ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Wallace Beery gives a performance which must rank among the best yet seen 011 the screen m tho colourful drama, " Viva Villa," which will open a season at St. James' Theatre to-dav. Previously, Beery has appeared mainly in humorous roles and his fine portrayals in "Min and Bill," "Tugboat Annie," "The Bowery and Ihe Champ " are well remembered. However in this film he has been given a good'opportunity to display his dramatic powers in the role of Pancho Villa, the revolutionary Mexican leader. J' ns dominant figure heads a band of inflamed peons who, like himself, are goaded into action by the cruel injustice and oppression of the wealthy classes. At first, he serves under Francisco Madera, who later becomes President of Mexico, after a revolution. When Madera is assassinated, \ ilia is filled with a desire for revenge, lhis time there is no guiding hand to temper brutality and Villa treats his enemies mercilesslv. At last, he achieves his ideal and Mexico takes her place among nations. There are many touches ot comedy in the film and a tender romance also is introduced. It is a wellbalanced picture which makes excellent entertainment. The supporting cast includes Fav Wrav. Leo CariHo, Stuart Erwin and Donald Cook, all of whom perform very creditably in important roles.

PLAZA THEATRE Tho film version of the successful play, " Wonder Bar," which wd commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day, is one of the most elaborate musical comedies yet produced. Ihe picture is a skilful combination of music, comedy and romance and a mystery drama is also cleverly woven into the plot. Ihe story is reminiscent ot brand Hotel " for it doals with the secret joys and sorrows of. a number of people who are brought together for an evening in a Parisian night club. llua gay rendezvous forms a perfect setting xoi this spectacular production, which contains a number of catchy new songs, in addition to its clever dancing and attractive ballets. Dolores de Rio and Ricardo Cortez aro ideally cast as two dancers employed in the club, while Kay Francis is charming a.s the somewhat flirtatious wife of a wealthy banker who falls in love with a cabaret singer. This role is well played by Dick Powell, who sings some tuneful songs, and Hal Le Roy, one of the cleverest eccentric dancers on the American stage, has many opportunities to show his skill. Other notable players in the cast include A 1 Jolson, Guy Kibbee, Louise Fazenda, Hugh Herbert, .Ruth Donnelly and Fifi D'Orsay. There are several lavish scenes, staged by Busby Berkeley, who also produced the settings for " Forty-Second -Street,' " Footlight Parade " and " Gold Diggers of 1933." An entertaining programme is completed ,by a wide variety of short films

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "A Very Honourable Guy" is the first of two fine comedy-dramas Which are attracting large audiences to the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Joe* E. Brown gives a good performance in the leading role of a gambler who becomes in debt. He offers his body for sale to a surgeon on the condition that it is delivered in SO days. In the meantime, he wins a fortune and arranges to be married. On the day of his wedding, the surgeon comes to claim his dead body and the complications which ensue are most amusing. The film is full of good humour and bright dialogue. The supporting cast includes Alice White, Alan Dinehart and Herbert Cavanagh. The second attraction is "She Learned About Sailors," an hilarious comedy dealing with the adventures of three boisterous Bailors. Lew Ayes appears in the principal role and his clever witticisms are delightful. The talented supporting cast includes Alice Faye, Harry Green and Mitchell and Durant.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Comedy is cleverly combined with an air of mystery in the entertaining film, "Murder in the Private Car," which will be screened for the first time at the Majestic Theatre to-day. MetroGold wyn-Mayer, who produced " The Thin Man," which proved so success--ful, have carried out the same principle in this film. The picture would be worth seeing for its hilarious comedy alone. The popular comedian Charles Euggles provides most of the humour as an amateur detective whose aim is to deflect the criminal from his purpose before the crime is committed. The action of the film takes place in a private railway carriage. The plot revolves about a telephone operator who is identified as a missing heiress. She is pursued by a band of criminals who, with the aid of a false message, persuade her to board a train. From this point, the story moves briskly to a surprising climax, with some amusing comedy by Ruggles to relieve the tension. The cast includes Una Merkel and Mary Carlisle. There is a good supporting programme. STRAND THEATRE The geflfhs of George Arliss is well brought out in "The Affairs of Voltaire," which will be screened for the first time at the Strand Theatre today. It is the sforv of the wise counsellor of Louis'" XV. of France, who falls into disgrace and comes under the shadow of the Bastille. However, a neat turning of the tables by bluff eaves the situation and forgiveness is granted. Humour and drama are skilfully blended but it is the performance of Arliss which gives the film its true distinction. It is considered to rank above his fine portrayals in "Disraeli," "The Millionaire" and "The Working Man." The film is an enthralling drama and contains some delightful human touches in which Arliss excels. It is well produced and staged and is very good entertainment. The supporting cast includes Doris Kenyon, Alan Mowbray and Margaret Lindsay. There is an interesting selection of short films. ——— t STATE THEATRE 1 Gracie Fields, the inimitable English comedienne, gives a splendid performance in the musical comedy, "Love, Life and Laughter," which will be screened for the first time at the State Theatre to-day. The story is a very humorous one and is full of ludicrous situations. Miss Fields has ample opportunity to display her fascinating personality and robust humour and her rendering of soveral comical songs is excellent. There is a fine supporting programme.

RIALTO THEATRE A picture which makes a particularly strong appeal to all boxing enthusiasts, "Every Woman's Man," is the main attraction being screened at the Rialto Theatre. " The Crime Doctor" also is being shown. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA "Just Like Heaven," a comedydrama, heads the new programme at the London Newsreel Cinema. The second film is "Jerry Builders." STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA " Bright Side Up " and " I've Got Your Number" are the films being screened at the State Theatre, Onehunga. TUDOR CINEMA Leslie Howard is the principal of " The Lady is Willing," which heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema. ,

REGENT THEATRE George Arliss, undoubtedly the finest character actor on tho screen, scores his greatest triumph in " The House of Rothschild," which will commence the second week of a popular season at the Regent Theatre to-day. From the viewpoint of entertainment and dramatic interest, it stands out as a masterpiece. The story traces tho rise to fame of the Rothschild family, whose success was duo to their unity unci dcvotion to one another and to their country. Tho final scene, in which Nathan Rothschild is created a Baron, as a reward for patriotic services, is photographed in technicolour and provides a fitting climax to an excellent picture. The cast includes Boris Karloff, Loretta Young, Robert Young and Helen West lev.

CIVIC -.THEATRE Adapted -from the novel by Edgar Allan Poe, " The Black Cat," which will conimonce a season at the Civic Theatre to-day, is one of the strangest and most fantastic stories yet conceived. The action of the film takes place in a lonely fortress in Hungary which is surrounded by many curious superstitions. Tho story tells of an intense hatred between two sinister figures, Poclzig, an insano magician, and Dr. Verdegast, who has sworn to kill him. Tho latter is on his way to Poezig's castlo when there is an accident. A young married couple are also involved and consent to accompany him to the fortress. On their arrival they are greeted by a strange figure who escorts them through dark and eerie corridors to tho dining room. On their way, they notice that they are being observed by several pairs of luminous eyes which cause them much uneasiness. When they decide to leave, having become afraid of the strange atmosphere of this remote castle, their path is blocked. Tho exciting episodes which follow are full of fantastic and weird scenes and tho film is ono of the most unusual yet produced. Boris Karloff and BelaLugosi give outstanding performances and are well supported by David Manners and Jacqueline Wells. The film marks the first appearance together of Karloff and Lugosi who have appeared in "Frankenstein" and " Dracula " respectively. There is a good supporting programme.

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD A simple but powerful story is told in "Damaged Lives," which heads the programme to be presented for the first time at the National and Prince Edward Theatres, to-day. The film is a modern problem drama dealing with social ills of the day. It is shown under the auspices of the Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales and is distributed by Greater Australasian Films, Limited. The story is a tensely dramatic one and reaches a gripping climax* There are some excellent characterisations, those of the sympathetic family doctor and his wife being very well done. Diane Sinclair and Lyman Williams appear as a young married couple and their portrayals are sincere and human. Although called upon to perform a great deal of emotional acting, Miss Sinclair never overdoes the effect and plays with an admirable restraint.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE One of the latest technicolour productions, " The Mystery of the Wax Museum," heads the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Dick Powell and Joan Blondell head the strong cast of "Convention City," the second attraction. " DUCHESS OF DANTZIC" The first performance of Ivan Caryll's romantic light opera, " Duchess of Dantzic," will be given by the Mareo Operatic Society at His Majesty'g Theatre to-night. The only matinee will be staged to-morrow. Outstanding features of the production are th« spectacular costumes . and the delightful musical numbers. The play is set in the days following the French revolution and the glamour and splendour of the Court of France have been faithfully reproduced. There is an interesting plot which abounds in some excellent comedy. Thehna Mareo heads a talented cast of principals, who are ably supported by a strong chorus and ballet and full operatic orchestra. Booking arrangements are advertised.