ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

“Drake of England,” Dramatic Film, at Regent Theatre

Roaring adventure on the Spanish Main, intrigue in the Court of Elizabeth of England, the rise of Drake from freebooter to conqueror of the Great Armada, and through it all delightful romance — these are the ingredients that make "Drake of England,” which concludes to-day at the Regent Theatre, one of the greatest to have come out of Great Britain. “Lady Tubbs.” Probably no actress before the public has attained such outstanding success in the three mediums of silent pictures, the stage and talking pictures as has Alice Brady, who seems equally at home in tragedy or comedy. She comes to the Regent. Theatre to-morrow in “Lady Tubbs." It is a rollicking Universal comedy in which Douglass Montgomery and Anita Louise support her. This hilarious screen story of a railway camp cook who later masquerades in fashionable Long Island society circles as an English noblewoman, was directed by Alan Crosland, and included among other members of the cast arc Anita Louise, June Clayworth, Alan Mowbray, Hedda Hopper, and Lumsden Hare. The daughter of William A. Brady, famous theatrical producer. Miss Brady made her stage debut under his management as a singer in such operettas as “Pinafore,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” and “The Balkan Princess,” but soon decided to be an actress rather than a songstress, and at the age of 18 played her first dramatic role in “Little Women.” Other outstanding stage plays in which she starred during her career were “Forever After,” “A Most Immoral Lady,” and “Mourning Becomes Electra.” Now, in Hollywood, this versatile actress is repeating in talking pictures the success which she had previously gained in silent films and on the stage, making her debut in “When Ladies Meet" and confined? with “Miss Fane’s Baby Is Stolen,” "The Gay Divorcee,” and many others.

“G-Men,” Gangster-War Drama, at Majestic Theatre

Insight into the activities of the United States Department of Justice is granted by the thrilling gangster film “G-Men,” which finishes to-day at the Majestic Theatre. This picture is concerned with the efforts of the Federal agents to hunt down a gang of desperate criminals. “McFadden’s Flats.” The memorable battles between the McFaddens and the McTavishes in their classic feud is the background of the amiable and always interesting Paramount film, “McFadden’s Flats,” which opens to-morrow at the Majestic Theatre, to introduce Walter Kelly, famous American stage actor, to the screen. Supported by Andy Clyde, Jane Harwell, Richard Cromwell and Betty Furness, Kelly acts the role of the battling Irishman who rises from brick-laying to wealth without once relenting in his feud with his Scottish enemy. Underneath the wordy battles of these two old hardshells as a genuine affection. When Kelly gets into financial trouble, Clyde secretly supports his credit at the bank and enables him to complete the modern tenement fiats of his dreams But Kelly, under the delusion that he is wealthy, splurges and soon gets into trouble again. He learns the truth, and finally conspires with Clyde to get George Barbier, a millionaire builder, behind the business. The friendship of the two old feudists is finally cemented when their children fall in love. The whole is written and directed with rare insight into the lives and thinking of the people it portrays. Three are moments of high comedy in - Clyde’s economical use of electric light in his barber’s shop, in the bricklaying contest between Kelly and Barbier with books for bricks and in Kelly’s big party for hit. poorer class neighbours.

“Charlie Chan in Egypt,” New

Thriller at State

In “Charlie Chan in Egypt,” which is the feature film in the programme screened at the State Theatre, Fox Films has produced a most exciting story. It carries Charlie Chan to the mysterious land of the Pharaohs and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Charlie Chan holds the audience spellbound.

"The Informer.”

Reaching supreme heights iu characterisation and in strength of emotional appeal, RKO-Radio’s “The Informer/’ which comes to the State Theatre to-mor-row, ranks as one of the most powerful dramas ever brought to the screen. Superbly enacted l>y a brilliant cast, the picture, under the direction genius of John Ford, brings to vivid, unforgettable life the characters and scenes of Liam O’Flaherty’s widely-read and much-dis-cussed novel. In the role of “The Informer,.” Vi.ctor McLaglen reaches even greater heights than those to which he attained with his universally praised performance in “The Lost Patrol.” Against the colourful background of Dublin, Ireland, the picture has the troubled years just after the World War as its period. All of the story transpires in one actionpacked night, giving the drama a cohesion all too seldom attained. Suspense builds swiftly as Gypo, the informer. blunders through the fog-shrouded night, mounting to a terrific climax. Comedy relief highlights the stark drama of the story, and romance between Preston Foster and Heather Angel affords strong contrast to the attraction between McLaglen and Miss Grahame.

“Flirtation Walk,” Comedy and

Music at St. James

Bringing with it enchantment and thrills. “Flirtation Walk” gives good entertainment at the St. James Theatre. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, popular screen lovers, and Pat O’Brien head an all-star cast. “Sweet Music.”

Rudy Vallee, world famous radio crooner, comes to the St. James Theatre to-mor-row iu the latest and most pretentious of Warner Bros.’ mammoth musicals, “Sweet Music.” Vallee will be heard in a half dozen catchy songs written especially for the production. Ann Dvorak also sings and dances in spectacular numbers. Still another songbird who will be heard in the picture is Helen Morgan, famous torch singer, who made such a hit in “Show Boat.” Rudy Vallee’s Connecticult Yankees appear in the picture as does the Frank and Milt Britton Band, which will dispense red-hot tunes. The music and lyrics were written by three of the most famous song teams, Warren and Dubin, Dixon and Wrubel and Fain and Kahal. The picture, which carries a definite plot, is filled with romance, drama and hilarious comedy. It is the story of a young college boy who organises a band and makes good as a crooner and orchestra lender in the big night clubs and over the radio. He falls in love with a beautiful dancing girl and helps her up the ladder to success, although she thinks he is jealous of her and is trying to ruin her career. Scores of beautiful girls are seen in the dance numbers and spectacular ensembles.

New Programme at the Paramount Theatre

First National's new melodramatic thriller, “Red Hot Tyres,” opens at the Paramount Theatre to-day. The picture, based on Tristam Tupper’s drama of the automobile race tracks, is filled with breath-taking action and death-defying stunts which are performed by a score of nationally famous racing drivers, although several of the cast participate in the races. There also is a sensational court trial, a jail break, and a man hunt to add to the thrills, and a romance in which two crack drivers battle not only for racing honours but literally fight to the death fop the love of a beautiful girl. Lyle Talbot. Mary Astor, and Gavin Gordon participate in a triangular love affair, which ends in the death of one suitor and the success of the other. The second feature is “The Secret Bride.”

starring Barbara Stanwyck, Warren Williams, and Glenda Farrell. The picture, based on the*play by Leonard Ide, is a thrilling drama of political plots and intrigues which involves two mysterious murders, a suicide, .d the impeachment of tlie governor of the State.

“Break of Hearts,” Hepburn Romance, at Plaza

An inspiring story of self-sacrificing devotion gives Katherine Hepburn excellent opportunity for enhanced distinction in “Break of Hearts,” which concludes today at the Plaza Theatre. She is cast as an aspiring girl musician who falls in love with an eminent symphony orchestra conductor, played by Charles Boyer. “Our Little Girl.” Following the success of “Bright Eyes” and “The Little Colonel,” Shirley Temple has been given a picture that appeal® to young and old. It is “Our Little Girl,” which eomes to the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. “Our Little Girl” is a poignant story, tenderly conceived, freighted with heart-tugs, yet leaving the audience strangely happy. Hundreds of novels and short stories in print and typescript were read before this particular story was selected for Shirley. When the list thinned down to 30, the producer discovered that “Our Little Girl” was ready-made for the adorable star. It tells the story of a happy family disunited by suspicions, threatened with wreckage, and of a little girl who runs away from her home when she finds all the joy and safeguards gone. The supporting casi includes Rosemary Ames, Joel McCrea, Lyle Talbot, Erin O’Brien-Moore, Jack Donohue and Poodles Hanneford.

“David Copperfield,” Dickens

Classic, at De Luxe

It has remained for that swift and supple medium, the sound screen, to bring back the full glories of Charles Dickens, and none of the previous Dickens films in point of artistry, in the fidelity of the acting, and the settings, have approached the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of “Ddvid Copperfield.” at the De Luxe Theatre. The cast- is a notable one, and with the continuity supervised by Mr. Hugh Walpole, the most ardent Dickensian will find it difficult to pick holes in the picture. The story begins with the birth of David and continues through the extraordinary, changing environment and circumstances of David’s life. The film cannot fail to make the strongest of impressions. Newsreels and organ music by Barrie Brettoner are also included in the programme. “Sanders of the River” at the New Opera House Thrills and perils of a journey through the black heart of Darkest Africa are brought to the screen in Alexander Korda’s London film, “Sanders of the River,” which concludes at the New Opera House to-day. “Kid Millions.” Au Eddie Cantor more at home than ever on the screen in his fifth annual frolic comes to the New Opera House to-morrow in “Kid Millions,” a roving, rambling tale of adventure and adventures in search of buried treasure in Egypt. Samuel Goldwyn has built around his banjo-eyed clown the usual opulence in setting, maids and melody. A hundred of the gorgeous Goldwyn Girls sing and dance an cavort with Eddie in the shadow of the Pyramids. Ethel Merman’s bubbling humour and her deep-throated song match Eddie’s in the picture; Ann Sother.n and George Murphy are the romantic interest. The ga-ga. dumb-bunny nonsense of Eve Sully is heard for the first time on the screen in “Kid Millions.” The songs were written by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson, with an added ditty by llarold Adamson, and Burton Lane.