ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22700, 12 April 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE "Rainbow on the River," now in its third week fit the ,Plnzn Ihentrc, gives the young singer Bobby Breen lull opportunity to use his magnificent voice. He is heard in several numbers, . including "Ave Maria," "Way ])o\\n upon the Swanee River" and Rainbow on the River." Supporting players consist of Louise Beavers, May Robkoii and Charles Butterworth. The picture, from the play "Green Pastures, which sets out to give a negro's interpretation of Heaven and the story ol the Bible, will commence a season at the Plaza next Friday. Ilie play, written by Marc Connelly, won the Pulitzer Prize, and the film is directed by the author, who has. added a number of scenes which were impossible of j realisation' on the stage. There are . hundreds of players in the cast and the j negro spirituals are sung by the Hall Johnson Choir of 60 voices. MAJESTIC THEATRE Surpassing its two previous successes, "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town ' and "It Happened One Night," Columbia Studios have produced a most amusing film jn "Theodora Goes A\ild,"_ the current attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Irene Dunne gives an interpretation vastly different from her usual roles and shows an excellent sense of comedy. She takes .the part of Theodora, a girl carefully brought up by two maiden aunts, who writes a daring novel, which is banned, by the village literary society. Nothing daunted, Theodora determines to live the life of the character she has created. She goes to New York and there meets the illustrator of her book, portrayed by Melvyn Douglas. A pleasing romance develops and the news which filters back to the village shocks everybody. The whole picture is a succession of hilarious scenes, as brilliant as any seen for a long time. A colour cartoon, another • "Screen Snapshots and newsreels complete the programme. CIVIC THEATRE One of the most consistent singers on the screen, Lawrence Tibbett, has the leading role in "Under Your Spell," now showing at the Civic Theatre. The title is taken from the theme song of the picture and Tibbett gives several delightful renderings of it. Good performances are given by the supporting players, Gregory Ratoff and Arthur Treacher, with Wendy Barrie playing opposite Tibbett. The supporting programme includes an interpretation of the Barcarolle, from "Tales of Hoffman," in teehnieolour, a musical feature, travel talk and several newsreels. REGENT THEATRE Entertainment of a high order is provided at the Regent Theatre, where "The Great O'Malley" is tho current attraction. The fi{m deals with the life of a policeman who continually obeys the pin-pricking regulations of the law, failing to realise that duty often demands something more than mere blind obedience. Pat O'Brien gives a fine interpretation in the leading role and in the many dramatic moments capably fulfills the demands made upon him. Chief support is given by a clever child actress, Sybil Jason, who will be remembered for her performance in "J he Changing of the Guard." Humphrey Bogart also appears. A good selection of shorter pictures is being shown in conjunction. NATIONAL THEATRE "Lloyds of London," the spectacular historical film which had a successful season at the Civic Theatre, has been transferred to the National Theatre. A newcomer to the screen, Tyrone Power, has the leading role, that of Jonathan Blake, who, ill return for I giving information to Lloyd's about a plot to defraud them, is given a position in the corporation. Freddie Bartholomew capably portrays Blake as a bov, and the part of his young friend Horatio Nelson is taken by Douglas Scott. Tho picture shows the important part plaved in British history at the beginning of the 19th century by Lloyd's and the share Blake had in helping Lord Nelson to win the battle of Trafalgar, of which some exciting scenes are shown. Madeleine Carroll supplies romantic interest and other pi a vers include Sir Guy Standing, C. Aubrey Smith, E. E. Clive, Virginia Field and Montague Love. An excellent supporting programme also is being shown. EMBASSY THEATRE A glittering display of modern fashions is seen in "Stolen Holiday," the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre. Kay Francis, described as ftie screen's best-dressed woman, has the leading part, that of a mannequin and later fashion dictator of Paris. She gives a faultless performance in a difficult role and worthily _ upholds her reputation as a dramatic actress. The story tells of many audacious frauds perpetrated by an adventurer, helped by Miss Francis. Their schemes finally come to ruin and Miss Francis is faced with the choice between marrying her accomplice to help him to escape or a young diplomat with 1 whom she is in love. The closing scenes are of a dramatic nature and bring the film to n satisfactory conclusion. Claude Rains and lan Hunter have the chief supporting roles. Several shorter pictures also are being shown. STRAND THEATRE One of the best comedies seen in Auckland for a long time, "Three Smart Girls," is now showing at the Strand Theatre. A young singer, Dcanna Durbin, makes her first screen appearance and, although, only 13 vears old when the film was made, she shows a remarkable sense of comedy and her singing reaches great heights. Nan brey and Barbara Read appear as tho two other "smart girls." The veteran comedian Charles Winninger is seen to advantage as the girls' father, and Binnie Barnes and Alice Brady appear. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO One of the most stirring pictures ever filmed, "The Charge of tho Light Brigade," is the current attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Frrol Flvnn, who was the hero of "Captain Blood," has the leading role, with Olivia de Havilland playing opposite hint. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged. TUDOR CINEMA Set in the brilliance of . the (midnineteenth century "Trouble for Two, ' from "The Suicide Club" of Robert Louis Stevenson, unfolds a thrilling storv of hair-breadth escapes. Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell are the principals. STAR CINEMA "Page Miss Glory" and "Rose of the Rancho" will be screened at the Star Cinema to-day and to-night, PRINCESS THEATRE Adapted from Hervey Allen's novel, "Anthony Adverse," is now being screened at the Princess Theatre. STATE THEATRE "Old Hutch." with Wallace Beery in the leading role, will bo shown for the i last time at the State Theatre to-niglit. I'reddie Bartholomew and Victor McLaglen will bo seen together in "Professional .Soldier," which will commence a season to-morrow.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Now in its third week at St. .Tames Theatre, "Libelled Lady," a pleasing romantic comedy, is still attracting large crowds. The picture is notablcfoi the appearance of lour pi a vers, William Powell, Myrna Lo> Joan Harlow and Spencer I racj. J lie stoi v concerns a 5,000 000 dollars I.be suit brought by a society woman (Miss Lov) against a paper edited by 1 iacy. Powell is set the job of staving off the suit and this provides many scenes. Miss Harlow appears as Tracy s sweetheart. Several excellent sb" films complete the programme. Born to Dance," which will commence a season next Friday, has Eleanor Powell in the leading role Miss Powell made her screen debut in "Broadway Melody of 1936," one of the most popular pictures of th o year and marked by her skilful and spectacular dancing. Her reappearance has been eagerly awaited and the film should have fully as successful a season as her first pictuie. The supporting players include . James Stewart, Virginia Bruce, Buddy Lbsen and Una Merkel.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two full-length pictures comprise the programme now being presented at the Poxy and Tivofi Theatres. The first, "Fugitive in the Sky," is a thrilling story of the air. A murder takes place on a large liner far above the clouds in the presence of a G-mSro, who is following another criminal disguised as a woman. The aeroplane flies into a dust storm and some thrilling scenes occur before the criminals are captured with the help of the steward, played by Jean Muir, ami a reporter (Warren Hull). Supporting parts are taken bv Gordon Oliver, Carlyle Moore, j nn., and Howard Phillips. First National Studios were responsible for the production. "Easy to Take" is the second attraction, with the popular comedian Eugene Pallette in the leading role, supported bv Marsha Hunt, John Howard and Jan Dugan. It was produced bv Paramount Studios. Both pictures are being shown in New Zealand for the first time. LONDON CINEMA Two full-length films, "Home on the Range" and "By Your Leave," are now being shown at th& London Cinema.