STATE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 15

STATE THEATRE

“Captain January” Shirley Temple has again set her spell on Wellington audiences in “Captain January,” a film with nautical tang, which commenced its second week at the State Theatre to crowded audiences yesterday. Shirley plays the part of the orphaned daughter of an onera singer, lost in a wreck off the rocky Maine coast, where Shirley, who was washed ashore when a baby, is given a home by Guy Kibbee, a lighthouse-keeper. As a merry, lighthearted child of six she is the old man’s sole light and joy in his, old age. Slim Summerville, as the captain's companion. aids in the upbringing of the child, “Star,” as she is known. The dramatic episodes surround the efforts of a truant officer (a typical Sarah Haden part) to take “§tar” away from Kibbee and place her in a school, and the subsequent loss by Kibbee of his job as a lighthouse tender. The climax is a perfectlytimed one. One has almost given up hope for “Star” in the hands of the truant officer when a delightful turn of events leads to her rescue, and the end could not have been more delightful, although it differs here from the book. Buddy Ebsen, of “Broadway Melody” fame, shares some tap-dances with “Star,” who sings and dances her way in and out of the odd corners of the lighthouse, down the wharves and quays of the township where she goes to get supplies for the lighthouse, and, incidentally, she dances into the hearts of all the people she comes into contact with—with the exception of the truant officer. STATE, PETONE England’s favourite dancing and singin" star, Jessie Matthews, returns to th' 1 screen in “First a Girl,” the glorious musical successor to “Evergreen," commencing at the State Theatre, I’etone, today. Jessie Matthews finds herself in some complicated and compromising positions in the course of her masquerade, and is also afforded splendid opportunities to demonstrate her sweet soprano voice and Hying feet PALACE, PETONE All the romance and glamour of Mexico in the middle of last century are, brought to the screen in Paramount’s brilliant outdoor musical "Rose of the Rancho," which comes from the Regent Theatre. Wellington, to the Palace Theatre, Petone. lu the leading role is Gladys Swarthout, and playing opposite her is John Boles. The early scenes depict Monterey nt the time when the Spanish landowners were striv ing to hold their property against rapa cions American land grabbers. Endeavouring to combat this menace is a band of vigilantes led by a mysterious Don Caries. Into this conflict comes a secret service agent (John Boles) to try and settle the disputes. On his arrival lie becomes embroiled with both sides, and Ihe result is a thrilling romance. There is an excellent supporting programme. GRAND. PETONE The drama of an old sea dog is pictured with intense interest in Paramount's ‘Gentlemen of the Navy," which comes to Ihe Grand Theatre, Petone to-day. Sir Guy Standing appears as a retired commodore who has given most of his years tn his country ami has returned to the j naval base to spend the last of ins days i Richard Cromwell. Rosalind Keith and Tom Brown have the other leading roles. |