ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22389, 8 April 1936, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES All Western week will commence at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Two full-length and exciting films, "Fighting Code" and "Law Beyond tho Range," comprise the doublefeature programme. Buck Jones gives his usual virile performance in the principal role of the first attraction and, although he dominates the story with his daring riding, he receives the support of a large and talented cast. Most of the scenes have an open-air setting and the film makes refreshing entertainment from start to finish. Tim McCoy is the principal of "Law Beyond the Range," which is also typical AV estern melodrama. ST. JAMES* THEATRE "Mutiny on the Bounty," at St. James' Theatre, is proving one of the greatest attractions yet brought to Auckland. Crowded houses have greeted practically every session since its first performance two weeks ago and spontaneous applause has been aroused by the performances of Charles Laughton, as the tyrant Bligh, Clark Gable, as Fletcher Christian, leader of the mutineers, and Franchot Tone, as Midshipman Roger Byam. Herbert Mundin, whose role of ship's cook has evoked much applause, also gives a splendid performance. PLAZA THEATRE "Two in the Dark," a thrilling murder mystery, is attracting large audiences to the Plaza Theatre, where it will be screened for the last time to-day. Walter Abel and Margot Grahame are the principals,. JSlargaret Sullavan gives a delightful portrayal in "Next Time We Love," which will be screened for tho first time at the theatre to-morrow. Margaret Sullavan has appeared with success in many popular films, such as "The Good Fairy" and "Only Yesterday," but her performance in this latest production is said to be the best of her career. James Stewart and Ray Millard both have major roles and there is a wide selection of shorter pictures. MAJESTIC THEATRE "No Limit," describing the adventures of a young man who aspires to win the Tourist Trophy race on the Isle of Man, heads the entertainment at the Majestic Theatre. Florence Desmond and George Formby as the leading players provide a quantity of enjoyable amusement. "Here Comes Cookie" is a further attraction, presenting the breezy humour of George Burns and Gracie Allen. " MIDSHIPMAN EASY " Captain Marryatt's tale "Midshipman Easv" has been chosen as the Easter attraction at the Majestic Theatre. The book has in it something of interest to everyone, and hand-to-hand fighting, delightful humour, action and thrills make the screen version unusuftlly good entertainment. The quaint characters in the story have been excellently portrayed and their melodramatic adventures make an ideal subject for the screen. The hero. Jack Easy, goes to sea with firm notions of the equality of man, which proves on board ship to mean that he must work equally as hard as anyone else. He likes the life, however, and before the picture is ended he covers himself with glorv. The negro cook, Mesty, is his faithful companion in all his exploits.

CIVIC THEATRE Sir Cedric Hartlwicke and Anna Neagle have the principal roles in "Peg of Old Drurv," the old-world romance that Trill conclude at the Civic Theatre to-day a most successful Auckland season. The long-awaited musical comedy, "Follow the Fleet," will commence at the theatre to-morrow. Worthy successor to "Roberta," "Top Hat," "The Gay Divorcee" and "Flying Down to Rio," "Follow the Fleet" provides ample scope for the singing, dancing and clowning of that inimitable couple, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Many gay and tuneful new spng and dance numbers are introduced in the new picture. EMBASSY THEATRE The Embassy Theatre, which marks a great advance in theatre construction in New Zealand, will be opened to-mor-row night. The Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, will perform the official ceremony. Luxurious seating, tasteful and decorative appointments and perfect sound reproduction combine to make the theatre one of the finest in tho city. As a premiere attraction the musical film "Rose of the Rancho" will be presented. This picture is notable for the introduction of a mezzo-soprano of quality, Gladys Swarthout. Not only in her singing, but in her attractive appearance and finished acting does Miss Swarthout excel. The film boasts a large cast, 300 players having been used in scenes set against a background in California of last century. Practically tho entire picture waa filmed out of doors, with a picturesque old ranch house as the central location. John Boles acts opposite Miss Swarthout and Charles Bickford and H. B. Warner have prominent parts. The comedians Willie Howard and Herb Williams also appear. NATIONAL THEATRE Warner Baxter, one of the most popular figures on the modern screen, is seen at his best in "King of Burlesque," which is enjoying a particularly successful season at the National Theatre. There is a large supporting cast and a fine associate programme. One of the most celebrated juvenile players to appear in talking films, Shirley Temple, gives a charming performance in "The Littlest Rebel," which heads the programme to have its first screening at tho theatre on Saturday. John Boles, Jack Holt and Bill Robinson are included in the supporting cast.

STRAND THEATRE One of the finest screen plays to have been shown in New Zealand for many years, "Magnificent Obsession," will bo shown for the last time at the Strand Theatre to-day. The plot deals with the efforts of a man to live up to the ideals erf a doctor for whose death he was partly responsible. The leading rolo is taken by Robert Taylor, while the beautiful Irene Dunn, of "Roberta," plays opposite to him. Also in the cast are Betty Furness and Charles Butterworth. Commencing tomorrow is the musical film "Metropolitan," with Lawrence Tibbett. STATE THEATRE Katharine Hepburn, who has recently shown marked, ability in emotional roles, apepars to advantage in "Break of Hearts," which will commence a season at the State Theatre to-day. Charles Boyer is a principal. LONDON CINEMA A tale of adventure and romance, with Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, "No More Women," is at the London Cinema. The supporting pictures are lroadod by a Popeye cartoon. CAPITOL THEATRE Guest Night will be observed at the Capitol Theatre to-night. "Bureau of Missing Persons" and "Whirlpool" comprise the programme. RIALTO THEATRE Lew Ayres and Alice Faye play together again in "She Learned About Sailors," the current attraction at the Rialto Theatre. There is a bright supporting programme.

REGENT THEATRE "The Milky Way," at the Regent Theatre, is notable for the splendid performance of Harold Lloyd in his first appearance on the screen for some time. Lloyd proves that he still retains hi»i old powers of holding the attention of an audience at will. His part in "Tho Milky Way" is as amusing as any he has had and no opportunities for com-, edy have been overlooked. There is a full cast of supporting players. "WHEN KNIGHTS WERE BOLD" Jack Buchanan and Fay Wrav figure in as merry a comedy as Britain has produced for some time, "When Knights Were Bold," to commence an Easter season at the Regent Theatre on Saturday. Buchanan's roguery is excellently suited to his part, that of a light-hearted young army officer who inherits a title and estate. He is confronted with a notoriously straightlaced family and many difficult situa-' tions result. Buchanan's pleasing voice, which contributed largely to his success on the London stage, is heard in two bright tunes, "I'm Still Dreaming"* and "Let's Put Some People, to Work." Another feature which is bound to please is tap-dancing bv the hero. "RADIO PARADE " Tho IZM Radio Sports Club, under the leadership of Mr. BU? Hindman, will present "Radio Parade" in tho Town Hall concert chamber to-night. Musical and humorous items will be presented by a large cast of radio artists and the programme should make bright entertainment. STAR CINEMA Robert Donat, the talented actor who appeared with distinction in "The Count of Monte Cristo," is the principal of "The Ghost Goes West," whichl heads the current programme at the Star Cinema. There is a wide selection of shorter pictures, including one of the popular Walt Disney colour cartoons. 4CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Two hilarious comedies, "If You, Could Only Cook" (Jean Muir and Herbert Marshall) and "His Family Tree."'-. head the current programme at the' Crystal Palace Theatre. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT t To-night's programme at the State; Theatre, Devon port, comprises van," a gypsy romance, and a comedy,' "Don't Bet on Love." TUDOR CINEMA Edward Arnold is the principal of "Diamond Jim," which heads the programme being presented at the Tudor Cinema. There is a splendid associate ! programme. VICTORIA THEATRE "The Murder Man" heads the cur-! rent programme at the Victoria Theatre., "Guard That Girl" is the second at« traction. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Heading the new programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga, is the appealing comedy-romance "Lovebirds." PRINCESS THEATRE "Half a Sinner" heads the programme being presented at the Prin- 1 cess Theatre. The story is a powerful j one, and there is a large and talented' cast.