ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21110, 18 February 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The popular "cowboy comedian" of "They Had To See Paris" fame, Will Rogers, has a splendid role as an American ambassador to a Balkan principality in "Ambassador Bill," which will commence a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The fast-moving story opens with the ambassador's "welcome" by the two opposing forces, which stage a weekly revolution in the little kingdom. These revolutions, however, fade into insignificance compared with the revolution in court, etiquette effected by "Ambassador Hill." who teaches the boy king baseball and organises a troop of boy scouts. Another amusing scene is when Rogers is taken through the battle lines with a puritanical senator, who has been delegated to investigate his unconventional behaviour. The love interest is supplied by Marguerite Churchill and Ray Milland. a young Irishman who is comparatively new to the screen. Other prominent players are Tad Alexander, aged eight, who appears as the king, and Greta Nissen. Tho supporting production. "The Maltese Falcon," is an absorbing mystery drama, in which the vivacious Rebo Daniels is the principal. Tho cast includes Ricardo Cortex, Una Merkel and Dudley Digges. f CIVIC THEATRE. Patrons of tho Civic Theatre will ha.ve their final opportunity of seeing "Daughter of the Dragon" this evening, when it. concludes a highly-successful season. Anna May Wong is excellent in the title role. " MONKEY BUSINESS." The Four Marx Brothers enhance their world-wide reputation in "Monkey Business," which will commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. As usual Groucho, Chieo, Harpo and Zeppo pass breathlessly through a kaleidoscope of antics. The fun never halts. The opening scenes reveal the brothers as stowaways on a transatlantic liner, and, having been found concealed in four barrels labelled "kippered herring," they do everything in their power to sink the ship. They flout the captain's authority, assume the position of ship's barbers, and become ♦ho suitors of every attractive girl on the steamer. Their battle with desperate gangsters is calculated to make the most jaded critics roar with laughter. In the midst of these uproarious situations Harpo entrances the audience with delightful melodies culled, with magic touch, from a harp and Chico displays real artistry on the piano with the technique that he can alone produce. The assisting artists include. Thelma Todd. Ruth Hall and Rockliffe Fellowes. The 'supporting programme is excellent. STRAND THEATRE. Hilarious comedy is the keynote of "Caught Plastered." in wl\ch- Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey continue to delight, audiences at, the Strand Theatre. The film will end its season this evening. The resourceful comedians of '-Cuckoos." "Half-Shot, at Sunrise" and "Cracked Nuts" are at their best as two genial tramps who come to the aid of a widow on the verge of bankruptcy. "DEVOTION." Ann Harding and Leslie Howard, two of the most intellectual artists in films, appear together in "Devotion," to follow "Caught Plastered" at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. An English critic says: "The only other talking picture I can recommend to-day is 'Devotion.' adapted from the English novel, 'A Little Flat in the Temple,' which is a lavender and old lace story as English in character as is Devonshire. 'Devotion* must be commended also because Miss Ann Harding is the star, and because Mr. Leslie Howard here gives his finest film performance." ROXY THEATRE. Jack Hoi I. who has few peers in rugged i characterisation, and John Cromyeli, a youthful actor of considerable promisp. re- ! peat the success that was theirs in "Submarine" in their latest picture, "Maker | of Men." to be shown with "The Secret Witness" at. the Roxv Theatre again today. Tt is drama of the most vibrant sort. Mr. Holt plays the part of a misjudged man whose courage is doubted until he proves beyond all shadow of doubt that lie will dare well-nigh anything. Marian Marsh, of "Svengali." is suitably demure as the heroine. "The Secret Witness" is an engrossing mystery-drama, in which William Collier. Jun., and I'na Mprkel are. the principals. A humorous role is deftly interpreter by Zasu Pitts, lachrymoso comedienne. NATIONAL THEATRE. Lavish praise is the just due of George Arliss' completely lovable performance in Tho Millionaire," his worthy successor to "Disraeli" and "Old English," now being shown at tho National Theatre. Th« enthusiasm of audiences knows no bounds. In his first modern role, Arliss extracts the greatest fun from the part of an ageing motor magnate who refuses to grow old and adapts the most ingenious and profitable means of circumventing his solicitous wife and his physician. REGENT THEATRE. The brilliant romantic comedy, "Strictly Dishonourable," with Paul Sidney Fox and Lewis Stone in the leading roles, will be shown finally at the Regent Theatre this evening. The film abounds in polished wit and adroit situations which are turned to good account by the principals. Tho supports are admirable. LONDON THEATRE. "New Moon" (Lawrence Tibbctt) will be shown finally at the London Theatre to-day. "The Lottery Bride" (Jeanette Mac Donald), a musical extravaganza, will be screened to morrow. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. George O'Brien gives an invigorating performance in the swiftly-moving film version of Zane Grey's " Riders of the Purple Sage." to head the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. TUDOR CINEMA. " Merely Mary Ann," in which Janet Gaynor gives a demure performance, is the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Adroit wit is the keynote of " Lonely Wives." tho brilliant comedy to head the programme at. the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Edward Everett Horton, Esther Ralston, Laura la Plants and Patsy Ruth Miller are tho principals. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Norma Shearer and Lionel Barrymore appear in " A Free. Soul." to head the Britannia Theatre programme this ingTROUBADOUR PROGRAMME. | A troubadour programme by the "strolling players." Joan and Betty Ravner, will lie presented at the Lewis Eady Hall next Thursday evening and the following Saturday evening. CIVIC CABARET. Commencing to-morrow, C'ariola, the well-known character analyst and mystic, will be in attendance at the Civic Cabaret and Cafe. He. will be available between the hours of 2.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. for a short season, Saturdays excepted.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Tho Yellow Ticket," in which Elissa Landi gives an admirably restrained portrayal of a Jewish girl made the victim of the cruel system of the Russian secret police under the Tsarist regime, will be shown finally at St. James' Theatre today. The supports are of a high standard. " POSSESSED." " Possessed," which will succeed "The Yellow Ticket" at St. James' Theatre tomorrow.. is notable for the fine dramatic acting of Joan Crawford in a, role which affords ample scope for her dynamic personality. Adapted from the stage success, 14 The Mirage,' by Edgar Sclwjn, and directed by Clarence Brown, " Possessed " unfolds a, story of a common factory girl, who, lest she might jeopardise her loveV's candidature for the Governorship of his State, rejects him. ller transition from the part of a factory girl to the role of society hostess provides the actress with opportunities which she turns to good account. A feature of tlie film is a wonderful display of frocks worn by Joan Crawford, who also effectively renders a new song. Clark Gable, who plays flic male " lead," gives another of his virile performances. As a candidate for the Governorship of his State who is made tho victim of an insidious election campaign because of his connection with the factory girl, he again enhances hir. newly-won reputation. Ihc girl's attempt to save her lover's political career at the expense of her own happiness precipitates an intense climax. The supports are outstanding. A Laurel and Hardy comedy will also bo shown. PLAZA THEATRE. Lan Hay's delightful comedy, "Tilly of Bloomsburv," to head the new programme at tho Plaza Theatre to-day, has won the enthusiastic praise of Mr. G. A. Atkinson, former film critic for the Daily Telegraph, London. He says: '-'The part (of a broker's man) is a 'gift' for the comic genius of Mr. Howard, who represents not so much a broker's man as a sort of apotheosis of distraint. Another splendid acting performance in this gay comedy comes from Phyllis Eonstam, whose beauty, youthful charm, and wistful sincerity are such as to make tho spectator sigh because the screen has no stagedoor tradition. You cannot send in your card and bouquet to a photograph. . . The principals are supported by a brilliantly clever cast, who present, a. range of characterisations, all most shrewdly studied, that cover almost the whole of society." Michael Orme says: "'Tilly of Bloomsbury,' with Phyllis Konstam adding to her young laurels in the title-part, is good entertainment. The director, Jack Raymond, has decorated it with manv shrewd, amusing, human touches, and a. company of first-rate artists does it full justice." • TIVOLI AND EMPRESS. Gene Gerrard is the principal ill "Let's Love and Laugh," to begin a season at, the Tivoli and Empress Theatres this evening. Described as the best British musical comedy of 1931, the production offers a delightful blend of witty dialogue, entrancing musical numbers and sparkling comedy. The situations, always adroit, are "turned to masterly account by Gena Gerrard. who is capably supported by George Gee. The supporting pictures are excellent. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Ramon Novarro, Madge Evans and Conrad Nagel are the principals in "Son of India." now showing at the Epsom Regent Theatre. RI ALTO THEATRE. "Guilty Hands" (Lione 1 Barymore) and "Transgression" (Ricardo Cortez) are the main attractions at the Rialto Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. The main attraction at the Lyric. Theatre is "Laughing Sinners" (Joan Crawford and Clark Gable). CAPITOL THEATRE. " Daddy Long-Legs " (Janet. Gaynor and Warner Baxter) is the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre this evening.