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Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 7

ST. JAMES THEATRE. That gifted actress, singer, and danger par excellence, Marilyn Miller, who has firmly established herselt1 as a big favourite with Wellington entertainment seekers, and the beautiful, spectacular, all-coloured talking comedy, "Sally," began last evening the second week of on extended season at the St. James Theatre before a large audience. The whole show—and It la a very big one—went with a swing from start to finish. Tlie many captivating vocal numbers, the amazing dancing of Miss Miller, the magnitude and beauty of the settings, and the work of tlio comedians are all ,factors which go to make "Sally" the great entertainment it undoubtedly Is. Preceding tho piece de resistance are several first-class short subjects. Conspicuous amongst these Is the comedy "Hot Dors," a most diverting nil-talking travesty iilnycd pinna are'at the Bristol uni.ll noon, and thereafter at, the theatre. Another big attraction, "So, No, Nanette," is underlined to follow the season of "Sally" at the St. James. REGENT THEATRE. A grim and powerful story is "Condemned," the screen version of "Condemned to Devil's' Island." which was presented at the Regent Theatre yesterday. It is a story of life on France's dreaded penal settlement in the Tropics, and its realism Is something to make one shudder. Amongst a shipload of condemned, crinimals are Michel, a youn? thief, and Jacques, a humorous murderer. Michel, on the convict Island, becomes house-boy to Vldal, a vicious warder, who lias a young and pretty wife. Michel and the lady arc getting on very well together when Vldal has his suspicions. Michel is condemned to solitary confinement, and tha lady is sent back to France. Michel, however, makes his escape, aided by Jacques and, after braving the terrors of the jungle, reaches the port whence leave 3 the steamer bearing his beloved. Vidnl, however. Is on board, too, secretly. He watches his wife help the escaped convict, and then makes himself known. But Jacques pulls him overboard to drown, being shot himself. Michel goes back to serve his sentence, but love triumphs In the end and the lovers are finally united in France. The prison, jungle, and other scenes are very well done, and the acting throughout is of a high order. Ronald Colman is charming. as Michel, Ann Harding is all that is required as the- heroine, Dudley Digges is thoroughly dramatic, and Louis Wolhelm Is clever asVacques. Good supports include TKl:i H:ii:'o singing the "Larrro el Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville." an item well wortii t:o',ng a long way to hear, v good gazette, and a riotous comedy. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. j A moving picture of the football match at Chriatchurch between the British and NewZealand teams Is being shown in the new programme at the Paramount Theatre. The game was fast ami open, and tha spectacular incidents are witnessed by the audience as if they wore spectators on th^ ground. The cheerins crowd .at the conpluslon, when New Zealand proved victorious, is quite, thrilling to see. There ia also shown a picture of an exciting football match in Sydney. The main picture, "Dark Streets," is a First National VHanhone romance, in which Jack Mulhall, the popular actor, takes a double part, that of a policeman and that of a crook, who are brothers. This is the first dual role in talking pictures. It is strange to see and hcaf Mulhall as the policeman talking to himself as a criminal, and ho manages to speak in a different voice. Tho story is that of the love of two brothers for the same girl (Mia Lee). She caros for both of them, and not until the lire of Pat, tho policeman, is endangered through the actions of the crook gang <locs she make up Her mind that it is Pat she cares for most. The brothers try to protect each other. Pat wants Danny, the crook, to give up his law-breaking. Tiie^ ending of tho story Is strange and dramatic. Aggie Herring, as the Irish mother, is capital. There arc some excellent featurettes included in the gazettes. * aUEEN'S THEATRE. "Hot For Taris," with Pitt Dorsay, the vivacious Trench comedienne as the star, is at the Queen's Theatre for a short return sea/son. Fin takes the role of a cafo singer and dancer, and the film, baaed on au original story by Walsh, centres round the efforts of "Victor M'Laglon to escape from those who are pursuing him to hand over the million dollars he has won in a sweepstake. Several lilting- song numbers are interwoven in the picture, notably "Sweet Nothing of Love," and "I'm the Duke of Kaklyak," and there are also some bright dance ensembles. The supporting programme is of a very interesting nature KING'S THEATRE! "The Lovs I'nrade" is at the King's Theatre for a short return season. Popular Maurice Chevalier is tha star, and the story is one of love in a mythical kingdom. The setting, however, is most modern and carried out in lavish fashion. Beautiful Jeannette Mac Donald plays opopslte Cha\aller, and clever comedy is supplied by Luplno-Lane and Lilian Itoth. Exploits In Paris by Chevalier in the role of a young man attached to the embassy, find disfavour In royal quarters, and ho is stnt back to his kingdom to report to the queen, who naturally finds it rather difficult tn lie songs add to the fascination of the film. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Betrayal" la the star picture of the programme at the Artcraft Theatre. Emil Jannlngs has the leadlna part. This is a tale of love and tragedy in the Swiss Alps. The acting is superb and the cast is an excellent one, and includes Esther Ralston and Gary Cooper. "Easy Virtue," a Cainsborougb. picture, featuring Isabel Jeans, is tha 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 for her begins to wane with tho result that hel has not the courage to stand by her when her past becomes common property. Tlather than jeopardise his future she gives him his freedom through the Divorce Court. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Cocoanuts," a gay and hilariously funny picture, is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. 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 and Infectious humour in the picture. Mary Eaton, one of the Zlegfeld stars and actress of the musical comedy stage, and Oscar Shaw, another star, are to be seen and heard also. Then there is the 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. "Hide-Out," starring James Murray and Kathryn Crawford, is being shown at the 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 tho heart of modern youth, with its outward cynicism and sensationalism, and its inner longiiix for the old fundamental decencies. The picture works up to a smashing climax depicting a great college crew race. The struggle of the conflicting crews, however, is secondary to the spiritual battle raging within the breast of the hero of the picture. The other picture is "5.0.5." a story of love and intrigue in high society life. There are good supports. SEASIDE PICTURES. LYALL BAY. Two attractions will be screened, at the Seaside Pictures. Lyall Bay. to-night. "The Girlshy Cowboy," starring Kex Bell, is ah exciting comedy-drama of a hard-fighting cowboy who was girl-shy until a number of girls crossed his path. "The Battle of tho Spxos," starring Phyllis Haver and Jean HershoJt. deals with situations which mipht happen to anyone, and of which everyone has seen a counterpart either in his life or that of someone he has mot. Home, happiness, fortune, honour are all risked for the love of a female fortune-hunter. When father and "daughter find one another in compromising situations in the home of the gold-seeker, thh-ys reach the breaking point. Seats may be reserved by telephone or at the theatre. j CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Why Leave Home," an uproariously funny film, will be screened to-night at the Capitol. It is the all-talking, singing, dancing version of "7'he Cradle Snatchers," a rollicking comedy of the three married women who decide to teach their straying husbands a very severe lesson without knowing that tliolr hubbies hare chosen the same location for a pleasant party with three lovely chorus girls. STAR THEATRE. "Kitiz Cassidy of Ireland I" Is Hie title worn by Charlie Murray In his latest hilarious comedy, "Vamping Venus." which will lie. shown at the Star Theatre to-nighl. Louise Fazenda plays opposite to him, and contributes no small portion of tho humour. Thn other picture is "Code of the Scarlet," starring Ken Maynard, who is seen as ;i member of the I Koyal North-west Mounted Police. The. story relates the efforts aud hardships w-hlch the troopers endure to maintain law and order ia , a new country. , ; NEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Broadway Babies," showing at the New Quality to-nlsht, will meet threo modern , musketeers face to face. They are played by : Alice White, star of the picture, Marion : "Peanuts" Byron, formerly a New Tork show- , girl, and Sally Ellers. Miss White and her i two fellow actresses portray the three girls of the story in snappy style. 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. He produced "Helen 'of Troy, N.T.," and went i broke, and decided to let other people lake the risk on his future production. Ho turned his hand to playwrlghtlng and made the musical . adaptation of the short story, "The Jazz . Singer," playing in it with success for three 1 year 3 and recouping his fortunes. "Love, Live, i and Laugh" will be seen and heard at tho