ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 110, 12 May 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

"Tlie Trial of Mary Hugan," now in its second week at the Regent Theatre, is perhaps the most successful of the murder trial type of play yet screened, adapted as it was from a famous stage play.-aiiil with such an actress as Norma Shearer in the leading role. Because of her sweet, clear voice, her beauty, Slid her talent, Miss Shearer stands In. the front rank of moving picture stars, and her personality alone would iiiake any film worth while. In "The Last of'Mfs. Cheney," she proved her capabilities. Miss Shearer is Mary Dugau, the girl who Is being tried for murder. 11. B. Warner, as the suave district attorney, lives in the role, and other parts are well played by Lewis Stono and Raymond Uackett. Practically every scene Is set in tliu Court, and New Zealanders will find the American procedure novel. The varied types of witnesses, too, make an interesting group of character studies. As in most murder trials, the atmosphere becomes very tense at times, but humour breaks out.in unexpected places to relieve it. Added to the excellence of the main picture, there is a rare gem for music lovers in lago's Creed from Verdi's opera, "Otello," sung by Tltto Ruffo, the famous baritone. This singer, in addition to possessing one of the world's most prized voices. Is a great dramatic artist and master of expression, which makes his singing even more impressive, and gives an atmosphere that voice alone cannot give, wonderful as his records are.. An interesting gazette also goes to make up an entertaining programme.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"The Fall of Eve," at t'lo Paramount Theatre, is a farce with all the Bkilful technique of a well-staged comedy. Ed. Mack, who loves ail ladies, comes from Chicago to New York on business, but from his favourite merchant demands a little fun first. Tom Ford, senior, the merchant, is a little out of the running in this respect, but persuades his typiste to undertake the amusement of Mack, and consents to join in himself. The typiste (Eve) and Tom Ford junior have an undertaking, and botli have been longing to sheet home some little peccadillo to Ford, senior, in order that they may force his hand. They want to marry, but fear the old man. Mack is the typiste's opportunity, and in this character Mis 3 Patsy Jiulh Miller handles some astounding situations gracefully. Mack Is accompanied by Mrs. Mack, jealous and suspicious. She coro■plicates matters by joining the party at. a famous restaurant, and when Mrs. Ford hears the request numbers of the dance music at the cabaret called by."Mr. and Mrs. Ford." Eve having "been forced in that subterfuge by the unexpected presence of Mrs. Mack, there are all tlie elements of a bad tangle. Matters are little helped when Ford, junior, is rung up to assist in extricating? his father, and-takes a hand in the guise of a Prohibition officer. Everybody is in it up to the neck by the time the officer herds them all to the Ford home to search the cellar, but what has happened is nothing to the fireworks when Mrs. Ford arrives there, as everybody, with many secret injunctions and general dismay, has been paired off wrong for the \ night. The supports are excellent.

KING'S THEATRE.

"The Hollywood Eevue," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's singing and dancing picture, is being shown at the King's Theatre for a return season. The production Is practically an all-star picture. John Gilbert, Marlon Davies, and Norma Shearer are foremost among a strong cast, and in addition, the stage and screen celebrities include Buster Keaton, Bessie love, Charles King, Anita Page, Joan Crawford, William' Haines, Marie Dressier, Polly Moran, the Brox Sisters, Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), the Albertina Rasche ballet, the Rounders, Natacha Nattova, Gwen Lee, Lionel Barrymore, Karl Dane, George K. Arthur, Stan I/aurel, Conrad Nagel, Jack Benny, and others. There are excellent supports. Box plans are available at tlie Bristol.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

Described as one of the most unusual alltalking pictures ever made, "Seven Faces," a J'ox-Movietone, is being screened at the Queen's Theatre. This Tox Movietone is a powerful dramatic story, and Paul Muni, America's premier character actor, is called upon to play seven entirely- different jvles in the same production, under the direction of Berthold Viertel. Muni's chief role is that of Papa Chibou, caretaker of "a Parisian' waxworks, and the other six, which Includes' Napoleon, Schubert, Don Juan, Diablero the Great, Joe Cans, andd Willie Smith, are waxworks statues which come to life. Marguerite Churchill is co-featured. with Muni nnd Lester Loncrgan. There is an' excellent supporting programme. -

DE LUXE THEATRE,

"Faris," a First National picture being shown at the l)e Luxe Theatre, is pure comedy presented by an excellent cast. The star, is Irene liordoni, without whom the picture would lose much of its charm. Endowed with a wonderful acting wliich won iier a' foremost place on .Broadway, she . captivates the audience from (lie moment she first makes an appearance■-'until; Ihe final scene. Her dresses are breath-taking, licr eyes and smile fascinating, and her speak-, ing voice a delight to hear. She sings in true Parisian fashion numbers which certainly appear to bo in keeping with the atmosphere of | ■the Parisian stage.' The leading man Is' Jack' Buchanan, formerly a well-known and popular figure on the London stage. He also can sing attractively, and he can dance the most difficult eccentric steps with apparent ease. His personality, debonair manner, and spontaneous humour make him a prime favourite. Others in the cast are Jason Robards, Zazu Pitts, and Louise Closser Hale.- The lastnamed gives a really fine interpretation'to her part. She is the leader of an American purity league, and her son goes to Paris to study architecture. He becomes engaged to Yivienne Holland, star of the Revue de Faris, and his mother comes across to prove that the marriage is out of the question. , The sea voyage is too much for her, and she faints, to be revived by the liberal use of brandy. Then she goes gay, and the night life of Paris knows her as one of its most ardent devotees. Her son becomes ashamed of her, and when she decides to marry Vivienne's leading man, lie tells her that such a marriage Is out of the question. And so it goes on to a happy climax, -with the audience at times convulsed with laughter at the piquant situations. The revue scenes are in technicolour, and the changing settings cannot but excite admiration. The supporting items iiiclude a Paramount newsreel and a most acceptable offering by Albert Spalding, the famous _ violinist. Mr. Paul T. Cullen also plays selections from The Arcadians" on the Wurlltzer.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"Manhattan Cocktail," at the Artcraft Theatre, tells of a stage-struck pair, and eventually the eternal triangle problem comes up for solution. There is a jealous husband and a fight in a theatre. Tn a mad scramble to escape one of the parties jumps to death from the flys of the theatre. The woman, unnerved by this. Is unable to go on and the curtain rises on the show as she leaves with the other party for the peace of the little college town. "Week-end Comedy" is trie other picture. Estelle Brody is seen as a famous revue star, who goes to, a lawyer, Jameson Thomas, to secure a divorce from her husband. Annette Benson plays the part of Thomas's wife, while Monty Banks is portrayed as a gay philanderer, who enters into the marriage mix-up, but departs when the actress's husband inherits a fortune, and so ends'.the matrimonial troubles of two young couples. There are good supports.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

The Fox movietone production of Edward Knoblock and George Hosner's well-known stage success, "Speakeasy," which reaches the screen of the KUbirnle Kinema to-night, is said to be crammed with action. There is a mad race through the heart of New York's business section : two boxing combats staged in the worldfamed Madison Square Gardens; a fight to the death in a celebrated speakeasy, all visually and audibly shown as the determined heroine desperately tries to save the man of her choice from the clutches of the wolves of the tinderworld. Lola Lane and Paul Page portray the leading romantic roles. Excellent short sound features will also be presented. Reserve at Theatre confectioner}', telephone ' 14-202, and Bristol Piano Co.

'organ recital,

A most enjoyable recital was given at the Town Hall last night by the City Organist, Mr. Bernard F. Page. Among the numbers were Bach's "Choral Prelude" and his "Fantasia and Fugue In A Minor," Fauikes's ./'Berceuse," Cesar Franck's "Prlere in 0 Sharp Minor," Albeniz's "Serenafa 'Op: 165 (No. ,4)," and the finale from Tschaikowsky's "Symphony Pathetic." It was a delightful musical prograifac.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Hallelujah," King Vidor's sensational story of negro life, has its final screening at the Capitol to-night. The picture, which has received unanimous praise from the critics, relates the story of Zeke, who kills a man for revenge and is sent to prison, where he becomes religious, and Immediately upon his release takes' up work as a travelling evangelist. The story unfolds on daring and original lines, and is said to be the most artistic and original screen achievement for years.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

•There will be no screening at the Empire Theatre to-night. To-morrow night First National's super-comedy special, "Jl'Fadden's Flats," will be screened. The cast is headed by Charlie Murray. Chester Conklin, Edna Murphy, and Larry Kent. "M'l'addcn's Flats" tells the story of the struggles, of an Irishman who, coming to America, has ambitions to get out of the ranks of toolcarriers and become a builder of fiats bearing his own name. An excellent supporting programme will be screened.

OLYMPIA SKATING RINK

To-night at the Olympia Skating Rink, Winter Show buildings, onlookers will lie admitted fixe, and admittance tickets may be had upon application at the ticket box. During the scliuol holidays morning sessions from 10 until :2 at reduced prices will bo held. On Tuesday evening a Monte Carlo night will be held, and four special prizes will bo awarded to the winners. The first hockey-on-skates match will take place at 10 o'clock on Wednesday evening, the Olympia team v, tho Coliseum

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Romance, comedy, and thrills arc happily blended In "Half-way to Heaven," starring Charles ("Buddy") Rogers, which opened at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday. A story ot dims life, this picture is one long thrill.from beginning to end, not the least sensational scene being that showing a grim fight on the lying i trapeze 70ft above the ground. Mck (taul Lukas), the "swing" man in a flying-trapeze troupe is in love with Greta Nelson (Jean Arthur), the girl in the act. Tony (Freddy Anderson), the "flyer" In the troupe, incurs Nicks enmity because Greta seems to favour him. and, while'the'show Is in progress, Nick "fails'o each Tony. The "flyer" drops from the hush trapeze and is killed. To (111 the vacancy, the manager wires Ned Lee (Charles (Buddy) Ro"crs), a novice who has applied for a job, to report for the .next fair engagement. ■ On the train Greta discovers that Nick purposely dropped Tony. Frightened by his attentions, she runs away from the show. She leaves the train in Lee's town, and is directed to his home for lodging. A day's acquaintanceship, and Greta and Ned are in love. Xed, however, leaves to join tlie carnival unaware that Greta is the girl in the troupe. When Clreta learns that Ned is joining the show in.Tonys place, she hurries back, hoping to prevent another tragedy.. Ned does well in rehearsals. Then Nick discovers that he and Greta have met before. Fearing Nick's sinister jealousy Greta insults Ned, and he, thinking the pair are jealous of his acrobatic prowess, is hurt Greta explains the situation. Ned refuses to leave, telling Greta he loves her Nick sees their embrace and Interrupts it with a menacing smile. The whole troupe senses the enmUy and danger to Ned. At .the opening Performance of the State Fair engagement, Ned works without a net under him. He. too, is aware of his danger, but he goes through with the act as rehearsed, even Insisting on being Dllnfl,'folded for the big climax. Nick's °°Tln"s Ij In" to drop him and then claim it was an accident is foiled cleverly by his enemy. After lie show Nick gives Ned an hour to leave the show. Ned refuses, a terrific light ensues, and Nick is forced to leave and the lovers are united. The talking part of *c picture s very clear, so that every phase of the story is followed with utmost clarity, and the flying trapeze scenes are depicted with start ing reality The supporting programme is of a lußl oidei not the least interesting item being tl at m which Walter Lindrum demonstrates and tons how he makes his huge breaks Another picture shows how Schubert composed his Unfinished Symphony." There is a topical sound gazette and ii clever cartoon comedy.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

Together with the growth of talking pictures there has been in the last few months v marked ndvancemeut in the art of introducing colour effect on to the screen. Formerly introduced only in brief scenes, colour has been used more and more, until in "Gold Diggers of Broadway" there has come a picture which is not only all-talking; but also in natural colour throughout. "Natural" may be too ambitious a claim "for the effects achieved, particularly in the few scenes where the more sombre shades are photographed, but the picture deals mainly with the gorgeous productions of the modern Broadway revues and in this respect the producers have gained a triumph. Many of the scenes defy description, they must be seen to be appreciated. With three sessions dally the picture is having a recordbreaking run at the St. James theatre.' The it is now entering upon its fourth week. The colour is one attraction, and a big one, but there Is more. Catchy choruses, with the popular numbers "Tip-toe Through the Tulips and "Painting the Clouds With Sunshine" more particularly in evidence, aro Interspersed with witty dialogue, snappy dancing, ahd, to supply a. unity of interest, the activities of "gold-diggers" and their gentlemen friends. The- cast features Nancy Welford, Conway Tearle, Winnie Lightener, William Bakewell, and Nick Lucas, the popular' American radio singer. The supporting programme is exceptionally good and includes a splendid play-et, starring Harrison Ford.' There are also a number of orchestral and vocal selections by a troup of "debutantes" and a selection of songs by Vernon Richards and the Black Diamond Four who sing in an underground setting.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

A double-featured programme is being offered at the Opera House. In "Side Street, the American producer has at last had the courage of his convictions, and in the course of an extremely interesting picture he has always tried to keep to the probabilities more or less, and there'ls no greater example of this than tlie killing off of the most likeable character in the picture at the end. Most of the action of the picture takes place in the home of a retired policeman (Irish, of course). He has three sons, one of whom follows his father's late calling, another is a police surgeon, and the third is the head of a powerful gang of bootleggers. With, members of one family in such diverse callings' as this it is not to be wondered at that their ways converge and the result is a thrilling and gripping story. The acting of the brothers Moore, Mat, Owen, Tom is of a uniformly high standard, anff, if possible, this all-dialogue picture increases their high reputation. Again back-stage life has been chosen as the basis for the plot of a talking picture. .William Powell is the star in "Behind the 'Make-up," the second feature on the programme. The picture tends to show the- shaky,Uife. vaudeville artists live, and provesi how .-close around tlie corner the big 'success lies;; -Conversely it shows how near to ruin a bin time artist is, for public opinion is a most fickle thing. Powell, by dint of hard work, climbs to the top, and then through a mistake of liis own he falls, but unlike Lucifer lie rises again. It is an interesting picture. A highly interesting Pathe Gazette completes the programme. r -

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

"Wheel of Chance" is the principal picture at Shortt's Theatre, starring Pilchard Barthelmess. Margaret Livingston plays "the other woman" in the story, which relates the dramatic adventures of twin brothers, separated in childhood by a trick of fate, and meeting again twenty years later in one of the most dramatically conceived scenes In the history of the motion picture. The scenes are set in Russia and New York. Barthelmess plays the dual role, portraying both twins. One is redheaded and one black. One is denied the guidance of his parents, the other ia more fortunate. In the climax of the story, staged in a Courtroom where one brother prosecutes the other for murder without being aware of the relationship,. Barthelmess rises to dramatic heights seldom witnessed on the screen. The second feature is "Oh, Ray," starring Colleen Moore."

NEW aUALITY THEATRE.

Tiie all-talking, singing, dancing, number, "Broadway Melody," is being shown at the New Quality Theatre. The story deals with a young man, Eddie Curns, who has a song of his produced by Zenfleld. He writes to his girl for her and her sister to come to New York and have their names in the spotlight. The girls arrive and .the trouble starts. Eddie, engaged to one, loves the other, and so great is the situation, that he himself is in a fix and can't get out. There will be no half-prices for the evening screening of this production. Patrons should ring 21-394 for reserves, which will not be kept after 7.50 p.m.

"BIRD IN THE HAND."

The amusing play "Bird in the Hand," by John Drinkwater, was presented finally at' the Y.W.C.A. Hall by the Repertory Company, on Saturday niglit. There was a large audience, and the "Early-Victorianisms" of Mr. L. J. Maule (Thomas Greenleaf) and the quaintness of Mr. P. Broad (Mr. Blanquet) kept the audience in a simmer of amusement.

PORT NICHOLSON SILVER BAND,

The third recital, of the Port Nicholson Silver Band was given In the Grand Opera House last evening before an audience that completely filled the building. Early comers were treated to an enjoyable' programme of gramophone items from the Berkeley. Harold Scotney's "Prayer Song" served as the opening offering by the band, ably conducted by Mr. J. J. Drew, and was bracketed with the tuneful "Raymond" overture, by A. ThomasThis was followed by Mrs. T. Watson, a contralto, who gave delight with her rendering of Rowo's Maori song, "E Pari Ra," with band accompaniment. A recall was the reward of this fine vocalist, who then submitted "Danny Boy," another happy choice. The cornet solo "Australia" (Lithgow), played by Bandsman T. Goodall, was a gem of instrumental perfection ; the intricacies of the selection were child's play to a cornetist of Mr. Goodall'a ability. The well-known "Lost Chord" was the encore number, sympathetically played. Mr. Herbert F. Wood, Wellington's popular tenor, was in fine voice for his song, "Roses in .Tune" (a novelty being the band accompaniment), and his double encore. His reception was enthusiastic, and ho was warmly applauded for his singing of "I Liko You in Velvet" and "Kentucky Lullaby." Another vocalist who pleased was Miss Peggy Andre, a mezzo-soprano, whose sweet notes were, suited to Squire's "My Prayer" arid "I Call for You." More will undoubtedly bo heard of Miss Andre. Mr. Claude O'Hagan, a ringing baritone, sang "Young Tom o' Devon" and "Youth," and charmed his hearers. The xylophone solos of Mr. Henry Rudolph were accompanied by the band. They were "Chu Chin Chinee" and "Grasshoppers' Parade"; the recall number was "Painting the Cloud3"—all played expertly. The other band offerings were the selection "Faust," the "Wee MacGregor" patrol, and the Kfmmer march, "North Star." Mr. Frank Crowther was again accompanist.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"Hot Stuff," adapted from "Bluffers," a college story, is the chief attraction to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. It deals with two students, a boy and a girl, who pretend to be a lot worse than they are, ana when each discovers the other's secret they naturally fall for one another. The second feature, "The Royal Rider," starring Ken Maynard, Is a Western adventuro romance.