ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21469, 18 April 1933, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE c C Entrancing music and gay romance ' are the ingredients of " Marry Me," 1 the latest Gainsborough film, which is f enjoying merited popularity at the r Plaza ■ Theatre, Renate Muller, the a vivacious actress of " Sunshine Susie," r is tho dominating personality in the r film as she sings and dances her way r to happiness. Her performance is a t tonic. She appears as Ann Linden, a c recordist in a gramophone factory, who t falls in love with her co-worker, Robert Hart, a handsome but unresponsive \ • young man. Robert lives in an untidy c bachelors' flat with two brothers, and, \ to attract the young man's attentions, c Ann assumes the role of housekeeper, j only to leave when the bachelors are beginning to appreciate her excellent management and cooking. Continuing ber campaign, Ann enlists tho aid of a matrimonial agency, where she meets AI oy si us Novak, a Hungarian farmer, ® who is looking for a wife. The remainder * of tho film provides excellent enter- } tainment. A novel feature of the sup- - porting programme is the presentation » on the stage of " Tho Fashion-plate 1 Revue," in which talented juvenile } performers appear. An interesting re- 1 cord of the British Arctic Air Route ] Expedition, which carried out scientific work in Greenland recently, is also ' screened. * 1 J CIVIC THEATRE i " The King's Vacation," the Warner Brothers and Vitaphone production, which is captivating large audiences at tho Civil Theatre, sets the seal on George Arliss' distinguished screen 1 career. As the king of a European king- ' dom, the actor portrays a role, which, ■ in the hands of a less experienced player, might have been unconvincing. It is the Arliss artistry that makes tbe • film tho entertaining production it is. : " The King's Vacation " recounts the experiences of a king who tires of tho 1 pomp and vanity of his position, abdicates ad returns to civil life. After a happy reunion with his wife and daugh- i ter, lie finds that happiness is still elusive, for his wife is eager for social conquest. Tbe king is tired of society. From this point the interest is admirably sustained until the ending, which, although surprising, is none the less satisfactory. There are splendid supporting films. LUNCH SESSIONS Commencing to-day, a series of talking films entitled " How I Play Golf " (Hobby Jones), will be screened during the lunch sessions at the Civic Wintergarden. Twelve films will be presented, one production being shown each week. " Chip Shots " will bo screened today. REGENT THEATRE Cecil B. de Mille, producer of " The Ten Commandments, has achieved his most ambitious effort in " The Sign of the Cross," which is attracting large and enthusiastic audiences to the Regent Theatre. It should enjoy an extended season. A film of vivid contrasts, it has been conceived on a tremendous scale. The glory that was Rome is vividly depicted with all its> grandeur of architecture. Graphic and terrible scenes are presented of the celebration of a typical Roman holiday—the gladiatorial combats, battles to the death between Amazons and dwarfs, and the ruthless killing of Christians. Against this background the dramatic story is told of the hopeless love of Marciis Superbus, the Roman Prefect, for Mercia, a Christian girl. " The Sign of the Cross " was first produced on the stage by Wilson Barrett, but the audible screen version, with its broader canvas, is more impressive. That is praise indeed. Included in the cast are Charles Laughton. as Nero, Claudette' Colbert, and lan Keith. Thrilling snapshots of winter sports in Switzerland are incorporated in the supporting films. MAJESTIC THEATRE " Nagana'," the unusual Universal film which heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre, is a talking play of love and adventure set against , the exotic background of tropical Africa. | The motif of the production is the battle of a scientist against the dread'disease 1 nagana,*which takes terrible toll of the natives. As Dr. Walter Radnor, who 1 risks his lifo in the jungle to combat 5 the disease, Melvyn Douglas, in his first important role, acts with conviction, and he is capably supported by Tala Birrell, the actress of " The Doomed Battalion." There are entertaining minor films. NATIONAL THEATRE Although it is tho third week of its season in Auckland, " The Kid From Spain " .continues to attract large audiences to the National Theatre. Eddie Cantor provides most of the comedy in which the film abounds. A worthy suci cessor to the former Eddie Cantor films, " Whoopee " and "Palmy Days," "The ' Kid From Spain" recounts the experi--1 ences of a college youth who masP qiterates as a champion bull fighter, t The supporting attractions include items f by tho Roland Sextette and a coloured cartoon, " Babes in the Wood." 3 1 ' i STRAND THEATRE r Tho entrancing musical compositions of Strauss are interspersed throughout t " Tho Smiling Lieutenant," which will begin a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Maurice Chevalier plays the y main role and satisfying charaoterisa--0 tions also come from Claudette Colbert and Charlie Ruggles. Included in the supporting programme are graphic pice tures of wrestling bouts in the Welling- - ton Town Hall. 3 LONDON THEATRE a The main attraction at the London Theatre is " The Sophomore," in which s Sally O'Neil appears. There is a talented !- supporting cast. 1 EPSOM REGENT'THEATRE The films at tho New Regent Theatre, S Epsom, are " To-morrow and To-mor-row " (Ruth Chatterton) and "Monkey t Business." o CRYSTAL PALACE AND R J ALTO " Clark Gable and Jean Harlow appear 0 together for tho first timo in " Red Dust," the main attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. " Central Park " is also screened. v ' 1 BRITANNIA THEATRE • Sally Filers gives a charming pors traval in " Disorderly Conduct," which 0 will be screened at the Britannia Y Theatre matinee this afternoon, and - also in the evening, when " Play Girl " - will bo presented. t LYRIC THEATRE 1 The Lyric Theatre attractions are 1 " Bird of Paradise " and " Innocents " of Chicago." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Tho major film at the Prince Edward Theatre-is "Maid of the Mountains" (Nancy Brown). e TUDOR CINEMA Distinguished acting is a feature of a " Cynara," now at the Tudor Cinema. EMPIRE THEATRE i 3 " Pardon My Gun " will be shown at , the Empire Theatre this evening (guest night).

st. james' Theatre Hilarious performances that will satisfy the most critical filmgoer are contributed by Laurel and', Hardy, the comical pair "of " Beau Hunks " and "Pardon Us," in "Pack Up Your Troubles," which is enjoying a successful season at St. James' Theatre. The naive Laurel and the pompous Hardy / - are introduced to the audience in typical manner. America having, to their dismay, entered the Great War, the pair masquerade as cripples. However, owing to the stupidity of Laurel, their ruse is discovered by a recruiting sergeant and they are sent, to a training camp. It is there that their adventures (or misadventures) really begin and a comical climax is reached when the two characters arrive in France, and, by mistake, capture a German tank and several prisoners. " SMILIN* THROUGH" v Norma Shearer gives a charming and sincere portrayal in "Smilin' Through," the Metro-Goldwvn-Meyer film, which' will begin a season at St. James' Theatre on Friday. It is a Victorian tale, with an atmosphere of " lavender and old lace," and its tender romance will have a universal appeal. The cast is an imposing one. There are Leslie Howard, talented English actor of " Service for Ladies," Fredric March (Marcus Superbus of "Sign of the Cross"), 0. P. Heggie, who plays his part with a understanding, Beryl Mercer, Ralph Forbes and For- "7 rester Harvey. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES After a very successful season,- "Three on a Match " and " Smoke Lightning " will be shown for the last time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Warren William is suitably urbane in " Three on a .Match " in which Joan Blondell also appears. " Smoko Lightning " is a splendid drama of tho American West. George O'Brien is the principal. Tho initial presentation will be given at the theatres-to-morrow of another outstanding double-feature programme, the entertainment comprising " Silver Dollar," a splendid drama, and " The Viking," one of the most spectacular productions to reach the screen. " The Viking " is a dramatic talking picture, depicting with vivid realism the hardships suffered by fishermen in the icefields off Newfoundland. During the production of the film, the sealer Viking blew up arid 26 lives were lost. The pictures were taken on board the Viking, and, in the safety and comfortof theatre seats, the audience travels with the ship as she battles through pack ice with the aid of dynamite. Edward G. Robinson gives a convincing performance in " Silver Dollar" and even excels his portrayal in "Tiger Shark." Other artists include Bebe Daniels and Aline McMahbn. HYPNOTIC ENTERTAINMENT A " hypnotic revue " was given in the Town Hall last evening by Madame X, Mr. M. Kimbel and Mr. C. R. Douglas before an interested audience, Included in the evening's entertainment was a series of amusing performances by hypnotic subjects. The subjects were drawn to the platform by the influence of the hypnotist, and directed to imagine they could speak Chinese, conduct an auction, sing songs, ride horses and catch deep sea fish. Madame X, who is stated to be New Zealand women hypnotist, gave an example of making a musician out of a subject, and also induced him to lie across two chairs in 'a rigid condition. Miss Daphne Kindley, ventriloquist, gave an item which ,was received with applause. The entertainment will be presented at the Town Hall for the last, i time this evening. * ———————————