ST. JAMES THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 59, 2 December 1933, Page 4

ST. JAMES THEATRE

“Beauty for Sale” A piquanlly executed picture of romance and intrigue after the modern style in a fashionable New York beauty salon and other picturesque scenes of high and low life were enjoyed by the audience at the St. James Theatre last evening when Metro-Goldwyn-Ma'yer’s “Beauty For Sale” was given an especially ethusiastic send-off for its Wellington season. Probably one of the reasons for the success of such a picture as this with the average New Zealand audience is the fact that the life and characters shown are in many ways utterly different and novel. “Beauty for Sale,” while possessing this attraction to an entertaining degree, has also many more interesting features. The acting is particularly good, and the story is effective, and has a strong climax. The impressive cast is headed by Madge Evans, Alice Brady, Otto Kruger, May Robson, and Phillips Holmes; it is too difficult to attempt to decide who in this galaxy gives the best performance. There are a host of racy, humorous, spicy, romantic, and dramatie episodes in “Beauty for Sale,” which is one of those too infrequent features that give scope for the full exploitation of all such scenes. This means excellent entertainment, and last night’s audience appreciated the fact. The supporting programme, too, is very good, and includes a bright revue and some scenes of the most spectacular parts of Wellington's Carnival week. PALACE, PETONE “Her First Mate” is the attraction at the Palace Theatre to-day. Slim Summerville, Zasu Pitts, Una Merkel, and Warren Ilymer head the great comedy cast. GRAND, PETONE With Sally Eilers. James Dunn, Sammy Cohen, and Lucien Littlefield at the top of the cast, “Sailor’s Luck,” the rollicking comedy success, opens its season at the Grand Theatre, Petone, to-day. KILBIRNIE KINEMA The screen’s first comic opera, "Fra Diavolo,” will be screened at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-day. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Dennis King, and Thelma Todd have the leading roles. One .of the features of the production is the singing of “Diavolo” by Dennis King. The matinee specials are “Heroes of the West,” Mickey Mouse, and Comic Cuts. KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT Wheeler and Woolsey are starring at the King George Theatre,. Lower Hutt, to-day, and for the first two days of next week, when “So This is Africa” is being screened. “Summer is A Cornin’ In” will follow on Wednesday and Thursday. PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN “Flesh.” with Wallace Beery in the lead, is the feature of to-day’s bill at the Prince Edward Theatre, 'Woburn. “Flesh” is a gripping drama of the wrestling ring. “The Ringer,” Edgar Wallace’s great thriller, will begin on Tuesday, Gordon Harker being the star. MAJESTIC CABARET There will be another gay time at the Majestic Lounge to-night, when a cabaret dance will be held from 9 pan. until midnight. Tommy Stratton’s singing band will be in attendance, playing the brightest and best dance hits. The lounge is under the supervision of Lillian Brooks.