ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE That Auckland audiences can appreciate brilliant acting and strong drama is evidenced by the continued patronage of St. James' Theatre where the outstanding Motro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, " The Barretts of Wimpole Street," is in the second week of its season. The outstanding feature of the film is the brilliant acting of both the principals and the supporting cast. Charles Laughton is magnificent as the tyrannical and half-insane Edward Barrett, while Norma Shearer gives a restrained portrayal as his daughter, Elizabeth. As the impetuous poet, Browning, Frederic March also gives an excellent performance. Among the supporting players Maureen O'Sullivan is delightfully vivacious as the youthful Henrietta, and splendid portrayals are also given by Una O'Connor and Ralph Forbes. Outstanding among a fine selection ,of short films is an hilarious coloured cartoon, " The Discontented Canary," which is one of the best yet screened. • PLAZA THEATRE Although it commenced tliQ tWrd week of its season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, the sparkling musical romance "One Night of Love" continues to he greeted with unprecedented enthusiasm bv large audiences. This is an outstanding tribute to the glorious singing of Grace Moore who, although she has previously been seen in " A Lady's Morals " and " New Moon," has never been provided with a role which is so ideally suited to her undoubted talents. Her charming and vivacious personality finds full expression in the of a struggling prima donna and her mercurial changes of mood are interspersed with brilliant touches of whimsical comedy. Even the minor parts are taken by competent artists, including Tullio Carminati; Molia Barrie and Lyle lalbot. For the benefit of patrons who have already seen the main attraction an entirely new supporting programme is being shown. It includes a colour film, " Holiday Land," an Australian News and " Screen Snapshots." ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Thrilling action and spectacular aerial photography are • provided in "Hell in tho Heavens," the gripping story of a desperate war in the air, which heads the entertaining doublefeature programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Warner Baxter, who has recently appeared in a large number of musical pictures, is cast in a virile role, similar to those which first gained him prominence. He is seen as an American aviator who has just arrived at a section of the French front where fierce fighting is taking place. The senior officer of the squadron is killed in a duel with the "Baron," the German flying ace, and Baxter assumes command. The manner in which his growing fears are calmed by a simple French girl, with whom he falls in love, makes a story of poignant interest. There is a dramatic conclusion in which Baxter, himself, meets the "Baron." A delightful comedj', "There's Always To-morrow," is the second picture. MAJESTIC THEATRE A good mystery film is always assured of an enthusiastic reception, and "The Case of the Howling Hog," the Warner Brothers' production, screened for the first time at the Majestic Theatre yesterday, should enjoy a season of exceptional popularity. An originaJ note is struck in that instead of the familiar detective taking the central part of the plot, the outstanding character is a criminal lawyer, Perry Mason. Not only does he contrive to be on the spot when a murder is discovered, and to collect some important evidence which the police, in their impetuosity, overlook, but he also has the admirable faculty of playing his cards at an opportune moment, .to the embarrassment of a cock-sure prosecution. The mystery which surrounds the howling of an Alsatian police-dog, and the subsequent disappearance of a man and his wife is admirably sustained, and when Mason discloses in Court that not one, but three murders have been committed, the audience in the theatre is almost as dumbfounded as that in the Court room on the screen. There are more surprises to follow, and the final unravelling of the case is of intense interest. Warren William is admirably cast as the criminal lawyer who never lost a case, and the leading feminine roles are well taken by Mary Astor and Helen Trenholme. Music, comedy and news interests ate well blended in a carefully selected supporting programme which commences with a Vitaphone production, "Songs That Live," featuring eld favourites like "Sunbonnet Sue" and "My Old Lady." Another musical presentation features Richard Himber and his orchestra, together with an- exhibition of the "Cariocca." A Cinesound review presents interesting scenes from the Melbourne Centenary athletic meeting, together with pictures of the Aorangi, in quarantine,, and the return to Australia of Don Bradman and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Recent events of importance overseas are picturised in a Paramount newsreel, and there is a laughable comedy, "Smoked Hams."

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD A particulary strong cast appears in the delightful musical comedy, " Trans-Atlantic Merry-go-Round," the first of two excellent full length films at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. Among the leading players are Nancy Carroll, Gene Raymond, Sydney Howard, Jack Benny and the JBoswell Sisters. Completing the programme is the romantic comedy "Ready for Love," in which Ida Lupino, Richard Arleti and Marjorie Rambeau are the leading artists. STATE THEATRE The clever child actress, Shirley Temple, is the principal of the romantic comedy, ".Now and Forever," the main attraction at the State Theatre. Appearing in support are Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard. There is a particularly fine selection of interesting short films. LONDON CINEMA The entertaining programme at the London Cinema comprises " Under Montana Skies" and "Drums of Jeopardy." NEW EMPIRE THEATRE The inimitable American comedian Eddie Cantor appeal's with the Goldwyn Beauties in "Roman Scandals," which is being screened at the New Empire Theatre. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Jan Kiepura, the popular tenor of "Tell Me To-night," makes another screen appearance in "My Song For You," the new film at the State Theatre, Devon port. EMPRESS AND WEST END The tuneful comedy "Hawaiian Nights", and Frank" Buck's thrilling animal film, "Wild Cargo," head the current programme at the Empress and West End Theatres. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA The ever-popular Janet Gaynor and Lew Ay res have the leading roles in "Servants' Entrance," the leading film at the State Theatre, Onehunga. Also being shown is "Gambling," a drama of the underworld.

REGENT THEATRE "The Private Life of Don Juan." which commenced a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday, sees the appearance of one of the most colourful figures in the film world, Douglas Fairbanks, in probably tho most romantic, role in history and fiction. Acting under the direction of Alexander Korda, maker of "Henry the Eighth and "Catherine the Great," Fairbanks makes his first appearance in an English picture. It is a most spectacular production. A film version of an adventurous and highly romantic period in the life of a world-famous lover, and, at tho same time, a summarised fantasy of Spanish life and love as the world knows it, the picture offers free scope for the genius of the director and for tho dashing personality of tho central actor. Technically it is outstanding. Richly costumed and staged, it has a whole series of magnificent scenes, while the photography is superb. Fairbanks is his usual reckless self and leaps from scene to scene in that unique and attractive manner that has made him so popular. The dialogue in the play, written by Frederick Lonsdale, is, as would be expected, swift, stimulating and lively with wit. Outstanding among the many supporting players are Binnie Barnes, Owen Nares, Merle Oberon, Benita Hume and the attractive cast of beautiful young ladies that is necessary to the theme of this entertaining production. An attractive and varied selection of short features supports the main attraction, including Walt Disney's latest Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Orphans' Benefit," and an amusing pictorial record of a visit to a county fair, while popular talking picture stars at Hollywood are seen in an interesting "Screen Snapshots" film. CIVIC THEATRE The Gaumont-British production "The j Camels Are Coming," which opened a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday, is a light-hearted comedy. The principal role is tak(?n by the popular English comedian Jack Hulbert. Previously cast, as a policeman in ".Tack's the Boy" and a sailor in "Jack, Ahoy," Hulbert is this time seen as an English squadron-leader in the Egyptian Air Force whose particular mission is to track down .Egyptian drug traffickers. Hulbert's faculty for getting in and out of trouble is as great as ever and his performance must further enhance his claim to be regarded as the leading English film comedian. Hilarity is the keynote of the picture. Exciting situations are brilliantly' burlesqued, and there are many episodes of glorious comedy. A scene between Hulbert and a camel that seemed capable of doing anything except talk was greeted with hearty laughter by last night's large audience. The dialogue of the picture is extremely well written, allowing the fluent Hulbert greater opportunity than usual in a branch of comedv in tfhich he excels. His interviews with a formidable superior officer form some of the most amusing scenes in the picture. Episodes at the beginning of the story are made in the "newsreel" stylg, with a humorous commentary, and the result is both novel and amusing. Apt use is also made of the air " Tho Campbells Are - Coming," from which the film gains its most appropriate title. The supporting players, although to a large extent overshadowed by Hulbert, all give sound performances. Peter Gawthorne, as a fire-eating colonel, and Allan Jeyes, as a sinister sheik, being especially good. The supporting programme is excellent. An up-to-date Fox newsreel gives interesting pictures of Sir Malcolm Campbell illustrating improvements to his famous car, the Bluebird. This is followed by a Universal film of entertaining short items, one of which is a bell-ringing number. There is also a musical comedy, | "Nifty Nurses," which burlesques hospital life. In addition, attractive selections are played by Barrie Brettonner on the organ and by the orchestra. STRAND THEATRE The film version of C. B. Cochranjs successful musical romance, " Music in the Air," which has been transferred from the Civic Theatre at the height of its season, is now delighting patrons of the Strand Theatre, where it heads a speiulid double-feature programme. John Boles, Gloria Swanson and Douglass Montgomery are the principals. The second attraction, " Aunt Sally," is a de-lightful comedy. The leading role is taken by Cicely Courtneidge, while many tuneful numbers are rendered by Debroy Somers and his band. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Jack Buchanan, the versatile English stage and screen player, gives a characteristic performance in the spectacular musical comedy, "That's a Good Girl," the principal picture at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. "By Your Leave" is the second attraction. NEW REGENT AND ALEXANDRA A powerful drama, with Norma Shearer in tho leading role, "Riptide," is the main film on the current programme at the New Regent and Alexandra Theatres. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Private Scandal" and "The Girl From Missouri" are the pictures being screened at the Britannia Theatre tonight. CAPITOL THEATRE Earl Carrol's spectacular musical drama, "Murder at the Vanities," and the English comedy "A Cup of Kindness," will be shown at the Capitol Theatre to-night. TUDOR CINEMA Ronald Colman, Loretta Young and Charles Butterworth are the leading players in "Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back," the thrilling mystery drama which heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. SUNDAY PICTURES The thrilling and romantic drama "Colonel Blood " heads the entertaining programme to be presented at the Rialto Theatre to-morrow night.. There will be a fine selection of shorter films. The proceeds are* in aid of local distress.

STRAND THEATRE, ONEHUNGA The delightful comedy-drama " The Hide Out" is the main attraction at the Strand Theatre, Onehunpa. Also on the programme is the thrilling film "Double Door."