ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A vivid picture of Paris in the time of Louis XV. is presented as the background of the musical romance, "I Give My Heart," a British production now being screened at the Regent Theatre. Gitta Alpar's entrancing voice is heard in the well-known musical score of "The Dubarry," from which the story is taken. There are some lavishly produced scenes of the Court of Versailles, while a striking shot of the ascent of Montgolfier's balloon lends a degree of topical interest. " PETER IBBETSON " A long-awaited production which has scored a remarkable success at practically every presentation overseas, "Peter lbbetson," has been secured by the Regent Theatre management for screening next Friday. Gary Cooper, whose performance in "The J jives of a Bengal Lancer," brought him such overwhelming praise, is given an opportunity to show his ability in an historical role, and from all accounts his performance is one of his best. Ann Harding, outstanding in a dramatic part, is the feminine lead. ST. JAMES' THEATRE An excellently produced comedydrama, "I Live My Life," preceded by an outstanding supporting programme, provides good entertainment of a less serious nature at St. James' Theatre, Joan Crawford at the head of the feminine players gives one of her best performances as the favoured young society girl, Kay Bentley. Brian Aherne, as her new leading man, makes an active figure with a strong flavour of originality. A Pete Smith Oddity and a Fitzpatrick travel talk in colour arc included in the supporting films. PLAZA THEATRE With a novel plot tracing the adventures of a girl who masquerades as a female impersonator, "First a Girl," at the Plaza Theatre, is filled with gaiety, song and romance. Jessie Matthew's mercurial personality finds fitting expression in the loading role of a little milliner's messenger, Elizabeth, who finds her true calling on the stage. Called upon suddenly to take the part of her friend Victor, a female impersonator, she fills the position with such consummate success that she is inj stantly caught up in a tour of Europe. I Situations rich in comedy but extremely I embarrassing to Elizabeth follow in quick succession. Eventually, when polico suspicions are roused, she flees with her ardent admirer Robert, leaving the faithful Victor in his old part on the stage as an effective answer to the police officers waiting in the wings. MAJESTIC THEATRE Sparkling dialogue between Ann Sothern and Edmund Lowe, the leading players in "Grand Exit" at the Majestic Theatre, is one of the most attractive features of that film. A semi-detective role as a fire investigator following up a series of mysterious fires suits Lowe's talents to perfection and his bv-play with Mi ss Sothern as a suspect who nevertheless proves highly attractive to him adds a fitting amount of comedy. Eventually shutting up the fair charmer in an observation ward, Lowe solves the mystery in masterly fashion and finally wins the lady's hand. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES How a masterful woman draws a number of people with whom she has accounts to settle to her mountain lodge, there to cause them no little discomfiture, is the theme of "The Goose and the Gander," which will have its final screenings at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-dav. Kay Francis is the dominating player and George Brent and Genevieve Tobin also have full parts. "To Beat the Band," a gay and tuneful musical comedy, is the second attraction. An absorbing picture of circus life is presented in "Annie Oakley," which will commence tomorrow. STRAND THEATRE The perils of hunting wild animals in the jungle of Java are faithfully reproduced on the screen in "Fang and Claw," Frank Buck's latest produc- [ tion, which is now being screened at the National Theatre. Tigers, crocodiles, pythons and other wild beasts are photographed to make a graphic picture, i while the antics of the monkeys at play in the tree-tops should appeal to many. A comedy drama, "His Family Tree," will also be screened. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE The infectious gaiety of Gracie Fields permeates "Look Up and Laugh," which is proving popular at the Crystal Palace Theatre. Miss Fields sings popular songs in her best style and the humour she extracts from every scene is one of the film's strongest points. "The Return of Peter Grimm" completes the programme. STAR CINEMA Operatic arias carefully selected for their popular appeal are sung to perI fection by Grace Moore in "One Night i of Love," now at the Star Cinema, i Tullio Carminati appears as the leading i man. Polished comedy is presented in the second film, "Star of Midnight," featuring Ginger Rogers and William Powell. BRITANNIA THEATRE Mary Ellis and Tullio Carminati figure in a gay romance, "Paris in Spring," now at the Britannia Theatre, j Opening with a highly novel scene on top of the Eiffel Tower, the story moves at rapid pace and includes some pleasing songs. "The Church Mouse" completes the programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Wheeler and Woolsey give of their incomparable comedy in "Hold 'Em Jail," the main film on the programme offering at the Prince Edward Theatre. Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy and Constance Cummings have the leading roles in the second picture, "This Man is Mine." LONDON CINEMA ' An entertaining musical comedy, "Take a Chance," will head the programme to be presented at the London Cinema to-day. There is any amount of gay comedy and some tuneful songs. RIALTO THEATRE Will Hay's incomparable humour is matched , only by the lugubrious performance of Gordon Harker as a reformed criminal in "Boys Will Be Boys" at the Rialto Theatre. Also being screened is "The Return of Peter Grimm." VICTORIA THEATRE Entertainment consisting of "Men Without Names" and "The Healer" will be offered at the Victoria Theatre to-night. TUDOR CINEMA Charles Laughton's remarkable -flair for comic as well as dramatic roles was first recognised in his fine performance in "Ruggles of Red Gap," now at the Tudor Cinema. There are excellent supporting pictures. ASTOR THEATRE A programme comprising "All ol ! Me" and "Say It With Flowers" will be presented to-night at the Astor Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE "The Man who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," will conclude a successful season at the Civic Theatre on Thursday. Interpreted by a cast including such experienced players as Joan Bennett and Ronald Colman, the film is an example of the polished light dramatic productions in which Hollywood excels. The settings are excellent and tho script is up to date and to the point. " I DREAM TOO MUCH" A coloratura soprano of a quality rarely brought to the screen, Lily Pons, plays a full part in "I Dream Too Much," which will open a. season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. Highly successful in operatic roles in Paris and New York. Miss Pons has an attractive appearance and acting ability, and her screen debut in a film which has a fine story enhanced by skilful producing, promises to be most successful. STATE THEATRE Large crowds are attending the State Theatre, Avhere "The Last Outpost," featuring Gary Grant, Claude Rains and Gertrude Michael, is being shown. An epic tale of brave deeds and heroic lighting on the Indian frontier and in the Sudan during the war, "The Last Outpost" is the kind of film which may well be seen more than once. NATIONAL THEATRE An English comedy classic, "Boys will be Boys," with a cast including Will Hay and Gordon Harker, heads a fine programme at the National Theatre. George O'Brien appears in many dramatic scenes in "Hard Rock Harrigan," which completes the programme.