ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Will Rogers gives a sterling performance in " Ambassador Bill," which, with "The Maltese Falcon," comprises the major entertainment at the Majestic Theatre. " Tiicy Had to See Paris' and " So This is London" added definitely to the popularity which Will Rogers has enjoyed both on the silent and audible screens, but " Ambassador Bill" outclasses them all in technique and conception. The story is laid in Sylvania, a typical comic-opera central European kingdom. The arrival of Will Rogers by aeroplane just as a revolution is breaking out is exceedingly funny if for no other reason than that he mistakes the gun fire for a military salute in his honour. There iS an excellent subordinate programme. " THE CHAMP." Wallace Beery as the dissolute father and Jackie Cooper as the worshipping son add a new page to screen history in * Ihe Champ," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production which will begin a season at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday. The genius of King "V idor, the director, adds further- lustre to an almost perfect film. It. traverses tho whole gamut of human emotion. Though the story of an ex-box-ing champion's descent from affluence and popularity, through drink, to the direst poverty has many terrible aspects, the beautiful love of the boy for his father provides a, shining light in the darkness. Wallace Beery, as the gambler who knows the. depths to which lie lias fallen, has never contributed a better performance and his acting when he pretends to turn against his son to save, the lad's future is done with the restraint of a consummate artist. CIVIC THEATRE. The four Marx Brothers provide, splendid entertainment, at the Civic Theatre, where they pass through a series of hilarious episodes in " Monkey Business," which is the main attraction. They are at their inimitable best. From the time they are discovered "as stowaways in a barrel labelled " kippered herrings" on board a transatlantic liner, the fun never halts, and their antics to escape detection would make (he most jaded critic laugh. They seek sanctuary in the captain's cabin, where Groucho poses as the master of the liner, eats the captain's breakfast, and, not contented with his achievement, accuses the master of being a stowaway. The Marx Brothers harass the passengers, become the suitors of every girl on the steamer, and, as ship's barbers, introduce weird and wonderful fashions in hairdressing. The supporting programme is excellent. PLAZA THEATRE. Phyllis Ivonstam is outstanding in the title 'role in " Tilly of Bloomsbury," which is attracting large audiences to the Plaza Theatre. Sydney Howard, who appeared in the successful British Dominion comedy " Splinters," contributes a splendid comical characterisation in just the manner that lan Hay, who wrote the play, intended. The dialogue is witty and the situations adroit. Phyllis Konstam gives a performance, at once whimsical and pathetic, of a poor girl from Bloomsbury who attempts to impress the relatives of her wealthy fiance with entirely fictitious tales of her aristocratic " connections," country houses and private yachts. The film concludes on an unusual note. Excellent supporting items will be sho\*n. STRAND THEATRE. " Devotion" is the premier attraction at the Strand Theatre. Said to be the most authentic picture of English life to emanate from the American studios, it is noted for the excellent team-work of Ann Harding, the glamorous actress of many Paramount productions, and Mr. Leslie Howard, who scored a recent success in " Five and Ten," with Marion Davies. The story concerns the love of a woman for a married lawyer and as the plot is evolved the audience is gripped with the intensity of many of the. scenes. The supports maintain the standard of the programme. NATIONAL THEATRE. Nancy Carroll; actress of demure roles, and Pat O'Brien, who was recently seen in " The Front Page," form a delightful team in " Personal Maid," which heads the current programme at the National Theatre. The film is reminiscent of " Smiling Thru'," in which Nancy Carroll won the applause of critics. The story deals with a youth's regeneration. Fine supports are shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. The attention of the audience is held throughout. "House of Unrest,"' the mystery-drama, heading the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Malcolm Keen and Dorothy Boyd play the leading roles. The supporting film is "Shanghaied Love," in which Noah Beery, Sally Blane and Richard Cromwell appear. TIVOLI THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is offered in the comedy-romance "Man Who Came Back," which is being presented at the Tivoli Theatre. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are associated in some fine acting in this production. There are excellent shorter films. LONDON THEATRE. Jeanette Mac Donald renders some delightful songs in the screen operetta " The Lottery Bride," now at the London TJieatre. John Ga-rrick and Joe E. Brown are also in the cast. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Loretta Young and Conway Tearle appear to advantage in " Truth About Youth?" the main attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre. Tho second picture is " His Friend's Wife," with Mary Astor and Grant Withers as the principals. LYRIC THEATRE. Edmund Lowe and Lois Moran play the leading roles in " Transatlantic," which heads the attractive programme at the Lyric Theatre. The supporting production is " The Conquering Horde," in which Richard Arlen and Fay Wray are the principals. TUDOR CINEMA. " The Devil to Ir'av," in which the cast is headed by Ronald Colman and Loretta Young, is being presented at the Tudor Cinema. BRITANNIA "'Riders of the Purple Sage" and " A Man of the World " are being shown at the Britannia Theatre. RIALTO THEATRE. Edward Everett e Horton, popular comedian, contributes 'an excellent performance in "Lonely Wives," which comprises the major entertainment at the Rialto Theatre. It is excellent farce. Esther Ralston, Patsy Ruth Miller and Laura La Plante, all actresses of note, are included in tho cast. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Joan Crawford gives an impressive portrayal in "This Modern Age," which is being shown at the Epsom Regent Theatre. There are five excellent shorter films. EMPRESS THEATRE. "This Modern Age,' s in which Joan Crawford has a congenial role, is the main attraction at tho Empress Theatre. It is a sophisticated production dealing with vital modern problems. "The Deceiver" (lan Keith) completes the entertainment.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A dynamic characterisation by Joan Crawford is presented in "Possessed, which is assured of a successful season at St James' Theatre. Clark Gable, who has enjoyed the most phenomenal rise to screen fame of recent years, also gives an outstanding performance as a young lawyer whose political are hampered by his affair with a young factory girl. As the girl who surrenders all chance of happiness and renounces her lover so that ne may attain his ambition, Joan Crawford enacts an admirably, restrained role with jusfc the right, touch of pathos. A feature of the picture is a wonderful display of Paris fashions, while a delightful new song is also rendered. There are good supports. REGENT THEATRE. "Street Scene," which is attracting large and appreciative audiences to the Regent Theatre, has fulfilled the. prophecy of overseas critics. It is outstanding. Elmer Rice, who wrote the play, which enjoyed phenomenal success in New iork, adapted it to the talking screen and the result is a slice of life with laughter tears, joys and heartaches.- William Collier, junr., young in years, hut old in stagecraft, is the principal and he is supported by Sylvia Sidney, a newcomer to the screen. Est.elle* laylor contributes a touching study of Mrs. Maurrant, adding to the poignancy of the drama. "Street Scene," is a dramatic panorama of any street in the world. A " Strange as it Seems" film is also shown, while there is an excellent comedy. STROLLING PLAYERS. Joan and Betty Rayner are presenting something new to Auckland in their " Troubadour Programme," which is to be given in the Lewis Eady Hall on Thursday evening and on Saturday evening-