ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21144, 30 March 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Ursula Parrot, authoress of "The Divorcee,' wrote "Strangers May Kiss," in which Norma Shearer and "Robert Montgomery are proving most popular at St. James' Theatre. Mr. Montgomery is especially good as a pleasantly-tipsy, but everlastingly faithful lover. "Beau Hunks" is the ingenious title of the , hilarious burlesque in which Laurel and Hardy are their usual asinine selves. The programme is 'completed by a comprehensive film of the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening. " MAT A HARI." Greta Ga.rbo, Ramon Novarro, Lionel Barrymore and Lewis Stone head the uncommonly fine cast in "Alula Ilari," the glamorous and romantic drama of the notorious Dutch-Javanese spy, to follow "Strangers May Kiss" at St. James' Theatre en Friday. Others aro Karen Morley, C. Henry Gordon, Alec. B. Francis, Blanche Fredcrici and Edmund Breese. The film has been directed with imaginative skill by George Fitzmaurice, whose "Possessed" was so artistically done. Miss Garbo, whose performance in "Susan Lenox" recently was superb, has eclipsed all her former portrayals in the part of the alluring whose espionage activities in the war cost the lives of scores of men. REGENT THEATRE. Filmgoers who appreciate quaintness and novelty in entertainment have taken "Hobson's Choice," now at the Regent Theatre, completely to their hearts. An English critic says: "Lancashire in the Victorian era, with its cobbled streets, its quaint shops, its corner 'pubs,' and its shrewd natives are put on the screen with a pleasing realism and a keen sense of humour in this wholly delightful English picture." A film of particular interest is the latest issue of the Cinesound News, showing the remarkable Captain de Groot incident at the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening. " BOUGHT " FOR REGENT"Here is the best Constance Bennett film for a long time." So v,rites a noted London critic concerning "Bought," to succeed "Hobson's Choice" at the Regent Theatre on Friday. lie goes ori: "This is because the sex stuff, which brought Constance a long series of unwise loves . . . lias at last been forsaken for a themo unusually clearly stated and surprisingly consistently developed. . . . Set free from the tics of too ardent love, Constance Bennett brings to her portrayal of an ambitious and yearning young girl a freshness that one had begun to fear she had completely lost." PLAZA THEATRE. Broad English humour is presented in its most riotously funny form in "Splinters in tho Navy," which continues to enjoy exceptional popularity at the Plaza Theatre, j It is excellently played by Sydney j Howard, Alf Goddard, Lew Lake, Reg. Stone and Iho inimitable "beauty ballet." One of (he most amusing episodes is a boxing bout between a burly naval pugilist and his timidly aggressive challenger. The supporting items include a film showing the Sydney Harbour Bridge festivities. The sensational Captain do Groot incident is recorded. ROXY THEATRE. Two splendid Paramount films, " Women Love Once," with Paul Lukas and Eleanor Boardman, and " Caught " (Richard Arlen), will begin a season at the Roxv Theatre' to-day. The first is a convincing story of modern life. Tense drama is the keynote of " Caught," which is especially notable for the portrayal by Louise Dresser of a wordly proprietress of a notorious gambling establishment in the lawless West. Frances Dee, of "An American Tragedy," plays the part of the heroine. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Mae Marsh, famous actress of "Intolerance" and "The Birth of a Nation," makes a triumphant return to the screen after 12 years' retirement in "Over the Hill," the moving drama of mother love, now at the Majestic Theatre. She gives a sincere and dignified portrayal of a most exacting role. Delightful interpretations are also contributed by Sally Eilers and James Dunn, last seen together in "Bad Girl." A film of the Sydney Harbour Bridge ceremonies is prominent among the supporting items. There is also a Silly Symphony cartoon and the Fox Australian and International News. STRAND THEATRE. Yet another luminary of the English stage, Gracie Fields, is introduced to Auckland filmgoers in "Sally in Our Alley," now being shown at the Strand Theatre. Anybody who sees her portrayal of the lovable waitress-entertainer in a typical coffee shop in a L6ndon slum district, will not bo surprised that she commands a salary of £6OO a week on the London vaudeville stage. The next programmo will be headed by "Suicide Fleet." LONDON THEATRE. Three unusually varied films, "Rango," "Social Errors" and "A Perfect Day," comprise the present programmo at the London Theatre. The first is a distinctive jungle picture, and "Social Errors" is an amusing comedy of manners. Laurel and Hardy appeal' in "A Perfect Day." NATI ONAL THEATRE. Walter Huston. Doris Kenyon, Loretta Young and David Manners are members of the excellent cast which interprets "The Ruling Voice," now at the National Theatre. It is an impelling drama of graft and corruption in modern business. Dudley Digges and John Ilalliday also appear. " CARNIVAL." There is an air of glamour and exotic beauty about " Carnival," showing at the Crystal Palace, Tivoli and Empress Theatres, which makes it thoroughly delightful entertainment. Matheson Lang and Dorothy Bouchier appear. At the Tivoli and Empress Theatres " Honeymoon Lane " is also shown. " NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH." The sparkling comedy, " Nothing But the Truth," will bo presented by the Zoo Bartley-Baxter players at His Majesty's Theatre on April 9. Proceeds will be devoted to the Auckland City Mission. LYRIC THEATRE. "The Smiling Lieutenant" (Maurice Chevalier), may bo seen at the Lyric Theatre. RIALTO THEATRE. Devotion," in which Ann Harding and Leslie Howard appear, heads the Hialto Theatre programmo. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. " Strictly Dishonourable," with Paul Lukas and Sidney Fox, heads the Epsom Regent Theatre programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Mv Wife's Family," the splendid English farce, heads tho Prince Edward Theatre programmo. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Get Rii'h-ljuick Wallingford" (William Haines), and "Reel,less Living," aro the films at tho Britannia Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE. A well-balanced programme is being presented at the Civic Theatre this week. Captain de Groot's astonishing exploit at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge is recorded in the latest issue of the sound News. Wonderful singing is the outstanding feature of "Gipsy Blood," the distinctive English film version of Bizet's "Carmen." Splendid performances are given by Tom Burke, Marguerite Namara and Lance Fairfax, all of whom sing excellently. An enchanting stage performance of an old-time minstrel show, "TheDarktown Revue," is given at the afternoon and evening sessions by the 50 gifted child artists who appeared in the Christmas pantomime. l It comprises appealing songs, entrancing dances, delightful humour and lavish settings. "THE BELOVED BACHELOR." Faul Lukas, the engaging "lady-killer" of "Strictly Dishonourable," and Dorothy Jordan, the wistful ingenue of "Min ancl Bill" and "Shipmates," appear together in "1 he Beloved Bachelor," to head the new programme at tho Civic Theatre on Friday. It is a simple romantic story as charming as "Daddy Longlegs." Splendid performances aro also given by Charles Buggies, as a constantly-inebriated man-of-fashion, and Vivienno Osborne, as a beautiful and worldly woman, CAPITOL THEATRE. "Skippy" (Jackie Cooper), may b« seen at the Capitol Theatre.