ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21162, 20 April 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Robert Montgomery gives an engaging portrayal of a waggish young Englishman in Frederick Lonsdale's second specially written > photoplay, "Lovers Courageous," to end a popular season at St. James' Theatre to-morrow evening. Madge Evans, the pretty ingenue of "Son of India" and "Guilty Hands," is a charming heroine. Excellent performances are also given by Frederick I\or.r, as a. testy admiral, Beryl Mercer and Roland Young. " DELICIOUS." Janet Gavnor and Charles Farrell are happily reunited in "Delicious," the exquisite romance to follow "Lovers Courageous" at St. James' Theatre on Friday. Miss Gaynor is a sheer delight as a wistful Scottish lassie, who emigrates to the LTnited States. The charm of the story gains added appeal from th© enchanting music of George Gershwin which "accompanies it. There are such lilting pieces as "Delicious." "Somebody From Somewhere," "Katinkitschka" arid the Rhapsody in Rivets. A . characteristically comic performance comes from El Brendel, the quizzical Swede of "Mr. Lemon of Orange." Other members of the cast are Virginia Cherrall, Charlie Chaplin's leading lady in "City Lights," and Lawrence O'Sullivan. But it is Janet Gaynor who makes the picture. CIVIC THEATRE. Winnie Lightner (" The Life of the Party") romps merrily.through a succession of riotously funny episodes in "Gold Dust Gertie," to end its season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow evening. She revels in the part of a much-married young woman who . has learned to profit by experience. Olsen and Johnson, resourceful stage comedians, head the talented cast of supporting artists. Great popularity continues to be enjoyed by the new Civic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Harold Baxter. " TWENTY-FOUR HOURS-". A notable cast interprets " TwentyFour Hours," the engrossing film to succeed " Gold Dust Gertie" at the Civic Theatre on Friday. An Australian critic savs:—"Another sterling performance by Clive Brook, ably supported by Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis and Regis Toomey, lends uncommon distinction to the film. The story is pure melodrama, but so well directed that its situations gain impelling realism, presenting a broad, colourful canvas of the night-life of New lork." Mr. Brook may always be depended upon for a finished portrayal, and so may Miss Francis. Special mention must be made of Miss Hopkins, whose interpretation of the shy, ■ introspective princess in " The Smiling Lieutenant" was so excellently done. REGENT THEATRE. " Frankenstein,"' to end its season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow evening, is an amazing film horrifying yet fascinating withal. It begins in a graveyard. The'. half-crazy scientist and his repulsive assistant, a ghoulish hunchback, are lurking in the gloom. No sooner has a corpse been buried than they emerge from the shadows and spirit the coffin away. ' This gruesome episode is but- a prelude to more astounding horrors which lollow. " CHANCES." Douglas Fairbanks, junr.. heads a fine cast, in " Chances." an impelling drama of the war, based on the novel by A. Hamilton Gibbs, to follow " Frankenstein" at the Regent Theatre on Friday. There are also Rose Hobart, alluring young actress of " East of Borneo," Anihonv Bushell, of "Journey's End" and " Disraeli," Tyrrell Davis, Mary Forbes and Florence Britton. " Chances" is an impressive drama of the love of two brothers both British Army officers, for the same woman. Although it is portraved against the background of war, it is essentially a drama of human emotions. An English atmosphere has been skilfully created by Alan Dwan, the director. ROXY THEATRE. Lavish praise has been accorded the work of Frank Capra, author and director, and Barbara Stanwyck in " Forbidden." Ihe vital drama to begin a season at the Roxy Theatre to-day. Campbell Dixon, film critic for the* London Daily Telegraph, says J .—" "Forbidden' is one of the best talkies ever made. It has a strong plot, unforced pathos and amusing dialogue: it is faultlessly directed, and acted with a passionate sincerity that is profoundly moving.', Adolphc Menjou adds one- more to' his long' gallery of clever portraits, Miss Stanwyck reveals genuine emotional power, and there is a fine character study by Ralph Bellamy of a scandal sheet editor whom she 'bumps off to save her lover from exposure. Forbidden' is a film you should not miss. STRAND THEATRE. An exciting melodramatic story is told with verve in " A Honeymoon Adventure." which is enjoying great popularity at the Strand Theatre this week. It is a stimulating tale of sinister criminals put to flight by the astuteness of a young woman. Benita Hume and Harold Huth are the leading players. " Consolation ! Marriage," in which Irene Dunne is the principal, will be shown shortly. NATIONAL THEATRE. Betty Stockfield, appealing young Australian actress of 44 City of Song, and Dennis Ncilson-Terry appear tegether in " 77, Park Lane." now being presented at the National Theatre. Malcolm Keen i<t appropriately suave as the specious villain. It is an engrossing film, containing all the ingredients of satisfying entertainment. TIVOLI AND EMPRESS. The notable production " Trader Horn" is attracting large and appreciative audiences to the Tivoli and Empress Theatres. The film is modelled on the novel of adventure of the same name and rivets the attention of the audionce from start to finish. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "The Smiling Lieutenant,with Maurice Chevalier as the principal,, is being shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. The programme at. the. Epsom Regejit Theatre is headed by " Sporting Blood." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Pleasing entertainment is provided in " Merely Mary Ann," which is being screened at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The leading roles arc played by. Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor. RTALTO THEATRE. Constance Bennett appears in " Common Law," which is being presented at the Rialto Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. " Honour Among Lovers" is being j shown at the Lyric Theatre. TUDOR. THEATRE. " Those Charming People " is the main attraction at the Tudor Theatre. BRITANNIA - THEATRE. The principal picture at the Britannia Theatre ia - Politics.'--

PLAZA THEATRE. Leon Gordon's vivid drama of life on the Gold Coast, ''White Cargo," will be shown finally at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow evening. It 's enjoying great success. Apart from the impelling nature of the plot there is. the magnificent acting of, the leading players, Leslie Faber, Gipsy Phouma, Maurice Evans and John Hamilton.' The film captures perfectly the exotic but meretricious glamour of life in the tropics. "MISCHIEF." Ben Travers lias fashioned another perfect character for Ralph Lynn in "'Mischief," to replace "White Cargo' at the Plaza. Theatre on Friday. Michael Orme says: " 'Mischief,'.directed by Jack Raymond with abundant action and excellent pace,, is a hilarious affair, depicting the efforts of one Arthur Gordon to control the mischievous spirit of a lively grass widow the while her husband is away. Needless to say, the knight errant gets into ridiculous scrapes and finally embarks on a romance of his own. Ralph Lynn smiles his ingenuous way through his absurd dilemmas, responding in his own' inimitable' way to the comic inspirations of author and director. The picture owes its buoyancy Jlo its genuinely cinematic treatment." MAJESTIC THEATRE. Buster Keaton maintains his customary caryen immobility of expression throughout his ridiculously funny escapades as the cardboard -lover of a pretty Parisienne in "The Passionate Plumber," to be shown finally at the Majestic Theatre this evening. Jimmy Durante and Polly Moran are also very funny. Will Rogers is at his best in "Business and Pleasure," the film version of Booth Tatfdngton's "The Plutocrat," to be shown with "Cheaters at Play" to-morrow. The sly art of Mr. Rogers* finds perfect expression in the part of Earl Tinker, a razor-blade king from Oklahoma, visiting Arabia. Other members of the cast are Jetta Goudal, as an alluring siren, and Joel McCrea, leading man in several Constance Bennett successes. It is satire in its most subtle form. Charlotte _ Greenwood, Thomas Meighan and William Bakewell appear in the second film. LONDON THEATRE. James Dunne and Sally Filers repeat the success that was theirs in "Bad Girl" in "Dance Team," to head the new programme afc the London Theatre to-day. It.is a sincere story of the joys and sorrows of two everyday people. CAPITOL THEATRE. Norma Shearer and Clark Gable appear in "A Free Soul," which heads the excellent programme at the Capitol Theatre. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. J. C. Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company will open a short farewell season at His Majesty's Theatre next Tuesday evening, when the popular work " Dorothy" will bo presented. A matinee will be held on Wednesday, April 27. Performances will also be given of the following operas: "The Yeomen of the Guard," " lolauthe, " Ruddigore," " The Mikado," " Patience" and " The Gondoliers." The presentation of " The Gondoliers" on May 5 will take the form of a grand gala farewell night. Some of the many appealing songs and choruses in " Dorothy" are "Lads and Lassies Round the Hop Field Trip." " Be Wise In Time," " With Such a Dainty Maid," " You Swear to be Good and True," •" Though Born a Man of High Degree" and " I Stand at Your Threshold a-Sighing." The beautiful music was composed by Alfred Cellies. The magnificent ballets and the dances of the peasants are features of the production. , GRAND CONCERT. A grand concert in aid of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Fund will b 0 held in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. Vocal and instrumental items will be presented by Auckland's leading artists. Selections will be played by the Auckland Municipal Band. Reservations may be made.