ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 43, 19 August 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ".All Quiet on the Western Front" is drawing larco houses at the Paramount Theatre. Having drama, terrible drama from beginning to end, "AH Quiet on the Western Front" deals with states of mind which are probably far more profound to tlie observer than to the subject observed. It deals in fact with the front-line thoughts and deeds of men at war. In a situation which Is anomalous from every angle when viewed In the light of normal civilised experience. These are no new remarks, of course, for the subject is one which by this time only genius could discuss with novelty Everyone can be presumed to know the general outline of Remarque's plot, and no time need be taken In recounting it. Remarque's story is told by a cast of fresh young actors who tackle tlieir work sincerely and are obviously giving tlio performance of their life. With them are associated two or three older figures, one of whom, Katczlnsky, the much-loved "Rat," gives a marvellous performance. The part Is played by Louts Wolheim In superb fashion. Nothing better could be wished for. Lewis Ayres.as Paul Baumer, IMS a part of extreme difficulty, and manages it magnificently. All the others give fine performances. REGENT THEATRE. "Journey's End," at the Regent Theatre, depicts the operations of war, the wire-cutting, the raid, and the return with the prisoner, etc., with a realism that the stage did not attempt. The main burden falls on the shoulders Of Colin Clive as Captain Stanhope. Anyone who has ever tried for any long period to mix alcohol and efficiency must know what a difficult thing It Is; therefore It follows that a whisky-drinking company commander, must be presented In just the right balance of madness and method, or he will not be convincing at all. It says much, then, for the art of Colin Clivo that the artifice of Captain Stanhope when In his cups Is not made too transparent. In the revolver scene with the malingering Hlbbert, Stanhope spares neither the malingerer nor himself, and his confession of a fellow-feeling with Hlbbert, and of a reliance on Dutch courage, Is one of the remarkable antt-climaxes that serve to bring out the tragedy of war as Mr. Sherrlff sees it. Another antl-cllmax Is when the terrified Hlbbert, his terror calmed temporarily, swings over to a horrible boastfulness of his love exploits; I yet another occurs when the unsensual Trotter despises the sensualist's sexy postcards—but 1 pockets them. The analysis of courage Is seen ;at its best in the dialogue between tb,e 111-fated Lieut.' Osborno (lan Maclaren) and Lieut. I Raleigh (David Manners) in the windy hour .before the raid—and this gem Is splendidly done by the players, as It deserves to bo. Anthony Bushell's Impersonation of the difficult Hlbbert is painstaking, and Billy Bevan Is Trotter to the life. Charles Gerrard, as Mason, serves up comedy Instead of tinned pineapple, and is a bright spot In the performance. The Blher four members of the cast help to add variety to a womanless production, and the team as a whole is no efficient that the absence of skirts Is scarcely felt. Both technically and histrionically "Journey's End" Is a finished production, deserving of a good run. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The genius of George Arliss, materially aided by a fine cast. Is seen to perfection in "The Green Goddess," at the St. James Theatre. The drama Is one of absorbing interest Much of the splendour of India has been compressed Into this dramatic masterpiece. Hampered by no such limitations, as are found on the legitimate stage, where George Arliss first made 'dramatic history With this play, marble 'palaces, with the priceless inlay, precious carving, and jewels that have niado the homes !of East India rajahs famous, form Its set--1 tings, in addition to the wild and majestic outdoor scenery of the East. The whole production is of exceptional merit. "The Green Goddess" Is preceded by a meritorious first part, which includes "The Transformation Scene by Faust," in which, the world-famous tenor, Charles Hackett and Chase Baroneo (baritone), aa "Faust" and "Mephistopheles," are heard to rare advantage. • Box plans are available at I the Bristol and also at the Theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. In "Tanned Legs," at the Queen's Theatre, five melodious and original song numbers and a chorus of forty Hollywood beauties are features. Heading the outstanding cast of film celebrities is a newcomer named June Clyde. She had been in pictures for only two months when she was chosen for one of the most sought after roles of the season; Her attractive personality and delightful voice fit her admirably for the part. Ann Pennington, famous Zelgfeld star, is seen in several specialty dances with another Broadway favourite, Allen Kearns. There are good supports. KING'S THEATRE. Bebe Daniels, brilliant star of "Rio Mta," t has a congenial role in "Alias French Gertie," the R.K.O. picture screening at the King's [Theatre. The story Is of a pair of crooks who are fast becoming notorious for their daring activities in the houses ■of tho wealthy. "French Gertie" adopts the method of getting a position as a lady's maid, and then stealing away with the lewellery. How the regeneration of the two Is brought about is told ,ln a series of dramatic scenes. Handsome Ben Lyon plays opposite Miss Daniels, whose acting and speaking are all that can be desired. There are good supports. * ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Protection," showing at the Artcraft Theatre to-night, is the story of a bitter fight waged by a newspaper against the racketeer and the men who sell him their political influence. It is based on the story by Frederick Hazlett Brennan. Robert Elliott, Paul Page, and Dorothy Burgess are in leading parts. Through the framework of the story there is run a most intriguing romance. Two machine gun sorties, the bombing of a newspaper office, a murder and abundant menace around the young reporter and his girl friend furnish drama in abundance. Supporting the main picture is "Looping the Loop." An amazing circus feat is shown in this film. This particular Incident is one of the high lights of the film, and shows how a troupe of trapeze artists do the sensational looping the loop dive. In this act, tho artist takes a leap from a platform hundreds of feet above the auditorium of the circus, and goes flying down a slide at a terrific rate to be caught by a girl at the other end. ... OUR THEATRE, N.EWTOWN. Clive Brook, who plays the part of Sherlock Holmes in the Paramount all-talking picture, "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," at Our Theatre to-night, is an Englishman, and the leading lady, Betty Lawford, also hails from England. This all-talking picture tells of the latest exploits In tracking a criminal band by this famous detective. -A fine variety of alltalking and singing supports complete the programme. BRITANNIA THEATRE. A post-war comedy, full of laughs from beginning to end, "Marianne," is tho chief alltalking picture of the very One programme at the Britannia Theatre. Marlon Davles takes the leading part, and she does her work in a most captivating manner. The supports are of high quality. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Strong Boy," starring Victor M'Laglen, is being screened at the New Princess Theatre. The other feature Is "Marriage By Contract," In which Patsy Ruth Miller takes the lead. The "second picture is an Indictment: of companionate marriage. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Sunuy Side Up," tho bright musical comedy, commences to-night at the Capitol. Janet Gaynor and Charlie Farrell co-star, and Frank Richardson, El Brendel, and Sharon Lynn lend excellent support. Seven sensational song-suc-cesses, written by De Sylva, Brown, and Henderson are included in this tuneful musical comedy. The story deals with tho love of a poor girl for tho son of a millionaire, and 1h the type of story In which Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell first achieved'success. <■■ KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "It's a Great Life," at the Kilblrnie Kincma, is primarily a song-and-dance entertainment by what Is probably the world's greatest feminine vaudeville team, but sufficient story has been injected to give It added interest on that score, too. Excellent supports will also bo screened. Reserve at Theatre Confectionery, Telophono 14-202, and Bristol Piano Co. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. ■Halfway to Heaven," an all-talkin? drama of circus life, starring Charles Rogers and Jean Arthur, will be screened at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. In the role of a youthful trapeze performer Rogers falls In love with his partner, Jean Arthur. Paul Lukas, another member of the act, also loves the girl, and his Jealousy makes him threaten • Rogers. The story comes to a climax when Rogers, evading Lukas's attempt on his life, turns on the villain and beats him severely. Excellent supporting subjects will also bo screened. Seats may bo reserved by telephone or at the theatre. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Norma Talma dge's first talking picture which is showing at the Regal Theatre to-night, "New York Nights," brings the world of song writers and chorus girls to the screen in one of the most elaborate productions ever made at tho United Artists Studios. The picture was, directed^ by Lewis Milestone and has a strong supporting cast made up of Gilbert Roland, Miss Talmadgo's leading man; John Wray, Lilyan Tashman, Roscoo Karns, and Mary Doran. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Captain of the Guard," will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. Great crowds of extras, forming tho opposing armle3 of the Royalist guards and the Revolutionary troops, have been photographed against a background of vivid drama, and the cracklo of muskets, the booming of cannon, the mighty' sweep to victory have all been perfectly recorded In sound. The story concerns the French Revolution, and tho 'Marseillaise" Itself, the dramatic national hymn of the French nation la dramatised both In pictures and music to a height of intensity that sweeps erenr nation Sefort It,

DE LUXE THEATRE. "Hit the Deck," at the Do Luxe Theatre, opens with Smith (Jack Oakle) signing on for Uucle Sara. He then goes for a long cruise, and when he returns lie visits Looloo (Miss Polly Walker), who liromptly falls In love with him. Smith obstinately refuses to respond to Looloo's advances, and when he at last succumbs he has to go with the fleet to sea. Lootoo rises in tho world, and an admiral Is persuaded to lend her his battleship while she gives a party to which all the Smiths are invited. A reconciliation Is effected, but they have barely time to sing that charming air "Sometimes I'm Happy" before another breach appears (Looloo's wealth now being the stumbling block), so Looloo Roes ashore atrain to her coffee shop. Smith at length comes back, so all ends happily in the best musical comedy style. The picture Is remarkable for two exceptionally beautiful scenes. The ball on the battleship is filmed in colour, and should on no account be missed. The famous "Hallelujah" Is given at an Impressive spiritualistic seance by a choir of negro voices while tambourines and trumpets float in the air. Mr. Jack Oakle does all that is required of him as Smith. Miss Walker carried off the honours In acting. Her part gave her great scope for an emotional study. Among tho many features of "The Arizona Kid," the Fox Movietone Western offering with Warner Baxter in the title role, which comes to the De Luxe Theatre next Friday, Is the fact that it has no "theme songs." Both Baxter and Mona Marls, the leading lady, sing during tho production, but their songs are old-world Spanish melodies. In the reallsftic dance-hall sequences, several popular tunes of the 'eighties are sung in keeping with the period. "The Arizona Kid" is a glamorous tale of a debonair bandit and his love affairs, both laid and filmed in south-western Utah. Tbe company of more than 200 players and technicians, under the direction of Alfred Santell, spent two months among the rugged grandeur of Zion National Park during production, and all the Interior scenes were taken in real buildings, erected on the deserted site of an old "ghost city" on the southern border of . the park. Carol Lombard and Mrs. Jlmlnez play leading roles in the picture, and the supporting cast Includes Hank Mann, Walter P. Lewis, Arthur Storie, Sidney Bracy, and Wilfred Lucas. An additional attraction on "The Arizona Kid" programme is Mr. Herbert F. Wood, tenor, who will render as a prelude to the main picture the song number, "In My Caravan." Box plans are' available at Bristol and Aitken's. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Hearty laughter is provoked nightly at tho Majestic Theatre by Edward Everett Horton, a most capable stage comedian, and his band of associates In "The Aviator," an enlarged version, of the popular stage comedy, "Going Up," which found so much favour with Wellington theatre-goers some years back. All the bright and brilliant dialogue of the stage version has been preserved, and, in addition,, the screen production expands into sensational flying sections. The aeroplane stunts for which Comedian Horton is responsible are not only excruciatingly funny, but. In addition,- they are daring and clever in the extreme. Quite apart from the star feature, excellent entertainment Is provided In the flrat part of the programme, which consists of five well-selected novelties that find much favour with patrons. An Important attraction In "He Knew Women," a sparkling and startling comedydrama with Lowel Sherman and Alice Joyce as Stan, is underlined for presentation on Friday next. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the Theatre. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. The success achieved by the Edgley-White musical comedy company, headed by Clem Dawe, in Its initial production, "Love Lies," is more than repeated by the second presentation, "So This is Love." which will be Btagod at the Grand Opera House each evonlng until Thursday. On Saturday night it was evident that the piece was going to prove popular, and it was again accorded an enthusiastic reception last night. The story concerns Yankee stockbrokers and their wives and sweethearts, a most amusing mix-up working out to the usual happy finish. As an elusive husband who transforms a honeymoon into a man hunt, Mr. Dawe is in his element, and when Mr. Bobby Gordon links up with him, all those who hare been previously entertained by the pair can guess at the situations and dialogue that follow. Miss Catherine Stewart' takes tho part of Mr. Dawe's stage wife, and proves to be a comedienne of unusual talent. Others taking leading parts are Miss Marie Eaton, Miss Betty Eley, Mr. Michael Cole, Mr. Dan Agar, and Mr. Compton Coutts. Another batch of musical numbers is Introduced, Mr. Dawe leading the way with "Hats Off to Edgar Wallace;" and among the others being "Sweetheart," "I'm a Little Bit Shy," "I'll See to It," and "Keep Cool." Mr. Gregory Ivanoff again conducts the orchestra, and entertains with a violin solo. Solo and ballet dancing provide the finishing touches to a splendid night's entertainment. j SHORTT'S THEATRE. The current programme of talking pictures at Shortt's Theatre is excellent. "Peacock Alloy" Is the feature, and Mac Murray Is starred. The scenes are lavish and spectacular and a' part of the picture Is In colour There are eood supports. SKATING. Skating is a popular pastime at the Winter Show Building. The management, in response to the liberal support'of the public, is commencing on Wednesday, 20th August, providing a full brass band. The main rink is the largest in the Dominion and in addition there are two smaller rinks, one for learners and one for ladies.