ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21163, 21 April 1932, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE. Boisterous good humour enlivens "Gold Dust Gertie," the uproarious comedy to end its season at the Civic Theatre this evening. Winnie Lightner, the vivacious comedienne who achieved screen fame overnight in " The Gold Diggers of Broadway," plays with gay abandon the characteristic part of the muchmarried and accommodating Gertie. " TWENTY-FOUR HOURS." Clive Brook needs no recommendation to Auckland film-goers. He invariably acts so well. In " Twenty-Four Hours," to succeed " Gold Dust Gertie" at the Civic Thcalro to-morrow, ho once more forsakes his customary suave urbanity for the role of a man wearied of life, whoso wife's ceaseless quest for mere social distinction irritates him beyond knowing. His desire to seek forgetfulness of the sham and hypocrisy of his existence in the company of an equally disillusioned cabaret entertainer brings iiim face to face with the reality of the underworld of a large city. A remarkably fine study of the forlorn night club dancer is given by Miriam Hopkins, remembered as the simpering princess fn " 'fhe Smiling Lieutenant." Kay Frapcis, the actress of " Sc<yidal Sheet," is suitably reserved and distant as the supercilious society woman, and Regis Toomey acts well as a desperate ex-convict. • The film is all melodrama of the most impelling sort, and presents a broad, colourful canvas of modern racketeering. " Detective Lloyd" is tlio title of the first English serial produced, the first episode of which will be shown to-morrow. It is a swiftly-moving story of Scotland Vard and the remorseless pursuit, of criminals. An authentic. London atmosphere lends credence to the startling succession of incidents related. ST. JAMES" THEATRE. Frederick Lonsdale's " Lovers Courageous," to be shown finally at St. James' Theatre fliis evening, is a thoroughly delightful film Captivating portrayals are contributed by Robert Montgomery, the engaging wag of "Strangers May Kiss," and Madge Evans, who has never looked more appealing. " DELICIOUS." Janet Gaynor' is her usual demure self in " Delicious," to replace " Lovers Courageous'' at St.. James' Theatre to-morrow. Charles Farrell makes a. likeable hero and talented players elsewhere in the cast are El Brendel, the quizzical Swedish comedian, and Virginia Cherrill, of Charlie Chaplin's " City Lights." Campbell Dixon, film critic for the London Daily Telegraph, says: " Recently 1 met Miss Janet Gaynor, who has succeeded Miss Mary Pickford as the best-loved film ingenue of the clay. She has dark red hair, she has a pretty little humorous face, which looks in real life exactly as it does on the screen, and she earns about £ISOO a week. . . . The story of this lit tie Philadelphia girl is one of the genuine romances of the screen. Seven vears ago, on the advice of her beloved stepfather, she abandoned office work to take the plunge in Hollywood. Her personality and charm mildly impressed one director; he gave her work as an extra. Then she was given ' bits,' then leads in comedies and Westerns, nnd at last the part that made her world-famous almost in a dav—that of the waif girl in Frank Borzage's idyll of the Paris slums, ' Seventh Heaven.' "

PLAZA THEATRE. Vivid drama characterises the notable English film version of Leon Gordon's successful stage play, "White Cargo," to be shown finally at the Plaza Theatre this evening. It tells a glamorous tale of love and disenchantment amid the exotic allurements of the tropics. "MISCHIEF." "Once again the collaboration of Ben Travels, author, and Ralph Lynn, actor, has resulted in a delightful piece of farcical comedy, racily British as to humour and taking full advantage of the beauty of rural England." So writes Michael Ornie concerning "Mischief," to follow "White Cargo" at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow. He continues: —"The picture owes its buoyancy to its genuinely cinematic treatment, for, though it is provided with 'snappy* dialogue and laughable lines in plenty, it breaks away entirely from stage farce, roaming through lovely country settings, exquisitely photographed, and gathering laughter as it bowls along. Ralph Lynn is admirably supported, and Winifred Shotter makes a charming heroine." Kenneth Kove also gives a brilliant comic performance.

ROXY THEATRE. " Forbidden," which began a season at tho Roxy Theatre yesterday, has won the enthusiastic praise of many overseas critics, especially Campbell Dixon, of the London Daily Telegraph. He. says: '1 he Columbia Company, responsible for so many brilliant pictures during the past six months, scores another outstanding success with 'Forbidden,' a story of a woman's sacrifice. It is written and directed (usually a fatal combination) by Fianlc Capra. Tho Hint has power, pathos and unforced comedy, and 1 shall l>e surprised if it does not go down as one of the ten best films of 1932. Adolphe Menj'ou gives one of the finest performances of his career as the lawyerpolitician for whom the girl sacrifices happiness, honour, and even liberty; and Barbara Stanwyck, one of the newest stars, brings to the part of tho woman a charm, distinction and emotional power which should take her a long way." Another reviewer comments: "'Forbidden' is a brilliant film, brilliant] v executed." LONDON THEATRE. Anybody who enjoyed " Bad Girl " should delight in "Dance Team," in which .James Dunn and Sally Filers appear at the London Theatre this week. It is a sincere film of everyday people, interpreted with impressive simplicity and simple directness. There is a varied programme of supporting films. TIVOLI THEATRE. " Devotion," with Ann Harding and Leslie Howard, and " Th c Menace," an adaptation of Edgar Wallace's "Tho Feathered Serpent," arc being presented at the Tivoli Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. Ann Harding and Leslie Howard form a delightful pair in "Devotion," to bo presented with " The Menace," the film version of Edgar Wallace's " Thc Feathered Serpent," at the Empress Theatre to-day. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Janet Gavnor, thc appealing actress of " Daddy Longlegs," and Charles Farrcll arc happily reunited in " Merely Mary Ann," which heads the programme at (he Epsom Regent Theatre. It is the film version of Israel Zangwill's exquisite romance. 11l ALTO THEATRE.

William , Haines, Ernest Torrence and .7imniy Durante are an amusing trio in " The New Adventures of Get-Rich-Quick Walliugford." now being shown with " The Final Edition" at the Uialto Theatre. Pat O'Brien and Mac Clarke appear in the latter.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Ernst J.ubilsoli's " The Smiling Lieutenant" (Maurice Clvjvalier) heads the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day.

REGENT THEATRE. " Frankenstein," to close its season at the Regent Theatre this evening, casts an eerily fascinating spell on all who see it. Gruesome and horrifying, it has nevertheless proved remarkably successful in Auckland. _ The supporting films which accompany it are excellent.

" CHANCES." A. Hamilton Gibbs' distinctive novel of the part played by the Royal Horse Artillery in the war has lost none of its depth and power by its transference to the audible-screen. Interpreted by a notable cast, " Chances" will replace " Frankenstein" at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. There is Douglas tairbanks, junr., in the part of a young English officer caught up in the maelstrom of conflict; Anthony Bushell, of " Disraeli, as his devoted brother; and Rose Hobart, seen recently in " East of Borneo, who makes a captivating character as the heroine, a beautiful young woman who is the- unwitting causo of strife between the two brothers. Enthusiastic praise has been accorded the performance ot Mr. Fairbanks, who has tempered his customary buoyant youthfulncss wlt *? 8 sterner quality of earnestness. C)lhci gifted members of the cast are Ila '>y Allen, who created the role of Old Bill i„ "The Better 'Ole;" Tyrrell Davis resourceful actor of "silly ass roles; Mary Forbes and Holmes Herbert. Ama/.ing realism has been achieved in the actual war scenes, which were filmed under the technical supervision of expert advisers Authentic scenes of London accentuate the. English atmosphere which cliaiactcrises the film throughout There will be another splendid supporting piogranimc. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Two excellent full-length films, each a n entertainment in itself, will begin a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Will Rogers, "America's cheeriest philosopher, is a humorous character in "Business and Pleasure." "Cheaters at Play" is an exciting shipboard mystery drama, in which Thomas Meighan, Charlotte Greenwood, tall comedienne, William Bakewell and Barabara Weeks are the leading players. Writing of the first film, Mordaunt Hall, film critic for the Now York Times, says: "Will Rogers, who never fails to give motion picture audiences their full money s worth of laughter, is as successful as ever in his latest venture, 'Business and Pleasure,' an adaptation of Bootli Tarkington's 'The Plutocrat.' The theatre was well filled for the first showing of this film and many a chuckle, giggle and guffaw was evoked by the comedian s special brand of dry wit. Here Mr.. Rogers impersonates Earl Tinker, a razor-blade king from Oklahoma, who, with his wile and daughter, goes to Algiers and Syria, bent on mixing business and pleasure, the business angle being unsuspected by Mrs. Tinker. This Tinker has an eye for an attractive feminine face and before he crosses tho Atlantic he becomes rather interested in one, Madame Momora, a designing creature, who hopes to feather her nest by getting many dollars from a rival concern for reporting on the Oklahoman's movements and conversation. . . . Mr. Rogers' performance is capital, and it is obvious that he improvises many of his lines, which adds to the humour of the piece." STRAND THEATRE.

Considerable success continues to be enjoyed by "A Honeymoon Adventure," the invigorating English melodrama at the Strand Theatre. Clever charaterisations are given by Benita Hume, of "The Flying Fool," and Harold Huth, last seen in "The Outsider." Phar Lap is shown winning the Agua Caliente Handicap in a newsreel. Irene Dunne gives a splendid dramatic portrayal in "Consolation Marriage," to be shown shortly.

NATIONAL THEATRE. Betty Stockfield, the charming Australian actress of "City of Song," is a fascinating character in "77, Park Lane," now being presented at the National Theatre. Dennis Neilson-Terry makes a likeable hero, and Malcolm Keen is appropriately specious as the suave villain. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Sydney Howard, bland comedian of lan Hay's " Tilly of Bloomsbury," heads a splendid cast of resourceful comedians in " Splinters in the Navy/* now being shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Politics," with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran, is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA. "These Charming People" (Cyril Maudo and Nora Swinburne) heads the Tudor Cinema programme. LYRIC THEATRE. "Honour Among Lovers" (Fredric March and Claudetto Colbert) and "Man of the World" (William Powell) are the Lyric Theatre films. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN. Auckland theatregoers will welcome the return season to be given in His Majesty's Theatre bv the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company commencing on Tuesday evening. The opening opera will be "Dorothy," a delightful piece brimful of lilting music. Three night and a matinee performance will be given of this sparkling opera. It, will be followed by "The Yeomen of the Guard," "lolanthe," "Ruddigore," "The Mikado," "Patience," and "The Gondoliers." The whole company of artists, who proved so popular on their last visit, is in the cast of "Ruddigore." Ivan Mcnzies will be Robin Oakapple; Leo Darnton, "the Man of Wars Man: Sir Despard Murgatroyd will be played by John Ralston; Miss Evelyn Gardiner is Dante Hannah; and Rose May bud will be played by Marie Bremner. Others in the cast are Bernard Manning and Mary Ilotham. A feature of the production will bo the beautiful scenery, especially the scene in tlio picture gallery at Ruddigore Castle, whore the portraits of the ancestors come to life. The music of "Ruddigore" is some of the best that Sullivan ever wrote, and the libretto is in Gilbert's best style.

COMMUNITY SINGING. There will be community singing at the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow evening.