ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

"Hell'a Angels," at the Grand Opera House, is intended to Illustrate the part played in the Great War- by the air corps. The prologue gives pro-war glimpses of a German holiday resort and Oxford University, the central figures being two American students, Monte and Roy Itutledge, and a German student, Karl Arnstedt. The outbreak of hostilities finds Karl recalled to fight for Hie Fatherland, and Roy and Monte joining the British Air Force. The next scene—an awe-lnspirng one—deala with a Zeppelin raid on London. Karl Is let down from the airship at the end of a steel rope to give the signal for the dropping of the bombs, but cannot bring himself to loose death on to the harmless city and, at his direction, the projectiles fall harmlessly Into •ne Pool of London. Monte and Roy are in one of the 'planes sent up to bring the Zep*slin down, and the impressions caused by the .;';;&* ai the 'planes chasing the giant tube can only be gathered by seeing and hearing the ■ strange fight In tho clouds. A series of thrills culminate In the self-sacrificing crash of a British, airman into the gas-ailed envelope to bring It down in flames.

REGENT THEATRE.

"She Better Wife," at the Regent Theatre, concerns Neil Dunlap (Cllvo Brook), a lawyer who was unfortunate in his first marriage, and, after his wife had left Mm for * richer man, decided to drown his sorrows In drink. One night, in a drunken state, he made the acquaintance of Pansy Gray (Ruth Chatterton), a former revue actress, whom on one occasion ho had saved from being committed to gaol on a charge of appearing on stage Insufficiently clad. Pansy had developed an affection for Dunlap, and when he asked her to marry him she agreed, with the intention of conquering his drinking habits and giving hejself a chance in life. A number of interesting developments take place before Tansy eventually puts matters on a footing satisfactory both to herself and to her husband. The parts which the two leading players portray are different in many respects from those which have made them well known. For Tansy to make her husband realise in which direction his affection really lies it is necessary to work in a second man, Gustax Saxon, Dunlap's most wealthy client, who Is played by Paul Lukas with conspicuous success. There are excellent supports.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

"Enter Sir John," nt the De Luxe Theatre, represents the high-water mark of British talking pictures. The story tells how a girl is discovered beside the dead body of a woman. At the trial a member of the jury. Sir John Menier, is not convinced of her guilt, and sets out to unravel the mystery. There follows a series of strange happenings, culminating in the "arrest of the guilty person In the midst of exciting scenes in a circus tent. The part of Menier is taken by Herbert Marshall, a leading actor on the British stage, and he achieves a distinct success by his poise and str.ong personality. There nre good supporting pictures. Mr. Paul T. Cullen gives excellent musical selections on the Wuriltzer organ.

A number of the most hair-raising situations r.ver shown on the talking screen, aro included in "The Cat Creeps," the Universal mystery drama which comes to the Do Luxe Theatre next Friday. The entire action takes place during a veritable night of terror in a great mansion which has not been occupied for, 20 >years, and where a party of men nnd women iiave gathered for the reading of a will. A chain of terrifying events culminates in the mysterious murder of one of the party, and the entire household is reduced to a state of fearful dread. Secret panels in the walls jilay an important part In bringing about a number of strange evonts. "The Cat Creeps" ivas directed by Rupert Julian, and its exceptional cast Includes Helen Twelvetrces, Raymond Hackctt, Neil Hamilton, Jean Hersholt, Montagu Love, Theodore yon Eltz, Lawrence Grant, Blanche Frederic!, and Elizaboth Patterson. Box plans are available at The Bristol Piano Co., and at Aitkcn's Book Arcade.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"Renegades," at the Paramount Theatre, is a story of the French Foreign Legion. In it is desert intrigue and the scheming of a woman, Eleonore. Years before, she has betrayed Deucalion, leader of the renegades. In the desert, he kidnaps her so that he may see her suffer. But Instead of revenge he gains only trouble, for she obtains influence with the Marabout, who claims to be uncrowned King of the Riffs. So the film marches to a tragic and inevitable climax in which the Legion Is triumphant and the pair find love in death. ' The supporting bill includes a pair of Fox Movietono Newsreels holding events of the day and a Travelogue, "Granada to Toledo," while somo vaudeville turns are ai3o shown.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN,

"Paramount On Parade" is a distinctly new, type of film offering, and will be shown at Our Theatre to-night. All of Hollywood's knowledge of camera technique has been incorporated Into it. and more than thirty-five of filmland's most talented stars take part. Excellent sound supports-complete the "programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"The Keturn of Dr. Fu Manchu" is showing at the Majestic Theatre All the thrills that came out of tho presentation of this first picture are experienced again, and there are many more in addition. "Dr Fu Manchu," who was supposed to have been outwitted, sent to his doom and buried, returns from the grave with a strong desire for vengeance against his enemies, and ho and his plotters start out immediately to encompass the destruction of the hero of the piece and tho Scotland Yard detective who is working in his interests. Warner Oland repeats his polished performance of Manehu, and the equally important part of the Scotland Yard detective Is admirably played by 0. P. Heggic, a native of Timaru. Jean Arthur and Nell Hamilton supply tho love interest. There are good supports.

KING'S THEATRE.

"Love in the Rough," at the King's Theatre, gives a new romantic team in Robert Montgomery, who is featured, and Dorothy Jordan. The new film is a picturiaatlon of the stage play, "Spring Fever." Although strictly a musical comedy—with plenty of music and comedy—/the picture is refreshingly free of dancing chorus Intrusions, clever ensemble routines credited to the. skilful Sammy Lea being substituted.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

"Hearts in Exile," at the Queen's Theatre, is a story of love and political intrigue in Russia. The three central players are Vera Ivanova (played by Dolores Costello, the star), Paul Pavlon (Grant Withers), and Baron Serge Palmer (James Kirkwood). The scenes, which are laid in Siberia, and the slums of Moscow, are realistic. Tho second feature Is "Is Kverybody Happy?" featuring, Ted Lewis, with Ann Pcnnington and Alice Day.

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

The programme at Shortt's Theatre is headed by "The House of the Arrow," featuring Dennis Nellson-Terry, Benita Hume, and Richard Cooper. It is a British production. "The House of the Arrow" mainly concerns a series of sensational murders committed by the mysterious "Scourge." Hanaud, the famous French detective, is called in, and many exciting and thrilling climaxes are reached before the murderer is eventually disclosed.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

Marion Davies's newest all-talking picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Ma^er, "The Gay Nineties." a story of romance in tho '90's, punctuated with laughter and songs throughout, is at the Britannia Theatre. The picture recalls to mind the bustles and tight-laced waists, the old hansom cabs, muffs, plumed lints, and many other things that have faded from pre-sent-day existence.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

"High Society Blues" will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The stars are Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor. The wealthy Grangers go east to enjoy life, and buy an estate next door to the Devlnes. The efforts of the Grangers to be neighbourly with the Devlnes are rebuffed. However, the daughter of one and the son of the other family find a common ground, and friendship ripens. The programme includes a comedy and a movietone newsreel. On Wednesday and Thursday next, "The Lady Surrenders" will bo screened. A special film of the Napier-Hastings earthquake is included in the programme.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY,

• "A Lady Surrenders," at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, and starring Conrad Nagel, Genevleve Tobin, Rose Hobart, and Basil Rathbone and others, is a sophisticated drama of married life adapted from the novel, "Sincerity," by John Ersklne. It Is a story of a young modern wife who made a rendezvous for her husband with her best friend, and then got jealous. A comedy, news, and cartoon will also be screened. Seats may be reserved by telephone.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"AH Quiet on the Western Front," which commences at S o'clock sharp at the Capitol Theatre to-night, is one of the finest films of the war ever made. Lewis Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John VVray, William Bakewell, George Summerville, and dozens of others make the characters described by Remarque live upon the screen. "Africa Speaks" commences on Friday.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"Manslaughter," with Claudetto Colbert as its heroine, will open a session at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night. It is a drama of speed, with a tremendous climax.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

"Conspiracy" will bo shown at the Regal Theatre to-night. Bessie Love heads the allstar cast of more than 20 featured players. Ned Sparks plays a new surprising part in this picture. Cast as a wealthy, eccentric author whose hobby is the salving of current crimes, Sparke adds 40 years to his age. The result is a startling change in his appearance.

"The Tall Guy" will also be shown. Jack Mullinll and'Mae Clarke aro in Ilio leading roles, and Ned Sparks is seen in one of his droll characterisations.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Sir Gerald Dv SJaurier's entertaining drama, "The Dancers," or "Life in London To-day," ia winning the goodwill of very large audiences at the St. James Theatre. The title suggests that tho play has to <lo with cabarets or dance halls, but nothing could be further from fact, as the bulk of the excellent plot is developed In high society circles In London. The drama Is excellently acted by Lois Moran, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Walter Byron, and a good cast. The pleasing suporting subjects include Roy Barnes' smart comedy, "How's My Baby." Box plans are at The Bristol and also at the theatre.

Sir Benjamin and John Fuller especially stress tho first appearance in New Zealand on Friday next at the St. James Theatre of Ole Olson and Chic Johnson, who. are heralded as

"the world's greatest screen comedians" —formidable rivals of Laurel and Hardy—in conjunction with Lowell Sherman, Noah Beery, and a bis cast in the record-breaking comedy drama, "Oh, Sailor, Behave." The play is said to be "packed with laughs." Box plans arc at The Bristol.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"Show of Shows" will be shown at the Artcraft Theatre to-night. There are acts covering every sort of entertainment, but none is more lovely than the "Chinese Fantasy," in which Myrna Loy and Nick Lucas, the "crooning troubadour," are featured with a chorus of a hundred Oriental beauties. This exquisite bit of old China was created and staged by tho celebrated Jack Haskell. Another unique feature of this especial act is the fact that Rln-Tin-Tin himself introduces it. Others in the host of stars cast in "Show of Shows" are John Barrymore, Winnie Lightner, Irene Bordoni, Georges Carpentier, Patsy Ruth Miller, Dolores Costello, Noah Beery, Monte Blue, Grant Withers, Douglas Fairbanks, Jnr., Betty Compson, Richard Barthelmess, H. B. Warner, Sid Silvers, Shirley Mason, Viola Dana, Bull Montana, Tully Marshall, Marian Nixon, Ted Lewis, Beatrice Lillie, Louise Fazenda, Frank Fay, and Jacqueline Logan. Many musical and dance groups take part.