ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST, JAMES* THEATRE The glorious voice of Richard Tauber will bo the main attraction at St. James' Theatre to-day, when the musical production "Land Without Music" is to commence a season. Tauber has proved such a success in such pictures as "Blossom Time" that his inclusion in the cast of any film practically ensures its popularity, but in "Land Without Music" he excels himself, and moreover the numbers that he is called upon to sing are more especially suited to his particular vocal capabilities than anything he has previously sung upon the screen. A further happy feature is that Tauber's songs are fitted neatly into the story and create no break in the sequence as has sometimes been the case in musical productions in the past. Apart from the masterly singing and acting of Richard Tauber, the film is notable for a highly entertaining performance by that master of comedy Jimmy Durante. He has the part of a newspaper correspondent and infuses into the role much humour of a delightful quality. The performance of Diana Napier also is outstanding. The supporting • programme is well up to the standard of the main feature.

PLAZA THEATRE "Valiant is the Word for Carrie," an intensely dramatic film, is to commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. It is chiefly notable for the performance of Gladys George in the title role. Miss George has won wide recognition as one of the leading emotional actresses on the American stage, and in her film debut she has been assigned a role that permits the full exercise of her powers as a dramatic player. Her part is that of a social outcast, moneyless and friendless, yet with a boundless spirit of self-sacrifice for the happiness of two unfortunate children. There are many scenes of remarkable power and of intense pathoe in "Valiant is the Word for Carrie." The supporting cast includes such wellknown performers as Arline Judge, John Howard and Harry Carey. The shorter films are well up to the usual standard and include a Pope-Eye the Sailor cartoon, "Let's Get Movin'."

MAJESTIC THEATRE A highly diverting comedy, "Keep Your Seats, Please," is to have its first screenings at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The story, which from start to finish, is never lacking in entertainment, concerns the adventures surrounding a fortune which is secreted in one of seven chairs which have been sold at auction to seven different purchasers. As the man to whom the fortune has been left, George Formby gives an exceedingly amusing performance, and he is ably supported by a strong cast, including I» lorence Desmond and Harry Tate. A complete contrast to the unstinted humour of "Keep Your Seats, Please" is provided by the second attraction, "Legion of Terror." This intensely dramatic story exposes in startling fashion the activities of the notorious Ku-Klux-Klan. Bruce Cabot and Marguerite Churchill are seen in prominent roles.

CIVIC THEATRE A new screen personality is to be introduced to audiences at the Civic Theatre to-day, when "Three Smart Girls," in which the child Deanna. Durbin makes her debut, will bo screened for the first time. Wherever it has been shown overseas this film has proved highly popular, and quite apart from the performances of tne talented supporting cast, the remarkable acting and singing of Deanna Durbin is well worth seeing. This young player performs in very capable manner in both the lighter and moro serious moments of the story, and in addition her rendering of tuneful songs such as "My Heart is Singing," "Someone to Care for Me," and the beautiful "11 Baccio" are remarkable for so young a performer. Although Deanna Durbin's portrayal overshadows those of the supporting cast, they are by no means without merit, the work of Charles Winninger, Binnie Barnes and Alice Brady, to mention only a few being highly creditable.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES " Wanted —Jane Turner," a thrilling stor.v of mail robberies and man lnints in the United States, is the main film on the current programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The story concerns the activities of a gang of criminals who engage in a desperate struggle with the authorities, and the cleverness of a "G-man" in bringing them to justice. A romantic element is introduced by Gloria Stuart, who plays opposite Lee Tracy in the leading role. The second attraction is the Paramount production " Three Married Men," a film of a much lighter nature, in which the popular actors Roscoe Karns, William Frawley and Lynne Overman appear as the husbands. The wives are equally well represented by Mary Brian, Marjorie Gateson and Betty Clark. The story concerns the adventures of a "newlywed" whose wife's married brothers endeavour to help him along the path of domestic happiness, and almost succeed in wrecking his romance. Donald Sleek and George Barbier appear in supporting roles.

NATIONAL THEATRE "Anthony Adverse," the long film adapted from the novel by Hervey Allen, will begin its second week at the National Theatre to-day. With backgrounds covering half the world, the picture necessitates a large cast, and this is amply filled by such players as Fredric March, in the title rolo, Edmund Gwenn, Claude Rains, Donald Wood, Anita Louise and Olivia de Havilland. In spite of its great length, the picture holds the interest unceasingly with the weaving together of its widely separated threads. Opening in France, tlie story moves to Italy, Havana and Africa before finally returning to France. March gives possibly bis finest performance as Anthony and his interpretation will long be remembered for its realism. The rest of the film shows as great attention to detail.

EMBASSY THEATRE Tho highly dramatic picture "Craig's Wife" began its second week at the Embassy Theatre yesterday. Rosalind Russell has tho leading role as Harriot Craig, a wife who subjects her husband to countless petty tyrannies, all with tho object of retaining a perfect home for herself, thus hoping to have some material possessions of her own. She pursues this object to tho detriment of her husband, portrayed by John Boles, and finally loses him find nil chance of happiness. There is a fino selection of shorter films.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Tho popular English comedian Will Hay is seen to advantage in "Where There's a Will,' which is to bo screened to-night at tho Crystal Palaco and Rinlto Theatres. Tho other main attraction will bo "Stage Struck," in which Joan Blondell, Warren William and Dick Powell are responsible for outstanding performances. STRAND THEATRE That talented pair of dancers, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, are responsible for another of their entertaining performances in " Top Hat," which is continuing a very successful season at tho Strand Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA One of the most popular dancing teams of recent years, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, are responsible for a further delightful performance in "Swing Time," now at the Tudor Cinema.

REGENT THEATRE A romantic drama of a rather unusual type, "Men are not Gods," is to commence a sed'son at the Regent Theatre to-day.' The leading dramatic role is filled by the noted actress Miriam Hopkins, who "vvill be remembered for her pleasing performance in "Reeky Sharp" and more recently for some powerful acting in "These Three." In "Men are not Gods," she plays the part of a woman who sacrifices her career to save the reputation of an actor, yet for the sake of his domestic happiness cannot bring herself to accept his love. Sebastian Shaw performs well as the actor, while Gertrude Lawrence as his jealous wife also is responsible for some fine acting. STAR CINEMA The celebrated dramatic actress Marlene Dietrich appears with Gary Cooper in " Desire," which is to be shown for the first time at the Star Cinema to-day. A highly entertaining film, " Look Up and Laugh," will be the second attraction. The popular Grade Fields heads a talented cast of comedians. STATE THEATRE One of the most thrilling mysteries yet brought to the screen, "The Devil Doll," is to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. The story is set in Paris and concerns a toyshop where the dolls looked much like ordinary dolls, but actually they were living beings. Principal roles are skilfully played by Lionel Barrymore, Maureen o'Sullivan and Frank Lawton.

STATE ONEHUNGA, AND EMPRESS Errol Flynn appears in "The Charge of the Light Brigade," which is to be screened at the State Theatre, Onehunga, and the Empress Theatre tonight. In addition "King of the Royal Mounted" will be shown at the State, and "Mummy's Boys" at the Empress. PRINCESS THEATRE A drama, "Without Orders," is to be shown together with the comedy "Thank You Jeeves," at the Princess Theatre this evening. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The famous negro bass Paul Robeson is seen in "Song of Freedom," which heads to-night's programme at the State Theatre, Devonport. CIVIC THEATRETTE A stirring story of western life, "When a Man's a Man," is to be shown to-day at the Civic Theatrette. George O'Brien heads a large and powerful cast. LONDON CINEMA The noted actor Boris Karloff appears in "The Black Room," at present showing at the London Cinema. "Smart Girl," a romantic film, is an added attraction. MAYFAIR THEATRE "Professional Soldier," in which Freddie Bartholomew and Victor McLaglan appear, will be shown with "The Voice of Bugle Ann" at the Mayfair Theatre to-night.

ASTOR THEATRE "Small Town Girl" and a dramatic film, "Road Gang,"* are the main attractions at the Astor Theatre tonight.