ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23019, 22 April 1938, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Charles Boyer gives a brilliant performance as Napoleon Bonaparte in "Marie Walewska," which will, continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The film portrays a romantic episode in the life of the French Emperor and stands out in vivid contrast to previous pictures of Boyer's career. As the Polish patriot Marie Walewska, Greta Garbo plays with real feeling, and the supporting cast also is responsible for some good performances. Dame May Whitty, Reginald Owen and Alan Marshall are included. PLAZA THEATRE The Gaumont British Dominions production "The Sky's the Limit," 'with Jack Buchanan in the leading role, is to open a season at the Plaza Theatre to-dav. As an aircraft designer in Lord Beckley's Aircraft Company, Jack Buchanan invents a new machine in •which the Air Ministry is interested. Beamish (William Kendall),, Lord Beckley's nephew, is trying to take the credit for the new aeroplane, while Buchanan, as Dave Harber, does not particularly mind so long as he can retain his position and use the facilities of the big plant. Mara Losseff, a talented Russian soprano, appears as a beautiful opera singer, supplying the romantic interest of the film. She mistakes the inventor for the wealthy young nephew of Lord Beckley, with the most hilarious consequences.' William Kendall will be remembered for his outstanding performance in Buchanan's earlier success "This'll Make You Whistle." H. F. Maltby is at his best in the role of the irascible Lord Beckley and strong comedy parts are taken by Athene ,Se.yler, Sara Allgood. Antony Holies and David Burns. The screen play was written by Ralph Spence. . . ! j ...

MAJESTIC THEATRE 1 : I The decided talent for light comedy roles which she so strikingly displayed in "Theodora Goes Wild,'' stands Irene Dunne in good stead in another humorous part 111 "The Awful Truth," which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The picture is a lighthearted farce from start to finish, and the whole action is carried through at breathless 'pace. _ Beginning with a matrimonial misunderstanding, an estrangement between Irene Dunne and her husband, played by Gary Grant, is gradually worn down by their real affection for each other, and the pair are once more brought together. A strong supporting programme also is being shown. CIVIC THEATRE The girl skater Sonja Henie has the main role in "Happy Landing," which is again at the head of the programme to be presented at the Civic Theatre to : day. The picture is woven around Miss Henie's undoubted prowess and grace on the ; ipe, and the skating scenes are among the most beautiful this player has yet made. There is also a romantic interest running through the plot, with Don Ameche in. the role' Opposite the girl.-.A prominent part is assigned to Cesar Romero as the band leader responsible for bringing the skater from her home in Norway to New Yoi-k. Among the shorter features showing is one of the March of, Time films, dealing with the present state of German affairs and particularly with the persecution of the Jews.

MAYFAIR THEATRE The Walter Wanger production "Stand-in" is,to commence screenings at the May fair Theatre to-day. Leslie Howard,'in the principal role, takes a comedy part for the first time, appearing as a shy, humourless banker whose efforts to conduct a ten million, dollar picture studio according to the science of mathematics result in many hilarious developments. Joan Blondell appears opposite him. '• 1 •• ■> ' ■ > ! ■ • j t 1 : ; ;,i. ; . j ' STRAND THEATRE I The excellent comedy "Forty-five Fathers," with the engaging child actress Jane Withers giving a typically hilarious portrayal in the leading role, is to be presented with "Thank You, Jeeves" at the Strand Theatre to-day. Also in the cast of "Forty-five Fathers" are Louis Henry and the Hartmans. -Arthur Treacher has the title role in the seqond attraction. An interesting associate programme includes a newsreel depicting Germany's march into Austria. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Give Brook gives a powerful por-j trayal iu "Action for Slander." the principal attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. The second attraction is "Said O'Reilly •to McNab," with Will Mahoney and \Viii, Fyfc. . _ . :• ; ; STATE THEATRE; Ronald Colman and Madeleine Carroll have the main roles in "The Prisoner of Sfenda," which will open its season at the State Theatre tonight. The. film! is from the story by Anthony Hope. •• { , - } STAR CINEMA The double-feature programme tc'be presented at the Star Cinema to-day comprises the films "Under the Red Robe" and "Mountain Justice." Annabella has the main role in the first attraction. BRITANNIA THEATRE The Deanna Durbin picture "100 Men and a Girl" will be presented at the Britannia Theatre this evening, together with a mystery film entitled "Dangerous Adventure." LONDON CINEMA Jeannetto Macdonald and Nelson Eddy have the leading roles in the reissued musical film "Rose Marie," which heads the programme to be presented at the London Cinema to-day. TUDOR CINEMA A highly dramatic film dealing with the post-war years. "They Gave Him a Gun," is the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema this evening. Spencer Tracy and Gladys George have the main roles.

MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM Spencer Tracy and Lionel Barrymore give outstanding performances in "Captains Courageous," which will be shown with "On Again, Off Again" at the Mayfair Theatre. Sandringham, tonight. i'V>" BERKELEY, MISSION BAY George Form by is the principal player in "Feather Your Nest," the main picture 011 the current programme at the Berkeley Theatre. Mission Bay. ASTOR THEATRE "General Spanky," with Spanky McFarland and Phillips Holmes prominently cast, and the musical comedy "It's All Yours," comprise the current programme at the Astor Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE "Think Fast, Mr. Moto" will be presented with the romantic comedy "Breakfast for Two" at the Princess Theatre this evening. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Entertainment at the State Theatre, Onehunga, this evening comprises the films "Life Begins at College" and "Love Under Fire."

REGENT THEATRE Deanna Durbin has opportunities to demonstrate that she can act as well as sing in her latest film "Mad About Music, which will continue its season at the Regent Theatre to-day, and she adds to the charm of her singing by some clever acting in the production. Herbert Marshall appears in the role of a composer whose good nature involves him in au innocent deception; and Gail Patrick has the role of the girj's mother. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The main attraction at the Roxy and Tjvoli Theatres to-day is the latest film to be made by the comedians Robert Wheeler and Bert Woolsey, and is entitled "High Fliers." As the title suggests, the pair are cast as aviators who unwittingly steal a police aero-' plane to obtain some jewels for a band r of criminals led by Jack Carson. The comedians are unwilling to return the. jewels to their rightful owner until a series of other thefts committed at the same time is cleared up. They are forced to become detectives and surprisingly enough they manage discover the real thief, which is a dog named Spots. In the course of their investigations they contrive to find ample scope for their humorous antics, and the story is brought to a laughable and satisfactory conclusion. Also on' the programme is the film "Murder at'Greenwich Village," a mystery,drama with Fay Wray, Richard Arlen and Raj'mond' Walburn in the main roles. EMBASSY THEATRE An historical drama treating of one of the more vivid periods in American history, "Wells Fargo" will again be shown at the Embassy Theatre to-day.-The cast includes such popular players as Frances Dee, Joel McCrea and the comedian Bob Burns, and by their sincere performances they bring vividly to life the ceaseless struggle for existence of the early pioneers in the United Svates. The supporting programme includes a cartoon and a thrilling sports film entitled "Tuna Fishing." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Carv Grant and Irene Dunne have the leading roles in "The Awful Truth," the Columbia production to be screened at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Ralph Bellamy, in. the chiefsupporting part, is outstanding. For his direction of the picture Leo McCarey gained the Academy Award for the best directed picture of 1937. CIVIC THEATRETTE The popular comedians Wheeler and Woolsey, give a typically entertaining performance in "The Rain Makers,'., which will head the programme to-day at the Civic Theatrette.