ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 52, 25 November 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATBE. Wellington picture-goers who appreciate something right out of the way in entertainment values will have their, last opportuniyt .to-day of seeing the brilliant douole feature bill which has enjoyed such success at the De Luxe Theatre. The first big picture is “Loose Ends,” a society drama wonderfully acted, and the second is “Not So Quiet on the Western Front,” a comedy burlesque of war-time experiences, full of hearty laughter.

“On Approval.” Frederick Lonsdale’s successful comedy, “On Approval,” has been announced for the Regent Theatre on Friday next. With faultless recording, splendid photography, a tried story and a magnificent comedy’ team, this British talking comedy has proved elsewhere to be exceptionally good entertainment fare. In Lonsdale's bright plot the Duke of Bristol professes great concern as to his friend Richard's welfare. He considers that, as Richard is anxious to suffer the bonds of matrimony, the sooner he arranges with Marla Wislak, a wealthy though temperamental widow, to share them with him, the better it will be —for him. The Duke heartily and thoroughly dislikes “dear Marla,” and as this is entirely mutual he feels that the least he can do is to part her and some of her wealth by marriage to impecunious Richard. As for himself he is weighing up the possibilities of honouring Helen Hayle, also wealthy, but with the added attraction of good looks, by asking her to accept the title Of her Grace, thus doing her a favour and assisting his own somewhat depleted banking account. Now Marla and Helen both love their prospective husbands, but Maria, who had previously been married for eighteen years, possesses quite a subtle, though somewhat acid, sense of humour and she decides to take Richard “on approval” for a month to her bouse in Scotland. Helen also was certain that a holiday in Scotland would do her good, and, strangely enough, My Lord the Duke had similar sentiments. The results of this situation can be guessed, but it is only the adroit Lonsdale who can do justice to It. Two-feature Programme i Following upon the groat success of the all-British two-feature programme, “Loose Ends” and “Not So Quiet On the Western Front,” the management of the De Luxe Theatre announces for to-morrow an entertainment of similar calibre, quite the equal in quality and quantity to that mentioned above. “Inside the Lines” and “Amateur Night in London” are. the two forthcoming productions which are confidently expected to repeat the success of the splendid British bill now being presented. The two new features will be presented up to and including Thursday, December 4. From the first foot to the last fade-out, “Inside the Lines,” Radio Pictures’ all-talking drama featuring Betty Compson is interesting, thrilling, and eptertaining, according to advance reports. It is not a war picture, but a story of espionage at Gibraltar during the World War. It is British in story, atmosphere, and dialogue, and includes in the cast, apart from Miss Compson. Ralph Forbes, Mlscha Auer, Montagu Love, Reginald Sharland, with other players of note. Roy Pomeroy, the director, has succeeded in making the intimation of war more powerful, more pathetic, more gripping than the countless noisy and awe-inspiring spectacles could. The story is of two lovers German spies, who meet unexpectedly in the heart of the British fortlficatiqns at Gibraltar. They both have been charged with the task of blowing up the Gibraltar fleet. The story is from the pen of Earl Derr Biggers (author of “Behind That Curtain,” this representing, according to report, his most ambitious work. The second feature is the all-British comed.vdrama “Amateur Night in London.” said to be a worthy successor in laughs and thrills to “Not So Quiet ou the Western Front.” It is reported to be another “Straight from London Laughter Riot,” and deals with some of London's would-be talkie and stage stars, and the hilarious results of a public “auditton.” A particularly fine cast includes, some of England's foremost stage and screen “headliners” such as Billy Caryl!, Duncan and Godfrey, Charlie and Bill;- *Rego. Jessie Hitter, Harry Rogers, Archie McCaig, Don and Luis, and the Plaza Boys. Box plans are available at Bristol and Aitken’s. KING’S THEATRE. AH the glorious', romance of sunny Spain is brought to the audible screen In “The Gay Caballero,” a Fox Movietone alltalking musical operetta, now screening at the King’s Theatre. The story, which concerns the flirtations of the beautiful Mona Marls, Is absorbing to a degree. QUEEN’S THEATRE. Full of moments revealing the depth and power of emotion undergone by a young woman on trial for the murder of a man, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer”s film transcription of “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is showing at present at the Queen’s Theatre. It is an intensely dramatic and engrossing' treatment of the play, which ran for more than a year on Broadway. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Trapped in a crippled submarine 95 feet below the surface—with water slowly entering through an inaccessible leak, and the torpedo tubes, the only avenues of escape, fouled by the collision which sent the vessel to the bottom—is the perilous situation confronting the players in The Adventures of SIS,” now attracting audiences to the Kilbirnie Kinema. 1

REGENT theatre. Dealing with a love triangle in English society and the struggle between convention and love’s fulfilment, “Strictly tj nc ° n ' ventlonal,” an entertaining film adapted from Somerset Maugham’s P'ay, The Circle,” is attracting large audiences daily to the Regent Theatre.- Catherine Dale Owen the picturesque English beauty, is In her element as the neglected wife who nines again for the thrill of love, extinguished in her political-minded and thoroughly conventional husband. The supports to this feature film are a talkie news, a short drama of Scotland Yard, 'Baby Follies,” and a New Zealand Sporting News talkie. ;: , ; ! , ■

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Very large audiences throughout Saturday testified approval of “A Show Girl in Hollywood, the massive talking, singing, dancing, and dramatic attraction, now showing 'at St. James Theatre. There is an atmosphere of truth and sincerity about this story which suggests that it was taken from actual fact. Unusually good characterisations are given by Ford Sterling, the ever reliable, John Miljan, as the polished scoundrel of the piece, Blanche Sweet, Alice White,- and popular Jack Mulhall, as the hero. The theme song, “There is a Tear for Every Smile,” Is tuneful and sure to become popular, and so also are other inclAmong the Millionaires,” will be shown for far above the average. The action of the play works up to the “Rainbow Climax,” which is one of the best sections of its class seen on a local screen. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre. On Friday next Clara Bow’s latest and highly-spoken-of Paramount picture, “Love dental vocal numbers. The ballet work is the first time in New Zealand. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The presentation at the Majestic Theatre of the current attraction “Strictly Modern” won the approval of large audiences on Saturday. There is distinct dramatic value in this smart play, yet the more tense moments are overshadowed by diverting comedy dialogue and situations which are very much to the taste of patrons, judging by the;,hearty laughter and applause which reward the unfolding. The story tells of an authoress who creates ideal characters in her stories, and endeavours to Induce her friends in real life to live up to them. Every member of the cast shows to advantage, but the honours rest with Dorothy Mackaill, who Is admirable in the stellar role, Sydney Blackmar, as the leading man, Warner Richmond, who Is responsible for much fun and laughter, Julian Johnston, Mickey Bennett, ano Catherine Claire Ward. Five pleasing short subjects, well diversified as to character, compose the “first part,” and round off the satisfactory programme. The noteworthy chief feature of next Friday’s change of programme will be Sir Charles Hawtrey’s big London comedy success “The Man from Blankley’s,” witli John Barrymore in the star role of “Lord Strathpeffer.” Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Most people are acquainted, no doubt, with the schoolboy who wrote in his essay that "the cuckoo is a bird who lays other birds’ eggs in its own nest, and viva voce.” The schoolboy’s care-free disregard of everything from biology to Latlnity, and the resulting humour of his observatlo is—strangely enough—more or less in the- style of Wheeler and Woolsey, who are as bland a pair of idiots as ever darkened celluloid. They are the laughtermakers in “The Cuckoos,” an uproarious story.of colourful Mexico, plotting barons and ferocious bandits, being screened at present at the Paramount Theatre. So great has been the popularity of this picture that crowded houses have been the 1 rule throughout a season already well extended. The two comedians mentioned introduce many new gags, and in their efforts to ingratiate themselves in the favour of a woman well endowed with this world's goods, as well aS an endeavour to rescue a charming young woman from the toils of the villains of the piece, introduce a high-power comedy element. There are few serious moments in "The Cuckoos,” which is mostly a mad adventure of nonse that should appeal to all. The love story is .slight, but pleasing, and is bound up with several catchy songs that fit in with the scheme of things.