ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

"Shadow of the Law" is the rather arresting title of the latest offering at the Regent Theatre, and it provides quite acceptable entertainment and some flue acting by the suave and polished William Powell, who, with Natalie M6orhead, contributes very largoly to Its imprcssiveness. When Ethel Darry (Natalie Moorhead), an- adventuress, Is attacked by her drunken lover In her apartments, Jim Montgomery (William Powell) Intervenes. In self defence he strikes tho infuriated lover, who falls backwards through an open window on to the street below and is killed. Fearful of publicity Ethel huiiedly departs, leaving Montgomery without a witness of the affair. He Is found guilty of murder and is sentenced to life imprisonment, but ultimately, with the assistance of his cell mate. Pete, escapes from gaol in an ingenious .'way. Having gained his freedom, his one object is to find tho woman, a few words from whom would clear him. After two years, during which be becomes manager of a prosperous mill and becomes attached to the mill owner's daughter. Kdlth Wentworth (a. delightful little person made so by tho attractiveness of Marion Shilling), Montgomery, who has changed his name to John Nelson, finds Ethel Barry. But then the law steps in again, and there are some exciting sequences before Edith and Montgomery, whose identity is revealed by a detective, are left happily together. ' There arc excellent supporting 'subjects.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The wonderfully fine combination of star player with star pla.y, Crcta Garbo and "Romance," was . responsible for capacity houses at the St. James Theatre on Saturday. The actress is seen in a distinguished role that fits her as a glove, and the drama, which had an uninterrupted run of over three years at the Duke of York Theatre in London, with Doris Keano in the role now played by Greta Garbo, is regarded as the most compelling piece of dramatic work given to tho legitimate stage In the last decade. In the part of "Rita Cavallini," Greta Garbo scores all along the line. Her personality, her accent, and her mannerisms seem to belong as much to the character of "Rita" las they do to Greta Garbo. Lewis Stone has never appeared to the fine advantage that he does in the difficult part of "Carnelius," while "Tom Armstrong," the young clergyman with whom "Rita" falls Id Jove, is portrayed with convincing effect by Gavin Gordon. All the other characters arc well played. The settings afe^rich and ornate. Exceptionally good short subjects are "Xot So Quiet on the Canine Front," a clever comedy played by the popular dog actors; "The Clock ShoJ)," a fantasy in technicolour; and tlio latest. Metrotouo News. Box plans are at The Bristol and also at the theatre.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

Such is the standard of acting in "Common Clay," at the Paramount Theatre, that the film is classed as one of the best yet produced. Constance Bennett stands out as brilliant. The theme Is a fairly strong one—not entirely for the Toung—but at no stage docs the going get heavy. Moods change rabidly, tha spirits of tho principal characters are subject to many and various stresses, and tlie audienco becomes vitally concerned in tho story's outcome.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Nothing more delightful could be wished for than Joan Crawford's well-nigh perfect performance of the role of the heroine in Metro's brilliant screen play, ."Our Blushing Brides," as she now presents it. dally to large audiences at the Majestic Theatre. Mfss Crawford is capitally supported by Anita Page and Dorothy Sebastian as "the other girls of tho story," and by Robert Montgomery, Uaymond Hackctt, and John' Miljan as, the "boys." The spectacles of the play are all on a lavish scale and excellently presented, and include an outstanding fashion display of hundreds of costumes worn by the members of the famous Rascb Ballerinas.' The tone reproduction in the picturo is natural and entirely free from distortion. An interesting Metrotonc News and a particularly l>right Charles Chase comedy entitled "Looser Than Loose." complete a line (s'oning's entertainment. Seats may be reserved at The Bristol or at the theatre.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

A .Tack London story has been brought to the screen in "The Sea Wolf," at tho Be.Luxe Theatre. The action, played ont on the high seas, a drama of primitive passion on a- sealing ship, centres round "Wolf" Larseu, the merciless captain, and his victims, two of whom are portrayed by Raymond Hackctt and. Jane Keith. They are both well enst and the scenes, set on "The Ghost," Larson's ship, are,well produced and often full of drama. When Hackett is sent aloft to furl a

sail with which he docs not know how to grapple; when he fights tho cook; ■when Johnson, the second mate, is murdered, these are tense moments of the film, which reaches a climax with a fight between ships in a fog. vTho supporting programme holds a Fox Jlovietono News, an Australian and New Zealand Vox Audio Review, and on intorestins: travel \jalk. "From Barcelona. to Valencia." At (he orcan, Mr. Paul T. Cullen plays a selection Vrom "Faust" and "In a Persian Market."

KING'S THEATRE.

The Fathc' musical romance, of circus life, "Swins; High," heads the programme at tlie Kind's Theatre. It ddals with life under the Big Top as it existed in lSlii—the most picturesiiuo period in circus history. A complete circus troopc was engaged for the filming of the picture, with all the clowns, acrobats, liaro-back, riders, trapeze performers, wild animals, spangles and glitter that, go to make up "tho greatest show on earth," playinc a part. A second feature is "The New Waiter," a hilarious British comedy.

QUEEN'S THEATRE

■tfight clubs and smart, palatial ballrooms have had endless exploitation on the screen, but for the first time the popular-priced danco hall wins recognition in Radio I'lctures' dancing, all-talking, human drama, "Dance HhII," at the Queen's Theatre. The all-British dialogue comedy, "His First Car." features (he inimitable George Clark with a fine supporting cast.

BRITANNIA THEATRE

Richard Dix is seen aud heard at the Britannia Theatre, in "The Lovo Doctor." Dix plays- the part of Dr. Gerald Sumner, specialist in heart troubles, who, in tl;e hope that one day a pationt will arrive, spends his , time playing tennis anti golf. June. Collycr plays, the part of Virginia Jloorc. while Miriam Seegar "plays the part 'of Ornco Tyler. Others in the cast include Morgan Farley. Winifred Harris, Lawford David-i-nn, and Gale Henry. "The Love Doctor" was adapted and dialogued from the play. "Boomerang," by Wiricheil Smith and Victor Manes.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

Victor M'Laglen sustains his reputation as a merry pursuer of tlio fair sex in "On the Level.", a Fox movietone comedy-drama, at the Artcraft Theatre. The inimitable Fill Borsay is M'Laglen's first love, while Lilyan Tashnian portrays the character of the vamp who inveigles him into a real estate racket.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

•'The Border T.csinn," whicli will show :it the Kilbtrnic- Theatre. starting to-day, for two days, is a Zane Gre.v tale of a turbulent outlaw band, with Richard Aden. Jack Holt, liero of many a thrilling Westegi, and Fay Wray in the leading roles. It is one nf, the new-style all-talking Westerns which en me into toxuc with the plcturlsation or "The Virginian."

NEW QUALITY THEATRE.

To-niEht, "Isle or I-ost Ships" will he screened at the New Quality Theatre in i-on.iunr.tion with n. specially selected pro-Ci-amme of sound subjects. This programme will also lie screened to-morrow.

SHORTT'S THEATRE

The great comedy, "Threo Live Ghosts," the story of the adventures of three soldiers who are "officially dead," is showing at Shortt's Theatre. This picture1 is pure comody from beginning to end, and the three "dead" men convince London that they are very much alive. A supporting subject. ."Children of Pleasure," is an excellent comedy.

Capitol theatre, miramar.

"Alf's Button," the popular British comedy, will have its final screening at the Capitol Theatre to-night. "Happy Days," a musical romance featuring Janet Gaynor, El lirendel, Charles Farrell, Victor M'laglen, David Kollins, Will Rogers, Ts'lck Stuart, Edmund Lowe, Warner Baxter, and dozens of other stage and screen players, commences to-movrow night.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

The beautiful British film star. .Marguerite Allan, is to tie seen and. heard in (he all-dia-logue screen version of one of Thomas Ilardv's famous novels nt . O\ir Theatre to-iiisht. She is seen as a avreet villaee school mistress, who causes trouble with the local Instrumental elmir, but consents to play an ore.in nt. the chure.li, thereby displacing tfiejr band from existence. There arc excellent supports.

REGAL THEATRE. KARORI

"Alamba," the Cinema Art Films' nil-talking, iiU-tcchnicolour production, to lie shown at. the Kegal Theatre to-night, is a tripping, virile story of the African jungles with all the action and atmosphere that no to make up a thoroughly entertaining picture. It features such highlights as British and German troops in action, tho burning of a native village, and Savage and picturesque ceremonial dances by tribesmen. Jean Hersholt, one of the screen's Most versatile character actors, plays the lead, and the cast includes Ralph Forbos and Eleanor Boardman.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

An excellent double-feature programme will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The first picture is "Beau Banrtia," with. Rod La Rocque and Doris Kcnyon heading an excellent cast. The story concerns an outlaw bandit and his aide. The second picture is

"Second Wife." starrint; Conrad -N'agel and Lila Lee. The story Iclls of a man (married to his second wife), whose chief thoughts are ot his young son far atvny at college. A climax is reached when his wire is suddenly taken ill and his son is also rirlnz. On Wednesday nnrl Thursday Rariin pictures' He sprtr.-i.il nt,traction, "The Cuckoos," will be acrsened,

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Canaries Sometimes Siup," t lie popular comedy starring Tom Walls, is now showing at tho firand Opera House, and a large audience at Saturday night's screenIng testified to the continued popularity of the picture. An entirely British production, the piece is the talking picture version of the play by Frederick Lonsdalc, ono, of England's leading playwrights, and abounds with humorous situations of which tho most is made by a clever cast of players, the majority of whom featured in the comedies "ltookery Nook" and "On Approval." The theme of tho picture lies In the attractions that two murrleil couples find in one another's wives and husbands, and a satisfactory solution to the problem of how best to suit everybody's convenience is not arrived at until the two husbands sit down to talk the matter over with the assistance of a supply of brandy. Tom Walls and Athole Stewart represent the two husbands, and Yvonne Ar--naiul and Kathleen Nesblt are the wives, .each being given a pert whicli might Imvc been made to order. Last, but by no means least, there is Peicy the canary whose fate has also to bo worked out. The picture was shown lust night to tho accompaniment of constant ripples of amusement, and should not be missed by anyone to whom English comedy appeals. Tho supports ,ire excellent nnrt include a talking cartoon, a sound gazette, and a travel film.