ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22860, 15 October 1937, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE > What has been described as the greatest boxing film ever made, "Kid Galahad," a production of the Warner Brothers' studios, commences a season aI, the Regent Theatre to-day. The dynamic actor, Edward G. Robinson, appears as a boxing manager, who, jealous of the attention that his protege, played by Wayne Morris, is paying to his fiancee, matches him against an opponent who is considered much superior to him. Unexpectedly, however, the young boxer scores a brilliant success, and is well established on the road to fame. Bette Davis acts in convincing manner in the leading feminine part. As another gangster, opposed to the boxer's manager, Humphrey Bogart makes a suitably sinister figure. The associate programme includes a technicolonr cartoon.

ST, JAMES' THEATRE "Saratoga," a picture that brings to life the varied characters that are found on the great racecourses of America, will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. Jean Harlow, who takes? the leading feminine role, is brilliant as the grand-daughter of an old man who has to sell his racing stables. The part of the bookmaker who gains control of the horses is forcefully handled by Clark Gable, others in the cast being Lionel Barrymore and Una Merkel.

PLAZA THEATRE Believing in her fiance's ability to write a successful play, Hariet Hilliard spends her last 15,000 dollars to back his production. This situation occurs in the RKO-lladio musical film "New Faces of 1937," which will open a season to-day at- the Plaza Theatre. The story, in which the popular American radio artists Joy Penner, Parkyakarkus and Milton Berle play prominent parts, is a departure from the usual "backstage" film. A dishonest producer, played by Jerome Cbwan, habitually oversells the stock in his own plays and then turns out failures, pocketing most of the money he has raised. /Finally Thelma Leeds, a clever singer and dancer, discovers his methpds and the producer disappears, leaving Milton Berle to direct the play. Playing opposite Miss Hilliard is William Brady, whose pleasing tenor voice is heard in several of the new. songs written specially for the film by leading Hollywood composers. There are five numbers in which the principals appear,*, and 'numerous "new faces" in novelty acts of "tevery description are introduced. A chorus adds to the colour of the production. Lowe, Hite and Stanley, dancers and comedians, are seen in the film, together with Perry Deane, violin prodigy, the Loria Brothers, ( Mexican entertainers, and many other novelty artists.

« MAJESTIC THEATRE The double feature,programme, which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day is headed by "Kathleen Mavourneen," with the well-known tenor Tom Burke in a leading role. He takes the part of ,an Irish stevedore, Michael Rooney, who works at Liverpool. He befriends an Irish girl, Kathleen o'Moore, who is in poverty since the death of her father, and arranges for her to go to a farm m Ireland. The story tells in realistic fashion of adventures in that land, the photography being of an exceptionally high standnrtl. The associate feature, "Hitch Hike Lady," is set in America, where an old lady, played by Alison Skipworth, is making her way to California to visit her son. She is helped by a girl, portrayed by Mae Clark, and together they meet a varied assortment I sof'"characters, including two unexpectedly mild gangsters, played by Arthur Treacher and Warren Hymer. Jimmy Ellison has an important role, and gives - an. attractive performance. STATE AND STAR THEATRES The storv of the intimate life of Hollywood, "A Star is Born," will commence a season to-day at both the State and Star Theatres. The film tells of the dramatic rise to fame of an actress anu the equally dramatic fall to xmpopularity of an actor, the two principal parts being taken by Janet Gavnor and Fredric March. The marriage of the leading players ,after the first success of the girl and'her heroic struggle to save her husband from his weakness when he finds his popularity destroyed," make a touching theme. He makes his great sacrifice in the climax of the picture, when, knowing that his wife in-, tends to give up her career for him, he swims out into the sea and is drowned.

STRAND THEATRE / One of the attractive incidents in: "Wings of the Morning," the current, attraction at the Strand Theatre, is the impersonation by the principal: actress Aniiabella of a''boy and her; metamorphosis into a beautiful and very feminine young woman. Henry, Fonda plays the romantic male lead, in the film, which is shown entirely? in new technicolour, and which makes, an appeal to all tastes. * - STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT ; A programme comprising the two full-length pictures "Wee Willie Wiiikie" and "Step Lively Jeeves" will be presented to patrons at the State Theatre, Devonport. Shirley Temple appears in the first film and Arthur Treacher in the second. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "As Good as Married" and "Wings Over Honolulu" are the present attractions at the State Theatre, Onehunga, and provide good measure of both comedy and drama.

PRINCESS THEATRE Snnone Simon and James Stewart take the chief parts in "Seventh Heaven," which, with "China Passage" will be shown to-day at the Princess Theatre. LONDON CINEMA "Age of Indiscretion" and "Fighting Shadows" are the two full-length films being shown on the current programme at the Loudon Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA James Melton has the leading role in "Sing Me a Love Song," the main item of entertainment at the Tlldor Cinema. ' VICTORIA THEATRE Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald are the principals of "Rose Marie," which heads the current programme at the Victoria Theatre. "You May be Next" also is being shown. ASTOR THEATRE "The General Died at Dawn" is being shown with "Love Letters of a Star" at the Astor Theatre, PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer give outstanding portrayals in "Romeo and Juliet," the principal attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre. "The Lady From Nowhere" is a second picture. CIVIC THEATRETTE A thrilling tale of the old West is "Square Shooter," which heads an entertaining programme at present being screened at the Civic Theatrette.

CIVIC THEATRE Paul Robeson, popular negro singer, who has appeared with success in many pictures since "Sanders of the River," returns to the screen in the British film "Big Fella," which is to commence a season at the Civic Theatre today. He takes the part of a doeksids character known to everyone as Joe, who has won the liking of all the dockworkers in Marseilles for his strong personality and beautiful bass voice. When a child, Gerald, disappears from a ship in the harbour, fears are entertained for his safety, and it is thought that he may have been kidnapped. The gendarmes turn to Joe for help in the search, and after some time the negro is rewarded with success. He takes the boy, who had run away from the ship in search of adventure, to a place of safety, but there are many more interesting events before the picture reaches an end. Six new songs, specially written for the film, are sung by Robeson. Elizabeth Welch is also in tho cast.

EMBASSY THEATRE Many of the tuneful plantation songs, whose popularity has continued for nearly a centurv, were heard again at the Embassy Theatre last _ night, when the film "Harmony Lane," based on the life of the composer, Stephen Collins Foster, was presented. Drama, humour and music have been deftly woven into this absorbing story of a man whose unhappy life was devoted to giving pleasure to others through the medium of song. From early youth Foster lived for his music, not the ponderous symphonies of the eminent masters, but the gay and happy trifles that delighted the ear, firstly of the southern negroes and later of the whole world. His first disappointment came ■ when his exceedingly practical father - chose the clerk's desk and not the L piano as his means of living. Then the girl he loved, listening to the whispers of a jealous, rival,/ forsook him for another, whonw she married. Foster married the rival, but almost from the start the union was a failure and eventually he left his wife. Right up to the climax the story is drawn with fine dramatic strokes. In the leading role Douglass Montgomery gives an excellent interpretation, and proves to be a singer with an attractive voice. A charming portrayal is sriven by Evelyn Venables, as Susan Pentland, the girl he loved and who would have made his life a happy one. ■ ~ Adrienne Ames is well cast in the role of Jane McDowell, his wife. Probably the most successful performance is given by William Frawley, in the part l ' of the showman Christy, of minstrel > fame. In a role reminiscent of that played so well by Frank Morgan in r "The Great Ziegfeld," Frawley delighted the audience with his amusing carriage and humorous chatteV. > Throughout the picture were interspersed several of Foster's best-known i;r . works, including "My Old Kentucky Home," "Swanee River," "Old Black Joe" and "Beautiful preamer." Scenes ■ from a minstrel show were both tuneful and entertaining. "Harmony Lane" is supported by an interesting programme of short films.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Romance, comedy and music blend smoothly in "Sing And Be Happy.?' the 20th Century-Fox production which is being shown at the lloxv and Tivoli Theatres. Five song successes are featured in the film, together with the -y. screen's new song and romance team, : t Anthony Martin and Leah Ray. Joan Davis, Helen Westley, Allan Lane and Dixie Dunbar also take prominent parts. Rivalry between two advertising v. agencies seeking to obtain a large radio contract forms the lively background to the film, with Martin as an orchestra leader, who is persuaded by his father to enter his advertising firm. Miss Bay - acts the part of the daughter of the owner of the rival firm, and romance and music prove stronger than eitherher or Martin's business loyalties. Sidney Clare and Harry Akst composed the songs for the picture, which is directed by James Tinling and is from an original screen play by Ben Markson. The second picture on the programme is I'araniQunt's "The Great Gambini," in which Akim Tamiroff, Marian Marsh and John Trent appear. Tamiroff plays the part of Gambini. a clairvoyant, who prophesies that Miss Marsh will not marry her fiance. The murder of the latter pioves his words correct and provides a thrilling mystery. The picture reaches its climax in* a novel manner,, when the murderer , is revealed and the romance between : Miss Marsh and Trent is brought to • a conclusion. . |S

MAYFAIR THEATRE "Rose of the entertaining* British - picture, will commence a>• season at the May fair Theatre to-day. > An attractive child-actress Binkie Stuart takes a leading role in this film, which concerns the adventures otM a family who are separated, the having gone to America to sing on the \ radio, leaving his wife London. A number of attractive Irish songs are sung by Fred Conyr-gham - and Danny Malone.-A second feature on the programme is entitled "A Doctor's Diary," with Ra Hould ana George Bancroft in leading roles. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO * Two entertaining pictures comprise . the programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night, the firsts being "The Woman I Love," in which > Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins take - leading parts. A comedy entitled "Call >; It a Dav" will also be screened. $ r •• " "VI - 111 11 ' '