ENTERTAINMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18258, 20 February 1931, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMMES.

ROXY THEATRE. Four detectives, headed by the redoubtable Philo Vance, grill five suspects in “The Benson Murder Case.” They solve one of the greatest of the S. S. Van Dine “murder cases" ever brought to the screen, and William Powell, as Philo Vance, is the man who uncovers the revealing clue. The mysterious murder of Anthony Benson and its puzzling aftermath is the new thrill for film audiences that Paramount has brought forth on the screen. There will not be two sessions of “Song o’ My Heart” on Saturday night, as inadvertently stated yesterday. There will be the matinee and one evening screening only.

CIVIC THEATRE. ■ “Hell’s Angels," the most pretentious picture that has come out of Hollywood, will be the featured attraction at the Civic Theatre to-night. This spectacular film drama was produced at a cost of approximately £BOO,OOO, and was three years in the making. This is the most time and money ever expended on a celuloid production. Howard Hughes, 25-year-old president of the Caddo Company, produced and personally directed this amazing dramatisation of the world war in the air. More than 137 pilots, planes and mechanics were used in filming the air sequences, and In one sdene alone 50 planes a)re shown in frcc-for-all combat in what is admittedly one of the greatest achievements in the history of filmmaking. Aside from its unsurpassed thrills in the air, “Hell’s Angels” has one of the most unusual love stories ever presented to the public.

The romantic interest revolves around the newest feminine screen sensation, Jean Harlow, a former Chicago society girl, who makes her film debut in this picture. Playing opposite Miss Harlow are Ben Lyon and James Hall.

STRAND THEATRE. “The Devil’s Holiday" is an intensely interesting comedy-drama, with beautiful Nancy Carroll giving a great performance. She plays the role of a man-hating, gold-digging manicurist in a big Western hotel. She connives with farm machinery salesmen to “take down” wealthy ranchers by the wining and dining route. After getting the prospects in the right “mood,” the salesmen talk them into buying their farm equipment. Thus Nancy meets Phillips Holmes, son of Hobart Bosworth, the wealthiest farmer in the State. Phil falls for her, and she sees easy pickings for a big harvester sale. But James Kirkwood, Phil’s older brother, steps in and brands Nancy as a common .cheat who has been trying to hook Phil. Nancy, infuriated, plots a mighty revenge. She decides to marry Phil and then collect heavily from his father as a pay-off. They are married and things turn out as Nancy expected. Bosworth finds that her marriage was vengeful. He pays her £12,500 to leave them all alone. Meanwhile Phil is dangerously Injured in a fight with Kirkwood. The climax is charged with dramatic power. In addition to Holmes, Kirkwood, and Bosworth, there are Ned Sparks, Morgan Farley, Paul Lukas, ZaSu Pitts, and Morton Downey.

THEATRE ROYAL. A British comedy-drama production is “Raise the Roof.” The story is a novel one dealing with the efforts to save a revue company from total failure. A British artist, Betty Balfour, who has appeared in a number of silent pictures, takes the leading role as Maisie Grey, supported by Jack Raine and Maurice Evans. Patrons who appreciate light burlesque will get very acceptable entertainment from this farce comedy-drama. The second attraction is “The Great Divide," featuring Dorothy Mackalll. A number of tuneful songs have been injected into the scenes. The picture at some moments assumes the rhythm and harmony of an operetta, especially in a big fiesta that ■takes place in Mexico. But the audition is brought back to the story with such adroitness and skill that no one realises the digression.

ALLIANCE ENTERTAINERS EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. Following on the successful gathering in ithe Theatre Royal on Tuesday evening another programme will be given next week by another party of artists, and this has been arranged for the Civic Theatre. The. Alliance Entertainers, who promise to present to the 'public a very fine programme of elocution and song, have included a play entitled “Counting Chickens." The earthquake funds, for which this concert has been arranged, will, we hope, be materialy augmented. The Alliance Entertainers will have the assistance of a number of first-class local artists.