ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 109, 10 May 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

"Alexander Hamilton," a dramatic and historical film, is showing at the Regent Theatre. Alexander Hamilton is a very important figure in American history. George Arliss plays the part of Alexander Hamilton. A finer dramatic role would be hard to find, and it will be universally admitted that Mr. Arliss plays the part with artistry, being dominating and entertaining simultaneously. It is a fine picture, finely produced. Naturally the producers have here and there stretched a point in favour of the screen spectacle as against historical exactness, but few liberties have been taken, and the production is one that should be enjoyed by all. The cast to support George Arliss has been well chosen. Montague Love appears as Jefferson, June Collier as the "vamp," Doris Kenyon as airs. Hamilton, Alan Mowbray as George Washington. Morgan Wal'aee as Monroe, and Dudley Digges as Roberts, to mention but a few of the outstanding characters, ihe supporting programme contains several excellent features, especially that which shows a number of wild animals of Africa in their native haunts. "Dr. j ß k.vll and Mr. Hyde." In Paramount's rendering of Robert Louis btevenson s famous "Dr. Jckyll and Mr. Hyde," which is billed for the next change at the Regent Theatre, the leading role is taken by irederic March, whose interpretation of the 8? ■ ioSt'* 1...' 0 be nothing-short of amazing, blnce 18S7 this great drama-romance has been before the public, the original-creator of the role of the dual personality being Richard Mansfield, the greatest American actor of his day. Later the role was again made famous by Daniel E. Bandmann, the German-American actor. Henry Brodribb Irving, son of Sir Henry Irving, also appeared in the part in London, un me aims John Barrymore was an outstanding success in the role. Frederic March, the latest one to play the part, is reported to be every bit as good as all tho others

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Two excellent pictures are again featured at the. Grand Opera House. Winnie Lightncr the popular comedienne, is at tho head of ? e, east c , in "Side Show," the main picture. She is supported by Charles Butterworth, who supplies something new in tho way of comedy,; Evelyn Kuapp, Donald Cook, Guy Klbbee, and others. The leading lady takes tho part of the right-hand man, or at least, woman, to the tippling owner of a circus. In addition to these duties she substitutes as a flre-diver, hula dancer, and cannibal m the show. Needless to say, her efforts are uproariously funny, but when her sister alienates the affection of her sweetheart Miss Llghtner really . comes into her own In the second picture, "Secrets of a Secretary," the attractive Claudette Colbert takes a leading role. Forced to cam her own living, she secures a position as social secretary to a- prominent matron, and for the first time she learns what really goes on among the people she:has associated with for the most of her life. Tho plot is developed In a dra!?n a Hi <\fc nanT' a? a tho susPense is sustained until the end. A, news reel completes a highclass programme.

"24 Hours." Paramount"! "v Hours," starring dive hi [ n«» a t y/ra.nc.^' a^ d Miriam Hopkins, will i&,£v »ed at ,ftl Grand OlJera House <"> ,v i y- *" reT<»lS'l»ow several people, within the short span of two turns of the clock- are suddenly precipitated into an unusual and dangerous situation, from which escape seems impossible. From the moment these men and women are shown at a fashionable dinner party to that exciting and breath-taking moment twenty-four hours later, when one of the men, the debonair Jim Towner, is arrested for the murder of his paramour, "24 Hours" builds and maintains suspense with compelling effectiveness. How Towner attempts to prove hlmS3i in n?, cent of the cime with only his loyal wife willing to believe, his strange story, carries the picture to its dramatic and inevitable climax. As Jim Towner, the gifted Clive Brook is cast in one of his most interesting and engaging _ roles. Kay Francis, as Towner's estranged wife, Is also effective in a con-rtne-ing role. .

D£ LUXE THEATRE.

Delicious" Is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Janet Gaynor and. Charles Farrell are starred., ( Janet Gaynor Is really adorable' in this show; petite, wide-eyed, soft and appealing of voice, this little star shines as she has never shone before. Her acting throughout the show and her clever Impersonation of a Scottish girl, place her on the highest rung of the ladder of fame. Charles Farrell, tall, handsome, and romantic. Is the perfect hero—the typo that looms foremost In the thoughts of practically every romantic young girl. His voice, too, is most fascinating. El Brende! provides the comedy element.

"Hell Divers," a romance of aviation In the American navy, with. Wallace Beery and Clark Gable co-starred and a supporting cast which includes such prominent players as Conrad Nagel, Dorothy Jordan, Marjorie Rambeau, and Marie Prevost, will commence at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. This Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama, filmed with the co-operation of the navy at the Panama manoeuvres aboard the aeroplane carrier Saratoga, and at North Island, has in it practically every air thrill the service achiever*in Its annual training. One sees aeroplanes hurl themselves downward,' two miles in less than half a minute. There are sensational crashes, a heroic rescue, and salvos fired' from great battleships. Amid this is a romance with the lure of the tropics, with love,, sacrifice, struggle, and duty. Beery plays a veteran C.P.O. His sweetheart, played by' Miss Rambeau, waits in Panama, but lie always joins the navy again. Comes the conflict with the new navy—typified by Gable—and an amazing and impressive denouement. A highly spectacular feature of "Hell Divers'" presentation in' Wellington will be, provided In' the appearance of an illuminated aeroplane, which will fly over the city, commencing on Thursday evening, in connection with a special competition .arranged -by the De Luxe Theatre-in conjunction with the WeUlneton Aero Club.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

"Devotion" is the principal feature at the Paramount Theatre. The story concerns a girl who obtains a position as governess of the son of a young attorney with whom she has fallen in love, with the double purpose of escaping from the narrow routine of her own family and being near to the object of her affections. In assuming the part of a governess, Shirley Mortimer (Ann Harding) disguises herself as a middle-aged widow, aria it is not until an American artist, whose acquittal on a wifemurder charge Shirley's employer has secured, visits the house that her deception is discovered. She then learns that the lawyer's wife is not dead, but has merely been separated from him for several years. With the American, Harrington, and the attorney, David Trent, both rivals for the girl's love; matters become decidedly complicated, and somo clever manipulating is necessary before the way Is paved for a happy ending. Leslie Howard and Ann Harding constitute a splendid lead to the other players. There is a strong supporting programme.

KING'S THEATRE.

Gorgeously produced,\wlth scenes in technicolour, "The Cuckoos," now showing at the King's Theatre, stands alone as a brand-new type of screen entertainment. It is an extravaganza of delirious nonsense, starring the mad wags-of.'Rid Rita" fame, Bert Wheeler and Robert Wonlsey, and boasting a notable cast of featured players. Box plans are available at the Bristol and the theatre.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

"The Gay «, Caba'llero," featuring George O'Brien, Victor' McLaglen, and Conchita Montenegro, is showing at the Queen's Theatre. The exciting plot is based on Tom Gill's popular magazine serial and novel, "The Gay Bandit of the Border," which relates a tale of pre-sent-day conflict, intrigue, and romance along the colourful Mexican border. The supporting cast includes Linda Watkins, C. Henry Gordon, Weldon Heyburn, Martin Garralaga, Wlllard Robertson, Juan Torena, and many others.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

t ", Loi'i c *.h les" starrin S 'Stanley Lupino and Jack Hobbs, is being shown.' at the Princess Theatre to-day. The story, which tells of two uncles, two nephews, a wife and a vamp, is developed on farcical lines, and these characters are swept along on the crest of uncontrollable circumstances,, which; though undeniably drastic, supply the onlooker with continuous cause for merriment.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

'•Monkey Business," starring the four Marx brothers, is being shown at' the Britannia Theatre. They are -cast as stowaways on board a giant ocean liner, and proceed to take over command of the .ship- and run things to suit themselves. One can imagine the rest. There are excellent supports.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

"Charley's Aunt," the famous-Columbia picture, .starring Jimmy Bonner, is showing at Shortt's Theatre. The story, while tinged with plenty of laughs, has a romantic vein, and the acting is excellent all through. There are good supports.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

"Skyline," starring Thomas Meighan and Hardie Albright, to be screened at the Regal Theatre to-night, has to do with an nmbitlous boy who escapes from his dissipated fosterfather and finds adventure and thrills on top of a mighty skyscraper. Myrna Loy and Maureen O'SulUvan head a large supporting cast. The second attraction Is "We Dine at seven, humorous comedy special. Two Fox movietone newsreels will also be screened. On Wednesday and Thursday "Sally of Our Alleyheads the programme.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY.

"Daughter of the Dragon" Is showing at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay. It carries on the adventures of crafty Fu Munchu, in his relentless pursuit of revenge. It finds- treacherous Anna May Wong leading Fu's murderous followers against Scotland . Yard. Tho action is fast. The setting is the labyrinth of London's Chinatown, and two English country mansions, connected by secret passages.

GLIDE SKATING RINK.

That sltatiiiff Is as popular as ever in Wellington is demonstrated by the attendances at the Glide Skating Rink In Wakefleld street. Each session is well attended, particularly the two lunch hour sessions from 12 noon to 1 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., when many of the employees of city offices and warehouses avail themselves of this healthful exercise. A learners' session is held every day from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

The cast is as bright as the wit and colour in Waiting for the Bride," the current attraction at the St. James Theatre. Lovely Mary Brian lias the leading role of a little chorus Eirl who wants a certain rich young Englishman for a husband, and adopts a most unusual and amusing method of getting him. oeoltrey Kerr plays the-young bachelor whose mlentions gradually become matrimonial. Joseph Cawthorn rollicks along as a sort of Dutch uncle" who takes a hand in securing the husband for the heroine. Johnny Hines returns to the talking screen as the "victim's" nosom pal, and there is Marie Prevost. The comedy is of the richest vein, with the new teclmlcolour process lending an additional enchantment.

On Friday next the management of the St. James Theatre w iu present Irene Dunn, Matt Moore,.John Halliday., Pat O'Brien/and Myrna Loy in R.K.O.'s drama of marrlagef and motherhood. "Consolation Marriage," which is said to havo every ingredient of enjoyable entertainment.. .

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

_ Stepping Sisters" is screening at the Majestic Theatre. Louise Dresser plays the leading role, and is seconded by Jobyna Howland and Minna Gombell.. Laugh follows laugh in -quick succession. Of course Mrs. Ramsey,' the social climber, is doing it all for her daughter's sake, but matters are complicated by the fact that the daughter (beautiful Barbara Weeks) has fallen in love on her own account, and with a musical comedy star. What happens in such circumstances may best be Imagined when it is known that Rosie La Marr, the one actively working member of the old combination of the Stepping Sisters, discovers that Mrs. Ramsey a husband is a man who has been in the habit of taking her about. William Collier, senr., as the annoyed husband, and Ferdinand Mumer, as Ambassador Leonard, materially add to the gaiety. There are some musical numbers and a clever ballet does a variety of dances, all compact in the one number, the effect being obtained ingeniously by allowing the girls to step from one pair of shoes into another. The supporting bill is one of wide range. In "Polly of the Circus," which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, Marion Davies is supported by "The Flying Codonas," noted troupe of aerial artists. In tills story of-cir-cus life Miss Davies plays the role .of Mme. Polly, Queen of the Air. The sensational "Codonas" have appeared before all the crowned, heads of Europe, in music-halls, winter gardens, circus tents, and theatres all over the world. Their appearance in "Polly of the Circus" will be their second before the motion picture camera, their first having been in Variety," with Emii Jannings, a Berlin-made production. Such breath-taking feats as the "Layout Somersault,": "Passing Leap," "Triple Somersault," "Double Twist and Cutaway;" and many other spectacular stunts' are registered by the camera.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Gipsy Blood," screening for the last time to-night at the Capitol, is a screen version of "Carmen."- Included in'the cast is I/ancei Fairfax, afone'time a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and well and favourably known as a singer of Gilbert and Sullivan, and more recently of the ■Desert Song." He gives a very fine rendering of the "Toreador Song." Tom Burke, the celebrated tenor, plays the Guardsman, and Marguerite Namara takes the part of Carmen. The supporting programme is good. There will bo a matinee to-morrow at 2.15 p.m., "The Spider." •

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"Caught Plastered," starring the two funsters, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, is showing at the Artcraft Theatre. In this picture they anpear as two drug store boys who somehow or other do more in the bootlegging line than in dispensing medicine. The supports are good.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

Nancy Carroll in Paramount's "Personal Maid," her latest dramatic smash. Is to beseen at the Kilbirnle Kinema to-night.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"The Brat," ■to be screened at the Empire Theatre .to-night, deals with the surprising upheavals in a quiet and wealthy family when its head, a successful author, brings home a cheeky slum girl as "colour" for his forthcoming novel. A large cast includes Sally CNell,' Frank Albertson, Farrel Mac Donald, and June Collycr. The supporting programme includes a novelty entitled "Backstage On Broadway," a Magic Carpet of Movietone, and two Fox Movietone Newsreels. On Friday and Saturday next "Sally of Oiir Alley," starring Grade Fields, -will be shown.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN,

The British comedy, "The Perfect Lady," will be shown at Our Theatre to-night. Betty Amann is starred, and Maria Lynd arid Beg. Gardiner head an excellent cast. It is the story of a! youne society girl's attempt to learn the secret of an -alluring actress's charm. Splendid supports complete the programme.