ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21763, 31 March 1934, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The reputation which Eddie Cantor established in his previous films for genuine humour is upheld in " Roman Scandals," his fourth annual musical extravaganza, which will enter the second week of a successful season at the Regent Theatre to-day. The story opens in West Rome, Oklahoma, where Eddie, considered to be the nincompoop of the district, is roughly handled by the police. He expresses the wish that he was back in ancient Rome, and before he realises it he finds himself in toga and sandals, confronted by ,three aggressive Roman soldiers. He finds that he is suspected of serious designs against the State and is offered for sale as a slave. After an amazing series of adventures he becomes food-taster to the emperor, a very hazardous occupation in view of the fact that designs are being made on his master's life. The climax comes in one of the most hilarious chariot races ever seen on the screen. The supporting programme includes a bracket of songs at the organ by Mr. Keg. Morgan, a Walt Disney coloured Silly Symphony entitled " Tho China Shop," and newsreels. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Joan Crawford gives a splendid performance in "Dancing Lady," the Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer production which will be introduced to Auckland audiences at St. James' Theatre today. Her role is that of a chorus girl who believes she in destined to become a great artist. Following a prosecution for appearing in a dance objected to by the police she is befriended by a rich young man who pays her fine and secretly finances a new show in order to obtain a position for her. Trouble occurs when he offers her marriage, and he is opposed by her producer, who considers she has a promising career before her. There is a dramatic ending. Miss Crawford is admirably suited to her part, as she is one of the screen's most accomplished dancers. Fred Astaire, a noted professional dancer, appears with her in several scenes. Clark Gable makes a good producer and Franchot Tone, a young player with a growing reputation, is cast as Miss Crawford's admirer. May Robson and Ted Healy are others in the cast. The excellent programme of shorter films includes one of th'e ever-popular Laurel and Hardy comedies, "The Music Box," a Pete Smith coloured novelty entitled " Fine Feathers," and a Metrotone news film. PLAZA THEATRE Janet Gaynor gives an appealing portrayal in a romantic role somewhat reminiscent of that she played in "State Fair" in " Carolina," which will be Bcreened for the first time in Australia and New Zealand at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Her role is that of a girl from a northern state whose family moves to the cotton-growing district of Carolina, where they commence growing tobacco. She meets the son of a neighbouring family of aristocratic but impoverished southerners. He is so despondent that he is inclined to let matters slide, but she inspires him to do his best and work his plantation to the utmost, and the story moves to a happy but unexpected conclusion. Miss Gaynor gives a splendid performance in the principal role, and is well supported by her new leading man, Robert Young. Lionel Barrymore contributes another of his splendid characterisations as a proud old man who refuses to be perturbed by lack of money. Others in the cast are Richard Cromwell, Henrietta Crosman, Mona Barrie and Stepin Fetchit. The story was adapted from Paul Green's play "The House of Connelly " by Richard Berkeley, who wrote thß screen version of " Cavalcade." The programme of shorter films is fully up to the standard set by the main attraction. STRAND THEATRE " Take a Chance," a novel musical romance, will be introduced to New Zealand audiences at the Strand Theatre to-day. The splendid cast includes such popular players as James Dunn, who will be remembered for bis appearances opposite Sally Filers in numerous pictures', Lilian Roth, June Knight and Buddy Rogers. The second film is "A Lady's Profession," a bright comedy centring round the financial misfortunes of an aristocratic English family. The leading players, Roland Young, Alison Skipworth and Sari Maritza, have a series of hilarious adventures when they are involved in dealings with American "bootleggers." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE " The Purchase Price," a thrilling story of night club life, heads the programme to be shown alt tho Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Excellent performances come from tho principals, Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent. The second film is " Brief Moment," in which Gene Raymond, of " Zoo in Budapest," and Carole Lombard appoar. • CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Will Rogers' whimsical humpur is given full rein in "Mr. Skitch," the main attraction at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The film deals with a motor-car journey across America, and is notable for the splendid acting of tho entire cast. Florence Desmond contributes several of her popular impersonations of well-known players. Clara Bow appears in the second picture, "Hoop-la.' RIALTO THEATRE Rural America makes a picturesque background for "The Stranger's Return," which heads the Rial to Theatre programme. Miriam Hopkins portrays a city-bred descendant of a farming family who returns to the old homestead, and Lionel Barrymore appears as her grandfather. Franchot Tone and Stuart Envin are others in the cast. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA A series of attempts to prevent a trans-continental train bearing a load of silk from reaching its destination makes a thrilling theme tor The Silk Express," which heads the programme at the State Theatre, Onehungn. "Jimmy and Sally" also is being shown. NEW REGENT THEATRE Gracie Fields, the popular LancashiTO comedienne, is delightful in This week of Grace." a tuneful musical romance, which will entertain patrons of tho Isew "Regent Th'eatre, Epsom, this evening. She appears as a factory girl who obtains a position managing a duchess estates. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA " Old Vienna " is the picture which heads the entertaining programme which is enjoying a successful season at tho London Newsreel Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA " Yes, Mr. Brown " is the picture which heads the entertaining programme being shown at the Tudor Cinema. There is a particulary good supporting programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE " Dinner at Eight" is the picture which heads tho programme at the Britannia Theatre. There will bo a special children's matinee to-day..

ROXY THEATRE Two full-length films, "Hello, Trouble," and "Orders is Orders," comprise the thrilling programme attracting large audiences to. the Rosy Theatre. Buck Jones, who is noted for his excellent portrayals in open-air pictures, has the leading role in the first attraction. He is cast as a Texas Ranger who, while performing his duty, shoots his. friend. This action plays on his mind so much that he finally loaves ranging for a quiet life on a ranch in Arizona. The life on the ranch, however, proves most exciting, and makes gripping entertainment. The supporting cast includes Lina Basquette, Wallace Mac Donald and Alan Roscoe. The second picture, "Silent Men," with Tim McCoy as the principal, is another exciting story. The production was directed by Ross Lederman, who directed "Speed Demon" and "State Trooper," and as ho is an expert in outdoor . melodrama, the film is of a high standard. McCoy gives a characteristic performance as a cattte-brand inspector. TIVOLI THEATRE Cvril Maud, who will be remembered for "his outstanding; performance in the leading role in gives another splendid portrayal in "Orders is Orders, the picture on the programme being shown at the Tivoli Theatre. The picture is unique in that it gives a striking contrast between American and British humour. The story concerns the reaction which arise# during.the visit of a modern American film director to a well-disciplined barracks of the British Army. The British humour is given a characteristic interpretation by Cyril Maude as a pompous colonel, while James Gleason takes the role of the film director with characteristic thoroughness. There is an excellent selection of shorter films NATIONAL THEATRE . The splendour of New York night life makes a colourful background for "Broadway Through a Keyhole," which will commence a return season at the National Theatre to-day. The film is the first to come from the studios of the new Twentieth Century Pictures recently formed by Josef Schenck and Darryl Zannuck. The cast is splendid, and several well-known radio and stage artists are introduced. Paul Kelly, a player who has been absent from the screen for some years, is well cast as Rocci, a genial gangster whose power is so great that he is able to force the manageress Qf a night club, played by the late Texas Guinan, to place in her chorus a girl whom he has known in earlier life. Constance Cummings appears as the girl, and Gregory Ratoff gives a splendid characterisation as a theatrical producer. The supporting programme includes a novelty, " Round the World in Song," a Mickey Mouso cartoon, and an instalment of the serial " The Perils of Pauline." STATE THEATRE One of the best mystery pictures that has yet been produced, ." Bulldog Drummond," will head the programme to be shown at the State Theatre today and on Monday. Ronald Caiman is excellently cast in the title role and gives an outstanding performance, and he is ably supported by Joan Bennett and Claude Allister. Features of the supporting programme are a Laurel and Hardy comedy, " Scram!," and a Silly Symphony, " King Neptune." A special children's matinee will be presented this afternoon at which " Long Long Trail " will be shown in addition to "Bulldog Drummond." CAPITOL THEATRE " Moonlight and Pretzels" is the first picture on the current programme at the Capitol Theatre. " One Precious Year " is the second attraction. There will be a special matinee to-day. ' WIRTHS* CIRCUS Enthusiastic crowds continue to attend Wirths' Circus at the Old Dock Site. Among the many items presented are several equestrian acts of a hi eh standard, particularly an exhibition of horsemanship by Mr. Philip Wirth, jun., and some clever demonstrations of acrobatics. There will be a special matinee to-day. GARRICK DRAMATIC SOCIETY J. M. Barrie's comedy " What Every Woman Knows" will be presented by the Garrick Dramatic Society in the Lewis Eady Hall on Wednesday and Thursday, April 11 and 12. PIRATE SHIPPE, MILFORD The Royal Follies and Valeska's ballet will appear in "Cinderella" at the Pirate Shippo, Milford, this afternoon and evening. The Auckland Girls' Band will entertain to-morrow. MAREO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A programme of lighter numbers will be given by the Mareo Symphony Orchestra in the Town Hall on April 12 in aid of the funds of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.