ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 186, 4 May 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. “Wedding Rehearsal” at the Regent Theatre is a picture far off the beaten track in its tone, dressing, and ntmosphere, and the smart dialogue 0I " , Wimperis, spoken by cultured English players, is a rare treat. The stars are Roland Young, George Grossmifh, Lady Tree, and other noted London actors and actresses. A “Mickey Mouse cartoon and several reviews of world events constitute a highly diverting programme. “No Man of Her Own.” Paramount's “No Man of Her Own, a dramatic story of a gambler and his women, starring Clark Gable nnd leaturing Carole Lombard and Dorothy Maisknill, will be the attraction at the Regent Theatre beginning to-morrow. The picture deals with the adventures of Babe Stewart, card-sharp and confidence man. With the aid of Dorothy Mnekaill, Grant Mitchell nnd Paul Ellis, be lures wealthy men into poker games and easily trims them of their batik-rolls. But this hard, love-’em-and-lenve-’em gambler gets himself into trouble when he tries to desert Dorothy as he has deserted countless women before her. She threatens to go to the police, and Gable leaves town, lie happens to go to a small town called Glendale and there meets Carole Lombard. Ou a gambler's chance lie marries her and takes her back to New York with him, intending to give her n good time and then send her home. But he falls in love with her—a situation which seriously complicates his mode of living. Others of importance in the cast are J. Farrell MacDonald in the role of a detective, aud George Barbier, Elizabeth Patterson, and Tommy Coulon as Miss Lombard’s parents and young brother. Seven years ago, when Gable first tried to break into pictures, Ruggles was directing a series of sports shorts on the old F. 13.0. lot. In making his daily rounds of the studios Gable applied ns usual at F. 8.0. Ruggles, who was casting, picking the husky young extra out of a group of applicants for atmospheric parts as football players. In those days Clark Gable was never moro_ un- J portant to a picture than a part, of the background, but the occasional 30/- a day jobs, like that one, tided the young actor over the long stretches between stage engagelnents. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. To-night's screening will finish the successful season of "The Old Man,” at the Paramount Theatre, and all who have not seen Maisie Gay's inimitable performance of "Mrs. ’Arris” should make a point of doing so. “.Marry Mo.” The latest Gainsborough musical-com-edy triumph. "Marry Me,” heralded as "a merry, mirthful, mercurial, matrimonial marriage market melange,” will certainly be welcomed by a goodly house at the All-British Paramount Theatre tomorrow, for the popularity of the delightful film star. Renate Muller, is very great. Last seen here as “Sunshine Susie.” Miss Muller left behind her an impression that will endure a long time. In “Marry Me,” her latest success, she is credited with improving upon her excellent work in “Susie.” She has ample scope to display her acting ability, and special opportunity to make the most of her very pleasing singing voice in such tuneful numbers as "Oh, WiH Somebody, Somebody Marry Me.” "Early Birds.” "You Are So Wonderful to Me,” and “A Little Sunshine.” George Robey, England’s own comedian, as a primary producer,, in. the pig line, Harry Green as a matrimonial agent: lan Hunter, to look after the love interest, and a lengthy cast, assist Miss .Muller in making the piece the popular hit it is. A special set of short subjects will precede the main feature. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. An ail-star cast of stage and screen celebrities appears at the Grand Opera House in "Up for the Cup.” the hilarious story of the adventures and misadventures that beset a Yorkshiremau when he visits London to see the celebrated Cup final. Headed by Sydney Howard, the cast contains some of the most noted stage and screen celebrities iu England and on the Continent to-day. Joan Wyndham, in whose hands the feminine interest of the production has been left, is a stage star of note, and while this is her first appearance before the movie "mike.” she renders a characterisation that could not be 'bettered by a film star of years’ standing. Marie Wright, who will be well remembered for her more than brilliant interpretation of the dear old grandmother in "Tilly of Bloomsbury,” makes her second screen appearance as a typical Yorkshire mother, whose whole being is wrapped up in the local weaving mills. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Norman Shearer is charming audiences at the St. James Theatre in the romance, “Smilin' Through.” Radiant in her portrayal of Mooiiyeen. the intended bride of Sir John Cartaret, and happy and tragic by turn ns his ward, Kathleen Sheridan, Miss Shearer brought to her dual part all the wealth of emotion and the grace of a line 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 tak.es advantage.to the fullest. It is Miss Shearer's triumph. And sharing the honours with her, are Fredric March, excellent ns Kenneth Wayne. Leslie Howard, in the role of Sir John, nnd O. P. Heggie ns Dr. Owen. The supporting films arc all good, but outstanding among them is that of the worldfamous aerial trapeze artists, the If lying Cadonas, whose feats of skill and daring are breath-taking in the extreme.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Pat Hanna's three irrepressible Australian diggers are amazingly iuuiiy in Hie way in which they relate their experiences during teu days in Blighty, in "Diggers iu Blghty” at the De Luxe Theatre. Pat Hanna, Joe Valli, George Moon, and Alfred Frith are the stars of this hilarious show. Paul Cullen, iu several favourite numbers, is at the Wurlitzer organ. ‘‘Humanity.” "1 luimjnily," a poignant love drama of devotion and sacrifice, will open at the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow. Tracing the development of father and sou, both physicians, in the face of both success aud adversity, the story builds up n contrast in. character such as few recent films have. The elder doctor, played by Ralph Morgan, and the younger one, portrayed by Alexander Kirkland, represent two sides of a problem. The father, trained in the school of strict professional ethics, will let nothing interfere with lhe 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 composed of a young nurse, played by Boots Mallory, and a not too meticulous daughter of the rich iu the person of Irene Ware. Here again |!v makers of “Humanity” reveal characters opposed to each other. It is a case of love with both women, yet the difference in background and the difference in outlook make for a great difference in what each of them conceives as love. In the direction of "Humanity,” John Francis Dillon has used his contrasts wisely, lie has separated them, he has joined (hem, he has mingled them together until, out of the whole, he has evolved a pattern of highly satisfying entertainment. In addition, there will also be screened two Gazettes, Australian Newsreel, cartoon, and travelogue. Paul T. Cullen will he heard in further presentations at the Wurlitzer organ. MAJESTIC THEATRE. “Fast Life,” the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedy romance, is screening at the Majestic Theatre. The pic‘ure is based on E. J. Rath’s novel, “Let's Go,” dealing wih the adventures of two motor-boat mechanics who are determined to enter their boat in international competitions. “Tlie Monkey’s Paw.” 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 to-morrow. 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 1 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.