ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC Tl lEATRE. "The Cuban Love' Song," in which the robust singer Lawrence Tibhetl repeats the success that was his in "The Prodigal," will begin a season ;il, the Majestic Theatre to-day. It is a rollicking ad-venture-romance. of the United Slates Marines, set amid the tropics. Mr. 'libliett. is excellent as the most care-free of a trio of nonchalant marines, the other two of whom arc portrayed with zest by Jimmy Durante and Ernest Torrence, the specious "crooks" of "'I he New Adventures of llet-nch-qtiick YVallingford. (It her notable members of the cast arc liiipe Vele/., the bewitching Mexican actress of " The Squaw Man," in the part of the fascinating Nenila; Karen Morley. pretty ingenue of " Politics," who brings austere beauty to the part, of the dashing, devil-may-care hero's unhappy fiancee; Louise Kazenda and Hale Hamilton. 'J he romantic story is a skilful blending of music and laughter, and all the songs are introduced logically and without impeding the pace of the jovial story. Mr. lib bolt's numbers include " From the Halls of Montezuma," "Tramps ol the Sea and " The Cuban Love Song." Miss Vele/. sings the original Cuban version of "'I he Peanut Vendor," and 'I orrence and Durante are also heard in a medley of comic songs.

PLAZA Til EAT I? E. The sophisticated screen comedy of manners has been presented at its best in " Lonely Wives," the scintillating lilm to end its season at the Plaza 'theatre this evening. Edward Everett Horton is inimitable, as he. ever is. and Esther Ralston, Laura la Planto and Patsy Ruth Miller are delightful leading ladies. " FRIENDS AND LOVERS." An unusually talented cast of artists plays in " Friends and Lovers," the distinctive film version of Maurice Dekobra's novel " The Sphinx Has Spoken," to succeed " Lonely Wives" nt the. Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Adolphe Menjou is excellent as an English otlicer whose affection for his comrade-in-arms (Laurence Olivier) withstands the deceit of their common inamorata, played with enticing allure by Lily .Damita, seen in silent pictures with Ronald ("ol man. Michael Orme says: " The strongest portrayal is that of Erich von Slroheim, who makes a brief appearance as the lady's blackmailing husband—a part he endows with cynical power. Frederick Kerr once again is wholly delightful." REGENT THEATRE.

The dry wit of George Arliss is as delightful as ever in "The Millionaire." now at the Regent Theatre, in which lie plays his first modern role. 'I he film is enjoying phenomenal popularity. Critics aver that Mr. Arliss rises to even greater heights than he did in either "Disraeli" or "Old English." An English reviewer says: " 'The Millionaire' will win your heart. It is light, airy, gossamer-like. It is one of the pleasant films I have seen. George Arliss is completely lovable in the part of an ageing motor magnate who refuses to be molly-coddled. Florence Arliss also gives a typically appealing performance. Here is a film that just invites you to enjoy it. and it is so charming that you cannot fail to do so."

STRAND THEATRE. "The Common Law," iri which Constance Bennett portrays a woman made the victim of harsh circumstance, now being shown at the Strand 1 lieatre, is a picture of undoubted popular appeal. Splendidly acted and lavishly staged it treats an exacting subject with delicacy and good taste. All the other players pi ve good performances. There are Joel McCrca, an altogether likable hero; Lew Cpdv, who revels in the part of a constantly inebriated man-of-fushion; and the late Robert Williams. NATIONAL THEATRE. "Finn and Hattie" (Leon Erroll and Zasu Pitts) and "City Streets," in which Gary Cooper and Svlvia Sidney appear, will be shown finally at the National Theatre, this evening. They are both splendid films of their type. Fredric March, last seen in "The Roval Family of Broadway," and Claudette Colbert, of "The Smilincr Lieutenant." are the, principals iti "Honour Aiming Lovers." (o head the new programme to-morrow. It was directed by Dorothy Arzncr. TIVOLI AND EMPRESS THEATRES. A dramatic story of a ruthless miscarriage of 'o save a nation's honour is recounted in " Dreyfus," to head thi programmes at the Tivoli and Empress Theatres to-dav. The title role is magnificently acted by Cedric Hardwicke. The powerful Zola of George Merritt, the grave and sensitive Colonel Pieqnart of Charles Carson and the dynamic Labori of Sam Livesev are historical characters excellently port rayed. LONDON THEATRE. Winnie Light tier, the boisterous comedienne of innumerable films, who appears in "Sit Tight," has an admirable foil in .Too E. Brown, a comedian with a large month. The picture heads the uproariously funny comedy programme now being presented at the London Theatre. "Her Private Affair" (Ann Harding) and " The Big Pond." in which Maurice Chevalier appears, will comprise tho new programme to-morrow.

CIVIC THEATRE. The final performances of " Silence," in which (.'live Brook forsakes his usual type of characterisation for that of a criminal, will be given at the Civic Theatre to-day. ft, will bp replaced tomorrow by 'i heoflore Dreiser s drama, "An American Tragedy." EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Ralph Graves and Jack Holt, genial rivals of many films, continue their association in " A Dangerous Affair," to head the programme at tho Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. Sally Blano is the heroine. LYRIC THEATRE. " Pardon Us " (Laurel and Hardy) and " Scandal Sheet," a highly dramatic story of newspaper life, comprise the two main films at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Gcorgo Bancroft appears in the latter. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Edmund Bowe and Bois ]\loran appear in " The Spider," lo be shown with " Their Mad Moment " at the Prince Edward Theatre to-dav. Warner Baxter and Dorothy Mackaili are the principals in the latter. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Fannie Hurst's " Five and 'len, ' with Marion Da vies. Leslie Howard and Kent Douglass, will be presented with " Smart Woman" (Mary Astor) at tho Crystal Palace Theatre' this evening. RTABTO THEATRE. The film version of Fannie Hurst's novel " Five and Ten," in which Marion Davies and Leslie Howard appear, will be screened with " Heartbreak" at the Rialto Theatre this evening. Charles Farroll and Madge Evans are tho leading players in the latter.

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY. " The, Constant Nymph" lins been chosen by tlio J>i 1 <Jc Theatre Suciolv fo open its 1932 .sonson. A cast ol 24 characters is to be chosen.

ST. JAMES" THEATJfE. " Politics," the excellent extravaganza of small-town graft and political engineering," will end a fortnight's season at St. James' Theatre this evening. Mane Dressier is superb ns a sharp tongued landlady with a ready-made philosophy persuhded by flic frantic women of the community to contest ihe mayoralty. " SI'S \N r J.FA'OX. llKit FALL AXD RISE." Greta (Jnrlio and Clark Uabln are. to '■ get her on the screen for the first time in " Susan Lenox, Tier I'nil and Rise, to replace " Politics" at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. It is the tragic story of >i ! woman cheated I>v ;i cruel trick of fate. I hased on the sensational novel bv David i (!ralnim Phillips, which provoked a storm iof criticism when i! was published years ago. Some vears later Hip auth"i I was sho7 dead in New York bv a crank, who said that be had libellpd American j womanhood. I lie story describes the ! carppr of a fanner's daughter who is | forced to mnnv a man from whom slip j runs awav to New York, whore, she i struggles to earn an honest living. In ! addition to the two leading players flip ! «ist inchnlps John Miljnn. the sinister ! criminal of " Politics," and Jean Hersholf. I noted character actor.

ROXY THEATRE. Richard Pix ("The Public ppfender'M gives another dynamic characterisation in "Secret Service'," the engrossing drama of the American Civil War. which becan a season at the Poxy Theatre yesterday. He is magnificent in the part of a Union spy, who. donning the Confederate garb, enters enemy territory and is instrumental in discovering valuable information. Shirley Gray brings demure charm to the part of (he heroine, the sister of a yonnsi man who is rescued by the. spv. 'I be director has achieved a line swppp of action and I here are numerous splendid scenes of nigjcd grandeur. Other members of th.) cast, are Gavin Gordon and Nance O'Neil.