ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 49, 26 August 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is in Jls final week at the Paramount Theatre. It is the story of Paul Bauiner, transformed from a school boy in a German village to a soldier In the trenches of the Great War. Jieforo he hud begun to live, all that makes life worlh living had been snatched away, ne Is tortured by brutal discipline. He learns that uttermost meaning of (he privations and pains of tho body, and the more awful sufferings of the soul. One by one he sees Ills comrades wounded or slain. He goes home for a brief visit . . - and flnds that even his home anil Ins loved ones have changed, in his eyes.' He Is a stranger in the bosom of his family, seeing himself at last a* * member of a lost generation . - .of jout h. IHat.Uas never been allowed to Inc. _ AH Quiet on the Western Front' « "^£• nrtlstif.-illv and. above all. bpirituaiii— n.ivtiess Always in the background is the .tremendous'panorama of the world's greatest conflict.

REGENT THEATRE.

'In."The Locked Door," at the Regent Xheafae Rod la Rocquc takes the part of Irank T>evereaux, who never had a chance. His amusement has taken the form of other men s ■women. Ann Carter, secretary to a man ot large interests,, accompanies ■ Devereaux to a pleasure boat outside the twelve mile limit, and only a police' raid saves Ann from her fioollshness. • Dgvereaux again crosses Ann's trail, and tries to bind her to secrecy as to his. real character. To save Helen,, Ann visits him, and refuses to leave' until assured of Helen's whereabouts. In the meantime Beagan, anxious to save his best friend, Dixon, who is seeking Devereaux's life for shattering his home, from murder, arrives to make the philanderer leave the town. Devereaux Is shot, but it would spoil tho story to say by whom. Barbara Stanwyck, as Ann, shows a wonderful emotional range, tho more especially as she Is characterising a woman of undemonstrative nature. It is great acting. Fun is provided by John Bunny as a waiter, and Zazu Pitts as a telephone girl, while if tho scenes on the pleasure boat, with its 50 : yar3 bar, filled by women clamouring for the hard stuff " are true to life, all good Americans are safest' ashore. "Crystal Champions," onei of the excellent supports, shows Johnny \Yeismuller and many other swimming and d vnig champions at play at Silver Springs, a pellucid pool which permits of lino under-watcr photography "Eve's Fall" is a British musical comedy introducing remarkably finished acrobatics. '

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

At the St. James Theatre Georse Arhss, the T«ry popular English stage and talkie star, appears in the late William Archer's most convincing drama, "The Green Goddess." The, excellent acting of the players who support George Arliss is a feature of the performance, and a big factor towards the success of the piece. There are weak spots m most casts, but there is rone'in respect to "The Green Goddess." H. B. Warner, Ralph Forbes, Ivan Simpson, and Alice Joyce do work of a Very ftigh order. The last .tluee nights of the .■season are announced. Bos plans are at the Bl"With Byrd at the South Pole" will be Screened at St. James Theatre on Friday. Eeoenfly screened at Government House, Wellington, a distinction never previously accord■d'to • talking picture, it won the warm approval of His Excellency the GovernorrGoneral. Mr T. B. Strong, Director of Education, writes of it as "not only the most vivid representation we have ever seen of tho conditions of IHo in the polar regions, but it is full of human Interest, is a truly wonderful drama «£ the Antarctic, and Commander Byrd's spoJssn tribute to the people of New Zealand & of special interest, and the generous terras fn. which he expresses his sentiments bear out fte Impression we formed of him when he was SjjNew Zealand." Box plans for the season j(ro open at*the Bristol.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

Hoot. Gibson appears at the Queen's •theatre in "Soaring Ranch." It is all-talking, tmd deals with the adventurous West at the Height of Its thrilling speed. The Blot deals with the efforts of two men, one a rancher, the other a geologist, to win the hand of a pretty school teacher. The Situation is complicated by a secret oil discovery, and there Is action aplenty up to and including the final fadeout. Playing the part «jf leading lady in charming Sally Eilers, one of the most promising of the younger actresses cjE the screen. There is an interesting and well varied bill of Bupporting sound items. Box jjians are available at the Bristol.

KING'S THEATRE.

Ramon Novarro, dressed in the handsome bnlform of a lieutenant of Napoleon Bonaparte, jnaking his escape from a firing squad,- climbing: into a beautiful young woman's boudoir in ihe dead of night; masquerading as a footman; and • duelling • his way to fame and fortune are some of the sequences of "Devil MayCaTe," Novarro's all-talking musical romance, which is showing at the King's Theatre. Ihe six songs in this musical romance were written by Herbert Stothart, co-composer cf "Rose Marie." There is an excellent Jlst pf ■ supporting featurettes. Box plans arc available at the Bristol.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"Xew Tear's Eve" will bo screened at the lAjtcraft Theatre to-night. Mary Astor and Charles Morton are starred.. The search for happiness is the theme. It is an exciting tale of a girl's adventures on the fringes of the underworld. The supporting picture is the "Vagabond Queen," in which Betty Balfour takes the leading part. It is.full.of comedy incidents that have not been- overdone. Tho tale tells In a rather comic, manner ■ how a princess, who is threatened by the leader of the Republican Tarty, is forced to leave the country. When in London a little servant girl is found, who bears a striking resemblance to Ber Highness. She is approached by..the Royal advisers, and taken to their country, where ffcey hoodwink the revolutionists and bring Ifontentment again to the little kingdom.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

A new kind of sound and talking picture, fetiU be revealed when "Captain of the. Guard," rSiversal super-production, starring Laura La fiaate and John Boles, comes to the Regal Saeatre to-night. Tho blending of music, drama and the spectacular in this epic of the feench Revolution marks a new screen form IrnUfce HEW opera, musical shows, or any gSstinc classification. •

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. >

Wita Its opening scenes laid in Vienna, Intermediate scenes on an ocean liner headed for America and final scenes in the film colony in Hollywood, "Married m Hollywood, the first Viennese operetta to _come to the talking screen/ was produced with a lartsh»esß not surpassed by any prior screen effort. Swerve at Theatre Confectionery (Telephone J4-202) and Bristol Piano Co.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY,

"Burning Up," starring Richard Arlen and Mary Brian, will be screened at the Seaside Sutures, Lyall Bay, to-nlgbt. The picture is a fast action romance, with Arlen as a motorracing demon. Mixed up with a gang of crooked race promoters, and in love with Mary Brian, whose father is marked as a victim by the gang, Arlen defends his reputation, defeats the gang, and wins the girl in one of the most thrilling climaxes seen in a talking picture, »ive excellent supporting subjects, including a sound cartoon, will also bo screened. Seats tnay be reserved by telephone.

THE NEW QUALITY, ISLAND BAY.

A splendid programme will bo shown at the *Tew Quality this 'evening, comprising two alltalking, pictures, and a mystifying conjuring act fey Chun Yuen Tai, an amazing Chinese cartoonist and magician. The first picture, under the title of "The Million Dollar Collar," ghows that wonder dog, Kin Tin Tin, pitting Jus canine intelligence against the subtlety of a gang of crooks, the dog ultimately scoring pgalnst the law breakers. . The other feature, Mhe Hole in the Wall," abounds in mystery, IJhrills,: and adventure.

EMPIRE THEATRE. ISLAND BAY

For the first time Mary Pickford and Dougfaa Fairbanks are seen in the same film, "The {Taming of the Shrew," which will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story confecrns Katherine, the most spiteful girl in Tadua. Petruchlo undertakes Jo tame her, the first step in his contemplated plan being tnarriage, followed by a routine identical in ljietbod to the one utilised by the storming Kate. All of which gives rl3e to a series of situations which make "Taming of tho Hiirew" tee grand laugh from beginning to end. An excellent supporting programme is headed by Jn exceedingly funny "Mickey the Mouse" cartoon. ;

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

"Innoeentfi of Paris" is being shown at Shortt's Theatre. Sylvia Beecher with Maurice Chevalier makes her debut as Louise. Miss Beecher has a charm that will make her popular with the entertainment seeking world cmtBide of New York. Ono of the scenes depicts the famous flea market of Paris, where junk dealers dispose of their wares. One of the big Bpecetacle scenes In that of a Parisian revue. Tor this scene, which shows the hero at the pinnacle of his career, over fifty of the most beautiful girls In Hollywood were chosen as a background for the eccentric dancing and pantomime of the star. Chevalier.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"The Wojnan Racket," a great story of the underworld, is being shown at the Britannia theatre. Blanche Sweet and Tom Moore have the leading parts, and they are both heard and peen to advantage. There, are good supports.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

Will Eogers, America's best known humorist,- makes his debut In talking pictures in •"They Had to See Paris," a brilliant comedy Of a small town Barege keeper who strikes a fortune in oil. and is taken to Paris to- caln culture by his socially ambitious wife. How he lets his family clown ut every turn and Jmw they gradually drift apart forms sparkline entertainment; with a slight touch of Bathos. A happy reunion closely follows. Will's trotansrlemcnt *ith -'«beautiful cafe entertainer, (-.loverly, played by' Flfi Tlorsay, the piquant »rid .idTcnturous French girl.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

"The Arizona Kid," showing at tho De Luxe Theatre, and starring Warner Baxter, Is full of action, There is some excellent comedy, too, in the old housekeeper and her goats, and tho serenade of the Arizona Kid while Virginia listens, and the Kid's old love conies out at Intervals to shake out her wardrobe in preparation for an uninvited visit to his home. A dashing, courteous outlaw, the Arizona Kid lends an attractive figure to any picture, and tho setting has been worthy of him. His card game, to save Virginia's supposed brother, who betrays him, his easy sheeting home of guilt to the right man, and quick vengeance, his grim wait for justice, while— in the mirror boforc him he sees the approach of the riding band which seeks his life, are sure strokes, and make this v film butter than usual. There is a supporting programme or Wide range, from the departure of the British Rugby team for Australia, complete with speeches, to Mr. Herbert F. Wood's strong tenor in the song number. "In My Caravan," and Mr. Paul Cullcn's organ number, "Toreador Song."

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

.Large audionces are enjoying the excellent comedy drama, "He Knew Women," at the Majestic Theatre. Lowell Sherman in the stellar role give a fine performance, and receives valuable aid from a good cast, which includes Alice Joyce, David Manning. and Frances Dade. Amongst, the supporting subjects is "Farewell to the British Footballers," a very interesting talking record, in which the Prime Minister and Messrs. Baxter, Dean, Prentice, and Porter are heard to advantage. The last three screenings are announced. On Friday next, what is described as "the screen's biggest musical ■comedy," entitled.

"Paramount on Parade," will bo sho%vn. In this picture Maurice Chevalier is at the head of a gigantic All-star cast, which includes Ruth Chatterton, George Bancroft, Clive Brook, Nancy Carroll, Gary Cooper, William Powell, and Jack Oakle. Box plans are at the Bristol.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

In the flood of post-war literature ■ that has been let loose in . the past few years few writings have created a greater impression than the play, "Journey's End," which. In addition to being presented on the stage, has been published as a novel, and has finally appeared as a motion picture. The success which immediately greeted the play has continued with the picture, which is showing at the Crand Opera House. The facilities provided by sound pictures enable a play to. be nieturiscd with the dialogue preserTed, so that the original scenes can also be retained. The limits of the stage, however, are not those of the screen, and it is consequently possible for the scenes to be removed when desired from the dug-out which provided the entire setting for the stage play. The result is greatly added realism. The picture is an all-British production, presented by a cast speaking true English. The part of Stanhope, the company commander who drugs his mind with whisky, is taken by Colin Clive He is supported by lan Jlaclaren as Lieut. Osborne, David Manners, as Raleigh, Anthony Bushell as Hibbert, Billy Bevan as Trotter, and Charles Gerrard as Mason. The picture will be shown at two sessions daily.

'HER UNBORN CHILD."

Dealing in frank and dramatic fashion with a most unusual subject* what is eaid to be a gripping talking picture is to commence next Friday afternoon at the Grand Opera House. Titled "Her Unborn Child," it is claimed to be a faithful and vivid talking picturisation of the successful play which toured America for several years, arousing favourable comment from ?ress, pulpit, and public during its long stage career. The pitiless revealing story of "a boy and girl in love, forgetting everything ejse," lias- been woven into a powerfully dramatic discussion of a most unusual subject. The various reactions of the principal characters in this talking picture to this moot question furnish one of the most diverting and Interesting screen entertainments . ever presented. A definite and finely handled leavening of comedy relief affords a pleasing contrast to the gripping dramatic scenes which are the highlights of "Her' Unborn Ch/id." The play Is the work of Howard M'Kent Barnes, and the piece achieved a tremendous vogue as a stage vehicle. The screen dialogue version was written by Frederic and Fanny Harton, the successful team of playwrights, who are perhaps best recalled as the authors of "Lombard!, Ltd." An excellent programme of short talkie featurettes Is also being shown. Box plans aro now open at The Bristol and The Berkeley.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"Marianne," the Metro-Goldwyri-Mayer alltalking ' attraction, starring Marlon Davies, is to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. It is a story about a French peasant girl who tried her hardest to keep Allied soldiers at arm's length' at the end of the war, but finished up by marrying one or them. Special sound leuturettes complete the programme.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

The Tollers," starring Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Jobyna Ralston, $3 being shown at the New Princess Theatre. Supporting the excellent main picture is another fine film, "Protection," and there is also a gazette, a serial, and a comedy.