ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Delightful music, brilliant dancing and magnificent frocking combine to make " Roberta," which is attracting large crowds to the Plaza Theatre, one of the finest musical comedies ever to reach the Auckland screen. The film owes much of its success to the matchless dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who achieved such popularity iu " The Gay Divorcee." A feature of the production is the amazing versatility of Mr. Astaire, who besides his dancing shows remarkable ability as a pianist, is an excellent singer, a talented comedian and who arranges all the dance scenes. There are a number of new song successes, including " Lovely to Look At," " Smoke Gets In Your Eyes " and " Yesterday." Most of these are sung by Irene Dunne, who has the main feminine role. Other major parts are played by Helen Westlev. Randolph .Scott and Claire Dodd, and there is a very fine dance orchestra. A wide selection of shorter films also being shown includes an interesting travelogue of the Saar region, a charming colour cartoon and a film of the Maori All Black trial match at Hamilton. , i i TIVOLI THEATRE Two fine dramatic artists, Melvyn ! Douglas and Lila Lee, give distinguished ■ performances in "The People's Enemy," i a thrilling drama, which is the main attraction at the Tivoli Theatre. "It j Happened In New York," a sparkling ! comedy which provides excellent enter- j tainment, is being shown on the same programme. Lyle Talbot takes the principal role. The new programme to be screened at both the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres for the first time on Wednesday comprises two outstanding films. The first of these is the screen version of a celebrated novel by Ethel M. Dell, "The Rocks of Valpre." This is a very powerful story which will hold the interest of the audience from start to finish, and the film is notable for a high standard of acting by the entire cast, which is headed by Winifred Shotter and John Garrick. The second attraction will be "The Adventure Girl." The popular Joan Lowell takes tht> leading role. MAJESTIC THEATRE A very high standard of acting is maintained in "After Office Hours." which is continuing its popular Auckland season at the Majestic Theatre. This film combines all the elements of great entertainment, gripping romance, exciting drama and a wonderful strain of humour. The principal roles are taken by the accomplished artists Clark Gable and Constance Bennett, who receive talented support from Billie Burke and Stuart Erwin. A wide selection of shorter films also being shown includes a Pete Smith oddity, a bright revue in colour, "Gipsy Nights," and a Thelma Todd comedy. CIVIC THEATRE Delightful entertainment is offered by the comedy drama, "The Little Colonel," which is in an extended season at the Civic Theatre. This film is notable for the wonderful performance of the popular juvenile, Shirley Temple, who reveals great ability in taking the lead in a fine cast, which includes Lionel Barrymore and Evelyn Venable. The colourful setting of old world Kentucky and the pleasing nature of the story give the film an atmosphere of great charm. An outstanding feature is the dancing of the celebrated negro tap dancer Bill Robinson. One of the main items on the supporting programme is a film of the Maori All Black trial at Hamilton. REGENT THEATRE Few pictures have aroused such enthusiasm with Auckland theatregoers as the stirring historical film " Clive of India," which is in an extended season at the Regent Theatre. The rise of Robert Clive from an impulsive clerk in the employ of the East India I Company to the position of gaining for England her most treasured possession, India, at a time when the outlook was darkest, forms one of the most fascinating dramas of history, and is presented in the film with accuracy and power. The performance of Ronald Colman in the title role is magnificent, particularly in those sections of the film which deal with Clive the statesman and as the man who is forced by impeachment into bitter retirement after a life devoted to an ideal of service. Distinguished characterisations are also given by Loretta Young and C. Aubrey Smith.

STATE THEATRE "The Return of the Terror," one of Edgar Wallace's best screen plays, is the main attraction at the State Theatre, where it is ha vine its first suburban screening. Mary Astor and Lyle Talbot take the leading roles. On the same programme is the screen version of a classic by Sir James Barrie, What Every Woman Knows."

PRINCESS THEATRE A gripping and dramatic film of the Great War, entitled "The First World War," heads a splendid double-feature programme to have its initial screening at the Princess Theatre to-night. The second attraction is "Mills of the Gods" (May Robson and Fay Wray). CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE All the quaint figures of Steele Rudd's book "Grandad Rudd" come vividly to life in the outstanding screen version which will be shown for the first time at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-night. Also being shown is "Passing Shadows," with Edmund Gwenn. RIALTO THEATRE Two of the most popular players on the screen, Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, take the leading roles in the dramatic, picture "Chained," which is delighting patrons of the Rialto Theatre. There is a wide selection of subsidiary films. LONDON CINEMA The popular Robert Montgomerv takes the leading role in "Made On Broadway," the main attraction at the London Cinema. Also being shown is a coloured musical revue, "Wild People." STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA The two films to open a short season at the State Theatre, Onehunga. tonight are "Forbidden Territory" and "I'll Love You Always." BRITANNIA THEATRE "The Night Is Young" and "Six-Dav Bike Rider" comprise the entertaining programme at the Britannia Theatre. There is a splendid supporting programme. TUDOR CINEMA Notable for the brilliant dancing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the tuneful musical comedy "The Gay Divorcee" is tho main attraction at the Tudor Cinema. There is a fine supporting programme.

NEW REGENT THEATRE The clever Australian character actor Bert Bailer is the ,principal of "Grandad Rudd," the main attraction at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Filmgoers who appreciated the natural performance of Claudette Colbert in " It Happened One Night " should welcome her latest film, " The Gilded Lily," which is the main attraction at St. James' Theatre. This production follows the lead set by the former film in that its appeal is based on real human emotions.' The story, though somewhat a fantasy, is pleasing. It traces a romance between a hard-work-ing man and a typiste. From obscurity the girl becomes celebrated overnight through the publicity given her by the man, a journalist, and later becomes the popular toast of London and New York night clubs. All her new-found wealth and fame she abandons, however, to marry the journalist and to live the simple life which is their ideal of happiness. Miss Colbert's performance is a distinguished one and she receives excellent support from Fred Mac Murray and Ray Milland. An attractive supporting programme is also being shown.

STRAND THEATRE An excellent double-feature programme at the Strand Theatre is headed by "The Phantom Light," a very thrilling film with Binnie Hale and Gordon Harker in the leading roles. The action is always fast and maintains a strong hold on the imagination' of the audience. The settings are most realistic and, with the thrilling mvstery of the story, give the film an atmosphere of great suspense. The supporting cast is headed by Donald Calthorp. The inimitable comedian Will Rogers takes the principal role in "The County Chairman," which also is f-eing shown. This film has already proved very popular in its first Auckland season, and should enjoy a successful return season.

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Two particularly fine dramas comprise the programme now being presented at the National and Princ9 Edward Theatres. The first of these is " The Woman in Red," a powerful story of a woman who has notoriety thrust upon her and has to fight against this in order to win happiness. The leading role is taken by Barbara Stanwyck, who gives an excellent characterisation in a part bristling with difficulties. A fine supporting cast is headed by Gene Raymond and Genevieve Tobin. The second attraction ia " The Firebird," a film which has had great success in England and America. Ricardo Cortez, Verree Teasdale and Lionel Atwill have the principal roles.

STAR CINEMA The main attraction at the Star* Cinema is. a musical film, "Melody in! Spring," with the popular vocal artist; Lanny Ross in the leading role. Warner* Baxter and Madge Evans give polished performances in "Grand Canary," which also is being shown.

STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The excellent double-feature pro® gramme at the State Theatre, Devonport, is made up of '"'Straight From the Heart" and "Gigolette."