ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22622, 9 January 1937, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Tlic eternal war fa re between America's police forces and its everactive gangsters lias been the subject of many a good iilm, but never such an exciting one as "Sworn Enemy," which was shown before an enthusiastic audience at the Alajestic 1 heatre last night. Apart from the suspense aroused toward the close of the. iilm, the picture has a linessc and balance which should enhance the reputation of its producer, Lucien Hubbard. Hank and Steve Sherman, brothers whose efforts to better their positions in the world earn the audience's approval in the opening scenes, come across as thorough and as sinister a group of racketeers as one could imagine. In a most dramatically contrived scene one of the brothers and his benefactor are killed, crushed to dentil when a towering steel crane crashes through the roof of their motor-car. Incident leads to incident as a scheme is gradually formed to "crack" the gangster chief's safe for incriminating evidence. When finally the hunters are trapped in a steam chamber and the steam is turned on by the hunted, all seems to be lost. Only a charge of dynamite, it seems could reverse the positions—and does, to the relief of the police inside the chamber, the joy of two young lovers, and the discomfiture of the criminals. Consistently good acting adds a touch of polish to an unusually gripping and well-thought-out tale, witli Robert Young, Joseph Calleia, Lewis Stone and a charming young actress, Florence Rice,, outstanding. Nat Pendleton, whose task is to annihilate numerous doubtful characters inside and outside of a boxing ring, deserves .special mention, and the remaining members of the cast are all finely in tune. Adding to the enjoyment of the main picture are first-class supporting items. "It's a (J rent Life," a quiet tv|>e of production, presents Joe Morrison, Rosalind Keith. Pa'.il Kelly, the evergreen Chic Sale and Ha by l/eroy in a thoroughly pleasant story of forest life with a touch of romance and excellent photographic eflects of forest fires and their powers of destruction. Xewsreels covering subjects of wide interest complete what is in all respects a high quality programme.

CIVIC THEATRE After concluding a, phenomenally successful week at tho Civic Theatre "Song of Freedom" began a second week yesterday before large audiences. Paul Robeson's glorious bass voice, which was heard to such great effect in "Sanders of the River" and "Show Boat," is again to ho heard in a number of specially written songs. Among these arc the attractive "Sleepy River" melody, "Lonely Road." another particularly appropriate tune, and "Stepping Stones," which also is proving very popular. The acting of Robeson in tho part of a dock labourer, John Zinga, convincingly proves his ability. REGENT THEATRE Containing some of the most entrancing music to be heard from the screen for a considerable time, "Cain and Mabel," which has already bad a season of two weeks, is entering on its third week at the Regent Theatre. The chief roles are in the hands of Clark Gable and Marion Da vies, who have not appeared on the screen before as a "team" and whose success is a tribute to the selectors of the cast. Comedy scenes are not lacking and the ability of both players in the realm of farce is further evidenced by their portrayals in this picture. The supporting programme conies up to the high standard of the main feature.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Outstanding success continues to attend the screening of "The Great Ziogfeld." which is entering upon another week of its extended season at St. James' Theatre. In the part of the great American showman and static personality, Florenz Ziegfeld. W illiatn Powell'gives an extremely talented portraval. The principal female parts are taken by Luise Rainer. Myrna Toy and Virginia Bruce. For her performance in this film Miss Rainer has been judged the most talented actress to have played in 1936 productions. NATIONAL THEATRE Alexander Botts is the extremely hilarious character played by the talented American comedian Joe E. Brown in "Earthworm Tractors," which beads the current programme at. the National Theatre. Notable for the many highly successful portrayals which he has given from tune to time. Brown again carries off the acting honours in this picture. June Travis lends capable support to the principal actor, while Guy Ivihbee also gives an engaging performance. The supporting programme includes a "Vincent Lopez" Radio Parade and a number of very entertaining musical and other features. STRAND THEATRE Entertainment considerably above the average is provided for patrons of the Strand Theatre, where an attractive double-feature programme comprising "There's Always To-morrow'' and "Love Letters of a Star," is enjoying a successful season. The chief players in the first film are Robert Taylor and Binnie Barnes, and Frank Morgan lends them capable support in a minor role. Henry Hunter and Polly Rowles have the main parts in the second attraction. and their performances are particularly entertaining. EMBASSY THEATRE Now in its third week at the Embassy Theatre, the attractive tcclniicolour film "The Garden of Allah" continues to be screened before large and appreciative audiences. Produced under the able direction of David 0. Sel/.nick, the picture, lias an entertaining story, which is interpreted in an accomplished manner by Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer. Robert TTichens was the author of the original from which the film scenario has been adapted.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Ono of the finest casts yet assembled for one picture appears in "Ladies In Love,'' the entertaining film which heads the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Loretta Young, Janet Gaynor, Constance 1 Bennett. Simone Simon, Don Anieehe and Ahin Mowbray are the principals. "Iwo s Company, with the comedians Ned Sparks and Gordon Marker in the chief roles, is a second attraction. EPSOM RECENT AND ALEXANDRA ".Mary of Scotland." with Katharine Hepburn in a prominent role, is tho main picture on to-night's programme at. the Epsom Regent and Alexandra Theatres. MAYFAIR THEATRE "China Sens" (Jean Harlow) and "Woman Wanted" (Maureen O'Sullivan) arc the films to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-night. CAPITOL THEATRE Warner Baxter appears in "Hobin Hood of El Dorado," which will be shown with "The Moon's Our Home" at the Capitol Theatre to-day. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Earthworm Tractors" and "The Bride Walks Out" comprise the doublefeature programme to be shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day.

PLAZA THEATRE "The Texas Hangers," a Paramount picture which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, is without doubt the best "western" film to be shown in Auckland since "The Virginian." Vigorous, dramatic and spectacular, the film presents first-class entertainment. Distinguished by its excellent acting, its spacious settings and its credible drama, "The Texas Hangers" should do much to restore to this type of film the popularity it held in the days of William S. Hart, Dustin Farnum and Tom Mix. The film is especially a triumph for the director, King Vidor, who wrote the story and made the picture with care and resource. Much of the drama that was unfolded in the expansion of the (Jnited States to the West—hunger for land and gold, the struggle for law and order between peace-loving migrants, marauding Indians and white bandits, and the criminal's flight from justice—has been admirably presented. The story tolls of the careers of three bandits, an excellently contrasted group. There is Fred MaeMurray, the rugged hero, Lloyd Nolan, an attractively gonial desperado, and .lack Oalcie, as droll a ranger as overrode across the Texas plains. In the opening scenes the three cheerful bandits separate after a hold-up. Two of them, tired and without money, join the Texas Hangers because the service offers them the chance of inside information on the movements of gold, money and cattle. They gradually come to respect the ideals of the service, the only force of law and order in the country. Their new duties lead them into continual excitement, battles with Indians, and finally a combat with their former friend. Jack Oakie gives a sterling performance as the happy-go-lucky member of the trio, skilfully mingling delightful comedy with clever acting. Fred MacMurrav shows he can he as attractive in "western"' attire as he is in modern dress. Perhaps the best performance of all is that of Lloyd Nolan, who makes the unrepentant criminal an almost likeable figure. Edward Ellis and Jean Parker are well cast in supporting roles. Outstanding in the supporting programme is a Pop-eye the Sailor cartoon, "I Wanna Bo a Lifeguard," one of the most humorous episodes in the belligerent career of this popular screen figure that has been shown in recent months. Other items include newsreels and a musical film, "Play, ])on."

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "Trailin' West," a typical Western film, and "Barred Windows," a thrilling tale of the continual struggle between criminals and the police of America, comprise the double-feature programme which is proving popular with the large audiences at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The talented Western actor and singer. Dick Foran, heads the cast in the first picture, while Paula Stone and Robert Barrat give good performances in supporting roles. Jn the second feature June Travis has the main feminine role and in a part which demands a high degree of acting skill she gives a pleasing and polished characterisation. The accomplished actor Barton Maclane is seen to advantage in an exacting role, while able support is given the principals by a largo cast headed by Craig Reynolds, Dick Purcell and George E. Stone.

LONDON CINEMA In the role of an officer in the Bengal Landers, Gary Cooper is responsible for a clashing portrayal in "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," the thrilling film to be screened at the London Cinema to-day. Franchot Tone and Richard Cromwell also appear in this thrilling epic, which has its settings in the mountainous regions of northern India. STAR CINEMA Elisabeth Bergner has the principal role in "Escape Me Never," which, together with "The Bride Comes Home," will be screened at the Star Cinema to-day. The accomplished players Claudette Colbert and Fred Mac Murray give fine performances in the main parts in the second film. STATE THEATRE Cicely Courtneidge and Frank Morgan appear in the leading roles of the hilarious comedy "The Perfect Gentleman," which is being screened at the State Theatre. Another comedy of considerable merit is "Kelly the Second," which is also on the programme. Charlie Chase and Patsy Kelly have the principal parts. ASTOR THEATRE "Petticoat Fever." with Robert Montgomery and Mvrna Loy in the principal roles, will be shown with "Devil Dogs of the Air" at the Astor Theatre to-night. BRITANNIA THEATRE A Charlie Chase and Patsy Kelly comedy, "Kelly the Second," and "Too Many Parents" are the films to bo shown at the Britannia Theatre to-day. GREY LYNN CINEMA The main films on an attractive programme to be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day are "Wife Versus Secretary" and "The Country Doctor." PRINCESS THEATRE Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers appear in "Swing Time," the fine musical film to bo shown at the Princess Theatre to-day. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "Show Boat," one of the most popular iil ins shown to Auckland audiences, will bo screened at the State Theatre, Dcvonport, to-day.

EMPRESS THEATRE An entertaining programme at the Empress Theatre comprises "Secret Agent," and "It's Love Again." Jessie Matthews appears in the second picture. REGAL THEATRE "Devil's Squadron" and "Secret Agent" comprise the well-varied programme now showing at the Regal Theatre. ADELPHI THEATRE 'U'nder Two Flags" and "The Crime of Dr. Forbes" are the two films at present being screened at the Adclphi Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA Bette Davis and Franchot Tone give tine performances in the leading roles of "Dangerous," which heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. SUNDAY PICTURES The nationalist Association and Sunday Freedom League will hold two hours' pictures at the Strand Theatre to-morrow night, when the chief film will be an appealing drama, "Reunion." The Rev. J. H. Chappie will talk on "The Bible, a Stumbling Block to Progress." Cicely Courtneidge gives a highly amusing portrayal in the leading feminine role of "Things Are Looking Pp." which will be shown at the Rialto Theatre to-morrow night. In all her previous performances Miss Courtneidge has proved extremely popular and this film is no exception to the rule. Proceeds will be in aid of local charities.