ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE The story of two young people whose careers keep them apart for the greater part of their married life is told in "Next Time We Love," which will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The film is a Universal Films production and it is described by overseas writers as a credit to the industry. The couplo concerned see little of each other, first because tiiey devote much time each to their individual work, later because they aro in different quarters of the globe. Chris Tyler is drawing only a moderate salary when he marries a girl named Cicely. His friend, Abbott, also in love with her, keeps his affection a secret, but he helps the pair's finances by obtaining for Cicely a role in a musical comedy production. Her success spurs on Chris to greater efforts and he is rewarded with the post of foreign correspondent with his newspaper. Through no fault of his own, save that he is too fond of his wife, he loses his position and the pair are again in straitened circumstances. Abbott once more rises to the occasion and secures another job for Cicely, while Chris, in desperation, departs for Siberia on an assignment which he dare not reject. "When he eventually returns husband and wife find themselves comparative strangers, but when he has to go to China she abandons her work to accompany him Their son is too young to travel and is left in America with Abbott. Life in China proves too rigorous for the wife and she returns to New York. It is when she is regaining her health that Abbott in an unguarded moment tells her of his love. The next turn in events comes when the husband becomes ill in Rome and the wife hurries to care for him. Her growing tenderness for Abbott is arrested and husband and wife are brought together in a deeper and more enduring love than they had previously known. Margaret Sullavan has the distinction of having been referred to as an actress who has never figured in a bad picture'or given an indifferent performance. Her emotional powers of acting are something to call forth instant admiration, and it was this quality which made such a success of "Little Man What Now," "The Good Fairy" and "Only Yesterday." Ray Milland and James Stewart are supporting players.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Captain Marryatt's tale "Midshipman Easy" has been made into a charming film and will open a season at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. For adventure on the high seas this story has few equals, and the characters in it are live, amusing and intensely interesting. Jack Easy, the young hero, adopts the sea as his career on the recommendation of his father, and trusts to his father's parting injunction that all men are equal. The hard work he is given soon convinces him that all men are equally unfortunate, but he nevertheless takes to the life. His passion for adventure is aroused when the notorious brigand, Don Silvio, appears on the scene. With his faithful companion, the negro cook Mesty, Easy ruthlessly tracks him down. The brigand shows fight, however, when at last found, and Easy is at his mercy when the reliable Mesty appearfe. Don Silvio disappears from this world when the negro throws him over a cliff and Easy and. his friend receive a full measure of glory.

CIVIC THEATRE Complete with new songs and dances, " Follow the Fleet," commencing today at the Civic Theatre, advances Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire to further prominence. The story is set to a nautical background, against which the hero courts a young lady. His blundering methods, however, are against him, and the course of true love does not run smoothly. A secondary romance is carried on" at the same time, until the hero and heroine, their own troubles righted, bring the pair concerned together. Irving Berlin, who composed the entire musical score for " Top Hat." has written the music. REGENT THEATRE A merry comedy in the best English stylo, "When Knights Were Bold," will commence a season on Saturday at the Regent Theatre. Jack Buchanan, popular on both screen and stage, has the central role, and his agreeable personality has much to do with the appeal of the film. The film links a modern age with the chivalry of the knights of old and presents music, comedy, costuming, spectacle and romance in well-varied proportion. Buchanan was given a free rein in the selection of the story for this, his latest film. He lias the part of a light-hearted young army officer who inherits a title and an estate, but has to cope with an exceedingly straight-laced family, whose interests are all those of the past. Buchanan's modern ways get him into many scrapes, with his family and it needs all his ingenuity to get out of them. Two songs are sung by the hero, "I'm Still Dreaming" and "Ivet's. Put Some People to Work," and a burst of tap dancing adds variety to the film. Fay Wray lends romantic interest. Selections by the Regent Orchestra and featurettes complete the programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Essentially a tale of action "The Fighting Code," which heads the programme at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres, relates the adventures of the hero in his attempt to clear the name of a dead man. He is mistaken for a girl's brother and forces the gangsters who have been spreading slander about her father to confess their guilt. When the girl is shown to be no relation to him the hero is free to follow his heart's desire and marry her. Buck Jones is the male lead and Diane Sinclair the leading lady. Tim McCoy appears in the second film, "Law Beyond the Range."

STRAND THEATRE America's foremost baritone, Lawrence Tibbett, sings a wide rango of operatic and modern numbers in "Metropolitan," at the Strand Theatre. Unlike most musical productions, the film has a story which is well worth while, with Virginia Bruce prominently cast in a romantic role. How a talented but struggling opera company is left in the lurch by its leading lady but carries on to score a great success is told in sympathetic fashion. Tibbett's songs include excerpts from "Faust," "I Pagliaeci," "Carmen," "The Barber of Seville" and the spiritual "De Glory Road." , LONDON CINEMA A boisterous comedy, "No More Women," is the principal item on the programme at the London Cinema. Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe have the leading roles. The supporting programme includes a Popeye cartoon. STATE THEATRE Katharine Hepburn gives a moving performance in "Break of Hearts" at the State Theatre. Charles Bover. from the French stage, is her leading man. There are excellent supporting items. STAR CINEMA Robert Donat is the principal player in " The Ghost Goes West." at the Star Cinema. picture is a satire on Scottish and American customs and is notable for the wit in the dialogue ana its scenic beauty.

ST.- JAMES' THEATRE The beauty of the South Sea islands has been vividly photographed as a background for much of the "Mutiny on the Bounty," at St. .Tames' Theatre. The story is an ideal one for translation to the screen. It is filled with action of the most adventurous nature and offers unlimited, scope for characterisation. Charles Laughton has made a fine study of Captain Bligh, and Fletcher Christian, the likeable leader of the mutineers, is portrayed by Clark Gable. Franchot Tone and Herbert Mundin also appear.

EMBASSY THEATRE The opening ceremony of the latest addition to Auckland's theatres, the Embassy, will be performed at 8 o'clock to-night by the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis. For comfort and sound perfection the Embassy embodies the latest developments, and a policy of presenting only pictures of quality has been decided upon. "Rose of the Rancho," which is the premiere attraction, is as suitable a film for the occasion as could be found. It is a light-hearted musical film, set principally about a picturesque ranch in California. The majority of the scenes aro out of doors, and 300 players were assembled for some of them. Gladys Swarthout, from the Metropolitan Opera House, has the leading part, and she reveals a glorious voice, an attractive appearance and no mean acting ability. Miss Swarthout's songs reveal careful choosing and her part is a. happy and carefree one. John Boles i» her leading man and he, too, contributes to the musical score. Willie Howard and Herb. Williams, two wellknown stage comedians, are in tile supporting cast with Charles Bickfoi-d and H. B. Warner. An outstanding associate programme has been arranged, including a Popeye cartoon, a colour classic, "Song Memories," and "Moscow Moods," with a full Cossack choir. One of the Grantland Rice sportlight series will also be shown. The Embassy Trio, comprising a pianist, violinist and 'cellist, will play in the lounge.

NATIONAL THEATRE The popular little actress Shirley Temple appears in a delightful part in "The Littlest Rebel," commencing at the National Theatre on Saturday. This talented performer shows amazing versatility, acting, singing and dancing in professional fashion. She is the central character in the story and she enacts the part with complete assurance. The tale is set in America during the Civil War and the child's fafher is threatened with being drawn into the ■war. Whan eventually this happens and illness overtakes her mother, the little girl shows her resource by making a trip to "Washington and securing her father's freedom. John Boles, Jack Holt and Karen Morley head the supporting cast. BRITANNIA THEATRE' " Cardinal Richelieu." in which George Arliss gives a splendid characterisation of the famous French minister, and " Smart Girl," will be shown tonight at the Britannia Theatre. VICTORIA THEATRE A programme consisting of " The Murder Man " and " Guard That Girl," will be presented to-night at the Victoria Theatre.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A splendid Easter programme is being presented at the Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres. "Bonnie Scotland," relating the comical adventures of the comedians. Laurel and Hardy, i 3 the first attraction and "Foreign Affaires," in which RalphrLynn and Tom Walls appear, is the second him. TUDOR CINEMA "Diamond Jim," which gives an interesting insight into American city life in the 'nineties, is being shown at the Tudor Cinema. Edward Arnold has the chief role of Jim Brady. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA "Top Hat," a gay musical film with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, heads the current entertainment at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. PRINCESS THEATRE Shirley Temple has the dominant role in "The Littlest Rebel," at the Princess Theatre. An associate feature is "Another Face." CAPITOL THEATRE "The Man on the Flying- Trapeze," with W. C. Fields in a prominent role* will be shown at the Capitol Theatre to-night. "Murder in the Fleet" is a second attraction. GOOD FRIDAY PICTURES A highly-entertaining programme has been arranged for presentation tomorrow night at the Rialto Theatre. " Bonnie Scotland " is the main item, the principal players being the comedians Laurel and Hardy. This pair has never been seen to better advantage. One hilarious situation leads to another and the audience is kept amused throughout the picture. The settings are first in America and later in Scotland, ending when the two heroes join a Highland regiment on active service in Northern India. The supporting pictures are of a high standard.