ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 70, 24 March 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Deril Jlay Care," a eostunio romanr.o of the post-Napoleonic times, with Itamon -Vovarro as the star, is the talking offering at the IteKent Theatre. De Trevalllc is an ardent llonapurtist of good family, who sheds tears on farewellini! his beloved leader. In his enthusiasm for Napoleon's return lie is caught conspiring to that end, and is one of the many who are condemned to death for so doing by the .Ministers of Louis XVIII. At the place of execution lie escapes by a trick, seizes a horse, and when about to he overtaken at Grenoble, he scales a vine and lauds in a young lady's room. Leoni, then on her way to her cousin, the Countess Louise, screams out in terror, but tlie young soldier smothers iicr screams and then gets her lo promise tha.t she will not reveal his presence lo the, soldiers, who by this time are searching the house. When Leoni learns llftit her rclueee is <i l}on;i|iarlist she—a Uovaiisl lias no conipunclion in giving him away, but in (he single romhnt which-ensues in Hie wardrobe Aruiiiml disarms his man. steals his uniform, and as one of the Iloyaiisl Iroop, again gels off. This is only one of the .scries of thrilling incidents in Hie picture. A great anti-climax is provided by tlie last touch — Napoleon standing on (he deck of a ship, with Hie wraith of the Old lliiard passing, before his despairing eyes, as they sing their inspiring marching song. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. I'roscnting a new side of the art of talking picture production, ".Married in Hollywood" is now at the Paramount Theatre. The picture takes the audience through the varied life of a promising operatic singer who is just beginning to taste ' the sweets of success. Without its romance the picture would not be complete, and this is supplied by Iho meeting between, the singer, "who is an American, and a Balkan prince. The match is not favoured by the prince's family, who do all in their power to prevent it. Finally they arrange the kidnapping of the prince, and bring political influence to bear, which causes the singer to lose her position. The next scene, is depicted aboard the ship on which the singer is returning to America. A concert is in progress, and she attracts the notice of a film magnate, who puts her into motion pictures on her arrival in Hollywood. There she plays a part similar to the one she portrayed in Vienna, but the plot calls for a "prince," and. tills cannot be suitably filled. For the lover of music the various operatic settings provide good entertainment, and sonic of the dance numbers are of outstanding merit. Roma Torris. of ".Show lioaf fame, aud ,1. Harrold Murray enact the leading roles, and the cast includes Walter C'atlell. Tom l'atricola, Irene Palatsy. and many other stage and screen celebrities. KING'S THEATRE. "The Dummy," with Ruth Chnltcrton heading Iho cast, is the all-talking Paramount film now at, the King's Theatre. The production is remarkable for the splendid acting on the part of Mickey Bennett as the juvenile assistant of a detective. The opening sceens show him competing for a job, and it is most amusing to see how be beats fifty other applicants for the position. On being taken on by Walter Babbing, the head of a deteclive bureau, he is used as a ruse to see where a certain Iddnappcd child is hidden. Ho is stoutly enjoined to play a "deaf and dumb" part, in the company of the band of crooks, should he gain entrance to their headquarters. Babbing immediately takes the matter in hand, and arroves on the scene in the guise of a telephone man. His identity is soon discovered, however, and after a general scene of pandemonium he is ultimately overpowered,' and the crooks take refuge in the country, taking the two kidnapped children with them. Before Young Barney, the boy, leaves, howover, he manages to inform his chief of their destination. Things progress favourably at the 'country shack for a while, until tho boy gives the whole show • away regarding his "deaf and dumbness" by talking in his sleep. An exciting tussle with plenty of action follows. THE QUEEN'S THEATRE. The human side of actors—their hopes and friendships, ambitions and foibles, are sympathetically presented in "Nix on Dames." an all-talking .Vox Movietone production of actors "off-stage," at the Queen's Theatre. Willi a producing staff thoroughly conversant with its subject, and a notable cast of players carefully chosen, "Nix on Dames" is at once a realistic and authentic picture and an excellent piece of comedy. Mac Clarke, the heroine of Fox Movietone's recent "Big Time"; Itobcrt Ames, William Harrigan, Maude Fulton, George Macfarlane, Camillo Rovolle, and the noted vaudeville team of Wallace and M'Cormaek, enact the leading roles in this production, which was directed by Donald Gallagher from Maude Fulton's original story. It is a story of two women and two women-haters. There is a diverting programme of supporting sound subjects. Box plans are available at the Bristol. DE LUXE THEATRE. A typical Reginald Denny film, "One Hysterical Night." is the all-talking production now at the De Luxe Theatre. Denny appears as a young man who conies into a fortune by the will of his uncle. His relations, furious at Ihe fact that they have been bcuueathed I nothing, scheme to. turn the situation to their own advantage. They lure him to an entertainment at a home for insane, which takes the form of a fancy dress ball. All innocence, Reginald goes dressed as Napoleon. and mingles with Paul Revere, Sidome, William Tell. Robin Hood. Paganini. and many other inmates of the home, who fully helieve themselves to be- those historical characters. A I Josephine, who is really . a-nurse, is provided for Napoleon, and it is only gradually that he becomes aware of the true situation. He protests, but he has been adjudged insane bydoctors who have been observing him during the evening. He realises that this means his fortune will pass to his relations, so he plans his escape. Succeeding events make up a picture that is full of laughs throughout by virtue ofvits ridiculous situations and the excellent work of Denny. Nora Lane makes an appealing heroine. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "The Beloved Rogue," starring John Barrymore, will be shown at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. . This is a story based on incidents that happened in the days of Louis XI., when his French throne was tottering and lords and ladies thrilled in ribald revelry. The picture has a romantic medieval touch and the cast of players is exceptionally strong. John Barrymore takes the part of Francois Villon, vagabond, poet, lover, scapegrace—the King's hated enemy,' and later his closest friend. How he win's the King's approval after passing through many vicissitudes, makes a story of enthralling interest. The other feature film will be "Across tho Atlantic." . Jlonte Blue takes the leading role. The picture is an exciting story of how a wounded "ace" flies to France in a stolen 'plane, regains his lost memory, and wins a. bride whom he knew in war-time in France and 'whom he rescues at the altar as she was going through a marriage ceremony with another., There will be good suports. SHORTT'S THEATRE. The new programme at Sliortt's Theatre includes "The Viking," a, lletro-Goldwyn-Mayer's all-colour epic production of Viking days, an adventurous tale of a thousand years ago, based on "Tho Thrall of Lief the Lucky," the famous novel by Ottillio Llljencrantz. It is presented entirely in natural colours, with a cast of all-star proportions headed by the eminent actor, Donald Crisp, in the title role of Lief. Pauline Starke, appearing for the first time as a blonde, plaj's the leading feminine role of Hclga, a Viking maid, and a more beautiful Norse maiden would be difficult lo imagine. This ■ excellent little actress gives one of the greatest performances of her career, revealing a screen personality of amazing brilliance. enhanced by the-natural colour effects produced by technicolour. An ancient contest between Paganism and Christianity, a contest which led to the discovery of America one thousand years before Columbus, forms the exciting plot material for "The Viking," ".My Lady of Victory," starring Alice Joyce, is the other feature, and is a technicolour Dim. Two scenics, a gazette, and a good comedy complete an excellent programme. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "The Dance of Life" has everything that makes for gripping entertainment—a romantic story of backstage life, burlesque sentiences, dancing, and a surgeons "Follies" revue in colour. It was made from the remark-ably successful stage play, "Burlesque." "The Dance of Life" will be screened at the Kilbirnie Theatre, starting to-night., for two days. Hal Skelly, who originated tho role of Skid in the stage-production, continues in Ibis part In he motion picture production. Nancy Carroll, red-headed beauty, has the other featured role. The cast, includes such stage and screen favourites as Dorothy Revier, Ralph Thcador, Charles 11. Brown, Al St. John, and May Holey. A spectacular revue scene, with lavish costumes, brilliant settings, anil eighty Ix'iinliful girls, is shown entirely in colour by Hie lechnicoloiir process. Six song hits were written for tho production, and many old-lime and popular songs arc. heard throughout Hie picture. A carefully selected nrrav of short sound features will also he presented. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. A drama, of stage life is enacted in "Broadway Babies," which shows as tho main feature at tho Capitol Theatre to-night. The story is one in which Delight Foster, a chorus girl in a Broadway show, becomes engaged to Billy Duvannv, the manager. A few weeks before her iwedding ' 'Per. Gessant, a Canadian, meets Delight and falls desperately in love' with her, and simultaneously Billy Dnvauny has an affair with Blossom Royalc, another chorus girl. After much intrigue in which the lovers nearly fall adrift, Gessant sacrifices his love and effects a reconciliation between them. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Ramon Novarro, as a natal aviator, staging a series or thrilling rides In the clouds, is the hero of "The Flying Fleet." the chief attraction to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. It is a drama of naval aviation. The second feature . "Honeymoon," starring Polly iloran, is a farcical comedy. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. An excellent Western drama, "Scuor Americano," starring Ken Maynard, will be shown at the Kmpirc Theatre to-night. Maynard plays Ihe part of a young cavalry olllcer who serves both bis country and the peaceful and honourful inhabitants of Southern California during unsettled conditions. An excellent supporliin; programme will be screened.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"Flight," at the -Majestic Theatre, brings out lo tnc full the thrill mill the adventure, the joy and tho daring ot Ihe aviator's life. Aeroplanes arc seen flying in perfect battle formation, darting and swooping through the clouds, looping-the-loop, indulging In rolls, tailspins, and other wonderful stunts, making hazardous landings, crashing helplessly to earth, and blazing like veritable funeral pyres. "Plight" tells the romantic and sensational story of the love and the adventure of two daring aces, "Lefty" Phelps and "Panama" Williams, Whose riifllcult and exacting roles are well filled by .lack Holt and Ralph Graves. Tho Damon and Phythias friendship of the two daredevil aviators is well nigh wrecked by a three-corner-ed lovo affair with an army hospital nurse— a love affair commenced ou the training ground of Iho J''lying Corps, and reaching its exciting climax on the Niearaguan battiet'ront, whither the corps has been despatched to help quell the Lumlino uprising and rescue a small force of United Slates marines, beleaguered by an overwhelming horde of rebels, ami fast running short of food, water, and ammunition. How Ihe, dyers come, on the scene just in the nick of time, how Phelps crashes in the enemy's territory, and how he is discovered and rescued at the Inst minute of Iho eleventh hour by his "cobber" and rival "Panama" Williams is a splendid story splendidly told. There are good supports.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Was Mary Morgan guilty, of the murder ol Hie man who had adopted her? Suspicion of her .idlt was so widespread that all iho members of her household were busily engaged in trying to shield her. Servants lied about her movements on the fatal night, and Argylc's own son was confident that she had not committed the crime. And yet—Mary's handkerchief was found on the floor near the murdered man, and it was admitted that she had sat up, fullydressed, far Into tho night. Only Hurley, attorney for the dead man, seemed to sense the situation, and to realise that under all their protestations of innocence, Mary, the adopted daughter, and liruce, the son: of the man who had been killed, might somehow be associated In guilty knowledge of the crime. This is but one of the many puzzling situations in "The Argylc Case," the all-talking production at His Majesty's Theatre. Interest ■is sustained to the end as to who the murderer is. Thomas Meighan, for many years one of the most popular slars in motion pic-' lures, here makes his first appearance in the "talkies." in addition to "The Argylc Case," there is an excellent selection of supporting Wins. The same trio that appeared, in "The Singing Fool" was brought tugclhor again for Ihe making of Jolson's latest all-talking, allsinging Vitaphono picture, ''Say It Willi Songs." opening at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday next. Tho trio is made up of Al .loison, world-famous entertainer, 'Davy Lee, baby star of Vitaphono pictures, and Lloyd Bacon, director. As a consequence "Say It With Songs" is. apparently destined to equal the records of "Tho Singing l'Ool" and "The ■lazz Singer." The* box plans are- now open at Ihe Bristol.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Charles Jiogers and Nancy Carroll, already world-famous, have added to. their laurels their work in "Illusion," which is now at the Grand Opera House. Kogcrs appears as a youthful magician, who lias learnt his tricks in a circus, and Nancy Carroll as a girl who has been brought up in the same environment. The young fellow, who is handsomo and gifted, is flattered by society ladies, aud yearns for something bettor than motley and second-rate hotels. Ho imagines ho is in love with an heiress, and for a season the splendour of her circle dazzles the young actor. Meantime tho girl is climbing the;.slippery ladder of fame, and the acts in which she is engaged in various theatres supply excellent entertainment. Amongst the gorgeous sets In the production is an elaborate scene showing the interior of the Congo Cabaret, in which everything has a tropical atmosphere. Charles Kogcrs aud Nancy Carroll do some tuneful singing in the film, and the dialogue throughout is crisp and crystal clear. A feature of interest is the film record of the SarronDonovan light, which Sarron prefaces with a short speech. The film of the fight is an excellent one, every blow struck during the exciting seven rounds being clearly depicted. In addition to the actual fight, the principals are shown in training operations.

NEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

The murder, of a famous motion picture star forms the basis of "Tho Studio Murder Mystery," a Paramount picture which will bo shown at the New Quality Theatre to-night. In Hollywood, a famous star and his director leave tho studio lato one night. Tho gateman checked them out and the studio was locked for the night.; The next morning Hollywood was startled —P.lchard Handell had boon found on the set, murdered. That is the mystery that baffled the police. "Vital Subjects," an all-talking comedy, will; also bo shown.