ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Let Us Be Gay," the unusual comedy-drama at present being shown to large houses at St. James' Theatre, is notablo for the fact that in it both Miss Marie Dressier and Miss Norma Shearer, each supreme in her own type of acting, are given roles that suit them perfectly. The result is a picture that captivates audiences by its drama, its pathos and sts subtlo and witty humour. Miss Shearer is seen as a woman who, by a Btrango set of circumstances is called on to interven-3 in an affair between 'ft young (woman and a man whom site discovers to iher surprise to bo her divorced husband. The story which leads up to this unusual situation is clever and entertaining, while tho succeeding events lead to a fine climax. Miss Marie Dressier. - whose work in " Anna Christie" stamped her as perhaps tho cleverest comedienne on the talking screen, eclipses her previous performances by her characterisation which ♦xcitcs svmpathy as much as amusement nmong tho audience. The supporting programme includes many items of interest. CIVIC THEATRE. The plot of a young couple to marry in Spite of their parents' opposition provides many amusing situations in " Compromising Daphne," the British International Pictures production which continues to attract large audiences to the Civic Theatre. As the hopeful suitor, who seemed to be born under an unlucky matrimonial star, tho popular London Etago actor Charles Hickman gives a polished portrayal while Jean Colin, in tho part of Danhne, who advocates the " compromising' scheme, so full of dangers, is able to givo a delightful portrayal. Tho awkward situation which results when, in carrying out the scheme, Geor'ce arrives in (be wrong room, is only ■the first of a series of mirth-provoking incidents. NATIONAL THEATRE. Those who retain happy memories of 4he silent picture version of " Charley's . Aunt," will not be disappointed with the production now delighting large audiences at the National Theatre. In the capable bands of Charles Ruggies, the part of the " aunt from Brazil—where the nuts come from " loses none of its uproarious humour, while the supporting cast, in- j eluding June Collyer and Hugh Williams, all add to the fun. The story of the ludicrous masquerade of a young man as 11 friend's aunt in order to provide a chaperone at his dinner party is well known, but, judging from the success of tho picture, it has lost none of its everfresh humour. Tho complications that occur when the real aunt appears on the 6cenc provide a climax of mirth. PLAZA THEATRE. Robert Woolsey and Bert Wheeler are funnier tfian ever in their latest production, " Hook, Line and Sinker," at present attracting large audiences to the Plaza Theatre. They are seen as impoverished but hopeful insurance agents -who, with their characteristic self-coufi-<lenc'e, appoint themselves guardians of the wilful daughter of a wealthy widow. [Assuming control of a hotel the girl has inherited, tho pair decide to conduct it on " modern" lines. It is not long before several unscrupulous members of society begin to work among tho oddly-assorted guests and the attempts of the self-styled proprietors to frustrate their schemes give causo to a succession of hilarious £cencs. MAJESTIC THEATRE. History in the sphere of the talking Screen is made by " The Big Trail," the epic film of the pioneering era in the middle west of the United States, now being screened to large audiences at the Majestic Theatre. The picture has been produced on a vast scale and it enables one to gain a comprehensive view of West America as it was 100 years ago. Trom tho first encampment on the Missouri, River, the trail is followed in one Broad sweep to the final home of the settlers in Oregon. The whole picture is rotable for its amazing realism. i ' STRAND THEATRE. Splendid holiday entertainment is provided by the double-feature programme at present being screened at the Strand Theatre. The first, " Night Work," is unaffected comedy in which Eddie Quil3an, a newcomer to the screen, is seen as a voung man who. falling in love with a pretty young nurse, promises to look after the child in her charge. Many amusing situations follow. In (lie second picture, "Part-time Wife," tho versatile Edmund Lowe gives another sterling and subtle characterisation. 'I ho picture abounds in clever dialogue and hilarious incident. TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES. The hazards of mountaineering in the forbidding Swiss Alps have been used with telling effect as the basis of an enthralling drama in "Tho White Hell of Pita Pain." which is holding Ihe attention of audiences at the Tivoli and ltialto Theatres. The scaling of Ihe precipitous North Wall of the mighty l/it/. Pain Peak; the descent by torchlight of a rescue party into an almost unfathomable crevasse; the freezing blizzard which endangers three people trapped on a narrow shelf of ice; the death-defying exploits of a daring aviator; and the remorseless career of a tremendous avalanche are only a few rfi the many marvellous scenes presented. H EMPRESS THEATRE. An amusing comedy of an unusual type, " Let's Go Native," will be shown at the Empress Theatre this evening. Jack Oakie arid Jeannetto MacDoriald, the principals, are seen in a series of amusing scenes on a Pacific Island. Ihe second feature will be "The Silver Horde," a virile 'story of .Alaskan liic. Evelyn Brent takes the leading part. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Riotous good humour abounds in " Anirrfal Crackers," to be screened at the Crystal Palace 'J heatro this evening. The inimitable Marx brothers, of " Tho Coconuts" fame, are seen as members of -a strange house-party. 'lhe second attraction is the light comedy, " Oh for a Man," with Jeannetto MacDonald, as the principal. LYRIC THEATRE. " Anybody's War," in which Ihe "Two Black) Crows" are seen as a couple of npjjro' recruits on the way to the war, will head Ihe programme at the Lvrie Theatre to-day. The second attraction will be " Young Woodlev." based on one of. the most successful plays of the London st/ige last year and produced by a British studio with a British cast.

REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM. Varied entertainment is provided by ■file double-feature programme, comprising " The Silver Horde," with Evelyn Brent, and "Shadow of tho Law," in which William Powell takes the chief role, which will be screened at the Urgent 7 Theatre, Epsom, this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Way Out West" and " Manslaughter" •will be the chief attractions at the Britannid Theatre this evening. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The spectacular extravaganza, " King of Jap," will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. " VICTORIA THEATRE. Edmund Lowo appears in " Scotland !Yard," the chief attraction at the .Victoria Theatro.

REGENT THEATRE. Reuniting the entire cast of " Rookery Nook" for the first time, Ben Travers' second farce to bo brought to the talking screen is delighting audiences at the Regent Theatre. A rollicking tale of justifiable robbery, " Plunder" is perhaps even more amusing than any of the several other Aldvvych Theatre farces which have enjoyed phenomenal success in Auckland. Tom Walls has a typical role as a gentleman adventurer whose partnership with the timorous and inconsequent D'arcy Tuck, inimitably played by Ralph Lynn, for the purpose of relieving a scheming woman of her ill-got-ten gains, sets in train a succession of hilarious episodes. Miss Winifred Shotter is a charming heroine us Tuck's fiancee, who is defrauded of her inheritance.