ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE . Shirley Temple's latest film, " Wee Willie Winkie," which has its setting in the Khyber Pass, on the North-West frontier of India, will have its final screenings at the Civic Theatre to-day. Filmed in technicolour, which serves to amplify the beauties of the Irish countryside, where much of the action takes place, "Wings of the Morning," which will commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow, is one of the most beautiful films produced in England. The plot is derived from two of Donn Byrne's "Destiny Bay" stories, and is concerned with the romantic adventures of a young gipsy, played by the wellknown French actress Annabella. Others in the cast include John McCormack, who sings several charming songs, Henry Fonda and Leslie Banks. REGENT THEATRE The screen version of Mark Twain's historical fantasy "Tho Prince and the Pauper" will be shown to patrons _ of the Regent Theatre for the last time to-day. The next attraction at the j theatre will be Alexander Korda's presentation "Knight Without Armour," which is to commence a season to-morrow. The leading roles in this thrilling picture of Russia during the Revolution are filled by Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat, who, in their first appearance together, give performances that add _ greatly to their respective reputations. Robert Donat is seen as a young English secretservice agent, who having joined the revolutionaries, is commanded to escort a Russian countess to trial at Petrograd. Their adventures form the subject of an enthralling film. ST. JAMES' THEATRE "After the Thin Man" will be screened for the last tima to-day at St. James' Theatre, after a successful three weeks' season. NEXT ATTRACTION Another popular product of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios "Low on the Run," which is also directed by W. S. Van Dyke, will be shown at St. James' Theatre to-morrow. Three outstanding actor? are included in the cast of this entertaining comedy. Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Franchot Tone, and all give performances in keeping with their reputations, while the supporting roles are filled by such capable character actors as Reginald Owen, Mona Barrie and Donald Meek. The plot is of an highly amusing nature, dealing with a beautiful young heiress Sally Parker, played by Joan Crawford, who runs away rather than marry a designing count who wishes to have a share in her wealth. She is helped in her escapade by a chance acquaintance Michael Anthony, _ who in reality is a reporter who sees in this adventure tho opportunity for a good story for his paper. A rival comes on the scene in the person of Barnabas Pells, a part acted with zest by Franchot Tone. These three pass through many highly amusing situations before their dimculties smooth out. A of tho film is the clever dialogue which sustains the action. PLAZA THEATRE The amusing farce "All In," in which Ralph Lynn has the leading role, will be screened for the last time today at tho Plaza Theatre and will be succeeded to-morrow by another popular British comedy "Take My Tip," in which the outstanding artists Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge take the principal roles. Music and dancing are combined in the production and both the leading players have proved their ability in this tvpe or entertainment, both on the British stage and in former films. Hulbert, as a man of title, finds himself forced to take some employment and makes an exceedingly efficient maitre d hotel. Farcical situations develop when he meets his wife, a role played byCicely Courtneidge, and they are faced with the necessity of keeping secret the fact of their relationship. Ihe story abounds in opportunities, for humour and there are few people who will find this film not to their taste. The two main characters carry the film forward in spirited fashion and are ably assisted by a strong supporting cast.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "It Happened Out West," a thrilling Western film, heads the double-feature programme at present being screened at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Adapted for the screen from ths latest story by Harold Bell Wright, "It Happened 'Out West," tells of a young man from the East who stumbles upon excitement on a ranch in tho Western •States of America, where a treacherous manager is attempting to oust the girl-owner from control. The plot is full of action and provides opportunity for romantic scenes between Paul Kelly, who takes the part of the young man, and Judith Allen, as the girlowner of the ranch. The reason for the manager's action is his knowledge of valuable silver deposits on tho land. Tho girl has inherited the ranch and to prevent her squandering her legacy in an ill-advised attempt to convert the ranch into a dairy farm, the trust guarding her inheritance sends a representative to dissuade he?. Events move swiftly aftor tho murder of a ranch-hand," who has discovered the secret concerning the silver, and the man from the East is; able to save the ranch for its rightful owner. Tho second film provides thrills of a different type. Entitled "Tho Great Hospital Mystery," the picture concerns the concealment in a hospital of a refugee from gun-men. Jane Darwell, takes the leading role, that of the night-superintendent of tho hospital.

MAYFAIR THEATRE Richard Tauber, famous German tenor, has tho chief singing role in the film a screen version of Leoncavallo's well-known opera, which will continue its season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Tho picture adheres faithfully to the original opera and is acted by a strong cast that includes Steffi Duna and Diana Napier. STATE THEATRE An outstanding cast was assembled for the chief picture to be shown at tho State Theatre to-night, "Ladies in Love," with Loretta Young and Simone Simon in the chief roles. A second film will be shown, a musical entertainment entitled "Sing Me a Love Song." STAR CINEMA Shirley Temple, popular child-actress, heads a strong cast in the first film on tho programme at the Star Cinema today, "Dimples." "The Bohemian Girl," tho well-known operetta, which will also be screened, has the two comedians Laurel and Hardy in the chief acting parts. TUDOR CINEMA The successful picture "Three Smart Girls," in which Deanna Durbin makes a triumphant appearance, will be screened at the Tudor Cinema to-night. BRITANNIA THEATRE; Two full-length pictures will be the main features'of the programme at the Britannia Theatre to-night. They are "Rainbow on the River" and "Wanted —Jane Turner." ASTOR THEATRE "The Charge of the Light Brigade," in which Errol Flynn Las a prominent part, will be screened at the Astor Theatro to-night, together with "Find the Witness." 1 ; J "

MAJESTIC THEATRE Cinesound's production " Tall Timbers " will have its final screen* ings at the Majestic Theatre te-da.v, and will Be followed to-morrow by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film "The' Good Old Soak," in which the well-known*-and lovable actor Wallace Beery has the leading role. In the part of Clern Hawley, lie is seen as a plausible, ingratiating rascal, who by his shiftlessness and his constant recourse to alcohol has become the despair of his respectable wife and family. It would seem, however, that this attitude has bee'n adopted by him as a defenca against their respectability, which to his more open nature has been. a fetter on his originality. He finds that his ambitious son, through ignorance rather than anything else, has involved himself in financial difficulties so deeply that it seems prison is before him. Then v Clem Hawley casts off his inertia, becomes a man capable of making decisions, and, by a little judicious black- ' mail, sets his son's affairs.once more in order. Others in the cast are Janet - Beecher, Ted Healv and Una Merkel. EMBASSY THEATRE .p" An entertaining comedy, in which Claudette Colbert makes a welcome',return to light roles, will commence a,;; season at the .Embassy Theatre to-day, with, the intriguing titte "I Met Him in Paris." Claudette Colbert takes the part of a beautiful young American " dress-designer, who, tiring of the ordin-<--» ary routine of life, decides to take a . holiday which will commence in Paris. There she is swept off her feet by two young Americans, one a charming and irresponsible novelist, played by Robert Young, and the other a cynical and blase, but good-hearted playwright, in„., : , which part Melvyn Pouglas gives a performance that is full of merit. The rest of the story deals for the most part with the way in which the novelist attempts to divert the playwright into regions where his presence would be less disconcerting, the ingenious manner in which the playwright keeps on the trail, and the development of tho girl's... character under the influence of these_ two unusual personalities. Together with this film, a fine supporting programme is being screened. STRAND THEATRE The double-feature programme nowbeing screened at the Strand Theatre, 1 which has Boris KarlofF in "The Man • Who Changed His Mind" as the chief attraction, will be shown for the last time to-day. Another outstanding pro- . ~ gramme will commence to-morrow, a bright musical-comedy entitled "Girl in-a Million" having first place. The skating champion Sonja Henie appears- v in this film, and shows that her acting is an added attraction to her skill on the skates. The second ' picture, .1 "Chick,' is an entertaining comedy, in which the popular .humorist SydneyHoward has the leading role. Both films: - are productions of the Fox Company. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A well-balanced programme comprising the spectacular film version of Jules Verne's "Michael Strogoff"_ and the comedy, "As Good As Married," will be shown to-day at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Anion Walbrook takes the title role in the former production and the principal of "As Good As Married" is Doris Nolan. PRINCESS THEATRE Frances Lederer appears in the chief film at the Princess Theatre to-night, entitled "The Gay Deception." "People's Enemy" is also on the programme. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Chinatown Squad" and "Ten Dollar Raise" are the two full-length films which will he shown to-day at the State Theatre, Onehunga.