ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The artistry of George Arliss has never had a finer setting than the sensational rise to fame of the Rothschild family, which is the basis of the film, " The House of Rothschild," which is enjoying a successful season at the Regent Theatre. Arliss has a double role and never has ho proved so completely his mastery of changing moods. His occasional kindly flashes of humour are delightfully done. The talented supporting cast includes C. Aubrey Smith, Boris Karloff, Loretta Young, Helen Westl'ey and Robert Young. Walt Disney's Silly Symphony, " Funny Little Bunnies," heads a good variety of short films. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A particularly strong cast appears in " Hollywood Party," the spectacular musical comedy which is being screened at St. James' Theatre. It includes Laurel and Hardy, Jimmy Durante, Lupe Vclez and Polly Moran. There is a good variety of short films. "VIVA VILLA" Wallace Beery, who has given so many outstanding performances, is seen at his best in the title role of " Viva Villa," the powerful film which will be screened for the first time at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. The picture must rank as one of the most entertaining films yet produced and its appeal is universal. It is the fictional version of the life of Pancho Villa, the Mexican revolutionary general, who assumed the role of liberator of his people. The story traces his varied career from his youth and abounds in delightfully human touches which offset the realistic scenes of battle which reach a gripping climax with the assault and capture of Mexico City. Villa is shown as a proud, relentless and cruel figure who, nevertheless, was full of tender sympathy and devotion to his wife. He was loyal to his friends and country but was filled with an intense hatred of despoilers of his native land. Beery's portrayal of this dominant figure is excellent and must rank as the best of his varied career. A strong supporting cast includes Leo Carillo, Fay Wray, Stuart Erwin and Donald Cook. The picture is first-class' entertainment. PLAZA THEATRE Ann Harding and John Boles give outstanding performances in the leading roles of " The Life of Vergie Winters," which is being screened at the Plaza Theatre. The supporting cast is headed by Helen Vinson. A night club in Paris provides a picturesque background against which many spectacular scenes are staged in the musical drama, " Wonder Bar," which will open a season to-morrow. The story centres round the lives of the patrons of the club and is reminiscent of "Grand Hotel," with its vivid human touches. The picture is based on the celebrated play which was recently presented with s.uch success on the Continent. A 1 Jolson is seen in his original stage role and proves that he is still one of the screen's greatest entertainers. The strong cast also includes Kay Francis, Dick Powell, Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Cortez, Guy Kibbee, Fifi D'Orsay, Louise Fazenda and Ruth Donnelly. There are also five catchy songs in this lavish musical film.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Joe E. Brown gives one of his best performances in the comedy drama, "A Very Honourable Guy," which is the first of two fuli-length pictures which are enjoying a successful season at the Roxy and Tivo'i Theatres. The story abounds in ludicrous incidents, which give him ample scope for his talent. Brown is forced to sell himself to settle a debt. However, he wins a fortune, but is unable to break his contract. The climax comes when he is about to be married, on the day on which he must deliver himself. The second film, "She Learned About Sailors," is also a comedy drama. The story moves briskly and is full of clever witticisms and bright dialogue. The humour never flags throughout the entire film. Lew, Ayres and Alice Faye appear in the principal roles, and are well supported by Harry Green and Mitchell and Durant. MAJESTIC THEATRE The powerful drama "Whom the Gods Destroy," is the main picture on the programme at the Majestic Theatre. The cast includes Walter Connolly, Doris Kenyon, Robert Young and Hobart Bosworth. There is a fine supporting programme. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who produced "The Thin Man," have scored another triumph with " Murder in the Private Car," which will commence a season to-morrow. The film, like its predecessor, is a skilful combination of mystery and comedy. The action of the plot takes place in a railway carriage where several baffling murders are committed. The story concerns the daughter of a prominent railway official who is threatened by a band of criminals who attempt to kidnap her. This is unsuccessful, but a false message is sent to her telling her to board a certain train. She is persuaded to enter a private carriage in which she finds herself at the mercy of her enemies. The exciting episodes which follow make a thrilling story. Charles Ruggles is responsible for some excellent comedy. The supporting cast includes Una Merkel, Mary Carlisle and Russell Hardie.

STRAND THEATRE Warner 01 arid appears in "Charlie Chan's Courage," a thrilling mystery drama which heads the programme at the Strand Theatre. The second attraction is "The Mystery of the Wax Museum," which is filmed in technicolour. The cast includes Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray. George Arliss gives another skilful performance in "Voltaire," which will be screened tomorrow. All the pomp and extravagance of the Court of Louis XV. and all the intrigue which centred round Madame Pompadour are faithfully reproduced. The supporting cast includes Doris Kenyon, Margaret Lindsay and Alan Mowbray. RI ALTO THEATRE Max Brier, Primo Camera and Jack Dempsey, three of the world's most prominent boxers, appear in "Every Woman's Man," which heads the programme at the Rialto Theatre. The second attraction is "The Crime Doctor." CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE "The Mystery of the Wax Museum," which is filmed entirely in teehnicolour, heads the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The second film is "Convention City," in which there is n strong cast, headed by Dick Powell and Joan Blondell. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA "The MysterJ' Train" and "The Chinese Bungalow" will bo shown for the last time at the London Newsreel Cinema to-day. TUDOR CINEMA "Sons of the Desert," with Laurel and Hardy, heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema. NEW REGENT THEATRE "The Cat and the Fiddle" and "A Southern Maid" comprise tho programme at tho Regent Theatre, Epsom.

CIVIC THEATRE There are many elaborate scenes in "Earl Carroll's Vanities," which is the main film on the programme at the Civic Theatre. The story is a combination of mystery and comedy and is interpreted by a strong cast including Carl Brisson, Kitty Carlisle, Jack Oakie and Victor McLaglen. "THE BLACK CAT" One of the strangest films yet produced, "The Black Cat," will be screened for the first time at the Civic Theatre, to-morrow. Adapted from the well-known novel by Edgar Allan Poe, the story has a remote castle as a weird and fantastic background. The film is notable for the first appearance together of Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi who appeared in the thrilling pictures " Frankenstein " and "Dracula" respectively. Karloff, the greatest delineator of grotesque characters since the late Lon Chaney, proves himself to be a talented actor. His performance as Poelzig, an insane magician, is realistically done. Lugosi also gives a powerful portrayal as hiß sinister enemy. The plot revolves about a young married couple wlkx, fall into a clever plot laid by Karloff and Lugosi. Their thirst for revenge on eacli other leads to a struggle for mastery which makes a thrilling and absorbing story. The supporting cast includes David Manners and Jacqueline Wells. STATE THEATRE Katherine Hepburn gives her finest performance in the film, " Little Women," which is the main picture on the programme at the State Theatre. The story is adapted from the celebrated novel by Louisa May Alcott. It is a simple one but is made to live through the outstanding performances of the cast, which includes Edna May Oliver, Joan Bennett, Paul Lukas, Francis Dee and Jean Parker. " DUCHESS OF DANTZIC" The Mareo Operatic Society will stage its premier production, Ivan Caryll's romantic light opera "Duchess of Dantzic," in His Majesty's Theatre for a season, commencing to-morrow. Thelma Mareo, as Catherine, appears in the title role, and is supported by a talented cast of over 100 players. The production, which is set in the days following the French revolution, has an interesting story and abounds in delightful musical numbers. The splendour of the Court of France is well staced, and there are some elaborate settings. The only matinee performance will be given on Saturday. Booking arrangements are advertised. COMMUNITY SINGING There was a good attendance at the community singing gathering held in the Town Hall yesterday. The song leaders were Mr. Len Barnes (Uncle Len) and Mr. Douglas Stark (Uncle Doug.), while Mrs. Barrington Snow was the accompaniste. A collection was made in aid of unemployed relief. "CHRISTINA OF GREENLAND" The Balmoral Presbyterian Choir presented the musical comedy "Christina of Greenland" in the Centenary Hall, Dominion Road, last night. There was a large attendance. The final performance will be given to-night.

HOCKEY

FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY KENT CUP COMPETITION The following matches will be played under the control of the Auckland Hockey Association on Saturday:— Senior Grade.—Kent Cup match, champion of champions: St. Luke's v. Somerville, Remuera No. 1, 1.50 p.m., Meearß. Hunter and Tait. Second Grade.—Final of knock-out competition : Grammar Old Boys v. Mount Eden, Remuera No. 2. 1.50 p.m., Meoers. C. C. Preston and T. Mulholland. Junior Challenge Cup.—First round: St. Luke's second grade v. Somerville third grade, Remuera No. S, 1.50 p.m., Messrs. R. Avery and H. E. Rankin. Special Challenge Match. Waikato umpires v. Auckland umpires, Remuera No. 1, 3.5 p.m., Messrs. R. Avery and F. Nicholson; Wesley men v. Wesley ladies, Remuera No. 5, 3.5 p.m. LADIES* MATCHES Senior Grade.—Second round of knockout championship: Wesley v. Technical, No. 5, 1.50 p.m., Mr. L. G. Hogben; Kiwi, a bye. Intermediate Grade.—Second round of knock-out championship: St. David's v. Wesley, No. 4, 1.50 p.m., Mise C. Clark; Mount Eden, a bye. Junior Grade.—First round of knock-out championship: Papakura v. Ngaro, No. 8, 1.50 p.m., Mr. C. H. Lambert; Mount Eden, a bye. Practice Matches.—Mount Eden Club, No. 8, 3.5 p.m., Mr. B. Marshall; Kiwi seniors v. Kiwi intermediates, No. 4, 3.5 p.m., Mr. P. Robinson. Collegiate Match.—University A v. Auckland Grammar Old Girls, St. Cuthbert's, 2.15 p.m., Mr. H. Skinner. MATCH BETWEEN REFEREES Teams representing the Auckland and Waikato hockey referees will play a match at Remuera on Saturday. Following are the teams:— Auckland.—Rankin, Rivers, Carson, McQuarrie, Vipord, Playle, Watts, Hewitt, Preston, Mulholland, Peace. Reserve: Lambert. Waikato.—McKinnon, Campbell, Bennett, Bergersen, Radcliffe, Tait, Richardson, Gracie. Kelly. Hunter, Craig. Reserve: Taylor.

TAURANGA COMPETITION [BT TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT^ TAURANGA, Wednesday The annual hockey competition for the Kent Cup between- four teams of seven men each, which was scheduled to be played this afternoon, did not eventuate. Rovers was the only club to field a full team and was awarded the cup by default. ISAAC CHALLENGE CUP MATCH AT TE AWAMUTU [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TE AWAMUTU. Wednesday The final game of the season for the Isaao Challenge Cup was played at Albert Park this afternoon between Hairini ladies (holders) and Pirongia (challengers). A fast and keen name'was witnessed, with Hairini doins most of the attacking. Their attacks, however, lacked finish, whereas Pironeia made few mistakes when they did get' into (he circle, two gonle reuniting. Misses I. Beet and G. Bell netting. Hairini did not score. Messrs. E. A. Soiers and A. O. Finch refereed