ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 111, 3 February 1934, Page 17

ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Talking Pictures and Musical Comedy REVIEWS OF THE LATEST PROGRAMMES T here is entertainment to suit everyone at the various theatres in Wellington at present, for the picture programmes embrace everything from musical comedy to stark drama and piquant comedy. In .addition, the stage is to the fore once more, a talented company presenting a series of musical-comedy successes which have found much favour with the public. A thrilling story dealing with the. adventures of a group ot people on a floating aerodrome heads the new bill at the State. Conrad Veidt is the star. A revival of that glamorous and popular coloured musical, “Whoopee,” with Eddie Cantor in the leading role, is being presented at the Regent. Ihe musical comedy being presented on the stage at the Giand Opeia House by'the J. C. Williamson company is that universal favourite, “Floradora.” Romola Hansen will appear as Dolores. The new attraction at the St. James is “By Candlelight,” a most daring and piquant comedy-romance, with an all-star cast, headed by Elissa Landi and Paul Lukas. The platinum-haired Jean Harlow is at the Majestic in “Blonde Bombshell,” a fast-moving- story of the adventures of a glamorous screen star. Still drawing crowded houses at the De Luxe is that beautiful, and very human romance, “Only Yesterday,” which features Margaret Sullavan, John Boles and Billie Burke. Brimful of excitement and gripping situations is the British release, “Rome Express,” which is running for a further week at the Paramount. The Dominion’s reviews of current programmes arc given below.

REGENT THEATRE “Whoopee” Eiklie Cantor, singer, dancer and one of America’s cleverest wise-cracking clowns, figures as the star in the all-natural-colour version of the whimsical musical comedy “Whoopee,” at the Regent Theatre, Strange as it may seem this story of whoopee in the Wild West has a story. Sally Morgan is being forced into a marriage with Sheriff Boh Wells, though she really loves Wanenis, a handsome lad, who is objected to because he is alleged to have Indian blood in his veins. As the wedding bells ring out Sally enlists the aid of comic Henry Williams, a hypochondriac who lives 0:1 pills and lotions, and even as the bridesmaids parade she and Henry vanish in a car. Their adventures on the trip are wildly funny, mut, pursued by the sheriff and posse, they seek the protection of Chief Black Eagle, reputed father of Wanenis. When the sheriff and old Morgan arrive at the camp, Sally declare her love for Wanenis, and matters are straightened out by Black Eagle’s disclosure that Wanenis is all white, he having found, and adopted him when a baby. The comedy is punctuated with snappy ballets, some smart songs, and a gorgeous parade of Indian mannequins, whose costumes'beggar the most artistic imagination. Eddie Cantor of the rolling eyes and rubber heels feeds the audience with a running fire of quickfire jokes, and his antics when avoiding detection and bamboozling the sheriff furnish a cascade of laughter. Hie songs. “Making Whoopee” and “A Girl Friend of Mine,” are high spots in the comedy. Eleanor Hunt figures charmingly as Sally Morgan, and Paul Gregory makes a very handsome Wanenis, exhibiting the torso of a Greek athlete. “Whoopee” is certainly the best coloured picture up to date. Another extremely clever picture is the new technicolour Walt Disney cartoon, “Old King Cole,” an eccentric pantomime in which all the people found in nursery tales make whoopee at the bidding of bibulous King Cole. This is a veritable masterpiece in its genre. There is also “Zampa.” a brief musical talkie of Herold’s grand opera, and the usual news reels. DE LUXE THEATRE “Only Yesterday” It would be difficult to conceive of a film telling more sweetly and more delicately the tale of a woman who loved, and yet was never destined to have her loved one, than "Only Yesterday,” a Universal release, which opened its second week of screening at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday. “Only Yesterday” is a powerful and compelling picture. The story is woven around those fateful years of the World War leading on to an event almost as fateful, for America, at least —the great crash on Wall Street in the fall of 1929. Mary Lane loved the handsome Jim Emerson dearly but unwisely, and when he returned from France he failed to recognise the girl who had placed such high hopes upon him, and who had in his absence brought a little son into the world. Jim Emerson married, but not to find happiness, and events move swiftly to a powerful and satisfying conclusion, against, the background of falling spirits and falling securities on Wall Street. “Only Yesterday” is a story of two human beings who seek happiness, but their realisation of the right means to achieve it comes too late. Margaret Sullavan plays a conspicuously successful leading role as Mary Lane, who has opposite to her John Boles, as the handsome and elusive Jim Emerson. These two stars in themselves should be sufficient to ensure the picture’s success. Billie Burke plays the part of Julie Warren, Mary Lane's close friend and help-mate, and she bas with her the inimitable Reginald Denny, who pays attention to her in a laughable manner. The scenes of the homecoming of the American troops are of much interest, as is. in fact, all the war background. “Only Yesterday” can be commended as one of the most convincing and entertaining productions seen here for some time. In addition there is a first-class selection of “shorts,” while Paul T. Cullen, at the Wurlitzer delights with old-time melodies, and leads community singing. “The Song of Songs.” Marlene Dietrich appears in her new Paramount picture. “The Song of Songs.” which opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre, as the young orphan who experiences heartache and tragedy because of her yearning for real true love. She is supported bv a notable cast, including Brian Aherne, Lionel Atwill, Alison Skipworth. Hardie Albright, nnd Helen Freeman. GRAND, PETONE The brilliant musical success, “International House,” starring Peggy Hopkins, Joyce Sari, Maritza, W. C. Fields, and Rud.v Vnllee, will be screened at the Grand Theatre, Petone, to-day. PALACE, PETONE Said to. be an intriguing murder mystery, with a draamtic climax. “Alibi” will come to the Palace Theatre, Petone, to-day. Austin Trevor heads the cast, and there a ret good supports. PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN The alluring Mae West in “She Done Him Wrong,” starring Cary Grant and Noah Beery, is being shown nt tnc Prince Edward Theatre, Woburn, to-day. On Tuesday Lionel Barrymore will be seen in “Sweepings.” KILBIRNIE KINEMA “Tug-boat Annie,” successor to “Min and Bill,” and with Mario Dressier and Wallace Beery in the star roles, will lie the attraction at the Kilbirnie Kincma to-day. It is said to be packed with laughs, thrills, drama, and romance.

ST. JAMES THEATRE “By Candlelight” Distinctly modern and certainly not a picture for anyone who might be shocked by gay sophistication, “By Candlelight” was thoroughly enjoyed by last evening’s audience at the St. James Theatre. It is a delightful farce—a royal masquerade from start to finish —and holds its own with any film hitherto presented in Wellington, not only for its suggestiveuess, but also for its novelty, snappy and accomplished acting, and subtlety of humour. While, however, the acting of the Individuals is commendable, it is open to question whether the actors have been chosen wisely as a team. For instance, Paul Lukas,. one of Europe’s most, polished aetors, did not seem to harmonise with Nils Asther, nor did Asther fit in as well as one would like with Lukas. Individually the parts were played admirably, but collectively there was something to be desired. The'shortcoming, however, is but a minor one. and in no way affects the picture from an entertainment point of view. Paul Lukas was greatly popular in “Strictly Dishonourable,” and in each film since he has maintained a high standard. “By Candlelight” is no exception for the suave actor moves along in his usual dashing style, giving a performance that could not be improved. He has a perfect foil in Elissa Landi, who needs no introduction to theatre-goers. The pair, both from the servants’ chambers, cause delight by their masquerading. Elissa, believing that Paul is Prince Alfred von Rommer, and Paul, although not going so far as to believe Elissa is a titled lad.v. at least credits her with being someone well up the social ladder. It is this which causes the amusement; the extremely compromising situations and not a few hot words between husbands and wives. But Paul and Elissa are perfectly innocent even though their makebelieve is the cause of all the trouble. Paul is the dutiful butler of the Austrian Prince, who is a snare for all the pretty ladies in Vienna, and it is his unbounded admiration for the Prince that leads him to assume the role of the higher personage. He lives the part well, but a mild flirtation with Countess _ von Rischenheim’s maid, to whom in princely manner hp presents an expensive cigarette case, leads to unhappy results. Unfortunately the maid had borrowed her mistress’s plumes for the occasion and it was among these that the husband of the countess found the gift. The supporting programme is interesting. MAJESTIC THEATRE “Blonde Bombshell” The walls of the Majestic Theatre resounded to hearty laughter yesterday, when Jean Harlow and Lee Tracy costarred in “Blonde Bombshell,” a riot of mirth, which beaded a new programme of wide charm and appeal. Based on the clever play by Caroline Francke and Mack Crane, the “Blonde Bombshell” is a brilliant pictorial record of Hollywood laughing at itself. That vivacious actress, Jean Harlow, takes the role of Lola Burns, a film star made famous by her press agent, Lee Tracy, who has built upon her various .international love affairs. Franchot Tone and Pat O’Brien have congenial roles in this hilarious comedy, and Ivan Lebedeff, Una Merkel, Isobel Jewel, Louise Beavers, C. Aubrey Smith, and June Brewster all help to keep the fun going right merrily. It is long since such spontaneous laughter was called up in a local picture house than that provoked by the “Blonde Bombshell” last night. “Deluge.” Coming to the Majestic Theatre shortly is “Deluge,’ ’a Radio Picture production taht is said to be truly amazing. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “Rome Express” Strange travellers, a man eloping with another man’s wife, two lovers who meet again, three criminals who tight for a Stolen masterpiece, a murder, a suicide, and a thousand other incidents, make "Rome Express,” which opened its second week at the Paramount Theatre last evening, one of the most thrilling pictures seen in Wellington for some time. Drama stalks abroad, and is given full reign on a prosaic express train as it thunders through the night, bearing its strange freight of humans. While a train load of passengers are peacefully sleeping or reading, these grim adventures are being enacted in three compart:* ents. Closely pursued by his former associates, a double-dealing thief is making his getaway with a stolen masterpiece. He is discovered by bis vengeful partners and ruthlessly murdered, and his death is unveiled in embarrassing circumstances to the two clandestine lovers. Their interrogation gradually involves the other characters in tile story, but a desperate leap to death by the murderer brings a satisfactory climax. Esther Ralston is attractive as the film star, and Conrad Veidt plays his part of the callous murderer with a cold suavity. As the miserly millionaire. Sir Cedric Hardwicke gives of bis best, while Gordon Harker is superlative as a type we all know—l he fellow overflowing with irritating bonhomie. DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT Screening at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, to-day and on.Momlay will be the well-known comedy classic, “Three Live Ghosts,” with Robert Montgomery, Claude Allister, and Beryl Mercer in the lead. Al .Tolson’s “Hallelujah I’m a Tramp.” the first production with rhythmic dialogue, will be screened on Tuesday and Wednesday, and on Thursday “The Diplomaniacs” will make their appearance. KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT Bernice Claire, .lune Collyer, and Frank McHugh appear in "Kiss Me Again,” the current attraction at the* King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. On Wednesday and Thursday “They Call it Love” will be screened.

STATE THEATRE “F.P.I” Based on a unique theme with tremendous possibilities for .spectacle of an unusual kind, “F.P.I” could hardly fail to be the success it is. “F.P.I” is a highly imaginative drama, more than up-to-date but not fantastic, for the remarkable development hi aviation pictured in the film is even now being approached in real life. Conrad Veidt, the distinguished German actor, lias the role of the central figure, a celebrated airman who chooses a strange but effective way of bringing to the notice of the public and financier's a plan of his friend to build a great floating aerodrome, or flying platform, to be stationed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as a refuelling station for aeroplanes travelling between the four continents about IL In doing so the airman, whose name is Ellisson, meets Claire Lennartz, a partner in the shipbuilding firm of Lennartz Brothers, which takes up the twoyear task of building F.P.I. As construction commences Ellisson sets off on a nonstop flight round the world. He does not return uutil the flying platform has been placed in its mid-ocean position, confessing to Claire that after his failure he has been ashamed to reappear. Cair tain Droste, the designer of the great floating island and friend of Ellisson. is on it ready to receive the first aeroplane. his happiness being clouded only by an uneasy feeling that there is a pint to destroy the platform. However, he is only prevented from confessing his love for Claire by the radio telephone being cut off. Droste’s fears for the safety and success of the great product of his brain, of two years’ labour and of his friends’ money, become greater and greater as. further suspicious incidents occur. At last he traps one of his chief assistants and realises the truth of his fears. He is powerless to prevent the man carrying out what lie has been employed by rival commercial interests to do—to wreck the flying platform. On shore Claire Lennartz is alarmed at the absence of replies from Droste, and she and Ellisson, whose love for tier litis grown deeper than ever, set off by air to tlic floating island. They arrive to find an amazing state of affairs and are trapped on the doomed structure themselves. The events which happen on tile F.P.I alone would make a story, for not only does Ellisson realise that he has u rival for the love of Claire and (lint the rival is his old friend. bill al- " I • is the only man ctintible of floating platform for them. Those who may no! like the story of "F.P.I fail Io find interest in the photography. The film is in many parts like nil the best shots from a series of news reels, showing modern aeroplanes, sliipyards, radio and macliinery all crowding on to the screen sometimes to make an impressionistic picture full of meaning. Pictures that tlie audience knows must be faked appear so real that one would almost believe thai [lie flouting platform is an aetiinlit.v. Conrad Veidt is supported by Leslie Fenlon as Droste, nnd Jill Esmond ns Clnire. Tin' advertisements have modestly not mentioned an excellent supporting programme.