ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1933, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

te JXteht After Sfeht," a Paramount picture heading the latest programme at the Regent Theatre. The title might suggest a variety of :>*»c Actually the story, deals with the , life of a night club proprietor and his ambl- . Uon to win the hand of a Boclety debutante/ who visits the'club. The girl, on finding out that "the night-club has beerr established In "• the house in which she was born, is drawn , to the club time after tune. She sits quietly ;.-■• and alone at her table for a little while e*ach ..night, and, then goes quietly away. Joe .Anton, at one tune a boxer, is the proprietor of the dab. He becomes absorbed in thls^ ■■■'• quiet gkl, so much so that he seta about .. polishing up his manners, and employs a woman to teach him to l>e a gentleman. A man In - a drunken condition who forces his attentions » on the girl gives the young proprietor the op- -■-- portunity he has . longed for to .speak,to her. ■':- A,roma^ce develops between them, but it does not proceed very smoothly.- An unusual series -: of events follows In which there are some .- exdtlnß sequences. They lead to a thrilling -and satisfactory cllmas. In "Night After .Night," George Eaft, a young actor, has his ••' first leading role, and as the night club, proU prleior lie gives; a virile performance; Playing opposite him is Constance Cummlngs, a -I graduate of the Broadway stage, who appeared -with Harold Lloyd in ."Movie Crazy."; Others ■ .who have prominent parts aro Wynne Gibson, ;. Mas-West, and1 Alison Skipworth. "Night After ■ Night" is by no means atark drama, if or deft 1 touches othumoijr are introduced, notably by Alison Skipworth and Mac West. George Baft '.:'■ has made rapid progress in his screen work, , and, with a face not unlike that of the -■ matinee idol of other days, already he is being " acclaimed as a successor to the late Talen- . tino. "The supporting items provide a ; good -"variety of topical events and entertainment. » They include a Paramount. News Reel, a Max ■'■ Fleischer "Betty Boop" cartoon, a Paramount "pictorial, tlie "Slusical Doctor" (a novelty feat- ■• urlng the famous Kudy Tallee), and an Aust trallau Clnesound Review, showing the dam--,....age caused by the recent floods in New ;;; South Wales. > v . '■. ■;

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. , ''-■ "Sunny Days," Frank Neil's farewell revue, .. is opening its season at the matinee this afternoon. This productWn will be staged at the Grand Opera House nightly for the four final nights of the company's season, and there will , be a gala farewell on Wednesday. "Sunny Days" ■ maintains the reputation gained by the comV pany in "Pleasure Bound" and "Hello, Hai>pi- ■ ness." , Featuresof the entertainment are the Eorgeous settings and costumes which enhance the performance, and the lighting' effects- are no less brilliant. -- Some fascinating music is . rendered by Wally Beynolds's band. George .. Wallace is a» comical as usual, and he is .■ at his best in burlesque. Such sketches as •:•'■;- "Th& Sleep Walker," "The Star Boarder," and "Behind the Lines," leava no doubt as to the ■• , comedian's ability. Ella : Shields gives - her ■ usual good performance In male impersonations. - In the rendering of vocal numbers/ Miriam 1 Lester is outstanding, and she is' at < her :_ best in a scena with Mercia George, Peggy .^, Waddingtoo, and ballet. Clever eccentric V dancing is contributed by Murray and Walton, - while one of the best Items is "The Four ■ ;■ Diabolos," an acrobatic performance. Perhaps „- the most entertaining feature of the programme •;'-:.ls the last, in which members of the company *' cleverly mimic prominent film players.

|- SYBIL THORNDIKE. " ; <: Before leaving for England Dame Sybil ■^ Thorndike and company will give farewell ■■H return season at the Grand Opera House on March 2, 3, and 4. For the farwell per- ;; formances the • sparkling comedy, "Madame :: Plays Nap" has been chosen. .Writing of the - performance In Christchurcli, the "Tress" —"A more delicate ana fragile vessel to hold the comedienne's art could scarcely be "■-imagined. The story is Improbable, but, like ■ all. improbable and comical tales, exquisitely A human. The characters are the Cltizeness ■■**■■ and her husband (both really aristocrats), a ,v joung poet, an Impoverished captain of-artll- - Jery, who is none other than Napoleon Mmv, self, and these play out their parts in the scenes of the Terror, and later in the court .'-.. of the Emperor. Dame Sybil Thorndike,; as the •: lorely Madame de Beauvais, played enchanting .j.. comedy. Her finesse as she ; defeated Cham- „: berlaln Terrier and tne Princess Pauline at r- the game in which they had dealt the cards, and apparently held all the tricks, was superb, ■ and the liehtness and grace of her acting was a' joy to see. However, even she was at overshadowed by the conqueror of the .world. To see Napoleon, the authentic iSm- •"- peror of the French, -walk dn to the stags as -; if he had just stepped from the frame of his s- most lifelike portrait was. something of a ... Bhock. From the 'parchment complexion' to •;- the stocky figure, from the wisps of a potato--1- coloured hair^ drooping over the . forehead to S the piercing eyes under their, bushy brows, ■«.-.. irom the perfect "manner of a great commander '~- I? *^"' ''^'y stance always associated with - Napoleon, lewis Casson was complete " One --. matinee only twill be given on Friday, March when "The Medea" Wffl be staged. )

a THEATRE! ":/"; "»•- , A strange: and unusually excellent picture - The Mummj?," met with a warm leception at ••. the De Luxe Theatre last nighty In thls;:film iv Boris Karloff, a' specialist in horrifying parts; al • **?' one of,the most extraordinary roles ever . .... acted on the screen. He .plays Im-ho-tep, an -: Egyptian High Priest, who is restored to life "■■: after . almost .4000. years, and .who, begins :to - •*»• exercise his evil influence In a present-day „.. world. The strange gpaj of the -.mummified High Priest, who has Been -brought "back to " the;, world by means of "a secret spell,. gradu- -■ ally becomes clear, and'the film resolves It-' .7 self into a battle between the little band ~.j around: a - beautiful girl" and tie - forces of _. sorcery used by: the Mummy. This .film Is " one of the most convincing of the series of vU strange thrillers that • has been released in ~ the last year, ahdTKarloff's work is a miracle C: oC make-up. _■ Very ably produced by Karl 1- Freund, one of the biggest men in the world -"* in - motion picture ivbrkf "The Mummy" la so :? unlike any other :fllm, and so capably done ;/ and excellently cast, that it offers a unique ; ,. experience. A new star, the: beautiful, Zita r- Johanh, plays in .this picture,: and among the ~ cast are David Manners, Edward van - Sloan, and Arthur Byron. The supporting bill in- .-,■■ eludes a number of interesting news-reels and the: latest issue of the Intriguing "Strange. As 2 It Seems" series.';. In addition there is -an ~ amusing: rowdy comedy, "Hunting ..Trouble," »- staTrlng Louise Fazenda,. and as a'final atr traction the return of Mr. Paul T. Cullen, the n- singing organist, who plays a whole series of ;ii".' pieces; and was very-enthusiastically received ■■".;.• for a clever contrast in a' .number named ;r "Song, Old • and New/ The programme will -"■ be repeated until Thursday evening. J '■■'■•'■'..

QUEEN'S THEATRE. Tom Mix Jn his newest action-bombshell, ' The Tourth Horesman," is now being featured at the Queen's Theatre. It features Margaret Lindsay, Fred Kohler, and Raymond Hatton. The storj of a cowboy who saves an entire town in real, estate froraboia, bad. bandits for the girt he loves.ls said to bring the famed Western star to the silver screen In the true old cowpunching fashion that has won him world popularity. Nina Wilcox Putnum, the distinguished novelist, wrote the story especially for Mix, and his inimitable equestrian companion, Tony, is ever oh hand la the exciting narrative,

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Those two engaging 'cross-tails: arid knockabout comedians, Bobert Woolsey and Bert Wheeler, are the star attractions at the Majestic Theatre this week in an amusing burlesque: on ■*.feature., of American, college .life "Hold Em -Jail. ~ .Football in Amertam.colleges has become »cry much over-emphastted in-re-i cent years, and the two comedians show up tha1 football-mania In all Its absurdities. They start ; out ; as, hlgltpowered novelty .salesmen, but ill-advised^ boasts v of their ■ footbail prowes* end-in their being sent to Bldemore■ penitentiary, whose warden Is a"> football "nut" They are sent there on a false charge, but they find some consolation -In -the warden's -sister and niece. The escapades of the pair, who re, fuse to take their,position soriously, are very ■ 1L1 y"< "■: be se<l«ence3 also glvo.a little insight into American 'prison life. " 'Owing to the warden's predilection for footbail tho footBall squad Is the most important of the prlsoni but there is great consternation when, on the eve of the big-game with Lynwood Gaol, Slippery Sam, the. captain of- the team,'accepti Wh«? 0D anf l, e,f ves «»« 'earn to its own devices! waeeler and Woolsey .come to the. rescue and they manage to win the game for the old mSL? X&t' cii J^ by Ter^ unconventional methods. ~-In the course of so doing they sei niir^»nrt COS feSSf, on that they are innocent, and all ends happily, and hilariously. • A.;P;tthe tif? 2t n r l6,' sunP<T»ng: programme shows the Prince of Wales opening the new Ulster S>' I' am! nt."H2 ul!a-;ln™»e--mWat-of"cheering inousands, and gives some excellent shots of t?,»ii," ai!? Queen on tneir way toopehithe edlra '^ trivelogue,. two com, ; ST. JAMES THEATRE. I . A. l mu[ der ' tragedy well relieved with police and-"cub reporter" humour, a story that grips and amuses at the same :- time-such is ■Guilty as Charged," the new picture at the St James Theatre, which Is well worth a visit from anyone who seeks thrill and fun in the vZ B, Par? 6l; " The fading parts are'given "to the _ reporter, and probably there neve? were but ]f 6 t? Dd a, reF? rter 3'ust llke thatout if not there should have been, for they are very funny, very human, and they make "scoops" all the time for the honoSr of the law and the Press. When' Mr. Lowe arrives in the room whenhDr. Tlndal (Henry Stephen? £5 LtWI ;"Wlfe'-Mr' Lowe's PclUef f^|r^^S-^ol?«^: «r «!' %1V "soiled from- the 'electric chair Vsnappy'V ; ;S tufr .very,;: ,well Indeed, Hew? Stephenson makes :;Dr.,Tindai a chafacte? study, Kichard .Arlen ;is the wrongly accused S^'lc ENIPh^ Cc lsi »"' convtocing yraSeet and Noel JYancis- shows'spirit as th? rkJ teteer's , gUll friend,; Persons interested S inlTi^^l 11 b6 lllltlatea by -«>e- reporte? into just what a woman .does .(and does not ?hL^h^^ a .vmura" er 'selzes her by • the throat; and. tte Reporter's .demonstration oh ttrmf ™f the State G°TE*nor:;l»>one of tfe "Th« %«;JP 16 ?8 Programme: Includfc Jsii sfnetng-.Plumber" .a.nd;somo.good Nature ?Si'^ arUct?**^;:lb^ Kyl» <«■ Cartertori) ™«fl?i r h6£ P, et f ela iveiy realistic),, and the confldlngvkoala,(native bear) in its Austra-' Tian habitat, petted by. > lady visitors.

: \ KING'S THEATREV " i rt c Frightened Lady," a. Gainsborough drama. Is the current .attraction at: the Kings Theatre.'Possessing a story that bubble's over with that, brand of, mystery peculiar Io Edgar Wallace and a delightful romantic angle that harmoniously works in with the main' theme, the picture possesses a:,iemarkable east headed by Norman McKinnel, Gordon Harkcr, Cathleen- Nesbltt;- and .Belle. Chrystall. . The story revolves around two unexplained murders ,by strangulation. Box iDlans are at the .Bristol :-and...theatre. ''•'■ "'. • -,: ■', : ■ ' Sir Douglas Mawson's expedition to 'unknownAntarctica gave Britain thousands of miles of new territory, but the account-of the journey, south is recorded in the fllm, "Siege of the South;'' ■ which; will come to the King's Theatre oii-.Frway.. ..This eppclial pictorial effort 13 a ; talkle of, compelUng Interest and entertainment that' thrilled the nation. The Kins, who attended a .screening, described it as one which should make us proud' to be British. The photography Is/superb, whether Captain Frank, Hurley Is recording a thrilling fight between, sea elephants or a hurricane photo-' graphed'from the top-galiant of "The Discovery, or the quaint ■ antics of .the penguins. The gallant deeds' performed calmly, and hardships cheerfully borne, are all depicted in the Dim, and Captain Hurley supplies a runnins commentary. ...... .

SHORTT'S THEATRE. ; | The principal picture now being presented at Shprtt's Theatre; Is "The Deceiver," a mystery drama with a. baffling, fast-moving plot and exceptional acting. lari .Keith, /Dorothy Sebastian, and . Lloyd; Hughes bead the' casL The^ story is, a back-stage 'arama relating waat befell—andi why-^-a great matinee Idol The second feature of yttus. programme is "The Big Tlmer,'|>a;comedy drama ln>;which Constance • Cummlngs ■ playsy a glrl,;iaght promoter who enters pugilistic-circles when her father is I £ "'■JSi SS accident.-. A prize-fight- is one of-the WgbJlghta of-the Btoryif i' (V, t :- 1 ■

:: ILBIRNIE;kINEMAifI.,.i:-' ■ \). 2^V ;:1 *I' al^ ITever-bound;; dangeroS '; but withal glamorous 'existence tif' life on a'iub?t? Pl»nts«?>i*toa9-Chlna-is revealed^.^;. .*&' "Jramatio J?erspecUve in "Bed Dust" vwhidh' opens:at the Kllbkrae'Ktaema/.tonlßM^sla s£SZ S ¥& Cle, £* rk -: GableTiand . Jean Harlpw.. This picture has^ "everything,*' from Blzzllngjlovefscenesl,between:Gabledand^ the' sednctlre. J«m%Harlp* -to'vintensely*exciting sUuatloM^n'whicliitheenHreicast^ilnvolvea! j^61?;; i? an. interesting supporting programme.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER. HUTT. Rebecca, the imaginativo Uttla girl whose name came, out of Ivanhoe and who lived vti un, nybiook T,Farmi ls Played °y Marion Nixon in the Fox Film "Hebecca of Bunnybrook Farm,", screening at the De Luxo TheaThe nSf-JJlX'' ht .valid on Monday' night, me plot deals with the experiences of an wS 3.™ i? irl w/?2 l eaves her beloved Sunnybrook to live with her elderly maiden aunts, vnUf y yP*™ of respectability, in a-Maine b!X ?'. H K,r »enchant for adopting everybody s troubles wins the immediate disapproval or the aunts, but strikes quickly at tho heart and sympathy of Dr. Adam Ladd, who befriends her from the first day in the village. Ralph Bellamy plays the tole of Dr. LaSd, while Mac Marsh and Louise Clossor Halo are the aunts. "The Crowd Boars" will be screened on Tuesday night, Wednesday afterS n'n£S? w s<J?esday night, and on Thursday and Friday "Alias the Doctor" wiU be presented. Plans aro at the "Peter Pan" Lounge or telephone. Theatre, 63-431.

SEASIDE PICTURES. fW* 0- WrSt ?*!*•'' tte For •"e«ion of Frank Cravens greatest comedy success, to be shown to-night at the Seaside Pictures, presents Janet Gamof and Charles Farrell in their first strictly modern screen play. Janet's new halrdress; her grown-up diction, and 'her more m°«.? TM pe™?2allty "* sal<l to reveal a reS,»^. br» "different" Janet. And .with seven changes of smart - wardrobe, not once does she appear In 'the tatters of a "slavey." This youthful romance is based on the heart throbs and hilarious,«eh« of tb» flrat year of parrlako.

/PARAMOUNT THEATRE. hJ h h repuia"on \ ot the British film"industry has been definitely enhanced by the Gainsborough, picture, "The Ghost .Train," .which . It. r?. ened for the' first time in Wellington at the Paramount Theatre. last evening. . The /Treert ""f^nca: included the G6vernor-Goneral (Lord Bledlsloe) and Lady Bledisloe and a ?<S. r i.yi ol omi' G"™1;?16111 House. As a novel r?«?iz °st j T,J alu ma<3e a . memorable iraprebslon, and its adaptation to the stage was no less, successful, but it.has been left to •the film industry to produce a version which ill?P out, all highlights of Arnold Eldleys gripping story and'creates an amazingly reallßtlo atmosphere. Thousands saw tho play when it-was; produced ; in Wellington, but it can^ be, guaranteed .that their enjoyment will in no way be spoilt by knowledge of the sensational climax: The pictures goes further than ithe play;-and there is, no-doubt that a more satisfactory ending has resulted, not to menton (he many thrills >'whl'ch are' packed into 'no.last few. minutes. ' It is claimed for the British, studios: that.:they ■ never, do by halves, and .that claim appears to be substantiated. In ,','Tho". Ghost Train." With the cooperation of a great railway company the pro-' ducers have been; enabled- to ; create nn atmosphere of realism which, is most convincing,, and' there Is no better example of the thoroughness which' was put into the- picture than the representation.' of Via;, train-, toppling from .a .bridge .into. a..river. . A splendid cast interprets .the. picture. Jack Hulbprt, the comedy star, introduces a brand' of; hiiinour as the "silly ass".' which relieves the tensity of many eerie situations, and be is ably assisted by ; his delightful-wife;' Cicely Courtneidße, as the spinster.' The other members of the cast give :'faultless performances.., Technically the production marks a great advance *on the part of British film interests, and its entertainment value is exceedingly high. A New Zea-1 .land I'scenic fllm'and a diverting mystery play mako up a flue programme.

, PRINCESS THEATRE. Described as the "English Marie Dressier," Alison Sklpworth heads the cast in "The Sporting Widow,".now being shown at the Princess Theatre. The: opening scenes, feature the departure of "the Countess", on a health tour of the world after being a comDulsory, guest for five years of a warden. Her exploits".during the course of . this, tour form the maiiv part of the picture. Miss Sklpworth raisesjmany laughs as■ she puts over the■ bluff necessary fop a : ."sporting widow,"., and, as a trusting husband Kichard Bennett excels' himself. '• •■'.'.;•■ -.. -..■_ ;' '_■ ■"-. ;-;;, .; ■■ ' .

,' , BBij/ijiNiA; theatre; .'-' "Million Dollar Legsj* constitutes the main part of the .new J>r6gra'mnie"''n6<»''"t>elnß "presented at the Britannia Theatre, "Forgotten Commanamen^ts/'' {'described.: 'as ,' '-!&■'■:< true '■' picture of" 'the i world ' millions live 'and' love and sin in:.today,Kls.a-story-of young love, swept into a hasty marriage through' impul-* Sive. toinarlce.Cthen ■engulfea.'in a' new, mad world "of new' Ideas,' new.'dangers. The other feature 'is a hilarious burlesque based on the Olympic Games. ;

• .EMPIRE iTHEATRE;' ISLAND-BAY. •/'Drums of; Jeopardy'^ Is,^^^the weekend^ attraction, at the Empire Theatre;- The story is' one of. a madman's 'desire: for "revenge -.against innocent pepple and his weird methods of obtaining his * revenge. Warner Olnnd,-- Moyd Hughes, and.Jpne,: Collyet play the principal'! roles. ..A, . two-reel' comedy, a Pathe' "Audio Review,; a special sports, .'teoli: a sound cartoon, and twp newsreels complete the proBranune.'';1 .■• ••:•', :. , "..-;;.,. ■

_; : • ;6UR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. ; ';: "The''Passionate Plumber," screening, at Our Theatre,',is Siister: Keaton's biggest fun-riot. His presence, in a lady's bathroom-leads' to a series of uproarious1 scenes, providing -no"end' of amusement and laughter,! in", which ■ his assistant..mischief-makers: are Polly Moran and Jimmy,-Duianto. . The supportine. programme is of. outstanding'order; and patrons are assured 'ot an excellent entertainment.

.' V;^,'- CAPITOL THEATRE. .'■•■■. - ■' '-■ . "Dark : Horsa/ I''screening'at. the Canltol Theatre tonight; features Warren! William; Bette Davis, vivienne Osborney and an excellent supporting cast. The story concerns the Maker of Governors, portrayed by Warrea. William whose personal magnetism sweeps everything before him except. In. his own financial and domestic.difficulties. This is one of tha finest comedy-dramas yet screened.'

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. . "Faithless," co-starring Kobert Montgomery and Tallulah Bankhead. heads a varied nrogramrae.at the Begal Theatre this evening. It Is thtvßtbry of.two young members of the idle rich, who flnd-i themselves victims of a *:flnanclal: trash.-'Ai Hal'Roach'comedy, a special short' entitled "Sharks and Swprdfish,"' featuring feta -' Smith, ,and two, oxcellent newsreels; complete the. programme. , '"■ ; . -'-.■":'■'j-T ■■ . ,

).J."<i". A''ARTCRAFT .'THEATRE/;" L%fl-: -.: ]" Mnslie 'details, rpf the professional We- of a New.'Yprk.: ; columnistiara?sh6wn.: In"Penalty' of.SFame/?; a-newspaper story :-:&t\ the Artcraft iThe^tre^wltb, lewiAyres in. the starring-tole.-Ayres .13' seen as: a,' regular radio ' b'rbadcasier'. •whoi ;thus,' supplements .•: his,;; ;wor&: •'-ast, a. columnist; :andbrings>t(j ligat-jnariy secrets?of■' New York's..night A Uffc.-~■:.. 7T - ■ ..■.:.'.■■■,

BROOKLYN PICTURES. i Victor, -McLaglen's latest featured role for Fox Films, that of the' heroic father In "WMlo Paris Sleeps," will be the attraction' at the' Brooklyn Theatre tonight. Helen 'Mack and William BakeweU. are paired^ as-the lovers.in what is said to be a thrilling melodrama of the weird and Uttle-lmown Paris,not found1 In the guide books.

ROYAL ROLLER RINK. A special late session Is advertised to be he'd at the Boyal Boiler'Blnk, Vivian Street, this evening. A new standard is set by theKoyal management in skating, proof of this being the large crowds who attend every Saturday evening. Popular ■' musical numbers will be presented by lie Strollers' Dance Band i at tills evening's session, while tho usual Monte Carlo competition Will' bo' Held.'

I , , SUNDAY CONCERT. - I Through the courtesy of Mr. tfrank NcIL \ producer of- the TSlIa Shields-George Wallacd | Ilevue, the City Mission win present a Sunday night concert at the Do Luxe Theatro toI morrow night. ~The leading members of the revue will be present, including Mr. Gcorgo i Wallace, Miss Lester, Mr. Murray, and Miss Molloy, and a very enjoyablo programme has boon drawn up. The Wellington City Mission are to hays their distress funds augmented by this entertainment, and as the good works of the institution are. well known in Wellington it is hoped that there will be a very. largo audience. Admission is to bo by silver coin.

May fortune emile o'er every mile Along life's steep; uncertain way, And cheer the night ■with warmth and light When •winter1, skies loom cold and gray. May fortune smfle arid foil the fear Where mortals bronchial ills endure, And bring them ease and breathing i-lear i With Woodrf -Great Cure. i-Advt.