ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Champ," the King Vidor production in which Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper both net superbly, which will begin a season at (ho Majestic Theatre to-day, has won the enthusiastic praise of overseas critics. Michael Orme, noted English critic, says: "It was a master-stroke of casting that set this " talented child (Jackio Cooper) against an actor of such size, strength and ability as Wallace Beery. Though the story of the ex-champion's descent, from affluence and popularity, through drink and gambling, to the direst poverty, has many sordid and sonio even terrible aspects,, it is redeemed by' the finished artistry with which the two play into each other's hands. Wallace Beery has done nothing better than bis portrayal of the inveterate gambler, who is well aware of his'own weakness, and his acting during the scene when, in prison, ho pretends to turn against the boy as the only means of convincing him that, his hero is no proper guardian for a child, is unforgettable in its restrained power and pathos." Another reviewer savs: "Wallace Beery, as the prize-fighter, caps all his previous performances. Ho makes the character human and likeable for all its weakness and viciousness; superb in its strong moments. There are scenes in which ,he sweeps all before him by sheer emotional strength; and others in which he wins laughter irresistibly by gestures so typical ot the character and yet so satirical as to be almost, inspired. It is a performance full of keen observation of life and vibrant with dramatic strength. You do not know how good a child actor can bo until you have seon Jackie Cooper as the son. He is so entirely natural, so free from all 'kid' affectation. There is a scerne at the climax in which ho depicts a child's grief with such heart-rending conviction that you will marvel at his talent. It is a wonderful performance." ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Comedy, drama, and romance are delightfully blended in "Possessed," which is enjoying a successful season at St. James' Theatre. Joan Crawford is allotted a rolo eminently suited to her dynamic personality. She plays the part of a factory girl who renounces her -lover so that ho can attain his political ambitions. As the young lawyer, made the victim of an insidious election campaign because of his association with the factory girl, Clark Gable gives his usual convincing portrayal. A featuro of the film is an interesting display of Paris fashions, while a new song is delightfully rendered by Joan Crawford. Laurel and Hardy are again associated in a comedy support. PLAZA THEATRE. Lan Hay farce never fails to entertain. "Tilly of Bloomsbury," now at the Plaza Theatre, is one of his most, successful efforts. Ifc has lost nothing in its transition to the audible screen. It is fine entertainment. Phyllis Konsfam in the leading role has never given a better performance, and Sydney Howard, the "wooden-faced comedian" of "Splinters," is inimitable as the "down-at-elbow" broker's man who "gets what he comes for." The fact that he is inveigled into masquerading as a family butler does not, detract from the amusement he provokes. THE ROSARY." "The Rosary," which will be the new attraction at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow, is noted for the dramatic intensity of its drama and the fine-acting of Margot Grahame, who scored a recent success in "Glamour." Elizabeth Allen, talented English actress, is also in the cast. In contradistinction to the title, the picture is notable for its polished sophistication. The main plot unfolds the love of two sisters for the same man, and the interplay of plot and counterplot adds piquancy to an excellent entertainment. Self-sacrifice is the dominant note throughout, while a baffling murder and a cunning forgery arouse the intense interest of the audience. NATIONAL THEATRE. Nancy Carroll acts with delightful charm in "Personal Maid," the sprightly comedy to end its season at the National Theatie this evening. '-'Viennese Nights," without question the most popular film since the advent of the audible screen, will begin another return Auckland season at this theatre to-morrow. The music and lyrics by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hamrnerstein 11. have a haunting charm which lingers in the memory. There is an enchantingly beautiful story of blighted romance, which blossoms anew in the love of a later generation. REGENT THEATRE. "Street Scene," the artistic King Vidor production, will conclude a season to-day at the Regent Theatre. It is one of the best films of the year. It is a stirring saga of the lives of the people in a common street and it deftly captures the tears and laughter, the joys and the heartaches that make up the daily round. The intensity of many of the scenes does not fail to grip, but various touches of comic relief enhance the entertainment. LONDON THEATRE. "The Lottery Bride" heads the current programme at the London Theatre. Jeanette Mac Donald, tho beautiful soprano, renders some delightful lyrics and she is ably supported by John Oarvick and Joe E. Brown, who provides the humour. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. There are some magnificent settings in "Kismet," the lavish film to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. Otis Skinner, in the title-role, and Loretta Young are the principals. TIVOLI THEATRE. Jack Holt acts with rugged vigour in "Maker of Men," to head the programme at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. Richard Cromwell appears as his dissolute son. "The Secret Witness" will also be shown. RIALTO THEATRE. "This Modern Age," to head the Rialto Theatre programme this evening, is essentially a story of prcsent-dav conditions. Joan Crawford, Blanche Frederici and Neil Hamilton are the leading players. LYRIC THEATRE. Subtle comedy is the keynote of "The Man in Possession," to be presented at tho Lyric Theatre this evening. Robert Montgomery is the leading man. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Joan Crawford, acts with graceful ease in "This Modern Age," to be shown with "The Virtuous Sin," ' at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. Neil Hamilton is tho hero. Kay Francis appears in the sqcond film. EMPRESS THEATRE. "Maker of Men" (Jack Holt) will head the programme at the Empress Theatre to-day. It is an engrossing stbrv of college life. "Tho Secret Witness" will also be shown. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "The Deceiver" (lan Keith) and "Shanghaied Love" are the two main films to be shown at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. The latter is' a thrilling marine melodrama, in which Noah Beery and Richard Cromwell appear.

CIVIC THEATRE. The four Marx brothers' hilarious film, "Monkey Business," to be shown finally at tho Civic Theatre this evening, was described by Michael Orme as "a shatteringly. funny piece of foolery which refuses, in (rue Marx fashion, to have anything to do with rhyme, reason or plot." It is refreshing in its comic invention. ENGLISH FILMS FOR CIVIC. John Batten, the Aucklander who has won acclaim as a film actor, will make personal appearance's at the Civic Theatre for a season commencing to-morrow. He takes a leading fiart in "Men Like These," the submarine drama to bo shown with Madeleine Carroll's latest production, -"Fascination." Writing of "Men Like . These," Mr. G. W. Atkinson, former film critic for the Daily Telegraph, London, says: "This amazing drama, for it is nothing less, is diversified by touches of humour, .sentiment and emotion, for which screen licence may bo claimed. There are glimpses of a 8.8.C. announcer sending out news of the submarine disaster; of the wives and parents of the trapped men waiting tor further tidings, and of ships of various kinds rushing to the rescue. There is a fine, panoramic quality in the affair, and a refreshing sense of ncrvelty. Walter Summers, who has been .responsible for many excellent naval and military spectacles. as well as "The Flying Fool," has directed the film with the strong, .nigged masculinity that stamps all his work. "Men Like These" comes almost as near actuality as makes no matter. Pic-ture-goers are never likely to have a more adventurous thrill. The ses scenes and the studio scenes have been matched with most, cunning skill, and the photography tnrougnout, is masterly." ROXY THEATRE. "Keepers of Youth," a film of boarding school life, had a successful reception at the Roxv Theatre yesterday, when it commenced a season. It. is an unusual type of drama notable for deft characterisations of various schoolmasters, cameos from real life. Arnold Ridley, author of "The Ghost, Train," was responsible for the story, while, the direction was in tho capable hands of Thomas Bentley, who scored a success recently in "Young Woodley." Tho production is replete with details of board-ing-school routine and there is outstanding dramatic quality in a sub-plot concerning a boy's innocent escapade and his subsequent expulsion. STRAND THEATRE. Ann Harding and Leslie Howard both act with sensitivo intelligence in "Devotion," the delightful film to end its season at the Strand Theatre this evening. Bert Wheelor and Robert Woolsey appear in their first two-reel comedy in "Oh! Oh! Cleopatra," to be included in the new programme to begin a season to-morrow. In a riotously funny burlesque, Wheeler takes the part of Julius Caesar and Woolsey that of Mark Anthony. ' The principal picture will he "Tho Gold-diggers of 1932," a gorgeous technicolour film, in which Mary Brian brings vivacity and charm to the part of the leading lady. Prominent roles are also played by Johnny Hines and Marie Jfrevost. The film has been produced on a lavish scale and there are many luxurious settings and stage presentations. TROUBADOUR CONCERT. As two "strolling players," Joan and Betty Rayner will present a varied and delightful troubadour programme in the Lewis Eady Hall this evening and on Saturday evening. The concert will bo given in costume, which is the "strolling player" tradition, and should afford novel entertainment.