ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

"Condemned," which is the current featuro ■t the Regent Theatre, has been hailed by American film critics as tho most unusual sotting In picture history, the new Samuel Goldwyn starring vehicle for Ronald Colnian. Following close on the enormous success of "Bulldog Drummond," "Condemned" Is said to bo an even greater triumph for Colman. Its story . is adapted from "Condemned to Devil's Island," Blair Nlles's famous novel of llfo in the French penal colonies in South America. Sidney Howard, famed New York dramatist, winner of the Polltzer Prize for "They Knew What They Wanted," put "Condemned" into screen form and wrote the dialogue. It is directed by Wesley Rugglcs In addition to Ronald Colman, in the starring role of the dashing French convict, tho cast includes Ann Harding, Broadway stage star, who made a national sensation in the title rolo of "The Trial of Mary Dugan," and has been a tremendous success In "Paris Bound." her first picture; Louis Wojhoim, most noted character actor on the screen, and Dudley JJigges, star of the New York Theatre Guild. "Condemned" is a story of romance growing between tho mistreated wife of the warden of the prison on Devil's Island and a convict whose sympathy for her plight ripens into love. Unique scenes of the interiors of prison-ships and squalid gaols, thrilling escapes through the tropical jungles, and all the atmosphere of a group or desperate criminals huddled together on what is known as "The Island of Livin K . i>aath, combine to make "Condemned!" ono of the production sensations of tho year. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. 'Jack Mulhall portrays two parts of great power in "Dark Streets," the First NationalVltaphone gangster romance, which opens today at the Paramount Theatre. stulb.aU is called upon to characterise and speak the roles of a policeman and a crook, who are brothers. This is the first dual role in any * talking picture, and Mulliall shades the characters delicately, as the brothers are much alike except that they are on the opposite sides of- the law. The difficult mechanical- feat of having Mulhall shown twice in the same scene and talking to himself is achieved by Vitaphone without a flaw. Frank Lloyd, the director, and the First National technicians deserve much credit' for carrying out this new talkie venture successfully. It will open another field to dialogue pictures. "Dark Streets" relates the love of the two brothers for one girl, played by Lila Lee. She loves both of them, and not until the life -of Pat, the cop, is endangered through the actions of the crook does-.suc make up her mind that it is Pat she cares for most. The brothers try to protect each other. Pat warns Danny, the crook, to give up his law-breaking career, and Danny tells Pat he ought to give up being a policoman at £8 per week to join the gang and make some real money. Finally, the gang, incensed at Pat's interference with their plans, arrange to "get" him. Then comes an unexpected and dramatic twist to the story. The plot is cleverly handled by Director Lloyd. Lila Lee gives a charming characterisation as the Irish jrlrl and Aggie Herring, as her mother, appears ■In a clever comedy role. An additional attraction of great Interest is the perfectly-photo-graphed film record of the second Rugby Test match (Britain v. New Zealand). It contains all the most thrilling and spectacular incidents with which the game abounded, including the sensational passing rushes and tries. It is said to be the best football film ever taken In this country. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The first week of "Sally," which stands preeminent as .an all-coloured production, has been so successful that Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller announce the extension of the season for another week. Wellington picturelovers who have not yet seen the current programme should do so, for it is one that should not be missed. The star supreme of the production, Marilyn Miller, who was the original "Sally" of Ziegfeld's stage presentation in Ne\v York, is an actress, singer, and dancer of a calibre far beyond that of any other actress who has been seen in the Dominion. In all she does she is acceptable in every way, but as a dancer. Miss Miller reveals a proficiency that is a delight to watch. One cannot get too much of her. Catchy musical numbers,' whirling dances, beautiful ballets, all in admirable tcchni-colour, make "Sally" stand out as an Unusually flue spectacular achievement. A strong cast of characters contribute in no small degree to the success of the entertainment. Preceding "Sally," there is shown an animal foature act entitled "Hot Dogs." Fifty intelligent canines present a performance which is as amusing as it is amazing. Box plans are at the Bristol until noon on Saturday. After that hour seats may be reserved'at tho theatre, over telephone 28-175. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Until Fifl ~ Dorsay, ■ vivacious French comedienne, singer, and dancer, came to Hollywood ami- to-the Fox Studios, sho had never faced a camera. A Fox executive, with rare foresight, visualised Miss Dorsay as "just the type" to play opposite Will Rogers In "They Had to See Paris." Itaoul Walsh saw and heard her on the set during the production of "They Had to. Seo Paris," and immediately selected her-for the role of "Fifl Dupre" in "Hot for Paris," featuring Victor vJil'Laglen, El Brendel; Polly Moran,' and herself, under his direction, she eclipsed her former triumph. Prior to doming to the talking screen, Fifl Dorsay had "lent her fascinating pulchritude, her inimitable dancing, and her chic singing to musical comedy and to big time vaudeville. In the Fox Movietone production, "Hot for Paris," she is a singer and dancer in a cafe, and meets Victor M'Laglen, first mate of a sailing vessel iinder strange circumstances. The picture, based on an original story by Walsh, centres around the efforts of M'Laglen, who has won the grand prize in a sweepstakes, to escape from those who are pursuing him to hand him a million dollars which he won. During the unwinding of tho story, several song, numbers and dance ensembles are introduced logically. "Sweet Nothing of Love" is Miss Dorsay's chief contribution, and M'Laglen sings "I'm the Duke of Kakiyak." "Hot For raffs" will he seen and heard at the Queen's ThMrtrc, starting to-night for a popular return season. ~.., . KING'S THEATRE. "The Love Parade," that sumptuous and exceptional picture starring Maurice Chevalier, is til's storx. <>f ~» young man attached to the t-mbassy of ..a mythical kingdom whose exploits In Paris get him into trouble. He Is sent back to his kiigdom to report to the queen, and takes his personal servant. Just as the master finds favour In the grace of the queen, so the servant becomes friendly with the queen's maid. It is these-two who provide the comedy for the picture. ,/--They-are Lupino Lane and Lillian Roth. But they will be appreciated just the same, and their comedy is sparkling and original. The eccentricity of Lane brings the house down. The lavish production of love in a mythical kingdom in a modern setting, is the first operetta to reach the screen, and stars Jlaurlco Chevalier. His leading lady is Jeanette MacDonald, a newcomer whose beauty will appeal and charm everyone. The Paramount production of "The Love Parade," directed by Ernst Lubitsch, will be scon at the King's Theatre, commouclng to-day, and screening twice daily for a popular return season. Box" plans are available- at the Bristol. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "\orma Shearer in a penetrating study, of present-day social standards called "Their Own Desire" is the screen fare offered at the Kllbirnie Theatre for two days. Miss Shearer's new alltalWng vehicle was adapted from the novel by Sarlta Fuller, which tells the story fit a girl whose happiness came dangerously near frustration through the machinations of a father who had grown tired of his wife, and sought diversion In olhef quarters. While "Their Own Desire" Is not exactly a phase of the "sins of the fathers" idea, it gives a clear-cut picture of the effect of parental incompatibility on children, which in itself is something rather aiovel for.screen.use. Miss. Shearer gives .an 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 Montgom y, Helene Millard, Cecile Cunningham, Mn ' Doran, nnd June Nash. Excellent sound f ilurettes will also be screened. Reserve lit Theatre Confectionery, Telephone 14-202, and Bristol Piano Company. BRITANNIA. THEATRE. "The Cocoanuts," a gay and hilariously funny picture, is being shown at the Britannia Tlieatre. It-Is a most entertaining dancing, talking, and singing- picture. The Four Marx Brothers, who were a success in the original stage show, are to be found with their comical capers and hilarious arid Infectious humour in the.Jictiire..' .Mary Eaton, one of the Zlegfeld stars and actress of the musical comedy stage, and-.Oscar Shaw, another star, are to be seen and he^rd also. Then there is tlie wonderful dancing of sixty gorgeous girls and bathing beauties, who form one of the greatest ballets ever-seen. The. setting is very fine. There are good supports. -" '. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Hiae-Out."" starring James Murray and Katbryn.-Xlrawfordi-.ls being shown at tlic New Princess.Theatre. .. "Hide-Out' tells the story of a •crack'athlete who rows in the 'Varsity crew with the shadow of prison walls closing in around him; It is a searching analysis of the heart of modern youth, with Its outward cynicism and sensationalism, and its lnuer longine for the old fundamental decencies. The picture works up to a smashing climax depicting- it- great college crew race. The struggle of tho 'conflicting crews, however. Is secondary to the spiritual battle raging within the breast-of the hero of the picture. Tho other picture Is. "5.0.5." a story of love and intrigue In high society life. There are good supports. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "The Two Black Crows," Moran and Mack, Will be Been In their first Paramount all-talking picture, "Why Bring That Up," at the Empire Theatre to-night. It Is a story of stage life, with the "Two Black Crows" "putting over" many turns. Evelyn Brent and Harry Green have featured roles in the production. An excellent supporting programme of sound featurettes will be screened. HEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Broadway" Babies," showing at the New Quality to-night, will meet three modern musketeers face to face. They are played by Alice White, star of the picture, Marlon "Peanuts" Byron, formerly a Xeiv "fork showgirl, and Sally Eiler3. Miss White and her two fellow actresses portray the throe girls fit the story in snuppy style.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Much interest centres in to-day's first screening at the Majestic Theatre of the British International all-dialogue picture, "Under the Greenwood Tree," which reproduces Thomas Hardy's immortal story of life In Dorsetshire, in England, with such remarkable fidelity thai the screen work has been described by leading English papers as "a wonderful achievement that moves to an echo of song, is delightfully human, is embellished with beautiful music, and replete with harmony In every sense." Every character, made familiar to a world-wide circle of readers of Thomas Hardy's great book, is included in the picture. The .quaint types have been characterised and brought to the screen with wonderful effect by the particularly strong cast of all-British players which includes Marquerite Allen, the captivating leading lady of "Widdecomb Fair," John Batten, a young New Zealander, who now stands high as an actor in England, Nigel Barrie, Robert"Abel, Maude GUI, and Wilfred Shine, the well-known London star, who appears as "Parson Maybold" and gives a most striking delineation of the character. The Mellstock choir is, of course, featured in the film and the trials, troubles, and tribulations which attend it, and its extraordinary members are a source of great merriment to an audience. Prominent amongst the instruments played by the Mellstock choir—the lust choir in England to give way to the modern church organ—ls the "Serpent d'elise," which derives its name from its shape and was indispensable In the old village church1 bands. In the bands of Mr. Penny, the lovable old shoemaker, it Is a formidable instrument indeed, although in England to-day the "serpent" Is not familiar outside museums, although Mendelssohn, Wagner, and other great composers Included it in their orchestras. Special added attractions will precede the presentation of "Under tho Greenwood Tree." A special session for late shoppers starting at 5 o'clock and terminating at 7 o'clock will be given tonight in addition to the ordinary sessions. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol or at the Theatre. ' DE LUXE THEATRE. The talking screen is capturing the best of tho legitimate stage these days. "Crazy That Waj'," adapted from Vincent Lawrence's stage hit, "In Love.with Love," is the latest movietone picture, which perhaps exceeds the original version and bears out this contention. "Crazy That Way" opens to-day at the De Luxe Theatre, screening twice dally. The Fox organisation has produced a comedy in "Crazy That Way," with a cast that knows the difference between restraint and merely being hilarious. Joan Bennett, the favourite of the three talented Bennett sisters, Is.just the typo for the role of Ann Jordan, capricious daughter ot an indulgent father. She attracts men, but refuses to take any of them 'seriously—unless there is competition. Of course, competition arrives when that sparkling temptress, Marlon Sears, intriguingly Interpreted by Sharon Lynn, arrives on the scene—after having obtained a divorce. Marlon goes chasing an Indifferent fellow. Ann accepts this as a challenge, and attempts to win the' same man. Several other young men are infatuated with Ann. fehe. pays no attention to them. One finally corners her, and she agrees to his proposal, only to cancel it as soon as possible. All this results in. a series of amusing situations, such as we have seldom seen in talking pictures. And If one weighs such matter from the standpoint of laughs and wholesome entertainment, we believe is reason enough to endorse this really worth-while picture. Kenneth MacKenna, Regis Toomey, Jason Kobards, and Lumsden Hare are the featured male players, who deftly interpret their roles, under the able direction of Hamilton MacFadden. A notable inclusion In the supporting programme Is.the well-photo-graphed film record of the thrilling second Tes match between Britain and New Zealand. It is said to contain a wealth of thrilling action, and spectacular Incident, being, according to report, the best film of a football match yet taken in the Dominion. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Those who are in search of a good laugh for the best part of two hours cannot do better than pay a visit to "Rookery Nook at ne GraWera House. To read Ben Travers Is to gain unlimited enjoyment, but to see and hear "Rookery Nook" interpreted by an allEnglish cast of players Is an entertainment of the first water. The picture is now In its second week, but last night's session saw another capacity house. The plot is of the lightest nature and concerns the complications that follow when a pretty girl is turned out of house and home by an irate stepfather and, clad only in her pyjamas, seeks refuge in a neighbouring house whose sole occupant is a six-weeks'-married young man, who has come to visit some relatives. When it is said that one of his relatives is a scandalmonger (female), and another is a droll bachelor, it Is easy to imagine the situations that can ariso under the sway of Travers's pen. Of tho cast it is sufficient to say that it gets the utmost out of the piece. The players include Ralph Lynn. Tom Wallis. Robertson Hare, Ethel Coleridge, Griffith Humphreys, Doreen Bendix, Margot Grahame, and Winifred Shottcr. Tho supports include items by Tito P»uffo, the opera star, and a comedy. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Betrayal" Is the star picture of the programme at the Artcraft Theatre. Emil Jan--nings has the leading part. This is a tale of love and tragedy in the Swiss Alps. Tho acting is superb and the east is an excellent one, and includes Esther Ralston and Gary Cooper. "Easy Virtue," a Gainsborough picture, featuring Isabel Jeans, is the principal support. It is adapted from the play by Noel Coward and was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. A ravishing society, beauty, divorced on circumstantial evidence, seeks oblivion on the shores of the Mediterranean. While there she meets a youth who falls desperately In love' with her. Eventually they marry, and return to his ancestral home, where she is not received too favourably by the family. Slowly the; youth's love lor her begins to wane with the result that he has not the courage to stand by her when her past becomes common property. Rather than Jeopardise his future she gives him his freedom through the Divorce Court. y REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. George Jessel, starred In "Love, Live, and Laugh," all-talking Fox Movietone drama, once aspired to become a big New York producer. Ho produced "Helen of Troy, N.Y.," and weut broke, and decided to let other people take the risk on his future productions. He turned his hand to playwrighting and made the musical adaptation of the short story, "Tho Jazz Singer," playing in it with success for threo years and recouping his fortunes. "Love, Live, and Laugh" will be seen and heard at the Regal Theatre to-night. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. An all-British programme, headed by "Atlantic," will be screened to-night at the Capitol Theatre. Based on the sinking of the Titanic. "Atlantic" is a thrilling and most Impressive talkie. Thfi picture shows the magnitude and realism of a colossal sea tragedy, and how during the last few hours on board the sinking vessel tho nobility and pettiness of humanity comes to the surface. All-British featurettes support the picture. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Mountain Justice," a picture of the Kentucky feud district, is the chief attraction to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. Ken Maynard and Kathryn Crawford are starred. The second feature, "Mumsie," starring Pauline Frederick, is a dramatic and touching mother-love story. "THE YOUNG IDEA." Noel Coward's provocative comedy of matrimonial affairs will be presented at the Y.W.C.A. Hall. Boulcott street, commencing on Thursday next. Mr. Harlson Coolt is producing, and "a competent cast of amateurs has been selected. Coward outshines himself In the brilliance of the dialogue, the piquancy of the situations, and the modernity of outlook, in this play. The leading feminine roles arc being played by Miss Dorothy Herbert, and Mesdames Mills and Duncan, and supporting roles are taken by the Misses Statham, Thompson, Herbert, and Mrs. Miles. The men players include Messrj. Duncan, Anson, Gillesplo, Fitzherbert, Dunklay, and Dr. Merton Hodge. The proceeds are in aid of tho Cancer Research Fund. Reserves are at tho Bristol.