ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 20 May 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT,

"It's a Great Life," starring the Duncan Sisters, is being shown at the Kegent Theatre. The Duncan Sistera are beautiful and amusing, and the amusement Is clean. Emotion as well as comedy came alike to the clever pair; and the good team work of a east of only rive players is saf of? with beautiful colour scenes and graceful dancing. The supporting programme is of particular merit. The old enhool (ap<! perhaps many or the new) will be attracted by "Mountain Melodies." It is one of those vocal and instrumental productions (male performers) set in a scene of nature Instead of In a formal studio. Metro News , shows the greatest Cnnardcr, Berengaria, 52,000 tons, lifted right out of the water in dock at Southampton; an aristocratic" wedding at Salisbury Cathedral; wonderful ski jumping, in which a Norwegian wins tho New iork State championship; and joyous racing dogs at Miami.

'LAUGHING LADY

Ruth Cliatterton, Hie sinnins ludy of "The Dolor's .Secret," the flghtinK lady of "Jfadnmo X," tlie cliarming laUy of "Charming Sinners," hiis now become "The Laughing Lady," and as such will he seen at the Regent Theatre to-mor-row ni«ht. Mnrjurlc Lee (Ruth ChuttertonO is !he wife of a banker, Hector Lee (Itaymoml WaiiHirn), who loves Ills Wall Street better than Ills wife mid their' live-year-ohl child, Barbara (Betty Hartley). On the day that Marjoric in saved from drowniiiß Lee is bcliiK madc"presivlent by a biif mersrer of several of New York's largest banks. His friend, Daniel ITarr (Clive Brook), a lawyer, is a member of the board or Ilie.-Mg new bank syndicate. That night a man, intoxicated, breaks into Marjorie"s suite. A housemaid, passing by, sizes ui> the scene, and reports it as a scandal. Al Brown (Dan Healy), reporter, spreads the "scandal" through the Press.' The result is a divorce case. . Mariorie does nothing beyond denying the accusations of faithlessness to her husband and child. She plans revenge. At a house patty at the fashionable home of Hamilton riaygate and Mrs. Playgate, Marjorie makes a play for Farr, and presently has him infatuated. The following week Lee comes to Farr and asks Ills advice on a suit for breach of promise with which he la being threatened by Flo (Dorothy Hall), who had been receiving his attentions while he was yet married to Jlavjorie. Farr in a flash realises that Lee is a hypocrite and that there were probably no grounds for his serious accusations of Marjorie during the trial. 'Marjorie invites Farr to her apartment. She puts on a scene, and Farr tries to calm her. There is a knock at the door. Farr goes to the door to open it. Marjorio rushes to stop him, hut just as she docs so, the flash-powder blazes, :i ncl the picture is taken. Brown and his photo■Knipher rush out of tho building to their paper, with' tho "big scoop." Marjoric breaks down. She tells Farr that she has made him tho victim of a scandal, and that she regrets.it very much. Ho tells her that he can avert the scandal,' and to provo it, calls uyi the editor, telling him that if he will withhold publishing the hastily-taken' photograph, he and Marjorio will be glad to pose for more formal, pictures on tho morrow. "She will confirm this," Farr says, and hands the 'phone to Msirjoilc. "It. is true," she murmurs, smilingly, into the 'phone, and all ends happily.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"The Home Towners," at the Paramount Theatre, abounds with- humorous situations. The story tells of the adventures of two middle-aged friends, and of the lady to whom one of them is engaged. Robert M'Wade takes the part of P. H. Bancroft, who hears that his millionaire' friend Is engaged to be married, and Bancroft assumes that the young lady and her family have: captured his supposedly foolish friend, and he Interviews with the view of saving his friend from his folly. Instead, he makes things decidedly wrong, and It takes much time and trouble (all ■of which keeps tho audience amused) to put things right, r M'Wade played tho part.in the original stage presentation. The sound featurettes .are excellent, and box plans1 are available at the Bristol and the theatre.

Maurice Chevalier, the famous Parisian ,musical comedy star, who scored a distinct personal triumph in Ills first talking picture, "Innocents' of Paris," will make another appearance on the audible screen next Friday at -the , Paramount Theatre in "The Love Parade." Beautifully photographed, handsomely mounted, and featuring a half-dozen songs, "The Love Parade is said to be'brilliantly directed, and acted with (treat zest and evident enjoyment by Chevalier and his flue supporting cast. "The Love Parade" is really an operetta. In no way does it, attempt to be a stage production, it is stated, it is romance, comedy, song, and dance, photo"ranhod against a background allowing the camera to function with full freedom. It is buoyant, unfettered, always original, a structure made, to order for the dashing Chevalier and his beautiful leading lady, Jeanetto Mac Donald, a cliarminji recruit' from tlie New York musical comedy stage. The songs featured and sung either by Chevalier or Miss Mac Donald as solos or duets include "My Love Parade," "Anything to Please the Queen," "Nobody's Using It Now," "My Dream Lover," and "Paris, Stay the Samp." There is also "March of the Grenadiers." featured by a large chorus, and "Let's Be Common,"" a comedy number sung by the two .supporting comedians, Luplno Lane and Lilian Both. The music was composed by Victor Schcrtzlnger, who wrote "Marcheta." The lyrics were written by Clifford Grey and the screen play by the well-knpwn Guy Bolton. Ernest Lubitscli directed. Box plans are available at Bristol and the theatre, telephone 21-542.

KING'S THEATRE,

"Salute," an all-talking Fox Movietone picture, at the King's Theatre/ concerns two brothers, one of whom, Ueorgc, goes to West Point Military • College and the other, a. slight, self-conscious boy, to Annapolis, a naval college. A piquant love interest is added, with an Army v. Navy football match as a climar, bringing a happy end,Ing. George O'Brien and Helen Chandler are (ho principals. The supporting programme includes a good comedy.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"Women They Talk* About," at the Queen's Theatre, is a Warner Bros.' and Vitaphone production, and provides flrst-rato entertainment. The ■ daughter of a wealthy young widow (Irene Rich) is in love with the son of her opponent In a'contest for the Mayoralty. The daughter Is stolen by a confederate of the Mayor in order to hurt the lady's chances, and then'the real action, and plenty of It, commences. There is a fight between a thug and the young lover and the Mayor is accidentally shot, although not fatally. In support of "Women They Talk About" are some entertaining dialogue, singing, and sound featurettes. ; ' ' .

DE LUXE THEATRE.

In "Paris," at the De ,Luxe Theatre, the most beautiful eyes on. the stage have come to the screen. ; They are Irene Bordonl's, ana Miss Bordoni 'Is famous for her French characterisations, for her quaint Parisian accent, and her catchy songs. The talking screen has "caught" air these details, and the French star will both talk and sing In "Paris," which was adapted for the screen from her latest and greatest stage success. "Paris" is a story of the "city of light," and Concerns a French stage star and an English musical comedy favourite. The latter is portrayed by Jack Buchanan, idol of the London , stage. There are, In addition, huge ballets and singing ensembles, while the exquisite colouring by the new five-colour; process makes "Paris" a remarkably outstanding production. Box plans aro at both the Bristol and Aitken's. Fifl Dorsay, vivacious Trench girl, made her first screen appearance in "They Had to See Parris," with Will Rogers. In Miss Dorsay's current production is Raoul Wash's Fox Movietone "Hot for Paris," coming to the De Luxe Theatre next Friday, in which she is featured with Victor M'Laglen; Polly Moran, and B. Brendel. In "Hot for Taris," Fifl sings three numbers especially written for her by Walter Donaldson and Edgar Leslie. The trio of songs are "Sweet Nothings of Love," ."Sing a Little Folk Song," and "If You Want to See Gay Paree." Donaldson and Leslie have written a special number, "I'm the Duke of Kakiyak," sung by no less a vocalist than Victor M'liaglen in person.

"Hot for Paris" is described as a riotous com-, edy, and the last word in talking, singing, and laughter productions. "Hot for Paris" chronicles the amatory exploits of two seagoing Don .luans on short leave in Trance. M'Laglen, unaware that he holds the winning ticket of the Calcutta sweepstakes, eludes officials, of the sweepstakes, who seek, to present him with va fortune. Victor, it appears, suspects they are police prefects bent on imprisoning him. The story is said to develop Into a riot of comedy and suspense which reaches a ludicrous climax at a provincial wedding. Tho supporting case includes Charles Juaels, Lennox Pavrte, George Fawcett,, and many, other favourities. In addition to directing the production, Itaoul Walsh also wrote the story, with adaptation and continuity by Charles J. M'Guirfc. William K. Wells supplied the dialogue.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

There will be a change of programme at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. "The Case of Lena Smith," starring Esther Ralston, is a story of tho war from the Hungarian side. A girl meets iin Austrian officer with whom she falls in love. Four years later she Is employed as a servant at the home of the officer's father, who finds a photograph of his ■ son in her room. The girl Is seen in the .park with a baby. She is discharged, and the police lake tho baby. She is subsequently '.sent to gaol for contempt oC Court, escapes, finds the baby, and tlees to another man for safety, "The Desert Bride" 'deals with the vicissitudes of a French officer and his lady love while in the clutches of an Arab sheik. Eventually they are freed by the dramatic intervention of the French soldiery, and they steal away to the desert to forget their adventures in each other's love. There are good supports. . ' \. ■

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Noah's Ark" concludes its popular season' at the Capitol to-night. "Caught .In the Fog," one of the swiftest, funniest crook.chases ever (limed, commences to-morrow. The story centres around the activities of a gang of jewel thieves who .attempt to carry out their plans under cover of the impenetrable fog which shrouds the bay. May 'M'Avoy -is seen as a charming amateur at thieving, and Connid Nagel is the owner of tlie yacht upon which all the excitement occurs. Mack Swain anil Hugh Horbert, the funniest detectives on earth, solve tho puzzling mystery.

THE REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

"A fiirl in Every Tort," starring Victor .M'LuKlen, constitutes the main attraction ;it. tlic Itcg.il Tlientre to-night. The principal is aDI.v backed up by n strong supporting <--;ist. (.loot! supporting, fcatui'ea will also bo asevconed.

"Her Private Life" is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. Scenes of the English coiiutrysido and glimpses of ono of Old England's famous castles, supplemented by perfect acting and pleasing voices, make Her Private Life" a delightful entertainment. Beautiful Billio Dove plays the feminine lead as Lady Helen Hayden,- last of a line which goes back to the time of the Normnn conquerors. Her husband, a retired pork butcher, Is insulted" to the dignified setting to which his marriage brings him, and it is his Jealousy or the attentions paid to Lady Helen by an American, Thayre. which causes the trouble in tne first place. Ha accuses Thayre of cheating at cards, and although Lady Helen forces him to apologise, she later sees evidence that her husband was right. Thayre's sister snows Sir Bruco a letter written by Lady Helen to Thayre, and a dramatic scene before me distinguished guests is followed by a divorce. Lady Helen goes to America, where she is rapidly becoming penniless and is tempted to marry Solomon, a financier, who has Defriended her. The motto of her house, Death is short, dishonour long," stays her however and there are tense scenes before the na w climax. Tho sound supports include a MuJ»y .Mouse" cartoon, an interesting Universal nenbreel, a Tiffany colour classic, "The Love Charm," and musical items by gifted entcitaincrs.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

"The Gold Digger of Broadway is now in . its fifth week at St. James Theatre. The stage scenes of tm. "Oilers" arc truly marvellous and introduce dancing and ensembles of an order not likely to be seen In this country for many a mi"- day: "Tip Toe Thru' the Tulips," and "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine" anr two of the haunting tiiemo songs running througn the piece, which also specialises in snappy dialogue and pretty girls in ravishing clothes, me whole glittering spectacle must be seen to be .appreciated. Harrison Ford is tho star of a supporting playct, "The Flattering Word,' a short film of more than usual merit, and other pieinterval pictures are supplied by Vernon Kicnards, and the Black Diamond. Four, who tn s time choose a mine at the background for their singing; two songs by the tenor, Charles HatKett, and the Earl Burtnett Orchestra, a- bright company of talented "debutants." There are no dull moments in-the evening's entertainment.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

A double programme is being screened at tho Grand Opera House.., "Navy Blues, the first picture, deals with the old problem of the sailor ashore, and his girl, and William Haines, as Kelly,- the lady Killer of tho destroyer fleet, Is as amusing as could ue desired. For efficiency and good conduct ins ship is given an invitation to a grand ball by me Ladies' Uplift Society. ■• There is just one nice girl amongst all the frumps, and Kelly grabs her by turning his number upside down and thus giving the big Swede the ugliest girl in the room. Anita Page, as Alice, ,tho nice girl, makes as great'a hit with everybody as sne does with Kelly, and when he has seen her homo twice her mother (Kdytho Chapman) gives a fine characterisation of the maternal dragon. There is a scene, and Alice loses her temper, and leaves witii Kelly, who.does not know what to do with her, and has> to pawn her fur tor lodgings. He slips away to his boat to find it off for a long voyage, and when ho returns to Alice's home she has not come back. He nnd3 her on the verge of catastrophe in a cabaret, but tho rest of the story should be seen, especially tho wrecking of the cabaret with the help of the big Swede. "Tho Flying Fool,' in which William Boyd has the lead, is a terles or stirring stunts aloft, .with love-making In between. There arc excellent supports.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

That students learn more things in college than football Is demonstrated in "Words and Music " a campus musical revue, which' will screen to-night at the Kilbirnie Kinerna. It is a Fox Movietone, all talking, singing, dancing picture. "Words and Music" has a love story revolving about a competition staged at Darnell College for the best musical comedy number produced by a student. Lois Moron, David Percy, and Tom Patrlcola, Broadway's most famous eccentric dancer, are starred. There are eight songs. A chorus of more than one hundred dancing and singing beauties adds zest to this colourful production. Numerous sound featurettes will also be screened. Reserve at Theatre Confectionery (Tel. 14-202) and Bristol Piano Co.

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

Shortt's Theatre now possesses a full orchestra composed. of leading musicians. The musical director is Mr. Reg. Brown. Apart from the musical side, there is an attractive programme, the ' two pictures screened being "Eileen" and "The Good-bye Kiss." The former is an English picture, a romance, many of the -scenes of which are in London and the charming English countryside. Tho second feature, "The Good-bye Kiss," is a Mack Sennett comedy which keeps the house in merriment from start to finish. Taken all round, tho entertainment is thoroughly enjoyable.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

■ "Where East Is East," starring*Lon Chancy, is tho chief attraction to bo screened at Our Theatre to-night. It is the, story of a mother arrayed against- her daughter for the love of, a handsome boy. The second feature, "Thu Single Standard," starring Grota Garbo, is a thrilling romantic drama.

empire'theatre, island bay

Universal's all-thrilling . spsclal attraction, "The Night Ride," -will bo screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The cast is headed by Joseph Schlldkraut, Edward Robinson, and Barbara Kent. Schlldkraut, as a Vdude" star reporter, wins the girl of his dreams, and while they aro being married the telephone rings and calls him back to duty. True to newspaper tradition, he leaves his brlde-of-a-minute and dashes off on his story—the pursuit of a murdering gangster. The picture Is punctuated throughout with thrills and suspense, and should please all intending patrons. An excellent supporting programme will be screened.

OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

At, the Olympia Skating Rink tonight a Monte Carlo night will be held and good prizes awarded to the winners. On Wednesday evening a tandem race will be held, and special prizes are offered. Other competitions will be held during the week, and will be duly advertised. Four sessions are held daily— morning, 10 till 12; afternoon, 2 till 4; learners, 5 till C.30, and evening, 7 till 10. During tho day sessions patrons are charged half the usual rates. . . ' ;

OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

Fpur sessions are held dally at the Olympia Skating Rink, morning 10 to 12, 2 till 4, 5 till G. 30, and 7 till 10. Reduced prices are charged at all day sessions, and ladies wishing to torn are advised to attend either morning or afternoon sessions. A "Monte Carlo Night" is being held this evening, and good prizes are to be awarded. On Wednesday, 28th May, a "Hard-up" skating night is to be held, and many valuable prizes are to bo awarded.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

The Britannia Theatre will be closed until next Friday, when it will re-open as a "talkie house. .

DANCING.

The Wentworth; Cabaret, corner Vivian and Cuba streets, is opening under entirely new management to-morrow evening. The appointments are exceptionally good, and the cabaret has been re-decorated. Rudolph's Orchestra has been specially engaged, and catering is of the best. The management assures patrons tnat assemblies will De conducted on strictest lines. '

MAJESTIC THEATRE,