ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 79, 4 April 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The bounding nlt-wlts of "The Cuckoos" are nl it again. Bert Wheeler and Hubert Woolsoy, ctiuljiped with a set of brand now gags and tearing around at a wilder pace than uvor before, will bo seen In their latest fealuro comedy howl, "Half Shot at Sunrise," starting: on Saturday at the Regent Theatre. This favourite fun team of tlic talkies is said to surpass all previous achievements in "Half Shot." Wheeler and Woolsey are seen as duugliboys A.W.O.L. in l'arla, where they experience the most hilarious of events. Tliclr comic antics are hailed as even njoro amusing than in their previous successes, "Rio Rita," "JJixiana," find "The Cuckoos."- The new wartime comedy brings an unusually flno cast in support of tho stars. Dorothy Lee, diminutlvo comedienne, again cuts capers with Wheeler anil Woolsey. Hugh Trevor and Roberta Robinson i/irry the romantic theme. Lent Stengel and Edna May Oliver nro seen in comedy roles. Paul Sloane, who directed "The Cuckoos," again handled the megaphone for Wheeler and Woolsey In "Half Shot." The production lias been made on a lavish scale. Although the comedy predominates throughout the show, a tender romance has been woven Into tho story. Grand scale scenic effects form a brilliant background for the picture. The songs, five rollicking ones, were written by Harry Tierney, with lyrics by Anne Caldwell. The settings are the most elaborate ever seen in a production of this type, Including an entire Parisian square and gigantic vistas of No-Man's Land. Dance numbers, offering sensational precision routines, are by tho Tiller Sunshine Girls, brought from London for the picture. . Dorothy Leo plays opposite Wheeler, while Leni Stengel and Woolsey comprise a new and laughable screen . couple. Romantic interest is furnished by Hugh Trevor and Roberta Robinson. Paul Sloane, who made "The Cuckoos," directed. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Balaclava," the great British film which opens at the Grand Opera House to-day, does not entirely rely upon the masterly reconstruction of the Charge of the Light Brigade for its entertainment. That feature is, of course, the high light of tho. production, but a pleasing romance leads right up to the historic charge. It is an interesting fact that tho two opposing forces seen in tho film represent the Ist King's Dragoon Guards, the 14-20 th Hussars, the Ist Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, the Royal Engineers Mounted Depot, and Koyal Horse Artillery. All these troops were lent for the nlm by the courtesy of the War Office, who also lent Captain OakesJones, M.8.8., to direct the very fine military scenes. Benlta Hume plays a stellar role, and rides a white charger, which, on account of Its tameness and amiability, was especially selected for her. On the last day of the production, while jumping a fence, it was lamed. The only other white horse- available was an army drum horse of over seventeen hands. Followed by cameras In a car, Miss Hume and Cyril MacLaglen," the hero, galloped along a copse, wheeled, and galloped back. Terrified by the shouting, the big horse toolc the bit between his teeth and bolted, taking a water jump and making toward a very deep pit. The car attempted to head the animal off, but could not turn in time. Miss Hume held on tight and waited. Cyril MacLaglen galloped after the bolting horse, caught the bridle, and wrenched the horse to a standstill within a few feet of. disaster. . . PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The gay affairs of a master lover are depleted in "The Boudoir Diplomat," the Universal special production with an all-star cast, which is now showing at the Paramount Theatre The roster of players includes Betty Compsou, lan Keith, Mary Duncan, Lawrence Grant, Jeanette Loff, Lionel Belmore, and Andre Beranger, together with a. large number of minor players. The story of "The Boudoir Diplomat" deals with the adventures of a gay bachelor in the European diplomatic service—a man who specialises in other men's wives until lie finally secures one of his own. Betty Compson and Mary Duncan are the wives in question, while tho role- of tho philandering bachelor is played by lan Keith. Jeauette Lotf is seen as the true love to whom he finally loses his heart. The maze of intrigue surrounding the love adventures of tho diplomat provides many delightful thrilling situations. In assembling the players for the picture, tho producer has obtained a cast of true all-star proportions. Betty Compson is one of the most sought-after players of the talkies, with a long list of successes to her credit. Lan Keith, who was a celebrated stage star before going to the screen, has scored notably in tho talking pictures, and is regarded as the ideal choice for the role of tho gay Baron Valmi. Mary Duncan, noted beauty of the stage, has added greatly to her star success by her work in pictures. The management wishes- to notify ntending patrons that on Easter Monday seats may be reserved only at the theatre, Tel. 21----842, but thereafter as usual at tho Bristol and the' theatre. KING'S THEATRE. The story of "Tho Grand Parade," which opens at the, King's Theatre to-day, is real and vital. It' deals with a minstrel singer who is constantly fighting his craving for drink. He falls in love'with a beautiful wanton, who encourages his weakness until ho finds himself in the gutter. Then a slavey comes to care for him and makes a man of him. This accomplished, tho other woman again appears, and to savo himself tho minstrel marries tho slavey. NEW QUALITY THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A family comedy team—tnat of William Austin, enactor of British coniody parts, and Goorge Marion, jnr., the man who writes the characterisations, is reunited'for another dialogue production, "Sweetie," screening to-night at The Now Quality Theatre Island Bay. Nancy Carroll has the title role, playing the chorus girl who inherits a boy's school. Jack Oakle, Elmer Kane, and Helen Kane are featured with Miss Carroll. The supporting programme is exceptionally fine. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. John M'Cormack, the world-famous' singer, will be seen and heard in "Song o' My Heart" at tho Seasldo Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. In addition to M'Cormack's wonderful singing, perfectly recorded and reproduced, there is a delightful story of a broken romance. Splendid supports will also be screened. On Easter Monday at matinee and evening performances "Young Woodley," the picturisation of the sensational stage play will be screened. Seats may be reserved by telephone. STAR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "The Sky Roclcet," starring Peggy Hopkins Joyce, will be shown at the Star Theatre to-night. Miss Joyce wears some" beautiful gowns. The other picture is "The Apache," a story of the underworld o Paris. There are excellent supports. BROOKLYN PICTURES. Speed is tho sensation that stands out most vividly in "Manslaughter," showing at the Brooklyn Pictures to-night. Claudette Colbert, its capricious heroine, runs wild with ani orgy of fast-driving, fast-living, careless, carefree, utterly selfish and thoughtless. She files over highways in- a monster motor, and is pulled up short by a tragedy caused by her own daring. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Rookery Nook," the groat English film comedy, is showing at Shortt's Theatre. - This picture is one of Ben Travers's best productions, and it is full of rich, clean humour. The girl in pyjamas, who is given shelter at the tome of the bachelor, goes through some exciting adventures —and so does the bachelor—but all works out satisfactorily. There are good supports. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Return of Fu Manchu" is screening at the Britannia Theatre. For the benefit of those who might have thought Dr. Fu aianchu a dead one after taking the poison in "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu," It must be explained that the - scheming doctor is a crafty Oriental, aud. that ho Is a hard man to "tell off." Audiences may have thought ho killed himself in the first picture, but those who see the second one will learn that no such self-inflicted penalty took place, and they will learn why. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Definitely cataloguing herself as a most versatile actress, Lupo Volcz will bo scon In her latest role, that of Ming Toy, a Chinese girl in Universal's "East is West," which opens today at the Kllblrnlo Klncma. In the past Lupe has been seen as a Mexican, a Spaniard, a South American, a French girl, and a. Canadian, but this latest role definitely proves her ability as a delineator of difficult and decidedly varied types. Lewis Ayres, the boy who leaped to fame over-night as Paul Baumor in "All Quiet on tho Western Front," plays the role of Billy Benson, the American youth, with modest grace and real sincerity. Excellent sound supports will also be presented. Reserve at theatre. Tel. 14-202. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Good Intentions," starring Edmund Lowe, Is the main attraction at tho Empire Theatre to-night. It is a vivid story of a man who rose by sheer strength of will from the slums, moulded himself a careor of wealth and power, only to find that all his money and power could not avoid the clutching fingers of the past. A large cast includes Regis Toomey, Karle Foxe. Eddie Grlbbon, and Henry Kolker. The supporting programme Includes a tworeel comedy, a novelty number, and two Fox Jlovletono news reels. On Monday and Tuesday Fox Movietone's "Follies of 1030" will be screened. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. . "The 3 Sisters" is showing at the Artcvaft Theatre. It is a dramatic narrative of life in a little Italian village during tho World War. Louise Dresser, Tom Patrlcola, Kenneth MacKenua, Joyce Compton, and June Collycr arc tho co-featured players, with Miss MThatl In the picture. CAPITAL THEATRE. MIRAMAR. A bright i-omedy feature, 'The Golden Cair," will be shown nt the Cnpltnl to-night. El Hrendcl, tho screon's new comedian, appears to great advantage. Excellent supports include a comedy and a news reel. "Tho Air Circus," an cxcltinc drama, which Is well suited for children, will be scroencd at tho matinee on Monday, while "Temple Tower," a story of the thrilling exploits of Bulldog Drummond, will be shown at night,

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Dawn I'atcol," heralded as tlio greatest of all air dramas, which tells thu stirring story of the 50th .British Air Squadron in Franco during tho Oroat War, and recites the thrilling tulo of tho boys who fought ami won wlh a smile on their faces and loss the same way, begins its Wellington season at tho Majestic Theatre to-day. Dick lSarthelmess Is tho star, and his characterisation of tho commander of the squadron is extolled as "his masterpiece and tho most tensely dramatic achievement of Ills brilliant career." Although "The' Dawn Patrol" is first of all a tragic drama, there aro humour and laughs aplenty In it. This relief ia provided by Clyde Cook, James t'inlaysou, and Frank Mac Hugh. Cook, an Australian, well Known on the Ken Zealand stage, and Flnlayson .aro both noted screen comedians, while Macllugh has made a big name on tho musical comedy and vaudeville stages for his screamingly funny "drunk", roles. Tho cast also includes Douglas Fairbanks, ,iun., Gardner James, Edmund Brcon, William Jiinney, and many others. A well compiled and diversified "first part" will precede the chief attraction. To-day and on Monday the box plans will be available at tho theatre, main entrance, where seals may be reserved for all performances without extra booking fee. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Unusually heavy preliminary booking at the Bristol may be accepted as a sure sign that capacity houses at the St. James Theatre will welcome Norma Shearer and the ono and only Marie Dressier in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's highly appraised comedy triumph, "Let Us Bo Gay," which will be presented to-day for the first time In Wellington. The mountings, settings, and dresses, especially the costumes worn by Miss Shearer, are of uncommon quantity, while the supporting cast is composed of artists such as Gilbert Emery, Hedda Hopper, Raymond Hackett, Sally Eilers, Tyrrell Davis, Wilfred Noy, and Sybil Grove. Special interest arises from the fact that Norma Shearer and Mario Dressier are each cast In splendid 'parts, and a friendly . battle for supremacy is waged between the two actresses for the honours of the performance. As to the outcome of this 'contest If one may call it so, the verdict can only be left to he audience, and it is safe to say that some will prefer one and others the other. A splendid first part, specially selected, will precede the main feature, and included amongst its items will be the popular farceurs, Laurel and Hardy, in their latest comedic success, "Another Fine Mess." Box plans are available at the stalls. entrance of. the theatre, and reservations may also be made over the theatre telephone, 28-ITS. DE LUXE THEATRE. Opening its Wellington season to-day at .the De Luxe Theatre is the Fox Movietone supor production "The Big Trail," directed by the fainour Itaoul Walsh. Re-enacting that flaming chapter of American" history, when one hundred years ago the first pioneer wagon train left Missouri for the Oregon country, a chapter which culminated in the winning of the West, it depicts the hardships, of these stalwart pioneers In their trek westward, their courage, thoir spirit, and their faith which carried them through to their valley of dreams. No end of praiao is duo Kaoul Walsh for producing thia screen masterpiece. This great director has inspired hi 3 players to actually re-live the scenes of /a century ago. He has injected realism into this film by travelling his company of players over the very same ground that the pioneers of yesteryears traversed (it is reported that the motion picture troupo travelled 4300 miles in shooting "Big Trail"), and in so doing has enriched the picture with the scenic beauty of California, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, and Utah. There are 93 principal players in the cast, headed by John Wayne, a jouthful discovery of Walsh's. His role of "Breck Coleman" fits tho boy perfectly. Playing opposite Wayne is delightful Marguerite Churchill, as Iluth. Cameron, daughter of the South, who with her orphaned brother and sister join the wagon train in its trek to the West. In the photography, the sound recording, the big scenes such as "The Mud Hole," "The Indian Attack," "The Cliff Scone," in the entire action of the story, which was written by Hal G. Evans, the hand of this directorial genius is always apparent. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. A breathless quality of suspense pervades "The Cat Creeps," the Universal mystery drama which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. The v very atmosphere is heavy . with dread, and there are many hair-raising moments when tho auditor feels impelled to relieve pent-up emotions with a, lusty shriek. This story was adapted from the famous stage "thriller," "The Cat and the Canary," and on tho serene it Is evon more effective than it was on the stage, where it has long been recognised as one of the most spine-tingling plays ever written. Excellent supporting, subjects, Including a further episode of "The Spell of the Circus" (all-talking serial), gazette, and comedy aro added attractions. SYMONS-ELLWOOD-SHORT TRIO. The ever-welcome Symons-Ellwood-Short Trio aro to give a concert at tho Town Hall Con-, cert Chamber on Wednesday, 15th April. They will be heard in an. arresting modern Hussian trio by Tanetew. Of great Interest" will be the first performance in New Zealand of., the glorious Brahms Double Concerto for violin and 'cello. The' accompaniment to this number will be played by. Mr. Ernest Jenner. The third number will bo a strong octet by Mendelssohn. . . • ■ ■ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Chasing a beautiful woman finally involves Vie. M'Laglon In a web of financial and romantic difficulties, but for entertainment purposes only. The situation, occurs in "On the Level;" a. Fox Movietone super-feature, showing at tho Regal Theatre. Fifl Dorsay also stars. Tho other woman Is Lilyan Tashman, who enacts a featured role, and M'Laglen's ever present "Buddy" is William Harrigan; • The supports are of a very high., standard. A super, special will be screened "on Monday and Tuesday, it being "Common Clay." QUEEN'S THEATRE. Commencing a popular return season at the Queen's Theatre to-day will be the outstanding British all-dialogue mystery thriller, "Enter Sir John." This gripping, well-acted story is packed with action. and Incident from start to finish. Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring, Esme Percy, Donald Calthrop, and Phyllis Konstain head an imposing cast. There Is an excellent list of supporting audio featurettes. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "The Cuckoos," an all-talking musical comedy, will be shown at Our Theatre to-night. Tho comedians, Bert 'Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, are co-featured. Excellent sound supports complete the programme. A special matinee takes place on Monday, the all-talking comedy, "Why Bring That Up," being screened. SUNDAY BAND RECITAL. At the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow evening the Koyal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Wellington) Band celebrate the opening of the season with a programme which should attract a full house. There is quality and variety. .A feature will be made of community singing, both prior to and during the recital. In this connection tho management have been most fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Owen Pritchard.'who comes with a great reputation from Auckland. He is known up there as "The Billy Sunday of New Zealand," and they say he is the greatest : singing leader In the land. He is reputed to be also a high-class, .versatile entertainer, and upon this occasion will give ten minutes of specialties, notably some of Sir Harry Lauder's features. Mr. Paul T. Cullen, whose popularity is increasing with every appearance, will play on the Wurlitzer organ the overture, "Light Cavalry" and "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Mo," with vocal refrain. A one-act sketch, '. "Mistaken Identity." will be enacted by Miss Madge Thomas and Mr. John Storr. This is described as very humorous. Tub performers are prize-winners in various centres, and have achieved great success on the wireless. Miss " Jeanette Brlggs (soprano) has a sweet, cultured voice. Her number is "Love, the Pedlar." Little Billie- Murphy will play banjo solos, "Tattoo"-and. "Beat As You Go." She is doscrlbed as a real little champion. Mr. Frank Crowther has again been engaged for the season. His efficient accompaniments ensure the performers giving of their best. Patrons will bo asked-to'join in community singing prior to and during the recital. The band present some fine pieces, including "Dawn of Freedom," "Tho Challenge," selection from the opera, "La Favorlta," and "Mendelssohn's Works." The last-named is one of the test pieces which was to have been played at the oontest. A last-minute arrangement has been miido for the appearance of Officers' Steward Wrst Class Eastnionct (H.M.S. Laburnum) and Stoker First Class Jaokman (H.M.S. Veronica), who will sing and recite. It is expected that ji party of officers and men from the warships in port will be present. ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard S. Page (City Organist) will give his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall to-morrow evening, and the programme has been arranged as under:—Andante and Variations by Mozart, First Movement from Symphony In D minor by Cesar Franck, Portraits, Op. 101, No. 25 Am Hardanger Fjord (Alia. (Jrieg), No. 18 Vorsplel zu Elnem Drama (Alia Wagner), No. 20, Frauengtinst (Alia Job. Strauss) by Karg-Elert, Contemplation (Op. 74) by Rhelnbcrgor, Fountain Music and Duet from (Act. 11., Scene I) "Polleas and Mellsande" by Debussy, and Prelude, Cantlloue, and Scherzando da Concert. Op. 29 by Plerne.