ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Stanley Lupino snd his merry band romp merrily through a succession of riotously funny situations in " Love Lies," which is enjoying great popularity at the Regent Theatre this week. British farces have earned va-emendous popularity with Auckland filrigoers, but all previous heights of Vvifc are perhaps surpassed by Lupino Lane's epic of drollery, which ho Silio directed. Stanley Lupino, a cousin of his, makes his screen debut in tlie part of a marriageshy young man touted between the rival ambitions of two vindictive uncles. An inveterate " punster," bo turns the slightest opportunity to laughablo account. There is an uncommonly fine supporting cast, including Dorothy Boyd and Jack llobbs.. Every character study is a minor masterpiece oS: its sort. Front the very opening scone there is no halt in the breakneck speed, of the plot. " THE UNHOLY GARDEN." Ronald Colinan is his usual debonair self in " The Unholy Garden," his successor to " Raffles" and " The Devil to Pay," to succeed " Love Lies" at the Regent Theatre on Friday. An English critic says: "Ronald Colman's admirers have keenly awaited this new film after the fine entertainment given them in previous successes. Once again Mr. Colman appears in the rolo of a devil-may-care gentleman crook. It is Raffles all over again, but a Raffles fleeing from all the police of Europe and finally finding a haven in the African desert, in a ruined castle that is the homo of as tough a collection of fugitive cut throats as one could wish to see/' MAJESTIC THEATRE. Majestic in its representation of the pomp of ancient Rome, " Ben Hur" will probably remain thij most stupendous film spectacle of all time. Elaborately equipped with sound effects which lend telling realism to the marvellous crowd scenes, it is enjoying remarkable success in its revival at the Majestic Theatre. Ramon Novarro is a heroic character as the indomitable Bon Hur, and there is a notable supporting cast. It includes such old favourites as May McAvoy, Francis X. Bushman and Betty Bronson. But it is in the -vast battle scenes, the ceaseless toiling at the galley oars, and the culminating chariot race, that the chief interest of v.l'O film still lies. STRAND THEATRE. Ina Clairo proves in " Rebound" the brilliant Donald Ogden Stewart comedydrama now at the Strand Theatre, that she is a light comedy actress of genius. The news that she is to make a number of films for United Artists will be welcomed by those who also remember her wit and charm in " The Royal Family of Broadway." Michael Ormo says:— " Miss Claire is an actress whoso every inflection of voice, every word, every gesture, counts. Yet, though her reading is evidently carefully studied, her emotional moment:! are as spontaneous as her lighter ores." CIVIC THEATRE. Tallulah Bankl;ead, the glamorous American actress well-known in London, interprets an exacting emotional role with dignity and charm in " My Sin," now being shown at tlicf Civic Theatre. A finely-drawn portrayal is also contributed by Fredric March, as a brokendown 'lawyer striving to regain his hold on life. Michael Ormo says: "Fredric March's study of the lawyer who makes good and ultimately wins his client's love as well as gratitude is an excellent performance that strikes the note of virile tenderness in the closing quence."PLAZA THEATRE. " Carnival," tl'.a glorious English film of exotic Venice, row being presented at the Plaza Theatre, has been unanimously praised by critic?. Seton Margrave, of the London Daily Mail, says:—"'Carnival' is the most brilliant talking picture yet produced in Great Britain. In the widest sense it is of universal appeal. In the most exacting sense it is comparable in quality with the finest work of any country . . . Altogether, because' of its material and emotional beauty, 'Carnival' represents the most excellent enterprise on the part of any British studio." NATIONAL THEATRE. " I Like Your Nerve" is the appropriate title of th 9 breezy, refreshing comedy-romance now being shown at the National Theatre. A suitably carefree portrayal of a nonchalant young man determined to woo the girl of his heart (Loretta Young) is given by Douglas Fairbanks, junr., and a delightful performance is contributed by Claude Allister, English comedian. LONDON THEATRE. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, " the perfect semen lovers," are happily reunited in " Merely Mary Ann," the delightful film version of the appealing Israel Zangwill stage play, now being shown at the London Theatre. Beryl Mercer acts a typical rolo with rare charm.

ROXY, TIVOLI AND EMPRESS. Sydney Howard, recently seen in lan Hay's " Tilly of. Bloomsbury," is most amusing as a blundering Yorkshireman in " Up For the Cup," the hilarious English comedy to bo presented at the Roxy, Tivoli and Empress Theatres again this evening. A splendid character study is also given by Joan Wyndham. The picture is a series of itinusing situations from beginning to end CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO. Mr. W. S. van Dyke has produced a jungle film of amazing power in " Trader Horn," tho astounding picture to be shown again at the Crystal Palace Theatre and the Rialto Theatre this evening. It shows both man and beast in their native haunts in the interior of " darkest Africa." EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Norma Shearer., Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable appear in "A Free Soul," a vivid drama, to head the programme at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. It was directed by Clarenco Brown. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Frank Fay and Lilyan Tashman appear in " Matrimonial Problem," to bo shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Lila Lee is the heroine in " The Gorilla," the second picture on the programme. LYRIC THEATRE. Eddie Cantor's " Palmy Days " and "Derelict" (George Bancroft) comprise the films at tho Lyric Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA. Ramon Novarro is a dashing figure in " Devil-May-Care," to be presented at the Tudor Cinema this evening. He sings five songs composed by Rudolph Friml, of " Rose Marie " fame. BRITANNIA THEATRE. " Sporting Blood," a romance of the turf, and " Lit tin Caesar (Edward G. Robinson) are beirg shown at the Britannia Theatre.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE;' "My Wife's Family," at St. James' Theatre, is a sheer joy. Its popularity seems to increase each day. And no wondpr. It is a riot of hearty comedy from beginning to end. There is no slackening in the pace from the moment a young husband learns with dismay of his mother-in-law's intending visit to " Peacehaven" until he is finally vindicated of having " brutally deceived" his incredulous wife. " STRANGERS MAY IvlSS.'i s Those who remember Norma Shearer's performances in " The Divorcee" and " Let Us Bo Gay" will welcome her reappearance in sophisticated roles in " Strangers May Kiss," to replace ' My Wife's Family" at St. James' Theatre on Friday. In addition, the programme will include a feature-length Laurel and Hardy comedy, ■ " Beau Hunks." Concerning " Strangers May Kiss," an English critic says: " Norma Shearer, exquisitely dressed, gives a brilliant interpretation of the leading lady. It is fine emotional acting. The honours of the picture nre almost stolen, however, by Robert Montgomery, whose performance as the faithful and pleasantly tipsy lover is far and away the most delightful thing he has given us. Nei! Hamilton's study of a masculine journalist adequately conforms to Hollywood's impression of the type." There is a notable supporting cast, including Marjorie Rambeau, a character actress of accomplishment; Irene Rich, who has passed from youthful roles to matronly studies with rare dignity and ease, and Albert Conti, the philandering bachelor in " This Modern Age." " Beau Hunks" has won the unanimous praise of critics. One says: " The popular Laurel and Hardy have rarely been more amusing-'' ST. PATRICK'S PROGRAMME. A performance by 700 school children will be given in the Town Hall on the evening of Thursday, St. Patrick's Day. A large audience is anticipated.