ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 101, 23 January 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “Movie Crazy” at the Regent Theatre is one of the best pictures Harold Lloyd has' ever? appeared in in his screen pareer. This comedian is not so funny in, himself much as what he does, and tin “Movie’Crazy.” he never stops doing it. As Harold Hall, the small town lad who fancies he has a hunch for picture acting, Mr. Lloyd is responsible for the heartiest and most continuous laughter heard since "Rookery Nook.” Through an accident Harold is invited to Hollywood to make a test, which shows him to be the worst actor in the world, but /through one idiotic contretemps after another he intrigues a lady star and “pulls the leg" of /the noodle until she falls iii'ldve with him. There are two screaming scenes. One is where he attends :i select party, and by mistake secures the dress coat of a conjuror who is. to entertain 'the' guests. As a result the progress of. .'‘Trouble” (as the girl calls him) round the ballroom is that of menageries let loose. Then by some magic he obtrudes himself upon a movie scene at sea in the making, when the villain has captured the heroine, .and the ship has struck a rock. Hearing the girl call for’ help, he emerges from a crate and has a ding-donj fight with the villain in the flooded vessel. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. To-day is Anniversary Day of the Wellington province, and by coincidence it is also the anniversary of the day upon which Jack Hulbert, who is delighting large audiences nightly at the Paramount All-British Theatre, first became associated with talking pictures, an event for which his numberless admirers will be grateful, for the clever comedian’s popularity is very great. His humorous work ns the son of a policeman whose soul vearns to fill a London policeman’s uniform is as funny as anything given to the screen, while its freedom from vulgarity raises it to a still higher level. Hulbert is fortunate in his colleagues, for Cicely Courtneidge, the queen of comic actresses, and winsome Winifred Shotter, are worthy associates for anybody.. It may be that many moons will

pass before a smarter and more delightful entertainment that “Jack’s the Boy” is, seen on a Wellington screen. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The curse of bad blood, of the dreadful, uncertain stream that flows sunken from generation to generation and comes to the surface in this person or that as inherited insanity, has never been more powerfully or more movingly shown on the screen than in tlie admirable film “A Bill of Divorcement,” which is at the St. James Theatre. The cast was chosen from among the best'artists available for tlie. screen to-day. John Barrymore, as Hilary, and Katherine Hepburn as his daughter, Sidney, do superlative work which, like the film, will long be remembered by those who see it. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Coming after a series of very good pictures of animal life, "The Most Dangerous Game,” at _ tlie Majestic Theatre certainly strikes a new .note. This R.K.O. picture is based on the grisly theme of Richard Connells famous short story. The “most dangerous game” is human, but the description is that of a diabolical Tartar who has established himself on an island where shipwrecks supply the “game.” This part is taken by Leslie Banks, and he gives a fine portrayal of a rather polished host who dines and wines his guests until they are fit for the bunt. This degenerate huntsman has pursued the usual animals until the chase began to pall. When th* guest js turned loose witli only a sheath knife and hunted with a high-velocity rifle and bloodhounds'the danger is all on one side. Joel. McCrea and Fay Wray make this picture very exerting when tbey are east iu the role of game.

DE LUXE THEATRE

A splendid adaptation of Grace Miller White's moving story, "Tess of the Storm Country'.” formed the feature subject in the new programme at the eD Luxe Theatre. This fine picture from the Fox .studios is a gripping picture, 'being full of romance, thrills,' anil excitement. Beautiful Janet Gaynor gives an outstanding performance, as the fiery-tempered fisher girl, who is always shouldering other people’s troubles. The star was ably supported by Charles Farrell as the son of the vindictive millionaire. Tess scampers about, the rigging as nimbly as her pet monkey:- 4.he scene in which Tess rescues the , millionaire's daughter from drowning is most realistic, as also is that in which the game warden is shot. “Guardians of the Skies” gave a glimpse of the efficiency of the Royal Austarlian Air 1> orce, and ’"Georges of: the Giants.” took the ntidienee into the forbidden land of llnbet. and showed something of the slavery which still exists? among some Asiatic races. A special feature is the screening of the second cricket Test matea between Australia and England, with both sides batting and bowling, showing how Australia gained victory in the sensational match. The music was a leature of the entertainment, Miss Iris Mason arousing enthusiasm with her playing of “Down the River of Golden Dreams” on the Wurlitzer organ. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Maintaining the interest of the audience from the first lines of the title until the finish that seems all too soon after the long 84-minute run of the picture, lhe Mouthpiece,” is now at the Grand Opera House'. Like so many other pictures of recent production. the leading fiirure is that of an American attorney. Vincent Day (Wnrren Wdliam). but it is different from them Plfijung opposite William is Sidney Fox as the young tvpisf whi> taught the successful lawyer the one lesson thnt nobody else; could, and her performance is up. tin the same high standard as his. lhe other feature on the programme is a first-class comedv. “The Expert.”, in which lhe famed Chick Sale and Dickie Moore lur’e the leading roles. '