ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21505, 31 May 1933, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE The comedy and tragedy of life in a luxurious hotel is depicted in "Grand Hotel," tlio talking picture version oi Vioki Baum's ,novel, which will be screened lor the last time at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. It is a notable film interpreted by a notable east. Greta Garbo gives her finest eharaeterisa'tion since "Anna Christie" in the role <>| Grusinskaya, the tragic dancer, who contemplates suicide when her popularity is waning; and then there are the Barrymores, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone and .Joan Crawford. F.dnmnd Goulding, the talented English director, supervised the production of "Grand Hotel." THE NEXT ATTRACTION The initial screening will be given at St. .James' Theatre on Friday of an outstanding Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, "The Secret of Madame Blanche." Intense drama is the keynote of the production and the leading roles arc excellently interpreted by Irene Dunn, Lionel A twill and Phillips Holmes. Irene Dunn will be remembered tor her acting in "Back Street," in which -she appeared with John Boles, and also in "Cimarron," when she acted in support of Richard Dix. Phillips Holmes appeared to advantage in "The Man I Killed," and other recent talking plays. In support of the principals there is an accomplished cast of minor players. RECENT THEATRE "Haiti," the realistic story of a party of Europeans who find themselves shut up together in a hotel on a small island in the tropics, is proving very popular at the Regent Theatre. The film is a remarkable study of the effects on tho party of the monotony and the ceaseless rain. In the role of Sadie Thompson, made famous on the silent screen by Gloria Swunson, .Joan Crawford gives an inspiring performance. "THE END OF THE RAINBOW" "The End of the Rainbow," in which the great German tenor Richard Taubcr appears, will commence a season at the Regent Theatre on Friday. So compelling is the quality of his voice, and so movingly does he interpret the songs of his native land, that his singing must appeal to lovers of classical or popular music alike. Unlike most great singers, he acts with delightful case and naturalness. The intimate way in which the Bavarian peasant scenes are reproduced is very pleasing and makes the film an excellent example of the fine work being done in the German studios.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The outstanding films, " They Call it Sin " and " Trick for Trick," will bo screened for the first time at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Loretta Young, one oi the most fascinating actresses 011 the screen, acts charmingly in " They Call it Sin," a First National production. The players include 14 stage, screen .and radio artists. Roles have been allotted to George Brent, who appeared recently with Ruth Chatterton in "The Rich Are Always With Us," David Manners, of " The Crooner," Una Merkel and Louis Calhern. The second film, " Trick for Trick," is a Fox Films production, a gripping entertainment with moments of comedy. Concerning this film a writer says: " In sotting, lighting and musical accompaniment 'Trick for Trick' sets a new standard. It is entirely different from the type of mystery 'thriller' often seen, it sets forth a unification of every element of mystery and suspense known to the cinematographic art." MAJESTIC THEATRE A moving drama of patriotism and a delicate Oriental love story are intermingled in "The Son-Daughter," which is the main attraction at tho Majestic. Theatre. A strong cast includes Ramon Novarro, Helen Hayes, Warner Oland, J>ewis Stone and Louise Closser Hale. A thrilling picture of circus life will be shown at the Majestic for the first time on Friday. Clyde Beatty, the wellknown animal trainer, plays a spectacular part when he performs the highly dangerous feat of controlling 20 lions and 20 tigers in the same cage. Other exciting scenes show a fight between a lion and a tiger, and the escape of the animals in a thunderstorm at the climax of the act, leaving tho audience at the mercy of the infuriated beasts. Anita Page plays the leading feminine part.

STRAND THEATRE Sir Gerald Dii Maurier, celebrated actor of the London stage, who made his film debnt in Galsworthy's "Escape," makes a welcome return to the screen in "Lord Camber's Ladies," one of the two full-length films now being presented at the Strand Theatre. Although there is u well-known English cost in "Lord Camber's Ladies," it is Sir Gerald Du Maurier who dominates, with his inimitable stage presence and polished diction. Gertrude Lawrence gives a satisfying performance in the leading feminine role and Benita Hume and Nigel Bruce are responsible for clever portrayals. The second attraction on the programme is the captivating musical romance, "Viennese Nights," in which Viviennc Segal and Alexander Gray appear. NATIONAL THEATRE The brilliant British comedy "Wedding Bghearsal" is attracting largo crowds to the National Theatre. Witty dialogue and exceedingly humorous situations are features of a picture which must be one of the cleverest comedies to bo seen in Auckland for some time. A talented cast is headed by Lady Tree, Roland Young and George Grossmitli. "The Devil is Driving " will commence a season at the theatre on Friday. LONDON THEATRE Gay music and tender romance are the features of "Old Vienna," the current attraction at the London Theatre. '.I ho players arc Lilian Harvey and Conrad Veidt. CAPITOL THEATRE Tallulah Bankhead and Gary Cooper are the principals of "Dovifand tho Deep," which is being shown at tho Capitol Theatre. COMMUNITY SINGING Community singing will bo held in the Town Hall to-day from ]2.;io to 1.30 p.m. A collection will bo made in aid of unemployed relief. TUDOR CINEMA John Barrymore gives a convincing portrayal in " A Bill of Divorcement," which heads the programme at tho ludor Cinema. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "The Blonde Venus" (Marlene Dietrich) is now being screened at tho Prince Edward Theatre. NEW RECENT THEATRE Tho main attraction at tho New Theatre is "The Burnt Offering," in which Elissa Landi, the beautiful heroine of "The Sign oi" the Cross," appears.

PLAZA THEATRE Jessie Matthews' port and charming humour is even better in "Tho, Midshipmaid," which is now being shown at the Plaza Theatre, than in her first film, "There Goes the Bride," which was so successful in Auckland. A splendid supporting cast, including Claude Allister, Fred Kerr and A. W. Baskcomb, supplies humour and ingenious frolic. So completely is one's sense of comic valuo satisfied that the film must he one of the best humorous films to come from the British studios. The playing of the ship's orchestra is clever and tuneful throughout, but the climax occurs when rival sections play Mendelssohn's "Spring Song" and Tschaikowsky's "1812" overture. " IT'S A KING" One of the most entertaining farces to come Irom the British studios will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. It is Sydney Howard's latest film and is'entitled "it's a King." The production offers ample scope for the comedian's antics. He is cast as an insurance agent, who visits the "pocket kingdom" of Ruritania and is'mistaken for the king. From this point tho action never halts and the way is paved for a talking play that is replete with delicious satire and delightful fantasy. Jack .Raymond has directed "It's a King" with a masterly touch, and patrons of the Plaza Theatre will not be disappointed with tho entertainment it provides. CIVIC THEATRE The popularity of "State Fair," the main attraction at the Civic Theatre, remains undiminished. Described by an overseas critic as "a film the whole family will enjoy," "State Fair" provides excellent entertainment. It has been sympathetically directed by Henry King, who has faithfully interpreted Philip fetong's novel. There is no straining after efiect, nothing is exaggerated and the result is a simple and sincere film. The director was fortunate in tho calibre of the players. Will Rogers, appearing as Abel Frake, a philosophical farmer, whose ambition it is to gain first prize at the State Fair with Blue Boy, a pedigree pig, gives the most convincing characterisation of his distinguished screen career. Louise Dresser enacts the part of the farmer's wife, Janet Caynor is as demure as usual as Margy. the daughter, and Norman Foster appears as the son, Wayne. Lew Avres is a newspaper reporter Sally Filers a trapeze artist at the fair.

.CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Tho Love Contract," the new film at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres, is interpreted by a talented cast, including Winifred Shotter and Owen Nares. Miss Shotter's charming voice is heard to advantage in some delightful songs. There is an interesting supporting programme. LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY The Little Theatre Society's .'3oth production will be a brilliant comedy by Tvibert Sherwood entitled "The Queen's Husband." It will commence a season of three nights at the Town Hall concert chamber next Saturday. Smart dialogue and subtle humour make this one of the society's best offerings.