ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 29, 29 October 1934, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

To-day’s Programmes

State.— “Turkey Time.’’ . Paramount. —“Two -Hearts in Maltz

Time.” St. James.-— “Riptide. Grand Opera House.— Double heature

BillPlaza.—“ The Buttle. Regent— “ Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back.” , .. Majestic.— “ Murder at the Vanities. King’s.— Double Feature Do Luxe. — “Convention City.

“Riptide” With Norman Shearer

at the St. James

With the wonderfully-gowned Norma Shearer in the stellar role, 'Riptide, Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer's up-to-the-miiiutc ( romance, opened the second week of its rqn at the St. James Ihcati'e on Saturday. The story of “Riptide” is that of a woman who is unfaithfjil to her husband only after he has demonstrated Ins lack of trust in her. After discovering her unfaithfulness he forgives her, and they live happily ever after. Although the plot is woven in a manner calculated to rouse sympathy for the wife, her behaviour from first to last is extremely stupid and indiscreet; in fact, as the story progresses it becomes a matter' for lively interest as to how much more stupid and indiscreet she can become. However, the actin" revealed in ‘ Riptide carries it triuinphantly into the select coterie ol films that must not. be missed. Norma Shearer has given few. if any better, peiformances. and she has never been more strongly supported, or. as it happens, rivalled. "Riptide.” in fact, provides a histrionic contest for four very c ever people—Miss Shearer, Mrs. Campbell, Robert Montgomery, and Herbert Marshall. As the husband Marshal gives a magnificent performance, and steals the picture while he is before the camera. Montgomery is at the top ot bis term as the devil-may-care philanderer, who causes all the trouble. J rs. latrick Campbell is delightful as the elderly, muddled, and startlingly broad-minaed aunt of the husband and counsellor of the wife. Of the four Miss Shearer and Marshall win the contest. Mrs. Campbell a close second. The remainder of .the east, ineludfh" Lilian Tashman in a tiny part, and Ske’ets Gallagher hovering about in the background most of the time, is strong and satisfying. Thanks mainly to Mrs. Campbell, there is a strong vein of comedy in “Riptide.” Also on the St. James programme are excellent supporting films, including graphic scenes of the Morro Castle disaster. The first film showing Scott and black lauding at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne. to win the speed contest of the Centenary Air Race, will be screened at the St.'James Theatre commencing tonight. v

Musical Comedy Feast at the Paramount Theatre Musical comedy of a high order is provided in the British Domurions’ film “Two Hearts in'- "Waltz Time.” which is at the Paramount Theatre. Through a feast of song end waltz the story moves in many brilliant scenes to a climax of surpassing splendour and beauty. Carl Brisson’s voice and his art and grace make him an admirable man for the leading role, and Frances Day as the feminine lead takes her part well. “Turkey Time” Heads Bill at .. State Theatre Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Mary Brough, and Robertson Hare rotnp their way through several thousand feet of the most farcical film at the State Theatre, where "Turkey Time,’’ the Gaumont-British attraction, has kept audiences in shrieks of laughter since it opened l last week. “Turkey Time” has a Christmas time background, and tells of the adventures of a group of people in a little English seaside town, jjlvbere so much happens that one wonders if the town will evtfr know the meaning of peace again. Torn Walls is in his element as a pugnacious, flirtatious “he-man” from the wilds of Montana. U.S.A., and Ralph Lynn is seen in the “sillv-ass” type of role that has made him famous. Robertson Hare has the role of a henpecked husband, _ and Mary Brough again shines as ah irate landlady. There are excellent supports. “The Cat’s Paw.”

The prolonged absence of Harold Lloyd from the screen can be attributed to several reasons. The principal one has been a lack of what he regarded as suitable material. “The Cat’s Paw,” which opens nt the State Theatre on Friday, has. an unusual story, a definite characterisation,

smart dialogue, as well as comedy and drjumi mingled. Lloyd feels be undoubtedly has produced the “different” picture he visualised, it is stated. Ronald Colman at the Regent Theatre Mystery, romance, adventure and excitement are all combined in “Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back.” 20th Century’s new film to s.tar the ever-popular Ronald Cplman, whose adventures are being screened to crowded houses at the Regent Theatre. This new Bulldog Drummond story is brimful of action and thrills from start to finish, and has a plot that holds the audience in its grip from beginning to end. Mr. Colman has never acted better than in this picture, in which he receives the most able support from Charles Butterworth, Una Merkel. C. Aubrey Smith, Wiyner Gland, and Loretta Young. The supporting bill is especially entertaiiUDe- special feature of the supporting bill is the film of the centenary celebrations at Melbourne, showing the arrival of the Duke of Gloucester and the procession through the city streets. “Strike Me Lucky.” "Strike Me Lucky.” n farce featuring the well-known Australian comedian, "Mo” (Roy Rene), in bis initial picture, will begin at the Rogen*. Theatre on Friday. “Mo” has been a popular and original comedian throughout Australasia for many years past, and Cinesound brings him'to the talking screen for the first time. This fascinating story, full of thrills and excitement, with burlesque situations cropping up every few minutes, brings out to a marked degree the inimitable comedy of Rlov Rene. “Murder at the Vanities” at the Majestic Double murder, backstafce. on J he first night of a big Broadway show, while the gorgeous scenes go through on the stage. The leading man is one of those involved and the procluccr makes one long ffantie effort to keep the police off the stage until the finish of the performance. This it the plot and the fun of "Murder at th< Vanities.” which comes to the Majestn Theatre on Friday. It is not merely i “leg show,” nor is it a series of songi which pall in overdoses. Jack Oakie. a: the producer, is as full, as ever of wise I cracks, directed unmercifully at Victo McLaglen. who plays the slightly duinl I defective lieutenant, susceptible to i pretty fnce and a beautiful figure. Car Brisson, a famous European star, make his first American screen appearance a the leading man of the stage show, witl a fine voice and pleasing personality There are excellent supports, and on th stage Fred Webber’s band plays tunefu

numbers, while Dolores and Freda, two clever young dancers, do a graceful turn. “Mala the Magnificent.” The grandeur of the earth’s white ' mantle of snow at the North I’ole is shown in vistas that will stir film audiences in “Mala the Magnificent,” great epic of the Arctic, filmed by Colonel M • S. Van Dyke for the Mctro-Goldwyn-Mnyer studios. The picture will open at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Hilarious Comedy at De Luxe Theatre Enacted by an all-star cast. "Convention City,” Warner Brothers’ hilarious merry-mix-up comedy, is at the De Luxe Theatre. The story of this hilarious show deals with some riotous and exceptionally mirth-provoking happenings during a salesmen’s annual jamboree at Atlantic City. The action is said to he fast and furious, beginning with the assembling of the salesmen and following them through a week of riotous escapades to a smashing climax in which a hotel, as well as reputations, is nearly wrecked. There is an all-star cast headed by Joan Blondell as a gold-digging chorus | girl, who dotes on conventions. Others include Adolphe Meujou, Dick I’owell, Marv Astor. Guy Kibbcc. Frank McHugh. Patricia Ellis. Ruth Donnelly. Hugh Herbert, Hobart Cavanaugh, Grant Mitchell and Gordon Westcott. There are excellent supports, and Iris Mason is heard at. (he Wurlitzer organ in several popular items. Elsa Stralia. The management of the De Luxe Theatre have been fortunate in securing for a short season the personal appearance of the world-famous prima donna, Madam Elsa Stralia, who will open her season at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next. In conjunction with the grand return season of that great epic of the Enjpire, “Cavalcade,” Madam Elsa Stralia, who has appeared before their Majesties the King and Queen of England, and the King and Queen of Spain, appeared with the great Pashniaun, Ysayc, Emmy Dictinn, Antonio Scotti, and many other lioterl artists. With such a unique presentation theatregoers of Wellington have ' a real treat in store. Intending patrons are advised to make early reservations at the D.1.C., Begg’s, and theatre. 1 Two Features at the Grand 5 Opera House “Name the Woman,” n Columbia re- > lease featuring Richard Cromwell and i the beautiful Arline Judge, is one of the 1 two films at. the Grand Opera House. It 5 is described as an exciting newspaper s story about the adventures of a cub rei porter who is responsible for an expos- . are of a corrupt city government. The ? other attraction, “East of Fifth Avenue, 1 is a picture which might be labelled the

"Grand Hotel” of boarding-house life in New York. The stars are Dorothy Tree and Wallat’e Ford Drama and Thrills in the Plaza’s Feature AU the thrill and tragedy of a battle at sea, ships staggering under a hail of missiles, with broken funnels and smashed turrets, explosions, fires, a vessel turning turtle and sinking, are to be seen in t.he Gaumont-British film, "The Battle,” featuring Charles Boyer, John Loder, Merle Oberon and Betty Stoekfeld. It is a Fox Film release, and is being screened at the Plaza Theatre. “The Buttle” depicts not only the clash of navies, but also the clash of hearts, with its story of the Japanese naval commander's wife wooed by a British naval attache. To obtain possession of naval secrets, the husband apparently acquiesces in the affair, sacrificing everything to his patriotism. How this situation works up to a tremendous and strongly dramatic climax is to be seen in the film, which is distinctly great ' entertainment. The story is based on I’Claude Farriere’s brilliant novel, which made a big success as a stage play in Paris. The Plaza is also screening a most entertaining supporting programme, which includes, the latest scenes of Melbourne’s centenary celebrations. All the other short sulijects have also been specially selected. “Stand Up and Cheer.” A particularly strong cast appears in the musical revue “Stand Up and Cheer,” which will begin a season at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. There are Jimmie Durante, gtepin Fetehit, Aunt Jemima, John Boles. Sylvia Froos, Warner Baxter. Madte Evans. James Dunn, and many , others. ’ s i —’ ■ Double-feature Bill at King’s - Theatre The most dramatic incident in the life , of a ouce-famous opera singer—an inei- ' dent in which she nearly sacrifices het ’ oivii son in her greedy desire _to bask 5 again in the limelight of sensational publicity—is depicted in “The Past of Mary Holmes,” which is now at the King’s i Theatre, with Eric Linden playing the * son. Helen MacKellar portraying Mary Holmes, Jean Arthur the boy’s sweetheart, and Richard “Sheets” Gallaghei i- the reporter who dug up the story that ii turned out to be too hot even for him. e The picture is a brilliant adaptation ol t Rex Beach's famous novel. “The Goos* r Woman.” The sedond feature is “Emer- - gency Call,” starring Bill Boyd. Wynni i- Gibson and. William Gargan. Bott ? films are of outstanding merit, the pro- ” gramme being one that is well wort! e seeing.