ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 113, 15 May 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

"Tho Trial of Mary Dugan" will bo shown finally at' the-Kefrent Theatre to-night. Mlsa Shearer is Mary Dugan, 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 Stone and Jtaymorid. . Hacket. As 'in most murder trials, tho atmosphere becomes very tense at times, but humour breaks out in unexpected places to relievo it. Added to tho excellence of tho main picture, there Is _a rare gera for iuuslc lovers in lagos Creed from Verdi's opera, "Otello," sung by Tiltd (RufTo. the famous baritone. This singer, in addition to possessing oue of tho 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 alono cannot give, wonderful as hla records are. An interesting gazette also coca to make up an entertaining programme. Gorgeous -girls, spectacular ensembles, technicolour sequences that are unrivalled? and new song-hits are the features of "It's a Great Life," starring the Duncan Sisters, to liv shown nt the licgent Theatre to-morrow. It is an all-talking, singing, and dancing film directed by Sam Wood. Moviegoers, it is said, have a great thrill in store for them when they sec and hear these genuinely great musical comedy utars of the London and New York stage. The new film incorporates a number of skilfully executed dance routines handled by Sammy, J,ce, who has received no lrttlc distinction as a result of his work in several Broadway musical comedy successes. Tho Duncan Sisters, as iisual, score with their songs. The music was composed by Dave Dreycr, responsible for "Me and My Shadow," "Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder," and other lilts. Ballard MacDouald wrote the lyrics. "Traif of the Lonesome Pino" started him off on one of tho "most successful careers in tho field of popular music. A very capable supporting cast is headed by Lawrcnco Gray and includes Benny Itublu and Jed Prouty; the former being tho Jewish comedian of

"Marianne," and the latter the "stuttering Uncle Bennle" of "Tho Broadway Melody." There is also a great deal of comedy in the picture, and just enough pathos to;- make the whole thing well-flavoured. Iv oJ way, the story tells much of the personal life struggle of tho Duncans in their spectacular climb up the ladder-of tha musical comedy fame.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"The Fall of Eve" will be shown finally at the Paramount Theatre to-night. It is a funny farco about errant husbands, and suspicious wives, and relates, in clever and novel fashion the exploits of two married men who steal away from their wives, and get caught in tho act. As tho comedydrama deals with wealthy people, somo fine gowns aro worn by the lady principals,'who include Patsy fliith Miller, Gertrude Astor, and Betty Farrington. Tlio two husbands arc portrayed by Ford Sterling and' Jed Prouty. The -principal scenes aro laid in a fashionable New York cafe, where a very fine jazz orchestra leads the revels. Tho story shows what is likely to happen to a woman who listens to the malicious gossip 'of her friends about.her own husband. - .

"The Home Towiiera," a. great screen revival of George M. Cohan's great stage success, is coming to the Paramount Xhciitro, commencing to-mnrrow. Tho cast has many famous recruits from the stage, including Richard Bennett, Doris Kenyon, Robert M'Wade, Robert Udeson, Gladys Brockwell, John; MiVjan, Vera Lewis, Stanley Taylor, James T. ■ Mack, and Patricia. Caron. .And what is equally important, there is something to say. No playwright of our day is more deft in comedy than Georgo M. Cohan, and Warner Bros.' adapters, Addisonyßurkhart arid Murray Both, have kept all the charm of the original. "The Home Towncrs" is a genial,' heart-warming, , chuckling play—recounting the adventures of two middleaged chums; the young lady to whom-, one is engaged, and her family. Robert M'Wade plays P. H. Bancroft, the small-town pal, who hears that his millionaire croriy is engaged to marry a big town young woman. Bancroft at once assumes that sho and her family are hoodwinking his friend, and comes post-haste* to Manhattan to set things right. Instead, he sets things decidedly wrong, and it is only after much uproarious manoeuvring that he straightens' out the mix-up he himself has made. Robert M'Wade is outstanding, in the Dart he played in the original stage presentation. ' ■'..-.

KING'S THEATRE.

"The Hollywood Revue," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's singing and dancing picture, is being shown finally •at . the King's Theatre to-night. The production. is practically nn all-star picture, i • John Gilbert, \ Marion Davies, and Norma Shearer are foremost among * strong cast, and In addition, the stago and iscreen celebrities include Buster Keaton, Bessie Love, Charles King, Anita Page, Joan Crawford, ' William Haines; Marie Dressier, Polly Moran, the Bros Sisters, Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), tho Albertina Rasche ballet, the Hounders, Natacha Nattova, Gwen Lee, Lionel Barrymore, Earl Dane, George K. Arthur, Stan Laurel, Conrad Nagel, Jack Benny, and others. There are excellent supports. Bos plans are available at the Bristol. • ' . Youth, romance, drama, thrills. Those fom words describe "Salute,",.tho all-dialogue lox Movietone story of youth in military training college -establishment,- which opens tp-morrow at the King's Theatre. "Salute" is an unusually fine screen, entertainment. The story concerns, two brothers—George O'Brien; an athletic hero at West Point, .and William Janncy,a midshipman at Annapolis, who tries hard but unsuccessfully to duplicate his famous brother s alhletio triumphs. O'Brien's dominant personality sweeps all before him,,but when the handsme athtleto seems about to take the heart and hand of Helen Chandler, Jauney realises for tho first time that he, too, loves her. Ihe brothers meet in the annual army-navy football clash at the Polo Grounds, New York. O'Brien is an All-American half-back-and Jan-, ney as end. A surprising and en-tirely-satisfactory finish'has been provided. O'Brien ■ proves himself perfectly;• at home ,in the talking screen medium, while Miss Chandler : in her first leading film role, registers as a distinctly new and pleasing personality. Excellent performances arc-Riven also by Janney, Stepin Fetehit, Frank Albertson, Joyce Compton and David Butler, Hie noted director, who appears as the navy coach. Tho colourful and ■ realistic Annapolis and .West Point backgrounds ire beautiful, and the football game, the first to be filmed in sound, is a knock-out.1

QUEEN'S THEATRE. »

"Seven J'aces," a Fox Movietone; is bemg icreened' ' finally at. the Queen's Theatre to-night. > This Fox Movietone is a powerful " dramatic story, and Paul Muni, America's .premier , character actor. Is called upon to play seven entirely different iv'.es 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, whicn Includes 'Napoleon, Schubert. Don Juan, Diablero the Great, Joe Gans, andd W.11U6 Smith, are waxworks statues which come tome. Marguerite Churchill is co-featured with Muni and Lester Lonergan. There is an -excellent supporting programme, , , " ■ "Women. They Talk About" is a modern commentary oh tho effect of woman in politics. If heart dominates head, the lady candidate for mayor is all tho more charming for'that fact. Miss Kich plays the part of a wealthy .young widow whose daughter is in love with the son of her opponent for the mayoralty. Tho mayor, when younger and In poorer circumstances, had been a suitor ttr the hand of Miss ■ B en. Affairs become complicated when a confederate of the mayor steals the daughter,.in order to hurt the chance of the lady candidate. Pursuit of the pair, rescue of tho girl, a ngbt between1 tho thug and the young lover, in which the mayor is accidentally shot, though.not fatally, makes "Women They Talk About" a play of breath-taking action. It opens ■at the Quoen's Theatre to-morrow night, with niatlneo on Saturday at 2.30.. The cast of,this Warner Bros.' production includes Irene Kiel], Audrey Jerri?, William. Collier, jun., Claude Gilllngiratcr, Anders Kandolf, Jack Santoro, and John Miljan. The story is by Anthony Coldcivay. ■ . . .

OE LUXE THEATRE.

"Paris," now being shown at the He Luxe Theatre, is pure comedy. The star is Irene Bordoni/without whom the picture would lose much of its charm. The leading man is Jack Buchanan, formerly a well-known and popular figure on the London stage. He also can aing attractively, and he can dance the most difficult eccentric steps with apparent case. Others in the cast are Jason Robards, Zazu Pitts, and Louise Closser Halo. The last named is the leader of an American purity league, and her son goes to Paris to study architecture. Ho becomes engaged to Vlvienne Holland, star of the Revue do Paris, and hlu mother comes across to prove that the marriage is out of the question. The sea voyage Is too much for hor, and she faints, to be revived by the liberal uso of brandy. Then she goes gay, and the night life of Paris knows her as ono of its most ardent devotees. Her son becomes ashamed of her, and- when she decides) to marry Vivicnne'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 tlme3 convulsed with . laughter at' the piquant- situations. The supporting items include a Paramount newsreel and a most acceptable offering by Albert Spalding, the famous violinist. Mr. Paul T. Cullen also plays selections from Ihe Arcadians" on the Wurlitzcr.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

George Bancroft, who mad such a success of his first all-talking picture, "The Wolf of Wall Street," appears- in a new all-talking drama, "Thunderbolt," at the Kllbirnie Theatre to-night. Bancroft's voico is deep, resonant, and capablo of expressing a wido range of emotions. Richard Arlcn, co-featured with Tay Wray in "Thunderbolt," has already made a name for himself in talking pictures in "The Man I Love." "Thunderbolt," directed by Josef Ton Sternbcrg, maker of- "Underworld," is a gripping picture of life and love outside the law. Excellent sound subjects complete this fine programme. Reserve at Theatre Confectionery, Telephone 11-202, and Bristol Piano Co.

OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

;Four sessions daily, all of which are well patronised, arc held at tlio Olympia Skating Jtink, Winter Show Buildings. During tlio day sessions reduced prices arc charged, while the evening prices are popular. Ou Saturday afternoon a "Monte Carlo" competition for (liildren will be held, and good prizes awarded. Tonight a thread-the-nccdle race will be held, and.good prizes- awarded iha-Hii»»i"«--

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

"Half-way to Ucaven," starring Charles ("Buddy") - Rogers, at tho Majestic Thcatro, is v a story of circus , lire Nick (ran! Lukas), tho "swing" man in .a (lying-trapeze troupe, "fails" to : catch..-. Tony. Tho "flyer" drops from the high trapeze and Is killed. .To 'fill . tho vacancy, tho manager wires Ned Lee (Chaiiea (Buddy) Rogers), a novice who has applied for a job, (o report for the next fair engagement. On the train' Greta Nelson discovers that Nick purposely dropped Tony. Frightened by his, attentions she runs away from tho show. She leaves the train in Lee's town, und Is' directed to his home for lodging. A day's acquaintanceship, and Greta and Ned are in love. Ned, however, leaves; to join the carnival unaware that Greta is (he girl in the troupe. When Greta learns that Ned is joining the show in Tonys place, she hurries back,' hoping 'to prevent. another tragedy. Ned does well lir rehearsals. Ihen Nick discovers that ho 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> Tho whole troupe senses the enmity and dancer to Ned.' At tho opening perform-, ance of the, State Fair, engagement. Ned worns without a net under him. .He, t00 % 13 f w"c of his danger, hut he noes. tliroiisni .with he act" as rehearsed. Kick's-- obvious plan to drop him and then claim It was an. accident is foiled cleverly by his enemy. After ne show Nick gives Ned "an hour' to leave tne show. Ned refuses, a terrific fight -ensues, and Nick. Is forced to lea re and the /overs are united. The support-Ins programmo Is or » nigii order. . ; ■ ■ ' \

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

'■The Gold Diggers of Broadway", is now, in its fourth week at the St. James Theatre. The picture deals mainly with tho gorgeous productions of tho modern Broadway ren.es and in this respect tlio producers havo gamed a triumph. / Many of the scenes must be: seen to bo appreciated. With, three sessions daily to picture is having a record : breaklni! run. rue porting.prpßrammo',incluUes- a splendid ■VW-g> e«c^a/anlvotanf^ra Four, who."sing in an underground setting.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

'"'Side -Street,"' to be shown, finally at the Gran 1 Opera House to-night, is a drama <* a big-city life, and is of quite ■an »«t-°"l£ m \f variety. The story has a real Irish almost pnere and much-.rf.lt takes place in «io home of a retired policeman. It lias real worth and a fine depth in its straight-out tragedy. , In irldition to this, "Behind the , Make-up, a p"unt°picture. is shown on the same programme. Two really unusual films are billed together. '■. This, picture is a tragedy,-•too, has one particularly notable feature. Powell is a vaudeville artist, a clown-and combines with another, in a double act for part of tho '™Tlio Flying--Fool," which conies 'to tho GranS Opera House to-morrow, (beginning with a matinee at 2.30 p.m.),/is the story of a stunt flyer whose weakness is women. He believes in finding them, fooling: them, and forgetting' them. Then he meets a cabaret singer who "crabs his style." .Boyd plays the aerial daredevil, and it is a role in which he.scores a tremendous hit. Marie is tho cabaret girl, rijinß to tremendous climax. "Tho-; -Flying Fool, Patlip's all-talking air drama, starring William Boyd, is- said to-.-be-one of the.most: thrilling and entertaining pictures'produced this season. Although the story has-an aviation background, and although:lt reaches a great dramatic crescendo with a scene in the air, it is not entirely an air story. It is a human drama, which combines pathos and comedy, played by a cast of capable actors, and moulded into fine entertainment. The cast inqludes William Boyd, Marie Prevost, Russell Glea-son,.' "and Tom O'Brien. "Navy Blues"ihaS in the cast William Haines,' Anita Page, Karl Dane, -J. C. Nugent, Edytlie Chapman, and Wade Boteler. ■ The story "is of Kelly, .a tough man aboard adestroyer/ who is oil witli others .on shore leave. A petty officer orders the group to attend a local* V.M.C.A. social, much ;to their disgust. 'Kelly, is comforted, however,, when ho meets Alice, a pretty girl. A courtship starts. .Alice's ' mother hates sailors, arid when Kelly takes Alice. home, she orders hlm'from the house. Alice leaves also.' In tho morning Kelly reports to. his ship, to find-that a. long cruise has been ordered. He rushes back to find Alice, bur she. thinking he has deserted her, has disappeared: The cruise follows, Kelly disconsolate.., Then- tljey. return to port, and Kelly locates Alice working'in a tough cabaret. He calls on "Sven" to aid him, and after a vivid battle they-rescue the girl from the place. Tho, dramatic denouement of the. story sees them happy again and forgiven; '-. -, \ - -

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

"Abie's Irish Rose" is "being screened at the Artcraft Theatre. Charles' ("Buddy") Kogcrs takes the part ,of ; Abie Levy. and Nancy Carroll is Rosemary Murphy. A love romance with '.its beginnings in Franc; in war time leads -to marriage, but certain religious differences now crop up, yet even these" would not be sufficient, to upset tho equanimity of the parties were it, not for the intolerance of irate parents. -. The young couple are left alone for a time, but are1 eventually befriended by old" ifrlends of the Levy family. A ' Christmas ' Eve . surprise party starts- in bitter, argument, but ends -in peace when Able; and Rosemary present their twins to the grand parents;with names suitably designed to meet everyone's religious and national scruples. .--.The children are forgiven for their marriage, and another victory is achieved for the cause of tolerance. There mill, be good, .supports. . "'_■ V ,! '

OUR THEATRE', NEWTOWN.

A big doublo-featuro programme is to bo presented to Our Theatre patrons to-night. Tho first ; feature; - "Marquis Preferred,"- starring Adc-Jphe Menjou, is the story of a bankrupt French ..nobleman who',for purposes'of advertisement', was. financed, by his tailor.- Tho second'feature, "The Drag Net,", starring George •Bancroft, ,-is an exciting. picture of the underworld. ■ , . ,- . ■ ■

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR.

"Noah's Ark," the colossal production comparing the World War,.a deluge of blood,'with the mighty flood,-a >delugo of water, comes to tho-Capitol to-morrow. Miraculous scenes of the building of the' Ark, the. coming of the animals, and tho deluge of water destroying a world of sin, are made .doubly impressive 'by the', sound effects.. It is greater than "Ben. Hur".'and1 ;"The'.Ten Commandments." The pinnacle, of screen,sue'eess, made with a cast of thousands, headed by Dolores Costello, Georgo O'Brien, Louise Fazenda," and Noah Beery. ■

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND <BAY. v An" excellent programme, headed .by "A. Dangerous Woman," will be" screened ■ af.. the .Empire Theatre to-night. The torrid heat'of the Topics,' the primitive life of the jungle, the brooding .mysteries of Africa, form the background, upon which is woven : the story..-of the lives of a -few, white people. Here in a part of Africa where' the Kesldent British Commissioner holds fotfhthe white man's, law, is. seta story that Us both dramatic and .Jhvilling. An excellent, cast is headed by Baclanova, Clive Brook; and Neil Hamilton. An excel : lent supporting' programme- will be screened.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI,

"Courtin' Wildcats,"'which comes to Iho Regal to-night, -is 'the ;story of Clarence Butts, college student, -posing as a weakling to avoid being put out to work in-his father's foundry. The family doctor gels on to Clarance, and has him placed with- a .Wild. West show. There Clarence . courts destruction by . courting "Calamity June," a- good-looking, performer, who is death to all presuming males. Clarence spirits June away from the niob in his automobile, and by his.wild driving tames her, and she consents to marry him. As tho ceremony is about to be performed tho good news" is brought that.the man she shot was only slightly, wounded, nnd, is, safely in tlle 'hands of the police. •' ■'- .. ':■ .■ *.' -, -

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

As.from to-morrow, a full orchestra of leading musicians will he installed at Shortt's Theatre. • "Wheel of ; Chance,'" starring Richard Barthelmess, will be screened finally tonight. Margartb, Livingstone plays "the other woman",in the story, which. relates the dramatic adventures of '■■' twin brothers, separated; in childhood,-,;by a y: 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, portrayirfg both twins. One is redheaded and one black. Ono is dentpd the guidance of his parents, tlio other is more fortunate. In the climax, of tho . story, staged in a Courtroom where -piio 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. Kay," starring Col r leeu. Moore." •" ~' ' •

NEW OUALITY THEATRE,

Ts any price too big to pay, for", a career when happiness hangs in tlio balance? Her beauty alone stood between ' her -husband's success and hen dismal failure Should sec uso. her beauty to sway his destiny?. This was the position in which Billio -Dove -stood, when she joined her. husband (Antonio Momib) at the sroal Trench colony town- in CochlnChina. , Now showing at tlio New (Juallty Theatre is- "Careers," Billio Dove's Greatest, characterisation. Seven screen favourites arc in .(he supporting cast. It is a VHanhonc. alltalking picture. ■ •■■ .' . t