ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 264, 3 August 1933, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE. “The Warrior’s Husband,” a piquant burlesque which throws back to Pontus in 800 8.C.. when the Amazons, ruled the land is at the De Luxe Theatre. Miss Iris Mason is at the Wurlitzer organ. . , , . “Strange Interlude." “Strange Interlude,” Eugene O’Neill’s famous drama, in which spoken words and unspoken thoughts are woven into an intense romance, and which, on the stage, proved one of the most revolutionary plays in the history of modern drama, will be seen on the screen in talking picture form at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, with a presentation that makes it far more convincing than the stage form that astonished theatregoers. Norma Shearer is seen as Nina Leeds, the superemotional heroine whose life is occupied by three men. The odd complexes and the psychological explorations 'of the stage drama are made more striking on the screen, where, by means of a “double sound track,” as it is called at the studio, the unspoken thoughts come from the characters without the unnatural “asides” made necessary by the limitations of the stage. Startlingly new is this method of presentation; as startlingly new as the amazing drama itself. * ,Miss . Shearer is said to be as astounding as both, in a role that starts her as a young woman and finishes with her cloaked in the disguise of old age, through the-witchery of make-up' and camera handling. Clark Gable, teamed with Miss Shearer for the first time since “A Free Soul,” is compellingly .real as the doctor. Ned Darrell, and the other “men in her life” are played by Ralph Morgan and Alexander Kirkland. Robert Young, who plays the son in his young manhood, has another self in the person of Tad Alexander, who looks strikingly like him, and plays his role during boyhood years. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The beetle exploits of two polished gentlemen—one English, the other French—in extracting jewels from wealthy people, form the basis of an excellent film. “Diamond Cut’ Diamond.” at the Majestic Theatre. Some of the dangerous situations are highly amusing. “I Am a Fugitive.” A most unusual and extraordinary type of story comes to the screed of the Majestic Theatre to-morrow in the Warner Bros, picture “1 Ara a Fugitive From a Chain Gang,” starring faul Muni, with a brilliant supporting cast. The screen play by Sheridan Gibney and ’ Brown Holmes is based on the autobiographical novel by Robert E. Burns. The picture treats of the astounding experiences of a man sentenced to a chain gang for the theft of less than five dollars, who escaped and is still at large. It portrays the terrors of the chain gang life, which are picturesque despite their shuddery aspect. This shows how prisoners, their legs shackled together and to each other, are forced to work on the rock piles until they fall exahusted. They qre not even permittee! to wipe the sweat from their brows unless given special permission ' from the guards, who watch over them with guns and bloodhounds. Inhuman floggings are inflicted tinder the slightest pretext, prisoners sometimes dying from | the effects.

REGENT THEATRE. i In “The King’s Vacation,” which'is to begin its second week at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, George Arliss gives an outstanding performance. His symi pathetic and delightfully humorous rendering of the part of a king who, while desiring to be treated as an ordinary human being, is forever treated as a king, is consummate, and Arliss at his best. The story tells of Philip, a king seated on a throne which is tottering. He realises that thh country is on the brink-of revolution, and signs a BiJi the harshness of which he feels will bind the country together and bring about a bloodless revolution. His plan succeeds, and ho is forced to abdicate. His queen, Margaret, played by Florence Arliss with fine understanding, sends him back to his former wife and daughter to seek the peace and happiness he has so long desired. His return to the cottage of his youth and dreams is not all that he thought it would be, but Fate, by a dexterous turn, sue-' ceeds in showing how he may regain his former happiness, and the picture closes, on this note. The supporting cast has been well chosen. Mrs. Arliss, as Queen Margaret, proves a perfect foil for Helen, his former wife, played by Marjorie Gateson. ‘ The juvenile and ingenue parts, played by,Dick Powell nnd Patricia Ellis respectively, while small, show them in a very favourable light. Altogether the picture reaches a very high standard. There are excellent supports. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The unusually gifted actress, Ida Lupino, who has been appearing at the Paramount Theatre, in conjunction with the cle’ver comedian, Harry Tate, in “Her First Affair,” clones her season to-night. Jessie Matthews in "The Mldshipmaid.” Once again Jessie Matthews, who, it will be remembered, appeared in “There Goes the Bride,” has made another firstclass film, this, time in “The Midshipmaid,” by lan Hay and Commander KingHall, Gainsborough’s latest musical comedy, which begins at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow afternoon. It is a rollicking nautical film, and its uproarious humour has made it very popular wherever it. has been shown. This story <>f the visit of a Naval Economist to the Fleet at: Malta—sent there to keep him quiet—is full of fun and jollity. While the pompons old man is poking about, his daughter is setting the hearts of all the officers aflutter. To flatter him the officers organise an amateur variety show, and a big part of the picture is devoted to the really laughable entertainment provided by the lower deck. Having the appearance of being played by amateurs. the show has behind it many of the best names on the English vaudeville stage. Jessie Matthews scores a great success; Fred Kerr brings his amusing crustiness to the part of the pompous economist with the beautiful daughter; the inimitable A. W. Basconfl) and Nigel Butler are amazingly good, and the study of a bandmaster by Edwin Lnwrenee is one of the best parts of the picture. Five selected short subjects will precede “The Mldshipmaid.” *

ST. JAMES THEATRE. “Hell Below,” . which is in its second week at the St. James Theatre, will stand its test with any ’ picture to date for breath-taking excitement.' All the death-defying experiences of those who make war under the high seas are portrayed with realism. “Our Betters.” That brilliant satirist, W. Somerset Maugham, is the author of Constance Bennett’s newest screen drama, “Our Betters,” RKO-Radio Picture coming to the St. James Theatre to-morrow. When h day to the St. James Theatre. When he entitled “Our Betters,” Maugham had his tongue in his cheek, for he shows the very topmost layer of society’s upper crust to be no better in manners and morals than the least and the worst of us. London and New York were.shocked when they first witnessed this biting satire on the stage, but after a lapse of several years it was revived in both metropolises arid Ina Claire made a great success of it in New York. It should prove to be Constance Bennett’s greatest characterisation and call forth talents that previous roles have not given her a chance to display. Here is an innocently romantic girl .who has sophistry forced upon her. Either she must wear a protective coat of hardness, or go through life utterly crushed because the man she marries for love has wed her for money. Having paid for the title of Lady Grayston with heartache and-a million good American dollars, she decides to get all she can out of the opportunity her title and London social position entitle her to. KKO-Radio Pictures have provided Miss Bennett with a large cast of important names in the theatre and on the screen. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Joan Crawford soars to new heights as an emotional actress in “Rain,” the powerful United Artists feature picture, which is screening at the Grand Opera House. ♦ “That Night in London.” Rowland V. Lee, the famous director of some of the most successful Hollywood pictures, is responsible for “That Night in London,” a Paramount release, which comes to the Grand Opera House to-morrow. The leading lady of the picture is Pearl Argyle. This is her first appearance on the screen, and those who have seen her work are convinced that she is a great screen find. She was originally chosen for the part because of her dancing, but she has proved herself a brilliant actress before the camera.