ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 10, 6 October 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “Sky Devils," the United Artists’ comedy sensation at the Regent Theatre, will have its final screenings to-day and to-night. William Boyd, Spencer Tracy and Ann Dvorak have the leading roles. Crazy flying and daredevil aerial stunts are a feature of the show. There are good supports. “Life Goes On.” A mystery story that is something out of the ordinary and that boasts a cast comprised of actors and actresses whose names are famous in London theatrical circles, is “Life Goes On,” the Paramount British production that will have its . initial presentation at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. “Life Goes On” is bound to please even the most critical audience, for its unusualness is sure to make it popular. The plot centres round a mystery in the Grand Hotel, London. To it comes a weary traveller from Africa bent on having a good time with the ladies and a holiday. That night strange things happen. A man is kiilecl. He sees the body and gives the alarm. When the management comes to investigate there is no man and no body. Yet later in the night lie is knocked out in a lift and a bracelet stolen from him. The telephone girl could give a lot to clear the mysterious happenings, but is afraid. And then to make matters worse there is the other woman, the one whose indiscretions on this night of nights at the Grand Hotel is the cause of all the mystery. The stars are Hugh Wakefield, Betty Stockfield and Elsie Randolph. So realistically does Elsie Randolph play her part as a telephone girl that she could get a job anywhere. The secret of the whole affair is that Hiss Randolph, who is one of the best-known West End actresses, was taught specially and coached by an expert switchboard operator. Her mastering of the procedure lends that necessary atmosphere of reality to the picture. It is around the switchboard of the Grand Hotel in London that most of the action centres, and the telephonist is instrumental in solving the mystery. SPARKLING REVUE. “Back Again," a sparkling revue presented by the Wellington Musical Comedy and Dramatic Society, will commence in the Concert Chamber to-night. Miss Kathleen Ferris takes the leading singing role, while Mr. Jim Cook has the male lead and Mr. Cyril Tilly the comedy. Mr; David Devitt is the compiler and producer of this revue, and his work is significant in the ballets and ensembles. Mr. Eric Bradwell is responsible for three snappy little sketches. Mr. Norman Izett is the musical director, and Mrs. Gwen Webb pianist. The revue is under the patronage of the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A, Hislop, who lias signified his intention to attend. Half the profits from the production will go to the Mayor’s relief fund. FINAL COMMUNITY’ SING. Community singing for the 1932 season will be brought to a close with a monster final sing at the Town Hall on Monday evening next, at S p.m. The song leaders will be Mr. and Mrs. Albert Russell. Mr. Owen Pritchard, and Mr. Will Mason, and Messrs. Frank Crowther and Joe Duncan will be at the piano. The Broadcasting Board have again placed the 2YA Concert Orchestra, under Mr. Leon de Manny, at the disposal of the committee, together with Miss Christina Ormistou, soprano, and Mr. Trevor Thomas, baritone, the two special artists engaged for that night. A special feature of this sing will be a choir of 300 voices, comprising nurses of the Red Cross Society, and Junior Red Cross members. Tile sing is organised in aid of the Mayor’s relief fund, and arrangements have beeu made whereby the Mayor will hand the total proceeds to the Red Cross Society to assist in their carthouake relief activities..

“THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET.’’ Enthusiastic receptions are being given at all performances at the Grand Opera House of that singularly beautiful play “The Barretts of Wimpole Street, which is being enacted by Miss Margaret Rawlings, he talented company. The play deals with teh love of Elizabeth Barrett for Robert Browning, the poet. Miss Rawlings is nothing short of brilliant in the role of Elizabeth. It is a most exacting part, but Miss Rawlings earns the unanimous approval of all audiences for the manner of her impersonation. Robert Browning is perfectly portrayed by Mr. Barnes, and the tyranical father is enacted by Mr. Bdlinden Clarke, whose performance bears the stamp of genius. Excellent performances are given by Mis's Mary Cobb, who is a newcomer to the New Zealand stage and who is seen as a rather forward young miss who was evidently,a forerunner of the modern “baby vamp.” Miss Mary MacGregor is excellent as the rebellious Henrietta Barrett, and Mr. John Wood gives a most amusing performance as the stuttering member of the family. Miss Noel Boyd. Miss Kathleen Goodall, Messrs. Kenneth Brampton, Richard Fair, Harvey Adams and Gabriel Toyne, who is also the producer of the show, all give outstanding interpretations of their respective roles. DE LUXE THEATRE. Screening finally to-day and to-night at the De Luxe Theatre is Universal's “Doomed Battalion,” the scenes of which were photographed in authentic alpine settings. It is truly an amazing film. The stars are Victor Varconi, Luts Tranker, and Tala Birell. There are excellent supporting films. ' Gene Gerrard’s Latest. Gene Garrard, the popular British International Pictures star, who will be remembered for his outstanding performances in “My Wife’s Family” and “Out of the Blue,” will be seen at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow in “Lucky Girl,” a delightful musical comedy with a Ruritanian setting. In “Lucky Girl,” Gerrard is seen as the impoverished monarch of the bankrupt kingdom of Karaslavia. Gus McNaughton, who gives a lively portrayal of Hudson E. Greener of Boston, Mass., the King’s right hand man. suggests a little transacting with the Crown jewels, and the two, with much relief and the Karaslnvinn bodyguard, repair to England. Here adventures follow thick ajid fast with Gene under the incognito of “Jlr. Abdullah.” and Gus invited to a duke’s country house party, where they are suspected of being a couple of crooks (the suspicions greatly enhanced by the latter’s enthusiasm for combining pleasure mid business mid profusely displaying the Crown jewels) and Gene making passionate love to the duke’s daughter, jfoira. Matters are further complicated by the arrival of two loyal Knraslnvians who lurk in the grounds awaiting an opportunity to avenge thejr motherland and shoot the king. In addition to Gene Garrard and Gus McNaughton, the cast also contains Mollv Lnmont. as the lovely Lady Moira : Spencer Trevor, as the irate Duke; Hal Gordon. Tan Fleming, and Tonic Bruce. A particularly impressive and inspiring British nrodnct’on. “England Awnk“.” snpnorts “Luckv Girl.” This excellent film depicts in thrilling manner Britain’s progress in the fields of industry. commerce, colonisation, and invention. RATANA BRASS The Ratana Morehti Brass Band and a party of 50 Maori entertainers, including Mr. E. T. Tirlkatene, M.P., will give n concert in aid of funds for the Ratand Renovation Fund in the Trades Hall to-morrow night. Band items, songs, poi donees and hakas will be given. Further details arc announced elsewhere in this issue.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. The story of tlie B. and D. fiilm, “The Blue Danube,” now at the St. James Theatre, is laid in the gipsy country on the banks of the Danube. The Tzigane Band’s rendering of the famous "Blue Danube” waltz, will forever remain the outstanding musical wonder of the screen. "The Impassive Footman.” “Sapper,” who wrote "Bulldog Drummond,” has departed from the beaten track and contrived one of the most ingenious plots ever attempted, the “The Impassive Footman,” the screen version of which commences at the St. James Theatre to-morrow. He tells of two lovers, one being a married woman, whom hate throws into an astonishing vortex of hatred and suspicion. The supports will include a beautiful technieolour gem. "The Bridal Veil,” and a Pathe News.' including stirring scenes of the opening and the first events of the Olympic Games. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Is My Face Red?” the breezy newspaper story, will be screened for the last time at the Majestic Theatre to-day and to-night. Ricardo Cortez, Jill Esmond nnd Helen Twelvetrees have the leading roles. “.Miss Pinkerton. Starting to-morrow at the Majestic Theatre is “Miss Pinkerton,” a Warner Brothers’ attraction, featuring Joan Blondeli and George Brent. “Miss Pinkerton is a mystery story by Mary Roberts Rinehart, and features Joan Blondell as Miss Pinkerton, a little nurse who keeps turning up clues when the police department gets off on the wrong track, and whose deductions finally,lead to the solving of a murder mystery.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. With beautiful Joan Bennett, more alluring than ever, in the- leading role, “She Wanted a Millionaire,” an elaborately produced Fox release. ,is the attraction at the Paramount Theatre, where it will be finally screened to-night. Miss Bennett is seen as a small-town girl who wips an international beauty contest. “Keepers of Youth.” “Keepers of Youth,” the British International Pictures’ attraction which starts at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow, tells of the scandalous conditions which prevail in an imaginary school. Education is provided here for the lowest of fees and for a pseudo pub-lic-school atmosphere. An intensely dramatic story of life behind the scenes at Brentley School and outstanding acting performances make this film an arresting entertainment. Garry Marsh, Robert Irvine and Anne Todd have the principal roles in this great show. There are excellent supports.