ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Very wisely, in view of the tremendous Interest it Is creating, the; Regent Theatre management has. decided to extend the, season: of "The Trespasser," the Gloria Swausou success that' has been drawing ■ crowded houses for the past week. .Not for a long tiiuo lias there been shown a picturo which Is so strong on all points, story, distinctness of talking, logical-sequence of tho .situations, brilliauco of acting, and the lavisliuess of fashion. Great as she has .been ■on . the silunt scruen,- Gloria Swanspn,-in this picture, touches the heights. To her dramatic acting she adds .1 voice clear and musical,so that she is as niuch to the life as on.the.actual state.. In the most dram-atic-moments she is impressive and gets all that- there is to bo got out of. the situations •without overdoing the i>art or going beyond the bounds of probability. It is notable that, although tho story is laid In Chicago, it has uothtug whatever to do with racketeers, gun.nien, or other figures of crime—a refreshing departure from' the succession of Chicago underworld themes. .With the upper social strata of the' great city for ,lls background, tho film deals with tho most pressing problems of modern life. There Is not one dull moment In "Thei:Trespasser," which is one of'tin. finest pictures of the many wonderful ones shown by the Regent Theatre. The supports are excellent, and the programme is one that should not he missed. : PARAMOUNT THEATRE. One of the most successful musical plays to Tisit Wellington in recent years was 'Tho Desert Song," and during Its season here it commanded large audiences. ■ Now, within _ a few weeks of the stage, lilt, has arrived the same story, with Its scenic effects, its dialogue, and Its entrancing and stirring songs and choruses, but presented on the silver screen as an all-talking, all-singing picture. The picturo la now eujoying au extended season at the Paramount Theatre. Any doubt as to the appeal of tlie talking screen as compared with the legitimate stage has been completely dispelled by the crowded houses Mitch, In addition to the matinees, have been attracted nightly. In the screen version the producers have taken full advantage of the additional scope offering for large-scale and picturesque scenery, parts being done In tecbnlcolour In'the came manner the voices of the choruses photographed have been augmented by singers "behind" tha scenes," with excellent results The leading parts are in capable hands, John Boles playing the Red Shadow.-and Miss Carlotta King Margot Bonvallet. Both have exceptionally fine voices, combined with undoubted acting ability. The humour is supplied In copious quantities by Johnny K. Arthur, as Benny the journalist, and Louise Fazenda. as Susan, the romance-seeker. Myrna Loy admirably fits the part of Azuri, the dancer. CIUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Greene Case," a mystery picture, is the main attraction In the change of programme at the Queen's Theatre. In this picture the main part Is played by William Powell, who, it will be remembered, took the main role in the "Canary Murder Case." He 3s seen in the part of Philo Vance, a suave detective. Others in the cast are Jean Arthur, Ullrich Houpt, Florence Eldridge, and Eugene Pallette. In "The Greene Murder Case" there is plenty of ■ excitement and many thrills, commencing from the time when a double shooting of a sensational nature stirs New York City. The scene tf the tragedy is the gloomy, forbidding mansion, -' the home of the eccentric Greene family, where Chester Greene and his sister are found dead. A third member of the household is found wounded on the floor. A .detective sergeant investigates, and. attributesthe..crlm6'; to burglars. The 'district attorney, however, senses another motive, and calls to his aid William Powell, tlie crlmlnologlst and great detective, who quickly secures an important clue. His Investigations reveal that a sinister atmosphere, of hatred pervades the household, but before he has been on tlie track of the murderer long, tho mysterious hand strikes two further members of the household Eventually, after a series of hair-raising adventures, he tracks the murderer. 'There, is a. strong supporting programme. . ■" * KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ' "Our Modern; Maidens" is now being shown at the Kllblrnie Kinema. No picturo could have been found for Joan Crawford's debut as a star of the screen than this drama. Miss Crawford, plays a modern girl, raised in luxury, who," like many another modern girl. r gels the idea that one can bargain with tho devil and cheat! him out of his duo. - Sho is engaged—a marriage of convenience," and tries to bargain for her fiance's success with a political power— for she wants a.successful husband. The supporting; cast includes Rod La Rocque, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Anita Page, Edward Nugent, Josephine Dunn, Albert Gran, and others. "Tho River Pirate," starring Victor M'Lagleu and Lois Moran, is the second feature, and is a. romance of modern buccaneers along Manhattan's docks ■ and piers.- ■ ■ YACHT CLUBS',PICNIC. : The combined, yacht clubs' picnic will take place to-morrow (Sunday). An advertisement appears in to-night's 'columns drawing atteu^ tion.:to-:the time and place of . embarkment. If there is a northerly \ wind tho picnic will be held at Scorching Bay, and if thero is a southerly, at Seatoun.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A new nolo has been struck in that; wonderful fllni, "Tho Four Feathers," which is now to be seen at the Artcraft Theatre. Tho public has hid the-thrill ■of animal pictures and tho glories of Nature; thero has been tho drama of story, of romaueo and adventure But never nave tho two been combined in tho grandeur that Is at the command of each. It was left to Merl.; Cooper and Ernest B. : Schoedaack to combine the two. The noted producers of "Grass" and "Chang" set off into-the wilds of Africa to make another picture. When they returned with many pictures of Africa, the production of "The Four Feathers" was started at Hollywood, where the skill >of tho production organisation wove the thrilling story of British courage and adventure into tlie pictures that Cooper and Schoedsack, had- takon in the.Sudan. In the cast of the production are such well-known players as William Powell,. Ulchard. Aden, Fay Wray, _Ciiyo Brook, and Noah. Beery. ; SMORTT'S THEATRE. ■ Karl Dane and Ueorgo X.. Arthur are part-' ners in crime as well a3 comedy in "Brotherly Love,", wblclr Is now being shown, at Shortt's Theatre.:. A gaol football team supplies the principal' motivation behind" the love Interest in which ' the governor's pretty daughter. Is the centre of complications.. Dane and Arthur as the prison •football gladiators, duel with touchdowns for her hand, and their football antics are uproarious. Jean Arthur (no rela-' tlon to George) is-the leading lady, and the supporting cast includes Edward Connelly, Richard Carlyle, and Marcia Hariss. The second attraction is "Shadows of the Night," in which Lawrence Gray,' Louise Lorraine, and "Flash." the, famous police dog actor, have the principal roles. Tho story deals wlfth a reporter's chaso for a bandit chief in the underworld, aided by his dog. KING'S THEATRE. ' '.'The : Broadway Melody," one of the most popular of modern musical talkie plays, is being presented at the King's Theatre to enthusiastic audiences. The story is , full qf theatrical life, and gaiety, and the accompanying music isTof tlie brightest, some of tlie airs and songs being hummed < and sung throughout the world. There are brilliant ballet scenes, the-most'notable of Wilch is perhaps 'The Wedding" or the Painted Doll." Charles King, tho song-writer, contributes a number of popular soncs to the' play, inc-ludina ''The Broadway- Melody"' and, "You. Were Meant for Me.?' Tlie-production is 411itaIkinK, the dialogue is characteristic, of musical comedy life, the coloured pictures are good/and all combine to make an enjoyable entertainment. The supporting': Items on- the programme : Include a Paramount JJews;, (with moving pictures of prominent events of the day); a /.Metro. Moviototioißevue;.the Capitolians, featuring-"Angela Mia;" and there is also a comedy. The programmo / will be cpntlnucd throughout the week. . ■ ' \'':'V:' ''. • '.. ■...- ■' .OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWNi Thrilling adventure, pieturesquo scenes and characters, and a stirring story of love and revolt are all to.be found In-"fho" Foreign Legion," the chief attraction to bo shown at Our Theatre to-night. Norman Kerry. Lewis Stone, Mary Nolan,-.,and June Marlowe are 'the" stars. The'second feature, "The. Long, Long Trial," starring Hoot Gibson, is a rous-ing-Western. '■;;. ■. '■'■-. .'• , '■ ■ ' -PICTURES, LYALL BAY. Two star attractions will be screened at the Seaside - Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. "A Man's Man," ;• starring William' Haines and Josephine Dunn, is an ■ Interesting satire on Hollywood.. Haines enacts a boy with a correspondence school complex working ns a soda fountain assistant. Miss Dunn is his sweetheart, with a yearning to. be a movie star, and-when they marry things begin to ..happen. "None. But. the Brave," .starring. Charles -Morton and Sally Phlpps, is a comedy romance of a college hero who finds that his athletic trophies are no use in the business world. Chapter four-Tor "The Pirate of Panama" will also be . screened. Seats ; may be reserved by telephono or at the theatre. • BRITANNIA THEATRE. A Western picture full nf notion, "Canyon or Adventure," in which the well-known cowboy. Ken Maynard, has the leading role, is^no* being-shown at the Britannia Theatre. A story of stage life, "Close Harmony,"; feat irq Charles ("Buddy") Itoeers,- is also being shown.: There is a good supporting programme. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. The : successful drama, "Interference," is now: being shown at the New Princess Theatre/ The. plot Is skilfully enfolded by a cast of. talented actors, including •William: Powell. The second attraction is; another flno produc-. tlon. .'/TlieriClimax," atid tliere is' a good supporting programme. .;" ;"" ... •:. :■■' . ' i STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A British'.■production;.''.'l- Will' Repay-," dealing' with a:girl's promise to her dying father to avenge' her .brother, will, bo. shown tonight at the Star.Theatre. Newtown. An out* door.' film, ■''Wild.'West." Romance,"'- featuring Rex Bell, wlllraido: be,, shown. .-''.• .'■ MIRAMAR*SILVER BAND. '.i'Tho Miramar-Treslde'nts ■ aro reminded that ihelr band will \be ; 'giving a' programme ,of music on the Polo' Grounds to-morrow (Sunday) afternoon, commencing at 3 p.m. The conductor, Mr. R. A. Sutherland, will have tho band in excellent form.

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS. For tho farewell appearances' of theso famous singers, which commence in the Town Hall on Saturday week, 22nd February, a complete series of now programmes has boeu prepared, featuring Old English folk-sougs, and a very flno selection of traditional songs of tiie sea, such as "The Mermaid," "Tho Bay of Bisoay," "The Sailor's Hornpipe," "Tom Bowling," and "Tho Tight Little Island," all of which are numbered amongst tho very finest songs of the sea which .are known to Britishers the world over. That highly acceptable element of comedy which forms such a prominent feature of the Westminster Singers' performances will find adequate expression ' in fresh selections of sailor chanteys, sung by Albert Greeno and the men's chorus, "The' Derby Ham." "The Tythe Pig," "My Boy Willie." and a ..-host of other gems of British minstrelsy. It is unnecessary to emphasise the beauty and charm of these old ditties, Public euthusiasm and appreciation has clearly, established the-fact, that they are enormously welcome In these days of musical retrogression, and throughout the whole! tour of' New Zealand they ■■ have been the means of drawing thousands of listeners, many of whom have made their ■ first acquaintance with some of tlie glories of real British music. Since their last appearances here the company has been strengthened by the addition of Alfred Cunningham, well-known since tlie days of "The Scarlet Troubadours," and two new solo boys in. Harold Robinson and James Humphreys. The programmes will he completely changed on alternate r evenlngs. Particulars of prices and box plan are advertised. • MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Tq-nlght .at Twelve," the .Universal all^talklng' production which, commenced screening at the Majestic .Theatre last evening, is one of, those pictures which' demands tlie whole interest of- the audience.1 Not to concentrate on the players and their actions is to: lose the thread .of- the story, .but this by no , means indicates that ■ any undue effort Is "necessary 'to appreciate' the picture.' On'the contrary, tlie enjoyment is; heightened by a; close study .of ' the events, for "To-night at Twelve" Is based on one, of'the. cleverest scenarios imaginable. AH the fun—and troublo—are- due to the jealousy of ■ one of > the wives' In i the apparently placid American ■ suburban 'c010ny.... .Four -married couples and a pair of young lovers are involved in this tangle. A note with tho words, "To-night at Twelve," ts placed in a box In one of the homes. Tlie jealous wlfo finds lt^one and all sorts of unexpected disclosures are made, after a dinner party at, which she is entertaining tho other three couples. The question then arises: Who is the recipient? Thc-note is in her husband's handwriting, and one of tho three.women guests must have taken it. Complication follows complication, all of them so embarrassing to one or. other of the married folk that they, aro glad eventually to accept the sacrifice :of a housemaid who is in love with the son of" tlie jealous wife, and let matters drop. There is an excellent, all-star cast, including Madge Bellamy, George Lewis, Vera Reynolds. Hallam Cooley',. Margaret Livingstone,, and Robert Ellis. In support are a Universal talking newsreel of real interest, an "Oswald the Rabbit" cartoon, a. "Sunny Jim" talking comedy, and a ' charming short subject from the: Elstreo .studios; entitled-"In An Old World Garden." ■;■:.- : TRAMWAYS BAND. ■ To-morrow evening in the Grand Opera House the Tramways. Band will give a contest recital In order to give the public an opportunity of hearing the fine contest- music which has been chosen for the Dunedin contest, to be held this month. As it will be the band's last public appearance, before' leaving, it will, also be the only cnance of hearing them, and patrons can be assured of a musical treat. In addition some of Wellington's leading artists will be assisting. Including Mrs. Wilfred 'Andrews, contralto; Mr. Dan Foley, baritone; Mr. William Haydock, violinist; Mr. S.-E. Rodger, baritone;' : and 'Mr.' Billy- Suthers1. The band, under the conductorship of Mr. E. Franklin, has been practising hard for the last three months, and should give a good rendition of the different pieces. Included in the programme will be hymn, selected; march, "8.8. and' C.F."; selection," "Victory"; cornet solo, "The Rosary" ; contest selection, "Pathetic"; and march, "Brilliant." Mr. ,J. Haydock will be at the piano. Owing to the contest regulations, the test selections will not. be broadcasted.ORGAN RECITAL. . Mr. Bernard, F.. Page .(City Organist) will givo au organ- recital", at the Town Hall to-morrow (Sunday), evening, and the programme has been arranged as under: — Choral-Prelude, "Have Pity Upon Me, 0 Lord God," by. Bach;-Fantasia and Fugue InrAMinor, by Bach; Poemes d'Aulqmne ('On.-3), by Bonnet;'Reverio;'by Debussy; Twilight at Sea, Op. 89' (No. 2); The. Feast of tlie Cherry Blossoms (Op. 89). (No.\3), by Niemann; Prelude, "The Holy Boy," by Jolin Ireland; Symphonic :Poem, "Danse: Macabre" (0p,'40). by Saint.;Saens. ■ '.••■■■ '• • ■ '.-. ..' ■' : ." REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. - 'A double-feature programmo will be shown at the .Regal Theatre to-night, the two pictures being "Tide of 'Empire" and "Craig's Wife." The., former, with Rence Adoreo as principal and a.large cast of.other well-known players, is a drama of' romauco and glorious adventure In the. days-when, horde's or gold-seekers rushed • intorSouthcrn- California. "Craig's Wife" 'ls"'a' domestic drama^of .sr wife who worshipped her home; but oiily tolerated her husbaDd. Not until-by an act' of hers which turned her husband away, did she realise'tliat sincerity and love are essentials to real happiness.

OE LUXE THEATRE. "They. Had to See Paris,". Will Rogcrs's first all-talking picture,' a Fox-. Movietone comedydrama, opened a week's engagement at tho Do Luxo. Theatre yesterday. In Its radical departure from hackneyed themes, it Is asserted . that Will " Rogers Is America's best-known humourist, and in the picture he certainly lives up .to his title; Rogers plays the role of Pike Peters, who is a happy and contented garago, owner, until .he strikes oil on his property. Then his troubles commence. His wifo, whoso social ambitions' are far in avdauce of her uusban.d!s, decides to go abroad. His family, consisting of mother, son, aud daughter, carry poor father oft to Paris, mainly in search of culture and polish. Mrs. Peters always on tho upward ■ climb,- js determined to marry her daughter, Opal, to a man of title. Through her mouey tho wife eventually buys her way Into ro.vdl BOi'lety, and creates many nmuslng scenes wlien she endeavours; to educate her husband up to the standard of society people. Tho climax' Is reached when the proposed husband for Opal, Marquis de. Coudray, requests Pike to pay half a.', million dollars as compensation for marrying, his daughter. Although the picture Is a riot of. fun, it has Its serious and dramatic moments as well. Irene Rich portrays the role of. Mrs. Peters, Margaret Churchill enacts the role of Opal, Owen Davis, junr., is the son^-Ivan Lebedoff is cast as the marquis. Rex Bell.. plays the part of Pike s mechanic, who is in lovo with Opal, and in Dorsay, a noted French actress, plays tho role of a pretty and- vivacious mademoiselle, who has an intrigue with Peters, thereby causing Mrs. Peters to. make a hurried retreat from. Paris. In support there is an excellent tallcinc programme, which' includes a Fox- News of Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald's farewell speech to Canada, and an Australian Gazette showing some very interesting shots of wild animals at .the Sydney ,Zoo., The •musical sido of the programme includes as an overture Goou News "and, as- entr'acte,'a. delightful Maori song!' "E Parl-Ra." . .Mr..'Paul .T.. Cullen : was at the Wurlltzer orgau. , ■ ~,-■.. Said to be the."greatest talking picture yet— and Brit?* » "Blackmail," a great all-d .logue, British production, opens next Fr day at the De Luxe Theatre. AVhen. talking aims were first raunched on the-movie-going public of tie world, it was stated by some that, it would be the- downfall of Britain's newly-formed studios at Elstreet, whereas .others foresaw that per-. feet English spoken on tho screen, and tho mutlcaf geniuses of the Continent, which.are in easy reach of-British producers, would prove the foundation, of Great' Britain as the foromost picture producing country in tho worm. That the latter theory Is correct has already been made evident, by ; "Blackmail," which is incidentally the first, all-talkie to be mado to England with British players under British enterprise. Wherever this picture has been shown in Germany.. France,, and oven tho United States, the Press has given it unstinted praise. Tho power of a great love Is .vividly shown by a young detective, who shielded his sweetheart from the law for a crime of which ho knew her, guilty, at the price of his pledge to the service, in the British International alldialogue picture, "Bla.ckffliil," • The leading rolesi in' this picture, which was directed by Alfred Hitchcock arid released by Cinema Art Films, are played by John Longden, Donald. Calthrop, Aiiny Ondra, and Cyril Ritchard. ALEXANDER WATSON RECITALS. ■ To-night, at the Town' Hall Concert Chamber Mr. Alexander. Watson will commence his sixth and final tour of the Dominion. The remarkable power which Mr. Watson has, in such • supremo degree, of vividly reproducing in the minds of ills hearers, without any adventitious aids whatsoever, the scenes and characters In-a story, drama, poem, or humorous episode, gives his' work an unrivalled distinction. For his opening, programme Mr. Watson h.a.s chosen selections from Sir ■J. M. Barrle's delightful . story, "The Little Minister," with a second part devoted to works which Mr. Watson has not given before, including "The Listeners". (Walter do la Mare), "The World's Workers" (Harry Graham), "Laughing Ann" (A. P. Herbert),: and new selections from "Now We' Are Six", and."When Wo' Were Very Young," .by A. A. Milne. The recitals-will be continued nightly, and on Monday evening Mr. Watson will revive John Masefleld's thrilling narrative poem, "Tlie Everlasting Mercy," with which ho treated such a wonderful impression on a previous tour. Tuesday will be a Kipling night, on Wednesday Mr. Watson willglvo Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece, '"Macbeth," and miscellaneous* Items;; on Thursday a Barrle programmo will be given, and on Friday night Charles Dickens's masterpiece of humour and pathos, "Dr. Marigold's Prescriptions," with a miscellaneous second part. The box plans are at'the Bristol... '. ■'.-'■' "■ NEW QUALITY THEATRE. ' Richard Arlen plays' the. rolo of the young British lieutenant' who.Went to tho wilds of. the Sudan In 'an effort, to retrieve his lost honour, in the . Paramount. plcturisatlon of A. E. W. Mason's famous novel, "The Four Feathers.'" Part of. tho picturo was Blmed on the actual location of the story In Africa, by Merlan Cooper and Ernest B. Schoodsack, famous for their production of "Chang."Other featured roles In this fllm, which comeo to the New Quality Theatre to-night, are played by William Powell, Fay Wray, CHve Brook, and Noah Beery:V.-,Tbero Is, a .musical , ; seore accompanying., this picture, played by>;an orchestra of a hundred.':-'^alkie support^ will be screened. A, matinee \Vill bo held .to-mor-row afternoon.: .'-..■"' . ,'■'.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho New Zealand prcmiero of tho all-coloured talking picture, "On With tho Show," took place this morning at His Majesty's Theatre. Sir Bcnjamiu and Mr. John Fuller havo secured this studio's eutiro output for 1930, and they feel that they could offer no better entertainment to Hie 111 m faus of this town. "On With the. Show" has other claims to success besides tho distinction of being the first all natural colour talldo ever made, and a strong stellar cast is ouo of these. Butty Compson, William Bakowell. ' Sally O'Ncll, Louise Fazcnda, and Joo Brown are only a few -of tho big-named artists who are crowded into tho personnel, of this picture; A huge chorus of somo one hundred dainty girls forms a gay and shifting background, and their nimble feet make 16yous: work of the many dancing numbers introduced into "Tho I'hautom Lover," -a gorgeous musical comedy extravaganza, rouud the -production' of which" .tho story of "On With the Show" revolves.. Actual scenes aro shown front this musical comedy, aud in magnificence and beauty the screen version with Its greater scope outvies anything of tlie like ever douo on. the stage here. . Box plaus are vow open at the Bristol Piano Company.