ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22490, 6 August 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Jane Withers gives an attractive performance in the part of a nameless orphan in "Little Miss Nobody," which is to have its final presentation at the Civjc Theatre to-day". Another juvenile player, Bobby Brcen, has the lead in "Let's Sing Again," which is to bo shown to-morrow. REGENT THEATRE Excellently produced and brilliantly acted, the Paramount film. "Desire," which is being enthusiastically received by large audiences at the Regent Theatre, is another fine example of the genius of tho famous director, Ernest Lubitsch, who was responsible for much of the success of the sparkling comedies, "The Lovo Parade" and "Trouble in Paradise." Two distinguished players, the glamorous Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper, have the important roles. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Dramatic entertainment of first-class quality, relieved at appropriate intervals by witty dialogue and clever humour, is presented in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. "The Unguarded Hour," which is being well received at St. James' Theatre. Franchot Tone gives a brilliant characterisation of a prosecuting attorney who unexpectedly finds himself the victim of circumstantial evidence. How his beautiful wife (Loretta Young), comes to bis aid and in a thrilling Court-room scene establishes his innocence, makes an absorbingly interesting film.

PLAZA THEATRE A delightful story of romance, in which humour and pathos are deftly blended, is presented in "Private Number," which heads the current programme at the Plaza Theatre. Robert Taylor and Loretta Young have tho leading roles and both individually and as a romantic team their performances are deserving of the highest praise Humour is cleverly introduced by Patsv Kelly, while Basil Rathbone gives a convincing portrayal of a dictatorial butler. "Alice Adams," the R.K.O. Radio Films' production which has been so well received overseas, is the main attraction on the programme to be presented to-morrow. The versatile actress, Katherine Hepburn, has a prominent part, while the supporting cast includes such well-known players as Fred MacMurrav, Fred Stone and Evelyn Venable. The story was adapted from Booth Tarkington's novel concerning an ambitious young country girl seeking to bettor her social position. EMBASSY THEATRE The growing demand among filmgoers for better class musical entertainment is admirably catered for in the lyondon Films' production, "Forget Me Not," which is to commence a season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Beniamino Gigli, the world-famous singer, who has been acclaimed as the Greatest tenor since Enrico Caruso, has the leading role and his renderings of many beautiful nrtmbers from famous operas, in addition to several pieces specially composed for the film, provide a rare musical treat. Although not originally intended for a musical career, Gigli's voice attracted attention when he was a small child and many years of careful tuition and painstaking study under somo of the most famous singing teachers in Italy followed. After he made his debut in "Gioconda" at Rovigo in 1914, he made steady progress, finally being acclaimed in the celebrated musical centres of Europe and also at tho Metropolitan Opera House in New York. He receives capable support in tho interpretation of a pleasing romantic story, from Joan Gardner, Hugh Wakefield and Ivan Brandt.

STATE THEATRE " Riff-raff," in which Spencer Tracy and Joan Harlow appear, is the main attraction on the entertaining programme at the State Theatre to-day. A special adagio act by the two accomplished dancers, Trevor and Dawn, also will be presented. The highly diverting comedy, " Three Live Ghosts" heads the programme to be shown to-morrow. Both as a stage play and as a motion picture the comedy achieved wide success in the past and the present, version, produced by the Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer studios, is equally amusing. The story concerns the adventures of three soldiers who arc reported missing, but return to England shortly after the Armistice from a German prison camp. Claude Allister gives a particularly clever characterisation of the shelishocked officer, "Spoofy," while .the Cockney, Jimmy Gubbins, and the American, Bill Jones, are capably portrayed by Charles McNaugliton and Richard Arlen respectively.

STRAND THEATRE Irene Dunne gives an attractive performance in the entertaining musical comedy "Sweet Adeline," which heads the double-feature programmo at the Strand Theatre. "Son of A Sailor," in which Joe E. Brown appears, is the second film. Commencing to-morrow the diverting murder mystery "The,ExMrs. Bradford" will be shown. William Powell appears as a debonair society doctor who turns detective in order to clear his name of the murder of a man whose body was found leaning against his front door, while Jean Arthur is seen as his divorced wife.

NATIONAL THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment' is provided in the Warner Brothers musical film "Colleen," which is to have its final presentations at the National Theatre to-day. Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell have the leading roles, while Jack Oakie and Joan Blondell also are prominently cast. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are seen together in "Follow the Fleet," which is to be* shown to-morrow.

LONDON CINEMA A delightful blend of music, comedy and romance is presented in "We're Not Dressing," the current attraction at the London Cinema. Bing Crosby and Carole Lombard aro tho players. TUDOR CINEMA Acclaimed as one of tho finest films yet produced, "Mutiny on the Bounty" heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. Charles Laughton and Clark Gable have the important roles.

VICTORIA THEATRE " Private Scandal " and " Tho Lone Cowboy " aro the films to bo shown at the Victoria Theatre to-night. PRINCESS THEATRE Errol Flynn gives an excellent characterisation in the title-role of the stirring adventure film, " Captain Blood," the main attraction at tho Princess Theatre to-night.

STAR CINEMA Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Elissa Landi are seen together in the film version of Jeffery Fnrnol's exciting novel, " The Amateur Gentleman," which will conclude a season at tlio Star Cinema to-day. Francis Lcderer and Ida L.upino are the players in " One Rainy Afternoon," which is to be shown to-morrow. CAPITOL THEATRE George Arliss gives one of his most likeable performances in "The Guv'nor," the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre. "Kino; of Burlesque," with Jack Buchanan, also is being shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "Call of the Prairie," the thrilling western film, adapted from the novel by Clarence E. Mulford, in which William Boyd appears as Hopalong Cassidy, is the main attraction at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The entertaining musical production, "Coronado," also is being shown. "DESERT GOLD" Few authors of western novels have enjoyed a larger reading public than Zane Grey, and it is a tribute to the outstanding quality of his stories that more than 30 have been adapted for the screen. The high standard of previous western films based on the famous novelist's work, is admirably maintained in the Paramount film, "Desert Gold." which heads the excellent double-feature programme to bo presented at the Majestic Theatre to-mor-row. Exciting incidents, gun fights and struggles between Indian tribes and the rough pioneers of the .west, provide stirring action of a type which has proved to have an irresistible appeal for the majority of film-goers. Larry Crabbe gives an excellent performance in the part of a young Indian chief, while Tom Kcene, as a mining engineer, and Monte Blue, as the villain of the piece, also performs outstandingly. Highly diverting entertainment is presented in "The Charm School," a cheerful musical comedy, which also will be shown.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two of the most popular players appearing in western films to-day, Hoot Gibson and Harry Carey, have the prominent roles in the exciting film "The Last Outlaw," which had its first presentations in Auckland at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday. A swiftly moving story concerning the adventures of an ex-bank robber, who is suspected of committing another crime when he returns to his home town after serving a sentence of 15 years in prison, provides thrilling entertainment and there is not a dull moment in the entire picture. The amusing comedy, "Love on a Bet," in whidh Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie appear, is the second attraction.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The five most famous little girls in the world, the Dionne quintuplets, make their first appearance on the screen in the entertaining film, "The Country Doctor," which is to be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. The popular English comedian. Jadk Hulbert has the leading role in "Jack of all Trades," the second attraction. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA The attractive juvenile actress, Shirley Temple, gives one of her best performances in "Captain January," which heads the programme to be presented at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres to-night. Slim Summerville and Guy Kibbee appear in support.