ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE,

The season of "To-night or Never,", the story of an operatic prima donna, is drawing to a close at the Regent Theatre. Miss Gloria Swanson, of "The Trespasser," takes the principal part. The background of the picture is provided by haunting gipsy and Italian melodies and picturesque views of the Danube and canals of Venice. A Bobbie Jones feature, "The Brassie," is also on the programme. " SIDE SHOW." While her performance in "Gold Diggers of Broadway" is still fresh in the minds of Auckland film-goers, Winnie Lightner, the irrepressible, makes another screen appearance in "Side Show," a comedy film of carnival life, .which is to head the next programme at the Regent Theatre. Miss Lightner's work in this film js not all clowning, however, for she is given her first opportunity to be serious. ■ She plays the part of assistant to the owner of the "world's greatest circus," who on occasions takes the role of cannibal queen, hula dancer or bearded lady. The story takes a turn for the serious when her sister, who comes to spend a vacation with the show, alienates the affections of the man to whom Winnie is affianced. Others in, the cast include Evalyn Knapp, Donald Cook, Luis Alberni, Edward Morgan and Tom Ricketts.

' PLAZA THEATRE. "A Night Like This," with the comic pair, Tom- Walls and Ralph Lynn, will end its season at the Plaza Theatre this evening. The film has all the subtle touches of' genuine comedy that characterise the Aldwych Theatre farces. Mary Brough • and Robertson Hare add their particular brands of mirth-pro-voking humour to the picture. " GOOD-NIGHT VIENNA." Jack Buchanan, who was in "Man of Mayfair" and "Monte Carlo" some time ago, again appears in "Good-night Vienna," a spectacular story of the gay and colourful life, of Vienna, the romantic capital, which is to commence, a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The film has an enchanting background of Viennese music that sets the story off to its best advantage. Holt Marvell and George Posford, who are responsible for the story, have made a cohesive, tale, with none of the improbabilities that frequently occur in productions where music and song are brought in without regard to credibility. Mr. Buchanan takes the role of Captain Max, of the Austrian cavalry, whoso father was an eccentric old general, to whom the word of the Emperor was law. The captain fell in love with a pretty flower-seller, but the Emperor "commanded" that he should marry a countess. Just at this time Austria went to war with Servia, the culmination of which saw the Emperor dead and the status of the Austrian aristocracy considerably reduced. The lovo story of Max and the flower girl, taken by Anna Neagle, a newcomer to the films, makes delightful entertainment. CIVIC THEATRE. Maurice Chevalier brings all his' infectious good spirits into play in "One Hour With You," which is delighting patrons of the Civic Theatre this week. Miss Jeanette Mac Donald, who played opposite Chevalier in "The Love Parade," again takes the chief feminine role. The master touches of the director, Ernst Lnbitsch, are discernible throughout the picture. Mr. Chevalier is . seen as a young Parisian doctor, who falls in love with, his wife's best friend, a part taken by Genevieve Tobin. The story becomes very, amusing, particularly the substitution of place-cards a:t a dinner party causes further complications. There is a. fine-,pro-gramme of Supporting features.

ROXY AND TIVOLL THEATRES. The comic artistry of Lupino'Lane is given full rein in " "Never Trouble Trouble," which will be screened this evening afc the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Comic situations follow one another _ in quick succession throughout the hilarious production. Jack Hobbs, Rene Clama and Iris Ashley are also in the cast. The second attraction on the entertaining programme is "Murder at Covenfc Garden,' a thrilling story of the activities of diamond smugglers. Dennis Neilson Terry and Anne Grey have the two most prominent roles. It is a fast-moving drama with many tense moments. LONDON THEATRE. An uproarious comedy of tho racing world, "The Sport of Kings,which features the popular English comedian; Leslie Henson, is proving attractive at; the London Theatre. He has the role of a puritanical old gentleman who yields to his desire to make money for nothing. STRAND THEATRE. John Barrymore, who probably has as many dramatic roles to his credit as any other living actor, takes a part similar to the one which, he conspicuously portrayed in "Svengali" in "The Mad Genius," the film at present at the Strand Theatre. Mr. Barrymore considisrs Tsarakov, the Russian impressario, the finest' role he has taken. Marian Marsh is tho heroine. PRINGE EDWARD THEATRE. George Arliss, of "Disraeli" fame, is the principal in "The Millionaire," which will be' screened this evening at the Prince Edward Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE. "The Silent Witness," with Lionel Atwill and, Greta Nissen, is the film to he shown this evening at the Capitol Theatre. - > s . BRITANNIA THEATRE. Tho chief film for the entertainment of patrons of' the Britannia Theatre this evening is "The Millionaire" (George Arliss). EMPRESS .THEATRE. Adrianno Allen appears in "The Woman Between," which, with "Elstree Calling," will be screened at the Empress Theatre this evening. (i'UYSTAL PALACE THEATRE. "ilieso Charming I'eoplo" and "Sea Devils" aro tho two films to be presented at tho Crystal Palace Theatre this evening- *' RIALTO THEATRE. Adapted from tha novel by Zane Grey, "Riders of tho Purple Sage" will bo screened this evening with "Sea Devils" at tho Rialto Theatre. NEW REGENT THEATRE. . The inimitable clowns, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woo'sey, are the principals in the comedy "Peach 0' Reno," which is the main attraction at the New Regent Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE. A stirring story of the East, "Stamboul," 19 the chief film to Be screened at tho Tudor Theatre this evening. LYRIC THEATRE. Tho powerful singing of Lawrence Tibbett is the outstanding feature of * The Cuban Love Song," which will be shown this evening at? the JL(yrio Theatre.

• Majestic theatre. ' The screen adaptation of the story by Upton Sinclair, "The Wet Parade,", ■will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre this evening. The most polished performance in the film comes from .Walter Huston, ■who portrays a politician in the fight against prohibition. "BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK." The attraction to open'a season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow is the adaptation of Ivor Novello's famous stage play, "The Truth Game," entitled "But 'the Flesh is Weak." This film presents Robert Montgomery and an hilarious cast in a lilting comedy romance which is borne along on a note of light humour until -the final scene. Montgomery plays the clever and laughable Max, an impoverished young aristocrat, who resolves, to marry a rich girl. He finds a prospect in a wealthy noblewoman and, using all his engaging charms, wins her love, and then falls in love with her best friend, who has no money. A maze of complications follows, many little touches of drama and romance being interwoven between the moments of uproarious clowning. Nils Asther, famous hero of the silent era, makes his reappearance in the talkies with his newly-mastered English and is seen as Prince Paul, the ruthless pursuer of women.. A screen "find," Nora Gregor, has the leading feminine role.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A humorous satire off prison life, "Tonight's the Night," with the artistry of Leslie Fuller to convulse the audiences, will be shown finally afc the St. James' Theatre to-morrow evening. Mr. Fuller makes his appearance as the secretary of a slate club, who is unjustly imprisoned on a charge of stealing the club funds. Riotous comedy is the keynote of the film throughout.

"DANGEROUS YEARS." An intensely human and sympathetic story, with a great cast of players, "Dangerous Years" will open a season at the St. James' Theatre on Friday. The sure direction of Frank Borzage, who was recently responsible for such achievements as "Bad Girl" and "Young A» You Feel," makes this new offering an evenfc of importance in. local screen circles. A new celebrity, 14 years old, is presented in the person of .Tommy Conlon, and ho shares leading honours with Spencer Tracy and Doris Kenyon. Such notables as Beryl Mercer, who has many "motherly" portrayals to her credit, Ralph Bellamy, Sarah Padden and Robert Homans havo promiiiiujfc roles, together with two other talented youngsters, Raymond Borzage and Dawn O'Day. TIIO story is a true-to-life tale of a boy the grown-ups did not understand, and it ' appeals- by its very human nature.

NATIONAL THEATRE. / • An enthralling murder drama, "Murder on the Second Floor," with John Longden and Pat Paterson, is the principal attraction at the National Theatre. Tho story deals with the murder in a Bloomsbury boarding house that baffled the police and was eventually solved by a young playwright who was living on the premises. KOWHAI SCHOOL OPERETTA. The operetta "The People of Pillarey," which was presented by the pupils of the Kowhai Junior High School last week, proved so popular that it is to be repeated in Scots Hall to-morrow evening. The play, which was composed by Diana Becket and C. Lloyd Stafford, deals with a treasure-hunt in a mythical kingdom. The entertainment ia bright and amjising throughout, and introduces a large number of songs and dances. Proceeds are in aid of the .playground development fund. • MUNICIPAL QRGAN RECITAL. The programme for the organ recital to be given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening by Mr. E. W. Craston, honorarycity organist, contains items from the works of Bach, Handel, Meyerbeer, Lemare and MacDowell. The assisting vocalists will be Miss Laura Stone and Mr. Bert Skeels.