ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 33, 8 August 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

In the role of a very human king, whose natural bent is towards the understanding companionship of other good fellows, but whom, the eternal and unvarying semi-worship and etiquette drive very nearly frantic, George Ariiss continues to draw delighted audiences at tho Regent Theatre. His throno is insecure—indeed, tho country is on tho brink of revolution —and, heartily sick of the position, be.pushes through dictatorial legislation which can. have only one effect, to cause a universally welcome revolution, so unanimous that there-Is no fighting Florence Ariiss, as the Queen, has always realised his real ■ sympathies, which 110 witli very ordinary mortals. and whon' ho lias abdicated she sends him back to his former wife and daughter. In (he old homely atmosphere, where ho formerly lived so happily, things have changed a good deal, and for a while it looks as though ho would be in the unfortunate position of having a freedom which he cannot enjoy as he would havo wished, but after all he is shown as a very lucky fellow, and ends his days in a mellow companionship which fully repays the stormy, uncomfortable days of bis kins. hip. * ' '

"Discord."

Tho English have been noted for their plays •and comedies. But for sheer excellence of plot, for tho charm of its execution, and for tho beauty of its music, few, it is stated, come up to "Discord," which Is to be screened at the. Regent Theatre next' Friday. Owen Naics as a composer, Benlta Hume as his wife, and Harold Huth as the other man,' are the trio of principal players who are In the picture, which is the adaptation of E. Teraplo Thurslon's last play, "A Roof and Tour Walls." This play tells of tho striving of a young composer to provide for his wife. Love and happiness are a foundation stone that It would seem is not to bo shattered. But she makes good on her own in an unexpected way, and earns more than her share of money, and discord shatters the home. A big stage novelty will bo presented in the form of the TozerKlckcls Krazy-Kwllt Kevuo..

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

There is tense acting at the Grand Opera House in the picture "That Night in London," which deals with the night life of the greatest city in Uio world, visited by stealth, and well nigh to disaster, by a country bank clerk, oniblttered by unrecognised services In the humdrum drudgery of village business. Armed with a fairly large wad of the bank's money he means to see life for a night, and then end it all. In his railway carriage is an International crook who has designs on the wallet. He his particularly good reasons for: leaving England bebiud him that night, too, but Eve, his "sister," whom he employs as a decoy, rather spoils things by taking a fancy to. the country boy. The girl makes such an efßectivo hand amongst tho crooks that the boy is Dually persuaded to retrieve his foolishness, and finds himself back again at tho bank in the morning. In this character Robert Donat is very natural. The plot hinges, however, on the,versatility of Pearl Argyle, as Eve, the clever actress kept at cabaret dancing to suit the alms of the rogues who have a hold on her young brother, and whose alternate fire, scorn, and • wlnsomeness are eclipsed by her wonderful dancing. Miles Mander and Boy Emerton are other successes in a strong cast.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

The attempt to bring to.the screen such a drama as "Strange Interlude" must necessarily be ambitious, for the play is l In seven acta and takes flve hours to perform,: but Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have, on the whole, done the thing adequately', and the picture which... is presented at the De Luxe Theatre this week is no unworthy effort to express the chances and strained emotions of Eugene'O'Neill's work. The story concerns a neurotic girl1 whose lover was killed in the war, and who plunges Into a medley of affairs tn the attempt"to find peace. When she marries Sam Evans the discovers that this way of escape Is barred to her, for there is Insanity in the Evans family, and she dare not have a child. She finds another way out, however, and dedicates her life to- the aid of Evans, whom she, judges ■to need her most. The film is marked by the brilliant performance of Norma Shearer. '■ . '. . .

Whether he plays a crook or a-clubman, a detective or. a criminal, William Powell is Invariably the punctilious, perfectly/mannered gentleman. Whatever his record in the eyes of the police, his standing In tie drawing-room Is perfect. This Is strikingly ■ demonstrated In "Ono Way Passage," the thrilling and absorbing Warner Bros.' production; which opens at the Da Luxe Theatre on Friday,; with Kay Francis again cast with ■ Powell. Not only is Powell a lawbreaker and a fugitive from justice in this romantic drama, but.the crime of murder has crowned his misdeeds, and he is In headlong flight.Ground:the world in an effort to- escapo justice.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

The pretty and vivacious Jessie Matthews, who scored such a success \fl "There Goes the Bride," is even more delightful In Galns-borough's-adaptatlon -ot.Jan^Hay'a whimsical musical-comedy "The Mldshipmald," which ■Is attracting and delighting large Audiences at the Paramount Theatre. . Jessie Matthews displays all the personality* which i.na* mads her famous on tha legitimate ,»|*ge. .In the picture she: captivates her auditors. Just ,as she captures the hearts of the offlcets bf the man-of-war she visits with her father, "Lord Percy," who is visiting the ship as an economy expert bent upon curtailing naval expenditure. There is an -interesting and well varied- supporting programme. • ~ •-- -i- ;-■._■.--•■--;.•

KING'S THEATRE.

An engrossing story of three flrls, starting as classmates In the! same public school, and the. varying fortunes that cause their paths through life to Intersect ten years later. Is told In a fascinating manner .In "Three on a Match," featuring Joan Blondell, Warren William. Ann Dvorak and Bette Davis, which U now showing at the -King's Theatre.- Three ; more widely differing girls'than-the trio portrayed in this drama would be hard to Imagine. One is the class beauty, a girl o/ wealth and posi-tion;-the second Is the honour girl of her class; the third Is the school "bad girl," tomboy, -hoyden, and mischief-maker. There are tho usual supports. '■■'• •

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Action, comedy, beauty, romance,. music, and surprises are deftly blended, In tha comedy, "Hot Pepper," how showing at the Queen's Theatre, depicting the most recent adventures of Quirt and Flagg. Edmund i/owe^and Victor McLaglon, who have. made Quirt and Flagg world-famous, appear as the lovable scallawags. They discard their marine > uniforms and, In evening clothes, preside merrily over gay night clubs. The exotic and dynamic Lupe' Velez portrays the loading;feminine role, and a feature of the' production Is her" singing and her alluring dancing. She Is assisted by a chorus of beauties that >must certainly have been band Disked. The first release attraction, "Freighters ■of Destiny," featuring ' the popular .Western star Tom Keene, will be screened at. the Queen's Theatro on Friday, together with.the big mystery drama "Lame Dog Inn' Mystery," starring Dorothy Jordan and Eric Linden.

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR.

-' Sydney - Howard, one of ■ England's most likeable comedians, Is to be seen *t the, Capitol Theatre tonight for the last- time, together with Claude Hulbert (brother of the famous Jack Hulbert) and Muriel Alted, in "The 'Mayor's Nest"' The' story concerns a trombone player who: succeeds ■ in becoming Mayor, and his attempts, at running the city result in some highly amusing situations. . .'.'.: • ' . • ,

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Marry Me," the .mdst i contagious njuslcal comedy ever seen or heard, commences at the Artcraft Theatre r this' evening ... featuring Kcnate Muller, the screen's new.sweetheart, with those twoi prize fools Harry Green and George Robey. These'three musketeers of laughdom gtvo. a performance outshining even "Susie" in this >comical conglomeration of musical nonsense. The whole programme Is a real gloom-chaser, studded with tuneful melodies, snappy in action, and full of fun.

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

The hilarious comedy. "Tho Cohens and Kollys in Trouble," is now at: the Britannia Theatre. Throughout tho picture George Sidney and Charlie Murray gallivant in sea-going togs through a night club, a yacht, a' restaurant which they wreck, a rum boat, a couple of speed boats, arid a little seaside cottage. "The Impatient Maiden," a startllngly frank comedy-drama. Is also being shown, with Lew Ayres in tho • starring role of a young physician and Mao Clarke as ■ the maiden in the case.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

"The Secret of Madame Blanche." with Irene Dunne heading a stellar cast. Is tho feature attraction at tho New Princess Theatre. The story covers a period of thirty years. A young widow Is left with a baby son, but the unsympathetic father-in-law takes the child away from her by process of law. During the World War she unexpectedly flnds her son during a cafe brawl. A man Is killed In the fracas, and to shield her' son, the mother shoulders the blame without revealing her Identity. An unexpected turn brings the story to a close.

SEASIDE PICTURES.

"The Kiss Before the Mirror," a drama full of Continental atmosphere, intrigue, and rnmanco, will bo shown toutght at the Seaside Pictures. It Is tho story of a man who let a kiss cast him into a toll of jealousy, a woman who let a kiss drag her through tortures, and a dramatic trial In Court. There are two husbands, two wives, and two lovers, forming a doublo-trlangle of scroon drama. Nancy Carroll, Frank Morgan, Paul Lukas. and Gloria Stuart are the stars.

ROYAL ROLLER RINK.

Another representative hockey match will lie played tomorrow evening at the Eoyal Holler Rink, when Ilanke's Bay aro to meet a Wellington combination at the Royal Roller Rink, Vivian Street. The same team which represented Wellington in the match last month imainst Jfanawatu are to meet the Bay team, ana the mutch promises to be ono of thrills. The Strollers' Dance Band will be In attendance, and the usual bright and varied programme will be. presented.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

Somerset Maugham's "Our Betters" is now being shown at St. James." Theatre. This "sophisticated" play has for its star (Jonstance Bennett. She divides honours with Violet Kernball Young, who Is a Duchess and a vamp of an older type than Constance. Lady Grayston, as played by Miss Bennett, has some sense of the rottenness of the society of which she is pivot, but the Duchess plays the game with a real belief in-it, and has come, to regard all its hypocrisies as very proper, and indeed Indispensable. Gilbert Roland plays a young blood who lives on the bounty of the Duchess, and Minor Watson plays an old blood who foots the bills for Lady Grayston. The play la full of satire and comedy, mostly. in tho direction of tearing passion to tatters.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Few pictures shown in Wellington hare the dramatic sincerity of "I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang," which is now being screened at the Majestic Theatre. A sense of deep pathos and bitterness runs through the story: a.conclusive argument against the horrors faced by condemned men. Few actors could have portrayed with such vividness and understanding the character of James Allen—sentenced fo spend ten years' hard labour on a chain gang for an unwilling theft of five dollars—»s Paul Muni has done. Unaffected, and with a fine comprehension of the difficulties U> be faced, h» provides a brllllaut study of personality. : Tha plot is taken from Robert Burna's autobiography. , ■ .'■■''

COMMUNITY SINGING.

This week's community sing will be held in the town Hall tomorrow'at"' 12.30 p.m., when ths popular" song leaders; • Messrs. Owen Pritchard and, Will Mason, will continue to spread tli« germs of joy and happiness. Mr. Frank Crowthet will be at the piano, and Mr. Lawrencs Haggitt at tho grand organ. The committee announce that they have a large assortment of goods to be disposed of, and these will be for sale at Mrs. Prltchard's stall.prior to and at the conclusion of tho sing. The collection will be in aid of the Mayor's, Belief Fund.

KIIBIRNIE KINEMA.

Five stars shine in "Grand Hotel," the spectacular pieturlsatlon of the celebrated Vickt Baum novel and play, now showing at the Kiibirnie Kinema. Tho story, which takes place entirely within the confines of a fashionable Berlin hotel, entwines the lives of a varied groui) of persons, including an exotic Russian dancer wuosc tomantic interlude, with a reckless baron saves her from.suicide but .results in her lover's murder. Involved in th« drama are a scheming business man, a seductive stenographer, a consumptive clerk, a shellshocked .doctor, and the hotel's head porter.1

OUR THEATRE," NEWTOWN.

"Sherlock Holmes," the super detective, portrayed by Clivo Brook, will be shown-at Our Theatre tonight. A brilliant, supporting cast Is headed by Miriam Jordan, Ernest Torrence, and Herbert Mundln. The absorbing , pint deals with tho masterly handling' of a gang of American racketeers In London by the greatest detective the world has ever, known, ana with his final triumph over his ;arch enemy. There aro excellent supports. ■ .

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

~ "The Billion Dollar Scandal," Paramount* latest melodrama, featuring Robert Armstrong, Constance Cummlngs, Olga Baclanova, Frank Morgan, James' Gleason, Irving, Plcbel, and Warren Hymer, is now showing' at.. Shortt's Theatre. The story, briefly, deals with , the sensational expose, of a' gigantic swindle, brought about by an ex-convict, as an act of vengeance against a powerful "financier. The «ect>nd feature picture Is ""The Cheat," an absorbing drama with Tallulaba Bankhead In tho star role, and Irving 'Plcfiel.. In support.

REGAL THEATRE,. KARORI,

Tho new Gainsborough, aim; "Lord Babs," is now being presented at.tbe-Begal Theatre, and starring Bobby Bowes,. recognised. as - one of the most whimsical and. exhilarating comedians of tho British screen.today, has some excellent musical numbers.. As a second feature there is the Edgar Wallace thriller "Whits Face," a mystery story wiih Nonn»n SlcKinnel and Gordon Barker in the. chief role's.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Marta Eggert, a beautiful1 new star, wjthi a charming voice and allitflrig'personality1, is introduced in "Where Is -This Lady?", the latest picture at • the. Empire' Theatre. The story follows the usual light-hearted', lines1 of musical comedy, and concerns-a young Berlin bank director who is dispatched by hls-ico-directors to Vionna on a matrimonial, mission which is intended to • replenish " the depleted coffers of tho bauk. • >>.'■-

MAORI.XCHOIR,

The two sections of the Bey.'A. J.! Searaer't Famous Maori Choir are now in ■'. Wellington. The full choir and its supernutaerarlcs.. will appear before the Wellington public for • the one night only, tonight, to the Town'H»U,'and will present a thrilling a«d-fascinating1 programme. Tbo,early part of' the programme will represent Maori life'in--the olden . tlmei (yesterday), and in the- baek-olocits today; the second part will reveal-the-Maori of today seeking the way to higher-lifel while enjoying" to the full many of the -ancient- xustbms and songs. The third and. la6t-part of the programme will reveal the Maori-of the future, who will always 'Cling -to1 'Certain''Maori customs and boast his descent from'th» noblest of the South Sea Islanders-, and,as he mergeg with his European fellow-cHte'ens will, bring * great contribution to the'future New Zealand nation. : ... ■ . v p

"MISS HOOK Of HOLLAND."

The musical comedy '^ss Hook M ■ Holland,"- win-make-Its premiere'-at the Grand Opera' House' on Saturday. ■ The play lg-full of musical gems and witty -comedy, and lends Itself to sumptuous frocklng. . The ballets, which will be a feature, of the production, have been well trained by Miss Kathleen O'Brien. The cast Includes Rita Kemp, Gretta SUrk, Ida Gustofson, Dorothy Newman, IV O. ■ HiyeiTowns, Kay Kemp, Doug. Stark,' Tom Bislop, Maurice Cachemallle, Dudley Alexander... Jim Cooke, Eric Harrison, and man; other player*. The scenery Is both novel'and coWiirfull and is Dutch. in atmosphere. The orchestra, of sixteen professional musicians, under the baton of, Mr. J. F. Woodward, will- be -heard in tt« incidental music. The whole production "is under the personal supervision of Mr. W. S.. Wauchop. He is assisted by a stage manager (Mr. W. MacLachlan) and-assistant stage managers (Messrs. Ted Edwards and Stan Philpots):

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE FESTIVAL.

The Wellington area festival of the British Drama League begins tomorrow, trtth entries from twenty-two teams. .Miss Kioro King, Chrlstchurch, \vlll: adjudicate. The five sessions to bo held between' Wednesday and-Saturday Include nightly performances, commencing »t 7.30, and one afternoon performance'next. Saturday, commencing at 2.30. The entries last yearwer* sixteen, (his year's showing an increase gratlf3»i ing to the promoters. The Sir Michael Myej* Cup will be competed for, the prize <going Vi the team'gaining the highest marks' during. «•». festival. The "Dairy Exporter1; Cup. Is- for-«• best original one-act iplay1 by a New. Zealand author, and produced during.'the "sefwon. 8t» original one-act plays by New Zealaudws Will bo presented duringtfli festival." ' " ' ~"..'