ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 62, 14 March 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

♦ REGENT THEATRE. -Xorftia Sheai'er is the star of "Their Own Desire," ■ iljo now all-tal.king fllm having its The picturo isa penetrating study of presentday social standards, and is an adaptation of Hie novel by Sarita Fuller, which tells the story or a girl whoso happiness came dangerously near frustration through the machinations of a father who had Brown tired of his wife and sought diversion in other quarters. While "Their Own Desire" is not exactly a phase of the "sins of the father" idea, it gives a clear-cut picture of this effect of parental*incompatibility on children, which in itself is something rather novel for screen use. Miss Shearer is said to give her intelligent and faithful performance of a role that might easily have been ruined by overplayed sentimentality. Lewis Stone and Belle Bennett as the parents are splendidly cast, and other capable performances are given by Robert .Montgomery. Helene Millard, Cccile Cunningham, Mary Dorau, and June .Nash. There will alao be a specially selected supporting bill of the latest sound featurettes.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The tremendously successful Fox Movietone all-dialogue production, "The Cock-eyed World" will enter into its third week in Wellington with to-day's two presentations at the Paramount Theatre. Full houses since the season's commencement- bear ample testimony to the really good entertaining power of this j and it'is expected that the theatre's accommodation will be taxed to the utmost during the coming week. This picture has broken records during its screening at the Paramount Theatre. The stars of this side-splitting comedy are Victor M'Laglen and Edmund Lowe. The film is based on a story written by Laurence Stalllngs and Maxwell Anderson, who wrote the unforgettable "What Price Glory." Lowo and M'Laglen are still in the marines, though it is peace time, but there is plenty I of fighting in the Tropics—and between themselves. Of their many love affairs, three are most prominent—ono in the Tropics with the gorgeous Lily Damlta, another in cold Russia with fascinating Lclia Karnelly, and the third at Coney Island with an American girl. Jean Bary. The supporting cast is ono of first rank. A Fox Movietone Kewsreel also will be n shown. : That charmingly talented Broadway star, • Xornia Terris. who is co-featured with J. Harold Murray, another Broadway favourite, jln "Married in Hollywood," Fox Movietone talking, singing, and dancing Viennese love i song is a direct descendant of Martha Washington. 'Her famous relatives also include the late Mrs. Sidney Drew, who was her cousin. In fact, it was Mrs. Drew who induced her to study for a stage career. Miss Terris's first stage experience was in the chorus of Ziegfeld's "Midnight Frolic." After that sho went into vaudeviire, and following this toured the country in "Little Nellie Kelly," in which she played the leading role. Other engagements followed and finally the Sciraberts signed her to play the lerjl in "A Night s in Paris" and ♦A Night in Spain." Then camo her big - break the leading role, "Magnolia," In ' Show Boat," which she played for 72 straight weeks on Broadway: "Married in Hollywood," which comes to the. Paramount Theatre next Friday for extended season presentation, is from the Oscar Straus song romance, based on tho play by Leopold Jarjjbson and Bruno. Hardcn-War-den. This production boasts of a chorus of 100 voices, and 00 trained dancers in addition to a cast composed of many stars of the stage and screen, Including Walter Catlett, Tom Patricola, Irene Palasty, Lennox Pawle, Lclia Karnelly, Douglas Cllmorc, and Olnria Grey. Box plans are now available at The Bristol and theatre, the latter telephone 21-842. •

KING'S THEATRE. "The Unholy Night," Metro-Goldwyn--Mayer's all-talking picture, which, opens today at the King's Theatre with matinee daily at 2.30, is a film drama of sinister shadows and a terrible revenge. This much-neraltled picture claims to be easily the peer of all mystery drama stories. The. remarkable position which the police and tho audience have to face is the series of murders by strangulation of the surviving officers of a famous British regimerjl some years after the war has .ended. When Scotland Yard rounds up the officers left at Lord Montague's English manor hodse to interrogate them another startling murder is committed while tho officers are malting punch and paying tributes to the memory of fallen comrades. A big cast of eighteen talented players give flawless performances In this unusual and superbly-pro-duced picture. Roland Young make his screen debut as Lord Montague, tho loading male role, and others In the cast are Ernest Torreneb, Dorothy Sebastian, Claude Fleming (well-kuown Australian stage star), and Sojin.

THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. Reported to be the most impressive and spectacular all-talking production yet made, "The Black. Watch," a Fox Movietone ten-part special attraction, will be screened at tho Queen's Theatro to-night. A noted trade journal, in its eulogies on ''The Blaclc Watch," ridded: "To say that it is the most entertaining talking picture that has ever bpcu made is a statement few will feel inclined to quarrel with. It is simply the sort even hardened reviewers rave about. Its got just about everything, exciting intrigue, amorous adventure, thrills, and romance. Tiio characters, thanks to tho excelltnt cast, actually live. The direction, thanks to John Ford, is flawless. And tho story throughout is admirable and logical, never lagging, yet never slipping over the best spots." "The Black 'Watch" is a talc of love and adventure and intrigue and passion, and concerns a duel between a man and a woman, in love, yet political enemies. The strong cast includes such' capable players as A'ictor M'Laglen, Roy D'Arcy, David Rollins, Lumsden Hare, Mitchell Lewis, Cyril Chadwick, and Walter Long. The Queen's sound featurettes are described as excellent. Queen's popular price scale ia Is to 2s.

DE- LUXE THEATRE. A high drama on the litgli seas—drama that reaches over three hundred ships and a floating island in the. mysterious Sargasso Sea— is "The Isle of Lost Ships," said to he one of the most novel, striking, and imaginative stories over spun by scenarists, director, and actors. The film will he shown at the De Luxe Theatre to-day. Fifty-two of the ugliest men in California, gathered together by combing Hollywood's extra ranks, pugilism, the waterfront, and the slums, represent the derelict humans who drifted .in on abandoned ships'—to "The" Isle of Lost Ships." borne of them are almost incredibly grotesque, and they form a human background that symbolises and complements the hundreds of wrecked ships floating on a seaweed island as the scenic background. However, these bizarre features of the picture form a contrasting frame for the beautiful in scenery—marine and human. Leading-the latter is Virginia Yalli, the heroine and the prize sought by the fifty-two ugly men when she. with the hero (Jason Kobavds) and a New York detective (Robert O'Connor) are shipwrecked on the floating island. The hero is in charge of the grim detective for he is wanted in New York for murder. That doesn't prevent him from fighting Noah Beery, head of the amazing island crew, for the possession of the girl; from saving his captor's life getting away with some pirate treasure escaping in a submarine, all by virtue of nuickfnd handy fists, gun-play, and brains. Then there's little matter of undersea scenes w e?e he "sub." is stranded in the seaweed and the hero has to be shot from a torpedo f«ba to cut°her loose and let her coma^o ilip surface A full-sized liner, with nunThen they drift into the Sargasso Sea, that slant eddy in the mid-Atlantic, where, many o form a^minioture Sargasso.Sea for the p lc - So Luxe Theatre A number of specially selected sound supports and dialogue subjects con-

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "The General," featuring Buster Keaton, will be shown at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. Although primarily for laughing purposes, the. picture is historically accurate and does not in any way burlesque the days of b-. Thousands ot extras were recruited to play Che parts of ■northern ana southern, soldiers ana citizens of that part of the south in which the celebrated railroad raid took place. Many nfiles of specially built railroad were utilised. Several old locomotives were rebuilt into enElnes of the type used during the Civil War and scores of technically perfect passenger coaches and freight cars constructed "The General" is based on actual historical fact The Andrews Railroad Raid of 1862 Inspired the comedian to make a huge comedy spec ado, with thousands of soldiers and lavish se s in nature's studio, with three Civil War railroad engines bumping over the ties and jouncing ■i idlences out of their seats with laughter The ±^AM. CV ->? days of married life. It points a moral to the foolishness of husbands and wives becoming jealous of one another. There will be, excellent supports.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "The Girl in tho Show," starring Bessie Love will have its first screening to-night at tho Empire Theatre, Island Bay. The story concerns the screamingly funny adventure of a small troupe of players travelling tho countryside Kiving performances of "Uncle Tom's (•jibin ' -An exceptionally humorous climax is reached when the manager of the troupe decamps with all the funds and leaves the comnany stranded in & very small town. Notable onions the supporting cast are Raymond HaeUett Edward JfiA'onl, Ford Sterling, and \Mhcl Wales An c.vcelicut Hal Itoach comedy, "Perfect Day," (JtiirrlnK Slan J/aurel and Oliver Hardy, rrnd the latest M.G.M. Kcwsreel complete tho prosrainnie.'

MAJESTIC THEATRE.1 "Hard to Get," • Dorothy 'JlackaiU's flrst solo t starring picture, will bo shown at the Majestic Theatre to-night. This first National and Vitaphone picture is said to be one of the most witty and, most human, natural, and appealing pictures that has been put on the sliver sheet for many a day. The story conterns the. adventures of a New York mannequin, who hunted each morning for a rich' man to take her from her parents' modest flat to an exclusive modiste's shop, where she worked, but who finally chose a poor one. A very strong supporting cast, Jimmio Flnlayson, Louise Fazenda, Jack Oakle, Edmund Burns, Clarissa Silwyrine, and Charles Delanoy all distinguish themselves by supplying roars of laughter and-a very pleasing human touch, in contrast to the exclusive modiste's shop with its beautiful models. A supporting programme of equal excellence is promised.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. .V favourite comedy of the racecourse, "Hottentot," will be shown finally at His Majesty's Theatre to-night. The picture is a Warner Bros.' production, and stars Edward Bverelt Horton, who possesses a dry drollery that Is all Ills own. His success on the stage extends over a number of years, and a voice peculiarly suited to tho talklns screen has enabled him to win fresli triumphs in filmland. His part In tho "Hottentot" is not new to him, as ha played It in the stace version or tho story. It Is the Impersonation of Sam Harrington, a horse hater, who la mistaken for a famous steeplechase rider, and Is forced to ride the almost untameable horse Hottentot in order to retain the affections of bis lady love.- He provides the greatest part of the wealth of humour that pervades the piece and is well supported by Miss Patsy Ruth Miller as Peggy Fairfax, the heroine. The support, ing sound Items Include Earl Bu.rtnell. the collegiate Jazz artist, and his orchestra, win Oakland, a popular tenor, and fl variety or musical pieces by the Mayfair quintet or three harpists a violinist, and a vocalist. There is, also an exciting Insight to Chicago s under- | .world, one possble difference In this case being that the criminals aro eventually brought to book. "THE ARGTLE CASE." "The Argyle Case," opening at His Majesty's Theatre at the morning session to-morrow, will introduce Thomas Meighan to his legion ot local admirers In his first talking picture. Contracts prevented Mr. Meighan facing tho microphone before* this dnte, but immediately on his release lie was cast in the leading role ot "The Argyio Case," where, as a Brim, unshakable detective, he succeeds in solving one oi the most unusual murder rases ever recorded. Reports state that My. Melglian possesses an exceptionally tine talkie voice, and his clear diction and English intonation arc delightful to listen to. -The Argyle Case" is built round tho mysterious murder of the millionaire, John Arjf.vle, and the task ot weeding out tho guilty person from a number of suspects falls on the capablo shoulders of Detective Kayton. By a method of scientific deduction that Is unusually thrilling to follow, Kayton succeeds in fastening tho guilt on the murderer? Tho action is fast and breath-taking, while the climax is a decided surprise. A fine selection of Warner's Vitaphone Variety shorts will be screened in support of the picture. Box plans now at The Bristol. ■ ■

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Said to be the cream of comedy, "The Very Idea," Radio Pictures' all-talking comedy, will bo screened for tho first time. at the Grand Opera House to-night. Anyone who lias lost tlie gift of laughing can find a remedy while this scintillating farce-comedy unreels and speaks from tho screen. Coupled with an .amusing theme, the practical application of the eugenic theory is a sterling cast, most of whom are well known to both stage and screen devotees. Two members who handle, the chief comedy are seen on tho screen for tho first time. They are Frank' Craven and Allen Kearns. Craven plays an author who has written a book on how to lift the human race from tho rut through the application of eugenics. He proceeds with a plan to provide his sister and brother-in-law, Doris Eaton and Allen Kearns, with a child they hope will be nothing short of a .prodigy. To do this, the author decides to hiro parents, each of them shall measure up to' specifications. He finds' ■them in Hugh Trevor and Sally Blanc, and luck is with him when he finds they Intend marrying, anyhow. However, when the childless pair have gone away for a year, and return to claim their "bought" baby, they find the real mother won't give it up. How they get out of the web of circumstances provldos one of the most comical situations that has reached picture theatre .screens in many moons. Also on tho bill will be Klchard Dix and 35s.ther Ralston in "The Wheel of Life," a romance enacted in Army circles in India.

SHORTT'S PICTURES. There is a change of programme at Shortt's Pictures to-day. "Dream of Love," starring Joan Crawford, is the big feature.. The settine is laid in a mythical and picturesque Balkan kingdom. It tells of the love romance between a awnderiug gypsy maid 'and tlio royal heir to a throne. They moet at a circus carnival, and after ,1 night of, lovo are parted by the inexorable law which says that a member of royalty, cannot .wed a ( commoner. How the . status of each undergoes a change, how they rise to heights of dramatic passion and sacrifice makes a play of unusual power and charm. ■ Nils Asther appears opposite Joan Crawford. "Tide-of Empire" is the other picture, with Eenee Adoree in the leading role. It is a vivid historical romance of the discovery of gold ill California and the gold rush that overthrew Spanish rule and slarted tho modem era of progress in the West. Amonß its salient features aro the showing of the' discovery of gold nt Slitter's Mill, founding the Wells Fargo Express Company, the bandit battle for the. express cargoes of gold, and tho rise of the Vigilantes. There are t'ood supports, including two scenics, a Gazette, and a laughable comedy.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Children of ' the ltitz," starrinc Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulball, is the chief attraction to be shown' at Our Theatre to-night. It is a human picture, showing life on both the upper and lower strata of New York society. The second feature, "Chinatown Charlie," starring Johnny Hines, la an excellent comedy.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Itichard Dlxs first all-talking picture, "Nothing but the Truth," is undoubtedly one of his best. In "Nothing but the Truth," which opens to-night at the Kincma, Dix plays the part of a young man who makes a wager that lie can tell nothing but the truth for twentyfour consecutive hours. He wins the bet after going through a veritable circus of bizarre and uproariously amusing situations. Helen Kane's singing in her famous "baby talk" manner is an agreeable feature of the production. In addition an excellent selection of sound subjects will be screened. Reserve at theatre confectionery, telephone 11-202, or Bristol Piano Company.

THE CAPITOL, MIRAMAR, The theme song of "Sonny Bos" has proved itself a pronounced success, for there are very few who have not heard this popular number in musical form. The picture for which ■ the theme song was written comes to the Capitol Theatre t.o-night. and little Davy Lee, the wonderful child singer who made such a success in "The.Singing Fool," takes the leading part —only this time, he makes one laugh Instead of cry- Good supports will also be featured to back up the main feature.

NEW OUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Sic Alan Cobham, one of the greatest airmen of tho world, who has just made another world renowned flight, is tho principal player in the British picture "The Flight Commander," which comes to the New Quality Theatre to-night.- It is a story of an intrepid airman whose timely intervention saves a British outpost from annihilation in a Chinese rebellion. British grit and prowess in the air and on land, a betrothed girl's dilemma, an elderly man's heroic sclf-sacriflce, and realistic fighting stand out among many other enthralling ingredients in this film of aerial adventure and action. Good supports will also be shown.