ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

“BEAUTY ON PARADE”

New Hart-O’Brian Revue at St. James “Beauty on Parade,” the second revue of the Hart-O'Brian Vaudeville Company, is now playing at St. James Theatre. Janice Hart and Frank O'Brian take the honours for what is a lirst-eiass revue. Janice Hart is a true leader of vaudeville. and lias a wide range of talents. Frank O’Brian is possibly the most versatile comedian seen here.. Botn of them know the value of spontaneity in their work. Featured also on tlie programme are Marie Doran, who is a type necessary to all good vaudeville, Thelma Golian, who can sing better than most revue artists, and can dress very weli, ano Alee Kelleway, whose voice and comedy are invaluable. . ~ “Why Go to Paris?”

To-morrow Sir Benjamin Fuller will present “Why Go to Paris?” at the St. James Theatre. This, it i« claimed, is Frank O’Brian’s most sensational international vaudeville production mid among the stars is Mlle. Desiree, who appears in the most talked of dance of recent years, the fan dance. Janice Hart, international radio star, Frank O’Brian, and the Three Orlandos will be featured, and among others appearing in the production will be Alex Kellaway, Cecil Scott, the Three Velescos, Dave, James, Desiree and Montague, Vie Sanderson, Marie Doran, Alma Aldous, Max Reddy, Master Paul, 12 Casino Girls. “Strike Me Pink” in Second Week at Regent Farcical situations, “wise-cracks” and smart repartee with the elaborate backgrounds and beautiful ballets which arc invariably part of a Cantor film, make “Strike Me Pink,” which, in the second week of its season, is still drawing crowds to the Regent Theatre, bid fair to prove one of the best of the popular comedian’s productions. “Tlie Ghost Goes West.” “The Ghost Goes West,” the London film production released by United Artists, which will start to-morrow at. the Regent. Theatre, is such a notable British film that it is all the more surprising it should have been produced by a Hungarian and directed by a Frenchman. In this brilliant comedy about Scots and Americans, Alexander Korda’s Hair for tackling the unusual and the different, and the freshness of outlook and Puckish sense of humour of Rene Clair, have achieved an entertainment that will be enjoyed and talked about wherever it is shown. “The Ghost Goes West” had a triumphant reception in London, the premiere screening being attended by her Majesty the Queen. In the starring role is Robert Donat, now one of the mo't popular film stars. Based on a story in the Christmas number of “Punch” two years ago, the film tells how Murdoch Glourie dies ignominiously in 1745 before he can avenge an insult to his clan by tlie hated MeLaggnns; and for th's omission he is condemned by the spirit of bis fathers to haunt the family castle until he can meet a McLaggan and wipe out the score. He is still keeping the vigil when his modern descendant, Donald, deeply in debt, sells the castle to an American, who tears it up stone by stone and transports it to the States. Donald accompanies the castle to supervise its reconstruction, and also because he is m love with the American’s daughter. Poor ghostly Murdoch also lias to go with the building, and after he has made a sensational appearance on shipboard he is used as a publicity stunt. There is a great, inaugural party when the castle is rebuilt in Florida. Not only docs tlie owner find himself richly rewarded for his acumen, but the phantom also manages to avenge the honour of the GlOurieS How this happens provides a superbly comic climax to a film consistently witty and entertaining. “Captain Blood’’ in Third Week at De Luxe The film of the Sabatini novel, "Captain Blood,” is to show yet a third week at the De Luxe Theatre. “Captain Blood” stands out as oue of the great film masterpieces. The picture has been produced on a lavish scale. Seventeenth century cities and villages have been reconstructed; pirate galleons, slave ships and English and French war vessels, complete in every detail, are shown in battle action. Heading a cast as unusual as the production itself are two young film players whose work will undoubtedly set them among tlie leading Stars of the cinema. These are Errol Flynn, the young English actor-adven-turer, who is Captain Blood in the flesh, and Olivia de Havilland, tlie young high school girl discovered by Max Reinhardt, and who scored a personal triumph as Hermia in his production of “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” Flynn, tall, handsome, debonair, has been a soldier of fortune, a master of trading vessels in the South Seas, a master of his own craft, and one of the few real adventurers of this age. Above all he is a real actor. The mannerism of a swashbuckling buccaneer, his and the subtlety of his characterisation, show why this comparatively unknown actor was given so important a part as the title rule of Captain Blood. “Mutiny on the Bounty” at the Majestic Theatre Ships and islands are tlie subject of a score of films, and half a hundred novels every year, but rarely are they so wonderfully photographed, so stirringly presented, as in “Mutiny on the Bounty,” which concludes its second week at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The film follows the actual facts with a good deal of accuracy. Captain Bligh left England for Tahiti, about 150 years ago, in the warship Bounty, the purpose of the voyage being to load breadfruit trees for the West Indies. The role of tlie cruel and tyrannical captain, who before sailing embezzled the ship’s stores, and afterward broke the spirit of his men by flogging, overwork, and short rations, is played with great ability by Charles Laughton. Roger Byam, midshipman (Franchot Tone), has been sent by Sir Joseph Banks to make a dictionary of tlie Tahitian language. Roger’s friend, Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable), master’s mate, is Bligh’s special enemy, because lie refuses to sign the falsified ship’s books. “Charlie Chan’s Secret,” Attraction at State lu “Charlie Chan’s Secret,” tlie current attraction at the State Theatre, Warner Olnnd again appears as Charlie Chan, whose gift at solving complicated problems concerning crime is now t-o well established in the domain of the screen that one has only to watch and admire the subtle deductions this clever Chinese makes when lie is once on the trail. “King of Burlesque.” Beneath the glittering colour, the haunting tunes, comedy and gay dance routines which adorn “King of Burlesque,” the Fox picture which opens at the State Theatre to-morrow, is a far* cinating love drama. Presenting Warner Baxter, Alice Faye and Mona Barrie in the leading dramatic roles, the new musical show boasts an all-star cast of talented performers. The story of “King of Burlesque” delves back-stage into the life and loves of the people of the theatre. Warner Baxter is the leading personality, an impresario who has brought the technique of the 14(h Street burlesque to an enraptured Broadway. At the height •'! his success he deserts his two old friends. Jack Oakic and Alice Faye, to marry the aristocratic but impoverished Mona Barjje. Through, whirling, kaleidoscopic

backgrounds and a series of adventures the picture traces the gradual descent of this rajah of entertainment under the influence of his wife. Finally, cast off and deserted, he rejoins his two old friends, launches his most daring project, to meet with a startling success. The close of the picture shows Baxter and Miss Faye happily rejoined in romantic mood. Ably supervised by the versatile Kenneth McGowan, the picture presents a gay series of hit tunes from the pens of Ted Koehler and Jimmy McHugh. “Lovely Lady,” “Shooting High,” "Spreadin’ Rhythm Around” are the entrancing names of some. Arlinc Judge, the pert little comedienne; Gregory Ratoffi. Fate Waller, Nick Long, juu., Kenny Baker and the Paxton sisters are only a few oi the names in the cast that make “King of Burlesque” the gayest, liveliest, musical entertainment of the year. “First a Girl” in Second Week at Plaza Jessie Matthews and Sonny Hale, a perfect screen team, outdo their previous successes in “First a Girl,” now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre. The film includes a finely-staged mannequin parade and a superbly fantastic scene in which Jessie Matthews sings from a suspended gilded cage prior to presenting a whirlwind dance. “Seven Keys to Baldpate.” When seven different persons, each thinking that he or she has the only existing key to a lonely mountain inn, all arrive at that spot one midwinter night for various mysterious purposes, events are bound to happen in quick succession. This is the basis of RKO-Radio’s “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” a thrilling and hilarious my<stery farce, which will begin its season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. The story opens with Raymond, as a novelist, seeking a quiet place to write a new book, coming to a deserted mountain inn on a midwinter night. Though he hopes to be alone, a series of unexpected and mysterious visitors arrive. Margaret Callahan has the feminine lead. The cast includes Erin O’Brien-Moore, Moroni Olsen, Erie Blore, Grant' Mitchell. Ray Mayer, Henry Travers, and Murray Alper. “The Legion of Valour,” Main Feature at Paramount Not only does “The Legion of Valour,” the new Reliance thriller, which heads the programme at the Paramount Theatre, reveal the unceasing efforts of the Federa' agencies to curb criminal activities in America, but it also details the procedure pursued by the United States Department of Justice in tracking down criminals Heading the stellar cast are Richard Arlen, Virginia Bruce, Alice Brady, and Bruce Cabot. “Sweet Surrender.” Impressive sets that added tens of thousands of dollars to the production budget were built for “Sweet. Surrender,” the movie musical which is to be the next attraction at the Paramount Theatre, with Tamara, stage star of “Roberta” and Frank Parker, favourite radio tenor, :n the leading roles. Among these sets wer® staterooms and salons aboard the giant o.s. Normandie, an entire theatre interior and two immense stage settings, for elaborate ballet scenes, and a fashion revue gowned by Sally Milgram. “Sweet Surrender” marks the debut in pictures of Tamara, the Russian actress and singer, who made world famous the song, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” when she made such a great bit in “Roberta” on the New York stage. Featured in the leading role is Frank Parker, ace radio tenor, star for the last live years of the A & P Gypsies, and now on the Atlantic Hour. Opera House Reopens on Friday With Two Pictures Hop-Along Cassidy. Red Connors, Johnny Nelson, and other famous characters of Western fiction return to the screen in “Bar-20 Rides Again,” the third of the widely-read books by Clarence E. Mulford to be filmed this year by Paramount. This film will head the. speci-ally-selected programme which will reopen the New Opera House for pictures to-morrow, being co-featured with “Millions in the Air,” a sparkling musical romance. Both features only arrived in New Zealand this week. In “Bar-20 Rides Again.” popular William Boyd repeats the role of Hop-Along Cassidy, which he played in the first two pictures of this series. He is again supported by Jimmy Ellison, as his impetuous young friend Johnny Nelson, George Hayes, and Frank McGlynn, jun. A new romantic element is introduced by Jean Rouverol; and a new shade of villainy by Harry Worth. “Millions in the Air” deals with the weekly amateur radio hours which are now sweeping America. Romance intermingles . with comedy, song, and dance in “Millions in the Air.” which stars Wendy Barrie. George Barbier. John Howard, Eleanor Whitney, and Willie Howard. The lastnamed provides some superb comedy as an Italian vegetable peddler with a yearning to sing “Rigoletto” over the air, and all the others are excellently east.