ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE "Hitting A New High," in which the soprano Lily Pons appears with Jack Oakie and Edward Everett Horton, will have its final screenings at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Commencing tomorrow Bobby Breen's latest film "Hawaii Calls will be screened at the Plaza Theatre. Several delightful songs are rendered by the boy soprano, including the old Irish classic "Macushla" and several Hawaiian favourites. The story follows the adventures of Bobby and a young Hawaiian friend, who make their way from San Francisco to Hawaii as stowaways. On their arrival at Honolulu, they become involved in a search for a band of criminals and they embark on a series of .hilariously amusing adventures. Waikiki Beach and other places of interest form the setting for much of the action ,in this film. The popular Ned Sparks is cast as the wireless operator who befriends the young stowaways and kelps the boys to escape from the ship at Honolulu. MAJESTIC THEATRE A thrilling story of the activities of a smuggling ring is told .in "Daughter of Shanghai," which will conclude its season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The main roles are in the hands of Anna May Wong and Phillip Aim. A Cinesound production "Lovers and Luggers," will have its .first presentation at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, together with the film "The Spy Ring." The former film has an unusual and interesting setting against the backS round of the activities of the pearling eets at Thursday Island. In the main romantic role Lloyd Hughes gives one of the best performances of a long career, while good characterisations aro contributed bv Shirley Ann. Richards and Elaine Hamill. Produced by Ken Hall, "Lovers and Luggers" promises entertainment comparable with the. best offered by English and American firms and has already won the good opinions of Australian critics. The photography and settings of the film are outstanding. CIVIC THEATRE Tyrone Power and Loretta Young appear in the gay comedy "Second Honey-" moon," which will again be screened to-day at the Civic Theatre., T,he popular young actress Shirley Temple will be seen in "Rebecca of Spnnybrook Farm," which will commence its season at the Civic Theatre • to-morrow. The story deals with an attempt by Randolph Scott to include the young singer m his radio programme, in the face of opposition from Shirley's aunt and stepfather. However, a broadcast is made from Sunnybrook Farm and the story is brought to a. happy conclusion. Slim Summerviile,- Jack Haley arid the negro tap-dancer Bill Robinson are members of the strong supporting cast' in this entertaining film. REGENT THEATRE - Deanna Durbin's latest film, "Mad About Music," will continue its successful season at the Regent Theatre today. Miss Durbin is cast as a young girl at a school in Switzerland, who adopts a travelling bachelor, Herbert Marshall, as her father. The picture is notable for the delightful singing of the young soprano, the majority pf the songs being' of the modern type. Gail Patrick and Arthur Treacher give capable performances in the supporting roles.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The veteran actor Ricardo Cortez has an important role in "City Girl," which will be shown with "The House of a Thousand Candles" at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. He is cast as Charles Blake, tho ieadcr of a gang of criminals, who is finally brought to justice through the efforts of his erstwbile_ fiancee, Ellen Ward, played by Phyllis Brooks. The latter gives a brilliant performance as the waitress who became engaged to Blake in order to escape from the monotony of her work as a waitress. Her realisation that friendship«, with Blake must inevitably make her suspect in the eyes of the law, allied to a severe accident which completely changes her appearance, brings about a reversal of her forinfer way of life, and she is ' finally instrumental in bringing the to justice. Good performances in the 'film are contributed by < Adrienne-'Ames and-Esther "Muir. Phiilips Holmes, wild lias the leading role in the second attraction," plays the part of Tony Carlt*ton, an agent of the British Secret Service commissioned to carry an important message to Geneva; ,His move-; ments are watched by Anton,Sebastian (Irving Pichel), head 6f an international spy ring, whose interest it is to.prevent the despatch. from reaching its destination. With the help of Carol Vincent (Mae Clarke)' the efforts of the spies are defeated and thd message is; safely transported.

' STRAND- THEATRE Sonja Henio gives a-fine display of skating in the,musical comedy "Happy Landing," which will b& screened today at the* Strand Theatre.-"A_ of Time" dealing' with life in Nazi Germany will also be Bcreened. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE -The gay comedy "Thev - Met in a Taxi" and the thrilling nlm "Escape from Devil's. Island" comprise the well-balanced' • .double-feature . programme to be presented to patrons of* the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. , BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Sandy Powell, the well-known Lancashire radio comedian, appears in "Can You Hear Me, Mother?" which will be shown to-night at the Berkeley Theatre. The second attraction is "Racing Lady." BRITANNIA THEATRE Bing Crosby heads the cast of players in "Double or Nothing," which will be screened to-niglit at the, Britannia Theatre, with "Sophie ' Lang Goes* West." . s , , ; . CRYSTAL PALACE AND : RIALTO The thrilling drama of the South Sea Islands, "The Hurricane, rt will be shown to-day at/the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Jon Hall and Dorothy Lamour head the cast of-players. ' ASTOk THEATRE ' "j "100 Men and a Girl," in which the girl soprano Deanna Durbin has the leading role, t will head the programme at the Asftor Theatre' to-night. The Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra alsio appears in the film. REGENT, EPSOM "Under the Red Robe" and "Think Fast, Mr. Moto" comprise the excellent double-feature programme to bo presented to patrons of the Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-night. > STATE THEATRE Robert Montgomery and Marion Da vies are included in the cast of "Ever Since Eve,", which will be screened to-night at the State Theatre. The second attraction is "The Holy Terror." STAR CINEMA The thrilling film "Charge of the Light Brigade': is the main attraction at the Star Cinema to-night. "Waikiki Wedding" will also be screened. . TUDOR CINEMA The romantic musical film "Song of the City" will be presented to-night at the Tudor Cinema. Selected short features will also be screened.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE "Broadway Melody of 1938" will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. Included in its outstanding cast of players . a,re, Eleanor Powell, who gives her usual versatile performance. and Robert Taylor. George Murphy, as Miss Powell's dancing partner, gives an accomplished, display, while Robert Bonchley : and Robert Wildhack supplv much- of the humour. The usual fine supporting programme will be shown. EMBASSY THEATRE Grace Moore's latest picture, 'Til Take Romance," will again be screened to-dav at the Embassy Theatre; Melvyn Douglas is cast as the director of an opera company, who, when . other means have failed, resorts to kidnapping Grace Moore to force her to sing at his new theatre in Buenos Aires. Douglas is involved in an awkward situation from which he has difficulty in clearing himself until the closing scenes of the film. Helen Westley, as the singer's aunt, provides much of the humour in this entertaining film. MAYFAIR THEATRE The well-known Irish tenor Tom Burke appears in the film "Father O'Flynn," which will be screened today at the. May fair Theatre. The second attraction. "Credo," is the official film of the Catholic Centenary and contains many-fine scenes of the centenary celebrations. , . • > ...