ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22612, 28 December 1936, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC ' THEATRE "New Moon," with the two fine operatic singers Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett, is enjoying a most successful season at the Majestic Iheatre. Lovers of good music will find much to enthuse over in the picture, for the singing of the principals is of a quality rarely heard on the talking screen. The basis of the film's plot is the musical operetta by Oscar Hammerstein, although most audiences may find more enjoyment in the musical score by Sigmund Romberg, famous for his many beautiful compositions. Hammerstein and Romberg arc perhaps the most famous collaborators in Broadway today. Whether the main players are singing a ribald gipsy song or a tender love song, the audience is promised something that is seldom heard. Adolphe Menjou, Roland Young, and Emily Fitzroy also are in the cast.

CIVIC THEATRE One of the world's greatest love stories, "Ramona," tho holiday attraction at the Civic Theatre, gives the beautiful Loretta Young plenty of scope for her undoubted histrionic abilitv. She is supported by an exceptionally strong cast, including Don Ameche, Pauline Frederick, Jane Darwcll, Kent Taylor and Katherine de Mille. Produced in the new perfected technicolour, the picture is an adaptation of Helen Hunt Jackson's famous novel of the California of yesterday and carries the full conviction of realism. Many of the articles of jewellery worn by Miss Young in the part of Ramona are genuine antiques. REGENT THEATRE The amusing Warner Brothers' production at the Regent Theatre, "Cain and Mabel," with Clark Gable and Marion Davies in the leading roles, combines comedy and romance with melody and spectacle. A lively and entertaining story makes the picture a perfect vehicle for the talents of the . principals, Gable appearing in the role ; of a champion heavy-weight boxer and | Miss Davies being cast as a waitress j turned dancer. Thrills are provided i in the climax to the picture, which is an excellently photographed contest between Larry Cain (Clark Gable) and the challenger for the title. Among the supporting cast are Roscoe Karns, who provides humour as the enthusiastic publicity agent, and Allen Jenkins, as Larry Cain's second. Ihe supporting programme includes a- colour cartoon, a newsreel, a musical novelty and a film of logging in a lumber camp. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Laurel and Hardy make their first appearance as dual characters in "Our Relations," now showing at St. James' Theatre. The incomparable pair have been converted into a quartet by the addition of another Laurel and another Hard v. It appears that, there were two sets of twins, and, while one of each pair turned out to be a good little boy, the other was not so good. In the fullness of time both of the good boys married and settled down to quiet suburban lives. The two others, however, ran away to sea and were presumed to have taken part in a mutiny and been duly hanged. Their secret was closely guarded by their brothers. The respectable pair are discovered enjoying the comforts of home life. Soon, however, trouble comes upon tho scene when the steamer Periwinkle, from Eastern ports, ties up at a neighbouring wharf. On board are the wayward pair, who proceed to become involved in quick succession with a sea captain, a valuable pearl ring, a couple of girls of the village, and a large and dangerous-looking waiter. The respectable couple walk into the tangle, to the surprise and disgust of their wives. The four appear rapidly together, and apart, in a fashionable night club and at last are reunited after a battle with "gangsters," who are after the ring. Another of the "Crime Doesn't Pay" series, an Our Gang comedy, a film entitled "Berlin," and newsreels complete the programme.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The Bar 20 cowboys come to the screen again in the film version of Clarence E. Mill ford's "Hopalong Cassidy Returns," which is the main attraction at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Once more cast as Cassidy, the hard-hitting son of the wild west, William Boyd gives a dashing portrayal. Jimmy Ellison again appears as the hero's headstrong but inseparable friend. An exciting picture of the sport of kings. "Down the Stretch," in which Mickey Roonev, Patricia Eilis and Dennis Moore appear, is a second attraction.' The story concerns a boy who bears the stigma of having had his father, a famous jockey, throw away an important race. After a series of misfortunes the youthful jockey finally receives work in a famous Kentucky stable. When a horse entered in the Derby is injured the boy is given his big chance, and he rides a thrilling race on a colt, considered bad, which he had befriended.

NATIONAL THEATRE The music, singing, dancing and comedy make "Show Boat." now at the National Theatre, one of the most outstanding films seen in Auckland for some time. Irene Dunne, as Magnolia, Allan Jones, as R a venal, and . Paul Robeson, as Joe, are the principals and their singing and acting is of the highest standard. Songs included in the film arc "Ah Still Suits Me." "Gallivautin' Around," "I Have the Room Above Her," "Ole Man River." "Only Make Believe" and "Why Do 1 Love You?" A large supporting cast is headed by Helen ' West ley, Charles Winnigcr and Helen Morgan. A wellvaried selection of shorter films completes a most entertaining programme.

EMBASSY THEATRE Tho Embassy Theatre, in showing "The Garden of Allah" over the Christmas season, lias obtained the first picture of United Artists' 1936-37 schedule. Produced entirely in technicolour the film is one that is proving popular with local audiences because of its dramatic story, remarkable photography and brilliant acting. The story of love in the desert has been adapted for the screen by its author, the famous writer, Robert 1 lichens. Charles Bover and Marlone Dietrich are . the leading players, while Basil Rathbone also has a prominent role. The producers claim that the artistry shown in the technicolour work will set a standard by which future films will bo judged. STRAND * THEATRE Tho inscrutable Chinese detective Charlie Chan, again played by Warner Oland. solves his most baffling crime in "Charlie Chan at the Race Track." the thrilling film now at tho Strand Theatre. Fop suspense, surprises and excitement this picture is perhaps tho best that Warner Oland has made. "Soft Lights and Sweet Music," with Ambrose and his orchestra, is a second attraction. Adagio acts, sensational dancing by the Four Flash Devils and a dozen song hits by world personalities of stage and radio fame make the film a most entertaining one.

EPSOM REGENT AND ALEXANDRA Robert Kent in "The Crime of l)r. Forbes" and "Yellowstone" are the main attractions at the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. BRITANNIA THEATRE The special holiday programme at the Britannia Theatre comprises "Wife Versus Secretary " and " Foreign Aii'aires."

PLAZA THEATRE Four of the screen s outstanding stars, Loretta Young, Simone Simon, Constance Bennett and Janet Gay nor, appear together in "Ladies in. Love, which heads the .current programme at the Plaza Theatre. It might be expected that in the face of such talent the producers would have filled the male roles with lesser-known players, but such is not the case. Paul Lukas and Alan Mowbray have filled leadin"- roles in numerous pictures, while Don Ameche, who gave such an outstanding portrayal in "Ramona, also appears. The story and direction of "Ladies in Love" are as good as tno cast, which makes ideal entertainment assured. There is an excellent supporting programme, in which "In a Mountain Pass," a musical number nlmeu in technicolour, is worthy of mention. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The American actor Charles Farrell appears in the Australian nlm, Ap Flving Doctor," which, with Joe L. Brown's latest comedy, "Sons of is being shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. LONDON CINEMA The eminent character actor Charles Laughton is outstanding in Mutiny on the Bounty," the film at present being shown at the London Cinema. Clark Gable and Franchot Tone also are in the cast. TUDOR CINEMA "Rendezvous." with William Powell and Rosalind Russell in the principal roles, is the main attraction at t.ie Tudor Cinema, where there is a.so an exqpllent supporting programme. STATE THEATRE Garv Cooper and Marlene Dietrich appear in "Desire," the mam film at the State Theatre. Senia Chnstiakoff, Russian tenor, and Vincent Ryan. Australian comedian, will be on the stage. STAR THEATRE The musical film, "Flirtation ?'k, ! in which Dick Powell has the leading role is the principal attraction at the Star Theatre, where Senia Choshakotf and Vincent Ryan will make stage appearances.