ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21345, 21 November 1932, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

George Wallace, favourite stage comedian of Australia and Nevv Zealand, is at his hilarious best in " His Royal Highness," his first full-length talking film, which is assured of great popularity at the Regent Theatre. In a story written by himself, lie appears as a down-at-liecl and out-at-elbow tramp, whoso engagement as a scene shifter is only a prelude to better things. He is next seen as the monarch of Betonia, complete with crown. There follows a story which for sheer riotous farce has seldom been excelled. All the other players, recruited from the Australian stage, lit their roles to perfection. Tho supporting films are of the high standard of those which were shown on the same programme as "The Sentimental Bloke," the first Efftee production seen in Auckland. Some of the variety items are among the best that havo reached the audible screen.

PLAZA THEATRE

Just as " Sunshine Susie" was a, masterpiece of musical-comedy, so " Michael and Mary," which has succeeded it at the Plaza Thcalre, will rank among the linest dramas yet brought to the screen. Roth films were directed for (ho Gainsborough Studios by Victor Saville. A. A. Milne's whimsical dramatic romance is interpreted in its newer version by practically the original London cast, includirig Edna Rest and Herbert Marshall, I). A. Clarke-Smith, Elizabeth Allan and Frank Lawton. The subsidiary films comprise " Flat No. 0," a delightful comedy m which two couples become hopelessly confused, and an excellent " Secrets of Nature" picture. From first to last the programme is British entertainment which will win the unbiassed enthusiasm of all who see it.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

Without being the least pretentious, the present programme at the Majestic Theatre offers as delightful entertainment as anyone could wish. " Hat-Check Girl," with lien Lyon, Sally Eilers, dinger Rogers and Monroe Owsley, is a brisk American comedy-drama. Equally appealing is the natural humour and well-knit plot of tho English production, " A ' Safe Proposition,' " which deals with two necklaces, one worth a fabulous sum and the other practically valueless. There are also a beautifully-photographed Magic Carpet picture, and the Fox Movietone News. " Igloo," a drama of the Arctic Circle, will be shown on Thursday.

CIVIC THEATRE

The screen drama is presented in its most impressive form in " The Strange Case of Clara Dearie," the excellent Paramount film now at the Civic Theatre. It is distinguished particularly by the superb acting of Wynne Gibson, a. former musi-cal-comedy actress, in the part of a woman who marries a specious scoundrel, serves a sentence for a crime of which she is innocent and leaves prison to find her baby girl in the hands of strangers. Her battle for possession of her child is handled with consummate artistry. There is a worthy supporting programme, including items by the Civic Orchestra.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

Geno Gerrard cuts comic capers again in " Brother Alfred," which heads the present programme at St. James' Theatre. He is very amusing as a young man who poses as his twin brother in Monte Carlo. Molly Lamont, a pretty South African girl, makes a charming heroine, and Henry Wenman, rotund comedian of " The Middlo Watch," also plays a leading part. Tho supporting pictures are unusually interesting. Mr. Gerrard has been seen in so many thoroughly amusing films since ln's initial appearance in "My Wife's Family" that he needs no introduction to Auckland film-goers.

NATIONAL THEATRE

"On Our Selection," the splendid film version of Steele Rudd's delightful story of Australian outback life, is still being greeted with enthusiasm at tho National Theatre, where it is now in the fourth week of a phenomenal Auckland season. The film deals with the troubles and humorous incidents in tho lives of a typical Australian pioneer family living" in tho backblocks. Bert Bailey is superb as "Dad" Rudd, the gruff but thoroughly likeable figure around whom most of the action revolves. Other characters of more than usual merit arc Fred MncDonald as "Dave," Jack McGowan as "Miloney," and Len Budriek as "John Carey." All the artists are Australians, many of them having previously played similar parts in the stage success.

STRAND THEATRE "The First Year," in which Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell act with charming unaffected naturalness, is enjoying a return Auckland season at the Strand Theatre. Miss Gaynor, whose reputation has been built up by a series of saceharino portrayals, essays a mora sophisticated rolo in her latest picture. She appears as tho very matter-of-fact wife of a somewhat thoughtless young man.

LONDON THEATRE The languor and exoticism, of the South Seas have been perfectly captured in "Aloha," tho main film at the London Theatre. The principal parts arc played by Raquel Torres and Ben Lyon.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell appear on the screen together in "Delicious," tho delightful romance with music to bo shown at the Crystal Palace and Itialto Theatres this evening. Tho lyrics are by George Gershwin.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Ramon Novarro and Madge. Evans are the principals in "Huddle," tho main attraction at the Princo Edward Theatre. "Tho Woman from Monte Carlo" (Lil Dagover) completes the programme. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE Robert Montgomery, C. Aubrey Smith, Nora Gregor and Heather Thatcher head the cast of "But the Flesh Is Weak," at tho Epsom Regent Theatre.

BRITANNIA THEATRE "Local Boy Makes Good" (Joo E. Brown) and "Flying High," a musical

comedy, comprise the Britannia Theatre entertainment.

TUDOR CINEMA "Strangers In Love" (Fredric March and Kay Francis) is tho Tudor Cinema film.

LYRIC THEATRE "Rich and Strange," (Henry Kendall and Joan Barry) heads tho Lyric Theatre programme.

" ABDUL THE ROBBER " An original pantomime, "Abdul the Robber," played by pupils of Madamo Valeska, attracted large audiences to Scots Ilall on Saturday afternoon and evening. Tho large cast, headed by Mr. Len. Wilson and Miss Freda Stark, acrobatic dancers, provided pleasing entertainment throughout four colourful scenes. Items of outstanding interest wero feat? of strength by Messrs. Wilson and li. James, music by a tamborisca orchestra, the slave ballet, gymnastics by a team of girls and boys, and tho spectacular "dance of death" which concluded tho entertainment. Tho principal juvenile members of the cast were Rangi Katipa, Sadie Berastonc, Joy Asquith, Dorothy Katipa and Victory Kerr. Tho entertainment was in aid of tho Mount Eden branch of the Hospital Auxiliary.