ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21225, 4 July 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. ~ Lil Dagover, glamorous German actress, makes an alluring character as an enchanting temptress in " The Woman From Monte Carlo," the picturesque film to end its season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow evening. A Hollywood correspondent, Rosalind Shepherd, says:—"She is beautiful, but not as I expected. Great dark eyes sparkle from a face startling in its pallor.. Her nose is the most perfect I have ever seen. Her hair reminds orte of the- proverbial raven's wing." Other members of the cag| are \\ alter Huston and Warren William. " TO-NIGHT- OR NEVER." Gloria Swanson, bewitching actress of "What a Widow!'- gives a fine dramatic . .portrayal in "To-night or Never," to folWoman From Monto Carlo" at tho Regent -Theatre on Wednesday. It is regarded by many critics as even better ithan " Indiscreet," which proved exceedingly popular with Auckland' audiences. "To-night or Never" is based" orp the startling David Belasco stage success. Melvin Douglas, seen . recently in Ann Harding's "Prestige," makes a romantic ■ hero, and Boris Karloff, the monster in ."Frankenstein," is also in the cast. -The film has been lavishly produced by United Artists. ' * STRAND THEATRE. , - The enthusiasm with which ''The Lost Squadron of Death" has been greeted at the Strand Theatre has made an extension of the season necessary. The film is now in its second week. • Thrill follows thrill in this amazing film'on an aviation, epic in th<4 making. It is a picture within a picture. The unusually imposing array of artists includes Richard Dix, Dorothy Jordan, Eric von Stroheim, Robert Armstrong, Joel McCrea and Mary Astor. Young and old alike will revel in the exciting Succession of thrilling incidents. Mr. Ron Stroheiin gives a particularly forceful portrayal of a diabolic film director determined to secure thrills for his super-production, even at the sacrifice of human life. , The stunt flyers who take part in the. picture include Dick Grace, who wrote the story. There is a particularly fine supporting programme. "The Wide Open Spaces,"'a burlesque on the old-fashioned melodrama, is very funny. > • ! PLAZA THEATRE. Crowds continue to flock to see " A Night Like This," Ben Travers' Aldwych Theatre farce, now in the second week of a phenomenally successful season at the Plaza Theatre. The reappearance of tho original " Rookery Nook" cast—Torn 1 Wall?, Ralph Lynn, Robertson Hare, Mary Brough and Winifred Shotter —is proving most welcome. An English critic says:—"l yield to nobody in my admiration of the Aldwych comedians. I have only to see the slow cunning of Mr. Walls, the intelligence of Mr. Lynn missing the mark like lightning, the outraged respectability of Miss Brough, virtue Sorely beset in the person of Mr. Hare, and. I begin laughing automatically." Claude Hulbert, a newcomer to the party, is a model of serene vacuity in a Kenneth Kove role. .v I V. ST. JAMES' .THEATRE. Constance Bennett interprets .an exacting role with her customary finesse in "The Easiest . Way," which is proving deservedly successful at St. James* Theatre, where it is to be shown for a short season. ■ In the part of a young woman whose feminine charm raises her from poverty and squalor to luxury in a few brief weeks, she acts wjth dignity throughout. She shuns all extfavagant emotionalism even in the most tense 'niomeliits. Among the supporting players are Robert Montgomery, Adolphe Menjou, Clark Gable, Anita Page and Marjorie ; Rambeau. CIVIC THEATRE. There have been few more vital dramas j than Ernst Lubitsch's "The Broken : Lullaby," the impressive film version of Maurice Rostand's post-war drama, "The Man I Killed," now at the Civic Theatre. •Lionel Barrymore, the remarkably fine actor of "A Free Soul," "The Yellow Ticket," and "Arsene Lupin," gives the incisive type of protrayal one has come to expect of him. Exceedingly fine performances are also contributed by Phillips Holmes, the tragic youth in Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy," -and, Nancy Carroll, who plays a dramatic role with distinction.. *' . MAJESTIC THEATRE. Audiences' are being given scant respite from laughter at the Majestic Theatre, where the Lupino comedy, "The. Love Race," is enjoying great popularity. Stanley Lupino, Jack Hobbs and Dorothy Boyd repeat the success that was theirs in "Love Lies" recently. Written'by Mr. Lupino "The Lovo Race" has been splendidly directed by his cousin, Lupino Lane. It presents English farcical comedy at its funniest. The new programme on Thursday will be headed by Upton Sinclair's startling novel, "The Wet Parade." The leading players are Walter Huston, Dorothy Jordan, Lewis Stone, Myrna Lov, Neil Hamilton, John Miljan, Jimmy Durante, Wallace Ford and Robert Young. >,■. . NATIONAL THEATRE. ' "The Bargain," which heads the present programme at the National Theatre, is a story of everyday life brimming over with human appeal. Lewis Stone gives a characteristically sincere performance and delightful portrayals also come from Doris Kenyon, Evalyn Knapp, Una Merkel, John Darrow and Charles Butterworth. It is a charming romantic comedy-drama. LONDON THEATRE. Frank Capra has directed "Dirigible," now at the London Theatre, with the same sure touch that characterised his work in "Flight" and "Submarine.'.' The leading players in his latest film are again Jack Holt; and Ralph' Graves. - ■? PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. " Mata Hari," with Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro,"and "My Sip" (Tallulah Bankhead), are the films at the Prince Edward Theatre. / _________ BRITANNIA THEATRE " The Beloved Bachelor " (Paul Lukas) and " Stepping Sisters " comprise the en-tertainment-at the Britannia Theatre; TUDOR CINEMA. " My Wife's Family," with Gene Cerrard and Jimmy Godden, heads the Tudor Cinema programme. LYRIC THEATRE. Will Rogers' " Business and Pleasure " and " Kick In " (Clara Bow) are the Lyric Theatre films. - ' GUIDES' AND SCOUTS' CONCERT.

A concert will be given by Girl' Guides and Bov Scouts in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. A choir of 250 voices will sing, several rousing choruses, accompanied by the Civic Orchestra. There will be a striking pageant, " The New Order," and several other splendid items. INSTITUTE LECTURE. An illustrated lecture on whales and whaling will be given by Mr. R. A. Falla in the University College Hall this evening under the-auspices of the Auckland Institute and Museum. .