ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21145, 31 March 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Sparkling comedy, entirely removed from the ordinary ruck of film entertainment, is presented in " Hobson's Choice, the excellent English production to end its season at the Regent Hieatre this evening. The Mr. Hobson of this stcry is an unfortunate father completely overridden by his three thoroughly emancipated daughters. There is an exceptionally good supporting programme, which is invariably greeted with applause. " BOUGHT " FOR REGENT. Constanco Bennett has at last foisakcn "tarnished lady" portrayals in Bought, to succeed "Hobson's Choice" at "ho Regent Theatre tomorrow. An English critic welcomes the departure. He says: "Set free from the ties of too ardent love Constance Bennett brings to ,ier portrayal of an ambitious and yearning young woman a freshness that one had begun to fear she had completely lost. Her study of the strong-willed, questing voung person is her best performance to date. Her father, Richard Bennett, gives her worthy support as a wealthy eccentric who befriends the girl, as does Ben Lyon, in the part of a steadfast author in love with her. Mr. Archie Mavo's capable and penetrating development of Iho theme puts the film ors a distinguished plane of intelligence, but the wider appeal of surprise, emotion, and dramatic denouement, has by no mentis been forgotten." CIVIC THEATRE. "Gipsy Blood," the distinctive English film now being shown at the Civic Thea:re, is the audible-screen version of Bizet's glorious opera, ' (.armen. It- is splendidly interpreted by Tom Burke. Marguerite Namara, I.a nee Fairfax, .and other singers of repute. A delightful stage performance. " The Darktown Revue," is presented at the afternoon and evening sessions. The programme will end its season this evening. " THE BELOVED BACHELOR." .An exquisite romance similar to "Daddv Longlegs," is told with infinite charm in "The Beloved Bachelor," to head the new programme at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. Paul Lukas, who played a more sophisticated role in " Strictly Dishonourable" recently, is excellent in Hie title role. No more wistfully appealing actress could have been selected for the part of the winsome orphan than Dorothy Jordan, the petite and charming ingenue of "Min and Bill and "Shipmates." Noted screen players elsewhere in (lie cast arc Charles Ruggles, a.s a bibulous man-about-town, and Vivienno Osborne suitably alluring as a worldly and designing woman. An Australian critic says: "There is delightful entertainnifnt in 'The Beloved Bachelor,' which is certain to win the approval of well-nigh everyone who sees it." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Few who see " Over the Ilill," at the Majestic Theatre, will fail to be moved by the tender pathos of the story and the magnificent acting of Mae Marsh in the part of the unhappy mother. The drama " has been sensitively handled by Henry King, director of such silent-screen classics as " Tol'able David" and 1 Stella Dallas." The film's season will close this evening. " THE SILENT WITNESS." "The Silent Witness," the engrossing mvstcry-dram» to begin a season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, is based 011 the successful stage play of the same title. Lionel Atwill, an actor of considerable repute, and Bramwell Hetcher have the same roles they played on the Broadway stage, and the cast in addition includes Greta Nissen, Helen Mack, Alan Mowbray and Herbert Mundin. London is the setting for the story, which is about a socially prominent Englishman who is caught iii a web of circumstantial evidence when he stands trial for murder to shield his son. ftOXY THEATRE. Paul Lukas and Eleanor Boardman both act splendidly in " Women Love Once," now being shown with " Caught" (Richard Alien) at the Ro.xv Theatre. Michael Orme says: " Paul Lukas is excellent as the husband who was content to be the commercial breadwinner until a visit to Paris opened his eyes to Bohemian principles—or the lack of tliem. His performance is sensitive and natural, and presents a convincing picture of a man shamefacedly torn between conflicting loyalties." Other players ill "Caught," an invigorating Western picture, are Louise Dresser and Frances Dee. STRAND THEATRE. C.racie Fields, idol of the London vaudeville stage, has proved most popular in her first talking-picture, "Sally in Our Alley," which is ncaring the close of its season at the Strand Theatre. The next programme will be headed by "Suicide Fleet,", in which William Boyd and Ginger Rogers are the leading players. A London critic says: "This is a wonderfully exciting drama of war at sea, with Q-ships, destroyers and U boats all in thrilling action." ST. JAMES' THEATRE. After a most successful fortnight's sea. ion, " Strangers May Kiss," with Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery, and " Beau Hunks" will end their season nt St. James' Theatre this* evening. The former is a brilliant sophisticated romantic drama by Ursula Parrott, authoress of " The Divorcee." Laurel and Hardy are very funny in a burlesque of the French Foreign Legion. NATIONAL THEATRE. "The Ruling Voice." u drama of racketeering in modern business, will end its season at (he National Theatre this evening. Walter Huston, Doris Kenyon, David Manners and Lorett.i Young are the principals. " Tl:-e Road to Reno," with Charles Rogers ;tnd Lilyari Tashman, will be shown to-morrow. LYRIC THEATRE. In the "Smiling Lieutenant" at the Lyric Theatre this evening, the irresistible Maurirp Chevalier takch Ihp lead, and supporting him is the charming Claudette Colbert. Ibis film is crammed with wit and melodious new songs by Oscar Strauss, and provides an evening of delightful entertainment. E.MI'RKSS 'III HATI'E. All the glamour of the tropics is vividly portrayed by the sellings in " East of Borneo," (he fascinating film which will lie screened at tiic Empress Theatre this evening. KEtiKNT TH.KATHE, EPSOM. "The Outsider." a powerful English dram!), will be screened at thp Rcgrul Theat-e, Ep«om. this evening. JLnvild Huth and Joan Barry are included in the cast. An amusing comedy, " l.'p for the Cup," will also lip shown. LONDON THKATUE. The current programme at the London Theatre, comprises " Rnngo," a jurigln film; "Social Errors." a. Laurel mid Hardy comedy and a Mickey Mouse cartoon. TUDOR THEATRE. Will Rogers, that master of humorous acting, takes the. chief role in " Ambassador Bill" at the Tudor Theatre. It in a* most amusing film.

PLAZA THEATRE. Now in the second week of its season, " Splinters in the Navy" continues to enjoy remarkable popularity at the Plaza Theatre. It is a roistering comedy of naval life in which Sydney Howard and his merry band romp gaily through a succession of uproariously funny episodes. There are A If. Goddard, as a burly and somewhat vindictive naval pugilist, Lew. Lake. Reg. Stone, Fred Bcntley and the alluring " beauty ballet." The film is the logical successor to the original 111 m. " Splinters," ill which the talented wartime concert party appeared. It is a riot of hilarious comedy and broad fun from beginning to end. There is no halt, in the breakneck speed of the action front the very opening scene. A worthy supporting programme includes an Andy Clyde comedy. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. After the installation of the new De Forrest talking picture apparatus, the Prince Edward Theatre will he reopened to-day with the screening of !ho hilarious English comedy, "My Wife's Family." Tho consequences of a mother-in-law's officious investigation of a young married couple's affairs provide a series of mirthprovoking scenes. TIVOLI THEATRE. Charles Riekford has tho role of a degenerate doctor in an East Indian principality in "East of Borneo," the thrilling drama to be shown at tho Tivoli Theatre this evening. His eventual regeneration and heroism supply a fine climax. RIALTO THEATRE. Clark Gable, the vnutig principal who has sprunc so rapidly to the first rank of popularity, has the chief role in "Sporting Blood," a film of the turf, to lie screened at (he Rialto Theatre this eveninc. "One Good Turn," one of the funniest of the Laurel and Hardy series, will also bo shown. ALEXANDRA THEATRE. "Waterloo Bridge," a sincero and powerful story of the war years, heads tho current programme at the Alexandra Theatre. Produced in England, the film includes in its cast several noted stage players. The second item. " Honeymoon Lane," is a charming and natural story of tho younger generation. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. A delightful story of tho younger generation is told in "Honeymoon Lnne." oils of the two splendid pictures to bo shown at the Crystal Pnhice Theatre this evening. The second attraction, "Waterloo Bridge." is a sincere and moving story of the war years, without being a "war" story in the commonly accepted sense.