ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 28, 3 February 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. In a dramatically forceful story; Gloria Swau»ou is the! star, at tho Regent Theatre this week in "The. Trespasser," her Urst ail-diajugue pic- . turo. While tho star's gorgeous wardrobe recalls tho days of her' first triumphs, it is a new Gloria Swai 5011 that the talking screen reveals in tho present picture. The tonal •qualities of Miss Swanson's voice give fitting oral ex- • V'vesslon to her abilities as a dramatic actress. It is notable that although tlio story is laid iv Chicago, it has nothing whatever to do with racketeers, gunmen, or other llgures of crime— a refreshing departure from the succession of Chicago underworld themes. With the upper social strata of the great city for its background, the Him deals with the most pressing problems of modern life. In writing it. the author has worked out a new technique in talking pictures. He tells . his tale simply arid naturally, but packs it full of drama at every turn, with the result that the cut ire cast . follow Miss Swanson's example in giving 1100Tforthy portrayals. An entertaining supporting programme is also screened. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. - One of the most successful musical plays to *isit Wellington in recent years was "The , ~««<rt Song," and during ils season here it commanded largo audiences. ' Now, within a jew weeks or the stage hit, lias arrived the some story, with its scenic««lfects, its dialogue, and its, entrancing and stirring songs and choruses, but presented on the silver screen as an all-talking, all-singing picture. Any doubt as to the appeal of. the talking screen as compared with the legitimate stage has been completely dispelled by the crowded houses, .-. which. In addition to tho matinees, have been attracted nightly. In the screen version the producers have taken full advantage of the addl- ■ tional scope offering for lar'gu-scalo and picturesque scenery, parts being done in tcchnicolour. In the same manner tho voices of tlio chM-uses photographed hare been augmented by singer* "behind" tho scenes," with excellent results. The leading parts are in capable hands, John Boles playing the Kc\l Shadow, and Miss Carlotta Kin? Margot JlpnvaCet. Both have exceptionally fine voices, cnmblntd. with undoubted acting .ability. The .humour 'is supplied in copious quantities by Johnny X; Arthur, as Benny'the-journalist, and Louise Fazenda as Susan, "the, romance-seeker. Myrhn Loy admirably fits.thepart of Azuri, the dancer. , aUEEN'S THEATRE. A stirring'tale of tho courageous self-sacri-fice of a mother who saves the beloved wife of her son from tlio highest penalty of the lawdeath is "The Tower of Silence," which hearts the programme at the Queen's Theatre tills week. ilolle Bennett takes tho leading role, and the romantic element is in capable hands. A. prominent society man is murdered in his apartment, .1 woman being discovered a few moments after with a gun in her hand. She Is arrested and tried "for murder, but her counsel obtains an acquittal. . Her son takes her to his home determined upon her'future happiness, but his wifo objects to another breaking up her home as she regards it. and in tho quarrel that follows the whole truth of the murder is revealed. The fatal shot was tired by, the sou's wife and the luothor had voluntarily faced the charge to save another. Two comedies, a scenic number, and a news reel accompanied by excellent orchestral' music complete a good night's entertainment. . ' • ' ~. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Gilda Gray's splendid picture, "The Devil Dancer," is the main.'attraction at the Artcraft Theatre. The story, briefly, is that an English girl, taken by the Black Lamas of Tibet "when a baby, Is raised in the .cloistered halls of a devil temple. Of English blood, yet Tibetan in manner, she Is neither, but" a strange, exotic figure. Suddenly a- man comes, into her life, an Englishman, and he carries her away from the temple: Then follows the dramatic unfolding, of her temperament against tho colourful background of India and an Anglo-Indian settlement. "The /Vanishing . Pioneer," starring Jack Holt, is also being shown. ~ '■; NEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. An attractive programme will be shown at The New Quality to-night, the principal teatlire, "Betrayal," being described as Emil Janning's greatest triumph to date. The story has a strong appeal, and tells of a Vienneso artist's love for Vroni, a beautiful peasant girl. When Andre is forced to return to Vienna, he declares he will come back again and make Vrohi his wife. Ho keeps his promise, only to find "Vronl has married the village mayor. The-se-quence culminates .in a most dramatic ending. Talkie supports will also bo shown. ''■■ CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "My Man,'" with Fannie Brico In. the main role, will be the chief feature at this theatre to-night. The story is one of stage life in . New York, in which two sisters attain success beforo the footlights' after a hard struggle ~in the early part of their life. An estrangement is caused between them on account of their partiality for the same", man. An absorbing drama-Is worked around tho .subsequent happenings. Talkio supports form the remainder of the programme. ' SHORTrS THEATRE. The British film, "Smashing Through," .ts now being shown at Shortt's Theatre. It is stated to be the first great British motor racing fllni, and has been' highly praised byr Kaye Don, the famous racing motorist; ■ The road racing scenes are excellently done, and ; aro very thrilling,' and the humours of Alf. Goddard and Mike Johnson as mechanics are most diverting right through. The. leading parts are played by John Stuart, the young owner of. a British motor company, fighting to wrest the lead from .a foreign rival. Eve Gray, the beautiful young Australian who won fame-on the. Australian, stage, is the girl with whom he is in iove. The story of a mother and father, whose love for their two modern children lends them to intervene in their affairs, is "the theme of "The Rising Generation," featuring Ahco. Joyce .and Jameson Thomas. . ' DE LUXE THEATRE. . A rollicking comedy,depicting a young couple's efforts to get on in the 'world is "Skitincr Steps' Out," an- all-talking comedy fcaturo showing this week at the De Luxe Theatre. Glenn Tryon is starred in this sparkling production with Merna Kennedy again playing opposite him. Tryon makes his part a gale of humour, admirably relieved at intervals by flashes of pathos,. Miss Kennedy has never played to better advantage. She plays the part of the young wife, who, through'unquestioning-belief in her husband's ability, finally makes asocial and-.business success of him. Tryon and Miss Kennedy are supported by an exceptionally capable cast, including E:< J. - liatclifle, Burr M'lntbsh, Lloyd Whillock, and William. Welsh. It js based on one of the famous Skinner stories 'by "Henry Irving Dodge- The' supports.. on the. present programme aro excellent. -The all-dialogue comedy-drama, "They 'Had to See Paris," opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. Frequently it has been asserted that Will Rogers, is the bpst-Unowii personality in the "United States. Rogers enacts tlio role of-.Pike Peters, the happy and contented owjier of a garage in. Clearwater*' Oklahoma, until his oil well comes in and ho is made rich.' His real troubles begin When his wifo- insists, oh going abroad. . Father, . mother, son, and daughter, make tho trip .in grand style and, once in the foreign atmosphere, the ambitious Mrs. Peters is determined to marry her daughter Opal, to a title. Jlrs. Peters buys her way into society, but encounters no end of trouble In educating. Pike to her grand ideas. ,Tho limit is reached when Marquis deTJoudray at- : tempts to tap Pike for half a million dollars as. compensation .for. marrying Opal. 'Then the. fur flies. And so does the fun.- Irene Rich portrays the'rolo of Mrs. Pelers, Marguerite Churchill enacts tha role of Opal, Owen Davis, junr., appears as the son, Ivan Lebedeir is cast as the Marquis, Fifl Dorsay is" seen as a French adventuress,.and Rex Bell plays the part of Pike's mechanic who is in love with Opal. . . . EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The principal picture -on the programme at the Empire Theatre to-night is "The Mississippi Gambler.". The story tells of a'-man who makes ' a living gambling on the old paddle" steamers that run up the Mississippi. The cast is headed by Joseph Sehildkraut, Joan Bennett, Otis Harlan, and Abe B. Francis. The supporting picture- is."Nameless; Men," .starrinr Antonio Moreno and Claire Windsor.' The story concerns a detective who is sent to capture, a desperate criminal. An . excellent supporting programme will also be shown. ■■ MAJESTIC THEATfiE. The management, of the Majestic Theatre .-have found it necessary to extend the season of "Welcome Danger," Harold Lloyd's first alltalking .comedy, for a further week. Night atfer night, large audiences have been kept in long-drawn-out bursts of uncontrollable laughter, and the film may bo well pronounced as the best thing Lloyd has done. Not only is Harold Lloyd the, lightest of comedians, but he has a really fine speaking voice, and Is supported by a cast which Includes Barbara Kent as the heroine, Billio Lee. and Noah Young as tlio sturdy and useful policeman. Lloyd is portrayed as the meek son of an illustrious father, whose very' name put fear into " tho hearts of the underworld's worst criminals Finally forced to . follow In his father's ..footsteps,. Lloyd clashes1 with underground Chinatown, and the result (s a series of the mnst ■ thrilling and laughable moments in the history of the screen. Thosyotmg man was originally a botanist, find when he starts in to clean -up la.'few tong wars, he shakes hands with-danger so many "times that it becomes funnier and funnier from minute to minute. There is an attractive list of supports. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. All the.colours of tho rainbow come to the aid of Vitaphone in "On With the Show," the film chosen to usher In the talkies at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday next. This picture is a x riot of glorious hues and melodies, dancing feet\and up-to-the-minute songs. The human story of a company of stranded players is set in the glamour of a fantasy they are playing, while their own life-tale unfolds behind the scenes? The cast of "On With tlio Show" shows an unusual muster, of stars, and taking leading roles are -Betty Compson, William Bakewell, Louise Fazenda, Sally O'.Veil, Jne lirowri, Arthur Lake, and the Fairbank Twins. A special attr; ction Is EtM Waters, tho famous crooner of 'negro melodies,-, and she makes lier numbers a great feature of the (I'm. One hundred .chorus beauties prove their worth in the many fast-stepping ballet numbers inter*persp<i throughout the show. The box plans fiir-. ihls iittraeilon open at The Bristol on Wr!:m-s'.i;ty.

• HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Headed by Freddie Forbes, the English 'comedian, Fuller's Musical Comedy Company again scored a success with "Tangerine," their sixth and last big production, ivhlcli was presented 'ut His Majesty's'Tlicutve on Saturday. . "Taiiijcriiie," a delightful musical comedy ex- ]; travasanza, set in a South Sea Island, whose .'. king, or "Buss" —an American husband freed ': by the -Divorce Court from Ills matrimonial ' bonds—has' conceived the idea of a social ', system that compels wives to suiiiiurt thukMius- ;, bands. Freddie Forbes, is the king; and, in order- to ensure his being supported in right ' royal fashion, ho has taken t« himself no less s- than eight South Sea maidens as his wives. v Three of the Big Four are also divorced hush bands. Imurisi./ed, as the lung had been before - them, for ■uoH-iiayment of alimony; while the lf fourth (Fted Webber) .is a love-lorn youth, r Dick Owens, whose tlancoa has turned him down. - Dick, who has previously visited the Island S of Tangerine,- secures the.-release of his friends, c takes their three ex-wives,and his tla'ucce on n his yacht to the island, arranging for (ho three y ex-husbands to meet them there, and for' the t yacht to sail away as soon as the party has it landed.' The wives arc most., indignant to find - that "divorces do not .run iri Tangerine," and g still mure so at being compelled to work to keep their husbands; while the provocative flirtatious of tho menfolk wilh the dusky maidens on the island make tho .ladies: so madly jeitlous that they realise that all love 0 for'their former husbands is not dead within c .them. Kceonciiiations'. follow. Freddie Forbes ;t Indulges in liio most delightful fooling; the e:ca -traviigiiiizii is replete Wtili spariillng comedy, c tuneful songs, catching music, clever specialty ■ dances, ar.d dainty biijlcts. The lyrics included s "It's liivat to lie Married," by. the three husu bands; "Love is a Business" and "Isle of y Tangerine," by Betty Lambert and tho Big :i Four; tho duets, "Listen to Me" and "Sweet1 a Lady." by Betty Lambert and Frank Webber: i, "Ode lo tho Sun." quartette and ballet; "The 1 Totem Walk," . Glilt O'Keefo and the . girls; - "My Mountain -llowcr," Aster Faire and bal- - let; "South ,Ki-a Isles,'1 Frank - Wignall; - "Lords of .Creation," by the divorced husbands . and wives; "You and J," by Veruu Bain and s Frank Wiguall: ihe comic suiic," "IJough Stuff," S by Catheriuc Stowart; and the burlesque love- . duet.. "Vamp .Me." b.y Catherine Stewart, and i Freddie Forbes. The part-song -interlude by - the B':.. Four, wfth-.l'red Webber .it the piano- - 'fnric,.- ivas perhaps the most popular of tho - whole ' rwforroaniv. .Tin; Big Fntir.weroi two i/f three tiraw encored. „; A. beautiful solo dance ; was 'given by .yerii'a -ISaln :■ and not a little of the fun of the. piece was due to Ernest Arnley,; as "Clarence," .the -King's'.umbrellahearer, and Victor Arulcy,las the warden of the island. _ . . ''.-"■■. ■ KING'S THEATRE. ,; At the King's Theatre this week the' baffling,' gripping episodes of one of the strangest crimes ever conceived are unravelled by 'Phllo. Vance—' tho famous detective of the Van Dine mystery stories—in "-The Greene Murder Case," by far the greatest thriller ever portrayed on the speaking screen. The film scenario from which the picture .was made is based on a popular book, and as. an all-talking motion picture of the very highest quality, it is in an even more thrilling form than Vail Dine's popular raurfier mystery. It Is portrayed by a cast of seventeen - actors. Heading the, cast are ' William Powell, as Philo Vance, EugenePalictte, as Sergeant Heath, and .IS. H. Calvert, as the district'attorney. Those, stars, will be remembered for their due work iv "Tho Canary .Murder Case," but in the present picture, competent critics say that their combined efforts Have reached an'even higher standard than before. The action of the plot- moves very fast from the first to the last, and is In reality a matter of just one hair-raising thrill after another. This is a picure which should not be missed. TJie, supporting short subjects are excellent. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. Mr. Alexander Watson, the famous English elocutionist, is undoubtedly one of the most popular platform entertainers ' that lias visited New Zealand, and his return to tho Dominion for his sixth tour is an' event for rejoicing amongst- lovers of the art of the spoken word and good .literature. "When one man sets out to hold- an audience■ for over two hours, he heeds something more than presence and a voice. The charm exerted by Mr. Alexander Watson over the packed Playhouse on Saturday night was due to more qualities' than one cares to attempt to enumerate. -With thorn he held his listeners enraptured from first to last, and' left everyone wondering how lie does it," writes the. Melbourne "Herald." For his first recital on Saturday next, Mr. Watson has chosen selections from Sir J.. M. Barries "The Little Minister," with its quaint characterisation, laughable incidents, and stirring events, . followed by "The-Listeners" (Walter do la Mare). "The World's Workers" (Harry Graham), "Laughing Ann" (A. P. Herbert), and new selections from A. A; Milne. At tho second recital he will glvß John Masefleld's "Everlasting Mercy," which Is considered by many "critics to be one of the finest of Mr. Watson's performances. The box plans for/the first six nights are now open at tho Bristol Piano Co. . , KILBIRNIE KINEMA. In "Dangerous Curves," the attraction at the Kilblrnie Kiucma, Miss -.Bow is in love with Itichard Arleiij a tight-rope performer. She decides to learn tight-rope walking herself (between performances as a bare-back artist), so that she can get on the circus programme near to her beloved.- She finally learns tho wirobalancing art, but finds Hint Arlon spurns her for Kay Francis. In' spite of his. repeated irresponslveness, Clara continues to demonstrate her love for Arlen, and:finally manages,'by a .desperate, move, to save him- from disgrace, bringing him to. a realisation of love for her. In addition a full: set oil sho,rt features will bo screened. .' '■ , OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "None But tho Brave," starring Sally Phipps and Charles Morton, is the chief attraction to be shown at .Our Theatre to-night." It is the story1 of a college hero who finds- that the ath-letic-trophies won ill college are of no use in tho business world. Tho second feature. "Win that Girl," starring Sue Carrol, is. a football comedy. ' . : ' HUTT VALLEY FLOWER SHOW. •At the Hutt Valley Society's Midsummer Show next Wednesday and Thursday, there will be ji magnificent display of colour, especially In the gladioli and primulus section^. Entries have been received, from , Blenheim, Kelson, and Wanganui. The' special exhibits; of begonias, hydrangeas, antirrhinums, and! phlox by Hutt horticultural" enthusiasts would -, make a show by themselves. The Hult Borough | Council reserves at present are very pictur- j escnie, and an exhibit from them will, be a I feature,'of tho show. -The.l?;. R. Cooper Mo-| moriar- cold ' medal will bo' awarded to the best exhibit. The demand for space has been very keen, and the show promises to be one of the moist attractive yet hold by tho society. There tire three sections for the collection of cut flowers. ' Special items include decorative; and home industries, ;Tnd in the juvenile sec- ■ tioti writing, best-dressed doll, and decorated table. -The refreshments afternoon1 and evening will be under the control of the -Ladies' Committee. The exhibition will-he opened by Mr. W. Nash, M.P.-, on Wednesday, at, 2.45 p.m., and will bo open continuously each day from 2 p.m.'to 10 p.m. Entries close at noon tomorrow. Tho presentation of prizes by the president will be made on Thursday evening at 0 o'clock and the auction of'flowers at 9.30 pm. Any Hutt bus will take visitors to the Town.Hall. ' , ;. : ' " ; ' •'' ST. JOHN- AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION. On Wednesday afternoon next a meeting or ladies will bo held' at. the offices of the association,. lOC, Courteuay place, lo makei arrangements for the street day to be held on I'riday,-2St.il February. This will bo tho first appeal for two years that the association tias made to the public of Wellington, and it is hoped that .1 ready resoouso will be met . with. The. work carried on by the association years, and tho sources of revenue*arc limited. ' .: ' - ; ■ ':.- -