ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. 1 lie quaint costumes and the prim adherence to social convention of the "good old days" are delightfully represented in "The Gay Nineties," which is .enjoying a successful season at tho Regent Theatre. Charming Marion Davies has the part of an actress, a member of a famous stage sextette, who meets a young man-about-towti. 1 lie methods tho young man of fashion employs to woo the girl are the source of abundant humour. Comedy of a more robust type is provided by the irrepressible comedians, Laurel and Hardy, in an amusing film "flog Wild," and tho other supporting items are equally entertaining. Ronald Column, the popular actor whose previous two talking pictures, "Bulldog Drummond" and "Condemned" were so successful, plays tho part of a refined and polished Englishman in "Raffles," the United Artists' production which will open a season on Fridav. A society favourite and popular athlete, Raffles, however, finds the lure of criminal adventure more than ho can resist. At the time when the modern screen version of the well-known melodrama, based on tho "Amateur Cracksman" short stories, bv E. \V. Hornung, begins, tho engaging Raffles has given up his crimes in favour of love. But his nesolution to reform is short-lived. NATIONAL THEATRE. The dangers associated with spongefishing in shark-infested tropical waters form the basis for the action in "Tho Sea Bat," the marine melodrama, which is assured of a successful season at tho National Theatre. Even more deadly than the sharks is the dreaded sea bat, an immense ray, weighing several tons and with a wing spread of over 10ft. Raquel Torres, the beautiful Spanish actress, as a young girl who becomes enmeshed in the superstitious and "voodoo" worship of tho natives; Charles Bickford, in the part of an escaped convict with a price on his head masquerading as a minister; and John Miljan, portraying tho role of |an unscrupulous beachcomber, are the I three central characters. Tho fine sup- • poiting programme includes a Grantland Rico Sportlight, a Laurel and Hardy comedy, and a delightful colourtone rovue. CIVIC THEATRE. The revolt of modern youth against the established social traditions forms the theme for "Wild Company," the tense drama at present being shown at tho Civic Theatre. .Although tho story is intensely dramatic, it has been faithfully interpreted and always rings true. IT. B. Warner, the accomplished English actor, whose outstanding portrayals include prominent roles in "King of Kings" and "The Doctor's Secret," is called upon to play a difficult role as an indulgent father whose high sense of honour impels him to deliver his son to the law, knowing him to bo involved in the murder of a criminal leader. Frank Albertson gives a convincing characterisation as a modern youth whose every whim is gratified by his parents and who becomes involved in an affair with an unscrupulous cabaret dancer. The supporting items include intimate studies of such notable men as Don Bradman and Kingsford Smith. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The blustering good humour of tho inimitahlo Victor McLnglen is in delightful contrast to tho piquant charm of Fifi Uorsay, the vivacious French actress, who is partnered with him in "On the Level,*' tho Fox movietone picture at present being shown at the Majestic Theatre. As in "The Cock-eyed World" and "What Price Glory," McLnglen is seen as a man who imagines he is a magnet to every woman who comes under the influence of his engaging personality. His disillusionment at the hands of Mimi. a part splendidly played by tho fascinating Fifi Dorsav, makes an exceedingly humorous story. A "Mickey the Mouse" cartoon lends further humour to the programme. ROXY THEATRE. "Call of the West," in which Dorothy Revicr has the part of a musical hall artist, who finds regeneration in the country, and "Medicine Man," the story of a patent medicine pedlar and his numerous philanderings, will be shown at the Roxy Theatre for tho last time this evening. William Boyd, who was one of the most popular actors in the days of the silent picture, and the charming actress Dorothy Sebastian are the principals in "His First Command," a comedy-drama, with tho United States cavalry as a background, which will open a season to-morrow. The actor has the part of tho son of a New York millionaire, who is sent to the western States to prove his worth, lie becomes attracted by a pretty girl, but as sho is tho daughter of a colonel and he a ineru private, tho young man is set a difficult task to earn the respect of his senior officers. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Show of Shows." the spectacular Warner Brothers' and Vitaphone extravaganza. which is in the last week of an extended season at St.. James' Theatre, continues to attract large audiences. Seldom before ha 3 such an imposing collection of stage and screen artists appeared in any production. \Vinnie Lightncr, Myrna Loy, Shirley Mason, Viola Dana, Irene Bordoni, Richard Barthelmess, Grant Withers, and If. B. Warner are included in the notablo cast. On Friday, "Song of the West," with John Boles and Joo E. Brown, will be shown. STRAND THEATRE. The thrilling plot of "The Furies." the successful stage play, has been preserved in the film version, produced by First National and Vitaphone, which is enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre. The talented < ast includes H. T5. Warner, the gifted English actor, the alluring actress Lois Wilson, and Natalie Moorchead. 'From a casual, happy opening the plot soon takes a dramatic turn. PLAZA THEATRE. "Border Romance," the splendid outdoor film which is being shown at the Plaza Theatre, has the fascinating Spanish actress Armida in the principal role. The leading male role is taken by Don Terry, whose fine' voice is heard to advantage in a number of attiactivn lyrics. "Jerry Builders," a humorous film, is also shown RIALTO THEATRE. "Dangerous Paradise," in which Nancy Carroll gives a delightful performance in the chief role, and "He Knew Women," with Lowell Sherman as the main character, will conclude a season at tho Tivoli Theatre tljis evening. To-morrow "Sarah and Son," with Ruth Chatterton, arid "The Golden Calf," a story.of modern society, will commence a season. TIVOLI THEATRE William Powell portrays the role of Pliilo Vance, tho Sherlock Holmes of American fiction, in "The Benson Murder Caso," which heads tho double-feature programme to be shown for the last timo at the Rialto Theatre this evening. The second picture is "Ho Knew Women." "Sarah and Son" and "The Golden Calf" will be shown to-morrow. LYRIC THEATRE. William Powell appears in "Street of Chance" at the Lyric Theatre this evenEMPRESS THEATRE. . Bube Daniels is the principal in "Alias French Gertie," which heads tho programme at tho Empress Theatre, Newton, this evening. Tho second picture is " Personality." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The two full-length pictures to bo shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden, this, evening include "Soldiers and Women." with Grant Withers and Aileen Pringle, and " Murder on tho Roof," a mystery film.