ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. Conceived in the spirit of farcical comedy, “Compromising Daphne, will be shown finally at the Ee Luxe The atre to-night. The picture is auBrltlsli, and the almost musieal comedy style of dialogue is in the best o« Lnglis- 1 - There are numerous funny complications as the result of Daphne’s (Miss Jean Colin) active scheming, but George (her young man), who is scared out of his lite by the situations he is forced into, is at length allowed to see that even stern parents may have their little joke. As George, Mr. Charles Hickman is a bright, vivacious and extremely likeable comedian, and Mr. C. M. Hallard is admirable as the father who knows a thing or two. Paul Cullen plays on the Wurlitzer organ a “Yeomen of the Guard” selection, and sings very attractively “Moonlight on the Colorado,” and Betty Co-ed.” “The Seas Beneath. , Periscopes rippling through a quiet sea —an apparently helpless schooner slowly sinking under a barrage of shells from a German submarine—a strongc romance of an American “mystery ship” commander and the sister of his hidden enemy—the heroic sacrifice of a young ensign for his country—these are some of the memorable high-lights of “The Sons Beneath.” John Ford's newest offering for Fox Movietone, which opens to-morrow at the De Luxe Theatre. Bringing the dramatic struggle of the Allied navies against the U-boat menace to the speaking screen for the first time, the picture is a genuine document of naval warfare. Its authenticity is guaranteed by the co-operation of American and GOrnian submarine officers, and the use of the navy’s latest type of underwater craft, aboard which many of the stirring scenes were filmed. George O’Brien and a newcomer to picture ranks, Marion Lessing, enact the leading roles. Warren Rymer. John Loder, and William Collier, sen., render excellent portrayals. Collier’s staging of the picture, and the flawless direction by Ford, are in great measure responsible for the film’s tremendous effectiveness and realism. Box plans are available at the Bristol and theatre. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A fine double-featured bill will be shown finally to-night at the Paramount Theatre. The first film, “The Second Floor Mystery,” is a tragedy which, in a surprise ending, is discovered to be a comedy. It concerns a young American who, while touring in London, asks for the friendship of a girt through the agony columns of the “Tinies.” She answers his request for friendship by suggesting that he. write letters interesting enough to prove him worth knowing. The favourites, Loretta Young and Grant Withers, have the leading roles. The second feature, “Recaptured Love,” is a sophisticated and charmingly pictured tale of a repentant husband. “A Gentleman’s Fate.” John Gilbert’s groat army of admirers, waiting for him to got a story that will show conclusively what a great artist this man is. have their heart’s desire fulfilled in “A Gentleman’s Fate,” his latest starring vehicle for Xletro-Goldwyn-Mayer. This picture is from an original story especially written for Gilbert by Ursula Parrott, the authoress responsible for Norma Shearer’s “The Divorcee” and the same star’s next picture. “Strangers May Kiss.” Miss Parrott knows bow to write an interesting, gripping and romantic story, and there can be no doubt about the right foundation therefore for this latest Gilbert sensation. In the story. Gilbert discovers that, instead of being a scion of society, he is in reality the son of a wealthy bootlegger, and in his righteous indignation he turns on gangsters in general, losing his society sweetheart in the process and engaging a girl of lower status in an “affair.” For a time, things go badly with John—one gripping crisis after another takes place—but in the surprising end we see the gentleman again whom we were charmed to meet in the beginning. It commences at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow, the box plans being available at the Bristol and theatre. ST. .TAMES THEATRE. All those in search of a really pleasing ontertainmeift should makg a point of taking advantage of to-day’s final screenings at St. James Theatre of the delightful comedy-drama. “Blind Wives,” with clever Genevieve Tobin as star of a fine cast. The successful season finishes to-night. “Outward Bound.” “Outward Bound,” to-morrow’s star attraction at St. Janies Theatre, is generally recognised as “the most remarkable play ever penned.” It was written by Sutton Vane, England’s deep-visioned dramatist, and on its first stage presentation nt London the play created something of a sensation and achieved a huge success. Leslie Howard, a young actor of eminence, was secured for the part of “Tom Prior.” a most difficult role to play, and in it ho is credited wfth scoring a dramatic triumph. This part he has now reproduced in talking pictures. High praise has been bestowed upon Howard’s method of speaking “English.” which is credited with “excelling that of any other actor on stage or screen.’’ It is claimed that Leslie Howard’s performance in “Outward Bound” is positively one of the highest, achievements in talking pictures.” Howard had a hand in the selection of the cast, and he chose all English actors save Douglas Fairbanks. junr., who speaks, English (and incidentally two other languages) like a native. The compan.v includes Beryl Mercer (from “Three Live Ghosts” and “Seven

Days' Leave”), Helen Chandler. Alec B. Francis, Alison Skipworth. LyonOl Watts, Montagu Love and Dudley Digges in the great part of “The Examiner.” An especially selected set of talking novelties will precede the screening of “Outward Bound. Box plans arc at the Bristol and also at the theatre . KING’S THEATRE. Winnie Lightner returns to the golddigger character—the type of role for which She is famous—ln “The Life of the Party.” the Warner Brothers’ natural colour Vltnpiionc production, which will lie screened finally to-night. “Let Us Be Gay." "Lot Us be Gay." Norma Shearer's new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature, will open to-morrow at tlio King’s Theatre. Rod La Rocque is dashing as Hie husbandLotliarlo in the pteturlsntlon of the play, and Marie Dressier—grand old buffoon—is east aS the eccentric dowager who keeps tilings moving in and out of the PictureHedda Hopper contributes a charming bit of eatliness as Madge, and Raymond Hackett and Sally Ellers are the young love- birds who find everything all right when it’s all over, but pretty hectic while Norma is out-vamping Hie other ladles nt a very warm wppk-piid party. Gilbert Kmpry is a cap a I >1 p Townley and J yrrcll Davis is a blithering poet quite effectively.

REGENT THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin, the favourite comedian of nearly two decades, is seen in .ills biggest success, "City Lights,” now nt the Regent Theatre. The story is Chaplin’s, the direction anil production his, and even the music is understood to have sprung from his brain. But most of all Chaplin Is the actor; and he produces comedy—if the term is adequate—which is one of the few things that the slump has not affeejed. For the Chaplin cult, the "City Lights” season will be like a great revival meeting. The picture comes to, them like a new gospel in Chaplin’s testament of humour. One feels the need of several thousand words and an alert mind to say a few of the principal things which should certainly be said about this big event. Though rich in synonyms, the English language is short of a word to . describe accurately what all the laughter is about. It is not comedy, strictly: nor is it properly humour. Chaplin produces actions and incidents in perfect enchainment which detonate mines of laughter. Litv Lights’’ has flaws, to be sure, but in spite of them it Is mope nearly a work of art than nnv American picture so far shown For its laughter alone, do one can afford to miss this marvellous show. It lias a pathetic note fairly skilfully " ove ' l through it, and the ending is magnificent. For a last word, the film, above all, Should not be missed.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The principal feature on the double bill which will be shown finally tonight at the Grand Opera House, is “The Santa Fe Trail,” a story of ranches, cattlemen, and Indians, in vhien Richard Arlen stars' with Rosita Moreno. As a last resort they make terms with the Spanish owner of a large ranch with a water supply which promises .'IF’" B cess, and Incidentally brings Hollister the sheep man, into contact with the ranch owner's charming daughter, lherc is .ionic difficulty over using Indians to herd the sheen and the situation is complicated when' Con'ard, who already holds mor ; canes over portions ot the ranch, stealth ilv shoots the Indian chief and informs the tribe that Ildlister is the guilty partJj Die programme includes a Pathc, som news, pictorial, a musical sketch, UatMi it Oil,” Marion Harris in l"’os Lo !’' pany,” and an irresistible SMickey Maguire comedy, “Mickey’s Musketeers.

“Plunder.” ' . A talking picture that delighted the Prima Minister and the delegates to the Imperial Conference at a <gala performance m London is to be shown at the (■rand Opera House on Friday. “Plunder’ is one of a series of farce-comedies that has been adapted bv British and Dominion Film Corporation from celebrated Aldwycli plays, and is a British film in same line of excellence as “Rookery Nook.” “Plunder” is the story of an "inside" burglary in which Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls play the leading parts, and Mary Brough, as a villainous old lady, assists them tn hiding the truth from the police. Ben Travers Is the author.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The tremendously successful season of two weeks regisetred at. the Majestic Theatre by that, best of English farces. “The Middle Watch.” will terminate witli tins evening’s screening, and all who have not soon the picture may be recommended to do so. for it. offers a treat In entertainment that but rarely comes this way. Box plans are at the theatre '

“Reducing.” That great screen favourite, Marie Drossier who has'scored more genuine sueCPSSPS than any other actress since “talkies” came into vofcue, has demonstrated in her various and divergent characterisations. that she is versatile to an astonishing degree for her screen portraits have covered the widest possible range. She has won popularity in all her jolos, vet* there arc those who assert that the clover woman is always at her very best when working in association with t other very funny eomedienno Poll? Moran. It will be remembered that they raised a dot of laughter in “The Callaghans and Murpiivs,” and also in Caught Short, their first talking production. They now appear in. and will ixesent to-morio" at the Majestic Theatre, their verj latist MetrmGoldwyn-Mayer offering. “Reducing” which claims to be the smarest an.l funniest of all their contributions. Thcj conduct an up-to-date beauty parlour, where fashionable ladles and Others assemble to reduce avoidnpois. banish on coming wrinkles, replace lost locks with artificial coverings, and x ions of the rose-tint variety at I’ rKPS , t 0 suit the times.” It can easily be understood that in such surroundings tllp Jh' ourite comediennes find abundant material for genuine fun-raising in T t o usual late shoppers session will to morrow at five o'clock and finish at 7 p.m. Itox plans at the Bristol are in heavy demand.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. knight at tlrn Kilbirnie Kineina. “,!»,b ur a e ' n s X 7„y through, Snd dealing with what might be termed a “marriage mix up.