ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

,' REGENT THEATRE. ! Richard"- Dlx, the hero of "Cimarron." and ! other recent talkie successes, has a role of ' another kind' in "Young Donovan's Kid," showing. at the Regent Theatre. Donovan is bequeathed tho small boy, Midge, on the death of-the lad's father—killed in a gangster's battle. Idealised and idolised by the boy, Donovan takes stock of himself and finds he does not measure up tn the lad's conception of him, Reformation follows; the old ' gang is forsaken, and a new life begins for ' the man and the boy, until the law steps in to deprive , Donovan ,of Midge. It is ironical ■ that the' lad's testimony in tho Children's Court, given in a straightforward, truthful ■ manner, is the very evidence that decides the I Court in' favour of the State. There Is polgi nant drama in the story, for Midge is a I' pathetic little figure of a waif, and Jackie ■ Cooper, hi the role, betters even his part as ' "Sislppy," and Is altogether a lovable charac- ■ t*r, gtiileleis, affectionate, and honest. Donovan ■ wdtems himself in tiie eyes of the law, and , particularly In the eyes of himself, when he is able to return a stolen pay roll to the cmi ployer of Kitty Costello. a crime for which he himself has been blamed. Dlx is admirable ' as the gangster moulding himself to a small i; boy's Ideal and a woman's belief. The cast le a large one, and Marion Shilling, as the ' girl, and Frank Sheridan as the fearless old ■■ priest, deserve special mention. The support- , tag programme Is excellent, i "The Smiling Lieutenant." '- .' "The Smiling Lieutenant," which brings •' Maurice Chevalier hack to the screen after ins European tour In another rollicking romance which combines all the attractive features of ; his former screen successes, comes to the Regent '• Theatre shortly. Two gorgeous women, the ■' brunette Claudette Colbert, the blonde Miriam ;, Hopkins, make things lively for the smiling ' Frenchman, whose voice will have full opportunity to express his personality In song in l- "The Smiling -Lieutenant." Charlie Buggies, >'■ the joyous Inebriate of a score of film hits, ]' gives of his laugh-making talents to this new !■■ 'picture. The story deals with a sprightly lieu- .' tenant of the Guards, madly in love with a " charming cabaret entertainer, for whom he is •■ willing to Sacrifice the joys of bachelorhood. i" Before he can accomplish his purpose, however, '■ he is snatched up by a princess, who mistakes ;> his smile for a proposal, and forces him into I' unwilling matrimony. After marriage he for- ■■ sakes his dowdy wife for happiness with tho j" girl of his choice. But his wife, determined to v win his regard, learns the secrets of charm " from his sweetheart, and tears his heart beI': tween love with duty or without. Into.this -• humorous, yet sincere, love story. Chevalier has j'; woven his inimitablo personality, emphasising I, his joy in tho romance in song. IS GRAND OPERA HOUSE. , ii Jack Oakie has tho job .of entertaining the -i public in' "The Gang Buster," at the Grand !" Opera House. As an insurance man, he -saves 1; a big city man from being run down by a gangX stor's car, only to learn that the policy he ;i gains as his reward is refused as a bad risk ii by his firm. Explanations lead him to fall 15 more blindly than ever in lovo with Sylvia, n the daughter of the threatened man. Wil- '< , liam Boyd, as Mike ' Shade, the head of !' ' the gang, Is an attractively sinister bad ,' lot. Miss Wynne Gibson, as Zella, the girl Slade has just got rid of, proves useful to ',:. the insurance man. Maehiuo-guns notwithi« standing, ' Oakie succeeds, and all • ends * well. Clara Bow has a novel role for her !' in • "No ' Limit." Left an apartment on Fifth avenue with all the trimmings by an ~' eccentric sailor (Stuart Erwin), she finds that f' ', it was* a huge gambling establishment, and there i' she meets Douglas Thayer, reputed millionaire, h hut in reality a jewel thief- who has made his '•! pickings in 'conjunction with the house. ■As a i"!. chorus girl, Clara as Bunny O'Day adapts i herself so well to her new surroundings that ! In no 'time she is married to Thayer, and iJ : strangely enough they find that, their love ',! . outwears the honoymoon. Then Thayer makes ■' a big haul from a famous actress, and intends to leave Bunny with sorao of tho jewellery, to "■ make sure that she will be adjudged guilty, but in the end he cannot do it, and returns to 'i hand himself over. Norman Foster, as Thayer, acts well. -• DE LUXE THEATRE. 5 "East of Borneo" is in its second week at the De Luxe Theatre. The picture presents an unusual but nevertheless powerful appeal. The camerman's daring and the pro- * ducer's skill have combined to transport the ",. - audience into a real appreciation of the scenes '■• of nature in its most enthralling condition. , ■ ' Beasts of the land, sea, and air are shown in their natural surroundings, in which the struggle ( for existence, with the survival of tho fittest as - the deciding factor, goes on unceasingly. Over all, beasts and humans alike, hangs the threat !'. of destruction from the crater of an active Tolcano. Charles Bickford plays the part of a white physician who seeks to bury himself from ].'-' civilisation by becoming the court doctor to a ' native prince, and Rose Hobart represents his f'■ wife who follows him and attempts to win i . him back. The other leading players are I Georges Renavent, Lupita Tovar, and Noble Johnson. There is a varied and interesting supporting programme, and Mr. Howard Moody ; ',- plays on the Wurlitzer. "The Phantom of Paris," which opens on j Friday next. at the Do Luxe Theatre, is the J" screen Torsion of Gaston ' Leroux's novel, *; "Cherl-Blbi," and Is- stated to bo a - swifts'- moving story of adventure, intrigue, and ro- '?'■ roance set in the heart of modern Paris. He is ;','.: submerged In a tank of water, handcuffed and f, shackled, escapes the day before he is to be executed from a French prison, braves recap- ■ ture and death to seek vengeance, on tho true - criminal, and In between all this 'manages to find time to win the love of a daughter of the aristocracy. Leila Hyams plays the lead- ' ing feminine role, and Lewis Stone, Jean Horsholt, Natalie Moorhead, lan Keith, and Alfred ■'•■ Hickman are. included in the supporting cast. "The Phantom of Paris" has been produced by the M.G.M. with authentic reproductions of a French theatre and the interior of a i famous gaol forming the principal backgrounds. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. j Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard arc the ! leads in "I Take This Woman," at the Para- |' mount Theatre. It is an unsual story of a spoiled ! society girl, when is sent to the West of America :■ , to seclusion after getting Into a more than usual--1 ly bad scrape and who there meets a man she ', • loves. The man Is a cow hand with a ranch i of his own, but a man who has never worked : long at anything, and the two are married. The girl's father refuses to see her, and she ; takes her place by the side of her husband at his farm, a small one-roomed shack on a i. ranch In the cattle country. The bitter wini ter defeats her, and she rushes' back to her family determined never to go back to the man ' ' she has married. But things do not stop ' there, for her husband pursues her. Going East, he comes to her palatial homo in an attempt to win her back, and the film here ]■■ reaches a climax which is naturally and inevitably resolved. KING'S THEATRE. "The Pay-Off" heads the bill at .the King's Theatre. The story tells of a young pair, Tommy and Annabelle, who are robbed of their savings by Rocky, a gangster, whose • leader hears of of the robbery and orders Rocky ' to return the money. He becomes infatuated with the girl, and reveals the best In his character when the young couple are implicated in a crime. Realising that his love for Annabelle is hopeless, the leader confesses to every- ' thing. Marion Nixon, Hugh Trevor, and William Janney are starred with Sherman. The sound supports are good. '■ THE QUEER'S THEATRE. ■: ."Rogue of the Rio Grande," starring Myrna J Loy, Raymond Hatton, and Jose Bohr, now , ' being presented at the Queen's Theatre, concerns the adventures of El Malo, the bandit, who : has forced the crooked mayor of the town to open his safe and turn over a sum of money to him. A reward is offered for El Malo's ' capture—yet the bold bandit flouts danger by appearing at the cantina, unknown to the sheriff. When his Identity is finally disclosed, he makes liis getaway with Carmita, the cafe entertainer with whom he is in love. There are excellent short subjects. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Laughing Sinners," starring Joan Crawford, -Is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. As the" worldly Salvation Army girl who forsakes her tambourine for the arms of her travelling salesman lover, Joan Craw- , ford scales new dramatic heights. The sup- * ' porting cast is a particularly flno one, including J Marjorle Rambeau, Guy Kibbee, Cliff Edwards, ■' Roscoe Karns, Gertrude Short, George Cooper, * George F. Marion, and Bert Woodruff. Joan ' Crawford offers a new song-number in the opening scenes, "What Can I Do—l Love That . Man".?' NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. At the New Princess Theatre, Elissa Landi stars In "Always Good-bye." It tells the romantic and thrilling story of a young society girl who, upon finding herself bankrupt, chooses the life I ■ of an adventuress rather than one of poverty. Supporting Miss Landi is an all-star cast, headed by Lewis Stone and Paul Cavanagh in the- male leads. Other celebrities portraying important roles are John Garrick, Lumsden Hare, Frederick Kerr, and Herbert Bunston. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Three Girls Lost," to be screened at the "Empire Theatre to-night, revolves around the respective romances of three country girls : who come to the city and find plenty of adventures awaiting them. The main roles are played by Loretta Young, Joan Marsh, Joyce Compton, John Wynne, and Lew Cody. A tworeel comedy entitled "Enter tho Queen," and a Fox. Movietone Newsreel, will also be screened. On Wednesday and Thursday "The Light of Western Stars" heads a large programme. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. El Brendel, In "Mr. Lemon of Orange," at the Regal Theatre, appears in a dual role. The . ludicrous incidents arise from a case of mistaken Identity. The cast Includes Flfl Dorsay, William Collier, senr., and Joan Castle. A comedy, a Fltzpatrick Travelogue, and two Fox Movietone Newsreels are also shown. On Wednesday and Thursday "The School for Scandal" and "What a Night" will be screened. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Seed," adapted from Charles G. Norm's best-selling novel of the same name, and telling an absorbing story of "the eternal triangle," bringing, at last, the most startling denouement in the history of problem' dramas, is showing at the Artcraft Theatre. -The picture was directed by John M. Stahl, and the cast. In addition to John Boles, Miss Tobin, and Miss Wilson,'- includes Raymond Haekett. Bette Davis, .Zasu Pitts, Frances Dade, and -Richard-Tucker.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "St. .Paul's", in its issuo of Saturday, 17th September, 1838. wrote: "At last we ;irc within measurable distance of a reasonable sottlcment of tlie Dreyfus Case, a consummation devoutly to be. wished by all Frenchmen, all Europeans, all right minded men. The secrecy with which the trial of that unhappy officer was conducted, and the persistent refusal to give information oh the part of those responsible had the natural result of creatine doubt and suspicion in the public mind of Europe; and the punishment that has been, and is being inflicted, is so awful that the conscience of that wide public has been stirred. Ere long men will know that Captain Dreyfus is Innocent and free. Barely lias the world seen a more- extraordinary combination of tragedy and absurdity than that afforded by this case. The terrible scene of public degradation is deeply rooted In'it'll memories." Now screening at the Majestic, "Dreyfus" is a picture that will not easily be forgotten. There- are -good' supports. !'....'. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Joan Crawford and Pauline Frederick continue to please all who witness "This Modern Ase" at the St. James Theatre, Their acting, as well as that of every other member of the distinguished cast Is perfect. Crisp and clever dialogue is interwoven with the more emotional scenes, with the result that the Aim is proving an outstanding success. Monroe Osley is principal comedian,' and Neil Hamilton is the jurenile lead. Specially selected Metrotohe short subjects form an entertaining first .half of .the programme. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol and also at the theatre. The. British comedy, "My Wife's Family," which will commence its Wellington season at St. James Theatre on Friday, brings back the Inimitable comedian, Jimmy Godden, well known for his performances on the legitimate stage Id "Archie." ' This is his first appearance in talkies. It Is said to be the laugh sensation of 1931. The story concerns a feud between a- young newly-wed husband and his interfering mother-in-law. She is suspicious, narrowminded, sarcastic, and bossy—ln fact all things that have made mothers-in-law a. stock joke. Bxo plans are now open at the Bristol. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Devil to Pay," starring Ronald Colman, Is being shown at Shortt's Theatre. Loretta Young plays opposite him. The story concerns certain important episodes in the life of the Hon. Willie Hale, wayward son of Lord Leeland. As played by Ronald Colman, ho is presented as the kind, of chap every man would like to be—and, too, perhaps, the .sort that any woman would gladly choose. Gay, and clever at getting out of scrapes, a devil with women, happy-go-lucky In any situation, the role fits Ronald Colman as if mado for him. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Three Faces East," with Constance Bennett as a beautiful and alluring spy, and Eric yon Strohelm in a brilliant and sinister role, will be shown at the Kilbirnie Kinema this evening. The picture is a thrilling one of the Secret Service. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Bachelor Apartment," starring Lowell Sherman and Irene Dunne, to be screened at • the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night, is a comedy of a wealthy bachelor to whom womeu were mere diversions, and v.iio believes that love is ,on-Iy a game for bachelors and others who can afford it. Thinking all women alike, lie Bets a big shock when a different woman cornea along. A news, comedy, and novelty will also be screened. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAM'AR. "Renegades," a spectacular' drama of the Foreign Legion, commences at. the Capitol to- • night. The picture contains many flne scenes of a spectacular desert battle. • Warner Baxter, Noah Beery, Jlyrna Loy, and George Cooper head the cast. OUR THEATRE, NEV/TOWN. Marion Davies's (the Metro-Goltlwyn-Mayer popular star) latest appearance is in "The Bachelor Father," to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. Ralph Forbes, C. Aubrey Smith, the famous British actor, and other wellknown players are in the cast. The plot deals with the adventures of a harem-scarem young lady who is transplanted, as it were, upon an aristocratic estate in England, where a grumpy aristocratic Englishman tries to make her a lady. . There are excellent supports. GORDON SHORT RECITAL. Mr. Gordon Short will present eighteen pupils at his thirteenth pianoforte recital in Nimmo's Hall to-morrow, at 8 p.m. In addition to a numbor of well-chosen solos, some effective works for two pianos will be performed, including Arthur Somervell's brilliant "Variations," to he played by Miss Gladys, Morgan and Mr. Gordon Short. BOY SOPRANO WITH HARMONIC SOCIETY; Next Saturday evening, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, Lex Macdonald, a boy soprano of whom it has been written "he compares favourably with Ernest Lough," is to be heard in conjunction with the Wellington Harmonic Society. Lex Macdonald is coming specially to Wellington to sing with the society, and as is the rule when he appears it Is expected that there will be a packed house. Tho piece de resistance will bo Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer," and after a recent performance of this in his home city the critics wrote: "His singing quite captivated the whole audience, ne has a singularly sweet and refreshing quality, and sang this difficult music with ah ease that was astonishing. He caught all its flowing beauty and melodic charm." Incidentally, at the last Dunedin Competitions, tills wonder boy easily outstripped all comers in the open class for either sex under 18 years, beating numerous quite mature singers. In addition to singing with the choir in the Mendelssohn number, he will contribute as a solo Grieg's "Solveig's Song." The choir's numbers, including a number of old favourites and some new to Wellington, have been most carefully chosen. Mr. Ernest Jenner, A.R.A.M., is well known as a solo pianist, and his number will be Glazounov's "Theme and' Variations." The whole concert will be. under the direction of Mr. H. Temple White. Popular prices are being charged, and seats may be booked at the Bristol. WELLINGTON SOCIAL CLUB. Tho Wellington Social Club will hold a club dance at the Adelphi Cabaret on Wednesday, 25th November, at 8.30 p.m. There will be cabaret items, special music, novelties, and novelty dances, etc. For those who do not wish to dance bridge will be played. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold, and these, which are at popular prices, are obtainable at the secretary's office, A.P.A. Buildings, . opposite Post Office, or at the Adelphi Cabaret. "CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA." Under tho conductorship of Mr. John Bishop the Royal Wellington Choral Union will produce in the Town Hall on Saturday Mascagni's grand opera, "Cavalleria Rusticana," with a chorus and orchestra of three hundred performers. There is perhaps no more popular opera among modern composers than "Cavalleria." The soloists engaged for this occasion are as follows: Santuzza (soprano). Miss Teresa M'Enroo; Lucia (contralto), Miss Ruth Perry, Mastcrton;. Turiddu (tenor), Mr. Harold Prescott, Greymouth; Alflo (baritono), Mr. Ernest Short; Lola (mezzo), Mrs. Ellison Porter. The box plan opens at the Bristol at S) to-morrow morning, where 4s and 3s seats can be reserved. A full rehearsal will take place In St. John's Schoolroom, Dixon street, at 7.30 this (Tuesday) evening. SKATING RINKS. At the St. George Skating Rink, a grand carnival night will bo held on Friday next from 8 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. Plain or fancy dress is optional, and tickets are to be obtained at the rink office. Prizes are to be awarded for waltz and two-step competitions, most graceful lady, most graceful couple, best fancy dress, most original character, most comical character, and a special prize, given by Mrs. W. Hicks, is to be awarded to the most graceful lady skater among this year's learners. Tho Glide Skating Rink- in Wakefield street continues to grow in popularity, sessions held in tho lunch hours from 12 to 1 and from 1-2 p.m. being, particularly popular with city workers. During the summer months tho management have decided to alter the times of the evening sessions, which are now as follows: Learners, from 0.45 to 7.45 p.m., and the main evening session from 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. daily, except on Saturdays, when the session is extended to 11 p.m. During the summer flannels with open-neck shirts will be permitted at the rink. ______^__