ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1932, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "The Daughter of tho Dragon," .which was shown at ,tho Regent Thoatro for the first time last evening, is a picture of great dramatic intensity. It is adapted from Sat Kohmer's, thrilling, novel; "Tho Daughter- of Fu Manchu," and it Is even moro sensational than that most sensational of, books. Apart ' from Its engrossing story (and it would be a pity to divulge it); tho picture is of particular interest In that It servos to' introduce to tho talking screen tho famous Chinese actress, Anna May Wong, who has scored many triumphs both on tho silent screen and tho legitimate stage. Miss Wong is a most gifted actress, and there;-should be little, doubt as to tho success of her future career on the screen. In the title rolo In "The Daughter of tho Dragon" she reaches great vdramatic heights, handling an extremely difficult role with ease and, graco. Tho picture also ..marks/' tho .return, -to - the screen of the Japanese, actor, Scssuo Hayakawa, who some few jcars ago was a popular artist on,the silent screen. Hayakawa has lost nono of his • histrionic ability, and/he /too should' prove a decided < "talkie" success. Warner Oland, that arch-villain of the screen, once again Qlls the part of Fu Manchu, aud ho has all too little to do. Bramwcll Fletcher gives a finished performance as the' English lover of the Dragon's daughter. The jmppoj-tlng pro-. gra™imc maintains tho high standard which has been set by the management of the Regent; there is both quality and quantity. Three pictorials, one dealing'especially with Australian events, a Ford Sterling comedy, "It Ought to ,be a Crime," and one of the popular "bouncing ball" cartoons, "Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Uhean," aro-.included. The programme should prove » popular ono during tho coming week. 4 GRAND OPERA HOUSE. To-night will be tho last opportunity during the season -of the .prose.nt J. C. Williamson -Comic Opera Company of seeing, hearing, and enjoying the favourite Gilbert and SirlUvan production, '-'The Mikado," \ which drew: a crowded, audience to the/Grand Opera House - last night. On Monday next land two following nights and on Wednesday afternoon the tuneful fairy opera", ■" "Iblarithe," will ho staged: "lolanthc" is Gilbcrtiau in; every, way; and Sullivan has composed some of his best music for it. it is said that .tho chorus and march of tho peers in tho first i:ls one of the features of the.present, .companyis-production'. Mrylvan Menzles scored ouo of his best succosses'in Auckland in tho role, of the Lord Chancellor. Miss Evelyn Gardiner, it is said, .Makis/a very lino Fairy :Queen, arid' Miss Mario Bremncr's delightful volco -is--heard to special advantage in "the music allotted to:,tho rolo of .theii.Chanucllor's ward.", ,-Mr. Gregory,,Stroud will; appear as Strephon, and Mr/Leo Darntoh-will-take the. Important "part of• Earl Tolloller. Bernard Manning's singing of the .number "In King George's Glorious Reign" always creates much- .enthusiasm, and Mr. John Ralston will play the part of Private Willis. The title rolo will be portrayed by Miss Mary Hotham,'who scored''an outstanding triumph In this', role in Australia. On Thursday next and two following' evenings and on Saturday afternoon next, "The Pirates of Penzance," preceded, by "Trial by Jury," will be presented, and" if -will lie followed by "The Yeoman of tho Guard," "H M S Pinafore," ."Patience." and the ■ farewell performance of "Tho Gondoliers." DE LUXE THEATRE. There is ii restraint in the acting' of Mac Clarke and. Kent Douglass in/ "Waterloo Bridge" that iriakes the -story true aud has carried the film into its second week at the Do Lu\o Theatre. Boy is an unsophisticated American soldier on his first leave In vLon- ■ don, Myra a'- chorus ■• girl out of, a jobftoana; making ends meet how she may, who has lived as such must. Both take pity on an old charwoman caught in an air raid on Waterloo .Bridge, and. guida.-her/and her basket to safer ty. When tho ."all clear" 3sounds', tho",two Americans keep together. • During supper they i_ll in love, and hero it is that only good acting could pull the story through as It does. Boy is just sufficiently young to bo possible, -aud Mjra's freshness still* clings'to her-'de- - spite her mode of life. Roy is a - persistent visitor, but when ho wishes to marry, all tho gall, in the world is Myra's draught, for sho loves him too well to do it. Roy Is full of , stratagems, and succeeds in bringing her to his family, but she again realises the Impossible and runs away back to this arrears of rent and Leicester Square at night. Again Koy pursues," and this time learns the truth. Tho story ends,.-as it began, In an air raid. - It Is a vividly presented human drsma. The . London landlady, Myra's street mato Kitty, the old R.A.M.C. major who is Roy's s epfather, and the rest of the cast, are good stuuics. Slim ' Summervllle is at his best in "First to Fight," and the other supports' are varied. "Strictly Dishonourable." When a .-stage play provokes public interest to such an extent in a tremendously populated metropolis as New York lis to. cause traffic 1 hold-ups on account of tlie huge queues that ' lined up, for each perfoimance for over two years, it can be understood that" there would be keen bidding, on, thOp.part of, .picture-pro--1 duccrs to'secure the.screen lights. "Strictly Dishonourable" is the name of the play, and -, Universal Pictures the successful bidders. Unl- < vcrsal Pictures, in the effort to present- a ' f worthy screen adaptation of tho play, have ; spared no. expense,., giving the-,,direction^to such an accomplished director "is l John *M. 'i Stahl, and assembling for- the. cast; such play- ' ers as Paul Xukas (loaned by the' courtesy of • Paramount.Pictures), Sidney Fox, brilliant '? >oung stage actress,* Lewis Stone,Jand William ', KlccUrdl and Henry Meeker, of the original stage play cast. With delightful settings in keeping with the spirit of the play, the resultant picture is said to bo a masterpiece - of clever, sparkling dialogue, shrewd direction, and delightful acting on tlie part of tlie , principals. The story concerns the mooting of a pretty young visitor to Now. York with a ! noted epera.sinxer_and._the somewhat daring J romance that eventuates when she "accepts, the singer's hospitality for the night. Despite the ', strictly dishonourable .intentions of the singer ] • the overbearing interference of her sweet- '' heart, who ..had. 'accompanied her to New/ York, and the' fatherly interest of-a Judge, ' who at the particular period of tho story was a better judge of drinks than criminal cases, . • the young lady achieves the ambition of an ; honourable offer of marriage. The play is said '. ,-' to abound .with snappy dialogue and laugh- - provoking lines. Tho picture is coming to the De Luxe next, change. '' l KING'S THEATRE. ,' ' ] - "The Magnificent Lie" is the title-of Ruth 1 ; Chatterton's latest starring Paramount picture, t which revolves around a strange "lovo deception practised by a cafo entertainer in modern New Orleans. Ralph Bellamy, new leading man from Broadway; Stuart Krwln,, I'rancrilse , ltosay, and Sam Hardy play Important supporting roles in this ..production, which is now ' showing rt , the King's" Theatre,, Box plans ' , are available at the-Bristol and theatre.' ' QUEEN'S THEATRE. Thrill follows thrill in "Men Without Law," showing at the Queen's Theatre. Buck Joucs, the star, does some of the i most amazing riding ever seen on the screen. Added/to this, the story has a' strong clement ' of novelty, -the sets are colourful, and the acting is excellent .throughout. How Buck "outwits a rascal, defeats him in terrific hand- • to-hand combat, and eventually' wins the pretty daughter, provides splendid entertainment. Buck Jones introduces some'brand: new riding tricks and contributes a Tcally fine . bit of, acting,', CArmellta Geraghty .makes' a charmingly attractive heroine. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ' Charles Tarr'ell and Madge Evans hive the leading roles in- "Heartbreak," an emotional picture of war-time, which began screening at the Paramount Theatre yesterday. The tale of an American attache to the.Vienna Embassy t who falls in lovo with a beautiful Austrian countess and then Is called upon to'fight her brother in an air duel on the Italian front Is one of ."the old, romantic Vienna and of the madness of war. There are somg strong scenes in this competently-acted and well-produced Aim, and tho acting honours go to Madge ( Evans for her fcelingjierforniance. The idjlllc setting of the- romance of the two young people is strongly-contrasted with the'wild grandeur of the scene of tho air duel later in the film, and there is shrewd play with the emotions. Charles Farrcll, for long the partner of Janet Gaynor, plays well. The supporting programme includes a wide array of' films, a Screen Snapshots In which picture actors and actresses are seen at work and play, a- budget of newsreels revealing the latest events all over the , globe, a Benny Bubln comedy which shows Jiim as a messenger boy, the victim of one of tnoso apparently innocent and really demoniac youngsters, and -ending in a burlesque dance which Is entirely crazy and very amusing, and the newest Magic Carpet of Movietone revealing the mystery and splendour of Bangkok. • DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. f^^HT Rubles make laughable situations for Buster Keaton In his Metro-Go dwyn-Majcr . 5 CVi r„ o'n S'dcwa»E_ °f New York," screening " . >. D? Luxe Theatre, Lower .Hutt, to-nlgh* and Monday night. As a millions ire's son w-ho falls in lovo with a girl and starts out/ to reform her tough" younger brother, ho builds a gymnasium in the tenements, but his plans go astray. He gets pounded as a fighter and «. trou"ctn X a» » wrestler, hut finally turns »„e» ta» cs *P d wlns out Cliff Edwards and , Anita Page >aro In support. On Tuesday and Wednesday will be shown "The New Adven- ' wmf of £?, Kle\ qulck Walilngford," in which William mines-heads an excellent cast. Thero also will bo a matinee on Wednesday. Leila Hj-ams, Jimmy Durante, and Ernest Torrance S. 11 .*8 ,s»PP°rting rota. On ..Thursday and Friday 'Daddy Long-Legs," featuring' Warner Baxter and Janet Gayhor, Will be shown for a fwo-nlght return season. Those who-have not. seen 'Daddy Long-Legs" are advised not to miss It. Scats may be reserved at the-Peter Pan Lounge or telephone the theatre, 431, Lower KILBIRNIE KINEMA: Maurice Chevalier, aided by an imposing' • galaxy of stars, is the hero of "The Smiling Lieutenant, which Is now .showing .at the Kilbirnle Klncma. The players who so ably ' support the Inimitable Frenchman in his new Paramount production aro two talented leading ladies, Claudetto Colbert and Miriam Hopkins; Charlie :-Buggies, George Barbier and Hugh O'Connell. BRITANNIA THEATRE. ! Buster Keaton, "In his latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer mirthquake, "Sidewalks of Now York," i is tp be seen at the Britannia Theatre. Buster plays a mlllipnalre who 'gets neck deep into trouble when he tries to reform tlie tenement districts and becomes prey ; for "tough" lsids and others not In accord with his , altruism. Comical sequences in gymnasiums^ chases with gangsr-and other lively Incidentals' contribute Jo Jhe^mirth. Anita Page Is the heroine, and Cliff Edwards contributes added" latighs as tho comical valet Poggle.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. ."The Sin. of Madelon Claudot", lias been, so -successful that It Is again being, screened this \voek at the Majestic Theatre, i. '"the film Is undpubtedly a triumph for Helen Hayes, who Is . started; as MUdelon Claudet;.a Norwegian girl i who ruhs, away with an American to live in t Paris... Her subsequent life Is*:.'one.of hardship t and struggle.. From tho beautiful peasant girl : she. descends the, scale -of •-life,.until sho. is [ only a vagi-ant old. woman, with' a lurid past; I and her future Is'toj.end herdays-in an instlt tution." But throughout :»he has kept her love, t for her, son-pure. In fact, so as to. give him r- a start In his. career, she has-given up all j she has. Tlie son-Is not allowed to know t this,..for. ho. thinks his mother.. Is d<Jad. When i Madelon Claudot is.sent to prison for a crime » of which ■ she is .innocent her little boy;:is , sent to a charity: school. The doctor there j takes an Interest in him, thinking - that the i boy has the makings of: a great surgeon in him. ' After i being in'- prison for ten yqars Madelon.: . Is faced with the task ofi.flndlng tho moiiey ~to pay for his training. She Is able to do ■ ) this, but by the time he is a doctor she is a , broken old. woman. ■ Jn; tho end she' flhds'haifplt ness' with hor son-without revealing her ideni tity.to him. Helen Hayes plays .the part;of I' the mother,to perfection. Sho is never sentl- :' mental,", sdytho picture nover ; beconietf* a coni ventional jnother-lbVenlm. Tlie supporting cast ; i' is^ excellent, >The'v?uppbrts Include a-Hal Roach I cotnedyiiandiTiewsroels. ~._,,, '■'■ ■ \.ji .'.:. ;.' : ;; ■'• "'"''ST.'!iAMES THEATRE.; ' ft' "-■ VA film with a ver^-shallow' plot'-.but con- , tainlng'a laugh in "every foot of' It; "Broadi minded," opened a week's engagement at St. i James Theatre - yesterday. The central- figure : in the plctyre is Joe .Brown, a large-mouthed 'comedian, who plays the part of .'Ossle Simp- , son,..a lover of all ladles. The story 5 deals with the adventures of Osslo and Jack HackcttJ (William Collier, junr.), who has been • ordered out: of New York by' his father?,so"" as': to make a man of himself and to escape.from the designs of a.certain young lady. By an/''bild' tjv.lst of fate Ossio is placed, in charger of %ck. .The adventures of- these 'two-Sin their; .way "out of...town" are- many- and varied: First, they meet' trouble' with a', tempestuous South - American, and then play .the: gallant; by helping: two girls, out- of motor.trouble. '.J)esplte'an objecting aunt romance blossoms, but'befor'o it tums-Jntp wedding, bells -the two /meet-With all:kinds.p'f trouble. • The girl from ;Ncw York turns up, and Jack's chances ;of cvefi'^vlnnlng the girl.'he':'<l6ves dwindles. -Ossie thinks of a Plan; to snjooth things "over,'-"'but litetcad" of improving- matters, It makes .them worse. After' a -.series of- laUgh-provoklrig",situations,-, hbw'cver,- everything ends well, and Jack atid. Ossla, And-refuge In the-love of, tlieir respective girls., .The.plcturo Is;full of strange situations; which provide the audience, with one long laugh: She excellent supporting programme-: includes a Fox , news:showlng.the arrival of the Jubllckiviioating dock in Wellington. ' i? '" j ; :{if: ■ y;. ■:-' .ARTCRAFT; THEATRE, vftft.ftft -, The;;Tull%nßth vi)fb(Mlctlon;r'6f Stan';Laurel and .Oliver Hardy for Metro'-GoldwyifcMayer, Pardon Us,"-.Ms- showing.: at the Artcraft; • Theatre; '.; ''.ThAse twtf'TUnnyvmeiii* are; funnier than ever,. A3 ttttf, would-be. liquor manufacturers, whose efforts in Uiat''direction/end up ' j!"''^*'usuali)lac'c'-Ti>rlson~wltli more; laughs • t. .'—er tbey..have-.sui>pUed'-beßrfe; June Marlowe;' "James Flnlayson, Wilfred Lucas, Walter Long, and Stanley J. Sanford' are also In the cast. There are' supports. SHORTT'S THEATRE. : ':. "V»ld il t.oj.. Order,!; vini'. which Julian Eltinge, :«>«?'ewat tfemsfy.-rimpersonatdrjy makes .his debut -as w s talkiii*\p!cture star,-- ij showinir:ai' Shortt's,Theatre:,! H:is a thrilling'l'storv.*-'of/»• gang of international I diamond smugglers' ioverrfd<fc;^d::<.^etfai*^^^^ romance to furnish the required love Interest, -The other'feature, f'The Lone: Defender," stars the wonder dog, RlniTin-Tln. storm, one- of tire- thrilling; episodes"of "ttre.lplctfire, is' sald'.to bejbneiof-the ;most startling incidents of.ltsvldndiever' screened^. f:XXxXA-XxX^ , ;ftft, ; l^sß|JTllf^ "Call of the Flesh," starring Ramon Novario/ heads the programme, at the Empire Theatre. Dorothy; Jordan, and .Ernest jTorrenca head a large and :: talented: supportingi'cast.V;A SHal' Roach comedy, 'iTUunderlngj'Tenors^'-tstarrlng Charlie ; Chaje,-a; Metrotome jjie^s; jand: a'JEox: Movletoc?-special newsreel-.-wlil -atpo S^'shown. Oh .Monday'and Tuesdayi> J'DaddyWl,<mg-Legs" heads t^jpioettmkei^'X:-X #/';« $;;;/:-.«;£;/•:- TPRINCESS THEATRE, .ftft'y-ft "Man'-of the World,"-starring William Fowl ell is being shown at the Princess Theatre. Powell' ,-is presented as , the undercover, editor, of a Parisian gossip-newspaper whose/chief revenue Is : obtained from wealthy tourists. anxious to keep their gay doings from their friends •at home. As, a..- blackmailer, Powell is ruthless; but manages to keep his Identity so well hidden that even his victims believe him their frlendi» To save .the- girl lie loves he forces himself to' enact ,'a bitter disillusionment. - ;j. (,' X"" .. ' v RE6A.L THEATRE. KARORI^ ji , To-night at the Regal Theatre, Karori, "Shipmates" will be screened. The outstanding player Is Robert Montgomery, who is supported by a. well chosen and. powerful feast. The story deals wlth l adventure, love,.and romance .amid big ships and boqjh<litg guns, and, the gltl in the story is an a|lmira)3a daughter- '• Support-, ing tho feature yflll be S^speiaal J,a*rel-Hard*' comedy, a Fox/AustralUa'' News, a Coloilrtonc ltevue, and a Hearst Metrptono Gazette. •] ,', OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A big British double-feature programme will bo screened at Our Theatre to-night. , The main attraction is "Uneasy Virtue," starring Fay Compton and featuring an all-British cast. Tho second' ftatureMS n"HoW'fie v'lTea''To Her .Husband." .This is based* oh. an'exceedingly liumorous farce written ,by George Bernard 'Shaw. i ' '" SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Drama arising 1 outf' of the conflict " which ia^s place between two pals whose friendship is threatened by, a -blonde charmer, Is the theme of "Goldle," bplsterous Fos comedy of sailor love co-starring Spencer Tracy and Warren Hymer, with Jean HarloW- in the title role, now being shown ,at the Seaside Pictures, Ljall i Bay. Hundreds of Hollywood's most beautiful girls are to >be seen 'In important supporting rtles. -'■- ' -, CAPITOL THEATRE,''miWmAR.' i v "It's a- - Wise Child," starring, Marion' .Davjes, is -,lieinK,. screen.cd at tho Capitol Theatre to-nicht, and is ; said to be-,'tbe most mtrth-'provjiklng picture of this popular, comedienne's career. This stqry or the embarrasing and uproarious effects caused by gossip -in, a : small town has' been pralsed:,,-byi dramatic, critics as one of the ' best farcecomedlcs vof the theatre. There are; eitcelleut supports, . rSL'IDE SKATING RINK, The .Glide Skating Rink In Wakefield street is now open on Saturday evenings only, and a session will be held to-night from 8; to 11 o'clock. - ,