ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 19

ENTERTAINMENTS

' REGENT THEATRE 1 *-'«< The Prince and 'the Paujscr,". wliich I having a successful season at the Spirent Theatre, Will continue its orond week to-day. The atmosphere f the picture may bo judged from words of Mark Twain quoted as a foreword to the film: "This may have I/on it may not have been, but it ' !! u ll have * been." Throughout the icture a whimsically humorous note F« maintained, although at times every iw emotion except excitement is itibmergod by the dramatic tension of ! *ij story. The chief honours in the actio" "° to tlie AJfiuch twins, Billy I Ld Jobbv, who take tho parts of tho inline Prince Edward Tudor and his ♦| a v-inate Tom Canty. Errol Flynn «jves a strong performance as Miles Iciidon, a dashing soldier-of-fortune, r £] lo preserves tho tlirono of England for its rightful owner. As a special Lhool holiday attraction, commencing on Monday, n number of live monkeys ®;H be seen on the stage, racing in . jjotor-cars.

ST. JAMES* 'THEATRE The popular mystery comedy, "After {He-Thin Man," wliicji has many of the dualities of its predecessor, "The Thin Man," w 'dl continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. In this picture humour an "«» sl 'al kind is combined with a thrilling mystery, which kids tho interest of the audience throughout what is a long film. William Powell and Myrna Loy are again seen in tho roles of Nick and Nora, vrho on their return to San Francisco, Jjope for peace and quiet. Unfortunately. however, Norn's wastrel cousin js murdered, and tho pair determine to find the murderer if it is within their power. An oxciting and clever story develops before they meet with success. /(

PLAZA THEATRE Tho Gaumont-British-Dominions '•All In," a most amusing comedy with the always popular Ralph Lynn in tho leading role, opened its season yesterday at the Plaza Theatre and provided largo audiences with entertainment of the brightest kind. Tho somewhat involved story is followed without difficulty on tho screen and with its many it is rich in laughter-raising Situations. This typp of farce exactly suits the leading actor, who is cast es Archie Slott, and he receives excellent support from Claude Dampier. bs Samuel Toop, and Gina Malo, who plays the part of Samuel Toop's attractive daughter Kay. Jack Bnrty is seen as tho all-in wrestler* Ting-a-Ling Tom. Archie Slott who has been strictly brought up by his Aunt Genesta, played by Sydney Fairbrothcr, is left a racing stable and with it/the Derby favourite. Jle is inveigled into buying a wrestling itadium and finds himself in trouble trith a group of wrestlers demanding arrears of pay. In a lit of bravado he tells his aunt and Sir James Santor, Those daughter he is supposed to jnarry, about the stable and is tricked into signing it away into their hands for conversion into n working girls' home. On Derby Day Archie learns that the Dean Plinge is to take possession of the stables and with the help of the wrestlers he hatches a plot to thwart him. The dean is kidnapped and Toop, trio is in charge of the stables, disguises himself as /the dean and in ta hilarious scene interviews the aunt jmd her party, signing the document making the stables his. Slott, Ka.v, Toop and the wrestlers then rush back to tho stadium and.,watch the race by television. Extremisly amusing situations ensue, especially when Archie | glott becomes, mixed up , ; jn the ring *vlh the wrestlers, but finally the pictere comes to a satisfactory conclusion; jjje supporting programme is of an equally high standard and includes a cartoon, two news-reels and two other short features. '

EMBASSY THEATRE "Storm in a Teacup," now in its lecond weak at the .Embassy Theatre, id one of the most entertaining and original comedies, seen in Auckland for lonje time. James Bridie, author of thg play which met with great success in Great Britain and Europe, has taken for the setting of hjs plot a small Scottish town, and, with outstanding, skill, has drawn a pltture of the various characters who live in the town, omitting none of their qualities which are productive of satire and keen humour. A cast has been which includes many established English stage favourites, including Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison, Sare Allgood and Cecil Parker. "Three /Little Wolves," Walt Disney's latest cartoon, will also be screened. . ~ STATE THEATRE _ Varied and enjoyable entertainment is provided in the two films which will he screened at the State Theatre today. The cast of "Girls' Dormitory" is headed by Simone Simon, who gives a captivating performance. The supporting players include Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chatterton: Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph will also be seen in the delightful musical cojnedy "This'll Make You Whistle." . 1 STAR CINEMA Two full-length films will be screened at the Star Cinema to-day, tho firstMing an exciting story of mystery and adventure in China, "The General Pied at Dawn," with the popular actors Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll in the main roles. Tho second picture is "Sing Me a Love Song," with the chief characters interpreted by James Melton and Patricia Ellis. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM "Suicide Club" and "The Three Godfathers" are the two full-length features which comprise the current programme at tho Mayfair Theatre, Sanuringham. t CAPITOL THEATRE ,An entertaining programme to be Mown to-day at the Capitol Theatre comprises- the interesting films "That v>irl from Paris" pud "Shake Down." ASTOR THEATRE "The Amateur Gentleman and "Lady «om Nowhere"/ are tho current attractions at the .Astor Theatre. In tho wmer production the principal players are Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Elissa f/andi. ADELPHI THEATRE

y "Ladies in Love," in which Loretta 'jtoutig nntl Simone Simon take lcad,"s parts, will be shown at tho Ado!phi Wieatre to-day, with "Can This bo «xiqP" nifjo on .tho programme, \ NEW ROYAL THEATRE -/"Banjo on my Knoe" and "Craig's «w' are the two full-length films to J® shown patrons of tho Now Royal "U'eatre to-day. , CIVIC THEATRETTE .An entertaining programme to be Presented at the Civic Theatrette toi?®y is headed by the film "To the.Last • a n." There is an excellent selection °f shorter films. . T —*■ TUDOR CINEMA "History is Made at Night," in ■mch Charles Boyer and Jean Arthur SPPear, will bo screened at the Tudor Viflema to-day. ,

CIVIC THEATRE Tlio screen version of Budvard Kipling's well-known story, "Weo Willie Winkle," now in its second week nt the Civic Theatre, will continue its successful season nt all sessions to-dny. The film was made by the 20th Century Fox Company in the Santa Susanna Mountains, in Southern California, which bear a striking resemblance to the country in the neighbourhood of the Khyber Pass in the North-West of India, where most of the action takes place. Over a square mile of mountain and valley was covered by buildings specially erected for the making of "Wee Willie Winkio." The popular child actx-oss Shirley Temple is seen in the title role as the protoGce of a regiment of the Black Watcli, which is stationed in the Khvber Pass. Ono of her best friends is an honest and simple-hearted soldier, played in his inimitable fashion by Victor McLagJen. C. Aubrey Smith also has an important part.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The Paramount production, "North of the Bio Grande," based on the popular story of the same name by Clarence Mulford, is the main attraction at tho Boxy and Tivoli Theatres in a programme comprising two fulllength features and four short films. Harry Sherman is the producer ot "North of the Bio Grande," in which the leading rolo, that of the dashing cowboy "Hopalong" Cassidy, is taken by William Boyd, who has mado the part famous on the screen. Tho aid of tho astute cowboy is enlisted by the sheriff at Cottonwood Gulch in an endeavour to rid tho town of the unscrupulous officials who control it. Cassidy's young brother, ono of a posse making a surprise raid on a party of bandits, is killed in suspicious circumstances. The story moves swiftly, coming to an exciting climax when a gold train is wrecked and the leader of the bandits is killed. The second picture to be shown is "Armoured Car," in which Robert Wilcox is seen as the driver of an armoured car used for transporting large sums of money. When the car is robbed he is suspected of working with the criminals, is discharged, and in an attempt to clear his name, sets out to find the leader of the thieves. His fight with Walinsky, king of the underworld, forms the theme of the picture. Included in the associate programme is ft newsreel, a cartoon and two other short features.

STRAND THEATRE A double-feature programme comprising two mystery films of widely different type forms the current attraction at the Strand Theatre. Tho first film to be presented is "Spy of Napoleon," a tale of intrigue and romance at the French Court. Iticlihrd Bnrthelmess, well-known player of dramatic roles, is seen in the film and is assisted by tho attractive Dolly Hans and Frank Vosper. Boris Karloff, who has made his name by his impressive portrayals of unusual characters, takes the leading role in the second picture, "Tho Alan Who Changed His Alind," in which he is again given a very suitable part. This film, which combines romance and mystery, and also "Spy of Napoleon," aro Fox productions. MAYFAIR THEATRE Tho Mayfair Thflatre, formerly known as the National, which has been closed for the past week while redecorating and furnishing operations were carried out, will reopen to-dav, with the British film "Pagliacci" heading the programme, Richard Taiiber, well-known tenor, takes the chief part in this screen version of Leoncavallo's famous opera, others prominently - cast> being Steffi Duna and Diana Napier.

. ORPHEUS; THEATRE J:/; "... "More Than a Secretary," in which Jean Arthur and George Brent are the* principals, will be shown to-night at tho Orpheus Theatre in conjunction with "Luckiest Girl in the World." Jane Wyatt and Louis Hay ward take* the leading roles in the second attraction. A Western matinee at 2.15 p.m. will also be shown,

GREY LYNN CINEMA The Olympic swimmer Johnnie Weismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan appear in "Tarzan Escapes," which is being screened at the Grey Lynn Cinema today. The second film is "Annie Oaklov." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Jane Withers, the popular young actress, appears.in "The Holy Terror," which is being screened at the Rialto and Crystal Palace Theatres to-day, the second feature being "The Great Barrier," which depicts the crossing of the Rocky Mountains by rail-road. STATE THEATRE. DEVONPORT Errol Flynn has the leading role in "Green Light," which heads the programme at tne State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. In addition there will be a comedy entitled "Let's Make a Million." STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA TJio screen version of Jules Verne's novel, "Michael StrogofF," will bo screened at the State Theatre. Onehunga, to-day, "College Holiday" being also on the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE Cecil B. de Millc's great production "The Plainsman," in which Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur appear will bo screened at tho Princess Iheatro to-day. "Popeye Meets Sinbad" is on the supporting programme. GAIETY THEATRE. OTAHUHU The screen version of Sinclair Lewis' great novel, "Dodsworth," is the main attraction in tho programme to be shown to-night at tho Gaiety Iheatie, Otahuhu. Included in the supporting features is the Walt Disney cartoon "Mickey's Grand Opera." ALEXANDRA THEATRE Jane Withers appears in an appealing role in "Can This Be Dixie?" which is on tho programme at the Alexandra Theatre to-day, with I rail Dust. EMPRESS THEATRE The child-actress Shirley Temple has an important part in "Stowaway, now being screened with "Stolon Holiday at tho Empress 'fhentro.

BRITANNIA THEATRE Irone Dunne and Robert Taylor appear in "Magnificent Obsession," the current attraction at. tho Britannia Theatre, with "Ex-Mrs. Bradford" also 011 tho programme. WINDSOR THEATRE Tho entertaining film "Cain and Mabel," with Clark Cahlo and Marion Davies in the main roles, will bo shown at tho Windsor Theatre to-day. LONDON CINEMA "Man Trailer" and "One New York Night" head the attractive programme to be screened to-day at the London Cinema. VICTORIA THEATRE The principal attractions at ,the .Victoria Theatre to-day-will be the 'films "Beloved Enemy" and "Sinner Take All."

MAJESTIC THEATRE The Australian bush forms an impressivo setting for "Tall Timbers," the entertaining Cinesound production which commenced a season before large audiences at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Lumber camp life is at all times picturcsquo and exciting, but it is especially so when rival camps are engaged in a raco for a big contract. It is this situation which provides the main dramatic interest of the filnij which contains in addition romance, and some delightful comedy. Frank Lcighton is cast as a young man, Jim Thornton, who obtains employment in tho lumber camp of Tom Burbridgo, u part taken by Harvey Adams. Thornton is very much attracted by his.employer's foster-child Joan, and in this role Shirley Ann Richards contributes a pleasing romantic portrayal. The situation is complicated by the fact that the girl is engaged to Charles Blake. ono of tho partners in the rival lumber company. In this role Campbell Copelin gives an appropriately sinister performance. The climax of tho film is accentuated by a spectacular "lumber drive" by tho Burbridgo gangs in a. last minute effort to win the contract. An awe-inspiring sight is provided by the felling of about 50 acres of heavily timbered forest. "Tall Timbers" is tho screen version of a novel by Captain Frank Hurley and was directed by Ken. G. Hall. Tho film demonstrates the remarkable progress that has been mado during tho past few years by tho Australian film industry. The world heavy-weight championship bout between James J. Braddock and Joo Louis is the outstanding item of the associate programme. This film shows in full all eight rounds and in addition gives in slow-motion the knock-downs of Louis in tho first round and Braddoek in the eighth. This provides a spectacular view of one of tho most memorable title fights for many years. In addition there is a Universal newsreel and another delightful Harman Ising cortoon in colour, depicting the adventures of a fox who becomes involved in a game of American foothall being played by a number of rabbits. REGAL THEATRE George Arliss appears in a modern comedy, "His Lordship," at the Regal Theatre to-day. an associate featuro being "Go West, Young Man."