ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. ' The vivacious personality of Marilyn Mil- ( lor, who scored an instantaneous success , in her first picture "Sally," is evident ( throughout "Sunny," how at tho Civic , Theatre. The film will close its season ( on Thursday. In "Sunny," Miss Miller is the sanio thoroughly charming actress j she was in "Sally," and again dominates , the action of tho story. Lawrence Gray makes a likeable leading man and some ox- ' ccllcnt comedy is contributed by Joe Donahue, as a spineless young man, who, although lie is in love with one girl, consents to marry another to oblige a friend. His glum expression and droll phrases are continual sources of merriment. Musical I items by Mr. Gordon Colo and his Winter- f garden Band, and Mr. Howard Moody, at 1 the grand organ, lend further interest to , the programme- I "NEW MOON." | One of the greatest boons of the talking | picture has been to enable overseas audi- I ences to enjoy the artistry of famous Euro- s pean and American artists. In "New , Moon," the operetta to replace "Sunny" j at tho Civic Theatre on Friday, Grace , Moore and Lawrence Tibbet, both of the New York Metropolitan Opera House. | will be heard together in one of the most , entertaining musical romances of recent years. Both are already well-known on the screen. Miss Moore for her wonderful singing in "Jenny Lind," and 1 ibbet for r his performance in "The Rogue Song." REGENT THEATRE. A gifted emotional actress, Marlene Dietrich, makes an auspicious first appearance on the Auckland screen in "Morocco," the new film at the Regent. Theatre. Artistically produced by Joseph von Sternberg, and incorporating sonio magnificent scenic effects, tho pici tore is a glamorous sfory of the French Foreign Legion Miss Dietrich is an appealing character as an aloof entertainer in a Moroccan cafe, who is attracted by a reckless and cynical legionary, splendidly j ( played by Gary Cooper. The third important actor is Adolphe Menjou as a ' wealthy, supercilious foreigner. "Morocco" i possesses just sufficient of-the bizarre and the picturesque to strike a new note in | screen entertainment. | "TONS OF MONEY." Ralph Lynn, a prominent member of the talented cast of Aldwych Theatre piay- I j ers, is at his best in "Tons of Money," j the Elstree production to follow | ; "Morocco" at the Regent Theatre on Fri- j 1 day. From the pen of Ben 1 ravers, "Tons of Money" is regarded by some j critics as even moro deliciously humorous ; 1 than were Ins "Rookery Nook" and "Plun-! der." Tho. film was directed by the noted j 1 actor-producer Mr. lom Walls and the supporting cast includes Mary Brough, the inimitable housekeeper of "Rnokerv ; Nook'' and "Plunder," and Yvonne , Arnaud,. the termagant widow of "On Approval." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Adolphe Menjou, the polished aclor of innumerable silent films, Leila Hyams, of " The Big House" and " Part-time Wife." and Norman Foster are the three central characters of "Men Call it Love," Iho sophisticated society drama at the Majestic Theatre. The story concerns the matrimonial relations of a young couplo who, born into and moving in the false gaiety of a ' smart set," gradually drift apart through an unfortunate train of incidents. As a. debonair conqueror of women's hearts, who turns out to be of finer calibre than is apparent at, first, Menjou gives a flawless characterisation of the type in the depiction of which lie has no peer. STRAND THEATRE. A successful endeavour to break new ground in screen technique is made in " Not Exactly Gentlemen," a racy, swiftly moving adventure-romance based on a novel bv " Buffalo Bill," now at the Strand Theatre. Victor McLaglen, as a " two-fisted" Canadian adventurer; Lew Cody, as a nonchalant Mississippi gambler; and Eddie Gribbon, as a benighted Texas horse ihief, are three " rough diamonds," whose plan io defraud a winsome Virginian girl of her goldmine is brought to nought by their genuine respect for her. Fay Wray makes a charming heroine. NATIONAL THEATRE. Those who enjoy the superior type of ■ musical comedy should revel in " Follow Thru'," the delightful technicolour_ film at the National Theatre which reintroduces Charles Rogers and Nancy Carroll, the appealing lovers of "Close Harmony. Dealing with the game of golf, the film is a succession of delightful episodes in which there is a generous leaveninc of humour. The musical score includes a number of entrancing songs, including "A Poach of a Pair," "It Must Be You" and " Button Up Your Overcoat." It is such a long time since a musical romance in colour has been screened in Auckland that " Follow Thru' " is most welcome. PLAZA THEATRE. The unusual story of " Millie," which is being screened at the Plaza Theatre, is attracting considerable attention. Ihe promising young actress Helen Twelvetrees is excellent in a difficult dramatic part, which deals with a woman's sacrifice and her resolve to punish men. Robert Ames, James Hall, Lilyan Tashman, Joan Blondell and John Halliday are other players in tho picture. Ihe supporting programme includes an amusing comedy and a cartoon. TIVOLI AND RLALTO THEATRES. Unrestrained comedy is the keynote of " Charley's Aunt," the rollicking film version of the successful silent film, which continues to delight audiences at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres. Oharlps Euggles gives an inimitable performance of tlio ingenious university student who impersonates an obscure aunt from Brawl in order to provide a chaperone at a tea party given by two fellow students. From the opening scene until tho final curtain tjiei'O is not a dull moment in the film, which is perhaps the most amusing of its type seen in Auckland. LYRIC THEATRE. Ruth Chatterton gives a characteristic portrayal in "The Better Wife, at the Lyric Theatre this evening, as a woman endeavouring to prove worthy of her socially superior husband. " Queen High," also to be shown, is a delightful musical comedy. CRYSTAL PALACE. " Forward March," with Buster Keaton in the leading role, and Zane Grey's " Fighting Caravans," with Gary Cooper and Lily Damita, will bo shown at the Crystal Palaco Theatre this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. One of the best of the pioneering epics to have reached the talking screen, i " Cimarron " will head the programme at the Empress Theatre to-day. Richard Dix is splendid as a steadfast attorney-editor, Yancey Cravat, and Irene Dunno is a ! charming heroine. ! EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. " Ex-flame," to h>*ad the programme at ■ tho Epsom Regent Theatre this evening, ' is a modernised version of Mrs. Henry i Wood's " East Lynne." A second picture is " The Rampant Age." | ALEXANDRA THEATRE. A modernised version of Mrs. Henry Wood's love drama " East Lynne " is , being shown at the Alexandra Theatre ' under the title " Ex-flame." " Ihe Rampant Age'" is » second pictur®.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. - Joan Crawford's dramatic acting is a striking foaturo of " Within tho Law," which will be screened for three more days at St. James' Theatre. The production has enjoyed a successful season and the sfory, which deals vvit4i tho life of Mary Turner, a girl who is wrongfully imprisoned, is well interpreted. Miss Crawford is supported by an unusually good cast, including Marie Prevost, Kent Douglas, John Miljan and Tyrell Davis. Tho supporting programme includes news reels, a comedy and musical presentations. "EAST LYNNE." A, remarkably fine cast was assembled for tlie production of the Fox Film version of the famous British drama, "East Lynne," which will begin a season at St. James' Theatre on Friday. " East Lynne" was first presented on tho stage 58 years ago, and the role of the heroine is one of the best-known in the British theatre. This part is played in the film production by Ann Harding and her performance has been the subject of considerable praise. Clive Brook and Conrad Nagel have leading parts, and others in the cast are Beryl Mercer, David Torrente, 0. P. Heggio and Cecilia Loft us. An interesting aspect of the film is that the producers have made every effort to reproduce ' the atmosphere of Victorian England.