ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22833, 14 September 1937, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat take -the leading roles in the London Films production "Knight Without Armour," which continues to attract large audiences to the Regent Theatre, and their performances cannot but enhance their already high reputations. This thrilling drama of the days of the Russian Revolution was produced by Alexander Korda and shows the adventures of the two main characters in escaping from the country. Marlene Dietrich takes the part of a Russian countess and Donat is an English secret service agent who is posing as a revolutionary. ST. JAMES' THEATRE The comedv-romance "Love on the Run" will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day in conjunction with a supporting programme of high standard. Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Franchot Tone take the leading roles in the main feature, the bright situations and clever dialogue showing their talents to advantage. One of the most outstanding films of the year, "The Good Earth," will open a season at St. James' Theatre on Friday. The screen version of Pearl S. Buck's novel of the same name, the film was directed by the late Irving Thalberg and has in its leading roles last year's Academy Award winners, Paul Muni and Luise Rainer. Their parts those of two Chinese peasants and extremely realistic characterisations are given. Muni j appears first as a young farmer of poor peasant stock. His father selects for him as a wife a slave girl from the kitchen of a rich man's house and it is her lifelong devotion to her husband that forms the principal dramatic interest of the film. Through, drought and famine, in times of banditry and revolution and finally in prosperity and plenty she gives her husband her faithful support. As she becomes older, however, and loses her attraction, he decides to take a second and younger wife, and an element of deep pathos is introduced. Spectacular scenes are shown and there are brilliant examples of photography. PLAZA THEATRE A spectacular musical comedy "Top of the Town" will again be screened at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Many dance and song numbers of an unusual type are introduced in this film, the songs being of a particularly tuneful nature. The main parts are filled by Doris Nolan and George Murphy, with a number of well-known players in supporting roles The popular actors Gene Raymond and Ann Southern appear together again in "There Goes My Girl," which will commence s. season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. This is a swiftmoving story of newspaper life in America,-and is of a more serious nature than the previous pictures in which these two c pla\*ers have appeared together EMBASSY THEATRE One of the most entertaining comedies seen in Auckland for some time, "I Met Him iu Paris," will continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Three popular players in Claudette Colbert, Robert Young and Melvvn Douglas take the leading roles, giving interpretations marked by humour and feeling for character. An outstanding feature of the production is the photography, much of the action being located in the Swiss Alps. The supporting programme is of a high standard, including several of the latest news reels. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Two full-length films, comprising "When's Your Birthday" and "We Who Are About to Die," will be screened at the llinlto and Crystal Palaco Theatres to-night. TUDOR CINEMA Spencer Tracy gives nil outstanding performance in "Fury," which will bo screened at the Tudor Cinema to-night. Sylvia Sidney is in a supporting role.

CIVIC THEATRE A certain freshness and open-air quality make "Wings of the Morning," which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day, a very attractive production. The film combines a pleasing and adequate story with excellent photography in new technicolour and the French actress Annabella, who is s»en in an English picture for the first time, gives an outstanding performance in the leading role. The theme is taken from one of the "Destiny Bay" stories by Donn Byrne and concerns the fortunes of a band of gipsies and their racehorse Wings of the Morning, which is shown in the climax of the picture winning the Derby.- ridden by the veteran jockey Steve Donoghue. MAYFAIR THEATRE The powerful dramatic story of "Student Doctors Can't Take Money," which is the current attraction at the Mayfair Theatre, combined with its sincerity of acting, make it a most impressive production. Joel McCrea and Barbara Stanwyck •■give fine portrayals in the chief roles and their adventures when McCrea, as a student doctor, comes in contact with the American underworld, arouse a high degree of interest. The romantic interest is between the two main characters and the fast-moving incidents of the film provide thrills in abundance. TIVOLI THEATRE Guest-night concessions will be available for patrons of the Tivoli Theatre to-night, when two full-length films, together with a varied supporting programme, will be screened. The first picture, entitled "Black Sheep," has Edmund Lowe in the leading role, others in the cast being Claire Trevor, Adrienne Ames, Eugene Pallette and Herbert Mundin. John Beal and Virginia Weidler appear in "Laddie," the second film to be shown. Three shorter pictures complete the programme, a cornedj*, "Three Cheers for Love," and two novelty features. STRAND THEATRE One of Eddie Cantor's most popular comedies, "Roman Scandals" will be screened to-day at the Strand Theatre. The well-known American comedian is transported in the film by a curious combination of circumstances to Rome of the gay Imperial days and his adventures there before he is finally able to return to the 20th century form a Eicture of much entertainment and umour. The excellent associate programme includes a \\ alt Disney colour cartoon. STAR CINEMA Drama and comedy are combined in the programme to commence to-day at the Star Cinema. The first attraction, "That Girl from Paris," features the French actress Lilv Pons, who is suf>ported by Gene Raymond and Jact* Oakie. Barton McLane and June Travis take the leading roles in "Bengal Tiger," which will also bo shown. STATE THEATRE An attractive double programme will begin a season to-day at the State Theatre and will comprise the fulllength productions "Gold Diggers of 1937" and "Charlie Chan at the Race Track." Dick Powell and Joan Blondell take the leading roles in the first film and the second concerns the adventures of the Chinese detective Charlie Chan, played by Warner Oland. LONDON CINEMA A double-feature programme, includ ing "Speed Wings," in which Tim McCov appears, and "Village Tale, will be shown at the London Cinema to-day. i PRINCESS THEATRE Guest-night attractions at the Princess Theatre to-night include "LemoD Drop Kid" and "Straightaway." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT A double-feature programme, "Limehouse Blues" and "\\ere in the Money" will be offered to patrons of the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night.

MAJESTIC THEATRE The screen version of one of "Sapper's" popular stories, "Bulldog Drunimond at Bay," heads the programme now being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The part of the well-known and virile detective is canably handled by John Lodge, with Claud Allister again appearing as Algy Longworth, his companion in danger. Dorothy Mackaill makes an attractive and mysterious figure of Doris, who is involved in the intrigues of a band of foreigners in England.