ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21440, 14 March 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE

" Lova On Wheels," which is in its second week at the Plaza Theatre, is an engaging film in which the main in* gredients are fun, frivolity and music. Jack- Hulbert, the comical janitor of " Sunshine Susie" and the versatile policeman of " Jack's The Boy," is as debonair as ever as an unemployed shop assistant who rises to an important position in the advertising World. However, he occasionally arrests his brilliant career to entertain the audience with his clever eccentric dancing and his admirable renderings of such songs as " Yearning For You " and " Shall We Wear Pyjamas or the Old-fashioned Nightie ? " Excellent characterisations by a talented minor cast enhance the entertainment value of the film. There are Gordon Harker as a bus driver, Jliles Malleson as a porter at tho Royal Academy of Music, and Percy Parsons and Leonora Corbett, who is appearing as the heroine. " The Lodger " (Ivor Novello) will begin a season at the Plaza on Friday.

REGENT THEATRE

Gay banter, the lilting melodies of Strauss, and romance in post-war Vienna, are blended to make charming entertainment in " Evenings for Sale," which is captivating patrons of the Regent Theatre. Herbert Marshall, the polished principal of " Trouble in Paradise " (he was inimitable as Gaston, the international criminal), gives a typically urbane performance as Count von Degenthal, an impoverished member of the Austrian nobility who is forced to earn a livelihood as a dancing partner at a cafe. At a masked ball he meets Lela, the daughter of a bourgeois shopkeeper, and falls in love with her. However, the course of their love is far from smooth and complications ensue when the count becomes friendly with an American widow. Ronald Colman and Kay Francis make a captivating pair in "Cynara." which will open a season at tho Regent Theatre on Friday. It is a United Artists film.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

Large audiences are attending St. James' Theatre where Constance Bennett appears in a dramatic role in " Rockabye." The love of a famous actress for her child is the motif of the drama and Constance Bennett, acting a difficult part with admirable restraint, excels even her accomplished acting in "Common Clay" and "Bought." Not a little of the success of the film is due to Joel McCrea, of "Bird of Paradise," and Paul Lukas ("To-morrow and To-mor-row), who are responsible for sterling acting in difficult supporting roles. - Included in an outstanding programme is a comedy entitled "Loops My Dear."

CIVIC THEATRE

A gripping drama set against the background of war in the East is vividly presented in the Columbia production, " The Bitter Tea of General Yen," which is proving popular at the Civic Theatre. Barbara Stanwyck, the emotional actress of " The Miracle Woman " and " Forbidden," is splendid as an gill who falls into the clutches of a Chinese war lord. There are entertaining shorter films.

STRAND THEATRE

A graphic camera record of the hardships and adventures experienced by the second expedition into the Antarctic under the leadership of Sir Douglas Mawson is presented in " Siege of the South,'" the mam attraction at the Strand Theatre. Mr. R. A. Falla, ornithologist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, was included in the party which penet?atod the frozen wastes in the cause of science. Splendid, supporting features are also shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Karloff, the sinister figure of " Frankenstein " and the menacing Egyptian of " The Mummy," is a terrible figure in " The Mask of Fu Manchu," which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. With the extermination of the white race as his object, Karloff appears as Fu Manchu, Sax Rohmer's sinister Oriental character, and he invests his part with a realism that is almost too ingNATIONAL THEATRE Interpreted by a cast of clever screen players, " The Old Dark House, ' which is now at the National Theatre, is replete with thrills. A macabre atmosphere has been deftly contrived by the director, Carl Laemmle, jun., and he has rtfade the most of J. B. Priestley's story of the exciting experiences of a group of travellers marooned in a house in the Welsh mountains.

TUDOR CINEMA Gordon Harker contributes a clever characterisation in the Edgar Wallace drama " The Frightened. Lady " which is the main film at the Tudor Cinema. LONDON THEATRE " Other People's Sins," a thrilling British mystery-drama, -will begin a season at the London Theatre to-day. Anne Grey is in the cast. EMPIRE THEATRE The " guest night" entertainment at the Empire Theatre this evening will include " Under Montana Skies " (Slim Summerville).

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Kay Francis and William Powell make a captivating pair in "One Way Passage," which heads the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. It is vital drama. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE An absorbing melodrama set in tho streets of London is vividly in "When London Sleeps," now at Uio New Regent Theatre. Epsom. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "Vanity Fair" (Myrna Loy) heads ths new programme at the Prince Edward Theatre.

ST. PATRICK'S NIGHT

A varied concert in which items will bo contributed by 700 perfomers, lepicsenting 20 schools, will be given in the Town Hall on Friday evening, St. Fatlick's night. A feature of the entertainment will be the appearance of the ho and Sextette, comprising Max Roland and his five sisters, who have just returned from Vienna. Items will also be rendered by Engel's Orchestra and the Do Luxe Instrumental Quartette. The programme will be completed by clever and spectacular drill displays. LITTLE THEATRE PLAY Tlio Auckland Little Theatre Society will present Walter Hackett's brilliant comedy, "Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure," at His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday evening. It is the society s 29th production. With Mr. -Dan l'lood in the title role and a talented cast m subordinate parts, the success of the production is assured. Mr. F. E. McCallum was the producer. "Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure" will also be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings. NEVILLE CARLSEN REVUE \ varied programme of vocal and r* humorous items was presented at usual weekly concert given by the Neville . ■ Carlsen Revue Company in Ward 14 at . the Auckland Hospital. There appreciative audience of patients, whUo members of the staff worp also preson