ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21717, 5 February 1934, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The story of a man who, although pacifist at heart, is bo stung by the taunts of tho girl he loves that he becomes a ruthless war-time aviator, is graphically told in "Ace of Accs, which heads the programme to bo shoivn for the last time at the Rosy, and Tivoli Theatres to-morrow. After he has brought down numerous enemy machines ho is overcome by remorse and the story ends on a note of Ijeroism and sacrifice. Richard Dix, Elizabeth Allan and Ralph Bellamy are the principals. The second film is "Heroes for Sale." "THE SILK EXPRESS" "The Silk Express," a thrilling film with a modern setting, will commence a season at the Roxy and Tivdli Theatres on Wednesday. The plot deals with an attempt to rush a train-load of silk across America in order to prevent a single manufacturer from cornering tho New York silk market. The efforts of the manufacturer to stop the train are exciting in the extreme. The strong cast is exceptionally well balanced and includes such players as Neil Hamilton, Arthur Byron, Dudley JDigges, Guy Gibbee and Robert Barrat. "The Silk Express" will bo supported by "Ex-Lady," in which Bette Davis and Gene Raymond appear. MAJESTIC THEATRE Tom Walls, whose performances in Aldwych Theatro farces made him one of the most popular comedians on the English screen, is as delightful as over in " Blarney Stone," the British and Dominions film which is attracting large audiences to the Majestic Theatre. Ho appears as a happy-go-lucky Irishman with a considerable fortune and a charming manner. His fortune is lost when an attack is made on his life by Sinn Feiners, but his plausible tongue enables him to escape to London, where he becomes a " down-and-out " on the Embankment. How fortune smiles upon him, frowns, and finally smiles again is told in the usual Tom Walls fashion. " Rome Express " will commence a season at the theatre on Fridays ST. JAMES' THEATRE The fortunes of a theatrical family are traced in novel manner in "Broadway to Hollywood," the current attraction at St. James' Theatre. The film is notable for its tuneful music and clever dancing, combined with excellent acting by a uniformly strong cast. The story opens at a time when American music halls were at the height of their popularity and deals with two young dancers who have recently married. Against their wishes their son follows their profession and when he dies his son is left in the care of his grandparents. The story of the grandson's progress into motion pictures while the older people are still performing their 30-year-old act is convincingly told.

CIVIC THEATRE Three humorists of very diverse types head the cast of " It's a Boy," the clever Gainsborough farce which is delighting audiences at the Civic Theatre. Leslio Henson, a polished West End stage player with an irresistibly funny face, is the principal, and he is capably supported by Edward Everett Hoiton, who has appeared very successfully in numerous American productions, and Albert Burdon, an aggressive little North Country comedian. The plot is woven round a bridegroom's attempts to save his face before his future father-in-law. Other prominent players include Robertson Hare, Wendy Barrio and Alfred Drayton. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Chester Morris makes a welcome return to the screen after a long absence in " King For the Night," which heads the current double-feature programme at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. Tho story deals with a man who is wronged by his sister and the girl he loves and is overwhelmed by their wrongdoing at the height of his career. The second film is "Flying Devils," a thrilling story of aviation revolving round an attempt by a thrillcrazed maniac to kill a member of an aerial circus by cutting his parachute. There is a startling climax. Ralph Bellamy, Bruce Cabot, Arline Judge and Eric Linden are the principals. REGENT THEATRE Charles Laughton .gives one of the finest characterisations yet presented on the screen in the title role of "The Private Life of Henry VIII.," which is attracting largo audiences to the Regent Theatre. He dominates every scene and tho Henry he creates is astonishingly true to life. To the skilful direction of Alexander Korda much of the success of the picture is due,' for he has made what might easily have been a conventional historical theme into a very entertaining comedy. The supporting cast is admirably matched with tho talents of the principal. STATE THEATRE The film version of P. G. Wodehouse's novel, "Summer Lightning," continues to delight audiences at the _ State Theatre. Ralph Lynn gives a fine characterisation as a young man who is in danger of being dismissed from his position, and steals a prize pig in the hopo of being rewarded when it is returned. To his consternation, however, a detective is called in and hilarious complications ensue. There is an excellent selection of shorter films.

RIALTO THEATRE Brilliant character studies distinguish " The Good Companions," the film version of J. B. Priestley's widely-read novel, which will commence a three nights' season at the Kialto Theatre this evening. Among tho well-known players who appear are Jessie Matthews, John Gielgud, Edmund Gwenn and A. W. Baskcomb. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA In addition to an interesting selection of news reels, the programme to be shown for the first time to-day at the London Newsreel Cinema includes "Fires of Fate." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE " The Worst Woman in Paris " and " Tho Mad Game " are the films at the Crystal Palace Theatre. NEW REGENT THEATRE Stanley Lupino is the principal of " King of tho Ritz," which is being shown with " Midshipman Jack " at tho New Regent Theatre, Epsom. TUDOR CINEMA A strong cast of "English actors appears in Counsel's Opinion," now at the.Tudor Cinema. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA Katharine Hepburn's performance in "A Bill of Divorcement," which heads tho current programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga, is hailed by overseas critics as one of the finest portrayals of 1933. John Barrymore has tho leading male role.