ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 66, 11 December 1930, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGENT THEATRE. “On Approval,” which concludes its season at the Kegent Theatre to-day, provides patrons with some of the most sophisticat ed English comedy seen here for a long time past. Like all Lonsdale plays, « sparkles with the most subtle and modern wit.

“Grumpy.” . “Grumpy,” which opens at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, is an apt combination of comedy, romance, and melodrama. Above all it is a comedy, with the other lngrcdlents present in happy proportions. Lyru Maude, the celebrated international star, created the title role of “Grumpy -n 1013. Since that time he played the part 1300 times on the stage in all the Engiisnspeaking countries of the world. ' j r u niJ.> is a play built around a character. As that character, Cyril Maude carries with him the full burden of the show—furnish ng comedy, thrills, delicious bits of amuM n„ subtlety and withal a grand exhibition or real character acting. Most or of the action takes place in cue luxurious country estate, near London, or the aged but far from dim-wltred Grumpy, a retired criminal lawyer who had gained renown in b i3 m y° unge £, before the bar of justice. There comes to Grumpv's home I J hillips Holmes, a yo un = Englishman who has been dispatched from South Africa by his employers in possession of a valuable diamond which he is to deliver to a trading flrm in London. Holmes is in love with Frances Dade, Grumpj s granddaughter. Another guest at the Grumpy home is Paul Cavanagh, a 3 ®?“y ne’er-do-well. During the night Hmmes is robbed of the gem. The climax is an unusual one.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Speed and action are to be found In “Shooting Straight,” starring Richard Dix, which will conclude its season at tne Paramount Theatre to-day. “The Border Legion.” “The Border Legion,” Zane Grey s thrilling story of romance and outlawry in tlie early days of the West, has been brought ao the talking screen as one of the most outstanding spectacular action dramas so far filmed with dialogue, it is another of the master outdoor talking pictures which Paramount initiated with the production of “The Virginian. in addition to Richard Arlen and lay M ray, in the leading romantic roles, Ihe Border Legion,” which will open at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow, has the familiar and popular figure of Jack Holt, playlnt, his first talking Zane Grey role, In the cast. Pay Wray, seen recently as the gorgeous senorita of Gary Cooper s J-Ue Texan,” has the only woman role of importance in the picture. Scenes tor The Border Legion” were filmed almost entiiely on location, on the very ground where similar action happened in real life less than fifty years ago. Box plans at the Bristol and theatre. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Picturegoers who have not already seen the clever newspaper sensation, In the Headlines,” at the Majestic Theatre, have only to-day in which to make amends for the excellent comedy drama will be screened for the last time this evening. “Midnight Mystery.” The notable headline attraction of tomorrow's colossal change of programme at the Majestic Theatre will be the appearance of popular Betty Compson at the head of a very strong cast of players, which includes Lowell Sherman, High Irevor, includes Lowell Sherman, Hugh Trevor, and Ivan Lebedeff, in the R.K.u. talking master picture, "Midnight Mystery,” whicn reproduces the thrilling story of the successful stage play, “Hawk Island. in this picture Betty Compson is seen in a character, a sort of female Sheriock Holmes,” who succeeds in outwitting the cleverest brains of the criminal world, and she is credited with playing the part with remarkable ability.' Mystery plays of the past have mostly been built along conventional lines, but a "Midnight Mystery”; is siad to strike a new note altogether. Ibe June Clyde, Raymond Hatton, Rita Laroy, the coast of America, and tlie action of the play is limited to one uight of intrigue and romance, during which stirring episodes occur which are calculated to keep the suspense of an audience at the highest possible tension. Five novelty featurettes well varied in character will form action takes place on a sea-girt Island off usual late shoppers’ session will commence to-morrow afternoon at 5 o’clocq and finish at 7. Box nlans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre. KING’S THEATRE. Joseph Hislop in “Tho Loves of. Robert Burns” will be finally screened -at the King’s Theatre to-night. This British Dominion film is a delightful picture, beautified by many lovely sceues in the Burns country. “The Unholy Three.” Featuring Lon Chaney, ‘‘The Unholy Three” will be the principal attraction at the King’s Theatre change of programme to-morrow. The picture shows Chaney in the role of the sinister ventriloquist, who with strange .voices and a still stranger .plot typrks havoc in many lives. His impersonation of the old woman is one of the most startling things he has ever done, uot ;ouly in regard to facial disguise, but to the uncanny voice disguise. Aside from the voices, a great story, a splendid cast, and a gripping mystery make the picture ’ one of the most vivid of- entertainments. An excellent snupporting programme has been arranged.

QUEEN’S THEATRE. “The Awful Truth” will be shown finally at’the Queen’s Theatre to-night. Ina Claire i ithe star of the production. Thrills, romance and laughter are provided by "The Sophomore,” an all-action student drama. “The Girl Said No." Romance and big business, love and Wall Street, mingle in William Haines’s latest all-talking comedy, “The Girl Said No,’ which opens to-morrow night at the Queen’s Theatre. The picture tells the story of a young man facing the early stages of business life. It shows him taking over tlie responsibilities of a family, and then winning the girl of his dreams, despite stiff competition.

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Lawful Larceny,” starring Bebe Daniells, which will be shown finally at the De Luxe Theatre to-day, is the story of a well-to-do man who is unfaithful to his wife in her absence, and who gets into serious financial trouble.

“His First Command.” Set in the colourful, dashing romantic atmosphere of a cavalry post, “His First Command,” Bathe's all-dialogue picture starring William Boyd, which opens tomorrow at the De Luxe Theatre, is an outstanding hit. Boyd, as a rookie cavalryman, has the finest opportunity of ais career for comedy. In addition to laughs, “His First Command” furnishes thrills, drama, and pathos, so cleverly blended as to keep the interest of the audience keen every moment during the entertainment. Particularly thrilling afe the steeplechase scenes, with thirty thoroughbreds, ridden by dashing cavalry officers, taking the hazardous slides and water jumps at Fort Riley, Kansas. This sequence reaches a climax when. Boyd rescues a little girl from beneath the hools of the horses just as they take one of the dangerous jumps. Dorothy Sebastlon has the feminine lead. The support is excellent. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The massive all-technicoloured operatic comedy, “Bride of the Regiment,” must be seen to-day or not at all, for the successful season finishes with to-night’s screening - ... “A Lady Surrenders. As the big feature of next Friday’s new attractions. Sir Benjamin and John Fuller announce “A Lady Surrenders, the first of Universal’s 1931 merit pictures to be exhibited publicly in New Zealand. It is a sophisticated play dramatised to the expressed satisfaction of the author from John Erskine’s widely-read novel. “Sincerity.” It asks at the outset: “Is it fair for a man to cheat after marriage if his wife has tricked him into a loveless union?,’ and thereafter proceeds to justify the plot and supply the answer according to ‘the lights of the author. Especial interest will attach to the first appearance in Wellington of the leading lady. Genevieve Tobin, who Is heralded as an “international actress from the legitimate theatres of England and America, whose splendid art challenges comparison with that of popular Ruth Chatterton in emotional roles that call for acting ability of the highest order.” The first part of the programme has been selected to include novelties worthy of a place beside the main picture. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. “One Romantic Night" will bo screened at the Kilblrnie Kinema to-night. Reservations may be obtained at the Bristol Plano Co., or by telephoning the theatre. 14—202. WOODS’ GREAT PEPPERMINT CURE For Children’s Hacking Cough.—Advt