ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22346, 18 February 1936, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Hailed as an Empire epic film, "The Last Outpost," the picture that is being screened this week at tho Regent Theatre, is one of tho most noteworthy productions to have been seen locally for some time. Claude Rains and Cary Grant head the cast, while there is an imposing collection of assisting players. On the subsidiary programme is a splendid newsreel which includes vivid scenes at the memorable England versus All Blacks Rugby match. A Betty Boop cartoon, probably tho best yet made, also is being shown. A well-balanced programme is completed with a number of bright items rendered by Trevor Eady's Regent Orchestra. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Fresh from his successful performance in " China fecas," Wallace Beery makes another appearance in " O'Shaughnessy's Boy," tho circus film that is enjoying a successful season at St. James' Theatre. Playing with Beery in the new production is tho favourite boy actor, Jackio Cooper, who established his reputation a few months ago with his fine work in " freasuro Island." Beery is cast as a veteran animal trainer in a leading circus, while Leona Mariclo appears as his wife, a trapeze artist, and Jackio Cooper as their son. The picturo provides outstanding entertainment. PLAZA THEATRE Lovers of English rural scenery still flock to see " l)'Yo Ken John Peel," the film drama that is being shown this week at tho Plaza Theatre. John Garrick and Winifred Shotter are the principals and there is a. capable supporting cast. Included in tho production are a selection of delightfully rendered old British ballads. " FIRST A GIRL" The übiquitous Jessie Matthews is seen again, after a long absence from the screen, in " First a Girl," the uproarious English comedy that will commence an Auckland season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. The picture is musical comedy at its brightest and best. It is a sprightly story of a girl's masquerade as a female impersonator and the subsequent complications. A scintillating performance by Miss Matthews embraces piquant romance, saucy innuendo and m6rry masquerade, in addition to a rich feast of song, dance and spectacle, in which she, the central figure, is capably supported by Sonnie Hale in light-hearted quip and jest. The spectacular scenes include a finely-staged mannequin parade and a supgrb act where Jessie Matthews sings from a suspended gilded cage prior to presenting a whirlwind dance. MAJESTIC THEATRE Virginia Bruce gives another fine performance in " Here Comes the Band,'' the novel musical film that is being shown before large audiences at the Majestic Theatre. Many popular tunes, both new and old, are rendered by Ted Lewis' band in the course of the story and the picture provides satisfying entertainment. Also on the programme are an hilarious Charlie Chase comedy and another of the celebrated Fitzpatrick travelogues. STRAND THEATRE That inimitable child performer, Shirley Temple, sings, dances and acts her way to the hearts of all in " The Littlest Rebel," an American Civil War drama that is being shown this week at the Strand Theatre. Also in the cast is the clever Negro tap dancer and comedian, Bill " Bojangles " Robinson, who first appeared with Miss Temple in " The Little Colonel." NATIONAL THEATRE Warner Oland again is seen in the role of a brilliant Chinese detective in " Charlie Chan's Secret," the amusing crime drama that is being shown at the National Theatre. Also on the programme is a Shirley Temple comedy, " Pardon My Pups." LONDON CINEMA Sydney Howard, one of the most popular of present-day comedians, has the main role in "Up for the Derby," tho new comedy at tho London Cinema STATE THEATRE " Shadow of Doubt " and " Something Always Happens," two thrilling mystery dramas, comprise the new programme that will commence at the State Theatre to-night. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA "Murder in the Fleet" (Jean Parker and Robert Kent) will be shown again at the Alexandra and Epsom Regent Theatres to-night. A bright supporting programme has been arranged at both theatres. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "This is the Life," an hilarious comedy in which the brilliant juvenile Jane Withers has the leading role, is the principal attraction on tho new programme at the Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Once in a Lifetime" and "Her First Mate" are the principal attractions on the current programmo at the State Theatre, Onehunga.

CIVIC THEATRE As debonair as ever, the inimitable Ronald Colman, one of the real veterans of the screen, makes a further appearance in " The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," the new film that is being shown at the Civic Theatre. Column's popularity shows no sign of waning, to judgo by the crowded houses that havo greeted the film. Playing opposite to him is the beautiful Joan Bennett, who makes a charming heroine. Included in the newsreel that is being shown are scenes at the match between England and the All Blacks, and at the Auckland civic welcome to Charles Farrell. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Commencing a short season at the Prince Edward Theatro to-day is the thrilling Zane Grey film, "To The Last Man." Also being screened is the drama " Thirty Day Princess," with Sylvia Sidney. BRITANNIA THEATRE Based on the Gene Stratton Porter novel of the same name, "The Keeper of the Bees" is attracting enthusiastic audiences to the Britannia Theatre. ''The Glass Key" also is on the programme. TUDOR CINEMA Hailed as one of the finest films to have come from America in recent years, "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" will be screened at tho Tudor Cinema to-night. Many of the scenes were taken in India. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Being screened for the last time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day are the entertaining films, "Whispering Smith Speaks" and " Police Car No. 17." STAR CINEMA Miriam Hopkins, of " Becky Sharp " and " Barbary Coast," gives another distinguished portrayal in " Splendour," a modern and sophisticated drama that is being screened at the Star Cinema. Joel Mcßea plays opposite to Miss Hopkins. ASTOR THEATRE Two bright films will bo shown on the " guest night " programme that has been arranged at the Astor Theatre for. to-night VICTORIA THEATRE " Paris in Spring," with Mary Ellis and Tullio Carminati, and the Zane Grey film, " Rocky Mountain Mystery," head the' programme at the Victoria Theatre to-night.