ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21346, 22 November 1932, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE

Drama and romance are deftly combined in " Michael and Mary," Victor Saville's distinctive film version of the notablo A. A. Milne play. It will end a season at the Plaza Theatre on Thursday. The leading parts are beautifully interpreted by Edna Best, Herbert Marshall, Elizabeth Allan and Frank Lawton. It is one of the most touching stories of enduring love yet to have reached the audible screen.

"THE GHOST TRAIN"

Jack Hulbert, the comic janitor in " Sunshine Susie," will make a welcome reappearance on the Plaza Theatre screen on Friday, when " The Ghost Train" will begin a season. An English critic comments: " ' The Ghost Train' happily opens a period which promises to bo the most successful in the history of British talking pictures. It is cast-iron entertainment, and it is most expertly directed by Mr. Walter Forde, who had a very difficult task. The star of this picture is Mr. Jack Hulbert, but its joy is Miss Cicely Oourtneidge in one of the richest comedy characterisations it is possible to imagine. Mr. Donald Calthrop innkes a brief but brilliant appearance. Miss Ann Todd is a charm'ng heroine, whom our studios seem recently to have forgotten." Another says: " ' The Ghost Train* is an excellent illustration of the great technical advance of English film production. The photography is a revelation of imaginative skill, and places young Leslie Rowson, the camera artist concerned, in the front rank of his profession."

REGENT THEATRE

In ''His Royal Highness," which is attracting capacity audiences to tlio Regent Theatre, George Wallace maintains hist reputation of being "the George Robey of the South." He has a role ideally suited to his buffoonery, which, although often boisterous, is tinctured throughout with tho typo of philosophy which made the art of Charles Chaplin so popular From the time when, as a "down-at-heels" tramp, he is jettisoned into tho European kingdom of Betonia to assume the crown, the fun never halts. Protruding eyebrows and baggy trousers are not listed in the "attributes of a king," but George Wallace wears both with considerable elan. Ha is devastating. Appropriate music is synchronised with tho comedy throughout. The supporting programme, a feature of which is a film of tho race for tho Melbourne Cup, maintains the standard of the entertainment. Graphic films of the English cricketers are also shown.

ST. JAiwES' THEATRE

A reputation for facile comedy is difficult to maintain, but Gene Gerrard contributes another of his engaging portrayals in " Brother Alfred," the delightful comedy now at St. James' Theatre. As Mr. P. G. Wodehouse wrote the dialogue, splendid entertainment is assured. Monte Carlo, with its glittering gambling saloons, fnrma an entrancing background to the adventures of Mr. Gerrard, who is a member of a party on an American yacht. After a riotous celebration in a cabaret, he is involved in a disturbance from which a European prince emerges sadly battered. With tho advent of the police, a legacy and an embezzling uncle the plot thickens, but is finally unravelled in the true Wodehouse manner. There are splendid supporting pictures. "Paradise Island," with Dolores del Rio, will commence a season on Friday. It is King Vidor success.

CIVIC THEATRE

Gripping melodrama and intense human interest account for the acclamation with which "The Strange Case of Clara Deane" has been received at the Civic Theatre. The cast is accomplished. Wynne Gibson, as the woman who commits a murder to save the happiness of her daughter, elevates tho part to artistry. Her performance is reminiscent of Mary Carr. Pat O'Brien, who made such an auspicious debut on the audible screen in " The Front Page," is convincing as the blackguard husband whose machinations in crime involve his innocent wife, and, years later, their daughter. How Clara Deane saves her child from impending tragedy forms a tremendous climax. Selections by the Civic orchestra, conducted by Mr. Harold Baxter, are a feature of tho splendid supporting programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

A clever cast and clever production are the salient features of " Hat-Check Girl," which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. Sally Eilers, of " Bad Girl," Ben Lyon, who scored such an outstanding success in " Hell's Angels," Ginger Rogers and Monroe Owsley all take advantage of the brisk comedy which runs throughout the film. " A ' Safe Proposition,' " an ingenious British production, is included in an interesting subordinate programme. On Thursday, " Igloo," a powerful drama of the Arctic Circle, will be screened. It graphically depicts the stern struggle for existence in the Par North.

NATIONAL THEATRE

Marking a milestone in Australian talk-ing-picturo production, "On Our Selection" continues to delight patrons of the National Theatre. Based on the famous novel by Steele Rudd, the film, which delineates the light and shade of life in the Australian back blocks, has lost none of the beauty of the original. Tho cast is all-Australian, which probably accounts for tho fino interpolation.

STRAND THEATRE

Janet Gavnor gains fresh laurels in "Tho First "Year," which is enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre. Ably supported by Charles Farrell, she essays a serious role for, tho first time in her career The comedies, misunderstandings and petty tragedies of tho first year of marriage are charmingly depicted. There are interesting supporting pictures.

LONDON THEATRE

Constance. Bennett, famous actress of sophisticated roles, Rives another fine performance in "Rich People, the new attraction at the London Theatre. There is a strong cast.

•TUDOR CINEMA

"Rich and Strango" (Henry Kendall) heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema.

LYRIC THEATRE

Fredric March and Kay Francis appear in "Strangers in Love" at the Lyric Theatre.

BRITANNIA THEATRE

"Huddle," with Rnmon Novarro and Madge Evans, and "Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood" are the Britannia Theatre fdms. r

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO

The scrcon's most popular romantic pair, Janet Gaynor arid Charles Farrell, are the principals in "Delicious," the entrancing musical film at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE

"Burnt Offering," in which Elissa Landi is the loading lady, and William Powell's "High Pressure" comprise tho Prince Edward Theatre entertainment.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

final performance of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" will be presented by J. C. Williamson, Limited, at His Majesty's Theatre this evening. "Happy and Glorious" will be staged to-morrow evening and on Thursday evening, with a inatinco performance to-morrow afternoon. The three acts, comprising fifteen scenes, aro said to be rich in dramatic situations, and in Australia Margaret Rawlings and Barry K. Barnes, who are entrusted with the two principal parts, were unanimously acclaimed by competent critics to have given examples of dramatic acting unexcelled in the Commonwealth for a generation. An Australian critic says:—"Not (luring the present generation of Australian play-goers has more inspiring acting been seen, and it is difficult to recall more inspiring drama. Wilfred Walter has written a masterpiece."

BENEFIT CONCERT

Splendid entertainment will bo afforded in St. Aidan's Hall. Ascot Avenue, this evening when a concert to augment tho funds of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society will commenco at eight o'clock. Talented local artists and the St. Aidan's choir will assist.

GERMAN CLUB CONCERT

The recently-formed Gorman Club will give a concert in the Lewis Eadv Hall this evening. A well-chosen variety of items tvill be presented. It will be followed by supper and dancing.

EPSOM REGENT THEATRE

Robert Montgomery head s tho cast in "But the Flesh is Weak," the main film nt the Epsom Regent Theatre.

ONE-ACT PLAYS

Several one-act plays will lie presented by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bailey in the Lewis Eady ITall on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 and 30.