ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"Shooting Straight," the main subject at the Paramount Theatre, is the story of a gangster who reforms and proves that at heart he is possessed of excellent qualities that win not only the admiration of the audience but also of a flic woman, who does much to bring about a happy ending to the play. The leading part is taken by Richard Dix, who was a few years ago a prominent university football player. His popularity as a screen artist has been gained in youthful university athletic roles for which ho was in every way specially adapted. As the reformed gangster, Richard Dix achieves a wonderful success. Alary Lawlor, as the girl with whom he has fallen In love, acquits herself admirably in a difficult role. In addition to an excellent selection of news reel sound fealurettcs, there is a comedy in which a series of pretty theatrical dancing displays is given. *

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The massive musical romance or opera bouffe, "The Bride of the Keglment," whloh Is made radiant by technlcolour embellishments, Is a production of outstanding merit. As reproduced at the St. James Theatre, its musical, vocal, talking, and scenic beauties are revealed to the best advantage. "The Bride of the Regiment" is based ou "The LHrty of the Rose." the musical comedy which Gladys Moncrieff and Claude Fleming made so popular with Wellington audiences some years ago. The three singing'stars of the cast, Vivlenne Segal, who is seen as Marianna, Miss Moncrieff's former role, Walter Pldgeon, and Allan Prior, the famous stage star of "Student Prince" celebrity, do adequate justice to the excellent vocal numbers. Allan Prior is especially effective In the "Disappointed Lover." Four comedians, Lupino Lane, the great English .dancing comedian, Louise Fazenda, Myrna Loy, and Forde Sterling, arc genuinely funny in capital roles and evoke roars of laughter. There is a background of over 1000 persons, and an exceptional ensemble of chorus voices. The production Is as colourful and entertaining as one could wish for, and the short subjects are of good quality. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at tho theatre after 6 p.m.

REGENT THEATRE.

There is uo falling off ia the patronage evident at the screening of "On Approval" at the Resent Theatre. "On Approval" is a picture of a type that makes a strong appeal to British audiences, not only because it is a British production starring British actors, hut nlso because of the peculiar difference between the type of humour that brings the best response from a British audience, and that which proves most entertaining to Americans. The story, brlefi*, concerns two society couples of which the mail la one instance and the woman in the other are taught a few points about selfishness before they are accepted in marriage. Tom Walls, whose ready tongue made so much capital out of "Rookery Nook," takes the leading role, the three other parts being taken by Winifred Sliotter, Yvonne Araud, and Edniond Breon respectively. The supports include three sonjs by Madame Mnrla Kurcnka, a comedy with mnny thrills starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and a nevrereel.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

There Is liberal melodrama In "Lawful Larceny," the film which features Bebe Daniels In a battle of feminine wlls and charm at the De Luxe Theatre. It Is a somewhat older Bebe lhan the sunny little girl of years ago, and she acts intensely. Husband, home, and baby she sets out to defend against ono of those modern vampires whom so few of us ever meet, and who prey upon mankind lawfully enough but with no saving qualities of humour or kindliness. Thero Is a ' lengthy supporting programme. A Fox Movietouc will be welcomed by those who would like to hear Don Bradman (and most of the Australian eleven) talk.in their own natural voices, and a Grantlaml Rice Sportllght shows performing animals In all stages of their training. There Is a "Summer Harmonies" Cartoon, a Fowler Studios Revue, and an English News Special, besides which there is Mr. Paul Cullen, with his deft touch and genius for selection of popular melodies, playing Negro melodies, popular songs, and selections from "The New Moon.

KING'S THEATRE.

"The Loves of Kobert Burns," which is showIng -at the King's Theatre, has Joseph BislQp. England's leading tenor, at tho head of the cast. The picture is not merely a bioTaphy, but a brilliant concoction of powerful drama, and all that is lovely in the inspiring poems and lyrics of the most famous of Scottish poets and writers. Tho picture is a joint production of tho British Dominions Corporation and the' Gramophone Company, tho combination-. responsible tor such hits as "Splinters" and "Rookery Nook." Much of the action was filmed in Scotland at the actual places where Burns niado history.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

Picture r°on "tho "screen—that is 'The °Awful Truth' a 100-per-ccnt. dialogue attraction ot supreme merit—the finest talking production of tho season, starring the supreme dramatic figure of tho day." Such is the description applied to "The Awful, Truth." which is screening at the Queen's Theatre. The nccond feature is the new Pathe all-dlahwue comedy of college life, ."The Sophomore,"

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

.An amusiDg farce. "Sleeping Partners," Teaturlng Seymour Hicks, provides tho main attraction in the programme at the Artcraft Theatre. Refreshing In Us humour, the story - concerns a well-to-do bachelor whose great weakness is for a most attractive married woman whoso husband's interests stray -elsewhere, with the result -that there are many hilarious situations. Playing opposite Mr. Hicks is Edna Best, a beautiful stage artist of note in England. There Is a good supporting i)rogranirae. !

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

George Bancroft, In his newest starring Paramount picture, "The Wolf of Wall Street," now showing at the Britannia Theatre, portrays a' quick-thinking, quickacting, chance-taking plunger in the financial dealings of the 'Change. . Outwardly he Is im^ maculate. Inwardly ho Is cruel, shrewd, and utterly fearless, reared by all who know him. Bancroft doclares . the characterisation to be one of the most difficult of .his long career of stage and screeD experience.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

Ramon Xovarro, dressed in the haudsopie uniform of a lieutenant of Napoleon Bonaparte, ranking his escape from a aring squad; climbing into a beautiful young woman's boudoir in the dead of night;. masQuerading as a footman ; duelling his way to fame and fortune— these are some of tho exciting sequences of "Dovil-May-Care," now showing at Shortt's Theatre. There is also an excellent eomody, "The Night Owl."

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

What happened in Temple Tower is powerfully told In "Temple Tower," a For Movietone all-talking mystery story which introduces something new In the way of screen entertainment at the Kilbiniie Theatre. Excellent sound featurettes, Including, the Pasha versus Colemau wrestling match at the Town Hall, are also presented. ■-•'.'

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"New York Nights," Norma Taimadge's first talking picture,' will' have its final screening at tho Capitol Theatre to-night. A Mickey Mouse cartoon. Vox News; and a Clark and M'Cullough talking comedy will also bo screened To-morrow night a double feature programme will commence its three-day season. "Jazz Heaven," a pleasing romantic drama, stars Sally O'Neill and Johnny Mack Brown, and "The Very Idea" a riot of fun. with the greatest comedy cast ever assembled, are the two pictures to bo shown.

NEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"Show of Shows," a Warner Bros, and Vitaphone entpcr-revue, showing at tbc New Quality Theatre to-night, is everything that tho nariio Implies. Filmed almost entirely in technlcolour. It Is a marvellous melange of glorious entertainment, embracing music, songs, dances, ensembles, and sketches. The entire cast is made'up of world-famous celebrities, and stellar personalities of the screen and stage. Seats may he reserved by ringing 21-391 before 0.30 p.m.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI,

To-night at the Regal Theatre, Karuri, a fine double feature programme will be presented In "The Racketeer." Robert Armstrong and Constance Bennett are featured. Jt Is an intense story of love In high society, and the diirk underworld, and tho Inability of the Tsar or Crime to escape his payment. Tho second feature Is one of high entertainment value, being "This Thing Called Love." This Is a story of mn.rrl3gc tangles and tells of how difficult 11 Is for a person to control that power, love. What, with merry matrimonial mix-ups—har-ried wives and meddling, nose-poking friends— this Is tho most surprising comedy drama yet screened.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

"Clancy In Wall Street." an all-talking laughter special, starring Charles Murray, will be screened at. the Empire Theatre to-night. The story is that of an Irish plumber who gets Into a series of uproarious escapades as a result of having Invested his partner's money—as well ,is his own—on tho stock market. A largo supporting cast Is headed by Luclen Llttlefleld, Aggie Herring, Edward Nugent, and Miriam Seigar. A good supporting programme will be screened. On Wednesday and Thursday a Universal special production, "The Storm," will be screened.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

The Universal all-talking production, "Tsar of Broadway," is being shown at Our Theatre. A fine cast Is headed by Betty Compson. John Wray, and John Harron. Amid the plots and counter-plots of the underworld there grows a romance between an entertainer in a night club and a young reporter. Excellent sound supports complete the programme.

ORGAN RECITAL,

Mr. Bernard F. Page (City Organist) gave his ueekly organ recital nl the Town Hall last isrening. The programme was as follows: (JhoralPrelnde, "Sleepers, Awake! A Voice la tallinn." by Bach; Sonata No. fl, by Mendelssohn; "astorale (Op. .19), Cesar Franck; Intermezzo /mm Suite for Orchestra (Op. '13), by Tchaikovsky; Sine of Triumph (MSB), by Hugo Anaon, and Concertstuck (Op. ,80), h% Lemare.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The sensational newspaper story, "In the to the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, is possibly the most Intelligently constructed newspaper drama that has been seen upon the screen. It shows the inside of the journalistic world and reproduces the atmosphere attached to a great modern "dally"- with more faithfulness than any other, picture on tho same subject. The plot recounts the facts connected with an actual murder mystery, which baffled the entire police force of America, and which was subsequently unravelled by a clever reporter with the power of the Press behind him. Originally thought to be a caso of double suicide, the tragedy is revealed as murder, and its elucidation is followed ,by the audience with unusual Interest. Grant Withers, himself an ex-journallst, plays the leading role or the reporter, Marian Nixon is the chief lady of the cast, Clyde Cook is the principal comedian, while Edmund Breese, Pauline Garron, Hallam Cooley, and Spec O'Doiidell characterise congenial roles. The first part of the programme is one of exceptional merit. It la a long time since such an admirable set of talking novelties has been seen on one programme. Boxplans arc at the Bristol and ' alsn at tho theatre.

'IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST."

A dramatic treat Is In store for Wellington playgoers thl.s week' in the shape of Oscar Wilde's amusing farcical comedy, "Tho Importance of Being Ernest," which the National Repertory Theatre Society will stage at the Y.W.C.A. Hall, Boulcott street, for a season of five nights, commencing to-morrow. Very careful preparations have been made for the production. Special settings have been designed, and numbers of accessories specially made, and the talented cast has been carefully rehearsed by the producer, Mr. W. S. Wauehop. Among tho players are Misses A. Louise Hall, Beryl Earle, Hazel Wells, and Ethel Oldbury Jones, and Messrs. A. D. Priestley, John Bown, Barton Ginger, J. R. Herd, and Ernest Coleridge. Although the booking is heavy, there are still good seats available for the first night. The box plans are open to the public at the Bristol.