ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21377, 29 December 1932, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

. • REGENT THEATRE J Maurice Chevalier is an engaging fellow ? in "Love Mo To-nght," in which he. ap- 1 pears with Jeanette Mac Donald at the 1 Regent Theatre. This enchanting musical; « romance will close a remarkably jpopular run this evening. Other members of a i notable cast are Charlie Ruggles, Charles Butterworth, C. Aubrey Smith and Myrna j Loy. " LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE " Happiness and joy. positively radiate from Gracie Fields' new film, "Looking • on the Bright Side," which will succeed "Love Me To-night" at the Regent Theatre to-morrow evening. Through the übquity of the radio and the gramophone Gracie. Fields' beautiful voice brightens countless homes tho woi'ld over. In' her first picture, "Sally in Our Alley," this former mill girl brought to the screen a " personality more vibrant and compelling perhaps than any other film artist. Supported by a brilliant cast of distinguished London stage players, Gracie Fields' rises to even greater heights in "Looking on the Bright Side." It has been hailed as a brilliant musical comedy. It is overflowing with happiness and good cheer. It should dispel the gloom and despair of even the most pessimistic person. There . will be a splendid array of supporting films, including "How I Play Cricket," in which Don Bradman appears. ROXY AND' TIVOLI THEATRES Excellent entertainment is afforded at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres, where the splendid double-feature programme was accorded an enthusiastic reception yesterday. Buck Jones has achieved wellmerited popularity in Western films, but ho has nover been seen to better advantage than in "McKenna of the Mounted," ibc first film on tho programme. The production offers full scope for his daring horsemanship and as McKenna, a sergeant of tho Canadian North-west Mounted Police, he has a role that gains him further laurels. Victor McLaglen, who scored a signal triumph in "The Black Watch" and numerous other films, is the principal' in "Rackety Rax," the second attraction. Comedy was the keynote of the novel by Joel. Sayre on which the picture was based and the wider scope of the audible screen makes the film even more amusing. "Rackety Rax" is an obvious satire on: American college football and as the leader of a group of racketeers who extend their! questionable activities to college football, Victor McLaglen has never been seen to' better advantage. , PLAZA THEATRE In a few short weeks since his first appearance in "Sunshine Susie," 'Jack Hulbert has become Auckland's favourite* screen comedian. His comic , acting in "Jack's the Boy" is attracting throngs; to the Plaza Theatre this week. Michael Orme, noted London film critic, comments: "Possessing an excellent story, ; elastic enough to yield at any moment to the inimitable drolleries of its stars, and > with plenty of pace in Walter Forde's direction, ' Jack's the Boy ' is one of the jolliest. pictures that have emerged from British studios. The fact that Jack Hulbert,- fn collaboration with Douglas Furber, has found his material in London not only accounts for a racy, exhilarating, English atmosphere, but sharpens the edge; of amiable satire. Jack Brown, happy idler, wangles his way into the Police Force, and, after coping hilariously, if ineffectually, with traffic congestion and 'smash-and-grab' thieves, runs a crook to earth among Madame Tussaud's Waxworks. The story, working up to a nice little thrill here and there, is rich in comic invention." . . MAJESTIC ■ THEATRE Owing to its' tremendous success, FrankBuck's amazing jungle film,' "Bring 'Em Back ; Alive," will be shown at the Majestic Theatre for an extended season. It is a type of film which appeals to children and adults alike.\Mpreover, it is entirely authentic, for it was photographed throughout in the Malayan jungle. Among the subsidiary films there are a Mickey Mouse cartoon,, "In Arabia," a comprehensive issue of the Pathe News, a Vagabond Adventure travelogue, an Aesop Fable cartoon, a sportlight, "Figure Slimming," and an unroarious Clark and McCullough comedy, "The Iceman's Ball." NATIONAL THEATRE The final performances of "City Lights," in which Charlie Chaplin is as resourceful a pantomimist as ever, and "Three Live Ghosts,", another hilarious comedy, will be given at the National Theatre today. Apart from the acting of Chaplin, "City Lights" is notable .for the adroit use of music and sound effects to heighten the effect of tho comedy. Altogether the two pictures offer ideal entertainment. STRAND THEATRE Great popularity Continues to be enjoyed by "Mr. Robinson Crusoe," the exhilarating advanture-romance, which is being shown at the Strand Theatre It is notable for the return of Douglas Fairbanks to the type of role ho made famous on the screen in "Robin Hood,"'"The Thiof of Bagdad" and "The 'Three Musketeers." This excellent holiday entertainment also includes interesting supporting films. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Gripping entertainment is the keynote of tho programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres, where "Unashamed," a sophisticated drama, is the major film. It is notable for tho fine performance of Helen Twelvetrees in tho leading role, while included in the subordinate cast are Robert Young, Lewis Stone and Jean Hersholt. Laurel and Hardy are amusing in the other film, " The Country Hospital." CIVIC THEATRE "Sherlock Holmes." a modern story of Conan Doyle's famous detective of fiction, will end a popular season at the Civic Theatre this evening. It is excellently acted by Clive Brook, Mirian Jordan, Herbert Mundin, David Torrence and Frank Atkinson. LONDON THEATRE " Uneasy Virtue," a witty comedy in which Fay Comptort and Edmund Breon both act with accomplishment;- heads the present programme at tho London Theatre. There is also a splendid supporting programme. TUDOR THEATRE The main attraction at the Tudor Theatre is " Congor.illa," a graphic record of jungle life. p : ■ \i. .4Y.- y i NEW RECENT .THEATRE Lionel Barrymoro is convincing in "Washington Masquerade," which heads the current programme at'the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. "Girls About Town," a vital modern drama, is the other film. ~ KING'S THEATRE The entrancing musical comedy "Sunshine Susio" provides absorbing entertainment at the King's Theatre, Northcote. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE " The Miracle Man" (Chester Morris) and "June Moon" comprise the entertainment at the Prince Edward Theatre.

ST. JAMES - THEATRE "Once in a Lifetime," in which Holly* wood lampoons itself with rare gusto, will be shown finally at St. James' Theatre this evening. John Barrymore,' who.-* has gradually won back on the audible screen tho fame that was his in the silent era,, gives a performance of compelling power in Clemence Dane's impressive drama, "A Bill! of Divorcement," to head the new programme to-morrow. The other principal.; members of the cast. are Billie Burke,, widow of the late Florensj Ziegfeld; Katherine Hepburn, of whom still greater things are expected ;-arid David Manners, the personable youngster of numerous films. , : " PLEASURE ■■ BOUND " That entertaining revue is always welcome is evident from the continued popularity of "Pleasure Bound," which is enjoying a successful season at Hi* Majesty's Theatre. That; Mr. Frank Neil's production is beiiig presented by J. 0. Williamson, Limited, is a recommendation in itself, but the outstanding suc--cess of the performance is assured with the inclusion of Mr. George"-Wallace. In view of his previous triumphant appeal*; ance in Auckland his return was'awaited with interest and his antics in "Pleasure Bound" have increased his popularity. His comedy is of tho same rare vintage . and laugh follows laugh when he is on

the stage. The elan with which he w ears the same baggy trousers makes the most, jaded critics laugfi. A feature of the revue is the clever dialogue between the comedian and Miss Maida Jones. Miss Ella Shields, who, of course, needs no introduction to theatregoers, contributes several of her famous male characterisations. Her vocal numbers, rendered in a gorgeous evening gown, are no less entertaining. Versatility is the keynote of "Pleasure Bound" and it is impossible to mention all the 27 numbers comprise the entertainment. They are_ of uniform excellence. Matinee and evening performances of the revue will be given to-day and to-morrow. On Saturday the initial presentation of a new programme, "Whoopee Nights," will be given.