ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

Paramount. — "You Belong to Me” and ••Crime Without Passion.” King’s.-—" Lurk Hazard. Grand Opera House.— " Better Times. De Luxe. —“Dr. Monica.” St. James. — "The Barretts of Wimpole Regent. — “Trans-Atlantic Merry-go-Round.” . ,n » Majestic.— “ The Return of th? Terror. Plaza.—“A Cup of Kindness.” State. — “Hell in the Heavens. ‘Transatlantic Merry-go-Round’ at Regent A compound of melodrama with a fail range of card-sharpers, gunmen, confidence tricksters, unfaithful women ami the modern theatre revue, "Transatlantic Merry-go-round.” screened at the Regent Theatre, is hectically exciting enough to interest anyone. There are good supports. "Great Expectations.” “Great Expectations” comes to the screen at the Regent Theatre on Friday, with the real Dickens flavour untouched, right out of the pages of one of the most human, absorbing and dramatic novels conceived by this greatest of English novelists, an ever-living classic of literature for all time. The story of “Great Expectations” will never grow old. It is just as fascinating and thrilling to-day as it was when Dickens wrote it, almost a hundred years ago, in his beloved house at Gadshill. The story is full of descriptions of the countryside surrounding his home, of the Kentish lanes he loved so well; but it is also vivid with scenes of the London of his day, for Dickens was a great cosmopolitan figure and could write of that great city and its people with more nuclei'■Hiding than any writer has been able to do. the most interesting scenes in “Great Expectations” U' the Cheapside inn, “Lily and the Swan.” Tlie various signs on it, such as "Coffee Room, ’ "Coach Ofhce, etc., were faithfully copied from books such as Cruikshanks’ “Days of Dickens” and actual places in which Charles Dickens himself stayed. The inn itself is of the hotel variety and is not to be confused with the common English "pub.” The “Coffee Room” in such inns was always the rendezvous of the better class, while the lower class took their drinks in the “tap room,” as it was called. Quite often, the post office was part of the inn, as was also the booking office for coaches in. those days. So much attention was paid to getting the proper Dickensian flavour by Universal in the making of this film, that hardly a detail was overlooked. For example, “Jagger’s” home, where a great deal of the action in the story takes place, is dignified in the extreme, the furniture suiting perfectly its decidedly massive master, 'lhe selection of Chippendale and Hepplewhite furniture, the pieces of old needlework on the walls and chairs, and the flue sporting prints, the dumb waiter table, silver, etc., all go to make up a most interesting and realistic picture. A east of unusual merit interpret the well-known characters -of “Great Expectations.” Henry Hull, Florence Reed, Phillips Holmes aud Jane Wyatt. Almost a year of research and preparation was necessary for the production, and faithful replicas of the scenes and sets in the story were obtained at great cost and much trouble. In the room where the wedding breakfast had remained for years, much care has been taken for detail and even beetles, spiders, and mice were bought to enhance the reality. Pip's chambers in the Temple are an exact reproduction of the top floor of the later famous London apartment building and the lamp on his table is a faithful copy of the one used by Charles Dickens at* the reading given by him before intimate friends. The silver used on this set is authentic Georgian silver and the china English spode, nnd the glass decanters and the pony goblets are of the famous old Waterford variety. De Luxe Theatre Presents “Dr. Monica” In “Dr. Monica,” whic’h is being shown at the De Luxe Theatre, 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. “Murder On the Blackboard. Tragedy and mystery invade the schoolroom in "Murder on the Blackboard,” cofeaturing Edna May Oliver and James Gleason, which comes to the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow. A sequel to "lhe Penguin Pool Murder,” the new picture centres about the death of a beautiful voting teacher, and the investigation ot the crime. Miss Oliver, as the humorous and keen Hildegarde Withers, and Gleason, as Polit'e Inspector Piper, join forces in solving the mystery. lheir barbed repartee and mirth-provoking rivalry make the picture a fast-moving succession of laughs which are interspersed with tingly chills and thrills. Bruce Cabot, Gertrude Michael, Regis Toomey and Barbara Fritchie play othei principals - in the tangled heart affairs which figure in the plot, and bald-head-'ed Edgar Kennedy provides his share ot 'comedy as a flatfoot detective. ‘Murder on the Blackboard” is based upon the best-selling mystery story written by Stuart Palmer, author of “The Penguin Pool Murder.” “Hell in the Heavens” 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.” "Kentucky Kernels.’’ Two of the most popular American screen players, Wheeler and Woolsey, often referred to as the inimitable favourites of comedy, give characteristic performances in “Kentucky Kernels,” which is being' presented for the first time in Wellington at the State Theatre to-mor-row. Always remembered for their first outstanding production, “Rio Rita, which delighted film patrons the world over some five years ago, these two players have since appeared in such popular pictures as “Diplomaniace,” “Hips, Hips, Hooray,” and "Cockeyed Cavaliers.’ They are both masters of the care-free type of acting and in this latest film they have roles which give them admirable scope for their distinctive personalities. They are cast as two vaudeville magicians who are appointed the foster fathers of a young child.' They become involved in a fierce family feud when the infant inherits a vast estate. Wheeler falls in love with the daughter of the hostile leader of the opposing clan and Woolsey attempts to reconcile the enemy. The story then develops into an exciting and amusing climax. The picture is particularly notable for the introduction of “One Little Kiss,” a new melody which is assured of becoming very popular. The tune is interpreted in a pleasant manner, and a spectacular ballet performs a fast, modern, high-stepping dance in the garden party sequences. 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 nt the Plaza Theatre. “The Age of Innocence.” Capturing the spirit and beauty of the novel from which it was adapted, “The Ve of Innocence,” starring Irene Dunue and John Boles, comes to the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Noted ns one of the classics of modern American literature, the story deals with the convention-rid-den era that marked the close of the last century, nnd gives intimate glimpses of I life as lived by members of New York’s then Four Hundred. The picture is said I .to adhere closely to the story of Edith | Wharton’s book, which won the Pulitzer

Prize in 1920, and which was later dramatised by Margaret Ayer Barnes as a starring vehicle for Katherine Cornell. “The Age of Innocence” centres about the romance of a freedom-loving girl for a man who strives to throw off the shackles of a narrow social code. Drawn together by kindred interests and a lifelong friendship that ripens into love, they are confronted with the alternative of sacrificing their own happiness or that of those whom they would not wound. 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. “Evelyn Prentice.” William Powell and Myrna Loy, who, teamed in photoplays of the mystery type, have won immense popularity in varied forms of this drama, are reunited in one entirely different from anything they have done in the past in “Evelyn Prentice,”, vivid production, coming tomorrow to tlie Majestic Theatre. This time, as iu “The Thin Man,” they again play husband and wife, but this time both are enmeshed in an amazing problem, worked out in one of the most dramatic courtroom scenes presented on the screen in many a month. It is the drama of the work of a great criminal attorney, who, through an amazing trick of fate, finds his own wife enmeshed in the tangled maze of motives and evidence in which he is struggling to save a woman’s life. Last Night of Frank Neil’s Revue at Grand Opera House To-night is the last night of Frank Neil's Revue Company at the Grand Opera House, and a grand gala night of fun is promised all who attend this final performance. Joey Porter, the popular English comedian; Alec Halls, the silent one; Nice, Florio and Lubdw, sensational American dancers; MacDonald and Graham, the snappy tappers; the Three Ambassadors, with their piano-accordions, and all the rest of the company are out to put on their brightest show of the season. There will be a final matinee to-day at 2.15. Screen Tests. Dr. A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, the discoverer of Janet Gaynor, and trainer of many film stars, is searching New Zealand for comedy talkie types to use in a talkie comedy which he proposes to make in New Zealand, thus presenting an unusual opportunity for aspirants for screen fame. Dr. Lewis’s season commences at the Grand Opera House on Friday evening at 8 o’clock. Dr. Lewis proposes to use local Candidates to portray short extracts or climaxes from current motion pictures. What may be called contact types rather than those of unusual histrionic ability interest Dr. Lewis particularly. It is personality that he require®, for his comedies depend more upon humorous situations than upon the employment of experienced character actors. ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street’ Featured at St. James Superbly acted, “The Barretts of Wimpole Street,” now showing at the St. James Theatre, comes to the screen as powerful, absorbing drama, off the beaten track of picture entertainment, and having both the requirements of fine artistry and the earmarks of a smashing commercial success. It has the basic emotional elements which usually spell mass appeal, nnd at the same time makes special bid for discriminating patronage. Nonna Shearer as Elizabeth Barrett, Charles Laughton as the monstrously tyrannical father, Fredric March as Robert Brown; ing. and Maureen O’Sullivan, another of the Barrett sisters, magnificently load the cast. This group of performers, with Una O’Connor in the same rank, and others not far behind in their lesser roles, will unquestionably get high critical praise. “Dark Hazard” Showing at King’s Theatre Edward G. Robinson’s latest drama, “Dark Hazard.” screens finally this afternoon and to-night at the King’s Theatre. “Jimmy the Gent.” “Jimmy the Gent,” the Warner Bros, picture, starring Janies Cagney, will Be the feature attraction at the King's Theatre, commencing to-morrow. The picture is based on the hilarious comedy romance by Laird Doyle and Ray Nazarro, and concerns two crooks who are both trying to expose the other to impress the girl they love. The story unveils in humorous vein the unique racket of heir chasing, that is, the hunting down of lost heir§ in order to inherit unclaimed estates. And the two notorious heir chasers, James Cagney and Alan Dinehart, do not stop at bribing persons to act as heirs, and coaching them into perjured testimony. Bette Davis is the feminine lead. Double Feature Programme at Paramount Theatre “You Belong to Me” and “Crime Without Passion.” will be shown finally tonight at the Paramount Theatre. To-morrow’s Attractions. A hard heart softened by love born in San Francisco’s colourful waterfront, a hero as masterful as he is tender, another fighting man maddened by jealousy and a denouement as thought provoking as the gripping theme of the story—all these serve to' make breathless entertainment in “Wharf Angel,” which commences to-morrow at the Paramount Theatre. The picture, which recreates one of the world’s most colourful legendary spots, is an excellent vehicle for such able players as Victor MeLaglen. Preston Foster and Alison Skipworth, and marks the screen debut of Dorothy Dell, who won fame as a singer in the Ziegfeld Follies. The second feature is “Elmer and Elsie,” a delightful comedy romance, starring George Bancroft and Frances Fuller. ■ ■