ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. Robert Montgomery's ingratiating personality, which was so apparent in "Shipmates" recently, has been deftly accentuated by astute American producers fti the distinctive Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film version of 11. M. Harewood's stage success. "The Man in Possession," to be shown at the Civic Theatre to-day. P. G. Wodehouse, renowned English humorist and playright, wrote the additional dialogue and screen plav. He has done his task well. The dialogue fairly scintillates with wit. And a cast of gifted players, chiefly. English, does it full justice. Besides Mr. Montgomery, the noted cast includes Irene Purcell, who won many admirers by her appealing performance in "Dancing Pnrtner"; G. Aubrey Smith, veteran English character actor, who was also prominent in "Dancing Partner"; Beryl Mercer, remembered for a series of winning mother portrayals; Charlotte 'Greenwood, the angular and boisterous comedienne of "Parlour, Bedroom and Bath"; and a number of well-known English stage artists. The indescribably funny story of "The Man in Possession" treats of a former Cambridge University man, become bailiff's deputy, who undertakes to eject a ravishing but impoverished widow from her luxurious home. Hilarious comedy follows. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Richard Bartbelmess, popular actor of silent films, who has since appeared in "The Dawn Patrol" and "Son of the Gods," cuts a dashing figure as a Mexican Robin Hood in "The Lash," the swiftlymoving romantic drama to be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Incensed by the ruthless spoliation of large Californian holdings by invading Americans, a young scion of a noblo Mexican family sets himself up as the avenger of the humiliation suffered by his kinsfolk. Thereupon he embarks upon a remarkable career of banditry. He becomes known throughout the length and breadth of the land as Le Puma, feared and admired for his daring exploits, which make him the j terror of wrongdoers. Mary Astor, a ! screen actress of wide experience, is a i beautiful leading lady, and Marion Nixon aoGjfuits herself well in an appealing ! ingenue role. Artistically an exceptionally i high level of excellence has been achieved

STRAND THEATRE. Jean Harlow, the beautiful blonde actress who was seen to such advantage in Howard Hughes' lavish film " Hell's Angels," has a role which suits her accomplishments to perfection in "Goldie," to head the new programme at the Strand Theatre to-day. She endows with vigour and vivacity the part of an appealing but somewhat unscrupulous young " golddigger," who becomes the centre of attraction for two happy-go-lucky sailors, formerly firm friends. The two leading men are Sidney Tracy, of " Six-cylinder Love," and Warren Hymer, of "Mr Lemon of Orange." Herbert Mundin is splendid in the Fox English comedy " Immediate Possession," which will also be shown. Mr Mundin has already appeared in " The Wrong Mr. Perkins" and another equally amusing film. LONDON THEATRE. ■" The School for Scandal," which will be screened for a season beginning to-day at the London Theatre, is a picturesque and delightful all-talking screen version of Sheridan's immortal English comedy. Since it was first produced at Drury Lane in 1771, it has been enacted the wide world over and has been noted for more revivals than any other play. Concerning the first screening at London the Stage wrote: "The illustrious comedy has been elaborately mounted, gorgeously costumed and admirably acted. A splendidly realistic atmosphere has been achieved by the producer, Maurice Elvey, and a magnificent cast of British players interpret Sheridan's famous characters." PLAZA THEATRE. One of the most unpretentious and at the same time delightful entertainments seen recently, says a London critic, is " The Royal Bed," in which Lowell Sherman plays the princial role. The film, a production, will be for a season at the Plaza Theatre commencing to-day. It is a simple little comedy about a king who is dominated by his wife, his Ministers and his household. The story is slight and merely tells how the king turns the tables on those who thought that he could be led by the nose for ever. It is full of so much charm, both as to dialogue and acting, however, that it becomes in its way a real masterpiece of satirical comedy, says the writer of the review. Lowell Sherman is irresistible as the kinc. To him more than to any other member of the company must go the credit for this splendid entertainment. TIVOLI THEATRE. Those who enjoy the modern sophisticated comedv-drama at its best will revel in "The Virtuous Husband," to be shown this evening at the Tivoli Theatre. The deliciously-humorous story tells of an ultra-serious youth and a charming young woman of lovable disposition, who little anticipate the atmosphere of frigidity which, under the cruise of high principles, is to mark the first few weeks of their married life. The exalted young man's courtinp of his lover, which consists alternately of frequent and furtive references to a succession of letters on conduct [eft him bv his mother and ludicrous speeches of rhetoric, is satire at its best.

RI ALTO THEATRE. Betty Compson, a favourite of the silent screen, is called upon to interpret a highlydramatic role in " The Lady Refuses." in which she appears at the Rinlto Theatre this evening. " Men Call It Love," also to be screened, is notable for the polished portrayal of a suave but innately chivalrous philanderer given by Adolphe Menjou. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. " Tons of Money," one of the two delightful comedies to be presented at the Epsom Regent .Theatre this evening, is played principally by Ralph Lynn and Yvonne Arnaud. El Brendel is inimitable in a dual role in " Mr. Lemon of Orange." EMPRESS THEATRE. Breathless suspense is the keynote of " The Sleeping Cardinal," the excellent English mystery film in which Arthur Wontner portrays the chief role, to head this evening's programme at the Empress Theatre. "IL Pays to Advertise," a hilarious comedy, is a second film. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The -eminent English actor, Arthur Wontner, gives a splendid characterisation as Sherlock Holmes in " The Sleeping Cardinal," the distinctive English film to head the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. " Six-cylinder Love," a laughable comedy, is a second picture. TUDOR CINEMA. The glorious voices of Lawrence Tibbett and Grace Moore are heard to perfection in " New Moon," which will be shown at the Tudor Cinema this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. The commedienne Marion Davie 3 is at her best in " The Bachelor Father," at the Lyric Theatre this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. The real spirit of Mark Twain's classic of humour is caught bv " The Yankee at King Arthur's Court, ' to be shown »t the Britannia Theatre this evening.

NATIONAL OTEATRE. Maisie Gay, aptly described by soma critics as England's Marie Dressier, gives an uproariously funny characterisation as a voluble Cockney charwoman in the English farce "To Oblige a Lady," the new film at the National Theatre. It was adapted from the original by Edgar Wallace, famous English author and playwright. A thoroughly modern young married couple, having squandered the money given them by a pompous busi- - ness magnate, find their ingenuity severely taxed to convey an impression of affluence during a visit of their worthy benefactor. They acquire a small but luxuriously furnished flat and proceed to stock it with servants. Their inexperience, however, lands them in a sorry plight, and in desperation they engage the artful and loquacious Mrs. Harris as cook. That sets the ball rolling. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. The beautiful Swedish actress Greta Garbo gives a sincerely emotional portrayal in the outstanding film " Inspiration," to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evsning. She reaches heights of dramatic power in her characterisation of a woman who seeks to fight her way to a clearer and better life against tha retarding influences of the past; Winnie Lightner repeats previous successes in " The Life of the Party," also to be screened. AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA. A bright and enjoyable programme was presented in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening, when the Aeolian Orchestra gave the third concert of its tenth season under the direction of Mr. G. T. Lee. The opening numbers by the orchestra consisted of two well-known items. Blankenburg's stirring march, "The Gladiator's Farewell,' 1 and Handel's "Occasional Overture," which were given an excellent performance. A string selection, comprising two Bach gavottes, was followed by a brilliant rendering of the concert waltz,'"Flirtation." A novel popular number was the selection from "Show 80a.';," the musical play composed bv Jerome Kern. Handel's March from "Scipio," which followed, was played in a rousing and invigorating fashion, and this was followed by an intermezzo, Ketelby's "Bells Across the Meadow," in which the bell solo was taken by Mr. W. Debenham. The concluding numbers by the orchestra were a transcription of Ethelbert Nevin's song, "The Rosary," and an orchestral arrangement of Schubert's "Marche Militaire," which brought the programme to a brilliant close. Interspersed with the orchestral numbers were several items by soloists. Two attractive songs were given by Miss Patricia McLeod, who sqjig "Churmant Oiseau," from David's "Pearl of .'Brazil," and Henschel's "Spring." Mr. F. Sutherland gave two vigorous bass solos, Sir Ganville Bantcck's "Captain Harry Morgan" and McCall's "Boots." A pianoforte solo, Chopin's Ballade in G Minor, by Miss Edna Tye, completed the programme. Miss Maida Hooker was an efficient and sympathetic accompanist.