ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

Story Of The Old Wild West At

St. James Theatre

The powerful "bad man” portrayal of Wallace Beery, the unformly tine work of such stellar supporting players as Virginia Bruce, Dennis O'Keefe, Joseph Calleia, Lewi« Stone, Guy Kibbee, and Bruce Cabot, and the distinguished direction of J. ‘Walter Ruben have combined to bring to the screen an absorbing drama in "The Bad Alan of Brimstone,” which is showing at the St. James Theatre. Recapturing the spirited and lawless era of the old frontier days of the West of the 'eighties, the new picture offers- a thrilling panorama of stagecoach travel, gold rush hysteria, crooked polities, and the rule of the trigger. Backed with action from start to finish the eoluorful story reveals how law and order came to the town of Brimstone when desperadoes such as “Trigger” Bill, portrayed by Beery, ruled with an iron hand. Beery, giving a performance which outshines even that of his famed “Viva Villa I” is cast as the outlaw who bands his forces against that of the United States marshal.

“Second Honeymoon” Screening

At Plaza Theatre

"Second Honeymoon,” with Loretta Young and Tyrone Power, now showing at the Plaza Theatre, presents a story of young people with rather uncertain views on the question of marriage and divorce. “The Adventures of Alarco Polo.” The screen, which lately has focused a majority of its bigger productions on biographical subjects, has seen many remarkable portraits of characters taken from the past. Few of these historic personalities, however, enjoyed a life more significant and romantic than the Alarco Polo so few people seem to know, whom Samuel Goldwyn has chosen as the hero of "The Adventures of Alarco Polo,” his rollicking, adventurous romance which brings Gary Cooper to the Plaz.a Theatre to-morrow. Alarco Polo's journey to the thirteenth century court of the great Kublai Khan in Kambalu, Peiping, had as its object the extension of private commerce and the development of new trade opportunities for the Polo Brothers, Nicolo and Alaffieo, Marco’s father and uncle, who were important merchants in the city of Venice. Thus, as the world’s first travelling salesman, Alarco set out for distant Cathay—a three years’ journey through deserts and mountains, beset every mile by brigands and perils unknown to Western civilisation. Alarco was then 21, a young game-cock, skilled in the use of arms, an excellent horseman and athlete, fearless and persevering in the pursuit of trouble, trade and amours. The young Polo served Kublai Khan for 17 continuous years, years of tremendous danger among barbaric descendants of Ghengis Khan, the greatest and most ferocious of all conquerors. He finally left as the Khan's ambassador, charged with delivering the Circassian-Tartar Princess, Kogatin, over in marriage to Argon, the enderly Shah of Persia and Eastern India. “Double Wedding” Still At Majestic Theatre William Powell, as an artist whose studio is a trailer, plays a laugh-provok-ing role in “Double AA’edding,” co-starring Alyrna Loy, now showing for a second week at the Majestic Theatre. Although Powell has proved himself, as has also Aliss Loy, a star of dramatic roles as well as comedy, he has never had a more amusing vehicle than this. “Arsene Lupin Returns.” Audiences who enjoy plenty of action in their mystery pictures are in for an exciting evening when they see "Arsene Lupin Returns,” which will begiu to-mor-row at the Alajestic Theatre, with Alelvyn Douglas, Virginia Bruce and Warren William in featured roles. The screen play, based on the famous character in French detective fiction, is a fast-moving adventure drama, from its start in the offices of “G-Men” in New York city, to the work of the French Surete in Paris. A love triangle, with Virginia Btuce as the beautiful feminine attraction for Melvyn Douglas and AVarren AVilliam, provides interludes of romance in the exciting plot. The story, vibrant with action and surprise situations, gives Miss Bruce an excellent opportunity for a contrasting portrayal of coi#edy_and drama. Alelvyn Douglas is easy and natural in his performance with plenty of punch at climaxes of the plot. AVarren AVilliam, who is an expert at playing a screen detective, gives a rapid fire portrayal as a super “G-Man” who turns to private detective work. The De Grissac emerald is only surpassed in beauty by Lorraine, daughter of the family, who is almost as much temptation to Arsene Lupin and Emerson, former G-Man, his pursuer, as the jewel itself. Two murders are committed in attempts to steal the jewel. The thief leaves clues that point to Arsene Lupin who is supposed to be dead according to reports of the French police. Romance And Comedy At King’s Theatre A double-feature programme, the first attraction in which is “While Parents Sleep,” is at the King’s. “'While Parents Sleep” deals with the romance of the two adult sons of an army officer. “She’s Got Everything,” is the amusing story of a girl, who inherits nothing but debts. “Double Danger” and “Night Spot.” A modern Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde without the latter’s tendency to kill is dramatically treated in HKO Radio’s “Double Danger.” in which Preston Foster and Whitney Bourne are co-starred, and which comes to the King's Theatre tomorrow. Foster is seen as an apparently impeccable member of society and a highly successful author of detective stories, while in his other guise he is a mysterious super-cracksman of legendary skill who is known as "Tlie Gentleman.” Cleverly blending drama, romance and comedy against a background of underworld intrigue and police investigation. "Night Spot.” in which Parkyakarkus. Allan Laue, Gordon Jones and Joan Woodbury, lovely professional daneer. appear, will be the second attraction. Drama .'is well as many hilarious situations result from the efforts of a law officer to obtain evidence linking a night-club singer with a gang of jewel crooks. “Over She Goes” At New Opera House "Over She Goes.” a Britis-b musical comedy with Stanley Lupino, is now showing at the New Opera House. It tells of the adventures of three exmembers of a vaudeville act, when one becomes a peer on the presumed death of his uncle. i “The Thin Man.” One of the greatest film successes of recent years, reissued in response to many requests, "The Thin Alan" -will begin at the New Opera House to-morrow. It is inconsequential comedy, with William Powell am] Myrna Loy, the stars, nt their best. The cast includes the famous terrier. “Asta.” seen more recently as "Air. Smith” in "The Awful Truth." "9'he Thin Alan” is at .nice brilliant comedy and stirring mystery drama. The director. AV. S. Van Dyke, has made it a masterpiece of film technique and tlie action moves swiftly and without gaps in the sequence. Powell plays the part of Nick, a retired detective, and Myrna Loy that of his wife, bis jolly companion ami his real friend. The domestic fun and Imppin<wr> inlerpreti'il by these two bubbling up through all tlie tensest situations is a genuine joy. Maureen O'Sullivan is hi a prominent supporting part. "9 he 9 Ilin Man" may really be said to have begun the modern trend of light, frothy comedy. .

“Wells Fargo” In Second Week At Regent Theatre "Wells Fargo,” in its second week at the Regent Theatre, is based in the opening of “America's Lifeline of Empire.” “'Wells Fargo” has a notable east, headed by Joel McCrea, Frances Dee and Bob Burns. “I’ll Take Romance.” A musical comedy with the tine flexible soprano voice of Grace Moore leading the music in song ranging from light opera gems to popular melody and with a pronounced and highly enjoyable element of comedy, “I’ll Take Romance’’ begins to-morrow at tlie Regent Theatre. “I’ll Take Romance” lives up to its reputation in every respect. Grace Aloore is at her brat in operatic airs, in which she adventures with joyous abandon, tjnd here the selections made are specially designed to appeal to all tastes in music. _ 9'he drinking song from Verdi’s “La Traviata ’ is gloriously sung and is enhanced by the rousing male chorus which accompanies it, while the duet from “Madame Butterfly,” with Frank Forest in the male part, is given with a verve and delicacy which should thrill music-lovers. Grace Moore probably makes a more general appeal in this than in any former picture, for she shows an improvement in her character acting, and throws a most engaging rollicking spirit into the popular melody, “She’s Coming Round the Mountain!.’’ Melvyn Douglas provides romantic interest by a particularly nice-bal-anced study in which he adds handsomely to the comedy as well as to the human side of the story. But the humour which ripples right through the progress of the action owes most to Helen Westley and Stuart Erwin, whose character studies are both bright and. artistic. Western And Drama At De Luxe Theatre “Partners of the Plains” and “Scandal Street” are now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. “Partners of tlie Plains” is another of Clarence E. Mulford’s Hopalong Cassdiy series. “The Crime of Dr. Hallett” and .. “She Married an Artist.” “The Crime of Dr. Hallett,” a Universal picture starring Ralph Bellamy and Josephine Hutchinson, will head the programme to begin at the De Luxe to-mor-row. It is a powerful story of elemental love and hate, set against a hackground of martyrdom to science. The second feature will be “She Married an Artist,” with John Boles, Helen Westley and Luli Deste. “The Prisoner Of Zenda” At New Paramount "The Prisoner of Zenda,” a faithful interpretation of one of the world’s most popular novels, is now showing at the New Paramount Theatre. Ronald Colman. Madeleine Carroll. Raymond Massey and C. Aubrey Smith head the cast, and the swashbuckling adventure story is made-real by their polished performances. “Three Smart Girls.” 9'he adventures of three lovely daughters of a rich New Yorker, who smash their father’s romance witli a fortunehunting blonde, provide the amusing theme of Universal’s comedy-drama, “Three Smart Girls.” which will begin a. special return screening at tlie New Paramount to-morrow. The picture marked tlie debut of Deanna Durbin. Other members of the outstanding cast are Binnie Barnes, Alice Brady. Ray Milland, Charles Winninger, Mischa Auer. Nan Grey, Barbara Read, John King. Hobart Cavanaugh, Ernest Cossartl Lucille Watson, and Nella Walker. “Adventures Of Toni Sawyer” At State Theatre Perhaps the most popular of MarkTwain’s books. “The .Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” is now nt the State Theatre. Produced by David O. Selzniek, “Tom Sawyer” is set in a charming realistic atmosphere, with picturesque settings, and is notable for the almost uncanny natural acting of Tommy Kail.v (as Tom). Ana Gillis (Becky). Jackie Moran (Huckleberry Finn). and I lie other child players. Of the adults. May Robson stands out for her warnihear: id characterisation of Aunt Polly, but with less opportunity other players make almost as deep an impression. 9'he filming of the story in colour is an additional attraction. Shirley Temple Film At Tudor Theatre “Rebecca of Siinnybrook Farm.” now showing at I lie Tudor Theatre, is Shirley Temple’s latest film. Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart supply the romantic interest. 9’he second feature is "Change of Heart.” witli Gloria Stuart and Michael Whalen. "Nothing Sacred” ami "That I May Live.” David O. Selzniek. outstanding producer of successful pictures, has achieved another big hit with "Nothing Sacred.’’ starring Carole Lombard and Fredric Ala reh. which commences at the Tudor 9’heatre to-morrow. “Nothing Sacred" is a hilarious dramatisation of life in New York City, just as Selznick’s previous film. “A Star is Born." dramatised life in Hollywood so successful. 9'lie second feature will be "9'hat I May Live." with Rochelle Hudson ami Robert Kent.