ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE I In spite of the outstanding success which is attending the screening of the excellent film version of Dickens' novel, "Great Expectations," at the Plaza Theatre, the season' will close to-day. The principals are Henry Hull, Phillips Holmes and Jane Wyatt. " TWO HEARTS IN WALTZ TIME A feast of happy, light-hearted entertainment will be provided for patrons of the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, when the romantic musical comedy, "Two Hearts in Waltz Time," will have its first presentation. A notable feature of the production is the reappearance of the brilliant Continental stage player Carl Brisson, whose dancing, singing and acting ability have made him a firm favourite. Describing his performance a critic writes: "The gay, romantic personality of Brisson is given full rein in a beautifully staged and deftly directed musical comedy, whose combination of mirth and melody and song and sentiment should prove delightfully appealing to all patrons." His musical ability is remarkable and his piano improvisations alone are brilliant. The film has as its background the gaiety of Vienna and several tuneful songs are introduced. Of these "Give Her a Kiss," "For Love of You" and the theme song "Two Hearts in Waltz Time" are outstanding. Another feature of the picture is the spectacular settings, the final scene being one of the most novel and colourful presented for some time. Two other prominent players in the film are Frances Day and Oscar Asche. Another excellent picture to be shown at the treatre is "One Night of Love," which will open a season on January 25. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A romantic drama, "Lazy River," is the first of two full-length films being screened at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. It is said to be the first motion picture taken of the daily life and customs of the Cajuns, a people living in America who are descendants of the exiled Acadians. To-day they are found inhabiting the swamps and shrimp villages of Louisiana. v The country abounds with strange legends, one of the most interesting referring to the "sad flower," an orchid-like lily, which is supposed to grow in such profusion on the canals that when the wind masses them together one may walk upon them. To pick one of the blooms is said to bring sadness, but if one is already unhappy the possession of one of the flowers brings consolation. Jean Parker and Robert Young are the principals. "Straight is the Way." a powerful drama, is the second attraction. MAJESTIC THEATRE A thrilling story of the advent;ires of the early American pioneers, "Waggon Wheels," heads the double feature programme at the Majestic Theatre. The second film. "The Old Fashioned Way," is an hilarious farce with W. C. Fields in the leading role.

" NOW AND FOREVER" The initial screening will be given at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow of "Now and Forever," notable for the appearance of the remarkable young aotVess. Shirley Temple. After her rapid rise to popularity in such films as "Baby Take a Bow'' and "Little Miss Marker.'' this precocious child has revealed an amazing maturity and has endeared hprself to film-goers. In this film sixappears with such well-known players as Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard, but as in her previous pictures she holds the undivided attention of the audience from first to last. The beginning of the story shows Cooper and Miss Lombard as two daring but charming criminals who are forced to flee to another city with the police close on their trail. However, for the sake of their young child they decide to break away from their former habits, but they find that this is more difficult than they expected and the complications which ensue form the basis of a highly entertaining film. Both Cooper and Miss Lombard captivate the audience with their likeable qualities which they cannot conceal under their callous exteriors and their performances are excellent. Heading a fine selection of short films is the latest "Pop-TSye the Sailor" cartoon, "Axe Me Another." CIVIC THEATRE "Man of Aran" and "Caravan" "will be shown for the last time at the Civic Theatre to-dav. There is a fine supporting programme. " PECK'S BAD BOY" A picture which will be remembered if only for its delightfully human studies is "Peck's Bad Boy," which will commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. The immortal small boy with his boisterous spirits and adventurous ways is the subject of this hilarious film, which has been described as a sheer delight from start to finish. The story centres round two small boys, one named Bill, a mischievous and natural child, and another, Horace, who is full of conceit and has never been known to do wrong. Bill and his father are staunch friends until Horace and his designing mother come to stay with them. Naturally the two boys despise each other, and with typically youthful fervour proceed to do all in their power to make their rival's life unbearable. However, complications follow when Bill's father is attracted to Horace's mother, and he will not hear anything derogatory against the pair. In due course father and son become estranged and the film moves to an amusing climax. A splendid portrayal of the obsequious yet lovable Bill is given by the talented Jackie Cooper, who established himself as a brilliant actor in "Treasure Island." A notable feature of the picture is the return of Thomas Meighan, a favourite of the silent pictures. Other major parts are taken by 0. P. Hetrgie and Jackie Searl. There is an excellent supporting programme. RECENT THEATRE The vivid and picturesque drama, "The Count of Monte Cristo," which has been attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre throughout the past three weeks, will be shown for the last time to-day. The leading artists are Robert Donat and Elissa Landi. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Will Rogers gives an outstanding portrayal as the principal of "Judge Priest," the first film being shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. "Marie Galente" is the second picture. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPOR7 "As Husbands Go" is being screened at the State Theatre, Devonport. There is a fine supporting programme. NEW REGENT AND ALEXANDRA Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers are seen in the principal parts of "20 Million Sweethearts," the first attraction at the Regent and Alexandra Theatres. "Hat, Coat and Glove," also is being shown. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNCA The powerful modern drama "The World Moves On" heads the current programme at the State Theatre, Onchunga. BRITANNIA THEATRE "It Happened One Night" and "Scotland Yard Mystery" comprise the programme at the Britannia Theatre.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE The remarkably popularity of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable is amply demonstrated by the large audiences which continue to attend St. James' Theatre, where their latest film, " Chained," is being shown. By their fine portrayals as well as by the general excellence of the picture they add another triumph to their long list of-successes. Even the supporting roles are filled by players of recognised ability, such as Otto Krugeivand Stuart Erwin. Included in ;!ie subsidiary films is a lavish musical comedy, " The Spectacle Maker." STRAND THEATRE Janet Gavnor and Lew Ayres give outstanding performances in the leading roles of the comedy-drama, "Servants' Entrance," which will he screened for the last time at the Strand Theatre today. The story of a wealthy young lady who decides to experience domestic lite and accepts a position as a maid, the film makes excellent entertainment. Adolphe Menjou heads the strong cast of "Human Side," which will be shown for the first time at the theatre tomorrow. The supporting players include Doris Kenvon, Charlotte Henry, Betty Lawford, Dickie Moore and Reginald Owen. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD A thrilling film with the fascinating background of early Australia, " When the Kellys Rode," heads the programme to be presented at the National and Prince Edward Theatres for the last time to-day. A tale of the daring exploits of the notorious .Kelly Gang, the picture grips the imagination from the very beginning. There are many outdoor scenes of beauty and there is a particularly strong cast of players. Laura La Plante appears in "The Church Mouse," the second attraction. STATE THEATRE Bing Crosby is the principal of "She Loves Me Not," the first film on the programme being screened at the State Theatre. The fine selection of shorter film includes the popular cartoon, " The Man on the Flying Trapeze." Marlenc Dietrich appears in " The Scarlet Empress," which will be shown at the theatre for the first time tomorrow. LONDON CINEMA Thelma Todd and Stanley Lupino are the principals of " You Made Me Love You," the current attraction at the London Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA " Turkev Time " (Tom Walls and Ralph Lvnn) is the current attraction at the Tudor Cinema.