ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 149, 20 March 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The two highlights of the new programme at the Regent Theatre are “Gynara,” Ronald Colman's latest production for United Artists, and “King Neptune,” the first of the coloured cartoons to be released by the same corporation. “King Neptune” is a revelation in colour photography, besides being one of the funniest animated films ever screened. “Cynara” is n dramatic offering the theme of which is the eternal triangle, dealt with from a rather unusual angle. Ronald Colman was never better than in the' role of Jim Warlock, the young English barrister, who, much against his better judgment, is drown by his friend Into what is called a harmless flirtation, and which results in disaster for everybody concerned. Kay Francis, in the role of Warlock’s young wife, gives one of those finished performances which is. her wont, only this time she is better than ever. And a newcomer from Australia, via England, named Phyllis Barry, soars to the heights in this her first Hollywood effort. Henry Stephenson, who played the stage role of John Tring in New York, repeats ths part in the screen play, and it is his own opinion that the latter is better than the first. There are also two excellent sound gazettes, one of them giving all the latest happenings from Australia, including the picture of the last Test match. The programme is one that commands attention from start to finish, and should not be missed. DE LUXE THEATRE. Flagg and Quirt, “The Militant Marines,” have exchanged their uniforms for silk hats and full dress clothes. They appear in the Fox comedy, “Hot Pepper,” dressed in the height of fashion and living like kings in their roles as night club owners. The production is at the De Luxe Theatre. Preserving the spirit of the characters of Flagg and Quirt, they continue to battle over women and particularly over “Pepper,” an impetuous and fiery little stowaway from South America found on one of Flagg’s rum ships. Edmund Lowe again appears as Quirt, and Victor McLaglen as Flagg. The role of “Pepper? is enacted by the dynamic Lupe Velez. El Brendel, the Swedish comedian, plays a featured role, and others in prominent parte are Lilian Bond, Boothe Howard, Gloria Ro.v, and Russ Clark. Paul T. Cullen, at the Wurlitzer organ, renders bright selections from “The Belle of New York,” and his singing and playing of “Love Songs of Yesterday and To-day” is enthusiastically received. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Heading the bill at the Majestic Theatre is “Robbers’ Roost.” an exciting Western story from the pen of the everpopular Zane Grey, The romance of the Western cowboy has- fit'll plenty of punch as a film theme, and the story of hard riding and straight shooting men seems to draw, people of all ages. George O’Brien is the hero in this picture, which abounds in men who treat the law pretty cheaply. Maureen O’Sullivan is the source of much trouble with bandits, with incidental shootings and thrilling horsemanship. The picture has kick. In support are several short films which measure up to the standard of the usual Majestic Theatre programmes. “Sleepless Nights.” A musical comedy that goes with a swing from start to iinisih and introduces many hilarious novelties is “Sleepless Nights," the British International Pictures' release that will open at the Majestic Theatre next Friday. The theme song, “I Don’t Want to go to Bed,” which opens the show, has an irresisiable melody, and should prove one of the reason's successes. The dialogue is screamingly funny, the situations more than piquant, and the acting right above the ordinary. The musical numbers are all catchy and melodious.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. The claim that “Air Mail,” the remarkable Universal attraction at the St. James Theatre is one of the greatest, aviation pictures ever brought to the screen, has certainly not been made without justification. "Air Mail” does not deal with death duels above the clouds, like so many other aviation films, but the interest never slackens throughout the whole production. “Air Mail" is a story of the pilots who fly the mails, in all weathers, caring nothing for personal comfort. They are the heroes of peace, and their life is no less glamorous than that of the war ace, as was evidenced by the film. There are several crashes, that are excellently done, but that does not suggest that crashes are regular on airlines- Pilots see many more crashes on the films than,they do in real life. The story concerns the operations of Federal Airways over a mountainous section of country that is in the vicinity of Desert Airport. Ralph Bellamy is the star, with the part of the chief pilot of the airline. Gloria Stewart provides the feminine interest, and Pat O’Brien is the other man in the distinglished trio. Other stars are Lillian Bond and Slim Summerville, PARAMOUNT THEATRE. “In a Monastery Garden,” the new attraction at the Paramount all-Brtish Theatre, is a production of undoubted merit. Telling a tale of brotherly sacrifice and devotion, the play weaves a spell around the onlooker which is not broken until the grand finale, when one leaves the theatre with a feeling of elation and satisfaction that the picture is one of the greatest and most impressive of screen plays. With a background of inspiring incidents, a twist of the film reveals episode that makes one despise teh hypsocisy of a brother, who, under the shield of love, carries on many lowly things, eventually descending the depthes of allowing his own brother to be miprisoned so that ho might steal and publish his brother’s musical compositions in his own name, tl i a great theme, and it is magnificently acted by John Stuart, Humberstone Wright, Joan Maude, a delightful heroine, and a very well selected cast of well-reputed players. In a Monastery Garden' is preceded by allBritish supporting subjects. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. “He Learned About Women.’ the first of the two big features at '‘the Grand Opera House, is a clever emanation from the Paramount studios, in which comedy is interspersed with a great deal of genuine human interest. The .storv of the youthful millionaire bookworm who is introduced to the broart white way is full of delicious humour, and gives Stunrt Erwin, Alison Skipworth, Susan Fleming, and Gordon esrcott scope for some very convincing acting. The second big feature subject on the new programme was a splendid adaptation of Zane Grey’s thriller. '‘Wild Horse Mesa.” in which stampeding wild horses, full-blooded gunmen, villains heroes, and heroines flit across the screen in an endless stream. Randolph Scott. Sally Blane, Fred Kohler, and Lucille La vorne keep the fun going merrinly.