ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

"Follow Through" is showing at the Grand Oporii House. The stars nru Charles ("Buddy") Itogers and Nancy Carroll, and they are ably supported by Zelvmi O'Neal, Jack Haley, and .Eugene rallcltc. Tlio plot deals with the love affairs of .Itogcrs iind Nancy Carroll, whose path to ultinuito happiness, which Is reitehed at the end of the picture, is not always strewn with roses. The biggest llmm is Uugeno ralUUtc, and for 11 time her rather childish devices for separating the loving pair are successful, and it takes the combined efforts of Jack Haley and Zelma O'Neal to assist true love to iviii out. Haley outers the picture as an extremely girl-shy millionaire, but ho leaves, mainly owing to the Influence- or Jlelina, particularly adept in the ways of lovemaMng. The supporting programme Is bright, and the programme provides an- entertaining cvenini.

"ANYBODY'S WAR.

■•■ One of the most important character roles of the talklo season has fallen to the lot oi Mutt, diminutive artist, who, at four-and-a-half is one of the real veterans of filmland. Mutt is a dog. Ho plays the character of Deep Stuff, the favourite pet of Charley Mack of Moran and Mack in Tlio Two Black Crows latest talkie comedy, "Anybody's War, coming to the Grand Opera House on Irlday. Mutt's part runs throughout the entire picture, the (log oven Invading the trenches of both foes in the World War. When Mutt was born four and a half years ago, ho was the disgrace of a beautiful litter of puppieswhose father is "Clown," many, years, champion ot the .Norfolk Kennels. ■ Mutt started in pictures when nine months of age. He worked in a number of Educational "Big Boy" comedies, and was with Bebe Daniels in "Stranded in Taris." He has had other screen parts, but none as Important as the present characterisation of Deep Stuff. In addition to Mutt, there are T8 other dogs representing much more than 7S breds, in the production. And as comedians- par excellence, they produce much more than 78 laughs.

REGENT THEATRE,

"Dv Barry, Woman of Passion," at the Begent Theatre, deals with Louis XV., of France, iind Ills passion for Jeanette Vaubornlcr. The peasantry served Jo provldo her with jewels until they would suffer no longer, and n bloody revolution ended the lives of both the Kins and Ills mistress. Dv Barry's craving for luxury is, temporarily at least, stronger than tier love for a captain or the guard, and the latter, banished by the jealous sovereign, becomes the people's leader. Norma Talmadge achieves a success which must rank with the greatest of her career. To represent King Louis, a former stalwart of the silent screen, William Farnura, makes an. accomplished reappearance. Conrad Nagel makes a dashing captain of the guard, and Hobart Bosworth 18 dignified in the part of the young cavalier's father, the patriot who would deliver his own son to the King's command.

'LET'S GO NATIVE."

The New York musical stage has contributed four of the featured players in the cast of Paramount's "Let's Go Native," big fun and music frolic, to be seen and heard as tho main Item on the programme at the Regent Theatre from Friday next. ' Jeanetto Mac Donald, Jack Oakie, James Hall, and Skeets Gallagher "all established reputations in Broadway musical -comedy productions before entering ■ moving ■ pictures. Hall was tho first to leave the stage for the screen, Oakle and Gallagher were next, arriving in Hollywood shortly before celluloid went articulate. Hall was Clara Bow's leading man in two pictures, Oakle and Gallagher did big parts in.the silents, being teamed for work In their first alltalkhiß production, "Close Harmony." Miss Mac Donald's debut was In "The Lovo Parade as Maurice Chevalier's leading lady. Her next part. was the romantic lead in Dennis King s "The Vagabond King." In addition to this quartet of Broadway graduates, others in tho cast of "Let's Go Native" are Kay Francis, William Powell's wife, in "Street of Chance"; Eugene Palletto, the blundering Sergeant Heath of tho S. S. Van Dine murder mystery pictures; William Austin, the veteran" English character player of "Sweetie" and Dr. Fu Manchu pictures; and David Newell, the handsome youth who played supporting roles in "The kibitzer." "Marriage Playground," and a number / of other talking pictures.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

■ "A -lady's- Morals" is being' shown at the De Luxe Theatre. This talo of a fellow countryman who falls in love with Jenny Llnd Grace Moore), "the Swedish Nightingale," whllo she is still a girl and who finds peace with her at last t is of sure appeal. The supporting programme includes a Metrotone News, a comedy in which the Boy Friends and Thelma Ttuld feature and a ramblo through the Moroccan city of Rabat under the guardianship of Burtom Holmes. The programme is completed by some classical numhers atl o orga , ilaved by the deft hands of Mr. Paul 1- Ouuui. 1 Jolin Ilarrvmore will ue seen and heard in his third Warner Bros.' and Vltaphono picture at tho Do Luxo Theatre on Friday next in "Moby Dick," an adaptation of Herman Melville's immortal classic of whaling drijs of the same. name.. Audiences and ciitics everywhere have been thrilled by tho grlppl g sequences of this greatest of sea tales, and to the magnificent performance of the man who is- accepted as America's grcntest actoi. S at seY, in the midst of wild s.orms am ine'-mutliis of the crew, the hand-to-liana con drpaded Monster by -Ahab,.. are unbelievably moving.... - - . -.■.-; -.

: " ' 'PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"Tlie Texan" is showing -at the Paramount Theatre;" Llano Kid-(Gary Cooper) has; anencounter. ■ with : a cardsharper, whom he Rills, and then rides away, after defying the sheriff While on a'train he meets. Thacker (Oscar Aifel). who persuades him to go to South America as the long lost son of Scnora Ibaria «iW-. S? r S^rep^ his Mention, especially as it was the real son SSs^e^iranStic^^^i tr^^^^^i sag* The most intimate crook story ever filinf« " suiting in is refusal to split fifty-fifty with a Ran- eader. The action moves swift y and SunS np to one of the most **™*°M»*™ ever brought to the screen. Universal has selected a superb cast to portray the characters in the story. Mary Nolan, ever a splendid ! emotional actress, gives her most finishedl performance .as the accomplice of tlio crook, i-yinsers, played by Owen Moore. Mwardl G. Bobinson, as the gang leader, "Cobra" Collins .is...a distinctive., underworld character, a ' qhinese American. Although the plot deals principally with the professional activities of ■crooks tho emotional human side of the cracksman, and his accomplice, and a jealous rival, aio. well brought out.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"The 'W Plan" Is showing at the Queens Theatre. Briefly It tells how Colonel Duncan Grant, after learning ta » W German major of a plan to attack the British Arany from the rear by means of tunnels—tno "\V" plan—ls dropped near Essen by an aeroulane. One of the first peopje lio meets is i I German girl, his' sweetheart of pre-war days. Grant has many hectic adventures— before ho Is caught. He is made an interpreter to a company of British prisoners who vvotk in the tunnels. Eventually, with their aid, he blows up one of the 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 13 showing at the King's Theatre. Wellbalanced comedy, burlesque dancing, singIng, and patter interludes follow one another "<n quick' succession and the comedy is rich. As a stage revue "Elstree Calling" is thoroughly enjoyable and one of tho most satisfactory pictures yet presented. Will Jfyffc, Scotch comedian, and Teddy Brown and Ills band are featured1, and. a comedy, "Cockney Spirit in the War," Is also screened.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

■ "Whoopee," the Samuel Goldwyn-Florenz Zlegfeld musical riot, starring Eddio Cantor, is showing at Shortt's Theatre. This famous pair of. producers have exhausted every angle of their art to make "Whoopee" memorable. Hilarious comedy from such experts as Eddie Cantor,' and Ethel Shutta, tuneful songs of every variety, beautiful - girls galore as only Ziegfeld can pick them, an affecting love story, and a general air of satisfying lavishness make it a picture in a niillion. There are good sup ports.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

"Up the River" is now showing at the New Princess Theatre. Few funnier efforts have ever reached tho speaking screen than this riotous' Fox Movietone travesty of life in gaol. Spencer. Tracy and Warren Hymer cause roars and howls whenever they appear, and the charming Claire Luce and Humphrey Bogart in the romantic leads contrast admirably with tho hilarious antics of the other players. William Collier, sen., and Joan ("Chorie") Lawos are the other featured players. Excellent supports and another chapter of the "Spell of the Circus" serial are. further attractions.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

. "The Benson Murder Case." a new raramnunt alt-talking mystery play, starring William P6well, is showing at the Britannia Theatre. Five suspects aro -..hopelessly involved •with the killing of .a stocltbroker. aoJ jet 'nothing, can bo proved against liny of thorn. Each had his motivo for the crime; each had the desire to commit it; but only one of them did commit it, and that's where lhllo Vance's brains arb required to sift the mystery to the bottom. Vanco surprises everyone, and proves ho is right in tho end.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Univcrsal's Western drama, "Jtoarinß Ranch." .starring Hoot f,'ibsoii, will lio shown at Our Theatre 10-DlKlit. The plot deals ivitli 'ilic ftrorts Or lw<i inoii, (mo n-rancher, -ilm-- iiliior ;r coul'i-irt. to .win the lnind of a pivt'tv .'«■!. ;i(il lf.l:li"l'. K.NlxllCllt supports inuuilUi! thu programme.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The last two days are announced of "Let Us He <iay," which has established finite a remarkable attendance record ;it St. .lames Theatre. Norma Shearer and Jliirio Dressier battle in rivalry for the honours or the performance. Box plans arc at The Bristol and also at the theatre. When Elizabeth Madox lioberts'a widely-read book, "The Grcal Meadow," was first published It run into many editions and beenme in America the best-seller of its year. Now iMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the producers of "Ben JTur," who also made "Let Us Be flay." hnvo mude Ihu screen version of "The (Jrcul. .Meadow," and claim Hint it Is a production lit In be classed with tho other two successes named. The writings of film critics and the verdict of flic public in England and in America certainly suggest that it Is n picture of extraordinary merit. The powerful story is said to bo exceptionally well acted by Eleanor. Boardman, 'lolin Mack Brown, Gavin Gordon, Lucille La Verne, Anlfa I'ouisc, Guinn Williams, Russell Simpson. Sarah I'adden, and Helen Jerome Kddy, augmented b.v hundreds of auxiliaries. Box plans arc at The Bristol.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

A pleasant evening may be spent at the Majestic Theatre In watching the development of tlis clever plot of the laugh and thrill-pro-rtudug play, "Itemoto Control," which, with William Hnines as star, and I'olly Jlurau, Mary Doran, Charles King,.John MUJun, and others playing capital parts', gives satisfaction to everybody. The season closes on Thursday evening. Box plans are at The Bristol. Ruth Roland, a great favourite of the silent screen, has returned to pictures and is credited with scoring a pronounced success in her first talking picture, "Kenp," in which, at the head of a long and strong cast, she will appear at the Majestic Theatre on Friday morning next. "Eeno" is said to be a faithful screen adaptation of Cornelius Vanderbilt's sensational book of the same title In which the millionaire author fearlessly attacks, the all-too-easy divorce methods which prevail in the State of Nevada, and particularly at its capital city Reno. The price that children are called upon to pay as the result of a system of which they are the innocent victims is one of the strong notes of the story. The cast includes Montagu Love, Kenneth Thomson, Sam Hardy, Alyco Cormack, Doris Lloyd, Judith Vosselli, Virginia Alnsworth. Douglas Scott, Emroett King, Henry Hall, and Ciayne Whitman. Box plans are at The Bristol "and also at the theatre.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE

One of tho greatest combinations of comedy talent ever seen in a motion picture will be viewed on the Artcraft Theatre screen to-night when "Sally" will be shown. "Sally" is adapted from Miss Marilyn Miller's greatest stage success, and is a First National and Vitaphone picturo entirely in colour. It is. also Miss Miller's first picture. Joe E. Brown, famous on stage and screen, has the principal comedy role.. In addition thero are scores of players to contribute to the fun, and tho handsome Alexander Cray is cast in the romantic role opposite the star.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

A startling series of events is pictured in "The Cat Creeps," now playing at the Ilegal Theatre, Karori. "The Cat Creeps," adapted by Universal Pictures; includes in Its cast such well known and capable players as Helen Twelvetrees, Raymond Hackett, Lilyan Tashman, Neil Hamilton, Jean Hersholt, and Montague Love. A special comedy has been selected to bo screened with this feature, and is titled "In Old Mazuma," and together with an Oswald cartoon, called "Cold Feet," and a Universal news reel, makes an interesting programme. On Saturday there will bo no screening, and the usual Saturday matinee will be held on Friday at 3.30 p.m., when a full programme and serial will be screened.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Shadow of tho Law/ starring William Powell, will have its final showing at the, Capitol to-night. "Tho Cat Creeps," an eerie, chilline mystery drama,, commences to-morrow, and will also be shown on Friday and Monday. No pictures will be screened on Anzao Day, Saturday. A special children's matinee will commence at 4 p.m. on Friday. "Prep anff Pop," an exciting silent drama, and the next chapter of "Tarzan the Tiger" will be shown.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"The Cat Creeps," now playing at the Kilbirnie Kinenia, has been adapted by Universal from the famous stage "thriller" "The Cat and the Canary," and Includes In its all-star cast such- well-known players, as Helen Twolvetrees, Raymond Hacltett, and Lllyan Taahman.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

The main attraction on the double-feature programme at the Empire Theatre to-night is

"Lawful Larceny." Starring Bebo Daniels and Lowell Sherman, the story tells of a husband who is victimised by a blackmailing woman. She, in turn, is victimised by a clever, lovable, but unscrupulous man. How tho pair aro Dually outmanoeuvred makes a very unusual climax. The second production is "Conspiracy." The story concerns tho capture of a gang of dope manufacturers. The cast Includes Bessie Love, Ned Sparks, and Hugh- Trevor. On Frl.day afternoon, at half-past.3, a special matinee will be held. -