ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21881, 17 August 1934, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE With Tom Walls and Ralph .Lynn in the leading roles, "Turkey Time," the current attraction at the Plaza Theatre, never fails to be entertaining. It is the only film in recent years to reunite the original Aldwyeh Theatre cast, and Robertson Hare and Mary Brough both give very fine performances. The story, written by Ben TraverS, moves with fast action, and the dialogue is both smarf and witty. The scenes are all of a spectacular nature, and are cleverly introduced, while the photography is excellent. There is a fine selection of supporting pictures. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A hilarious comedy, "Strictly Dynamite," is attracting large audiences to the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. As a radio performer, the celebrated American comedian Jimmie Durante provides much genuine comedy. As Durante is a comedian who relies upon voluble speeches rather than upon pantomime, he has ample scope to introduce bis witticisms. A strong supporting cast includes the vivacious Lupe Velez, Marion Nixon, Norman Foster and Eugene Pallett-e. In addition to the abundant humour, there are five new songs introduced into the film, of which "I'm Putty in Your Hands" and "Swing It, Sister" should become popular. The second film, "Finishing School" tells of the experiences of a high-minded young girl who finds herself surrounded by deceit, hypocrisy and selfishness at a boarding school. The story is convincingly and grippingly unfolded. Frances Dee, Billie Burke and Ginger Rogers give splendid periormances in the leading roles. MAJESTIC THEATRE A charming story with a distinctive Irish atmosphere makes "Lily of Killarney," which will he screened for the first time at the Majestic Theatre today, splendid entertainment. John Garrick, who appeared as Reginald Dandy in the baritone lead of the J. C. Williamson "Rose Marie" company, gives a fine performance in the principal role. He has a part which gives him simple opportunity to display his vocal "abilities, and, in addition to his delightful voice, he reveals an attractive screen personality. Gina Malo, who gained great popularity with her performance opposite Jack Hulbert in "Falling For You," takes a large parfc and acquits herself credit. The supporting programme is up to the usual high standard set by the Majestic Theatre. CIVIC THEATRE Adapted from the populnr novel by Lewis Carroll, "Alice'in Wonderland" heads the programme at the Civic Theatre. Many pictures have been adapted from classics and modern fiction, but the original has never been followed more closely than in this latest Paramount production. Combining the best known and most popular scenes from "Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," all the incidents and dialogue have been reproduced without deviation. The characters have been cast to exactly represent the drawings by Sir John Tenniel in the first editions of "Alice." Heading the distinguished cast is Charlotte Henry, who takes the part of Alice. This talented young actress was selected after a wide search lasting five months. The minor parts hare all been allotted to players of proved ability, and Richard Arleu, Roscoo Ates, Gary Cooper, Charles Ruggies, Alison Skipworth and Cary Grant are all seen to advantage. The film vividly illustrates the story of Alice, the small girl who falls asleep and steps through the looking glass into "Looking Glass Land," where she .meets all the living characters of her toys.

REGENT THEATRE One of the most varied and amusing programmes ever presented in Auckland will be screened for the first time at the Regent Theatre to-day. The main attraction will be ''Looking for Trouble," a comedy with Spencer Tracy and Jack Oakie in the principal parts. Spencer Tracy will be remembered for many outstanding portrayals in such films as "Face in the Sky" and "Advice to the Lovelorn," but his latest performance is one of the best of his career, c One of the most popular actresses on the screen, Constance Cummings, gives a splendid performance in the role of a telephone operator. The story deals with the adventures of telephone linesmen, who experience many dangers in the course of their work. Although comedy, and romance are the basis of the film, there is a liberal amount of excitement, and the scenes include views of the great earthquake of 1933 at Long Beach, California. Five of the popular Walt Disney cartoons comprise the supporting programme. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Buck Jones, the celebrated actor of outdoor roles, gives a virile performance iu "The Unknown Valley," which heads the new programme at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. The picture differs from the usual Western type in that a note of romance has been introduced, in addition to numerous thrilling incidents. The second attraction is "The Line Up," with Marion Nixon, William Gargen and John Miljan. The story concerns the efforts of the police to arrest the leaders of a gong concentrating on robbing fur stores. When one detective arrests the girl with whom his assistant is in love, trouble threatens. However, her lover manages to set her free and he is then able to make use of her as a means toward arresting the criminals. The film is full of suspense and contains several good humorous touches. At the special matinee on Saturday free gifts will be presented to the children. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Greta Garbo gives one of her finest performances in "Queen Christina," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. "Easy to Love is the second film. NEW REGENT THEATRE The musical film "Flying Down to Rio" and " Jimmift the Gent" are the films being screened at the Now 1 Regent Theatre, Epsom.

RIALTO THEATRE The two celebrated comedians, Laurel and Hardy, appear in "Sons of the Desert," the first film on the programme at the Rialto Theatre. The second attraction is "Fugitive Lovers. CAPITOL THEATRE The programme being screened at the Capitol Theatre is "Bombay Mail,' with Edmund Lowe, "Lord of the Manor" and. "Come on Danger. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Flying Down to. Rio" and "The Son o'f Kong" are the films being presented at the State Theatre, Onehunga. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA The programme at the London Newsreel Cinema comprises "Hot Curves," "Sea Devils." . TUDOR CINEMA The Tudor Cinema programme is headed by "Beauty for Sale." There are strong supporting films.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE "Tarzan and His Mate," from fcho pen of Edgar Bice Burroughs, will be presented for the first time at St. James' Theatre to-day. Johnny Weissmuller, the celebrated Olympic swimmer, and Maureen O'Sullivan, who have the leading parts, will be remembered for their sterling performance? in "Tarzan the Ape Man,'' of which "Tarzan and His Mate" is the sequel. The story tells of an expedition which sets out to find ivory. Their objective is the "cemetery" to which dying elephants are supposed to crawl. The two Englishmen, Neil Hamilton and Paul Cavanagh, learn that a rival expedition is making for the same goal and enlist the aid of Tarzan. fie shows them the quickest route to the treasure, but when he learns that their plan' is to remove the ivory, he refuses to help them further. However, the explorers refuse to turn back, and an elephant is mortally wounded to serve as an unwilling guide. At the first opportunity, Tarzan is shot and wounded, and the explorers seize the ystrv. However, when returning with the stolen ivory, the expedition encounters a tribe of wild "lion men," and the film reaches a thrilling climax. The acting of the entire c<ist is unusually good, and the photography is excellent. The film is an outstanding one and, together with a strong supporting programme, makes splendid entertainment. STRAND THEATRE "The Trumpet Blows," which will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-day, is a romantic story of Mexico, set against a colourful background of the pageantry and glamour of bull-fighting. Adolphe Menjou and George Raft appear as two brothers, Pancho and Manuel, who are estranged by rivalry in love, and by Pancho's anxiety to dissuade his younger brother from becoming a bull-fighter. Manuel, American-educated and vainglorious, is attracted by the ring, and toys with an idea of entering a school for matadors. Both brothers are also in love with Chulita, a dancing girl, played by Francis Drake, and the film works up to a thrilling climax, in which Manuel, to prove his courage, enters the ring. There will be a special matinee to-morrow, when Madame Marmont will present "The Sleeping Beauty." Captain Clancy's performing dogs and monkeys will also be seen, and the Western film "Under the Tonto Rim" will be screened. STATE THEATRE The colourful revue "Gold-diggers of 19:33" heads the programme at the State Theatre. There is a particularly strong cast, including Dick Powell, Ruby Keel or, Joan Blondelland Ned Sparks. The film abounds in tuneful melodies and genuine comedy. One particularly striking and elaborate scene is "My Forgotten Man," and the popular songs include "Golddiggers' Song," "In the Shadows" and "Petting in the Park." The second film is Zane Grey's "To the Last Man."

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY A gripping drama of the sea, "The Berg, ' which is the 36th production of the Auckland Little Theatre Society, will be presented by a talented cast of local artists in the Town Hall concert chamber for a season of four nights, commencing to-morrow night.

VOCAL-PIANOFORTE RECITAL An entertaining vocal and pianoforte recital was given m i.ho Lewis Eady Hall last night by pupils of Miss Berta Carr and Miss 01 wen Burton. There was a large and appreciative audience, but no encores were given, owing to the length of the programme. The performance was a signal success and every item bespoke careful training and practice. Miss Edna Tye was accompaniste, pianoforte selections being rendered by Kathleen Whittaker, June Bishop, Phvljis Higgott, Lilla Hassall, Sunday Mowbray, Ruth Cairns and Lynda I Burlev. The vocalists were Norma .Toll, Winifred Clements, Nance Northcroft, Raidia King, Phyllis Cato and Nona Farquhar.