ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21579, 25 August 1933, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Wheeler and Woolscy, ono of tho most successful comedy teams on the screen, give ono of their best performances in "Diplomaniacs," the Radio picture which will have its initial presentation at the Regent Theatre today. They appear as two delegates to a peace conference at Geneva from the Adoop tribe of Indians, and their antics in (lodging scheming munition manufacturers are. extremely ludicrous. They liavo a most extraordinary voyage to France on a liner which steers a course near the North Pole, and ono of the best scenes is that in the dining room, of the liner, where Woolsoy is heard in some really clover repartee. Excellent dance numbers are interspersed throughout the picture, while some bright singing also is heard. Louis Calhern has a typical part as a villain and others in tho cast are Hugh Herbert, Marjorie White and Phyllis Barry. Charlie Chaplin, probably the most popular comedian in silent films, is seen at his best in "Tho Mink," in which he does somo brilliant clowning ou roller-skates. PLAZA THEATRE Actually filmed at Luxor, "Tho Fires of Fate," which wiW bo seen for the first time at the Plaza Theatre to-day, is notable for its authentic Egyptian scenery. The story, which is adapted from Conan Doyle's novo! "The Tragedy of tho Korosko," deals with a young man whoso doctor informs him that ho is suffering from a spinal disease which win cause his death within a year. He decides to commit suicide, but is disBunded by a friend, 4 who prevails upon ; him to take a holiday cruise up fhoj Nile. On tho steamer he falls in lovo j with a fellow-passenger, but decides J that, he is in honour bound not to de- ' dare his love to her. Thrilling scenes ! follow when the party is captured by i bandits, to be rescued only after strenu- I ous efforts by tho air force and the j camel corps. Lester Matthews heads a j strong cast. j I MAJESTIC THEATRE The fine double-feature programme j which will commence at. tho Majestic , Theatre to-dav is headed by "Tho Modi- j cine Man," a bright British comedy, j Claude Allister, the inane comedian of 1 "Bulldog Drummond" and "Three Live Ghosts,""is seen as a young man who undertakes to impersonate a doctor friend for a few hours, and becomes ! involved in a series of hilarious adven- ; tures. Frank Pettingell, who was seen . with Claude Allister in "Excess Bag- j gage," has the part of n hypocritical j old temperance worker who is arrested for being drunk. Lester Matthews and Franklin Dyall head a strong cast in "Called Bark," a drama of intrigue and revolution in Spain and Russia, which is the second picture on the programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Thrilling entertainment is provided bv two Western dramas, which are being shown at tho Roxv and Tivoli Theatres. " Lifo in the Raw," tho film version of Zano Grey's latest novel, is a story of a pretty girl visitor to a border state who steps from tho train to find herself a centre of attraction. George O'Brien, tho hero of many outdoor films, has a typical role as the girl's protector and distinguishes himself by Some particularly daring riding. The second film is "Forbidden Trail," irt Wbieh Buck Jones gives a forceful performance, A Mickey Mouse pantomime is being presented at tho afternoon session only by .i cast, of 45 talented performers under the direction of Miss Lillian O'l/cary. ; CIVIC THEATRE } Warner Baxter, who was seen reI cently in "42nd Street," heads a strong cast in "I Loved You Wednesday," the Fox picture which will commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-day. EliSsa Landt, the attractive English actress, who will be remembered for her successes ill "The Sigh of the Cross" and "The Warrior's Husband," has one of her finest roles as Vicki Meredith, a. dancer who becomes a noted ballerina, Miriam Jordan, who lias made several previous pictures with Warner Baxter, also is in the cast. A noteworthy feature is the Russell Market Ballet in a spectacular number, "TlUi Dance of the Maidens." STRAND THEATRE The film version of Noel Coward's successful play "Cavalcade" continues to attract large audiences to the Strand Theatre. The picturo was produced without regard to cost, and gives a comprehensive review of the history oil the present century as it affects the life of an English family. Diana W?nyafd gives an outstanding performance as Jane Marryot, about whom the story retolves, while others in the cast include Olive Brook, Herbert Mundift and Ursula JeSns. NATIONAL THEATRE The heat and glare of great steel furnaces form a. vivid background for a novel story in "No Other Woman, Wliiell will have its initial screening at the National Theatre to-day. Charles •Biftkford irt Seen fts fi st£el worker who suddenly becomes rich and makes ft successful business man, while others in the cast are lreno Dunne, as his wife. Gwili Aiidfd alid Eric Ltrtden. Tho second film on the programme, "The Great Decision," is thrilling drattirt in which the principal parts are taken by "Ohio" Sale, William Boyd and Dorothy Wilson, PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE A spectacular pantomime, " Aladdin and His Woliderfiil Lamp " will lie presented at the Prince EuWrii'd Theatre this afternoon With an hilarious comedy, " Old Soldiers Never Die," in which Leslie Fuller appears. The programme at tho evening session will comprise " The Skin Game" (Edmund Gwenn arid Phyllis Koilstain) artd "Old Soldiers NOver Die." STATE THEATRE An excellent alid varied doublefeature programme, will be shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, this evening. George Arlifts gives a fine portrayal in "A Successful Calamity," and Joe E. Brown and Oinger Rogers are extremely liiiirlorous 111 "Ydd Sftid a Mouthful." NEW RECENT THEATRE Remarkable photography is a feature of '"/oo in Budapest," which is being sliOW'il at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, with "Thciso We Love." TUDOR CINEMA The delightful Viennese romance, " Evenings For Sale," Is the current attraction at the Tudor Cinema. BRITANNIA THEATRE The Britannia Theatre films are " The Conqueror " and " The Infernal Machine," in which the principals are Goilevigve 'foblll and Chester Morris. LONDON THEATRE An exeitiiig Western drama " The tJtah Kid," will commence A season at •the London Theatre to-day.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE "Fra Diavolo," the film version of an old opera bouffe, which was first produced at the Opera Comique, Paris, in 1830, will commence a season at St. James Theatre to-day. The picture, which is the first comic opera to ha\-e bcon brought to the talking screen, augurs well for the future of such productions, for tho wider scope of the screen makes for greater realism than tho stage. Dennis King gives a magnificent performance as the brigand-mar-quise, the debonair Fra Diavolo (The Devil's Brother), who robs the rich in order to give to tho poor. The singing is particularly line, and Dennis King is supported by a massed choir of 150 voices. Laurel and Hardy, two of the most popular comedians on tho screen, supply much of tho humour of tho film as Stanlio and Olivero, two simple souls who are waylaid and robbed by the ! bandit chief. Their lives are spared on the condition that they join the gang and become Fra Diavolo's personal Servants. One outstanding piece of humour is the scono in which Laurel lingers too long in the wine cellar of a tavern. Two ridiculous games, "Kneesy, Earsy, Nosey," and "Finger-wiggle," which have proved extremely popular with overseas audiences, are a feature of tho production. The supporting cast includes Thelnia Todd, as a lady whoso jewels attract the attention of tho bandits, James Finlayson and Lucille Brown v RI ALTO THEATRE An unusual and lavishly produced musical film, ''42 nd Streot" is now proving very popular at tho Rialto Theatre. It deals with' the development of a musical comedy from its inception to the night of the opening five weeks j later. Warner Baxter is cast as the i overworked producer, and excellent ; performances are contributed by Hebe ! Daniels, as the leading lady. George • Brent. Guy Kibbce and Ruby Keelcr. ! CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE ' Described as tho best comedy of the I year, "Troublo in Paradise" is now j being shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The cast includes such noted i plavors as Herbert Marshall, Miriam ! Hopkins, Kay Francis and Edward ! Everett Horton. j | DRAMA FESTIVAL Eighteen one-act plays, including five 1 written locallv, will be presented in the Town Hall concert chamber during the , festival of drama which has been organised by the Auckland branch of the British Drama league. Teams repre- ! scnting practically all of the leading amateur dramatic societies will particii pate in the festival, which will com--1 menee next Monday evening. Booking arrangements are advertised. STUDENTS* RECITAL An excellent recital was given in the Y.W.C.A. .Hall last evening by students of Mr. Cyril Walslie. Elocutionary items and comic sketches were contributed by Misses Lillian Erlbeek and Dorothy Beasley and Masters Basil Greenstreet and Gilbert Ockleford. Songs were rendered by Mrs. Guy Ghent, Miss Betty Walshe, Messrs. Matvdsley and K. Lewis and Master .1. Price, pianoforte solos by Miss Betty Ockleford, and violin solos by Mr. K. Lewis. Assisting artists were Miss Barbara Reid and Mr. Ij. S. Greenstreet.