ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21808, 24 May 1934, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Greta Gnrbo gives what is probably the most sincere and powerful portrayal of her career in "Queen Christina," which is proving very popular at St. .James' Theatre. The role of the famous Swedish queen is one to which she is well suited, and her performance is a very real and vital one. John Gilbert, Lewis Stone and C. Aubrey Smith are included in a strong supporting east. The first of a further series of short films on bridge by Ely Culbertson will be a feature of the supporting programme to he shown with "Queen Christina" from to-morrow. PLAZA THEATRE The screen version of Louisa May Allcott's novel "Little Women" continues to attract large audiences to the Plaza Theatre. The part of Josephine is taken with great skill by Katharine Hepburn, one of the most discussed newcomers to the screen in recent years. By her performances in "A Bill of Divorcement," "Christopher Strong" and "Morning Glory," she has in a very short time placed herself among tho foremost American acti'esses, and her acting in tho present film, in a part somewhat different from those she has previously been called on to play, adds further to her reputation. There is an unusually strong supporting east, which includes Frances Dee, Joan Bennett, Jean Parker, Paul Lukas and Edna May Oliver. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES With tho gay setting of the second Empire when the Empress of France was young, "The Only Girl," one of the latest British Gauinont productions, makes an entertaining picture. It is the first film on the programme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. The atmosphere of romance and intrigue in tho court gives colour and charm to the fascinating story. The huge and luxurious apartments, the beautiful frocking and the handsome uniforms make the picture outstanding. Lilian Harvey, who will be remembered for her performances in "Congress Dances," "Happy Ever After" and "The Temporary Widow," takes the part of Juliette, the Empress' hairdresser. The plot concerns a garter borrowed from the Empress by Juliette. The garter is found by an attractive young duke and the manner in which he finally meets Juliette and falls in love with her, provides bright and tuneful entertainment. Wynne Gibson and Preston Foster tako the leading roles in "Sleepers East," which also is being screened.

MAJESTIC THEATRE The startling experiences that befell Sydney Howard as a steward on a liner engaged on a pleasure cruise in tho Mediterranean form the theme of "Trouble," an hilarious British comedy which will have its final screenings at the Majestic Theatre to-day. In "For the Love of You," which will open a season at the theatre to-morrow, Arthur lliscoe and Naunton Wayne continue tho explorations of European capitals they commenced in "Going Gay," and their adventures in Venice are as exciting and amusing as those they previously experienced in Vienna. Picturesque glimpses of the city's beautiful waterways and some splendidly-ren-dered operatic extracts by the Italian tenor Franco Foresta odd to the success of the film, in which humour and romance are skilfully blended. Diana Napier is charming in the chief feminine role. One of the excellent supporting films will be the running of the 1934 Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase.

CIVIC THEATRE W. c.. Fields, Gracie Allgp, George Burns, Mary Boland, Alison Skipworth and Charles Buggies form an ideal comedy team in "Six of a Kind," which will be shown at the Civic Theatre for the last time to-day. " THE CONSTANT NYMPH" "The Constant Nymph," the talking screen version of Margaret Kennedy's novel, will have its initial screenings at the Civic, Theatre to-morrow. The storv, which has already been made familiar through the medium of the book, the stage play and the silent film, opens in the Austrian Tyrol, where Albert Sanger, erratic musical genius, is living with his family, popularly known as "Sanger's Circus," and deals with the love of Tessa Sanger for Lewis Dodd, a young composer and an adherent of Albert Sanger. Although Lewis is fond of Tessa, he treats her as the child she is in years, if not in experience, and marries her wealthy cousin, unaware of the steadfastness of Tessa's love. How her unwavering loyalty eventually brings the composer to realise his mistake, but leads to her tragic death in a Brussels garret, forms a powerful climax. Remarkable photography of the beautiful scenery of the Austrian Tvrol is a feature of the production. Victoria Hopper, Brian Aherne and Leonora Corbett are the principals in a well-chosen cast. The film has been very skilfully directed by Basil Dean.

NATIONAL AMD PRINCE EDWARD The hilarious Bon Travers farce "Rookery Nook," which proved so suecessful when first shown in Auckland, will conclude a return season at the National and Prince Edward Theatres to-day. Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Winifred Shotter, Mary Brough and other popular Aldwych Theatre players arc in tho cast. A thrilling Western romance, "Man of Action," also is being shown. Alexander Korda's colourful and roistering comedy of Tudor times, "The Private Life of Henry V1L1.," will open a season at the National Theatre tomorrow. Hailed as one of the best pictures yet to coine from the British studios, the film has proved as successful in the United States as in England. Splendid acting by a cast which includes Charles Laughton, Binnie Barnes, Katherino Howard and Merle Oberon, is a feature of the production. RI ALTO THEATRE Ruth Chatterton gives a convincing portrayal in "Female," which is being screened at the Rialto Theatre. She is supported in capable manner by George Blent. Ann Harding appears in "The Right to Romance," tho second attraction. STATE THEATRE One of the most powerfully dramatic films to be produced for some time, "Rasputin and the Empress," is now being shown at the State lheatrc. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA The British musical comedy "The Maid of the Mountains," and a good supporting programme, is being screened at the London iNowsreel Cinema. CAPITOL THEATRE "My Weakness," with Lilian Harvey in the title role, is attracting large audiences to the Cnpitol ThesitiG. lhere is a particularly fine selection ot shorter films. TUDOR CINEMA Robert Montgomery appears in "Another Language," the picture on the programme being shown at the ludor Cinema.

REGENT THEATRE Excellent light entertainment is provided in "A Southern Maid," which will conclude a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Belie Daniels, the popular American actress, has the chief feminine role, and she is well supported by Clifford Mollison, Lupino Lane, who provides much of the comedy, Harry Wclchman, whose singing is a feature of the production, Nance Browne and Amy Vencss. An added attraction on the programme is a vaudeville act by, Fred Miller and Millie Doano Tho film version of Zola's "Nana," in which Anna Sten makes her debut in American films, will open a season at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. A feature of the supporting programme will be Walt Disney's latest Silly Symphony, "The Grasshopper and the Ants " STRAND THEATRE A revealing picture of the lives of tho poets and artists of Greenwich Village, New York, is given in "J Believed in You," which will conclude a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. John Boles, Rosemary Ames and Victor Jnrv are well cast in the chief roles. Will Rogers, one of the most talented of American comedians, has a typical part in "David which will head the new programme at the theatre to-morrow. NEW REGENT THEATRE Mario Dressier and Wallace Beery head the cast in "Dinner at Eight," the comedy on tho programme at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA Lionel Barrymoro and Janet Gaynor give characteristic performances in "Carolina," which heads tho current programme at tho Stato Theatre, Onohunga. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE George Arliss gives one of the finest characterisations of his career in "Voltaire," which is on the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. COMMUNITY SINGING There was a good attendance at the first mid-day community singing gathering of the 1934 season which was held at the Town Hall yesterday. Mr. Albert Russell and Mr. V. T. Drew were the song leaders and Mrs. Barrington Snow the accompanist. Items were given by tho Mounce Sisters and Miss Phyllis Purchase. The collection in aid of unemployment was somewhat smaller than usual, amounting to about £lO. ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR The Royal Auckland Choir will present the first concert of its 43rd season in the Town Hall to-night. There will be 70 male voices conducted by Dr. W. E. Thomas. Among the assisting artists will bo Miss Nancy Hanna (soprano), Miss Helen Gray (violin), Mrs. A. Rattray and Mr. W. Gemmell.