ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 55, 29 November 1937, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Sandy Powell Provides Laughs

At De Luxe

' Those who enjoy the broadcast records of Sandy Powell—and their name is legion—will enjoy “Can You Hear Me, Mother?” the British film at the De Luxe Theatre starring the celebrated comedian. "Can You Hear Me, Mother?” waa designed to provide the greatest possible amount of humour from Sandy Powell and the production virtually consists of a series of funny sketches connected by the familiar theme of the simple fellow with theatrical ambitions who makes good in a big city. With a somewhat novel plot concerning a search by an old woman from England for her son in America, whom she believes is on a ranch but who in reality is hi prison, “Hitch-Hike Lady,” the second feature, is a very entertaining comedy-romance, well acted by Alison Skipworth, Mae Clark, Arthur Treacher, Warren Hymer and Jimmy Ellison.

Paderewski Film At New

Paramount

One of the world’s most distinguished figures makes his first screen appearance in “Moonlight Sonata,” which is showing at the New Paramount Theatre. This is Paderewski, greatest pianist of the age, international statesman, and former Premier of Poland. For twenty-four years—until the outbreak of war—Paderewski triumphed through the world, lauded and adored in practically every country. In “Moonlight Sonata,” he reaches the peak of his great career. Appearing with Paderewski in “Moonlight Sonata” are Charles Farrell, the popular Hollywood star, Marie Tempest, the veteran stage and' screen actress, Barbara Green, and Eric Portman.

Story Of Oil Fields At New Opera House

Continuing its Wellington season, and now at the New Opera House, “High, Wide and Handsome” deals with the story of the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania. Against that background has been constructed a charming story of the show girl (Irene Dunne), who became the .wife of Peter (Randolph Scott), the first man to realise the immense possibilities of the product. Scott’s interest in the new venture is so pronounced that he forgets his wife, and she joins a circus. With time for the completion of the pipeline to the refineries creeping on, she brings to the aid of the loyal workers the circus band, and in stirring final scenes the work is completed.

“Stella Dallas,” Popular Regent

Attraction

, “Stella Dallas,” the Goldwyn production released by United Artists which is now at the Regent Theatre, is first and last a good picture. In fact, one would not be over-stating the case to say that it is a remarkably fine film. Produced by Goldwyn in 1925, it will be remembered as one of the milestones of the silent screen. With the aid of dialogue the new version now surpasses the old. '“Stella Dallas” is the kind of film which the Goldwyn organisation seems peculiarly suited to produce. It is human interest drama treated with honesty and emotional force. John Boles lias a typical role as the sensitive husband, and Ann Shirley ig delightful as the daughter.

“Rose Of Tralee” Showing At

State Theatre

“Rose of Tralee,” which has entered upon a second week at the State Theatre, is a sentimental drama of a poor mother and her infant seeking an absent husband. Ninety per cent, of the appeal of this picture is vested in Binkie Stuart, diminutive child star, who carries almost the entire burden of the story on her tiny shoulders. In the juvenile field she will certainly rate as a discovery, for she shows acting capabilities of a surprising order. Fred Conyngham and Kathleen O’Regan play the romantic roles, and the work of Talbot O’Farrell. Denier Warren, Sydney Fairbrother, and Dorothy Dare calls for comment in a cast of familiar names.

Vaudeville Programme At > Plaza Theatre The British production “Calling All Stars” at the Plaza Theatre is a film of specialised and easily recognisable type. It is a high-class vaudeville show transferred almost directly to the screen. The idea connecting the many cabaret, variety and radio acts is that a world-wide search is in progress for stars to remake a batch of master gramophone records which have been broken by a clumsy poriter. “Under the Red Robe.” Annabella plays the lead in the new G.B.D. production, “Under the Red Robe,” which is a coming attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Story Of The War At St. James Theatre Anyone who has read "The Road Back” or seen the film, will recognise that the theme of “They Gave Him a Gun,” the M.-G.-M. production which is now at the St. James Theatre. is not original. But whereas in “The Road Back” the idea that the cumulative effect of killing in war might so alter a man’s character that he would remain a killer when peace was declared, was but one aspect of the general theme of war’s aftermath, in “They Gave Him a Gun” it is the whole motivation of the film. This is not a defect. The idea was one worthy of dramatic elaboration and full of possibilities for unusual characterstudies. The war requence® are well handled, but they by not means predominate in the story.

“Night Must Fall” Still At Majestic Theatre Adopting a technique of story construction entirely new on the screen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer introduces a novel picture in “Night Must Fall,” which, is showing for a further week at the Majestic. The film is a daring venture in the production field, but even more experimental for Robert Montgomery, who deliberately chose to drop his accustomed pleasant comedy roles for the characterisation of a pathological killer. His performance is remarkable from every standpoint. Among the supporting players are Dame May AA'hitty, Merle Tottenham', and Matthew Boulton. “It’s All Yours.” A coming attraction at the Majestic Theatre is “It’s All A’ours,” with Madeleine Carroll, described as the comedy surprise of 1937. Two Excellent Features At King’s Theatre A special interest attaches to “A Doctor’s Dairy,” at the King’s Theatre, because it contains a leading performance by Ra Hould, the New Zealand boy. Quite apart from Ra Hould, however, the film is an interesting one of its kind. The plot hinges upon an interpretation of medical ethics, the question nt issue being: “Is a doctor's first duty to humanity or must he also consider personal security and loyalty to professional eitquette?” Eighty minutes of light entertainment are provided by “50 Roads | to Town,” the second feature, starring j Ann Sothern and Don Ameclie. I