ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 31, 31 October 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Brother Alfred,” the uew 8.1. P. farce by P. G. Wodehouse, now screening at the De Luxe Theatre, features that popular comedian, Gene Gerrard. “Brother Alfred” tells the story of a young man, who, having assaulted a well-known personage, poses as his own brother to escape the consequences. But he discovers that the assault was regarded as a rescue.and was then powerless to claim the reward in his true identity. A romance is, of course, blended with his adventures, and the lady in the case is played by Molly Lamont, the debutante star. In addition to “Brother Alfred” there is an interesting travelogue of the civilisation of Africa, and several other good supporting films. “Roar of the Dragon. Tull, blonde and blue-eyed Gwili Andre is Hollywood’s latest foreign sensation. She comes from Denmark, and “Roar of the Dragon,” which opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre, marks her first screen appearance. Richard Dix, who is starred in this drama of bandit-infested Manchuria, has never played love scenes with more spirit. Edward Everett Horton and the well-known Zasu Pitts are also in the cast. REGENT THEATRE. The inside story of modern medicine is told at the Regent Theatre in Samuel Goldwyn’s screen version of “Arrowsmith,” Sinclair Lewis’s master novel, with Ronald Colman playing the leading role of the brilliant young doctor who risks his life and everything he has in the pursuit of scientific truth. When “Arrowsmith” first appeared as a novel several years ago, it raised a storm or protest from medical men all over the world. Its picture of the ignorance and jealousies and thirst for publicity which handicap disinterested workers in scientific medicine was the last thing that the world of medicine wanted to see in -print. It described the heroism of scientists who fearlessly expose themselves to the worst forms of death in the interests of humanity. but it also bitterly attacked the pedantic “stuffed shirts" of medicine with all of Sinclair Lewis's well-known powers. Although “Arrowsmith" is a Ronald Colman starring vehicle, three of the foremost s’;irs of the -histrionic firmament claim a share of the honours with him. They are Helen Hayes, Richard Bennett, and A. E. An?on. Myrna Loy and Alec B. Francis and Bert Roach are also in the east. Tn addition there is an excellent supporting programme of selected short features., . PARAMOUNT THEATRE. With Will Rogers offering some Iva’.nable suggestions on the proper way to handle extravagant wives, “Down To Earth” is proving to be one of the. most popular vehicles of his career. It is the current attraction at the Paramount Theatre. The story tells of a business man’s efforts to balance his dwindling income with his family’s increasing expenses. Irene Rich agaiu enacts the role of Rogers’s wife, with Matty Kemp, Dorothy Jordan. Mary Carlisle, Theodore Lodi. Brandon Hurst and Clarence Wilson in the east. David Butler directed. There are good supports. I

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Marie Dressier’s claims as being the greatest actress on the screen are considerably strengthened by her performance in “Emma,” described as the crowning triumph of her great career, which is now screening at the St. James Theatre. 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 Ilersholt. Richard Cromwell, and Myrna Loy. The supports are excellent. "His Royal Highness.”

With George Wallace, one of the most popular of the former Fuller Revue comedians in the leading role, “His Royal Highness,” the first full-length musical film to be produced in Australia, will be presented at the St. James Theatre on Friday next. It is the latest release of Efftee Filins, which produced “The Sentimental Bloke” and the popular short film in which George Wallace was featured. The comedian is responsible for the “book,” which ne wrote in conjunction with C. J. Dennis, of “Sentimental Bloke” fame, and the music is by Alaric Howitt, a young Melbourne composer with mnny successes to his credit both in Australia and abroad. “His Royal Highness” is a typical George Wallace farce, with the comedian figuring first as a stagehand in a Melbourne theatre, and later as the king of a mythical kingdom in Europe. In his latter capacity he finds plenty of opportunity for lively burlesque comedy, and his game of poker with members of the Royal household is a joy to witness. Tie also gets plenty of fun out of a scene in which ho appears with his ex-Prime Minister both on roller skates. The film is described as one long laugh from first to last. Many artists well known on the stage in New Zealand appear in support of the comedian, notably Beryl Walkley, whose fine voice gives musical distinction to the film; Donalda Warne, in another singing role; Lou Vernon, the well-known musical-comedy character actor; Frank Tarrant, a handsome juvenile lead; John Dobbie, Marshall Crosby, who has always been associated with G-corge Wallace, and others. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Working on the theory that two comedy stars are funnier than one, and three are funnier than two, RKO-Radio Pictures present a trio of the screen’s best laugh creators in “Girl Crazy,” all star current attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey and Eddie Quillan are the comedy aces heading the imposing all-star cast in the film version of the George Gershwin musical riot. Supporting them are Mitzi Green, the screen’s inimitable child actress; Dorothy Lee, Arline Judge, Lita Chevret and Kitty Kelly, four beauties from Broadway; Ivan Lebedeff, Stanley Fields and Chris Pin Martin. Among the melodies in the show are “I’ve Got Rhythm.” and “Sam and Delilah,” the latter one of the most rhythmic blues numbers ever written. There is an exceptionally good supporting programme, including an item by Sir Harry Lauder.