ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21516, 13 June 1933, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE A portrayal of polish and assurance is contributed by Harold Huth in " Sally Bishop," which is enjoying a. successful season at the Plaza Theatre. It is the screen version of E. Temple Thurston's popular novel and the film translation has lost nothing of the drama of the book. Harold Hutli appears as a wealthy barrister who iornis an alliance with a beautiful young tvpiste, a part played with distinction by Joan Barry, one of the most popular actresses in British films. Among the supporting players aro Benita Hume and Kay Hammond, who supplies the comic relief. Isobel Jeans appears as tho barrister's domineering sister. Herbert Wilcox, who was responsible for "The King's Cup," directed "Sally Bishop" with sympathetic insight. The entertainment value of tho production owes much to the clever photography. There aro some charming scenes of the English countryside. "JUST MY LUCK" The popular combination of Bon Travers as playwright, and the Aldwych players as actors, which did so much to establish British talking films as serious rivals to American, was responsible for "Just My Luck," which will be shown at tho Plaza Theatre on Friday. Tho witty dialogue and clever situations that characterised Mr. Travers' previous farces are again in evidence, and Ralph Lynn is splendid in the principal part. Ho appears as an unsuccessful music teacher, who, all his life, has been almost comically unlucky. He falls in love with one of his pupils (played by Winifred Shotter), who maintains her reputation as one of the most charming actresses on tho screen. She convinces him that a man must have good arid bad luck in equal proportions, and hence that, as he is now thirty-five, he must be extraordinarily lucky for the rest of his life. His character changes completely, and his resulting superb self-confidence leads to a series of hilarious adventures. He bluffs his way into the .confidence of the girl's father and becomes manager of a luxurious hotel. However, a dishonest cashier breaks tho string of good luck, after a series of incredibly fortunate occurrences, but this only spurs the hero to greater efforts from which he finally emerges triumphant. Jack Raymond was the director. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An English critic writing concerning "20,000 Years in Sing Sing," which will open a season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-morrow, states:—"lt would bo wrong to think of '20,000 Years in Sing Sing' as another of those grim, ruthless pictures which bludgeon their audiences into rapt attention by the sheer horror of tho things they show. This is not a screen protest against the inhumanity or brutality in prison life, but an unbiased, marvellously realistic study of the varying effects which a great prison may havo 011 tho natures of tho men within it." The characters have been drawn with great symoathy and understanding, while there is more real. humour in many of the scenes than in most comedies. "20,000 Years in Sing Sing" is one of the most intelligently produced and well-balanced pictures that has appeared this year. REGENT THEATRE Clark Gable cuts a dashing figure as an unscrupulous gambler in "No Man of Her Own," which is attracting large and enthusiastic audiences to the Regent Theatre. It is a racy production, with scintillating dialogue and intriguing situations, of which the ac r complished cast takes full advantage. Carole Lombard, the fascinating actress of "No More Orchids," plays opposite Clark Gable, and Dorothy Mackaill is seen in a minor role. Selections on the grand organ by Knight Barnett aro included in the shorter programme. Tho initial presentation will be given at tho Regent Theatre on Friday of "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp," in which A 1 Jolson returns to the'screen. A United Artists production, "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp" is a dramatic talking play of intense human interest. It is interspersed with delightful songs and music, and A 1 Jolson renders several vocal numbers which aro certain to appeal. ST. JAMES' THEATRE John Barrymore creates one of his quaintest and most lovablo characterers in "Topazo," which is enjoying great popularity at St. James' Theatre. The unworldly Professor Topaze's scheming is so brilliant when he decides to use dishonesty to counter dishonesty, that it is a sheer delight. Myrna Loy acts attractively in tho leading feminine role. The" theatre's high reputation will be maintained by tho next two attractions. 011 Friday, Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville, inimitable comedians of "They Just Had to Get Married,V will be seen in "Out All Night," while on June 23, "Rasputin and the Empress," acclaimed by overseas critics as 0110 of the greatest pictures of the year, will be shown. In this picture th«> Barrymore trio, Ethel, John and Lionel, will appear. NATIONAL THEATRE Nancy Carroll, charming heroine of "Wayward" and "Broken Lullaby," is fascinating in "Hot Saturday," 011 c of the films now proving very popular at the National Theatre. Tho supporting players includo Cary Grant, Randolph Scott and Lillian Bond. The other film is Zane Grey's "Mysterious Rider," a fast-moving Western story of ranch life. MAJESTIC THEATRE The two full-length films' which comprise the programme at the Majestic Theatre continue to enjoy merited popularity. The first attract'" :i, "Goldie Gets Along," provides Lili Damita with an ideal role. Harold Huth appears in "The World, the Flesh and tho Devil," the second film. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Tho Flying Squad," a thrilling drama of Scotland Yard, is tho current attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Harold Huth and Carol Goodner aro the principals. LONDON THEATRE Conrad Nagel acts with distinction in "To-day," the new film at tho London Theatre. There is a notable supporting cast. EPSOM REGENT THEATRE Tho attractions at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, are "State Trooper" (Regis Toomev) and "Smoko Lightning," with George O'Brien. TUDOR CINEMA Charles Laughton gives a splendid characterisation in "Tho Old Dark House," the main attraction at tho Tudor Cinema. BRITANNIA THEATRE The Britannia Theatre films aro "Blonde Venus" (Marlene Dietrich) and "Round tho World in 80 Minutes." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The Four Marx Brothers are very comical in "Horse Feathers," which is being shown with "Dancors in the Dark" at tho Prince Edward Theatre.

STRAND THEATRE Two splendid films arc now being; shown at the Strand Theatre. The cast of "Service for Ladies," which was shown for tho first timo yesterday, includes Leslie Howard, noted British comedian, Georgo Grossmith, Cyril Ritchard, Benita Hume and Elizabeth Allan. It was directed hv -Alexander Korda. who was. responsible for "Wedding Rehearsal." Leslie Howard's performance as tho perfect head waiter, who chats intimately with kings, and is commonly mistaken for a prince, is superb. The other picture is "Mighty London," a remarkable film which cajv tures the spirit, of the groat city, and {jives views of tin; most picturesque, interesting and historic spots in and near it. CIVIC THEATRE Tho opening of " 'Frisco Jenny," which is now being shown at the Civic Theatre, is laid on the "Barbary Coast" of San Francisco, and catches all the glamour of night life in the early years of tho century. At the beginning there are graphic scenes of the great earthquake and fire of 1906, and tho film traces the career of an innkeeper's daughter through a quarter of a century, until she becomes an unseen power in tho city's life. Ruth C'hatterton gives a brilliant portrayal in tho title role, and her acting reaches great dramatic heights at the climax of tho film, when the woman who did not hesitate to commit murder makes a supremo sacrifice for her son. NATURAL COLOUR FILM A screening *<rf cinematograph films taken in natural colours will be given in the Strand Theatre at 10.30 a.m. today. The process used was discovered by a New Zealander. COMMUNITY SINGING A community singing gathering in aid of unemployed relief funds will bo held in the Town Hall to-morrow from 12.30 until i.30 p.m. "THE LADS IN NAVY BLUE" Excellent entertainment will be provided at the Town Hall this evening when a programme of comedy sketches, vocal and instrumental numbers will be presented by officers and men of H.M.S. Dunedin in aid of llio Mayor's Unemployed Relief Fund.