ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22916, 20 December 1937, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A good-humoured anil effective burlesque of old-tiiue Western films, "Way Out West," heads the programme to be screened at St. James' Theatre to-day. Two of the most popular comedians appearing on the screen, Laurel and Hardy, take the chief parts, and show a versatility that surpasses anything they have previously done in films. They sing and dance, and exchange witty repartee in a refreshingly spontaneous manner. The story is set in Brushwood Gulch, a small mining town in the desert, which provides all the ingredients of the oldfashioned melodrama. The impact of the two humorists on this society results in one of the most amusing films seen in Auckland for some time. There is a strong supporting programme. PLAZA THEATRE A film which numbers among its east manv of the most famous radio and vaudeville artists in the world, "Calling All Stars," will again be presented at the Plnza Theatre to-day. One of the most popular features of the film is the appearance of Larry Adler, mouth-organ player, who repeats the success that he gained in "The Singing Marine." Turner Layton, Flotsam and Jetsam and the Savoy Orpheans are among the other well-known performers who have important parts in the picture. Music is supplied by the famous combination of Ambrose and his orchestra, who appeared in the successful film "Soft Lights and Sweet Music." Twelve songs are presented in the course of the picture. Skating and acrobatic acts are also performed as a contrast to the music and dancing of other items. MAJESTIC THEATRE The popular character from Clarence Mulford's Bar 20 novels, "Hopalong" Cassidy, again appears on the screen in "Hopalong Rides Again," the film which heads the programme at the Majestic Theatre to-day. George Haves and Russell Havden appear vjith W T illiam Boyd in what is one of the most exciting Cassidy pictures shown in Auckland. The second attraction is "Partners in Crime," a mystery comedy film with a strong human interest. CIVIC THEATRE A picture which exposes the unscrupulous methods employed by certain American newspapers, "Exclusive," heads a strong programme at the Civic Theatre to-day. Fred MacMurray gives a likeable interpretation of the character of an ex-reporter, who incurs the enmity of a girl, the daughter of his employer. She joins a rival paper, and, in resentment of a fancied slight upon her, writes articles which result in a libel action against her paper. There is a thrilling climax, in which the girl's intentions are changed by the death of her father. In the leading feminine role, Frances Farmer is responsible for one of her most attractive portrayals, while Charlie lluggles appears as her father. EMBASSY THEATRE A brilliantly executed dramatic picture, "Midnight Madonna," heads the current programme at the Embassy Theatre, €nd will be screened at all sessions to-day. The film is notable for the appearance of Kitty Clancy, a child actress, who plays her part with sincerity and an attractive lack of affectation. Mady Correll, who takes the chief feminine role, is well-known on the New York stage, »nd is supported in this picture by W'arren William, in ono of his best acting parts for some time. "The Prisoner of Zenda," film version of Anthony Hope's story, will open a season at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday. A thrilling adventure story, the chief parts are taken by Ronald Colman and' Madeleine Carroll, while Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Mary Astor and Raymond Massey appear in subsidiary parts. MAYFAIR THEATRE One of the most popular films of recent months, "Rose of Tralee," is to be screened at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, in conjunction with "Interrupted Honeymoon," a comedy' with the talented humorist Claude Hulbert yi a leading role. Binkie Stuart, a clever child-actress, has an important part in "Rose of Tralee," in which Danny Malone syad Fred Connynghani sing a number of favourite Trish songs. The second picture, "Interrupted Honeymoon,is a typical English farce, in which the story is given added appeal by bright dialogue. # STRAND THEATRE Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall take leading roles in "Breakfast for Two," the clever comedy which heads the programme to be screened at the Strand Theatre to-day. Herbert Marshall, who has previously appeared in a number of serious parts, shows his versatility by giving an attractively humorous portrayal of a young man who is the unwilling object of the attentions of nn heiress from the W : est of America. Barbara Stanwyck invests a difficult part with charm, and is supported by Glenda Farrell and Eric Blore. TUDOR CINEMA Sonja Henie has a leading role in the spectacular musical comedy "Girl in a Million," which heads the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. BERKELEY THEATRE "It Isn't Done" is the main attraction on the entertaining programme to lie presented at the new Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, when it opens on Wednesday. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The musical film "New Faces of 1937" will be screened at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night together with "King of Gamblers."

REGENT THEATRE Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, who have appeared together in many of Ben Travers' farces, again co-operate in "For Valour," the comedy which is being presented at the Regent theatre to-day. In addition to the wittioess of the dialogue, the character acting of the principal players is of a high standard. Both Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn are seen in dual roles, first as the '"peppery" Army officer and the convict who saved his lite in Africa, later as their respective grandsons. The supporting programme is of a most inter-. e,sting nature, and includes a travel., film entitled "In Shanghai." A Christinas pantomime named "Snow-white and the Seven Dwarfs" will be presented in the matinee programme by pupils of the Rujino School of Dancing, and Joyce Coleman. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The adventures of an eccentric but likeable salesman form the theme ot "Come Closer. Folks," the entertaining comedy which heads the programme to be screened at the Hoxy and 'I i voli Theatres to-day. James Dunn is seen as a seller of gold watches, which do not come up to the expectations that the buyers have of their quality. He visits a Binall town, and, after selling some of his watches, is arrested for fraud. His salesmanship is so good, however that he not onlv clears himself of the charge, but sells one of his watches to the Judge. He becomes a member of the staff of the local store, and a pleasing romantic touch is added to the film by his romance.with the owner's daughter, played by Marian Marsh. The second picture on the programme, "Riding Wild." is a thrilling Western drama with Tim McCoy in a leading role. STATE THEATRE ""The strong double-feature programme "Pick a Star" and "Melody for Two" will be offered to patrons of the State Theatre to-night. STAR CINEMA "Craig's Wife," winner of the Pulitzer Prize, is the chief attraction to-day at the Star Cinema, the second picture being "Melody for Two." t