ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22545, 9 October 1936, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Following her rise to eminence beginning with her acting in "A Bill of Divorcement," "Little Women" and "Morning Glory," Katharine Hepburn reveals herself a.s a consummate actress in "Mary of Scotland," which will open its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. The story of the ill-fated Scottish queen is none the less interesting for being well known, and much has been made of it. Miss Hepburn makes of the queen a commanding, imperious yet wholly understandable figure, and Fredric March infuses info his role of the Earl of Bothwell all the firo and energy of that historic personage. Settings of magnificence add to this film's attractions. REGENT THEATRE The eventful period when French and English were waging bitter warfare in North America is brought to the screen in "The Last of the Mohicans," a screen version of Fenimore Cooper's novel, which will commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Life in the forts which were strung along the plains near the coast, skirmishes with hostile Huron natives in the forest and military spectacles are presented in this film. Romantic interest is provided by the rivalry of two military men for the hand of a colonel's daughter, and tragedy enters the story in the tnle of another daughter. Randolph Scott. Binnie Barnes, Henry Wilcoxon and Heather Angel have leading roles. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Robert Louis Stevenson's story "The Suicide Club" is the basis of the engrossing film of the same name which will be shown for the first time to-day at St. James' Theatre. An adventurer of royal blood who loses his identity that he may seek excitement and adventure is one of the principal figures in the story, and a mysterious woman for whom he risks his life and reputation is another. There are dramatic moments in this picture, notably a scene where, in a suicide club, cards are cut with life and death in the balance. Rohert Montgomery, as the prince, Rosalind Russell, and Frank Morgan, as the prince's attendant, are the leading players. PLAZA THEATRE Five players of first-class ability appear in the current Plaza Theatre attraction, " The Bride Walks Out." The story is an old one, that of a girl who marries in haste to repent at leisure, but it has been so originally and expertly treated as to seem a new plot. Barbara Stanwyck, who scored a success in "A Message to Garcia." and Robert Young, an actor who excels in light comedy, have the principal parts. Helen Brodcrick adds a measure of comedy, and Ned Sparks and Gene Raymond fill supporting roles with success. The associate programme, which is of a high standard, includes interesting newsreels and a comedy. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Warm receptions have been accorded the highly diverting Warner Brothers comedy, "Snowed Under," by large audiences at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, and it is expected that the programme will be equally well received during the last few days of its present season. With George Brent and Genevieve Tobin in prominent roles, the film is an extremely amusing domestic comedy concerning the matrimonial troubles of an unfortunate husband isolated in a snowbound bungalow. The inimitable comedian, Frank McHugh, and Patricia Ellis also play important parts with distinction, and the picture provides light entertainment of a very enjoyable nature. "Two Against the World," the second attraction, is a thrilling exposure of the "radio racket" in America which depicts with telling realism an endeavour to hide a scandal which cost four lives. Henry O'Neill, Claire Dodd, Humphrey Bogart and Beverly Roberts have the important roles, while there is a talented cast of supporting players.

STATE THEATRE <i inus j ca ! ,n with few superiors, "Colleen," is the main attraction on the programme to commence to-day at the State Theatre. Dick Powell," the singer, Ruby Keeler, the dancer, Jack Oakie, the comedian, Joan Blondell, Hugh Herbert, Louise Fazonda and other well-known players appear. The settings are lavish and the dialogue stimulating. The German tenor Richard Tauber impresses in his role in "Heart's Desire," the second attraction. As an Austrian blessed with a glorious voice who is brought to London only to realise that his heart lies in Vienna, where he was brought up, he plays his part convincingly and well. Diana Napier and Leonora Corbett have supporting parts. NATIONAL THEATRE Mae West appears in the lead in "Klondike Annie," which heads the programme to commence to-day at the National Theatre. A worldly woman who changes her life in response to the appeal of a preacher, she comes into contact with a sea captain, and a conflict between the old and the new mode of living takes place. Victor McLaglen is the leading man. William Royd again gives an attractive portrayal of Hopalong Cassidy in "Bar 20 Rides Again," also on the programme. Jimmy Ellison is in the cast. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Skilfully directed, excellently photographed and brilliantly acted by a talented cast, the Gaumont-British film "Rhodes of Africa," which heads the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres, is one of the finest historical pictures yet produced bv British studios. Walter Huston gives one of the finest characterisations of his career in the title-role, while Oscar Homolka, as Paul Ivrtiger, and Basil Sydney, as Dr. Jameson, also are outstanding. "It Had to Happen" also is being shown.

TUDOR CINEMA Based on a scenario specially written for tlic screen by the well-known English author. H. G. Wells, "Things to Come," which heads the programme to be presented at tho Tudor Cinema to-night, gives a powerful and at times almost terrifying picture of tho progress of civilisation during the next 100 years. STAR CINEMA George Brent and Kay Francis have the leading roles in the entertaining film, "The Goose and the Gander," which heads tho programme to he presented at the Star Cinema to-day. "The Irish In Us," in which James Cagney and Pat O'Brien appear, also will be shown. CIVIC THEATRETTE The well-known western player, Tom Keene, is seen at his 'best in "Beyond the Rockies." the current attraction at tho Civic Theatrette. LONDON CINEMA Ann Harding appears in "The Right to Romance," the main item on tho current programme at the London Cinema. Also being. shown is "Sally Bishop." STRAND THEATRE "Show Boat" is the principal attraction on the current Strand Theatre programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Boxing enthusiasts and the general public alike will derive great pleasure from seeing a film of the heavy-weight boxing contest between Schmeling and Louis, now • being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The lilm shows graphically the knock-out, when the hitherto invincible Louis "took the count," the audience at a preview yesterday being greatly stirred by the progress of the bout. The clearness! of every blow is accentuated when the film is presented in slow motion. Of equal attraction should be "Sutter's Gold," a tale of adventure in the days of the California gold rush, Edward Arnold has the central role, and Lee Tracy and Binnie Barnes are in support. The story of a man of astonishing powers of endurance, of his rise and his fall, should . compel the attention of any audience. EMBASSY THEATRE Capably acted by a talented cast and directed with the care and attention to detail for which the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios are noted. ".Absolute Quiet," the film which was screened ,for the first time in Auckland at the Embassy Theatre yesterday, presents a rapidly-moving story, packed full of thrilling and at times intensely dramatic incidents, ft provides thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. Lionel Atwiil is prominently cast in the part of a worn-out American financier who has been ordered by his doctor to retire to his ranch at Montana, where he can enjoy a complete rest and absolute quiet. The millionaire, Axton. is hardly settled in the comfortable homestead on the ranch, however, when an airliner full of his friends and enemies descends upon him in the night. Although he hates most of those on board, Axton is just about to turn on the field lights of his private aerodrome to assist the landing when two fugitives from the police, a man and a woman, prevent him from carrying out his design. The aeroplane crashes, the pilots are killed and the passengers become the unwilling Axton's guests. They include Governor Pruderi, one of Axton's bitterest political enemies, a newspaper reporter who is accompanying the Governor on the flight, and Jasper Cowdray, his publicity mouthpiece. Another passenger for whom the millionaire has not the slightest regard is Gregory Benguard, an actor who had caused a rift between Axton and the beautiful Zelda Tadema. The reactions of this widely assorted group of characters to an intense emotional strain is productive of some exceedingly good acting, Lionel Atwiil as G. A. Axton being particularly outstanding. Another excellent performance is given bv Bernadene Hayes as the fugitive, Judy, whose domination of the weak gunman whose abrupt arrival resulted in the crash of the heavily loaded airliner. is superseded only by the subtler domination exercised over her by the rich Axton. Other players whose performances call for special mention are .Ann Loring. Trene Hervev, Raymond Walburn and Stuart Erwin. An entertaining selection of shorter films, well in keeping with the high standard of the main attraction, also is shown. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Gertrude Michael and George Murphy are seen together in "Woman Trap," the main attraction on the entertaining nrogramme to be presented at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Roscoe Karns heads the talented supporting cast. The distinguished English actor George Arlise gives one of his finest portrayals in "Cardinal Richelieu," the second attraction. The supporting cast includes Maureen O'Sullivan, Edward Arnold and Cesar Romero. MAYFAIR THEATRE Ronald Col man heads the cast in "The Mnn Who Broke the Bank at i Monte Carlo." which heads the pro- | gramme at the Mavfair Theatre tonight. "O'Mnlley of the Mounted" is j the second film.