ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“Midshipman Easy” at De

Luxe Theatre

The exhilarating and vastly amusing screen presentation of Captain Marryatt 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 charactor® came to life once wore on the deck of H.M.S. Harpy, on tjhe stoney shore of Sicily—Midshipman 'Jack Easy and his friend in adventure, Midshipman Gascoigne, Captain Wilson, Lieutenau. Sumbridge, Bialw the boatswain. Mesty, the faithful negro cook, Don Silvio the brigand, and the line old Spanish hidalgo and his beautiful daughtei, Donna Agnes, who captures the youthful fancy of the sprightly hero. It would be in>possible to cover the whole of the moling incidents that make this old story glow, but the adaptation has ' captured the spiiit of the whole tale. Excellent performances are. given by Hughie Green as Easy. Harry Tate as Biggs, Robert Adams (an ex-chainpion wrestler) as Mesty, and Miss Margaret Lockwood as Donna Agnes. The programme also includes I’atlie 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, “Liebesfreud” (Krei'sler),' “Lu Czariue” (Gannc). and ■'Nautical March” (Laurence). “Honeymoon for Three.” A hilarious comedy with music is Stanley Lupine's lust hit •‘Honeymoon for Three,” which opens at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next. “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 it’ at the Lido, in Vienna. 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 liideout, it is a series of romantic, melodic, and hilarious surprises. Astaire dances two versions of “No Strings,” a novelty lap dance, and he also does a solo specialty, "To)) Hat. with a chorus of swagger young men. lie sings “Cheek to Cheek” and “Isn’t This a Lovely Day.” while dancing it with Ginger Rogers, mid the two dance the big final number. “'The Piceoliuo,” with a chorus of sixty. The story ol “Top Hal is really good. Edward Everett Horton plays'the part of a revue producer starring Fred Astaire in London, mid Helen Broderick plays opposite as h|s wife. Eric Blore as Bates the invaluable man servant causes much laughter in what be calls bis "disguises.” Erik Rhodes plays the part of Albert the dress designer. Mark Sandrich, of “The Gay Divorcee fame, directed. There is mi excellent supporting program me, with a coloured cartoon.

“Here’s to Romance” is at Plaza Theatre

“Here’s tn Romance." at the Plaza Theatre, brings to the screen Nino Martini, a tenor of the Metropolitan (Opera House. New York. lie has a superb voice, is young and attractive, and is a good .•ictor. The film presents him as a diamond and i.s presented in a golden setting. Glimpses \of opera, ballet, romantic Varis mid bustling New York come naturally into view as the interesting idol proceeds. The story is adequate for the purpose of giving Nino plenty of excuse to sing. _ Genevieve Tobin lias the part of Nino's flirtations patroness, Reginald Denny the part of her husband, and Anita Louise that of the ballerina whom Nino loves and finally wins. Madame Ernestine SelnnnannHeink i.s Nino's 1 teacher, but the uninformed in Inst night’s audience took her part entirely as comic relief, and tittered when she sang, not knowing bow famous was the voice they were hearing. A pretty operatie bullet is a notable incident in the film, ami all through there is good music, humour and plot interest. There is an acceptable scries ol supports.

“Grand Exit” Billed at St. James Theatre

Produced by Columbia Studios, with Edmund Lowe, Ann Sothem and Onclow Stevens heading the cast, •’Grand Exit, an exciting comedy-drama, is the mam attraction at the St. James Theatre. Lovely Ann .Sothern is seen as the golden-tressed will-o’-the-wisp who gagged her sleuthing suitor with his own wisecracks. When he picked her up she threw him down, making trouble for him even, when he threw her- into jail. Suspecting Miss Sothern's complicity in a series of mysterious tires, Lowe, chief detective of the fire insurance company, plans a strategic mote to trap the real criminal and clear the name of the gifl he has learned to love. Plow Lowe discovers the firebug s identity, the manner in which he operates, and the motive for his crimes, provides the basis for the thrills and drama which, despite its underlying theme of death and destruction, contains a light and flippant romantic-comedy vein.. There is an excellent supporting programme. “Woman Wanted.” Coming to the St. James Theatre on Friday is “Woman Wanted..’ starring Maureen O’Sullivan, Joel McCrea. Lewis Stone and Louis Calhern. ■ “Woman Wanted” is a thrilling action drama from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. 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 vital. Id it Clark Gable, \\ abate Beeiy and Jean Harlow have the most importand parts, and they play them very well. The photography is excellent; some ot the scenes defy analysis. The story is based upon the depredations of Cmnese P'7 lt,!S that haunt the Malay Straits. Ihcre i.-< one particularly, thrilling scene when a traction engine on the foredeck of the ship breaks loose at the height ot' a typhoon and threatens to kill every Chinese coolie on board —if not to sink the,.ship. How/it is fastened again through the heroism of the extremely hard-boiled skipper gives tile audience srvci’ftl exciting minutes, Eijußlly chrub ing are the final scenes of the coming.ot the pirates. “China Se.as” is a really live picture. Among a line list of supports is a travelogue in colour of charming Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. "Escapade.” The next attraction that is booked for the Majestic Theatre is "Escapade,’ a William Powell and Luise Rayner slarritt" vehicle that is said to be particularly pleasing. It marks the screen debut ot 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 l , while Powell is in a part that suits hint down to the ground. “Wanderer of the Wasteland” at Paramount Theatre Refreshingly different from the usual “wild Wevt" films, "Wanderer of the Wasteland” is this week at the laramount Theatre. It fully realises the theatre-goer's anticipation ol . a good entertaiiimenl associated . wtt.h the Him dramatisation of Zane Grey s books. The plot is laid against the picturesque desert country of the West in the days when bands of outlaws preyed on gold prospectors. Dean Jagger, in the leading role, plays the part of tt young man who goes out West to join his brother. He arrives :u an outback station and finds that his brothers only use for him is to relieve hint of money to pay his debts. This he tries to do . with 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 the name, he emerges through troubles to the winning/of the girl nearest Ins heart. The first half of the programme consists of a teehnieolour cartoon and a full-length comedy, “Here Comes Cookie.’ "Mills of the Gods." "Mills of the Gods,” starting May Robson, Fay Wray and Victor Joly, comes io the Paramount Theatre on !■ riday. Also in tiie programme wit be "Death Flies East,"• the stars of which are Con-i',-iff Nigel and Florence Rice.