ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE v The double feature programme now being screened at the Alajestic 'lhoatre, which includes "Women Are '1 rouble' and "Guardians of the Air," will conclude its season to-duy. NEXT ATTRACTION The screen version of a famous play, "The 13th Chair," which met with great success in New York and London, will be shown for the first time at the Majestic* Tlihsilih to-morrow A east of established screen .iavourites takes the • leading roles in this film. Among these is Damp May Whitty. who has a great reputation on the British stage, and who appeared in the film "Night Must Fall." Other important roles are taken with distinction by Madge Evans. f.eu is Stone, Klissa Landi, Thomas Beck and Ralph Forbes. All these players are east in roles that allow thcni full play for their talents, and the result is an entertainment that is satisfying t.o degree. The smooth way in which the story unfolds and the deft characterisations of these famous actors make a high-class production. 'Jo say much of the story itsell would rob the pictuie of some of its appeal, dependent as it is upon the element of surprise. Not only is the" mystery of ft baffling nature, but the story is credible, and provides comic relief to its serious moments in a fashion rarely seen in the theatre. A second attraction on the programnic is a Western film entitled "l)<»dge City Trail." CIVIC THEATRE The first film to be shown for four weeks at the Civic Theatre, the New World production "Wings of the Morning," is one of the most delightful pictures ever shown in Auckland, ihe outstanding feature, is the technicolour photography, to which the picturesque Irish setting is particularly j suited. The French actress Annabella; is the leading player, and opposite her i Henry Fonda gives a very engaging | performance. John McCormack and Steve Donoghue are other celebreties who appear in "Wings of the Morning." REGENT THEATRE In the title role of "The Singing Marine," which will open to-morrow at the Regent Theatre, Dick Powell is in exceptionally good form and adds another fine performance to his long list of successful musical-romantic parts. In this film he is accompanied bv a new leading lady, Doris \\ eston, who brings to the screen a fresh youthfulness and vivacious smile. As the timid marine, who is sent by his shipmates to compete in a radio amateur hour at New York and ends by becoming the conceited idol of the women, much to the disgust of his friends, Powell presents an amusing figure. A feature of the picture is the cabaret scene, where Powell and Miss Weston take part in a grim phantasy entitled "Night Over Shanghai.' In this Larry Adler again reveals his skill as a mouthorgan player. The film has a number of tuneful songs and some comedy that fits well into the story. Good performances in the chief subsidiary roles are given bv Lee Dixon, Hugh Herbert, Jane Darwell and Allen Jenkins. "Melody for Two" will be shown for the last time to-day. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Luise Rainer is responsible f9r an extremely impressive portrayal in an unusual role in "The Good Earth, which is enjoying a highly-successful season at St. James' Theatre. Her part is that of O-Lan, the wife of a poor Chinese farmer, Wang, played by Paul Muni. The associate programme includes a film of the final Rugby test match at Eden Park. EMBASSY THEATRE The strong dramatic picture "Marked Woman,'' which is attracting a considerable amount of interest at the Embassy Theatre, will continue its season at the theatre to-day. A brilliant and moving characterisation is given by the noted actress Bette Davis, who repeats the success that gained for her the Academy Award two years ago. She takes the part a. hostess in a night club, the unwilling agent of Vanning, the unscrupulous proprietor, who uses his cabaret in a large blackmail "racket." Eduardo Ciannelli, who made a considerable impression bv his performance in the film "Winterse.t," gives a suitably villainous interpretation of Vanning. Humphrey Bogart, who appeared in "The Petrified . Forest," gives another indication of his ability in an important role. STRAND THEATRE The hilarious comedy entitled "O-Kay for Sound - ' will continue its season at the Strand Theatre today. A number of popular London humorists known as the "Crazy Gang" take a leading part in the production, and the well-known singer Peter Dawson also appears A strong doublefeature programme is to commence at the Strand Theatre to-morrow, the leading film being "Private Number," with the two favourite players Robert Taylor and Loretta Young in leading parts. The story has a strong romantic interest. Also 011 the programme is a comedy entitled "Big Business," with the .Tones Family in some characteristic situations. MAYFAIR THEATRE Two full-length pictures. "Wee Willie Winkie" and "That I May Live," are to be seen at the Mayfair Theatre today. The popular juvenile actress Shirley Temple appears in the first film, others in the cast being Victor McLaglen and C. Aubrey Smith. Rochelle Hudson has a leading part in the second film, "That I May Live."

PLAZA THEATRE An entertaining musical 'comedy "Wake Up and Live" is proving extremely popular at the l'laza Theatre, and is to continue its season to-day. The beautiful young actress Alice I' aye, who will be remembered lor her acting in "Sing Baby, Sing," and "On the Avenue," gives another outstanding performance in this picture. Humour of an unusual type is provided by the rivalry of two radio promoters, played by Walter Winchell and Ben Bernie.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Ail exciting mystery drama entitled "The Case of tlie Stuttering Bishop' heads the double-feature programme which is to be screened at the Hoxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Donald Woods appears in the role of the debonaire lawyer-detective, Perry Mason, the hero ol many stories by the wellknown author Kile Stanley Gardner. A bishop arrives in America, looking lor the missing heiress to a large estate. The villain of the story puts forward his candidate, and soon the plot is complicated by a battling murder. Assisted by his secretary, capably played by Ann Dvorak, Perry Mason sets to work to find out the true heir, but betore he succeeds he has to unfold a complicated mystery. A feature of the film is the clever dialogue, which contains much that is amusing as well as thrilliujr. 'J'he second picture on the programme is "Fifty Roads to Town." in which the popular players Don Ameclie and Ann Sothern take the leading parts. There is a strong supporting cast, in which Slim Sunimerville, Stepin Fetchit and Jane Darwell give humorous interpretations. The greater part of the story is set in a mountain cabin, where the two principals meet, and are snow-bound. An exciting plot develops when a sheriff comes in search of an escaped criminal and mistakes the hero for his quarry.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The child actress Shirle.v Temple gives an attractive performance in "Wee Willie Winkie," the screen version of the story bv Rudvard Kipl'mi which will be seen to-day at the Crystal I'alace and i?ialto Theatres. A contrasting role to that of Shirley Temple is given to Victor McLaglan. G'. Aubrey Smith also takes a prominent part. STATE THEATRE Another of the bright comedies for which the studios of Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr have become well known, "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," is to continue its season to-day at the State Theatre. .Joan Crawford, William Powell and Robert Montgomery are the principal players. STAR CINEMA Basil Rathbone contributes an impressive performance in "Love From a Stranger," which heads the procram me to be screened to-day at the Star Cinema. "East Meets West" is a second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE An attractive double programme will be presented to-day at the. Capitol Theatre and will consist of the two full-length films "Devil's Squadron" and "Racing Lad.v." ASTOR THEATRE "Throe Smart Girls," featuring the young actress Dcanna Durbin, is the main attraction on the current programme at the Astor Theatre. "I Promise to Pay" will also be shown. TUDOR CINEMA Jean Muir and Donald Wood take the leading parts in the dramatic production "Once a Doctor," which will be shown to-day at the Tudor Cinema, in conjunction with an excellent supporting programme.