ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 264, 4 August 1936, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Ben Travers Farce, “Pot Luck,” Screened at Plaza Theatre -

Another jovial farce is screened when the Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn-Robertson Hare combination appears in the amusing Ben Travers, “Pot Luck,” at the Plaza Theatre this week. It is a slick story involving crooks who steal a famous Chinese vase of fabulous worth, and the antice of Walls and Lynn as sleuths, who become involved in all manner of escapades before the gang is laid by the heels. The girl in the case is Dianna Churchill, who is engagingly attractive. The story moves to a breezy climax with an exciting revolver duel in which Lynn manages to drop the precious vase. “Pot Luck” is clever foolery and most amusing. The supporting programme is well up to Plaza standard and includes a very fine subject entitled “Progress,” illustrative of the craze for speed. “Rhodes of Africa.” Walter Huston and Oscar Homolka appear in the great historical romance, “Rhodes of Africa,” which is coming to the Plaza Theatre on Friday. “Petticoat Fever,” ComedyDrama, at Majestic Theatre A drama of the frozen north, “Pett coat Fever.” makes piquant fare for filmgoers this week at the Majestic Theatre. An ice-bound wireless station in Labrador, 90 miles from the nearest settlement, is a very lonely spot, and Dascom Dinsmore, the operator in charge there, is a very lonely man who has not seen a white woman for a year (and a beautiful one for two years). Hence the upset when Irene Campion and her fiance, Sir James Felton, make their way to hi s abode after their plane has crashed on the ice. What happens after that makes a most laugh-provoking story. Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy play opposite each other and are a perfect combination, with Reginald Owln as the latter’s blustery lianeq. Further interest is added to the story by the arrival of Dinsmore’s fiancee of two years past. This situation brings the film to sin ending which it would be a pity to disclose.

De Luxe Theatre Features “I Married a Doctor”

Pat O'Brien and Josephine Hutchinson arc featured in “I Married a Doetor,” the Warner Bros, film adaptation of the startling novel by Sinclair. Lewis, now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The novel struck telling blow’s at provincialism of thought and life, at seandal-monger-ing, aud at' warped and narrow vision; the film drama does likewise. It has all the vigour, the thrilling romance, the.action, and the humour that characterised the book. But it goes further- it makes the people sketchily described by Sinclair Lewis actually live. The associate entertainment includes items by the Orchestra De Luxe and organ.

“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” at Paramount is in Third Week

A really first-class- comedy-romance is presented in “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” which, in the third week of its Wellington season, is now screening at the Paramount Theatre. Gary Cooper, is Mr. Deeds, a countrified young man, whose inheritance of 20.000,000 dollars makes him new*. He chooses New York as the place in which to see life, and Jean Arthur, a young woman journalist, _by exerting her undoubted charm is first with the news of Mr. Deeds's hilarious escapades. Mr. Deeds becomes involved with a crook lawyer wh<v seeks to defraud him, but. when be speaks out his enemies realise that he is not. as simple us lie appears. “Private Number,” at State Theatre, Has Fine Cast . Such polished players as Robert Taylor (of “Magnificent Obses'ion”) and handsome Loretta Young as the young lovers; Basil Rathbone in one of those keen cutting remorseless roles he known so well; and Patsy Kelly as the heart-of-gold comedienne, head the east of “Private Number,” at the State Theatre. It is the story of the rich young man who marries the pretty maid.

Comic Opera, “Fra Diavolo,” at St. James Theatre The hilarious antics of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy make a riot of laughter of the screen version of Auber’s famous comicopera, “Fra Diavolo,” at the St. James Theatre. There are some stirring scenes when Dennis King’s ‘ glorious baritone is heard to fine advantage. ’ The story opens wheu Olivero and Stanlio arcrobbed of their life savings by bandits, aud hit upon the bright id?a of being bandits themselves Olivero pretends he is Diavolo, but their career is cut short by a meeting with the gentleman bandit himself. In the meantime Ijiavolo discovers that his bandit gang failed to rob Lady Pamela (Thelma Todd). To frustrate possible identification of his men, he takes the duo along as pseudo man-servant and poses as the Marquis de Sau Marco, but their ridiculous blunders cause him to regret teh step. Jackie Cooper, the p pular youthful actor, is in “The Tough Guy,” which is screened in support of “Fra Diavolo.”

“The Garden Murder Case.’’

Philo Vance, this time portrayed by Edmund Lowe, reappears in “The Garden Murder Case,” which will open at the St. James Theatre on Friday. As the super-scientific detective, Lowe gives a performance that is utterly delightful. He drawls Ulis way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. But not one of his thrills can be compared to his sudden falling in love. It is thb first time in,Philo’s adventures that he has undergone this experience, and the way be reacts to romantic situations .is at once humorous and entertaining. Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who gives him palpitation of the heart, and to save her from police suspicion he risks not only his reputation but -his life.

“Show Boat” Still Screening at Regent Theatre

“Show Boat,” that fine film of romance, excitement, pathos, and laughter, along the Mississippi is in its th’rd week at the Regent Theatre. The beautiful soprano of Irene Dunne and the fine tenor of Allan Jones arc blended in several numbers, and another rich musical treat is provided by Paul Robeson., whose magnificent bass voice is heard in “Ole Man River” and “Ab Still Suits Me.” Helen Morgan is notably good as Julie, Parthy Hawkes is ideally portrayed by Helen Westley, and Charles Winninger is immense as Captain Andy Hawkes. The play is sumptuously mounted, some gorgeous ballets appearing in the Broadway scenes. “Desire.” “Desire,” Paramount's attraction which will start at the Regent Theatre on Friday. is a film to which the title does much less than justice. It is an amalgamation of comedy, piquant and daring romance, and thrilling drama, and in each aspect it is outstanding. But perhaps even more outstanding is the acting of the two stars, Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. “Desire” is easily their best picture to date, according to lending critics. For the first time in her Hollywood career,' Marlene Dietrieh is permitted to be more than’ a decorative figure posed in a succession of artistic tableaux. Completely free of the artificiality of her former "films, she is not only strikingly lovely to" look at, but is also a superb actress with a genuine sense of humour.