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Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1932, Page 3

REGENT THEATRE. yltlca sparkling onleruinmenl. The star is he incomparable Eddie Cantor, wlio scorcil such a lilt in •■Whoopee." Although the picture is 1 S J T > l which tends to have a balanc».hln eC.i Can'°r plays "1C part of tlle "'in behind the scenes in a crooked fortunetellers apartment. Through messing up the table rapping and spirit voices duriii" a seance he is fired, and by a strange coincidence steps hiHni ."km , Of a" emclency expert in a DaMng establishment, where the slogan is . Glorifying the American Doughnut." Eddie ja right ami left hand man to the managerin fact, he is treated more as tho manager's son than anything else. All sorts of improvements to the bakery come from his fertile' brain, but the interference of his former employer, the crooked fortune-teller, rather upsets his equilibrium. When the yearly bonus 'i£.,!' 10 Ma(T> which nafl bee» entrusted lo i-ddie, disappears out of tho safe, the fun starts. The picture is set in gorgeous surroundings. Charlotte Greenwood shares tho comedy role with Cantor, and her direction of the girls physical exercises in the sun bathing making with Eddie, add zest to the picture, supporting "Palmy Days" is a bright collection of gazette features and a picturesque description of the Taj Mahal. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. One of the greatest pictures of the year by one of the world's greatest producers, "Tabu," which began its season at the Grand Opera House yesterday, i 3 compact of fine acting, artistic direction, aud splendid photography. 10 make the Dim, K. W. Murnau, the Gerniuu director, journeyed to the South Seas and chose an all-native cast, and the result is a^ brililunt piece of work. A dramatic and deals Vitli 'die tragedy* or" two "yomlg lovers! mo girl, Iteri, is the maiden chosen for service to the gods, and a messenger is sent to take her from her island to the main island ?.' J h, B Broun- This 'wing so, she becomes tabu' to all men, and it is the desperate defiance by Reri and her lover Matahl of the law- of the tribe which paves the way to tragedy. The story, moving aud beautifully told, is absorbing in its relation of passion, sullering, aud adventure, and has an intensely dramatic moment when Malahi, having buoken one tabu, breaks another, and goes divin" in a forbidden stretch of water, daring the assault of a giant shark in an enort to obtain pearls enough to buy tho escape of Eerl and himself from the island on which they nave taken shelter, aud to which they have been tracked down. In every way this is an extraordinary film, and the frank acting of the natives, perfect physically aud performing with great feeling, reveals how much can be done by a director of genius. This, incidentally, is Murnau's last, picture, as he was killed in a motor accident in London a lew months ago. Tho supporting bill includes the latest newsreels, tilled with newest happenings overseas, and in addition the management has determined that the Mickey House fantasy, which was being staged in the afternoons for children, shall be performed in the evenings as well. The tiny children who perform in some of the numbers captivated the audience. The programme will be repeated every evening until Thursday next. DE LUXE THEATRE. Not only as a holiday attraction, but also as a tonic. It would be difficult to find anything better in the talking picture line than Universal's comedy-drama, "Mother's Millions," which heads the programme at the De Luxe Theatre for another week. So magnetic was the appeal of the picture in its first week that the management of the theatre decided to extend the season. A rather unusual picture, "Mother's Millions" marks tho screen debut of May Robson, one of America's foremost character actresses, who played the title role with great success on the legitimate stage. Comedy Is the main forto of the picture, but there are clever dramatic touches and other elements which go to make an attractive production. May Robson dominates the story, which tells of the loves, manoeuvres, and tights of the family of "the richest woman in the world." A judiciously selected supporting cast includes Lillian Harmer, James Hall, Lawrence Gray, and Frances Dade. The Incidental programme to "Mother's Millions" is also good PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The popularity of Zane Grey as the writer of stories of adventure in the Wild ensures a successful holiday season at the Paramount Theatre, where at present is being shown twice daily a wonderful picture of romance and thrilling adventure. "Riders of tho Purple Sage" is a story of George O'Brien, a lone rider of the chaparral, who sets out in search of a young sister who had strayed away from homo and had not been heard of. In. the courso of his search he finds his sister at a rauch, aud then follow scenes of a uiau's single-handed fight to protect tho life and interests of a beautiful girl, threatened by a band of outlaws. A cattle stampede, and a breath-taking race of relayed horses are Included in the many spectacular moments of the picture, which has a most thrilling climax. Excellent supporting pictures complete an exceptionally entertaining programme. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. Mark Twain's immortal novel of boyhood, "Tom Sawyer," with Jackie Coogan In the title role of the lovable bad hoy, is now at the top of the programme at the Artcraft Theatre. Mitzi Green is Tom's light o' love, Becky Thatcher, and Junior Durkin plays Huck Finn—Huck Finn, who didn't have to go to school, wash his neck, or anything. As produced by Paramount on the talking screen, "Tom Sawyer" depicts tho refreshing charm of youth. Its humour is full throated and close to everyone who is still able to remember those good old days of readin', ritln', and •rithmetic. It is fast moving and gay, with one or- two thrills thrown in for good measure. The high-.spots of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Tow Sawyer" have been dramatised on the screen to great effect, and pieced together into a woll-knU, delightful story, in a manner that does the Mark Twain classic full justice. KING'S THEATRE. Gene Gerrard. assisted by Muriel Angclus, Dodo Watts, and Jimmy Godden will be seen in "My Wife's Family," now showing at the King's Theatre. It is said to be one of tHe most expertly produced and uproariously funny talking pictures presented. Added attractions on tho programme are the specially selected sound short subjects. Box plans are at tho Bristol and theatre. aUEEN'S THEATRE. The Vox Films' hilarious offering, "The Brat," is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. With the elfin Sally O'Neil in the title rolo and a distinguished cast, the film deals with tho surprising results of a Bowery girl's invasion of society. Frank Albcrtson and Allan Dinehart have the principal masculine roles, and there are also such favourites as Juno Collier, Virginia Cherrill. ,md William Collier. The picture is based on Maude Fulton's noted play. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Dance, Fools, Dance," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer special. with Joan Crawford is at the Regal Theatre, Karori, to-night' Miss Crawford is cost as a girl reporter who in- running down a murderer finds at the end of her search her brother. The supports include a Metrotoue Xcws a Laurel and Hardy Comedy, and a special short subject. On Monday and Tuesday, "Youug Sinners" will be screened. . . SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Call of the Flesh" is the principal picture at ShoiU's Theatre. In this whimsical little story of Spain Ramon Xovarro does some of his finest film work, playing first of all the part of a care-free, clowning boy. The dramatic situation takes form suddenly, and it becomes one of the most gripping, poignant pipces of action the talking screen has seen. Novarro's acting is superb and his voice is glorious. Dorothy Jordan plays opposite him. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. In a production of such dramatic intensity as no one but Cedrlc Hardwieke could fill the title role so well. As tho innocent and tmjustly condemned Captain Dreyfus Hardwicke is at his best In this excellent British drama It is a moving story of a French officer's martyrdom to injustice, and is still clearly recalled by the public of to-day. It will be screened at the Do Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt to-night and on Monday night. "Scotland tor two CTl»hts° lh° DC LUX° "" Tl' CS"ay n' slU OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A big British double-feature programme is to bo presented to Our Theatre patrons tonight. The first feature, "The School For Scandal," Is a society comedy with Madeline Carroll and Basil Gill headlns a splendid east of x--,E, li, sh stars- Tha second feature, "What a Iwgm.," stars the laughter-maker Leslie Fuller. Tho story deals with the adventures of an enterprising, if tactless, commercial travel-ler-in a supposedly haunted Inn. CAPITOL THEATRE. "The Secret Six," . Meiro-Goldwyn-Mayer's dramatic exposure of American political life and the uuderworld, is screening at the Capitol to-night. The story traces the rise and fall of a crooked city political bass, who rules the underworld, to use it as a tool to gain political power. Wallace Beery plays the leading, role. The largo cast includes' Lewis btone Johnny Mack .Brown, Jean Harlow, Marjorle Rambeau. Paul Hearst, Clark Gable John Miljan. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. The exciting jungle picture "East of Borneo, with Rose Hobart and Charles Bickford iis the priucipal players, is now at the KII--birnic Klnema. GLIOE SKATING ItINK. To-nisht's sewion at th° <:ii<in. Skalin" Kink will be from 8 o'clock till (I n'clo.-k, aud until rurlhiT iioti.-.- sessions will Vi» 1,-!<l 011 .Saturday rvenmts only. The daily sessions will be resumed about March.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Get-Kioh-Qiiiek Wallingtord," a comedy tiill of cievcr situations, opened its Wellington season at the Majestic Theatre last evening. It lias as its Ilieme American big business. William Halves is cast as Wallingford who is associated with Blackio Daw (Ernest Torrenco) and Schnozzle (Jimmy Durante) in various "get-rlch-quick" schemes, which are all more or less doubtful, and in tho eyes of tho nolico sergeant (Guy Kibel) liable to cet tho Ihrco adventurers into the "lock-up." Wallingford possesses a charming personality and a wonderful gift of answering awkward questions. In tho opening scenes of the picturo ho sells an astute business man the «s!fL of inclllsion in a shipping syndicate for 20,000 dollars, and gives Die master of the liner in which he is travelling a rise in salary Once on shore he narrowly escapes the clutches of the police, and in a Quixotic mood he helps Dorothy (Leila Hyams) in the marketing of lnnd owned by her father. As bank president, Charles Harper (Hale Hamilton) is bettered by Wallingford in this deal, and although the land is supposedly worthless, a 100,000-dollar syndicate is formed. Suspicion is then cast ou WallinKford's intentions. His affairs with tho syndicate give rise to much laughter, WalHngford decides to live an honest life, and is deserted by his colleagues, and the drama takes a dramatic turn. Tho picture should be seen for its quick action, clever characterisations, and general brightness, giving rlso to hearty laughter, and it should be popular during Its screening in Wellington. The supports include swimming and diving exhibitions, and two world gazettes, including scenes of Edison In his last days. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Merely Mary Ann," -which is now in its second week at the St. James Theatre, is au unmistakable success for tile popular screen team, Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor. The tale depends upon the simplicity, both in conception and performance. Perhaps no actress of the motion picture world .so captures the spirit of Innocent and wistful girlhood as Janet Gaynor. does. In what similar to that which she filled with such marked distinction In her recent triumph "Daddy Long Legs." Together the royal pair weave a sweet romance which breath.es all the freshness of a Cornwall seaside village, to which the action goes after commencing in a London tenement. The romance is adapted from the book and play by Israel Zangwill. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Clatirtcttq Colbert and Fredric March are co-starred iv a comedy dram.i, "Honour Among Alos prominenlly cast and lending a gay note to the proceedings are Charlie Ruggles and Ginger Rogers. "Honour Among Lovers" is an intensely Interesting story which builds dramatic suspense with each succeeding sequen-re. Briefly it tells the story of a younß girl -who marries only to discover that she has always really been in love with her employer, a wealthy Wall street financier. BRITANNIA THEATRE. The youngest cast ever assembled for a feature motion picture is being presented at the Britannia Theatre in "Skippy," from the cartoon strip by Percy Crosby. The cast of juveniles is headed by Jackie Cooper, aged six, as Skippy, and Robert Coogan (five) as Sooky. Other leading child parts are played by Mtzi Green, nine years of age, Jackie Sear], and Donald Haines. But while it is designed to appeal to children, "Skippy" has much to attract the adults. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Tarnished Lady," featuring the stage favourite Tallulah Bankhead, is being shown on the new programme at - the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay. She is co-starred with Clive Brook the suave English actor. The story is a. smart and intriguing one of a young society girl who marries a wealthy financier, although secretly in love wllh a struggling author. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "A Kreo Soul" heads a large programme which will be screened finally at the Empire Theatre to-night. Norma Shearer plays the leading role, and supporting her are Lionel Barrymore and Clark Gable. The story tells of the daughter of a famous lawyer. Immersed in his sophisticated teachings of freedom of life, and torn between two loves—one for a wealthy society man, the other for a gambler A Hal Roach comedy, a further episode of "Tho Indians are Coming," a Metrotone Newsreel, and a lox Australian newsreel complete the programme. On Wednesday aud Thursday "East of Borneo" will be shown. To-night will be a night of joy aud fun for those who patronise the dance to be held by the unemployed at the Caledonian Hall, Sturdee street. The dance is being run to obtain funds to carry on the struggle for funds to help the unemployed. There, will bo a first-class floor and band. Supper will be provided.