ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1933, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Perfect Understanding," now showing at the Regent Theatre, a story of marital entanglements, featuring Gloria Swanson, will finish Us season tonight. "International House." One of the largest all-star casts ever assembled for a motion picture plays lv "international House," a lavishly-produced musical comedy which comes to the Regent- Theatre tomorrow. Peggy Hopkins Joyce, W. C. Fields, Rudy Vallee, Stuart Erwin, George Sums, and Grade Allen, Sari Maritza, Col. Stoppnagle and Budd, Cab Calloway,' and his orchestra, Baby Kose Marie, Bcla Lugosl, Lona Andre, Sterling Hollpway, Franklin Pangborn, Edmund Breae, Lumsden Hare, and the Girls in Cellophane are the featured players, and between them they represent the best talent of screen, stage, and radio. "International House" ' is to comedy what "Grand Hotel" was to serious drama. Its action is set In a hotel in a mythical Chinese city where representatives of big business from all over the world are assembled to Inspect and bid for a marvellous new Invention. This dovke is called a radioscope, and it can see and hear anything anywhere. The complications result from the activities or Bela Lugosl, who plays as a villainous character who is trying to keep the American representative from bidding. Rudy Vallee sings, Burns and Allen make jokes, Stoopnagle and Budd ponder upon the world's problems, Cab Calloway plays mad music, the Girls In Cellophane dance, Stuart Erwin makes timid love to Sari Maritza. The picture's tempo is rapid, and its production is one of the most lavish ever given a film. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Despite the fact that "The Little Giant," Edward G. Robinson's latest First National comedy, which opens at the Grand Opera House shortly, is a chronicle of gangsters and racketeers, beet barons, and bootleggers, not a single shot Is fired at anyone from the first scene of the picture to the last, no one Is taken for a ride," no one turns up dead or missIng. This Is the more remarkable because, « more than one vital point In the drams, the entire paraphernalia of a K«n*»t«s »rs*ntl figures prominently In the action. Every ( conceivable kind of an underworld weapon is on hand and ready for use, from SUD-™"hlne-guns—familiarly known as "typewriters among their owners—to automatics, blackjacks, Drass knuckles, and stilettos. However the occasion never arises that calls for their use On the same programme there will be 'Stranger in Town," with "Chic" Sale, Ann Dvorak, David Manners. Noah Beery, and Baymond Hat on hi the leading roles. The plot opens In the covered wagon days .when a young P»«»«* drops out of the: wagon train to start the town which later contains his general store. But the bulk of the picture, Is. laid in thiP««« time where Sale,, aged and bewhlskercd. is town postmaster and owner of the only^JW store In town. On the same train on which his granddaughter returns from college Is a young man who was sent out to start a ">ain grocery store branch la opposition to, Sale. To complicate matters, the two young people fall inUove. thus throwing Impediments In the way of, the fight which ensues between the two stores. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Cavalcade" at the De Luxe Theatre ")"* rank as a great picture, telling • 'M**?* of the past thirty years in England. The changes depicted in the picture are those takta* »»»«»»» the British nation between the tenth anniversary of the marriage of the Marryots and th. Armistice, and their personal reactions to ttose changes. The opening period Is just oefore the outbreak of the South African War, and the nrst scene is that,of the happy horn* of the Marryot family. Glimpses are «■ fSrde<r or happy! domesticity .bore flairs and below of an1 English home In those safe us well as spacious days of Queen Victoria. In fact echoes of the shouting and the music of the Diamond Jubilee had hardly died away, then the great Queen passed away, «» wlft her, as the Marryots felt and said, there Passed an era with the death knell of J henlne'c'n'* century sounded by Big Ben and the ushering In of a new era Into which Englishmen en. tercd, confident that then as before the British lion—and his whelps—would be able to deal swiftly and effectively with, any foreign, attempts to twist his fail or otherwise aftont his dignity. Then the story continues, through the long and weary three years of the South African campaign, to the great conflict jlnvolving almost all the nations of the world. A special orchestra of 18 players under the condiictorship of Mr. L. D. Austin plays ""«*' Cavalry" Overture (Suppe) and an entracte, number, and Miss Iris Mason Is at the Wurlitzer organ. . PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The final opportunity to see Ralph Lynn's capital comedy work in Ben Travers's exceptionally clever fun farce, "Just My Luck, < at the Paramount Theatre, will be afforded toGertrudo Lawrence, world famous as Britain's radio queen, and an Ideal screen comedienne, will present on Friday, at the Paramount Theatre, her big success "No Funny Business;" with a cast including Lawrence Olivier, Jill Esmond, Edmund Breon, Muriel Aked, Flndlay Currie, and Gibb McLaughlln. "So Funny Business" is a quaint production from every angle, and it has an interesting origin, for It was Inspired by an advertlsemet inserted in the agony column of a London newspaper which read: "Young lady requires work. Will go ay where; do anything—no funny business." Miss Dorothy Hope, who has. been responsible for many original stories, detected the "human angle" of this small advertisement, tucked away amongst scores of others, and built from It the play "No Funny Business," as It now shows on the talking screen. It hit the public taste and has become a "sparklingly witty, romantic comedy of a type far remored from ordinary The musical arrangement was composed by Noel Gay, and the two excellent lncldetal songs "No Funny Business" and "What's a Little Kiss Among Friends," are sung by Jllss Lawrence In her own inimitable fashion. KING'S THEATRE. "Strange Interlude," featuring Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, will be, presented finally at the King's Theatre tonight. Cecil B. Do Mille's magnificent achievement "The Sign of the Cross" commences at the King's Theatre tomorrow. "The Sign of the Cross" is first and foremost •» spectacle of pagan Borne, reaching its fullest expression in a Roman holiday at the Circus Maximus, where the gladiatorial contests and all the brutal < games that delighted Nero served as a prelude to the sacrifice of Christians to the ions.' But it Is also a dramatic story of Christian • persecution, and a tenderly beautiful love story of a Christian girl and a Roman patrician, whose roles are played with rare beauty by Blissa Landl and Fredrlc March. Box plans are at The Bristol and the theatre. ■ . ; ■ ' QUEEN'S THEATRE. "Touchdown," starring Richard Arlen, Jack Oakie, and Peggy Shannon is at the Queen's Theatre. • . Avenging the murder of his father by range desperadoes, and seeking the merciless culprits who looted the family ranch and demolished a homesteady, Tom Kecne is seen in whizz-bang action thrills amid ■ the scenic splendour of the Western plains, and plateaux in "Renegades of the West," which opens at the Queen's Theatre tomorrow. Keene enacts a man-of-action cattleman who tows dire revenge on the murderers. To secure evidence, he contrives to be eentenced to gaol'in order to associate with several members of the band who are imprisoned. He learns the ramifications of the gang, and when released approaches Its loader for a job. He furthers his hazardous exploits in the enemy camp, and fintily obtains sufflcient information to Indict the guilty persons. The second attraction will be the hllarlou* comedy, "The Big Shut," with Eddie Qulllan anil Maureen O'Sulllvan. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Hot Pepper" is the main attraction to be screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen play the roles of Flagg and Quirt, and El Brendel and Lupe Velez are seen in the leading supporting roles. The hilarious adventures that arise when a girl called "Pepper" comes on the scene make this picture a riot of fun. A comedy entitled "The Streetwalker," a Magic Carpet, and two excellent Fox newsreels will also be screened. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The big attraction at Our Theatre tonight is "The Miracle Man." Sylvia Sidney and Chester Morris play the leading romantic roles, as the girl-friend and the dapper young confidence crook respectively. Others prominent in the cast are John Wray, Robert Coogan, nnd Hobart Bosworth. The story deals with the reformation of a gang of crooks by a faith-healer known as the Patriarch Screen Souvenirs, British News, and a Technlcolour complete the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Diamond Cut Diamond," at the New Princess Theatre, features a cast of prominent British comedians. Clark Gable is starred and Carole Lombard and Dorothy Mackalll are featured in "No Man of Her Own," which opens at the Princess Theatre tomorrow. . The story deals with the career of a gambler and card-sharper, who operates among millionaires. With Dorothy Mackatll as a decoy and Grant Mitchell and .Paul Ellis as assistants. Gable lures his victims into poker games and trims them easily. Trouble enters the partnership, however, when Gable tires of Dorothy, who Is still in love with him. When ho deserts her, she threatens to go to the district attorney, and Gable, with a defective hot on his trail, decides to leave. The succeeding incidents provide exciting drama. An emotional drama, with an appealing human love story, will also be shown In "Ladles of the Big House." . . SHORTT'B THEATRE. "Vanity Street," at Shortt's Theatre, has Charles Bickford and Helen Chandler in the principal roles. "Man Against Woman," to be shown, tomorrow at Shortt's Theatre, features Jack Holt as a romantic hero. It would have been difficult to find a more colourful setting to follow Holt's last two box office successes, 'War Correspondent" and "This Sporting Age," than the shimmer of New York's and Bermuda's night life and the intricate web 'of cosmopolitan life'that is the background for "Man Against Woman." Holt plays the role of Strong-Arm Johnny McLoud, a detective who sloughs his way through criminals and Into the arms of a girl who doesn't know what to make of his modern cave man style. "Obey the Law,' featuring Leo Carlllo, Dickie Moore, and Lois Wilson will be the second attraction. It is a powerful story of a man whoso loyalty ■ and kindness makes him an innocent betrayer of the people. It Is a- stirring- drama'- of a good Samaritan's awakening and retaliation.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. A thrilling drama of the sea, "Tiger Shark" is at the Majestic Theatre. Jean Harlow and Clark Gablo arc the costars In "Hold Your Man," a new Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer picture, which cornea to the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. The success of "Red Dint," in which they were' co-featured romantically, led to Anita Loos, the famous author of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," being assigned to provldo a new story for these screen lovers. "Hold Your Man" has an underworld flavour, and is a rapidly-moving story. Miss Harlow plays the part of a girl who is willing to allow herself to become the bait in a "racket" for the sake of her man. Gable, ■■'the man in the case, finds her real worth when the girl is sent to gaol because of the trouble his racket gets her into. Stuart iirwin heads the supporting cast. He plays the part of the man who loves the girl honestly, and w»nts to marry her, even when he knows the truth. Dorothy Burgess is cast as Gypsy, a battling night-club hostess, and others featured are Murial Klrkland. Garry Owen, Barbara Barondes, Paul Hurst, Elizabeth Patterson, Theresa Harris, Blanche Fridericl, and George Reed. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Elissa Land! and Warner Baxter appear in "I Loved You Wednesday" at the St. James Theatre. A novel musical comedy that Incorporates everything from spectacular. . effects to rhythmic dialogue is "Melody Cruise," which is coming to the St. James Theatre tomorrow. The cast is headed by. Charles Ruggles, Phil Harris, the popular Broadway star, and the alluring Greta A'issen. Tiie story concerns a Callfornian business man (Charles Hugglcs), en route to his home after a trip to New York. Following a hectic farewell party on board ship, he finds two very forward "gold-diggers asleep in his stateroom, and as it is too late to send them back to shore, ho has to let them finish the trip. What happens then forms the theme of the story. A highlight of the show is a remarkable ice-skating ballet, described as the cleverest thing of its typo ever aimed. There is also a lilting love song, sung at Fan«ma at the end of which the twinkling stars. In the sky form themselves into a line of shining music notes. DANTE, THE MAGICIAN. Tonight will bo the last opportunity for Wellingtonians to see the master magician Dante at the Grana Opera House. His is an admirable entertainment of a kind too seldom seen, and it is as amusing as it is mystifying. An amazing series of tricks and illusions is presented, and long before the end ot the programme the'audience realises that seeing is not believing. They see all kinds of Impossible things, such as maidens deftly sawn in half, transplanted Invisibly from one box to another, or else vanished into thin air. The show is very spectacular and is amusing throughout. As a magician Danto has no superior, and he knows tho art of presenting magic so that it makes instantaneous appeal. BRITANNIA THEATRE. The comedy "Out All Night," at the Britannia Theatre, will bo withdrawn after being shown tonight. The famous comedy-drama "Three Live Ghosts" wfll begin a week's season at the Britannia Tlicafre tomorrow. While as a play "Three live Ghosts" had but a mero handful of people in the cast, its talking picturisation required ■ cast of some 4000 people. The stir ■nd thrill of a nation on Armistice Day have been vividly re-enacted. The complete and minute adventures ot tho threo soldiers who returned to London Town and found they were listed as "dead" arc told with all their original pathos, humour, and drama. The merry chase they lead detectives as one and then another of the three steps on the toes of the law, is told with all the colour and dash of the play, heightened by the greater latitude of treatment permitted by the motion picture camera. Many actors new to tho screen, but famous to the Broadway stage, appear in the picture. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. An Interesting feature of "That Night in London," now showing at tho Kilbiruie Kincma, Is tho intimate scenes of London life. Some original and striking shots are to no seen of well-known London landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, the Cenotaph, Whitehall, and Nelson's Column. Besides the dramatic qualities of the story there are some excellent and tuneful gongs as well as dancing of an unusually high order. Robert Donat and Pearl Argyle are the featured players. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The Smiling Lieutenant," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight for the last time, features Maurice Chevalier, Claudette Colbert, Miriam Hopkins, and Charles Ruggles. The story tells of the love adventures of a handsome young officer who loves one girl and is forced to marry another, and then realises his mistake. Maurice in tills picture is well up to his usual high standard, and Rives a most pleasing entertainment in his own inimitable way. He also sings some very catchy love lyrics. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. ' Gene- Gerrard, tho inimitable star of "My Wife'l Family," "Lucky Girl," and "Let Mo Explain Dear," will be seen at tho Seaside Theatre tonight In "Leave it To Me." In the guise of a spring poet he descends upon a country mansion where the beautiful Eve Hallldty is staying, and is coerced into stealing a valuable necklace for Eve's erstwhile fiance, who intends to return tho heirloom to his aunt, gain the reward, and marry Eve on the proceeds. He is forestalled, however, but is almost arrested. Also excellent short, subjects. NAVAL CONCERT PARTY. The concert party of H.M.A.S. Australia will give a concert in the Masonic Hall, The Terrace, on Monday, September 25, in aid of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association. The concert party comprises some excellent talent, and the whole programme goes with a swing. The opportunity of seeing this excellent concert party should not bo missed, and R.S.A. members and their friends arc being advised to attend. MASSED BANDS' FESTIVAL. Arrangements have been completed for the massed bands of the H.M.A.S. Australia and Canberra to combine with the band of the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment, and the Pipe and Drum Bands of tho regiment will also take part in a grand musical festival in the Basin Reserve on Sunday afternoon. In all probability other functions will tako place with the combined bands.