ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22357, 2 March 1936, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A story far removed from the ordinary run of screen plots is "Peter Lbbetson." the new picture at the Regent Theatre. It is the film version of the George du Maurier novel of the same title. I)u Manner's fantasy of the childhood sweethearts, who, parted by disaster, find a happy reunion in a dream life, is a, theme which offers many a hazard to successful translation to the screen. The producers of "Peter Jbbctson," however, gain the reward of courage and make a brilliant offering where there might easily have been a banal and blatant one. Gary Cooper and Ann Harding are the principals. ST. JAMES 1 THEATRE Gorgeously gowned and as sophisticated as ever, .loan Crawford scores another triumph in "I Live My Life," the decidedly modern drama that is now in the second week of a very successful season at St. James' Theatre. Playing opposite to her is a new leading man, Brian Aherne. The partnership seems to bo thoroughly successful and will undoubtedly be repeated. Aherne is cast as an archaeologist engaged in digging fossils in a Mediterranean backwater. Joan Crawford, appearing as a NewYork society girl, comes on the scene and fossils are forgotten. There is an entertaining supporting programme, which includes a coloured I* itzpatrick travelogue and a Pete Smith Oddity. PLAZA THEATRE Now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre. "First a Girl" is enjoying the success that is always associated with a Jessie Matthews production. This time Mif«s Matthews is cast as a milliner's assistant, who. when suddenly forced to take tho place of a friend as a female impersonator, makes such a success of the part that she is signed on for a tour of Eurone. Her subsequent adventures provide some of the most diverting scenes one could wish for. There are many embarrassing situations. Miss Matthews is given ample scope during the plot to demonstrate her outstanding acting and singing ability. MAJESTIC THEATRE Making an impressive American film debut. Cicely Courtneidge is seen again in "The Perfect Gentleman," the bright new comedy at the Majestic! heatre. I he advantages of clever grooming, intelligent direction and generally wider scope are obvious from the opening scenes, and most people are likely to agree that Miss Courtneidge's change of, locale has been to her advantage. She and Frank Morgan, of "Naughty Marietta," make a fine comedy team and tho picture should cater for a wide diversity of tastes. The supporting programme includes a coloured I? itzpatrick travelogue, "Rainbow Canyon, and a Thelma Todd-Patsy Kelly comedy. STRAND THEATRE Lovers of modern musical comedy are flocking to see "Top Hat," the spectacular picture that is being shown this week at the Strand Theatre. "Top Hat" has enjoved phenomenal popularity in all parts of the world and it seems likely that it will continue its successful career in the Dominion. The most popular dancing "team" in Hollywood, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, are seen together again and they give a performance comparable with that in Roberta" and "The Gay Divorcee."' With them again is that inimitable comedian, Edward Everett Horton, cast as a very hen-pecked husband. NATIONAL THEATRE The New Zealand actor, Colin Tapley, makes a further Hollywood appearance in " The Black Room," the thrilling mystery film that heads this week's programme at the National Theatre. That master of the macabre, Boris Knrloff, is the principal, and the supporting cast includes Marion Marsh and Robert Allen. The plot is based on the exploits of the notorious French " bluebeard," Landru. The second attraction on the programme is an hilarious modern comedy, " That's Gratitude," with Frank Craven, Mary Carlisle and Sheila Mannors. The whole programme provides entertainment of the highest order. STATE THEATRE Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler head the cast of the musical film " Flirtation Walk," which is being shown at the State Theatre. There are many spectacular scenes and lilting tunes, while a. pleasing vein of comedy runs through the plot. Also on the programme is " The Casino Murder Case," with Paul Lukas and Alison Skipworth. Earphones are supplied without any extra charge to patrons who are hard of hearing. STAR CINEMA Miriam Hopkins, probably one of the most popular actresses on the screen to-day, makes a further appearance in " Trouble in Paradise," the hilarious comedv-drama at the Star Cinema. With its gay wit, the film should be assured of a successful season. Others in the cast are Herbert Marshall, Edward Everett Horton and C. Aubrey Smith. The second attraction on the programme is the unusual interview film, "If I Had a Million." Charles Laughton and many other screen celebrities appear. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO That old favourite, Bebe Daniels, makes a welcome return to the screen in " Music is Magic," the new film at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. " Fang and Claw," a Frank Buck jungle production, also is on the programme. TUDOR CINEMA Being shown for the last time at the Tudor Cinema to-night is the memorable Ben Heeht-Charles Mac Arthur production, " The Scoundrel." Noel Coward, in addition to providing tho script, takes the leading role. LONDON CINEMA That vivacious little English actress, Jessie Matthews, appears with Owen Nares in " There Goes the Bride," the new picture at the London Cinema. The second item on the programme is "Ann Carver's Profession," with Fay Wray. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE To-day's programme at the Prince Edward Theatre consists of " Treasure Island " (Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper) and " Murder in the Rear Car," a railway mystery drama, with Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Barbara Stanwyck and Preston Foster are the principals in " Annie Oakley," the fine film that heads the current programme at the lloxy and Tivoli Theatres. Also being shown is " Dance Band." with Buddy Rogers and June Clyde. BRITANNIA THEATRE " The Age of Indiscretion " and "The Camels are Coming" comprise to-night's programme at the Britannia Theatre. VICTORIA THEATRE " Shipmates Forever," with Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, is the principal attraction at the Victoria Theatre.

CIVIC THEATRE A musical film of the highest class, "I Dream Too Much" continues to attract largo audiences to the Civic Theatre. The picture is chiefly notable for the initial screen appearance of the beautiful operatic soprano, Lily Pons, coloratura soprano of the Metropolitan Opera, New York. In addition to possessing a magnificent voice, Miss Pons has an engaging personality which adds considerably to the charm of her performance. Among the numbers she sings are the haunting "Caro Nome ' from Verdi's "Rigoletto," and the "Bell Song" from Delibes' "Lakme." Her rendering of the latter piece, one of the most celebrated of operatic arias, is really memorable. r I here is s. bright supporting programme. MAORI CONCERT An enjovable concert was j;sncn in the Town Hall on Saturday ni,<;ht by a party composed of picked Maori performers from the W aiknto, liiider the direction of the Princess Te Puea Herangi, and from Tamaki. The concert ; was organised in aid of the building fund for the completion of the carved meeting house "Mahinarangi" at Xgaruawahia, which is to bo opened shortly, and for village improvement funds for Orakei pa. There was a good attendance, and the audience was very appreciative of the high quality of the items. The first half of the programme represented by haka, poi and action song the voyage to Aotearoa from Hawaiki, the landing, village life, -welcoming visitors, and the later highest development of the genius of the race in intricate song and poi. The second part of the programme included some original and stirring Rarotongan. and Island numbers, performed by artists from Orakei. During the evening a presentation was made to Mr. F. E. Martin, secretary of the Auckland Labour Party, and Mrs. Martin, of a beautiful carved hoe (canoe paddle) and a miniature teketeke, both inlaid with pan a, by Princess Te Puea, who was attired in an ancestral kahu kiwi (kiwi feather mat), and accompanied bv little Rangiehe Hira. The Rev. W. Pan a pa, of Mangere, explained that they symbolised the gratitude of the Maori people for the work he and his party had done to raise the status of the Maori people through an understanding of their racial and economic problems. The programme concluded with "E Pari Ra" and the National Anthem sung in English and Maori.