ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. WiAnie Lightner, of " Gold Diggers of Broadway " fame, takes the part of an assistant in a circus in " Side Show," which will end its season at the Regent Theatre this evening. In this picture Miss Lightner is given her first oppor tunity to use her dramatic ability and in no way is she found lacking. Others in the cast of artists are Charles Butterworth, as a trainer of seals, and Evalyn Knapp.

"THE MAN WHO PLAYED GOD." v The Man Who Played God," which will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, has won the lavish praise of a wide circle of critics, who claim that it is the crowning achievement of the " first actor of the screen." One English writer says:—"ln 'The Man Who Played God! George Arliss easily attains the dramatic and artistic heights of his previous productions, investing the picture with power and human appeal tnat make it' great entertainment. Mont gomery Royale, as delineated by him, is a famous wealthy musician, advancing in years, yet with such glamour and per sonality surrounding him that he attracts Grace, a young woman who falls in love with him. A bomb explosion robs him of his hearing and he attempts to take his life. Tt is a poetic and intriguing picture, in which Mr. Arliss gives his anticipated suave and polished performance." CIVIC THEATRE. A bright and thoroughly delightful film, with the effervescing spirits of the popular Continental principal, Maurice Chevalier as the dominating note, "One Hour With You" is proving deservedly attractive at the Civic Theatre. Miss Jeanette Mac Donald, who appeared opposite Chevalier in "The Love Parade," is once more the heroine, and Genevieve Tobin portrays her friend, who is the cause of all.fhd complications.' The film was directed by Ernst Lubitsch and his master touches can be discerned through out. The supporting programme includes items by the Civic Orchestra. The next attraction at the theatre will be "To-mor row and To-morrow," in which Ruth Chatterton gives a clever syid convincing interpretation of the role.of a young wife who has an affair with a Viennese specialist. PLAZA THEATRE. One of the highest-paid actors on the English screen, .Tack Buchanan, gives an outstanding performance in " Good-night, Vienna," which is now screening at the Plaza TheaUe. The story, which is set against the gay night life of pre-war Vienna, with its revelry and abandon, deals with the romance between an officer of the Austrian cavalry and a flowerseller. The Emperor, however, decrees that the officer shall marry a countess. The declaration of war with Servia interrupts the love affair and many engrossing situations develop before the happy conclusion. Anna Neagle is delightful as the heroine. Some entrancing song numbers, "Good-night, Vienna," "Living in Clover" and "Just Heaven," are sung during the picture.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE. An interesting story of the work of the juvenile courts in leading the steps of the younger generation in the right directon is graphically depicted in "Dangerous Years," which will conclude its season at the St. James' Theatre to-mor-row evening. A talented youngster, Tommy Conlon, has the leading rolq> that of "the worst boy in town." An emotional drama of more than usual interest is offered film-goers in "The Woman in Room 13," which is the next attraction to be presented at St. James* Theatre. With Elissa Landi as the principal player, the film deals with the efforts of a merciless ex-husband to ruin the career of his former wife, as revenge for his wrecked political future. , Ralph Bellamy and Neil Hamilton have the leading masculine roles, with Gilbert Roland and Myrna Loy in other prominent parts.

STRAND THEATRE Leslie Fuller in "To-night's the Night," an hilariously funny story of prison life, will conclude its season at tho Strand Theatre this evening. The Tun is fast and furious- throughout, ending with an exciting chase between two cars. Tomorrow a fine double-feature programme will open a season. The first attraction, " Carnival Boat," is a photoplay which centres about the life of the lumber camps. Based on the story by Marion Jackson and Don Ryan, it introduces the element of love in an otherwise straightforward description of the life of the rugged men in thb forests of the north. The second film is " No One Man," the adaptation of a story by Robert Hughes. /• NATIONAL THEATRE. A sensational exposure of the methods of American " yellow " journals in securing news, " Letters of Fire," is attract, ing patrons to 'he National Theatre. Ihe part of an unscrupulous editor, whose motto is " the worse the news, the better the public likes it," is enacted by Edward G. Robinson.

LONDON THEATRE. An Aldwych Theatre farce that gives Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn every opportunity to display their vcomic talents, "Plunder" is screening at the London Theatre. Winifred Shotter is also in tho cast of funmakers.

EMPRESS THEATRE.

Stanley Lupino is most amusing in " Love Lies," to be shown' with " Sea Devils" at the Theatre to-day.

EPSOM REGENT THEATRE.

Wesley Ruggles' • " Are These Our Children?" and "Sea Devils" are being shown at tho Epsom Regent Theatre.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE

"The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood" (Charlie Murray and George Sidney) and Ann Harding's " Prestige" are the films at the Crystal Palace Theatre. RIALTO THEATRE. " The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood," with Charlie Murray and George Sidney, and " The Mystery Train" comprise the main entertainment at the Rialto Theatre. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. " Gold-dust Gertie" (Winnie Lightner) is being shown with " Devil's Lottery," in which Elissa Landi and Beryl Mercer appear, at the Prince Edward Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE. " Platinum Blonde" (Jean Harlow) heads the Capitol Theatre programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE. " Lovers Courageous" (Robert Montgomery and Madge Evans) will be shown with " Number Please" at the Britannia Theatre this evening. TUDOR CINEMA. Tallutah Bankhead and Fredric March both act well in " My Sin" at the Tudor Cinema. LYRIC THEATRE. " Almost a Divorce," with Sydney Howard, and " Enter the Queen," in which Herbert Mundin appears, are the Lyric Theatre films.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ' The entertaining story of a young for tune-hunter, who plans to marry for money until he falls in love with a beautiful but penniless girl, is told in " But the, Flesh is Weak," which will close its season at the Majestic Theatre this evening. The feminine lead is taken by Nora Gregor, The dramatic story of a French master criminal. "Arsene Lupin," which presents the celebrated Barrymore brothers, Johu and Lionel, together for the first time, will commence a return season at the Majestic Theatre to-morroW. The title character, well known to readers of Le Blanc's novels, is enacted by John Barrymore, whose work in portraying the debonair and notorious Paris thief is said to be the climax of his noted career. The detective, whose shrewdest moves are met by the most unexpected and be wildering obstacles, is played by Lionel Barrymore. ROXY AND TIVOLI. Two new films will begin seasons at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. They are " Worldly Goods," with James Kirkwood, Merna Kennedy and Shannon Day, and " South of the Rio Grande." The second picture is an invigorating story of the open spaces, in which Buck Jones portrays a typically virile charac tor, complete with buckskin and chaps Mona Maris makes an enticing heroine. ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY " Two Scottish plays, " Campbell of Kilmhor" and Service Before Self," will be presented by the St. Andrew's Society in the Town Hall concert cham | ber on Saturday evening The first iB [ a splendid drama of the time of Prince Charlie.