ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 97, 18 January 1933, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Featuring the Four Marx Brothers al their best, "Horse Feathers” is now at the Regent Theatre. A topical film which is ali-o screening, gives closeup views of the second cricket Test match between Australia aud England at Melbourne. A Paramount News and an Australian Cincsound give interesting peeps at world happenings. Another film which meets with favour is that showing world champion athletes in action, including Gene Sarazen aud Babe liutb. ".Movie Crazy.” ".Movie Crazy,” wfiich comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday, is stated to contain more laughs than any picture Harold Lloyd has yet acted in. Eight minutes of laugh-producing incidents have been rolled into one "faction” of "Movie Crazy,” according to reports of the picture at different previews. Previous to the magician's coat se<iuence iu "Movie Crazy,” which sets tiie new laugh-making figures, Lloyd rated his greatest series of continuous laughter, the football scenes and the basted suit episodes in “College Days.” In "Movie Crazy,” one gag rolls into another, and to the satisfied amazement of Lloyd, neither dialogue nor music is heard in the entire ballroom situation, which runs virtually the length of an entire reel. There are three, among the numerous laugh factions in "Movie Crazy” which stand out in'relief, and it is going to be difficult to find any two persons who will agree as to which is the funniest. Constance Cumming’s heads a supprtoing cast, that is of execpetional excellence. Her role is an exacting one, and she lives up to its every requirement. The second male lead is iu the competent hands of Kenneth Thhmpson. and Louise Closser Hale shares honours with stellar comedian in the most hilarious of the many hilarious sequences. Lloyd himself has never been in finer form than in his role of a movicstruek boy from a small town who crashes the gates of Hollywood. He has made of the boy a lovable, human character and has placed him in a comedy that is one continuous laugh from start to finish.

RETURN OF YAUDEMLLE. 'The return of vaudeville and revue at the Grand Opera House on Saturday week when Frank Neil’s sparkling musical offering "Pleasure Bound” is to be presented, marks a new era in the history of the

theatre in New Zealand. The J. C. Williamson, Limited, management, which tor years gave this country variety under the name of Celebrity Yiuidcvillel has been carefully watching the most recent 'iexvlopinelns of the stage abroad, particularly the astonishing revival of vaudeville in London. In recent months several West End vaudeville houses which had been turned into cinemas have reverted to variety, while the astonishing spectacle is now being witnessed of theatres built specifically as cinemas being turnetl into vaudeville houses for London’s latest craze, “non-stop variety.” The Leicester Theatre, which is now presenting vaudeville. wns visited by 45,000 people in one week, while in the same week 20,000 pro-1 grammes were sold, hi bringing to Now Zealand .:i .strong vaudeville company, ineluding Ella Shields. ' and a comedian. George Wallace, particularly dear io the hearts of New Zealanders. .1. C. Williamson. Limited, are taking heart from the ehanged conditions in Britain. In Australia the present company has scored enormous successes. It is said that Ella Shields iu her latest songs and specialities is better now than at any other part of her career, and George Wallace was recently described as being the funniest and cleverest comedian who has yet been enjoyed by Australian audiences. The company, which numbers 40 people, includes Miriam Lester, who last, appeared here iu "The B-Ho of New York." Manin Junes. Lily Molloy. Maggie Buckley. Billy Maloney. Maurice Barling. William Liddle. Murray ami Walton (wonderful tap dancers), and the D'abolos, sensational adagio acrobatic darners. A feature of Ike revues is the brilliant work of Maurice Dininomi's cßnuty Ballet. The dresses, scenery and mountings are up to the highest M illiamson standard.

DE LUXE THEATRE. | "The Golden West,” at the De Luxe Theatre concerns two Kentucky families and a long-standing feud which is endeavoured to be patched up by the younger members, but with disastrous results. The leading roles fire admirably portrayed by George O'Brien and Janet Chandler. A film of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's arrival at New Plymouth is also shown. "Tess of the Storm Country.” "Tess of the Storm Country,” the latest Fox .production, commencing at the De Luxe Theatre Friday next, features Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in the leading roles. Statements from Hollywood to the effect that Janet Gaynor has gone in for tense dramatic action as well as romance in her latest pictures appear, to be borne out with the announcement of "Tess of the Storm Country.” This Fox film version of -the Grace Miller White story is said to have wealth of exciting action and suspense along with its hectic love affair. The plot revolves around the efforts of a sailor girl and her sea-captain father to satrt a new life ashore only to encounter many unexpected obstcles. Iu the role of a sea captain’s daughter who comes to live ashore for the first time in her life, and who iiuds both her bravery aud her tempestuous disposition severely tried by the various obstacles she meets, l Miss Gaynor gives one of the best performances of her career. Farrell, as the millionaire’s son who is disowned by his irascible father because of his interest in the heroine, likewise comes through with a flawless portrayal. Alfred Santcll’s fine direction aud the brilliant work of a supporting cast headed by Dudley Digges, Claude Gillingwater. and June Clyde, add. to the realism and entertainment qualities of this Fox Film production. Special features on Friday’ "will be “Guardians of the Sky,” showing the Royal Australian Air Force, and a picture of the second cricket Test match at Melbourne. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Old Dark House,” which is at the Majestic Theatre, takes first honours ir. shudders. creeping and maeabre noveltv. The principal. . players tire Boris Karloff. Charles Laughtoil, one of England’s foremost character actors, Ernest Thesiger, Evi; Moore, and remark, able character actress, John Dudgeon, and Melvyn Douglas. The supporting programme includes scenes of the Southern Cross’s arrival at New Plymouth. “Tito Most Dangerous Game.” "The Most Dangerous Game,” based on Richard Connell's terrifying short story, comes to the Majestic on Friday. It is an unusual tale of a boy and a girl shipwrecked on an island belonging to a crazed nobleman, whose mania is hunting. When big game killing no longer thrills him, this abnormal sportsman releases his shipwrecked guests and hunts them like animals. GRAND OPERA HOUSE-. "Lady and Gent,” which is delighting audiences at the Grand Opera House features that popular actor, George Bancroft, who is supported by a cast of exceptional merit. It is :i story of the boxin" ring, and shows the star in the role of slag Bailey, a professional fighter, upon whom fortune smiles briefly and vanishes. . "The Moutbpiecc” ami The Expert. Two pictures which should prove highentertaining will be screened at the Grand Opera House, commencing on Friday next. One is "The Mouthpiece (the criminals’ name for lawyer), starring Warren William anti Sydney Fox. It is the inside story of a notorious lawyer. William acquires the appellation ot "The Mouthpiece,” when he gives up bis usual Jaw practice after his prosecution, has'sent an innocent man to the electric chair. He hits the down grade and changes completely, his association with shady characters leading.to the development of a “legal-loophole’ practice. The other picture. "The Expert,” is described as a real gloom chaser, and features Chick Sale, Dickie Moore and Lois Wilson. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Now in the second week of its run at the St. James Theatre. "His Wife o Mother.” is even funnier than the popular "My Wife's Family. The star of this really brilliant British International' Pictures comedy is Gus McNaughton, aud he is supported by Jiniiny Goddeu, Molly Lamont, and Jack Hobbs. An added attraction on the bill is the film of the arrival at New Plymouth in the Southern Cross of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. "A Bill of Divorcement.

Every ouco in a while there are tures that make you think —and enjoy it . Such a film is “A Bill of Divorcement, the RKO Radio picture starring John Barrvmore, which will commence a season at the St. James Theatre ou Friday. Primarily superb entertainment with brilliant performances by Barrymore, Billie Burke, aud Katharine Hepburn, tills film also is one which raises questions one carries out of the theatre to think ami talk about at home. A shellshocked English veteran returns to his home after a long siege in the hospital, lie finds there is little place for him tn the world that had sent him away with flags flying. His wife has divorced him and is preparing to marry another man. His daughter knows him only as a man. His friends have only memories of him; no hands to help in trying readjustment. There are situations in the play that will strike a responsive note in the thoughts of those who have• watched a first loie die. Making her return to the screen. Miss Burke reveals the glamour and charm which made her. a toast of the public. Barrvmore as the shell-shocked soldier has one of the most, appealing and forceful roles of his long and colourful career. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Their Excellencies the Governor-Gener-al. Lord and the Lady Bledisloe, and suite have signified their intention of peing present at the Paramount All-British Theatre this evening to see Gainsborough’s successful English musical comedy “Jack's the Boy.” with the clever Jack Hulbert in the title role. In this most laughable skit on the London police, in which Hulbert contradicts Gilbert and Sullivan and proves conclusively that ,a iwliceman’s life is a happy one, he has the splendidly capable assistance of his wife, Cicely Courtneidge, who is regarded as the queen of Britain’s comic actresses, and the explosive laughter they produce is drawn from the audience by that art which conceals art and makes it appear perfectly natural. Both performers are artistic in the best sense of the word, and they derive excellent assistance from eharnting Winifred Shotter. tlie popular ingenue of Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn’s comedies.