ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Admirers of Ronald Colman have their first opportunity to see him playing the role of an American, hero in “Arrowsmith,” Samuel Goldwyn’s picturisatjon of the novel by Sinclair Lewis, which starts its second week’s run at the Regent Theatre to-day. In his long and successful picture career, Colman has played Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Englishmen, Italians, and Spaniards, but never Americans until he took up his “Arrowsmith” role of the gallant young doctor fighting against .ignorance and disease. Helen Hayes, the stage star who recently triumphed in her first screen appearance, in “The' Sin of'Madelon Claudet,” plays opposite Ronald Colman in .the role of the devoted wife. For the first time the frank inside story of modern medicine is brought to the screen in “Arrowsmith,” in which Colman ploys the leading role of the brilliant young doctor who risks his life and everything he has in his pursuit of scientific truth. When “Arrowsmith” first appeared as a novel several years ago, it raised a storm of protest from medical men all over the world. It pictured the ignorance aud jealousies and thirst for publicity which handicap disinterested workers in. scientific medicine. It described the heroism of scientists who fearless expose’themselves to the worst forms of death in the interests of human- . ity. but it also bitterly attacked the ; pedantic “stuffed shirts” of medicine with all of Sinclair Lewis’s well-known powers. And it is Arrowsmith’s battle with his selfish and jealous colleagues : which is the theme of the picture as well as the book. Richard Bennetit and A. E. Anson, Bert Roach, Myrna Loy, and Alec. B. Francis are supporting players. DE LUXE THEATRE. P. G. Wodehouse's hilarious story, "Brother Alfred,” which has been filmed by British International Pictures and which opens to-day at the De Luxe Theatre, had two well-known film personalities connected with its making. They arc Harry Edwards, for many years a popular film figure, who directs the picture, and Gene Gerrard, the 8.1. P. star of “Let’s Love and Laugh,” “My Wife’s Family,” and “Out of the Blue.” who plays the'title role. “Brother Alfred” tells the story of a young man, who, having assaulted a wellknown personage, poses as his own brother to escape the consequences.. But he discovers that the assault was regarded as a rescue, and is then powerless to claim the reward in his true identity. A romance is, of course, blended with his adventures, and the lady in the ease, is played by Molly Lamont,’ the 8.1. P. debutante star. The principal setting for this picture is a yacht lying off Monte Carlo, and a considerable portion of the film was made iu the Mediterranean. A famous restaurant in Monte Carlo is depicted in the film. Dining here amidst the glories of plush and chandeliers are some two hundred players of every nationality. French, Italian, Greek. Hungarian, and even Chinese men aud women are seen assembled round the little tables between which a cabaret troupe dances gaily. The babel of voices in a diversity of languages serves to heighten the Continental atmosphere. This is said to be Gene Gerrard’s best picture. There will be excellent supporting films. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Emma,” Marie Dressier’s greatest and most popular film, will start its second week’s 4 un at the St. James Theatre today. Marie Dressier's claims as being the greatest, actress on (he screen arc considerably strengthened by her performance in "Emma,” described as the crowning triumph of her great career. Critics have described the grand old actress’s portrayal as a gem of characterisation. No one but Marie Dressier can provide laughter one moment, tears the next, as she does in “Emma,” the story of a faithful old servant who mothers a brood of her employer’s children. The supporting cast includes Jean Hersholt, Richard Cromwell, and Myrna Loy. In keeping with the sterling standard of the main feature are the supporting items. These include an Irish scenic gem, a gazette, a wonderful coloured dance scena, “Ragamuffin Romeo,” and a breezy comedy. “His Royal Highness.” All theatregoers in IVellington will remember the happy nights of uproarious entertainment provided for them a year or two ago by “the king of comedians." George M iillaee. On the Fuller circuit be established records that were never equalled, and now ho is to return (o all his old friends, through the medium of his first full-length musical comedy picture. “His Royal Highness.” which will open at the St. James Theatre on Friday next. MAJESTIC THEATRE. If variety is the spice of life, RKORadio Pictures’ all-star rollicking comedy. "Girl Crazy.” which comes to the Majestic Theatre to-day is a snappily seasoned entertainment dish. It offers mirth and melody, romance and action, beautv mid atmosphere.. In the cast are comedy'starti. a child prodigy. Broadwa.y beauties, Hollywood cowboys, Mexican senoritas. two gun men and polished villains. ’ The action shifts from a city tenement, to a Western ranch and a Mexican resort, and ■ ranges from riproaring chases to rhythmic dunces and tender love scenes. Heading the imposing army of talent are the inimitable Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, who start the film as city men, and wind up as rough and ready M’estcrners. 1 Eddie t.juillau carries the romantic lead of a girl-crazy youth who transforms a respectable ranch into a “whoopee” resort. ■> Mitzi Green, Hollywood's child, mimic . wonder, plays a pes'tiferous little sister, - and the romance and beauty brigade is ' headed by Dorothy Lee, Arlinc Judge, • Kitty Kelly and. Lita Clicvret. Stanley Fields and Chris Pin Martin play the shoot and run villains. The story dcais . with a girl-crazy youth who is sent to the ' quiet of a western ranch to cure him f of bis weakness for beautiful women. He 1 imports a snappy jazz band, a bevy of t Broadway beauties, dresses the cowpun- s ehers in dinner jackets, and turns the c ranch into a pleasure seeker's paradise. Melodies which are liberally sprinkled through the fast, and furipusi action and 11 laughs arc original compositions by George J

Gershwin, modern music's master hit creator. William Seiter directed the film, which is based upon the Broadway success. Two of the best musical numbers are “I’ve Got Rhythm” aud “Sam and Delilah.” both of which are typical Gershwin numbers rippling with yhythni and syncopation. They are sung in great style by Kitty Kelly. The large chorus adds materially to the success of the numbers. Miss Kelly certainly knows how to “put over” a blues song. She.is wellknown on the New Y'ork stage, and was a former Zieglield star. She also played with Hal Shelly. Beatrice Lillie and other musical comedy stars. Another feature of the show is the "imitation” act givmi by Mitzi Green. In this short but vast y amusing scene she gives tlie most realistic imitations of Byng Crosby. George Arliss and Edna May Oliver. There will lie an excellent supporting bill. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Baek from their famous trip when “they had to see Paris,” Will Rogers and his family now lead their audiences through a breathless and hilarious.series of business and social complications in Oklahoma in “Down to Earth,” tlie famous comedian’s newest Fox Film, which conies to tjie Paramount Theatre to-day. A daring innovation in screen entertainment. “Down to Earth” weav.s into its fascinating plot some of Rogers’ shrewdest comments. and beneatli its continuous flood of fun and laughter runs a significant undercurrent of some philosophy. JPI'" supporting east includes Irene Rich. Dorothy jordan. Matty Kemp. May Carlisle. and Brandon Hurst. In addition to “Down to Earth.” there will be u varied and entertaining supporting programme of short features. ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital will be. given by Mr. Bernard F. Page in the Town Hall from 12.30 to 1.45 p.m. to-day. The collection will be in aid of the Mayors Distress Fund.