ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An hilarious and fast-moving comedy drama, "The Notorious Sophie Lang," heads the double-feature programme which is enjoying a successful season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The story, which is treated in a light vein, te'ls of an intrepid woman thief who enjoys hoodwinking the police. Her status is threatened by the arrival in the town of Max Bernard, Europe's most daring jewel thief. In an attempt to maintain her reputation she adopts several disguises, outwits the police and finally falls in love with her rival. The ensuing complications make an entertaining film. The principal players are Gertrude Lawrence, Paul Cavanagh, and Alison Skipworth. The second film, "The Blue Squadron," is a thrilling romance of the air. The leading players are Esmond Knight, John Stuart and Greta Hansen. MAJESTIC THEATRE The delightful romance "Have a Heart," with Jean Parker and James Dunn, heads the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. There is an excellent supporting programme. ALTERNATING PROGRAMME A novel idea in entertainment will be introduced at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, when two really outstanding musical films, "Don Quixote" and "Emperor Jones," will be screened on alternate days. The former film will be shown to-morrow and on Monday and Wednesday, and the latter on Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday. Although Auckland audiences have heard many musical celebrities, they have never before had the opportunity of hearing from the screen two of the finest voices in the world, those of Feodor Chaliapine, the famous Russian singer, and of Paid Robeson, the celebrated negro actor and singer. An entirely different supporting programme will be screened with each picture, and local music-lovers should not miss this unprecedented opportunity of seeing two first-class productions. CIVIC THEATRE The new actress, Ketti Gallian, and Spencer Tracy have the principal parts in the drama' "Marie Gallante," which is the main attraction at the Civic Theatre. There is a fine selection of short pictures. " L.OVETIME " With Schubert's famous melody ! "Serenade" as its keynote, a delight- , fully refreshing romance is unfolded in j the picture "Lovetime," which will ! open a season at the Civic Theatre to- | morrow. The film is entirely different j in treatment and story from the prer vious pictures concerning the life of the noted composer. With its tender and beautiful romance the film should make a strong appeal to feminine audii ences. There are also many splendid | touches of humour, which are in the capable hands of Herbert Mundin and Harry Green, two well-known comedians. The story centres around the ; composer and tells of his unrequited loved for a beautiful girl. The leading part is taken by Nils Asther, whose performance is said to be the best of his career, while another outstanding portrayal is giiven by the talented Pat Patterson. REGE.NT THEATRE The ent«rtaining comedy drama "The Last Gentleman," which is in the third week of its season at the Regent Theatre, will be shown for fhe last time to-day. The leading player is George Arliss. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Abounding in lavish settings, hilarious comedy and catchy soug numbers, the musical comedy "Dames" continues to attract large audiences to St. James' Theatre. The film is the latest of a series of pictures from the Warner Brothers' studio and closely resembles "Footlight Parade" and "Gold-Diggers of 1934." The leading artists are Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. There is also a novel presentation on the stage of the popular song "Little Dutch Mill." STRAND THEATRE An hilarious comedy, "Here Comes the Groom," with Jack Haley and Mary Boland, and "I'm No Angel" (Mae West), comprise the programme at the Strand Theatre. A psychological drama which has been acclaimed as one of- the outstanding films of the year, "The Battle," will be screened for the first time at the theatre to-morrow. The storv hinges upon the accepted inscrutability of the Oriental character and the theme is an . unusual and stimulating one. The presentation of the film is deliberate and subtle and the audience is left to draw its own conclusions. The acting has been described as excellent, and Merle Oberon, Charles Boyer and John Loder all give splendid performances. 0 CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Adapted from Oscar Asche's successful plav, the musical extravaganzr., " Chu Chin Chow." is the main film on the programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Heading a strong cast are George Robey, John Garrick, Anna May Wong and Fritz Kortner. There is an excellent support- j ing programme. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD A . vivid romance, "Colonel Blood," is the first of two full-length Alms which comprise the programme at the National.and Prince Edward Theatres. The second picture is "By-Path to Happiness," with Tamara Des®i. TUDOR CINEMA There will be a, special screening at the Tudor Cinema, to-night only, of the sophisticated and subtle comedy farce, " The Guardsman," with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontaine. There is a good supporting programme. STATE THEATRE The film version of Warwick Deeping's well-known novel "Sorrell and Son" heads; the programme at the State Theatre. The principal part is taken by H. B. Warner. LONDON NEWSREEL CINEMA The programme at the London Newsreel Cinema is headed by "Guilty," with Anne Grey and James Carew. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The inimitable Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn appear in the farce, " Cuckoo in the Nest," which heads the programme at the State Theatre, Devonport. TIVOLI AND CRYSTAL PALACE The unusual picture, " The LittJe Flower," will be screened at the Tivoli and Crystal Palace Theatres at special matinee performances'to-day. METHODIST CHURCH ORATORIO Members of the Pitt Street Metho'dist Church will present the "Messiah" in the church to-night. There will be an augmented choir and the principals will include Miss N. Hickling (soprana), Madame P. Hazell (contralto), Mr. H. Maddocks (tenor) and Mr. F. Sutherland (baritone).

PLAZA THEATRE The colourful drama "Mandalay" will conclude ' the second week of its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Kay Francis and Ricardo Cortez appear in the leading roles. There is a splendid supporting programme, headed by a musical film, "Look For the Silver Lining." A great number of old-time vaudeville favourites are seen in the English picture "Music Hall," which will have its initial screening at the theatre to-morrow. The picture resembles the recent production "Say It With Flowers," but is interpreted by a stronger cast, including George Carney, G. H. Elliott, Raymond Newell, Jimmy Ryan, and Debroy Somers and his celebrated band. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA " Hat, Coat and Glove," with Ricardo Cortez, is tho main film at the State Theatre, Onehunga