ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE In what is undoubtedly his funniest comedy, Joe E. Brown appeared in his new picture, "Earthworm Tractors," at the Plaza Theatre for the first time yesterday, when large audiences were 'kept laughing continuously at. the antics of the famous American comedian. A First National production, the picture is based on a. series of stories which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Brown's presentation on the screen of the hero of these comedies, that blundering and. in his own egotistical estimation, natural super-salesman, Alexander Botts, is one of the finest pieces'of comedy acting seen in Auckland for some time. "Earthworm Tractors" is a film which, on account of the true open humour which it offers, cannot fail to appeal to all. The salesman, Botts, who somehow always wins out in spite of his own mistakes, is excellently played by the wide-mouthed Brown, who is supported by a very capable cast, including Juno Travis, a new screen "find," and Carol Hughes, who play the parts of the hero's two sweethearts. Guy Kibbee gives a hilarious performance as a cantankerous and partially deaf old man to whom Botts i tries" for long in vain to* sell tractors. | It is not until the hero unwittingly leads the old man ;.\nd his daughter into a dynamite trap, the concussion from the explosion of which restores the father's hearing, that Botts is able to sell a number of tractors and win a beautiful girl's hand. Excellently cast in the role of Bott's successful rival in love is Richard Foran, who wins the first sweetheart (Carol Hughes), whom, however, Botts never really loved. Koran's straight acting is a perfect foil for Brown's hilarious antics. There is an outstanding supporting programme well up to the standard of " the main attraction. "Vitaphone Topnotchers," a firstclass vaudeville picture, presents items by people whose talent in all branches of entertainment has earned the \ itaphone productions their wide popularity. "Wee Men," a novelty, is contributed by a captivating midget troupe, and Vincent Lopaz and his well-known band give items which all will enjoy. MAJESTIC THEATRE Direct from a very successful season at St. James' Theatre, "Our Relations," with Laurel and Hardy playing dual roles, commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. In the roles of hen-pecked husbands and caretree sailors, the comedians are responsible for a screamingly funny performance. A well-varied supporting programme also is being screened. CIVIC THEATRE The world's greatest negro actor and singer, Paul Robeson, has appeared in far too few pictures. His latest production, "Song of Freedom," which was enthusiastically received by capacity audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday, is, however, an achievement which compensates in no small measure for the scarcity of films in which this actor has appeared. 'Song of Freedom ' is a festival of lovely melody and it tells a thrilling and poignant story of a negro who longs to return to his own country, realising his ambition through the means of his voice. Robeson is heard in no fewer than four new, specially-written songs which, with music by Eric Ansell and lyrics by Henrik Ege, are the numbers now being featured by orchestras and singers all over the world. Their titles are "Song of Freedom," "Stepping Stones." "Lonely Road" and "Sleepy River," all of them being featured prominently in this remarkable film production, the scenes of which are set in Africa and Britain. A devil dance, which has never been filmed before, is one of the features of the African sequences and to obtain these a camera expedition spent six weeks in the interior of Sierra Leone. The direction of the film has punch arid imagination and of Paul Robeson it must be said that his portrayal of John Zinga, the London dock-labourer, is magnificent. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, the picture is bound to be a great success in Auckland. Robeson has perhaps his best starring vehicle in a good story, excellent settings and photography* and fine drama. It is Paul Robeson s picture, with the famous artist rising to every demand made upon him. He rivets attention in magn< . ic fashion and brings real humanity and power to a part which is undoubtedly one of his most remarkable portrayals. Supporting the great actorsinger are Elisabeth Welch, who takes the part of John Zinga's wife, Esme Percy, George Mozart, Joan Fred Emney and Jenny Dean, as well as a cast of hundreds of black and white players. The picture was directed by J. Elder Wills from an original story by Major Claude Wallace, noted African explorer, and Dorothy Hollowav. An excellent supporting programme includes a newsreel containing incidents of the second test cricket match between England and Australia, besides some spectacular scenes of the destruction of the Crystal Palace by fire. A comedy and a Cine-Magazine newsreel are also included among the supporting films. STATE THEATRE The story of the great San Francisco earthquake is told in "San Francisco," the outstanding film now showing at the State Theatre. Jeanette Mac Donald. who captures the acting honours with a convincing all-round portrayal and by means of her glorious voice, heads a strong cast, prominent in which are Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. The novel film, "Audioscopiks," heads a good supporting programme. AVONDALE THEATRE "Rendezvous." starring William Powell and Rosalind Russell, and "Barbary Coast." in which Miriam Hopkins'and Edward G. Robinson appear, are the main pictures on the outstanding programme at the Avondale Municipal Theatre. MAYFAIR THEATRE Chester Morris and Sally Eilers in a thrilling film, "Pursuit." and Ronald Colman in "A Tale of Two Cities," are the main features on the wellvaried programme at the Mayfair Theatre. STAR CINEMA Rafael Sabatini's tale of adventure and romance is brought to the screen in "Captain Blood," starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Haviland and now showing at the Star Theatre. A welivaried supporting programmo also is being screened.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE An important addition to the screen s fast growing group of modern biographical romances is "The Great Ziegfeld," which opened a season at St. James' Theatre before a. packed house at a midnight matinee on Year's Eve. This picture, which would be remarkable if for no other reason than it takes three hours to run oft and keeps its audience interested an the way, is based upon the career of the late Floreuz Ziegfeld (portrayed bv William Powell), who built a fortune upon beauty and slogan. ' lhe Great Ziegfeld" is the most painstakingly produced and obviously the most expensive glorification of the musical revue yet to reach the screen. A magnificent edition, in shadows and sound, of one of those Ziegfeld "Follies," it overflows with melody and feminine pulchritude. At the outset the picture shows Ziegfeld as a partly successful showman before the stall or Sanclow, the Strong Man at the Chicago World's Fair. It interpolates a San Francisco episode which airs Ziegfeld s flamboyant otfer to have his muscular prodigy wrestle a "man-eating tiger unci touches upon his high-handed signing for a New York appearance ot Anna field, reigning London star, at a time when ho had 50 cents in his pocket. It traces the upward steps of a career in which the discoveries of such personalities as Will Rogers, Eddie Cantor, Fannie Briee (gorgeously played bv herself), Ray Bolger, Harriett Hoctor and many others played an important part. It sketches setbacks of the great girl glorifier, describes his magnificent comeback with the simultaneous Broadway production of "Rio Rita," "Whoopee, lhe Three Musketeers" and ''Show Boat, four hit shows. The curtain is rung down on the dolorous hour of Ziegfeld's defeat following the stock market crash. William Powell occupies the leading role as the reckless and resourceful "Ziggy." His performance is most competent, as also is that or Luise Rainer, whose vibrant, exquisitely feminine Anna Held captures and hoids one's sympathy. Myrna Loy. beautiful and attractive, is seen in the part (if Billie Burke. The musical numbers have elegance and richness and it is4a relief to find among them not one that might not actually have been staged in a, theatre —given, that is, a producer extravagant enough to have undertaken them.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES .Jack Holt appears in the type of hard-hitting role which made hiin famous, in "End of the Trad.-- the film of outdoor action and drama which, with "King of the Royal .Mounted," is drawing large audiences to the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. A stirring picturisation of tho historic days of the Spanish-American War, the picture brings Holt back to the vigorous -type of adventure stories in which he scored his greatest successes. He is capably supported in this him by ail excellent cast, including Louise Henry, Guinn Williams, Douglass Dumbrille and Gene Morgan. The picture is based on the Zane Grey novel, "Outlaws of Paiouse." Robert Kent. Rosalind Keith and Alan Dinehart are the principal players in "King of the Ro\al .Mounted." another picture adapted from a novel by Zane Grey. Romance, action and scenes of outdoor grandeur seldom witnessed on the screen make this ill in outstanding entertainment. I The programme is one that will appeal to all with a liking for outdoor action and romance. ' EMBASSY THEATRE Effective photography in natural colour has greatly enhanced the appeal of "The Garden of Allah," at the Embassv Theatre. A romance between a monk from a Trappist monastery and a highly-strung woman is thrown against a desert- background. Unusual Eastern characters are given prominence and something of the fatalism of the East is captured. The dialogue is strewn with Eastern proverbs and imagery and there is an Eastern dance which all will applaud. Mariene Dietrich's performance in one of the leading roles is equalled only by the understanding acting of Charles Boyer. NATIONAL THEATRE A short burlesque of theatrical traditions and acting in the later years of last century is one of most genuinely amusing parts of "Show Boat," an outstanding musical production now enjoying an extended season at the National Theatre. Irene Dunne makes a charming Magnolia Hawks. Allan • Tones appears as her husband Ravenal, Paul Robeson as the negro Joe, Helen West ley as Captain Andy Hawks' wife, and Charles Winniger as Captain Andy himself. There are tuneful songs, including "Make Believe," "'ol' Man River." sung by Robeson, and other fetching melodies. STRAND THEATRE The pioneering days of California have been drawn upon for the story of "Ramona," which after a successful season at the Civic Theatre has been transferred to the Strand Theatre. The heroine, Ramona, learns to love the handsome son of an Indian chief when the Indians come down to assist with work on her father's farm. Their romance ends in marriage, after which Alessandro, tho husband, falls into great misfortune. The conclusion is a logical one, which will iind ready applause. Loretta Young and Don Ameehe are the principals. LONDON CINEMA Brilliant singing is heard in "Naughty Marietta," one of the most popular pictures shown in New Zealand, which commenced a season at the London Cinema yesterday. The leading players are Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy, whose duets and individual numbers, which include "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," arc delightful to hear. REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM Eddie Cantor appears in "Roman Scandals," which with Company" is being shown at the "Regent Theatre, Epsom. ALEXANDRA THEATRE "China Clipper" and "Down the Stretch" are the main items on the current programme at tho Alexandra Theatre. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "It's Love Again" is one of the entertaining films at the State Theatre, Devon port. Also being shown is "The Flying Doctor." EMPRESS THEATRE "Satan Met a Lady," one of the most genuinely entertaining pictures to be shown in Auckland for some time, is the main item on an outstanding programme at the Empress Theatre. KING'S THEATRE A gay operetta, "The King Steps Out," is at tho King's Theatre. Franchot Tono and Grace Moore are the principals. ADELPHI THEATRE A superb historical romance, "Mary of Scotland," and "Sons of Guns" are the current films at the Adelphi Theatre. i ASTOR THEATRE A stage play which has been adapted into an excellent picture is "These Three." at the Astor Theatre. Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon and Joel Mcj Crea have prominent part.^

REGENT THEATRE Clark Gable has a role quite unlike his previous parts in the "Warner Brothers' production "Cain and Mabel, now being shown before large audiences at the Regent Theatre. A prize-fighter who wins the world's heavy-weight title to find very few people have ever heard of him, his name is linked with that- of a prominent actress in an endeavour to give him the publicity needed to bring him good "gates." An unusual anil amusing theme follows, showing how his antipathy to the lady turns into lore. The finish to the film, set in a boxing ring where the champion is defending his title, will surprise the most imaginative audience. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Show Boat," a delightful musical production embracing the history of the theatre in. America from the show boat period to modern times, is at the Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres. Irene Dunne and Allan Jones provide a pleasing romantic theme and Charles Winmger gives of his wholesome humour. There are some delightful melodies, including "01' Man River," sung by Paul Robeson, and "Make Believe." CAPITOL THEATRE "The Garden Murder Case" is one of the attractive items on the current Capitol Theatre programme. "A Star Fell From Heaven" is the second picture. CIVIC THEATRETTE George O'Brien appears in one of his most likeable roles in "Cowboy Millionaire" at the Civic Theatrette. In thif virile role O'Brien is outstanding. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA « "Swing Time." the latent film in which Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire appear, is the main item of entertainment at the State Theatre, Onehunga. SUNDAY PICTURES "The Cheater." an unusually amusing comedy, heads the programme to be shown to-morrow night at the Strand Theatre. Mr. J. Edwards will speak on 14 Free Thought/ and Creeds. The English actor Cyril Mande has a leading role in ' Heat "Wave/' which heads the programme to be presented to-morrow night at the Rialto Theatre