ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21131, 14 March 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Gene. Gerrnrd is a comic genius. And; so is Jimmy Godden, and Amy Veness and Muriel Angelus and Charles Patori., Anybody whp has seen "My Wife's Earn-1 ily" at St. James' Theatre will bear' that out. It completely dwarfs "Rookery Nook," "Plunder" and "The Middle Watch." "My Wife's Family" is comedy 1 of the most uproarious sort. It is teem- 1 ing with heartily amusing comedy. In' fact, laugh succeeds laugh in such fast 1 succession that the audience almost' pleads for some respite. An apparently trival, misconception is elaborated and do-' voloped by the director, Monty Banks.' until it becomes comedy of the most hilarious order. " STRANGERS MAY KISS." Norma Shearer has a role which suits her particular accomplishments, to perfection in "Strangers May Kiss," to be shown at St. James' Theatre on Friday. G. W. Atkinson, former film critic for the London Daily Telegraph, says: "Miss Shearer is strongly supported by Robert Montgomery, who gives an appealing performance in the role of a social flaneur, and by Marjorie Rambeau, an actress who is making great progress in talkies. Others in the cast arc Irene Rich and Neil Hamilton, and the film is directed by George Fitzmaurice, who has a flair for artistic composition." REGENT THEATRE. Lupino Lane gives a performance which for sheer wit and drollery is well-nigh perfect, in " Love Lies," the riotously funny film which is assured of tremendous popularity at the Regent Theatre. From beginning to end the picture is characterised by an almost fantastic light-hearted-ness which positively compels laughter. Not only is he a comedian himself, whose irrepressible clowning and mobile facial expression keeps the onlooker in fits of laughter, but every other member of the cast is an artist of infinite resource. His j partner in foolery, Jack Tlobbs, is ! scarcely less amusing than his brilliant j companion-in-arms. And the same might j be said of all the other players. It is j this fact that keeps the comedy at such j a uniformly high level of comic inspira- i tion. Never were six people more at j cross-purposes than are the main characters in the story. The excellent support- j ing programme cumprises an English 1 gazette, the popular Cinesound Newsreel, J a short mystery drama, and " Land of j the Shamrock," a symphony of Irish songs and scenes. PLAZA THEATRE. " Carnival," the elaborate English film now at the Plaza Theatre, is a novel and appealing picture. Concerning it, Michael Orme says: "The scenes fill the eye with beauty, with a lovely play of light and shadow, with the romance of Venice, of quiet, lapping water, gliding gondolas, mellow masonry. For that, one is duly grateful. Mr. Matheson Lang, picturesquely cloaked or gigantically turbaned, lends distinction to the part of the Italian actor driven almost to madness by his suspicions of his pleasureloving young wife. Against a background so high-pitched in colour and so turbulent, his must, perforce, be a monumental rather than a tragic figure; but he has an eloquence of movement that dominates and arrests attention." Dorothy (formerly Chili) Bouchier is delightful as the dainty, frivolous young wife. MAJESTIC THEATRE. " Ben Hur," Fred Niblo's film of ancient Roman pomp and majesty, will probably remain the most stupendously spectacular picture ever produced. Its revival at the Majestic Theatre, with the elaborate addition of music and sound effects, is being welcomed by Auckland film-goers. It was a giant effort, occupying three years and costing £1,400,000. One,finds oneself hypnotised, as before, by the flow of magnificent pictures. The chariot race is still cinematography's most majestic thrill and the naval battle and galley scenes are still the outstanding marvel of maritime construction and panorama.

CIVIC THEATRE,

Tallulah Bankhead, the beautiful American actress, who first achieved fame on the London stage, give a portrayal of fine emotional power in " My Sin," which is; proving deservedly successful at the Civic Theatre. She is a rather fateful figure as a hostess in a cheap Panama cabaret, persuaded to strive to regain her hold on life. Michael Orme says: " Miss Bankhcud's emotional restraint has deepened : she has now n quiet power of suggestion in voice and movement, a sterner control of pose and .gesture, that make her acting interesting." Fredric March gives a splendid portrayal of the broken-down lawyer who also makes good.

NATIONAL THEATRE. An air of care-free light-heartedness pervades " I Like Your Nerve," the delightful comedy-romance now being presented at the National Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., gives a dashing portrayal of a young man who falls in love with a girl ainid the uncertainties of Central America. A delightful performance as the coy heroine is contributed by Loretta Young, charming actress of countless films. Claude Allister, clever " silly ass " comedian, is also in the cast. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. • Scenes amazing beyond description are witnessed in " Trader Horn," Mr. W. S. van Dyke's engrossing film taken amid the lurking dangers of the African jungle, to be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres this evening. In addition to the astounding views of animal life, there are breath-taking scenes of barbarism and savagery among native tribos. The ritual and orgies of the dreaded Juju are presented in authentic scenes. LONDON THEATRE. The screen romance is presented in its most, delicious form in " Merely Mary Ann," the film version of tho exquisite Israel Zangwill story, now being shown at tho London Theatre. Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell and Beryl Mercer are the principals. The theme-song is " Kiss Me Good-night." ST. PATRICK'S PROGRAMME. Over 700 children from 17 schools will take part in the St. Patrick's Day performance in the Town Hall on Thursday evening. Assistant artists will ineludo Messrs. Gaston Mervale, Dan Foley and liny Jury and the Savoy Quartet. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Norma Shearer, Clark Gable and Lionel Barrymore head a notable cast in " A Free Soul," the impelling drama to bo shown at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. " Sporting Blood," a romance of the turf, and " Bad Girl," with James Dunn and Sally Eilers, will be presented at the Princo Edward Theatre this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Bad Sister" (Sally Eilers) and " Father's Son " will comprise the films at the Britannia Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA. " The Spider " (Edmund Lowe) is tho main film to be shown at the Tudor Cinema this evening.

ROXY, TIVOLI AND EMPRESS. Sydney Howard, the frozen-faced comedian of " Splinters," perhaps better remembered for his irresistible study of a bailiff in lan Hay's " Tilly of Bloomsburv," is his usual bland self in " Up For the Cup," the riotously funny English comedv to be shown at the Roxy, Tivoli and impress Theatres to-day. English comedies generally need scant recommendation to Auckland film-goers. Suffice it to say that " Up for the Cup " is one of the best of its type. The rotund comedian of " Tilly of Bloomsbury " makes an admirable foil for the boisterous humour of Joan Wyndham, who plays the part of the genial Yorkshireman's happy-go-lucky -wife. STRAND THEATRE. Ina Claire gives a brilliant sophisticated performance in Donald Ogdcn Stewart's " Rebound." the present film at the Strand Theatre. An English critic says: " Ina Claire is a Cinquevalli of words. She is able U> balance a couple of adjectives super-imposed by a brace of commas in such uncanny fashion that an ordinary line of dialogue becomes magically transformed into a gem of wit." LYRIC THEATRE. Hilarous comedy, entrancing music, and gorgeous ballets, are mingled in " Palmy Days," to be shown with " Derelict" (George Bancroft) at the Lyric Theatre this evening. Eddie Cantor and Charlotte Greenwood' form an ideal comedy pair in the former delightful film. AMATEUR TRIALS. A vaudeville performance and amateur trials will take place at the West End Theatre this evening. Novel and satisfying entertainment is promised.