ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21166, 26 April 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

PLAZA THEATRE. Ben Travers, author, Ralph Lynn, actor, and Jack Raymond, director, have made of "Mischief," the specially-written screen farce now afc the Plaza Theatre, a comedy of irresistible appeal. The picture owes its buoyancy to its genuinely cinematic treatment, for although 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. There is no gainsaying the success of the picture. Crowds throng the theatre at every session. And no wonder. The collaboration of Mr. Travel's and Mr. Lynn has not failed yet, and it probably never will. Winifred Shotter, the appealing ingenue of previous Ralph Lynn farces, has never looked more charming than as the lonely girl in the cottage. Kenneth Ivovo is suitably vacant as a traditional fop, and there aro inimitable studies of assorted yokels. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A wide variety of tastes is catcrd for in the two splendid films now being shown at the Majestic Theatre. Will Rogers is his usual quizzical self in "Business and Pleasure"; "Cheaters at Tiny" is an engrossing shipboard mvstery-drama, in which Charlotte Greenwood, tall comedienne, Thomas Meighan, William Bakewell and Barbara Weeks are tho principals. Tho sly art of Mr. Rogers finds perfect expression in tho part of a razorblade king from Oklahoma, who sets out on what is ostensibly a pleasure trip to tho East, with the concealed intention of "cornering" Damascus steel. It is satiro at its very best. V MIGHTY LONDON." There is hardly a New Zealander for whom London does not hold an enchantment and indefinable appeal. Those who have already visited the wonderful city and those to whom a trip Home is a cherished dream will respond alike to the panoramic splendour of "Mighty London," the remarkably fine film to follow tho present programme afc the Majestic Theatre on Thursday. The fossicking eye of tho camera has searched every nook and cranny of tho city's quaintest spots. Few aspects of lifo in London have escaped tho producers of tho film. Moreover, thero is a splendid descriptive commentary by Captain Berkley. CIVIC THEATRE. A broad canvas of tho underworld of a largo city is presented in "Twentyfour Hours," tho Engrossing melodrama now at tho Civic Theatre. Remarkably fin© portrayals are given by Clive Brook as a wealthy man of social distinction wearied of the sham and hypocrisy of his life; Kay Francis, in tho part of his unheeding wife; and Miriam Hopkins as a disillusioned cabaret singer, with whom tho financier seeks distraction. It is an impelling story, in which tho interest of the audience is held throughout. The supporting films include the first episode of an exciting English serial, "Detective Lloyd," the Paramount News and a comical Talkartoon, "Jack and the Beanstalk." Applause greets the performance of the new Civic Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Harold Baxter, at each evening session. Altogether tho programme offers splendid entertainment.

NATIONAL THEATRE. "Frankenstein," which is being presented at tlio National Theatre, is described as the most horrifying essay in tho hideous tho screen has produced. Sydney W. Carroll, film critic for tho London Sunday Times, says: 'An overzealous scientist, Frankenstein, creates a monster After the creation of this dreadfully cumbrous creature we see tho transition from a slow-thinking, slowmoving, menlallv-obtuse inhuman monstrosity into a developed criminal. We seo the monster's reaction to light and fire. Wo see how the spirit of cruelty becomes lighted in it. We go through all the thrills of a mountain manhunt. Shadows fill the scene with glooin and apprehension. LONDON THEATRE. James Dunn and Sally Eilers, who were so popular in Frank Borzage's "Bad Girl," are most appealing in their second film, "Dance Team," now being shown at the London Theatre. Jt deals with tho joys and sorrows of two ambitious young persons. STRAND THEATRE. Fhar Lap is shown winning the Agua Caliente Handicap in a n'ewsreel nt tho Strand Theatre this week. The main film is an appealing drama of modern conditions of life, entitled "Consolation Marriage," in which Irene Dunne repeats tho success that was hers in "Cimarron." Noted artists elsewhere in tho cast aro Pat O'Brien, of "The Front Pago" and "The Final Edition"; Myrna Loy, a screen siren of the most devastating description; John HaLliday and Matt Moore. TIVOLI THEATRE. Betty Stockfield, beautiful Australian actress, appears in "City of Song." to bo presented with "Three Wise Girls" at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. Mae Clarke, Jean Harlow and Mario I'revosfc appear in the second film. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Gene Gerrard and Jimmy Godden are a riotously funny pair in "My Wife s Family," to be shown with "The Vice Squad" at the Crystal Palaco Theatre this evening. Paul Lukas and Kay Francis appear in the latter. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Amazing scenes of the heart of Africa are presented in "Trader Horn," the astounding jungle film, to be shown at the Epsom Regent Theatre this evening. EMPRESS THEATRE. "City of Song," a glorious English musical film, and "Three Wise Girls," with Mao Clarke, Jean Harlow and Mario Provost, are being shown at the Empress Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. Ronald Colman cuts a dashing figuro as a fugitive no'er-do-well in "Tho Unholy Garden," tho picturesque adventure romance which is being shown at the Lyric Theatre. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Lonely Wives" and Zano Grey's "The Rainbow Trail" aro the films at the Prince Edward Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE. Ernst Lubitsch's "Tho Smiling Lieutenant (Maurice Chevalier) and "Never the Twain Shall Meet," with Leslie Howard, aro the Capitol Theatre films. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Tho Reckless Hour" and "Nice Women" comprise the programme at the Britannia Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA. "Tho Secret Call," with Richard Arlon, and tho late F. W. Mumau's idyll of the South Seas, "Tabu," aro tho Tudor Cinema films.

" ALEXANDER HAMILTON." Tlio noted character actor, George Arliss, makes a welcome reappearance in " Alexander Hamilton," which will replace " Chances" at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Mr. Arliss himself wrote tho play in collaboration with Miss Mary Ilamlin, and played the leading role on tho stage in New York and London 14 vears ago. This is the second American characterisation Mr. Arliss has portrayed on the screen, his first being in "The Millionaire." While there is a vast difference between the self-made business man of "The Millionaire" and tho stormy aristocrat, Alexander Hamilton, Mr. Arliss, in his portrayals, makes both men foiceful and living. "Alexander Hamilton" deals not so much with tho financial genius who was (lie first Secretary of the United States Treasury, and principal cieator of tho Constitution, but rather with tho man Hamilton, when just past I]is thirties, at the period when he was involved in an affair with tho notorious Mrs. Reynolds. Tho scenes are laid in Philadelphia, at the critical time when Hamilton was seeking to establish the credit of tho country, and when the choico of a site for tho national capital was a burning question. Reynolds, a malcontent, plots Hamilton's ruin, and for that purpose sends his alluring wife to ask tho statesman for money to enable her to escape tho cruelty of Reynolds. The fiery champion of human rights soon becomes involved in an affair with the woman. Tho allegation is made that Hamilton has used-Government funds, and Jefferson, Monroe and other great men of the day visit Hamilton to accuse him of the misdeed. Tho unexpected way in which Hamilton clears himself of tho false charge, but at tho same time confesses his susceptibility to feininino wile, is ono of many brilliant dramatic scenes. Tho rolo of Reynolds is taken by Ralf Ilaroldo and that of Mrs. Reynolds by Juno Collyer.

REGENT THEATRE. A vital liuman drama is told against tho tragic background of war in " Chances," tho fine film which will conclude its season at the Regent Theatre this evening. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Lilting music by George Gershwin lends added enchantment to the chartning romance of "Delicious," in which Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell appear at St. James' Theatre. Miss Gaynor gives a performance which ranks her as undoubtedly the most appealing film ingenue of the day. One never tires of her unaffected Cinderella portrayals. Iler portrayal of tho wistful Scots lassie is perhaps even better than her Judy Abbott in "Daddy Long Legs" or her inteipretation of the pathetic boarding house "slavey" in Israel Zangwill's "Merely Mary Ann." Mr. Farrell makes a likeable hero as the Prince Charming of tho piece, being an American millionaire who meets the shy emigrant girl on an Atlantic liner. The humour of El Brendcl, tho quizzical Swede of "Mr. Lemon of Orange," is delightful. Other members of tho cast are Virginia Cherrill and Raoul Roulien. RIALTO THEATRE. Hilarious comedy is the keynote of "My Wife's Family," tho uproarious English farce, which is being shown at the RiaKo Theatre. Gene Gerrard, Jimmy Goddcn, Amy Vcness and Muriel Angelus aro the leading players.