ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE No more charming personality has appeared on the screen than Hecate Muller, who made her debut in "Sunshine Susie," and who is once again delighting audiences by her infectious gaiety in "Marry Me," the Gainsborough production which opened a season to crowded audiences at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday. With a supporting cast that includes the inimitable English music hall comedian, George ltobey, and Harry Green, whose characterisation of the excitable but shrewd Jewish "marriage broker," was one of the most delightful aspects of the film, "Marry Me" is one of the most successful productions yet achieved by English studios. Two of the most captivating songs introduced are the "Early Bird" number and "Will Somebody, Somebody Marry Me," and others are "You're So Wonderful to Me" and "A Little Sunf.hine," the latter number being very reminiscent of "To-day I Feel So Happy." Renate Muller takes the part of Ann Linden, the recordist in a gramophone factory, and in this part her natural acting and sunny disposition make a delightful character. She I is in love with Robert Hart, the eldest of a trio of happy-go-lucky brothers who muddle through life in a hopelessly untidy bachelors' flat. The roles introduce to the screen three talented young actors —tan Hunter, Maurice Evans and Charles Hawtrey, jun., who invest their roles with a gay youthful spirit which is very refreshing. Robert Hart, with his eyes set on a rich marriage, seems to be blind to the charms of his co-worker at the gramophone studio, and Ann Linden determines to follow the advice of her kindly manager, and use tactics to win him. As •part of these tactics she enters the Harts' home as housekeeper, only to disappear just when the delights of oider and good cooking are beginning to make themselves manifest. Furthering her plan, the matrimonial bureau kept by the business-like Herr Bernstein brings her into touch with Aloysius Novak, a beetle-browed Hungarian farmer, who is played in typically ludicrous fashion by George Robey. Ann's tactics, leading the audience through a succession of humorous scenes, finally result as successfully as she wished, and the film ends on a romantic note. "Marry Me" is preluded by a well-costumed presentation, "The Fashion Plate Revue," in which some talented juvenile performers take part. As a climax, a diminutive couple, preceded by a boys' band, parades through the theatre and leads a bridal procession across the stage. The supporting film is an exceptionally interesting record of the British Arctic Air Route Expedition, which carried out important scientific work in Greenland recently. The photography of the ice scenes and particularly of the approach of a blizzard is excellent, and the film was given an enthusiastic reception by the audience.' ST. JAMES' THEATRE Laurel and Hardy ("Beau Hunks") are up to their usual antics in "PackUp Your Troubles," which is attracting large and enthusiastic audiences to St. James' Theatre. They have never been so comical as in this, their latest film. When America enters the Great War these characters are seen as a pair of the most unwilling recruits that ever wore the American uniform. Forced to join the army, after their subterfuge of pretending to be cripples has failed, they become the butt of the regiment. Everything they do is wrong and their misdeeds reach a climax when they deposit garbago from the camp kitchen in the general's office. From this point the fun never halts until the last hilarious scene. " SMILIN' THROUGH" The initial presentation will be given at St. James' Theatre on Friday of "Smilin' Through," a splendid Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer production. An English critic writes: "Only an audience of cynics fed from youth on disillusion and disappointment could fail to be moved by the mellow, Victorian settings and lavendered emotions of 'Smilin' Through.' " NATIONAL THEATRE Although it enjoyed an extended season at the Regent Theatre, " The Kid From Spain" continues to attract large audiences to the National Theatre, where it heads the current programme. It is a lavishly-produced entertainment, interspersed with entrancing musical numbers, and charming dancing items by a beautiful ballet. Eddie Cantor, the irrepressible comedian of " Whoopee " and " Palmy Days," is responsible for most of the comedy in which " The Kid From Spain " abounds. The comedian appears as a college boy, who, expelled from college, becomes involved in a bank robbery and crosses tho Mexican border pursued by the police. While in Mexico Eddie masquerades as a champion, bull fighter. It is splendid comedv, Tho supporting attractions include items by the Roland Sextette and a coloured cartoon entitled " Babes in the Wood." MAJESTIC THEATRE The white man's unremitting fight against tropical disease is the theme of "Nagana," the Easter attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Included in a distinguished cast are Tala Birrell, the dramatic actress of "The Doomed Battalion," and Melvyn Douglas, who appeared with distinction in "As You Desire Me" and "The Old Dark House." Melvyn Douglas appears as Dr. Walter Radnor, in charge of a medical base in the African wilds. Engaged in fighting the dread disease nagana, he has to contend with the antagonism of the native " medicine men." Tala Birrell has a typical role as Countess Sandra Lubeska, who figures in a romance with Doctor Radnor. STRAND THEATRE Entrancing music and gay romance are the ingredients of "Putting on the Ritz," which is captivating large audiences at the Strand Theatre. Joan Bennett heads a notable cast, including Harry Riehman and Lilyan Tashman. A children's pantomime in colour, entitled "Alice in Wonderland," will be presented at the theatre to-day in addition to a full picture programme. Two wrestling films taken in the Wellington Town Hall will also be screened. TUDOR CINEMA Ronald Colman gives a sincere performance in "Cynara," the United Artists' production, which heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema. Kay Francis is in the oast. LONDON THEATRE Julian Eltinge, the well-known female impersonator, appears to advantage in "Maid to Order," the major film at the London Theatre. A beautiful display of fashionable gowns is a feature of the production. BRITANNIA. THEATRE The attractions at the Britannia Theatre are "Sinners in tho Siyi" and "Tho Tenderfoot" (Joe E. Brown). CAPITOL THEATRE "Hobson's Choice," now at the Capitol Theatre, is ideal screen entertainment.

CIVIC THEATRE The dominating figure of "The King's Vacation," the George Arliss production, which began a season at the Civic Theatre on Saturday, is, of course, Arliss. His performance, admirably restrained, though none the less convincing, was enthusiastically received by a large audience. Entertaining as a story, "The King's Vacation" is a rich satire on the pomp and vanity of kings. In the opening scenes the audience is transported to a small European kingdom, ruled by a king who docs not rule. With an over-taxed people, dull statesmen and a brilliant court, the country is almost bankrupt and revolution is imminent. Acceding to the dictates of a rascally Cabinet the king (George Arliss) is powerless, but his sympathies are with the people and his astute mind is continually planning a bloodless revolution. Meanwhile he plays the part of a king, and fulfils his endless round of engagements —interviews, funerals and public functions. At tho unveiling of a war memorial the king makes a dramatic appeal for "peace and prosperity," while the listening populace cheer enthusiastically, forgetting (delicious satire, this) that they are enclosed by a ring of steel. The king is guarded by the Palace Guards from assassination, which, however, is attempted by a student. As an upshot, the king abdicates gladly, and, securing an annulment of his marriage to the queen, he returns to his wife and child, whom he was compelled to leave years before, when he succeeded to the throne. The reunion at first is a happy one and the king is overjoyed at the thought of returning to his rose-cov-ered cottage and his loved ones. His joy is short-lived. To his dismay, he learns that his wife has bought a residential mansion and has arranged an elaborate reception in his honour. The cottage in which he formerly was so happy is in ruins. The king finds happiness elusive, and his wife eager for social conquest, which to him, after years on a throne, is distasteful. Only in his daughter, who wishes to marry a mechanic, a fact which clashes with her mother's ambitions, does he find true companionship. The plot takes an ingenious and complicating twist when the king meets his ex-queen shopping. She appears to revel in the novelty and, in a spirit of "devil-may-care," the king joins in the expedition and falls in love with her. Returning to Helen, his first wife, whom he is about to re-marry, the king discovers that she is in love with another man. Gradually the tangled threads of the plot are unravelled and the story ends happily, like all fairy tales, except that the ending of this one is logical. There are splendid supporting attractions. LUNCH SESSIONS Commencing to-morrow, a special series of talking films, entitled "How 1 Play Golf," in which Bobby Jones appears, will be screened during the lunch sessions at the Civic Winter Garden. Twelve films will be shown, one being screened each week. The title- of the first is "Chip Shots." ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The two full-length films which comprise the programme at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres continue to enjoy wellmerited popularity. They are "Three on a Match" and "Smoke Lightning." Although totally different from the other, each film is a splendid production of its type, and they combine to form a well-balanced programme. "Three on a Match" is an absorbing drama and provides Warren William, the wellknown player of "Beauty and the Boss," with a congenial role. His performance even excels his acting in "The Match King." The other members of the cast include Joan Blondell and Betty Davis. George O'Brien rides with his usual dash in "Smoke Lightning," an exciting drama of the West. Produced in the old tradition of the cinema it is thrilling throughout. It was adapted from the novel by Zane Grey, "Canyon Walls." Not a little of the success of the film is due to the direction of David Howard. r CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Absorbing entertainment is the keynote of the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. The major film is "Red Dust," in which Clark Gable and Jean Harlow play the leading roles. Clark Gable was last seen in "Hell Divers," in which he gave a virile and satisfying performance, while Jean Harlow was the glamorous heroine of "Hell's Angels." "Red Dust" is a drama set against an exotic tropical background. EMPRESS AND WEST END Splendid comedy by Joe E. Brown is the feature of "You Said a Mouthful," the main attraction at the Empress and West End Theatres. "Million Dollar Legs" is also shown at the Empress Theatre, while tho other West End attraction is "Heart of New York." EPSOM RECENT THEATRE lluth Chatterton has never acted better than in "To-morrow and Tomorrow," one of the two films at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. "Monkey Business" is also shown. ALEXANDRA THEATRE "Love on Wheels," the attraction at tho Alexandra Theatre, Green Lane, is notable for tho original comedy of Jack Hulbert, the English comedian. There is a talented English cast. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE An epic film of the jungle, "Bring 'Em Back Alive," heads the Prince Edward Theatro entertainment. AVONDALE TOWN HALL "Sky Devils" is the Avondale Town Hall attraction. EMPIRE THEATRE Ronald Column is the principal of "Arrowsmith," tho Empire Theatre film. ADELPHI THEATRE "Love on Wheels" (Jack Hulbert) is at the A del phi Theatre, Grey Lynn. NEW DE LUXE THEATRE Tho New Do Luxe Theatre films are "My Sin" and "Monkey Business." EDENDALE CINEMA Janet Gavnor is a demure heroine in "Tess of tho Storm Country," the main attraction at tho Edendale Cinema. KING'S THEATRE Tho attraction at the King's Theatre, Northcote, is "Tho Flag Lieutenant." HYPNOTIST'S ENTERTAINMENT Novel entertainment will be provided in tho Town Hall this evening, when a "grand hypnotic revue" will be given by three hypnotists. They are M. Kinibel, C. R. Douglas and a lady hypnotist,' styled "Madams X." Unique aspects of hypnotism will be revealed and thrillijng as well as novel entertainment is assured. Items will also be rendered by Miss Daphne Kindley, a yodelling ventriloquist, while two other artists will be heard in some gay repartee. The performance will be* repeated to-morrow evening.

REGENT THEATRE No finer choice of Easter entertainment could have been chosen than "The Sign of the Cross," which opened its Auckland season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday to packed audiences. Painting a mighty canvas with a sure, deft hand, Cecil B. de Mi lie has recreated the early days of Christianity in Rome in masterly fashion. It is a film of contrasts. The early Christians are seen living in underground dwellings and moving through the streets in fear that their faith will be discovered and that they will be stoned to death by tho multitude, meeting by night in secret V ruins on the outskirts of the city, and all the time seeking to spread their Gospel to as many as will hear it. On the other side is the court of Nero, thescene of opulent banquets, intrigue, scandal, debauches and every form of cruelty. The Emperor, indolent, gross and sensual, dominates, ordering Christians to be sought out and captured whenever possible, that their death may provide a public spectacle in the arena. The glories of Roman architecture have been followed faithfully, heightening tho contrast between the sated lives of tho rulers of Rome and the simple existence of the Christian fathers. With a typical de Mille touch, the picture opens with a spectacular scene, Rome blazing while the Emperor, crazy with self-import-ance, plays his fedicula to his terrified courtiers. When the fire dies down he is told that the people suspect that he has fired the city and that he may not be safe. Then a courtier, the crafty Tigellinus, suggests that it may be politic - to cast the blame on the Christians, providing the public with a further reason for seeking their death. From this point onward Wilson Barrett's famous play has been faithfully followed. While the Christians await death in tho dungeons under the arena, passing their time with prayer and exnortation, the intrigues of tho Court and the romance between a Christian girl, Mercia, and a patrician, Marcus Superbus, prefect of Rome, are unfolded. His efforts to save the girl are thwarted by the Empress Poppaea, who is jealous of the hold the girl has obtained on Marcus. All must die, and then comes the' most spectacular scene of the film, the Roman holiday at th<s arena. Gladiators, animals of all kinds, pigmies and barbarian women all fight as a preliminary to the main attraction, the throwing of the Christians to tbe lions. Finding that he cannot save the girl, Marcus joins her and they go to their death together, the film closing on a note of faith. As would bo expected, a remarkable cast has been assembled. Fredric March appears as Marcus, Claudette Colbert as Poppaea, Elissa Landi as Mercia, and lan Keith as Tigellinus, but by far the greatest performance is given by Charles Laughton as Nero. Gross, sensual, cruel at times, and at other times, fawning and childlike, his Emperor is a remarkable piece of art. The supporting programme includes newsreels showing the ScotlandWales international Rugby match, J. A. Mollison setting out on his flight across the South Atlantic, and thrilling snapshots of winter sports in Switzerland. The site of the recent Waitangi meeting is included in an Australian news. There will be four sessions to-day.