ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 148, 20 December 1930, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. One of the most outstanding successes achieved in the practice of adapting stage plays to the talking screen has been in the case ot "Grumpy" In which the producers made success practically a certainty by starring ou the screen the English actor who had played the title rolo so ably on the stage. Cyril Maude as "Grumpy," the Irascible, yet kindly-hearted ex-criminal lawyer, la one of the most human characterisations that has been presented to the public through any medium. The picture has already had a week's run at the Kegent Theatre, but it had not been showing long before it was evident that an extension of the season was necessary, and the- second week commenced Hist night, when the theatre was again well filled. The plot is interesting, dealing with a £90,000 diamond, which goes astray, but the dialogue is spoken by an entirely English cast, and the acting of the players make the picture really outstanding. Among the players arc Phillip Holmes, Paul Cavanagh, Paul Lukas, and Prances Dade. The supporting programme provides a diversity of entertainment, and comprises a news reel, a comedy, a collegiate singing feature starring Lillian Roth, a Colourtono ltevue, and a song cartoon, "Barnacle Bill." "WHOOPEE." "Whoopee," the Samuel Goldnyn-Florenz Ziegfeld musical riot, starring Eddie Cantor, makes its appearance at the Regent Theatre at the midnight matinee on Christmas night. This famous pair of producers, kings of the screen and the stage respectively, have exhausted every angle of their art to make "Whoopee" memorable. Already known to the entire United States as one of the most successful Ziegfeld musical shows ever produced in its stage form, the greater freedom of the talking colour screen has developed it into a historymaking picture. The entire Goldwyn and Ziegfeld staffs were combined to make "Whoopee" technically perfect, with Thornton Freeland, young and brilliant Hollywood director, in charge or the filming. In "Whoopee" a great stage success becomes one of the pictures that make history. Sally Morgan (Eleanor Hunt) has long been in- love with Wanenis (Paul Gregory), an Indian boy who lives near her father's ranch, but her father is forcing her to marry the sheriff (John Rutherford), while Wanenis is away being educated to white man's ways. Wanenis returns just before the wedding, learns of the plans, and goes back to his people on the reservation, broken-hearted. Sally, desperately unwilling to go through with the marriage, prevails on Henry Williams (Eddie Cantor), an imaginary invalid living on the ranch, to take her away in his ramshackle car. As soon as her escape is discovered, her father and the sheriff set out In pursuit. Sally and Henry are despairing when they run out of gas in ,1 few miles, but they hold up a car to steal gasoline and get to the next ranch for food, ignorant that this very ranch is owned by the people they have held up. .The foreman of the ranch is expecting the owner and family, and is desperate because he has neither cook nor maid to take care of them. Sally and Henry volunteer for the jobs, only to discover, on their arrival, that the people they are to wait on will surely recognise them. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Into a forceful plot there has been woven a fashion show in the Pox movietone version of Rita AVeiman's magazine article "On Your Back," now the chief attraction at the Paramount Theatre. The story, direct and elramatlc, concerns the rise of a poor dressmaker who sets out to achieve the heights of fame for- herself and her son. As a modiste of exceptional ability, the lovely gowns she creates carries her into an exclusive establishment ou Fiftli Avenue. This background of luxury affords the opportunity to parade the latest fashions. Tea gowns, afternoon frocks, eliuner dresses, wraps, and negliges, each cxfiulsitely displayed on an authentic model of the coming season's mode, are included in the lavish parade of feminine finery, without ever forgetting tho story. Irene Rich has, as the ambitious dressmakor, the most dramatic characterisation of her career, while H. If. Warner, Marion Shilling, and Raymond Hackett add materially to the success of the play. The successful modisto cultivates wealthy men, who make it a habit' to have tea in her salon and meet the pretty mannequins and customers. Drama enters Into the sttuation when the modiste encourages a chorus girl to buy a gown for which sho cannot pay. The modiste does not realise that the girl is her son's sweetheart. This is tho clash toward which the drama progresses.' The first part of tho programme includes a number of news reels of important recent events in different parts of the world, including pictures of the racehorse Phar Laiv the yacht race of the Shamrock and Enterprise, and a particularly Interesting picture of Bon Bradman, the famous cricketer, at the wickets. Ruth Chatterton will bo seen in a new Metro-Goldwyn-Jtayer picture, "The Lady of Scandal," commencing on Boxing Day at the Paramount Theatre. This picture is basod on the play, "The High Road," by Frederick Lonsdale, who wrote "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," and the supporting cast is headed by Basil Hathbone, Ralph Forbes, Nance O'Jseil, Cyril Chadwic)?, aiid. others., Box plans open at The Bristol on 'Monday. ST. JAMES THEATRE. There aro many kinds of American humour, but it is at Us best when it strikes the simple human note in close touch with life's little tragedies, as it does in "The Social Lion" at tho St. James Theatre. Jack Oaklo is cast as a prize lighter with a smile"; Marco Perkins, a happy-go-lucky fellow with a wonderful confidence in himself that Is only saved from being conceit because ho generally pulls off what he goes , for. There is nothing diplomatic about him. but his pluck and guiieiessness bring him many friends. Tho story opens with him well on the way to winning a light until his opponent, whispering that his shoe string is undone, knocks him out as ho looks down. His manager. Chick, played by Skeets Gallagher, is as sourly pungent In his wit as Marco is artlessly bubbling over with fun, and (he "inquest" on tho fight gives the first hint of some delightful dialogue as the friends in variably differ about overythlng. Their arrival at Marco's home town, with raw beef trimmings, in view of the big party of poker enthusiasts Perkins, senior, has gathered to welcome the hero, is entertaining. , Cynthia, Marco's girl friend is, however, a staunch partisan, and it is when Marco is working in the Perkins's service station again, settled down to tho village life, that troublo comes his wax, Gloria Staunton, a- plutocrat's daughter, lures him out to tho polo ground, Marco\having incautiously talked of the polo of his army days. Marco has, however, the unfortunate trait of doing most things better than anyone else, but looking all tho while like a mountebank. Though he turns out a firstrank player, and is given a place in tho team for a big match, and membership of the exclusive country club, he is such a misfit that Gloria decides to show him up, and does so by luring him to tho conservatory to propose, and (hen calling out her hidden friends. It is Cynthia who persuades Marco not to drop out of the polo team lest tiiey think him a quitter. He leads his side to victory, and a strange dignity peeps througli his eternal grin in a striking scene where he rejects renewed offers of friendship and leaves them without rancour. Of course he wins the big prize in tho ring, and. returns to Cynthia. Unconscious humour radiates from Marco in everything lie dues, even when he docs nothing, but the same might be said of most of the cast. There are good supports. Sir Benjamin and John Fuller announce a particularly outstanding attraction for tho Christmas season at St. James Theatre—the coming on Boxing Day of the screen favourite, Maurice Chevalier, in his latest and greatest Paramount talking triumph, "The Big Pond." The "Big Pond" is the term applied by most Americans to that part of tho Atlantic Ocean, which lies between Europe and tho tailed State-;. Cnsvalier is at the moment fulfilling a personal appearance contract in London at a salary of £-1000 per week. From London he sends greetings to his supporters in is'ew Zealand, particulars of which will bo found on the amusement advertising page. Box plans for "The Big rond" are now open at The Bristol. KING'S THEATRE. Said to be one of Ramon Aovarro's finest pictures, "In Gay Madrid" is the star attraction at the King's Theatre this week. Tho locale or the picture is in the University town of Santiago, whero Novarro, as Ricardo, son of a Marquis, has been sent because- of his love affairs with a notorious dancer. While in this town, Ricardo falls in love with Carmina, who returns his affections despite her betrothal to Octavlo. Prom then on tho picture is full of exciting situations and Interest is maintained until the last scene. There is an excellent supporting programme. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Girl from WooHvorth's," slurring Alice White, opened a return season at tho Queen's Theatre last night. The story centres around the life of a ten-cent store cleric who eventually becomes a night-club entertainer. This little clerk has a great futuro as a singer, but a love affair with a subway guard is the stumbling block to her ambition. Tho picture, which hDlds the interest of the audience throughout, is something out of' the ordinary. Tile supports aro quite in keeping with the standard of tho main attraction. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Such Men Aro Dangerous," starring Warner Baxter, and adapted from tho novel by Elinor Glyn, will bo screened at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tn-night. Tho story concerns tho fate of a rr/.lonalrc who disappears from his aeroplane while crossing tho English Channel after his bride, whom he has bought, deserts him on the night of thoir wedding. Under another namo he visits a plastic surgeon, and lias his face so transformed that when he meets his wifo sho does not know him. A news comedy and cartoon will also be screened. Seats may be reserved by telephone, ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Harmony Heaven," England's first colour musical romance, Is being shown at tho Artcraft Theatre. This is a delightful romanco, and the ballet Is particularly flue. The players aro Sally Ward. Stuart Hall, Trilby Clark, and Jack Ralne. There aro a number of tuneful melodies and rhythmic dances, and tho dresses are gorgeous, and the whole show makes a capital entertainment. There are good supports. REGAL" THEATRE, KARORI. "The Ship From Shanghai," an alt-talking picture, is being shown at the Regal Theatre. Except for the opening scenes laid in Shanghai, . the. picture v/an filmed on the raciflc Ocean on a small sailing schooner.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Probably William Powell has not had a better role since he entered tho talkies than falls to him in "For the Defence," the Paramount film which began screening at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday. Here is a film of tho Courts which is different, a story not of one trial, but of many, a production which siiows human beings as human beings and not puppets. -For tho Defenco" could easily have been foolish. Instead, it is a story of sacrifice told- with nice restraint and with an attention to production which is better than that of any film to come this way for some time. As a spectaclo alone it is worth while. With Powell's acting, the beauty of Kay Francis, and the dramatic virtue of the story, It reaches the rare class which can be callod excellent. 'The story, of a lawyer so clever that he is thought to bo crooked, who overreaches .himself for the sake of a woman, also lias the pathos of misunderstanding and has been told in a masterly way. The chief difficulty of such, a story is the bridging of the gaps and here scene flows into scene in a manner to mako the watcher unaware that he is being taken through days and nights. A clock spins round, a paragraph appears in a paper, a newsboy shouts—sometimes one is not told of a lapso of time at all, but tho fact is conveyed by action and altered circumstances. There is a varied array of supports, somo. Movietone Newsrecls, one of which features Don Bradman in an exhibition of his strokes, a Paramount Pictorial Novelty which ranges from armies of the Sahara to Clara Bow's home life, "You're in the Army Now," an all-talking farce of the war, with some excellent dancing, and "The Prisoner's Song," which is one of tho most amusing of musical animated cartoons that the theatre has owned. At the organ, Mr. Paul T. Cullen plays in his usual attractive style "The Belle of New York" and "It Happened in Monterey" (from "The King of Jazz). "KING OP JAZZ." An event of double importance in the entertainment world Is contained in tho announcement of the screening at the De Luxe Theatre commencing on Boxing Day of Universale gorgeous musical extravaganza, "King of Jazz," which will be presented, for the first time in New Zealand, on the "Grandeur Screen," an innovation in screen presentation, recently imported by Mr. W. U. Kemball for the purpose of staging "King of Jazz." The "Grandeur Screen" satisfies a long-felt public want, the bringing Into prominence of every detail of a picture, its settings in bold relief, its usually indistinct characters in the background of the big scenes brought to life-size and tho enhancement of tho exquisite beauty of technicolour. Another feature of tho "Grandeur Screen" is that the artists appear to bo actually walking on the stago of the theatre, and not, as heretofore, confined within the limited spaoe of'the present sized screen. "King of Jazz" brings to the screen no less a famous personage than the noted musical genius, Paul Whiteman, together with his talented band. Thero is a huge cast of players in the production, headed by the popular singing idol, John Boles, the beautiful Jeanette Loff, the celebrated American stago comedian, William Kent, tho delightful Jeanlo Lang, tho Sisters "G," tho Russell Markert ballet, who are noted for their remarkable similarity in size and wonderful precision in movement, tho Hollywood Beauties and numerous specialty performers, all of whom combine to contribute a performance that is claimed -to be beyond compare. The box plans for the season are now available at The Bristol Piano Co. and at Aitken's Book Arcade in Courtenay place. MAJESTIC THEATRE. All flapperdom will bo charmed with Charles ("Buddy") Rogers in his gallant fight against tho charms of maidenhood in "Safety in Numbers," at tho Majestic Theatre. Placed in the hands of three girls, who are Ids chaperons In tho wilds of New York, Charles comes from out of the western prairies to enter the jungle of society. Guarded by the maidens three, he is expected to avoid all breach of promise suits or other legal (or Illegal) entanglements, and up to a point the plan succeeds. As soon as one of the trio draws Charles asido to play the world-old game, the other two interrupt, and when an interloping outside woman ventures on the scene, all three chaperons unite to tfrivo her away, so that their phases of mutual hostility and mutual alliance become rather mixed. Of course, it all has td have an end, and the end of It is that one of the three engages Charles for keeps—and no doubt they both deserve It. Into this sophisticated atmosphere enters for a moment a maiden somewhat less artificial, In fact, almost natural, and the maidens three seem to be unable to credit that she can be real. But if anyone wishes to spend an evening amid love and lingerie he (she) can have it at the Majestic, with a comic taxi-drlvor thrown inone who has no brakes , and who stops his "Ilivvcr" in tho streets of New York by bumpit up against the back of the first standing ing car he sees. Among the supports is a new technicolour dancing toy parade, "The Toy Shop," to which a happy touch of novelty is added by setting the revels as the dream of a pretty waif girl, a child rescued by the toymaker from the cold snow-covered Christmas streets of Paris. Tho Paramount talkertoon cartoon, "Swing You Sinners," presents cemetery revels ot an -unusual kind. The news "azette (Universal) shows Callfornian flower scenes, salt-mining in Germany, a remarkable glimpso of Buddhist worship in Mongolia, collapse of tho steel skeleton of a bulldln-t in erection, caber-tossing and other Highland sports (Braemar), Madras devil dancing in slow motion, and an aeroplane attaching itself to an airship provided with a hook for the 'plane to hook on to. This programme will be shown on Christmas Day, when there will be a-session at 2.15, and another at S p.m. Next day, Boxing Day, "Safety in Numbers will be replaced by "Manslaughter." GRAND OPERA HOUSE. ■Vnyono wishing to see and hear an excellent screen drama should visit the Grand Opera House, and enjoy also somo picturesque South Sea island scenes as well, for "The Sea Bat" and mobilised scores of natives and halfbreeds, and has a dusky, maid (half-French) and a big white lover to supply the romance. Tho maid Is Raquel Torres (slim and suitable) and her, sweetheart Is Charles Bickford, the big "he-man" of "Anna Christie," now an escaped convict posing as an Island missionary Bible passages read by the bogus clergyman to the pagan girl, and particularly a burial service read by him over the Sea Bat's victims, lead to their double reform, and It says much for Bickford's solid, straight aoting that he performs this delicate part of tho play with dignity and effect. Against a background of sponges and spongers and iniquity, the moral element has been preserved in this story far better than in some of its Pacific island pagan predecessors. John Mlljan Is a most accommodating villain, and in this picture he Is a slouching beach-comber deeper than the depths of Louis Beckc. Thero are good supP°rS' "AFRICA SPEAKS." Scenes of wild beauty form a fitting background to the incidents and adventures narrated by the camera in "Africa Speaks/ which is coming to the Grand Opera House on Christmas Eve. The picture deals with the trip taken by Paul L. Hoefler, representative of tho Colorado Africa Expedition, which, sponsored by tho leading citizens of tho city of Denver, Colorado, started Inland from Mombasa early in September of 1928. The Ripon Falls, the . sources of the Victoria Nile, are seen In all their grandeur as they pour from Lake A'ictorla into the ancient Egyptian river with a deafening roar. Reaching Butiaba, the expedition proceded down the Nile by steamer in search of a place to where the journey through tho seemingly impenetrable jungle might be commenced. The trip down the river was one of abounding interest. On the west bank were visible tho villages of the Lugwari and Allulu tribes, while the east side was unpeopled. It was a closed area both to black and white, for its swamps were deadly with sleeping sickness. The land teemed with game, the rare white rhinoceros, numerous elephants, crocodiles, tho black rhinoceros, tho Uganda cob, waterbuck, and thousands of other wild animals—not to mention the huge pythons which abound In tho papyrus swamps, are all there. At Urn, which marked tho entrance to the Belgian Congo, Hoefler obtained permission from the Belgian Administrator .to enter the Ituri forest In search of pygmies. These strange little people, ranging from 50 to 57 inches in height, proved one of tho most Interesting studies tho explorer encountered on his trip. Ho spent two week among them, obtaining photographs and sound records, but these are only some of the scenes of this wonderful film. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "So This is London" is being shown at tho Britannia Theatre. Based on the George M. Cohan stage success of a decade ago, It shows the Oklahoma wit and philosopher In the role of a Texan cotton mill owner, a man prejudiced against tho English, mostly because they wero not Americans. Eventually business calls him to England, his son falls in love with an English girl, and in trying to straighten out the trouble, Rogers arrives at a mutual understanding with his English friends and finds they are fine peoplo after all. There are good supports.' EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The main attraction at the Empire Theatre, "Alias French Gertie," starring Bebe Daniels, concerns Gertie, a young maid, always scheming successful coups on the rich with tho aid of her accomplice. After ho Is caught she realises that tho price is too high for the rewards. Tho supporting picturo is "Night Parade." The theme has to do with a young boxing champion who is tho object of devotion on the part of his father and foster-sister. The cast is headed by Hugh Trevor, Arthur Prlngle, and Dorothy Gulliver. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Two features will be shown at the Star Theatre to-day. The first will be "The Lucky Star," In which Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell have the leading roles. This is a tale of love which finds its fulfilment after the war. The other picturo Is "Thru' Different Eyes," starring Mary Duncan and Warner Baxter. This is a story of a domestic tangle and a murder, and tho clearance of the innocent party from blame just as the verdict of "guilty" was about to be delivered. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Their Own Desire" Is being shown at Shortt's Theatre. Norma Shearer gives a penetrating study of present-day social standards. Tho picture, an nil-talking one. Is an adaptation of the novel from the pen of Sarita Fuller, and is filled with dramatic action and romantic charm. It moves swiftly from an opening episodo during a fast-played polo match, pauses only briefly In society drawing-rooms, and reaches its climax when Miss Shearer and Robert Montgomery, her leading man, are lost in a motor-boat during a storm on a lake. There are good supports.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Cuckoos," starring Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, is being shown at the New Princess Theatre. The picturo is a series of laughs from beginning to end. The scenes are in technicolour. Supporting this film is "Tho Indians are Coming," and a new all-talking serial. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. In "The Taming of the Shrew," the Shakespearean comedy now showing at the Capitol, Douglas Fairbanks has so much in common with Petruchio that he takes tho part in his stride and makes a tremendous success of it. His gigantic laugh, his posturing, his fierce delivery of the bombastic speeches are exactly in tone with the atmosphere of the play. Mickey the Mouse is featured among the supports. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "On Approval," at tho Kllbirnie Kincnia, is tho brilliant successor to that humorous farce, "Rookery Nook." Witty dialogue Is cleverly held up right through a very entertaining story, critics maintaining that it is even better than "Rookery Nook." Excellent sound featurettes will also be presented. Reserve at Theatre Confectionery, telephone 14-202, and Bristol Piano Co. WILD WEST RODEO. On the Kilbirnie Speedway grounds, Wellington, on Friday next, the Wild West Rodeo Company will submit a programme full of variety and thrills. Ono of the big thrills will be the New Zealand buckjumping championship and steer-riding championship. Thero will be Australian and New Zealand horsemen, anel cattle drovers, Intermingling with cowboys, and they will handle cattle and horses peculiar to their own respective countries. Every precaution has been taken to avoid the possibilities of the horses, mules, donkeys, and bullocks breaking bounds, - and thereby endangering tho spectators. Owners of unbroken colts and outlaw horses are Invited to bring them aloug, and they will be ridden freo of charge. A championship wood-chopping contest event is also set down for competition. Tho world's tallest man, John Aason, will appear. He stands nearly nine feet high, and weighs 34st; also Tex Hilton, who will give exhibitions of lariat spinning,' stockwhip manipulating, and bowie knife throwing. Intending competitors are advised to communicate with the manager, P.O. Box 87, Te Aro.