ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 7, 8 July 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REG-NT THEATRE. Ralph Lynn is responsible for fits of laughter in "Tons of Money," at the Regent Theatre. This is a British Dominion comedy. Associated with,Lynn arc Mary -trough and Yvonne Arniiud. Briefly, the story tells of Aubrey Allington, who Is in. debt. Although he receives news .that his brother has bequeathed him a life interest/amounting to 150,000 dollars, it Is only a passing joy to him, because the bulk of it is due to his creditors. In order to evade them, his wife Louise conceives the idea of her husband being "killed" In an explosion, and turning up again as George Maitlaud, a cousin .of-, his believed to have been killed In Mexico, and the next beneficiary under the will. Aubrey returns as a sombrero-clad "tough guy"' from Mexico, but things become a little involved when George's wife claims him as her husband. When Louise learns that on the death of the real George tho cash passes to her* she has Atibrey (still Impersonating George) die again, this time by drowning. Before the real George arrives, however, Aubrey effects a compromise with an impostor, ■ whom It is believed is the real George. Therefore two George Maltlands come on tho scene. With the real one claiming the entire fortune, the last resort is the reincarnation of Aubrey. He returns, to find tho will, with the deduction of death duties, proved at exactly £1 4s 4y 2 d. There is an excellent supporting programme. ' "SCANDAL SHEET." '-'~' Kay Francis, the sleek and vampish charmer who ' teamed so well with Walter Huston in "Gentleman of the Press," and "The Virtuous Sin," and with William Powell in "Street of Chance," will be seen for tho first time in a full-length picture, With George Bancroft, when "Scandal Sheet," a Paramount melodrama of newspaper, life, comes' to the' Regent Theatre on Friday.- Miss Francis's only other appearance with tho mighty "Wolf of Wall Street," was in "Paramount on Parade," iv the Bancroft Impulses skit, with several other players. "Scandal Sheet" presents Bancroft as a ruth-' less, unethical managing editor of a tabloid daily, whose creed Is, "If it's- news, it gets printed, no matter whom it hurts." Dignity, pride, reputations fall before the withering blows delivered by. the stories he publishes iv his paper. Brutal and bolligerent, ho defies even the owner of the sheet, in seeking out and publishing stories about everybody and anybody. In spite of the heartbreaks that may, and often do, result. It is a story of hectic, high-tempered lives, steeped in the rich, pulsating', drama of modern life and throbbing with action.. Clivc Brook, Regis Toomey, Luclen Littlefield, and .Gilbert Emery provide support f-r the star. '. f ... GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Noel Coward's comedy, "Hay Fever," concluded its season at the Grand Opera House last night. There was another good attendance, and the audience enjoyed'the bright and witty dialogue of the entertaining play. The frocklng and the staging were of a high standard, and tho acting was again all that could be desired. ''Let Us Be Gay" will open at tho Grand Opera House to-night.' The story of "Let Us Be Gay" concerns a' certain Mr. and Mrs. Brown, who have a quarrel, and the outcome Is divorce. : Three years later tho couple meet at Mrs. Bouclcault's week-end party in California, Mr. Brown finding himself one' of the many dashing philanderers, Mrs. 1 Brown one of several "bright young things" .of : the modern school. Amid the hectic and aril- I ficlal excitements ,of the party, Mr. and Mrs. i Brown discover that the bonds of true love aro i more difficult to sever than they imagined and, i roused to a jealous pitch by each other's free- : dom, they hasten once again to espouse tho i cause of morality, thereby, it Is,to be hoped, i escaping for. ever the company of the somewhat ' disagreeable ', people whom It "was tho pleasure ' of Mrs.. Bouclcault to gather round her on i week-ends,ln tho country. Speaking of Ethel Morrison's performance as Mrs. Boucicault, the "New Zealand- Herald" said that she was a' whirlwind of words and execrations, making tho theatre resound with her Impatient commands, abuse, and vituperation. If such an impudent duchess existed * outsido the pages of "Alice of Wonderland," Miss Morrison, with her shouting, her brandished stick, and her cigars, made the lady really alive. Miss .Mary MacGregor, as Mrs. Brown, provided the finest piece of acting she has over done in Auckland," continued tho "Herald." "Sho flirted attractively In tho. balcony scene, and the reconciliation was managed with more honesty than was due to tho character. , As the husband, Mr. J. B. Rowo showed himself 'in new colours, and demonstrated a remarkable range of versatility. His was a performance;that struck true." ; DE LUXE THEATRE. ... "Children of Chance," by British International Pictures, ■Is ono of the features at the De. Luxe Theatre this week. The film Is remarkable for the beauty and charm of Elissa li-n'dl. Mabel Poulton and John Stuart also appear, :in the picture, the scene of which is laid In London. The second picture.on the bill, made by the same company, Is "Old Soldiers Never Die," which'stars Leslie Fuller, and is another wartime comedy of the calibre of "Not So Quiet on the Western Front." The De Luxe Orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, continues Its brilliantly successful career, with Paul T. Cullen at the organ In some favourito music. Seats may bo booked at the Bristol and at the theatre. Reported to be one of the funniest comedies of the season, "Mr. Lemon of Orange," a Fox Movietone all-talking production, opens on Friday next at the De Luxe Theatre. El Brendel, famous Swedish dialect comedian, and Fifi Dorsay, vivacious French comedienne,: have the starring roles, and succeed in keeping the-fun going from the first scene until the end. A certain reviewer considered the teaming of these two comedy stars as a move, but a bit short of inspiration, as .they worked, perfectly together and extract every ounce of humour possible from >'the ' laugh-arousing situations. Brendel appears j in-a. dual role in this picturo, the first as the inoffensive toy clerk, "Mr. Lomon," and the;other as the hard-boiled gang; leader, "Silent M'Gee," the contrast in the two portrayals being very convincingly done. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Charles Farrell; and Janet Gaynor are together in very different stuff In "The Man Who Came Ifaqk," which is in its second week at the Paramount Theatre. Farrell, as Stephen Randolph, falls as far as man can fall; he is retrloved ■by the love of Angle, played by wide-eyed Janet Gaynor. Tho final events which led to the return home of Stephen and tile devotion of his little cabaret dancer make the film touching and.of. persistent charm. , The supports'lnclude a Traveltalk, "Slam; to Korea," and a Fox' Movietone News, picturing the latest events. '■'' Tho difficulty of being studiously funny never Is more pronounced than ia comic stunt flying, and never has there been such comic flying as In "Going Wild," the hilarious aviation comedy which comes to the Paramount Theatre on Friday. To the ordinary -difficulties is added real danger, danger of death, and such daredevil pilots as Frank Clarke and Ills troupo of "flying fools" were tho only group who would accept the hazardous task of risking their necks to make movie audiences laugh. In "Going Wild" Joe E. Brown, the talkies' leading comedian, plays the part of a newspaper man who is mistaken for the.author, of a famous book on aviation. Events—including his falling in love—force him to continue the pose and to agree to fly a 'plane in an- unlimited speed race. KING'S THEATRE. "Viennese Nights," Warner Bros.' and Vitaphone all-technicolour musical romance, is showing at the King's Theatre. This Is an outstanding production. Vivlenne Segal and Lawrence Gray head a large cast. . The music and the singing are beautiful. Intending patfons are urged to secure early bookings. QUEEN'S THEATRE. -There are heart throbs a-plenty in "ExFlame," at the Queen's. Theatre. Nell Hamll--1 ton and Marian Nixon head an exceptionally ; able cast. Little .-Blllle Haggerty, hailed as 1 one of the finest child actors on the screen I to-day, makes his' first,appearance in talking 1 pictures. Interesting supports include a rathe : news, a scenic, a.comedy, and the final round ; of■■(the "Leather Pushers." r'OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Norah Baring and Herbert' Marshall are ■ starred In "Enter1 Sir John," tho British Inter- . national Picture, to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. The story deals with the lives and , loves of a small theatrical touring company, one of whom,isi tried' and condemned to death,-but • saved by the persistence of Sir John Menier, a ' member of. the jury, who traces the real mur--1 derer. Excellent talkie supports complete, tho j programme. ; ' , ' ', CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. I A large attendance witnessed the screening of ."The Middle Watch," Britain's great comedy , farce, at-the Capitol Theatre last night. The i picture has> a' brilliant story, a cast of clever '■ players, and Is undoubtedly one of the finest : comedy farces yet produced. < 5 SHORTT'S THEATRE. | "The Bad .One" is showing at ■ Shortt's 1 Theatre, it is a vigorous comedy.-drama with 1 locales In the Marseilles, cafes and on an Island penal institution. Dolores Del ' Rio Is starred, and, with Edmund Lowe, appears as a dancing , coquette whose boy ■ friends run into thousands. The two screen i favourites vivify the drama of their thrill- ■ Ing experiences In the cafe, and later in the '■ prison island, with scintillating wise-cracks and ' dramatic dialogue. ! . BRITANNIA THEATRE. Charles Rogers and Nancy Carroll head the i brilliant cast of Paramount's. "Follow Thru," all-technicolour showing at the Britannia Theatre. There is fun galore in "Follow Thru," what wlth.Zelma O'Neal, that lively little lady of "'Varsity Drag" fame and her side-kick, the comic Jack Haley, and fat and jolly Eugene Pallette heading the fun force. , ;And there Is excitement, too, In the big out- \ door golf scenes, with woman fighting woman \ for a man's love. GLIDE SKATING RINK. Now that the re-surfacing operations are 1 completed, the floor of the Glide Skating Rink ' In Wakefield Btreet makes one of the best i skating surfaces of any rink in New Zealand. . The management of the rink leaves nothing . to be desired In the way of catering for tho , comfort and well-being of patrons. The ' commodious bitumen floor, clean and smooth 'as glass, excellent skates, „and attentive ! attendanla all-combine to make'Uuls rink most • popular among the devotees of skating as well las those: who are learning; the art Special . sessions for learners are held every forenoon ; (except Saturday) from 10 .to 11.30, and dally from 6 i 0.7 p.m., when expert tutors are In attendance to advice and assist novices.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The large audiences which assemble nightly at the Majestic Theatre find real enjoyment in "It's a Wise Child," which is cleverly acted by popular Marion Davies, Polly Morau, Sidney Blackincf, and a very, strong supporting cast. A special feature amongst the short subjects of the first part is the "Our Gang" comedy, "Fly My Kite,'.' in which Hal Roach's kiddies aro truly diverting. "Tell England, all ye who pass, that wo died for her and here we rest content," is tho full text of the inscription on a rude wooden cross above some graves on Gallipoli Peninsula, from which Ernest Raymond took the title of his widely-read book, "Tell England;" which recently, in the form of an all-British talking picture acted by a very' distinguished band of English actors, created a sonsational success throughout the British Isles. On Friday next the film will be shown at the Majestic Theatre. The cast Includes Fay Compton, Carl Harbord, Tony Bruce, and many others of equal distinction. The Landing on Gallipoli is amongst the high lights. Box plans at the Bristol aro boing well patronised. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Popular Winnie Ltghtner, one of the biggest favourites in talking pictures, is, in conjunction with the clever comedian and wrestler, Joe E. Brown, convulsing large audiences dally at the St. James Theatre in the uproariously funny comedy, /'Sit Tight." The other feature, "The Lady Who Dared," starring Billio Dove and Conway Tearlei is a drania of real merit. Buster Keaton, tho famous comedian, has appeared in many successes, both In silent and talking pictures, yet It is conceded on all sides that he has never contributed to stage or screen anything which-has approached in merit and public appeal the excruciatingly funny comedy, "Parlour, Bedroom, and Bath." On the legitimate stage this record-smashing farce was so successful in many countries that the fees asked for the screen rights were so high that many months' negotiations wero necessary before they could bo looked at as a payable pro-position-by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. On Friday next, at tho St. James Theatre,'"Parlour, Bedroom,- and Bath" will screen for the first'time" in New Zealand. Box plans aro,at the Bristol, where a brisk demand for seats has set in. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Paramount has woven an intensely human story around the wartime aviators in France. "Young Eagles," showing at the Artcraft Theatre, is built on the novel theme of tho affection and friendship which springs up between two. enemy aces, Charles (Buddy) Rogers and Paul Lukas. Tho story is full of excitement and thrills with dare-devil pilots In dangerous air feats, and there is Interwoven a romance concerning, a beautiful spy. : ' ' NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Her Wedding Night," a gay, farcical com • edy of a marriage mix-up, is now shelving at tho New Princess Theatre. Clara Bow, as the unblushing bride who signs what she believes to be a hotel register and then discovers that she has married herself, by proxy, to a man she has never seen, emerges as the "It" girl of old. .. ; , . , ■ . EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Cyril Maude, famous English actor, makes his screen debut in "Grumpy," a Paramount special attraction, which will be screened at. the Empire Theatre to-night. Grumpy is an irascible old man, who, in his day, was a successful criminal lawyer. One night a friend of his Is attacked and robbed of a very valuable diamond. Grumpy immediately sets out to catch the thief, and his clever Investigations cause many laughable and thrilling. situations. Tho cast includes Phillip Holmes, Paul Cavanagh, and Paul Lukas. The supports aro excellent. On Friday and Saturday John Gilbert will be seen in "A Gentleman's Fate." KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A brilliant cast headed by Genevieve Tobin, Zazu Pitts, Conrad Nagel, and Slim Summervillc, will be seen In "Blind )\'ives," a talkie of high merit now showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. :-'•■ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. To-night at the Regal ; Theatre, Karori, "Grumpy" will be shown. . "Grumpy" is a mystery romance, filled with human charm and delightful romance. The supports aro varied. The first, item is* a Movietone; News dealing with happenings in Australia. It is followed by a song, "Meet the Boy Friend"; a comedy, "Go Ahead and Sing"; a cartoon, "Barnacle Bill the Sailor"; and a special item by Harry Santrey's Band called "Now and Then." "Love in the Rough" will be the week-end attraction at the Regal. VIOLIN AND PIANO RECITAL. A recital for violin and pianoforte will be given in Nimmo's Hall :to,-morrow, night at 5.15 by Prue Lewis and Ormi Beid, who. are presenting an .interesting and, varied programme. These two young musicians, both still In their "teens" and still hard-working students, aro studying- with Mr. Leon de Mauny and Miss Gertrude Johnston, respectively, who consider them eminently capable of providing' music-lovers with an evening's enjoyment. . Tho box plan is at Nimmo's.

ROYAL ROLLER RINK. j Tho added attraction of a half-mile ■ speed event took a big crowd to the Royal Roller Rink, in the Winter Show buildings, last evening, though there was still plenty of room on so large a floor. The floor was in first-rate order for racing, and both, heats provided thrills—and spills. The first resulted: Hedges (40yds), 1; Blackburn, Canterbury."champion (scr), 2; Cotter (20yds), 3; time, 2min 57 4-ssec; and the second; Hawthorne (35yds), 1; Sandford (20yds), 2; Steer ,<4,oyds), 3; time, -mm 42 l-ssec. The final was won by Hedges, who led all the-way and got in by about ten yards. Hawthorne just beat Cotter for second place. Tho time was 2min 48 l-ssec. A trial . hockey match was. also played, and the first fixed match will be played next week between City and. Island. Bay. - - - ,