ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 69, 14 December 1935, Page 16

ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

0 The Latest Programmes Under Review RFfiKIVT “Jov Ride" Farce Gene Gerrard. DE LUXE “Boys Will Be Boys" Comedy Will Hay MAJESTIC “The Murder Man” Mystery Spencer liacj. STATE “Charlie Chan in , fsIALE Shanghai” Mystery M arner Gland. ST JAMES “Bonnie Scotland” Comedy Laurel and Hate J PLAZA “The Gay Deception” Comedy- Francis Ledcici, Romance Frances Day PARAMOUNT “Smart Girl” Romance Ida Lupine. NEW Viennese Boys’ Choir—'To-day and To-night. KING’S “Storm Over the Andes” Drama Jack itoit. m Mona Baine.

DE LUXE THEATRE “Boys Will Be Boys” The new bill at the De Luxe Theatre is certainly one that has been arranged so as to give the maximum amount ot entertainment. It is both varied and unusually good, and holds the interest ot the audience from start to finish. In addition, there are tuneful interludes by the De Luxe Concert Orchestra, which, augmented in volume by the Wurlrtzer organ and conducted by Mr. L. D. Austin, gives spirited renderings of the somewhat hackneyed "Marche Militaire, by Schubert,, and Ketelby’s "Ina l ersian Market.” The orchestra as also heard during the intermission. Iliere are two excellent gazettes showing war scenes in Abyssinia and remarkably realistic scenes o£ the recent wedding of the Duke of Gloucester. There is an interesting nature study, and one of the most amusing coloured cartoons ever screened, entitled “The Lady in Red.” "Boys Will be Boys,” a British-Dominions release, is the stellar attraction, and features that talented comedian, Will Hay, who is seen iu his most noted role —that ot a schoolmaster. Mr. Hay, Who has the able support of Gordon Harker, Jimmy Hanley, Davy Burnaby, Norma Vardan and Claude Dampier, takes the part of the headmaster of a school where the boys are as big a “bunch of toughs” as one could wish to see. His adventures are many and alarming, and he gets into all sorts of trouble, even being accused of theft. The highlight of the film is a football match that develops into a free fight. The dialogue is screamingly funny, and the situations that the master finds himself in, as a result of his inability to control his charges, are indescribable. As a comedian, Mr. Hay is undoubtedly hard to beat. MAJESTIC THEATRE “The Murder Man” “The Murder Man,” a thrilling story revolving around the exploits of an ace newspaper reporter who knows the culprit of every murder and finally becomes entangled himself, is now screening at the Majestic Theatre. As Steve Gray, the star reporter, called , the “murder man, Spencer Tracy suits the part to perfection. The plot centres round the murder of a crook financier, and the “murder man” is responsible for the detection of the murderer and for his being brought to justice. As Mander, the murderer, Lionel Atwill plays a very convincing and somewhat pathetic part. Virginia Bruce provides the necessary “dash" of romance to add a light touch to the story, which develops into an intensely human role as the plot unfolds. “Reporters” from opposition newspapers provide all the humour that is needed with their witticisms and back-chat. “The Marder Man” assists the police in solving the mystery of the crime, and then, at the height of new success and greater fame, he suddenly amazes the police and astonishes his editor by tearing down the very story which had sent the alleged murderer to the edge of the gallows! Speed, suspense, drama and romance are the keynotes of this powerful new picture. Others in the cast are Bobby Watson, who is exexcellent in th part of the “murder man s father, Harvey Stephens, Robert Barrat, James Stewart, and many others. The supports are especially worthy of mention, among them being a musical revue filmed entirely in colour, and an amusing comedy, “Twin Triplets,” starring Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly. A special feature is a session for tennis players, which commences at 7.30. KING’S THEATRE Double-Feature Programme Two excellent full-length first releases comprise the new programme at the King’s Theatre, and last night an unusually large first-night house received both with evident enjoyment. The Gran Chaco war is the scene of the story of the first film, “Storm Over the Andes,” which shows Jack Holt as a flying soldier of fortune -whose libertine love affairs bring him un-looked-for troubles. Some amazing flying stunts are to be seen in this film, as well as some magnificent scenery in the Andes. None the less exciting, but of Very different type, is the second film, “King Solomon of Broadway.” It is chiefly a musical, but, strange to say, there is in addition guite a convincing story. Edmund Lowe is starred, and, as expected from him, the action is not allowed to lag. Several bright new song numbers are introduced. The main features are preceded by a Universal newsreel. PLAZA THEATRE “The Gay Deception” Mirth-provoking situations abound in “The Gay Deception,” Fox Film’s comedy romance now showing at the Plaza. Francis Lederer plays the boy who is unbelievably rich, handsome and a prince, but is pretending to be nobody, and Frances Dee that of a young and lovely girl enjoying a mad fling at life with the fortune. It all starts when the girl wins a sweepstake prize and decides to spend it on one delirious spree of pleasure. Even though she is mistaken for an heiress, she fails to find the colourful life she had anticipated. There are even annoyances, one annoyance in particular. He is a bellboy who criticises her hate and clothes and tells her how lovely she is. She has no way of knowing that lie is a prince in disguise, not even when he turns up in all his royal regalia and accompanies her to the season’s gala ball. And when, through some curious misunderstanding, he is arrested as an impostor, the girl finds herself fighting for his release. Through one brilliant high comedy scene after another “The Gay Deception" moves brightly to its happy close and the girl admits that she does love him, even if he is a prince and not the poor boy she hoped he was. Produced by Jesse Lasky and directed by William Wyler, “The Gay Deception” has Alan Mowbray, Benita Hume, Akim Tamiroff and Lennox Pawle in its supporting cast. GRAND, PETONE Four new song bits and entertainment that will produce laughs galore are provided in “In Caliente,” which opens at the Grand Theatre, Pctone, to-day. The lilm is produced on a lavish scale, and is supported by a high-class cast, including the attractive Dolores Del Rio and Pat O’Brien, Glenda Farrell, Edward Everett Horton and Leo Carillo. A musical comedy romance, “She Loves Me Not.” will be the feature which will commence a screening on Wednesday. KILBIRNIE KINEMA The main attraction at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night is Samuel Goldwyn’s soul-stirring emotional drama “The Dark Angel," starring Fredric March, Merle Oberon and Herbert Marshall, with a wonderful supporting cast. The supporting feature is the hilariously funny musical comedy, “Kentucky Kernels," starring the screen’s ace comedians, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey.

REGENT THEATRE “Joy Ride” Timed for the lestive season, "Joy Ride,” the breezy, racy rapid-fire comedy presented at the Regent Theatre last evening is the very thing. Conceived in mirth, it reintroduces that engaging English comedian Gene Gerrard, who has, as a coadjutor iu merriment, Paul Blake, certainly another discovery in the particularly English brand of ccinedy he affects. Those gay lads are hi love with two chorus girls Virgy (Zeluin O’Neal) and Anne Maxwell (Betty Davies). At a rather declasse night club the cousins are amazed to discover their uncle, Sir Aubrey, who is doing the very best to make the most of the time his gorgouesque wife, Lady Clara (Amy Veness) is away. While the cousins are chivvying the old man at having “snapped the shackles of domestic tyranny” Sir Aubrey is hailed by an old flame* of his youth, one Flossie, formerly of the musical comedy stage. Under the impression that Sir Aubrey is to stay the night in London, Bill and Dipply, the cousins, conceive it their duty to take their girls a joy ride to their uncle’s home in the country. All was going gaily at this urban retreat when Sir Aubrey unexpectedly appears on the scene. He is about to turn the young people out into the cold bleak world, when Bill reminds him of Flossie, and how pleased Lady Clara will be '4 learn of hfe having spent the evening with Flossie. Blackmailed into silence, Sir Aubrey at length consents to allow the quartet to stay for the night (their car having broken down). Before they can get away in the morning, Lady* Clara storms in, mid there is thunder in the air. Being actresses, the girls pretend to be strays who have lost their memory, and the fun waxes hot until Lady Clara decides that she is being deceived by everyone. Still she must attend her own garden party at which a real live Duchess (Violet Vanbrugh) is to attend. It is really this personage who saves the situation, for in Virgy. and Anne she recognises her godchildren, and graciously gives them her blessing when the skittish quartet declare for matrimony. Even the outraged Lady Clara has to swallow the situation (though inwardly boiling), and all ends 'merrily to the sound of prospective wedding bells. The comedy is wittily written, and rushes along at a great pace from beginning to end. The programme also includes “High Hazards,” depicting the daring deeds of rock-climbers in the English Lake district, and some interesting Pathe and Cinesound Gazettes of absorbing interest. STATE THEATRE, PETONE Gala Opening Night With “Bright Eyes” Justifying its title of “The Most Beautiful Suburban Theatre in 'Wellington, ’ the State Theatre, Petone,' was packed with prominent citizens for the gala opening last night. The theatre was officially opened by the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance. One enters the theatre on a yielding carpet in a plain, but striking, entrance hall, which is illuminated by modernistic cbromium-plated lamps. Modernism is, in fact, the prevailing feature of the whole theatre. Spraying from artistically constructed inverted wall brackets, soft coloured lights delicately tinge the walls with ever-changing hues, while waves of colour come and go in a deep recess in the ceiling. Dazzling curtains scintillate in the reflected glory of the flood-lit proscenium, which sweeps in a symu etricai curve across the stage. For its debut to the public, the State Theatre is screening the ever-popular Shirley Temple in one of her most appealing and yet entertaining pictures, “Bright Eyes.” Shirley is the idol of the airmen at the airport, but particularly is she loved by her godfather, James Dunn. Her father has been killed in an aeroplane crash, and her mother meets her death in a street accident just when Shirley is being given a Christmas party in one of the large planes. She is placed in the care of wealthy people for whom her mother was working, but who do not desire her as she interferes with their plans for inheriting their uncle’s money. She runs away from the home in the height of a storm and 'stows away in an aeroplane which is taken up by her hero. J ust how she becomes adopted by her godfather and a happy ending is accomplished is one of the most interesting incidents of the picture. The supporting programme is excellent. VIENNESE BOYS’ CHOIR Farewell Performances The famous Viennese singing boys wih arrive back from their phenomenally successful Sou’'.i Island tour this morning, and will give their two farewell performances at the Grand Opera House to 2.30 and 8 p.m. So great is the interest in the two performances that two crowded houses are anticipated, patrons coming from many country centres in order to hear this remarkable entertainment, especially the Christmas programmes. Two operas will.also be presented at each performance, which will be unique in every way. It is estimated that over 90,000 people have heard this famous combination since the opening in Auckland, which constitutes a record for this type of attraction. On Sunday evening they will leave for Auckland, and will sail by the Monterey next Tuesday in order to commence a comprehensive tour of America early in January. Therefore no other opportunities will be afforded of bearing these famous singers and actors. DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT “Werewolf of London,” which opens at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, today. is described as a shivery, shuddei’y, shaking thriller. The leading roles in the cast of this exciting tale are taken by Henry Hull, Valerie Hobson and Warner Oland. In addition there is a splendid supporting programme of newsreels and other attractions. Coining on Tuesday is the all-absorbing drama, “The Flame Within," with Ann Harding,_ Herbert Marshall and Maureen O'Sullivan. A double-feature programme of outstanding merit will begin on Thursday, when “Limehouse Blues” and “Love in Bloom” will be screened. The former is an intriguing romance, and the latter an hilarious comedy, and both arc supported by first-class casts. EMPIRE, PETONE Two outstanding productions make up a first-class double-feature programme which opens to-day at the Empire Theatre, Petone. Drama, romance and comedy are well conducted to make “Lawyer Man,” with William Powell and Joan Blonde!!, a great show. Ruth Chatterton and George Brent play opposite each other in the sensational drama “Lily Turner,” the second feature. A thrilling story, “Four Hours to Walt," comes to the theatre on Wednesday.

ST. JAMES THEATRE “Bonnie Scotland” Those world-renowned comedians, Stan Laurel aud Oliver Hardy, are iu their element in “Bonnie Scotland, the Metro-Goldwyn-iMayer feature subject, which headed the new programme introduced at the St. Janies Theatre yesterday. The two stars work their way on a cattle boat to Scotland, where they expect to inherit a large estate. On their arrival to their chargrin they learn that the estate has been left to a distant cousin, and their share consists of some valueless heirlooms. Down and out, the pair are forced to enlist iu a Highland regiment, and, before they know where they are, they find themselves on the NorthWestern frontier in India, engaged in a lively scrap .with the crafty ruler ot a hill tribe. A pretty romance runs through the story, as the match-making Lady Ormsby does her best to wed the heiress to Colonel McGregor, the officer in charge of the British troops. Laurel and Hartly espouse the cause of Alan Douglas, the youthful lover of the heiress, who. after a series of the most thrilling adventures, ■beside which the Indian Mutiny was a puny affair, wins the girl of hrs heart. Laurel and Hardy, as the two Scots privates. had a large audience convulsed with laughter last night. Never have the noted comedians been in such humorous vein, and they reach the climax of their heroic exploits when, at the height of the battle with the Khan’s forces, they release a huge swarm of bees, which win a sweeping victory for British arms. June Lang makes a winsome heroine, and M illiam Janney appears to advantage as the successful lover. Vernon Steel makes a manly colonel of the British force and Anne Gray portrays the scheming Lady Ormsby to the life. It is good, wholesome comeclv. and there is not a dull moment in the military romance, which goes with a swing to the skirl of the pipes. The supporting films were of unusual merit. A new St. James News Service give some stirring views of .recent happenings in Italy and Abyssinia, including views of the Duce and the Emperor exhorting their warriors to fight to the death. “Barnyard Babies” was a clever coloured cartoon, while “Sprucin’ Up. an uproarious “Our Gung" comedy, kept the fun going merrily. Altogether the new programme met with a most favourable verdict from the large house. STATE THEATRE “Charlie Chan in Shanghai” Charlie Chan solves the most battling crime in his career in his latest picture, “Charlie Chan in Shanghai," which opened its Wellington season at the State Theatre yesterday. In it Chan and bis son Lee are once again united, and together they face extraordinary dangers in breaking up an international drug ring. From the moment Chau sets foot in Shanghai, his adventures begin with the murder pf his host, an English, secret scrvice man. Chan’s own life is menaced by mysterious assailants who shoot at him during the night, attempt to kidnap him, but fail to match his Oriental wile. Joining forces jvith the American secret, service, Chan takes up the threads of the crime. The Englishman s secretary, Charles Locher, is suspected of the murder and held, despite the protests of his lovely fiancee. Irene Hervey. Au hotel .message lures Chan into the trap of the smugglers, and there, are thrills aplenty in the manner in which he is rescued by Lee and together fight their way to freedom. Climax follows climax with shattering suddenness as Chan outwits his opponents and in the end traps the leader of the gang, who had posed as his chief assistant. Warner Oland is the suave, inscrutable Chinese detective par excellence. The supporting programme is ex■traordinarily good, and includes anotbci’ of the exciting camera-thrill series, “Hazardous Occupations,” the wedding of the Duk" of Gloucester and Lady Alice Scott, anil 'the tap-'clancing comedians, Patricola and West, in “Kiss the Bride.” PARAMOUNT THEATRE “Smart Girl” and “That’s Gratitude” The story of how a bright and pretty little American blonde’s right man marries the wrong woman, her own sister, is unfolded in “Smart Girl," the lighthearted screen play now showing at the Paramount Theatre. Ida Lupine plays the vivacious lass whose elder sister, Gail Patrick, captures the man they both love. The girls’ father, a spendthrift, shoots himself to baulk his creditors, and the dun at the door, Kent Taylor, comes to the rescue. He marries Gail on an income of 50 dollars a month, and nearly breaks Ida’s heart. She gets a job fashiondrawing for a shrewd aud likeable old Hebrew afflicted by a singularly simple son. Gail, used to luxury, cannot tone down her style of living; she gets in with a crooked financier, and a fast set, and shows every sign of wrecking her husband’s life. He begins to speculate in worthless stock and buys into an oil company under investigation by the police. But you may be sure all comes right jn the end; a very surprising and delightful denouement rounds off this amusing film. The second feature of the double programme is “That’s' Gratitude,” an extremely amusing and original .comedy, starring Frank Craven and Mary Carlisle. This film tells of the rise of a .great theatrical star who eventually makes, a runaway marriage, to the great surprise and disgruntlemeut of her family aud others concerned, particularly he who hail confidently announced his intention to marry her himself. A happy programme, rich in laughter and delight. KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT A veritable feast of infectious merriment is assured in “She Married Her Boss,” which opens to-day at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. With Claudette Colbert as the leading star the picture can be claimed as the greatest fun since its brilliant predecessor, “It Happened One Night.” PRINCE EDWARD, LOWER HUTT A special return season of “The Gay Divorcee” commeuces at the Prince Edward Theatre, Lower Hutt, to-day. This great musical show brings to the screen the world’s greatest dance team. Iu the cast are Ford Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Ou Tuesday night "Oh Daddy” will be screened. PALACE, PETONE “Sanders of the River,” which screens at the Palace Theatre, Petone, this afternoon, to-night, and Monday and Tuesday nights, discloses empire-building with a vividness that is a striking tribute to the unknown heroes of British colonisation.