ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21086, 21 January 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIO THEATRE. . Cyril Maude ("Grumpy") is excellent in the part of an impecunious English colonel, living by his wits and his son-in-law's generosity, in the brilliant film version of Michael Arlen's biting satire on the foibles of English Mayfair society, "These Charming People," which will end its season at the Civic Theatre this evening. Godfrey Tcarle and Nora Swinburne also appear. "NIGHT NURSE." Barbara Stanwyck ("The Miracle "Woman") and Clark Gable, the screen's newest leading man, bead a notable cast of players in "Night Nurse," the unusual film to succeed "These Charming People" afc the Civic Theatre to morrow. Others aro Ben Lyon, as a weak-willed youth; Joan Blonaell, a petulantly vivacious comedienne, who contributes delightful humour; Charles Winniger and Blanche Frederici. An Australian critic says: " 'Night Nurse' may bo classed as excellent without hesitation. It is a drama, melodrama and comedy all rolled into one. When this reviewer saw the picture it held the audience intensely interested, gave them a fright and the next minute had them roaring with laughter. Miss Stanwyck is superb as a probationary nurse, who, having graduated, is placed in charge of a private case, only to find that she has stumbled across a hotbed of heartless, ruthless fiends." PLAZA THEATRE. "Other People's Sins," the fine English mystery-drama which will end its season at the Plaza Theatre this evening, is notable for the excellent acting of Horace Hodges, Anno Grey and Stewart Rome, and the direction of Sinclair Hill. There is a delightful surprise at the end. TWO NEW FILMS FOR PLAZA. "The Mystery of Marriage," a remarkable film, described by one English critic as "a picture with a distinct appeal for the more intelligent film-goer," and "Glamour," a modern comedy-drama in which Seymour Hicks and Margot Grahame appear, will comprise the new programme at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Writing of the first, Mr. G. A. Atkinson, former critic of the London Daily Telegraph, says: "Nature's thousand-and-one ways of securing the continuity of the species are illustrated in this film with extraordinary camera skill, and the wizardries of the director's wand in the sphere of sex-appeal among all gradations of life, from the humblest thing- that moves to man himself, are a revelation of the potentialities of creation, as well as the resources of photographic genius." It was directed by Miss Mary Fields, who did such brilliant work in the British Instructional Company's "Secrets of Nature" series. " THE MIRACLE WOMAN." Barbara Stanwyck gives a superb emotional portrayal in Frank Capra's film version of " The Miracle Woman," to be shown at the Crystal Palace, Tivoli, and Empress Theatres to-day. She is magnificent as a young girl, who, embittered by the harsh treatment meted out to her father, an elderly clergyman, trades on the gullible faith of an unknowing populace. Tlie Temple of Happiness sne establishes flourishes and prospers. In it great throngs are daily exhorted by the, girl to have faith. She is credited with every manner of spiritual power. She is the idol of the town. But she is unable to flout the knowledge that it is all an empty sham. The realisation of the baseness of her imposture is brought even more forcibly upon her by the childlike trust of a blind youth, played with boyish charm by David Manners, whose unfaltering love for her ultimately leads her to a saner outlook on life. In addition " Laughing Sinners " (Joan Crawford and Clark Gable) will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre, and " White Shoulders," with Jack Holt' and Mary Astor, at the Tivoli Theatre. ROXY THEATRE. "Shanghaied Love" and " The Deceiver" are the titles of the two invigorating melodramas which seem assured of great popularity at the Roxy Theatre, where they are being shown at present. The principals in the former are Richard Cromwell, tlie promising youth of " Tol'able David" and " Fifty Fathoms Deep"; Noah Beery, invariably excellent in menacing roles; and Sally Blanc, who is just the type of actress for the part of the heroine. STRAND THEATRE. " Tabu," the lnte F. W. Murnnu's exotic romance of unfettered love on a glamorous tropic isle, and " The Secret (/all," in which Richard Arlcn and Pegpy Shannon form a delightful leading pair, will end their season at the Strand Theatre this evening. Evelyn Brent gives a magnificent portrayal of a woman treated cruelly by fate in " Travelling Husbands," which will iiead the .new programme to-morrow. It is nn essentially modern drama of marriage and divorce. NATIONAL THEATRE. The screen drama has been presented in its most impressive form in tlie film version of Robert E. Sherwood's impelling storv of war-time London, " Waterloo Bridge," which will bo shown finally at the National Theatre this evening. The principal characters are wonderfully interpreted by Mae Clarke, Kent Douglass and Frederick Kerr. It was produced by James Whalo. LONDON THEATRE. Norma Shearer and Marie Dressier, both uncommonly fine actresses of their type, are at their best, in " Let Us Be Gay," the sophisticated comedy-drama which heads the programme at the London Theatre. The season will cud this evening. ST. JAMES* THEATRE. No one who has seen " Bad Girl," the Frank Borzagc transcription of the Vina Delmar novel, to be shown finally at St. James' Theatre this evening, can have failed to be moved by its sincerity and complete Jack of artificiality. Both tlie principals, Sally Filers and James Dunn, are excellent. LYRIC THEATRE. Warner Oland again portrays the benevolent Chinese detective of fiction created by Earl Derr Riggers in " Charlie Chan Carries On," to be shown at the Lyric Theatre this evening. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Skyline," with Thomas Meighan and Myrna Loy, will be shown with " We Dine at Seven," an hilarious Herbert Mundin comedy, at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Other films will also bo shown. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Tx)la Lane and Tom Moore, popular artists of the silent era, are the principal players in " Costello Case," to be presented with " Platinum Blonde " (Jean Harlow) at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. RIALTO THEATRE. Ralph Graves and Jack Holt, genial rivals of " Flight " and "Dirigible," continue their screen association in " A Dangerous Affair," the comedy-drama of city life to be shown at the Rialto Theatre this evening. " The Speckled Band " will be a second picture. TUDOR CINEMA. " Whaf, a Widow" (Gloria Swanson) heads the Tudor Cinema programme this evening.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Helen Hayes' future performances will bo eagerly awaited by Auckland filmgoers. Her acting in "The Sin of Madelon Claudot" ("Lullaby"), to be shown finally at the .Majestic Theatre this evening, has placed her on a pedestal among tho most distinguished actresses of the audible screen. " SURRENDER" FOR MAJESTIC. Warner Baxter, who is always at his case, no matter what character he is called upon to portray, has a colourful role in "Surrender," the distinctive film version of Pierre Bonoit's impelling novel "Axelle," which will replace "The Sin of Madelon Claudot" at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. He is splendid as a handsome young Frenchman whose spirit remains undaunted even when he is kept prisoner of war under the most nervewracking circumstances. There is an imposing array of supporting artists, including Leila Hyams, who brings exquisite beauty and very real charm to the part of tho glamorous heroine; C. Aubrey 'Smith, as an arrogant and merciless aged count obsessed by an insatiable desire for military power; Ralph Bellamy, in the part of an embittered commander of a prison, camp; Alexander Kirkland, William Pawley, Howard Phillips and Bert Hanlon. It: has been directed with deft skill by William K. Howard, the producer of "Transatlantic." RECENT THEATRE. Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Ha.nimerstein IL, the collaborators of "Viennoso Nights," have composed another masterpiece of romance and music with " Children of Dreams," which will close a successful season at the Regent Theatre this evening. In addition to tho lilting melodies and the captivating singing of Margaret Schilling, there aro gorgeous scenes of Califoniian orchards in apploblossom time. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Son of India" (Ramon Novarro) and "Skippy" (Jackio Cooper) will lie shown at the Britannia Theatre this evening. MUNCIPAL BAND. The Auckland Muncipal Band will present a popular programme at the Domain t his evening, commencing at 8 o'clock. Programmes will also be given at the Zoological Park on Sunday afternoon and at Albert Park on Sunday evening.