ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE An attractive film with a background of Irish songs, "Minstrel Boy," will be screened to-day at the Plaza Theatre. The leading role is taken by Fred Coningham. who is seen as the leader of the Shamrock dance band, others in the cast being Chili Bouchier and Lucille Lisle. There is an entertaining associate programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE Hopalong Cassidv, the well-known cowboy creation of Clarence E. Mulford, makes another screen appearance in Paramount's "Texas Trail," the main film on the current double-fea-ture programme at the Majestic Theatre. William Boyd gives a virile performance as Cassidy. The second full-length production is "Night Club Scandal," which features John Barrymore Lynn Overman, Evelyn Brent and Charles Bickford. CIVIC THEATRE Based on the life of England's great queen, the RKO Radio picture "Victoria the Great" will be shown again to-day at the Civic Theatre. The brilliant young actress Anna Neagle is seen as the queen and portrays her in different periods of her life, first ap-' pearing as a girl of 18 and finally being seen as an old woman at the jubilee celebrations. Anton Walbrook also gives a distinguished performance as the Prince Consort, whoso forethought and wisdom often restrain, the headstrong queen. RECENT THEATRE With an abundance of highly amusing sequences and brilliant dialogue, "The Awful Truth," the main attraction to-day at the Regent Theatre, provides popular entertainment. The main roles are taken by Irene Dunne, who follows up her previous success in "Theodora Goes Wild," and Cary Grant. They are seen as a, young couple whose quarrel and secret efforts toward a reconciliation for.n the theme of the film. The dog Asta also plays an important and amusing part in the production. EMBASSY THEATRE "Between Two Women," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture which will continue its season to-day at the Embassy Theatre, has the popular actor Franchot Tone in the leading role, supported by Maureen O'Sullivan and Virginia Bruce. Tone appears as a young surgeon and the story concerns his infatuation for a pretty patient, whom he marries, axxd the love which his nurse secretly feels for him. The dramatic theme is brilliantly told and excellent portrayals are given by the loading players. Opening at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday is the film "Madame X," also from the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver studios. It is an adaptation of the play by Alexandre Bisson and tells the tragic story of a woman whose one indiscretion ruins her life. The picture has a wide appeal and the cast is well chosen, including Gladys George. Warren William, John Beal and Reginald Owen. Miss Georgo appears as the wife whose tragic downfall forms the theme of the production, and Warren William is the unforgiving husband. The original stage production was played by the great actress Sarah Bernhardt.

STRAND THEATRE The British actress Jessie Matthews reveals her talent and versatility in the Fox Film production "Sparkles," the main attraction on the double programme to-day at the Strand Theatre. The story, that of a woman, jewel thief, is attractively told and is produced with a light and humorous touch, while the leading actress has a part which gives her full scope to display her powers. Comedy of a different type is seen in "Borrowing Trouble,'' featuring the Jones Family. . TIVOLI THEATRE Five attractions will be shown this evening at the Tivoli Theatre, where a guest night will be held. The main picture on the programme will be "Annie Oakley," in which the main players are Barbara Stanwyck and Preston Foster. The entertaining production, "Song and Dance Man," featuring Paul Kelly and Clair Trevor, will also be shown. Three short films, a musical "Major Bowes," a comedy, and a "Terrytoon" cartoon, will also be presented. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE A well-balanced double-feature programme will be presented this evening at the Prince Edward Theatre. The first picture will be the dramatic production "Toll of the Road," and this will be followed by the light comedy "It's a Great Life." Talented casts appear in both productions, and clever performances add to the interest of the films. MAYFAIR THEATRE Two full-length films, "Wife, Doctor and Nurse" and "The Squeaker" will again be presented at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Loretta Young and Warner Baxter appear in the first film, while Edmund Lowe, Ann Todd and Sebastian Shaw give strong performances in "The Squeaker," which is the film version of one on Edgar Wallace's detective stories. STATE THEATRE An entertaining double programme will be presented to' patrons to-night at the State Theatre and will be headed by the film "Shall We Dance," in which the leading roles are taken by Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. The second production is "Girl in a Million," starring Sonja Henie. STAR CINEMA Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Edward Everett Horton appear in "Shall We Dance," the main attraction to-day at the Star Cinema. Dick Foran wiil also be seen in "Cherokee Strip." LONDON CINEMA Bright entertainment is provided in "Follow the Fleet," the Ginger RogersFred Astaire musical comedy which heads the current programme at the London Cinema. Gene Raymond appears in the second production, "Seven Keys to Balclpate.*" CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Charles Ruggles lias a leading role in the comedy entitled "Turn Off the Moon," which will bo screened to-night at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres in conjunction with "Rustlers' Valley." BERKELEY THEATRE The amusing comedy-romance "Cain and Mabel'' will be screened to-night at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay. The main players in the film are Clark Gable and Marion Davies. There will also be interesting short pictures. ASTGR THEATRE "Final Hour" and King Solomon of Broadway" are the two full-length films to be shown to-night at the Astor Theatre REGENT, EPSOM A double-feature programme comprising "Private Number" and "Sing Baby Sing" will be presented to-night at tho, Theatre, Epsom. I

ST. JAMES' THEATRE * H The colourful operetta "Maytime" will be given a further presentation today at the St. James' Theatre. Based on the stage production by Sigmund Romberg, the film, which is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor production, features'" 1 the popular singers and players Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MaeDonald. The theme concerns the romance of Marcia • Morgan, a beautiful opera singer, with another member of the opera. John Barrymore appears as the rival for her love. TUDOR CINEMA Clark Gable, Franchot Tone and Joan Crawford give entertaining portrayals , in "Love on the Run," which heads the programme at the Tudor Cinema. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The boy singer and actor Bobby Breon takes the leading part in "Makea Wish," the chief attraction to-night at the State Theatre, Devonport.