ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22224, 26 September 1935, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC AND PLAZA THEATRES Large audiences are still being attracted to the Civic and Plaza Theatres, where the brilliant pageant of natural colour, "Becky Sharp,'' is the main attraction. Marking a now era in popular entertainment the picture is a succession of pleasing studies comprising every imaginable colour. The producers nave spared no pains to make a production of faultless technique and great use has been made of contrasting bright hues against neutral tones. It would have been difficult to have chosen a more fitting subject for this epic of the screen than Thackeray's "vanity Fair." Miriam Hopkins gives ' a delightful portrayal as the fickle little adventuress around whom the whole story revolves. Alan Mowbray appears opposite her. while other? in the cast are Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Frances Doe and the lander, Colin Tapley.

"THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE" One of the most popular actresses on the screen, Janet Gaynor, who will always bo remembered for her excellent performance in "One More Spring," gives another fine portrayal in "The Farmer Takes a Wife," whiyh heads the programme to bo presented at the Civic Theatre for the first time tomorrow. With a powerful theme, in which the interest is strongly maintained to the end, the picture makes absorbing entertainment. Miss Gaynor has the support of a largo cast, including Jane Withers, Slim Summerville, Henry Fonda and J. Farrell MacDonald.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Tho celebrated character actor, Edward G. Robinson, gives -what is considered by many overseas critics to bo the best performance of his career in "Passport to Fame," the crime comedy which commenced its Auckland season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday. As a meek little clerk in {i hardware office Robinson discovers to his chagrin that he is the exact double of a notorious gunman who has recently escaped from Sing Sing. Eventually the clerk is mistaken for the gangster, who escapes detection by posing as tho clerk. The beautiful American actress, Jean Arthur, also is in tho cast. The second picture on the programme is "Unknown Woman," an unusual and thrilling drama. Dealing with the exploits of a desperate band of bond thieves, headed by the suave Douglas Dumbrille, the story concerns the courage of Marian Marsh, as a Federal agent, in trying to locate some stolen securities. " Richard Cromwell is excellent as a young lawyer. ■- - / MAJESTIC THEATRE Tho screen version of the fascinating novel, "Oil for the Lamps of China," by Alice Tisdal Hobart, is enjoying a popular season at the Majestic Theatre. With a background of the mysterious Orient the story moves at a fast pace and tells of an energetic young American who is agent for a large oil cornpan v which is attempting to extend its market to China. The difficulties and adventures which the agent encounters make a tale of thrilling interest. "PEOPLE WILL TALK" The two popular artists, Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland, who scored remarkable success with their teamwork in "Ruggles of Red Gnp." appear together again in "People Will Talk," which will commence a season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. One of the latest Paramount productions, the picture moves at a fast pace from start to finish and makes hilarious entertainment. The shorter films include one of the popular "Pop-Eyo the Sailor" cartoons. REGENT THEATRE One of the finest actors on the screen, George Arliss, gives a particularly impressive performance in the leading role of "Cardinal Richelieu," which heads tho programme to bo presented at tho Regent Theatre for the last time to-cjay. Set against a lavish background of the royal courts of France during one of the most pretentious poriods in its history, tho picture, in addition to an absorbing story, contains much of artistic beauty. As the shrewd cardinal, whoso power rivalled that of tho ruling monarch, Louis XIII, Arliss has a part to which he is admirably Biiited. There is also a large number of other talented players.

"GO INTO YOUR DANCE" Dazzling spectacle and tuneful music are the keynotes of "Go Into Your Dance," which is the main attraction on the programme to be presented at the Regent Theatre for the first time to-morrow. The cast is comprised almost entirely of musical Celebritios, among tho most popular being Al .Tolson, Ruby Keelor, Glenda Farrell and Patsy Kelly. The picture is not purely musical and there is a fascinating story running throughout which strongly maintains the interest.

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD "Stolen Harmony," with George Raft in the principal role, is the first of the two full-length films being presented at tho National and Prince Edward Theatres. George Raft, who gave a notable performance as the dancing principal of "Rhumba," is soen again to advantage in this latest production. The picture also introduces Ben Hirnie and his Cocoanut Grove orchestra. Betto Davis, George Brent and Ann Dvorak are tho principals of "Housewife," the second film. A typical mystery story by S. S. Van Dine, "Tho Dragon Murder Case," heads the prograinmo to commence a season at tho theatres tomorrow, "Over tho Garden Wall" also will be screened. STATE THEATRE A gripping drama of the air, "The Blue Squadron," which was produced with the co-oporation of the Italian Air Force, is being presented at the Stato Theatre. Myrna Loy and Warner Baxter are tho principals of "Broadway Bill," the second film, LONDON CINEMA Leo Tracy and Benita Hume are tho principals of "Clear All Wires," the first film 011 the prograinmo being presented at the London Cinema. "Lord of the Manor" (Betty Stockfiekl) is the second attraction. RIALTO THEATRE The Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn comedy "Fighting Stock" heads the now programme at tho Rialto Theatre. Also being shown is a thrilling aviation drama, "Air Hawks," in which tho loading roles are taken by Ralph Helium v and tho Into Wiley Post.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Diminutive Jane Withers, described as Shirley Temple's most formidable! rival, gives a splendid performance in "Ginger," the new comedy film at the Crystal Palace Theatre. The second attraction is "Spring Tonic," with Claire Trevor and Lew Ayres. ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY A social evening will he held by the St. Andrew's Society in the Town Hall concert chamber on Saturday night, Artists appearing include Misses Mervi Harvey and Ruth Gourdie, vocalists and instrumentalists, and Miss Gwyn McNaughton, Highland dancer. There will be supper and dancing.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE William Powell, who has appeared in a number of highly successful pictures in the last few years, is soon at his best in "Reckless," which beads the I fine programme at St. .Tames' Theatre. Jean liarlow and, May Robson are included among the talented feminine players who appear in the film, while Franchot Tone also has a major part. There is a large number of shorter pictures, including Pop-Eye the Sailor in "Let You and Him Fight." STRAND THEATRE Irene Dunne, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers aro in the leading roles of the delightful musical comedy "Roberta," which is the first film being shown at the Strand Theatre. Light entertainment of the finest, type is provided in "Brewster's Millions," which heads the programme to have its initial presentation at the theatre to-morrow. Jack Buchanan gives a characteristic performance in the chief part and receives capable support from Lilt Dnmita. With lavish settings and bright, tuneful music the picture is assured of great popularity. , TUDOR CINEMA "Roberta," a delightful musical comedy, wdl be shown for the last timo to-night at the Tudor Cinema, The cast includes Irene Dunn, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. NEW REGENT THEATRE Prizes worth £2O will be_ distributed among patrons at the New Regent Theatre to-night. These include a teaset, blankets, rugs, flour and crockery. In addition, there will bo an attractive picture programme.