ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 58, 2 December 1930, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

\ BEGENT THEATRE. ' "On Approval,” an all-British production, is now at the Regent Theatre, where it is delighting big audiences. Like all Lonsdale plays, it sparkles with the most subtle and modern wit. The self-centred Duke of Bristol loved the adorable Helen Wayle, and Richard Weyms. a real genial Englishman, loved Marla Wlslak. a shrewish woman with an income of £25,000 a year. Maria did not know whether she really liked Richard or not, so she decided to take him on approval for one month. They go to lier Scottish mansion only to find that Helen and the Duke«have also gone there. And then the fun starts. At l the end of three weeks they become heartily sick of each other. Richard thinks Maria was the world’s cvhampion nagger, and Helen thinks the Duke was the most selfish person on earth. Eacli one of the injured party tells the other the truth. What happens then forms the most piquant of comedies, and leads up to a climax that could have originated only in the brain of so accomplished a writer as Frederick Lonsdale. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The London comedy success, “The Man from Blankleys,” as acted by John Barrymore, famous star of stage and screen, and his worthy associates of the cast, who are all recruits picked by Barrymore from the London stage, is pleasing everybody who sees it at the Majestic Theatre, for it has to be admitted that the characterisations are exeellen. Barrymore’s impersonaioii of Lord Strathpeffer (a 'sort of gay “Lord Quex”) is easily one of the best he has given to the screen. Mr. and Mrs. Tidmarsh (Dick Henderson and Emily Fitzroy), Mr. and Mrs. Ditchwater (D’Arcy. Corrigan, and Maj' Malloy), Mr. and Mrs. Bodfish (Yoke Sherwood and Diana Hope), Miss Bugle (Tiny Jones), Mr. and Mrs. Gllwattle (Albert Gran and Louise Carver), the Dude, Mr. Pffley (William Austin), and the butler (Edgar Norton) are so good in their respective roles that one only has to see them to laugh at them. The situations which arise throughout the comedy are inexpressibly cpmic and make delightful entertainment. The plot Is well worked out, and the literary merit of the play is far above the average. A Mickj' the Mouse cartoon and four other fine novelties are pleasing additions to this capital programme, which closes its season on Thursday night. On Friday the main feature of an all-new programme will be “In the Headlines,” a newspaper comedy with Grant Withers, Marian Nixon, and the Australian comedian, Clyde Cook, in the leading roles. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre. DE LUXE THEATRE. A drama of the British Secret Service, “Inside the Lines,” is at the De Luxe Theatre. The German Secret Service desires to learn the secrets of the naval base at Gibraltar. Betty Compson as the beautiful woman spy, sets out for Gibraltar, where she is to pose as an old friend of the governor's. Passing the scrutiny of a British officer, she reaches the house, and finds that she is to get Itno a certain room, and opening a concealed safe, extract the contents of one of its drawers. But that is only one side of the storv. and events move swiftly to a totallj- unexpected ending. Mr. Paul T. Cullen Is also heard on the Wurlitzer organ. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A feature full of hilaritj- will commence screening to-night at the Kllbirnie Kinema. “Free and Easy,” starring Buster Keaton and Anita Page, deals with the humorous efforts of the comedian to star in a film colonj’, which eventually, after a lot of comical trouble, he- does. Varied supports will also be screened. Seats may be reserved at the theatre and the Bristol.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. The fascinating actress, Clara Bow, has never been seen to such great advantage as in the all-talking picture comedy “Love Among the Millionaires," which attraction heads the excellent programme now at the St. James Theatre. The role of “Pepper,’’ the daughter of an ex-railwaj'-man, who condueVs an eating-house for brakemen, suits Clara Bow ' admirably and brings to 'light evidence of her versatilityas an actress. It is one of the finest efforts she has given to the talking screen. Pressing Miss Bow verj’ closely for star honours in "Love Among the Millionaires” is the astonishingly clever "Penny,” Pepper’s sister (Mitzi Green). The work of this young child is exceptionally . fine, and both in singing and acting she reveals gifts that are far above those vouchsafed to many adult stars of the picture screen. Mitzi Green’s brilliant work has to be seen to be properly appreciated. Stanley Smith, Sheets Gallagher, Barbara Bennet, Claude King, .Stuart Erein and Charles Sellin are all ■ members of a cast that could hardly be Improved on. Four pleasing Paramount novelties form the first part of the good programme. On Friday there will be shown for the first time in Wellington the operatic allcloour film, “Bride of the Regiment.” Box plans are at the Bristol. TALKIES AND VAUDEVILLE. Vaudeville in the first half of the evening and « talkie in the second part is the combination which is being presented at the Grand Opera House by Mr. Humphrey Bishop’s company. To enumerate- all the turns would trangress the bounds of space, yet mention must be made of the Grand Finale, an oriental phantasy, in whieh some of the best acrobatic dancing that Wellington has seen was provided by Desiree and Montigue. The story of how a sophisticated gold digger fell in love with a man in high society is told in “Ladles of Leisure,” which fills the second half of the programme. The romance begins when Jerry Strange (Ralph Graves) rescues Kay Arnold (Barbara Stanwyck) at four o’clock in the morning from a 30-mile walk. During the ride home Strange falls in love with the girl, and being an artist, engages her to pose as his model. From then on the love interest deepens, and after nianj' trials and tribulations, the picture ends in wedding bells. \ PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “Man Trouble,” with Dorothy Mackaili as the star, heads the programme at the Paramount Theatre. It is an adaptation of one of Ben Ames Williams's stories. It is a Fox Movietone production. Opposite Dorothy Mackaili is Milton Sills, who is the night-club owner, in whose premises some lively scenes take place. A romantic youth falls in love with a charming girl, over whom the night elub owner has some influence because he claims to have saved her life when she attempted to drown herself. .. KING’S THEATRE. The so-called divorce problem has had many expositions at the hands of dramatists and scenarists, but perhaps never before from the amazing viewpoint of “The Divorcee,” Norma Shearer's new Metro-Goldwyn—Maj-er talking vehicle, which is now at the King's Theatre. Others prominent in the production are Chester Morris, Conrad Nagel and Robert Montgomery. “The Divorcee" is being screened twice dailj-. Box plans are at the Bristol. QUEEN’S THEATRE.

A comedy-drama. “The Fall Guy,” is at the Queen’s Theatre. The original playset a long-run record in New York. The story is a happy combination of gripping situations and chuckles. Jack Mulhall, Mae Clarke and Ned Sparks are the stars.