ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21454, 30 March 1933, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE The efforts of a newly-married man to escape cross-examination by his mother-in-law form the hilarious motif bf "His Wife's Mother," the British International Pictures production, which will be shown finally at the Civic Theatre to-day. Splendid characterisations are given by Marion Dawson, Molly Lamont, Jimmy Godden, Gus McNaughton and Hal Gordon. There are interesting shorter features. "THE MATCH KING" Warren William, who first reached prominence as a film actor in "The Mouthpiece" and "Beauty and the Boss." enhances his reputation in "The Match King," an outstanding drama, which will begin a season at the Civic Theatre tomorrow. Produced by the Warner Brothers-First Nationnl Studios, the film was based on the novel by Einar Thorvaldson, which in turn was inspired by the collapse of the companies controlled by the late Ivar Krcugar, "the match king." Concerning the film, a critic wrote: " 'The Match King' is a daring picture with an epic quality born of its proximity to truth. Adroitly and ably handled by a large cast of expert players, the story of Paul Kroll begins when he is a street sweeper in Chicago, carries him to dizzy heights of power and wealth and ends when the inevitable reckoning against a superman, who built his success upon the backs of his weaker contemporaries, finally conies." The players supporting Warren William include Lily Damita, Glenda Farrcll and Harold Ilubcr.

PLAZA THEATRE Witty dialogue and intriguing situations make " Leap Year," which heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre, an absorbing entertainment, 'i'om Walls, the debonair actor of many Aldwych Theatre successes, lias an ideal role as Sir Peter Trallion, a member of the British diplomatic service. His special duty is to make love to women for reasons of State, and Sir Peter is invariably successful. However, just when lie is deciding to take a holiday from his arduous duties, the diplomat is ordered by his chief-of-staff, Sir Archibald Mallard, to make advances to an attractive adventuress, Mrs. Paula Zahren. Sir Peter demurs, but is tricked into dining with the lady after Sir Archibald introduces them by an ingenious ruse. As an upshot, Sir Peter falls in love with Mrs. Zahren, who, however, terminates the acquaintance. The diplomat seeks her for four years, and, in desperation, becomes engaged to Sir Archibald's daughter. Then, by an ironic twist of fate, he meets the object of his search at Cannes, where he is staying with his fiancee. Sir Peter has to employ all his diplomatic wiles to master the situation.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE "The Penguin Pool Murder," an enthralling mystery-drama, .will be shown for the last time at St. James' Theatre to-day. Edna May Oliver, the austere comedienne, is inimitable as a New York school teacher, who outwits the police and brings the murderer to book. George Raft, a newcomer to the screen, gives an incisive performance in a difficult role in "Night After Night," which will have its initial presentation at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. The actor appears as the owner of a prosperous night club, who falls in love with an aristocratic patron, Miss Healy. In order to ingratiate himself with his visitor, the owner of the night club takes lessons in manners and deportment, with ludicrous results. However, comedy is swiftly replaced by drama and the film ends on a sensational note. Entertaining shorter films will precede the main attraction. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Large audiences attended the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, yesterday for the initial screening of "The Purchase Price" and "You Said a Mouthful"' (Joe E. j Brown). Barbara Stanwyck, the dramat4: actress of "Forbidden" and "So Big," is responsible for a sincere portrayal in "The Purchase Price," in which she appears as a night club entertainer, who marries a farmer,. Jim Gilson, through a matrimonial agency. The pair settle down to a rather unhappy existence and the intensity of the drama gradually increases until a climax is reached when Gilson's grain crop is sot on fire. The film ends oil a happy note. The antics of Joe E. Brown supply most of the comedy in 1 "You Said a Mouthful." He enacts the role of a young man who is wrongly identified as a marathon swimming champion. However, he enters for a race, dons what ho considers is an unsinkable bathing suit, and emerges the victor.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTQ Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, perhaps the most popular pair of lovers on tho screen, appear together again in "Tcss of the Storm Country," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. It is a gripping drama of life on the New England coast, where a feud exists between the fishermen and a millionaire landowner. Janet Gaynor plays a more dramatic type of role than u final as the daughter of a retired sea captain, who joins forces with the fishermen and incurs the enmity of the millionafre.

STRAND THEATRE Musical comedy in its most entertaining form is presented at the Strand Theatre, where "Looking on the Bright Side" is captivating largo audiences. "Looking on tho Bright Side" and "He's Dead, But Ho Won't Lie Down" are only two of the songs rendered by Gracie Fields, who plays the leading role in her usual vivacious manner. Novel shorter attractions are also shown.

NATIONAL THEATRE "Wild Horse Mesa," the talking picture version of Zane Grey's exciting novel, will have its final presentation at the National Theatre to-day. The play is produced in tho true cinema tradition, and Randolph Scott gives a virile performance as the hero. He is capably supported by Sally Blane. Tho Australian production, ''On Our Selection," will be shown for tho first time at tho National Theatre to-morrow.

REGENT THEATRE The final screening will be given at the Regent Theatre to-day of "Cynara," the poignant United Artists film, which, although in the second week of its season, continues to attract large and appreciative audiences. Satisfying portrayals are contributed by Ronald C'olman, Kay francis and Phyllis Barry. The play deals with a plot of universal appeal. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The entertainment at the Princo Ed ward Theatre comprises "The Penalty of Fame" and "The White Devil." LQNDON THEATRE Robert Armstrong and James Gleason appear in Oh, Yeah," the comedy-drama now at tlie London Theatre. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE ' The principal film at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, is "Two Against the World" (Constance Bennett). ALEXANDRA THEATRE . "Two Against the World" heads the programme at tlio Alexandra Theatre, Green Lane. :

MAJESTIC THEATRE Ruthless murders and a daring scheme of deception against which the clever organisation of the French secret police is matched form the basis of the jtory in "Secrets of the French Police," which was presented before large audiences at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. A criminal and unbalanced mind directs from his stronghold near Paris helpless accomplices who have fallen victims to his hypnotic influence, and an innocent flowergirl is snatched off the streets to impersonate a Russian princess. The French secret police, seeking to avenge the murder of one of their officers, are confronted with another and more daring crime, the clues of which ar« baffling and misleading. It is in their search for the masterhaud behind the well-conceived and swiftly-carried out crimes that a story of unequalled merit is unfolded. The cast ably represents the variety of types from which the characters are drawn, and is headed by Gwili Andre in the part of a flower-girl hypnotised by the power of the master schemer, General Hans Moloff, played by Gregory Ratoff. The chief of the French surete, St. Cyr, is acted by Frank Morgan, and the role of Leon Renault, a smart thief, is played by John Warburton. Others in the cast include Murray Kinnell, Lucien Prival, Christian Rub and Arnold Korff. The efficient methods of examining every little piece of evidence and the means of tracking down criminals arc interesting sidelights of the story, and reveal the inner workings of the police system. Cigarette ash, blood-stains in a book, and flies killed by formaldyhydc are the clues leading lip to an exciting arrest, exposing crimes of inhuman ingenuity. Throughout the story the attention is gripped by a series of amazing incidents leading to a climax of a thrilling nature. In the supporting programme one is entertained by short films of interesting and amusing happenings. Two comedies are shown, Tom and Jerry in "Pencil Mania," and "Private Wives." There is also a Grantland Rice sportlight, in which wild duck arc stalked, and a Paramount News with unusual events from many quarters of the globe.