ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

NATIONAL THEATRE

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Business and Pleasure," in which Will Rogers gives a typically cheery portrayal of an American razor-blade "king," and "Cheaters at Play," a thrilling shipboard mystery-drama, will end their season at the Majestic Theatre this evening. They are both splendid pictures of their type. " MIGHTY LONDON." "Mighty London" is the appropriate title of the magnificent panoramic film of the capital of the Empire, to replace tho piesent programme at t lie Majestic Theatre to-morrow. It presents scenes of quaint corners which one can hardly believe exist in such a seemingly prosaic city as London. The great metropolis is caught in many moods —radiant under the glow of spring 6unshine, revelling in the spirit of summer, and wrapped in fog through which ponderous buses pick their way with caution. The audience is swiftly transported from busy thoroughfares throbbing with life to leafy lanes araid the quietude of rural England, and then to the seaside resorts for which England is famous. And throughout the film is accompanied by illuminating comi mentary by Captain Berkley. A second film on the programme will be "The UnI expected Father," in which Slim SummerI ville, the angular fun-maker of numerous I short comedies, and Zasu Pitts, the forI lorn comedienne of countless films, make I a comic pair. CIVIC THEATRE. 'A notable cast interprets the vital | drama "Twenty-four Hours," to end a ! season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow j evening. There are Clive Brook, who invariably acts excellently; Kay Francis, j recently classed by an eminent English j artist as one of the four most beautiful women of her generation; Miriam HopI kins, remembered as the simpering prin- | ccss in "The Smiling Lieutenant"; and ' Regis Tooiney, a young actor with many successes to his credit. Besides items by ' the new Civic Orchestra, the supporting ! pictures include the first episode of an ex- | citing English serial, "Detective Lloyd," an ingenious Talkartoon, and the Paw mount Sound News. An almost entirely ; English cast, including Ivor Novello, Jill ! Esmond and Doris Lloyd, supports Ruth [ Chatterton in "Once a Lady," to follow ; "Twenty-four Hours" on Friday. Sydney W. Carroll, film critic for the London Sunday Times, says:—"There are film stars and film actresses. And the greatest of these is Ruth Chatterton." ST. JAMES' THEATRE. There are few film-goers to whom the unaffected sincerity and gentle wistfulness of Janet Gaynor do not make an iini mediate appeal. She is without question 1 the best-loved film ingenue of the day. Her performance in "Delicious," at £t. James' Theatrv disarms even her mostsevere critics. It is romance sentimental without being mawkish. Charles I"arrell j is an engaging hero, and LI Brcndel, the. quizzical Swedish comedian, is very funny. Oth?r members of the. cast Hie Virginia Cherrill, the heroine "i Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights," and Raoul Roulien, a handsome actor.

Horror succeeds horror in "Frankenstein," the amazing film now at the National Theatre. It is one of the most, eerily fascinating photoplays yet to have reached the audible screen. Colin Clive gives a. firm portrait, of the over-zealous scientist Frankenstein, and Boris Ivarloff also acts splendidly as the monster. Other noted members of the cast are Mac Clarke, John Roles and Frederick Kerr. All the resources of modern cinema ait have been availed of to accentuate the atmosphere of uncanny suspense which pervades the whole film. ROXY THEATRE. A dramatic storv of the race-track is unfolded in the Charles R, Rogers proi duction "Sweepstakes," which heads the new programme at the Roxy Theatre. The leading role is in the capable hands of j Eddie Quillan, who needs no introduction I to Auckland audiences, and lie is ably i assisted by James Gleason. Marion Nixon, ! Lew Cody and other well-known artists. I A pleasing romance has been woven into ! the story. The second production is "SunI down Trail,a stirring story of Western j life. The cast is headed by Tom Keene. STRAND THEATRE. Irene Dunn, the fascinating actress of "Cimarron." gives another facile portrayal in "Consolation Marriage," the. essentially modern film now at the Strand Theatre. It is a picture with an especial appeal for women. Other members of the cast, are Pat O'Brien. Myrna Loy, John llalliday and Matt Moore. There is also a Phar Lap newsreel. j | TIVOLI AND EMPRESS. The. successful Australian actress Miss I Betty Stock field, and Jan Kiepura, a noted singer, play the leading roles in the romance "City of Song. ' the principal production at. the Tivoli and Empress Theatres. The supporting film at both theatres is "Three Wise Girls," in which Mae Clarke, Jean Harlow and Marie Prevost appeal to advantage. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Jimmy Godden and Gene Gerrard head the fine cast in the British comedy " My Wife's Family," which is the main picture at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Ihe second production is "The \ icc Squad," in which Paul Lucas and Kav Francis appear. [.ONDON THEATRE. James Dunn and Sally Filers are an appealing romantic pair in " Dance Team, their woithy MiccepM>r to "Bad Girl," at present beiiiH shown at the London lliea'ie. It is a him of simplicity and power.

ItIALTO THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is provided in the riotous comedy "My Wile'* I'aiiiilv, which is meeting i)!i a successful season a I (he Rialto Theatre The leading players are Jimmy (Sodden ami Gene Gcrrard. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. "Trader Horn'' is the main entertainment ,-it the Epsom Regent. I lieatre. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Lonely Wives" is being shown al the Prince Edward Theatre. LYRIC THEATRE. Ronald Column is the principal in " The Unholy Garden." which is bring screened at Ihe Lyric Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA. "Secret Call " and ''Tabu " arc being presented at the Tudor Cinema. BRITANNIA THEATRE " The Reckless Hour" and " Nice Women " comprise the programme at the Britannia Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE. James Dunn and Sally Eilors have the leading roles in " Bad Gnrl." which is the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE. Ralph Lynn, resourceful actor of several uproarious British farces, cuts comic capers once moro in "Mischief," the very excellent Ben Travel's film comedy, which is enjoying exceptional popularity at the Plaza Theatre. Technical brilliance and the masterly direction of Jack Raymond make it a film which may rank with Hollywood's most polished productions. But what is more interesting to 1 lie average film-goer is that it presents Mr. Lynn as an unfortunate fellow who falls foul of some more busybodies, who misconstrue his perfectly innocent adventures. Those who see "Mischief" will chucklo for days at the farcical person's frantic efforts to reconcile a suspicious husband and wife, his encounter with a lonely girl in a cottage, and his swift escape from cohorts of incensed relatives. Winifred Shotter has never been more appealing than as the young woman.