ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22431, 29 May 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE A .bright hew comedy team, 'comprising Frances Day and Arthur Eiscoe, heads a large cast hi the British musical film, "Public Nuisance No. 1," which is the chief attraction on the programme to be presented at the Regent Theatre to-dav. A pleasing departure from the conventional form of musical comedy pictures is made in that the songs are introduced as a part of tlio story. No attempt has been marie to delay the action of the plot to present any of the tuneful melodies with which the film_ is liberally interspersed. They fall into place logically, and the result is completely successful. Another outstanding feature of this highly entertaining film is the brilliancy of its dialogue, which is full of witty repartee and the amusing "back-chat" which filmgoers so heartily appreciate. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A comedy •which has delighted audiences both as a stage play and as a talking picture, "Three Live Ghosts," continues to be warmly received at St. James' Theatre, and the management has decided to extend the season. Claude Allister, Richard Arlen and Gus McNaughton have the important roles, while Beryl Mercer, in the part of a Cockney woman, also is outstanding. PLAZA THEATRE A picture which should appeal to young and old alike, the Warner Brothers' production, "Captain Blood," will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Based on the stirring sea story by Rafael Sahatini, the film loses none of the exciting and essentially romantic atmosphere of the original novel. A new player of exceptional promise, Errol Flynn, gives an outstanding performance in the role of the handsome buccaneer. Olivia de Havilland, who has several notable performances to her credit, makes a delightfully attractive heroine, and there is an accomplished supporting cast, including players of such proved ability as Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone and Guy Kibbee. A splendid selection of shorter films is also shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE , A moving story of the American Civil War is unfolded in " So Red the Rose," the Paramount film to be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Margaret Sulla van gives a notable performance as the daughter of the . wealthy Bedford family, and Randolph Scott is seen as her cousin, Duncan Bedford, a young man who holds very strong convictions about the futility of a war between the States. Tragedy overtakes his family and, in his grief, he forgets his principles to join the Southerners. When the war is over the beautiful family seat at Portobello is in ruins, the slaves have rebelled and only a few of the womenfolk remain to carry on the proud traditions of the past. Duncan Bedford returns from the war unheralded, and the film closes on a note of hope, with the happiness of its principals assured, as they face the future with the noble courage which characterised their civilisation.

NATIONAL THEATRE Seldom has such a galaxy of talent been assembled for one production as in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the Warner Brothers' film which is to commence a season at the National Theatre to-day. Based on Shakespeare's immortal comedy, with Mendelssohn's music providing a very fitting accompaniment, the film represents a determined effort on the part of its famous producer, Max Reinhardt, to Tecapture the essential spirit of the original comedy. The notable cast includes such well-known screen ..personalities as Joe K. Brown, James Cagney, Olivia do Havilland, Anita Louise, Victor Jovy and Hugh Herbert. l .

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two artists who have achieved remarkable success in unusual and sinister roles, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, .both give exceptionally good performances in ''The Invisible Ray," the thrilling story of a scientist who discovers a new element,. which heads the programme. at the Roxy and Tivolj .Theatres. An exci ting story of a young doctor, who takes up work in a Pennsylvania steel mill when his hopes for a successful, career are blighted, is presented in the second attraction, "Dangerous Intrigue." Ralph Bellamy gives a convincing performance as the Anthony Halliday. Carole seen as his rather shallow fiancee, while Gloria Shea is .outstanding as Gerta Kosovic, a girl with whom Halliday falls in love.

STRAND THEATRE -

James Cagney heads a notable cast in " Devil Dogs of the Air," the thrilling now film of the double-feature pro-, gramme to be presented at the Strand Theatre to-da.v. Margaret Lindsay takes the feminine lead, and Pat O'Brien also has •an important part. " Happiness Ahead," a musical film with the popular singer Dick Powell in the leading role, is the second attraction. Josephine Hutchison charmingly portrays the young society woman wBo falls "in love with the manager of a window cleaning establishment, while Frank McHugh is responsible for much of the humour.

STAR CINEMA " Little Lord Fauntleroy," the film to bo shown at the Star Cinema to-day, is notable for the splendid performance of Freddie Bartholomew, as the young American Cedric. C. Aubrey Smith gives one of his finest characterisations in the part of the English earl, and Dolores Costello Barrymore gives a sympathetic portrayal of the mother. Directed by David 0. Selznick, whoso work in "David Copperfield" earned him unstinted praise), the film is exceptional both for its technical excellence and the fine performances given by its entire cast. It has an appeal for young and old and provides ideal entertainment.

STATE THEATRE Perhaps the funniest comedy team on the screen, the Marx Brothers, have the important parts in "A Night at the Opera," the film to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. The picture provides one long succession of laughs, with th 6 inimitable comedians at their best. Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle provide the romantic interest.

'CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO

Lawrence Tibbett is heard to advantage in "Metropolitan," "the splendid musical film which heads the double-feature programme at the Cr.vs-* tal Palace and liialto Theatres. .Virginia Bruce plays opposite the famous baritone. Edmund Lowe, Karon Morley and Paul Cavanagh are the players in "Thunder in the Night," the second attraction. , ..

EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA Entertainment consisting of "In Person" and "Seven Keys to Baldpate", will be presented at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres tonight. ' **•

PRINCESS THEATRE "The Tunnel" and/"Two in the Dark" are'the films to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-night.

TUDOR CINEMA Laurel and Hardy have the leading roles in the entertaining fijm, "Bonnie Scotland," which is to bo 6hown at the Tudor Cinema to-night,,

CIVIC THEATRE " Dangerous," the picture which is said to give Bette Davis, its leading player, even greater Opportunities to exercise her outstanding dramatic abilities than did either "Human Bond-, age" or " Border Town," will be shown for the first time in Auckland at the Civic Theatre to-day. The story is a moving one concerning an actress who enjoyed unrivalled popularity when her career was at its peak, but who, like most public idols, was left utterly alone when success left her. Franchot Tone takes the part of a young architect who neglects his profession and his fiancee in an endeavour to save the woman whoso selfishness has brought her to ruin, and Margaret Lindsay is seen as the third member of the eternal triangle. As the housekeeper who cares for the actress during her convalescence at the architect's country home, Alison Skipworth gives an exceptionally good characterisation. EMBASSY THEATRE In "These Three," which was screened for the first time at the Embassy Theatre yesterday, United Artists, the producers, havo released one of the outstanding films of tho year. Adapted by Lillian Hellinan from her stage success, "The Children's Hour," the production commands attention by its unusual theme, its brilliant acting and its superb direction. The story discusses the effect of muddled helplessness under which three people suffer when they vainly attempt to escape from the effects of a malicious lie. Tho scene is laid in a girls' school which Martha Dobie (Miriam Hopkins) and Karen Wright (Merle Oberon) establish with the aid of Joseph Cardin (Joel McCrea), a young focal doctor. To escape punishment for a misdemeanour, one of the pupils, Mary Tilford, runs home to her grandmother and whispers a venomous untruth about the conduct of the doctor and his fiancee's best friend. The tale is accepted with horror and spread with .indignation. The pupils are withdrawn from the school overnight, a libel action is fougHt and lost and the three innocent victims of the slander are left alone by the world with their reputations gone and their life work wrecked. But the drama ends on a happy effective note, and th<» audience is given the satisfaction of seeing the malicious child punished and Karen Wright reunited with her doctor lover. Merle Oberon, who will be remembered for her excellent performances in "The Dark Angel" and ''The Scarlet Pimpernel," acts her part splendidly, while Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea are no less impressive. As Martha Dobie, Miss Hopkins has a most difficult task, for she must persuade the audience she is in love with her friend's fiance without ever making it apparent to any of tho characters. This she accomplishes with brilliant success and in her final scene, as she leaves the penitent Mrs. Tilford to go her own way in the world, she shows an assured touch of mingled pathos and defiance. As Mary Tilford Bonita Granville makes the unpleasant child detestably real. Her work is outstanding and bears comparison with any of the performances of the more experienced players. An excellent supporting programme is also screened. The items include newsreels,'with magnificent photographs of the Queen Mary sailing from the Clyde, and a Walt Disney Silly Symphony, "Three Orphan Kittens." To judge from tho delight it gave last night's audience, it is easy to understand why it gained the recent award of the Hollywood Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the best cartoon film made last year.

LONDON CINEMA " She Learned About Sailors," with Lew Ayres and Alice Faye, heads the programme to be presented at the London Cinema to-day, Betty Balfour and Gordon Harker are the players in " My Old Dutch," the second attraction.