ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

To-day’s Programmes Plaza. —“Stand Up and Cheer,’’ Regent.—“ Strike Me Lucky.” M ajest ic.—‘ 'Mala.” King’s.—" Bolero.” Do Luxe. —"Cavalcade” and Madame Elsa Stralia. State.—" The Cat’s Paw.” Paramount. —"Lillies of the Field. St. Janies.—“Riptide.” Harold Lloyd at State Theatre After a lengthy absence from the screen, that popular comedian, Harold Lloyd, has now returned, and his new feature film, “The Cat’s Paw, ’ a l’ ox release, which is said to be one of the vear’s cleverest comedies, will open today at the State Theatre. Instead of the quick witticisms so familiar in bis previous pictures, Lloyd now depends more on the story, acting and dialogue. This change is undoubtedly an improvement, and the film shows the comedian in a new light. He is east as a missionary's son who is taken to China as a little boy. There he grows up in the dreamy traditions of the township of Cheengtu and the philosophical sayings of the past. On attaining manhood he Ls sent to America with instructions to return with a wife. He is thus thrown into the strange life of a large American city. He unknowingly becomes the “tool” of unscrupulous politicians, but when he becomes mayor of the city, he tries to apply Chinese philosophy to his government. He comes into conflict with a band of criminals, and the manner in which he escapes from an unenviable position is the basis of an hilarious story. There is a strong cast of comedians, including Una Merkel, J. Farrell McDonald. George Barbier and Nat Pendleton. There is a note of good comedy in the' film which is sustained to the end and provides amusing entertainment. Harold Lloyd is always a great draw, and now that he has returned to the screen he should be more popular than ever. There will be a good supporting bill of short subjects. “Mo’s” Premiere at the Regent Theatre With that well-known vaudeville comedian, Roy Rene (“Mo”) in the leading role, Cinesound’s “Strike Me Lucky,” a merry farcical comedy, with music, will have its premiere at the Regent Theatre to-day. All his mannerisms, all his extraordinary sayings, and all his tricks of the trade, for which he is famous, have been brought to the screen by “Mo,” who is seen as comic ne’er-do-well who finally does well. _ After saving a little waif, “Mo” and his pal Donald go off to find a gold mine. A fortunate break puts them in possession of the map indicating the position of the mine, and they make an early start to “get rich quick.” Unfortunately their only means of conveyance is a tandem bicycle, a long way in a long time affair, on which they are easily overtaken in an aeroplane by a gang of toughs, who also have a knowledge of the hidden gold. landing to catch the cyclers and get the precious map, the gangsters are outwitted, and the comedy couple make off in the “enemy’s” plane. The screening is excellent, and the photography a feature of the show. A first-rate ballet is introduced. “Mo’s” associates in “Strike Me Lucky” include Lorraine Smith, Yvonne Banvard. Eric Masters, little Pamela Bevan, Bert. La Blanc. Harry Burgess, and Les Warton. There will also be a strong programme of short supporting filnfs. “Mala the Magnificent” at Majestic Said to be the most unusual romance ever produced, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Mala the Magnificent,” filmed entirely in the frozen north, will open at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The story is an interesting, exciting and beautiful tale of love and hate among the Eskimos. Based on the novels by Peter Freuchen, the film is an authentic story of the Far North, as it was photographed entirely in the Arctic. Although there are some splendid and awe-inspiring scenes, more importance is attached to the powerful and dramatic plot which tells of the futility of trying to apply civilised codes to a native race. There is also a great deal of humour, for Mala is a cheerful and ingenious fellow. Laurel and Hardy are also on the bill. “Stand Up and Cheer” at the Plaza Melody, spectacle, comedy, and romance are combined in Fox Film’s “Stand Up and Cheer,” the glamorous musical extravaganza, which will open to-day at the Plaza Theatre. The show abounds in beautiful girls and magnificent settings. With Warner Baxter heading the cast of prominent players, “Stand Up and Cheer!” presents such outstanding performers of the screen, the stage and the radio as Madge Evans, James Dunn, Sylvia Froos, John Boles, Nigel Bruce, Arthur Byron, Shirley Temple, Ralph Morgan, Jimmy Dallas. "Aunt Jemima,” Mitchell and Durant, Nick Foran and Stepin Fetchit. The film was produced for Fox by Winfield Sheehan, in association with Levy Brown. The production was directed by Hamilton MacFadden, from an original idea by Will Rogers and Philip Klein. The daneey were staged by Sammy Lee. The musical numbers, destined to be the song hits of the near future, were written by Lew Brown and Jay Gorney. They are “Our Last Night Together,” “Baby Take a Bow.” ‘‘l’m Laughing,” “Broadway’s Gone Hill Billy,” and “Out of the Red.” There will be an excellent supporting bill which will be well up to the standard set by the entertaining star attraction. “Chu Chin Chow” is Coming The Gainsborough-British screen version of Osear Asche’s brilliant and extremely successful musical extravganza “Chu Chin Chow,” will open shortly at the Plaza Theatre. The cast, which includes many distinguished stage players, is headed by George Robey, probably the best known of the London music-hall comedians, who makes his first important appearance in films as Ali Baba, a happy-go-lucky woodcutter, whose discovery of the Robbers’ Cave brings him fabulous treasure and almost leads him to a tragic death. Among other notable artists who appear arc Fitz Kortnev, a celebrated German actor, who giv.es a splendid performance as the roblier chief. Malcolm McEachern. John Garrick and Anna May Wong. The show is said to be the most spectacular ever to be produced in England. “Lilies of the Field” at Paramount Theatre Commencing at the Paramount fi'heatrc to-day will be the British Dominions film presentation of John Hastings Turner's world-famous stage success, a delicious comedy romance entitled “Lilies of the Field.’’ 'Winifred Shotter. as well known for her roles in teh Aldwych Theatre, faces, is said to give her best performance to date in a role, entirely different from anything she has yet been seen in. She and Judy Gunn, according to one critic, “make the most delightful twins you eould wish to meet in ‘Lilies of the Field.’ ” Brought up in a country vicarage, both have nevertheless up-to-the-minute ideas, and when a young and handsome expert on antiques arrives, Winifred very cleverly goes all-Vic-torian in order to engage his attention. Taken to London, where she still continues her pose, she creates a sensation in Mayfair, and from then on there are still further hilarious situations to be untangled, and the story ends on a bright comedy note.

Stralia and “Cavalcade” at De Luxe Commencing at. the De Luxe Theatre tonight, Madame Elsa Stralia, the famous Australian soprano, and protege of .Madame Melba, will make a personal appearance for one week only, in conjunction with a return season of that great epic of the Empire. “Cavalcade," starring Diana Wynynrd, Clive Brook, Herbert Mundin, and Beryl Mercer, together with -10 featured players and a cast of 3500. “(.'avalcade’ 1 is the story of a home; a family. It tells of a mother's protective instincts frustrated by the chauvinistic policies of governments which lead to war then batten on the patriotosm and adventurous spirits of the youth of the nation. As an atmosphere prologue. Madame Elsa Stralia will render ’’Land of Hope and Glory,” with a special stage setting, in conjunction with Miss Tris Mason at the WurlitZfcr organ. George Raft at King’s in “Bolero” George Baft, who has often been referred to as Rudolf Vanentino’s successor, will be seen aCthe King’S Theatre to-day in Paramount's "Bolero;’’ The picture, directed by Wesley Buggies, features Baft as a glamorous dunce star who rises to heights of success by trampling upon the hearts of his beautiful dancing partners. Carole Lombard carries the leading feminine role, while Sally Band, the worldfamous fan dancer displays her original fan dance for the first time on the screen. Frances Drake. William Frawley and Gertrude Michael are also featured. A special stage presentation is a demonstration by Miss Margaret O’Connor and partner of Hbllywood’s latest dance craze, “The Rafters.” • “Riptide” Finishes To-day at the St. James “Riptide,” the daring romance with Norma Shearer, Mrs. Fat rick Campbell, Robert Montgomery and Herbert Mashall, will conclude its run at the St. James Theatre to-day. “Gambling Lady.’’ With the beautiful Barbara Stanwyck in the leading role, “Gambling Lady,” a Warner Brothers film, based on a thrillingly dramatic story, will open at the St. James Theatre to-morrow. Miss Stanwyck has the gay and eporting role of a gambler who plays the game of fife with a courage few persons possess, even to tossing away love to eave her husband from a crime of which she knows he ie innocent. Others in the cast include such talented players as C. Aubrey Smith, Phillip Reed, Philip Faversham. Robert Barrat, Robert Elliot. Ferdinand Gottschalk, Arthur Vinton, Willard Robertson and Arthur Treacher. There will be entertaining supports.