverly relieved by a persistent undercurrent of humour, for which Charles Ruggles, a well-known stage comedian, who appears in a minor role, is mainly responsible. Tho principal players are Claudetto Colbert and Walter Huston, both of whom have had considerable stage experience. The supporting features include a clever novolty illustrating the songs and dances of various nations, an admirable rendering of tho immortal "1812 Overture," and a number of items by Dr. Hugo Reisenfeld's symphony orchestra. REGENT THEATRE. The present programme at the Regent Theatre, headed by "So This Is College," a " talkio " dealing with lifo in one of tho great American co-educational colleges, is proving ono of the most popular presented at the house this season. Tho plot centres round the rivalry in love and on the football field of tho two heroes, Eddie a>jid Biff. Tho advent of a new flirt, Babs, on the campus breaks their long-standing friendship, the seriousness of the feelings they both entertain toward her preventing any reconciliation. It is only When they discover by chance that she is a heartless coquette that they are reunited, the manner in which they aro thus enabled to win the great college football match forming a fitting climax. The witty dialogue and patter introduces much genuine comedy. Elliott Nugent, Robert Montgomery and Sally Starr appear to advantage in leading roles. The supporting items include several excellent vocal and musical selections. CIVIC THEATRE. Gloria Swanson appears in her first talking part in " The Trespasser," which is now being shown at the Civic Theatre. The story, which was specially written for Miss Swanson by an experienced dramatist who had made a special study of her screen personality, deals with tho endeavours of a typiste to win tho approval of the parents of her wealthy husband. The supporting programme is well up to the standard set by tho theatre. The ever-popular " Blue Danube Waltz " is ably rendered by Mr. Ted. Henkel's orchestra, and Ketelbey's wellknown "In a Monastery Garden " (lawlessly played by Mr. Fred. Scholl. Instrumental items arc given by the Melody Maids, while the Civic Ballet appears in two attractive dance numbers. The short films include a pictorial account of interesting news items and a picture of lifo in Persia. ROXY THEATRE. "The Flying Marine," a thrilling aviation story, starring Ben Lyon and Shirley Mason, heads tho present programme at the Roxv Theatre. Tho plot centres round the adventures of a "stunt" airman, many exciting feats of daring in the air being incorporated. Tho supporting feature is "The Spieler," a circus picture, in which Fred Kohlcr and Renee Adorec sustain tho main roles. Commencing to-inorrow, "Hurricane," a Columbia Pictures talking production, will be shown at the theatre. The tale is a stirring drama of the sea, Hobart Bosworth having the leading part. LYRIC THEATRE. The entertaining current programme of silent pictures now screening at the Lyric Theatre is headed by "The Wheel of Chance," in which the popular Richard Barthelmess has tho principal role. The second attraction is "Children of Divorce," starring Clara Bow and Esther Ralston. TIVOLI THEATRE. Two splendid " talkies " comprise tho double-feature programme now being screened at the Tivoli Theatre. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell have tho main parts in " Lucky Star," a drama dealing with the devotion of a girl for a wounded ex-soldier. Tho supporting attraction is " The Letter," an intensely dramatic picture, in which Jeanne Eagels lins (lie leading role. Some fine supporting pictures are shown in addition. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. / Two splendid talking productions of widely-differing appeal are now entertaining large audiences at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Tho chief feature is "Our Modern Maidens," a society drama starring Joan Crawford, Rod la Rocquo and Douglas Fairbanks, junr. An entertaining comedy-drama entitled "Make Believe," in which Alberta Vaug'ian has the leading ferninino role, is also screened. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Fall of Eve," starring Ford Sterling and Patsy Ruth Miller, and "Father and Son," a stirring drama in which Jack Holt interprets the leading role, arc the two "talkies" on the excellent programme at the Empress Theatre. The programme includes a number of shorter films of topical interest. MOULIN ROUGE THEATRE. " Coquette," Mary Pickford's first talking picturo and the first in which she has appeared in an adult role, that of a sophisticated woman of society, is tho main feature on the excellent programme at tho Moulin Rougo Theatre. In addition to the chief attraction several shorter supports are presented.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE. Although now in the sixth' wook of its season at St. James' Theatre, " Gold Diggers of Broadway," a spectacular alltalking and colour Warner Brothers and Vitaphone production, continues to attract large and appreciative houses. Winnie Lightner, an established favourite of the Broadway stage, has the leading role as one of a party of four chorus girls who indulge in " gold digging" operations among their wealthy _ admirers. Apart from the entertaining plot and the sterling portrayals of the principals, the film is notable for the cxccllont dancing and singing which have been included. Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington, Nancy Welford and Nick Lucas, "the crooning troubadour," appear in prominent parts in support of Miss Lightner. Several splendid short " talkies " are also presented. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho extremely amusing manner in which three neglected wives teach their husbands a lesson in fidelity has been woven into an entertaining story in " Why Leave Home 1" the screen version of the famous stage play " Cradle Snatchers," which is the principal attraction on the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. The central plot of tho original has been left intact, but the larger scope of talking pictures has allowed the addition of many features which considerably enhance the comedy. The principal parts are in the hands of Walter Cotlott, David Rollins and Sue Carol. " Tho Girl From Havana," a William Fox " talkie," starring Lola Lano and Paul Page, will bo shown at tho theatre on Friday. PLAZA THEATRE. " Married in Hollywood," thg spectacular all-talking picture which has just concluded a very successful season at tho Civic Theatre, will be shown at tho Plaza Theatre this evening. The film tells a simple but convincing story of tho lovo of a Balkan prince for an American musical-comedy singer, of their struggles and their ultimate attainment of happiness. Among tho most entertaining features are scenes showing a mob storming the royal palace, and the colourful finale, which takes place in Hollywood, where tho prince and the little singer meet again. Tho principal roles in the production are played by J. Harold Murray, Norma Teriss and other well-known stage favourites. The music was specially composed for tho production by Oscar Strauss. Supporting pictures will also bo presented. ARCADIA THEATRE. " The Follies of 1929," a brilliant alltalking Broadway musical revue, is now showing at the Arcadia Theatre. Tho production abounds in pleasing songs and dances. An amusing comedy, " Tho Music Fiends," is also screened.