ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The story of the mother with dubious associations concealing her identity out of consideration for her child is not new, but Ruth Chatterton’s portrayal of a role based on this situation has nothing hackneyed about it. In the Paramount production, “Once a Lady’,” now screening at the Regent Theatre, Ruth Chatterton eclipsed her rendering of “Madame X,” itself a picture of more than ordinary merit. She is an outcast as a mother, but an idol in circles of dazzling, if doubt ful, reputation in Paris. Emotional acting is expected from. Ruth Chatterton, lint it is not the sort of strained misery-mak-ing which produces a smirk in the audience. The supporting artists are good, but Ruth Chatterton is so dominant that it would be difficult for anything apart from her performance to seem other than incidental. The programme contains an exciting film of animal life in Northern Rhodesia. “Unholy Garden.” With' Ronald Colman ns the star, "Unholy Garden” will be ihe attraction at the Regent Theatre ou Friday. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A picture, perfect in atmosphere, technique, photography and in sound, is "Sally’ in Our Alley,” which i s now being screened at the Majestic Theatre. This picture has everything to commend it—a little pathos, a little spice, a fund of humour, plenty of singing, and excellent acting. Behind it all is London’s revue idol, Gracic Fields, and she is just as successful on the screen. Sho captivates with her naturalness, her cheerfulness aud her voice. Her rendering of "The Lancashire Blues” is perfect. There is no distortion. Her voice is as natural in this talkie that she might be singing from the legitimate stage. Her song “Sally.” sung to the man she loves, is a masterpiece.” in which she gives full expression to every’ human emotion—and thoss emotions arc carried right to the hearts of the audience. Gracie Fields is just as good an actress as she is a singer, and she has a personality which adds charm to her other attributes. "The Passionate Plumber.” Announced for screening at the Majestic Theatre on Friday next is "The Passionate Plumber.” PARAMOUNT TEATRE. Iu "The Miracle Woman,” winch is now at the Paramount Theatre, a pleasant love story is embroidered on a theatrical almost sensational fabric of what the Americans might term "gospel ballyhoo. Good supports are also screened. "Dance Team.” James Dunn and Sally Eilers, stars of “Bad Girl” and "Over the Hill.” make their third screen appearance in the leadin" roles of "Dance Team,” the Fox Film version of Sarah Addington’s popular novel coming to the Paramount Theatre . on Friday. J

DE LUXE THEATRE. Still drawing capacity houses nightly, “Frankenstein,” Universal’s supcr-thril-ler, which is the attraction at the De Luxe Theatre, is now in its second week. Weird, in parts completely horrifying, sometimes a little pathetic, “Frankenstein” is always fascinating to a degree seldom reached by a film. There are moments of gaiety and touches of comedy, but: these serve merely to contrast with and heighten this tale of a man-created monster who runs amok. - “The Silent Witness.” Three players are making their first bows to iocal screen audiences in "The Silent Witness,’’ the Fox thrilling mystery drama, which comes to the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next. They are Lionel Atwill. Helen Mack and Weldon Heyburn. Mr. Atwill, who in the film portrays the same character he played for more than 200 times in the stage 1 production of the story, is a stage shir of international repute. He won his first success in London, and since going to the United States in 1916 has been a Broadway favourite. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm were witnessed at St. James Theatre on Saturday at all sessions, when hundreds were turned away from an attempt to see and hear Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s remarkable production, “Mata Hari,” the appeal of which had been well broadcast by the many satisfied .and delighted patrons on Friday. Weird dance rituals to’ pagan gods, international intrigue, romance, and the certain doom of a firing squad. All these ingredients form the glamorous mixture of "Mata Hari,” the powerful story which presents the costarring debut of Greta Garbo and Ramon Novarro. In the supporting cast are found the brilliant players, Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, Karen Morley, Alec B. Francis, C. Henry Gordon. Helen Jerome, Eddy and Edmund Breeze. GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

“The Bargain” is a picture of everyday life. It boasts of nothing spectacular, but presents the people of an ordinary American home—their joys, sorrows, aspirations and troubles—in a lovable and wholly captivating drama. Together with “City Streets.” “The Bargain” is at the Grand Opera House. Lewis Stone plays the part of a man who has missed his true vocation, and Doris Kenyon is his wife. “City Streets,” the second feature, is a thrilling drama of gangster life. Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sidney take the leading roles. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Tim FouF Marx Brothers arc the stars of “Monkey Business.” the first-class comedy which is now screening at the Kilbirnie Kineina. MISS CARTY’S RECITAL. The pianoforte recital to be given by Miss Glen Carty in Nimnio’s Hall will take place on M’ednesday week. April 20. not next 'Wednesday.