ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20760, 31 December 1930, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE NEW MOON."

" The New Moon," J. C. Williamson's excellent musical comedy, will be staged again at His Majesty's Theatre this everting and the two following evenings, and a special holiday matinee will •be presented to-morrow afternoon. On Saturday after/10011 and evening and the following four nights the favourite comic opera "The Belle of New York" will be produced with new and elaborate stage settings and gorgeous costumes and uniforms. It may not be generally known that many of the characters in " The Belle of New York" were taken from life, having their prototypes in celebrities of the flay. "The Belle of New York" was originally staged as a revue 'ind, as is well known, it developed into one of the best and 'most successful musical plays the stage has known in 30 years. It is said that the present company gives the finest all-round production of " The Belle of New Yoik ever staged in New Zealand. Its delightful melodies are well known'to almost everybody as the gramophone records are still among the best sellers. The humour is of the Gilbertian type and the magnificent finale to the first act is one of its features. No fewer than three encores were demanded of the finale at the recen representations of " The Belle of New York" in Wellington, where it attracted record audiences. The appearance of Mr. Leslie Holland in the role of Ichabod Bronson has invested additional interest in next Saturday's revival. .

CIVIC THEATRE.

Splendid holiday entertainment, the two pictures at present showing at the Civic Theatre are light and diversified m their interest. The first, "Not So Quiet-oil the Western Front," is an English comedy in which the popular Londcm stage actor Leslie Fuller is givert'full scope for his abilitv to produce continuous laughter. The picture takes the lighter side of the Great War and in the form of reminiscences, ' reproduces a galaxy of amusing and farcical adventures of the soldiers behind the lines. The second picture, "Loose Ends," based on Dion Hetheridge s play of the same name, is . typical of the best in British' drama. Owen Nares, one of the leading actors'of tHe English stage, , takes the part of a man who, returning to society after an interval-of 15 years,, attempts to pick up the broken threads of his existence, but finds the upheaval in manners caused by the Great War almost too great to realise. The action' of the play is taken through a series of satirical and amusingly witty scenes. At the afternoon matinees, a children's pantomime, "Sinbad the Sailor," is presented in addition to the screening of "Not So Quiet on the Western Front."

"THE BIG POND."

Two artists of French' descent take' the principal roles in "The Big Pond," the Paramount production which will open a season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. The leading male part is taken by Maurice Chevalier, the Paris music hall celebrity, whose rise to prominence in talking films was phenomenally rapid, .while Claudette Colbert, the principal of "Manslaughter" and ''The Lady Lies," is cast as the charming heroine. The story concerns a rather impoverished young. French nobleman's attempts to prove to his prospective father-in-law that he can earn .his own living. The story suits perfectly Maurice ' Chevalier's happy-go-lucky humour, while several delightful songs are sung.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

Witty dialogue and tense situations are features of "The Lady of Scandal," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production which is attracting large audiences to the Majestic Theatre. . Ruth Chatterton, 'whose, portrayal of highly-dramatic roles has earned for her-one of the greatest reputations in the screen world, takes the part of an actress who has married the son of a peer, much against the wishes of her husband's parents. The way in which she attempts to "educate" the family supplies subtle and satirical humour, but later when she is faced with choosing between love and duty, the picture sounds a deepur note. Based on Frederick Lonsdale's play "The High Road," the film has all'the wit of the well-known English dramatist, whose plays have proved very successful as pictures. On Friday > i'Shooting Straight," a virile out-door story, with Richard Dix in the main role, will open a season. In it Dix returns to the fast-moving, action picture, which was responsible for his first success on the screen.

STRAND THEATRE,

Tlio final screenings of the spectacular musical comedy "King of.Jazz" at the Strand Theatre will be given to-day and to-morrow. Produced by the Universal Studios, the film is made on an exceptionally lavish scale in all respects. Not only are the settings huge and amazingly beautiful, being entirely filmed in technicolour, but the cast taking part includes many of the best-known names in the film world. An important feature of the production is the presence of Paul Whiteman and his famous jazz band.

CAPITOL THEATRE,

An absorbing romance of the days of the American Civil War is told in "Only the Brave," which is being screened at the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road. Gary Cooper and Mary Brian play the leading roles. .

NATIONAL THEATRE/-

The final screening of "Rain or Shine," a story of circus life, will be given at the matinee at the National Theatre this morning. In the afternoon and evening, and at subsequent screenings, "Baffles will be the chief attraction. Ronald Col-

man, whoso screen career has included some of the finest characterisations of debonair roles, is cast as the amateur "cracksman" of the well-known series of novels by E. W. Hornung. -'When th© picture opens, Raffles has resolved to leave his life of crime for ever, since be has fallen in love with a beautiful girl. He has no sooner made this resolve, however, than one of his best friends becomes involved in a financial scandal and appeals to -him for assistance. The only way Raffles can think of to help his friend is to engage in one final safe robbeiy. It is this last attempt that proves to be one of the most exciting and adventurous of his career. In a series of tense scenes the wav in which he outwits the combined forces of the law is told. At the matinee performances the pantomime Cinderella is presented by a company of talented children under the direction of Misses Marjorie Turner and Beryl Nettleton.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE.

Set in the exclusive inner circle of New York society, "Holiday," at present showing, at St. James' Theatre, gives a very human portrayal of ..the battle fought by youth against the fetters and conventions of wealth and family. ' The picture provides,excellent entertainment by the-bril-liance of its dialogue, the talented acting of Miss Ann Harding and the supporting cast, and the absorbing interest of tha story told. Miss Harding, who has for veai'fi been one of the most noted actresses of the American stage, takes the part of an unselfish sister who is ready to -give up all her happiness for the sake of those she loves, although she has been offered a chance of romance and adventure. Tha way in which * she finally decides her future forms a dramatic climax to the picture.

. REGENT THEATRE. Bright entertainment is provided by the spectacular musical comedy "Whoopee,". at present continuing a most successful, season at the Regent Theatre. Eddie ; Cantor, one of the drollest comedians it., is possible to imagine, is the central figure of the production, and he keeps audiences.. in continual laughter. The picture is musical comedy on the grand scale, and * the settings and choru3 work are particularly lavish. The perfection of the ballet. dances and the costuming of the m'embere; of the ballet is amazing, while the photographing of all scenes in technicolour makes it possible to translate the fullest, beauty, from the original' spectacle. The story that forms the basis of the production holds the interest of the, audience throughout.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO.

Maurice Chevalier, one of the mo3t popular actors of the talking screen, has a congenial rolo in "The Love Parade," which is now showing at the Tivoli and'" Rialto Theatres. He is supported by Jeanette Mac Donald, -whose beautiful singing is largely responsible for cess of the film. The story concerts a young diplomat, played by Chevalier, who is sent back to his native countryunder a cloud, on account of his indiscreet * adventures in a foreign capital., Ho reports to his queen, and is severely repri- - manded, but a mutual affection which arises between the two gives rise to many amusing situations. In addition to the main picture there is a selection of shorter films. -•

PLAZA THEATRE.

In "The Devil's Holiday," at the Plaza Theatre, Nancy Carroll is success-■ ful in a dramatic role as a young woman whose unscrupulous business methods, coupled with her personal attraction, make - her the head of a band of fraudulent salesmen.

ROXY THEATRE.

" The Squealer/' a fast-moving story of life among the American runners." is the principal attraction in the current programme at the Boxy Theatre. "Amateur London," a very humorous comedy, produced by English studios, is included in the supporting programme. »

CRYSTAL PALfi.CE THEATRE.

"Ladies Must Play" and "Last of the Lone Wolf," two entertaining pictures of different types, will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-day.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

"The Richest Man in the World," an appealing story of a father's sacrifices for his children, heads the current programme at the Empress Theatre: "The Runaway Bride" is also screened.

LYRIC THEATRE.

Sophisticated comedy is the keynote of " They Learned About Women," which will be screened at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Bright song numbers and witty dialogue make the picture out-: standing.

PICTUREDROME THEATRE.

" Dangerous Curves," a delightfully humorous comedy-drama of American life, will be the. main attraction of the picture programme at the Picturedrome Theatre,' Milford, this evening.

SANDRINGHAM CINEMA. " Seven Days' Leave," based on- one;of Sir James Barrie's most popular plays, will head this evening's programme at the Sandnngham Cinema. " •'*"

LUNA PATtK

There will be New Year revels at Luna Park this afternoon and this evening.Added attractions are arriving daily and there will' be novelties for the amusement of everyone. 'Hi is evening will be "People's Night" and the nark will not close until after midnight. Transport arrangements will enable all patrons to see the old year out and the new year in. Last vear, on New ear's Eve, over 10,000" peoplo visited the and this year there is said to be room for 20,000.