ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. A beautiful new star; with a charming voice and alluring personality, is introduced in "Where is This Lady?" the new picture at the Regent Theatre. She is Marta Eggert, and her foreign accent of the G.irbo style is well placed In a musical comedy of modern Vienna. Marta Eggcrl. however, has more than appearance, voice, and personality. She Is a very clever little actress, and provides an admirable partner for Owen Nares, the popular English actor. The story follows the usual light-hearted lines of musical comedy, and concerns a young Berlin bank director, Rudis Muller (Owen Jfares), who Is dispatched by his co-directors to Vienna on a matrimonial mission which Is intended to replenish the depleted coffers ot the bank. Rudi has been in Vienna before, and he wastes no time in renewing his acquaintance with Its night life. In the meantime, the mother and legal adviser of an aristocratic family are preparing for the call of the German banker, who, by marrying the daughter, is to restore the family's fortunes. Needless to say both Rudi and Luci, the girl, have other intentions. There is much light-hearted intrigue carried out with plenty of clever, humorous dialogue, and, running through the whole piece a succession of catchy songs. Wendy Barry and George K. Arthur take two of the leading parts. The supports comprise newsreels, a Tasmanian scenic feature, and a collection of items by "The Seventy Club." Starring Alison Skipworth and Roland Young, "A Lady's Profession" will open a season at the Kegent Theatre next Friday. The supporting cast in this hilarius comedy is exeptional, including such well-known players as Sari Maritza, Roscoe Karns, George Barbler, r.ud Warren Hymer. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. One of the brightest and snappiest revues presented by Frank Neil's company, "The Laugh Parade," will be finally staged tonight, and tomorrow, the last production of the season will be put on. Large audiences were the order at both Saturday's performances, and actually the company's popularity aeems to be on the increase. In rapid succession turn follows turn. There Is not one dull moment, the whole show proceeding with a snap and precision. George Wallace and Syd. Beck are, of course, always to the fore, and they are supported by Billy Malouey, who has never been seen to better advantage. Miriam Lester's singing is as u?llghtfulasever, and the other members of the 'company all do their share towards making the show first-class entertainment. The ballet work is a feature of the show, and the acrobatic tumbling of the Five - Cleveres is worth the admission money alone.. - DE LUXE THEATRE. Xo fewer than three members of the Barrymore family appear In "Rasputin and the Empress," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's story of the life of the strange Importer who dominated the Russian Court in the days just before the World War. This is a long and striking production of a startling drama enriched by the acting of America' 3 ''royal family of the stage" and produced by Kichard Boleslavskl, a man who took part in the fighting of the Russian revolution. The story of Rasputin's rise to power through hi 3 healing ot the heir to the throne, and his rule of the Court through dominance of the Empress Is told with a wealth of strange Incident and many tense moments. Lionel Barrymore gives a remarkable performance as the tempestuous Rasputin. John is Prince Chegodieff, the slayer of the monk, while Ethel Barrymore plays the Empress with much feeling for the part. Diana Wynyard and Ralph Morgan are among the large supporting cast. The programme also includes the latest newsreels, and a whole series of songs by the popular Mr. Paul T. Culleii. The bill will be repeated until Thursday evening next. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. From start to finish on Saturday evening riotous laughter from a very large audience rose to the humorous incidents of the British whimsical comedy, "The Mayor's Nest," at the Paramount Theatre. The fun of the play is of the true British brand, and it never flags. It rises to its highest point in a Court scene where Sydney Howard, the meek-faced comedian, acts as Judge. This scene Is Impregnated with adroit touches of satire of the Gilhertlan order that are both clever and funny. Claude Hulbert, who assists Sydney Howard, is an admirable foil to him. Between them they dispense a mixture of English burlesque and American slapstick, which Is highly entertaining. The gentle buffooneries of the two comedians have the saving element of straight healthy humour free from vulgarity. Muriel Aked, as a worthy social worker, also contributes largely to the success of the piece. Four very interesting short subjects precede the main attraction, and go to form a good programme. The most important event connected with British pictures for some time is the coming to the Paramount Theatre, after a.n absence of nearly twelve months from the Wellington picture screen, of Tom Walls, the famous comedian, who, with Ralph Lynn, first placed English comedy on the film map with "Rookery Nook." On this occasion Tom Walls will be seen in "Leap Year," in which, on the authority of the London "Dally Mail." "Tom Walls positively dominates the play and dwarfs all his previous successes." Box plans for the season opened this morning, and the management advises early application for seats. KING'S THEATRE. "Silver Dollar." a picture filled with Ihe thrill and romance of pioneer life in the mad gold rush days of Colorado's founding, is the current attraction at the King's Theatre. The screen ottering is based on David Karsner's popular book, which tells the rise and fall ot Haw Tabor, an influential pioneer who played an Important and spectacular part in the early history of the nation. The picture presents a rough miner with a "Midas" touch, who soars from poverty to wealth and power. When romance touches him, he discards the wife who has stood faithfully at his side In.the struggle for riches, and with a younger, more beautiful woman starts on a career of eccentricities that startled the world. Box plans are at The Bristol and theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Harmony Row," the latest of the Efttee talkIn? productions, starring George Wallace, is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. From the first moment George appears on the screen, which Is practically at the opening of the film, the laughter never ceases, and the audience follows his ludicrously comical adventures as a police recruit, as a novice constable in a very unsavoury neighbourhood, and in some truly hair-raising adventures in a suburban residence in a neighbourhood of impeccable respectability, to the accompaniment of perpetual roars of mirth. The supporting cast Includes Marshall Crosby. John Dohbie, Thelma Scott, Phyllis Baker, Edwin Brett, and little Willie Kerr. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A thrilling drama of the Turf by Edgar Wallace, entitled "The Calendar," will be shown at the Artcraft Theatre this evening. "The Ghost Train" Is to commence a season at the Artcraft Theatre tomorrow. The story deals with a party' of train passengers who, by the asinine net of one of their number, find themselves stranded In a little wayside station. As the station possesses the unenviable reputation of being haunted, it can be imagined the plight of the party was none too pleasant. The "haunt" is the result of a train disaster, on each anniversary of which a ghostly train tears through the station with whistle blowing and brakes screaming. And to look on the ghostly visitant means death ! PRINCESS THEATRE. Marlcne. Dietrich, In "Blonde Venus," is the main" attraction in the new programme at the Princess Theatre. Marlene Dietrich made film history with starring roles In "Morocco," "Dishonoured," and "Shanghai Express." "Blonde Venus" Is her fourth vehicle for Paramount, and In this production' she plays a character that is entirely different from anything that she has played before. She is cast as a woman who accepts the love of another man so that she can save her husband's life. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The Lawyer's Secret" is being shown at Shortt's Theatre. It tells the story of a weakling, who hides so that another may pay for his crime; of a girl's unquestioning lore; of a secret which, revealed, means the life of an Innocent man; concealed, the sacrifice of the happiness of three people. The second feature on the programme is "The Mysterious Rider," by Zane Grey. The dim tells the story of a single man's battle against powerful forces which seek to evict half a hundred ranchers nnd their families from the property which they own and love. BRITANNIA THEATRE. The fastest moving action picture of the season, is showing at the Britannia Theatre with the appearance of William Halnes and an all-star cast in "Fast Life," the breath-taking motor-boat racing picture recently completed at Catalina Island, and in Los Angeles Harbour by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Haines Is given one of the strongest portrayals of his career as the irrepressible "Sandy," a motor-boat mechanic who has a new idea for an engine that will break the world's record. He drives his boat through a race that will send thrilling chills down the spine of even *he most apathetic theatregoer. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Marry Me," a British musical comedy production, will be screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. Rcnate Muller, star of "Sunshine Susie," Harry Green, and George Robey, famous British comedian, play the leading roles. The picture Is full of the latest song hits',- and the comedy work of Green and Robey provokes unlimited laughter. Added attractions are "Northern Lights," and the "Hills of Donegal." On Wednesday nnd Thursday Jack Hulbert will be seen in "Love On Wheels." SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. Described as a dynamic story charged with thrills, "The Fires of Fate" is the main attraction at the Seaside rictiires. As the vivacious Kay Byrne in this picture, which Is a dramatic adaptation o? Conan Doyle's famous novel. Dorothy Bartlam plays a leading role opposite Lester Matthews, who ns n man with but a year to live falls In. love' with Kay, but deeming It unfair to confess his feelings, causes her much unhapplness by his restrained and cynical attitude. However, the Imminent approach of death at the hands of marauding tribesmen supplies an opportunity for necessary explanations which ultimately lead to a happy ending.

• ST. JAMES THEATRE. Once known only in lighter roles, pretty Nancy Carroll has now developed in serious parts, and she combines dignity with feminine appeal In "The Kiss Before the ■ Mirror," the new picture at the St. James Theatre. It is a murder story (with trial scene) calling for strong acting, and Jtiss Carroll has two stalwart supports in Frank Morgan and I'aul Lukas. Possibly the case for the jealousytortured husband who murders his faithless wife has never been more persuasively presented. Certainly the mechanism of the story is very clever, for Morgan's role (on which the Play pivots) Is that of a lawyer defending a husband (Paul Lukas) who has in fact killed his wife caught in infidelity. Adapted from one of the most widely-read and popular novels by that well-known author, Gilbert Frankau, "Christopher Strong," 1i.K.0. production, will have its Wellington premiere next Friday at the St. .lames Theatre. A specially chosen cast; almost entirely English, is headed by Katherine Hepburn. She was lasf seen in Wellington in "A Bill of Divorcement," In which she scored an instantaneous hit. Brilliant as was her performance in that film, in "Christopher Strong" the' star rises to even greater heights. In this new film, Miss Hepburn is seen as a titled English girl, whose passion is aviation. She .later fails In love with a married man, Sir Christopher Strong. And then the real story starts. No less convincing a performance is given by Colin Cllre, the English actor, who plays the title role. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A picture full of human interest and dramatic situations is "The Great Jasper" at opens in a world rather remote from today; the day when trams were pulled by horses, and feminine fashions were rather staid. The star of the picture is Richard Dix, who is cast as Jasper Home, a coachman who has the courage to drive the first electric tram in a little American town. There are two influences in the life of Jasper Home. All his inclinations are towards a life of wine and women, but there is also the influence of his home. When his wife learns of his relations with another womaD, she wants to leave him, but Jasper leaves for Atlantic City with his son. Jasper befriends a fortuno teller, and when she dies he takes up astrology, at which he is known as "The Great Jasper," and makes his fortune. Richard Dix is humorous in many ways as the genial Jasper, .but tlie picture has its tragic moments, and it is satisfying in every way. "The Great Jasper" is probably Dixs biggest success to date. An uproarious burlesque that should provoke much laughter is "Whatl No Beer," coming to the' Majestic Theatre on Friday next. Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante are the stars. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Afraid to Talk," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Sidney Fox, Eric Linden, and Tully Marshall,;with a strong supporting cast. Sidney Fox enacts the feminine lead as the loyal wife of the bellboy, played by, Eric Linden, who is "crucified" for political purposes. The supports include a "Slim Summervllle" comedy. . KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Eddie Cantor in "The Kid From Spain" will conclude its season at the Kllblrnie Kinema tomorrow night. There are Interesting supports, an outstanding feature being "Babes in the Wood," a Silly Symphony cartoon in Technicolour. On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons there will be special matinees of "Siege of the South," the official record of Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition, commencing at 1.30 p.m. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Warner Baxter, handsome, debonair, sociallyprominent jewel thief, and Miriam Jordan, have the leading roles in the Fox Film production, "Dangerously Tours." The popular comedian Herbert Munriln heads a big supporting cast. The plot revolves around the plans of a- woman to arrest a man, and ends in an unexpected climax Involving infatuation and love. There are excellent supports. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Gold Fever" is the main attraction at the Regal Theatre this evening. Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien, and Constance Cummings play the leading roles. It is the thrilling story of a. bank crash. The large supporting programme includes a two-reel comedy, a sound cartoon, a special featurette entitled "Eough Sport," and a "Screensnapshot."

WELLINGTON REPERTORY THEATRE. "A Quiet Weekend 1" by Victor S. Lloyd, will be staged at the Grand Opera House for a season of three nights commencing Monday, July 3. The occasion will be a notable one in the history ,of the society, for the author Is a prominent member well known1 for his work both with the society and over the air. I The play is a farcical comedy in seven scenes. It has an intriguing plot, some hilarious incidents, and bright dialogue throughout. Ilia characterisation gives the actors much scope, as each character is an individual type. Playgoers will welcome the return of Miss A. Louise Hall, who has a most congenial role— that of an amusing, . imperturbable society woman. A newcomer is the English comedian. Mr. F. G. Hayes-Towns, who is sure to ds a favourite. Other well-known players Include Misses Beryl Earle and Marjorie Murray, Messrs. Vryn Evans, A. D. Priestley, K. K. I'ope, George Cooper, and Norman Hannali. The production is In the hand 3of Mr. W. S. Wauchop. BRAHMS CENTENARY CONCERT. Brilliant piano and vocal students will rereal some of Bralims's exhilarating compositions tomorrow evening at the Nimmo Hall. Willis Street, when they will compete for the Brahma Medal. Mr. Paul Vinogradoff will officiate as adjudicator.