ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22465, 8 July 1936, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A dramatic story of thrilling action and heroic deeds is prn.sontod in tho Warner Brothers film, "Boulder Dam," which heads the excellent double-feature programme to be presented at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Based on J). M. Tempi ill's stirring tale of the building of this engineering masterpiece, tho picture depicts the adventures of the workmen who blasted their way through solid rock and scaled tho precipitous banks hundreds of feet above the river before their object could be achieved. Apart from the amazing scenes of the actual work on the dam, the film presents an absorbing story in which Ross Alexander, Patricia Ellis and Lyle Talbot have important roles. "Song and Dance Man," a cheerful musical film in which Claire Trevor and Paul Kelly are prominently cast is the second attraction, Michael Whalen heads tho supporting players.

RECENT THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment is presented in tho Paramount musical film, " Anything Goes," which is being enthusiastically received by large audiences at the Regent Theatre. Both as a stage play and as a motion picture, the production has achieved remarkable success overseas and its reception by Auckland audiences affords further proof of its popularity. Ethel Merman, Ring Crosby and Ida Lupino head the cast. " At the Bottom of the Wofld," an excellent film depicting the activities of Admiral D.vrd's second expedition to tho South Pole, is the main attraction on the supporting programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Those who enjoy tho exciting melodrama of a good crime film will appreciate the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver version of S. S. Van Dyne's recent novel, "The Garden Murder Case," now being shown at St. James' Theatre. Edmund Lowe gives an excellent portrayal in the part of the debonair detective, Philo Vance, while Virginia Bruce has tho leading feminine role. Benita Hume and Nat Pendleton head the talented supporting cast. A dramatic story of Southern California in the days when it was more Mexican than American is presented in "Robin Hood of Eldorado," which is to commence a season at St. James' Theatre on Friday, j Warner Baxter gives an outstanding \ performance in the part of a simple, laughing peon on one of the great ranches, whose life is crushod and ruined by the invasion of American gold-miners. How he becomes a bandit whoso one passion in life is revenge makes exciting entertainment, and the film should bo assured of a successful reception in Auckland. PLAZA THEATRE Highly dramatic entertainment is presented in " The Prisoner of Shark Island," a Twentieth Century Films production, which is being well received at the Plaza Theatre. Warner Baxter gives an outstanding characterisation of an innocent man -wrongly condemned to penal servitude for life in the terrible prison settlement of Dry Tortugas, in the Gulf of Mexico. Based on actual fact, the story concerns the life of Dr. Samuel Mwld, who was imprisoned during the outcry which followed the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by a drunken actor. Gloria Stuart heads the supporting cast. "Ceiling Zero," which is to bo presented shortly, is a thrilling avia- : tion picture in -♦hicli Pat O'Brien and .James Cagney huve the leading roles. Tho film gives a graphic acccunt of life behind the scenes in a large commercial airport.

STRAND THEATRE A film which has an appeal for young and old alike, the Twentieth Century Films production, "Professional Soldier," heads the programme at the Strand Theatre. The clever juvenile actor, Freddie Bartholomew, is seen in the part of the young king of a Ruritaniau State opposed by anarchists. As the Irish-American soldier of fortune, who is employed to kidnap the young ruler, Victor McLaglen also is outstanding. STATE THEATRE One of the finest films yet produced by the Metro-Goklwyn-Mayer studios, the film version of Dickens' famous novel "David Copporfield," is the main attraction at the State Theatre. Freddie Bartholomew gives one of the best performances of his brief but meteoric career in the title-role, while W. C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore and Edna May Oliver also are outstanding. STAR CINEMA Large audiences are being attracted to the Star Cinema, where the London Films production "Things To Confe" is enjoying a very successful season. Specially written for the screen by H. G. Wells, the scenario on which the film js based gives an impressive account of life in the year 2035. Raymond Massey and Margaretta Scott head the large cast. NATIONAL THEATRE Wallace Beery is outstanding in "A Message to Garcia," the film version of one of the most heroic episodes in Lho Spanish-American War of 1898, which heads the citrrent programme at the National Theatre. John Boles and Barbara Stanwyck also have important roles. "Champagne Charlie" is the second attraction. LONDON CINEMA Edmund Lowe and Wynne Gibson are the players in "Her Bodyguard," the romantic comedy which is being shown at the London Cinema. There is a fine selection of shorter films. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "When New York Sleeps" and "This Man is Mino" are the films to be shown at the State Theatre, Oneliunga, to-night. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT An entertaining double-feature programme comprising the films, " The Ghost Train" and "The Man From Toronto" will bo presented at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. CAPITOL THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment is provided in the double-feature programme at tho Capitol Theatre tonight. "Lazy River" is the first attraction, while " Tho Narrow Corner" also will be screened. VICTORIA THEATRE " Sitting Pretty " and " Hell nnd High Water " comprise the programme at the Victoria Theatre to-night. TUDOR CINEMA George Arliss gives one of his most likeable characterisations in "The Guv'nor," which heads the programme at tho Tudor Cinema to-night. PRINCESS THEATRE Joe K. Brown appears in the amusing comedy, " You Said a Mouthful," which heads the guest night programme at the Princes" Theatre. " Central Park," with Joan Blondell, is tho second attraction.

CIVIC THEATRE With the popular singing player, Dick Powell, in a prominent role and with Ruby Keeler taking the feminine lead, the Warner Brothers musical film "CoL leen," nt the Civic Theatre, maintains the high standard set by previous productions of a similar type from the same studios. The dancing numbers are particularly good, especially those scenes in which Paul Draper and Ruby Keclcr present their clever tap-dancing turns, while an entertaining undercurrent of humour, for which Jack Oakie, Joan Blondell and Hugh Herbert are chiefly responsible, runs through the entire story. Commencing on Friday, the eagerly-awaited "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" will be presented, Gary Cooper, whose sterling perform-? anco in "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer'' will be recalled by many Auckland filmgoers, has the leading role, while Jean Arthur is the heroine. MAJESTIC THEATRE Lionel Barrymore gives another excellent characterisation in " The Voice of Bugle Ann," the Mctro-Goldwvn-Mayer film at the Majestic Theatre. Maureen O'Sullivan and Eric Linden also are prominently cast. There is a splendid selection of shorter films, including an Our Gang comedy and a characterisation by Chic Sale entitled " The Perfect Tributo." EMBASSY THEATRE A stirring story concerning the differences between two families of proud backblocks dwellers is presented in "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," which continues to be well received at the Embassy Theatre. Produced by tho Paramount studios, the picture is the first full-length outdoor film to be photographed entirely in natural colour. Fred Mac Murray and Sylvia Sidney have the leading roles, while Henry Fonda, heads the supporting cast. RIALTO THEATRE " All of Me," in which Frederick March and Miriam Hopkins appear, is the main attraction on the doublefeature programme to be presented at the Rialto Theatre to-night, when guest night will be observed. Richard Arlen and Ida Lupino are the players in the rollicking comedy film, " Come on Marines," which also is being shown. ULSTER ASSOCIATION The monthly social evening of the Auckland Ulster Association held at the Fabian Clubrooms last night was an outstanding success. Mr. W. J.' Holdsworth over an attendance of about 175 members. The programme was well varied and included humorous, musical and novelty items by a number of well known and talented local artists. One of the most popular items was a sketch entitled "World Without Men," which was presented by the Birkdale Women's Institute. With clever acting and capable direction this play proved highly entertaining.