ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Comedy, romance a rid thrilling drama are all delightfully blended in the two excellent full-length films, "Business and Pleasure" and "Cheaters at Play"—each an entertainment in itself—which commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Will Rogers, "America's cheeriest philosopher," who has recently appeared with outstanding success in "Ambassador Bill," "They Had to Sco Paris" and "A Yankee at King Arthur's Court," excels himself in "Business and Pleasure," an adaptation of Booth Tarkington's novel, "The Plutocrat." Mr. Rogers is seen in the role of Earl Tinker, a razor-blade "king" from Oklahoma, who, attracted by a shipping advertisement, decides to take his wife and daughter ori a tour of the world. As in his previous successes, Will Rogers is portrayed as a Western American trying his hardest to accommodate himself to strange manners without losing his personality, a part in which ho is always in his element. While to all intents the trip is for pleasure Tinker really seeks to acquire, while in Damascus, further interests for his business. On the trip across the Atlantic ho becomes rather interested in one Madame Mamora, a dosigning woman, who in reality is in the employ of a rival razor-blado concern, and hopes to discover Tinker's intentions abroad. The subsequent situations which arise and the humorous manner in which Tinker combats and eventually defeats the schemes of his rivals, make an excellent story. As Madame Mamora Jetta Goudal makes a triumphant return to the screen, while a strong supporting cast includes Joel McCrea, Dorothy Peterson and Peggy Ross. Tho second film, "Cheaters at Play," has all the elements of tense mystery-drama, interspersed with an abundance of bright comedy, and it grips the audience from start to finish. -The efforts of various international criminals to obtain possession of a priceless emerald necklace form the basis of the exciting plot, the majority of which is enacted on board a transatlantic liner, en route to New York. The necklace belongs to a millionaire's wife (Charlotto Greenwood), who is endeavouring to smuggle it into the country to avoid the customs duty. The emeralds aro stolen on three separate occasions, and each time an old friend of Mrs. Crozier (the millionaire's wife), himself a former master thief, recovers them for her in thrilling circumstances. The role of the suave cx-thief is taken by Thomas INleighan, who recently appeared with outstanding success in "Manslaughter." Charlotte Greenwood, tho tall blonde comedienne, is responsible for tho lighter side of tho story, and causes many laughs as the rich Mrs. Crozier. The inter-play of plot with counter-plot makes the action of tho film exceptionally fast, and there is not a dull moment. Events move rapidly up to an exciting climax, which is perhaps more logical in its conclusion than the majority of stories of this type. Although Thomas Meiglian dominates the story by his superb acting very fine portrayals are given by William Bakcwell and Barbara Weeks, who are responsible for tho romantic aspect. Ihe cast also includes James Kirkwood as a detective, Linda Watkins and Ralph Morgan. The programme includes an Australian news reel, tho principal item of which depicts Phar Lap's last great victory at Agua Caliente. Other topical subjects shown are the arrival of the German aviatrix, Elli Beinhorn, at Sydney after a solo flight from Berlin, scenes of the Royal Agricultural Show and tho great rally of 11.000 Sydney schoolchildren during the Harbour Bridge celebrations. REGENT THEATRE.

Grim scenes of Flanders battlefields and of the quietude of rural England are vividly contrasted in " Chances, the vital drama based on the famous novel of A. Hamilton Gibbs, to head the new programme at the Regent Theatre to-dav. Two British artillery officers iu love with the same girl (Rose Hobart) are splendidly interpreted by Douglas Fairbanks, jnr., gay, devil-may-care, but with an underlying sternness and determination, and Anthony Bushell, of " Disraeli," who brings sensitive intelligence to the part of the more reserved and introspective youth. Miss Hobart, who will be remembered for her performance in "East of Borneo," invests with austere charm the part of the beautiful young woman who is unwittingly the cause of strife between the two brothers. An impressive atmosphere of realism characterises the film from first to last. Notable artists elsewhere in the cast are Harry -Allen, who created the stage role of Bruce Bairnsfather's Old Bill in " The Better 'Ole " ; Tyrrell Davis, actor of "inconsequent" parts; Alary Forbes, Holmes Herbert and Edmond Breon. Although the film deals (for the first time on the screen) with the activities of the Royal Horse Artillery in iho war, " Chances " is essentiallv a drama of conflicting human emotions. Particular praise has been accorded the acting of Mr. Fairbanks by discerning overseas critics. In his first role of major importance he gives a mature portrayal which stamps him as an actor of distinction.

RIALTO THEATRE. "The New Adventures of Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" (William ITaines) will be shown with "The Final Edition," in which Pat O'Brien and Mae Clarke appear, at the Rialto Theatre this evening. Ernest Torrence and Jimmy Durante also take part in the former. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Sydney Howard, Fred Bentlcy, Reg. Stone and others of the famous war-time conceit party, are most amusing in "Splinters in "the Navy," to head the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. LONDON THEATRE. The sincerity with which it is acted lends further distinction to " Dance Team," the appealing film now being presented at the London Theatre. Delightful performances are given by James Dunn and Snlly Filers. PRTNCE EDWARD THEATRE. Charles Ruggles* "The Girl Habit" and "Huckleberry Finn" comprise the two films at the Frince Edward Theatre. EPSOM REGEN'T THEATRE. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell make a, delightful romantic pair in "Merely Mary Ann," Israel Zangwill's appealing romance, now being shown at tho Epsom Regent Theatre. EMPRESS THEATRE. Ann Harding and Leslie Howard both act superbly in "Devotion," to bo presented with "The Menace," an Edgar Wall ace story, at the Empress Theatre to-day.

TIVOLI THEATRE. " Devotion," with Ann Harding and Leslie Ilowarrl, and "Tho Menace," the film version of the late Edgar Wallace's "The Feathered Serpent," are the films at tho Tivoli Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. "City Streets," with Sylvia Sydney and Gary Cooper, and "Many a Slip," a sophisticated comedy, are the films at tho Lyric Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA. Tan Hay's "Tilly of Bloomsbury," with Phyllis Konstam and Sydney Howard, heads the Tudor Cinema programme.

CIVIC THEATRE. Clivo Brook gives a sterling performance in " Twenty-four Hours," the engrossing melodrama to begin a season at, the Civic Theatre to-day. He lias tlio part of a wealthy man of position weaned of life who becomes embroiled in an underworld murder. Splendid performances also come from Kay Francis, the beautiful actress of " Scandal Sheet," as his pleasure-loving wife, and especially Miriam Hopkins, the shy princess of " The Smiling Lieutenant," who endows with convincing emotional power tho part of a disillusioned cabaret entertainer with whom the financier seeks solace. Regis Toomey also acts well as tho night club singer's ex-convict husband. The story covers a period of exactly one day, and presents in that time a remarkably fine episodic impression of racketeering in a large city. Magnificent, acting is allied to the masterly direction of Marion Goring, a promising director of imagination and skill. Astonishing realism has been achieved throughout. Tho director makes no concessions to mere sensationalism. Every incident rings true. Credulity is never strained. Tho players never falter. Tho supporting films will includo the first episode of " Detective Lloyd," an enthralling English serial of crime and crime detection in London. Ati exciting melodramatic story is told against an authentic background of modern London —Scotland Yard, tho Tower of London, the British Museum and other famous places. STRAND THEATRE. Modern conditions of life are skilfully dealt with in " Consolation Marriage," the moving drama now at the Strand Theatre. Thero is an unusually fine cast, including Irene Dunne, of "Cimarron"; Pat O'Brien, engaging actor of " The Front Page" and "The Final Edition"; Myrna Loy, one of the screen's most devastating sirens; John Halliday and Matt Moore. A newsreel shows Pliar Lap, the New Zealand-bred wonder racehorse, winning the Agua Caliente Handicap. Several other interesting items .are shown. TLAZA THEATRE. Ben Travel's wrote the deliciously farcical story of " Mischief," to begin a season at tho Plaza Theatro to-day, specially for the screen and Ralph Lynn. It provides abundant action against pictorially beautiful backgrounds, which make it plain that it is no adaptation of n stago play, but a genuine piece of screen farco after tho Aldwych manner. An English critic says: "Ralph Lynn himself is better than ever. _ He has further developed his favourite habit of playing the most ludicrous scenes in semiserious fashion. By this device, and by tho charm of his personality, ho makes old ' gags ' seem now and fatuous observations sound like epigrams. Ho even masquerades in women's clothes without stepping over tho border-line between fun and vulgarity. Winifred Shotter is again a sweetly attractive heroine, and Kenneth Kovo onco more contributes a little of his individual brand of idiocy. It is all tho best of good fun." NATION A L TH E ATR E. So successful did tho amazing horror film " Frankenstein " prove at the Regent Theatre that it is being shown for a further season at the National Theatre. A pervading qualify of eerieness characterises " Frankenstein." An English critic says: "Boris Karloff's portrayal of a synthetic monster fashioned out of human bodies and animated by a lifegiving ray is an astonishing piece of work." Colin Clive, Frederick Kerr and Mae Clarke also appear. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "These Charming People" is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN.

Several popular operas will be presented by the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company in a return Auckland season at His Majesty's Theatre, commencing on Tuesday evening. Tlio first presentation will he "Dorothy," the libretto of which is bv Stephenson and the music by Cellier. There will bo three evening and ono a>atinee performance of "Dorothy." Other pieces to bo staged are "The Yeomen of the Guard, "lolanthe," "Ruddigore," "The Mikado," "Patience" and "The Gondoliers." It is some years since "Dorothy" has been seen in Auckland, but doubtless there are many who still remember the lilting music and tho sparkling choruses and ensembles. The opera includes the beautiful ballads "Ho Wise in Time, 0 Phyllis Mine," "You Swear to bo Good and True," and "I Stand at Your Threshold n-Sighing." There are also some splendidly written quartettes, trios and stirring hunting choruses. Tlio first act of "Dorothy" is laid in the hop gardens which surround the inn belonging to old John Tuppett, in the County of Kent. The picking is nearly over and tho pickers are looking forward to feasting and jollity. In act two a dance is being given by Squire Ban lon to his neighbours. This act introduces some sparkling fun and also carries the story swiftly along. It includes a f:iked robbery, in which Lurcher, the comedian of the opera, is given great scope. The third act opens with a wedding, and a comic duel fought between tho two heroines is tho cause of much laughter.

GLEN EDEN UNEMPLOYED. A cheer-up social afc which the unemployed resident in Glen Eden, and (heir wives and families, will be the guests, will he given in the Glen Eden Town Hall to-morrow evening. Various entertainments have been arranged.