ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. The last nights of Wallace Beery, Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, Leila Hyams, and George Jlarrion, in that, wonderful picture of prison life, "Tho Big House," at St. James Theatre, are announced. Never previously has such a convincing picture, dealing with the same subject, been seen in Wellington. The unusually good short subjects Include "Who ' Killed Rover?" a smart dramatic sketch acted by Metro's amazing talking dogs. Sir Benjamin and John Fuller announce the Wellington premiere on Friday morning next of Greta Garbo, the famous Swedish actress. In Sheldon's world-famous masterpiece, "Romance." The fame of the play "Romance" is virtually world-wide, for It lias been translated and acted in almost every European language. Its appeal to playgoers is very great, especially to ladles, for in "Romance" there , is everything that made "Camille" and "East Lynne" so popular with womenfolk. , The screen production adheres faithfully to the manuscript used on the stage, and the American Press is. unanimous in the opinion that Greta Garbo, as "Rita Cavallini," is the finest exponent of the part that has yet been seen on stage or screen. Box plans are at the Bristol, and also at the theatre. \ PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A girl of "common clay" who becomes the plaything of forces top strong- for her —such is. jth'a gripping dramatic thertie of "Common Clay" at tho. Para-, mount Theatre. Miss Constance Bennett; gives a flno performance. . The final presentation will be given to-morrow night. REGENT THEATRE. , \'6anaries Sometimes Sing,''' which Ms^showing at, the Regent Theatre, is full of amusing situations and the - most sparkling and most' modern dialogue.. The .plot concerns two married idouples aid a canary. The husbands are, or think they are, misunderstood men. One wife: is horribly intense and the other'a good sport with a.sense .-of humour.. But jit. would, nof : do to give away any of the story, for "Canaries Sometimes Sing" is one of those shows that is completely. spoiled'ifone goes to see it,knowing^vl)at,lt is all about. The unexpected happens so much in it; the dialogue is so Brilliant, and the shafts of wit and repartee so clever. Therefore one wants to be in complete ignorance of what is going to happen., In addition to "Canaries Sometimes Sing", there is a remarkably good supporting programme, v / "SHADOW' OP THE LAW." Tjvo womon are the motivating forces in William Powell's latest starring picture, "Shadow of.the Law," which will show at tlie:.Regent. Theatre on Friday. One of them, the .'blende Natalie Moorhend, holds Powell's future in her hand; the other, beautiful brownhaired Marlon Shilling,. Paramount's latest / contract player, is the girl he loves and cannot 'woo.. "Shadow of the Law" brings William Powell'-to the talking screen in an even more thrilling, more realistically stirring picture than "Street, of Chance." Here Powell Is an innocent, highly-cultured man convicted of a-crime which he did not commit, sentenced to life in-prison, and free, after a breathtaking, escape, to find the woman who can prove him' innocent. The story of "Shadow of the Law" is a desperate fight of one man against the unwarranted claim of society on his life. It's ;..a. Man-hunt from' the! side of the hunted, and it ends in' a glorious happiness that is triply accented because' of all the suspense that precedes it. Max Ma'rcin, well-known Broadway playwright, wrote the story from a nqvel by. Jphn A. Moroso, and Injected into it all the fire and pulse-tingling drama1 which made his "Cheating Cheaters," "Silence," and "Three Live • Ghosts" highspots of the Broadway stage. His climactic scene, in which Powell's desperate heroism ends forever the "Shadow of the Law," is one of the most powerful ever pictured on the screen. Natalie 'Mborhead, who plays the blackmailer, was seen with Powell in "The Benson Murder Case." _ ,_,....,..... GRAND OPERA HOUSE. There is something of the Dr. Jekyll-Mr. J Hyde type about the title character in "Eaffles," tha dramatic picture play at the Grand Opera House. By day Baffles Is a much-sought-after member of the best • English society, creating an equally big impression on the cricket field as in the draw-ing-room, but by night he is the man whom Scotland Yard-has dubbed "The .Amateur Cracksman." ~Eventually he, ..•■ falls in love and renounces his - "midnight ac--1 tlvitles, but when a friend.; loses at the card table more than he can repay, ha attempts yet another:'"job.": When a team of p-ofessional burglars attempts the same job, and representatives of Scotland Yard are also on the scene,. things begin to move, and there are many dramatic .moments before the finish. The supporting, programme a news reel, a travel feature by .Tom"Ferris,'the "Vagabond Director," an amusing comedy; "The Smooth Guy," and a particularly interesting educational feature, "The Mystery of an Egg." KING'S THEATRE. * "Disraeli," the 7 famous.'vßritisli''. production, featuring George-^Arliss in:-the- title role, will conclude its season at the King's- Theatre to-morrow night.;, '. ..'' : Vr';.<.. Commencing* tar Friday, the Pathe musical 'romance of circus "life;."Swing. High,"'-will be presented. It deals with life under the Big Top, as it existed in 1875—the most picturesque period in circus history. The glamour and romance of the circus at its best is represented in the film. A complete circus troupe <vas engaged for the filming of the picture, with all the clowns, acrobats, bare-back riders, trapeze performers, wild animals, spangles and glitter that go to make up "the greatest show on earth" playing a part. The cast includes Chester Conklin, Ben Turpin, Dorothy Burgess, Bryant -Washburn, George Fawcett, .Helen Twelvetrees, Stepin Fetchit, Daphne Pollard, Robert;; Edeson,. Fred Scott, John Sheehan, Mickeyjßenhett, arid Fred Langan. As a secand attraction, "Her rrlvato Affair" will be shown;,' QUEEN'S THEATRE. Edgar Wallace's thrilling work, "The Terror," Is showing at the Queen's Theatre. Based on the London stage play, "The Terror" runs' its gruesome "course in an ancient English manor house, where a group of people seek hidden treasure and try vainly by spiritualistic seances and other unusual means to solve the mystery of the cloaked fiend who haunts the house, casually bearing this and that one to his underground torture chamber. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A grim drama of hate and revenge is worked but in the magnificent setting of a palatial steam yacht in "The Hate Ship," a British International picture, the main attraction at the Artcraft Theatre. Vernon Wolfe,, is the owner of the steam yacht Livonia, for which subsequent events earn the name "hate ship." It Is on this vessel that Wolfe plans his coup to obtain wealth and power. He invites a number of wealthy people for a cruise in the Mediterranean, but before the ship has been five days out Arthur Warden is found badly wounded in the smoking-room. The efforts of She master of the yacht and Warden's friend to detect the murderer give scope for mastergul acting- and tense situations. SHORTTS THEATRE. A programme that should. prove a great Attraction to holiday-makers'will lie screened at Shortt's Theatre -'tq-morrow ,' .night. The bIU is headed by that great comedy, "Three live Ghosts," the story of the adventures of three soldiers^ who are . "officially dead." This picture is pure comedy from beginning to end, and the three "dead" men convince London that they are very much alive. The meanderings of "Spoofy" add^to the merriment caused by the exploits of the three; The, other star feature is "Children of Pleasure," a romance of a song-writer and. an heiress, and gives vivid little glimpses; of Broadway night life,' theatrical Ufa, and New . York society. It is replete with gay tunes, and lilting melodies. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Bishop Murder Case," at Shortt's •heatre, Is a cleverly, contrived tale of a madman who murders. indiscriminately, leaving a black chess bishop and a sneering verse in "Mother Goose" rhyme beside each victim, has been effectively adapted to tho screen. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Border Legion," at the Britannia Theatre, is a Zane Grey tale of a turbulent outlaw band. It is a tale of high-spirited men, fortune-hunters, who, in the absence of any established law, resorted to elemental laws. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "The Awful Truth" is now at the Kilbimie Kinema.' "Born Reckless," , starring Edmund K»we and Catharine Dale Owen, will com-' i mence screening at the Kinema matinee tomorrow. This film is a real underworld thriller. Excellent sound supports will also be presented. Reserves at theatre and Bristol. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Baise the Roof," a British talking comedy, starring Betty Balfour, is the big attraction to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. The story relates the struggle of a small revuo company. The second attraction, "Painted Paces," is a drama of a clown who practised the habit of making happiness for others. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Another thrlUlng episode of "The Jade Box" will be shown at the Capitol Theatre to-night. A Laurel Hardy comedy and other short subjects wiU also be shown.' The Duncan Sisters can be seen in "It's a Great I/ife," a backstage musical drama containing many spectacular colour sequences. On Friday the third of the series of promised-British features wilt be shown. "Alf's Button," which was a riot on the stage and the silent screen, will be presented as a talkie. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Owing to numerous requests, a special return season of "Rookery Nook" will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story runs that into Gerald Fopklss's new house in the country comes a girl, one night, in pyjamas; she htls been driven from home by her. stepfather. Gerald's sister-in-law is the local scandal-monger, and Gerald's efforts, with the help of his cousin and his brother-in-law, to hide the fact that she has stayed the night leads to most complicated situations. An alltalking comedy, "Don't Be Nervous," and a Mickey the Mouse cartoon complete the programma.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The season of tho popular William Haines, in his capital comedy, "Way Out West," at the Majestic Theatre, will terminate with Thursday evening's screening. Charles Chase's farce, "High C's," and the other excellent supports on this programme of merit will also be shown for the last time. The big special attraction for Friday next will be Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's ■ production, "Our Blushing Brides," in which the popular actress Joan Crawford has scored :a'pronounced success, assisted by Robert Montgomery, Anita Page, -Dorothy Sebastian, Raymond Hackctt, and a long cast of supporting players. The "Motion Picture World" writes of "Our Blushing.Brides" as "the most sparkling', invigorating,'' and'dramatically- interesting picturo in a long while." ■ It is described as a true-to-llfe dramatic, and human play, with' three plots In one,, that- entertains and pleases while ,it drives its story home. Tho spectacular settings are described as boing of rare beauty and distinct' novelty, including, as . they do, a'bungalow built In a tree, an outdoor fashion /show of over 100 costumes, etc. The supporting subjects, will include "Looser Than Loose," a Charles Chase comedy. ..Box plans are at the Bristol, and'also at the theatre. DE LUXE THEATRE. "The White Hell of Pitz Palu," at the De Luxe Theatre, will concludo its season tomorrow night. Sea stories seem to have a special Influence with Milton Sills. His first big success was made in "The Sea Hawk," which definitely established him as one of tho foremost players on the screen. And now, in the Fox Movietone talking version of Jack London's stirring. novel of marine adventure, "The Sea Wolf," he scores what many critics are acclaiming as his finest picture role. "The Sea Wolf," which makes Its bow to local audiences at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next, introduces a unique triangle in the persons of a domineering brute of' a schooner captain, a young, waster who is shanghaied aboard as the vessel is leaving a Japanese fishing port, and a mysterious girl who goes along iri a quixotic desire to help the youngster. The drama that ensues as the three are cooped up on the schooner during her long cruise to the Aleutian sealing grounds Is'said to be the most breathless 6f any talkie of recent months, and various fights in Sills's ' best style enliven the action;. '' ■ ■• .:' -.'.•; . ,:; REGAL, THEATRE, KARORI. "The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland" will be shown at the Regal Theatre to-night. Cohen and Kelly venture on a business trip to Scotland, where, kilt-clad and comical, they stumble into a host of uproarious experiences culminating in the determination to commit suicide because thel?* fortunes have been lost. Mrs. Cohen and Mrs. Kelly, of course, add to the difficulties of Jhe droll partners.