ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

> PLAZA THEATRE There is no more popular singer appearing on the screen to-day than the operatic soprano Grace Mooro, who has tne leading rolo in "The King Steps Out," the entertaining musical film which is now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre. Based on Franz Kreislor's delightful operetta "Cissy, which was staged- in Vienna some years ago, the film depicts a romance between the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and a peasant girl, who later turns out to be of Royal blood. Franchot Tone takes the part of the Emperor, while Miss Moore, as the peasant girl, is given many opportunities for enriching the film with her wonderful voice. MAJESTIC THEATRE Largo audiences continuo to be attracted to the Majestic Theatre, where the locally-made production of the New Zealand Film Guild, "On the Friendly Road," is being shown. With the majority of its settings provided by Auckland suburban gardens and a Northcote farm, and with much of its beautiful scenery photographed In the Waitakore Ranges, the picture is of special interest to local film-goers. As entertainment it compares very favourably with overseas productions and at the same time jt marks a definite advance in tho progress of the motionpicture industry in New Zealand. CIVIC THEATRE Entertainment which has an appeal for every member of the family is presented in "Poor Little Rich Girl," the film which heads the current programme at the Civic Theatre. The delightful j juvenile player Shirley Temple, has the leading role and she is given wide opportunities for displaying the talents which have made her so popular with film-goers. There is a strong sup- - porting cast headed by Jack Haley, Alice Faye and Henry Armetta. An ex- ! cpllent selection of shorter films also ; is screened.. . . , REGENT. THEATRE Mae West's inimitable humour provides . comic relief • for many of ' the tensely dramatic situations which arise in- the stirring story of life on the notorious Barbary Coast of San Francisco, presented in her latest film, "Klondike Annie," which is being well received by large audiences at the Regent Theatre. As the bullying sea captain, with whom the heroine falls in love, Victor McLaglen also gives an outstanding performance. EMBASSY THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment is presented in the amusing Paramount production, "The Moon's Our Home," which Jihads. the current programme at the Embassy Theatre. Margaret Sullavan has tha leading role, that of a rather temperamental actress who falls in love with a famous author (Henry Fonda), and her performance greatly euhances her already splendid reputation with film-goers. Tho beautiful Russian actress Anna Sten has the leading role in the film version of Tolstoi famous novel, " A Woman Alene," which is to be shown for the first, time in Auckland on Thursday. Henry Wilcoxon plays opposite Miss Sten, while John Garrick and Viola Keats also have. important parts. ' STRAND THEATRE A swiftly-moving story of a struggle for the po'ssession of a quantity of hid- . den treasure is presented in "Desert Gold," the exciting western film which : heads the double-feature programme'at j the Strand Larry Crabbe and j Tom Keeno are the players. Cary Grant aftd Claude Rains are prominently cast iij£,l'!The .Last which also is being shown. NATIONAL THEATRE Excellent entertainment is provided in the double-feature programme now being presented at the National Theatre. Tho attractive actress Myrna Lov plays opposite Cary Grant in the first attraction, "Wings in the Dark," which depicts the efforts of a young aviator to obtain recognition of an invention for simplifying "blind flying." A thrilling crime film, "Murder at the Vanities," also is being shown. Victor McLaglen, Jack Oakie and Mary Carlisle are the players. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE , Bine Crosby is at his best in "Too Much Harmony," the entertaining film which heads the guest night programme at the Prince Edward Theatre. Supporting roles are well filled by Jack Oakie, Skeets Gallagher and Ned Sparks. A thrilling western film. "The Lone Cowboy," in which Jackie Cooper has an important part, is the second attraction. Li la Lee and John Wray are the supporting players. An excellent selection of snorter films also will be presented.

TIVOLI THEATRE

George Brent and Margaret Lindsay appear together in the thrilling story of the Royal Canadian North-West Mounted Police, "From Headquarters," which heads the excellent programme to be presented at the' Tivoli Theatre to-night when guest night concessions will be available. The hilarious comedy, "Merry Wives of Reno," in which Guy Kibbce and Glenda Farrell appear, also will be shown. STATE THEATRE Intensely dramatic entertainment is presented in the film version of Lillian Hellman's sensational play, ' "These Three," which is to commence a short season at the State Theatre to-day. Merle Oberon, Miriam . Hopkins and Joel McCrea are the players. An excellent performance is given by a child actress, Bonita Granvillo, who takes the part of a detestable schoolgirl. ROXY THEATRE "Fighting Shadow" and "Thrill Hunter," the two exciting western films which comprise the double-feature programme at the Roxy Theatre, will have their final screenings to-day. LONDON CINEMA Sylvia Sidney and Cary Grant are seen together in "Thirty-day Princess," which heads the entertaining programme now: being presented at the London Cinema. - STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA i "Dark Hazard" and "No Greater Glory" are the films which comprise the programme at tho. State Theatre, Oncluinga, to-night. VICTORIA THEATRE Guest night will bo observed at the Victoria Theatre to-night, when the films "Have a Heart" and "This Side of Heaven" will bo shown. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea are prominently cast in "Private .Worlds," which heads the current programme at tho Crystal Palace and Uialto Theatres. Joan Bennett also has an important part. "Times Square Playboy" is the second film. TUDOR CINEMA The attractive actress Ginger Rogers is prominently cast in the entertaining film, "In Person," at the Tudor Cinema. George Brent heads a talented supporting cast.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE It is seldom that three players of the outstanding ability of Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow are seen together in such an entertaining film as the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "Wife Versus Secretary," which is being shown to crowded audiences at every screening at St. James 1 Theatre. Clark Gable takes the part of a successful business man, whose beautiful wife (Mvrna Loy) becomes suspicious of his relations with his attractive secretary, a part capably portrayed by Jean Harlow. How the husband and ivife are reunited after a series of amusing misunderstandings provides excellent light entertainment.