ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21281, 7 September 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE An unusually accomplished cast interprets "The Miracle Man," the distinguished audible-film version of the silent picture classic of 1919, to end its season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow evening. It includes Sylvia Sidney, Chester Morris, Hobart Bosworth, Ned Sparks, Robert Coogan, Jackie Searle, Irving Pichel, John Wray and Virginia Bruce. "THIS IS THE NIGHT" Sparkling wit enlivens "This is the Night, M the delicious comedy with music, to follow "Tlie Miracle Man" at the Civic Theatre on Friday. A noted critic says:—"'This is the Night' seems to point the- way in which screen musical comedies of the future will go. It is definitely not one of those pictures in which various characters burst into song for no reason at all. Where music or song has been introduced it is for the purpose of giving flavour to tho scene oi the action. Roland Young, accomplished English comedian of numerous films, gives an inimitable performance in company with Charlie Ruggles, seen recently w;< > Maurice Chevalier in 'One Hour "With You.' Lily Damita and Thelma Todd arc two bewitching leading ladies, and Gary Grant is a handsome figure as tlie hero, a strong, silent, javelin-thrower. Artistically produced, the picture is strong in comedy, and there is a particularly humorous drinking scene, which is one of tho most brilliant pieces of _ comedy yet to have reached the screen.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "High Pressure," the William Powell film To end its season at the Majestic Theatre this evening, is a satirical comedy of pure delight. Lively dialogue lends added point to the humour of the situations. Lionel Barryinore, the brilliant actor of ••Guilty Hands," "The Broken Lullaby" and "Arsene Lupin," gives another incisive characterisation in The Washington Masquerade," to head the new programme to-morrow. These is a notable supporting east, including Karen Morley, one of the mosj, promising of the newer generation of screen actresses. She will be remembered for her fine acting in " Arsene. Lunin," "Mata Hari" and "Man About Town." Others are Nils Asther, the hero of the silent classic "Sorrell and Son, whose most important talking-picture role was in Joan Crawford's "Letty Lynton, C, Henry Gordon, of "Mata Han, William Collier, Diane Sinclan, a new screen "find."

ROXY AMD TIVOLI THEATRES A drama of the exciting life of the "flying squads" of the police force, ' Radio Patrol!" which heads the programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, has the talented and forceful actor Robert Armstrong in the principal role. The action of the film is fast throughout and the attention of tbe audience is not allowed to relax. The second attraction is A Woman Commands," in which Pola Negri makes her first talking picture appearance and discloses a voice of striking quality. The story deals with the life history of the beautiful Queen Maria Draga of Serbia.

PLAZA THEATRE Fannie Hurst's "Symphony of Six Million," to close a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow evening, is a drama of unusual power. It has been fittingly described as the "Humoresque" of the audible-screen. Excellent portrayals aie contributed by Ricardo Cortez, Irene Dunne, Gregory Ratoff and Anna Appel. There are some exceedingly impressive scenes, notably the surgery and other hospital scenes, all of which have been handled with fine dramatic instinct. REGENT THEATRE Words fail one to convey adequately the immensity of the theme of "Arrowsmith," the magnificent Sinclair Lewis film, in which Ronald Colman and Helen Haves live the parts of the two main characters. The picture is enjoying phenomenal success at the Regent Theatie. It is one of the most distinctive contributions to screen art it has yet been Auckland filmgocrs' privilege to witness. Excellent, performances also come from Richard Bennett and A. E. Anson, noted character actors. STRAND THEATRE Ann Harding acts superbly in "Westward Passage," the appealing film to be shown finally at the Strand Theatre tomorrow evening. Other members of the cast are Irving Pichel, Laurence Olivier and Zasu Pitts. A second picture is Tom Keene's "Ghost Valley." John Barrymore and Helen Twelvetrees appear in "State s Attorney," the vital drama to head the new programme on Friday. LONDON THEATRE The English comedy is presented in its most entertaining form in "Almost a Honevmoon," which is enjoying giea popularity at the London Theatre. Clifford Mollison and Dodo Watts are the leading players.

NATIONAL THEATRE Delightful unaffected comedy is the keynote of "The Expert," the homely film now being shown at the National Ihcatre. Chic Sale, the old man in "Limpy, gives another appealing characterisation, and the cast also includes Lois Wilson and Dickie Moore. LYRIC THEATRE Fredric March gives a fine double characterisation in "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" at the Lyric Theatre this evening. TUDOR THEATRE Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro make a delightful romantic pair in "Mata H»ri," to be presented this evening at the Tudor Theatre. BRITANNIA THEATRE Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery are the principals in this evening's attraction at the Britannia Theatre, "Pnvate Lives. 5 ' PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "Out of the Blue" and "The Woman i„ Boom 13" are the chief films to be screened at. the Prince Edward Iheatre this evening,. RIALTO THEATRE "The Chinese Puzzle" and "Old Soldiers Never Die" are the main attractions at the Rial .o Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE "Daughter of the Dragon/' a tense drama, with Warner Oland and Anna May Wong, will be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre this evening. NEW REGENT THEATRE The programme at the New Regent Theatre this evening is headed by "Aloha," a story of the South Seas, and "Drums of Jeopardy."

ST. JAMES' THEATRE "While Paris Sleeps," the exciting melodrama at St. James' Theatre, will close its season to-morrow evening. It_ is notable for splendid performances by Victor McLaglen, in the part of a life-sen-tence convict, William Bakewell and Helen Mack. There is also a particularly interesting film of the opening of tho Ottawa Conference. A beautiful new leading lady, Veree Teasdale, is introduced to the screen in "Skyscraper Souls," to head the new programme on Friday. Warren William, who has been seen in a number el" films recently, is the hero. Other performers of distinction who appear ate Maureen O'Sullivan, the naive heroine of "Tarzan, the Ape Man," Jean Hersholt, noted character actor, Anita Page and Norman Foster. The unusual nature of the film, its deft blending of comedy and pathos, and the remarkably fine photographic effects, lift the production high above Ilia customary level of screen entertainment. MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL An organ recital will be given by the honorary city organist, Mr. Trevor Sparling, in*the Town Hall on Saturday evening" A comprehensive programme has been arranged, including the works of many well-known and popular composers.