ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 30, 29 October 1932, Page 5

ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Tuneful Grand Opera and Excellent Talkies LATEST PROGRAMMES IN REVIEW There will be a wealth of entertainment for theatre-goers in Wellington during the coming week for, in addition to the talkingpicture programmes, performances of grand operas will be given by a noted organisation of imported stars. The grand operas will be presented at the Grand Opera House. At the Regent a popular’ star continues to please in the screen version of a well-known Sinclair Lewis novel. England’s most amusing screen comedian is at the De Luxe in a hilarious P. G. Wodehouse farce and at the St. James screenland’s most noted character-actress is still playing to crowded houses in a story of laughter and tears. A musical absurdity, with an all-star comedy cast and a selection of catchy melodies, heads the bill at the Majestic. The Paramount’s offering is a fast-moving comedy with a popular cast. The Dominion’s reviews of current programmes should prove helpful in the choice of a show. They are as follow:

REGENT THEATRE

“‘Arrowsmith” Films of the calibre of “Arrowsmith,” United Artists’’ latest offering at the Regent Theatre, arc few and far between, and wherever' they are shown they invariably attract such large audiences that their seasons have to be extended. "Arrowsmith” is no exception to the rule, and a crowded house greeted the opening of its second week’s run last night. Adapted from the noted Sinclair Lewis story aud featuring Ronald Colman, "Arrowsmith” depicts the iguorance aud jealousies and thirst for publicity which handicap disinterested workers in scientific medicine. It describes the heroism of scientists who fearlessly expose themselves to the worst forms of death in the interests of humanity, but it also bitterly attacks 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. Ronald Colman, as Martin, gives a remarkably fine performance. The sincerity and quiet strength of his acting, the delicious flavour he gives to the quiet humour in , the early part of the film, and his fine artistry, at more solemn times, give “Arrowsmith” a quality that is not often surpassed. The part of Sondelius is played in admirable fashion by Richard Bennett, and that of Professor Max Gotlieb, the inspiration behind Martin, no less superbly by A. E. Anson. The work of these three, with that of Claude King, quite overshadows that of Helen Hayes, who is cast as Leora. The direction by John Ford and the photography by Ray June are highly intelligent. Supporting films are of good standard. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “Down to Earth” Witt Rogers, that droll comedian, cau always be relied upon to give a firstrate performance, and in "Down to Earth,” his latest Fox release which, opened yesterday at the Paramount Theatre, he fully lives up to his reputation. "Down to Earth” may be described as a mixture of comedy, social climbing, philosophy and finance. The picture tells of a “noveau riche” millionaire whose family will not heed the coming of the depression and who finally loses all his money. However, what he loses financially he gains in happiness. Will Rogers as the millionaire is at his best. His slow manner and his dry humour, especially his appropriate remarks on extravagance and the depression, delivered with the air of a man who is giving advice which he knows perfectly well will not be taken, are the highlights of a really well-pro-duced show. The star is ably supported by Irene Rich, Matty Kemp. Dorothy Jordan and Mary Carlisle. The varied supporting bill is especially attractive. KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT "River’s End,” au unusual and brilliantly acted film, will be the star attraction to-day, to-night and Monday night at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. The star of the production is Charles Beckford, whose pictures arc always popular. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the featured film will be “The World and the Flesh,” a gripping drama starring George Bancroft. PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN A special double feature programme will be. screened to-day and to-night at the Brinee Edward Theatre, Woburn, when the pictures will be "Sporting Blood,” with Clark Gable, and "Husband’s Holiday,” featuring Clive Brook. On Tuesday night Robert Montgomery and Joan Crawford will be seen in “Lefty Lynton,” and on ’Thursday night the attraction will, be "Stepping Sisters,” the year’s most hilarious comedy. | KILBIRNIE KINEMA The greatest role ever enacted by Mr. George Arliss is that -which he portrays in "The Man Who Flayed God.” the widely discussed film that opens at the Kilbiruie Kiuetna at the matinee today. "The Man Who Played God” carries a message to every person in the community. Mr. Arliss is supported by a specially selected cast of noted actors. GRAND, PETONE The main attraction at the Grand Theatre, Petone, is “The Devil’s Lottery,” an unusual drama that describes the effect of suddenly acquired wealth on a number of people in various stations of life. Heading the all-star cast is beautiful Elissa Landi. She is assisted by Paul Cavanagh, Victor McLaglen, Barbara Weeks, Herbert Mundin and Beryl Mercer. 'There are good supports. PALACE, PETONE “Unashamed,” a thrilling and perfectlyacted drama, heads the new bill at bte Palace Theatre, Petone. This show, which is by that well-known author, Bayard Yeillcr, features Helen ’Twelvetrees, John Miljan, Robert Young. Lewis Stone, Jean Hersholf, ami Monroe Owsley. lu addition there will, be a new comedy, featuring the ever-popular Laurel and Hardy, entitled "The County Hospital.” DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT Filmed entirely in authentic alpine settings, ‘‘The Doomed Battalion,” which will be .shown at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, this afternoon, to-night and Monday night, is one of the most spectacular aud realistic films of the year, 'rhe stars are Luis Trenker (the author), Victor Varconi, and Tala Bird. The picture for ’Tuesday ami Wednesday, wilh a matinee on Wednesday, will be “After To-morrow,” a romance featuring Charles Farrell, Marian Nixon and Hardie Albright. "Wayward,” a modern sophisticated type of story, featuring Nancy Carroll. Richard Arlen and Pauline Frederick, will be the attraction for Thursday and Friday. ARTCRAFT THEATRE The current attraction at the Artcraft Theatre is "The Last of Mrs. Cheney,” a sophisticated story, which features that popular actress, Norma Shearer. The play is daring and thrilling, and is brimful of piquant situations. Supporting the star are George Barraud and a number of notable screen personalities. In addition to the star film there will be good

MAJESTIC THEATRE “Girl Crazy” Wheeler and Woolsey, the modern ragamuffins of the screen, arc at it again. The best of their old tricks and a .priceless crop of new ones are packed into their latest load of laughter, “Girl Crazy,” which opened yesterday at the Majestic Theatre. Rarely have the illustrious and inconsequential pair supplied more. i comedy to the liueal foot than in the present feature. The story is tin-pot, but the humour is of the gold standard. Perhaps it should be called gold-leaf, because in spite of its glitter it is quite superficial and utterly nonsensical, like all the best humour that ever was. Woolsey aud his cigar and his horn-rimmed glasses and his faculty for telling his wife that she “couldn’t keep house for a six-day bicycle rider” scores with every gag. His playmate Wheelere is his everlasting foil. The cap and bells is the true symbol of their brotherhood, although few of their brethren can measure up to them. As added attractions to the film, RKO-Ra-dio Pictures. have included in the cast Kitty Kelly ■ and Mitzi . Green. Miss Kelly almost steals the show from Wheeler and Woolsey and Dorothy Lee. Her brightest sequence apart from the moment when she exclaims “I was once just an innocent girl,” occurs when she leans against a bar counter and has something to say about Delilah. Most of it is said with the eyes. The rest in a husky voice. ■ The background of the film is a burlesque of the great West where, as Woolsey explains, “the men draw from the hip and women help them to drink it.” The opening scene, is a cemetery where sheriffs’ graves and headstones stretch away to the horizon. Supporting films are excellent. DE LUXE THEATRE “Brother Alfred” For hilarious fun. “Brother Alfred,’’ the P. G. Wodehouse comedy screened at the De Luxe Theatre'last night, would be hard to beat. Gene Gerrard, who is in the role of Alfred and George, makes a great hit. As George he commits an assault ou an exalted personage, and to escape tlie consequences adopts the roles of a twin brother Alfred, a mole being supposed to be the distinguishing mark between tlie pair. Before the unfortunate incident on the yacht, on which most of the comedy is staged, he becomes 'betrothed to a charming girl, Molly Lamont. There is a scene in a famous restaurant at Monte Carlo, where the assault takes place, and where a cabaret troupe dances gaily. Then the time arrives when. Alfed finds it necessary to become George once more, and there are some ludicrous situations! before he is able to satisfy his friends, and more important stil], -his fiance, that he is indeed George. Bobbie Comber and Elsie Randolph gave excellent support. The programme includes a pathe News and Magazine, and a. travelogue of the civilisation of Africa. It tells of the pioneer work done by Cecil Rhodes, tlie Empire builder, and the building of the Cape to Cairo railway. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The programme chosen for the final performance this year of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, under the cgouductorship of Leon de Mauny, is stated to be one calculated to leave pleasant memories to carry over until next season. The major work selected for this concert is Beethoven’s brilliant Symphony No. 5 in C Minor. Consistent with its policy of introducing a new work in. all its' programmes,: the orchestra will play for the first time in 'Wellington the ballet suite, “La Boutique Eantasquc” (The Fantastic Toyshop), a .work specially arranged for the orchestra by Respighi, for the famous Russian ballet, produced by Diaghilef. Other orchestra items will'include the, overture, "Magic Flute,” air for G String, Valse Triste, and the triumphal march, "Sigurd Jorsalfar.” The vocal soloist will be . Christina Ormiston, who will sing with orchestral accompaniment the Jewel Song, “Faust.”