ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 169, 13 April 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Emotional acting is expected from Ruth Chaiterlon. but it is not the sort ot strained misery-making which produces a smirk in the audience. In ‘‘Once a Lady” her latest Paramount triumph, which is having an excellent run at the Regent Theatre. Mis s Chatterton carries the tension just far enough, and leaves every spectator confirmed that she is a'really great actress. She begins as the Russian wife of an ambitious Englishman. The English parents ar e irritating people, and the son (Geoffrey Kerr) joins with them against his wife’s unconventional mannerisms. The wife walks out of the prim English home into the part of an adventuress. She is a dashing cocotte, but none the less a ! mother with a yearning. Jill Esmond plays : as the daughter, and it is as the unknown | benefactor that Ruth Chatterton is at , her zenith. There are good supports. j “The Unholy Garden.” I Recklessly adventurous rather than romantic. Ronald Colman comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday in "'The Unhmy | Garden.” United Artists’ most bril- , limit presentation of the year. ■ For the first time in two years, Col- ! man is no longer the suave, polished Eng- I lish gentbnnan. Instead, he is an out- i cast and a renegade, hiding out with a , dozen other refugees from the law in a , strange outpiwt nt the edge of Ute felt- . •hara. Dishevelled and unshaven, hair tonselled and clothes mussed, he is , a sharp contrast to the immaculately- ■ groomed hero of “G'Ho Devil to • Fay ” “Raffles” and “Bulldog Drum- ' inond, his earlier pictures for Mr. Goldwyn. Estelle Taylor and Fay Wraj have- the principal feminine roles. Miss Tavlor has tlte biggest part since tier I memorable appearance in “Cunarrou.’ | Miss Wray is the protected daughter <d i the embezzling recluse, hiding at the.l inn. An extraordinary gathering of character players appear as “the family.” Warren Hymcr, Tully Marshall, Lawpence Grant, Ullric Haupt. Kit Guard, Henry Armetta. and Miseha Amir are among the thespian menaces r.f the film, which is conceded to be quite the best one in which Mr. Colman has starred. | MAJESTIC THEATRE. ! Flaying to packed houses at the I Majestic Theatre is “Sally in Our Alley,” I an R.K.O. film, featuring Gracie Fields, London's revue idol, who captivates with her naturalness, her cheerfulness and her voice. Her rendering of “The Lancashire Blues" is perfect. There is no distortion. Her voice is so 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 those 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. She is without doubt a "star,” and she is supported by a cleverly-selected cast, each player contributing to a wonderful picture. The supporting bill, which includes pictures of famous Australian cricketers, is of outstanding merit. “The I’assionate Flumber.” With an all-star cast headed by Buster Keaton, the “frozen-faced” comedian. and including Jimmy Durante, Folly Moran. Gilbert Rowland, ami Irene Furcell. “The Passionate Flumber.” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s newest mirth-provok-ing comedy, will have its premiere at the Majestic Theatre on Friday next. The picture is said to suit Buster Keaton admirably, and every member of the cast has a part to which full justice is done. ’Pile supporting bill will be specially selected. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Screening at the Kilbirnie Kinema is “Strictly Dishonourable.” Universal's extremely modern and daring eomedy-ro-mtitme. The featured playre s arc Sid'?' Fox. I'nul Lukas, and Lewis St me. The, dialogue is most entertaining. There is a good supporting bill.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Only to-day and to-morrow are now left in which to see “Frankenstein,” the great thriller, produced by Universal, which is at the De Luxe Theatre. “Frankenstein,” weird, horrifying, and gruesome, is 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. Heading a brilliant cast in “Frankenstein” is Boris Karloff, who, in the role of the monster, gives a truly terrifying performance. Colin Clive is seen as the monster’s creator, and John Boles and Mae Clarke arc prominently cast. “The Silent Witness.” Lionel Atwill, whose high place among the really great actors of the stage has long been established, comes to the screen of the De Luxe Theatre on Friday in "The Silent Witnessi.” Fox Filin’s mystery romance, making his talking picture debut in the same role he made famous on the stage in London.. Atwill appears as the proud and sacrificing father, Sir Austin Howard, whose son lias become involved in the murder of a young woman. C’ii'cumstanstial evidence is so damaging that the police arc satisfied that he is the murderer, but. to save bis boy, Sir Austin permits himself to be arrested and is tried for the crime. The surprising climax of the trial was important in making “The Silent Witness a stage smash, and is expected to prove an even greater thrill in the picture. Besides Atwill, the cast includes Bramwell Fletcher, Helen Mack, Weldon Heyburn, Mary Forbes. Montague Shaw, Wyndham Standing. Herbert Mundin, Billy Bevan, Alan Mowbray, aud Lumsden Hare. ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Greta Garbo and . Ramon Navarro make a sensational first appearance together in “Mata Hari,” now screening at the St. James Theatre. Both stars have been high in public regard for some considerable time for tbeir distinguisheii work; together they offer their finest portrayals of tbeir motion picture careers. "Mata Hari” is more than a combination of stars —it boasts a. glamorous romance that strikes deep into the sympathies of an audience and hold them spellbound from start to finish. The plot is based upon the life and loves of the notorious World War spy. . Ramon Novarro presents a splendid performance of the young Russian aviator for whose love Mata Hari ultimately pays the death penalty. No. less impressive are the portrayals of Lionel Barrymore and Lewis Stone, who give their usual flawless characterisations. Excellent work is also done by Karen Morley, Alec B. Francis, and U. King Gordon. It is undoubtedly the most outstanding attraction of the year to date, and provides an evening's thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. The supporting programme has been well chosen.

SHAKESPEARE’S ANNIVERSARY. Under the auspices of the Wellington Shakespearian Society, a pageant to honour the anniversary of Shakepeare's birthday is to be presented on Saturday evening, April 23, at the Town Hall, under the direction of Mr. Clement May, in the presence of her Excellency Lady Blcdisloc. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral will not be in Wellington at the time, but he has consented to be patron of the anniversary celebration. He will write a short address, which will be delivered in his stead by the Rt. Hon Sir Michael Myers. Chief Justice, who will also speak briefly on a topic suitable to the occasion. An excellent programme of music, dancing, song and drama, illustrative of the great scenes in Shakespeare's plays, will be performed by WelI lington's leading exponents of orchestral music, dramatic art, opera, and dancing, who arc busily engaged in preparing for the festival, which will probably excel anything of the kind yet produced in Wellington. The Town Hall has been : lent free, ami the whole of the proceeds will be devoted to the Mayor’s Relief Fund.

FARAMO U NT TH E ATR E. Heading a splendid bill at the Paramount is “The Miracle Woman,” a Columbia drama which deals with a subject that is delicate both in theme and in nature. However, fears about the possibility of its offending the susceptibilities of any sect, class or creed can be immediately dispensed with. The title role is taken by beautiful Barbara Stanwych, who has the able support of David Manners, Sam Hardy and Beryl Mercer. There are gpod supports. "Dance Team.” Classed by many critics ns the “wonder team of the year,” a classification they rightfully deserve following their remarkably human characterisations in “Over the Hill.” James Dunn and Sally Eilers make their third screen appearance together in the leading roles of "Dance Team." the Fox Film version of Sarah Addington's popular novel, which will be the feature attraction at the I’aramount Theatre beginning’'next Friday. In “Dance Team" the stars have the parts of youngsters who are fired with £he ambitions of youth, which carry them through a series of disappointments and discouragements to success as a dancing team. But with success comes oilier problems, problems of the heart, of riches and of vanity, all of which add to the humaness and drama of the film.