ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22982, 9 March 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The Ritz Brothers have their most important screen roles to date in the film "Life Begins at College," which heads the double-feature programme to be screened for the first time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. They are seen as trotiser-pressers working their way through college, and they upset all traditions with their humorous antics. Joan Davis also has an important part in the film. She is seen as a student who falls in love with a Red Indian, portrayed by Nat Pendleton, who is handicapped with 10,000 dollars a day. Some of the humorous episodes in the picture have their origin in her extravagant ideas. liomance is grovided by Tony Martin and Gloria tuart. The promising actor Martin is seen as the leader of the college dance band, and with Gloria Stuart, sings a number of extremely attractive songs. Others in the supporting cast are Fred Stone, Dixie Dunbar, Joan Marsh and Jed Prouty. The songs, which are a feature of the film, were written by Lew Pollack and Sidney D. Mitchell, and include the numbers "Why Talk About Love?", "Fair Lombardy" and "Big Chief Swing It." The popularity of the Ritz Brothers has grown steadily through their work in "Sing. Baby, Sing," "On the Avenue" and "You Can't Have Everything," and with this picture they establish themselves as perhaps the most eccentric comedians I America has produced. The second film on the programme is entitled "Living On Love," and has the well-known players James Dunn and Whitney Bourne in the most prominent roles. The story deals with the adventures which befall a couple who find they are unable to meet their room rent. The film is an RKO Radio production. CIVIC THEATRE The pageant of the British Empire during the reign of one of its greatest queens is the background for "Victoria the Great," Herbert Wilcox's production, which is to be presented to-day at the Civic Theatre. Carole Lombard, who has earned the title in America of "the Queen of Crazy Comedy," has a leading role in "Nothing Sacred," which will commence a season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. Fredric March, in his first appearance in a humorous role, gives a rollicking performance as Wallace Cook, reporter on the New York Morning Star, who unwittingly involves the publisher and editor of his paper in a costly hoax. The story is a clever satire on the gullibility of the New York public. Walter Connolly and Charles Winninger are seen in strong supporting parts. REGENT THEATRE The clever comedy "The Awful Truth" will again be screened at the Regent Theatre to-day. Irene Dunne and Gary Grant, who take the leading roles, are seen in some amusing situations, while the dialogue is of an extremely high standard. Another entertaining film entitled "Double or Nothing," in which Bing Crosby sings and acts with his customary attractive aloofness, will have its first screenings at the Regent Theatre on Friday. He is seen as one of a number of people who are to inherit the fortune of an .eccentric old man provided that they double their share within a certain time. Others in the cast are Martha Raye, Andy Devine and Mary Carlisle. ST. JAMES* THEATRE The brilliant musical film "Maytime," in which Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald head a cast which also includes John Barrymore, will continue a long and successful season at St. James' Theatre to-day. John Van | Druten's. famous play of Charles Stew- | art Parnell and Katie O'Shea forms the basis of "Parnell," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which will open a season, at St. James' Theatre on Friday. The part of the great Irish politician is taken by Clark Gable, while Katie O'Shea is given vividness and colour through the characterisation of Myrna Loy. The story shows Parnell's campaign for Home Rule in Ireland; the accusation that he had countenanced and even encouraged the Phoenix Park murders; the breakdown of his health and recuperation at Mrs. O'Shea's house; the public inquiry which vindicates him, leading to a promise from Gladstone to grant Home Rule, and, in his hour of triumph, O'Shea's naming of him as co-respond-ent in his divorce suit against Katie. Important associate parts in the film are taken by Edmund Gwenn and Edna May Oliver. PLAZA THEATRE A large cast of well-known players, including John Boles, Jack Oakie, Ida Lupino, Margot Grahame and Eric Rhodes, are to be seen in "Fight For Your Lady," which will be presented at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The story is of a most amusing nature, and variety is added by the singing of Boles and Ida Lupino. The next attraction at the Plflza Theatre, "Lancer Spy," ■which will be shown for the first time on Friday, has George Sanders in tho difficult leading role. Dolores del Rio appears opposite him. STRAND THEATRE A delightful Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "I Live My Life," is to continue its season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Joan Crawford gives one of the most attractive portrayals of her screen career in the leading role, while other prominent parts are taken by Arthur Treacher and Eric Blore. The second attraction is a murder mystery, "Woman Wanted." STATE THEATRE Shirley Temple, Robert Young and Alice Faye are the principal players in "Stowaway," which heads the current double-feature programme at the State Theatre. The second attraction is "She Had to Eat," in which Rochello Hudson is prominently cast. STAR CINEMA "Quality Street," in which Katharine Hepburn is responsible for a moving portrayal, is to be screened to-day at the Star Cinema. An added attraction is the film, "Everything is Thunder." MAYFAIR THEATRE Edmund Lowe gives a thrilling characterisations in "The Squeaker,'' the Alexander Korda production, which is enjoying a successful season at the Mayfair Theatre. "Wife, Doctor and Nurse" is a second attraction. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO An entertaining double-feature programme comprising the films "36 Hours to Kill" and "Silly Billies" will be shown to-night at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. TUDOR CINEMA Arthur Treacher gives a clever impersonation of Wodehouse's famous character in "Step Lively, Jeeves," which heads to-night's programme at the Tudor Cinema. ASTOR THEATRE "Meet Nero Wolf" and "Affair of Susan" are the two full-length films to be presented to-night at the Astor Theatre. CAPITOL THEATRE Pat O'Brien appears in the film "Slim," which will be screened to-night at the Capitol Theatre in conjunction with "They Wanted to Marry.''

MAJESTIC THEATRE An outstanding musical film, "One Hundred Men and a Girl," is to continue its season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The leading role in this entertaining New Universal production is taken by the brilliant young singer Deanna Durbin. The supporting cast includes Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. An added attraction is the film. "The Lady Fights Back. 1 ' EMBASSY THEATRE The brilliant portrayal given by Gladys George in the title role makes "Madame X," which will continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day, interesting and unusual entertainment. John Beal appears as tho lawyer son of Madame X, who, when she is charged in a Paris court, defends her without knowing her identity. Reginald Owen has the role of her husband. The supporting programme includes a March of Time, a Pete Smith oddity, a coloured cartoon and "Our Gang Follies of 1938."