ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21560, 3 August 1933, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE ' John Batten, tho Auckland actor, who was so successful in "Under the Greenwood Tree" and "Men Liko These," enhances his reputation in "The Wonderful Story," which will be shown finally at the Plaza Theatre to-day. It is a moving romance of the love of two brothers for a girl, and is interpreted with rare sympathy and understanding by the cast, which includes Wyn Clare and E. Bransby Williams. The second film on the programme is "Deeds Men Do," an authentic pictorial record of tho naval battles of Cor-" onel and Falkland Islands. "NO FUNNY BUSINESS" A particularly ingenious plot is a feature of "No Funny Business," the United Artists picture which will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow. The story concerns tho adventures that befall a couple who simultaneously set about getting a divorce. By a curious coincidence they both consult tho samo agency and the complications that ensue mako splendid entertainment. Gertrude Lawrence, popular English stage actress, who appeared in "Aren't We All" and "Lord Camber's Ladies," gives a delightful portrayal as the wife, and sho is ably supported by Edmond Breon, Jill Esmond and Laurence Olivier. REGENT THEATRE "A Broken' Melody," a delightful combination of romanco, comedy and drama, will end its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Owen Nares is suitably cast as a young music composer, while Benita Hume, an actress with a charming'singing voice, is seen as his wife. A spectacular fantasy from "Chu Chin Chow," in which 60 performers appear, will be presented on the stage this evening by Miss Cecil Hall. "LUXURY LINER" All the drama of life on a great ocean liner is unfolded in "Luxury Liner," which will be screened for the first time at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Vivid glimpses of the lives of those on board are shown —squealing children in the steerage; an old woman on her death bed praying that she may live to see lier son who had gone abroad 20 years before, and the petty discontent of passengers in all classes. Georgo Brent is convincing as the ship's doctor, who sees his wife running away with another man, while a newcomer to the screen, Zita Johann, shows great promise in the part of a nurse. There is a strong supporting programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Jack Holt, who will be remembered for his virile performances in recent pictures, reappears in a similar role in " The Woman I Stole," which is now showing at the Rosy and Tivoli Theatres. He is seen as a swaggering, somewhat conceited oil producer, who is used to getting everything lie wants. He falls in love with the wife of ono of his superintendents, but puts his work before, his privato affairs and gives a splendid performance 'as a thorough, competent fighting man. Noah .Beery gives a good performance as a bandit chief, who cuts the oil company's pipe-lines and fires its wells. Donald Cook and Fay Wray appear as the superintendent and his wife. Buddy Rogers and Marian Nixon are the principals of "The Best of Enemies," the second picture on the programme. .ST JAMES' THEATRE "Hell Below," a drama of life and death in the submarine service, will conclude a successful season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The cast is headed by Robert Montgomery, Madge Evans, Walter Huston and Jimmy Durante. John Barrymore, whoso ability as a character actor has been proved by his performances in "Rasputin and the Empress" and numerous other films, has frequent opportunities for displaying his art in "Sweepings," which will be shown for the first time at the theatre to-morrow. He plays the part of Daniel Pardway, who sets out to build up a fortune for his children, and who, after establishing a great department store, finds that they are unfit to manage it. CIVIC THEATRE Based on Noel Coward's epic of England. "Cavalcade" is now proving very successful at the Civic Theatre. Over £300,000 was spont in making the film, which records the spirit of England during the last 30 years. A distinguished cast includes Diana Wynyard, who gives a performance of outstanding merit as Jane Marryot, CHve Brook, Herbert Mundiii, Una O'Connor, Ursula Jeans and Beryl Mercer. There is an excellent supporting programme in keeping with the main picture. NATIONAL THEATRE The methods of the men who risk their lives to provide film-goers with thrills are revealed in "Lucky Devils," which will be shown finally at the National Theatre to-day. The programme which will commence to-mor-row will be headed by "Miss Pinkerton," a graphic mystery drama based on the novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart. The cast is headed by George Brent and Joan Blondell. "The River's End" is the second film. STRAND THEATRE Slim Summerville and Zasti Pitts, the comical pair of "They. Just Had To Get Married," mako a welcome reappearance in "Out All Night," which heads tho current programme at the Strand Theatre. Summerville is seen as a young man who lias been pampered by his mother and Miss Pitts plays tiie part of a children's nurse. Spencer Tracy appears with Ann Dvorak in "Sky Devils," the second film.

NEW REGENT AND ALEXANDRA Stanley Lupino, a popular English comedian, gives a most enthusiastic rendering of the themo song " I Don't Want To Go To Bed " in " Sleepless Nights," which is now being shown at the New llogent and Alexandra Theatres. Some splendid dancing is seen in the picture. STATE THEATRE Joan Blondell is the principal of " Broadway Bad," which is now being shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, with " Trick For Trick " (Ralph Morgan, Victor Jory and Sally Blane). CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE " Wheeler and Woolsey appear as two prisoners in " Hold 'Km Jail," which heads tho current programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Tho film is rich in comedy and succeeds by its very audacity. LONDON THEATRE " Kiss Me, Sergeant," with Leslie Fuller, and " Night Birds " are tho London Theatre nlms. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Son-Daughter" and "Salomy Jane" are the films at the Britannia Theatre.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "Tho Woman Accused," which will close its season at the Majestic Theatre to-day, was written by ten well-known authors and has in its cast such popular principals as Nancy Carroll, Cary Grant and John Hallidny. There is an excellent supporting programme. " IN THE WAKE OF THE BOUNTY " Splendid seascape photography in tho South Seas is judiciously blended with pleasing romance and adventurous history in "In tho Wake of the Bounty," which will bo seen for the first time at tho Majestic? Theatre to-morrow. Tho story of the trials and sufferings of the crew of tho Bounty under Lieutenant Bligh, whoso harsh treatment of tho crew brought a terrible fate upon himself and those who were loyal to him, makes vivid entertainment. But tho story of tho mutiny serves only as tin' introduction to the*film, which depicts faithfully modern life in Tahiti and on Pitcairn Island, where the descendants , of the mutineers are still living. Tahiti provides splendid scones of unusual beauty, tho unaffected Tahitian women, dancing, laughing and swimming, being natural actors. RIALTO THEATRE One of tho best-known comedy teams on the screen, Wheeler and Woolsev, appears in " Hold 'Em Jail," which is now at the Rialto Theatre. Others in tho cast are Edna May Oliver, Rosco Ates, noted for his stuttering roles, and Botty ( Gamblfe. " 'OP O' ME THUMB" A varied programme will be presented in Scots Hall on Thursday, August 17, by the pupils of Sacred Heart College and the Marist Brothers' School, Vermont Street, assisted by the Players' Reading Circle of the Catholic Repertory Society, who will present a comedy " 'Op O' Me Thumb." The proceeds will be in aid of the maintenance fund of the Marist Brothers' School. Booking arrangements are advertised. MUSIC RECITAL Great appreciation was shown by the audience at the recital given in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening by Miss Alys Moncur, contralto, assisted by Miss Norma Stevens, soprano, and Miss Moya Cooper-Smith, violinist. Miss Moncur's rich and powerful voice, which was at its best in tho lower register, •?as heard in a number of • difficult numbers, including tho aria " 0 Love, from Thy Power " (Saint-Saen's "Samson aiid Delilah "), the full dramatic force of which was captured by the singer, Gluck's " Che Faro Senz' Euridice," Thomas' " Mignon," and other interesting numbers. Miss Norma Stevens sang with feeling Kreisler's " Cradle Song," " Scenes That Are Brightest," "The Rose of Tralee " and "Carmena" (Wilson) and with her sister, Miss Sybil Stevens, gave Rasbacli's delightful "Trees" as a duet. Miss Cooper Smith displayed delicacy and beauty of tone in all her violin solos, which included "Rondo" (Kreisler), "Tango" (Albeniz) and a popular Brahms waltz. Miss Theo Halpin and Madame Humphrey Steward were the accompanists.