ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21805, 21 May 1934, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Bright wit and humour is the ke.vnoto of Sydney Howard's latest British film, "Trouble," which is on the programme attracting largo audiences to the Majestic Theatre. Sydney Howard, often referred-to as Britain's "frozenfaced comedian," is seen in the role of a steward on the liner Orford during a pleasure cruise to the Mediterranean. The life on board ship and the various ports of call form an admirable setting for many hilarious ■situations created by the comedian's inimitable stylo of humour. An outstanding performance is given by Dorothy Robinson, a talented British actress, who went through , a .period of training in the Royal Academy cf Dramatic Art. • CIVIC THEATRE A perfectly-balanced comedy team appears with great success in "Six of a Kind," the picture which heads the programme being shown at the Civic Theatre. There is Charles Ruggles with his dapper mannerisms. W. C. Fields with his sublime selt-assuranco, Mary Buland, the matronly young wife, Alison Skipworth, the. shrewd and masterly woman of the world. Grade Allen and George Burns, not to mention a Great Dane, .which obtrudes itself into the talo Mi several amusing ways. The story opens with Ruggles and Mary Boland about to take their ; annual holiday. They plan to make a motor tour from, New York to Hollywood. With j the idea of economy the wife inserts' an advertisement in a newspaper' for someone to share expenses,' with the result that Grade Allen and-her : fiance' join the party. The picture, moves with fast action and makes hilarious entertainment. " The Constant' Nymph," tlie British Grtumont film version, of the popular novel by Margaret Kennedy, will be shown at the theatre in the near future. Brian Ahcrne and Victoria Hopper tako the leading roles and they both give excellent portrayals. REGENT THEATRE Of a marked similarity to "The Maid of the Mountains," "A Southern Maid" is the film on the current programme &t the Regent Theatre. Many members of the cast in this latest British International picture appeared in the earlier film. Although the story is light, it is deftly handled and introduces several delightful musical,numbers. , It opens in a small European principality, where, a fiesta is. in progress. A wealthy English ' gentleman, wh6 -is visiting the port in ills vacht, falls in love with a girl'who is crowned ."Queen of Beauty." In. spite of the efforts of her former lover,, a nobleman, he elopes with !;;;r. Bebe Daniels, cne of the best-known . American actresses, takes the leading role. Other parts are taken by Harry Welchman and Lupino Lane. "The Broken Down Swells," a stage, presentation, is an additional attraction. < r ■ ST. JAMES' THEATRE Greta Garbo gives one of the finest performances of her career in "Queen Christina,'.' the pic Lure on the programme being at St,. .James' Theatre.. The actress retains her Swedish accent, but has infused some range, inflexion and tone into her voice. She displays her remarkable faculty tor sinking herself in a part and making it real, retaining at the :same time her personality. While clad in the robes of office she ,portrays a distinctive dignity, _but' when disporting herself in boy's elothing she assumes an attrac-tive-daring.' The film contains many magnificent. 17th century settings. An artistry -seldom seen on. the screen is displayed in a scene where Christina is carrying a. candle, slowly walking down a Vast corridor illuminated by diffused and slanting "beams of light. PLAZA THEATRE Seldom has a picture so rich in colour and genuine in portraiture been presented as "Little Women," which heads the programme at the Plaza Theatre. It is so old in sentiment and environment that it comes almost as something new. It makes a wide appear to all tastes and classes and rises above criticism in all respects. The story mni'olds with ease, telling of the simple home life of a family of girls. The roles of the four girls are taken by Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Jean Parker and Frances Dee. Each combines consummate artistry in her characterisation, displaying the common attributes of a lovable nature with such ease that it .is most difficult to judge the most attractive. The four gi,rls are guided in their childhood by an understanding mother to keep their individual temperaments and yet aim for a beautiful idealism. Too often films attempt to improve upon the novels on which they are based, but the degree of fidelity observed in the version of the celebrated book by Louisa M. Alcott is a welcome change. STRAND THEATRE "I Believed In You" is the picture on the programme enjoying a successful season at the Strand Theatre. The film is full of fast action, with the plot carefully developed and the interest sustained to tho end. The introduction shows a procession of miners on their way to-work in a..misty ;dawn. A riot breaks out and the agitator is severely handled by the crowd before escaping through the fog. He is finally rescued by a girl who lives in a lonely house. The dialogue is crisp, with some very fine musical accompaniments. The picture is particularly notable for the introduction of Rosemary Ames, whose performance stamps her as an actress of great promise.

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Ono of the finest film versions of a, Ben Travors' play, which was soon in New Zealand sonic years ,3go, "Rookery Nook," is the picture which heads the double-feature programme being; screened at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. It. is the reissue of tho film which enjoyed such a successful season when shown in Auckland in 193 Q. Ralph Lynn ah'.}' Tom Walls take the leading roles, nnd they give ono of the best portrayals of their career. Their polished acting makes every sceno most enjoyrble. All the humour is. inherently British in sentiment, the scenes' and settings are char- . British,' and the cast is British', Waking a wide appeal to lovers of English comedy. The thrilling mystpry story, "Man of Action,," is the second attraction. . ' CAPITOL. THEATRE Warner Baxter gives it, pleasing performance iu " As Husbands Go," the main attraction ou the programme being shown at tho Capitol Theatre. Stanley Lupino in " King of the Ritz" is tho second attraction. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA Musical numbers and spectacular scenery are features of "Gold Diggers of 1933," which is being screened at the State The&tro, Ouehunga. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA "Tho Moid of tho Mountains" is tho ! picture on the programme being shown at tho London Newsreol Cinema. There is a fine selection of supporting films.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES With the unique setting of the courfc of Napoleon ILL' "The Only Girl" is tho juain picture on the programme to bo Shown for the first time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres on Wednesday. Jt is a picture which marks a stage in the progress which the films are making through musical comedy to grand opentvr. The second Empire is used with skill to produce a very pretty effect. There are glimpses of Wmterbalter at work on his celebrated picture of the Empress and her ladies, and' Offenbach conducting one of his operas. The acting, of Lilian Harvey as the heroine i ? delightful, whilo Ernest Thesiger alsogives a splendid performance. Pres 4 on Foster and Wynne Gibson appear in "Sleepers East," the second picture onthe programme.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRETho old-world settings of a Carolina-' home form a picturesque background in "Carolina," which is the main attra<--, tiou at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Tho story concerns the experiences of an old American fanjily and its struggles against the bad times upon which ithad fallen. Janet Gaynor and Lionel , Barrvmoje head a strong cast. RIALTO THEATRE Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls, one ofthe most popular comedy teams, on thoscreen, are at their best in "A Cuckoo - in the Nest," tho film version of Ben Travers' farce, which is the principal - - attraction at the Rialto Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA Ralph Lynn and Winifred Shottorj appear in " Summer Lightning,"'whiclvi is now being screened at the Tudor" Cinema. STATE THEATRE Maurice Chevalier is the principal of] " The Way to Love," the first picture;.' on the programme being shown at tha State Theatre. "King of the Jungle"" is the second film. NEW REGENT THEATRE Gordon Harker and Violet Lorraine, give delightful Cockney- studies in "Britannia of Billingsgate,'V which inbeing shown with "Ordersiis Orders" at" the New Regent Theatre, Epsom.