ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21663, 1 December 1933, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The programme which will be shown for the first time at th'o-Regent Theatre to-day is headed' by '"Mama Loves Papa," a somewhat pointless title which conceals a' fresh, human and "genuinely amusing comedy of domestic life. Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, who were seen together in "Tl)o .Night of June 13" and "Evenings for Sale," are delightful as a middle-aged, suburban couple. Ruggles gives a restrained performance as the timorous wage-slave, the self-conscious wit, and worshipper of succesj as represented by his loud- i mouthed employer, while -Mips Boland is admirably suited to the' role of the wife who has ideas of social "uplift." Her sartorial ambitions for her husband result in his wearing swallow-tails and a bowler hat to the office where he is employed as a humble clerk, find his employer" jumps to the only possible conclusion and gives him tho day off to the supposed funeral. There is an excellent supporting programme.. CIVIC THEATRE Original in conception and novel in execution, "F.P.1," which commences a season at the Civic Theatre to-day, is one of the most unusual films of the year. The story is built round a series of attempts to destroy "Plying Platform One," an artificial ,island set in the Atlantic as a landing stage for aeroplanes. That such a scheme is not impossible is demonstrated by the fact that a German company has recently used the steamer Westphalen for a similar purpose. Both the inventor and an aviator friend, who supplies* the publicity for the scheme, fall in love with a girl partner in the shipbuilding firm which constructs the platform, and suspense is sustained to the end. Conrad Veidt, a celebrated German actor, has the leading role, and he is capably supported by | JillDesniond and Donald Calthrop.

• MAJESTIC THEATRE Two very different British films comprise the excellent double-feature pro- • gramme which will have its initial Auckland presentation at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The first, "Should a Doctor Tell?" is a modern problem play in which a prominent medical man refuses to divulge consulting room confidences when called, ujpon to do so in Court, as he considers such confidences are as sacred as a priest's confessional. A conflict between professional principle and parental love ensues when he finds that his sort's fiancee is a former patient. The' leading roles are filled by Anna Ncagle, Norah Baring and Basil Gill. The second picture, "That's My Wife," is a rollicking, fast-moving farce,' in which Claude Allister and Frank Pcttingell have the principal roles., ;> • : PLAZA THEATRE

The screen version of J. B. Priestley's widely-read novel, "The Good Companions," continues to attract large audiences to the Plaza Theatre. Victor Saville, one of the most enterprising of British directors, has transferred the novel to the screen with unusual fidelity, cutting away trivialities and building up, the main points of interest to make a powerful and absorbing picture. The strong cast has been chosen with exceptional care, eVen minor roles being played by actors of note, and the acting is'so "forceful, so !free ; from theatrical artifice, that one can scarcely think .of the players away from'their parts. Jessie Matthews has 1 one of the principal roles, - and others' who appear are Edmund Gwenn, John Gielgud and A. W. Baskcomb.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A sophisticated drama of modern life, "Bed of Roses," is the chief attraction on the excellent double programme now showing at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Constance Bennett and Joel MeCrea are the principals. Miss Bennett takes a part entirely different from anything she has portrayed before, that of a girl who emerges from a reform school intent upon making an easy living by the exerpise. of her wits. The other film..is a drama of questionable I business methods, "The Big Brain," with George "E: 'Stone and Fay Wray thp principals. ■ ' ' •„ NATIONAL THEATRE ; "Tell Me To-night,the English Imusical film which Achieved such outstanding success when shown in Auckland recently* will bo pfoseiiited for the first time at the Theatre- today. Jan Kiepura,' the celebrated Polish tenor, has the leading rokf, that of a young opera' singer who.. eifcapetf frohi his domineering manageress';toJbave a holiday in Switzerland. The supporting cast includes Sonnie Hale, who appears as a confidence man who* is mistaken for the singer, Edmund Gwenn and Magda Schneider. : * •'

ST; JAMES' THEATRE . The film version of "The Desert jSong,"' one of the most popular stage productions presented in Auckland, will commence a return . season at. St. James' Theatre to-day. The cast is headed by John Boles, whose fine tenor voice is heard in several numbers, Carlotta King, lyric soprano, a concert and radio artist of note, John Miljan, Myrna Loy and, Johnny Arthur. STRAND THEATRE Lawrence Tibbott has another singing role in "The Cuban Love Song," which will commence a return season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Karen Morley, Louise _ Fazenda and Lupe Velez are others in the cast. The second picture is "Sporting Blood," with Clark Gable, Madge Evans and Ernest Torrence. NEW MOTOR FILM A sound -film, tracing the development of British road and rail transport, "Wheels Onward," is now showing at the Tivoli Theatro. It will bb shown to-morrow morning and on Monday afternoou. NEW REGENT THEATRE "The Devil's In Love," with Victor Jory, and Loretta Young, and "Private Detective 62," form the programme at the Regent Theatro, Epsom. STATE THEATRE The enjoyable films being shown at the State Theatre include "The Devil's In Love" and "Child of Manhattan." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Two enjoyable and varied pictures, "Merrily We Go To —" and "Let Ma Explain, Dear," are showing at the Princo Edward Theatro. LYRIC THEATRE The entertaining double programme now showing at the.Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres includes "Shanghai Madness," with Spencer Tracy and Fay Wray, and "Doctor Bull." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Pack Up Your Troubles," with Laurel and Hardy, is the chief attraction on the fine programme at- the Lyric Theatre. NEWSREEL CINEMA Newsreels and "Love in thorough," with Robert Montgomery and Dorothy Jordan, comprise the programme at the Newsroel Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA "Smiling Through," with _ Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard, is snowing at the Tudor Cinema.