ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 111, 4 February 1935, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Paramount.— ‘‘You Belong to Me” and •‘Crime Without Passion.” King’s.— “ Dark Hazard.” Grand Opera House.— “ Better Times.” De Luxe.— “ Dr. Monica.” St. James. — “The Barretts of Wimpoie Street.” Regent. — “Trans-Atlantic Merry-go-Round.” Majestic.— “ The Return of the Terror.” Plaza. —“A Cup of Kindness.” State. —“Hell in the Heavens.” “The Barretts of Wimpoie Street” at St. James Theatre Audiences which have been attending the screening of "The Barrettts of Wimpoie Street’'’ at the St. James Theatre have been unstinted in their applause for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s production of this famous stage success. Nor is the applause in any way unwarranted, for the picture is one of the finest and most brilliantly acted that has been presented to any audience for many months. Following faithfully the dialogue of the play, tne picture, which tells the story of life in the house of the Barretts of Wimpoie Street, has for its stars Norma Shearer (Elizabeth Barrett), Fredric March (Robert Browning), Charles Laughton (Edward MoultonBarrett) and Maureen O’Sullivan (Henrietta). The acting, especially that of Mr. Laughton as the tyrannical father, ■was impeccable. And not only to the principals must be given all the praise, for the work of the minor characters closely rivals that of the stars themselves. There is a particularly good supporting bill. “Hell in the Heavans” Showing at State Theatre It is not often that one can say that a film is one of thrills, adventure, comedy, tragedy, drama and romance, but all these attributes are contained in “Hell in the Heavens,” which is now screening at the State Theatre. “Hell in the Heavens” may be ranked beside its predecessor, “Hell’s Angels,” in point of quality, and as a portrayal of the war in the air and the men who fought it. Nor is it any less stirring.. The basis of the story, is the conflict between the famous Escadrille Lafayette, the American volunteer squadron fighting in the French Air Force, who take over from a French squadron that has been badly reduced by the exploits of Baron von Kichthofe. Details of the plot may not be true to history, but the general conception is clear. On, taking over, the French commander makes a personal vow to get the Baron, and his second in command. an American, Lieutenant Stewart Warner (Warner Baxter), declares that it will be his job if the Frenchman fails.

A Ben 'Travers’ Farce at the ' Plaza Theatre

It has again fallen to Ben Travers to give us a brilliant satire,, but this time it is something “different”-—a’ brilliant skit on snobbishness in suburbia, “A Cup of Kindness,” which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre. Nothing farcical is complete unless associated with the name of Travers, and .nothing produced by him is complete without the names of Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare, and this world-famed' trig, with the help of practically a new east this time, romped through the countless piquant episodes with such verve that leaves .one with very little to say about them. Tom Walls gives a memorable portrayal .of a bibulous old fire-eater obsessed with the sense of his importance. His big scene is where, after a virtuous evening spent with “Tilly Winn,” he returns thoroughly sozzled to attempt reconciliation with his neighbour. ’Walls- goes through,all, the phases arising out of excess of alcohol, being successively heavily jocular, .hail-fellow-well-met,, 'extremely pugnacious and moved to tears. Claude Hulbert is the inane brother Tutt, fl ud Dorothy Hyson is a really delightful Ramsbotham. ‘Transatlantic Merry-go-Round’ at Regent A compound of melodrama with a full range of card-sharpers, gunmen, confidence tricksters, unfaithful women, and the modern theatre,revue. ‘‘Transatlantic Merry-go-round.” screened at the Regent Theatre, is hectically exciting enough to interest anyone. Gene Raymond, Nancy Carroll, Jack Benny, Sydney Howard, Mitsi Green, Sidney Blackmer, Ralph Morgan, and Shirley Gray all do good work, while the Boston Sisters croon harmoniously, in the revue, which is marked by some extremely clever ballets. “Great Expectations.” Almost a year of research and. preparation was necessary for the production of “Great Expectations,” one of Univei'eal’s attractions for 1935,” which will be shown at the Regent- Theatre shortly. Faithful replicas of the scenes and sets in the* story were obtained at great cost and much trouble. The scene in the churchyard at the opening of the story is very realistic. This set is a faithful reproduction of an old Kentish Churchyard not far from the river actually mentioned in the story. The kitchen of Mrs. Joe Gargery, the blacksmith’s wife, in another excellent reproduction of the type of kitchen then in vogue among the class of people to which she belong- . ed. Again, the marshes where the great fight between the two convicts takes place represents as nearly as’ possible those soggy, treacherous and weird places which hug the banks of the River Thames in northern Kent. Miss Havershnm’s dark house, the decayed wedding cake covered with cobwebs, and the unhappy woman herself in her wedding gown, so vividly described in <the book, have been reproduced in the film. Principal roles' in the cast are taken by Phillips Holmes, Jane Wyatt, Florence Reed, Alan Hale, George Breakston, Francis L, Sullivan, Rafaela Ottiano and Valerie Hobson, “Dark Hazard” Now showing at King’s Theatre “Dark Hazard,” at the King’s Theatre, upholds the adage, once a gambler, always a gambler. It dramatically tells of a tale of a gambler who, at- his wife’s urging, promises to give up gambling. He is apparent!}’ successful till he gets a jib at a greyhound racing track, and the fever bites him with disastrous results. The ending is unexpected. Edward G. Robinson gives a successful portrayal of Turner, while Genevieve Tobin as his wife is at her best. Glenda Farrell has a ■ smaller role as the friend of Turner’s youth and hiS final guide. Double Feature Programme at Paramount Patrons of the Paramount Theatre this week will be entertained'by two excellent films instead of the usual single, feature films instead of the , usual single feature programme. The new offering as, firstly, “Crime Without Passion,” and secondly, "You Belong to Me.” The first film tells the story of a man who, having committed an eixY traordinary murder, is defeated by justice and his own diabolical cleverness. Intense and most dramatic is “You Belong to Me.” Moreover, the star, is Lee Tracy, and ho has with him Helen Muck, talented emotional actress. The story twists into a most surprising and some- , what thrilling channel which makes it a drama of a very sympathetic variety. There is also on the programme-a series of good news shots and Miss Iris Mason at the organ. De Luxe Theatre Presents “Dr. Monica” In "Dr. Monica.” which is being shown at the De Luxe Theatre, n motlier-to-be says something within the hearing of the woman doctor (Kay Francis) attending at her accouchement which tells the doctor that her own husband is the father

o£ the child about to be bom. The woman doctor, a maternity specialist, has just been advised medically that her dearest wish,, motherhood, cau never be-granted. Horrified . at what she hears, she recoils from the patient, but is persuaded to do her duty ,as a doctor, and afterwards magnanimously helps .to keep the girl’s secret from her husband. This tragic situation is. resolved by an even more heroic act by the girl. The plot is lightened by many prettily romantic scenes, and the picture is magnificently ■produced. '■ There is a varied supporting programme. Miss Iris Mason plays several numbers on the organ.

Edgar Wallace Mystery Thriller at Majestic Theatre Thrills and chills swing the pendulum of excitement along in splendid style during the screening of “Return of the Terror,” which the Majestic Theatre presents with all, the mystery and horror attendant upon and expected of an Edgar Wallace story. The plots of this famous master thind always contain that tantalising twist of uncertainty and suspense • Which gives spice to the thriller class of story, and in the' ease of “Return of the Terror” the plot is so unusual, so packed with shadows and skeletons and gruesome manifestations that it is well able to satisfy oven the most demanding of thrill seekers. The east, which is a strong one. Includes John Halliday. Mary Astor, Lyle Talbot, Frank McHugh, Irving Pichel and many others.