ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "What a Widow" will bo finally shown at the Grand Opera House to-night. TWO-FEATURE PROGRAMME. A double-feature programme will commence at the Grand Opera House to-morrow. Stanley Smith will bo seen in the musical production "Queen High," which was brought to the screen by Paramount and Schwab and Mandel, the stage producers. In "Soldiers and Women," the attractive and thrilling dramb, which is the second feature, Ailecn Pringle. Grant Withess, and Helen Johnson aro the stars. In "Queen High" Buggies and Morgan are the partner in a sartor-producing business, who know how to support ladies' garments with their wares, but who do not know how to support each other's opinions with any degree of pacifism. After many fights, their lawyer suggests that they each draw a hand of poker, to determine who will bo the other's butler. Buggies loses, and thereafter Is the mansertant in the home of Morgan. Laugh follows laugh as the humorous situations pile up In swift tempo. But tho luckless Rugglcs learns of a way to end all of Morgan's' lordly ordering about. He makes up to his "mastor's wife." That fetches tho indignant Morgan. There are several catchy melodies in the production.' "Soldiers and Women" is a tense love drama of tremendous power. It Is brutally realistic, and is a superb example of good dramatic structure. The action of the play gradually gains momentum as It unfolds to reach a stirring climax which is almost breath-taking. ; REGENT THEATRE. "The Squeaker" will be shown finally at the Regent Theatre to-night. ,;. "THE BAT WHISPERS." Roland West's production, "The Bat Whispers," featuring Chester Morris, which comes to the Regent Theatre to-morrow, is a picture of a thousand sounds. The comedydrama for United Artists has more sounds, strange and familiar noises, than any picture ever made, ranging from music to thunder, and from ghostly footfalls to police sirens. Shots, shouts, creaking hinges, shattering glass, the thud of falling bodies, screams, laughs, and the roaring of powerful motor-cars, are tho most ordinary of the sound effects. "Find tho Villain" is the great guessing contest which this thriller' will provide for patrons at the Regent Theatre. In the cast are Una Merkel, Gustav Yon Seyffertitz, Grayce Hampton, Maude Eburne, Charles Dow Clark, Spencer Charters, Ben Bard, William Bakewell, Blchard Tucker, De Witt Jennings, Hugh Huntley, and S. E. Jennings. The clever audacity of "Raffles," the fast-moving action of "Bulldog Drummond," the spine-tingling mystery of "The Thirteenth Chair," the crafty naturalness of "Sherlock Holmes," and the clever cunning of "Arsene Lupin" are all found in this blood-chilling mystery-drama, "The Bat Whispers," directed by Roland West, director of "Alibi," the first outstanding all-talking sensation. Here is the romantic story of a boy and girl fighting sin-gle-handed against the arch cunning of one of the greatest criminals ever known, fighting to save the honour of the man accused of theft, surrounded on all sides by sinister influences, crafty intrigues, and an all-absorbing mystery that crashes to one of the most natural yet thrilling climaxes ever seen In a motion- picture. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Bad Man" will be shown finally at tho Paramount Theatre to-night. "EAST LYNNE." What is described as the finest glorification of. the audible screen will be given its Wellington premiere to-morrow at the Paramount Theatre in Frank Lloyd's production of "East Lynne," with Ann Harding, Clive Brook, Conrad Xagel, and a brilliant cast of truly popular players. There is so much to commend this Fox Movietone that to attempt to describe it with a. single phrase is a great injustice. In the first place, "East Lynne" In this case becomes the screen's most notable achievement, an accomplishment that vibrates with rare entertainment from beginning to end. Secondly, the story, adapted from Mrs. Woods's novel by Tom Barry and Bradley King, moves swiftly and develops with such dramatic power and consistency that the two hours consumed in unfolding it seem but mere minutes. Thirdly, Ann Harding achieves now laurels and justifies the characterisation of the screen's "greatest emotional actress." A lovelier Isabel, certainly, has never been seen on stage or screen. She lives the role every inch of the way. She radiates with an incomparable beauty and sincerity that contributes importantly to the buci'css of the picture. In the fourth place, Conrad Nagel and Cilve Brook give characterisations that will add much to their popularity. The latter does the outstanding work of his rareer as Levison. Conrad Nagel is at his best as the ambitious young lawyer, influenced by his spinster sister, who makes an outoast "of his wife. The supporting cast Is an unusually important one, including Beryl Merrer Cecilia Loftus, 0. P. Heggie, and David Torrence. Tho direction of Frank Lloyd is flawless and the settings by the famous Joseph Urban enhance the picture. There will bo two sesions daily at the Paramount Theatre, at "> 30 and 8 p.m. Box plans aro available at Bristol and theatre, early booking being recommended. KING'S THEATRE. "A Lady's .Morals" will be screened finally at. the King's Theatre to-night. . Three women complicate the love situation for Maurice Chevalier, in that star's screamingly funny comedy romance, "P)W"h°y °f Paris," commencing at the King's Theatre tomorrow. Maurice, gay, debonairo, and dauntless is cast as a millionaire waiter. All day he waits on' the rich people of Paris, longing to take his place with them in the glamorous life of the world's fashion-centre. The pretty Prances Doe, tho lucky Hollywood extra 'girl, who scored to movie heights when chosen to liliv with Chevalier, enters the contest for his heart, turns the tables on a blonde mirsiior, and .an ambitious golfidlgper. -.atu\ ,f, nat(*es "laurice from his mountain of dreams, ihe supports are excellent, and include cartoon, musical novelty, farce, and a comedy. • SHORTT'S THEATRE. Frederick Lonsdale's brilliant comedy. "On Approval," is being shown af Shottt's Theatre The cast, is almost the same as "Rookery Xonk " Tom Walls is the irresistible, don't care, *mpecunlo.™ Duice of Bristol, Winifred Shotter as a charming woman, and Mary Brough, etc., in those kind of parts which made them so famous in "Rookery Nook. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Four popular screen players have equally Important parts in Paramount* screen version of "Interference," which is now showing at the New Princess Theatre. They are CHve Brook, Evelyn Brent, William Powell, and Doris Kenyon. "Interference" was acclaimed as a sensational "hit" both In London, where it ran for two years, and in New York, where it held the boards for nine months. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. To-night, at the Regal Theatre, "The Boudoir Diplomat" will be shown. It Is ■ a stupendous story, ably told, of a young, handsome, and dashing diplomat who, in order to serve his king, makes violent love to the court ladles in order to hear from their lips the stories of intrigue and the political secrets that they knew. How he meets nis true love'and leaves a trail of broken hearts is well told. Betty Compson and lan Keith play tho featured roles. A special Fox Movietone News dealing with Australian happenings will bo shown in company with a cartoon, comedy, and Universal All-talking News Reel. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Almost a Honeymoon" will be shown finally at the De Luxe Theatre to-night. Based on one of the most adventurous and romantic periods of comparatively recent history the opening of the free lands in tho Dakotas to white, settlers in the early '70's, "Not Exactly Gentlemen," Fox Movietone production, featuring Victor M'Laglen and Fay Wray, will open to-morrow at the De Luxe Theatre While the main theme is the call of the land, still, there is woven through the screen story like a thread of gold through the sombre wool of struggle and endeavour, tho life story of two young pioneers, played by Fay Wray and David Worth, with the winsome heroine. Fay Wray, enlisting sympathy and interest from the first scene where she is discovered bending over her dead father, to the final fade out. In striking contrast to the youthful lovers are the three hunted men, outlaws and killers, with a price on their respective heads, played by Victor Miaglen, Lew Cody, and Eddie Gribbon. The picture Is stated to be a fine adaptation of Herman Whitaker's popular romance, "Over the Border." A supportng attraction of groat merit is the all-British comody-drama, "Too Many Crooks," a brilliant screen version of the popular stage success, of the namo name. It contains an outstanding cast of British stage and screen celebrities in a variety of perfect roles. Box plans are available at Bristol and theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Seas Beneath" will be shown finally at the Queen's Theatre to-night. To-morrow will bring to the Queen's Theatre the ' l''al screening of "The Lone Defender," star y tho world's wonder dog, Rln g»n Tin, in soii'.u amazing scenes, new tricks, new stunts, new thrills that call for more than canine intelligence. Bounds 5 and 6 of Universal's all-talking sports series, "Leather Pushers." a Mascot comedy, and a musical sketch, "The Toy Shop," are the supporting items. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "The Princess and the Plumber," featuring Maureen O'Sulllwin and Charles Farrell, and vcrccning at the Artcraft Theatre, is a charming romance of a lonely princess and an Amorlcnn engineer, with its setting laid In a mythical region of the Balkans, and with plenty of action and surprises and comedy to make it highly enjoyable. H. B. Warner Is also featured, whllo Joseph Cawthorn, Bert It'wh, Luclen Privai, Louise Closser Hale, and other screen and stage celebrities enact the supporting roles. Alexander Korda .directed from Alice Duer Miller's novel. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Moby Dick," Herman Melville's great classic story, will be shown at the EUblrnie Kinemn to-night. The stars who will be 3een In this great drama of the old whaling days are John Barrymore and Joan Bennett. THE GLYDE SKATING RINK. Hundreds of patrons visit tho Clyde Skating Rink, in Wakefleld street, daily, and it appears to continue to grow in popularity. Every consideration is being given to learners, and they are specially catered for with a special session from 10 to 11.30 a.m. daily (except Saturday). Expert tutors are In attendance at each session to help novices.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Within the Law" will bo shown finally at the St. James Theatre to-night. Elissa Landi, the actress from England who captured America in a night and for whom is claimed the distinction of being "the new queen of the talking screen world," must be a superlatively gifted woman, for all that nature has to bestow seems to have been showered upon her. She has won fame as actress, author, and musician. Such celebrities as Elinor Glynn, Jlahonrl Young (sculptor), Joseph Urban, the widely-known artist, Guy Bolton, author, George Gershwin, composer of the "Rhapsody in Blue/" Harrison Fisher, the I famous artist, and the entire American Press unite in eulogising the ability and beauty of this new British star to an extent hitherto unknown in picture history. Her appearance at St. James Theatre to-morrow In that stirring and sterling play, "Body and Soul," which is the first piece with war as a background in which a woman has been given a real chance to come into her own, should occasion special Interest. "Body and Soul" is her first American made "talkie," and it supplies the actress . with abundant opportunity to demonstrate her skill. Charles Farrell, for so lons associated with Janet Gaynor, is Miss Landi's leading man. Box plans arc at The Bristol and also at the theatre. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Reducing" will be shown finally at the Majestic Theatre to-night. "RESURRECTION." The story of "Resurrection" is a confession. That fact is now being made public in connection with the forthcoming Oxford Press edition of all of Count Leo Tolstoy's works, an edition which will present for the first time the Tolstoy novel which has been the most widely-read in English of any of his works in the original form in which he intended to have it published. The story is not only a confession, but also for the -first time it is now being disclosed . b3\ his biographer that the main complication of the "Resurrection" story, as it will be seen at the Majestic Theatre, commencing to-morrow, actually, happened in real. life. > The personal experience made such a deep Impression on Count Tolstoy that he expended :'upon this book more pains, more care, more of his own genius and knowledge of life and lore than he did on any of the other action ■ which he turned out so rapidly and so successfully all his life. The story of "Resurrection" has been one which has appealed mightily to almost every form of art, hating appeared prior to its talking screen version in almost every other form in which a human story can be told. It was first a newspaper serial, then- a novel —and that novel translated into twenty-eight languages—then a stage play, a moving picture, a grand opera, and now, through the painstaking and almost reverent direction of Edwin Carewe, has reached the latest and most graphic means of expression, the talking screen, with John Boles playing tlje role of Dmitri and Lupe Velez that of the wronged ward in his aunt's home. Box plans for "Resurrection" are available at The Bristol and at tho Majestic Theatre. "MOROCCO." The talking screen has found its voice of love in "Morocco," in which Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, and Adolpe Menjou will be seen. At infrequent ■ intervals the motion picture industry produces a super picture, one achieving the rare combination of power, sweep,1 artistry, and universal appeal. "Morocco", is such a picture. "Morocco" is a story of a turbulent, fierce, all-consuming love —of a man and a woman swept Into a maelstrom of emotions which neither of them desires and neither can resist. Filmed on a majestic scale. Against the colourful background of old-world Morocco and the intriguing French Foreign Legion, "Morocco" is epic in. proportions,. a contribution to cinema art which will lift Its director, Josef yon Sternborg, even higher in the ranks of the truly great motion picture makers. Gary Cooper, private In the dare-devil Foreign Legion, whose business is fighting, whose pleasure is flirting, is attracted to Marlone Dietrich, beautiful cabaret singer, and strikes up an acquaintance with her. She, too, like Cooper, is a disillusioned being, believing in no man, scorning all love. Nevertheless, these two are powerfully drawn together, in spite of themselves, and in spite of the efforts of Adolphe Menjou, wealthy, socially prominent, who also loves the girl, offers her love, wealth, and social position. Cooper seeing what tho girl would have to give up for him, attempts to destroy her love for him; she, unwilling to hamper his free career, tries to fight his infatuation. Neither is successful. Inevitably they come together. This surging romance is pictured against the sensuous and colourful.life of North Africa, In Morocco, a- city of weird masonry, twisted, uneven streets, of veiled women and swaggering Legionnaires. Here is the Foreign Legion, bronzed men, picturesquely uniformed, marching to the blare of gay trumpets, the quick beat of drums. These are scenes to quicken the pulse, to fan that spark of adventure -which everyone possesses. CHORAL UNION. For the first time in Wellington Sir Edward Elgar's "Caractacus" will be performed by the Choral Union on Saturday evening next at the Town Hall, under the conductorship of Mr. John Bishop. "Caractacus'* is looked upon as one of Elgar's finest works, and ranks with the greatest choral works the world has produced. As in all his works there is a deep significance and devotional feeling. Elgar Is probably the most sincere of modern composers. The soloists that have been engaged are Miss Naomi WhaJley, Mr. Wm. Watters, Mr. Harold Prescott, and Mr. Harlson Cook, while the choir and orchestra will number about 300. The box plan is now open, at the Bristol. Two shilling - tickets (no tax) will be on sale at the box office from 5 p.m. to-morrow night. The final rehearsal takes place at the Town Hall at 7.30 to-morrow (Friday) evening. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. P. G. Wodehouse, the noted English humourist wrote the dialogue for "Those Three French Girls," to be screened, at. the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. Thu story presents a riotous account of the adventures in Psiris of the nephew of a British earl. Reginald Denny, Flfl Dorsay, Cliff Edwards, and George Grossmith play the leading roles. A Metro News, Charlie Chase ■ comedy, and Burton Holnjes travelogue will also be screened. Seats may be reserved by telephone.

BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Dlxlana" Is showing at the Britannia Theatre. The action of the story takes in the glamour of the fashlonablo life of New Orleans in 1840. Spectacular scenes ore presented of the Mardi Gras of that time, the famous Cayetano's Circus Theatre, which was the social rendezvous and entertainment mecca of the times, the gambling salons where fashion and fortunes vied. All the brilliance of this era has been recorded OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "The 'W' Plan," the British spy drama, starring Brian Aherneand Madeline Carroll, is being shown at Our Theatre to-night. It is a war story, concerning the exploits of a colonel In a Highland regiment who is dropped by a British aeroplane behind the German lines in order to find out details of some great offensive, of which the British have gathered some hint from the ravings of a dying German prisoner. There are excellent talkie supports. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The principal attraction at the Empire Theatre to-night is "Plunder," with Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Mary Brough, Winifred Shotter, and Robertson Hare. The story is hased upon tho attempt of Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn as co-conspirators to dispossess the scheming Mary Brough and her son Robertson Hare of jewels which really belong to Ralph's, fiancee. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Eddie Cantor in "Whoopee" drew a total attendance of 1050 people to the Capitol yesterday. This great comedy spectacle had the audience in fits of laughter from the moment it started.to the time it finished. "Whoopee" Is undoubtedly the flnest of the musical comedies, and the coloring throughout has never been surpassed. Box plans for this evening's performance are now open. a.t the theatre. ... ROYAL ROLLER RINK. The enterprise. of the management of the Royal Roller Rink in' placing before the public skating facilities under such, charming conditions as now exist at the Winter Show Building has put this sport on an entirely different plane than In .the past.' Skill and taste. is manifest In the decoration of tho ample interior space, resulting in a. delightful setting in which comfort and convenience for both skaters and onlookers plays a prominent part. Already the rink is attracting many who have not hitherto interested themselves in this form of recreation, which of late appears to have caught on very extensively In Wellington. MISCHA LEVITZKI COMING. Mischa Levitzki occupies a unique place in the hearts of the public of Australia and New Zealand, and is certainly the most popular pianist who has toured iv the Southern Hemisphere. Apart from his genius as a pianist, Levitskl fascinates his audiences with his spontaneity, his utter lack of mannerisms, his boyishness, and his willingness to accede to the requests for "special numbers." Describing the opening concert of the present Australian and New Zealand tour, the critic of the Melbourne "Argus" wrote: "Levitzki has developed into one of the most consummate technicians who has over visited Australia. His virtuosity is, ndeed of so remarkable a nature that executive difficulties may truthfully bo said not to exist for him. 'His'sensational power and vitality, combined with dazzling velocity, make him a superb Lizst player, and in .the 'Sixth Hungarian Rhapsody' and the 'Campanula, studygiven as an extra—ho fairly electrified his audience." Levitzld will be playing m Wellington under Mr. E. J. Gravestock's management, on Kith June^^^ mtmm^__^_ _