ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 171, 15 April 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

; REGENT THEATRE. ! Ronald Colman, idol of' the talking screen, star of numerous highly success1 ful productions, and a star of the first magnitude, comes to the Regent: Theatre to-day in the greatest triunijdi of bis career'. His new picture is "The Unholy ' Garden,” 11 stirring adventure story, presented by United Artists. As stories go, here is stern and racy stuff from the pens of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, co-authors of "Front Page,” and outstandingly successful contributors to the screen and stage. .“The Unholy Garden” refers to an outpost at the edge of the Sahara wastes, where renegades from the law hide, safe from the police aud extradition. The decayed splendour of a once magnificent resort gives sanctuary to a strange gathering of outcasts, awaiting forgetfulness or forgiveness. Civilisation offers each of them gaol, or worse, for a different reason. The suave, polished and mannerly bearing that came to be known as Ronald Colman in “Bulldog Drummond.” "Raffles,” and "The Devil to Pay,” is gone, and in his stead, the English star is a recklessly minded and >1 recklessly dressed adventurer, as indifferent to dress and appearance as he is to morals and manners. In other words, "The Unholy Garden'' is Samuel Goldwyn’s answer to the public's demanding 1 Ronald Colman in a picture of action. For "The, Unholy Garden" is action—as much action as his memorable “Beau Geste," Yet in “The Unholy Garden," ( as in all Colman pictures, the light romantic touch is still there. The English star is still a persuasive lover, touchingly gallant even as a philanderer. Always | fortunate in his leading Indies, Colman’s | luck continues in the contrasting beauties | of Estelle Taylor and Fay Wray. Miss Taylor is seen as the wanton voluptuary of the story, “the tomb of a lady.” the outlawed and decadent English 'aristocrat, the Hon. Mrs. Mowbry, and while I'ay IVray is seen as the granddaughter of the recluse and blind old embezzler, •he, Baron do Jonghe, Society and civilisation are to her merely pictures in * tlie Paris papers that come' to her now aiid then. For the twenty years of licr life have been spent in this abandoned resort reading to and taking care of the thief. There is a remarkably good supporting bill.

KING S THEATRE. "Plie Champ,” which brings Wallace Beery aml Jackie Cooper together as two stars in a single picture, is an amazing romance. The picture, now playing at the King’s Theatre, is a poignant heart interest drama, showing the hero of "The Big House” and the hero of “Skippy" ns Inllier and son, Included in this programme is a special featurette, entitled "Forehand., Backhand, and Service." It features William T. Tilden, cx-ehninpion tennis player of the world.

DE LUXE THEATRE. The discovery of a new screen comedian receives as much acclaim in Hollywood to-day as does the discovery of a new romantic star, for it is a well-known truth in picturedom that laughs are more ’irecious than romantic thrills—being more difficult to induce. Current comedy plaudits are being given Herbert Mundin. discovery of the Fox Film CorporaI tiou. who plays the role of the cockney taxi driver in “The Silent Witness,”: ' which opens to-day at the De Luxe Thcatre. Mundin is an Englishman with a ! background of years of experience in- the I music hulls of London and Australia. He came to the United States with the first I Chariot's revue. While Mundin supplies 1 a delightful touch of comedy to “The Silent Witness,” the picture is a thrilling mystery drama, telling the vivid story of an indulgent father who risks his, own neck on the gallows to save his weakling son from the penalty of a murder crime the boy has become involved in. Lionel Atwill. international stage star, plays the role of the father, which is the role he created in the stage production of the story. The other featured players arc Greta Nissen, Helen .Mack, Weldon Heyburn, and Bramwell Fletcher, who impersonates the son. Marcel Varnel and 11. Tj. Hough directed the production, which is based on the sensational DeLcon-Celes-tin Broadway play. A special supporting bill will be screened.

[ MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Passionate Plumber" brings a j group of funsters to the Majestic Theatre I to-day, in what is said to be the spiciest and most amusing comedy yet turned out Ibv the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. I Buster Keaton has the title role, and further hilarity is guaranteed by the inimitable Jimmy “Schnozzlc" Durante, in a characterisation reported to be even funnier than that of "Gct-Rich-Quick Wallingford." Polly Moran, one of the screen's most popular comediennes, has a prominent role, and Irene Purcell, who made such a hit in “Man in Possession." and Gilbert Rowland are also in the cast. Comedy of a rare order is entailed in a unique contract made by the plumber (Buster Keaton), and the lady of the house in which the former promises to protect her from the advances of an impetuous lover and gets into all sorts of mad scrapes in the process of doing so. The photography is of a very high order, and the general settings arc all that can be desired. A specially selected supporting bill will accompany the star attraction.

. KfLBIRNIE KI.NE.MA. “The. Cuban Love Song." which is screening at the Kilbirnie Kincnia. is a production of outstanding merit. The stars of tins brilliant show, which contains several catchy musical numbers, are Lawrence Tibbctt. th? famous baritone, and Liipe Veloz, a most vivicious actress. There are good supports.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. . Such is the appeal of “Mata Hari” that Sir Benjamin and John Fuller announ”» the extension of its ’Wellington season lor a further six days and nights, at St. James Theatre. The dangerous but glamorous story qf "Mata Hari,” the notorious spy and Oriental dancer, is portrayed with the sensational combination of Grein Garbo and Ramon Novarro in the leading roles Neither artist has yet bad a role which suited their histrionic ability to such advantage as those afforded’ in It !5 ... Po'yerftil production. “Mam Hari brings out the best dramatie talents of these brilliant artists. Th» amazing cast of this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the ambitious production also includes the outstanding screen personalities ot Lionel Barrymore, Lewis Stone, Alec B. Francis and Karen Morley. The beauty and glamour of Hari as a dancer enables her to win her way into the confidence of high officials, who betray their country in her return for her favours. When she finally falls in love with one of the many men whom she has betrayed, it. is too late, and .Hari pays the penalty. The final scenes arc of dramatic intensity, and hold one spellbound. One cannot fail to be stirred by the dignified and courageous manner in which Mata Hari meets her fate. Excellent supporting subject* make a fitting first part for this remarkable programme.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A truly great picture, a credit, to its stars, it's.cast, its authors and director, a film of which the entire motion picture industry can justly be proud of is “Danes Team." the Fox photoplay which opens at the Paramount Theatre to-day. Its stars are those great favourites, Jameb Dunn and Sally Eilers, and its cast includes Minna Gombell. Harry Beresford. Edward Crandell and Nora Lane. The story is a simple and human tale that strikes straight from the shoulder, and hits hard at the heart. It tells of two ambitious youngsters, who, on a cash capital of a dollar and ten cents starts out to beenris Broadway's premier, dancers. It realistically depicts their ups And downs, their winning of a dance contest and a silver cup at one place, their bodily eviction from another, and their eventual success in Broadways smartest night club. But prosperity proves too much for the inaio half of the team, and lhe,.iiramatic complications that ensue maintain the fust tempo of the film until the very last, fadeout. The performances of Dunn and Miss Eilers are nothing short of superb. And while praise is being passed around one cannot overlook Edwin Burke, whose lines make the picture a perfect gem and Sidney Laniield who has applied the hand of a real artist in his direction. The story is based on the successful novel of the same name by Sarah Addington. Tho supports include a Fox News, an International News, and a comedy.