ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Ralph Lynn in “Mischief” At one of the many moments when he clutched at the truth and produced an aphorism, the renowned Dr. Johnson observed that although men had been “wise in very different modes,” they had always “laughed the same way.” It was a remark he might easily have made as he came out into the cool air last evening after attending < the Regent Theatre, which was packed out for the opening of Ralph Lynn’s newest and best exercise in hilarity, "Mischief.” The film is a supreme gift to the god (or is it goddess?) of laughter, decked out as a British Dominions picture, starring Mr. Lynn, Miss Winifred Shotter, and the notably absurd Mr. Kenneth Kove. The greatest of these is Lynn. He produces in Ben Travers’s airy and rather scandalous story bushel after bushel of absurd quips and gags, bidding them a casual godspeed in his own inimitable manner as they float away, up and up, and are lost to sight and sound in the more remote regions of an atmosphere of pure laughter Those who are acquainted with Ben Travers’s eminent book of the same name will know that his characters live, breathe, and have their being in a fabric of swiftly dissolving situations, woven on a loom of riotous mischief, misunderstanding, and double entendre. Travers supplies the opening situation and leaves the rest to nature. “Now let it work,” he says, like Mare Antony before him. “Mischief, thou art afoot, take thou what course thou wilt.” And the course is a desperate succession of uproarious situations, the effect of which on last evening’s audience at , the- Regent almost marked a new epoch in the history of cinema laughter. The germ of the story is simplicity itself. A London businessman. James Carew, discovers by chance and by courtesy of Mr. Lynn that his wife, Jeanne Stuart, is going out with “the other man,” Jack Hobbs. Carew has to go to Paris to complete a business deal, but hastens back to be misinformed that his wife and the other man have gone to a cottage in Kent. Looking quite worried, like the White Rabbit, he races off to Kent, where he finds Lynn and Hobbs’s half-sister, Winifred Shelter. enacting a pleastint love scene. Disturbed and perplexed, he is locked in th* bathroom with a pair of prying busybodies, Kenneth Kove and Louie Emery, while Lynn and Miss Shotter fly back to London. Lynn warns Miss Stuart and Hobbs that Carew is breathing fire, and after a few additional hair-raising situations the end conies peacefully, with quietness and mutual esteem restored. This is tlie barest skeleton of an immensely elaborate, and amusing creation. The scenes in the country, particularly with an outstanding horse and eart, are phenomenal. For most of the characters, and for most of the picture, life is not a spectacle or a feast —it is a predicament. Some of them seem to carry on from moment to moment in the same way and as comfortably as the man who played a violin solo in public and learned the instrument as he went along. It is an excruciatingly funny performance. The supporting short features are of good quality, and include another of the Bobby Jones golf scries. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Heading the new bill at the KUbirinc Kincma is "Street. Scene,” the famous Pulitzer Prize story by Elmer Rice. It features Sylvia Sidney, William Collier. Jr,, and Estelle Taylor. There are good supports.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Peach o’ Reno,” the hilarious comedy which is a skit on methods of getting a divorce in Reno, will have its final screenings at the Majestic Theatre to-day and to-night. Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Zelma O’Neil, and Dorothy Lee are the stars. To-morrow’s 8.1. P. Films. When “To-night’s the Night,” the hilarious British International Pictures, Ltd.’s farce, is screened at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, all who sec it must be prepared to laugh their way through about 7000 feet of the merriest film that has been presented for many a month. Leslie Fuller, who is rightly known as “the rubber-faced comedian,” heads a splendid cast in "To-night’s the Night,” which is a burlesque on life in a prison. Fuller has never been seen to better advantage, and his antics, especially at the prison concert and in the prison workshops, set a new standard in comic acting. It is doubtful whether the scene in which he appears as a woman has ever been rivalled. Toward the end the picture develops into a good old rough-and-tumble show of the type that delighted us when “Pimple” and “Foolsliead,” and later the comedians, careered madly through streets, upsetting everything that came their way. In "To-night’s the Night,” fruit-stalls, fences, gates, and even doors are smashed in a wild dash between a large and" a baby motor-car through the streets of numerous villages. “To-night’s the Night” should have a record run in Wellington, for it is a coined? that will stand seeing time and time again. The British supporting bill will include an item by Sir Harry Lauder, a selection by a Scottish choir, a secrets of nature film, and itemsby Ronald Frankau. ’ ST. JAMES THEATRE. Tire final screenings of the mirth-pro- J voicing Noel Coward comedy, "Private i Lives,” will take place at the St. James Theatre to-day and to-night. Norma I Shearer and Robert Montgomery are the I stars. I To-morrow’s 8.1. P. I 1 ilins. > Two particularly brilliant British International Pictures. Ltd.’s, releases will be screened at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. They will be “Many. Waters and “Bill and Coo,” both of them of exceptional merit. "Many Waters” may truly be described as a drama of life, and is the screen version of a famous piny. The wonderfully sincere rendering of the story of the lives of two ordinary, everyday people, doubles of whom may be found in any audience, rind the perfect direction anil handling of the story will appeal to every tvpo of intellect. The picture of a faithful couple who weather the storms of their married life, not least of its tragedies being the death of their only child, and yet remain lovable and loving, will remain long in ihe memory of all who see it. Lilian Hall Davis and Arthur Mnrgetson are admirably cast for the parts of Jim and Mabel Barcaldinc, as is Elizabeth Allen for their daughter. “Bill and Coo.” a most delightful musical comedy, which will introduce to Wellington Mr. Billy Merson. the popular London comedian, and a host of talented stars, contains a lilting theme song, splendid comedy. and novel dancing and scenic effects. It is a picture that is as novel as it is entertaining. and is one that is sure to appeal to all audiences because of its bright ami breezy style. A gazette and an item by Sir Harry Lauder will also be screened.

DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Great Lover,” a splendidly-acted romance, with Adolphe Meujou in one of his well-known lover roles, will bo screened finally at the De Luxe Theatre to-day and to-night. Irene Dnnn and Baclnnova support the star. There is a good supporting bill. To-morrow’s 8.1. P. Filins. In “The Love Race,” the British International Pictures, Ltd.’s comedy-romance, which will open at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow, there are blended all the essentials necessary for the production of perfect entertainment. 'With romance, excitement, and thrills, not to mention a motor race at Brooklands, are all to be found in the show. "The Love Race” has as its star the ever-popular comedian, Stanley Lupinp, who made such a hit in "Love Lies.” It is a riot of laughter from start to finish. From the opening back-chat between Reggie Powley—played by Stanley Lupino—and his stern father (Frank Perfitt), to the last uproarious scene in court, where the judge and jury alike sway to the rhythm of Lupine’s catchy song, ‘‘Just Dauce,” there is not a dull moment. The story concerns the Mostyns and Powleys, two rival types of car, and favourites for a race at Brooklands. The son of the Powleys is ill love with the daughter. Of the Mostyns, but Powley perc has forbidden him to marry her, for he cannot forgive the family who threatens his chances on the track. However, love goes on, and so does the race. The climax is as unexpected as It is clever. Assisting the star are Jack Hobbs, Wallace Arthur, Dorothy Boyd, Dorothy Bartlam, and Florence Vie. A feature of the supporting items will include a selection by Mark Hambourg, a gazette, and a “Secrets of Nature” film. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "The Beggar Student,” a. Viennese operetta, featuring Lance Fairfax and Shirley Dale, and “I Like Your Nerve,” with Douglas Ifairbaiiks. junr., and Loretta Young, will be screened for the last time at the Grand Opera House to-night. To-morrow’s Attractions. Commencing to-morrow at the Grand Opera House will bo two remarkably entertaining features, "The Public Defender” and “The Royal Bed.” Both are productions which are worthy of solo starring on any bill, and both are brimful of the most excellent entertainment from start to finish. Mad adventure, masked men, a modern Robin Hood, danger, romance, and high adventure, arc the outstanding points of interest in "The Public Defender,” which stars that popular actor, Richard Dix. What Dix wants is excitement, the thrill of conflict, with fighting men, and when he gets what he wants a necessarily virile drama of intense action results. "The Public Defender” tells a story of a man who battles alone against the enemies of society and emerges victorious. Shirley Grey supplies the'feminine interest. "The Royal Bed” is a story which concerns a king who hoped that revolutionists would overthrow bis kingdom so that, he could play checkers with his butler, his daughter might marry the man she loved, and his wife would have nothing to “queen over.” Lowell Sherman plays the king, and he is ably assisted by that famous actress, Nance O’Neil. and by Mary Astor and a host of talented players. The programme is one of special merit. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Behind the Mask,” the mystery-thril-ler dealing with dope smuggling, featuring Jack Holt and Boris Karloff, will end its run at the Paramount Theatre tonight. To-morrow's 8.1. P. Films. “Glamour” and "The Mystery of Marriage,” two unusually entertaining films,

will be presented by British International Pictures, Ltd., at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow. "Glamour” is an adaptation of Seymour Hicks’s well-known stage play, and tells the story of an actor-manager’s love for a beautiful young woman, and of the sacrifice he has to make when confronted with an episode of his past. The star is Seymour Hicks, who is supported by the Elstree discovery, Margot Grahame. Ellaline Tcrriss, his charming wife; .Betty Hicks, his daughter; and Beverley Nichols, the wellknown journalist and novelist, whose books are always so eagerly sought after. Naomi Jacobs, the popular novelist; Basil Gill, Clifford Heatherley, Charles Paton also play important parts. Contrasts and parallels between the methods of courtship of the animal world and those of human beings are features of the novel film, "The Mystery of Marriage.” Directed and conceived by Miss Mary Field, whose clever nature-study films, particularly those which have been filmed in the London Zoo, have delighted picturegoers in the past. “The Mystery of Marriage” is something really new in the way of entertainmenf and is sure to be widely discussed. A gazette and a comedy complete the programme. “REVUEDEVILLE” The Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society will stage a novel presentation under' the Intriguing title. “Revuedeville.” in the Concert Chamber, Town Hail, this evening. The programme will comprise musical numbers, humorous sketches, specialty dances, and ballets. Among the artists assisting are the following:—Mesdames Amy Woodward and Wilfred Andrews. Messrs. Herbert F. Wood. Trevor Thomas, Will Yates and Dong. Stark. It is safe to any that the Operatic Society always stages n flue show, nnd an entertaining evening should be assured for the society's first venture in the “vaudeville” type of entertainment. 8.1. P. WEEK Commences To-morrow A variety of releases, products of the British International Pictures,. Ltd, Corporation, will be screened at four oC Wellington’s leading picture theatres to-morrow. The subjects will range from full length features to attractive shorts, the latter including items bi' world-renowned artists. British International Pictures. Ltd., have given the public many outstanding successes, such films as "My Wife’s Family. “Out of the Blue,” and “The Middle Watch.” still being quoted as being among the best shows ever screened in New Zealand. It the coniiug attractions are anywhere near as good as those mentioned above—and from all accounts they are even better—then the Wellington public can rest assured that the 8.1. P. films will olfer ideal entertainment. Advertisements in this issue set out the pictures to be screened.