ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee at the Court of King Arthur," bow being shown at. the Civic. Theatre, is an ideal medium for the humour of Will Rogers, "America's cheeriest philosopher." He revels in the part of Hank, a materialistic small-town radio announcer, who by a strange metamorphosis is transplanted to 'the semi-barbarous antiquity ol sixth century Britain. His ousting of Merlin as chief magician of the realm of King Arthur by means of a common cigar lighter and with the aid of a convenient total eclipse of the sun, his introduction oi modern factories and service stations for armoured knights, * and his timely rescue oi the King's daughter are a few of the many incongruous incidents which enable Mi*. Rogers to make a tilt at rxsanv conventions both ancient and modern. 1 - I j " ALWAYS COOD-BYE." Elissa Landi, the European actress who ! won many admirers by her superb por- ! f.raval in "Body and Son!," with Charles-j Farrell recently, will be eagerly awaited j in her second Hollywood production j "Always Good-bve." to follow "A Connec- j tienfc Yankee at the Court of King j Arthur" at the Civic Theatre on Friday, j With her charm and dramatic talent j skilfully accentuated by astute American 1 producers. Miss Landi is a clamorous j character as the companion of a plausible : rogue. One noted critic says, " 'Always j Good-bye* is easy to look at, and, since ! nearly ail the voices arc English, easy | to listen to. Miss Landi. groomed to i perfection, is cnivalrously supported bj Paul Cavanagh, Lewis Stone and Fred- j crick Kerr." REGENT THEATRE. Just as 'Flight" and "Submarine" were j epics of certain aspects of modern science j and invention, so Frank Capra s third film i of this class, "Dirigible (Regenu j Theatre), surpasses any other spectacle , of its type. A ceaselessly moving pano- : rama of high adventure, valiant endeavour , and hazardous exploration, the story is ; depicted with an air of realism which has all the substance of authenticity. The ; aerial scenes especially are superbiy done, j Few more enthralling scenes have reached ; the screen than tnose showing the breaking up of a giant dirigible in mid-air and its headlong descent into the stormtossed waters of the Caribbean Sea. Jack Holt, Ralph Graves and Fay Wrayail act admirably. Mr. Holt is well suited to his part as the friend of *x darc-devia airman 'who tends to neglect his patient j wife for the plaudits of a fickle populace. | No more dashing actor than Sir. Craves I could have been selected for the roie of ! the adventure-seeking transcontinental I pilot. Fay Wray conveys an impression | of infinite tenderness as the desperate I but later contrite wife, i | JACKIE COOGAN FOR REGENT, j Jackie Cocgan, famous as a child actor, | who is now 1/ years cid, will maKe his j first talking picture appearance at the i Regent Theatre on Friday in an extremely ! «hrewd adaptation of Mark Twain's classic i of American boyhood, "Tom Sawyer." Catering especially for school children darin- the holidays, the management will present this film in the mornings and afternoons. "Honour Among Lovers wul bo shown at the evening sessions. PLAZA THEATRE. Drama and romance are both iraprescnted in the two films to be shown again at the Plaza Theatre to-day. In " The Chinese Bungalow," an English funi, Matheson Lang gives an impressive portrayal of ail inscrutable Chinese mandarin, who, having adopted Western modes and customs, is incited to cruelty and revenge when on his unexpected return to his bungalow he discovers his European wife in the arms of an English lover. Without betraying his innermost feelings of jealousy, the sinister I Oriental insidiously works toward _ his i goal. His solution of the intricate problem which develops 15 highly dramatic. The exotic charm of the South Seas of popular imagination lends enchantment to Paradise Island," the second* film. It is notable for the appearance in talking pictures of Marceline Day, one of'the favourite actresses ot the silent screed.

LONDON THEATRE. Enthusiastic audiences at the London Theatre continue to enjoy the English nautical comedy "The Middle ' Watch, adapted from the stage success by lan Hav (John Hav Beit ill and Stephen King-Hall. It is the modern English farce in its nlosfc deliciouslv humorous form. Dealing with the adventures and misadventures of two girls marooned on a warship owiiiff to the breakdown of the picket-boat, the laughable story is splendidly interpreted by Dcdo "Watts, Jacqueline Logan, Owen Nares and Jack Raine. The season is approaching iis close. STRAND THEATRE. Dorothy Mackail is an engaging leading lady in ."Strictly Modern" which is being presented with "Conspiracy" at the Strand Theatre this week. Miss Mackail endows with consideraoie charm the part of a thoroughly modern authoress who persuades her coterie of equally enlightened associates to fashion their mode of Ufa upon the somewhat artificial philosophy of her novels. Countless complications ensue. " Conspiracy "is distinfinished by a logical plot, a completely unexpected denouement and excellent acting. The leading players are Bessie Love, who does surprisingly well in a difficult dramatic role, and Tom Santschi, who makes a sinister villain. TIVOLI THEATRE. Ralph Lynn, the accomplished comedian of "Rookery Nook," "Canaries Sometimes Sing"* and "Plunder." portrays four immensely funny characters in "Tons of Mcnev." to be shown finally at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. He appears as a care-free man of fashion beset on all sides by insistent creditors whose dire threats, 'however, leave him totally unperturbed. Yvonne Arnaud is the leading lady. LYRIC THEATRE. Charles Chaplin is seen in a part, com-: bining pathos and humour in " City Lights," the distinctive film which will head the programme at the Lyric Theatre this evening. " Little Accident" will also be shown. GREY LYNN CINEMA. "Sit Tight," with Joe E. Brown, and "The Lady Who Dared" (Billie Dove) will comprise the main films to be screened at the Grey Lynn Cinema this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Items by the Ponsonbv Boys' Band and tile films "A Gentleman's Fate" and "Sinners' Holiday" comprise the entertainment at the Britannia Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA. Ernst Lubistch's lavish musseal romance "Monte Cax*lo,'. ! with Jeanette M;icDonald and Jack Buchanan, heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema this evening, VICTORIA THEATRE. ! Elissa Landi and Charles Farrell api pear in. "Body and Soul r to be _ shown, at the" Victoria Theatre this evening.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "No Limit," in jvhich Clara Bow acts vivaciously, and " Gun Smoke/' an exhilarating outdoor adventure-romance. with Richard: Arlen in the principal part, comprise the two main films at the National Theatre this week. ao Limit • . is s fast-moving drama of tnodern _uty life in which an unsuspecting girl (Miss Bowl is made the unwitting accomplice of a band of criminals. The supporting cast includes Stuart Erwm, Norman Foster and Harry Green. Gun Smoke shows Arlen in a typical role as a hardriding cowboy whose efforts to dissuade his winsome "feminine employer from beine duped by a plausible city business man are temporarily unavailing. Mary Brian is the heroine. - ST. JAMES' THEATRE.. Grim satire and sardonic humour .pervade " The Secret Six," at St. James Theatre, an impelling indictment of the corruption and which one is told have Chicago in their toils. It is borne alonii on a note of ruthless realism. Convincing acting raises the melodramatic theme to a high level. Wallace Beery s portrayal of an uncouth slaughterman turned terrorist "monarch" is .an incisive caricature and the acting of the other | principals is equally convincing. Clark ! Gable, the "racketeer" in "Dance, Fools, j Dance," gives a goc-d study of a high- | minded journalist. John sfack _ Browa [ acts naturally as his more gailible fellow- | reporter, and Jean Harlow plays a cumI cult role with poise. .. Tense drama is I the keynote of " Three Faces East," to ! replace" " The Secret Six" on Fridav. ! Constance Bennett, of " Son of the Gods' j and " Common Clay." "and Eric von I Siroheim, last seen in " Hell's Angels. * ; are the leading players. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Ramon Novarro, the dashing actor of I "Ben Hur," "In Gay Madrid" and "Call ! of the Flesh." and Helen Chandler, the | leading lady in "Dracnla," are wholly de- ! lightful and romantic in " Daybreak," j now being presented at the Majestic i Theatre Novarro cuts a debonair figure I ag a care-free lieutenant who has no com- | punction about winning the love of a | pretty and ingenuous muaie teacher and | then informing her oi his' betrothal to a | wealthy heiress. "Blotto" is the title of i an amusing Laurel and Hardy comedy in • j which this comical pair nm riot in an | extremely laughable domestic farce. The | lugubrious Laurel, as a cowed husband, is ! an admirable foil for his more rotund j accomplice /Hardy), who iil-advisedly I urges a policy of passive resistance. There ; is also a varied news' reel. •:

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. ■ Ruth Chatterton, who has few peers in the art of portraying disillusioned woman-, hood, acts splendidly in "The Right to Love," to head the programme at tha Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. In the dual role of-an unhappy mother and her unfettered daughter, she is called upon for some intensely dramatic acting, but she is always more than equal to her RIALTQ THEATRE. "Tons of Money," in which Ralph' Lvnn, Yvonne A maud and others oi the famous Aldwych Theatre players, axe tha leading artists, will be shown with "Tha Lightning Flyer" at the Rialto Theatre this evening. The latter is a thrilling railroad melodrama in which,-fast action dominates tiie story. Jame3 Hall, of "Hell's Angels," is the hero. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Meet the Wife," with Laura La Plante and Claude Ailister, and "The Sky ; Raiders" will be presented at the Epsom I Regent Theatre this' evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. " | "Morocco," with Marlene Dietrich, Gary I Croper and Adolphe Menjcu, is the roam him" at the Empress Theatre to-day.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Warner Gland's "Charlie Chan Carries On" is the main picture to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-dy. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE, Variety will be the essence or the programme of well-chosen items to fee presented in the Town Hall this evening in aid of local charities. It is under ,tht» auspices of the United Social Workers' Association. An item which should prove popular is a performance by " Tho Great Raymond," hypnotist, who will depict some of the humorous aspects of his art. There will be a wrestling contest between Tom Alley and the " Masked Marvel," the winner*to be matched against Kins Elliot. There will be many solos and" music bv an orchestra under Mr. Whitford Waugh. CHILDREN'S MUSIC FESTIVAL. The first of the two concerts of th# music festival to be • given by the choirs of the combined primary and secondary schools will be held in the Town Hail ihis evening. The pro,gramme this evening will be presented by the primary schools, and to-morrow evening's performance will comprise items by secondary school pupils. Mr. E. Yarley Hudson will be the conductor this evening. No effort has been spared during rehearsals and everything points to delightful entertainment. —I ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR. About 70 singers will take part in the recital to be given by the Royal. Auckland Choir in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. There will also bo several solos by talented artists. Booking arrangements are advertised. HOLY NAME SOCIETY'S CONCERT. The annual concert organised by the Holy Name Society was held in the Town Hall last evening, there being a large attendance. A long and. varied programme was provided, opening with Tocaben's march. "The CupifWinner," and Seredv's selection, "A Brinch of Shamrocks," both played by tile Sacred Heart College Orchestra, conducted by Mr. H. C. Engel. Many contributing artists tcok part and a solo- with 'cello obligate, Gor-ing-Thomas' "A Summer Night," played by Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hillyer, was particularly well received. Humorous items were given by Mr. Alan McElwaia and Mr. James Fox, Miss Nancye Hanfling played Wieniawski's "Legende" as a violin 'solo, and Bembefg's "Nymphs and Fauns." which was sum*: by Miss Winifred Hill, ■ was%nother popular number. Mr. J.- William Bailey and Mr. A. Lister gave able characterisations in a one-act play, "Ha Dines Alone." The pupils or St. Joseph's Convent and of St. Benedict's School sang several choruses, a number of girl pupils appeared in a fonrhanded reel, and Misses K. league and P. Alilridge in a clog waltz.