ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22345, 17 February 1936, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Ronald Colman has a role ideally ! suited to his talents in <l lhe Man Who Broke tho 13auk at Monte Carlo, the new film at tho Civic Theatre. Iho immaculate figure and whimsical personality that have endeared Colman to countless thousands of admirers in all parts of tho world will not fail to attract again, for a picture that is as humorous and romantic as this gives full scope for his artistry. This time ho is cast as a Russian prince in the usual reduced circumstances, who, having "broken the bank," returns to Paris to share the profits generously with some of his fellow-countrymen. Playing opposite to him is tho beautiful Joan Bennett. Included in the supporting, programme is an Andy Clyde comedy. REGENT THEATRE England continues to leave the task of producing Empire epic films, such as "The Last Outpost," the new Regent Theatre attraction, to the Hollywood producers. As with the famous "Lives of a Bengal Lancer," the Americans have made a picture that they can justly be proud of. Lloyd Sheldon s skilful production is apparent from the opening scenes where Gary Grant, commander of a British armoured car base in Northern India, is taken captive to a native outpost, to tho dramatic final scenes, where a military burial amid the desert sands of the Sudan ends the career of a brave and resourceful man. Others in a talented cast are Claude Rains and Gertrude Michael. The celebrated Prince Obolenskv is seen in action in a short film showing thrilling incidents in the final match between England and the All Blacks. ST. JAMES' THEATRE All the thrills of the circus are captured in "O'Shaughnessy's Boy," the current attraction at St. James' Theatre. The picture is a tale of the show business and vividly illustrates tho power that man can attain even over the most ferocious of animals, providing he has the nerve and tho perseverance. The theme is that of a father's love for his son. As Windy, the trainer, the veteran Wallace Beery is seen as a man whoso life is bound up with the circus and all that it means. His wife, Cora, played by Leona Maricle, is a trapeze artist who hates her job and ru,ns away with their son (.Jackie Cooper). Broken-hearted, the trainer loses his nerve and allows a tiger to maul him during an act. However, there is ultimate reunion and tho drama moves to an eminently satisfactory conclusion. Heading the programme of shorter pictures is a coloured Fitzpatrick travelogue of Rural Mexico. PLAZA THEATRE Enjoyable entertainment of the highest order is provided in "D'ye Ken John Peel" and "Gay Love," two pleasing English films which are now being shown at the Plaza Theatre. One of the most romantic periods in English history forms the background of the first picture, which is a stirring stor3 r of highwaymen, dicing and love in tho momentous days following Waterloo. Deftly mingled with the plot is a delightful programme of popular old British ballads. In addition to tho song from which the picture derives its title, the numbers include "The Wine is Flowing Strong," "Golden Slumber," "Drink to Me Only" and "Nature's Lullaby." John Garrick. who has been seen in "Lily of Killarney" and "The Broken Melody," has the principal male role, while Winifred Shotter is the heroine. Florence Desmond heads the cast in "Gay Love." She gives hilarious imitations of such celebrities as Greta Garbo, Mae West and Zasu Pitts. NATIONAL THEATRE Transferred to the National Theatre after a successful season at the Plaza Theatre, the mystery film "Charlie Chan's Secret" is enjoying: the popularity that is achieved by all the Chan pictures. Included among the exciting incidents in the plot is a search for a murderer in the underground passages of an allegedly haunted house. Warner Oland gives another delightful characterisation as the bland and quaintmannered Chinese detective. An entertaining Shirley Temple comedy, "Pardon My Pups," is. tho principal attraction on the subsidiary programme, while Buster Keaton makes a welcome reappearance in "Tars and Stripes," the other short comedy. ' STRAND THEATRE Probably the most popular juvenile actress in the history of motion pictures, the diminutive Shirley Temple continues to attract large crowds to the Strand Theatre with her latest production, "The Littlest Rebel." As usual, she sings, dances and acts with outstanding ability and wins her way to the hearts of all. Particularly noteworthy is her rendering of the old Thomas Moore song, "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." In the supporting cast is the clever Negro tap-dancer, Bill ("Bojangles") Robinson. ' STATE THEATRE "After Office Hours," a comedy mystery drama, heads the new programme at the State Theatre. Constance Bennett and Clark Cable are the principals, and, as may be expected, the film provides excellent entertainment. The second picture is "The Gay Divorcee." with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. STAR CINEMA Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea, who first appeared together in that memorable production, " Barbary Coast," are cast again in "Splendour," which is being shown at present at the Star Cinema after enjoying a successful season in Queen Street. There is an exceptionally fine supporting programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES " Police Car No. 17," an exciting film in which an insight is gained into modern American police methods, will lie screened to-night at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Also on the programme is a crime drama of. a novel type, " Whispering Smith Speaks." EPSOM RECENT AND ALEXANDRA An unusual drama of modern crime, " Murder in the Fleet," is tho current attraction at tho Alexandra and Epsom Regejit Theatres. Bright supporting programmes havo been arranged at both theatres. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Romance in Manhattan," a pleasing comedy in which Ginger Rogers plays opposite to the European actor, Francis Ledorer, is tho main film at tho Britannia Theatre. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Jane Withers, generally considered as Shirley Temple's most formidable rival, makes a further successful screen appearance in " This is the Life," the hilarious comedy that will be shown tonight at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. f STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT " Curly Top " (Shirley Temple, John Boles and Rochelle Hudson) and " The Passing of the Third Floor Back " (Conrad Veidt) will bo screened at tho State Theatre, Devonport, to-night.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Something decidedly novel in musical fare comes to the screen in "Here Comes the Band," the film that is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The "plot is one of gay romance and humour, centring around a series of popular songs, while Tod Lewis and his band, in making their first appearance on the screen, have provided a pleasing form of musical entertainment. The main song is "Headin' Home" and tliere are a number of other popular tunes. There is a Charlie Chase comedy on the programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "Operator 13," a film dealing with the American Civil War, is the main item on the new' programme at the Prince Edward Theatre. Marion Da vies is tlie principal. The second attraction is "The Cat and the Fiddle." VICTORIA THEATRE Helen Vinson, who in private life is Mrs. Fred Perry," has the leading role in "The Age of Indiscretion," a drama of twentieth century problems that is being shown at the Victoria Theatre. "Joy Hide" also is on the programme. TUDOR CINEMA Heading the current programme at the Tudor Cinema is a delightful and whimsical comedy drama, "One New York Night," with Una Merkel, Fran-c-hot Tone and Conrad Nagel. LONDON CINEMA " The Crime of Helen Stanley," an unusual mystery drama, and " The Sky Bride," an aviation film, are the principal attractions on the current programme at the London Cinema.