ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21457, 3 April 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

P LAZA THEATRE Although it is in tb.6 second week of its season, Leap Year " continues to attract large audiences to the Plaza. Theatre, lt is an entertaining production, skilfully interpreted by an accomplished English cast. Tom Walls, of. "Canaries Sometimes Sing" and- " Rookery Nook," is tlio principal, and acting in conjunction are such wellknown players as Anne Grey, Edmnnd Breon, Ellis Jeffreys, .Teanne Stuart, Charles Carson and Lawrence Hanray. Joan Brierley also appears, Adapted 7 from the original story by A. It. Rawlinson and directed by Tom Walls; " Leap Year " relates the adventures of a diplomat, a member of the British Foreign Office, who is employed at making love to beautiful women, in his country's cause. When he is preparing to take a much-needed holiday, ho receives orders to .make advances to a „ Mrs. Paula Zahren, also for reasons of State. The diplomat, Sir Peter Trallion, refuses to carry out his orders, but his astute chief-of-staff, Sir Archibald Mallard, tricks Sir Peter into dining with the lady. There- are entertaining supporting films. - ST. JAMES' THEATRE A convincing performance by George Raft and demure acting bv Constance ' Cuminings are the salient features of. " Night After Night," the Paramount production which is being accorded an enthusiastic reception at St. James' Theatre. It is au enthralling talking play dealing with the aspirations of an ex-pugilist, Joe Anton, who owns a. night club. He falls in love with an. aristocratic patron of the cabaret, and, in order to ingratiate himself with her, takes lessons in manners from a tutor. His lessons give rise to some deliciously comical episodes, until the film sweeps on to a dramatic climax. Alison Skipworth is splendid as the tutor. Ono , of the most outstanding films of the year will have its initial presentation at St. James' Theatre on Thursday. It is " The Conquerors," and is as broad in conception as "Cimarron." Richard Dix, the jictor of " Cimarron," plays the principal part in " The Conquerors," in which Ann Harding also appears. The minor cast includes Edna May Oliver, The film is assured of a successful season. RECENT THEATRE Eddie Cantor, the comedian cf. "Palmy Days," is as funnj' as ever' in " The Kid From Spain," which is captivating large audiences at the Regent Theatre. He has a typical rolo as a young man who is expelled from college. Accompanied by his friend and classmate, liicardo, Eddie crosses tho Mexican border pursued by detectives, after he has become involved in a bank robbery. From this point tho fun never halts. To escape detection, tho comedian masquerades as Don Sebastian 11., a famous bullfighter, and he is accorded the homage of all Mexico. Ho experiences ono adventure after another. He is thrown into prison and nearly pays the. death penalty, helps Ricardo to kidnap his sweetheart, Anita, and abducts tho wrong girl. A splendid supporting programme is presented, including a coloured cartoon, " Babes in the Wood." Items are also rendered by tho Roland Sextette. MAJESTIC THEATRE The R.K.O. Radio production, " Secrets of the French Secret Police," 1 which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre, provides thrilling film entertainment.-It is an unusual talking play, dealing with the sinister machinations of a Russian general, Han Mololf, a resident in Paris, who schemes to gain control of the banked Romanoff millions. He conceives a plan of hypnotising and abducting a Parisian flower girl who has a remarkable likeness to • a member of the/dead Russian Tsar's family. How brs scheme is checkmated by the French secret police makes an engrossing film. CIVIC THEATRE Based on the tragic history of Ivar Kreuger, "The Match King"" is at-, tracting large audiences to the Civic Theatre. Because it is; adapted from a man's life story, the production is sincere and it is interpreted with a sense of drama by a, talented cast. Tho title role has been entrusted to Warren William, the polished actor of -" Beauty and the Boss," and he is capably supported by Lily Damita, Glenda Farrell, Hardie Albright, Spencer Charters and Juliette Compton. A feature of the supporting programme is the appearance of Howard Moody at the grand organ.. STRAND THEATRE John Boles, the vjrile actor of " The Desert Song" and "Seed," is the principal of " Back Street.," which is being screened for a return season in Auckland at tho Strand Theatre. The theme of " Back Street " is one of extreme poignancy, but it is saved from cheap sentimentality by the inspired acting of the players. Irene Dunne _ a dramatic performance as Ray Schmidt, Fannie Hurst's beautiful and unselfish creation. Versatility is the r keynoto of the shorter, attractions. NATIONAL THEATRE Tho tremendous achievements re--ceutly accomplished by the Australian i film industry are evidenced by the ' spendid Australian film, "On OurSelee-' ! tion," which is enjoying a successfulseason at the National Theatre. It is an epic of life in tho Australian bush., All tho characters of Steele Rudd's popular story have been faithfully, translated to the screen, and the rich comedy of the novel is never lacking. Bert Bailey appears as Dad, a part ho played with success on the stage. Clever portrayals are also contributed by Fred Macdonald, Alfreda, Bevan, William Driscoll and Lilias Adeson. The minor' programme maintains the standard of the main film. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The two full-length films at tho Rosy and Tivoli Theatres continue to attract largo and enthusiastic audiences. Bar- [ bara Stanwyck, the talented principal of "So Big," gives a sincere performance in "The Purchase Price," the first i | attraction. "You Said a Mouthful'' (Joe E. Brown) is also screened. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Constance Bennett and Neil Hamilton appear in "Two Against the World," the dramatic film which heads the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Neil Hamilton is convincing as a young lawyer, who devotes himself to fighting lost causes. LONDON THEATRE " Vanity Fair," tho picturisation of Thackeray's novel, is the main attraction at the London Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA i "Jack's theJßoy" (Jack Hulbsrt) is the Tudor Cinema 1 film. •' BRITANNIA THEATRE ! Tho entertainment at the Britannia Theatre comprises " Chandu thq. Magician" and "Thunder Below." - .. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Tho Prince Edward Theatre films are " Tho Man From; and "Igloo." ■ mm