ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21596, 14 September 1933, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE "A Bedtime Story," a sparkling musical comedy in which Maurice Chevalier has the principal role, will conetude a two weeks' season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Players who appear with him include Helen Twelvetrees, Adrienne Ames, Edward Everett Horton and a delightful little baby called Leroy. Cyril Maude, a celebrated English character actor who made very successful appearances in "Grumpy" and "These Charming People," makes a welcome return to the screen in "Counsel's Opinion," which will be seen for the first time at the theatre t to-morrow. The picture, which was produced by Paramount-British, is considered by critics to be one pf the brightest British comedies yet filmed. Cyril Maude is seen as a gruff, but kindly, solicitor, and others in the cast include Henry Kendall, a popular stage player; Binnio Barnes, Lawrrnce Grossmith and Mary Charles, a well-known English radio artist. The settings are particularly lavish and a catchy dance number, "Fit As a Fiddle," is introduced into the picture. MAJESTIC THEATRE "Strange Interlude," the film version of Eugone O.'Neill's outstanding play, will close a successful season at tho Majestic Thcatro to-day. Tho cast is headed by Norma Shearer, Clark Gable, May Robson, Alexander Kirkland, Robert Young, Ralph Morgan and Maureen O'Su'llivan. A revised version of "King of Jazz"' one the most complete and colourful musical films yet made, will bo presented for the* first time ait the theatre to-morrow. The production, which is entirely in colour, includes seven spectacular revue numbers, besides comedy sketches and individual song and dance items. John Boles and .Jeanette Loff appear with a strong chorus in several well-known musical numbers. Other popular entertainers who appear are Paul Whiteman and his band, Jeanie Lang, Bing Crosby and tho Russell Market Dancers. ST. JAMES* THEATRE The final presentation of the thrilling mystery film "Secrets of the Blue Room" will be given at St. James' Theatre to-day. To-morrow will see the first Auckland screening at tho theatre of "Melody Cruise," a novel musical comedy. Charlie Ruggles, the dapper comedian of "This is the Night" and "Trouble in Paradise" gives a splendid performance as a young business man who is returning from New York to California by the now fashionable sea route. Complications ensue when he is confronted by a friend of his wife while entertaining two fascinating blondes. Phil Harris, a popular American radio singer, is seen as Ruggles' friend, while other well-known players are Greta Nissen, Helen Mack and Shirley Chambers. PLAZA THEATRE "Below tho Sea," a dramatic story of a search for sunken treasure, will be shown for the last time at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The film is notable for its exceptionally fine under-wMer photography, ' especially scenes in colour showing life on the ocean bed. A novel murder mystery staged against the interesting background of a Hollywood film studio, "The Death Kiss," will have its initial screening at the theatre to-morrow. Prominent players include David Manners, who was seen recently in "A Bill of Divorcement," Bela Lugosi, of "Dracula," and Adrienne Ames. CIVIC THEATRE "The Working Man" continues to attract large audiences to tho Civic Theatre. George Arliss, whoso thoughtful and restrained acting makes an instant appeal has one of hi w s most likeable roles as the wealthy head of the Reeves Shoe Company. On the death of a friendly rival he is impelled by a sense of loyalty to take over his factory and tihUß prevent his friend's children from squandering their inheritance. The supporting cast includes Bette Davis, Hardie Allbright, J. Farrell Mac Donald and Theodore Newton. STRAND THEATRE . The well-balanced programme being presented at the Strand Theatre is headed by "The Kiss Before the Mirror," a powerful drama in which a set of parallel incidents makes for gripping intensity. The principal roles are taken by Nancy. Carroll, Gloria Stuart, Paul Lukas and Frank Morgan. Some hilarious comedy is provided by George Sidney and Charlie Murray in "The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble," the second picture. NATIONAL THEATRE An hilarious comedy, "Her First Mate," with Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts, will be shown for the last time at the National Theatre to-day. The first comic opera to be brought to the talking screen, "Fra Diavolo, will commence a season at the theatre tomorrow. Laurel and Hardy give one of their best performances as two simple wayfarers who become bandits after being robbed. Others in the cast a*e Dennis King, Thelma Todd and Henry Armetta. LONDON THEATRE The programme at the London Theatre is headed by "Extravagance" and "Roamin' in the Gloamin'.'" CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO " It's Great to be Alive," a bright musical comedy, is being shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Thoatres. NEW REGENT THEATRE The entertainment at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, comprises "While Paris Sleeps" and "Stepping Sisters." TUDOR CINEMA The programme at the Tudor Cinema is headed by "Pleasure Cruise" (Roland Young). BRITANNIA THEATRE " They Just Had to Get Married " and "To-day We Live" are tho Britannia Theatre films. STATE THEATRE '! Central Park " (Joan Blondell) is being shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, with " Honeymoon Lane " (Eddie Dowling). FESTIVAL PLAYS Tho three winning plays at the recent festival of drama, "Challenge," "Ghosts on Christmas Eve," and "Sisters' Tragedy," will be repeated in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday evening. "THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE" Gilbert and Sullivan's light opera "Tho Pirates of Penzance ' will be presented by the Auckland' Training College Students' Musical Society in Scots Hall this evening and to-morrow , evening.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Joan Blondell, who will be remembered for her performances in " Miss Pinkertori," " Three on a Match " and " Lawyer Man," has the title role in the First National picture " Blondie Johnson," which heads the current programme at the Rosy and Tivoli Theatres. As the ruthless leader of a band of lawbreakers she is called upon to show her powers as an emotional actress and she acquits herself well. Others in the cast are Chester Morris, Claire Dodd, Allen Jenkins and Earle Foxe. The methods of so-called " seers " are exposed in the second picture, "The Mind Header," in which Warren William, of " Employees' Entrance," has the leading role. The picture combines romance, drama and comedy to make excellent entertainment. The programme is completed, by a Roscoe Ar\buckle comedy, " Bitzzin' Around." BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA A splendid programme will be given by the Bohemian Orchestra at its concert in the Town Hall this evening, when items will include " Unfinished Svmphony (Schubert), " Welsh Rhapsody" (Gorman), "Forget-me-not " (Herbert) and " Gavotte (Gluck). The assisting artists will bo Mrs. Owers, Mr. Eric Waters and Mr. Robert Simmers. ST. CUTHBERT'S OLD GIRLS A three-act comedy, " Vanity," will lie presented by the St. Cuthbert's Old Girls' Association in the Town Hall concert chamber 011 September 22 and 23.