ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent Screens “The Melody

Lingers On”

Entirely distinctive in certain »of its qualities, "The Melody Lingers On,” now at the Regent Theatre, is an almost completely original piece of entertainment. The theme is of mother-love and sacrifice, but there is also an appealing and convincing romance of young love, which blossoms under the shadow of war. “Heart’s Desire.”

With an appealing modern story, delightful comedy interludes, great acting and marvellous singing by the star, Richard Tauber's new British film, “Heart s Desire,” which comes to the Regent Theatre on Friday, bids fair to surpass “Blossom Time” in popularity with the public. (I’he star himself has never sung better, and he has never been more generous with his songs, and as his numbers are drawn partly from opera and partly from a light‘ballad repertoire, the musical appeal of the film is double-edged. The story, set in the present day, shows Tauber as a singer in a Viennese beer-garden.

“The Return of Peter Grimm” at Plaza

"The Return of Peter Grimm,” despite its uncanny theme, is pleasing the audieiiyes at the Plaza Theatre. The title role is excellently played by Lionel Barrymore. All members of the cast perforin with distinct credit extremely difficult characterisation in this weird and incredible story. “Here’s to Romance.”

The golden tenor voice that has always thrilled millions, now delights new legions of music-lovers and motion picture fans as Nino Martini, handsome operatic sensation. makes his initial film appearance in Jesse L. Lasky’s “Here’s to Romance/ which comes to the Plaza Theatre on Friday next. Starred with a supporting cast that includes Genevieve Tobin, Anita Louise, Mme. Schumann-Heiuk, and Reginald Denny. Martini enacts the leading role in this delightful picture of an operatic tenor's private life and loves. Immortal arias from “La Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “Cavaleria Rustieana,” are included in the repertory of Martini, who also sings two new hits by Con Conrad and Herb Magidson. The'plot of. the picture is a light-hearted romaneii, with Miss Tobin and Anita Louife vying for Alartiui\s affections, and Miss Louise winning out by the narrowest of margins. “Pursuit,” Exciting- Film at St. James Theatre Carefree romantic comedy of a decidedly novel type is high-lighted in “Pursuit,” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s romance of the highways, being screen at the St. James Theatre with Chester Morris ami Sally Eilers. It deals with the adventurer of a young couple smuggling a child, object of litigation, out of the State by auto. Motor camps, farms and other unusual stopping places figure in the action-packed drama. “Grand Exit.” Fire-fighters and pyromaniacs battle each other in the new Columbia picture, “Grand Exit,” which co-stars Edmund Lowe and Ann Sothern, and which opens at the St. James Theatre on Friday next. Onslow Stevens heads the supporting east, which includes Wyt'ley Birelu Robert Middlemass and others. Erie Kenton directed from the story by Gene Towne ami Graham Baker and the screen play by'Bruce Manning and Lionel Houser. “China Seas,” Adventure at Majestic Theatre Putting thrills into pictures is usually one of the hardest jobs film folk have to face. They have all been done a thousand times. But for “China Seas," Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer feature with Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Wallace Beery in the starring roles, screening at the Majestic Theatre, it wirs no trouble at all to evolve n brand new series of thrills, according to James K. McGuinness ami Juies, 1' ui’thman, who wrote the scenario. “Barbary Coast” at the New Opera House After a triumphant season at the Regent Theatre, “Barbary Coast” is now pleaeing crowds at the New Opera House. This picture of '49, when life was cheap and gold was dross at San Francisco, is essentially one of action, which centres around activities in an American gambling den. Mary Rutledge, after making an impassioned appeal to the unscrupulous keeper of the den to spare her lover, returns back to New York to enjoy love ami happiness.

“Diamond Jim” Screening at State Theatre Around one of America’s most colourful and romantic characters, “Diamond Jim Brady,” has been woven a picture which is really first-class entertainment from beginning to end. It is "Diamond Jim,” which is now showing at the State Theatre. “Diamond Jim” was a man who made millions in roalroad, but such was his lovable and generous nature that his greatest happiness was in showering gifts upon his friends. \ “Top Hat.” Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are said to shatter all screen musical precedents with the nature and variety of their dances in “Top Hat,” the new R.K.O. Radio romantic comedy which features a complete score of lyrics and melodies by Irving Berlin. It is to open a season at the State Theatre on Friday next. Dance numbers are spotted in such unconventional locales as a bandstand in a rain-swept park and in a piazza by Venetian canals. Each routine plays an important part in telling the story, and most serve as love scenes. Comedy vies with romance in the picture, four of the theatre’s leading laugh creators being featured in supporting roles. “The Eagle’s Brood” at the De Luxe "“The Eagle’s Brood,” now screening at the De Luxe Theatre, brings’ William Boyd to the screen again, and his portrayal of that now famous Western fiction character, “Hopalong Cassidy,” is excellent. The old West with its hard riders and fearless gun-fighters forms the basis of this excellent drama. “Midshipman Easy.” ' There can be no doubt whatsoever about the excitement of the film of Captain Marryatt’e famous book, “Midshipman Easy,” which is coming to the De LuxeTheatre next Friday. It is the successor to “Treasure Island.” Every bit as popular as the famous Stevenson story, it has thrills galore from start to finish. Ju<t as the hero of “Treasure Island” was a very youthful one, Jim Hawkins, so the central figure in this story is young Jack Easy, who goes to sea in search of adventure, believing in the equality of man, this on the authority of his father. Double-Feature Bill at the Paramount Theatre Once again the Paramount Theatre presents a double-feature programme of outstanding merit. “Atlantic Adventure ’ is a tale of villainy and stirring adventure on the high seas, and cannot fail to grip. Tile strength of its story is added to by really excellent acting, very good photography, and intelligent production, with Nancy Carroll is Lloyd Nolan. The second attraction is “The Ninth Guest, which intrigues theatre-goers with the baffling mystery behind the drama.