ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Transatlantic," the, uncommonly lino film to begin a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day, is a melodrama with all the -virtues—superb direction, imaginative photography, excellent- acting and remarkable pictorial speed. It is a story fdled with mystery and romance amid the pulsating life on an ocean liner which, however, steers clear of the. shoals of false sentiment and incredulity. But with Mr. William K. Howard at the helm and such players as Edmund Lowe, Lois Moran, Jean Hersholt, Greta Nissen and Myrna Lov among the crew, how could it be otherwise? For not only is Mr. Howard a director of ingenuity, but he has also the, gift, of imagination. The London Times savs: "As the passe.ngers board the liner Transatlantic, we of the audience seem to he part of the bustling, excited throng bound for Europe, and as the gongs arc beaten and the bells set ringing and the ship leaves the quay we share, the general thrill of pleasure in the prospect of a voyage across the Atlantic. I . . . Well-nigh every opportunity that | a liner gives the camera is zestfully , taken." I'LAZA THEATRE. "Hot Curves'* is tlie title of the entertaining film which heads the fine doublefeature programme to be shown for the first, time at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The second attraction is "The Last Company," in which the celebrated character actor Conrad Veidt gives one of the finest j performances of his carter. Hilarious comedy incorporating a delightful love interest is the keynote of "Hot Curves," which is chiefly notable for the ready wit of Benny Rubin, the resourceful Hebrew comedian of the musical comedy "Present Arms." He will probably be more favourably remembered, however, for his inimitable performance in a colortone revue entitled "Pirates," in which lie sang "I Am a Pirate Bold" in a male alio voice, with ludicrously funny effect. Other accomplished members of the cast are Alice Day. a favourite of the silent screen; Natalie Moorehead, last seen in "The Phantom of Paris" ; Paul Hurst and Rex Lease. Ret against a baseball background, "Hot Curves" deals with the sudden success of a youthful player, and the effect it has on his opinion of himself and his relations with his former lover. Mr. Rubin has the part of the errant youth's steadfast if somewhat unorthodox henchman and mentor. STRAND THEATRE. Scintillating wit and delightful satire characterise the, two excellent films now being shown at the Strand Theatre. "The Royal Family of Broadway" is the film version of Edna Ferber's and Ceorge Kaufman's delightful skit on actors and their whims. It is distinguished by the remarkably fine acting of Ina Claire, wife of John Gilbert; Henrietta Crosman, a veteran stage actress, as the imperious head of the "Cavendish" family; and Frederic March, who gives an inimitable burlesque of the two famous Barrymore brothers, John and Lionel. Moreover, il gives Mary Brian, usually merely ihe demure object of a fearless cowboy's gallantry, an opportunity for some real acting. She acquits herself -well as the youngest of the Cavendishes, who becomes caught up in the family tradition. Louise Fazenda, Edna May Oliver, Mitzi Green and Jackie Searle appear in "Forbidden Adventure." the screen version of j Sinclair Lewis' "Let's Plav King." I ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The enchanting screen operetta by Sigi rr.und Romberg and Oscar Ha.mmerst.ein | 11.. "Viennese Nights." is assured of a j successful return season at St. James' j Theatre. It would be well-nigh imposI sible not to be captivated by the cntranc- ; ing music, the infinitely pathetic story of ! thwarted love, and the artistic settings amid the glamour and charm of ;olden ' Vienna. The piece is admirably acted. \ ivienne Segal superb ias a voting ; woman forced by her grasping "father j (Jean Hersholt) to marry a man she does not love, and there is a talented support - ] ing cast. Besides the wonderful music j of "Viennese Nights" there is a wistfully j appealing story of blighted love, which | j blossoms anew in the happy romance of j j a later generation, delightful relieving | touches of humour and acting which ; reaches a high plane of excellence, j " LONDON THEATRE. ; "Daddy Longlegs," the talking screen i version of Jean Webster's delightful ro- : ma nee of an orphan drudge and her i shadowy benefactor, will be shown firij ally at the London Theatre this evenj ing after a phenomenal season of over j | four -weeks in Auckland. Janet Gavnor j I has won the admiration of everyone who | has seen her sincere and unaffected porI trayal of Judy Abbott. Warner Baxter, ! the kindly ,Tei-vis Pendleton in "Daddy Longlegs." portrays a vastly different typp of role in "Renegades." the drama of the French Foreign Legion, to head the • new programme, to-morrow. It is | an impelling story of retribution. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. I Grim realism is the dominating theme j j of "The Secret Six." the vivid melodrama of the prohibition situation in the United States, which will head to-day's pro--1 gramme, at the Prince Edward Theatre. Wallace Beery. Lewis Stone, Jean Harlow, Clark Gablo and Marjorie Rambeai i are the principals. Mr. Beery gives a j particularly fme performance, j ' EPSOM REGENT THEATRE, j "Too Many Cooks," to be shown with ! "Three Who Loved" at, the. Epsom Re- ! gent Theatre this evening, casts Bert ! Wheeler and Dorothy Lee in appealingly I romantic roles. Conrad Nagel. Robert | Ames and Bettv Compson appear in j "Three Who Loved." ~ EMPRESS THEATRE. Leo Tolstoy's vivid drama, of regeneraj tion. "Resurrection," in which John j Boles and Lupe Vclez are principals, will | head to day's -programme at the Empress I Theatre. The intensely dramatic story | has been convincingly presented. j ' RI ALTO THEATRE, i Robert Woolsey deftly blends pathos and humour in his portrayal of a charlatan side-show proprietor in "Everything's Rosie," to head the programme lat the Rialto Theatre this evening. | Richard Dix's "The Public Defender" will also be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Jcanette Mac Donald is a fascinating character in "Annabelle's Affairs." in which she appears with Victor McLaglan and Roland Young at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Buster Keaton's "Parlour, Bedroom and Bath" is a second film. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Victor McLaglen and "Edmund I,owe portray Flagg and Quirt in "Women of All Nations," to be presented with "Once a Sinner" al the Britannia Theatre this evening. Dorothy Mackaill is the leading lady. LYRIC THEATRE. Marion Da vies plays a typical madcap role in "It's a Wise Child," the main film to be shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA. Lawrence Tibbett. Roland Young and Cliff Edwards appear as three tramps in "The Prodigal," the artistic film ot the Southern States of America, which will head this evening's programme at the Tudor Cinema.

NATIONAL THEATRE. The colourful period immediately following the American Civil War is the setting for " The Conquering Hovde," to j commence a season with " Up Pops the | Devil " at the National Theatre to-day. ! It. is an invigorating story of the. wide open spaces in which Richard Allen acts | with his accustomed easy manner as a secret Government agent engaged in thwarting the activities of unscrupulous ! lawyers guilty of sharp practices in land transactions. Fay Wray, the demurely beautiful actress of "The Texan," "Not Exactly Gentlemen," and " Dirigible." is a thoroughly charming heroine. In addition to the pleasant romantic story the. picture is notable for spectacular scenes of stampeding cattle on the wide expanse of the prairies. A -modern story is delightfully told in "Up Pops the Devil," the second film. It is played by a cast of talented comedy artists. There are Carole Lombard, Lilyan Tashman, Skeets Gallagher, Stuart Erwin and Norman Foster, it, deals with the adventures and misadventures of several of " the smart set " of a largo city. REGENT THEATRE. " Mother's Millions," the riotously funny but at the same time infinitely pathetic story of a feminine '' Grumpy " who continually amazes hardened business men by her astonishing financial acumen, to be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day, has reached the ninth week of its season in Sydney. That gives j some indication of its immense popular- j ity. May Robson, a brilliant stage actress of 47 years' experience, gives a j magnificent portrayal of an eccentric but j innately lovable dowager so pre occupied ! with tFie worries of finance that she at- I tempts to introduce into her household i the same ruthless tactics she employs, with her Wall Street rivals. The character she portrays has been described as j the feminine counterpart of Cyril i Maude's "Grumpy," and has also been! likened to a number of portrayals given j by Marie Dressier. Hilarious comedy and ' tender pathos have been mingled in a j manner to which few who see the film! will fail to respond. It is an admirable j story, TIVOLI THEATRE. Frederick Lonsdale's specially-written ! photoplay, "The Devil to Pay.'' which j will begin a short season at the Tivolt I Theatre this evening, presents Ronald j Colrnan in a role which suits him admir- ! ably. lie appears as the scapegrace son j of an irascible English lord, played by i Frederick Kerr, who had a similar part iri I "Raffles." Loretta Young is the heroine | and Paul Cavanagh is an urbane Grand < Duke Paul. "The Devil to Pay" is the j modern screen comedy at its best. "A GREEK SLAVE" FINISHING, j The final performances of the attrac- j I tive. musical extravaganza, "A Greek I j Slave," • will be given by the Amateur | Operatic Society in His Majesty's Theatre this evening and to-morrow evening. Set ajnid the old-world glamour of Rome under the Flavian Emperors, it is a glittering succession of animated ensembles. vigorous choruses, riotous scenes of revelry and entrancing music. The producer is Mr. Theodore Trezise, who has trained the ballet which is a feai lure of the production. Mr. W. .7. Crowther, who has designed the costumes and scenery for the society's past producI tions, has been acting in that capacity i again. The musical side of the presentaI tion is in the capable hands of Mr. Colin j Muston. The leading lady is Miss Ethel j Rae, who was the principal in "The Abbess of Whitby." BENEFIT PANTOMIME. The funds of the Mount Eden branch ; of the Hospital Auxiliary will benefit i from the programme of vaudeville and j pantomime, including "Puss In Boots," j to be presented by Yaleska in Scots Hall ! 10-morrow evening. A feature of the perj formance will be the brilliant acrobatic I dancing. COMMUNITY SINGING. j This evening's community singing j | gathering will be held in the Town Hall | concert- chamber instead of the Lewis ' Eadv Hall. "Uncle Tom" will lead the ! singing. ! CABARET AND NOVELTY NIGHT. j A grand cabaret and novelty night, arranged by Miss Aileen Beresford in aid of the Hospital Auxiliary fund, will be | held in the Town Hall concert chamber j to-morrow evening.