ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Glorious music and delightful comedy provide outstanding entertainment in the film " My Heart is Calling," which will conclude its popular season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. The wonder!ul voice of Jan Kiepura in the main singing role has never been heard to better advantage, while the vivacious story is enlivened by the inimitable humour of Sonnie Hale. The wide appeal made by these two is further strengthened by the performance of Martha Eggert, who in another of the major singing roles, reveals a voice equally as pleasing as that of the principal. Cecily Courtneidge, one of England's most talented comediennes, takes the leading role in another of the hilarious farces in which she excels, " Things Are Looking Up," the new attraction to be presented at the Civic Theatre on Friday. A splendid cast includes Max Miller and \\ illiam Gargen.

REGENT THEATRE, The outstanding feature of the gay musical comedy " All the King's Horses," which is to be presented at the Regent Theatre for the last time to-morrow, is the lingering beauty of the musical score. Besides a number of the immortal waltzes of Strauss, this includes five specially written songs, and offers unlimited scope for the talents of two great singers. Carl Brisson and Mary Ellis, the original "Rose Marie." These players also give fine performances in the main dramatic roles in a story unusually rich in hilarious situations and bright dialogue. The dancing is particularly good. On Friday the screen version of "A Girl of the Limberlost," which is considered to be the best work of the popular novelist Gene Stratton-Porter, will open an Auckland season at the Regent Theatre. This charming romance, powerful in the beauty and simplicity of its theme, is ably presented by a large cast headed by Marian Marsh, Louise Dresser and Ralph Morgan.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE The polished comedy " Biography of a Bachelor Girl " will be shown at St. James' Theatre for the last time tomorrow night. This production has an excellently written story with much sparkling dialogue, and is exceptionally well presented by a distinguished cast. Ann Harding's portrayal of a celebrated artist who causes consternation among her many men friends by her decision to publish her memoirs, is a particularly fine performance, and contributes much to the success the film has enjoyed. Cast opposite Miss Harding as the harassed editor who is to publish the memoirs is Robert Montgomery, who invests the story will all the fresh charm and graceful ability which is his main characteristic. Other major roles are taken by Edward Everett Horton and Una Merkel. On Friday, one of the most talented of America's younger artists, Myrna Loy, who became so popular in " The Thin Man " and " Broadway Bill," will be seen in " Wings in the Dark," a very powerful romantic drama which is to have its first Auckland screening at St. James' Theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE The spectacular musical comedy " Roberta " will close its three weeks' season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The production has been acclaimed as the greatest film of this typo to be presented in Auckland, and the key to its success lies in the wonderful musical score by Jerome Kern. This gives Irene Dunne the greatest opportunity she has had on the screen to use her glorious voice, which is heard to best advantage in such numbers as " Lovely to Look At " and " Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and also enables Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to reveal real genius in their brilliant dancing numbers. Both music and dancing fit easily into the delightful story, which abounds with sparkling comedy and offers scope for magnificent frocking. Auckland musiclovers wno remember the talented performance of Tullio Carminati in a major singing and dramatic role in " One Night of Love," should welcome the announcement that the beautiful operetta " Let's Live To-night," which is to open at the Plaza Theatre on Friday, has this fine singer in the leading role. The film is a worthy successor to " One Night of Love " musically, and has an even more attractive story. Lillian Harvey takes the main feminine character.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES A particularly good double-feature programme to be presented for the first time at the Tivoli and Rialto Theatres to-day is headed by "The Silver Streak," an exciting film which fully justifies its claim to be one of the most remarkable productions of the year. The story is cleverly conceived and abounds with much thrilling incident. It is well presented, combining in the story scenes of some of the greatest engineering achievements of modern times, such as the Boulder Dam, the Moffatt tunnel, the Burlington Zephyr—which is the fastest Dieselengined train in the world—and the Drinker respirator, a life-saving device known as the "iron lung." A newsreel which presented these would be one of unusual interest, but they all form an integral part of the film in so ingenious and natural a manner as to make outstanding entertainment. The acting is excellent throughout, a fine cast being headed by Sally Blane, Charles Starrett and Hardie Albright, all of whom give talented performances. The second attraction is "Eight Bells," a thrilling story of romance amid a mutinous crew of affreight ship bound for China. Ann Sothern and Ralph Bellamy in the principal roles give their usual polished performances. •

LONDON CINEMA Anita Page gives a polished performance in the thrilling molodrama " Soldiers of the Storm," which is the main attraction at the London Cinema. This film deals with the exciting exploits of an American border patrol and makes stirring entertainment. An excellent supporting programme includes a fine film of the Royal Jubilee procession in London. STATE THEATRE A particularly entertaining programm at the State Theatre is headed by the powerful film " The Mighty Barnum," in which the great character actor Wallace Beery gives one of his most distinguished performances. The supporting programme includes n Mickey Mouse cartoon. TUDOR CINEMA A dramatic and exciting romance of modern hospital life, " Men in White " is the chief film on an enjoyable programme now being presented at the Tudor Cinema. Clark Gable and Myrna Loy are the principals. A fine supporting programme includes scenes of the) Royal Jubilee procession in London. STAR CINEMA The double-feature programme to be shown at the Star Cinema for the first time to-day will be headed by the screen version of Edgar Allen Poe's celebrated mystery story " The Black Cat." Boris Karloff takes the leading role. The second attraction is " Too Much Harmony " (Bing Crosby). CAPITOL THEATRE Lawrence Tibbett gives a gripping performance in the powerful romance " The Cuban Love Song," which is the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre. " Million Dollar Ransom also is being shown.