ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE The adventures of four .Europeans who escape in a native craft from a ship infected with bubonic plague is tho thenio of "Four Frightened People," tho picture which is on the programme being presented at the Civic Theatre. They land on the Malay coast and their efforts to penetrate tho dense jungle to reach civilisation are graphically depicted. The four leading parts are taken in capable manner by Herbert Marshall, Claudette Colbert, Mary Boland and William Gargan. They are a strange group of characters, comprising a society woman who speaks native languages with indifferent success, a dowdy young school teacher, a celebrated but conceited newspaper correspondent and a rubber research chemist.

REGENT THEATRE A delightful story of mother love is told in " Gallant Lady," the picture which is on the programme being screened at the Regent Theatre. Ann Harding gives an outstanding performance in the principal role of a young mother whose lover has been killed in an aeroplane crash. She is befriended by a broken-down doctor who secures her a position as an interior decorator and persuades a friend of his to adopt the girl's child. Later the girl meets her son in France. Ann Harding gives an admirable study of a woman whoso nobility and composure are unruffled in hours "of tragedy and triumph. The pantomime "Sin bad the Sailor" is being presented at matinees each day.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE George Wallace, the popular Australian comedian who will be best remembered on the New Zealand stage, gives an outstanding performance in " A Ticket in Tatts," the picture which is now in tho second week of a successful season at St. James' Theatre. With the famous Melbourne Clip as a basis, the story gives ample opportunity for George Wallace to give a bright display of his distinctive talent. Hs is introduced as a grocer's boy and clad in old and ill-fitting clothes he makes a comic figure. While on his rounds he makes friends with the horse Hotspur, a candidate for the great race, and trains tho horse to come to him at a whistle for sugar. He ultimately loses bis position at the store, and is appointed as stable boy to the horse. Some most amusing scenes occur when he defeats tho attempts of criminals to interfere with the horse before the race. " Dear Old London," a picture of exceptional interest, also is being presented. "Sons of the Desert". is the film to commence a season at the theatre on Friday.

PLAZA THEATRE Clever dancing and popular melodies form an admirable background for the inimitable Cicely Courtneidgc in "Aunt Sally," the . comedy which heads the programme being presented at the Plaza Theatre. Produced on lavish scale the production is one of the best English pictures j'et seen. Accompanied by beautiful ballet girls and artistic froeking, the celebrated Debroy Somers Band gives an excellent performance. Among the many choruses introduced are "You Ought to See Sally on Sunday," "We'll All Go Hiding 011 a Rainbow," " My Wild Oat " and " If 1 Had Napoleon's Hiit." As Sally Bird, -whose ambitions arc to become a famous cabaret actress, Cicely Courtneidgc is splendid. She displays a remarkable versatility, taking the parts of a chorus girl, conjurer, juggler and an animal impersonator. 111 the final see-no she perforins an Apache dance, during which she discovers that her usual partner has been assaulted by criminals, one of whom has taken his place. The desperate struggle which takes place delights the audience, who is unaware that a real fight is in progress.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES .Toe E. Brown, the popular comedian, heads the strong cast in " Sailor For a jDay," the picture which is first on the splendid double-feature programme enjoying a successful season at the Rexv and Tivoli Theatres. Brown has appeared in many productions, including " Elmer the Great " and " You Said a Mouthful," but his latest performance will <lo much to enhance his already celebrated reputation. In " Sailor For a Day " he takes the part of a sailor on an aeroplane carrier and his amusing pranks make entertainment of a high order. A real " thriller,". "'No 17," is tho second picture. Leon M. Lion, Donald Calthrop and Jolin Stuart are among the cast which give it vivid interpretation. A cast of exceptionally talented players appear in . " Female," the picture on the programme to be shown for . the first time at the theatres on Wednesday. ". Devil Tiger," a. thrilling animal picture, is the second attraction on tho programme.

jNATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD An hilarious comedy with an exceptionally strong cast, " Horse Plav," is the first film on the programme being screened at tho National and Prince Edward Theatres. Slim Summerville takes the principal role and he gives one of the. best performances of his career, not excepting "Her First Mate" and " Out All Night." He is one of 'the best-known comedians of America and this particular role admirably suits his talents and will greatly enhance his reputation. Tho supporting players have been chosen with care and include Andy Devine and Leila Hyams. Wynne Gibson, Onslow Stevens, Skeets Gallagher, J. Farrell Macdon;'!:! and Alan Dinchart appear in "C.osb.v Case," tho picture which is the second attraction on the entertaining programme.

STRAND THEATRE The screen version of one of the latest stories by Zane Grey, " The Last Round-Ui)," is on the programme attracting large audiences to the Strand Theatre. A distinguished cast gives the story a vivid interpretation. With many typical western settings, the lite led by tlie cowboys, and the famous border legion forms gripping entertainment. Randolph Scott, a young actor whose recent performances in Western roles have gained him great popularity, takes the title role. The minor parts are capably portrayed bv Monte Blue. Fred Kohler and Fuzzv Knight. The excitement and glamour of the life led on the ranches have been woven into a fascinating story which sustains the interest to tho end.

LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA Gracie Fields gives a fino performance in " Looking on the Bright Side," the picture which heads tho programme jbeing shown at the London Nowsreel Cinema. NEW REGENT THEATRE Jack Hulbert, Cicely Courtneidge and Lilian Harvey prove an excellent comedy team in " Happy Ever After," at tho" New Regent Theatre, Epsom. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Gordon Harker gives another of his inimitable Cockney portrayals in " Britannia of Billingsgate," which is being shown with " The Hayseeds " at the Crystal Palace Theatre. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA " I Loved a Woman," in which Edward G. Robinson and Kay Francis appear, and " Britannia of Billingsgate " are being shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Some most amusing Cockney studies by Gordon Harker, tlie talented British actor, and Binnic Hale are features of " This is'the Life," tho picture which is the main attraction on the programme being sliown at the Majestic Theatre. Most of the humour is provided by these, two players and* their team-work is splendid. The story is the familiar one of a couple living m humble circumstances who arc left a fortune and their efforts to enter into society. Complications arise when two confederates of the nnelc who left the fortune disclose that the money was obtained bv dishonest means. Binnie Hale, celebrated 011 the stage, who makes her debut in the talking films, reveals, a distinctive screen personality nc ' ,or ~ don Harker gives one of his best performances. u .Rainet Conciucicd also is being ; shown.

RIALTO THEATRE A talented cast, including Jack Hulbcrt, Sonnie Hale, Lilian Harvey and Cicclv Courtneidgc, appears in Happy Ever" After," the delightful comedv now being shown at the Jlialto iheatie.

STATE THEATRE Mae West is the principal in " I'm No Angel," the picture on the programme being presented at the State Theatre. u Beau Hunks'' (Laurel aiul Hardy) also is being shown.

CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY The -Auckland Chamber Music Societv will give its first concert of the season in the Lewis Eady Hall this evening, when an attractive programme will bo presented. ■