ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1933, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Those inimitable comedians, the four Marx Brothers, are featured on the Regent programme this week in "Horsefeathers." As in all their pictures the plot is of littlo consequence with this quartet; each has his own particular style of humour, and each proceeds to exploit it to the • full, with the result that the audience, last night was in paroxysms of mirth throughout. An American university college has been selected in "Horsefealhers" as a background for some delightful fooling, while thero are some very funny sequences in a "speak-easy," where one of the brothers, as president of the «>lle=e. b3S cone to get two football players who aio to help the old college out In its annual big game. Unfortunately ho mistakes a bootlegger and a dog-catcher for football players, and there are some hilarious scenes when he returns to the college explaining that as he found them in a "spealf-easy" they must bo football players. Throughout the picture there runs an undercurrent of pleasant satire, and: several well-known American characteristics are burlesqued cleverly by the actors. Any picture in which these, four brothers appear ■would be incomplete without the singing of two of them, the playing of the piano by another, and the playing of the harp by the ."dumb" member of the team. In their latest effort they excel themselves as musicians.' It Is all slapstick comedy, but it is slapstick of a very high order, and anyone wanting a good laugh should not miss it. The supporting programme is a particularly good one. There Is a pictorial review of world events, and an AllAustralian gazette which show 3 scenes of the second cricket Test, the inter-house girls' .sports at Auckland, and other topical items of "local interest.. A comedy in which there is some excellent singing, as well as smart actIng, and a clever cartoon in which another American custom is burlesqued go to make up a highly-entertaining programme. - There Is also a sports short showing champions in various sports in action, with a running commentary by Grantland Bice, the dean of American sports writers. In this short, of particular interest to athletes, is a slow motion study of Barney Berlinger pole vaulting. .

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

A picture full of powerful human appeal Is "Lady and Gent," which is now screening at the-Grand Opera House. George Bancroft, one of the most popular screen personalities of today, plays the leading role, and his portrayal of "Slag" Bailey, the down-ana-out boxer, will count as one of his most successful characterisations. Bailey is almost past his best, and de- ( spite the efforts of his manager becomes Intoxicated before his bout, with the result that he is knocked out by his younger opponent. Bailey's "girl friend" Is Puff Kogers,.who leads' the ballet at a nightclub, Wynne Gibson being the actress. Puff Kogers has a vitriolic tongue, but a soft place in her heart for 'Bailey. After the flght Bailey and his manager approach Puff Eogers for money; but the manager is turned down, so he robs a safe. A policeman shoots the safeirobber. Bailey receives a telegram addressed to the manager, and thinking money Is to be obtained, goes with Puff Kogers Into the country. The telegram was sent by the dead man's son, a boy aged about ten years. Although the pair from the city Intend to leave the country house, .they stay on for the sake of the boy. Bailey gets a job In an iron foundry, and Puff Rogers takes to gardening and housework. To obtain monr/ to have the boy educated. Bailey takes on boxing again, although he is no longer in the championship class. The juvenile part Is taken by a gifted boy. The boy grows up, and wants to forsake his university education to become a professional boxer. Wynne Gibson very ably portrays the change from the night-club hostess to the country woman, but her personality throughout is the same, and the final scenes In which she realises she can never, return to the old city life are touching. The photography and the technical part of "Lady and Gent," as In nearly all American pictures, are very good. "Lady and Gent" should he very successful during its screening In Wellington. The supports include gazettes, a screen-song, "Down Among the Sugar Cane," and "Hollywood Snapshots."

DE LUXE THEATRE,

Zane Grey's colourful story, of the days of early America, "The Golden West," has been made into a film, and was released at the De Luxe Theatre for the first time yesterday. It is a strange tale of the Old South, the feuds of American families, and the tragedy which comes upon a Montagiie who seeks the daughter of a Capulet. The lovers meet by accident when on their way back from school, and seek to brave family wrath by marriage. A- fatal accident defeats, their, aim, and results) in the man having to flee from a party of avengers who follow him relentlessly week after week across the broad continent David Lynch loins up with a. wagon train, and pushes toward the outposts of the golden west,, but before he reaches there vengeance comes' upon him. He escapes with his life, but after that the story takes an unexpected turn, and the tale is continued Into the second generation. George and Janet Chandler have the leading There Is a long British picture In support, '^he Rasp" deals with a murder: mysterjjSjieets home the crime to a seemingly innoceW person, and gives C. M. Hallard, Phyllis Loring, and Claude Horton the chance for good acting. Also showing are newsreels of Interest and a special film of Sir Charles Kingsford Smiths arrival at New Plymouth In the Southern Cross. Miss Iris Mason provides some excellent music at the organ. . Departing widely from their customary type of picture, Janet Gaynor and Charles . Farrell prove to be more romantic and more plcturesQue than ever In "Tess of the Storm Country " their latest Fox production, to be shown at the De Luxe Theatre next' Friday. In the colourful role of a sea captain's daughter who comes to live ashore for the first time In her life, and who finds both her bravery and her tempestuous disposition severely tried by the various obstacles she meets. Miss Gaynor gives ?£, ii .*. Performances of her career. Farrell, as-the mUllonalre's son who is dis- {£!?♦? «S L rasclble fatl>er because of his interest in the heroine, likewise comes through SSfSS C^/aK'tS^ tertainment qualities of this Fox aim produS-

PARAMOUNT THEATRE!

n rs^x^ S ed 7 Tth? aetW«es.of a -smash-and-grab fSn;^V aclc "I s out t0 ProTa that he m a bora policeman by apprehending the thieves! As. an able assistant he has Mrs. Hobday a S?r? D#\5 rop?etrfss of a Scotch restaurant Mrs. Hobday is played by Cicely Courtneidge ta?Wta3f&rt II J? presented by the fasblnatSf • mthS^i ?«°i ter- •toteresttag supports In s.iMMrf sissr 11'lnclude Tiews

KING'S THEATRE.

"Bring >em Back Alive," by Frank Buck tho S e ms«WaK the jungle fighting their ancient enemies There are excellent supporting subjects on The p?" ■Sf I" ..? 0? plans are available'at the Bristol and theatre (telephone 52-212).

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

a new standard for screen entertainment of the outdoor variety. It does ™m,.w. retain' n X all of the characteristics which have made the Setter westerns so popute?v fl?m a, Th t0 >~th,?r a the appeal of the mystery films. The highly appropriate settings of a western ghost town have been chosen for the happy combination. Against this romantic background Director Fred Allen has used a strong cast to tell a story replete with suspense and surprise thrills. Hard riding, wild chases, smashing fights, ghostly music, phantom horsemen, and secret passages all find their logical place in the action.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

'Bachelor's Affairs," the new picture at the Artcraft Theatre, is discreetly racy, and Is delightful summer fare. It is splendidly produced, and the action takes place on board a smart ocean liner, around ™ York, and on the Long Island estates of the wealthy Adolphe Menjou takes the leading male part. Minna Gombell and Joan Marsh are also among the cast, Marsh as the aumb wife, and Gombell as the designing older

ROYAL ROLLER RINK.

A. special session is advertised to take place even- wh" 1 \°"? r Bink' ViTian thU orclock Tht%f a,V DB; vri" continu<> "°tll 11.30 poplar Sl£*3 ?hen^su BaT d M^ SS months the rink is. open on Saturday" nlghta

OUB THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

at Our Theatre to-night* The story concert one of the wealthiest women in the count"! her marriage subsequent loss of her husband to a debutante love pirate, and the ultimate happiness she finds with a handsome yome author who bad long been in love with her. The young author id portrayed by George Brent There are excellent supports.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

-Kay Francis, undoubtedly the screen's most compelling brunette star, has never been more lovely net more fascinating than in "Street of Women, >Ther new Warner Bros.' production which opens to-night at the Kilbirnie Klnema This drama of modern skyscrapers, the men who conceive and build them, and the women who inspire them, make an excellent background for Miss Francis's beauty and dramatic ability. No one portrays better than she the young woman of 1932, talented and attractive, who makes a career for herself, only to find

Replete with thrills, and sufficiently different from the.usual run of mystery pictures to be of strong interest, "The Old Dark Houso," which is now screening at the Majestic Theatre, should suit the tastes of most people. The story is-adapted from J. B. Priestley's novel ■Benighted," and there is an excellent English cast. ' From the first scene, in which a car is stranded In Welsh country in a terrific storm, interest is kept at a high pitch. Three lost travellers find an eerie old houso, and meet a dumb butler {played by Boris Karloff), who Is wanted by the police. Other qharacters are the butler's sister. Rebecca, old Sir Roderick, (a brilliantly portrayed character played by John Dudgeon), and mad Saul Ferrln. A second batch of lost travellers also seek shelter In the house. Thrown together within the dark wails, with deep shadows and ■ strange companions the travellers spend a night in which most of the-secrets of tho old house are revealed. It is not a "horror" picture, but rather one in which the conflict of character, the suspense, and the speech, play a greater Part than action. The personalities of the original occupants of the house dominate the Picture, and the character portrayals are excellent. There Is a:'good', supporting programme, which includes pictures of the arrival at ivew Plymouth of the Southern Cross.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The successful' picture/ "His Wife's Mother," is ha.ving an extended season at St. Jarneffl Theatre.. This picture is by no means a mere feeble echo of "My Wife's Family. "His Wlfes Mother" has a story of Its own—a quite ingenious plot of impersonation and bluff, which gives scope for a clever star and an equally clever team. The star I la Gus McNauehton. Jimmy Godden comm?sus, countless laughs as a bibulous father-in-law; Molly Lamont is the good j girl, and Renee Gadd is . the naughty one. Marlon Dawson ' has found a quite new typo of mother-in-law. There are good cord of the arrival at New Plymouth of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross is ' also being screened. It Is an excellent picture showing every detail, from the tumultuous reception accorded by the enormous crowd when the monoplane first appeared to the happy reply given by Sir Charles in response to his welcome.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

"Back Street," now being shown at the New Princess Theatre, Is adapted from the widely-read novel by Fannie Hurst,.with Irene Dunne and John Boles in the featured roles. It tells the story of a woman who considered no sacrifice too great to make in the name of love, and a man who gave freely of his love but at the same time retained his social position as a husband and father. The story covers'a.span of twenty years, and is said to give an especially affecting picture of the trials of two people whose: love is outside the law, notwithstanding its sincerity and depth.

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

"Arrowsmith," the new attraction at Shortt's .Theatre, features Ronald Colman and Helen Hayes. It revolves around the medical profession and Its gigantic struggle to: help humanity. "Arrowsmith" is notable in that it gives Colman his first American role. Although he has been one of the screen's most eminent stars for nearly ten years, his previous roles have always been English or Continental. In this picture he battles his way through prejudice and difficulties to the top. of the scentiflc world. . -

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"While Paris Sleeps" Is tha title of the main picture , In the programme at the Britannia' Theatre. It features Victor JfcLaglen ' and: Helen Mack. Victor McLaglen Is faced with death on a tropical prison island, while his wife is dying and his daughter Is penniless in Paris. Helen Mack and William Bakewell are tha romantic lovers. Their adventures in combating an apache gang who seek to. take advantage of the helpless girl compose an.unforgettable story of love and sacrifice, told with'great detail and absolute realism In its Parisian backgrounds.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

At the . Empire Theatre, fsland Bay, John Gilbert in "Downstairs" Is the principal attraction. The story Is a tense drama. laid in the servants' quarters of a European castle, with Gilbert as a chautTeur spreading a web of Intrigue that enmeshes the entire household.' A- Hal Roach comedy, a Metrotone newsreel, and a Fox Australian newsreel will also be shown.

CAPITOL.THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Caught Plastered,", screening at the Capitol Theatre to-nightfor the last time, features the Screen's favourite fun-makers, Bert Wheeler «nd Robert-VVoolsey. This Is .a picture which Is not only intensely funny, but Is funny'in «n altogether refreshing way, as the two laughter kings take over the management of a drug store to. save the owner from the poorhouse. There are many humorous situations, also some tuneful songs. The. supports are also good. Commencing a;limited season: on Monday is the record-breaking British picture "Sunshine Susie." ■ -. . :/

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY.

. Society Girl/ a Fox picture with plenty of romance, featuring James- Dunn with Peggy bhannon and Spencer Tracy, is the attraction at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. Revolving • about the tangled hearts of a boy of Uie masses and a girl of the classes, the swift-moving and- highly diverting plot weaves through an .amazing series of dramatic conflicts to a .climax more gripping and vital than any of James Dunn's. past successes. , It presents. In' Us solution, an answer to to-day's Tfl J^ quently '• asked lotion: "c an ,^ Te exist without, the .sanction of marriage ?"■ "SocietyGlrl' Is based on - the play by John Larkin, junr., with continuity and dialogue by Elmer Harris. -Walter Byron, Bert Hanlon, Marjorle ■ Gateson, Eula Guy Todd. and many others are. in the supporting cast.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

n? 0'. ni| ht V °] c Begal Theatre, Karori, "Man About Town"wlll.be shown. The main player Is Warner Baxter, who is cast in a role entlrenr. m tes t 0 h!,m^ There ■**"■ sPe<:lal supports. On Monday and Tuesday "Tilly of Bloomsbury" will be screened. '

BROOKLYN PICTURES.

At the Brooklyn. Pictures to-night the K.K.O. attraction, "State's Attorney," will be presented. John Barrymore leads a brilliant cast In this' gripping,. drama. The .supporting programme includes two news reels, a comedy, and an Olympic sports series.

MAJEStIC THEATRE.

WILLIAMSON'S REVUE COMPANY.

During the past twelve months the directors of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have presented to playgoers of New Zealand a series of attractions Including grand opera, musical comedy,comic opera, and ■ drama, and they have now made arrangements with- Mr. Frank Nell for a season of high-class vaudeville revue, which has always been a popular form of entertainment in Wellington. The season will begin on Saturday, 28th January, at the Grand Opera House, when will be presented the sparkling and rapid-moving vaudeville revue, "Pleasure Bound," which attracted large audiences last year in Sydney and Melbourne, and has been delighting record audiences in Auckland during the past three weeks. Two performances daily-are being staged, and already the revues have attracted over 30,000 people. At every performance to date it has been almost impossible to procure seats unless the reservations are made well in' advance. The Auckland season was originally limited to three weeks, but .owing to . the phenomenal success achieved by the company it has been extended to five weeks. Frank Neil's company is headied by the distinguished comedienne and lraIpersonatqr of male characters, Ella Shields, who is more popular to-day than at any time In. her great career, and Mr. George Wallace, who is unquestionably one of the best comedians, who has over; appeared in Australia or iNew Zealand. The supporting company,' numbering forty artists, Includes singers, dancers acrobatic artists, comedians, and Maurice Dia-monds-beauty ballet, which is one of the features of .the. entertainment. With the assistance of bright and tuneful music, attractive dressing and .scenery, these clever artists sing, dance, jrnd talk the happy hours away. In adtflttarto her latest song successes, Miss Shields had a,,-every performance in Auckland to sing her famous "Burlington Bertie" number. George Wallace Is amusinu and likeable. He Imparts brightness to his work, and it.ls this' with ai natural ease -.of bearing and underlying suggestion of self-mockery, which has assisted to establish him-as a-popular favourite A" most sensational acrobatic act is that of" the Diabolos. International acrobatic dancers, which created a furore In Auckland. Other principal artists are Miriam Lester, who last appeared herein"The Belle of New York," Billy lidrti^Ar n^ MoII6y; Malda Jones- William Liddle,-Maggie Buckley,- Maurice Barling,-and Murray-and Walton, famous tap dancers.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"Bed Dust" screens at the Deluxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, to-night and Monday night It features Clark Gable and Jean HarlowV "Business a!"L P1 «rS!J re" «■»! be screened on Tuesday S&I" W ™neSd£ y afte">°°n. and Wednesday n'eW-- "Miss Pinkerton," a modern mystery thrl^ er; J comesto «><s-'theatre next Thursday and Friday nights. Box plans are at the "Peter Fan Lounge, or telephone theatre 63-431.