ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. One can unhesitatingly recommend "Out of the Blue," in which Gene Gerrai'd repeats tho success that was his in "My Wife's Family," as one of'the best of the many excellent farces Elstree has given the screen. It is assured of tremendous popularity at St. James' Theatre, where it is now being shown. Mr. Gerrard's clowning has the audience in fits of laughter throughout, lie transforms the most trivial and commonplace incidents into humour of the most uproariously funny description. The dialogue is especially witty. ') lie whole film has been lavishly produced under the direction also of Mr. Geirard, who has introduced many imaginative touches which acccntuatc'thc inheient pace of the storv. The scene in which the three leading characters, who reach Biarritz by aeroplane, are mistaken lor famous world fliers, is most amusing. '■PRIVATE LIVES." Noel Coward's "Private Lives," to head the next programme at St. James' Theatre, has been described by many critics as the most brilliant talking picture of its kind. Scion Margrave, in the London Daily Mail, says: "In the talking picture translation of 'Private Lives,' presented before the Duke of York and a distinguished audience at a midnight performance, the parts taken on the stage by Miss Gertrude Lawrence and Mr. -Noel Coward arc played by Miss Norma Shearer and Mr. Robert Montgomery. From the manner in which the audience laughed "t. Mr. Coward's lines and applauded wholeheartedly at the conclusion of the film, it is evident that this picture will be a remarkable success. It must bo said that 'Private Lives' is one of the most brilliant comedies we have yet had from Hollywood since talking pictures began, and that both Miss Norma Shearer and Mr. Robert Montgomery do their very best work." PLAZA THEATRE. Pert' Wheeler and Robert, Woolscv cut comic capers once more in "Peach o' Reno." the present film at the Plaza Theatre, this time as indefatigable lawyers in the "divorce mart" of the United States. Quick divorce is relentlessly satirised in this brilliant burlesque of tho citv where this modern social amenity is regarded as an industry to be fostered and developed. Special motor-coaches provided by the law offices of tho city meet every incoming train to transport prospective clients; a luxurious suite of lawyers' rooms is rapidly transformed into a luxurious casino at nightfall, and a lawyer makes his appeal to the jury in a divorce suit to tho accompaniment of the plaintive strains of a violin. It is all burlesque of the most ludicrously funny sort. Besides Wheeler and Woolscv, the. talented east includes such noted players as Dorothy Lee, appealing .soubrette of several films, Zelma O'Neil and Sam J lardy. CIVIC THEATRE. Huge crowds are flocking to see "Shanghai Express" at Ihe Civic Theatre. It is without question one of the most notable pictures ever to have reached the. audible screen. Not only is the direction of Joseph von Sternberg conducted with novelty and imaginative skill, but every member of the cast acts magnificently. Marlene Dietrich, exotic German actress, brings glamorous charm to the part of a woman whose, encounter with her only genuine lover, from whom she had been estranged, precipitates a dramatic situation. The part of tho stiff-necked British Army officer is portrayed with polish and restraint by Give Brook, who can always be relied upon for a sincere performance. Other members of the cast are Eugene Pallette, as a jovial American, "Warner Claud, a menacing rebel leader, and Anna Mav Wong.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Engaging performances by all tho leading players and beautiful settings, which include a small portion of tho opera "Don Giovanni," make "The Great Lover," now at thr> Majestic Theatre, a thoroughly delightful film. Adolphc Menjou brings subtlety and charm to tho part oF a famous operatic baritone, who mistakes for love the gratitude of n young woman whose career iu opera lie had fostered. Irene Dunne, Neil Hamilton, Ernest Torrencc and Cliff Edwards also appear. Michael Orme says:—"Mcnjou is equal to every occasion, and thq end, when the young lovers arc reunited through his self-sacrifice, and he is seen philosophically reopening telephonic conversation with an old 'flame,' is in keeping with the rest of the characterisation." NATIONAL THEATRE. Although George Arliss' "The Millionaire," now lit the National r J licatre, is in the fourth week of its Auckland season, interest is still being keenly maintained. It is without question one of 111:; most delightful films of its type yet seen in Auckland. It puts aside all subtlety and sophistication. Mr. Arliss transcends even his performances in "Disraeli" and "Old English" in his interpretation of the ageing motor magnato who, having been persuaded to retire, frets at inactivity until ho hits upon the idea of running a garage business as a secret hobby. Florence Arliss, as the millionaire's wife, David Manners and Evalvn Ivnapp, both most appealing in romantic roles, arc other members of the notable cast. Noah Beery makes an appropriate villain CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. Lois Moran and Charles Bickford arc the leading players in "Men in Her Life," which heads th.> programme at tho Crystal Palace Theatre. "Forbidden," with Barbara Stanwyck, and Adolpho Menjou, is also shown. IMALTO THEATRE. Glorious music enriches "The Blue Danube," the enchanting English operetta which is tho main film at tho Rialto Theatre. Leon Gordon's striking drama of life in the tropics, "White Cargo," is also included in tho programme. * PPINCE EDWARD THEATRE. "Those (charming People" (Cyril Maude, Nora Swinburne and Godfrey Teaiie), and "Daughter of the Dragon," with Warner Oland and Anna May Wong, are the Prince Edward Theatre films. LYING THEATRE. "Secrets of a Secretary," with Claudelle Colbert, and "Finn and Hal tie" (Leon Erroll and Zasu Pitts) are the Lyric Theatre films. TUDOR CINEMA. Tense drama is the keynote of "The Silent Witness," which heads the Tudor Cinema programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Tho four Marx brothers' "Monkey Business" and "doing Wild" (.100 E. Brown) are the films at tho Britannia Theatre.

riVOLI THEATRE

EMPRESS THEATRE

"Consolation Marriage," with Irene Dunne. Pat O'Brien, Myrna Loy ami John Ilulliday, is being shown with ".lust Eor a Song" at tho Tivoli Thoal re.

Sydney Howard is a romio character in "Almost a Divorce," now being shown ■with "Jast For a Song" at ilio Empress Theat re.

REGENT THEATRE. The remarkably clever performances of a troupe of trained animals at the Regent Theatre this week make Abdy's circus one of the most unusual stage acts yet seen in Auckland. There are cats which contest hurdle races, a dog which pushes a perambulator and cockatoos which perform all manner of ingenious tricks. Moreover, the film entertainment is headed by "The Cohens and Ivellys in Hollywood," a burlesque comedy of the most riotous order. George Sidney and Charlie Murray arc ludicrously funny characters as the two sinall-town Americans whose bickerings have previously been followed in Paris, Scotland, Atlantic City and Africa. The constant rivalry between Kelly, whose pretty daughter finds fleeting ' fame as a Silent-screen star, and Cohen, whose son's musical compositions ure in demand with the advent of the talking picture, is the source of a great deal of merriment. The juvenile romantic roles are delightfully interpreted by June Clyde and Norman Foster. Bobby Jones demonstrates more of his match-winning shots in another of tho scries, "flow I Play Clolf." It is a most entertaining film, which will appeal even to nongolfers. The supporting films also include an Oswald the Rabbit cartoon, the musical accompaniment of which is most ingenious. STRAND THEATRE. Eddie Quillan, popular young aclor, brings his customary jaunty humour to a characteristic part in "Tho Rip Shot," ;m entertaining film of modern life, which is being presented with "Freighters of Destiny" at tho Strand Theatre, this week. Other members of llio cast are Mary Nolan, alluring actress of the silent era, Maureen O'Sullivan, appealing ingenue of "Just Imagine," Roscoe Atcs, stuttering comedian, and Otis Ilarlan. A broad spaciousness of theme and treatment distinguishes "Freighters of Destiny," in which Tom Keeno rides and shoots with his usual daring and uncanny skill. Barbara Kent is appropriately demure as the heroine, a young woman who at first fails to realise the hero's sterling worth.

I,ONIJON THEATRE. May Robson acts superbly in "Mother's Millions," tho excellent eomedv now at Ihe London Theatre. Her performance has been likened to Cyril Maude's "Grumpy." The supporting artists include James Hall. "Models and Wives," with George Sidney and Charlie Murray, is also shown. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE. Loon Gordon's vital drama of Ihe tropics, "White Cargo," and "Honeymoon Adventure" comprise the Epsom Regent Theatre programme.