ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 57, 30 November 1934, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

To-day’s Programmes Do Luxe.— “ Journal of a Crime.’’ Paramount. — "Music ll.lil.’' State.— "Handy Andy. ’ St. Janies. — "Ut Human .Bondage. Grand Opera House. —"The Most I’reclous Thing in Life.” Plaza. — "The World Mores On. , Kegent.— "The Last. Gentleman. „ .Majestic.— " Many Happy Keturns. King’s— " Heat Lightning.’' PLAZA THEATRE “The World Moves On” ■Notable for some of the most, flawless characterisations ever seen on stage or screen, the gripping Fox drama, "lhe World Mores on,” a story winch lollow.s world events over a period of 100 years, was given its gala presentation at the Plaza Theatre last evening, "lhe World Moves On” is the saga of a family pledged to unity through a century of civilisation rent by militarism and the lust for power. Through it all there is the story of a love which, blighted in one generation, lives anew nearly 100 years niter. In a magnificent homestead on a New' Orleans cotton plantation there is evolved in the will of the dead Sebastian Girard an ambitious plan. to control the cotton market in America, England, France amt Germany. The will enforces a world partnership between Hie Girard sons and those of Gabriel A 111burton. Manchester mill owner. The story traces their fortunes through a century. The descendants adopt the modes and customs of their various countries, but. the .spirit of family unity remains until, weakened by the greater need of patriotism in war, it is nearly shattered by the Wall Street crash in 102'J. It is a broad canvas indeed, but never doea the brush of Keginald Berkeley, who wrote th,e story, falter as he paints an impressive and sometimes terrifying picture of a civilisation run riot. He is at his best when the characters discuss the prospect of another war. Some foretell it; others protest. Then there follows a hectic panorama of a world gripped by militarism—Hitler reviewing Nazis, fascists parading before Mussolini, troops marching in Paris, English dreadnoughts ploughing the sens and United Elates Army aeroplanes roaring through the tin It is an awe-inspiring kaleidoscope. From this note, horribly but efiectively "tTiii. the film turns to the Christian religion as a spark of hope in a world of nationalism run mad. Madeleine Carroll the beautiful English star, gives a truly wonderful rendering of llm part ot tin* woman who.'-e love and devotion nnnllv light the way to true happiness, and Fraimhot Tone is no less impressive as the husband who lets power and greed almost dominate his life. Others "ho ■-ivc noteworthy characterisations are Keginald Denny, Kaul Koulien, Dudley Di-ms, Lumsden Hare, Louise Dresser. Barrv Norton and Ivan Simpson. Somn comic relief is provnh’d by the dusky Slopin Fctchit. The excellent supporting bill includes pictures of I litWt to Svdnev of the Duke of Gloueestei. a Buster Keaton comedy mid a print or the celebrated confiscated film ol the assassination of the King of Jugos.avia. Dramatic Romance at the St. James Theatre It is popularly supposed to be t lie woman who pays and pays but the pcsit' ous me reversed In "Of Human Bom-U-C.” KKO-Kadio's powe’Tj) 'lrmin 01 dominating love which -taro Leslie Houard and which will come to the Et. Jaims Theatre to-day. Howard is seen in the appealing rob> of a sensitive wel.-bred v uitb hungering for vi derstanding and love. He fnlD und-r the spell of a cheap tvoiiui*.*, hearth’*?* ns sLo J> beautiful. Ho can °ive tier luxi'i'i.---' aid do things for her So she sm.les <•,. bun. hut laughs to others as she betrays bis unselfish love. Bi tie Lavis poiira.,- ti e utterly selfish ■•:rl and Kay .Jolms-on plays the int'dfeetiml w 'ten who ctinn.'d compete wi 11 bcr strange attraction. Francis Dee is seer as the girl who fiimlly wins in the tangled.pain-t-irr-d Itte game. Tame will be good supports.

Ruth Chatterton at the De Luxe Theatre Admirers of Huth Chatterton will find much to entertain them at the De Luxe Theatre, where that popular star will appear to-day in “Jornal of a Crime,” her latest Warner Brothers release, the story of a woman who knew no law but her own blind fury. This film is said to offer Miss Chatterton the greatest opportunity of her career to display her unusual dramatic talent. The picture is based on a powerful French drama, and depicts the effect of a murder on a woman of fine instincts who kills a rival, who is wrecking her home. Adolphe Menjou plays opposite the star, and also in the east are Claire Dodd and George Barbier. There will be good supports, and Miss Tris Mason will be at the Wurlitzcr organ. “Music Hall” at Paramount Theatre To-day 'The new release to-day nt the Paramount Theatre will bd the K.K.O. British .production "Music Hall.” It is the ■story of a music hall which has fallen on evil days and :'s brought back to success and forms the introduction to a series of well-varied music hall turns presented in a .straightforward manner. The names of the artists carry weight and should prove a draw in themselves. In addition to the players portraying characters in the story, George Carney, Ben Field and Mark Daly, there are more first-class variety turns presented than could be assembled for any single music hall programme. All brought logically into the development of the story are such present-day stars and old-timers as G. IL Elliott, the original “Chocolate coloured coon”; Debroy Somers and his band. Jiacari and his Dutch sercnaders. one ot the most popular accordion bauds in the conn- ■ trv; the Sherman Fisher'girls, Harvard, Kendrick and Mortimer, trick cyilists: Chester and his Dogs, and the Gershom Parkingtou Quintette, and several others. There will be good supports, and Miss Iris Mason will be heard at the M urlitzci organ. “Heat Lightning” Screens at the King’s Coming to the Kings Theatre to-day is "Heat Lightning, a i.r.-ma ot m- 611 levo an I hate. It rt.s an all-star i-t, headed by that rapable - ’’l”; Mahon. This film. educed by M■d •’ - Brothers, is said to combine dynamic with romance ana light • It is an episode play, and enough incdenis are Crowded nite 24 hours to keep the production mow: Ji -let ernio. There are rt.-ee romr.mes, all of a Clandestine charae'er. <b? turnishing I' smashing climax in v i.ich a girl s • * her lover. There will mko be a syccullj selected supporting era mine. Will Rogers Appears at the State Theatre That droll comedian ■ Will Kogers, whose appearances on die screen of any theatre are always the signal tor a successful sene-on, will be seen at the State Theatre to-day in his latest lox production "Handy Andy,” which, according to advance reports, is without doubt one ot the most entertaining films Kogers has vet made. The show is said- to be briHifi 1 of humour of the type that always characterises the Will Kogers pieturesurv and extremely amusing. In the picture bis wife, played by Peggy Woods, wants him to play—and be does! Ami thereby hang most of the hilarious situations that go to make this his funniest picture. Things run smoothly as long is' lingers is in his drug store. But when he sell* out and starts to play ho finds life complicated. First he raises pigeons, until they escape into the house. Then he tries golf, with screamingly funny results. But the climax comes when he goes with his wife to New Orleans to attend the Mardi Gras. He refuses .to attend the ball with her. Later, however, wandering around alone, he encounters a fellow druggist and his lovely girl friend, enacted by Conehit 1 Montenegro. Mellowed by a few cocktails. Will decides to attend (he ball after all. and he chooses a leopard skin as his costume. A few more, cocktails lend him the courage to try ail adagio dance with the lithe Conchita. Then the fun begins. There will be an excellent supporting bill screening with “Handy Andy.”

George Arliss Comedy at the Regent Theatre Always certain of success, Air. George Arliss, the grand old man of the screen, will bo seen to-day at the Regent Theatre in his latest- offering for United Artists —a comedy this tiuic—-entitled lhe Last Gentleman.” A far cry from “'The House of Rothcbild,” the star's first production under the Joseph M. Schenck-Darryl h* Zanuek banner,' this whimsical comedy is, by virtue of its very contrast, a fitting successor to the, powerful dramatic production. As Cabot Barr, a wealthy, irascible, family-proud old New Englander, who calls together his relatives in the vague hope of finding a worthy heir, Arliss offers another of his rich and perfect portraits. Immediately the members of the family are assembled under his root, he proceeds to insult and humiliate them and accuse them of being after his money, for the mere fiendish glee of seeing them squirm. Among those present are Edna May Oliver, as his sniffling but likeable daughter, and Frank Albertson as Allan, her adopted son; Janet Beecher ns the widow of Cabot’s late son and Charlotte Henry (of “Alice in Wonderland” fame), as her young daughter, Marjorie; ana Donald Meek as Judd, Cabot’s only living son. a thorougli-gcing scoundrel who has been secretly tor ending his fathers eccentricities in the hope of proving him insane and inheriting his estate. In the cCurse of the story, Cabot develops a genuine affection for young Marjorie (although he hates females erd plans to promote a romance between her and Allan, and make them his heirs. The shock of his son’s treachery in bringing an alienist to examine him breaks old Cabot s heart and health beyond repair; but the film ends on a cheery note and one which offers something altogether unique and refreshing in screen denouement, which it would be unfair to divulge here. The story, which Leonard I'raskins adapted from a play by Katharine Clugstou, is rich in humour and a distinct departure from the usual film story. The capable jobs turned in by Sidney Lantield, who handled the megaphone in association with Maude T. Howell, and every member of the cast, combine to make “The Last Gentleman” entertainment that will delight the heart of every member of the audience. There will be a' specially selected supporting bill. “Many Happy Returns” at the Majestic Theatre Heading the new bill tliut opens to-day at the Majestic Theatre will be "Many Happy Returns,” a Paramount musicalfarce, featuring that popular duo, Grade Allen and George Burns, who arc assisted by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians and George Barbier. The show is s-aid to contain a laugh in every toot ot ■film. There are several spectacular scenes. Also screening will be "The ’Witc'hing Hour?' a murder story fontur•ing Sir Guy Standing. John Halliday and Judith Allen. The programme is-said to be one of the most entertaining presented for many a day. Entertaining Films at the Grand Opera House To-day's new attractions at the Grano Opera House will be “The Most Precious Thing in Life.” said to be one of the '■ear'd best romances, featuring Jean Arthur, Donald Cook and Richard Cromwell. and "I’ll Fix It." with Mona Barrie and Jack Ho't Both are Columbia released, and should provide first-rate eii; lertainment for all audiences. Drama and romance are the keyno*.. l ot the former, and light romance and humour of t,:e latter.