ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE " First a Girl," which will have its first screening at the Plaza Theatre today, 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 which beset her. A vivacious performance by the English actress Jessie Matthews embraces romance, merry masquerade and a rich feast of song, dance and spectacle, in which she is ably supported by Sonnie Hale, complete with quips anil jests. There is a captivating climax when an impersonation of tho impersonator is carried through with Hying colours. Included in tho production are a finely-staged mannequin parade and a fantastic scene wherein a whirlwind song and dance is presented from the setting of a suspended gilded cage. This is but one of many elaborately staged numbers which Miss Matthews presents with the assurance and poise gained from her experience 011 the London stage. Whether as boy or girl she is tho dominating player, and her effortless acting is convincing. A by-plot is provided by Griffiths Jones, as the suave Robert, and Anna Lee, a princess engaged to him. Robert's achievement in the film is to carry off the object of his admiration, Elizabeth (Miss Matthews), which he does in the last scene, leaving Victor (Sonnie Hale) on the stage in her place and some police officers in the wings waiting to interview him. MAJESTIC THEATRE Stirring scenes of action in the pursuit of an incendiary whose deeds are causing untold losses to insurance companies servo as a background to a well-enacted lovo story in " Grand Exit," this week's attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Edmund Lowe is excellently cast as a fire investigator who is engaged on his own terms to track down a fanatic whose crimes of arson are seriously reflected on the books of his company. On the scene of every fire appears tho lovely Adrienne Martin (Ann Sot hern) whoso presence makes him deeply suspicious. Very amusing by-play between the two is interrupted when more fires occur and once again she is found on tho scene. Exasperated beyond endurance he has her put under observation while he continues his investigations, finally to produce the criminal in dramatic fashion. Scenes of the proclamation of King Edward and of the funeral procession of the late King George are presented among tho supporting films. CIVIC THEATRE The unusual occurrence of a gambler at the casino at Monte Carlo breaking the bank forms one of tho diverting scenes in " The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," which is drawing large audiences to the Civic Theatre. Ronald Colman in tho role of an impoverished Russian prince causes tho sensation, and his calm self-possession and nonchalant attitude amid the excited lookers-on are contrasted vividly. Joan Bennett enters the story as a decoy sent by tho controllers of the tables to bring him back into their clutches. The film has an original and pleasing conclusion. REGENT THEATRE The pleasing musical score of " The Dubarry " interpreted by a queen among singers, Gitta Alpar, tho spectacle of the French court under Loius XV.. and the witty and vivacious conversation of the French people are combined in "I Give My Heart,'' which will open a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. A Hungarian soprano whose voice is of the purest quality and of surprising range and strength, Miss Alpar sings the tuneful lyrics of "The Dubarry " with understanding and full expression. But apart from, her singing Miss Alpar is an acquisition to the screen for her acting alone. Her Dubarry is an entrancing creature, gay ard witty, laughter-loving and tempestuous, with a smile for all and respect for none. Owen Nares, of the London stage, Margaret Bannerman and Arthur Margetson have wide scope in the supporting roles. The lavish halls and chambers of Louis' court have been accurately reproduced, and the costumes and modes of the period are of interest in their contrast with present fashions. Tho dialogue throughout is bright and well delivered, ' with neat and pungent phrases raising many a smile. The Regent Orchestra will appear on the supporting programme. STATE THEATRE A vivid picture of the hardships, the glories and the adventures met with on activo service on the Indian frontier, in Arabia and in the' Sudan, is given in "The Outpost," which will be screened at the State Theatre to-night. Claude Rains and Cary Grant take the acting responsibility almost entirely on their shoulders, and their work is something to admire. One is cast as the intelligence officer by whose personality and indomitable spirit a native tribe is made to give up its home and undertake tho crossing of a mighty mountain range, and the other portrays the commandant of an armoured car detachment. Scenes which stand out among others aro tho crossing of a river in spate by natives on inflated pig skins, the defence of an isolated fort against native troops, and the stampede of wild elephants and hippopotami by a forest fire. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The talented English character actor George Arliss gives another finished performance in "The Guv'nor," at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. As a tramp making his way through France, he is brought into contact by chance with the wealthy banking house of Rothschild and in subtle and amusing fashion makes off with a substantial sum of money. An excellent supporting programme is headed by a Charley Chase comedy. LONDON CINEMA Leo Carrillo is the leading player in " Obey the Law," which will lie shown at the London Cinema to-day. "Among the Missing (Richard Cromwell) completes the programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE A bright musical comedy, "Hooray for Love," and "Special Agent," featuring Bette Davis, George Brent and Ricardo Cortoz, will be screened tonight at the Britannia Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA Francis Lederer and Frances Dee have important parts in "Tho Gay Deception," which will he shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. VICTORIA THEATRE Entertainment comprising "We're in the Money" and "Four Hours to Wait" will be offered at tho Victoria Theatre to-night. | EPSOM REGENT AND ALFXANDRA Warner Oland gives a faultless characterisation in "Charlie Chan in Shanghai," at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. "Marry tho Girl" completes the programme. ASTOR THEATRE The musical production "If I Had a Million" will be screened at tho Astor Theatre to-night. "One New York Night" is a second feature.

- ST. JAMES' THEATRE The charming personality of Joan Crawford and tho manly bearing of Brian Aherne as her leading man ensure the popularity of the film " I Live My Life," at St. James' Theatre. ' forsaking All Others," " No More Ladies and " Chained " have firmly established Miss Crawford as a first-class player of comedy drama. Brian Aherne's performance in " The Constant Nymph " left little to be desired and to repeat his success would be enough to guarantee him a place in the top flight of- screen players. The story touches on the contrast between the town and the country, the sophisticate and the iinsophisticate. As the favoured Kay Bontley Joan Crawford comes upon 'Brian Aherne, an inwardly-inclined archaeologist digging contentedly on tho shores of an isle in the Mediterranean. He is repulsed by her obvious wealth and good lot, but deluded into thinking her secretary to her wealthy father and not his daughter, ho follows her eagerly to New York, lho couise of true love has many amusing deviations before tho striking climax of tho story. _____ ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A gay comedy-drama, "Tho Goose and the Gander," heads* the current programme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. Kay Francis heads the oast with George Brent. Among tho other players are Claire Dodd, Genevieve Tobin, Ralph Forbes, John Eldredge and Helen Lowell. The story involves not only the theft of jewels of great value but contains a matrimonial tangle which is not unravelled until the last scene. Kay Francis as Georgianna determines to fish, in troubled waters with her divorced husband and his "present wife as her prey. With tho assistance of a service station attendant she has a number of people side-tracked to her mountain lodge, where there follows a succession of amusing and dramatic episodes. The way in which tho complicated situation is cleared makes a sensational climax. "To Beat the Band," the second feature on the programme, is as merry a comedy as could be desired. A legacy is left to an elderly bachelor provided he marries within three days. Failing his doing so the money reverts to a dance band. The conflict between the two parties is the occasion for a series of highly entertaining incidents. STAR CINEMA Ranked as one of the finest musical productions of last year, "One Night of Love" will open a season at the Star Cinema to-night. Grace Moore, the soprano from the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, has the central role, and the story of her rise in tho part of an American girl. Mary Barrett, to the top flight of opera singers makes an entrancing tale. Tullio Carininati also scores a notable success. The musical score is culled chiefly from grand opera and has proved to be of universal appeal. William Powell and Myrna Loy make a captivating pair in "Star of Midnight," tho second attraction. The film combines an excellent mystery plot with sparkling dialogue and first-class comedy. NATIONAL THEATRE Will Hay's latest production, " Boys Will be Boys," which recently completed a successful run at the Plaza Theatre, will be screened at the National Theatre during the coming week. With a confederate in the butler (Gordon Harker) Hay as Dr. Alexander Smart forges a testimonial which admits him to Narkover School as headmaster. Trouble arises when the butler's criminal instincts lead him to steal a necklace. Butler and headmaster, thief and accomplice, are led a merry dance when the pupils get wind of the facts. George O'Brien makes a virile hero in " Hard-Rock Harrigan," which completes tho programme. STRAND THEATRE The capable producer of films depicting wild animal life, Frank Buck, follows up his " Bring 'Em Back Alive " with a still ..more exciting production in " Fang and Claw," which will have its first screening at the Strand Theatre, to-day. Scenes in " Bring 'Em Back Alive " have seldom since been equalled for the excellent photography produced under perilous conditions and for the realistic picture given of the animals and their habits in their native haunts. " Fang and Claw " contains similar scenes, embellished by recent technical progress in the art of photography. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Robert Montgomery as the debonair young man who solves the mystery of a number of murders committed in London and its environs is the dominating player in " The Mystery of Mr. X," which will open a season to-day at the Prince Edward Theatre. Johnny Weismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan appear in " Tarzan and His Mate," the second film. MAYFAIR THEATRE James Dunn and June Knight have the principal roles in "Take a Chance," at tho Mayfair Theatre. E. Phillips Oppenheim's tale, "Midnight Club," also will be shown. Clivo Brook, George Raft and Helen Vinson are in the cast.