ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21548, 20 July 1933, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE A brilliant English comedy, " For The Lovo of Mike," produced by tho well-known director Monty Banks, Mill concludo a season at tho Civic Ihcatro to-day. Bobby Howes as a young secretary is supported by Jimmy Godden, Constance Shot,tor and Arthur Riscoo, a prominent London stage comedian. In "Employees' Entrance," which will bo shown 'for tho first tinm at the theatre to-morrow, Warren William is seen as a Napoleon of commerce who is propelled to success by the dynamic force of his personality and the ruthlessncss of his methods. Ijifo in a< great department store is vividly portrayed by a. powerful cast, whifh includes Loretta Young, Alice White, Wallace Ford and Ruth Donnelly. " CAVALCADE" "Tho finest film yet made in tlio English language" was the phrase by a noted overseas critic to describe "Cavalcade," which will commence a season shortly at tho Civic Theatre. Tho production, an epic of tho British Empire, is a triumph for American direction and is a magnificent example of the manner in which skilled technicians can take a; great play and make it an even greater film. ST.' JAMES' THEATRE "Diggers in Blighty," in which Fat Hanna and his "Diggers" revue company appear, will bo screened finally at St. James' Theatre to-day. It deals in entertaining manner with the humorous advontures of three Australians on leave in London. "Hell Below," a spectacular story of subniarino warfare, which will commence a season at tho theatre to-morrow, is notable for its Bheer realism and dramatic conception. The film is no mere sequence of horrors, for tho masterly direction has revealed many of the lesser-known activities of this branch of naval warfare and has stressed particularly tlio noble and courageous aspects of the service. Robprt Montgomery and Walter Huston are the principals, whilo Jimmy Durante supplies the comedy touches. Graphic scenes of a battle betweon a submarine and a destroyer arc depicted. MAJESTIC THEATRE Kate Smith, one of tho most popular radio entertainers in America, is the principal in "Hello, Everybody," tho delightful musical film to bo shown for tho last time at tho Majestic Theatre to-day. Tho programme to be presented at the theatre to-morrow is one of the most varied and interesting to be shown in Auckland for some time. The main pictyre is "A Night in Cairo," a romantic drama in which Ramon Novarro appears as an Egyptian guide. A strong supporting cast inoludcs Mvrna Loy, Reginald Denny and Louise Closser Hale. Laurel and Hardy are at their best in "Me and My Pal, and other excellent shorter films include "Bono Crushers," a wrestling picture with a commentary by Pete Smith, a Hearst Metro tone News and " Duck Hunters' Paradise," tho first of MetroGold wyn-Mayers "Oddities."

PLAZA THEATRE Based on one of St. John Ervine's greatest successes, "Tho First Mrs. Fraser," now at the Plaza Theatre, is one of tho best British comedies to bo shown in Auckland for some time. Henry Ainley is admirable as the unhappy Mr. Fraser, who separates from his first wife and marries a woman many years his junior. He finds himself totally out of sympathy with tho gay social lifo she wishes to lead, and is forced to go to his first wife for advice. Her discovery of an intrigue between the second Mrs. Fraser and a handsome young foreigner causes an interesting "and unexpected denouement. In addition to Henry Ainley, the cast includes Dorothy Dix, Joan Barry and Harold Huth. A feature of the supporting programme is a scenic film, of the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES James Dunn and Sally Eilers, who achieved such success in "Dance Team" and "Sailor's Luck," make a welcome reappearance in "Hold Me Tight," which is the main attraction at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The story traces the romance of a boy and ft girl who triumph over apparently insurmountable difficulties, and much of tho action is centred in a largo department store where incidental scenes show tho latest in women's frocks. The story was specially written to suit the principals, who so ably personify the spirit of modern youth. The supporting cast includes Frank McHugh, Juno Clyde and Kenneth Thompson. Glorious gowns arc shown in the second film, "Extravagance," with June Colder, Lloyd Hughes and - Owen Moore. NATIONAL THEATRE The excellent cast in "Tho Billion Dollar Scandal," which will have its final screening at tho National Theatre to-day, includes Constance Cummings, Robert Armstrong and Frank Morgan. " Excess Baggage," a comedy with an original and highly amusing plot, heads the programme to bo presented for the first time to-morrow. Claude Allister lias a congenial ro]e as a colonel who undergoes somo ludicrous adventures in trying to dispose 9f what bo believes to" bo tho dead body of his superior officer. The second film is " Scarlet River," an unusual Western drama, in which Tom Keeno gives a splendid performance as a cowboy who exposes a plot to rob a girl ranch-owner of her property.

STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA Paul Muni gives .1 splendid performance in "I Am a Fugitive," tlio dramatic film of American prison methods being shown 111 the new State Theatre, Oneliunga. "Those Wo Love," in which Mary Astor appears, is being shown 011 tbo sanio programme. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE " Sleepless Nights," an htfarious comedy concerning a young reporter who meets a millionairo's daughter in unexpected circumstances, heads the current programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Stanley Lupino and Polly Walker are in the cast. NEW REGENT THEATRE The main film at the Now Regent Theat.ro, Kpsom, is "Lovo Me Tonight" (Maurice Chevalier and Jeanctte Mac Donald). RIALTO THEATRE Stanley Lupino is beard singing his well-known song, "I Don't Want to go to Bed," in "Sleepless Nights," the current attraction at the Rialto Theatre. Polly Walker has the main feminine role. THE PLAYHOUSE PLAYERS Bernard Shaw's comedy "The Philanderer" will be presented by the Playhouse Players in tbo Technical College Hall on Saturday evening and on tbo following Monday. LONDON THEATRE Carl Gerbardt and Alberto Caroro, noted opera singers, appea.- in "The Mountaineer" at tlje London Theatre.

REGENT THEATRE Delicious comedy is provided by Roland Young and Alison Skipwortl) in "A Lady's Profession," which will bo shown finally at the Regent Theatre to-day. .Roland Young's dry, laconic manner is a perfect foil for Alison Skipworth's own inimitable type of humour, . while ft charming romance between beautiful Sari Maritza and Kent Taylor rune through the film. "OUR BETTERS" Constance Bennett gives one of her most brilliant performances in " Our Betters," which will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. She is cast as a young American heiress who marries a titled Englishman, only to discover that ho lias married her for her-money. Embittered by this discovery, she pursues u ruthless courso through London society, with little thought for tho Uvoh she is ruining. Violet Kemble-Cooper, Grant Mitchell and Gilbert Roland arc outstanding in, the supporting cast. STRAND THEATRE The splendid double-feature programme at the Strand Theatre will bo shown for the last time "Ronald Column, Fo.v Wray and Estello Tn.ylor appear in "The Unholy Garden," whilo the second film, One Hour With You," is one of Maurice Chevalier's greatest successes. CATHOLIC REPERTORY SOCIETY Sir James Barrio's play "Mary Rose" will be presented by the Catholic Repertory Society at the Town Hall concert chamber this evening and on tho two following evenings. There is an excellent cast under the capable direction of Mr. Gaston Mervale.