ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 110, 3 February 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. ‘‘Animal Crackers,”" now at the Regent Theatre,' is a picture which begins as a musical comedy and ends as an uproarious farce. The Marx Brothers, of “Cocoanuts” fame, arc featured, Groucho figuring as Capt. Jeffrey Spaulding, a great explorer newly returned from Africa with a new set of wise-cracks secured in the jungle of Laugh-Guffaw, many thousands of miles from Grumpy . Blues. Another lion ’’ in Roscoe Chandler has brought back from Europe a wonderful painting valued at 100,000 dollars. Two people present, who have copied tho picture in Europe, conceive the idea of replacing the real one with their copies, and on the deception being discovered the house of Rittonhonso becomes a madhouse of fun, for all three paintings arc “pinched” by the purloining Professor (Harpo Marx), who, though dotty, is allowed the freedom of the mansion. The professor is a clever harpist, who diverts the audience eutrancingly for live. minutes while ais companion in comedy, Signor Emanuel Ravelli (Chico Marx) diverts with prehensile fingers on the pianoforte in the most amusing manner. A thin vein of romance is, introduced in the love affair of Arabella Rittenhouse (Lillian Roth) and John Parker (Hal Thompson), who are given the charming duet, “Romantic.” An old favourite on the New Zealand stage in the person of Robert Greig also figures in the cast as Hines, the head butler. The programme also includes a fascinating excursion into the land of mystery, Guatemala, with the vagabond director, Tom Terris, as a dramatic guide. This picture is telling evidence of the penetration of Spanish culture, as illustrated in the magnificence of the cathedrals, now in a state of ruin (through earthquakes) yet still artistically impressive in design and magnitude. There is also a cartoon burlesque, “Romeo Robin,” and a Paramount Gazette alive with events on the other side of the world. “HELL’S ANGELS.” “ ‘Hell’s Angels’ surpasses anything else that has been done . . . justifies the vast sums of money spent on it in the sheer opulence of its aerial photography ... is thrilling and awesome beyond description . . . not a moment which does not carry realism to the ultimate degree.” wrote Thornton Delehanty in the "New York Evening Post.” when reviewing Howard Hughes's thrilling air spectacle, which will open at the Regent Theatre and Grand Opera House on Friday. To describe one of its scenes: Night has fallen over London. Suddenly a Zeppelin nnses its way out of the clouds. The crew is testing the bombing apparatus. Crisply, orders are barked out. The British sound-detectors pick up the sounds of the monster's motors. And defending aeroplanes zoom off to disperse the enemy. A terrific battle is waged in which all aeroplanes but one arc. forced down. The machine-gun of the hist one has jammed. A steady stream of lead belches forth from the angry mouth of the Sky whale. In desperation, the helpless pilot points liis aeroplane toward the biff ship and rams into her at top speed. Thunderous'noises, sizzling, leaping flames, and down go the entangled masses of steel and mattqr with th® c, I’®"'‘ 1 ’®"'‘J ’ rats in a trap. What a Iln n Vl r “’mi The blowing tip of the munitions p ant and the terrific fight-betwoen 50 aeroplanes or more, zooming, plunging, crashing, somersaulting down to destruction. « said to provide the most astounding thrills that have ever captivated an audienei h r is a colourful story running fhr Jig the film about, two brothers of .‘’'"‘J ont natures, one fine and noble, the othei Wo blonde beauty who makes h <r first s<re appearance in tins picture, head a I did cast of well-known actors and aiiators. KING’S THEATRE. .Excellent entertainment is provided at the King’s Theatre. where .Sally is being screened. Mar’ l .' ll s '*' l n has the leading role, and is "« 1 sunnorted Pert Kelton, who played in Ziegfeld’s "Rio Rita,'’ is the ingenue lead and Alexander Gray, who sails in n ll ’® Desert Song,” appears in the romantic lead. Joe E. Brown. 15 ord Sterling, ana T. Rov Barnes arc the chief comedians in flic gay and rollicking story of a gwind duke who becomes a waiter and a humble waitress who becomes a stage star.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. As a stage production, “Whoopee,” which is now at the Grand Opera House, had a sensational run in New York, Eddie Cantor being the star. He repeats all his triumphs in the talking film, and puts every other comedian in the shade. To hear him sing “Whoopee.” “Girl Friend of a Boy Friend of Mine,’’ and the popular "My Baby Just Cares for Me," is wortli while, giving up any previous plan, for only once in a while does one get such a chance to hear so famous an actor. The dancing in the'show is one of the star features, the ensemble of twenty-four girls and twenty-four men being specially trained fO£ the production. Then there is a mannequin parade that has the true stamp of genius in its staging. Only a Ziegfeld could present such a parade and sucli glorious women. The settings are beautiful. and the wonderful Indian, scene will long be remembered by all who see the film. It must not be thought that ' “Whoopee” is a one-man show. Far from it. Although Mr. Cantor is the real star, i he has an excellent comedienne to help him along in the person of Miss Ethel . Shutta. who is a remarkably fine eccentric dancer. Paul Gregory sings and looks well as the hero. Among the many dance ensembles is “Stetson,” in which the chorus do some very clever juggling with bats. The supporting bill includes a sound gazette, an interesting "Vagabond Director” film, and an “all-barkie’’ dog comedy. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Although the season of the magnificent picture, “Romance,” is nearing its close at the St. James Theatre, for it withdraws from exhibition on Thursday evening next, its popularity seems to increase with each successive performance. Greta Garbo presents such a convincing performance of Rita Cavallini, the Italian opera singer, that it is not to be wondered at, that' after seeing it, Harrison, the great American criljic, proclaimed her to be “the greatest of living actresses.” She is certainly very fine In the part, and her natural foreign accent gives her an advantage over English actresses who are compelled to assume the broken dialect. ■ “Cornelius Van. Tyl” is the best thing that Lewis Stone has given to the screen, and Gavin Gordon's performance of Tom Armstrong, the young clergyman who falls in love with Rita could liardlj- be in better hands. ' Short subjects which form the first part of the programme include “Not So Quiet on the Canine Front.’’ by the popular dog actors. “The Clock Shop.” a phantasy in technl-colour, and the latest Metrotone News. “Young Woodley.” For Friday next. "Young Woodley,” the most-discussed play of modern times, is underlined for presentation with Frank Lawton in his original part of Woodley, jun. Box plans are at the Bristol, and also at the theatre after 0 p.m. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “East is West,” now nt the Paramount Theatre, is a welcome change from the usual type of drama, for China is a country which lends itself to picturesque screen work, proylding suitable settings for romance or tragedy. “East is XVest” is the Samuel Shipman stage play which captured London and New York, Berlin and Paris, and is a Universal all-talking production. The stars are Miss Lupe X’elcz and Edward G. Robinson in tho respective roles of Ming Toy and Charlie Yong. Ming Toy is a fascinating character, mischievous, ingenious and speaking a broken English delightfully. Yong is an outstanding personality, and a commanding force throughout the play, and Lewis Ayres, taking the part of Billy Benson, the American boy, achieves as great a success as he did in "All Quiet on the Western Front.” The thread of a pretty love theme runs through the story, with throats and reprisals providing thrills here and there, and touches <)f humour that one cannot fail to enjoy. There is a - real Bairnsfatlicr picture in the trenches, full of humour, a cartoon, and two good news reels in support. The box plans arc at the Bristol. KILBIRNIE KINEXtA. “All Quiet on the XVesteru Front,” which will bo shown nt the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night, is a magnificent pleturisation of the fate of youth in war. Its hero, young Paul Baumer, is a German, but he stands for the youth of all nations subjected to the most terrible of all human experiences. The picture portrays the effects of war upon young Baumer and his companions. Reserves are available at theatre confectionery and Bristol Piano Co. MAJESTIC THEATRE. If there ever were a talking picture of which it could be truthfully said (hat interest never waned and laughs never lagged throughout its screening, that picture is “Up the River.” lhe pictured version of a satirical book, which attacked “humane prison methods as they are administered in a large American prison. XVllliam Collier, sen.. Claire Luce. Humphrey Bogart, Joan Laws. Warren Hymer, and a whole gallery of characters can bo conscientiously eonnnended for the especially fine work they do in this piece. .Spencer Tracey, the leading man and a now recruit from ilie legitimate stage, wins his spurs at his first attempt on the screen and should become a favourite with picture-goers. The supporting programme includes short subjects of extreme interest. “The 'W‘ Plan.” Friday next will witness the first screening at the Majestic Theatre of the allBritish spy drama. "The ‘IV’ Plan.” which is said to be an unusually fine and thrilling pictura,

DE LUXE THEATRE. A thrilling plot is provided in “Scotland Yar.d,” now at the De Luxe Theatre. The. leading role is played by Edmund Lowe who, as Dakin Barrolles, a master tjiief, swims aboard Sir John Lasher’s (Edmund Lowe) houseboat, on the Thames, one night, to escape the police. Sir John, slightly drunk, disgusts Xandra (Joan Bennett), his bride. At pistol-point Dakin forces Xandra to bind his wounded ankle, and Sir John to inform the police that there is no thief about. He then departs with a locket of the bride and bridegroom as a memento. Traced to a country inn with his accomplice. Charles Fox, the pair join the army to get out of England. Dakin Barrolles, wounded and mutilated, is operated on by Dr. Deon. who from the face in the locket remodels Barrolles s face. While Scotland Yard search for Dakin word comes that Sir John Lasher is among the missing. Xandra dutifully goes to France and brings, as she thinks, her husband back. They both fall desperately m love, and only Dr. Leon knows of the master crook’s identity. Unusual climax finishes this ffripping story, and keeps the audience interested to the last moment. The supporting cast include Joan Bennett. Barbara Leonard, Lumsden Hare. George Renevant. Dax’.id Torrence. Halliwell Hobbes.