ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE The popular child actress Shirley Temple takes the part of a little girl adopted by a Scottish regiment stationed on a turbulent part of tlio NorthWest Frontier of India, in the screen version of lludyard Kipling's "Wee Willie Winkie." which js being shown at the Civic 'lheatre. Victor McLaglan gives an excellent performance in a chief supporting role as an honest and simple-hearted soldier, and C. Aubrey Smith also gives a. fine portrayal. The magnificent technicolour production "Wings of tlio Morning," with the French actress Annabella and Henry Fonda, is the next attraction at the Civic Theatre. RECENT THEATRE Mark Twain's semi-historical story "The Prince and the Pauper" is transferred to tlio screen with outstanding success in Warner Brothers' presentation of the same name. The film will continue its successful season to-day at the Regent Theatre. The story is that of a boy prince, played by one of the Mauch twins, whose courage, together with that of a gallant soldier of fortune, a role taken bv Errol Flynn,' saves the English throne from the traitors of tlio Court. While the first of the juvenile actors takes the part of the young Prince Edward Tudor, the second of. the Mauch twins is cast as the urchin whom the prince befriends. The two hoys change clothes and such is their likeness that the courtiers refuse to helievo that the poor boy is not the heir to the throne. A supports ing programme of a high standard is shown and as a holiday attraction a troupe of monkeys will be seen on the stage, racing in small motor-cars. This act will commence on Monday and will be shown throughout the week at the '2.15 matinees only. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Combining .with great success humour and an intriguing mystery story, "After the Thin Man" will continue its season at St. James' Theatre today. William Powoll and Myrna Loy, ns in the earlier production, "The Thin Man," are seen as Mr. and Mrs. Nick Charles, and their witty exchanges add much to tlio attraction of the piaturc. The associate programme includes a Pete Smith feature, "Golf Mistakes," and a colour travel film. PLAZA THEATRE Tlio Gainsborough production "All In," which will begin its season today at the Plaza Iheatre, has in its leading role the noted comedian Ralph Lynn, well known for his performances in numerous Aldwych Theatre farces. The story of "All In" is of the inconsequential nature that gives Ralph Lynn ample scope for his humour, in addition to satirising many of the current trends in England to-day. He takes the part of Archie Slott, who finds that he has been left a racing stable, together with the Derbv _ favourite, which is known as "The Taint." Archie visits the stables, but, through :i misunderstanding, is thrown into a pond, his identity being _ unknown. From this unpleasant situation he is rescued by Kay, daughter of Toop, who manages the stables. His adventures are not at an end, however. He becomes involved in the management of an "all-in" wrestling stadium, where even more indignities are thrust upon him." The complicated plot finally becomes smoother, with happiness and peace at last coming to the hero. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Hero of many exciting Western pictures, "Hopalong" Cassidy will appear in another screen version of _ one of Clarence Mulford's stories, "North of tlio Rio Grande," at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Willam Boyd, who is well known for his vivid characterisations of cowboys, again appears in the role of the dashing "Hopalong" Cassidy, whilo many of Cassidy's friends who accompanied him in earlier adventures aro again represented by the same popular players. The film opens at Cottonwood Gulch, uhcro the sheriff, "Lucky" Jenkins, is leading a posse against a band of desperadoes, who for a long time have terrorised the neighbourhood. In the fight a j'ounger brother _ of "Hopalong" is shot under suspicious circumstances by tlio deputy-sheriff. Jenkins holds an inquest, but, although his suspicions aro in no way set at rest, he is unable to make his deputy pay for his crime. In desperation Jenkins sends a message to "Ho«along" Cassidy, asking him to come to Cottonwood Gulch and help him clear up the mystery surrounding the murder. This Cassidy does, but, instead of appearing openly in the town and making his presence known, ho stages a train robbery, and thus comes into direct contact with the desperadoes. Many adventures intervene before the mystery is solved, but eventually Cassidy and his comrades gain the victory. The second film, "Armoured Car," is a thrilling story of conflict in the American underworld.

STRAND THEATRE A double-feature programme of much interest will commence its season today at the Strand Theatre. It comprises two thrilling mystery pictures. In the main feature, "Spy of Napoleon," the well-known player of dramatic roles Richard Barthelmess takes the leading part and Frank Vospor is included in the supporting ca«-t. "Spy on Napoleon" and the second attraction, "Tho Man Who Changed His Mind," are both productions of tho Fox Company. Boris Karloff, who gives impressive portrayals of unusual characters, has another congenial role in tho latter film, in which mystery and romance are blended. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Tho engaging juvenile actress Jane Withers appears in tho _ film "Holy Terror," which is tho main attraction at tho Crystal Palace and Eialto Theatre. El Brondel and Leah Ray have the leading parts in the supporting cast. Tho second film, "Tlio Great Barrier," depicts tho building of the railway across the Rocky Mountains and Richard Arlen is the principal. NATIONAL THEATRE After extensive refurnishing and redecorating, tho National Tlicatro, which is at present closed, will be opened to-morrow as tho Mayfair Theatre with the outstanding musical film "Pagliacei," a screen version of Leoncavallo's famous opera. Tho noted German (iingor Richard Tauber has the loading role and is assisted by Steffi Duna.

STATE THEATRE The English comedian Jack Buchanan and Elsie llnndolph provide 1 excellent entertainment in tho comedy "This'll Make You Whistle," which is tho first of two full-length pictures to open a season to-day at the State Theatre. In the second production, "Girls' Dormitory," Simono Simon, Ruth Chattorton and Herbert Marshall combino to make a picture of great merit. STAR CINEMA "Tho General Died at Dawn," in which Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll have tho loading roles, and "Sing Mo a Love Song," with James Melton arid Patricia Ellis as the principals, are tho attractions which will bo seen at the Star Cinema, commencing to-day. Differing in typo tho two pictures make an interesting programme. Views from tho match between tho Springboks and tho All Blacks will also be-shown. TUDOR CINEMA The entertaining film "History is Made nt Night," in which Jean Arthur takes the leading role, will open a season to-day at the Tudor Cinema..

MAJESTIC THEATRE An outstanding production of the Australian Cinesound Company "Tall Timbers," which contains photography and dialogue of an. unusually hign standard, will commence a season _at the Majestic Theatre to-day, this being the first New Zealand screening of this fine film. The scene of the greater part of the picture is the Valley of the Giants, set in the heart of the bush more than 3000 feet above sea-level. Two powerful timber companies are rivals for the rights over a large area of forest, and, when strange accidents begin to happen to one of the companies, it would seein that the other firm'is using doubtful means to gain its ends. Frank.Leighton plays the part of the man who, heing in love with the daughter of one of the owners, saves the company from extinction by a series of clever coups. This film typifies Australia in its wide panoramas, its blazing sun and its beautiful surf beaches. EMBASSY THEATRE Now in its second week at the Embassy Theatre, the entertaining Scottish comedy "Stonn in a Teacup" will be shown again at all sessions to-day. Presented by Alexander Korda, this film bears the imprint throughout of his genius in the direction and the selection of ,the actors. Vivien Leigh, who came into prominence by her promising performances in "Fire Over England" and ''Dark Journey," takes the leading feminine part, that of the attractive daughter of the provost of a small Scottish town. The setting of the picture provides an opportunity for the portrayal of the many amusing characters who go to make up a large proportion of the inhabitants. Comedy and satire are blended, resulting in a clever and whimsical entertainment. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE William Powoll, Mvrna Loy, Spencer Tracy and the late Jean Harlow head an extremely strong cast of players in "Libelled Lady," the entertaining romantic comedy which heads the current programme at the Prince Edward Theatre. The film gives an amusing insight into newspaper work in the United States. A second full-length attraction is the thrilling drama, "Killer At Large," in which the principal roles are in the capable hands of Mary Brian and Russell Hardie. A Pete Smith oddity entitled "Killer Dog," which deals with Alsatians and sheep killing, and a delightful colour cartoon complete the programme. CIVIC THEATRETTE "To the Last Man," the screen version of the famous novel by Zane Grey, will bo shown to-day at three sessions at the Civic Theatrette._ The players taking part in this exciting production are Randolph Scott, Esther Ralston, Buster Crabbe and Noah Beery. ASTOR THEATRE Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Elinsa Landi are the principals of "The Amateur Gentleman." which is being shown with "Lady From Nowhere" on the current programme at the Astor Theatre. BRITANNIA THEATRE "The Magnificent Obsession" and "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford" are the two full-length films to be shown patrons of the Britannia Theatre to-night. LONDON CINEMA "Man Trailer" and "One New York Night" are the two films which are to commence a season at the London Cinema to-day. PRINCESS THEATRE Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur appear in "The Plainsman," the main attraction on the current programme at the Princess Theatre. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Errol Flynn gives one of the finest performances of his career in "Green Light," the main item of entertainment at the State Theatre. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Michael Strogoff," in which tlio principal role is in the capable hands of Anton Walbrook. heads the current programme at the Stato Theatre, Onehunga. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM An entertaining programme to be shown patrons of the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, to-night, comprises the films "Suicide Club" and "The Three Godfathers."