ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22318, 16 January 1936, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE All that goes to make good screen entertainment finds its place in "China Seas," the St. James' Theatre attraction. There is an outstanding cast headed by Jean Harlow as the hardbitten "China Dol!," Clark Gable as the tempestuous captain of the vessel Kin Lung, and Wallace Beery as the pseudo dealer in pigs who turns out to be at the head of a gang of pirates who capture the ship. Lewis Stone. Rosalind Russell and C. Aubrey Smith are the supporting players. The film has incident in plenty,. smart dialpgue and photography which is a triumph in itself. PLAZA THEATRE Edmund Lowe, whose performances on tho screen have hitherto been eonlincd to the silent effectivo typo of hero, is given wider scone in "The Great'lmpersonation," which will begin at tho Plaza Theatre to-morrow, and shows an undoubted flair for more dramatic parts. Tho film lias all tho requisites l'or success. The story comes from ono of the best tales from the pen of E. Phillips Oppenheim and contains plenty of incident set against colourful settings. A striking resemblance between an English nobleman and an unscrupulous international trader out for his own personal gain leads the latter to attempt to pass for tho Englishman in London, and even in his country home. All goes well until the advent of a young lady acquainted with both men uncovers tho impostor and upsets his schemes. Lowo plays the dual role with conspicuous success, and he brings out tho contrast between tho rascally Von Ragenstein and tho weak-willed Englishman with consummate artistry. Valerie Hobson and Wera Engels fill the main feminine roles, and Henry Mollison makes the most of a minor part. A supporting programme of wido and varied interest has been chosen to precede tho main picture. MAJESTIC THEATRE

"Sho Couldn't Take It," which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, promises to be a lighthearted production of wide appeal. Walter Connolly, as tlio head of the Van Dyke family, is sent to prison for income tax evasions and there ho finds welcome rest from his turbulent family. He becomes attached to Spot Ricardi (George Raft) and when he dies in gaol leaves the latter his trustee. Ricardi has his own ideas concerning rebelling families and determines to have the family thoroughly subdued before they inherit the Van Dyke fortunes. An inebriate son, a madcap daughter and a frivolous mother cause him a good deal of trouble, and it is only after extremely rough and ready methods that ho secures the advantage over the daughter (Joan Bennett). The situation has obvious opportunities for comedy and repartee and liaft and Miss Bennett make a really attractive team. Billie Burke gives her always welcome impersonation of the hare-brained society hostess. Excellent featurettes complete a fine programme. CIVIC THEATRE "Top Hat," the latest triumph of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, will commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. STRAND THEATRE The veteran actress May Robson shows herself fully capable of taking the position of leading lady in "Three Kids and a Queen," which will commence at the Strand Theatre to-mor-row. Following up her triumph in "Mother's Millions," Miss Robson acts with feeling, tempered with admirable restraint in this emotional drama of a mother and the troubles which her family bring her. There is a second attraction fully tip to the high standard of the first, "Stormy." This production maintains the excellence of story and incident set by rpcent Western films. Noah Beery, jun., has been chosen for the leading part, and his acting is forceful and sincere. Fred Kohler takes a full share in the acting responsibility, and Raymond Hatton also appears. At the head of the feminine cast is Jean Rogers. Settings in the West of America, add interest and colour to a stirring theme, and a strain of original humour runs through every incident. STAR CINEMA

A dramatic tale of life in San Francisco of the gold-rush days, "Barbary Coast," will have its final screening at the Star Cinema to-night. Miriam Hopkins, as the girl who stays in the town to recover the fortune of her murdered fiance, and Joel McCrea, as a young prospector, are the chief players. A special attraction has been selected to head the programme beginning tomorrow. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The talented actress Ann Harding rises to great heights in an emotional role in "The Flame Within," which heads the current programme at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Herbert Marshall gives an equally fine performance. "Stormy Weather." with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn at their best, is the second attraction.

TUDOR CINEMA Madeleine Carroll and Robert Donat head the cast of " The Thirty-Nino Steps." now at the Tudor Cinema, The film for its scenic value, its geographical interest and its thrilling theme has been ranked among the best ten pictures of the year. LONDON CINEMA Buck Jones gives a pleasing performance in the main role of "South of tho Rio Grande," now at tho London Cinema. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA "Ihe Uiree Musketeers" heads the current programme at tho Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. "Hot lip" is another film being shown. STATE THEATRE,. ONEHUNGA The Big Cage" is the main feature on the current programme at the State 'theatre, Onehunga. Also being shown is "The Kiss Before the Mirror." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "Bachelor Bait" and "The Phantom of Crestwood" will bo screened at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. BRITANNIA THEATRE "The Scoundrel" and "Stnr of Midnight" comprise the programme to bo screened at tho Britannia Theatre tonight. ASTOR THEATRE "Mrs. Wiggs of tho Cabbage Patch" and "West Point of the Air" comprise the current programme at the Astor Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE "Call It Luck" heads an entertaining programme at the Princess Theatre. A supporting picture is "Caravan," CAPITOL THEATRE "The Little Colonel," with Shirley Temple dominating every scene, will be presented at the Capitol Theatro to-night.

REGENT THEATRE The famous play by Roland Pertwee, "Interference, 1 has been adapted to the screen with conspicuous success, mul will be presented nt the Regent Theatre to-niorrow under the name of "Without Regret." Pert woe's play, like most of his efforts, captures the spirit and atmosphere of London society circles to perfection and the wider scope of the screen enlarges the settings, giving added interest to the central theme. Elissa Lnndi dominates the first scenes as the young lady of great imagination and spirit whose reaction when captured by bandits is one of romantic delight. A whirlwind courtship ends in her marrying the dashing bandit aviator, Steven Paradiue. The latter is reported missing in an ocean llight and Miss Lnndi becomes the wife of a distinguished London physician. The old talc of the first husband turning up once more is again followed and a jealous woman attached to Paradine adds the final touch to a dramatic situation. A murder casts Miss Landi under suspicion and the way in which the two men react to the situation is brilliantly contrasted. The suspense which is felt in the final scenes of the play is admirably transferred to tho film. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A programme distinguished by scenes of action and movement will be presented at tho Roxv and Tivoli Theatres to-day, tho main features being "Twofisted" and "Tho Virginia Judge." The former film has as one key to success tho superb acting performance of Leo Tracy, who never fails to attract. Tracy is given a hard part to fill, but shows himself fully equal to the finest emotional scenes and alike to scenes of spectacular daring. Such well-known players as Roscoe Karns, Gail Patrick and Kent Taylor fill the supporting roles. The talented American negro tapdancer Stepin Fetchit makes the most of his opportunities in "The Virginia Judge," the second film. Walter C. Kelly repents the success he achieved in "McFaddon's Flats."

NATIONAL AND PRINCE EDWARD Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak handle tho principal roles in "Thanks a Million," a breezy musical romance, now showing at the National and Prince Edward Theatres. Paul Whiteman and his band are an additional attraction, while Patsy Kelly supplies comedy touches. The second film, "Green Eyes," is an exciting mystery production. ' STATE THEATRE "The Night- is Young" will have its final presentation at the State Theatre to-night. The English soprano Evelyn Lave and Ramon Novarro take tho principal parts. "Les Miserables" will commence to-morrow.