ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22466, 9 July 1936, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE Two singing players who rank among the most prominent artists appearing in musical films to-day, Ring Crosby and Ethel Merman, have the leading roles in "Anything Goes," which is to have its final presentations at the Hegent Theatre to-day. An intensely dramatic film based on the famous play by Reginald Simpson and Frank Gregory, "Living Dangerously," heads the programme to be presented to-morrow. The story concerns the lives of two Harley Street surgeons, one of whom, Stanley Norton, is a prominent heart specialist. Forced to stand trial before the General Medical Council of the British Medical Association on a false charge, he finds the circumstantial evidence against him so strong that his name is struck oil' the register. How the defamed doctor murders bis former partner makes intensely dramatic entertainment which should have an instant appeal to Auckland audiences.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Three baffling murders are solved by S. S. Van Dine's fascinating character, the debonair Philo Vance, in "Tho Garden Murder Case," which will conclude a season at St. James' Theatre to-day. Edmund Lowe gives a polished performance in tho leading role, while his handling of the romantic interest with the delightful Virginia Bruce also calls for special comment. Nat Pendleton and Benita Hume head a talented cast of supporting players.

"ROBIN HOOD OF ELDORADO" A colourful drama of old California in the days of tho gold rush is presented in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor film, "Robin Hood of Eldorado," which H to have its first screenings in Auckland at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. Warner Baxter gives one of his most attractive characterisations in tho part of the dashing Joaquin Murrieta, a laughing peon, whose happiness is destroyed by the brutality of American gold miners. How he organises an army of outlaws and raids the mining camps, plundering their gold and leaving a trail of terror in his wake, makes thrilling entertainment. Bruce Cabot, Ann Loring and the Spanish dancing beauty, Margo, also aro prominently cast.

PLAZA THEATRE After enjoying a most successful season at the Plaza Theatre, tho Twentieth Century Films production. "Tho Prisoner of Shark Island," will have its final presentations to-day. Warner Baxter takes the part of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was imprisoned for assisting the murderer of Abraham Lincoln when he was fleeing from the police in Maryland, while Gloria Stuart is cast as the physician's devoted wife. Commencing to-morrow, the thrilling aviation film, "Ceiling Zero," will bo shown. With James Cagney and Pat O'Brien in prominent roles, tiie picture presents a highly dramatic story of life behind the scenes in a great commercial airport. Cagney is ideally cast in tho part of an irresponsible young aviator whose licence is cancelled because of bis carefree behaviour in the air. Juno Travis has the feminine lead, while Stuart Erwin heads a largo cast of supporting players.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Lionel Barrymore is at his best in the part of a Missouri fox-hunter in "The Voice of Bugle Ann," a rcfreshiug outdoor film, which concludes a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Maureen O'Sullivan and Eric Linden head the supporting cast. "LOVE BEFORE BREAKFAST" Thoroughly enjovable light entertainment is promised patrons of the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, when a splendid double-feature programme comprising tho films "Love Beforo Breakfast" and "Sweet Surrender" will be presented. The first attraction follows the style of tho very successful sophisticated comedies, "It Happened One Night" aiul "She Married Her Boss." Sparkling dialogue and witty repartee are the chief ingredients' in a carefree romance concerning a young woman who cannot make up her mind which of two suitors she ought to marry. No actress could be better chosen to take the part of the vacillating, light-hearted girl than Carole Lombard, and her splendid reputation is further enhanced by her excellent portrayal in the present film. Cesar Romero and Preston Foster aro the rivals for her affection. Sweet Surrender," the second film, is a pleasing musical comedy, packed lull or spectacular dance numbers, bright songs and cheerful humour. EMBASSY THEATRE An excellent portrayal of a young engineer bent 011 constructing a railway line through rugged mountain country is given b.V Fred MacMuiTay in the Paramount film The .1 rail_ or the Lonesome Pino," which is enjoying n successful sen bo 11 at the iMnbassy Theatre. Filmed entirely in natural colour, the picture is notable not only for the dramatic story of a feud between two families of backhlocks dwellers which is presented, but also for the beautiful scenic background provided by the mountain lako district m ■which the action takes place. STAR CINEMA H. G. Wells has given a moving and impressive description of what the world will bo like in 100 years' time in the London Films production "Things to Come," at the Star Cinema. Towering cities of white steel, plate-glass and chromium-plating tako the place of the more prosaic concrete structures of to-day, while television and similar wonders become commonplace necessities. There is an excellent supporting programme. NATIONAL THEATRE in a part admirably suited to his talents, Wallace Beery gives an outstanding portrayal of an American deserter in the stirring film A Message to Garcia," at the National Iheatre. A highly diverting comedy, "Champagne' Charlie," in which Paul Cavanagh, Helen Wood and Heibert I\luudin appear, is the second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE Thrilling entertainment is provided in "The Tunnel," which heads tho programme at tho Capitol Iheatre tonight. Richard Dix, Madge Evans aiul Leslie Banks aro the players. In addition, "The Nit-Wits" is being screened. LONDON CINEMA Edmund Lowe and Wynne Gibson are the players in "Her Bodyguard," which heads'the programme at the London Cinema to-day. Thero is a fine selection of shorter films. VICTORIA THEATRE Guest night will be observed at the Victoria Theatre to-night, when the films "Sitting Pretty" and "Hell and High Water" will be presented TUDOR CINEMA George Arliss has the loading role m "The Guv'nor" at tho Tudor Cinema. Commencing to-morrow, "Tho Ghost Goes West" will be shown.

CIVIC THEATRE The entertaining musical film "Colleen" heads the current programme at the Civic Theatre. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler head the large cast, which includes such well-known players as Jack Oakie, Joan Blondell and Hugh Herbert. "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" is the main attraction to-morrow.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Thrilling entertainment is provided in the Warner Brothers film, "Boulder Dam," which commenced a season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday. The construction of the huge elec-tric-power project at Boulder Dam provides the main interest of the film, and there are many remarkable scenes showing the men at work, boring their way through solid rock and working hundreds <ff feet above the level of the river. The interest of the film is not confined to the. gigantic engineering feat alone, however, and a moving story of the efforts of an attractive music hall entertainer to bring a disgruntled young man to a saner view of life, provides excellent entertainment. Ross Alexander and Patricia Ellis have the leading roles, while there is a large cast of supporting players headed by Lylo Talbot. A bright musical film, "Song and Dance Man," in which Claire Trevor, Paul Kelly and Michael Whalen appear, is the second attraction. STRAND THEATRE "Professional Soldier," an entertaining film concerning the efforts of anarchists to overthrow the youthful king of a Ruritanian State, will have its final presentations at the Strand Theatre to-day. Freddie Bartholomew is seen in the part of the young sovereign, while Victor McLaglen plays the role of an Irish-American soldier of fortune who becomes the young ruler's firm friend. George Arliss is seen to advantage in "The Guv'nor," which heads the programme to be presented to-morrow. An excellent musical film in, which Jack Hylton and his band appear, "She Shall Have Music," also will be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A thoroughly enjoyable evening's entertainment is promised patrons of the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres tonight, when, in addition to two excellent full-length films, a musical comedy production, "Doorman's Opera," will bo presented. Jane Withers beads the cast in "Gentle Julia," the first attraction, while Anna Neagle and Sir Cedric Ilardwicko are the players in "Peg of Old Drury," which also is being shown. STATE THEATRE Entertainment which has an appeal for every member of the family is presented in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "David Copperfield," at the State Theatre. Freddie Bartholomew is seen in the title role, while thero is an excellent supporting cast, including such well-known players as W. C. Fields, Edna May Oliver and Lionel Barrymore.