ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22449, 19 June 1936, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Edward Everett Horton, whose humorous characterisations in "Top Hat" and "The Gay Divorcee" earned him unstinted praise, gives one of his funniest performances in "Her Master's Voice,'' which heads the programme to he presented at the Majestic Theatre J to-day. In the part of a crooner who is ' continually oppressed by a formidable mother-in-law, ho makes the most of the many fnrcicnl situations in which the film' abounds, and there is not a dull moment in the whole picture. As a stage play the comedy received an exceptionally warm reception in New York, where it was produced for eiplit months. Overseas the film version has been equally well received and it should be assured of a very successful season in Auckland. Peppv Conklin, Laura Hope Crews and Elizabeth Patterson are the supporting players. An exciting newspaper story, "Woman I rap, in which Gertrude Michael, George Murphy and Roscoe Karns appear, is tho second attraction. CIVIC THEATRE A film which has an appeal lor young and old alike, the Twentieth Century Films' production "Tho Country Doetor" heads the programme at the Civic Theatre to-day. Prominence is given to five of the most famous little girls iu the world, the Dionne quintuplets, who are to be seen playing and behaving just like babies the whole world over. Apart from the appearance of these charming children, however, the filin is an exceptionally interesting one. The , story concerns a courageous doctor earning out a humanitarian work in J the Canadian backwoods and an absorbing tale of jiis successes and disappointments is" unfolded. An intensely dramatic, incident is the valiant fipht be makes against the ravages of a diphtheria epidemic, which is eventuallv overcome with the aid of a serum brought bv aeroplane. How lie is later shorn of his position, but retrieves his good reputation when he ushers the quintuplets into the world makes a powerful climax. REGENT THEATRE The prophetic genius of H. G. Wells has succeeded in defying human imagination in tho inspiring film "Things to Come," a London I' ilms' production depicting tho progress of civilisation during the next 100 years, which is to be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day. Tho picture is a pessimistic one, at times almost frightening in its daring conception of the future, but it is so closely related to everyday life that there are few who will fail to be impressed by it. Wireless and television become necessities in the towering cities of plate-glass and chromium plating with which the author has supplanted the more prosaic wood and concrete structures of to-day. Even the despatch of rockets carrying a precious cargo of human freight to the moon does not seem to be beyond the bounds of possibility. Every scene has been realistically portrayed, and tho film is a tribute both to the producer. Alexander Korda. and to the author, H. G. 'Wells. Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Raymond Masscy head a large cast. ST. JAMES' THEATRE First-class entertainment is presented in "The Bohemian Girl," heads the programme at St. James' Theatre to-day. Laurel and Hardy are the leading players, while Jacqueline Wells and Antonio Moreno also have important parts. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The waterfront at San Francisco at the time when the discovery of eold had lured to the port the riff-raff of the world is the setting for " T risco Kid," a highly exciting film at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The frailties and the glories of human nature are presented impartially and forcefully in a story of stern issues. .Tames Cagney gives his usual forceful performance and Margaret Lindsay is by contrast delightfully feminine. Ricardo I Cortex is cast as a gambler whose skill is such that he finds it hard to lose I and Li 11 Damita and Donald Woods J have parts which will be found highly interesting. George O'Brien acts with judgment in " O'Malley of the Mounted," the second film, which gives some idea of the life of a trooper in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. STATE THEATRE With many spectacular dance en- | sembles and a number of tuneful .songs j Eddie Cantor's annual musical extrava- ; ganza "Strike Me Pink, ' which heads | the current programme at the State ( Theatre, provides excellent light enter- ; taimnent. The diminutive comedian makes only one film each year, but those who have seen "Strike Mo Pink are unanimously of the opinion that he should appear far more frequently. Farcical situations abound in the current picture, which depicts Cantor as the shy manager ol an entertainment park at arms with a band of racketeers. A large cast, including the beautiful Goldwyn girls, gives capable support. STAR CINEMA A film fully as entertaining as the stage play from which it was adapted, "These Three," has been secured for screening at the Star Cinema. The story is that of three young people linked by strong ties, a doctor, his fiancee and his fiancee's friend. Slander which is spread about their relations threatens to ruin their lives and their friendship, but courage pulls them through. Joel MeCrea, Merle Oberon and Miriam Hopkins head the cast, and there are surprisingly good performances by juvenile players. An excellent associate programme includes a delightful sillv symphony in colour, "Three Orphan Kittens," and an interesting traveltalk. PRINCESS AND EMPRESS THEATRES A picture built around the popular ditty "The Music Goes Round" is tho main item on the current programme at the Princess and Empress Theatres. Harry Richman makes a successful appearance on the screen and Rochelle Hudson ably assists him. Lawrence Tibbett's glorious baritone voice :s heard in tho second item, "Metropolitan." LONDON CINEMA Tho Into Will Rogers is seen in one of his most likeablo characterisations in "David Haruin," which heads the double-feature programme at the London Cinema to-day. "Their Big Moment," with Slim Snmmerville and Zazu Pitts, nlso will bo shown. VICTORIA THEATRE Frank Morgan and Cicely Courtneidgo have character parts in a delightful comedy romance, "The Perfect Gentleman," at the Victoria Theatre. A second attraction is "Dangerous Intrigue." TUDOR CINEMA A tale of a charming woman who unconsciously commits the crime of bigamy and of how her missing husband solves her troubles is told in "Without Regret," at the Tudor Cinema. A Popcye cartoon also is on the programme STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA A tale of adventure and romance, "A Message to Garcia," is being shown with "Dangerous Waters" at tho State Theatre, Ouchunga. MAYFAIR THEATRE Shirley Temple is as delightful .is ever in "Curly Top," which with "Bad Boy" comprises the entertainment at the Mayfair Theatre.

PLAZA THEATRE Jack Buchanan's skilful dancing and cheerful singing keep the audience continuously entertained in "Come Out of tho Pantry," the new musical film at the Plaza Theatre. In the part of a young English nobleman, who loses bis money in a bank crash while on a trip to America and is forced to take up a position as a footman, he is given every opportunity for the introduction of the humorous antics which made "Brewster's Millions" such highly successful entertainment. As the rich American with whom the "footman" falls in love, Fay Wray, is at her best, and supporting roles are equally well filled. \\ ith its swift action, amusing comedy situations and bright singing, the film is well up to the standard of Jack Buchanan's previous productions, and patrons are j assured of thoroughly enjoyable cnterj taimnent. A splendid selection of shorter films also will be shown. EMBASSY THEATRE Some of the scenic beauties of rural United Slates are brought to the screen in natural colour in " I lift I rail ol the Lonesome Pine," the Paramount technieolour film which commenced its Auckland season before large and on--1 thusiastie audiences at the Embassy Theatre yesterday. Filmed mostly in the high Sierras above California, the pic--1 ture is an adaptation of the popular i John Fox novel of the same title. Ali though the story is a trifle meloi dramatic, it is colourful and interesting, , dealing as it floes with bitter family . feuds in the Blue Ridge Mountains of ' Virginia and the difficulties encountered there by a pioneering railway construc- | tion engineer. With its romance, action, j memorable beauty and mountain | comedy, the story should make a wide appeal. The picture would have been a line production in black and white, but the introduction of colour lifts it to a plane well above the average. It has the advantage of being interpreted by three top-rank performers, Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda and Fred Mac Murray. Miss Sidney, whose recent work , with Herbert Marshall in "Accent on ; Youth" aroused so much favourable | comment, is cast this time as a real | little mountain wildcat. All her life sho : lias loved Henry Fonda, a member of ja neighbouring clan. Fred Mac-Murray completes the triangle in the role of the railway engineer, whose intrusion is resented by tho primitive hill folk. Mention also should bo made of Spanky McFarland, of "Our Gang" fame, an ' amusing and likeable child, whose life | is sacrificed in the ruthless mountain ! conflict. "Trail of the Lonesome Pine" ! is a film that leaves audiences with feel- ! injis of deep satisfaction. It is a worthwhile effort in every way and a triumph for modern photography. The supporting programme comprises an outstanding Paramount Pictorial, entitled "The I Collie." which will delight all dog- ■ lovers, a coloured cartoon and Pathe I and Paramount newsreels. STRAND THEATRE Dick Powell's flair for singing popular songs has never been better shown than in "Gold-Diggers of 19.35," which is tho main item on the programme to commence to-day at the Strand Theatre. The musical score is gay and captivating, and Powell revels in his ! part. He is assisted by two experienced i players in Gloria Stuart and Joan Blon- | deli, and between the three of them ; there is little respite from laughter. I Joe E. Brown's antics will provide a j considerable measure of amusement in I "Six-day Bike Rider," the second at- ' traction. This player is an established | favourite with Auckland audiences, and his part in this film is sure to please. NATIONAL THEATRE A fine Australian film, "Thoroughbred," has been transferred to the National Theatre. Helen Twelvetrees, who was brought from America for the special purpose or taking the leading role, gives a performance up to the highest standard of screen acting, and j Frank Leighton, an Australian player, j also is impressive. The story has to do : I largely with horses and the racing j j track, and for that reason will have j great appeal to many New Zealanders , Scenes on the courses At P.andwick and ! Flemington are shown, and a prince j among horses by the name of Storm- ; along plays a prominent and attractive part. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Bing Crosby, whose crooning has established him with a large section of the public as a popular singer, has the assistance of Joan Bennett, Mary Roland and Thelma Todd in a merry musical film, "Two for To-night," at the Prince Edward Theatre. Larry Crabbe. whose exploits as an Olympic swimmer won him considerable fame, has the principal part in "Nevada," a j screen adaptation of Zane Grey's novel, | which will be shown with "Two for To- ! night." Kathleen Burke, Monte Blue i and Raymond Hatton have subsidiary j roles. i ' CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO | Adapted from Tolstoy's novel, "Anna i Karen inn" is a first-class example of I the- historical film which has become j so»popular during recent months. This film, which is being shown at the Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres, presents a moving story of human courage and endeavour, as well as some brilliant in- : sights into Russia before tho war.* 1 "Page Miss Glory," in which Marion Davies appears, is on the same pro- ' gramme. j j STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT j Brilliant dancing and pleasing singing by Fred Astairc and Ginger Roger? are the features of "Follow the Fleet," at tho State Theatre, Devonport. Tho ; dialogue is very amusing.