ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE One of the most powerful dramas ever written about modern life is brought to the screen in " The Wedding Night," which is the main attraction at tho Regent Treatro. Tho main roles aro brilliantly interpreted by two of the most popular actors of tho day, Anna Si:en and Gary Cooper, who have the parts of a simple country girl, bred in the traditions brought by her parents to America from Europe, and a sophisticated, highly-educated New York author. He goes to tho country in search of material for a. new novel, and in his wife's absence meets the girl. Thoy fall id love, and the most dramatic portion of the film comes when she is called upon to fulfil a " marriage bargain " arranged for her by her father, and the author's wife refuses to allow him a divorce. The film is not in the least sordid, but contains a charming romance, the effect being heightened by tho great contrast between tho two principals. A fine supporting programme includes tho latest Walt Disney cartoon and an excellent revue.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Few films have aroused such enthusiasm among Auckland theatregoers as " The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," which is now in the fourth week of an extended season at St. James' Theatre. This film is an epic of heroism and devotion to duty, and pays a great tribute to British traditions. It depicts militarv life on the north-western frontiers of India in a powerful drama, which is deepened by tho sense of tragedy in the closing scene and relieved bv an excellent strain of humour. The acting is exceptionally good. The main characters are played by Gary Cooper, Sir Guy Standing, Aubrey Smith, Franchot Tone and Richard Cromwell, and the minor roles are equally well filled. PLAZA THEATRE The exciting film, " The Man Who Knew Too Much," lat the Plaza Theatre, is an achievement for all those concerned in its production. It sets a very high standard of melodrama, in that neither the story nor the acting, though abounding with thrilling incident, is overdone or beyond the realm of credibility. Some of the scenes and mutfh of the story are actually based on fact. It centres around the efforts by foreign desperadoes to assassinate a famous statesman who is visiting London. Their activities accidentally involve a young man, his wife and small daughter, wiio is kidnapped as a hostage. After a long series of startling incidents, this young man finally succeeds in unmasking the villains and frustrating tho whole intrigue. Leslie Banks, Edna Best and the new juvenile 'actress, Nova Pilbeam, take the principal roles, while Frank Vosper and Peter Lorro are excellent as tho archvillains. RIALTO THEATRE The delightful comedy drama. "Broadway Bill will commence a short season of two days at the Rialto Theatre to-night. The leading players are Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy. Included in the supporting programme is a splendid cartoon, " Babes at Sea." TIVOLI THEATRE The main attraction on the doublefeature programme now being shown at the Tivoli Theatre is a drama of college football " Gridiron Flash." Eddie Quillan and Betty Furness are the principal artists. A second film is "Captain Hurricane." MAJESTIC THEATRE An unusually wide appeal is made by the film " Society Doctor," which is the main picture now being shown at the Majestic Theatre. It is a fast moving story of modern life which combines gripping drama with delightful romance and bright comedy. Chester Morris and Eobert Taylor are good as two young doctors in the same hospital, who are I both in love with the same nurse, I Virginia Bruce, while Billie Burke gives an outstanding performance as a j wealthy widow. Other important roles i are capably handled by Dorothy Peterson, Henry Kolker and Raymond Walburn. The picture is produced with fine understanding of modern medical life and runs with smoothness and precision, a dramatic climax being reached when one of the doctors, shot by a gangster, is forced to direct an operation on himself, with his rival wielding the knife. There is an interesting selection of shorter films also being shown. STRAND THEATRE The wonderful operetta " One Night of Love," which delighted theatregoers during its recent nine-weeks season in Auckland, is enjoying a successful return season at the Strand Theatre. This film has been acclaimed as one of the finest musical pictures vet produced, and music lovers should welcome this chance of again seeing and hearing the celebrated Grace Moore in the leading role. The picture is beautifully produced and possesses a charming story besides its glorious songs. All the cast are excellent in both singing and dramatic roles and the film makes outstanding entertainment.

LONDON CINEMA The popular juvenile actress Shirley Temple gives a charming performance in " Dora's Doughnuts," which is having its Auckland premiere at the London Cinema. On the same programme if 1 a great epic of the sea, " The White Ensign." There is a wide selection of shorter films also being shown. STATE THEATRE The attractive programme at the State Theatre is headed by the film " Outcast Lady," a stirring drama with Constance Bennett and Herbert Mundin in the leading roles. There is a large supporting cast. A bright comedv, "Big Hearted Herbert," is the second film. This film is having its first suburban screening. TUDOR CINEMA William Powell and Myrna Lo.v are the principals of " Manhattan Melodrama," which will be shown for the last time at the Tudor Cinema to-night. The next attraction will be " One Night Night of Love." •'BRITANNIA THEATRE " Evelyn Prentice " and " Now and Forever " comprise the excellent programme which is proving popular with patrons of the Britannia Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE The grand gala opening of the new Princess Theatre, Dominion Road, owned by Amalgamated Theatres, Limited, will take place on Thursday night. The picture to be shown the brilliant musical romance " One Night of Love," with Grace Moore as the principal. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The outstanding dramatic film " The Barretts of Wimpolo Street " will have its final screening at the Crystal Palace to-night. Excellent portrayals are given by Charles Laughton, Norma Shearer and Fredric March. There is a fine supporting programme. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The double-feature programme to be shown this afternoon and to-night at the State Theatre, Devonport, comprises " One Night of Love " and " Carnival." STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA The two full-length pictures being screened at the State Theatre, Onehunga, are " Roadhouso " and " Red Morning,"

CIVIC THEATRE Few stories could draw out to such advantage tho inimitable humour resulting from the combination of the two great comedians, Sonnie Halo and Robertson Hare, as the hilarious farce "Aro You a Mason?" which is arousing enthusiasm at the Civic Theatre. The latter artist has tho role of _ a man who is believed by his rather grim wife to hold high oflice as a Mason, but actually has never joined the fraternity, having used his supposed status as an excuse to spend evenings away from home. His wife later desires that licr son-in-law shall become a Mason. Ho also postpones his initiation and tho complications which ensue when both tho supposed members of the fraternity endeavour to conceal their delinquencies from their respective wives as well as from each other, introduce the most uproarious comedy. The cast is small but very good, and never allows tho main threads of the story to be lost in the rapidly changing situations or the interchanging of characters. An excellent supporting programme includes a particularly interesting newsreel and a Bliort revue. NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD The film " Dr. Monica," which is the main attraction at tho National and Prince Edward Theatres, is particularly notable for tho outstanding performances given by the three principal artists, Kay Francis, Warren Williams and Jean Muir. Tho story deals with a groat woman doctor whose husband becomes infatuated with another woman, and it provides very tense drama relieved by subtle humour. Miss Francis has achieved great popularity in a number of rather thrilling films, but her distinguished performance in " Dr. Monica " demonstrates her ability to handle domestic drama in a very pleasing manner. A second film on tho same programme is a romantic comedy, " One Hour Late," with Helen Twelvetrees and Conrad Nagel as tho principal players. NEW REGENT THEATRE Tho programme to have its initial showing at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-night, is headed by " The White Parade " (John Boles and Loretta Young).