ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21759, 26 March 1934, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Ope of the roost popular English : character actors Charles Laughton ' takes the principal role in " White 'Woman," the picture which heads the programme now being shown at the Ciric Theatre. This played made a meritorious appearance in " The Private Life of Henry VIII.," and' his latest performance oven further enhances his reputation. He is cast as an unscrupulous trader in a remote Malayan settlement. He is known as " King of the River," and his employees. are men who have travelled to the country to escape justice. Laughton is supported by a strong cast with Carolo Lombard in the leading feminine role. She is an actress of rare ability and her delightful voice inakes her a charming heroine.

REGENT THEATRE Eddie Cantor, the popular comedian, gives one of .the best performances-of his career in " Roman Scandals," the picture which is enioving n most popular season at the Regent Theatre. Eddio Cantor is cast as a wistful lad living in the town of West Rome, Oklahoma, and, he drculus. so much about the grandeur of ancient Rome that the fqree of his imagination finally, projects him back into • the. era of his thoughts. The story is then concerned with his adventures among the beautiful slave girl? of the old city and in the courts of the nobility. Mr. Reg. Morgan, the • well-known radio artist, gives some excellent presentations on the organ, and a Silly Symphony, "Tho China Shop," also is being shown. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Marie Dressier and Lionel Barrvmore portray two intensely- human characters in " Her Sweetheart," the'p.iciture which is attracting largo aiidiences to St. James', • Theatre. The contrasting work of these two players makes the picture outstanding;, Barrymore takes the part of a •country, doctor who turns from being a man of honest and kindly disposition to a grasping and rapacious sphemer only to be turned back to the paths of honesty by the faith of an old servant.' Tho story concerns the posthumous fame of an artist whoso paintings are discovered to be worth a fortune. A romance of the past is revealed when the painting of the doctor's old servant, Abby, is found. The dramatic climax when the doctor after, trying to steal the painting' returns to his better nature, is enacted perfectlj'. t Marie Dressier, as the old servant, rises to great dramatic heights. A distinguished cast, headed by Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, appears in "Dancing Lady," the film which will shortly commence a season at the theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE Clive Brook and Irene Dunn both give polished performances in the principal roles of "If I Were Free," the picture on the programme boing 6hown at the Plaza Theatre. It is another addition to the lengthening list of successful pictures which have the stage for a background. It is the gripping dramatisation of the play "Behold Wo Live," by John Van Druten, which had such a successful season when shown in London. The film is refreshing entertainment of an unusually high > quality, presenting Brook in a role which allows a complete display of his artistry in handling,a witty dialoguo. Irene Dunne also excel* herself with a performance which gives her full scope for her strong personality. 1 It is the story of a dauntless ; couple ' valuo their romance to the extent that they challenge society's criticism to retain their association with each other. Variety is the keynote of the picture, and supparting tho two leading characters are Nils Asther and Lorraine Mac Lean. " Carolina," with Ja.net Gaynor as the principal, is the film to be shown at the theatre next week.

. MAJESTIC THEATRE A remnrkably fine series" of films entitled -".Arctic and Antarctic," supplemented bv a most .interesting lecture explaining the views by the celebrated explorer Sir Hubert.Wilkins, comprises the main attraction on the-programme being presented ' at the Majestic Theatre. The first film is of the recent Ellsworth Aniarotic. expedition depicting the trial*flight' of the monoplane which was ultimately damaged, caus- , ing the expedition's return to New Zenland. Next, is the account of the 1928 expedition of Sir Hubert Wilkiqs to Northern Alaska in which the two Fokkor monoplanes, one of them being tho Southern Cross, were used. Views taken on the expedition to tho South Shetlands, and then on the adventurous journey of the submarine Nautilus, comprise a highly interesting and entertaining programme. Noel Coward's celebrated stago play " Bitter Sweet " is the film to commence a season at the theatre on Saturday. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Mary Brian, who has a long list of successes to her credit, and Bruoe Cabot; who appeared with distinction in "King Kong, ' take the leading roles of "Shadows of Sing' Sing," the first attraction on the programme being screened at the National-'and Prince Edward Theatres. It is a thrilling story with ..the plot carefully .developed and the interest sustained to, the end. Wallace Ford and Dorothy'. Tree 1 are the principals in " East of Fifth-Avenue," the second film on the programme. The third chapter of the exciting .serial - u Perils of Pauline " also is being shown. / * ; ; ' STRAND THEATRE ' Leslie Banks and Anne Groy are tho two principals in' tho exciting story "Fire Raisers," which is tho first of the two full length filma on the ?utertaining programme being shown at- the Strand Theatro. It is the account of the activities" of an organisation of incendiarists • who operate in England. Roland Young. Genevieve Tobin, and Herbert Mundin appear in the distinguished cast of players which gives such a vivid interpretation to "Pleasuro Cruise," the second attraction, STATE THEATRE

Edmund Lowe is the principal in " Bombay Mail," the picturo on the programme being shown at the State Theatre. It is the thrilling story of tho murder of two important persons on the express running from Calcutta to T3ombav. The plot is worked to n most unexpected climax and the picture makes grippine entertainment. There is an exceptionally fine selection of supporting films. EMPRESS THEATRE Ursula Jeans is the principal of "Crooked Lady,'' which will have its first Auckland screening at tho Empress Theatre to-day. "Two White -Arms also is being shown. 1 V ■< NEW REGENT THEATRE , "Heroes for Sale " and " Tho Silk Express " aro the films at the New .Regent Theatre, 'Epsom. \ ' RIALTO THEATRE f " This Week of Grace,"- a bright comedy-romance with a musical setting. 'will have its final screening at the Rial to Theatre this evening. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The entertainment at the Crystal Palace Theatre comprises "Jimmy,and Sally " and " Bureau of Missing Persons." . . . STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA Boris Earloff gives a splendid interpretation in " The Ghoul,''' the main attraction at tho State Theatre, Oncliunga. LONDON NEWSREEL " CINEMA The programme to be shown for the first time at the Loudon Newsreol Cinema to-dav is headed by Old Vienna " (Lillian Harvey aud Conrad Veidt).