ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Zane Grey appears in "White Death," the current film at the Majestic Theatre. Adventures with a giant man-eating shark provide this picture with a highly-exciting story, while the scenery or the Great Barrier Reef region to the north of Queensland is unusual and interesting. CIVIC THEATRE The bland Chinese detective Charlie Chan (Warner Oland) solves the most baffling mystery of his career in "Charlie Chan at the Race Track," the thrilling film now being screened at the Civic Theatre. An outstanding supporting programme includes a film tracing the history of the Royal house of Windsor and another of incidents in the first cricket test between England and Australia, at Brisbane. REGENT THEATRE Gary Cooper is associated with Madeleine Carroll in a story of adventure and intrigue at the Regent Theatre, "The General Died at Dawn." Friday will see the initial presentation of ono of the year's brightest romantic comedies, "Cain and Mabel." Clark Gable and Marion Davics are a complete success in their first appearance together and the supporting players are very little inferior. Gable is cast as a boxing champion whose lack of personality brings him very small houses and Marion Da vies as an actress similarly placed. How they remedy the situation is told in so pie diverting scenes. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A story of boyish friendship and escapades, "The Devil is a Sissy," continues to delight large audiences at St. James' Theatre. The leading roles are played by three boy actors, Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper and Mickey Itooney, and all give outstanding portrayals. Other good performances come from lan Hunter, who made such an impression in "To Mary—With Love" and Katharine Alexander. A novel musical film, "New Shoes," an interesting film dealing with Berlin, and newsreels, comprise an excellent supporting programme. PLAZA THEATRE Good humour and gaiety are to be found in every scene of "Walking On Air," now at the Plaza Theatre. Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond make an attractive leading pair and two prominent American dance bands are introduced. EMBASSY THEATRE The story by W. Somerset Maugham, "The Tenth Man," heads the current entertainment at the Embassy Theatre. John Lodge and Antoinette Cellier, rising young EngHsh players, are given the leading roles. An associate picture which should be popular is "Everything is Rhythm," introducing Harry Boy and his famous dance band. A longawaited picture, "The Garden of Allah," will commence at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday. Critics overseas declare that they have never seen such splendid acting as that of the principals, Marlene Dietrich and her new leading man, Charles Boyer. The picture is entirely in colour and the varying shades of the desert sands, which provide the setting, are the subject oi some fine photography.

STATE AND STAR THEATRES Paul Robeson gives one of the finest portrayals of his career in the part of a negro chief with British sympathies in "Sanders of the River," the screen adaptation of a novel by the late Edgar Wallace, which heads the current programmes at the State and Star Theatres. Jan Kiepura and Gladys Swarthout are the players in "Give Us This Night," the second film. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ATTRACTION The Russian tenor Senia Chostiakoff, who appeared in New Zealand some time ago with great success, and the Australian comedian Vincent Ryan will appear together at the State and Star Theatres for a season commencing on Christmas night. There will be an associate picture programme. TIVOLI THEATRE Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment is promised patrons of the Tivoli Theatre in the programme to be presented to-night, when the popular guest night concessions will be available. Paul Lukas and Elissa Landi are seen together in the first attraction, "By Candlelight." In the second lihn, "Embarrassing Moments," Chester Morris and Marion Nixon have the prominent roles. An excellent selection of shorter films also will be screened. NATIONAL THEATRE A powerful cast headed by Fredric March, Warner Baxter, Lionel Barrymore and June Lang appears in "The Road to Glory," at the National Theatre. A riotous comedy, "Educating Father," is the second attraction. The musical film "Show Boat" will commence a season on Christmas night. STRAND THEATRE Drama and comedy are skilfully combined to make "The Law in HexHands, " the current film at the Strand Theatre, an outstanding attraction. Margaret Lindsay takes the part of a notorious lady lawyer and Lyle Talbot plays the male lead. An excellent supporting programme also is being screened. LONDON CINEMA Charles Laughton gives one of the outstanding portrayals of his career in "Ruggles of Red Gap," the film now showing at the London Cinema. Marv Boland heads a strong supporting cast. A well varied selection of shorter films also is being screened. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Grand Jury" and "White Fang" are the films which comprise the entertaining double-feature programme now being shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE An attractive programme, which includes "The Witching Hour" and "The Gambling Ship," is being shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA "Jack of all Trades," with the inimitable Jack Hulbert, heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. There is an excellent supporting programme.