ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21119, 29 February 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. "Men Like' These,'"'an engrossing drama of -a - submarine? crew entombed in their sunkcn- craft many, fathoms deep, heads the all-British programing now being presented at the Civic Theatre. John Batten, the actor, \ who takes a prominent part in the picture, makes personal appearances" before the after-noo'V ;.nd evening screenings.. The actual sinking of the submarine has' an impelling 'reality, which will not bo ;lost among Auckland audiences. It conveys a feeling almost of terror. Remarkable fidelity has also been achieved in the portrayal of Navy types. Each sketch is a masterpiece of character study. Although the tempo of the reaches remarkable heights of emotional intensity at; times, the players never falter. The .director.- Mr. Walter Summers, -who was responsible for the "Flying- Fool" arid notable military and naval;, films, has brought deft imaginative "skill to liis latest . success. His direction'- has • qualities both of tautness and fluency. Tho second picture is "Fascination," a modern drama, with Madeleine Carroll in the chief role. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Auckland film-goers have endorSpd "Tho Champ," now being shown at the Majestic Theatre, as a rnastei piece of emotional drama. Remarkably fine performances are contributed by Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. An- English critic says: "Wallace Beery alone is excellent. Jackie Cooper by himself is great. Together, they aro magnificent. Their collaboration makes 'The Champ' a film assault on the emotions of unparalleled strenprtih. It has moments when it would almost draw tears from a stone. It justifies itself simply by presenting, Wallace Beery as a drunken, gambling prize-fighter, and Jackie .CoOper as his 'motherless' little sop. -The love between dissolute father and the. devoted bo?, the only fitic thing in their sordid existence, is also the* finest thing in the film." ■■>" ST. JAMES' THEATRE. ..' Joan Crawford and Clark'Gable, two of the most arresting personalities in the films, appear together- again -in "Possessed," which continues to enjoy great popularity at St. Theatre. The fact that it is now in the second week of its season attests to: .'its undoubted worth. Based.on f-he essentially dramatic - stage success,. "Tho-jMirage." it deals with the strange . Syjiich springs up between a mere factory girl and an r influential New Yoi'keiy.and" the girl's renunciation bf her lover-when their furtive . affair threatens ! his* jxnlitical career. Both. Miss Crawford,.- ayd • Mr. Gable give .remarkably fine performances in parts which exact the utmost in skill arid poise. Tli&rc is a varied. supporting programme.- "■ -V .v '* •

- REGENT /rHEATRK. A wealth of' liatur/ib beauty enriches "City of Song," the* glorious musical film spt amir] tbo olden-charm of Naples and Capri, which- seems assured- of a successful season at Alio Begeqt- Theatre, where il is being shown this week. Its simple story introduces the audience 1o a young guide at Naples whose beautiful voice is heard by a London society girl. She takes liim to London to make him famous, and becomes infatuated with him. Although the romance which develops has a lyrical beauty of fascinating charm, it is in the exotic settings that the ~cTuef appeal lies. STRAND THEATRE. Technicolour photography of the most artistic feort enriches '"The Gold Diggers of 1932," the delightful'romantic film nowbeing presented 'at 'the ;Strand .Thfe&tJre. Mary>"#Haii,; demure heroine of countless films, ; brings characteristic . winsomeness to the part of an innately, coy girl, whose plait' to' capture * a jfeiftthy husband goes' somewhat astray:' Other noted members of the cast are Geoffrey Kerr, a eon'of' the more famous rick Kerr;,Marie Provost ,i who has turned to buxom portrayals; and Johnny.Jijaes, comedian. . NATIONAL THEATRE., Undoubtedly the most; poprdarV,:]fiictlire since the advent, of .the atidible: serpen, "Viennese ,Nights } " the glorjou^-Sigmynd Romberg-Oscar Hammerstein 11. operetta, is proving astonishingly successful >" at the National Theatre. It is in its fourth season at a Queen Street theatre. In addition to the beautiful music there is the exquisite appeal of the story of blighted love and its fulfilment in a later generation. The principals are Alexander Grey and Vivienne Segal. ROXY THEATRE. j "Maid to Order," in which the male woman impersonator Julian Eltinge gives her first screen performance, and "Keepers of Youth," an English public school drama, comprise the main portion of the entertainment at the Roxy Theatre this week. Writing of the latter, an Australian critic says:—"'Keepers of Youth' is an unusual type of drama, and will satisfy almost every taste in film entertainment." ";< . i LONDON THEATRE. i Evelyn Laye, noted English musical comedy actress, and John Boies form a delightful 'romantic' team in "One Heavenly, Night," now being shown at the London Theatre. Delightful comedy touches are lent by Leon Errol, -accomplished comedian of "Social Errors."

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Elissa Landi and Victor 7 McLaglen 'in '"Wicked".- and "The Office Wife," starring Lewis Stone and -Dorothy Mackaill, will be screened at the Prince Edward Theatre, Newton,- this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Gunsmoke" and "Wicked,"- with Victor McLaglen, are being shown at the Britannia Theatre. TUDOR THEATRE. Thomas Mcighan and Maureen O'Sullivan appear in "Skyline" at the Tudor Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. "No Limit," with Clara Bow, and "Arabian Nights" are screening at the Lyric Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. Norma Shearer and Mario Dressier are the stars in "Let Us Be Gay," screening this evening at the Empress Theatre, Newton.' NEW REGENT THEATRE. "The Pagan Lady" and "Guilty Generation" comprise the major entertainment at tho New Regent Theatre, Epsonij this 'evening. v RI ALTO THEATRE. "Tho Phantom of Paris." with John Gilbert and Lewis Stone, will be shown at the llialto Theatre this evening. TIVOLI THEATRE. "Let Us Be Gay," with Norma Shearer and Mario Dressier, is at present showing at tho Tivoli Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE. "The Phantom of Paris,"' with SI one, and "The Secret Witnessi" comprise the entertainment nt tho Crystal I'alaco Theatre this evening..

PLA£A THEATRE; • • * ■ "Tho- RoSary/'' which seems Assured of considerable popularity at the Plaza Theatre, established Margot Grahame and Elizabeth Alleq in the very front rank of -screen actresses. Miss Grahame, who has been seen formerly in "The Love Habit" and "Glamour,",, is especially (fine in the part of a selfless girl prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of her grasping half-sister's happiness. . The intensely interesting "story treats of the involved complications which develop when the two women, each unbeknown to the other, fall in love with the . same man. Further, appeal is given the plot by the introduction of a subsidiary theme of blackmail and murder which make further demands on the self-sacrificing girl, who immediately steps forward to shield the younger girj. The solace of the convent, which is tho essence of the main theme, exerts a persuasive influence on the audience. WIRTH'S CIRCUS. Well known to Auckland audiences, Wirths' Circus will open an eight-night season on the old dock site on Wednesday. In offering their current assembly of artists, Wirth Brothers claim it to be tho finest show of its kind that they have ever brought to New Zealand. A magni- . ficent array of talent has been secured and a high standard of entertainment is promised. Thrilling feats of horsemanship will lie performed by "Kazbegs' Troupe of Russian Cossacks," who will use all the skill that enabled them to defeat riders of all nations at tho New York Rodeo in 1929. Another attraction will be the appearance of tho "Four Uessems," who will- give exhibitions of balancing. Other exhibitions will be given by Miss Yvonne, contortionist; "The Four Sylvesters." clever juvenile acrobats; "The Santev Duo,",Mr; Philip Wirth. junr., in his original'jockey act; and "The Four Miss Wirths" as- "Les Quatres Hirondelles."There will also be an aerial musical novelty and a fine collection of performing animals of every description. Thcro will be a matinee on Thursday. ST. PATRICK'S CONCERT. Preparations are now well in hand for (he annual St. Patrick's Concert, to be held in the Town Hall on Thursday, March 17. Three massed choruses ,will be presented for the first, time in New Zealand and there will also be an Irish drill display, Irish dancing by boys and girls, an orchestra of 30 instruments and an - unusual variety of supporting items, including a dramatic sketch. The proceeds of the concert, which will- be- contributed to by 17 schools, wilPbe divided between the orphanages at Takapuha and Howick. TROUBADOUR PROGRAMME. A successful troubadour entertainment Was gtven in tho Lewis Eady Hall on Saturday evening by the travelling performers, Misses Joan and Betty Rayner. TJ'e programme was comprised of quaint, folk songs, poems, rliymes,' sea. songs and ballads from many parti of. the world, and its originality particularly impressed the audience. "Cottages and. Castles',' is the title of tho new programme to bo given by the Misses Rayner at the Lewis Eady llall on Thursday and Satuiday evenings.