ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 70, 15 December 1932, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE ' “The Crooner” The old, old story of pride going before a fall is most entertainingly revived in talking picture form at the Regent Theatre, where Warner Brothers are presenting their latest success, “The Crooner,” which for genuine entertainment is one of the best pictures screened for many a day. Th? film contains all the essentials necessary for a successful show — excellent cast, catchy melodics, good photography, and a wealth of clever dialogue. The story concerns a dance band leader who, owing to the indisposition of his. singer, endeavours to step into tiie breach himself. The dancers vote him a failure and one of them joking. 1 ,? hand him a megaphone and, in a fit of rage, he sings through it. And then the miracle happens. His voice conies through sweet and sympathetic. He wins the adoration of every woman in the cabaret. He is made. Success follows upon success and he becomes the most popular crooner in America. He is the sensation of radioland. And all the time his .conceit is growing and growing, until finally—but that remains to be seen. The outcome of it all is unexpected. The role of the crooner is in the capable hands of David Manners, a good-looking,'pleas-ant-mannered young actor who gives a consistently good performance from start to finish. His natural acting abilities place him much above the average juvenile lead. Ann Dvorak, a wide-eyed brunette, is seen as the patient and very forgiving heroine, and Ken Murray almost steals all the honours in the role of the publicity man who gives the crooner his chance on Broadway. Mr. Murray’s performance should certainly lead to his being featured in further pictures. In addition to “The Crooner” there is an excellent supporting bill, which includes an Australian gazette, a film dealing with the art of poise in sport, a travelogue, and a comedy. ST. JAMES THEATRE. An intriguing study of a conflict of temperaments is provided by “Westward Passage,” at the St. James Theatre. “Payment Deferred.” A most unusual programme, comprising every element of perfect entertainment, will commence at the St. James Theatre to-morrow. Introducing the renowned English character actor. Charles Laughton, whose success in Hollywood has been nothing short of sensational, "Payment Deferred,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer attraction, will head the bill. Laughton plays the role in winch he proved himself on the stage later in New York. It is described as a dramatic masterpiece, a thriller in every sense of the word, interpreted by a perfect cast, which, in addition to Laughton, contains that very popular young Irish player. Maureen O’Sullivan, and a number of other favourites. Briefly, “Payment Deferred,” tells the story of a man who commits a perfect crime and lives in abject terror most of the time until he is convinced that he will never he discovered. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The exceptionally successful three weeks’ run of ■Gainsborough's “Sunshine Susie” will close to-night at the Paramount Theatre. “Sunshine Susie,” with its trio of star players, Renate Muller. Jack Hulbert, and Owen Nares, should not be missed. “Michael and Mary.” The widely-known writer A. A. .Milne is the author of this delightful romance, the earlier episodes of which are set in the London of the 'nineties. The play was first produced at the St. James Theatre, London, in February, 1930, enjoyed a highly successful run of a year, and was regarded as typical of the author at his best. The leading characters in the stage presentation were played by Miss Edna Best and Mr. Herbert Marshall. and by a stroke of good fortune both' of these idols of the stage and screen were induced to play In Gainsborough’s picture version under the direction of Britain’s leading producer. Victor Saville. Frank Lawton, D. A. ClarkeSmith. Elizabeth Allen, and all other players who were in the stage version now appear in the picture. The result is that critics have described “Michael and Mary” as being “(lie finest, acted picture that has come out of a British studio.’’

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 full of thrilling incidents, which are part of the life of the native race in this region of perpetual snow. The other picture is a new phase of the rum-running business, the kidnapping of a girl, and her rescue after some hair-breadth escapes by a newspaper reporter. “On Our Selection.” Those who have read the novel by .Steele Rudd will be awaiting with interest the screen version, “On Our Selection.” which will open a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. The story of the hardships and humour of the life of a family in the Australian backblocks is full of natural comedy, interspersed with touches of pathos that make for the best in screen entertainment. Phenomenal success has attended the screening of the production in Australia, for wherever it has been shown all previous records for attendances have been broken. In Sydney the film was shown for six weeks at the Capitol Theatre, and was subsequently transferf/J to another theatre, where its success was continued. In some country towns, special sessions commencing 'at 10.45 p.m. had to be arranged in order to cope with the thousands of patrons desirous of witnessing the production. This modern story of dad. mum, Dave, and all the rest of the big-hearted Australian family, characteristic of the pioneer families of the “out-back.” is indeed a triumph for Australian film production. As a stage play the story proved outstandingly successful, and the additional scope afforded by the audible screen has enhanced the humorous aspect of the entertaining theme. The gorgeous natural beauties of the Australian bush in its spring splendour have been vividly captured. No better actor than Bert Bailey could have been chosen for the principal part of "Dad,” for he had played the character many times on the stage, as had most of the other artists, such as Fred MacDonald, as “Dave”; Alfreda Bevan, as “Mum”; Willie Driscoll, as “Uncle Rudd’; and Lilias Adeson, as “Dave’s Girl.” All these players are Australians, and each one is said to tit perfectly into his or her pari. It may be confidently expected that the picture will repeat in New Zealand the success which it achieved in Australia. Excellent supports are also promised. DE LUXE THEATRE. “Bed Dust,” the new Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer release at Luxe Theatre, fully lives up to anything that has been written about it. The film has its action in 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 acting is excellent. "The Maid of the Mountains.” Full of action and thrills from start to finish, "The Maid of the Mountains”, will be the Christmas attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. The story concerns the adventures of Baldasarre. bandit chief, who in response to poor villagers’ entreaties for help, raids the castle one night on the occasion of a ball, where he holds up the guests at pistol point and relieves them of their jewels. He succumbs to the charms of the Governor's daughter, Angela, and the pursuance of his amours leads to his near capture by soldiers who come to the rescue. Teresa, in love with the robber chief, is griefstricken when Baldasarre fails to return, and on setting out in an endeavour to rescue him, is herself captured and taken to the castle. From then on events move to a thrilling conclusion. “Faithless.” Presenting the interesting co-starring combination of Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Montgomery, "Faithless” opens, to-morrow at the De Luxe Theatre as one of the most important of the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer releases. The picture is based on a story by Mildred Cram, revealing the plight of two younger members of New York society who lose both wealth and social prominence as a result of the depression and its disastrous economic consequences. Miss Bankhead's part in the plot entails a vivid career in which sell runs the gamut from extravagant luxury in living to extreme poverty. Montgomery likewise is involved in a number of colourful episodes, the story rising to a powerful dramatic climax when the two principals meet in surprising circumstances.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Two entertaining films are now Screening at the Grand Opera House. They are “It’s Tough to be Famous,” and “Sinners in the Sun.” Two Attractions Coming. “The Man From Yesterday” and “Week-End Marriage” will be screened at the Grand Opera House to-morrow. Claudette Colbert and Clive Brook are co-featured for the first time on the screen in Paramount’s “The Man From Yesterday.” A war romance in Paris results in a whirlwind marriage for Brook and Miss Colbert, one hour before Brook is called to the front. Brook is shell-shocked and, incorrectly, reported dead. Colbert, as time passes, falls in love with Boyer. Years pass before Brook and Miss Colbert find each other. Brook is still madly in love with her, but Claudette is torn between duty to this practically unknown man, her husband. and her desire for happiness. Loretta Young, George Brent and Norman Foster are the stars of “Week-End Marriage,;” which puts novelty into a domestic problem and makes it entertaining.