ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Excellent acting and a dramatic story are combined to provide entertainment of first-class quality in the Warner Brothers' film, "Dangerous," which is being shown at the Civic Theatre to-day. An artist of outstanding ability, Bette Davis, gives a memorable portrayal in the part of an actress whose rise to fame was as rapid as was her subsequent fall from prominence as a. public idol. Kranchot Tone is almost as good in the part of a young architect torn between devotion to liis fiancee and love for the actress. Margaret Lindsay is'seen in the role of the architect's rich fiancee. RECENT THEATRE Light entertainment of a distinctly bright and original variety is presented in "Public Nuisance No. 1," the British musical film at the Regent Theatre. Frances Day and Arthur Kiscoe have tho important roles, and both individually and as a comedy team they give very satisfying performances. Throughout tliii story a number of tuneful melodies are introduced in an unconventional manner which adds interest to the film. The coined v is always bright and the dialogue abounds with the type of smart repartee and wit which has proved so popular with filmgoers. Commencing on Friday, the film "Mary Burns' Fugitive," will lie shown. Sylvia Sydney is the featured player. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A stage play which has proved admirably adaptable to the screen, "Three Live Ghosts," continues to attract large audiences to St. .fames' Theatre. Claude Allister. as "Spoofv," Gus McNaughton, as the Cockney Jimmy Gub- : bins, and Richard Arlen, as the Anieri- j can, Bill, have the principal roles. Beryl Mercer appears as Mrs. Gubbins, the landlady. The story is rich in English humour and sentiment and the interest increases with every fresh development. William Powell and Rosalind Russell score a great success in "Rendezvous," to commence at St. James' Theatre shortly. PLAZA THEATRE Eighteenth century daring and romance fill tho scenes of "Captain Blood," which heads the entertainment now offering at the Plaza Theatre. Pirates and knaves, ladies and gallants are among tho gallery of characters and, as might be expected, the story moves with a speed seldom found in a picture. Errol Flynn makes a successful first appearance on the screen'. He invests the character of Peter Blood, doctor turned sea-captain, with all tho fire and bravado that the character created by Sabatini possessed. Olivia de Havilland is the leading actress. EMBASSY THEATRE An unusual theme, based on Lilian Hellman's play, "The Children's Hour" is ably interpreted by a talented cast in the United Artists' film, "These Three," which is being well received at the Embassy Theatre. Merle o heron, Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea, the principals, have earned the highest praise for their performances in the roles of three young people whose happiness is threatened by a malicious lie. A child actress of astonishing ability, Bonita Granville, gives a realistic characterisation of the spoilt school child who is responsible for the spreading of the untruth.

NATIONAL THEATRE A courageous and successful attempt has been made to transfer Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to the screen, and good audiences have been attending the National Theatre, whero the film is being shown. Elaborato ballets arc introduced to represent the fairy folk who people the play, and Mendelssohn's beautiful music has been adapted as an accompaniment. Max Reinhardt, famous Continental producer, is responsible for the greater part of the film. STATE THEATRE Large audiences continue to enjoy the very amusing comedy, "A Night at the Opera," which heads the programme at the State Theatre. With the inimitable comedians, the Marx Brothers, in important roles the film reaches the highest levels of farce. Ojieratic singing is introduced to advantage, and there is also a leavening of romance provided b.v Allan Jones and Kitty Carlisle. "Mutiny on the Bounty," one of the most outstanding films of the year, heads the programme to bo presented on Friday.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "We're Not Dressing," which heads the very entertaining double feature programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day, is a light-hearted comedy with Bing Crosby at his best. His rendering of several popular airs is one of the outstanding features of the film. Carole Lombard has the leading feminine role, while much of the humour is supplied b.v the amusing comedy team, Burns and Allen. Gertrude Michael and Paul Cavanagh head a notable cast in "Notorious Sophie Lang," the second attraction. Supporting roles are well filled by Alison Skipworth and Arthur Bvron.

STAR CINEMA A film which has an appeal for young and old, "Little Lord Fauntleroy," continues to be well received hv large audiences at the Star Cinema. Directed by David 0. Solzniek. the picture is notable both for its technical excellence and the fine performances given by its principal players. Freddie Bartholomew has the title role.

CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE Herbert Harshall and Ann Harding are the players in "The Lady Consents," the film to be shown at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-night. RI ALTO THEATRE "Oh, Daddy." and "My Marriage" comprise the double-feature programme to be presented at the Rialto Theatre to-night. TUDOR CINEMA "Broadway Melody of 1930" is the main attraction 011 the entertaining programme to be presented at the Tudor Cinema to-night ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "The Invisible Hav" and "Dangerous Intrigue" comprise the entertaining double-feature programme to bo presented at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-dav. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Guest night will bo observed at the State Theatre, Dovmport, to-night, when " Coming Out Party " and "Frontier Marshal" will lie shown. ■>. LONDON CINEMA Two of the screen's funniest comedians, Wheeler and Woolsoy. are seen to advantage in "Hold 'Km Jail," which heads the programme at the London Cinema to-dav

STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Three 011 a Honeymoon" and "Murder in Trinidad" comprise the programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night when guest night will bo observed.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Set in a romantic age, with its story based 011 the trials which beset a wealthy Southern family during the turbulent days of the American Civil War, "So Red the Rose," at the Majestic Theatre, gives Margaret Sullavan a splendid opportunity to display lier talents as a dramatic actress. Randolph Scott, who handles the romantic lead with Miss Sullavan, is well cast, and another notable performance comes from Walter Connolly. Claudctte Colbert and Fred Mac Murray have tho important parts in "The Bride Comes Home," tho diverting comedy to bo presented on Friday. STRAND THEATRE Warner Brothers' film of speed and thrills in the air, "Devil Dogs of the Air," is the main item on the current programme at the Strand Theatre. James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, who appeared in "Cavalcade," and Frank McHugh are in the cast. A musical production, "Happiness Ahead" is the second attraction. Dick Powell sings a number of popular songs and Josephine Hutchinson supplies romantic interest.