ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 49, 21 November 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE, “Street of Women,” now at the Regent Theatre, deals with the theme that there is a woman behind every achievement. In the picture at the Regent the achievement is the world’s tallest building and the inspiration Natalie, a beautiful dress designer who supplies the man who builds the skyscraper with the love and understanding that his wife lacks. Their love is a beautiful thing, but it leads to unfortunate and almost tragic complications. There is, however, a silver lining, and all ends happily. The role of Natalie js excellently portrayed by that popular brunette Miss Kay Francis, who is seen at her best. She wears many wonderfully designed frocks during the production. Her lover is played by Alan Dinehart, Roland Young, as the understanding friend, shares the honours with Miss Francis for brilliant acting. This is one of his best pictures. Marjorie Gateson is cold and very haughty as the wife whose one idea is social success. Gloria Stuart and Allan Vincent are also prominently cast as youthful lovers who very nearly suffer through the other love affair. In addition to the star film there arc several excellent short subjects, including an Australian and a Universal Gazette, a most amusing comedy, a film depicting the life of the pelican, and one of those extremely interesting “Believe It or Not” pictures in which the world’s curiosities are shown. DE LUXE THEATRE.! One of the finest groups of screen players ever assembled in support of a star is the cast in “The Tenderfoot,” Joe E. Brown’s latest First. National picture, which is now playing at the De Luxe Theatre. The prominent roles are played by such favourites as Ginger Rogers, Lew Cody, Vivian Oakland, Robert Greig, Ralph Ince, Spencer Charters, Marion Byron, and many others. It is by far one of the funniest comedies that has ever come out of the film capital, and certainly the biggest laugh-getter that Joe E. Brown has ever appeared in. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Love at first sight amid' the hectic revels of a New Year’s Eve and the complications of the “morning after”, are the main ingredients of “The Indiscretions of Eve,” now at the Majestic Theatre. The hero and heroine vainly endeavour to locate each other but without effect, until the former discovers a wax model of his secret passion in a shop window. His experiences in the factory where the mo,dels are made and the lovers’ eventual reunion provide a hilarious and fantastic finale which will delight all filmgoers. REPERTORY THEATRE. - Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblock, two famous playwrights, collaborated, in the writing of "Milestones,” one of the greatest period plays ever written. Bennett was responsible for the dialogue and his shrewd penetrating understanding of men and women is apparent in every line of the play,'which combines comedy and drama, and welds them both into heartsearching sentiment. The first act is in 1860, the second in 18S5, and the third in 1912, and the costumes which will be worn and the settings in which they will appear will be true to period in every detail. “Milestones” is not only a great play, it is a charming and beautiful play, and the Repertory Theatre is to be commended for giving Wellington playgoers an opportunity of seeing it at the Grand Opera House next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The players include such well-known and popular people as Misses G. Helen Gard’ner, Mary Cooley, Dorothy Molcnaar, and Mr. W. S. Wauchop. Others taking prominent parts arc Mrs. E. S. Baldwin, Misses Vivienne Tait and Elsie Lloyd, Messrs. L. H. Herd, Ulric Williams, Gibson Stott, H. A. Painter, Carl Watson, G. H. A. Swan, and P. Keesing. Entr’acte music will be provided by an orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Vivienne O’Kane. Mr. W. S. Wauchop, who has a long line of increasingly successful productions to his credit, is in charge of the production. HARMONIC SOCIETY. The final concert of the 1932 season of “The Wellington Harmonic Society.” ununder the conductorship of Mr. H. Temple White, is to be given in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Saturday evening next, commencing at S p.m. Among the numbers to be given by the choir are “Serenade” (Elgar). “Negro Dirge” and “Ay’ Wauking 0“ (Robertson), “In Praise of Song” (Parry), “Far Away on Himalay” (Bantock), the 16th century madrigal, “When Flowery Meadows” (Palestrina), and Eaton Failing’s “Vagabonds”; while special mention should be made of the “Slumber Song,” the music and words of which have been written by Mr. Claude M. Haydon, of Lower Hutt. Assisting the society will be Miss Ruth Perry (mezzosoprano) of Masterton, who will sing “The Shepherd’s Song” and “Through the Long Days and Years,” by Elgar; “The Ladv of the Lea” (Henry Smart), and “Lullaby" (Keel) ; and Sir. Claude Tanner. Wellington's popular 'cellist, whose numbers are “Apres un Reve” and “An bord de I’eau,” l>oth by Fnure; “Scherzo (Van Goens). “Hamabdil” (Bantock), and “Andaluza” (Granadof).

. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. I “War Correspondent,” now at the Paramount Theatre, presents a vivid story the background of which is the Chinese . Nationalist Government’s struggle with Fang, a predatory War Lord. In any other setting the theme would be wildly sensational, but recent events permit of no criticism on that score. “War Correspondent” is thrilling—breathlessly so in parts—but it carries the hallmark of probability. The title role, in the hands of nonchalant Ralph Graves, is that of a newspaper man who falls'in love with the mistress of an American soldier of fortune, leader of the Nationalist air force. “SUNSHINE SUSIE." All-British At Paramount. On Friday next, at 11 a.m., the Paramount Theatre will begin its new policy as an All-British picture house, showing exclusively British Dominions Films’, releases. There will be a second matinee at 2.15 and the change-over will be celebrated in the evening by a gala performance at 8 o’clock. His Excellency the Governor-Gexeral, Lord Bledisloe, the Lady Bledisloe, and suite, and a brilliant assemblage of prominent citizens have sigfinified their intention of being present. The attraction will be Gainsborough's greatest musical comedy, the record-break-ing film success, “Sunshine Susie,” a picture which has lifted English films right into the vanguard of screen productions. The picture is particularly remarkable for the lighthearted, wholesome and altogether different acting methods of Renate Muller, whose personality radiates happiness and charm nnd places her on a pinnacle apart from other screen actresses. The picture has been widely acclaimed as “the finest talking picture yet produced, with a star actress who is peerless.” Another newcomer to local patrons is the great London favourite, Jack Hulbert, “a truly funny comedian who sets his audience roaring with laughter while avoiding everything that approaches vulgarity.” Gwen Nares is the “lover” of the play. The cnfl: of the Sydney “Sun” writes concerning Sunshine Susie”: “The nearest thing to flesh and blood attraction that the screen has achieved is to be found in ‘Sunshine Susie. It combines all sorts of jolly devices in music and effects with an amazing human appeal. The musical comedy is set in a bank, nnd here gather the adorable Renate Muller, that great humorist, singer, and dancer. Jack Hulbert, with Owen Nares to spice the comedy with romance. As soon as you have seen ‘Sunshine Susie once, you decide that you simply must see it again. It has none of the patently familiar dialogue or situations with which the talking picture adherent is all too well acquainted. A brilliant piece of work in production and acting, it shows no sign of over-strain on the part of anyone, ana so it flows most joyously on to most joyous music.” Box plans at the Bristol for the gala performance are filling rapidly.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Breathing of the peaceful Sussex countryside, “Mr. Bill—the Conqueror,” a British International Pictures’ release, now screening at St. James Theatre, has captured that indefinable something which will appeal to every British subject, whether he has visited the Old Country or not. Some artistic photography of rural farm lands is seen, and the whole setting is typically English. Quaint townships, with their rambling houses and cobbled streets, are depicted convincingly. Highlights of the picture ore the scenes of the lanes and farm tracks, fringed on either side by picturesque hedges, which are so dear to the lover of unspoiled nature. All these towns enjoy local scandal, and by no means the least interesting parts of the picture show the communication of gossip from corner to corner. The theme of the picture is old. but the story is refreshingly natural, and the acting unaffected.

TO AID HATPINESS FUND. A large and enthusiastic audience was present at the De Luxe Theatre last evening, when a grand concert was presented in aid of the Mayor’s Happiness Fund. The concert, which was arranged by Mr. Herbert F. Wood, was unquestionably greatly appreciated by all. and the worthy cause, of which it is in aid, should benefit materially. The programme was as follows:-— Community singing, led by Mr. IV. J. Mason; Gazette. Talkie News; recitation, “Artist’s Model,” Mr. Nqrmnn E. Aitken ; tenor solo. “Live, Laugh and Love (from film “Old Vienna), Mr. Herbert F. Wood: travelogue; soprano solo. Ave Maria” (Mascagni). Mrs. Amy Moodward; Gazette. Talkie News; wurlitzer solos, “Roses of Picardy” (Haydn Wood), Miss Iris Mason. The accompanist was Miss Iris Mason.. “ALL IN FUN NIGHT.” c Arrangements are well in hand for movieliuiils’ effort to raise funds for the Mayor’s Happiness Week, the “All in Fun" night to lie held nt the Majestic Theatre and lounge on Wednesday. The entertainment will commence at 10.30 p.m., with a specially-selected picture programme, and after the show a cabaret will be held in the lounge until 2 a.m. The slogan for the evening is “All in b un, and the managerial world certainly intend living up to this, ns they are going to act as ushers in the theatre and ns winters in the cabaret. Patrons are assured that they will have a most hilarious evening. Tickets are now available at all theatres and the Bristol.