ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Such success has attended' tho presentation of "The Ghost Train" at the Plaza Theatre that it. is being, shown for an extended . season. .It, is splendid entertainment. Jack Ilulbert, the clever comedian of "Sunshine Susie,'-'-has-the lead-ing-vole- and 'ho takes full, advantage of, the opportunities afforded. Tie is capably supported by Ann "Todd, <m appealing actress of the- younger •• school. Cicely Courtncidge supplies welcome comic relief. The action of the play, take? place in a remote r.-.'ihvay station in? Cornwall and a series of exciting events < culminates with the "ghost train'.'' shrieking through the station at midnight.

"THE FRIGHTENED LADY" "The Frightened Lady," another' production from the Gainsborough Studios, which were responsible for "Sunshine Susie" and "Michael and' Mary," is announced by the management of the Plaza Theatre as their next' change. As the late Edgar Wallace £was. the author, the play needs no further recommendation;,; but. suffice it to?say. that it is even.more entertaining than the stage success which ran for a season. at' Wvndliam's Theatre, j London: Thrill follows thrill as the clever plot is sunravelled and the audience is gripped .un.tii .the end. The players include Norman McKinnell, Cathlecn Nesbifc, Gordon llarker and Belle 'Chrystalk ROXY AND TIVOLI ■ THEATRES Excellent entertainment is afforded at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres where '' It's; Tough to be Famous " and " Week-end Marriage " are the two full-length films on the programme. Douglas Fairbanks, junior, is the principal' in the former, while Mary Brian is appealing in a supporting role. !'Week-end Marriage " is a drama dealing with-vital modern problems.. "MICHAEL AND MARY" So great has been the demand for a return Auckland season of " Michael and Mary," the dramatic Gainsborough production in which Herbert Marshall and Edna Best, stage favourites of the West End of London, play the title roles, that the management of the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres has decided to present the film for a season beginning to-morrow. It is a magnificent drama with moments grave and gay. Elizabeth .Allen and Frank Lawton are splendid in minor parts. The production was adapted from the successful play by A. A. Milne, and as all the cast in the talking film enacted identical roles in the legitimate version, perfect authenticity has been obtained. Victor Saville was responsible for the direction. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO " Sunshine Susie" will begin a seasonat the Crystal Palace and llialto Theatres to-day. It is notable for the first appearance ori ; the screen of lienate Muller, ivivacious Continental actress. Her performance -is . magnificent and Auckland picture-goers' will eagerly await her next iilm. However, Jack Hulbert, prominent British com'ed'an, also takes acting honours and his interpretation of the role of a comic janitor has .never been excelled. The action of the story , takes place in a ba'nk in Vienna-and from the beginning, when' Rebate Muller seeks a position as a typist in ' the institution,- the interest is maintained. -A feature of the production, which "is a Gainsborough success, is the delightful musical score. There is a charming chorus of rhythmic typewriters and "when a romance develops between the typist and the director of the bank (Owen Nares) the entertainment is Jack Ilulberfc conducting a choir in a : German beer garden is one of the funniest j scenes incorporated in a talking film. Everyone who sees "Sunshine Susie" will agree that it is one of the best productions of the year. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Adventure and romance, magic and humour, are the ingredients of "Chandu, j the Magician," which is enthralling largo audiences at- St. James' Theatre. Edmund Lowe, of "What Price Glory" and "The Cock-eyed World," is masterly in the role of Chandu, a magician, who has all the mysteries of Yogi magic at his fingertips. One of the best films to come from the Fox Films Corporation, "Chandu, the Magician" is replete with thrills. A powerful cast plays the minor roles. There is Irene Ware as an Egyptian princess,. Henry B. Walthall and Virginia Hammond. Bela Lugosi, who was so sinis ter in "Dracnla" and "White Zombie," excels as a madman who seeks the : destruction of the world with a death ray. The supporting films, which maintain the high standard of the entertainment, include pictures of the English. cricketers CIVIC THEATRE As Thatcher Colt, commissioner of police, whose ingenuity brings a clever murderer to justice.- Adolph Menjou contributes a portrayal in ."The Night Club Lady," which is one of the two full-length films showing at. the Civic Theatre. He .is supported:-by a' capable cast, including Mayo Methot, Sheets Gallagher, Ruthelma Stevens, Blanche Friderici and Tern Shimada. lt is dramatic entertainment. "This Sporting -Age," the other attraction, is notable. for a virile performance by . Jack Holt, who was last seen in "War Correspondent."' He is inimitable as a famous polo player who is feted by fashionable American society. 'As the heroine, Evelyn Knapp- is charming. Thero are good supports. MAJESTIC. THEATRE Gwili Andre, in her first appearance on the audible screen, is an outstanding success in "The Roar of the Dragon," which is attracting large audiences to the Majestic Theatre. Richard Dix, who had the leading role in "Cimarron" and other successes, is splendid as a river boat captain who saves a Russian refugee from the clutches of a Manchuriau bandit chief. In view of the recent bandit outrages in Manchuria, the' film has a-special topical interest. There are* good . supporting features. .... . .NATIONAL -'THEATRE An, enthusiastic reception has been accorded the screening of " Bird of Paradise," winch is enjoying an extended Auckland season at the National Theatre. As Luana, the -daughter of a native chief, who is in' love with a voting white man (Joel McCrea),' Dolores del' Rio has the most, congenial role of her career. All. the , clamour of the South-Seas-has been caught by King Vidor, the producer. There is. an entrancing musical accompaniment. STRAND THEATRE Chester Morris and Carole Lombard are. the principals in "Sinners in the Suti," which is the-main attraction at the Strand Theatre. .A'.clever.,cast' and an. interesting story.are the salient- features of the" production, 'which 1 , allied with nniq'uo phiMography and beautiful frocking,■ assures splendid entertainment.' The irtinor films aro entertaining. • . : TUDOR THEATRE. " On Our Selection," a splendid comedy of life in the "back-blocks" of Australia, heads the-current programme-at the Tudor. Theatre. • LONDON THEATRE The 1 now attraction jit. the London Theatre is " Worldly Goods " in which James Xirkwood. has a congenial role,EPSOM REGENT THEATRE Joe E. Brown is' very amusing in "Local Boy Makes Good" at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. .