ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE A large cast of screen favourites give a vivid interpretation of "Manhattan Melodrama," which will bo shown for the first time at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. Moving with dramatic power through a series of unusual situations the film takes its place with tho foremost productions of the year. Clark Gable, William Powell and Myrna Loy are in tho principal roles. Clark Gable has had wide experience on the stage and has been seen in a number of successful films, including "A Free Soul," "Red Dust" and "Men in White." The introductory scenes recall the fire upon tho excursion steamer General Slocum, in New York Harbour in 1904, a tragedy in which more than 1000 were killed. Two small boys who wero saved and brought up by a kindly old man form the central figures of tho story. _ "Beloved" will be shown for the last time at tho theatre to-day. PLAZA THEATRE Ono of tho most versatile and popular actors on tho talking screen, Warner Baxter, gives a convincing performance in tho loading rolo of "Such Women Are Dangerous," which heads the programme to commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Warner Baxter has appeared with success in a largo number of productions, including "Six Hours to Live," "Cisco Kid" and "Daddy Long Legs." Romance, drama and mystery are combined into a fascinating story, while Baxter gives a delightful portrayal as a bachelor-novelist. He is supported by three most attractive leading actresses, Rosemary Ames, Rochelle Hudson and Mona Barrio. Tho young novelist's books are widely read and he achieves great prominence. Three women who are directly concerned with his private life attempt to re-enact the love stories which he has written. His secretary, who is secretly in love with him, tries to protect him from tho attentions'of the other two. The film is characterised by sound direction and tho acting of tho whole cast is beyond reproach. Tho musical comedy "Flying Down to Rio*' will bo shown for the last time at tho theatre to-day. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Notable for its many excellent character studies, " Three on a Honeymoon," tho first film being presented at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, makes splendid entertainment. The setting of a large liner on a pleasure cruise in the Mediterranean makes for added interest. Zasu Pitts, who appears in ono of the leading roles, is always a delight. She is cast in what may have been merely the stereotyped role of a middle Western spinster and fills it with sparkling comedy. Her Wisconsin upbringing is unable to adjust itself to the fast life led by the passengers and much of the humour arises out of her efforts to keep up appearances. Henrietta Crossman gi*res a sound performance as an old woman, an accurate portrait of a typical American tourist. A large part of tho interest centres round Sally Eilers as a pampered young woman with more money than common sense. As one of the latest Fox Film productions it enhances this firm's excellent reputation. A largo cast of talented players appears in "Keop 'Em Rolling," the second attraction.

MAJESTIC THEATRE The film version of another story by the renowned writer of thrilling fiction, the late Edgar Wallace, will have its first presentation at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. There have been nmnerous successful film adaptations of stories by Edgar Wallace, including "The Ringer," "Frightened Lady," "The Flying Squad," and "The Calendar." Entitled " Tho Man "Who Changed His Name" the picture has a particularly strong cast, headed by Lyn Harding and Betty Stockfield, a young Australian actress who has made several successful appearances on the London stage. Leslie Howard is the principal of "The Lady is Willing," which will conclude a season at the theatre to-day. CIVIC THEATRE Well produced, and with an excellent cast, "The House on 56th Street," which will bo shown for the first time at the Civic Theatre to-morrow, is excellent entertainment. Kay Francis, one of the most talented and accomplished actresses on the talking screen, gives a fine performance in the principal role. The story starts in 1905 when an attractive stage actress marries a wealthy young aristocrat. Slio is involved in a shooting affray and is convicted for manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment. During this time her husband is killed in tho Great War and she is released to find herself alone. She. enters into partnership with a professional gambler and the story ends in a most unexpected manner. The excellent supporting cast includes Margaret Lyndsay, John Halliday, Gene Raymond and Ricardo Cortez. The double-feature programme, "Bolero" and "Eight Girls in a Boat," will be shown for tho last time to-day. STRAND THEATRE Seldom has such an unusual theme as that of "Death Takes a Holiday," which will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, been presented on tho screen. Tho picture revolves round tho idea of Death taking human shape and venturing on a three-day "holiday" on earth in order to find out why people fear him. The possibilities of such a theme arc enormous and the producers have availed themselves of overy opportunity of making a really outstanding film. Fredric March has the most difficult role of his career as Death, and carries it off well. Other notable members of tho cast are Evelyn Venable, Sir Guy Standing and Kent Taylor. "I Adore You," an English musical film, will be shown finally to-day. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA Tho film at tho London Newsrecl Cinema is "Where is This Lady?" STATE THEATRE Gracie Fields, tho popular Lancashire comedienne, is the principal in "This Week of Grace," which is being screened at the State Theatre. RIALTO THEATRE The popular nove>, "Little Women," by Louisa M. Alcott is given a, splendid film interpretation and is tho current attraction at the Rialto Theatre. There is a fine supporting cast. TUDOR CINEMA " After To-night " is the film which heads tho programme being shown at tho Tudor Cinema. "Midnight Club " will commence a season at tho theatre to-morrow. COMMUNITY SINGING A successful community singing gathering was held in the Town Hall yesterday. Mrs. Albert Russell and Mr. Reg Morgan, assisted by Miss S. Morgan, were the song leaders, and Mrs. Barrington Snow was the accompanist. An extensive programme was carried out and solos by Miss S. Stacpoole and Mr. Reg Morgan were very popular. Tho collection, which will be devoted to the relief of unemployment, was somewhat smaller than usual.

REGENT THEATRE A comedy of the theatre, introducing an exceptionally liberal measure of songs, dances and ballets, "Moulin Rouge," is attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre. It differs from most films dealing with the stage in that there is a powerful story which demands constant attention and the scenes are introduced in a. smooth and natural manner. Constance Bennett gives a fine performance in the difficult role of the wife of a playwright who thinks she should remain in the home, while she herself has great ambitions of becoming an. actress. The manner in which she impersonates a French actress and achieves outstanding success makes a fascinating theme. "The Bowery" will bo shown at the theatre shortly. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD "Three Cornered Moon," one of tho most entertaining comedies presented in Auckland for a considerable time, will conclude a successful season at tho National and Prince Edward Theatres to-day. It has tho topical theme of the plight of a family after they have lost ail their money in the Wall Street Crash. Tho film adaptation if one of tho latest novels by Zane Grey, "The Thundering Herd," also is being shown. Ralph Bellamy, Fay Wray, Walter Connolly ;tnd Mary Carlisle take tho principal roles of "Once to Every Woman," which is the main attraction on the programme to have its initial screening at the theatres to-morrow. A thrilling flying story, "Above the Clouds," also will be shown. NEW REGENT THEATRE "Fra Diavolo" and "Hi Nellie" comprise the programme being shown at tho New Regent Theatre, Epsom. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The entertaining programme being shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre comprises "Hips, Hips, Hooray" and "David Harum." CHARITY RECITAL A recital by pupils of Norah Whineray was given in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening in aid of unemployed relief, before an appreciative audience. Two one-act comedy sketches were given during the evening, both being very well received. Tho players in " Calais to Dover" comprised Misses Edith D'Elsa, Joyce Youren, Joyce Pike, Eugenie Scarlett and Mr. R. Bish and in "Fowl Play," Misses Audrey Ivil and Valerio Moir, and Messrs. G. O'Sullivan, M. Wilkinson and C. Naylor. Other items included humorous and dramatic selections by Misses Hazel Gee, Joyce Youren, Audrey Ivil, Irall Wells, Norah Sanders and Joyce Pike, and piano solos by Misses Ngaire Harvey, Nessa Eady and Joyce Youren and Masters E. Thorington and C. Emson. AMBULANCE ORCHESTRA There was a cro.wded audience at a concert presented by the St. John Ambulance Orchestra in the Ambulance Hall, Rutland Street, last evening. An exceptionally fine performance was given by the orchestra, whose numbers included " Overture Raymond" (Thomas), "Fete des Papillons" (Wilkie), " Whispering of the Flowers" (von Blom), Coleridge-Taylor suite and excerpts from "H.M.S. Pinafore." The assisting artists were Mr 3. Hal. McLennan, soprano, Mr. Arthur Wright, baritone, Mr. Charles Pye, cornet, and Mr. Haydn Murray, violin. Numbers were also given by Mr. Murray's string quartette.