ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Majestic Still Showing “China Seas” "China Seas" is very successful in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. This picture is as thrilling as anybody could wish for —it is virile and vita]. In it Clark Gable, Wallace Beery and Jean Harlow have the most importand parts, and they play them very well. The photography is excellent; some of the scenes defy analysis. The story is based upon the’depredations of Chinese pirates that haunt the Malay Straits. There fin one particularly _ thrilling scene when a traction engine ou the foredeck of the ship breaks loose at the height of a typhoon and threatens to kill every Chinese coolie ou board—if not to sink the ship. How it is fastened again through the heroism of the extremely hard-boiled skipper gives the audience several exciting minutes. Equally thrilling are the final scenes of the coming,of the pirates. “China Seas” is a really live picture. Among a tine list of supports is a travelogue in colour of charming Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. “Escapade.” The next attraction that is booked fur the Majestic Theatre is “Escapade,’ a William Powell and Luise Rayner starring vehicle that is said to be particularly pleasing. It marks the screen debut oi Miss Rayner, a Continental actress that promises to carry the screen by storm in much the same way as Elizabeth Bergner did. The story gives the new actress full scope for her talents, while Powell is in a part that suits him down to the ground.

“Grand Exit” Billed at St. Janies Theatre

Produced by Columbia Studios, with Edmund Lowe, Ann Sothern and Onflow Stevens heading the cast, ’’Grand Exit, an exciting comedy-drama, is the main attraction at the St. James Theatre. Loveiy Ann Sothern is seen as the golden-tressed will-o’-the-wisp who gagged her sleuthing suitor with hia own wisecracks. W hen he picked her up site threw him down, making trouble for him even when he threw her into jail. Suspecting Miss Sothern’s complicity in a series of mysterious fires, Lowe, chief detective of the lire insurance company, plans a strategic move to trap the real criminal and clear the name of the girl he has learned to love. How Lowe discovers the firebug s identity, the manner in which be operates, and the motive for bis crimes, provides the basis for the thrills and drama which, despite its underlying theme of death and destruction. contains a light anti flippant romantic-comedy vein.. There i<< tin excellent supporting programme. “Midshipman Easy” at De Luxe Theatre The exhilarating and vastly amusing screen presentation of Captain Mfirryatt s famous naval story, “Midshipman Easy, which 50 years ago used to thrill every lad of spirit, is at the De Luxe Theatre. All the old familiar characters came to life once more on the deck of 11.M.5. Harpy, on the stoney shore of Sicily—Midshipman Jack Easy and his friend in adventure, Midshipman Gascoigne, Captain Wilson, Lieutenant Sambridgc. Binkn the boatswain, Mesty, the faithful negro cook, Don Silvio the. brigand, and the line old Spanish hidalgo, and his beautiful daughter, _ Donna Agnes, who captures the youthful fancy of the sprightly hero. It would be impossible to cover the whole of the moving incidents that make this old story glow, but the adaptation has the spiiit of the whole tale. _ Excellent performances are given by Hughie Green as Easy, Harry Tate as Biggs, Robert Adams (an ex-champion wrestler) as Mesty, and Miss Margaret Lockwood as Donna Agnes. The P 1 0 ’ gramme also includes I’athe Pictorials. “The 6.30 Collection,” a survey. of the activities of the London Post Office, and “Balloon Land,” a clever and amusing coloured cartoon. A full orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, lent a musical flavour to the programme, by the performance of “The Bohemian Girl” overture, “Licbesfreud” (Kreisler). ‘‘La Czarine” (Ganne). arid “Nautical March.” (Laurence),!

“Wanderer of the Wasteland” at Paramount Theatre Refreshingly different from the usual “wild West” films, "Wanderer .of the Wasteland” is this week at the Paramount Theatre. It fully realises the theatre-goer's anticipation of a good entertainment. associated with the film dramatisation of Zane Grey's books. The plot is laid against Hie picturesque desert country of the West in Hie days when bands of outlaws preyed on gold prospectors. Dean Jagger, in the leading role, plays the part of a young man who goes out West to join his brother. He arrives at. an outback station and ilnc'is that his brother’s only use for him is to relievo him of money to pay bis debts. This he tries to do witli accomplices through a “framed” game of poker, but the greenhorn gets wise to the game, and in the ensuing turmoil kills his brother, so, he thinks. Thereafter, as an outlaw, winning his bread in the desolate wastes and being befriended by a man worthy of tlie name, he emerges through troubles to the winning of the girl nearest his heart. The first half of the programme consists of a technicolour cartoon and a full-length comedy, “Here Comes Cookie.” I “The Melody Lingers On” at Opera House “The Melody Lingers On” is now at the Now Opera House, after enjoying a good season at. the Regent Theatre. It i>> a story of hereditary talent versus family pride, with mother love which dare not reveal itself as an added but essential complication. It is the story of m American girl studying in Italy, who met and fell in love with Carlo Salvini, brilliant operatic baritone, who had been suddenly called to the colours, in ■ the Great War. The village at which she is staying is taken by Hie Austrians, and the populace transferred to concentration camps. Ann Prescott leaves her baby at the convent, hut returning after peace, is unable to substantiate her claim. The plot develops in good style. The 'supports are first-rate.

Regent Theatre Has “Heart’s Desire” Richard Tauber is appearing at the Regent. Theatre in “Heart's Desire.” a musical-romance that is even better than the 'successful “Blossom Time.” It. is brimful of melody, romance, and lovely settings, and it also serves to let the public see that not only is Richard Tauber a groat singer, but he is also no less talented as an actor. The film is produced entirely in England, and the star has ample opportunity to demonstrate his complete mastery of the language, which he speaks perfectly, and with a complete sense of understanding. The star sings a number of songs during the show, chief among which i« that lilting waltz, “Vienna. City of Dreams.” one of the loveliest of Viennese waltzes. There is a very strong support-

ing, cast, which includes that attractive young actress, Leonora Corbett. Paul Graefz, Carl llarbord, and Iliana Napier (who, by Hie way. is to marry Tauber). The supporting Dili is extremely good.

“Here’s to Romance” is at Plaza Theatre "Here's io Romance,” al the Plaza Theatre, brings to the screen Nino Martini. a tenor of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. He has a superb voice, is young and attractive, and is a good actor. The film, presents him as a diamond and is presented in a golden setting. Glimpses of opera, ballet, romantic Paris and bustling New York come naturally into view as the interesting plot proceeds. The , story,, is adequate for Hie purpose of giving Nino plenty of excuse Io sing. Genevieve Tobin has Hie part of Nino’s flirtatious patroness, Reginald Denny the part of her husband, and Anita Louise that of the ballerina whom Nino loves and finally wins. Madame Ernestine SehumannHeink is Nino’s teacher, but the uninformed in last night’s audience took her part entirely as comic relief, and tittered when she sang, not knowing how famous was the voice they were hearing. A pretty operatic ballet is a notable incident 'in' the film, and all through there is good music, humour and plot interest. There is an acceptable scries of supports. I “Top Hat” Showing at State Theatre The new attraction at the State Theatre, “Top Hat,” is excellent entertainment. Beautiful Ginger Rogers plays the leading feminine role opposite Fred Astaire, and their dancing together is a marvel. The main setting is? at Hie Lido, in 5 ienna. In fact, there is nothing conventional about the entire picture, which features the first complete screen musical score ever written by Irving Berlin. From the opening scene to the final fadeout, it is a series of romantic, melodic, and hilarious surprises. Astaire dances two versions of ."No Strings,” a novelty tap dance, and he also does a solo specialty. “Top Hat.’ with a chorus of swagger young men. He sings “Cheek to Cheek” and “Isn’t This a Lovely Day,” while dancing it with Ginger Rogers, and the two dance the big final number, “The Fiecolino.” with a chorus of sixty. The story of “Top Hat is really good. Edward Everett Horton plays the part of a revue producer starring Fred Astaire in London, and Helen Broderick plays opposite as his wife. Erie Blore as Bates the invaluable man servant causes much laughter in what he calls bis "disguises.” Erik Rhodes plays the par! of Albert the dress designer. Mark Sandrieh, of “The Guy Divorcee” fame, directed. There is an excellent .supporting programme, with a coloured carl non.