ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 26, 31 July 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. In "The King's Vacation," at the Regent Theatre this week, George Arliss gives an outstanding performance. His sympathetic and delightfully humorous rendering of the part of a king who, while desiring to be treated as an ordinary human being, is forever treated as a king, Is consummate, and Arllss at his best. The story tells of Philip, a king seated on a throne which is tottering. He realises that the' country is on the brink of revolution, and signs a Bill the harshness of which ho feels will bind the country together and bring about a bloodless revolution. His plan succeeds, and he is forced to abdicate. His queen, Margaret, played by Florence Arllss with flue understanding, sends him back to his former wife and daughter to seek the peace and happiness he lias so long desired. Ills return lo the cottage of his' youth and dreams Is uot all that he thought it would bo, but Fate, by a dexterous turn, succeeds In showing how ho may regain his former happiness, and the picture closes on this note. The supporting cast has been well chosen.' Mrs. Arllss. as Queen Margaret, proves a perfect foil for Helen, 'his former wife, played by Marjoiie Gateson. The juvenile and Ingenue parts, played by Dick Powell and Patricia Ellis respectively, while small, show them in a very favourable light. Altogether the picture reaches a very high standard. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Seldom has the cold impersonality of talkie actors and actresses been so stressed and brought into vivid contrast with the warmth miff sense of intimacy which the legitimate stago can give as 'in "liain," the feature picture at the Grand Opera House this week. As a stage play, "Rain,'' written by the famous author s Somerset', Maugham, was an outstanding box-office success, but in its picturlsed version its most dramatic moments convoy a sense of unreality which clearly shows the differences between the technique of acting for the stage and the screen. Briefly, the story deals with a girl, Sadie Thompson (Joan Crawford), admittedly not an angel, who finds herself stranded for a few days in Pago Pago. With her are a doctor and his wife, and a sententious . and posturing reformer and his wife. The action centres around the efforts of the reformer to save the girl's soul First ,-^be is defiant, but later she succumbs to a strong and masterful character. There is', however, a typical dramatic Maugham denouement in which, as is his practice, the playwright leaves the audience to make up its own mind about It all. DE LUXE THEATRE. A long and Interesting programme is presented by the Do Luxe Theatre this week, the bill being headod by Fox Movietone's "The Warrior's Husband," a plcturisation of a famous play dealing ■ with the kingdom of the Amazons and Its conquest by tho Greeks. The Amazonian legend was that the power of the race reposed in a girdle of Diana which-was worn by the queen Hyppolite, and that • tiie loss of the girdle would mean the cud of the kingdom. In the Amazon land, of course, woman was dominant and in the aim man la relegated to the housewifely duties which today he will not concern himself about. The ' Aim tells tho story of the attempt by Hercules to obtain the girdle and tho love of Theseus for tho sister of the queen, and tho fullest opportunity is' taken to extract fun from tho novel situation. Elissa Lanrli, Marjorle Rambeau, David Manners, and Ernest Trucx appear in this entertaining film, PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Recognised as one of the finest actresses — sincere and convicing either In comedy or pathos—on the English stago today, Ida Lupino soon demonstrated to local picture-goers her outstanding ability at the Paramount Theatre by her splendid portrayal of an ultra-modern "flapper" in the brilliantly written and lavishly, staged comedy, "Her First Affair." With the assistance of a capital cast including Harry Tate, a clever comedian, George Curzon, Diana Napier, and Muriel Aked, she presented a performance superior to the usual class of fare presented on tho screen. The play is a highspeed satire on modern matrimonial problems, treated in typically English fashion with results that make for most enjoyable entertainment. Another good play is a cleverly plotted and well-acted offering, "A Night In Montmartre," which has a most unexpected ending. KING'S THEATRE. A wide sweep of colourful adventure' and romance is the outstanding quality that marks "Scarlet Dawn." the current attraction at the King's Theatre, in which Douglas Fairbanks, jun., gives his finest screen performance. All tho essentials of' good motion picture entertainment are contained in this film; good story, fine acting, and superb direction. Tho picture contains tho interesting story of a youug Russian nobleman who is exiled by the revolution, and who finally weds his servant girl. Nancy Carroll is the star. Box plans Brlto! aud theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The latest 1f.1.P. comedy now showing at the Queen's Theatre is '.'The Last Coupon," an adaptation of the North Country comedy which had such a successful run at tho Garrick Theatre. Leslie Fuller, the inimitable rubber faced 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 big-flght promoter are as hilariously funny as only Fuller can make them; ARTCRAFT THEATRE. The sparkling Elstree farce "Sleepless Nights" finishes its run at the Artcraft Theatre tonight '■■■ The story of a modern Adam and two Eves, a suave • thief who - stole-.hearts as well as wallets, but found two.hearts too many, witty in dialogue, sparkling with laughter, amusing and clever—that, sums up in; brief the Ernest Lubltsch picture, "Trouble In Paradise,", which begins™* short season tomorrow night at the Artcraft Theatre. This brilliant farce features Miriam Hopkins,'Kay Francis, Herbert Marshall, Charles Buggies,- and Edward Everett Horton. It is based on a play which scored a sensational success in several European capitals. • * SHORTT'S THEATRE. In '.'Night. After -Night," at Shortt's Theatre, George Raft,- the sensational young star who won his first laurels, in-minor roles In "Scarface," "The Sporting Widow," and "Dancers iv the Dark," has the" leading male rolo —and, incidentally, the .first leading role of his-movie career. Constance Curamlngs, Wynne Gibson, Mac West, and Alison Skipworth havo 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 iv the days of Russia's 1917. revolution. 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-Goldwyn-Mayer offers Wallaco Beery In "Flesh." now showing at tho Britannia Theatre. "Flesh" Is more than a wrestling picture. It is drama that goes behind tho scenes. Beery, a great hulk of a man; is, a wrestling waiter In a Berlin beer, garden. There he meets KareD 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. NEW PRINCEBS THEATRE. ''The Big; Broadcast," aromantic 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 Blng 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 Erwln, a Jlltetj lover, to buy the station and network to restore Crosby his Job. .Erwln 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 straightened out. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. ' "The Mayor's Nest," the latest British productlpn -starring Sydney "Howard, is the main attraction at the Empire' Theatre this evening. It contains many ludicrous and amazing situations. The story concerns a trombone player who manages to become Mayor and his attempts at running the city prove highly amusing Claude Hulbert heads a large supporting cast. On Wednesday and Thursday • • "State Fair," starring.Janet Gaynor, will be screened. SEASIDE PICTURES. A powerful story of regeneration Is told in "Destination Unknown," a sea. drama which screens tonight at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay. The action takes place entirely aboard a derelipt rum-runner adrift in.the Pacific following a storm which has brought its masts crashing to the deck, killing captain and mate, sprung its seams, reduced Its, supply of drinking water' to a scant ten gallons, and placed the vessel at the mercy of the. elements'. Auoard the craft are twelve desperate "mcv and a beautiful woman. Also selected short subjects. .- . . SUNDAY BAND RECITAL. Another successful recital was given at tho De Luxe- Theatre last night by • the Bund of tho Ist-•Battalion, the Wellington Regiment. The excellent programme was greatly appreciated by • the large audience, -the performers' Items being well chosen and there being some specially attractive features • "Trooping the Colour," reproducing the music of the ceremonial at the. Horse Guards Parade on the King's Birthday, was distinctly pleasing. There was a One muster in this Item, as the Pipe, Drum.'. and' Bugle Bands co-operated with the band. Several stirring marches and the selection, .'"Gems of Italian Opera,"-were played by the band. The pipers also made- a splendid showing;.some of the marches, strathspeys, and reels' they, put on are not often. beard here. Amongst. these were "Munlochy 'Bridge," "Sandy . Duff'" "Miss Delicla. Chisholra." "Brownnhalrcd Maiden," "Miss Drummond of Perth." and "Mrs. MacLeod of. Raasay." The vocalists .appearing were of. a. high standard. Miss Myra, Sawyer (soprano).., Mr. Trevor Thomas (baritone), and Mr. .Austin Blackie (tenor) all being warmly received. . Little Bruco Maxwell saug and recited . with; considerable success.'' Two novelty items by Miss Gwen Edlin" were' "Musical Glasses" ,and "The "Metalaphone." Miss-Dorothy Spluks was »n efficient accompanist.- ■

MAJESTIC THEATRE. The story of how two crooks of the gentlemanly disarming type meet their.match In another pair of whom tho directing brain Is a woman's Is told in "Diamond Cut Diamond," the principal attraction at the Majestic Theatre. 'Claude Allister (star of "Three Live Ghosts"), and the ever-popular Adolpli Menjou, head the cast, and are Qrst seen In exile as a disreputable pair of beachcombers on a South Sea island. The robbery of a valuable pearl enables them to transfer the scene of their activities to London, where, In the guise of an Oxford graduate' and a French nobleman respectively? they set out to llvo by their wits. Aliister's nimble Angers keep them supplied with small change,, and Mcnjou's gift of impersonation produces bigger- game In the form of a £2000 . bracelet. In an attempt to rid themselves of Incriminating evidence when danger threatens they make use of. a pretty girl whoso innocence Is more apparent than real. ST. JAMES THEATRE. There have been few romances of the sea which have the sweep of story of "Hell Below," which is. now showing: at the St. .tames Theatre for an extended season. Both in method of presentation and in the plot Itself "Hell Below" is.onu.of the fittest- sea. epics shown iv Wellington, and. Saturday's .large audience amply justified the management's extension of the season. The story deals ' simply with the dangers that beset the submariuo service in time of war, and against this background the story is unrolled. It Is a struggle of character, of man and man, and of man and woman, and although the struggle Is not of the usual type it is told naturally and convincingly. Commander Toler, master of the submarine, Is a martinet who does not permit sentiment to. interfere with war. When Lieutenant Knowlton (Robert Montgomery) loses his best friend, "Speed" Nelson, and disobeys his commander's orders.in an attempt to rescue Nelson, he Is placed under arrest and subsequently dismissed from the navy. But Knowlton loves the commander's daughter, and the ensuing scenes, take" the story to a climax through a variety of tense and. vivid episodes. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Lit Dagover Is starred In "The Woman From Monte Carlo," to be shown at Our Theatre, tonight. The star is seen as the butterfly wife of a stern captain, a person to be pitied even when blamed—a character of many moods, but all so adorably feminine and of such potential fineness that her. final renunciation for the sake of the man she has wronged seems Inevitable. There are excellent'supports. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. One of the greatest casts ever .assembled is to bo seen in "State Fair," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre tonight for the last time, featuring Janet, Gaynor, Sally Ellers, Louise Dresser, Will Rogers, Lew Ayres, Norman Foster, Frank Craven, and Victor Jory. "State Fair" caters for all tastes. It deals with *ho adventures of a,country family at a great fair, m which some members llnd sweet romance and human drama, and'others laughter, excitement, gaiety; and mirth. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre, Karoil, an outstanding British comedy, "The . Mayor's Nest," will be screened: Featuring ' Leslie Howard, tho frozen-faced English comedian, this picture will keep the hardest audience in a helpless state of laughter. Special supports will bo shown. On Wednesday.and.Thursday "His Wife's Mother" will be shown. - KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Cecil B. Do Mille's "The Sign of the Cross" will be screened for the last'time'at tho Kilblrqle Kinema tonight. • In this great play Mr. De Mille has taken history, an epoch, flaming with soul-stirring incident; with fire and sword, with heroism and treachory, with '. death and life-eternal. It is a story of a love transcending life and death that attains fruition on tho sun-baked, blood-red Si ds of the Roman arena, in tho fearless advanoo hand-in-hand of a man and woman, Christianity's early martyrs. ST. JAMES".CHURCH CONCERT. A grand concert, (the programme for which has been arranged by Mr, Norman Aitken, will be held in St. James' Church Hall, Adelaide Road, tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock, the proceeds of which are in aid of St. James' Church Interest Fund. . v\ , HUTT LIEDERTAFEL. A most enjoyable after-church"-'concert was given in the King George: Theatre, Lower Hutt, last evening by the Hutt Valley Liedertafel in aid of tho Lower Hutt Mayor's Relief Fund. Solos were rendered by Mrs. r Wilfred Andrews and Mr. Leon de Mauny, assisting artists, and by Messrs. J. Fordie and G. F. Brand, members of the Liedertafel. The choir was under the cunductorshlp of Mr.. Harry Brusey. and tho accompanists -were Madame de Mauny and '.Mr. Ron, Horman. .