ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22754, 14 June 1937, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE "Rose Marie," in which Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mat-Donald make another appearance together, will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. Masterly interpretations of the wellknown songs of "Rose Mario" are given by the principals, and their presentations of "Rose Marie, J Love You," "Indian Love Call" and "Pardon Me, Madame," have been enthusiastically received at all screenings. Several scenes from Gounod's opera, "Romeo ami Juliet," and others from "La Tosca" introduce Allan Jones, singer of "Show Boat," whose fine voice is added to that of Miss Mac Donald with rare effect. PLAZA THEATRE Herbert Marshall and Katharine Hepburn are the principals of "A Woman Rebels," a dramatic story of young womanhood in the strictest Victorian days, which continues to attract large audiences to tho Plaza Theatre. The picture, which is tho screen version of Netta Syrett's well-known novel "Portraia of a Rebel," has a deep emotional strain, but is infused with dashes of delightful comedy. Playing opposite Miss Hepburn for the first time, Herbert Marshall gives an attractive portrayal. An exceedingly fmo character study is provided by Donald Crisp, who symbolises the oppressive social code of the time. There is a wellvaried selection of shorter films, chief of which is a newsreel of tho Coronation filmed in teehnicolour. A diverting comedy, "A Wedtime Story," and an Australian newsreel also are being shown. MAJESTIC THEATRE A wide variation of songs is presented in delightful manner by Grace Moore in her latest production, "When You're in Love," which is enjoying an extended season at the Majestic Theatre. Miss Moore plays the part of an Australian opera singer, and this gives scope for the introduction of songs both operatic and modern. Outstanding among theso are Schubert's immortal "Serenade" and a number of scenes from "La Tosca." One of the most popular numbers with audiences has been "Minnie the Moodier," which Miss Moore presents with a most entertaining touch. There is an excellent supporting programme. CIVIC THEATRE Humour, dancing, singing and comedy are effectively combined to make "On the Avenue," tho present, attraction at the Civic Theatre, a most entertaining picture. Dick Powell appears in the leading male rolo, and ho introduces six new and catchy songs. Madeleine Carroll appears opposite him, and is responsible for an attractive performance, while Alice Faye also lias a major role, which she fills with distinction. The three Ritz brothers are responsible for much of the humour of the piece, their burlesque of an impassioned Russian opera scene being highly amusing. A newsreel of the Coronation filmed entirely in teehnicolour is an outstanding attraction among tho shorter films. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Tho American comedian Joe E. Brown plays another hilarious rolo in "When's Your Birthday," 0110 of tho most amusing comedies in which he has appeared, which is tho current attraction at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The picture sees Brown in a diversity of settings. At one stage he is a professional prize-fighter, but through lack of fortune he later becomes an astrologer and fortune-teller. Ho shows a very apt hand at this work, esjjecially in sporting events, his accurate forecasts of which soon gain him a position. An extremely entertaining climax is reached when tho horoscope of a notorious prize-fighter, tho Salvador Slayer, is confused with that of the astrologer. Marian Marsh is the girl in tho picture and she lias not had a rolo to suit her better. Edgar Kennedy is cast as her father, while Fred Keating makes a perfect "racketeer." Tho popular cowboy actor Hoot Gibson is tho hero of "Sunset Range," a stirring story of the West, which is a second full-length attraction. STRAND THEATRE The romantic comedy of newspaper life, "Love Is News," will commence its fourth week at the Strand Theatro today. Loretta Young and Tyrone Power head a strong cast in the film, which abounds with thrilling, humorous and romantic situations. Power takes the part of a reporter on a leading American newspaper and the rolo of the city editor is in the capable hands of Don Ameche, who played opposite Loretta Young in "Ramona." Miss Young is seen as a wealthy young heiress bored with publicity, who decides to announce her engagement to the annoying reporter and lead him a merry dance. This she doos and the situations which follow prove highly diverting. "Slim" Summerville, the tall and doleful comedian, has the main rolo in "Off to the Races," the second attraction. NATIONAL THEATRE Hopalong Cassidy, again portrayed by William Boyd, returns to tho screen in "Heart of the West," which heads the programme to be screened to-day at tho National Theatre. From the novel by Clarence E. Midford, the film abounds in action and tense situations. There is a large and talented cast, including Jimmy Ellison, who once more takes the rolo of llopalong's inseparable friend, and Fred Kohler, as the villain of the story. Five new songs are heard in "Three Cheers For Love," the Heeond full-length attraction. Eleanore Whitney appears in the leading role and she is seen in a number of remarkable dances. Robert Cummings, Roscoe Karns and William Frawley are other members of the cast of this entertaining picture.

REGENT THEATRE With a story of much more interest than that usually found in a romantic comedy, "Heady, Willing and Able," which is attracting large audiences to the Regent Theatre, combines delightful singing and dancing with tuneful music and refreshing comedy. The theme songs of the film are "Too Marvellous For Words," "Handy With Your Feet" and "Just a Quiet Evening." The eccentric tap dancer, Lee Dixon, who achieved great popularity through his sparkling performance in "Gold Diggers of 1937," performs several fascinating tap dances, and in sonio of these ho is partnered by Ruby Keeler. A fine selection of shorter films also is being screened, and these include n Paramount newsreel of the Coronation ceremony, in which then* are Nome vivid scenes of tho actual crowning of King Goorge and Queen Elizabeth. A travelogue in tcchnieolour entitled "Nice Work" illustrates ancient household crafts of such races as the American Indians and the Scandinavians, while a musical novelty, "Diversions," is another outstanding attraction. EMBASSY THEATRE The understanding performance of n 1 3-years-okl Indian boy, Sabu, is the feature of "Elephant Boy," which will continue its popular season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Sabu has the part of Tooinai, Rudyard Kipling's character in tho book "Tooinai of the Elephants," from which the film has been adapted. The picture, which was produced by Alexander Korda, and directed by Robert Flaherty and Zoltan Korda, contains some highly spectacular scones of herds of wild elephants and other animals of the African jungle. A newsreel of the Coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey also is being shown. LONDON CINEMA "Shadow of Doubt," in which Ricardo Cortez appears, and "Partners," with Tom Keene in the principal role, are the main attractions on the current programme at the London Cinema. Films of the Coronation also are being shown. STATE THEATRE William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy and the late Jean Harlow head a strong cast in "Libelled Lady," the outstanding Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produotion, which is tho main attraction at the State Theatre. STAR CINEMA Paul Robeson's magnificent voice is heard in several favourite songs in "Show Boat," tho main picture on a well-varied programme at present being shown at the Star Cinema. Irene Dunne and Allan Jones have important roles and are heard in a number of captivating duets. BRITANNIA THEATRE The lavish production "The Great Ziegfeld" will be shown again at the Britannia Theatre to-night. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Gold Diggers of 1037" and "Murder With Pictures" are the main attractions on the well-varied programme at present being shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres.

TUDOR CINEMA Charles Laughton has the main role in "Rembrandt," which will be shown again at the Tudor Cinema to-night. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "Rainbow on the River" will be shown with "Hearts in Reunion" at tho State Theatre, Devon port, to-night.