ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21234, 14 July 1932, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. The hilarious comedy of prison life, " To-night's the Night," with the comio genius of Leslie Fuller ,as the dominant note, will close its season at the St. James' Theatre this evening. Unjustly imprisoned on a charge of stealing a club's funds, he manages to escape disguised as a lady 'cellist, during a prison concert. An exciting chase between two cars brings the film to a satisfactory conclusion* " DANGEROUS YEARS." A story of youth's fight for happiness in the face of heavy odds, " Dangerous Years," which will replace " To-night's the Night" at the St. James' Theatre to-morrow, introduces some of the finest juvemle actors ever seen on the talking screen. Tommy Conlon has the leading role, his first principal performance, which according to critics is little short of sensational. Spencer Tracy, Doris Kenyon, Beryl Mercer and Ralph Bellamy have the " grown-up " leads m the picture, which deals with the drama of boyhood and with the work of the juvenile courts. The story revolves round the character portrayed by Tommy, that of a self-reliant orphan, whose curiosity and high spirits bring him the undeserved reputation of being the " worst boy in town." William Conselman wrote the film version of the original play by John Frederick Ballard and Frank Borzage's direction is said to make this offering a notable piece of screen entertainment. PLAZA THEATRE. Aucklanders have been eagerly awaiting the reappearance of Jack Buchanan in his first British musical talking picture, "Goodnight, Vienna," which is to commence a season at tho Plaza 'rheatre to-day. His outstanding performance in "Monte Carlo," with Jeanette Mac Donald, will be long remembered, and his work in this British and Dominions film is stated to be his finest achievement. Hitherto this studio has acquired a reputation for pictures of a light character, and although the latest feature is convincing in its humorous qualities, it has many touches of the more serious and the more ambitious. The story iB a der parture from the usual type of musical comedy in that it possesses more substance and is more credible. Mr. Buchanan appears as Captain Mai: of the Austrian cavalry, whose father is a peppery old general to whom the Emperor's word is law. Max falls in love with a charming flower-seller, but the Emperor "commands" that he should marry a countess. At this time Austria goes to war with Servia, the conclusion of which finxls the Emperor dead and the Austrian aristocracy x-educed in status. The role of the flower-seller is taken by Anna Neagle, a newcomer to the films, with dignity and restraint.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Robert Montgomery has never appeared to better advantage than in "But the Flesh is Weak," which heads the new programme to open a • season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Signal success attended Mr. Montgomery's efforts in "Shipmates," "The Man in Possession" and "Private Lives," and his new film gives him every opportunity to display his talents. Nora Gregor, one of Vienna's most beautiful and most famous "actresses, has the chief feminine part, while Nils Asther, C. Aubrey Smith, Edward Everett Horton and Frederick Kerr are other prominent players who appear in this offering. Montgomery is seen as a debonair young fortune-hunter, who falls in love with the wrong girl. The complications grow fast and furious when a Russian prince comes on the scene as a claimant for the wrong girl's hand. When Montgomery, disregarding her money, really falls in love, however, everything comes right. Vivid glimpses of London's casinos and the play haunts of the British capital abound in 1 the production. STRAND THEATRE. A double-featuro programme that should please the most discriminating theatregoers will open a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The first attraction, "The Marriage Bond," is a British film with many appealing English settings. The main characters are taken by Guy Newall, Mary Newcomb, Stewart Rome and Ann Casson. The story concerns a drunken husband and a forgiving wife, who are devoted to each other and the crisis arrives when the husband collapses at a hunt ball and his children insist oii his leaving home to save them from further disgrace. The second film, "The Saddle Buster," presents the favourite actor of "Westerns," Tom Keene, in a typical outdoor role. Mr. Keene appears as a young rider from the hills who joins a trick-riding touring company. Some thrilling scenes of dare-devil horseriding are introduced. NATIONAL' THEATRE. The sensational story of a murder in a Bloomsbury boarding house that baffled the police, "Murder on the Second Floor," will terminate its season at the National Theatre this evening. To-morrow, ''Letters of Fire," a gripping drama of newspaper life, will open a season. The prin-, cipal role, that of a merciless newspaper editor, is taken by Edward G. Robinson, who will be recalled for his work in the picture "Little Ceasar." The production is the adaptation of the play by Louis Weitbenkorn, and tense moments follow one another in quick succession. H. B. Warner, Marian Marsh, Frances Starr and Anthony Bushell have important supporting parts. Mervyn Le Roy was the director. D CIVIC THEATRE. The magnetic charm of Maurice Chevalier and the delightful personality of Jeanette Mac Donald alone would distinguish " One Hour With You," which is enjoying undiminished popularity at the Civic Theatre. Combined with the artistic directing genius o:f Ernst Lubitsch, however, the ; picture becomes one of the best of its kind that has been shown in Auckland. Many lilting melodies are sung by the Continental star. LONDON THEATRE. "The Sport of Kings," a comedy of the racing world, is still attracting appreciative patrons to the London Theatre. The chief role is ill the hands of the English comedian, Leslie Henson.' PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. George Arliss, who will be long remembered for his characterisation of "Disraeli," is the principal in "The Millionaire" at.the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE. An entertaining story of the East, "Stamboul" (Margot Grahame), is the main attraction to bo presented at the Tudor Theatre this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE. George Arliss, orio of England's most popular actors, is superb in the feature at the Britannia Theatre this evening, "The Millionaire." KOWHAI SCHOOL OPERETTA. The musical operetta, "The People of Pillarey," which was presented by the pupils of the Ivowhai Junior High School last week, will bo repeated in. the Scots Hall this evening. Composed by Diana Becket and C. Lloyd Stafford, trie production depicts a treasure-hunt in a mythical kingdom. Many bright songs are. incorporated. The proceeds are in aid of the playground development fund-

REGENT THEATRE.

Tho story of an impotuous opera star and her search for happiness is unfolded in the production, "To-night or Never," which will end its season at tho Regent Theatre this evening. Miss Gloria Swanson is the principal, and she brings to tho part all the dramatic ability which she displayed in "Tho Trespasser," one of her earlier talkies. Haunting gipsy and Italian airs are interwoven with the story, "SIDE SHOW." Concerning "Side Show," which will open a season at the Regent Theatre tomorrow, an English critic writes; "Tho picture moves at a fast rate and should prove acceptable entertainment to all types of audiences. Charles* Buttenvorth slips over the major portion of the laugh business and this time Winnie Lightner tones down considerably, giving a good deal of thought to tho moro romantic moods of life. Donald Cook acts convincingly and works with an attractive and surprisingly smooth confidence. Winnie is the manageress and general factotem around General Gowdy's travelling circus, in her time playing everybody's part except those of the fat girl and the Living Skeletons. The life is perfection itself to her way of thinking, until 'the affections of her fiance are alienated by the advent of her sister, who comes to spend a holiday with the circus." The box plans for "The Man Who Played God" (George Arliss), which will open * season on July 22, have already opened. LYRIC THEATRE,' Ths evening's programme at the Lyric Theatre is headed by "The Cuban Lav® Song," a tale of the tropics.