ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Few' modern novels have achieved greater success than Warwick Deeping's " Sorrell and Son," and few lend themselves so readily to adaptation to the screen. The sound version or the story, which is now in the second week of its season at the Majestic Theatre, is a great improvement of the original silent film, which proved very popular some years ago. H. 13. Warner repeats his; performance in the difficult role, and receives excellent support from a strong cast. CIVIC THEATRE Acclaimed by critics in all parts of the world as the greatest achievement in Katharine Hepburn's meteoric screen career, " Morning Glory" is proving popular at the Civic Theatre. Miss Hepburn gives a really outstanding portrayal as a girl from *a small American town who believes that she is destined to become a great actress. Naturallv, acting honours must go to M iss Hepburn, but she is well supported by such well-known players as Douglas < Fairbanks, jun., Adolphc Menjou, Mary Duncan and C. Aubrey Smith. Lowell Sherman was the director. The shorter films include newsreels, a travel film and a comedy.

REGENT THEATRE Clark Gable and Myrna Lo.v, who j appeared together recently in " Man- \ hattan Melodrama," make a further ; successful appearance in " Men in ! White," the Metro-GoJdwyn-Mayer ; production which is attracting large l audiences to the, Regent Theatre. J Much of the action takes place in a ; modern hospital, Gable appearing as a I young surgeon who devote. 1 -' all his time to .the performance of his duty. His j fiancee, played by Myrna Loy, resents j this absorption in his work and the j surgeon turns to a young nurse. A j feature of the film is the excellence of j the acting in minor roles, particularly i that of .Jean Hersholt and H. B. War- I ner. " The Big, Bad Wolf," a Walt | Disney coloured silly symphony, also is j being shown. ST. JAMES* THEATRE One of the most lavish English films vet produced, the screen version of Lady Eleanor Smith's widely-read novel of circus life, " Red Waggon," heads an attractive programme at St. James' Theatre. Charles Bickford, a popular American actor, who will he bered for his virile roles, gives a splendid characterisation as a circus performer who achieves his life's ambition by becoming a circus owner. Raquel Torres is seen as a gipsy girl who becomes his wife, but who leaves him when she learns the essential differences between life in a gipsy camp and a circus; Greta Nissen appears as another performer. Paul Stein, a noted American director, was. responsible for the production. PLAZA THEATRE The screen adaptation of John Vandereook's novel, " Murder in Trinidad," which heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre, makes splendid entertainment. Few more suitable settings for such a story could have been chosen, the picturesque towns and treacherous swamps of Trinidad lending an air of mystery to the j whole film. Nigel Bruce, who has hitherto been seen mainly in lesser roles, ]>roves that he is capable of much j more important parts, and gives an! excellent rendering of a seemingly phlegmatic and rather uncouth detective who is sent from London to investigate a series of diamond smuggling crimes. Shortly after his arrival his assistant and later the Governor are murdered, and the plot takes a sinister turn. Heather Angel, a charming young actress who was seen recently in " Berkeley Square," plays opposite Bruce, while others in the cast are ! Victor .Tory and Douglas Walton. There I is a good supporting programme.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "Son of Kong," a stirring sequel to "King Kong," will be shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres for the last time to-morrow. Edward G. Robinson is the principal in "Dark Hazard," the second film on the programme. NATIONAL THEATRE After enjoying a singularly successful season at the Regent Theatre, " The Bowery" has been transferred to the National Theatre, where it is attracting large audiences. As its name implies, it deals with New York's East Side during the 'nineties, and the atmosphere of the period has been captured splendidly. Wallace Beery, one of the most popular character actors on the American screen, is cast as the owner of a saloon, while George Raft, a young actor whose is rapidly increasing, appears as his rival. Jackie Cooper gives a performance very similar to that he gave when he appeared with Beery in " The Champ. There is a fine selection of shorter films. STRAND THEATRE A splendid cast interprets " Yon're Telling Me," the Paramount comedy which°heads an attractive programme at the Strand Theatre. W. C. Fields, who will be remembered for. his performance in " International Souse," is admirably suited to the leading role as an eccentric inventor, while others who appeaf include Adrienne Ames, Buster Crabbe, Louise Carter and Kathleen Howard. STATE THEATRE The spirit of modern youth is given vivid interpretation in " This Day and Age," the principal film on the doublefeature programme at the State Theatre. The second picture is " If I Were Free," with Irene Dunne, Clive Brook, Nils Asther and Lauru Hope Crews. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA " This Thing Called Love " (Constance Bennett and Edmund Lowe) bends tho entertainment at the London News reel Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA "By Candlelight," a sophisticated modern comedy, will be_ shown at the Tudor Cinema this evening. NEW REGENT THEATRE The entertainment at the New Regent Theatre comprises " David Harutn " and " Man of Two Worlds." STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA " Lord Camber's Ladies " heads an attractive programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Patrons of the Crystal Palace Theatre will be entertained by " Man of Two Worlds " and " Bedside." RIALTO THEATRE Joan Crawford gives a splendid portrayal in " Dancing Lady," tfhieli is enjoying an extended season at the Rialto Theatre. Clark Gable and Franchot Tone are others in the cast. CAPITOL THEATRE "Only Yesterday" arid "From Hell to Heaven" are the films at the Capitol Theatre. Tickets for free aeroplane flights arc distributed among the audieneo each evening. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE John and Lionel Barrvmore appear as criminal and detective in Arsene Lupin," which is being screened at the Prince Edward Theatre with "Chasing Rainbows."