ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "l)u Ttarrv, Woman of J'assion," nl the Regent Theatre, is based on the ulay I.v David Wclusco, and tliu story is that of Louis XVr., of France, and Ills passion for .fennettc Vaubernior, the milliner's assistant, who later became Madame l)u Harry, the King's favourite, to satisfy whoso slightest whim tlio confers of Iho State were ready to supply a seemingly never-ending stream of money. The peasantry starved to provide her with jewels until they would sulTcr no loniser, and a bloody revolution ended tlio lives of both llio King and his misti-css. In the screen version, the Dv Harry's craving for luxury is, temporarily at least, stronger than her lore for v captalu of the guard, and Iho latter, banished by the jealous sovereign, becomes the people's leader. Xormsi Talmadge achieves a success which must rank with Hie greatest of her career. To represent King Louis, a former stalwart of tlio .silent screen, William Farnum, makes an accomplished reappearance. Conrad Nagel makes a dashing captain of tlio guard, and Uobart Bosworth is dtguittcd in the part of tlio young cavalier's father, the patriot who would deliver his own sou to the King's command. DE LUXE THEATRE. "A Lady's Morals" is being shown at the Do Luxe Theatre. This tale of a fellow countryman who rails In love with Jenny Lind (Unice Moore), "the Swedish Nightingale," while she is still a girl and who ttnds peace with her at last, is of sure appeal. A warning should perhaps be added that there is not the slightest historical oasis for the incidents if the Him. The film, however, is well presented. The supporting programme includes a Metrotono News, a comedy in which the Boy Friends and Tliclma I'odd feature, and a ramble through the Moroccan city of Itabat under the guardianship of Burtom Holmes. The programme is completed by some classical numbers at tlio organ, played by the deft hands of Mr. Paul T. Cullen. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Texan" is showing at tho Paramount Theatre. The picture opens in Texas, with tho Llano Kid (Gary Cooper) wanted by the police for a hold-up. He rides into a small town, and has an encounter with a card.sharper, whom lie Kills, and then rides away, after defying the religiously-minded sheriff (James Marcus) While on a train he mcels Thacker (Oscar Apfel). "ho persuades him to go to huiith America as the long lost son of benora Ibarra (Kmma Dunn). The two men plan to steal the old lady's gold, but the Llano Kid. on meetIng someone who docs not look on him merely as an-outlaw, repents of his intention, especially as it was tho real son whom ho killed for card-sharping in Texas. Events take a dramatic turn when Thacker attempts to kilt his ex-partner, and tho sheriff turns up to take him back td the United States. Eventual■ly everything turns out well. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The 'W rlwi" is showing at the Queen's Theatre. Briefly it tells how Colonel Duncan Grant, after learning from a dying German major of a plan to attack tho British Army from the rear by means of tunnels—-tho "W" plan—is dropped near Esscu by an aeroplane. One of the first people he meets is a Gorman girl, his sweetheart of pre-war days. Grant lias many hectte adventures — before ho is caught. He is made an interpreter to a company of British prisoners who woflc in the tunnels. Eventually, with their aid, he blows up one of tho tunnels, and escapes to the British lines. KING'S THEATRE. A cleverly directed sequence of splendid variety turns, linked by wireless announcer and television. device, "Elstree Calling" is showing at tho King's Theatre. Wellbalanced comedy, burlesque dancing, singing, and patter interludes follow one another in quick succession and the comedy is rich. As a stago revue "Elstree Calling" is thoroughly enjoyable and one of tho most satisfactory pictures yet presented. Will Fylfc, Scotch comedian, and Teddy Brown and his band are featured, and a comedy, "Cockney Spirit in the War," is also screened. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "French Leave," now at the Kilbirnie Klnema, was adapted from Captain Reginald Berkeley's play, one of the most brilliant successes of the English stage. The humour and pathos underlying the story, each character essentially truo in conception, the scintillating dialogue, are all factors that have made it an Ideal subject for adaptation to tho talking picture screen. Sound foaturettcs arc also sercenccl. Reserve at theatre, tcl. 11-202, and Bristol. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Jack London's story,. "The Sea Wolf," is showing at tho Artcraft Theatre. This is a vivid tale of a boy's regeneration against terrific odds, under the twin spurs of a woman's love and a man's contempt. It deals with, a down and out waster, shanghaied aboard a sealing vessel commanded by the toughest skipper on the seven seas; a mysterious girl of tho half-world, provocative, sympathetic, unfathomable—and the "Wolf" himself—a rugged, herculean brute, master of his littlp floatr ing world, a heartless.experimenter with human souls. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Whoopee," the Samuel Goldwyn-Florcnz Ziegfeld musical riot, starring Eddie Cantor, is showing at Shortt's Theatre. Tills famous pair of producers havo exhausted every angle of their art to malco "Whoopee" memorable. Hilarious comedy from such experts as Eddie Cantor, and Ethel Shutta, tuneful songs of every variety, beautiful girls galore as only Zicgfeld can pick them, an affecting love story, nnd a general air of satisfying lavishness make it a picture in a million. There are good supports. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Up the River" is now showing at the Now Princess Theatre. Few funnier efforts havo ever reached tho speaking screen than this riotous Fox Movietone travesty of life in gaol. Spencer Tracy and Warren Hymcr cause roars and howls whenever they appear, and tho charming Claire Luce and Humphrey Eogart in the romantic leads contrast admirably with the hilarious antics of the other players. William Collier, sen., and Joan ("Clierle") Lawcs are the other featured players. Excellont supports and another chapter of tho "Spell of the Circus" serial aro further attractions. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Benson Murdor Case," a new Paramount all-talking mystery play, starring William Powell, is showing at the Britannia Theatre. Five suspects aro hopelessly involved with the killing of a stockbroker, and yet nothing can bo proved against any of them. Each had his motive for the crime; each had the desire to commit it; • but only one of them did commit it, and that's where l'hllo Vance's brains are required to sift the mystery to the bottom. Vance surprises everyone, and proves he is right in tho end. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Shooting Straight," a Kadio picture ' now showing at Our Theatre, stars Richard Dix. Dis represents a crooked gambler who is made to see the error of his ways by a sweet, simple girl, whose father, a minister, has worked hard to clean up the evils of his homo town. A Dig train wreck adds considerable thrill to the production. There are excellent supports. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The Cuckoos," the hilarious comedy, starring Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsley, will have its final screening at the Capitol to-night. A Fox News and a Patho Magazine support this picture. "The Shadow of the Law," starring William Powell, commences to-morrow night. "The Cat Creeps" commences on Thursday. TRAMWAYS' BAND CONCERT. Enjoyed by a capacity house at the St. James Thcatro last night, the first recital this season of the Wellington Tramways Municipal Band -was a pronounced success, each item being exceptionally well received. Tho band was under tho conductorship of Mr. K.- Franklin, and was in cxcollent form. Tho opening number, "Simeon," was very well played, and was followed by a spirited number entitled "Stein-Stein-Stein." Mr. Edward Jones' delighted tlio audience with tho song, "Tho Gallant Salamander," and, as an encore, "Bells of tho Sea." Bandmaster Stevenson gave a pleasing performance with his cornet solo, "Alpino Echoes." Tho members of the popular Potono Maori Concert Party, under the leadership of Miss Pukatapu, were in great form. The openlug number, "Tomaugakau," was beautifully delivered. It was received with an outburst of applause, and a further number, "Can't Bo Bothered With my Music," fairly took the house by storm. The band attained a very high standard of musical proficiency with a selection, "Lorenzo!." Miss Laffcry made full use of her sweet soprano voice in the beautiful "Seronata" by Tossclli. Bandsman Crisp's flno tone and treatment with his euphonium solo, "The Trumpeter." had a pleasing effect. Mr. Terence O'Brien, Irish tenor, held the audience spell-bound with "When Other Lips." Recalled, Mr. O'Brien rendered three further numbers, "Believe Mo if Thoso Charms," "Old County Down," and tho always popular "Mother Machree." The "Machine Gun Guard" inarch, played by the baud, closed tho concert. Mr. Ilaydoclc officiated at tho piano.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Follow Through" is showing at (lie Grand Opcru House. Tlio story Is unfolded in a gultiiiß atmosphere. Tho stars arc Charles (".middy") Rogers and Nancy Carroll, ami they arc. ably supported by Zclma ONeal, .hick Haley, and Kugene lMllcUc; tho ilrst two in particular iiru the outstanding successes. Tho ihcmu Is treated in the inie musical comedy fashion and tlicru has been much attention to tho spectacular. Tho whole of the picture is in Icelmicolour, and soino ot the scenes arc indeed beautiful, .in especially cllVctlvo one bclns Zclma O'Neal's lunnber. 1 Want la be Bad," which lias tho support ot a chorus. The plot itself is of tho ilimsy type, and deals with the love affairs or Jlogcrs and Nancy Carroll, whose path to ultimate happiness 'which is reached at tho end of tliu picture, is nut always strewn with roses. Iho biggest thorn is Jiugeiic Vallctte, and for a time her rather chiUlish devices foe scparjit ut, Iho lovlii" pair jiro successful, and it I a lies Iho combined efforts of Jack llalcy and Zelma O'Ncnl to assist true love to win out., law enters the picture as an extremely K|r|-!; f, millionaire, but ho leaves, m.-unly owing to Iho innuenco ot Zclma, particularly adept in the ways of lovemukhiß. Tho supporting programme is bright, and the programme provuks an entertaining evcnlnc. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A crowded house at tho Majestic Theatre on Saturday evening was demonstrative m i s approval of the capital comedy-drama, "Heno.o Cf.iiti-Q]** As the breezy director ot «i iiujipaying radio broadcasting station, popular William Haiuos, Metro-Goldwyn's star, is at his best Owing to a. dearth of artists he is obli"cd to contribute nearly all the first evening's programme himself, and lie docs it to Iho delight of his audience. The story takes . a deeper turn when Professor Kruger, a clairvoyant, and one ur the nightly features of the radio programme, turns out to bo the leader or tho criminal "ghost" gang who uses his. radio personality as a means of instructing his followers. Haines receives excellent acting support from Polly Moran, Charles King, John Miljau, Mary Doran, and others. The su:poring subjects are of good duality and well varied. Box plans are at tho Bristol and also at the theatre. ST. JAMES THEATRE. That Wcllingtonians appreciate a really good entertainment when they got it was again demonstrated on Saturday when "Let Ijs He (Jay" attracted capacity houses to St. James Theatre at both Ihe afternoon and evening sessions. As the picture is now in its third consecutive week of exhibition, tho long sustained public response is a big tribute to tho power of its appeal. The hist four nights of tho season are announced. Quite apart from the brilliancy of its dialogue the iutcprctatiou of the play by the unusually fine cast of players is a source of enjoyment so well are tho parts sustained. Norma Shearer and Jtivno Dressier are a host in themselves. IntendiuK patrons are advised to avoid disappointment by booking seats at the Bristol. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Song 0' My Heart," the Fox Moviespecial musical romance, starring the worldrenowned concert tenor, ,Tohn M'Cormack, will commence a two-nights' season at tho itecal Theatre, Karori, to-night. M'Cormack sings eleven numbers, which include such world-wide favourites as "I Hear You Calling Me," "little Boy Blue," and "Kose Of Tralee." Apart from tho scenes in which Hie.story is,developed by the acting and singing of John M'Cormack, those in which J. M. Kerrigan and Farrell Mac Donald take part with cross-flrc comedy, are amongst the most popular. A good supporting programme of Fox Movietone subjects will bo screened. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A. For Movietone special production, "Common Clay," starring Lewis Ayres and Constance Bennett, will head tho programme at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story centres round a pleasure-loving girl who takes a job in a night club. Her subsequent efforts to secure justice form the basis for the interesting drama. Beryl Moore and Tully Marshall fill a large supporting cast. An excellent comedy, entitled "Stewed, Fried, and Boiled," and a Jfox Movietono Ncwsrcel complete the programme. On Wednesday and Thursday a double-feature programme, "Lawful Larceny" and "Conspiracy," will bo screened. NEW OUALITY THEATRE. "Souih Sea Eoso," a drama set amidst beautiful tropical setting, featuring Leuore Ulrlch, heads the new programme at the New Quality Theatre, Island Bay, to-night. The supporting' programme includes a comedy and news reel. REPERTORY SOCIETY. The National Repertory Society will present on Tuesday, 2Sth April, "Trelawney of the Wells," Sir A. W. Pinoro's well-known masterpiece. This will represent tho society's most ambitious effort to date, particularly in the matter of costumes and settings. These are dated in Mie old crinoline days and no expense has been spared and no detail overlooked to make tho production of high standard. Miss Helen Gard'ncr will play tho part of Trelawney, and the very largo cast comprises some of the best-known members of tho society's acting members. The production is in tho capable hands of Mr. W. S. Wauchop, and a very intensive preparation has boon made. The box plan for the public opens on Thursday next, and early application is recommended. Tho season will be for flvo nights. ____^____^____ '