ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21639, 3 November 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Gripping entertainment is provided in "I Cover the Waterfront," the Lnited Artists picture, which will bo shown for the first time at the Rodent Theatre to-day. Ben Lyon gives an excellent performance as a young; shipping reporter in a Southern Californian port, who discovers an extensive plot to smuggle Chinese into the United States. It transpires that the girl with whom he is in love is a daughter of one of tljo smugglers and she turns against him when she learns that ho has informed the authorities. C'laudetto Colbert is delightfully refreshing as the girl, and the late Ernest Torrence gives a meritorious character study as the bluff old Eli Kirk, her father. The entertainment is rounded off by an unusually strong supporting programme. There will be a fashion paradn on the stage of beach styles for the coming summer, selections on (ho organ by Mr. Knight Barnett, a Laurel and Hardy comedy and a Mickey Mouse cartoon. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Acting of a high order is a dominating feature of "Double Harness,' 1 a clever story of sophisticated modern life, which will be introduced to patrons of St. James' Theatre to-day. Ann Harding, who will be remembered for her sympathetic portrayal in "When Ladies Meet.," has another role which allows full scope i'or her admirably-re-strained acting. Siic appears as a youn<jwoman who sets out to marry a man-about-town. She succeeds, but disillusionment follows when her sister informs her husband that he lias been tricked into marriage. William Powell gives a good performance as Miss Harding's leading man. A feature of the supporting programme is the first of a series of films 011 bridge, in which Ely Culbertson appears. CIVIC THEATRE "My Lips Betray," the first American talking picture presenting Lilian Harvey, who, for several years, has been equally popular in London, Paris and Berlin, will be presented for the iirst time at the Civic Theatre to-day. Miss Harvey's distinctive personality is perfectly suited to her role, that of a singer in a Ruritanian beer garden who is taken for a drive by the King's chauffeur. Scandal and rumour appoint her the King's new favourite and even the Queen Mother hears and charges her son with the matter. Ho is far too busy writing songs to worry about favourites but, as nobody believes his denials, he decides to look into the matter himself. The supporting programme includes an organ presentation by Paul T. Cullen. MAJESTIC THEATRE In continuation of the Majestic Theatre's new policy of showing allBritish programmes of high quality. "The Little Damozel" will succeed "Tell Me To-Night" at the theatre to-day. The musical numbers of the picture wero written by Noel Coward. Anna Neaglo appears as a brazen-mannered cabaret dancer whose life is changed by marriage. Few actresses are so well qualified for the part as Miss Neagle; until slio was 22 years old .she earned her living as a gymnasium, games and dancing instructress and for three years appeared in the chorus of various musical shows. Miss Neagle is supported by James Ronnie, Athole Stewart and Benita Hume. There is a programme of shorter films. PLAZA THEATRE The great Irish tenor, John McCormack, whose gramophone records havs made him popular in all parts of the world, provides a feast for musiclovers in "Song 0' My Heart," which will open a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The picture, which" proved extremely popular Jibout three years ago, has been entirely re-edited and is a great improvement on the older version. McCorinack is heard in 11 songs, the best-known of which are "The Rose of Tralee" and "Little Boy Blue." The story has an Irish setting and is a clever combination of romance, pathos and comedy. Other members of the cast are Maureen O'Sullivan and J. Farrell Mac Donald. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An excellent cast is seen in " The Mayor of Hell," which heads the current double-feature programme at tho Roxv and Tivoli Theatres. James Cagney is seen as an energetic young man who attempts to rulo a prison reform school by kindness rather than force, while his leading lady is Madge Evans as the school nurse. Arthur Byron, who created such an impression by his portrayal of the warden in " 20.000 Years in Sing Sing," and Dudley Digges are others in the cast. " What Price Innocence," in which Jean Parker and Willard Mack appear, is the second film. Two splendid full-length pictures, "The Life of Jimmie Dolan " and "Parole Girl " will be screened for the first tinio at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres next Wednesday. STRAND THEATRE The adventures of a Eurasian dancer, who uses her conquests in wartime Paris to obtain information for the German secret service, form a striking theme for "Mata Hari," which will commence a return season at tho Strand Theatre to-day. Noted members of tho cast are Greta Garbo, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone and Ramon Novarro. Tho second picture on tho programme is "The Further Adventures of Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford." NATIONAL THEATRE After a highly-successful two weeks', season at the Regent Theatre "The Masquerader" will be transferred to the National Theatre to-day. Ronald Colman gives a magnificent characterisation in the dual role of a dissolute politician and an obscure country journalist who takes Ins place, while Flissa Landi invests the leading feminine role with charm. NEWSREEL CINEMA An excellent selection of newsreels is now being shown at the. Ncwsreel Cinema, while " New Moon " is being screened in the afternoon and evening. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Gene Gerrard, Claudo Hulbert and Jane Carr are delightful in " Let Mo Explain, Dear," which is the current attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres. STATE THEATRE Jack Holt is the principal of " Tho Wrecker," which is being shown with " l't-'s Great to be Alive " at the State Theatre, Onehunga. NEW REGENT THEATRE The films at the New Regent I heatrfl are " It's Great to be Alive" and " Money Talks." TUDOR CINEMA William Haines and Madge Evans ar<3 well cast in " East Lite, ' which is now being screened at the 1 udor C ineiua. BRITANNIA THEATRE Tho programme at the Britannia Theatre comprises " Fanny Foley Herself " and " Man Hunt."