ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21952, 8 November 1934, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Notable for the excellent team work of Robert Montgomery and Maureen O'Sidlivan in the leading roles, "The Hide-Out" will be shown for the first time at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. The scene is first laid in a New York night club with the customary cabaret arid dance band and the. elegantly! dressed and polished "gangster,", a part played convincingly by Montgomery. The police were hot on his trail and he had to make his escape" into the country. In doing so he was severely wounded and the setting then changes to an attractive farm in Connecticut, where he is convalescing. Montgomery is then shown being gradually converted from his former evii ways by the affection of a beautiful girl, one of the younger members ,of the country household. The story is brought to a logical and pleasing conclusion. Roy Rene; in "Strike Me Lucky" will be presented at the theatre for the last time to-day. PLAZA THEATRE Entertainment of the brightest type is provided in "Twenty Million Sweethearts," which is still attracting large audiences to the Plaza Theatre. One of the latest Warner Brother productions, the picture is well up to the standard set by this firm in such popular musical films as "Footlight Parade" and' "Gold Diggers of 1933." Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers both give very pleasing performances in the leading roles and the cast includes a number of prominent radio artists. There is a fine selection of shorter films. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A thrilling and fast-moving drama, ''Wliarf Angel,"- heads the doublefeature programme which is attracting large and enthusiastic audiences to the Roxy' and Tivoli r 'Theatres. The story, which is set' on the waterfront of San Franoisco, centres round a rough but good-natured stoker, Turk, who is in hpve, with a waitress. Turk shelters a young refugee, from the .police and per-, suades him to join the crew of hisvessel. The tw6 men become fast friends, but neither is aware that both are in loVe with the same girl. They discover this when they return to port, and the ensuing complications form the basis of an excellent film. A splendid portrayal is given by Victor McLaglen in a role which is admirably suited to his talents. Other fine performances are given by Alison Skipworth, Preston Foster and Dorothy Dell. The second attraction, "This Man is Mine," is a first-class comedy drama of a young wife who endeavoured to regain her husband's affections by allowing him to become friendly with her companion. The film is full of witty dialogue 1 and hilarious complications. The leading roles are taken by Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy and Constance Cummjngs.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "The Crime of . Helen "Stanley,''. a fascinating mystery drama, will conclude' a' successful season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. With Ralph Bellamy iu the principal part the ' story moves with .rapidity and makes excellent entertainment. There is an interesting selection of shorter . films.

" THE GIRL FROM MISSOURI" Jeaii Harlow, the attractive and popular actress who appeared A with notable eqcces's in "Rfed Dust," ,? HellV Angela" • and "Blonde Bombshell,- -- gives a characteristic portrayal in "The Girl From Missouri," which will havo its first screening at the Ma Theatre to-morrow. Adapted from an original story, "Born to be Kissed," bv Anita Loos and John Emerson, the picture makes entertainment of a most fascinating type. It relates the adventures of a girl who makes an attempt to marry one of a number of millionaires. The supporting cast includes Lewis Stone, Franchot Tone and Nat Pendelton. r CIVIC THEATRE One of the most talented character actors on the screen, Leslie Howard, who will be remembered for his portrayal in "Berkeley Square," gives another first-class performance in the film, adaptation of the novel by W. Somerset Maugham, "Of Human Bondage." It will be presented for the last Jane at the Civic Theatre to-day., ..

" WAKE UP AND DREAM " ' Ope of the nlost lavish musical films ever presented in Auckland," "Wake Up and Dream," will be screened for the first time at the Civic Theatre to-> morrow. The late Russ Colombo, who gave such a notable performance as the principal of "Broadway Through a Keyhole," gives an excellent portrayal in the leading role. He sings his way. gaily through the story and receives sterling support from a cast comprised' almost entirely of popular comedians. Among them are Roger Pryor, June Knight, Henry Armetta and Andy Devine. Several new and tuneful songs are introduced, including "Too Beautiful," "Let's Pretend" and "When You're in Love. ? ' Thero is a fine supporting programme. . - • • STRAND THEATRE The fascinating and beautiful German actress, Marlene Dietrich, gives a fine portrayal in the principal role ot "The Scarlet Empress," which willconclude a successful season -) at the Strand Theatre to-day, Cast as Catherine of Russia, one of the most d-

matic figures in history, Miss Dietrich gives one of the best portrayals of her career. George Burns and Gracie Allen, two popular comedians, appear in "Many Happy Returns," the main attraction on the double-feature programme to be presented at the theatre for the first time to-morrow. Clive Brook and "George Riift are in the cast of "Midnight Club," whiph also will be shown." - ■ ,■ 4' ' ■

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD • The true life story of Joh'n'Lee is told in the thrilling Australian film "The Man They Could Not Hang,'-' which heads the. current programme..at the National and Prince. Edward Theatres. Lee was convicted for murder, but escaped the gallows three times. The picture is both exciting and original and makes first-class entertainment. There is a talented Australian cast, headed by Ronald Roberts.

LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA . The programme at the London New* reel Cinema is headed by the enter! • ing film,, "Love's Old Sweet Song." NEW REGENT THEATTRE The programme at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, comprises "Wonder Bat" and "Registered Nurse." STATE * THEATRE. ONEHUNGA "Smarty": and "She Was a Lady" are the films heing shown at; the Stato; Theatre, Onehunga. , \ / ■;T TUDOR CINEMA The inimitable English comedian Jack Hulbert appears in the splendid comedy "Jack Ahoy," which heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema.

REGENT THEATRE Light comedy and tuneful music are provided in "Give Her a Ring" which will be shown for the last time at the Theatre to-day. Clifford: Mollison, Wendy Barrie and Zelma O'Neal appear in the leading' roles. .. STATE THEATRE Romance, mystery and comedy -are all included in the excellent film "The Mystery of Air. X," which is the main attraction at the State Theatre. The tetory tells of the strange; murders of pight London policemen. An, outstanding performance is given by Robert Montgomery, who is well supported by Lewis Stone and Elizabeth Allen. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO I The excellent comedy "Cockeyed Cavaliers" with Wheeler and Woolsey in the principal roles heads the doublefeature programme at the Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres. The second attraction is another fine comedy, "Handy Andy." The leading part is taken by Will Rogers. BAND*' CONTEST The first carnival organised by the Auckland Provincial Brass Bands' Association will commence at, Scots Hall tonight and will be continued on Saturday and Sunday. This evening's contest will consist of solo events, and on Saturday 12 bands will compete at Carlaw Park, where sacred music will be played on Sunday. Mr. J. J. Drew, of Wellington, will act as judge in the band events, while the adjudicator for the solo items will be Mr. Wynne Smith. VOCAL RECITAL A vocal and elocutionary recital will be presented by pupils of Madame Aileen Johns and Mr. Dennis Johns in the Lewis Eadv Hall on Monday night. Several items will also be given by the Deepdene Lyric speech choir under the baton of Mr. Johns. This choir; is making its first, public appearance and claims to be the first, of its kind in Auckland. Booking arrangements' aire advertised.