ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 266, 6 August 1937, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

“A Star is Born” For Second Week at Regent

A real gala Hollywood premiere, c omplete with pressing throngs, searchlights, radio announcer and celebrities is one of t.lie many highlights of “A Star is Born,” David O. Selznick’s technieolotir production co-starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, which will enter the second week of its Wellington season at the Regent Theatre to-day. William A. ’Wellman directed tjiis glamorous story of Hollywood’s "inside,” which easts Miss Gaynor as a little country girl who came Io Hollywood in search of fame, faced the crushing odds of 100,000 to one and made good. Adolphe Menjou, May Robson, Andy Devine, and Lionel Standee are prominently featured in this, the first, up-to-the-minute story to be filmed in teehmeolottr. and others playing important roles are Owen Moore, Peggy Wood, Elizabeth Jenns, Edgar Kennedy. J. C. Nugent, and Guinn Williams. Such world-famous Hollywood landmarks as the Trocadro, Gruman’s Chinese Theatre. the Brown Derby, and the Biltmore Bowl as it looks during the annual ban quet of the Aeadmy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are shown in natural colour for the first time. Prominent on the supporting programme is Wait Disney’s newest coloured cartoon, “Mickey’s Circus.”

“Crimson Romance” and “Lady From Nowhere” at De Luxe

Stirring aviation scenes enhance the air-drama "Oriuhson Romance,” which will begin to day at the De Luxe Theatre. The story is based on the exploits of Germany’s hero, "The Red Knight of Germany.” It is a simple tale of two American boys in search of adventure, who join the German Air Forces. A pretty ambulance-driver endangers ,the strong friendship of the flyers, and the advent of U.S.A, into the Great Mar puts an entirely new complexion on the situation. Outstanding in a stellar castare Erich von Stroheim, Ben Lyon and Sari Maritza. The associate feature is “Lady from Nowhere,” starring Mary Astor, a melodramatic comedy which also serves to introduce a screen newcomer, Charles Quigley, a favourite of the New York stage. George Formby in “Feather Your Nest” at St. James The successful English coii>edian, George Formby, is the principal player in “Feather Your Nest,” which will begin at the St. James to-day. In his two recent appearances in the films "No Limit’’ and "Keep Your Seats, Please, ’ Formby revealed many ticcoiifplishpients as * screen entertainer. The story _of “Feather Your Nest" is full of amusing situations, in which the leading player is supported by a large and talented cast. The romantic interest of the film is suppiled by Polly Ward, and Davy Burnaby also is prominent. Heading the supporting programme will be “Eagletts,” a short subject concerning model aeroplane building and flying. A film record of the Springbok-Wellington game will be screened to-morrow night “The Man in Possession” to Continue at Majestic Jean Harlow appears in the last film she completed before death put an untimely end to her career, “The Man in Possession,” in which sfie is co-starred with Robert Taylor, at the Majestic Theatre, where the film is to remain for a second week. Miss Harlow, hailed by critics and public alike fop her talents as a comedienne, plays the role of Crystal Wetlierby, an American harassed by debts. In an endeavour to keep up a “front” she runs herself even more deeply in debts with the result that her creditors make use of the English custom of assigning a sheriff’s assistant to take up his post in her house and to watch her personal property to make certain that she does not sell anything. In desperation, Crystal resolves to marry Claude Dabney (Reginald Owen), an elderly, pompous Englishman whom she does not love but whom she believes to be rich. Taylor, who plays the part of Raymond, Dabney, the sheriff’s assistant assigned to watch over Crystal’s belongings, and when she implores him not to “give her away” before the man she wants Io marry he agrees to pose as her butler. The fun begins when Crystal’s fiance turns out to be Raymond Danbeys brother. “Thunder in the City” to Screen at Paramount The brilliant Hollywood star, Edward G. Robinson, will appear to-day at the New Paramount Theatre in his first British picture, “Thunder in the City.” The first scene is laid in a sumptuous. New York office where Edward G. Robinson, in the role of an important sales executive, bids farewell to his colleagues and leaves for England. The rest of the action 'in the film takes place in and around London and brings a typical- American bustness man into close contact with.Knglisn society. Robinson has as his leading lady Luli Deste, the lovely Viennese actress, and other members of the, cast include Nigel Bruce, Constance Collier, Ralph Richardson, Cyril Raymond, Annie Esmond aud Arthur Wontner. Double-feature Programme at King’s Theatre “Hills of Old Wyoming,” the latest “Hopalong Cassidy” picture, which will begin to-day at the King’s Theatre, contains authentic scenes of Sioux Indian ceremonies, including a war dance for which special tribal ratisie was provided. The fighting tactics of these Sioux Indians, including their stratagem of cutting off the enemy in a vast circle, are seen in the picture, a story of cattlemen and rustlers in the old West. William Boyd, again playing the role of "llopalong Cassidy,” leads the cattlemen against the rustlers, who attempt to use the Indians to shield their depredations. Murder on the fog-bound moor, a kidnapping, the machinations of a counterfeit band, and the imprisonment of a beautiful woman in a house of . mystery, are a few things “Bulldog Drummond” has to solve in "Bulldog Drummond Escapes,” the latest in the breezy series of detective films, which will also be screened. Ray Milland plays the role of the master sleuth and soldier-of-fortunc who has entertained the world for a generation in fiction, on the stage, and on the screen. “Shall We Dance,” AstaireRogers Musical at State A terpsiehorean love affair between a famous ballet dancer and a noted revue favourite, which becomes the biggest news story of the day, is told in “Shall We Dance,” latest of the Fred AstaireGinger Rogers musical films, which will begin at the Stale Theatre to-day. With catchy song numbers composed by George and Ira Gershwin, and featuring some of the most, spectacular dances the two stars have ever presented, the new picture is said to bo a tuneful triumph. Harriet Hoetor, America’s greatest ballerina, is seen in two numbers- —one of them a duet with Astaire—and Astaire has two solo dances as well as throe numbers with Rogers. Since both the principals portray famous personages in the theatrical world, their smallest actions are news, ami when the rumour spreads, that they are married, it becomes a headline affair. Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore. both of whom have added much to the merriment of previous Astiro-Rogers vehicles, have important roles.

Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge at Plaza “Take My Tip,” which will begin at the Plaza to-day, presents Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtenidge together for the first time since “Falling for You.” In

“Take My Tip,” Hulbert has the role of a nobleman who loses all his money by buying a non-existent oil well and is later employed by his former butler to manage an hotel in Dalmatia. Cicely Courtneidge is his wife, engaged with him as a social hostess on the stipulation that they shall conduct themselves as if they were not married. Harold Huth is the butler and Frank Cellier is the trickster who sells the oil well to Hulbert. Herbert Mason, director of “Take My Tip.” has long been associated with Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge. He was with Hulbert in “Pot Luck,” which was produced at the Vaudeville Theatre in 1921, and worked on the film .productions of “Aunt Sally” and “Things are Looking Up.” both of which starred Cicely Courtneidge.