ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1933, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

George Arliss, who returned to the screen at the Regent Theatre today In his latest picture for Warner Bros., "The King's Vacation," appears in a role that is perfectly fitted to his unusual talents, and a story believed to be the finest of all his screen productions. The screen play is a rare combination of humour, dramatic sequences, and spectacular scenes, tinged with a delightful romance. One of tlie finest casts ever appearing in an Arliss picture has been assembled for tlie production. They include Dick Powell and Patricia Ellis in the juvenile and ingenue roles, two players who have shown marked promise, Powell having made a tremendous hit as the crooner In "Blessed Event," in "4ind Street," and in the Will Kogers picture "Too Busy to Work," while Miss Ellis, already well known on Hie Broadway stage, although but sixteen years old, jvns groomed for the part in "Central Park" and "Three on a Match." Dudley Digges, 0. P. Heggie, Marjorie Gateson, Florence Arliss, the star's wife, Vernon Steelc, James Bell, and Maude Leslie, other important players, are well known both on stage and screen.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

The Joan- Crawford starring production "Rain," which opened at tho Grand Opera House today, .is the first of a series of feature films made by Lewis Milestone, direc-tor-producer, under his newly-formed affiliation with Joseph M. Sch'enck and the Art Cinema Corporation. The story is a new adaptation by Maxwell Anderson of the famed stage play, which In turn was adapted by John Colton and C. Randolph from the short story by W. Somerset Maugham: The story concerns a girl who, with several other passengers on a South Sea schooner, is marooned on the small island of Pago Pago when cholera breaks out among the crew. The entire action of. the story occurs while the quarantine is in effect. The central characters are a reformer and the lady with a sergeant of marines who finally wins happiness for her.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

"Tlie Warrior's Husband," which commenced at the I)e Luxe Theatre toduy, is -one of tlie most skilful comedies ever mounted for tlio motion picture screen. Concerning as It does that mythical period when women were the conquering heroes and men the clinging vines, it has ample opportunity for hilarious comedy. There Is genuine humour in the situations, but behind it all oae can see, if one lias a mind to, an Incisive refutation of the modern trend among women towards masculinity. Elissa Landi is convincing as an Amazon who finally sees the error of her robust ways. Marjorie Rambcau' puts her talents of comedy to the very best uses. As the soft, gentle husband of the queen, Ernest Truex proves that the screen did itself a good turn by snatchins him from the legitimate stage. David. Manners, as the handsome Greek who succeeds in'making'Miss Landi see tho light, fills his role with skill. Helene Madison, the Olympic swimming champion, is cast as the sergeant of the guards.

• Coming to the De Luxe Theatre soon is "Strange Interlude," with Norma Shearer and Clark Gable as the stars.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

"Her .First Affair,", which has just arrived from England.via Australia,' where it is 'credited with having "set all Sydney laughing," is now being screened at tho Paramount Theatre. Concerning it, tlie American journal "Variety" wrote :—"Britain has a ,happy knack of springing a surprise now and again, and it has done this with 'Her First Affair,' an unusual comedy which sure rings tho bell." It tells a quaint story of how an ultra-modern miss starts out to defy the conventions. Just how the story develops and the delightful lltlc miss becomes sadly disillusioned'when she discovers • herself flirting with a' much-marrled; man'makes excellent fun. After "Her First Affair" she ireturns crestfallen to her waiting lover. Much splendid comedy is supplied by the principals of the play, Ida Lupino, George jDurzon, Harry Tato, tho favourite. London stage comedian, .Muriel Alccd, and tlio beautiful Diana Napier. The whole of the production- Is upon a rich and lavish scale. Special attractions form the first part of the programme.

KING'S THEATRE,

A wide sweep of' colourful adventure and romance Is tlie outstanding duality that marks "Scarlet Dawn," the current attraction at the King's Theatre, in which Douglas Fairbanks, jnn., gives his' finest screen performance. All the essentials of good motion picture entertainment are contained In' this 'film; good story, fine acting, and superb direction. ' The picture contains the interesting. Eto'ry of a young Russian" nobleman, who is exiled by tho revolution, and who finally weds his servant girl. In addition to tho star, Nancy Carroll,- Lilyaft Tashman. Earle . Fox, Frank Reicher, Sheila Terry, Betty Gillette, Maurice Black, and a host of others appear. Box plans Bristol and theatre.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

The latest 8.1.P. comedy now showing at the Queen's Theatre Is - "Tho Last Coupon." an adaptation of tho North Country comedy, which had such a ■successful run at the Garrick Theatre, and which Is showing there «U the week. Leslie Fuller, the inimitable rubberfaced comedian, appears as a coalminer, in the star role. An ardent football enthusiast, he spends his spare time in filling up football coupons, and is successful in forecasting one result for which a prize of £20,000 Is offered. His subsequent adventures as a local celebrity and hlg-flght promoter are as hilariously funny as only Fuller can make thorn. Mary Jerrold also piays a leading role as his wife. Varied and striking backgrounds Include the Albert Hall on the occasion of a boxing championship, a sumptuous modern flat in Jlayfair, and a coal mine. , ■ : ■ . ■ '

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

A sparkling Elstree farce "''Sleepless Nights," a piquant musical comedy-romance, and hilarious knock-about, backed by catchy songs, lilting music, and lrresistlhle droppery—opens at tho Artcraft Theatre this evening. The principals are Stanley Lupino and Polly Walker, and they are supported by Gerald Rawllnson, Frederick Lloyd, Percy Parsons, Charlotte Parry, David Miller, and Hal Goodson "The Daily Sketch" sums up the entertainment value of this British production in tho words "A bright and tuneful show." It is being supported "by tho usual varied subjects, and will screen until next Monday evening.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

The -British Dominions comedy, "Up for the Cup," starring Sydney Howard, will be shown for the last time at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-

night. Cecil B. de Mille's "Tho Sign of the Cross," a spectacle of pagan Rome in the days of Nero, will commence at the matinee tomorrow. Extra attractions for the children will Include the serial picture "A!r Mail" and a Mickey Mouse cartoon. Tho length of the_ programme necessitates commencing at 2 o'clock instead of tho usual 2.15 p.m.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

"Tho Big Broadcast," a romantic comedy set against the background of a radio station, is now showing at the. New Princess Theatre.

It Is the story of a complicated but amusing love affair which keeps Bing Crosby from being at the studio in time for his broadcasts so

frequently that he loses, his job. Then Leila Hyams, infatuated with him, gets Stuart Erwin, a jilted lover, to buy the station and network to restore Crosby his job. Erwin accedes, but Crosby remains as Irresponsible aS ever. It is only after a big broadcast, In which all the radio stars are featured, that the Crosby affair is finally stralghtene'd out. "The Road to Reno" Is a divorce story.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

One of the greatest casts ever assembled Is to be seen in "State Fair,"-which is showing at the Capitol Theatre tonight and at a matinee tomorrow afternoon, featuring Janet Caynor, Sally Eilers, Louise Dresser, Will Rogers, Lew Ayres, Net-man Foster, Frank Craven, and Victor Jory. "State Fair" caters for all tastes. It deals with tho adventures of a country family at a great fair, in which some members find'sweet romance and human drama, and others' laughter, excitement, gaiety, and mirth. The acting of those concerned sets' a new standard. At the matinee. Episode 7 of "Jungle Mystery" and Episode 3 of "Lightning Express" will also be shown.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

In "Night After Night," a Paramount picture, which opened at Shortt's Theatre today, George Eaft, sensational young star, who won his first laurels In minor roles In "Scarface," "The Sporting Widow," and "Dancers in tho Dark," has tho leading male role —and, incidentally, the first leading role of his movie

career. Constance Cummlngs, Wynne Gibson, Mao West, and Alison Sldpworth have other leading roles. The second featured picture is "The World and the Flesh," the story of a swashbuckling sea captain who led his men In riotous assaults on the nobility In the days of Russia's 1917 revolution. It is packed with, authentic action scenes. A delicate thread of golden romance is Intertwined with the gusty excitement of the action of the picture.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

•Tames Dunn and Sally Eilers are co-starred in the Fox Film' comedy "Sailor's Luck," which will be .shown at Our Theatre tonight. A big supporting cast Is headed hy .Sammy Cohen and Victor Jory. It Is a hilarious talo of a lovesick sailor and a world-wise girl, and there is a generous .sprinkling of comedy, real romance, and suspense. Excellent supports complete the programme.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

1 "Prosperity," an M.G.M. comedy special, will be the attraction at (ho Empire Theatre this evening. Mario Dressier and Polly Mprnn play the leading roles, and supporting them are Anita Page and Norman Foster. Marie and Polly pro mothers-in-law. They hattlo over the married life of their respective son and daughter until they almost drive tho yoiiiiE couple into divorce and the audience Into hysterics. The supporting programme includes "Piscntorlnl Pleasures;" a further mtmner of the popular Fisherman's Paradise series, featuring Pete Smith, an excellent short- entitled "Como Back To Erin," a Clnesound Review, a Metrotone Newsreel. and a Fox AusIrallan Xewsreel. This programme will also be screened at the matinea on Saturday. '

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

The highly-exciting drama, based on imaginary submarine operations In the Adriatic, "Hell Below," at the St. James Theatre, is to run for ii further week, so successful has been its. season. The war scenes are among the most remarkable ever filmed. There are some amazing shots of an attack on a submarine by a squadron of aeroplanes, which cause the submarine to submerge, leaving some of the crew in a dinghy. Later the submarine finds some mine-layers and a- destroyer together, and a thrilling chase follows as the destroyer drops depth charges and forces the submarine lower and lower. Tense scenes follow when an escape of chlorine gas occurs while the submarine is and Walter Huston are the principals, while Jimmy Durante supplies the comedy touches.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"Confidence" men, the art of pocket-picking, Jewel thieving, and all tho tricks of "crookdom," are laughingly exposed in the new British feature "Diamond Cut Diamond," now being shown at tho Majestic Theatre.

Adolphe Menjou, in the leading role, displays a comedy talent that ho has not often shown before. In the role, of Dan Macqueen, a super-crook with a fatalistic opinion of the opposite sex, his comedy is perfect. Partnered with Claude Allister, another crook, he goes through tho whole gamut of known and unknown crimes. The story follows them from the South Seas, where they rob a native of a valuable opearl, to tho the homes of the elite. Here, in hilarious style, they continue their life of crime/ but eventually meet their Waterloo when they meet a girl crook.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

"The Son-Daughter," co-starring Hamon Xovarro and Helen Hayes, will be serened at the Regal Theatre this evening. This MetroGoldwyn special is a colourful and spectacular expose of the Inner workings of Chinatown, and the struggle that exists between royalists and revolutionists. The plot is unusually thrilling, and provides excellent entertainment. Special supports, including a Mickey Mouse cartoon, will be screened. On Saturday at the matinee Buck Jones in ' "Unknown Valley" will be screened.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

For those who like red-blooded action, in addition to the comedy and pathos of a heart drama that stirs the audience to tears, Metro-(ioidwyn-Mayer offers Wallace Beery In

"Flesh." now showing at the Britannia Theatre. "Flesh" is more than -a wrestling picture. It is drama that goes behind tho scenes. Beery, a. great hujlc of a man, is a wrestling watiler in a Berlin beer' garden. There he meets Karen Morley, an American dancer whose partner has Involved her in a crooked deal which lands both in gaol. When she is released. Beery befriends her and puts her up in the house where he lives with his friends who own the beer garden.

BENEFIT ENTERTAINMENT.

An entertainment which should make a popular appeal will take place In the Wellington Town Hall tomorrow at 8 p.m. Tho programme will include humour and burlesque by members of the Wellington' Operatic Society, humorous items by Kay Kemp and Will Jameson, community singing led by Will .7. Mason, Owen Pritchard, and Clement Howe, and a display of gymnastics and acrobatics by the V.11.C.A. In addition, there will bo a concert programme by the winners of the 1933 interBible Class musical and elocutionary competitions. Mr. Graham Ayson will assist in violin items, and Mr. Clement Howe will' officiate at tho organ. The main programme will be preceded by an organ recital at 7.45. The entertainment is being organised by the combined youth movements of Wellington in appreciation 'of the community services of the V.M.C.A., and the profits will bo used to maintain tho essential services of that organisation. Reservations may bo made at the Bristol, and there will be one popular price.