PLAZA THEATRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22355, 28 February 1936, Page 17

PLAZA THEATRE

"First a Girl," which will commence the second week, of its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day, owes its success in a great degree to the outstanding performance of Jessie Matthews, and to the wide opportunities offered fay the highly novel plot. "First a Girl" turns upon the adventures which befall a girl who is forced to masquerade as a female impersonator, and it provides a feast of comedy in situation and in dialogue such as is rarely met with off the legitimate stage. Opportunity is taken to' stage a number of lavishlymounted dances with Miss Matthews in the forefront, and also several specially written songs. The supporting cast is talented, comprising Sonnie Hale, Griffiths Jones and Anna Lee. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A splendid story set amid the circus adventures of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show is unfolded in "Annie Oakley" at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres.' Annie is an intrepid and skilful markswoman and her shooting contests with Toby Walker are a feature of the circus programme. When Toby, through a mishap to his eye, accidentally shoots his partner, for whom he lias the tendercst feelings, he is blamed for it bitterly by Buffalo Bill and leaves the | troupe. Annie carries on, but life is j miserable for her until she joins Toby in a shooting gallery and there finds 1 complete liappiness. Tho talc is a simple l one and is simply and capably enacted, j Barbara Stanwyck has the role of l Annie and her directness and winning i charm make her an ideal ! Preston Foster and Melvyn Douglas i also are deserving of credit for their ; work in lesser parts. In its historical interest, its scenic attraction and its dramatic intensity the picture is of a high order. "Dance Band," the second film, is an equally attractive item of entertainment. STRAND THEATRE ! Twinkling feet beating time to tunes • which linger long in the mind bear j witness *to the presence of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in the cast of "Top Hat," the remarkably successful musical comedy which will open a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Equally as light-hearted in theme as "The Gay Divorcee" and "Roberta," the film provides full measure of carefree entertainment, spectacular tapdancing by exponents who rank high in the art being interspersed with a number of songs. The story rests on a mistake in identity and is worked up into the most ridiculous situations in the best stage manner. The settings have obviously been carefully thought out and the songs, notably "The Piccolino" and "Top Hat," have thus been made all the more attractive. The comedy reaches a high standard, thanks chiefly to the wit of Astaire, the imbecility of Edward EvSrett Horton and Eric Blore, and the philosophic airiness of Helen Brodrick. STAR CINEMA A magnificent array of leading Hollywood players forms the cast of "If I Had a Million," which opens a season at the Star Cinema to-day. Charles Laughton is at the head and Gary Cooper, George Raft, Jack Oakie, Charlie Ruggles, W. C. Fields, Roscoe Karns, Gene Raymond and Richard Bennett each shines in his particular direction. The feminine players include some equally illustrious players in May Rohson, Alison Skipworth, Mary Boland, Lucien Littlefield, Frances Dee, and Wynne Gibson. Such varied and high-class talent has rarely before been assembled for one film and comedy, pathos, drama and music are combined. "Trouble In Paradise'" can boast of almost the same attraction. Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis,- Herbert | Marshall, Edward Everett Horton, with j his incomparable humour, and C. j Aubrey Smith—ail play a part in the ! central theme ASTOR THEATRE An epip of military life on the northwest frontier of India, "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," will be screened tonight at the Astor Theatre. Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell and Sir Guy Standing are in the cast. RIALTO THEATRE Dick Powell has full opportunities for his pleasing singing in the musical production "Thanks a Million" at the Rialto Theatre. " Remember Last Night," which traces the detection of an ingenious murder, is the second film.