ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 119, 13 February 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent.— ‘“Great Expectations.” State. — “Kentucky Kernels.” Grand Opera House. — Comedy Talkie Tests and “We’re Rich Again.’’ Plaza.— “ The Age of Innocence.” Paramount. — “Wharf Angel” and “Elmer and Elsie.” De Luxe. — “Murder on the Blackboard. Majestic.— “ Evelyn Prentice.” St. James.— “ The Barretts of Wimpole Street.” King’s— “ Jimmy the Gent.” “Evelyn Pi’entice”’ Showing at Majestic Theatre The film at the Majesic Theatre is Me4ro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Evelyn Prentice.” William Powell and Myrna Loy carry the action of the story powerfully with deft touches of humour and the loyal backing-up of Una Merkel. The whole programme, which includes a Charlie Chase comedy, is excellent entertainment. “Bello of the Nineties.” 1 Mae West, who admits that she is at her beet when she is acting a woman at her worst, is at' her very best in her newest and gayest contribution to the screen, Paramount’s “Belle of the Nineties, which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Miss West returns to the period of the gay and naughty 'nineties in a lavishly dressed, handsomely mounted and thoroughly engrossing entertainment. Surrounded 'by three new “tall, dark and handsomes,” Roger Pryor, John Mack Brown and John Miljan, with Duke Ellington and his orchestra, Mae West acts the part of a St. Louis burlesque queen who goes down to New Orleans to win the hearts of the Southern cavaliers. Wheeler and Woolsey at the State Theatre “Kentucky Kernels” brings Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey back to the State Theatre in their newest comedy “hit.” The popular pair are seen as two vaudeville magicians who become involved in a family feud when their ward inherits a large Southern estate. Mary Carlisle, one of the younger film players, appears as the pretty daughter of the head of the enemy clan, portrayed by Noah Beery. “Spanky” McFarland, bright child actor, plays the part of an orphan and heir. “By Your Leave” and “Dangerous Corner.” Following the present attraction at the State Theatre conies a most promising double feature programme, to begin on Friday. It consists of first, the film version of one of last year’s Broadway stage hits, a gay saucy comedy, “By Your Leave.” Frank Morgan, Genevieve Tobin, Neil Hamilton and Marion Nixon head the cast. The supporting feature is the clever play, “Dangerous Corner.” by J. B. Priestley, author of “The Good Companions.” Conrad Nagel and Virginia Bruce have the principal parts. February 22 has been fixed as tlie M ellington opening date for "One Night .of Love,” an ambitious musical romance featuring Grace Moore. “Great Expectations” at the Regent Theatre A triumphant revival of the genius of Charles Dickens is contained m tne film, “Great eFxpectations,” at the Regent Theatre. Such a film makes the average screen story fade into colourless futility. Pip the man is delightfully played ‘ bv Phillips Holmes, while Pip the boy is feelingly played by George Breakston. There is rare grit

and strength in Henry. Hull’s portrayal of Magwich. Jane Wyatt makes a charming Estella. There are good supports. “Grandad Rudd.” Further evidence that the young Australian industry of motion-picture production is growing rapidly and fast becoming a real and valuable national asset is to be found in Cinesound’s comedy “Grandad Rudd,” which is the fifth feature-length production turned out by these studios. Those who have already had the pleasure of meeting “Grandad Rudd” hail it as a veritable triumph, con taining even more laughs than its famous predecessor, “On Our Selection.” Mr. Ken Hall, who directed. all five Cinesound productions, describes “Grandad Rudd” as a “new story about the Rudd family.” “This in itself,” says Mr. Hall, “is a full recommendation to those who have followed old Rudd and his family and neighbours through their history in story on stage, and on the screen. Naturally we should never have produced another Rudd picture if Bert Bailey had not been available. Bert Bailey is Old Rudd, and there could never be any other Rudd. But not only that, Bert Bailey is a wonderfully helpful associate for any director to work with. Apart from his ability as an actor, his experience, especially in ‘Dad’ roles, is particularly valuable. In the new picture we see Old Man Rudd as a grandfather on a new farm—a prosperous dairying establishment —with Mum, Dave, Joe, Dan, Jim, and the various characters that have endeared themselves to. Australian audiences in “On Our Selection.” Betty, the granddaughter, is a new character whose wilful love affairs will create a fresh interest in the Rudd family as they disturbed her relatives —and her lovers. The young director’s confidence is certainly well founded, for there can be no doubt of the tremendous audience, enthusiasm that greets “Grandad Rudd” everywhere presented.. In addition to Bert Bailey, the big cast includes such favourites as Fred MacDonald, George Lloyd. John D’Arcy, and Elaine Hamill, the'very charming winner of the recent “Women’s Weekly” Cinesound screen quest. “The Age of Innocence” at the Plaza Theatre “The Age of Innocence” is the film at the Plaza Theatre. When the famous novel was brought to life on the talking screen, it was' made, even more powerful than when it was conceived in its author’s brain and put on paper. Love-making in the Victorian era forms the basis of this beautiful, pathetic story. Irene Dunne has the role of the beautiful woman, loving and loved, and who chose to sacrifice herself rather than accept the joy she wanted, for another woman (Julie Haydon). John Boles has the part of the husband married to one woman because he had promised her himself, yet loving another. Supports are excellent. ‘The Camels arc Coming.” One does not expect much rhyme or reason to a Hulbert comedy, but one does seek a full measure of farcical misadventure and rollicking cheerfulness from anv picture provided by the Gau-mont-British Picture Corporation as a vehicle for the delicious, high-spirited fooling of this excellent comedian. In “The Camels are Coining” one finds just such a cup of happiness, full to overflowing. The film will be at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. This time, Jack Hulbert is tv happy-go-lucky airman, attached to an arm of the Egyptian Air I‘ orce, who brings a gang of dope smugglers to heel. There are dozens of such highspots of comedy, in which Mr. Hulbert receives valuable supporting work from Anna Lee, charming blonde publicist to a cigarette manufacturer (Harold Huth), and from Hartley Power in the guise of an archaeologist, but really the head of a dope smuggling gang. All in the excellent east, however, participate in the boisterous action in which a camel corps, aeroplanes, caravans. and a terrific “fight” in a desert fort are prominent features,

Double Feature Programme! at ‘ Paramount Theatre A double feature programme is showing this week at the Paramount Theatre. Two men may love one woman, but when they are friends and unaware of < what is happening there may be drastic consequences, especially if one of them has a somewhat primitive nature. Such a story is presented in “Wharf Angel.’.’ The scene is laid among seafaring men and provides a refreshing setting. “Elmer and Elsie,” an amusing comedy (but wot a farce) about American factory life, is the main item on the supporting programme. Miss Iris Mason plays several popular songs on the organ, and a newsreel is also shown. Double Feature Show. " “Housewife,” the Warner Bros, picture which comes to the Paramount Theatre on Friday, is a dynamic love - drama spiced with hilarious comedy. It has an unusually strong and well balanced cast with George Brent, Bette Davis, and Ann Dvorak forming the triangle in a unique domestic entanglement, and John Halliday crashing in to complicate matters as the lover of the neglected wife. The second feature is “Havana Widows,” starring Joan Biondell, Glenda Farrell, and Guy Kibbee. ; “Murder on the Blackboard” at the De Luxe Entertainment that is keenly enjoyable is “Murder on he Blackboard,” which is at the De Luxe Theatre. The. plot, staged mainly in a big school building during both day and night,, is unusual, and interest is kept at full height through ; everything being entirely convincing. Edna May Oliver, more like a elderly pelican than ever, and James Gleason supply the humorous highlights. The supports include a good comedy and Miss Mason at the Wurlitzer. “Lest We Forget.” The first New Zealand screening of the

picture “Lest We Forget” will take place at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. Dealing with a long-awaited gathering of three war veterans sixteen years after the aArmistice, its skilful handling as a , psychological study of the reactions, of men who have braved war and a similarly hazardous peace places it on a distinctly high level. The cast is headed by Stejyart Rome, whose sincerity of purpose is sympathetically reflected in a role for whiciT he is eminently suited. Anne Yates and Esmond Knight fill the juvenile parts. ‘The Barretts of Wimpole Street’ Continued at St. James “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” is continuing its success at the St. James Theatre. The stars are Norma Shearer (Elizabeth Barrett), Fredric March (Robert Browning), Charles Laughton (Edward Moultomßarrett), and Maureen O’Sullivan (Henrietta). “Cleopatra.” Romance written in words of fire deep , in the hearts of the lovers of the world I That is one of the descriptive phrases used to herald the coming of Cecil B. De Mille’s newest Paramount production, “Cleopatra,” which will open at the St. James Theatre on Friday. The film, a modern screen treatment of one of the world’s greatest love stories, has Claudette Colbert, Warren William, and Henry Wilcoxon in the principal parts. Wil- - coxon is the voung Englishman De Mllle brought to Hollywood for the role of • Marc Antonv, the noble Roman who rove up his life for love of the Egyptian, queen while empires tottered about him. Produced by Mr. De Mille and directed bv him, the picture has a notable supporting cast, including lan Keith, Joseph ■Schildkraut, C. Aubrey Smith, Gertrude ■Michael, Irving Pichel, Robert Warwick, William Farnum, Edwin Maxwell, and Harry Beresford. Talkie Tests and Comedy at Grand Opera House Interesting entertainment of a new kind is being given in the Grand Opera House. In his New Zealand-wide search for talkie types to g'roup .in a comedy talkie to be produced in this country, the noted trainer of many famous film stars, Dr. A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, reviews the aspirants. “Were Rich Again,” a bright musical comedy with a large cast of screen favourites, heads a good supporting programme. James Cagney in “Jimmy the Gent” at the King’s •■Jimmy ■ The Gent,” hilarious comedy romance, featuring James Cagney,. Bette Davis and Alice White, is showing at the King’s Theatre. . “Gabriel Over the White House. Next Friday afternoon another Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer double-feature programme will commence at the King s. The first feature is “Gabriel Over the White House,” with Walter Huston, Karen Morley and Franchot Tone. The second feature is “The Chief,” an uproarious comedv, with Ed. Wynn, Dorothy MackaiU and Nat Kendleton,