ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21765, 3 April 1934, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE .Mnlody, comedy and pathos aro blended in delicate combination in " Bitter Sweet," the film version of the celebrated play by Noel Coward, which is attracting large audiences to the Majestic Theatre. It is essentially a period romance, sot in the days of duelling and chivalry, with the voluminous gowns and fluttering fans lending to it an artistry seldom so genuinely portrayed on the motion screen. The story is based on the indecision of _ a, young _ girl over the question of marrying either a wealthy bore whom she hates, or a poor pianist whom she loves. In the opening scene of a modern party, an old lady relates her life story and her bitter sweet memories of the past. She, too, had had to make a similar decision but had found happiness, until poverty and tragedy had entered her life. Anna Neaglo and Fernand Graavey arc the principals. CIVIC THEATRE Dorothea Wieck, who made such an impressive appearance in "Madchen in Uniform," further enhances her excellent reputation in " Cradle Song," the picture on the programme being shown at the Civic Theatre. The actress endows her role with sympathy, understanding and an emotion which makes for a portrayal of distinction. The story is based on the theme of mother love, but in no manner does the film lapse into sentimentality owing to the skilful direction of Mitchell Leisen. The actual story is of a young girl who enters a convent and is given charge of a. baby girl adopted by the local doctor. When the child grows to maturity she falls in love with a young engineer and a, decision as to her future has to be faced. REGENT THEATRE Eddie Cantor, one of the leading American comedians, gives a characteristic performance in the principal role of " .Roman Scandals," the picture which heads the entertaining programme now in its second week of a most successful season at the Regent Theatre. This popular player makes only one film a year, " The Kid from Spain " preceding the present one. The season's latest and merriest tunes aro included in a story of adventure among the beautiful slave girls of ancient Rome. Eddie Cantor is cast as a wistful lad in the small town of West Rome, Oklahoma, who dreams so much about old Rome with all its pomp and glamour that he is finally projected by the force of his imagination back into the era of his thoughts. Mr. Reg. J [organ at the organ and a Walt Disney cartoon are included in the supporting programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE One of the finest musical films yet shown in Auckland, "Dancing Lady," is the picture on the programme being presented at St. James' Theatre. The story is given a vivid interpretation by a talented cast with Joan Crawnrd as the principal in a role which greatly resembles " Dancing Daughter," her first notable performance. She is given capable support by Fred Astaire, Clark Gable and May Itobson. The dialogue is crisp and the interest of the story is maintained throughout. Spectacular ballets are features of the particularly bright entertainment. Laurel and Hardy give inimitable performances in <l The Musical Box.'" one of the excellent supporting films. . J PLAZA THEATRE Entertainment of an exceptionally high order is provided in " Carolina," the picture which is eujoying a successfid season at the Plaza Theatre. Janet Gaynor, Lionel iiarrymore and Robert Young give outstanding performances in the leading roles. With an old-wsrld setting of a Carolina home and the background of the typical colonial mansion with its magnificent surroundings, the film is a production of rare beauty. The story traces the history of an old southern family itl America. They aro most unpractical and impoverished, living in the glory of the past and rapidly impairing their credit at the local store. Into this atmosphere of decay comes one of the hat«d northern families to grow the despised tobacco crop on leased lands. The youngest member of the old family falls in love with Joanna, an orphan who has charge of the tobacco crop. Immediately there begins a battle with the scornful parent but the romance is finally brought to a pleasant conclusion, Stepin Fetchit, one of the most talented of coloured comedians, makes an auspicious return to the screen as the negro butler.

STATE THEATRE Good music and rollicking humour are combined in " Era Diavolo," the film version of an old opera bouffe, which will commence a short season at the State Theatre to-day. Laurel and Hardy give one of their best performances as two would-be bandits, and Don is King's magnificent voice is heard to advantage in several songs. Tliehna Todd supplies the romantic interest. NATIONAL THEATRE The first production of Twentieth Century Pictures to be shown in Auckland, " Broadway Through a Keyhole," is the chief, attraction on the entertaining programme being presented at the National Theatre. With gaiety and splendour of the Manhattan Night Club as a background the film is full of fast action with a well developed climax. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent give convincing performances in the leading roles of " The Purchase Price," the first picture of the entertaining double-feature programme being shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. " Brief Moments " is the second attraction. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Acknowledged to be one of the best British films of its typo yet released "I Was a Spy" is attracting largo audiences to the Crystal Palace Theatre. The splendid cast includes Herbert Marshall, Madeleine Carroll, Conrad Veidt and Edmund Guenn. Victor Saville was the director. • HI ALTO THEATRE The programme at the Rial to Theatre is headed by "It's a Bov," an hilarious British farce. Ivlward Everett Hortou appears as a bridegroom who is blackmailed on the eve of his wedding* and others in the cast are Leslie Henson, Albert Bunion and Robertson Hare. NEW REGENT THEATRE "F Was a Spy" is the picture on the programme being shown at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. The stor.v is based on the memoirs of Marthe MeiCenua. who was in Belgium during the Great, War. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA Leo Cnrrillo and Virginia Valli appear in " Mister Antonio," the picture on the programme being shown at the London Newsrecl Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA "The Eagle and the Hawk" is the picture on the programme being shown at the Tudor Cinema.

ROXY THEATRE The splendid double-feature programme being presented at the Boxy Theatre is headed by "Hello, Trouble, ' a thrilling outdoor drama. Buck Jones, one of the screen's most popular rotors of outdoor roles, is cast as a Texas Ranger who tires of fighting and retires, only to become involved in a plot to steal a ranch. The second film is •' Silent Men," in which Tim McCoy has the leading role. TIVOLI THEATRE A very strong cast appears m " Orders is Orders," a bright British farce which is delighting patrons of the Tivoli Theatre. Cyril Maude appears as a fiery colonel, and prominent players who support him include Sir Ccdric Hardwicke, Donald Calthrop and James Gleason. STRAND THEATRE " Take a Chance," a bright musical comedy, is the picture which heads the entertaining programme being screened before enthusiastic audiences at the Strand Theatre. Several of the season's latest songs and musical numbers aro introduced, while some spectacular ballet scenes arc shown with effect. James Dunn gives a convincing performance in the principal role, and he is supported in capable manner by Lilian Roth, June Knight, Cliff Edwards and Buddy Rogers and Dorothy Leo. One of the most hilarious comedies ever screened, " A Lady's Profession," is the second full-length film on the programme. Roland Young, Alison Skipworth and Sari Maritza are the principals in a cast of talented comedians. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNCA .The entertainment at the State Theatre, Onehunga, this evening will comprise "The Life of Jimmy Dolan" and "Little Orphan Annie." HOSPITAL CONCERT A varied programme was presented in Ward 23 of the Auckland Hospital by the Neville Carlson Revue Company last evening. Items were contributed by the Misses W. Loekwood, 1. Akorsten, M. Savers, M. Edwards, M. Reilly and C. Palmer and Messrs. G. Carlsen and N. Carlsen. WIRTHS' CIRCUS One of the best programmes ever presented by Wirths' Circus is attracting large audiences to the Old Dock Site. An outstanding feature is the excellence of the acrobatic feats, while the performance 1 of the wild animals also is of a high order. A remarkable contortionist act and dancing by a horse aro included in the entertaining programme.