ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1932, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. lid S ev1 cular l tmy °£ the say and colourful unfoldsAe nna before and after the war is and nli'l Goo(i-nlsht, Vienna," a British new „° m nlons Pfoduction, which heads the Mr7,.r. f romiS c _at the Re 6ent Theatre. The 5™ '5 well balanced in plot and presentav?™„. a,n enchanting background of a„v™t» T^ SetS tlle story off t0 tlle best ;„,™ laße' Ja<* Buchanan, the popular young tl m comedian. Is in the title role, and he hwi B, upP°rted by Anna Neagle, a beautiful _.»? fle "'"' a glorious voice. The story deals with Captain Maximilian Schletoff, a young »?•?,? army offlcer. who" has fallen in love with Aiki, a beautful flower seller, but the umperor directs that Max should marry a countess. The young lover' decides to defy everyone, but just as the two are about to flee together war breaks out between Austria and ftervia.^ In the-general confusion of the war „nwS i at follow' the Bin, in the meantime has achieved great fame as a singer, receives no word or sees nothing of her lover. After me war Max is forced to earn his living by un ..a P°sition in a shoe shop, and it is while he is thus employed that he meet_ Viki again. ■ From then on the picture moves forward to an appealing and satisfying climax, me supplementary programme includes news reels, a New Zealand scenic picture, a cartoon, and a Bobby Jones golfing film. DE LUXE THEATRE. . A distinguished star appears In a distinguished picture at the De Luxe Theatre this vee 't. eta Garl]o playing the lead in "As You Desire Me," from the famous Pirandello Play. Zara, a cafe singer, of Budapest, Is found by an old artist friend of i v?. , Br"no> w,io declares the woman to "f Maria, Bruno's wife. Salter, tho novelist ii . v Maria, or Zara, sets out to prove that she Is not the same person. An immense weight of. proof is gathered on both sides, or so the principals believe. Zara remembers nothing after the shock of her experiences during the Austrian invasion of Italy, but she Is moulded by the new environment into the woman Bruno desires her to be. Then comes Salter with his burden, of proof that she is not Maria; 'In this simple theme there is extraordinary tension. Owen Moore, Mervyn Douglas, and Erich yon Straocheim are important members of the cast. The malnder of the programme includes a film of Olympic champions in action. Tuneful numbers are played by Miss Iris Mason on the organ. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The working out of a detective story has a fascination for many people. Those who have read Conan Doyle's story "The Missing Rembrandt" have now an opportunity of witnessing its presentation on the screen. Sherlock Holmes is represented in a masterly way by Arthur Wontner. The deductions and disguises of Uie master detective aro surprisingly well done, and ;the attention of the audience is kept rivetted on Holmes as he spreads his net round the master criminal who has stolen the famous picture—the thief having been disguised as a respectable art dealer named Guntermann. The blackmailing of a lady by one of Guntermann's assistants enables Holmes to establish Guntermann's guilt. The Paramount sound featurettes include Pathe News and a cartoon comedy entitled "Mickey's "Golden Rule." KING'S THEATRE. Noel Coward's sensational farco supplied the story and Intriguing title of "Private Lives," starring Norma Shearer and Bobert Montgomery, which is now being shown at tho King's Theatre. It is a screaming affair from start to finish and hits a m»rry pace that makes it difficult to wonder just how it all came to be put together. 'It seems so utterly spontaneous and so unexpected are the. episodes that It all appears only too real. Reginald Denny, Una Merkel, Jean Hersholt, and George Davis do good work In the chief supporting roles. The. box plans are at the Bristol and the theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. ■An exciting stage coach robbery starts things rolling in "Branded," starring Buck Jones, now showing at the Queen's Theatre. It leads up to a series of events that involve the active Buck In many whirlwind manoeuvres. He and his wonder horse, "Silver," are said to have been provided with, opportunities that call for feats of super daredevlltry. Supporting Buck Jones In this' drama of the outdoors are Ethel Kenyon, Al Smith, Wallace Mac Donald, Phllo McCullough, John Oscar, and Bob Kortman. BRITANNIA THEATRE. A gripping mystery melodrama, "Charlie Chan's Chance," is npw being shown at the Britannia Theatre. Warner Oland, Marlon Nixon, arid Alexander. Klrkland are in the leading roles. A murder Is committed and detectives combine efforts with the police, but they are unable to solve the crime. Charlie Chan/ discovers Important clues, reconstructs the crime, and. after a series of thrilling experiences, untangles the skein. The murderer is finally revealed in a dramatic climax. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Cheat;" starring Tallulah Bankhead. which is now being screened at the New Princess Theatre, is one of the most Interesting stories seen on the screan for some time. It is the drama of a woman who, despite , her love for her hubsand, enters Into a strange pact w|th another man, a man who plots to hold her In his power. How this woman pflnally attempts to save herself from this sinister influence of the other man without telling her husband of her predicament, contributes vitally to the fascinating story of "Tho Cheat." There ls a-climax of compelling power. ■:, SHORTT'S THEATRE. Romance, drama, and natural scenic effects have been combined in "Eyes of the World," which is now being shown at Shortt's Theatre, with Una Merkel, John Holland, Nance O'Neil, and Brandon Hurst in the cast. Thf story moves quickly through an amazing patternwork of thrilling and dramatic scenes, rising to a climax of exciting action when revenge, remorse, and forgiveness each have their moments of triumph. The film ls an exceptional work of entertainment. The second attraction is ".teaching for the Moon," starring Douglas Fairbanks and Bebe Daniels. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Racing Youth," starring Slim Summervilie, Louise Fazenda, Frank Albertson, and June Clyde, will be shown to-night at the Artcraft Theatre. It is a splendid comedy-drama. There is a good supporting programme. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. One of the most amazing and extraordinary films ever produced is "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,'. Paramount's version of the Robert Louis Stevenson story, which will be shown at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Fredrlc March Is seen In the dual role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. , His Interpretation is remarkable. There are other good features on the programme. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Over the Hill" will be screened at tha implre Theatre this evening. James Dunn, Sally Eilers, and Mac Marsh play the principal roies. The story details the life of a typically modern family, telling the double story of love between a boy and his childhood sweetheart, the roles impersonated by Dunn and Miss Eilers, and between the same boy and his mother, the part enacted by Mac Jiarsh. There is a good supporting programme. On Wednesday 'and Thursday, "Law and. Order," starring Walter Huston, will be screened. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Clark Gablo and Marion Davies, two of the ?. , ,s m ,most li!«able stars, appear at the Capitol (Theatre to-night in "Polly of the Circups. In this picture, which is a real thrill, a hundred veteran circus hands give'of their best whilst the Codona Brothers, world-, tamed aerialists, execute sensational acrobatics m mid-air. Tlie two stars, supported by C. Aubrey Smith and other well-known players, give a most romantic and pleasing performOUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. i L.°u s Moran and J. Harold Murray are starred m the outdoor drama, "Under Suspicion," to be screened at Our Theatre to-night. The story deals with the adventures of a British war ace who, to save his younger brother from iS ace* J oln?i tho Xo >'al Canadian Mounted police. Excellent supports complete the programme. PORT NICHOLSON'SILVER BAND. m_t. t. tra _ted !?_" the Promise of an entertaln?««v_M 2 ra. th, c °rdlnar r> a crowded audience assembled at the Grand Opera House last night «.„!? ar a rec,lta,l by the Port Nicholson Silver fliw? ?5 d asslstln E artists; the programme ful"tttt A expectations of all. The hymn. Lead Kindly Light," was played reverently by the band, conducted by Mr. J. J. Drew. The marches, always a popular inclusion on the °anJV 3,,Mo_rammes, were "Thousand and One <4!i. s. (Svoboda) and "Old Comrades" X . ??'• The selection, "Lurline" (which won tno B grade own selection contest, for the band at Dunedin in 1920) was played in part —a fine performance for all instruments. The patrol, "Jamie's Patrol." and the intermezzo, In a Monastery Garden" (with vocal refrain), completed the band's numbers. A tenor voice or clarity and uncommon sweetness was discovered in Mr. Frank Harper's solos. Appearing by courtesy of Messrs. J. C. Williamson, Mr. Harper proved to be a tenor soloist of more than average ability. His songs included "The Trumpeter," "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes,' and "Love Lily," in all of which he made a deep impression. Miss Jean Slapoffskl, a granddaughter of Mr. Gustav Slapoffski, also appearing by courtesy or Messrs. J. C. Williamson, revealed a light soprano voice in Pipes of Pan" and "A Brown Bird Singing." This is the third occasion on which the talented little lady has sung with the Port Nicholson Silver Band. Miss Mary Bald, the wellknown contralto, chose "Ring, Bells, Ring," for uer first song; her encore wa3 "When Irish* Eyes Are Smiling." The audience liked them both. Baritone solos by Mr. Walter Brough were popular: "Harlequin" was an effective item, and "Fishermen of England" was the recall. The Rawhiti Maori Party of instrumentalists and vocalists were extremely well received: their Maori songs and light partsongs included traditional numbers and others. Hine-i-Hlne," "Matangi," and "Haere Mai" were wnong the favourites. Mr. Frank crowther at the piano was an ally to all performers.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Lew Ayres, Mac Clark, and Boris Karloff are the stars in "Night World," the leading feature at the Majestic Theatre this week. The action takes place wholly'in and around the precincts of a night club. Ayres takes the part of a young man with an v.fortunate family history, who adopts a favourite method of trying to forget. • " Miss Clark is a member of the ballet at the club, and her pity and sympathy are aroused when she sees the youth night after night in an advanced state of intoxication. Ayres becomes involved' in a brawl with the proprietor of the club (Boris Karloff), out of which he is carried unconscious, and tiie girl looks after him. The action speeds up considerably after this and guns and killings takes a prominent part. On the technical side of the picture reaches a high standard, aud acting is always convincing. There is a lengthy supporting programme. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Lady With a Past," at St. James Theatre, presents Constance Bennett in a role entirely different -from that which she is accustomed to Play. It proves this star's histrionic ability, and shows that she is as much at home in comedy as in drama. The story concerns the efforts of a young New York society girl to win the admiration of men who consider her too serious. During a visit to Paris and under the expert tutoring of a bright young American, she acquires a "past," which reaching New York before her return, requires a great deal of explanation to the man she loves. Miss Bennett wears seventeen wonderful Parisian creations in dress. For Friday next Sir Benjamin and John Fuller have secured for presentation at St. James Theatre "Ladies of the Jury"—a comedy that is entirely different. This picture pokes a merry finger of mirth at the mixed jury system, which expects twelve men and women of extremely opposite types to reach a verdict. This hilarious production in an entertaining manner takes one behind the scenes into the sanctum of the jurors in a murder trial. Here one sees the petty foibles, bickerings, and personal equations of the jurors. Edna May Oliver, who needs no introduction to picturegoers, and Rosco "Stuttering" Ates present a new comedy team that is most successful. "BLUE ROSES." Gay laughter and applause from a capacity "house," carried away for the time being from work-a-day things and charmed and delighted with all the show has to give, made Saturday night's presentation of the musical comedy, "Blue Roses," at the Grand Opera House rather a memorable one. "Blue Roses/* which has served to re-Introduce two favourites, Mr. Cyril Ritchard and Miss Madge Elliott, at the head of a talented company of players, was assured of success from the opening night. It is a light frothy confection, as most modern musical comedies are, and it possesses all the ingredients which go to make up a pleasing entertainment. Apart from the very fine work of Mr. Ritchard and Miss Elliott, splendid support is given by Cecil Kellaway, Dulcle Davenport, Frank Leighton, and Leo Franklyn. There is tuneful music in "Blue Roses" and some splendid mountings, but the beauty of the production above all else is the delightful dancing of Mr. Ttitchard and Miss Elliott. Of good comedy there is an abundance, with an old friend in Cecil Kellaway, who finds things "too beautiful," scoring a personal triumph. "Bluo Roses" runs for five more nights, giving place next Saturday afternoon to another musical comedy, "Follow Through." "Follow Through," the' successful musical comedy in which the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management will present Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, together with the" splendid supporting company at present appearing in "Blue Roses" at the Opera.House, on Saturday afternoon and night next and two following evenings, was described in Sydney as one long laugh at the golfer. Comedy Is the outstanding feature in "Follow : Through," but, of course, another feature is- the dancing of Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, and the brilliant work of the ballet. The box plans for "Follow Through" will he opened at the Bristol Piano Company to-morrow morning at o'clock. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Arsene Lupin," starring Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore, heads the week-end programme at the Regal Theatre. Most of the action is based on Incidents in the lives of notorious French criminals, and the plot reaches its dramatlce climax in the cleverly-staged theft of a famous painting from the Louvre in Paris. John Barrymore plays the role of "Arsene Lupin" and his brother plays the famous French , detective. There is a good supporting programme.