ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 39, 9 November 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE, LUXE THEATRE. ’ • For those who seek a succession ofthrills, .closely packed into an ultraspeedy story, "The Roar of the Dragon,” now at the De Luxe Theatre, is one of the best attractions of the year. Oriental intrigue, Tartar ferocity, the splutter of machine-gun fire, and sudden death are supplied lavishly, the whole red-blooded mixture being streaked with humour and creamed with romance. ’ “The First Year.”

That the romantic troubles of young love during the first year are mostly fleeting is the delightful theme of the latest Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell comedy-drama, “The First Year,” coming on Friday to the De Luxe Theatre. Adapted from the Frank Craven stageplay of the same name, it presents Janet and Charles as two entirely understandable youngsters of the present day. Director William K. Howard is said to have followed closely the unique camera methods ' aud swift-paced dramatic technique that have marked his recent successes, notably “Transatlantic” and “The Trial of Vivienne Ware.” As a result of this the. Gaynor-Farrell team is said to contribute the crowning performance of its career. Miss Gaynor as the charming, marriageable young daughter of average parents in an average town, >s said to combine her characteristic wistfulness with a deep understanding of dramatic values. Charles Farrell is her lover again, but this time he marries her and starts an era of hilarious strife. Events, taking the stars to two typical cities and putting them through the usual difficulties of two young people madly in love ■with each other, quickly come to a climax. There is the matter of a going business given up for the estate deal, a “tiff,” a parting, and a reconciliation.. Hie adjustment of their differences is said to provide one of the most humorous episodes in Gaynor-Farrell screen history. The cast in support of the two stars is a notable one, including as it does Minna Gombell, Leila Bennett, Dudley Digges, and others.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Few comedians earned such a measure of good-will as did George Wallace, during revue tours through New Zealand some years back, so there is little wonder that his return on the talking screen, in “His Royal Highness,” now at St. James Theatre, is meeting with an unqualifiedly successful reception. The show compares more than favourably with any imported production and is a greatlyimproved and strengthened version of the one-act farce that George Wallace played on’several occasions when on the Fuller circuit. The comedian is the mainstay of the whole production. Wallace is seldom absent from the stage, and the ■whole time he is in evidence the audience is kept in shrieks of laughter. Of course, he does some dancing in his own peculiar style. He also, to the intense amusement of the audience, careers about the stage on skates. The first and exclusive Fox Movietone News showing the most important and thrilling scenes of the recent Melbourne Cup, which was won by Peter 'Pan, have been rushed across from Australia, and will be screened nt St. James Theatre from this afternoon.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Telling a maid and dramatic tale of the rivalry of two strong men for the Jove of a girl of the Far East ports, “After the Rain,” now at the Paramount Theatre, is a picture that creates a deep impression on any audience, and provides first-class entertainment. Spencer Tracy, Peggy Shannon, William Boyd, and Irving Pichel are in the featured roles of this Fox Films offering. with its frankly human romance. The situation results in a highly dramatic climax, and one that provides a thoroughly satisfactory ending after many breathless moments “The Blonde Captive.

“The Blonde Captive” will he the attraction at the Paramount Theatre on Friday next. This remarkable film depicts the thrilling experiences of the Paul Withington Scientific Expedition in search of the prehistoric man. After 10,000 miles of adventures they found the most amazing of them all—n white woman among savages. The dialogue is by the renowned explorer and writer, Lowell Thomas, and is crammed with incident and unexpected surprises.

REGENT THEATRE. Bright and clever comedy that is guaranteed to keep, any audience amused for the whole length of the evening is contained in “Women Who Play,” taken from Frederick Lonsdale’s delightful stage success. “Spring Cleaning,” which is now showing at tlie Regent Theatre. The cast is astonishingly good. Mary Newcomb and Benita Hume are two actresses ’ of consummate power, and their, roles rer spectively of Mona, “the woman of easy virtue.” and Margaret Sones, the “woman who plays,” find them at their best. “Mayfair Nights.” “Mayfair Nights,” which will open at the Regent Theatre on Friday, is based upon the activities of a mother who, deciding that the welfare of her two children is more important than the law, indulges in a long period of law-breaking by conducting a London night club at which drinks are served after the forbidden hours and the gambling tables hold sway. It is a club in which the elite of West End and the British nobility disport themselves until the wee hours of the morning. Eventually the night club owner is! caught, and is sent to prison for three months. However, an English peer falls in lore with one of her daughters, and marries her. Isohel Elsorn, one of the foremost actresses on the London stage, who has appeared opposite George Arliss on the London stage in “The Green Goddess” and in New York in “Julia Price,” “The Silver Box.” “The Mulberry Bush," and “The Outsider,” plays the feminine lead as the mother night club owner. Others in the cast, all recruited from rhe London stages, are Ivor Barnard, Margot Grahame. D. A. Clarke-Smith, Moira Lynd and Margaret Damer. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Divorce in the Family,” now at the Majestic tells of a separation that, takes place owing to the first husband neglecting his family for scientific pursuits. He is one of two sons who later find themselves with a new father, a doctor: and retaining a love for their real father, the adoption of a substitute does not come easily to them. “Sally in Our Alley.” Returning to the Majestic Theatre on Friday is that immensely popular British'production, “Sally m _our Alley.” which features the inimitable Gracie Fields. England’s most noted music-hall star and review artiste. Miss Fields :s well known to the majority of New Zealanders through the medium of the gramophone, and all who see her talking film will hear her in. several of her favourite numbers, including “Sally.” one of the year’s most lilting tunes. The film has a good plot through which runs an appealing romance. ■'