ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22853, 7 October 1937, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The mystery picture "The l.'3th Chair" will have its final presentation at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Commencing to-morrow, an outstanding double-feature programme will be shown, remarkable for variety and interest. The first film, a comedy, entitled, "Nobody's Baby," is a production of the Metro-Goldwvn-Ma.yer company, and maintains the high standard set by other films that have come from those studios. Two popular humorists, Patsy Kelly and Lyda Roberti, are prominently cast in this hilarious picture, which takes musical comedy, swift action and keen dialogue into its scope. Others in the list of players are Robert Armstrong, Lynne Overman and Don Alvarado, while Jimmio Grier's well-known orchestra is responsible for much of the music. An associate feature, "I Promise to Pay," is a picture of an entirely different type, but one that merits praise for the sincerity with which it treats a subject of great importance. Chester Morris takes the part of a young married clerk, who, in order that his family may have a holiday, borrows from moneylenders, and. being unable to repay the money, is charged an exorbitant interest and eventually loses his position. How the moneylenders keep on his track, but are eventually brought to justice by the resolute action of their victim, is the theme of a graphic film. Leo Carrillo appears as the villain. CIVIC THEATRE "Wings of the Morning" will have its final screenings at the Civic Theatre to-day. An entertaining comedy, set against a background in Paris, "Cafe Metropole" will be the next attraction at the Civic Theatre, commencing a season to-morrow. Tyrone Power and Loretta Young appear together in the leading romantic roles, and the polished actor Adolphe Menjou makes an attractively sinister figure of the villain. He is seen as the owner of a Parisian cafe who endeavours to recoup his finances by gambling at baccarat. He wins a large sum from a young American, played by Power, hut the latter confesses that he is unable to pay the debt. Their succeeding adventures form a complicated but amusing story. REGENT THEATRE The bright musical production "The Singing Marine" will continue a successful season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Dick Powell, who will be remembered for attractive performances in many other pictures of this type, shows a considerable advance in acting of a light comedy nature, while his singing is a notable feature of the film. Doris Weston, an attractive newcomer to the screen, gives a promising performance in the leading feminine role, and Hugh Herbert is outstanding in an important supporting part. ST. ' JAMES' THEATRE One of the greatest films seen in Auckland this year, " The Good Earth," will be shown for the last time at St. James' Theatre to-day. Another brilliant production of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, "Saratoga," will commence a season at St. James' Theatre to-morrow, and. both from the nature of its subject and from the performances given by the cast it should prove extremely popular with Auckland theatre-goers. The leading parts are taken by Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, both of whom give portrayals that should rauk with their best. Clark Gable has one of his most virile and striking parts as a leading racecourse gambler, who hides behind a veneer of coarseness an honest and likeable nature. Lionel Barrymore takes the part of Clayton, who, in order to pay his debts, has to sell his racing stable. His grand-daughter, plaved bv Jean Harlow, is engaged to a "wealthy New York stockbroker, plaved by Walter Pidgeon. The racing stable conies into the possession of a bookmaker, portrayed by Clark Gable, and while trying to pay debts owed to him, tlie heroine falls in love with him. The climax of the film is an exciting race, on the result of which hangs the future of all the main characters.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two interesting full-length films and a shorter feature of the heavy-weight, boxing match between Joe Louis and Ton my Farr make the programme now being screened at the'* Rosy and Tivoli Theatres one that should have a strong appeal to Auckland audiences. The first film is a comedy entitled "Mountain Music," in which the popular humorists Bob Burns and Martha Rave are supported by a strong cast, including Terry Walker and John Howard. Bob Burns appears as a man from the Ozarks, who, through receiving a blow on the head, loses his memory and goes to the city. His brother is charged with having murdered him, so Terry Walker, who takes the part of his fiancee, goes to the city in search of the missing man. By a lucky-chance she finds him, and together they re-| turn homo. An unusual position arises, when the judge, an obstinate and lawbound representative of justice, refuses to reverse his decision, saying that once the defendant is found guilty he must pay the penalty. After many humorous and exciting incidents, however, all ends happily. The second picture, "West-bound Limited," has its setting in the mountainous country of Northern California, and deals with the activities of a train liold-up gang. Leading parts are taken by Lyle Talbot and Polly Rowles.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The well-known actress Katherine Hepburn, supported by Franchot Tone, gives a brilliant performance in "Quality Street," which will be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night, together with "Wings Over Honolulu." STRAND THEATRE Two full-length films, "Private Number" and "Big Business," comprise the main part of the programme to be screened at the Strand Theatre to-day. Robert Taylor and Lorctta Young take leading parts in the first picture, and the Jones Family continue their amusing adventures in "Big Business." STATE THEATRE A brilliant techuicolour picture, "God's Country and . the Woman," heads the programme to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. George Brent gives a good performance in the leading rolo STAR CINEMA "Elephant Boy," Alexander Rorda's outstanding film taken from Kipling's story "Toomai of the Elephants," is to be screened at the Star Cinema today. TUDOR CINEMA An entertaining comedy with Jean Arthur and George Brent in leading parts, "More Than a Secretary," is to be shown at the Tudor Cinema tonight in conjunction with a strong associate' programme. ASTOR THEATRE Merle Oberon and Brian Aherno appear in "Beloved Enemy," which will be offered to patrons of the A«tor Theatre to-night, together with "Devil's Playground."

PLAZA THEATRE The musical comedy "Wake IJp ajjd Live" will have its final screenings at the Plaza Theatre to-dav. Another outstanding film, "Rose of Tralee," will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow, and, from the quality of the acting and the popular appeal of the songs that are incorporated in it, this picture also should prove an outstanding success. Binkie Stuart, a four-year-old child actress, who has a leading part in the film, shows herself to be one of the most talented young players on the screen. Not only' does she act with a refreshing naturalness, but she also sings a verse of "Come Back to Erin" in appealing fashion. Most of the singing, however, is done by Fred Conyng;ham and Danny Malone, who is already known throughout the world as an expert singer of Irish melodies. Kathleen O'Regan proves an attractive heroine. EMBASSY THEATRE The screen version of a well-known play by Michael Egan, "The Dominant Sex," which ran for a season comprising 700 performances in London, will be shown for the first time in Auckland at the Embassy Theatre to-day. The film deals in entertaining .fashion with one of the most important problems of the modern world, the status of the wife after marriage. Two young married couples provide the chief characters in the story, the first being Dick and Angela Shale, played in the film by Phillips Holmes and Diana Churchill. Angela, who had been a secretary before she married, _ wishes to supplement their meagre income by keeping her job. but her husband, an electrical engineer, believes that the old domestic conditions of life are best. The second couple, played by Romney Brent and Carol Goodner, are of a different type, but their experiences, taken together, provide \not only a realistic picture of the modern world, but also entertainment of a high standard. MAYFAIR THEATRE The talented young singer Bobby Breen is the principal player in "Let's Sing Again," winch is to conclude its successful season to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. A second attraction is Sean O'Casey's dramatic story "The Plough and the Stars." To-morrow one of the most successful motion pictures of the year, the Universal Films production "Three Smart Girls," --with Deanna Durbin in 'the leading singing role, will open a season at the Mayfair Theatre.