ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 130, 26 February 1937, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Kay Francis in “Sweet Aloes” at Regent Theatre f

As a stage play by Joy Mallory, “Sweet Aloes" mid a notable record of success both in England and America. In' the film, which will open at the Regent Theatre to-day, daring situations are handled with the utmost delicacy, and the most emotional situations are treated naturally. The story moves evenly against luxurious backgrounds in the upper social circles of London and New York, and Kay Francis is eaid to add to her reputation as "the screen’s bestdressed woman’' by wearing many sensational and beautiful creations. The drama of the story's central situation arises from the decision of the heroine, Linda Warren, to let her child be adopted by the wife of her lover. Thus she assures the child's future, for his father is a member of the aristocracy; but she herself is tormented by regrets, which are not lessened by her marriage in New York to a young lawyer. It is left to Roland Young, as a humorous and sympathetic author, who is a friend of all the parties concerned, to find the solution te a very difficult problem.

Clive Brook in Exciting Drama al St. James Theatre

Lovers of romance staged against a background of adventure should enjoy “Lonely Road,” which is to continue for a second week at the St. James Theatre. The "Lonely Road” leads to thrilling adventures as a fearless excommander of the British submarine service plays a lone hand to bring a daring gang of'gun-runners to justice. Aud in the mi det of the relentless battle of brain and brawn lie finds a charming wife to share with him the spoils of victory. Clive Brook and Victoria Hopper are co-starred for the first time. The former has the role of the ex-naval officer, now a secrel service man, while Victoria Hopper plays the part of a dance hall hostess. If the latter had not been wo attractive, and if her brother had never driven a lorry full of contraband, there might not have been so delightful a story. The young lorryman, innocent tool of gun-runners, has to be got out of trouble, and it is Clive Brook who saves him, after terrific near-to-death adventures in which Victoria Hopper shares.

“Bengal Tiger.” Heads Programme at De Luxe

“Bengal Tiger,” a Warner Bros.’ film of actual circus life and people, comes to the De Luxe Theatre to-day. It is said to be powerful in its realism and drama, yet simple and touching in its unusual romance. The setting in which most of the plot takes place is a real circus, inside and outside the big top, the special train and winter quarters, the side-shows and dressing tents. Much of the drama centres around the cages in which the wild animals are quartered, trained and- exhibited. Big, hard-bitten Barton Mac Lane, sinister menace of many a gangster film. plays . a sympathetic, heroic role in this picture, that of a fearless animal trainer. Reckless in his daring, he is finally clawed hy one of the tigers and is saved from death only by the prompt action of his assistant, who loses his life in rescuing him. The associate attraction is the hilarious comedyromance, “Where’s Sally?” featuring Gene Gerrard and Claude Hulbert.

“The Lives of a Bengal Lancer”

at Paramount

Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, and the late Sir Guy Standing, whose death is announced in to-day’s “Dominion,” have the leading roles in Paramount’s “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” which opens at the Paramount Theatre to-day. The picture employed more than 20,000 people and was four years in production. It is a colourful adventurespectacle based on the exploits of a handful of men who protect the outposts of the British Empire in India. The film was entrusted to a comparatively young director rather than to a veteran and experienced man, because of Gary Cooper’s faith in a man who had made good. Cooper observed the work of a young director, Henry Hathaway. Cooper had an idea that some day the young man would he useful to hiju as a director of his pictures. The actor's earnest plea earned for Hathaway the job of directing Gary, Carole Lombard and Shirley Temple in “Now and Forever.” As a result of that picture’s success. Hathaway had the tremendous job of filming “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer.”

“The Gorgeous Hussy’’ at Majestic To-day Not one but four young, handsome and romantic leading men act with Joan Crawford in “The Gorgeous Hussy,” a dramatic romance of America’s capital in

the early nineteenth century, which will | open at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Co- | starred with Miss Crawford along with Lionel Barrymore is the sensational Robert Taylor. Taylor appears as "Bow” Timberlake, officer on the U.S.S. Constitution, and the first husband of tempestuous Peggy O'Neill, daughter of a tavern-keeper who rose to an amazing career as the First Lady of Democracy. Franchot 'Tone, making his first appearance with Miss Crawford since their marriage, plays John Eaton, Minister to Spain, who ultimately saves Peggy O'Neal from the seandal-s'preading tongues of Washington society. Others in the film are Melvyn Douglas as John Randolph, of Virginia, the man with whom Peggy O’Neal first falls in love; and James. Stewart as the fictional character of “Rowdy” Dow. dashing Washington newspaper man, who also offers bis hand and heart to the flirtatious Peggy. Throughout the story of “The Gorgeous Hussy” stalk such colourful characters ns Andrew Jackson, Dolly Madison, Daniel Webster. Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren. John Calhoun, and a hoet of other famous figures in American politics one hundred and twenty-five years ago.

Two New Films at King’s Theatre To-day

The death of a wealthy collector by a mysterious bullet, and the subsequent killing of a museum custodian in an even more mysterious fashion, form the theme on which is built the baffling suspense and action of “The Plot Thiekens,” fifth of R.K.O. Radio's series of Stuart Palmer detective pictures, which, with the aviation drama. “Without Orders. ’ is to open at the King's Theatre to-day. With James Gleason and Zasu Pitts teamed as the .boastful Inspector. Piper aud the sarcastic Hildegarde Withers, who betweeu them finally solve the mystery, the film swiftly leads into exciting complications as a priceless art object in a New York museum vanishes, and its disappearance proves to be linked with the killings. Romance, thrills and a colourful sidelight on modern commercial aviation are combined in “'Without Orders,” with Robert Armstrong and Sally Eilers in the romantie roles and , Frances Sago. Charley Grapewin and Vinton Haworth co-featured with them. Dealing with the personal and official problems that beset modern transport pilots, the picture revolves around the rivalry of two flyers in their professional work and in their attentions to the same girl—a stewardess on the air line.

Adventure Film, “White Hunter,” at State

Adventure amj excitement are promised in the 20th Century-Fox film ‘The White Hunter,” which will head the new programme at the State Theatre to-day. Warner Baxter heads the cast, and supporting him are June Lang and Alison Skipworth. A special feature of the supporting programme will le a film showing Perry and Vines in their first professional tennis encounter, and newsreels will show exclusive scenes of the stay-in strike in America.

New Revue to be Presented at New Opera House

“A Brighter 1037,” the second production of Stanley McKay’s Gaieties Vaudeville and Revue Company, is to begin at the New Opera .House to-morrow afternoon at the matinee. The programme is an entirely new one, featuring Joe Lowman in a further series of snappy and original sketches, in which he has the assistance of Elton Black, George Perelli, Kath Howarde, and Stella Lamond. The last-named two artists also have the principal roles in “Sun Flowers at Dawning” and “I Wished on the Moon,” delightful song scenas. One of the highlights of "A Brighter 1937” is a spectacular band presentation entitled “A Fantasy in Gohl.” arranged by Mr. George Greig, of the Hilo Duo. Practically the full strength of the campany, including Joe Lowman as conductor, is to take part in this offering. The acrobatic* portion of the programme is to be contributed by the Warren Boys and the Seven Flying Martinet tes.

Plaza Theatre to Reopen Next Week

Jack Oakic matches Lily Pons in vocal performance in the new melody hit. “That Girl from Paris,” with which the Plaza Theatre will open next Friday. Oakie lifts his voice in melody in an original song. “Moonface.” Although Gene Raymond, whose singing voice has been heard in many pictures, appears opposite Miss Pons, he remains silent in favour of Oakic. The little French diva, of course, sings a delightful array of classical airs and popular rhythms in the title role of “That Girl from Paris”—a flighty miss smitten with an American musician to the extent that she deserts a marriage of convenience at the altar and follows the new heart-gripper across the Atlantic.