ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The bright musiqal production "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round'' will be screened to-day at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. A feature of the film is the' presentation of several new popular songs by the young tenor Phil Regan. Leo Carrillo is cast as Gordoni, the genial Jeader of a gang of racketeers, who finds himself tne owner of a recording company and uses his gang to "persuade," at the point of the gun, talented singers to make recordings for him. Gordoni assigns to Jerry Hart (Phil Regan) the task of securing the services of Charlizzini (Tamara Geva), a'-noted opera singer, whom every recording company has sought in vain. After much difficulty Hart induces the singer to make a recording, but complications ensue when Charlizzini's manager raises objections because of previous contracts. Tho opera singer is kidnapped and her terrified manager reluctantly agrees to the recording. There is a pleasing romantic interest in the film between Hart and beautiful Ann Dvorak, and the fine supporting cast includes James Gleason and the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. In contrast to the gaiety _ of the first film, the second attraction "Under Suspicion" is a thrilling mystery. As the head of a huge motor concern Robert Bailey, a part taken by Jack Holt, incurs the enmity of several shareholders in the company when ho decides to retire and transfer his interests to his employees. As he is taking off in his aeroplane for his home in the mountains, the .machine crashes, and Bailey, narrowly escapes death. When a bullet crashes through his window as he is convalescing, he decides to take precautions. A detective is called in and a trap ,is laid for the criminal. Ajfter a thrilling etrucKle Bailey's assailant is captured and' tho film is brought "to a successful conclusion. Other roles in the film are

taken by Kathleen de Mille and Rosalind Keith. . ; CIVIC THEATRE Shirley Temple gives a highly enjoyable performance in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. The young actress displays her versatility by singing and dancing in a convincing manner, while she is ably supported in the film by Randolph Scott and-Gloria Stuart. The life of the great Venetian traveller, Marco Polo, has been brought to the screen in "The Adventures of Marco Polo," which will commence its season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. Gary Cooper has the jole of the great adventurer who established trading relations with the East. Others in the cast of this entertaining production are Basil Rathbone and a newcomer to the screen, Sigrid - Gurie. RECENT THEATRE The successful New Universal production "Mad About Music" will continue its season at the' Regent Theatre today. Deanna Durbin gives a convincing performance, and sings several delightful new songs. The Paramount produo- , tion "The Buccaneer" will commence its season at the Regent Theatre ou Friday. The chief roles in the film are taken by Fredric March and a new actress, Franciska Gaal, while the direction was in the capable hands of Cecil de Mille. ST. JAMES* THEATRE William Powell and Myrna Loy have the chief parts in the gay comedy

"Double Wedding," which will conI tinue its season at St. James' Theatre I to-day. Both these players give their usual amusing .performances in roles i perfectly suited to their type of acting, i A Fitzpatrick travel film is included in : the fine supporting programme to b« shown. ' 1 i. ; : ' MAYFAIR THEATRE Bobby Breen, the young soprano, gives a good performance in his latest film, "Hawaii Calls," which will continue its successful season f at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. The scene changes from the streets of San Francisco to the beautiful tropical scenery of Hawaii, when Bobby, cast as a young street urchin, stows away on a ship bound for Honolulu. In addition to Bobby's fine singing, the film has a pleasing story, with Ned Sparks contributing much, of the humour. An excellent, supporting programme will also be screened, including a Walt Disney cartoon and a Bhort feature dealing with the perils of pearl diving in the South Seas.

STRAND THEATRE The enjoyable musical comedy "Hitting a New High" will continue its season at the Strand Theatre to-day. ThO operatic soprano Lily Pons has the chief role, and is ably supported by Eric Blore and Edward Everett Horton. The bright comedy "She's Got Everything,'' in which Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern take the main parts, is the entertaining second attraction to be screened. 1 ' STATE THEATRE One of the outstanding dramatic productions of 1937, "The Life of Emile Zola," with Paul Muni in the title role, will again be ehown at the State Theatre to-night. Warner Bros., who produced the film, \vere awarded the Academy Award for the best production of 1937. STAR CINEMA . "Father O'Flynn," in which Toin; Burke is prominently cast, is to Be shown in conjunction with "Mr. Dodd Takes the Air" at the Star Cinema to-day. Kenny Baker heads a strong cast of players in the second attraction. ASTOR THEATRE Adapted for the screen from the novel by Faith Baldwin, "Love Before Breakfast" is the chief picture on to-night's programmie at the Astbr Theatre. "Don't Get Personal", also will be shown. « CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The excellent < double-feature programme to be shown ( to-night. at, the Crystal Palace and Rialto includes "Special Investigator" and "She Couldn't Take It." 1 Richard Dix is prominently cast in the first picture and George Raft appears in the second. 1 TUDOR CINEMA ■ ' i . Tyrone Power and Loretta Young are the leading players in the.bright romantic comedy "Cafe Metropole;'' the principal attraction on the current programme at the Tudor Cinema. ~ j BRITANNIA THEATRE The clever comedy "Keep Fik" in which George Form by gives lent performance, is to be shown with "Born Reckless" at tile' Britannia Theatre to-day. ' ' ■ STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Fred Mac Murray gives an outstanding performance in "Exclusive," which is to be shown with "Credo" at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY vMadeleine Carroll has the chief role in the brilliant comedy "It's All Yours," which is the main attraction at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night. - t

MAJESTIC THEATRE The exciting film "Bulldog Drummond's Revenge" will bo screened to* day at the Majestic Theatre. John , Howard appears in the title role, while John Barrymore and Reginald Denny are others in the cast. The second attraction is "Thrill of a Lifetime," with the Yacht Club Boys prominently cast. The thrilling drama of the sea, "Mutiny of the Elsinore," will commence its season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Paul Lukas has the ' chief role in this film, which was adapted from a novel by Jack London. EMBASSY THEATRE The hilarious comedy "Beg, Borrow or Steal" will he presented to-day at the Embassy Theatre. Although the main players in this film have- pre- * viously had only supporting roles, they .. all give convincing performances, and contribute to make a highly enjoyable' entertainment. Frank Morgan has the ' chief part, while Florence. Rico and. John Bcal supply the romantic interest in the film. An exceptionally fine supporting programme, including a Har-man-Ising cartoon, will also bo screened. VICTORIA THEATRE Fred Mac Murray has the main role in the thrilling film "13 Hours by Air," :: which will be screened to-night at the -- Victoria Theatre. "Coronado" is the - second attraction. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "The Murder Man," in which Spencer Tracy appears, will be screened to-night at the Prince Edward Theatre. "Three Live Ghosts" will also be shown.