ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. "Monkey Business" continues to attract large audiences to the Civic Theatre. It is excellent farce. From the time the Marx Brothers are discovered as stowaways 011 board a transatlantic liner the fun never halts and the many hilarious incidents that ensue are calculated to make the most jaded theatre-goer laugh. Harpo has lost none of his artistry 011 the harp, while Chico perfoims with inimitable artistry on tlio piano. Groucho, with his usual consummate bluff, eats the captain's breakfast, and accuses him of boing a stowaway. By way of diversion, Zeppo makes love to a. gangster's wife, incurs the wrath of the gangster, and then makes love to every girl on the boat. ' When the brothers supplant the ship's barbers the peak of comedy is reached. "MEN LIKE THESE." John Batten, Auckland's own film star, who enjoys an enviable reputation abroad, will make personal appearances the Civic Theatre commencing 011 Friday, when his latest film, "Men Like These," will begin a season. An epic of the British submarine service, it was inspired by the recent tragedy involving the submarine Poseidon, when several of the crew lost, their lives and great, bravery was displayed by Petty-officer Willis. It marks a new page in the history of the British film studios. The production was made with the full co-operation of the British Admiralty and it provides a magnificent spectacle. A fine supporting film. "Fascination," in which Madeleine Carroll gives a charming portrayal, completes the all-British programme. Patrons of the Civic Theatre arc assured of fine entertainment. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Maltese Falcon," an excellent mystery-drama., and "Ambassador Bill, featuring Will Rogers, will end their season at the Majestic Theatre this evening. The two films afford well-balanced entertainment.

"THE CHAMP." Concerning "The Champ," the King Vidor production with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper in the chief roles, to head the new programme at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, Seton Margrave, film critic for the Daily Mail, London, says:— "Wo como to a different class of entertainment with 'The Champ. This is an entertainment in a class by itself. Mr. Adolphe Menjou lias told me that the film has swept the United States from coast to coast by reason of its brilliant blending of humour and pathos. "The I Champ' comes of good family. 'lho story was written by Miss Frances Marion, who wrote 'The Big House' and 'Min and Bill,' in both" of which Wallace i Beery gave memorable character studies. It was- directed by Mr. King Vidor, of | 'The Big Parade.' It. presents as its ; stars the ex-elephant trainer, Mr. Wali lace Beery, and Jackie Cooper. Millions i of American film-goers have already acI cepterl 'The Champ' as an emotional masl terpiece." ST. JAMES' THEATRE. I A congenial role has been allotted Joan Crawford in "Possessed," which is enI joying a successful season at St. James' I Theatre. The actress enacts a convincing | role and she is capably supported by C'lark Gable, who gives a performance i equal to the success he achieved in "Susan | Lenox." It, is a vital production, deali ing with the sacrifice of a factory girl i who renounces happiness to help her i lover, a young lawyer, to counteract, an ! insidious political campaign which makes capital from (he fact that the young man, who is a candidate for the Governor- ! ship of his State, is associating with a I girl far below him on the social scale. The intense sequences reach a dramatic climax. PLAZA THEATRE. It is difficult to describe the sheer wit and humour of the film version of lan Hay's "Tilly of Bloomsbury," which continues to delight large audiences at the Plaza Theatre. Although the story is born© along on a note of joyous comedy, there arc occasional moments of pathos. Phyllis Ivonstam, the. gifted actress of "The Skin Game," is remarkably fine in the part of the hapless Tilly, whose rather gauche relatives threaten her happiness when she falls in love with the son of a proud English country family. An inimitable study of a "sheriff's" bailiff is contributed by Sydney Howard. "THE ROSARY." The screen drama is presented in its most impressive form in "The Rosary," to head the. next, programme at the Tlaza Theatre. It is distinguished by the finished acting of Mnrgot Grahanie. gifted ingenue of "Glamour," and Elizabeth Allen, another talented English actress. A noted critic says: —"The story is a highly dramatic and completely modern and sophisticated one, dealing with two sisters in love the same man, with an added piquancy in sub-plots introdur- | ing murder and forgery." STRAND THEATRE. "Devotion." the Ann Harding .film, j which continues to captivate large audiences at the Strand Theatre, captures the essential atmosphere of the. Temple, London, the haunt of the legal profession, with wonderful authenticity. Leslie Howard, the yornig English actor of many I recent, successes, acts well as the young lawyer and further adds to his reputa--1 tion. It, is a, charming film, with a de- ' lightful English atmosphere.

TUDOR THK.VIT! K. " The Devil To Pay" heads the current programme at the Turlor Theatre. Ronald Colnian is splendid, while Loretta Young is excellent in Hie supporting role. | BRITANNIA THEATRE. " Hell's Angels," an epic of war in the air, is now at the Britannia Theatre. ; EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Joan Crawford is splendid in " This Modem Age," now at the Epsom Regent Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. " Man in Possession" heads the current programme at the Lyric Theatre. It is a delightful play. Charlotte Greenwood a splendid performance. TJVOLI THEATRE. " 'Hie Man Who Came Back," with Charles Farrell and Janet Gavnor, is ) enjoying a successful season at the Tivoli . Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. " House of Unrest" (Malcolm Keen) and "Shanghaied Love" (Noah Beerv) comprise the major entertainment at the Crystal Palace Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. Joan Crawford has a congenial role in " This Modern Age," now at, the Empress Theatre. " The Deceiver" is also shown. j PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. .. 1 Otis Skinner and Loretta Young appear in " Kismet," the main attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre.

REGENT THEATRE. Sylvia. Sidney, who came to the forefront in "An American Tragedy," further enhances her reputation in "Street Scene," the vital drama now at the Regent Theatre. King Vidor's brilliant direction .is evident, throughout and his genius, combined with the artistry of the players, makes a stirring saga of the lives of the people in. a common street. It is one-of the best pictures of the year. "CITY OF SONG." "City of Song." a musical film of lyrical beauty, will commence a season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. An overseas reviewer says:—"Any British film which has captured natural beauty so splendidly as ' City of Song' deserves your keen interest. And it is recommended to you if only for this. Its simple story introduces to you a young guide at Naples, whoso beautiful voice is heard by a London society girl. She takes him to London to make him famous and becomes infatuated with him. It is n romance which could not last and the film does not shirk the logical issue, a fact which gives strength to the story. A feature of the film is the beautiful photography which has captured the lazy picturesqueness of Naples, the fallen majesty of the Roman ruins, the loveliness of Capri and even hidden beauty in the hearfc of London. The beautiful singing voice of Jan Kiepura is reminiscent of Lawrence Tibbett at his best." ROXY THEATRE. The new attraction to head the programme at the Roxy Theatre to-day is " Keepers of Yoath," an outstanding production of British International Pictures. The film cannot fail to interest. It is logical propaganda against a cprtain type of English boarding school. Garry Marsh, Robert Irvine and Anne Todd assume the principal roles and acquit themselves with distinction. Garry Marsh portrays the rascally, cynical, but not altogether unlikeable sports master, whose activities start the train of events that form the story. Ho plays with an air of rare competence. Anne Todd gives an admirably restrained portrayal.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Personal Maid," now at the National Theatre, does not fail to charm. It is excellent entertainment and Nancy Carroll gives a performance similar to that she achieved in "Smiling Thru'." Pat O'Brien, who acted so splendidly in "The Front Pago" recently, plays the part of a degenerate youth, whose regeneration is effected by the sacrifice of the girl. The minor roles are capably performed. "Viennese Nights" will be screened on Friday. LONDON THEATRE. Rudolf Friml, a recent visitor to Auckland, is the composer of the delightful lyrics in "The Lottery Bride," which heads the current programme at the London Theatre. Jeanette Mac Donald's glorious voice is heard to perfection, while the remainder of the cast, John Garrick and Joe E. Brown, who provides the humour, have congenial roles. RIALTO THEATRE. i " Lonely Wives" is proving a groat attraction at the liialto Theatre. Edward Everett Horton gives a splendid performance as a lawyer who gets into difficulties when his wife is absent. There is a splendid supporting cast. WIRTHS' CIRCUS.

For its lour of New Zealand Wirths' Circus has assembled an arresting array of talent from all parts of the world. Headed by the, world-famous Russian riders, "Kazbegs' Troupe of Russian Cossacks," Wirths' Circus presents the identical Cossacks, who defeated representatives of all nations at the New York Rodeo in 1929. The appearance of the "Four Uessems" demonstrates how the. laws of gravitation may be overcome and their sterling performances throughout the world has earned for tlieni the title of "the artists who defy gravitation." Miss Yvonne, charming contortionist, "the Four Sylvesters," juvenile acrobatic, wonders, "the Santev Duo," a whirlwind sensation presented by George Wirth, jun., an original jockey act introduced for the first time by Mr. Philip Wirth, jun., "the Four Miss Wirths" in "Les Quatre Hiron. delles," an artistic aerial musical novelty, together with Wirths* show of wild animals, make Wirths' Circus a fine entertainment. The Auckland season of eight nights will commence on Wednesday next on the old dock sit". Prices have been reduced to meet, the times and children under 10 are admitted at half-price to all parts. Booking arrangements are advertised. TROUBADOUR PROGRAMME. The "troubadour programme" which tho strolling players, Joan and Betty Rayner, will give at the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow and on Saturday, is costumed after tho manner of medieval strolling players and is taken from the folk-lore of tho world. NEVILLE CARLSEN REVUE. The Neville Carlsen Revue Company presented a varied entertainment in tho children's Princess Mary ward at the Auckland Hospital o n Monday evening. The children were delighted with a gift of candy donated bv a local firm and the fact that the sweetmeat was handed round by performers in carnival costume was appreciated by the young patients. The concert, at which members of the hospital staff were present, was highly entertaining.