ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 67, 12 December 1932, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Gloria Swanson, brilliant as ever, auu gowned in the latest creations of Chanel, of Paris, is to be seen at the Regent Theatre in "To-night or Never,” her latest romance. The production concerns a prima donna whose . voice, crystal clear and powerful though it may be, lacks feeling. “Only love can bring perfection of the voice,” says her teacher. ‘Then I will have love,” replies the prima donna, who promptly defies convention, and before attaining the required result comes within an ace of tarnishing her hitherto spotless reputation. “Crooner” Coming.

“Crooner,” a First National picture, which’opens at the Regent Thettfre on Wednesday, is a delightful comedy drama, based on the lives and loves of popular entertainers at the glamorous night clubs. David Manners, the polished player who had the leading role opposite Kay Francis in “Man Wanted,” and the juvenile lead in “Stranger in Town,” has the title role, being co-featured . with. Ann Dvorak, who will be remembered for her excellent work in “The Crowd Roars, ’ “The Strange Love of Molly Louvain," and “Love is a Racket.” DE LUXE THEATRE. Described as a “virile and exotic drama of the Orient,” “Red Dust,” the new Metro-Goldwyn'-Mayer release at the De Luxe Theatre, fully lives up to anything that has been written or said about it. The film has its action iu and around a tropical rubber plantation, the leading characters being a planter, a notorious woman whose reputation will not bear scrutiny, an engineer and his wife. The story concerns the intimate lives of the four. The acting is excellent. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A wonderful story of Eskimo life in the Frozen North of Alaska is told in the story “Igloo,” at the Majestic Theatre. It is something right off the beaten track, full of thrilling incidents, which are part of the life of the native race in this region of perpetual snow. Chee-ak, a full-blooded.. Eskimo, is the hero of the picture. It is a triumph for Universal Films. All the performers are natives of the country. The other picture is a new phase of the rum-running business',' the kidnapping of a girl. and< her.rescue after some hair-breadth es-, capes by a newspaper reporter, - ST. JAMES THEATRE. An intriguing study of a conflict of temperaments is provided by “W cstward Passage.” the cun-ent feature at the St. James Theatre. In “Westward Passage.’ the story starts where two people of spirit endeavour to harmonise the state of matrimony. The outcome in this particular case is a series of explosive interludes, and in the portray.il of the respective wife and husband AnnHarding and Lawrence Olivier make a dynamic couple, providing smiles and thrills. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. After three' highly successful weeks at the Paramount Theatre .the last four days of “Sunshine Susie” are announced. People who have not yet -witnessed this sparkling entertainment . should make a point of doing so. “Michael and Mary.” On Friday next another Gainsborough special feature, “Michael and Mary,” classed as "the most delightful romance to come out of an English studio,” will come to the Paramount Theatre. The talkie producers have succeeded in cap; turing all the loveliness and beauty of what was London’s most successful play of the year 1931. As a stage play "Michael and Mary” registered a remarkable record at the St. James, London. Persistent, efforts were made to secure the play, and the original cast for the Antipodes, but it was impossible to persuade the celebrated players to leave London. “HIAWATHA" SEASON. A special repeat performance of “Hiawatha” will be given in the Town Hall this evening. PAGE FAREWELL CONCERT. The retirement of Mr. Bernard F. Page from the position of city organist lias been the occasion for an almost unprecedented combination of Wellington's musical forces —orchestral, choral, vocal, and instrumental —to do honour to Mr. Page before he leaves New Zealand. The Wellington Symphony Orchestra (conductor, Mr. Leon de Mutiny),, the Royal Choral Union (conductor, Mr. John Bishop—and augmented by other local choral bodies), Miss Christina Ormiston, Miss Andri Bovin, Mr. Harison Cook, Mr. Claude Tanner, and Mr. Ernest Jenner, will contribute to the programme. Mr. Page will himself play a bracket of organ items by special request. The concert will take place in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening. SYMIL THORNDIKE ITINERARY. Definite dates have now been fixed for the Wellington itinerary of Dame Sybil Thorndike, who will open her Wellington season at the Christmas period. “Saint Joan” will be played from December 24 to December 30. “Captain Brassbound’s Conversion” from Decembtr 3.1 to January 3. “Macbeth” January 4 to 6. “Madam Plays Nap,” January 7 to 10, and “The Media.” January 11 nnd 12.