ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Largo audiences are being attracted to the Plaza Theatre, where one of the finest biographical pictures to be shown in Auckland for many years, "The Story of Louis Pasteur," is being screened. Tracing the history of the famous French scientist's struggle to get his discoveries recognised, the film abounds in dramatic situations and the portrayal of Pasteur calls for a very high degree of acting ability. Paul Muni is more than equal to the demands made upon his talents, and he gives one of the best performances of his career in the title role. Marion Davies and Dick Powell head an outstanding cast in "Hearts Divided," the next attraction. "3 MAJESTIC THEATRE - Thrilling entertainment is presented in "Dracula's Daughter," which is to conclude a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Based on a story by Brain Stoker the film depicts the activities of a woman, who claims to be the daughter of the arch vampire, Dracula. Otto Kruger and Gloria Holden have the prominent roles. Two of the most popular comedians appearing on the screen to-day, the inimitable Patsy Kelly and the equally * funny Charlie Chase have the leading roles in the highly diverting comedy, "Kelly the Second," which heads the double-feature programme to be presented to-morrow. The story abounds in extremely humorous situations and moves at a pace which ensures that the attention of the audience, is never once permitted to flag. "Sky Parade," a thrilling story of the adventures of three American pilots and a girl parachutist who perform in a flying circus, also will be shown. Jimmy Allen, William Gargan, Katherine DeMille and Kent Taylor are the players.

CIVIC THEATRE The colourful musical production; "Show Boat," is the feature of the programme to be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. Irene Dunne and Allan Jones head the large cast.. REGENT THEATRE A dramatic story, concerning a woman who is charged with the murder of her husband and who is later threatened with the loss of her only child, is presented in the Paramount production. "The Case Against Mrs. Ames," which is to have its final screenings at the Regent Theatre to-day. Madeleine Carroll and George Brent have the leading roles , and there is a talented cast of supporting players. "FORGOTTEN FACES" The distinguished English actor. Herbert Marshall has one of his most powerful roles in the dramatic film. "Forgotten Faces," which, heads the programme to be presented at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. In the part of a superstitious proprietor of a gambling house whose married life is ruined by his wife's unfortunate love affair with another man, he is given wide scope for his undoubted dramatic ability and he has seldom been seen to better advantage. Ai» the wife he finally drives to her death, Gertrude Michael, also is outstanding, while other excellent portrayals are given by James Burke. Robert Cummings and Jane Rhodes.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Hero and heroine are at cross purposes until tho final scene of "Public Menace," which heads the programme which commenced yesterday at the Iloxy and Tivoli Theatres. Newspaper work is drawn upon for-the story and the excitements of a young reporter are represented in graphic fashion. Kidnappers enter prominently into the story and thejre is a strong romantic element. George Murphy and Jean Arthur are the playerp with the principal parts. Guy Kil.bco, one of Hollywood's best character actors, has an important part in "Tho Big Noise," which completes tho programme. As a business man who comes out of retirement to conquer a band of "racketeers" Kibbee gives a likeable performance. Also in the cast are Warren Hull, Dick Foran, Alma Lloyd and Mario Wilson.

EMBASSY THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment, of tho type at which American film producers excel, is presented in the Warner Brothers film "Personal Maid's Secret," which is to commence what promises to be a very successful season at tho Embassy Theatre to-day. With an entertaining story packed full of bright dialogue and clover witticisms, and interpreted by an outstanding cast,, the film has all tho ingredients necessary to provide first-class entertainment and tho audience is kept in a constant' ripple of laughter from start to finish. Tho attractive actress Margaret Lindsay has tho loading role, while other parts are capably portrayed by Warren Hull and Anita Louise. ■ NATIONAL THEATRE "Florida Special," the entertaining comedy in which Jack Oakie appears, and tho stirring western film "Three on the Trail," comprise tho double-feature programme which is to be presented for the last time at tho National Theatre to-day. James Cagney gives ono of his most outstanding performances in the leading role of "G Men," a thrilling story of tho crusade against organised crime in America, which is to be shown to-morrow. Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment is presented in "Broadway Gondolier," which also will be screened. STRAND THEATRE Skilfully directed, excellently photographed and brilliantly acted by a talented cast, including Ronald Colman and Claudette Colbert, ' "Under Two Flags," the current attraction at tho Strand Theatre, provides first-class entertainment. Victor McLaglen and Rosalind Russell also have important roles. STATE THEATRE • After enjoying a very successful soason at the State Theatre, tho entertaining Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy "Petticoat Fever" will have its final presentation to-night. Myrna Loy and Robert Montgomery are the players. Commencing to-morrow, tho. thrilling courtroom drama " The Unguarded Hour" will be shown. Franchot Tone and Lorotta Young liavo tho leading roles.

TUDOR CINEMA Two English players, Arthur Tracy and Anna Neagle, appear in "Street Singer's Serenade " a musical romance at tho Tudor Cinema. Tracy's singing is very attractive. ASTOR THEATRE Fddw» Cantor is tho comedian in "Strike Me Pink," a farce at the Astor Theatre. A film containing any amount of action, "Pursuit," also is being shown. EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA A programme comprising "Professional Soldier" and "Special investigator" is being shown at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. LONDON CINEMA Ricardo Cortez has the leading role in "Big Executive," which heads the current entertainment at tho London Cinema. "Tho Ghost Train" will commence to-morrow.

ST. JAMES - THEATRE Janet Gaynor makes a welcome reappearance on the screen after a prolonged absence in "Small Town Girl " the entertaining film .which heads the current programme at St. James' Theatre. The story concerns an attractive girl in a country town who desires to partake of the thrills and excitement of life in a big city. Miss Gaynor is well cast as Kay Brannan, the girl from the country store, while Robert Taylor, as the brilliant young surgeon to whom she is finally married, also is outstanding. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The English comedian Jack Buchanan has a role well suited to his talents in "Come Out of the Pantry," the main item on the current programme at the Rialto - and Crystal Palace Theatres. The story is of a light romantic nature and is an excellent vehicle for Buchanan's boisterous spirits. Also on the programme is "And So They Were Married." STAR CINEMA Wallace Beery gives his usual finished performance in . "West Point of the Air," a drama of the air-now at the Star Cinema. There is a large supporting cast. Thrills without number are present' in "The Casino Murder Case," the second attraction. Paul Lukas and Alison Skipworth are prominently cast. EILEEN JOYCE RECITAL The young Australian pianist Eileen Joyce will appear in a concert sponsored by the National Broadcasting Service in the Town Hall to-night. Miss Joyce's talent can never be questioned, as will be realised by those who hear her interpretation of a concerto by Rachmaninoff with full orchestra. Proceeds . will go to the Mayor's Crippled Children Fund.