ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE One of the most popular combinations on the screen, William Powell and Myrna Loy, make a welcome reappearance in "Libelled Lady," the comedy now enjoying a second successful week at St. James' Theatre. These two players appeared with success in notable films such as "The Thin Man" and more recently "The Great Ziegfeld." Their performance in the current production surpasses even those triumphs. The cast also includes another successful pair, Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy. The shorter films include the fourth instalment for the year of the "March of Time" series of newsreels, a cartoon in colour, "Little Chceser," and a Pete Smith oddity. PLAZA THEATRE Bobby Brcen, the possessor of one of the finest soprano voices to have been brought to the talking screen, is to be heard in "Rainbow on the River," now on its second week at the Plaza Theatre. The story is so constructed as to make the introduction of several delightful songs seem to be the part of the maintlienie. In adult roles, May Robson and Charles Butterworth portray important characters in a very convincing manner. The film is a production of the successful 1i.K.0.-Radio studios. MAJESTIC THEATRE Johnny Weissrnuller and Maureen O'Sullivan reappear in favourite roles in "Tar/an Escapes," the dramatic adventure film which is to commence its second week at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Weissrnuller gives another of his remarkable displays in the trees, while his prowess in the water also is outstanding. Herbert Mundin and Benita Hume also appear. An unusually clever comedy, "Theodora Goes Wild," in which Irene Dunne gives a delightful characterisation in a comedy role, is to commence a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. CIVIC THEATRE The successful leading player of "Professional Soldier" and "Anna Karenina," Freddie Bartholomew, is responsible for a further engaging performance in "Lloyds of London," now in its second week at the Civic Theatre. The film is an historical drama set in one of the most stirring .periods of British history, the struggle against France at the time of Napoleon. In addition to this drama, there is introduced the crisis faced by Lloyds when it seemed that the French navy would sweep British shipping from the seas. The cast includes Tyrone Power, Madeleine Carroll, C. Aubrey Smith and Sir Guy Standing. REGENT THEATRE Some of the most spectacular song and dance ensembles ever brought to the screen are to bo seen in "Gold Diggers of 1937," the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. Dick Powell has the leading musical role, and he is ably supported by Joan Blondell. The associate artists include Glenda Farrell and Victor Moore. One of the most spectacular ensembles introduces the song "Ali's Fair in Love and War," which is one of the musical features of the production. A musical featurette in colour is included in the shorter films. STRAND THEATRE "Three Smart Girls,'' the first film in which the talented girl singer Deanna Durbin makes an appearance, is at present enjoying an extended season at the Strand Theatre. In a story which contains a delightful mingling of comedy and singing, the most important roles, beside that taken by Miss Durbin, are handled with ability by Charles Wjnninger, who will be remembered for his portrayal in "Show Boat," and Alice Brady. Also prominently cast is Binnie Barnes, whose performance is of a very high standard. NATIONAL THEATRE Spectacular mass photography and an abundance of action combine to make ideal entertainment of "The Charge of the Light Brigade," the main film on the current programme at the National Theatre. In one of the more prominent parts, Errol Flynn is responsible for some of the best acting of his career, while capable performances are given by a large number of supporting players headed by Olivia de Havilland. Some conception of the magnitude of the effects is given by the fact that there are 15,000 actors and actresses in the cast. An enjoyable selection of shorter films also is being screened. EMBASSY THEATRE Something unusual in motion picture entertainment, "God's Country and the Woman," is the film now in its second week at the Embassy Theatre. The story is set in a lumber camp in the north-west of America, and the employment of technicolour brings to the screen all the glories of the forests, mountains, rivers and lakes of this picturesque country. The part of a lumber-camp boss is delightfully presented by Beverley Roberts. George Brent appears as a city man who is stranded in the camp, and the romance between these two relieves the more dramatic scenes. "Stolen Holiday," in which Qlaude Rains and lan Hunter appear, is to commence a season at tlio Embassy Theatre on Thursday.

TUDOR CINEMA " Dodsworth." in which Ruth Chatterton and Walter Huston appear, is to be screened to-night at the Tudor Cinema. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The main items of entertainment at the Crystal Palace and 1? ialto Theatres this evening will be "Cain and Mabel" and "White Hunter." PRINCESS THEATRE "The Charge of the Light Brigade" is to be screened at the Princess Theatre to-night with "Spendthrift." LONDON* CINEMA Richard Dix and Mnrgot Grahame are the lending players in " The Arizonian," which is to be shown with "Limehouse Blues" at the Londoria Cinema to-day. STATE THIATRE Robert Young appears at the head of the large cast in "Three Wise Guys," tho first film on the current programme at the State Theatre. A second attraction is entitled " The Voice of Bugle Ann," and has Maureen O'Sullivan and Lionel Barrymore in the leading parts. star"":inema "Big Broadcast ot is to be shown with "Klondike Annie" at tho Star Cinema to-day.- .Tack Oakie and Wendy Barrio appear in the first production and Mae West in the second, while both have large supporting casts. STATE theatre, ONEHUNGA The films "Anthony Adverse" and "Secret Valley" are included on the programme at, the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two unusually entertaining films, "They Met in a Taxi" and "IS Maiden Lane" are to be shown to-night at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Claire Trevor appears in the latter attraction.