ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22505, 24 August 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE One of tho best dramas of the air presented in Auckland for some time, " 13 Honrs By Air," is the current film at the Regent Theatre. The theme is not a novel one, but tho. picture is typical of the productions which Hollywood tackles inimitably and accomplishes in a thoroughly competent manner. The setting is a Trans-Continental air liner carrying an odd but intensely interesting assortment of passengers. There is a crack pilot of the company, travelling as a passenger, a mysterious society girl, a gangster complete with pursuing detective, and an unruly child and its governess. The action moves gradually and logically toward an exciting climax, which could not fail to stir even the most hardened of critics. The supporting programme is of an exceptionally high standard. ST. JAMES* THEATRE " The Unguarded Hour," a film adapted from the famous stage play, is being presented with success at St. James' Theatre. The picture is now in its fourth week of a highly popular season. The story is more dramatic than the usual theme and follows the progress of a great murder trial which aroused tremendous interest in London. The net which is slowly woven about the Crown Prosecutor as he in turn brings the prisoner in Court near tho gallows, forms a tale which grips the interest from the very first scene. Franehot Tone gives a consistently good performance while he receives very sound support from Loretta Young. All the players are impressive and the uniformly high standard of the acting is one of the outstanding features of the production. A Laurel and Hardy comedy, a Pop-Eye the sailor cartoon and several topical newsreels complete the fine programme. " WIFE VERSUS SECRETARY" Faith Baldwin's sensational story has been vividly reproduced on the screen. Entitled "Wife Versus Secretary," it will bo presented at St. James' Theatre for the first time on Friday. In addition to tho fascinating talo, the acting is of a very high standard. Clark Gable and Myrlia Loy have the leading roles, while Jean Harlow also has a large part. PLAZA THEATRE One of the most popular artists on the modern screen, Grace Moore, is seen at her best in "The King Steps Out" the main film being presented before large audiences at tho Plaza Theatre. Miss Moore, whose best known picture in recent years was, perhaps, " One Night of Love" has another part which allows her ample opportunity to display her vocal ability. She is further fortunate in this film to have the support of such a player as Franchot Tone. As with Miss Moore, Franchot Tone has become increasingly popular with film goers the world over and his latest portrayal in "The King Steps Out" is said to even further enhance his reputation. The theme of the film is slight, but always compelling interest. The music is by Fritz Kreisler, whose name is the guarantee of success. The programme includes an excellent selection of shorter pictures. MAJESTIC THEATRE Indianapolis speedway thrills are brought to the screen with almost startling realism in "Speed," the exciting motor racing drama that commenced its Auckland season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Particularly large audiences attended the week-end sessions. The manufacture and testing of fast cars in the United States form the background for the film and there is an excellent cast, which includes James Stewart, Wendy Barrie, Ted Healy, Una Merkel and Ralph Morgan and other well-known performers. A most attractive supporting programme comprises a Fitzpatrick travelogue, a dogracing "Oddity," a Patsy Kelly comedy and a newsreel.

EMBASSY THEATRE The screen adaptation of Priestley's story, "Laburnum Grove," is the main film on the well varied programme being presented before large audiences at the Embassy Theatre. Laburnum Grove is one of London's newest and most respectable suburbs and consequently when one of its residents announces to his family that he has for years been conducting a coin counterfeiting business there is unparalleled consternation in the household. A sister, and a brother-in-law, who have been living on their relatives, and a young man who desires a profitable marriage, instantly #esolve to depart and the criminal, an intensely likeable little man, is left with his wife and daughter. With polico on his trail the story concludes with a well planned climax. Edmund Gwenn and Sir Cedric Hardwicke are the principals. NATIONAL THEATRE Unusual in its presentation and highly entertaining from start to finish "Ruggles of Red Gap" is the current film at the National Theatre. An English butler, subdued and intensely conservative in his outlook, is Suddenly whisked away from his native Britain to a community in a remote State of America, there to do the bidding of an ogre of a woman who is bent on social prominence. That the butler is mistaken for an English peer only lends additional interest to the tale. The manner in which he carries off the masquerade is a masterpiece of acting. Charles Laughton heads a large and talented cast and there is a wide selection of shorter pictures.

LONDON CINEMA 'Hie English comedian Jack Hulbert makes a further appearance in "Love on Wheels," a bright comedy being shown at the London Cinema. The second attraction on the special holiday programme is the Znno Grey wild western thriller, "Dude Ranger," with Irene Hervey and Georgo O'Brien. TUDOR CINEMA Excellent entertainment is provided in tho double-feature programme at the Tudor Cinema. Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy appear in "Whipsaw," the first picture. "At the Bottom of the World" is the second attraction. BRITANNIA THEATRE Two full-length entertaining pictures, "The Legion of Valour" and "There Goes Susie," comprise tho programme at tho Britannia Theatre. MASSED BANDS The stirring music of massed brass bands attracted an audience of about 4000 to the Domain cricket ground yesterday afternoon. With bright sunshine, the gaily-coloured uniforms of tho bandsmen were seen to advantage, and the surrounding terraces were lined with an appreciative audience. There were about ton bands taking part and each ono rendered a selection. In addition, tho massed bands were beard in several numbers, including "Deep Harmony" (Parker). Among tbo bands taking part were the Auckland Girls' Band. 2nd Mounted Rifles Band, Pon--Bonby Boys' Band, Mount Eden Boys' Hand, Balmoral Boys' Band, Auckland Watersiders' Band, Blind Institute Band, Takapuna Citizens' Band and the Auckland Pipe Bands. The conductor of the massed bands was Mr. A. Taylor.

CIVIC THEATRE The inimitable juvenile actress Shirley Temple gives yet another delightful characterisation in "Poor Little Rich Girl," the new comedy at the Civic Theatre. In each successive film Miss Temple appears to develop a newfactor in her many and varied capabilities so that one finds in her latest eli'ort an amusing imitation of the flairs of other screen notabilities, principally the crooning of Bing Crosby. It is a picture of many songs, giving the little actress ample opportunity to amuse in hor cleverest style. However, her singing and dancing are but side issues to her clowning. There is a bright supporting programme. STATE THEATRE All the genius and stagecraft of Eugene O'Neill, generally regarded as one of the foremost of American dramatists, are revealed in "Ah, Wilderness," an exceptionally fine film that is being screened at the State Theatre. Wallace Beery and Lionel Barrymore, two first-rank actors, have the leading roles and are as impressive as when they last appeared together in " Grand Hotel." The demure Maureen O'Sullivan is pleasantly cast in "Woman Wanted," an unusual crime drama that completes the programme. STRAND THEATRE A historical drama of comparatively recent times is brought to the screen in "Rhodes of Africa," the GaumontBritish film that continues to attract large audiences to the Strand Theatre. In spite of lack of continuity and lack of polish, the picture makes outstanding entertainment mainly on account of the absorbingly interesting plot and the fine African scenery. The story of Rhodes is one of the greatest epics of what is t commonly called Big Business and should make a wide appeal. The American actor, Walter Huston, plays the title role with distinction. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "The Mine With the Iron Door" is the first film on the double-feature programme being presented with success at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The guiding theme of the film is a treasure hunt and the interest is sustained until the last scene. Richard Arlen and Cecilia Parker are the principals and they both give first-class performances. "Times Square Playboy" also is being shown. STAR CINEMA "Forget Me Not," one of the finest musical films yet produced by the British studios, is the principal attraction on a well-varied programme being presented at the Star Cinema. The celebrated operatic tenor Beniamino Gigli. has the leading role. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland are the principals of "People Will Talk," the first film on the doublefeature programme being presented at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. "Love on a Bet" (Gene Raymond) is the second attraction.