ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 185, 3 May 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “Wedding Rehearsal” at the Regent Theatre is a picture far off the beaten track in its tone, dressing, and atmosphere, and the smart dialogue of Arthur Wimperis, spoken by cultured English players, is a rare treat. The show abounds in diverting and witty scenes, and the settings are beautiful. The stars are Roland Young, George Grossmitb, Lady Tree, and other noted London actors and actresses. There is a gorgeous scene of the changing of the guard at St. James Palace that is particularly thrilling, while the rehearsal scene gives scope for some exquisite frocking on the part of the beautiful twins and their retinue of bridesmaids. The programme also includes the appearance (in the flesh) of the Roland Sextette, five little maidens and a boy (three violins, two ’cellos, and pianoforte), who play popular waltz melodies charmingly. A “Mickey Mouse” car- . toon and several reviews of world events . constitute a highly diverting programme. “No Man of Iler Own.” The meteoric rise of Clark Gable reads like fanciful fiction. A. year ago he was an unknown “bit” player, playing inconsequential cowboy and heavy roles. His competent handling of small parts led to better roles, and he scored consistently appearing opposite Marion Davies, Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. Now, at the peak of his sensational career, he appears in Paramount’s “No Man of Her Own,” coming on Friday to the Regent Theatre. Clark, born in Cadiz, Ohio, left home at sixteen and went to Akron, where he landed a jq]} in a rubber factory, and studied medicine at night. He attended a performance of a local stock company, was intrigued by the plamour of the stage, and forsook both b~ job and his medical career. For the next ten years he played in small stock companies. During those times when he was “at liberty” he worked as a boilermaker, ad.-taker, salesman, etc., all over the country. Carol Lombard and Dorothy Mackall! appear with Gable in “No Man of Her Own.” GRAND OPERA HOUSE. One of the most versatile British mo-tion-picture directors is Jack Raymond, director of B.D.F.’s latest all-talking scream, “Up for the Cup,” which will be seen at the Grand Opera House to-day. An all-star cast of stage and screen celebrities appears in this hilarious story of the adventures and misadventures that beset a Yorkshireman when he visits London to see the celebrated Cup final. Joan Wyndham, „■ another B.D.F. “find,” is extremely appealing, and here again the influence of Raymond is apparent. Sydney Howard gives an excellent performance, and proves that he occupies a place on the film roster next to the celebrated British “team,” Walls and Lynn.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Fast Life,” the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy romance, is screening at the Majestic Theatre. The picture is based on E. J. Rath's hovel, “Let's Go,” dealing with the adventures of two motorboat mechanics who are determined to enter their boat in international competitions. "The Monkey's I’aw.” ‘ That fears and superstitions are mental ills more dangerous than the most virulent of contagious diseases, is proved with startling dramatic vigour by “The Monkey’s Paw.” the RKO Radio Picture coming to the Majestic Theatre on Friday. In the picture a peaceful English household is visited by an old soldier whose imaginative talents as a story-teller assert themselves not wisely but too well. He produces a charm which he claims has power to grant wishes, but warns of tragedy to follow the realisation of each desire. At first his hearers scoff. But later the true results become apparent. A cast of exceptional talent is featured in “The Monkey's Paw,” including Ivan Simpson, C. Aubrey Smith, Bramwell Fletcher, Betty Lawford, Louise Carter and Herbert Bunston. Wesley Ruggles directed. Smith assumes a slight cockney accent for his part in “The Monkey’s Paw,” but keen members of the audience who know their English will recognise in it more of the military than of Whitechapel. Smith depicts a veteran sergeant-major back from Indian service. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The renowned star, Norma Shearer, is charming audiences at the St. James Theatre in the romance, “Smiling Through.” Radiant in her portrayal of Moonyeen. I he intended bride of Sir John Cartaret, and happy and tragie by l urn as his ward, Kathleen Sheridan, Miss Shearer brought to her 1 dual part all the wealth of emotion and the grace of a fine artist. In the story of her love for Kenneth Wayne, son of the murderer of Moonyeen on her wedding day, she is given opportunities for dramatic effects which she has never had before, and of which she takes advantage to the. fullest. It is Miss Shearer’s triumph. And sharing the honours with her, are Fredric March, excellent as Kenneth Wayne, Leslie Howard, in the role of Sir John, and O. P. Heggie as Dr. Owen. The supporting films are all good, but outstanding among them is that of the worldfamous aerial trapeze artists, the Flying Cadonas, whose feats of skill and daring are breath-taking in the extreme.

DE LUXE THEATRE. “Diggers in Blighty,” at the De Luxe Theatre has scored a bull’s-eye so far as Wellington is concerned, and Pat Hanna’s three irrepressible Australian diggers arc amazingly funny in the way in which they relate their experiences during ten days .in Blighty. lat Hanna, Joe Valli, George Moon, and Alfred Frith are the stars of this hilarious show. The supports include two news reels, the swearing-in of 1 resident Roosevelt. George Wallace in a comedy sketch. “Oh. What a Night,” Downey and Henderson in a radio singing novelty, and Paul Cullen, in several favourite numbers at the Wurlitzer organ. “Humanity.” “Humanity,” a poignant drama devotion and sacrifice, which is adapted from Harry Fried’s famous story. 'J he Road to Heaven,” commences at .the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. Tracing the development of father and son, both physicians. in the face of both success and adversity, the story builds up a contrast in character such as few recent films have. The elder doctor, played by Ralph Morgan, and the younger one, portrayed bv Alexander Kirkland, represent two sides of a problem. The father, trained in the school of strict professional ethies, will let nothing interfere with the honourable pursuit of his practice. The son, more susceptible to the confusing tempo of modern life, lets darker influences seep into the clear performance of his duty. Alongside of this contrasting parallel, there is another one com posed of a young nurse, played by Boots Mallory, and a not-too-meticulous daughter of the rich in the person of Irene Ware. SPIVAKOVSKY-KURTZ RECITALS.

The forthcoming visit of the Sptvakov-sky-Kurtz Trio, who will commence a short season at the Town Hall on Ihursday, May 11, will be of particular interest to the many music-lovers who at tended the concerts given here eleven yean bv Jascha Spivnkovsky, the pianist of the party. In reviewing the final recital “The Dominion of July 2i>, l.l—. said’ “Recalling as faithfully as one mav the memory of the great pianists who have passed this way during the last generation, it does not seem that tins young Russian has ever been surpassed, or even equalled.” Mr. Spivakovsky will be generally remembered as a player o remarkable strength and virility. In the new trio he is partnered by his younger brother, Tossy Spivnkovsky, violinist, ana Edmund Kurtz, ’cellist.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Maisie Gay continues to give pleasure to large attendances at the Paramount Theatre in Edgar Wallace’s exceptionally gripping puzzle play, “The Old "lan” or “Lady Arranway’s Secret. Anne Grey as “Ladv Arranway” is very- channing, and Cecil Humphreys is responsible for fine acting in the mysterious character of the old man. The supporting subjects are particularly good. “Marry Me.” The return of Renate Muller, a delightful actress of bewitching personality and sweet singing voice, who became so popular with screen audiences through her excellent portrayal in “Sunshine Susie, is announced by the Paramount Theatre management for Friday next. She comes on this occasion in Gainsborough s big musical comedy hit, “Marry Me, and during the course of the play she will render in her own inimitable way the tuneful numbers, “Oh. . Will Somebody Marrv Me?” “Early Birds, A Little Sunshine,” and “You Are So Wonderful to Me.” The notable east of London artists supporting Miss Muller includes the best-known of all English comedians, George Robey, Harry Green the famous Jewish impersonator, lan Hunter, the dashing juvenile lead, who was seen here in “His House in Order. and Billy Caryll, a singer and dancer .of international fame. Special supporting subjects will precede the main feature.