ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21503, 29 May 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE "State Fair," which is attracting largo and enthusiastic audiences to the Civic Theatre, is a production with a universal appeal and one of the best films to come from the Fox studios. The story is beautiful in its simplicity and interpreted with a delightful understanding by a talented cast. Will Rogers appears as Abel Frake, a typical farmer of the American Middle West, a rqje in which his natural acting is seen to advantage. The popular Janet Gavnor acts charmingly as Mary Frake, the farmer's daughter; Norman Foster is convincing as the farmer's son, and Sally Filers, the talented principal of "Bad Girl" and "Dance Team," is seen as a trapeze artist at the State fair, round which the story revolves, j Louise Dresser is responsible for a clever performance as the farmer's wife. The other member of the cast (and a most important one) is Blue Boy, the farmer's pedigree pig, with which he hopes to gain first prize at tho fair. Tho family have been looking forward to the fair, for it is tho annual mecea of tho farming community, and they set out with high hopes in a lorry, complete with the pig, some mincemeat and pickles. Arriving at tho exhibition, Margy falls in love with a newspaper reporter (Lew Ayres), tho farmer's son has an affair with a trapeze artist, and even Blue Boy meets his fate. MAJESTIC THEATRE Tho romance and charm of tho Orient, as well as its treachery, are revealed in " The Son-Daughter," tho splendid film now being shown at the Majestic Theatre. It is a moving drama of patriotism, and tolls how Lien Wha, daughter of an ardent patriot, and her lover, Prince Chun, sacrifice their own happiness for tho sake of the revolutionary party they support. Although they both take Oriental roles for the first time, Helen Hayes and Ramon Novarro, as the lovers, give performances of rare grace and sincerity. As a result of the machinations of royalist spies the lovers' sacrifice is almost in vain, but in a dramatic sceno Lien Wha succeeds in carrying out her father's wishes to the fullest extent and earns foy herself tho title c'2 tho "Son-Daughter" because her services to her country are greater than it was thought a woman could perform. A strong supporting cast includes Warner Oland, Lewis Stone and Louiso Closser Hale. PLAZA THEATRE Plenty of humour and bright musical numbers are features of "The Midshipmaid," which is enjoying a successful beason at the Plaza Theatre. Jessie Matthews, who was an instant success in Auckland in her first picture, "There Goes the Bride," enhances her reputation in tho part of Celia Nowbiggin, for whom tho ship's company of H.M.S. Dreadnought gives a concert. Her pert and charming humour has amplo scopo and her acting carries the story along on a tido of lighthearted and irresponsible fun. Adapted from the play by lan Hay and Commander King-Hall, tho film is full of witty situations, while the playing of the ship's orchestra. is very enjoyable. Others in the cast are Claude Allister, of "Three Live Ghosts" and "Bulldog Drummond," Fred Kerr and A. W. Bascomb. A feature) of the supporting programme is the singing of Mr. B. O'Malley and a quartette, as an accompaniment to scenic views of Wales.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Greta Garbo gives a magnificent portrayal as Grusinskaya, tlie tragic dancer, in "Grand Hotel," the splendid Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, which is being screened for an extended season at St. James' Theatre. Adapted from Vicki Baum's popular novel, the film is even more successful than the stage play, which was received with acclamation in London and New York. In "Grand Hotel" Edmund Goulding, the talented British director, has achieved the most ambitious film of his career. Tho cast is tho most distinguished ever assembled in one film. John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore gain further acting laurels in "Grand Hotel," John as the charming baronthief, and Lionel as the pathetic* and trusting Kringelein. The part of the typiste has been allotted to Joan Crawford, who gives a dynamic portrayal. Others in tho cast are Wallace Beery (Herr Preysing) and Lewis Stone.

NATIONAL THEATRE "Wedding .Rehearsal," one of the most brilliant films to come from the British studios, is now attracting large audiences to the National Theatre. Roland Young is excellent in .the part of a handsome guardsman, who vainly tries to evade his grandmother's efforts to force him into matrimony, and his polished and sophisticated acting has seldom been soen to better advantage. He endeavours to outwit his grandmother, the Dowager Marchioness of Buckmaster, ably plasgd by Lady Tree, by marrying all the charming girls in her list of eligibles to his acquaintances. His well-planned schemes, however, fail in a surprising way. Among other players in the cast aro Wendy Barrio and Joan Gardner, who show a remarkable resemblance as the Roxbury twins, George Grosmitli, John Loder and Merlo Oberon. STRAND THEATRE Two splendid full-length films comprise the current programme at the Strand Theatre. The first, "The Mask of Fu Manchu," is acted by a notable cast, including Boris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen Moj-ley, Myrna Loy and Joan Hersholt. Maureen O'Sullivan makes a charming horoino in "The Silver Lining." LONDON THEATRE Peggy Shannon and J. Farrell Macdonald appear in "Hotel Continental," tho current attraction at tho London Theatre. "THE FLYING SQUAD" "Tho Flying Squad," the talking picture version df tho late Edgar Wallace's popular and exciting novel, heads tho programmes at the Now Regent Theatre, Epsom, and tho Alexandra Theatre, Green Lane. r BRITANNIA THEATRE Tho Britannia Theatre films aro "Horso Feathers" and "Thirteen Women." LYRIC THEATRE . "A Bill of Divorcement" (Lionel (Barrymore) and "You Said a Mouthful" compriso the entertainment at tho Lyric Theatre. r CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Warren William is the principal in "Three on a Match," which is being screened with "Smoke Lightning" at tho Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "The Immortal Vagabond" (Liane Haid) is tho main attraction at tho Prince Edward Theatre. P 1 1 TUDOR CINEMA Comedy and romance aro the features of the current film ,at the Tudor Cinema, ""Girls About Town."

RECENT THEATRE Joan'Crawford gives a dynamic portrayal as Sadie Thompson in "Rain," the United Artists film, which is enjoying a successful season at• the Kagent Theatre. "Rain" is the screen adaptation of Somerset Maugham's . short story, and it makes a splendid talking play. Tho action of the story takes place in a hotel-store in Pago Pago, where a number of travellers are marooned in quarantine. There are the" missionary, Davidson, his .wife, Dr. and Mrs. McPhail, and Sadie Thompson. As tho missionary who attempts to reform Sadie, Walter Huston is convincing in a difficult role. An excellent performance also comes from Guy Kibbee as the philosophical hotel-keeper. The supporting programme includes selections on tho grand organ by Knight Harnett. "END OF THE RAINBOW" Richard Tauber, probably tho most popular tenor in the world to-day is the principal of "Tho End of the Rainbow," which is to be screened at the Regent Theatre shortly. The story is a simple one of rare heauty and strength, and is adapted from Tauber's own romantic life. Ho is first seen as a singing inn-keeper in a picturesque valley in the Bavarian Alps, and his advance to fame through the magic of his voice makes-an outstanding picture. UNIVERSITY PLAY "Jubilade," Mr. ,T. A. E. Mufgan's chronicle, play, will be presented in the Town Hall concert chamber this even- . ing, and tho final performance will be given to-morrow evening.. It is replete with clever topical references and in-terspersed-with favourite ditties of the past. Tho producer is Mr. J. A. S. Coppard. " THE RAGGED PRINCESS " "Tho Ragged Princess," a pantomime promoted by the Mayoress of Newmarket to raise funds for Christmas gifts for children in. tho Auckland Hospital, was presented at Scots Hall on Saturday afternoon and evening. The pantomime, which was acted by the pupils of Miss Aileen Bcresford, proved very successful. A charming story, tho clever dancing of tho young performers, and tho dainty and picturesque costumes contributed to an enjoyable. performance. The orchestra, under Miss May Bcresford, added to I the success of tho production. The cast included Peggy Noall, Nancy Noall, j Kathleen Warn, Claudia Over ami I Charlie Bcresford.