ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Tullio Carminati, the popular Italian actor, whose performance was a feature of "One Night oi Love, ' again acts attractively in "Let's Live To-night," which was screened for the first time at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. Under the sympathetic direction of Victor Schertzuiger, who was also responsible for "One Night oi Love, Carminati is giver, ample opportunity V proving his ability as a polished and unaffected player, as well as an ac- ; eomplished singer. The film is a rom- | ance, set against the gnv background j of night life on the Italian Riviera, i The Continental carnival spirit is capj tured in many of the scenes, while a j lilting waltz, "Love Passes By,'" plays !an important part in the plot. The j story concerns the meeting oi a mani of-the-world. who, as a result of many ! romantic episodes, has come to the I conclusion that love is a transient I thing that should not be taken seri- ! ously, with an attractive young girl ! who fails deeply m love with him. He woos her with the assistance, in the ; role of stage manager, of his mani servant, in accordance with a carefully j arranged plan, and then sails away in j his luxurious yacht, thinking the j meeting will remain but one of a series I of happy encounters. Matters do not | proceed as simply as he expected, however, for he finds to his surprise that he is unable to forget the meeting. A visit to Bengal proves no palliative, and, the presence of the guests on his yacht becoming increasingly irksome, he decides to return in an effort to find the girl. Meanwhile complications have arisen, for his brother, one of the few people to whom he in genuinely devoted, has fallen in love with \ the girl, who consents to marry him, although she, too, cannot forget her brief encounter with the of the yacht. The scene returns to tile Riviera, where the film draws to an interesting climax. Lilian Harvey gives a delightful performance as the girl, while Hugh Williams, Tala Birrell and Janet Beecher head a strong supporting cast, A clever performance is given by Luis Alberni as a man-servant, and his encounters with his master's cynical parrot are highly amusing. An all-too-brief specialty dance in one of the Riviera scenes is a feature of the production. The shorter films on the programme include a Colour Rhapsody, ''The Shoemaker and the Elves," a comedy, "One Too Many," in which Leon Errol appears, a Krazy Kat cartoon, "The Bird Man," another of the series of "Life's "Last Laughs" and I a Fox newsreel.

TIVOLI AND RIALTO THEATRES " The Silver Streak," one of the most thrilling and unusual films of recent months, continues to attract large audiences to the Tivoli and Rial to Theatres. Deriving its title from the Burlington Zephyr, tb© fastest train in the world, the picture introduces views of some of the outstanding American engineering marvels of the day, such as the Boulder Dam. Colorado, and the Moffatt Tunnel. Sally Eilers and Charles Starrett .take the leading roles in a bizarre and entertaining production. Also on the programme is a thrilling drama of the sea, " Eight Bells," in which Ann Sothern and Ralph Bellamy appear.

MAJESTIC THEATRE . Undoubtedly one of the best of jungle pictures, "Beyond Bengal" thrilled an audience which filled the Majestic Theatre to capacity last night. It is the record of a remarkable series of adventures which befel Mr. Harry Schenck and his party amid the wilds of the Malayan Peninsula on an expedition made with the co-operation of the Sfiltan of Perak, Sir Alang lakadar Shah. The expedition penetrated the very heart of Central Malay,_ securing scenes of jungle animals in their native haunts. There are huge pythons, ferocious tigers, a black panther and a white elephant. Among the most exciting scenes are encounters between crocodiles and native "boys," a stampede of elephants and the crossing of a crocodile-infested river by the party on the backs of elephants. Last night's audience was amazed at the courage of the natives in the film and the almost audacious manner in which three of them on a frail flat-bottomed craft "lassoo" and subsequently capture a large crocodile. Romance and drama are provided by the lore of a young Malayan for a native girl, and there is some delightful comedy in the antics of a tiny monkey and a baby elephant. From first to last the picture is crammed with interest and excitement,. and it has not the weakness of being unduly long; the film has been splendidly edited and there are no unnecessarily protracted scenes- There is a particularly fine arrpy of supporting item 6. The Universal Newsreel shows a man diving 165 ft. from a bridge into a river, with slow motion views of the achievement, a bicycle rider travelling at 80 miles an hour behind a motor-car, thrilling motorcar races on a dirt track, and the aftermath of riots in Harlem, the negro quarter of New York. "Betty | Boop's Rise to Fame," shows this j

piquant character and her creator, Max Fleischer, with extracts from her most successful cartoons and imitations of Maurice Chevalier and Fanny Brice. j Enthusiastic applause was accorded a film surveying the recent scout jamboree at Melbourne, which shows illuminating sidelights of the lives and customs of many nations. Similar enthusiasm greeted a Cinesound featurette, "This Anthem c-f Ours," in which "Advance, Australia j Fair," is played in a variety of ways.

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Two highly entertaining films " Rumba " and " Dandy Dick,'"' comprise the programme being screened with success at the National and Prince Ed-ward Theatres. George Raft and Carole Lombard both give outstanding . portrayals in the principal roles of the first picture and receive sound support from a large cast. Brilliant in spec- { tacle and with a story of compelling interest, the film is a notable produc- ! tiqn. One of the most popular oomj edians on the screen, Will Hnv, gives |an hilarious portrayal in r< Dandy | Dic*k." With numerous amusing inci- | dents and situations the theme moves | at a fast pa.ce and makes liffht enter- | tainment of the finest type. STATE THEATRE ! The inimitable comedian Joe E. ! Brown gives a characteristic performi ance in the principal role of " Six-Day Bike Rider, which beads the proi gramme at the State Theatre. There i is a wide selection of shorter films. LONDON CINEMA Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone are the principals of " Blonde Bombshell," • the main film being presented at the I London Cinema. There is a fine supporting programme. WEST END THEATRE Warner Baxter and Myrna Lov appear in the racing comedy " Broadway Bill," which is now being shown at the West End Theatre. The second attraction is Lee Tracy's latest film. " Carnival." EMPRESS THEATRE " Evelyn Prentice." a thrilling murder drama, with William Powell and Myrna Loy, will be shown at the Empress Theatre to-day. " Red Morning" is also on the programme.

ST. JAMES" THEATRE

j A film which must undoubtedly rank i as out of the ordinarv, and one which j should find a universal appeal through its thrilling drama, charming romance and bright comedy is "Wings in the Dark," the new attraction at St. .James' Theatre. Although the popularity of aviation m modern fiction ami 011 the screen might well have tempted the producer to include too many stunt scenes at the expense of a logical plot, I this criticism cannot be levelled against ' this gripping drama of ihe struggle to [ conquer the greatest barrier to the prot gross of aviation—-fog. Not only is the t picture an excellent one from the point of view oi entertainment, but it also shows the possibilities of controlling aeroplanes by radio beams. The storv is that of a young airman who has invented a device which makes "blind" flying feasible. It is his intention to fly the Atlantic in a hooded aeroplane to prove his invention, but some illtimed publicity results in permission from the Government being withheld. A daring aviatrix incites him if) attempt the flight without permission, but in preparing to take-ofl he suffers an injury j-hieh results in blindness for an indefinite period. In spite of numerous setbacks, due. to the promoters losing faith in his abilities, he finally perfects his invention. His plans are dashed, however, when the sponsoring company takes the machine back. To raise enough money to 'repurchase the aeroplane the aviatrix attempts a non-st-op flight from Moscow to America, but she is lost in the fog over New York and ths blind pilot sets out to guide her to the landing ground. The gripping climax is a fitting conclusion to a. pretty and heroic romance. Acting honours must go to Myrna Lov, whose naturalness and restraint make her portrayal all Ihe more impressive. In a role which could easily be marred by over-acting Cary Grant is superb. Some : delightful humour is supplied by Herbert Cavanagh, as a laconic Scotch mechanic. Included in a fine supporting programme is a cleverlyconceived cartoon, ''Love Thy Neighbour," and a Grantland Bice Sportlight, "Feline Athletes."

CIVIC THEATRE Hilarious comedy is the keynote of 1 "1 kings Are Looking Up," a Gaumont j British film, which commenced a season at the Civic Theatre yester- ! day. The picture is a triumph for Cicely ! Courtneidge, who gives one of the most entertaining performances of her film career. She appears in the dual role of circus owner and school? mistress, widely-differing pans, which she handles with great ability. It says ! much for her skill in farcical character I depiction that the personalities ehe I croates stand out as those of two distinct individuals, rather than a mere ' trick of dual impersonation. The story tells of Cicely, a circus owner, whoso twin sister Bertha, a most respectable school mistress, so far forgets her posi- j tion as to run away with the circus J wrestler. In order to save the family \ name, sprightly Cicely is forced to irn- j personate staid Bertha. Cicely finds i it difficult to be prim and impossible j to teach geometry—her first lesson is I quite bewildering—but she manages to ! conceal the deception from the school ! authorities. Her difficulties are in creased when she discovers that her sister, a tennis champion, has chal- ! lenged Suzanne Lenglen for the world's tennis title. Ciceiy manages to win the match by so provoking the brilliant Lenglen that the latter walks off the court in disgust. The comedv reaches its climax when Cicely is obliged to return to the circus to take part in j a special performance before a pros- I pective purchaser The circus is sold and all end* happily when Bertha, whose romance had been speedily ghat- i tered, returns to find she hat; been made principal of the school. While ' chief honours go to Cicely Courtneidge. ! the acting of other leading members j of the cast, Max Muller, William Gar- j gan and Mary Lawson, has exactly the I serious touch needed to sustain the I brilliant burlesquing of the principal j player. There js an entertaining sup- ! porting programme. A Fox Australian i ncvvsreel with pictures of an Auckland j Mounted Rifles gymkhana at One Tree Hill is of special interest. Other items include a Gaumont British magazine and a diverting domestic comedy, "Wic Wag." Selections are also played by the Civic Wintergarden Orchestra.

BRITANNIA THEATRE Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery are the principals of the sophisticated romance, "Forsaking All Others," which will be the main attraction at the Britannia Theatre to-night. "I Am a Thief" niso will be shown. There will be a special matinee this afternoon.

STRAND THEATRE. ONEHUNGA Claudette Colbert and Warren William give notable characterisations in the spectacular historical film " Cleopatra," which is the main picture on the double-feature programme to be shown at the Strand Theatre, Onehunga, to-night. The second attraction is " Tbe Notorious Sophie Lang."

TUDOR CINEMA The celebrated character actor George Arliss gives a distinguished performance in an excellent historical drama, " The Affairs of Voltaire," which is the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema to-day. An interesting supporting programme includes scenes of the Royal Jubilee procession in London. CAPITOL THEATRE Noel Coward's great stage success. " Design For Living," will be presented at the Capitol Theatre to-day. Fredric March and Gary Cooper are at the head of a distinguished cast. On the same programme is the hilarious comedy " Happy " (Stanley Lupino). MAYFAIR THEATRE The main attraction at the Mavfair Theatre to-night will be " The Ninth Guest," with Donald Cook in the leading role. An attractive programme at the matinee this afternoon will hp j headed by " Whoopee." NEW REGENT THEATRE "The Little Minister," a screen version of the classic story by Sir James Barrie, is the main attraction at the New Regent Theatre, Epsom. Katherine Hepburn, in the leading role, gives a notable performance. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA George Arliss' first English film "The Iron Duke" heads the current programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga "The Notorious Gentleman," with Charles Bickford, also is being shown.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The celebrated actress Greta Garbo gives one of her fipest characterisations in the screen version of a novel bv Somerset Maugham, "The Painted Veil," which is the main attraction at the Crystal Polar*. Theatre. "The Enemy" also i? being shown. ALEXANDRA THEATRE Bert Bailey's hilarious Australian comedy "Grandad Rudd," and "Rendezvous at .Midnight," a last-moving American mystery drama, comprise tonight's programme at the Alexandra Theatre.

REGENT THEATRE

Memories of the sentimental charm of Gene Strat ton-Porter's books will be revived by the film version of one of her most successful novels, " A Girl of the Limberlost," which opened a season at the Regent Theatre .yesterday. In these days when emotion is apt to be merely hinted at and sophistication is the aim of most directors, this production will be a revelation of a more spacious manner. The story is admittedly melodramatic but it strike? £eep at the heart of human feelings, and the producer has retained the spirit of the original. The strange attraction of the bark wood Indiana village where Elenora works out her ambitious in the face of the most discouraging difficulties ia perfectly portrayed on the screen, while the characterisations of all the principals are undoubtedly as faithful to their originals as the most ardent admirers of the novel could wish. The story opens with tragedy, but there is a vein of high confidence and happiness through the rest of the film. Marian Marsh makes a very appealing figure of Elenora, the young girl whose embittered mother seeks to hinder all her plans for education and love. The scenes in which Elenora, dressed in an outmoded fashion, runs the gauntlet of criticism and jeers from her schoolmates are lightened by the young girl's courage and determination. Her love of the rare and valuable moths that are found in the strange, gloomy forests of the region eventually opens to her the friendship and encouragement, of the " Bird Woman," who becomes her wealthy patron. Gradually the way is opened for the unwanted girl to gain culture, happiness and love. Louise Dresser is undoubtedly given the most exacting role as Elenora's mother, and from this unsympathetic part she is able to create an understandable figure, more to be pitied than despised. Ralph Morgan, as in every portrayal he undertakes, is excellent as Wes Sinton, the kind-hearted uncle who helps her in her first years at high school. Edward Nugent and Henry Walthall are also good in supporting roles, while a reappearance on the screen is made by Betty Blythe as the " Bird Woman." There is an interesting supporting programme, introduced by two newsreels which cover the world for their topics. Then there is a brilliant coloured cartoon telling in novel guise the old story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, and in addition a clever musical number. The programme , as a whole provides unusually suitable j family entertainment.

NEW EMPIRE THEATRE "What Every Woman Knows." the film version of Sir James Barrie's popular novel, is cow being shown at the New Empire Theatre. Brian Aherne and Helen Hayes head an exoeptionallv fine cast. "WVre Rich Again" i s a l so being shown.

STRAND THEATRE An attraction for lovers of music. " My Heart Is Calling " is the main film on the programme at the Strand Theatre. Jan Keipura, the Polish tenor, who will always be remembered for his performance in " Tell Me Tonight," is again seen at his best in the leading role. He sings and acts with the same distinctive charm which has made him so popular in recent years. One of the latest Gaumont production#, it greatly enhances the prestige of British films. In addition to the beautiful music there is a liberal introduction of whimsical humour.

'PRINCESS THEATRE The talented juvenile Shirley Temple takes the leading role in a charming comedy, "Bright Eves," the main film to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-night. There is an excellent selection of shorter films.

STAR CINEMA An attractive programme to commence at the Star Cinema to-day will be headed by "love Time," a delightful musical film with Pat Patterson and Nils Asther in the leading roles. A fastmoving comedy "Ladies Should List-en" also is being shown.

STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT A splendid double-feature programme at the State Theatre, Devon port, is headed t>y the thrilling mystery film "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," with Claude Rains and Heather Angel in the principal roles. The second attraction is "The First World War."

SUNDAY PICTURES The stirring film " The White Ensign" will be the main picture on the excellent programme to be presented at the Rialto Theatre to-morrow nightMolly Lamont and Anthony Kimmins take the principal roles. There will also be a particularly interesting supporting programme. The proceeds from the performance will be devoted to local charities under the direction of the Mavoress of Newmarket.

MAGICIANS' ENTERTAINMENT A very entertaining programme of mastery and illusion will be presented in Scots Hall on Monday and Tuesday nights by Jadoo, late magician of the Clem Da we Revue Company. This talented artist will be supported by Alamat, a conjurer, and Patricia Andrews. Humorous items and dancing numbers will be given by Mr. Dan Flood and Miss Mavis Ward.