ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

For brilliance of spectacle aud photographic^ Ingenuity, "42nd Street," now snowing at the ltcgent Theatre, has few equals. It is now in its second wcelc. The atory centres around tlic worries of a high-speed American stage manager attempting to put bis company inlo shape iu limited time. The manager, Julian Marsh, is played by Warner Baxter, who, through necessity, is obliged to go on with the production of a musical eitravaganza while on the verge' of a breakdown. Baxter plays a telling part, driving his company through long hours until they drop fainting, always harassed by foara of failure, aud worried by the possibility that tlio financial backer will withdraw. But Marsh has given his promise that the revue will be staged, and staged it Is. This takes place only /after the leading lady (Bcba Daniels) has fractured her ankle and has been replaced at the last moment by a chorus girl. Apart from the managers worries, however, there are ether stories woven luto the picture, romances mostly, which are smoothed out in the end. "PERFECT UNDERSTANDING." Commencing Tomorrow. Kver since Gloria Swanson announced several months ago that she intended producing, a picture with an English setting, this has been awaited with considerable curiosity. .Now it opens at tho Jtegent Theatre tomorrow, and It is said to be smart, sophisticated, subtle, with a spico of humour and a touch of sadness—all the Ingredients for a roaring success. Gloria Swanson herself shows all the ability and scintillating personality which have marked her former successes, and in addition she has developed to a marked degree the tenderness which was a feature of "The Trespasser." Gloria Swanson has In "Perfect Understanding" a role which is said to fit her as perfectly as her new Keno Hubert gowns. She plays an an American girl who marries an English aristocrat after they have signed a contract of "perfect understanding" —eacii partner to be allowed full individual freedom. Friendship is to be the basis of the marriage, but when the crisis comes, they find that friendship alone cannot replace love. As Miss Swanson's English lover, Laurence Olivier is finely cast, and both in comedy and the more emotional moments he is an Ideal partner for the star. Dramatic.and poised, this is the best performance of Olivier's movlo career. The remainder of the largo cast serves admirably. Michael Farmer, Miss Swanson's husband, was persuaded by her to play n small part. Among the other ten supportIng players there is Genevleve Tobin as Gloria's friend and Farmer's wife; Sir Nigel Playfair, tho celebrated London actor-manager, making his talkie debut as an Irascible English peer; Nora Swinburne, a good-looking girl from the London stage;. and John Halliday. Some of the crowd scenes are particularly good. And there is notable photography. DE LUXE THEATRE. Noel Coward's "Cavalcade," which is commencing its Wellington soason at the Do Luxo Theatre today, is absolutely unique as screen entertainment. There is no "plot" in the constrained meaning of the word; it is instead a vast sequence of plots which Frank Lloyd has contrived to make always absorbingly interesting and with which he has achieved effects which' fairly lift the audience out of their seats. Coward has woven tho story of the Marryot family, father, mother, and two sons, their servants,, a butler and maid, and their, daughter, with a masterful hand against a background which encompasses historical events between 1900. and tho present time. Ho presents a terrific indictment against thpso responsible for tho present muddled state of world affairs, but ends on a high note of gallant optimism that all will go well If wo carry on with courage and faith. Fox Films magnificent production of Noel Coward's famous British Empire epic is said to be without parallel in the history of motion pictures. Threo secthng decades of relentloss chango sweep before one's eyes, challenging nations, threatening monarchies, the march of time measured by the beat of a mother's heart, triumphant In Its courage and steadfast faith. Lloyd's direction leaves nothing to bo desired. He lias shown a complete grasp of his subject and proven again that he rightly ranks among the very first of Hollywood's directors. An Innovation at this theatre will be the return of an orchestra, which will be heard in tho overture "Light Cavalry," and in a special entr'acte, "Cavalcade." This talented orchestra, of eighteen trained Instrumentalists, will be under the- capable direction of Mr. L D. Austin, who in the past was associated with the popular Do Luxe Orchestra. There will be a special morning presentation of "Cavalcade," commencing at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ■ When Ralph Lynn, best ot all English comedians, made his first picture Mt, "Itookcry Nook," he produced the first worth-while talkIng picture to come out of an English studio. l»s success was electrical. Lynn followed to further success with "On Approval,'" and now he Is delighting Wellingtonlans nightly at tho Paramount Theatre In "Just My Luck " which assuredly is ono of tho snappiest and brightest comedy entertainments done' for Iho screen. Hen Travers. the briliant farce- writer, has done his work well, and the clever characters of his smart play are all delightfully cameocd by Winifred Shotter, who .took greater interest in her teacher than in her music, by Vcra' Pearco, as a flirtatious wife. .Phyllis Clare as a seductive siren, and Robertson Hare, a comedian who dispenses a dry humour. Tho supporting subjects are good. KING'S THEATRE. "Hell Below," now at the King's Theatrej features Robert Montgomery, Walter Huston, Madge Evans, Jimmy Durantc, and Eugene The brilliant Eugeno O'Neill story "Strange Intorlude," starring Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, commences at the King's Theatro tomorrow. This powerful story deals with the tragedy of a woman who finds she cannot havo children because of a streak of Insanity in her husband's family. Unwilling to rob her husband and herself of parental happiness, she hits upon a remarkable ultra-modern plan for preserving their domestic trancuiility, a device which involves the love of two other men and which eventually brings all four characters into the most difficult of dramatic complications. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Life in the 'Raw." a new Zane Grey story, is nt the Queen's Theatre. An cngrosslngly different' story, u splendid past of screen favourites, beautiful photography, and excellent direction —those are some of^tho factors that go to make '"Touchdown." starring lltichard Arlen, Jack Oakie, and Peggy Shannon, tho great entertainment it is. It commences at the Queen's Theatro tomorrow. It is .1 football story, and contains thrills, lauelis, and drama. The second-attraction is "Undercover Man," depicting a little-known but intensely dangerous and exciting phase of police work. George Kaft heads the cast. The supporting cast includes Nancy Carroll, Gregory HatofT. Xoel Francis, Lew Cody, and David Landau. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Hell Below" is a sensational drama of submarine warfare now showing at the Artcraft Theatre. "Three Live Ghosts," the famous comedydrama, will to screened at the Artcraft Theatre, beginning tomorrow evening. Free from the confining shackle3 of the stage, "Three Live Ghosts," which when originally produced had but the one setting of the interior of "Old Sweetheart's" home, is now 'played before a. series of picturesque backgrounds, including the famous Scotland Yard (London's Polico headquarters), the mansion of a millionaire peer, the slums of Whitechapel, the World War, and London Town at the time of the armistice. The complete and minuto adventures of the three soldiers who returned to London and found they were listed as "dead" are told with all their original pathos, humour, and drama: PRINCESS THEATRE. "Lord Camber's Ladies," at the Princess Theatre, finishes tonight. "Diamond Cut Diamond," an English production opening at the New Princess Theatre tomorrow, featuring a cast of prominent British comedians, deals with tho lives of two crooks (Adolphe Mcnjou and. Claudo Aillster), who are first seen in the South Seas without a penny to their name. However, realising that the only way is to rob somebody, they do so, and take Ihe first boat for. England. In London, v thulr little stock of money goes down, so some- ' body else is again robbed. Eventually they 1( turn their eyes In the direction of jewels, and ll' then tile fun begins properly. They meet a fcl young girl—and that's tho end! And a hilarious end it. is, tno. Laurol and Hardy also appear In "Beau Hunks." . IV C'l SHORTT'S THEATRE. S J A story that exemplifies man's humanity to () \ j msm is presented in ".Vo Creator 1,0vc," at I Shnrtl's Theatre (!C 1 A side of present-day conditions that the ai movies hare hitherto .neglecfed—unaware of ju the great dramatic- power of Its' poignancy— <i, is brought to tho screen in "Vanity Street." which is coming to Shortt's Theatre tomorrow, with Charlns Blckford and .'Helen Chandler ti in the principal roles. In a manner subtle, .(Jj understnndlng, and heart-rending, ns well as ■ amusing, "Vanity Street"' shows how the l women of the, country "took it", when Wall Ui Street shlv.erert convulsively and sent Its ri I'cnnomlc catalepsy like the plague throughout the country. The second feature attraction is "That's My Boy," the story of a national foot- 'l hall Idol's trials . and tribulations when col- jN leglate commercialism threatens to bring him ej eternal disgrace. The cast is headed by Kichard Cromwell and Dorothy Jordan. SEASIDE PICTURES. b At the Seaside ' Pictures- tonight /'The Man V They Couldn't Arrest" will be" screened. It Khas to do with the. most elusive .criminal Scot- In land Tard ever tried to track to his lair. Ho r . defied law and order, but tho web of strong evidence slowly but surely encircled him. Based on "Seamark's" thrilling drama of tho a: same name, all tho mysteries of tho novel ], have been added to tenfold in the talkie, and there is sufficient excitement .to satisfy V (ho most ardent seeker of thrills. JCAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR. P The three llarrymorcs, John, Ethel, and tl Lionel, are to be seen at the Capitol Theatre tonight for tho last tlmo in "Itasputin and the Empress." This stirring drama of Imperial liussia, with its magnificent scenes and nuivlnu love story, traces the livps of tile ItusMan Royal p family, and shows the rise and fall of the mad r monk Kasputin, who was virtually the ruler of '' tho vast Empire. li

ST. JAMES THEATRE. The picture version of "Klo Rita" is the feature picture at the St. James Theatre. "I Loved You Wednesday," the Fox screen presentation of tho successful Broadway play uf the same name, with a cast of notable screen personalities, starts its season 'at the St. James Thei/tre tomorrow. The cast includes Warner Baxter, Klissa Lnnrtl, Miriam Jordan, Victor Jory, and Laura Hope Crews. Tho story revolves around the glamorous (Sgnro of a ballet dancer, in Paris who, seeking to heal tho wounds left by an unfortunate love affair, goos to South America to launch ou a professional dancing career. There she meets a handsome engineer, who falls in love with, her. Their work separates them, but they meet later In' New York, eacli of them having a measure of famo. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Robert Montgomery and Sally -Eilers do some splendid acting in "Made on Broadway," which heads tho programme at the Majestic Theatre. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. (Scorgo Wallace will bo seen In "Harmony Itow" at the Empire Theatre this evening. George is seen as Constable Dreadnought, and the audience follows his ludicrously comical adventures as a polico recruit, as a novice constable In a very unsavoury neighbourhood, and in hair-raising adventures. A largo supporting programme includes an orchestral number. "Songs at the Piano," special vocal items, a violin number, an excellent scenic, and two newsreel. On Friday and Saturday Hell Be-, low" will bo screened. . DAHTE THE MAGICIAN. The magic presented by Dante and his clever assistants continues to attract large audiences to tho Grand Opera House each night. Ine entertainment Is one which, once seen, will oe long remembered and speculated over. It Is thoroughly mystifying throughout and at the siimo time highly amusing, and tho many Illusions are presented on a spectacular scale that lift3 them to a plane far above the levol of many such entertainments. The fun and the mystery are continuous lor over two , hours, the culmination being reached in the final production of fountains nf water from here, there, and everywhere. Many of the Illusions and tricks are entirely new, and even tho old ones are so skilfully presented in new guises that they pass for new. Tor a novel and remarkable entertainment, Dante's show would be difficult to beat, and as tho season is closing shortly intending lxitrons are advised not to delay their visit until too late. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Benitn Hume plays her last English rolp in "Discord," which opens at the Kilblrnie Kinema tonight. Supporting her are two favourites of tho English screen, Owen Narcs and Harold Huth. This trio of fine players brings h. Temple Thurston's famous play, "A Roof and Four Walls." to the screen under the name of "Discord." ' OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A double-feature programme is to be presented to Our Theatre patrons tonight. In "Infernal Machine" Chester Morris and Gcnevieve Tobin are co-starred. The story concerns a reckless young. American who gives up an attempt at suicide to pursuo a lovely miss on a ship. The second feature, "Second-hand Wife," is a Kathleen. Norris story, with Sally Eilers and Ralph Bellamy In the principal roles. It tells the story of a rich business man who falls in lovo with his pretty secretary. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Tonight is Ours" is a Claudctte ColbertFrcdrlc March Paramount picture, now at the Britannia Theatre. • ■" Slim Summervillo and Zasu Pitts, the screen's funniest team, are starred in Out All Night," a slde-splittinc comedy, in parts that were just made for them; The action finds them, as a pair of bashful newly-weds, embarking on an eventful trip to Americas honeymoon centre, Niagara Falls. Their experiences are laughable In the extreme. The cast includes Shirley Grey. Alexander Carr, Laura Hope Crews, Rollo Lloyd, and George Hackathorne. On tho same programrao is "Homicido Squad," featuring Leo Carilto in a story of warfare between gangsters and the police. ) ENJOYABLE CONCERT. Signor Ccsaronl and his students gave a concert at the studio, 202 Lambton Quay, last night in aid of the Mayor's Distress Relief Fund. The Items were mostly choral excerpts from favourite operas, and Wagner's "Fantasia" was rendered for tho first time in Wellington. Tho audience was most enthusiastic, and showed practical appreciation by Us generous contributions to tho fund. Amongst the items given by Signnr Cosaroni were "Luther's Hymn" ' from "The Huguenots" (Meyerbeer) and riusuli's "Bedouin Love Song." The choral Hems included excerpts from "Forco of Destiny," "Madame Butterfly," "Norma," "Afrleana/' "Ave. Vcrum." Miss Mavis Dillon played Liszt's "Elude du Concert" and Miss V. Beckett Chopin's "l'a'itasie." RED CROSS CONCERT. An cujoyablo concert, promoted by Miss. Miriam ■ McCHmpsey on behalf of the Ked Cross Society, was given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening. Many of Wellington's leading artists gave their services. The function was well attended and the audienco was most appreciative. It is oxpected that the society's funds will benefit materially from the concert. Vl'he chief contributors to the programmo were:—Ballets from tho dancing school of Miss Phyllis Oliver and D. Devitt; Miss Mildred Kenny's string orchestra, Mrs. Alma Hill, Kathleen Ferris, Allsa Dillon, Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, Mr. A. Haley, Mr. pray (songs) ; piano solos. Miss Mavis Crawford and Miss Allsa. Maplesdeu; violin solo, Miss Joyce Oliver; recitations, Miss Joan Terry aud Master lan Galloway. Opportunity was taken during, the Interval by the secretary of the Red Cross Society to thank. Miss McGimpsey and tho supporting artists for the help they had given to the society's cause. Thanks were also given to the Bristol Piano Company for the use of the piano, to Kirkcaldle's, Ltd., for stage furniture, and to Adams and Blyth for cartage. Members of tho Voluntary Aid Nursing detachment in uniform sold sweets which had been donated. REVUEDEVILLE. A line entertainment is promised at the Town Hall Concert Chamber tonight when the Wellington Operatic Society will produce "Revucdeviile.", Snappy sketches and brilliant dances, 'interspersed with vocal items by wellknown Wellington artists, _mal<e up the programme. The proceeds are in aid of the Transport Queen, in connection with tho Fiolden Taylor Mission appeal, and tho entertainment is worthy of tha support of tho public.