ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE. Olio of tlio must, amazing careers In Hollywood is tlnit of tlio charming Sylvia Sidney, wlii) jila.vs tlio 111 lo role in Pnramounl's 111 in piece, ■■Jennie Uurhnrdt," now ill tlio Jlcgent Theatre. Although but twenty-two years old, Miss Sidney lias appeared in many of the .screen's foremost dramatic lilts. "Jennie GerInirdt" is tlie story of v woman who, as the result of lier beauty and attraction for men, is caught by forces far 100 strong for her to battle- lint slio is, at tlio same time, ready to sacrifice, everythliic for tlio man sho loves. Her tlrat contact wlili Ilfo comes when an elderly Senator, deeply impressed by her mtlveto and clianu, pays court to lief. Wlion he saves her brother from an impending caul sentence sho tries to repay his kindness. Tho •Senator promises marriitgo on bis return from a trip to Washington. But. ho Is killed in a railroad wreck. Jennie (jets work a* personal maid to a wealthy woman, and tlio latter's brother is attracted to her. This tlmo .Icnnlo knows rail love, and their next few years aro blissfully happy, Hut when lie discovers sho has n cliilil, his wliolo attitude undergoes a t-hnnire. Tlie picture reaches a poignant climax in her attempts to right herself. \ GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Tho Man of tho Fonvit," at tho Grand Opera, Houao, Is ono of tho best of Western tales. It describes the life of a forester and lone-hand hunter who becomes drawn into a fight between a gang of rustling plotters aud Ilia father of a girl who changes, the course of tlio hermit's life. Thcro Is somo superb riding and much .shooting, and the bulk of the scenes aro outdoor. Tho hero is trapped in a burning shack, but is released through the help of a pot puma, which plays a further part in the plot. Tho ranch war works up to a stirring climax, with tlio wlping-out of tho crooks. Tho leudiug roles aro well sustained by Randolph Scott, Verna Hillle, Noah Beery, and Buster Crabbe. "Tho Girl In 419." "Tho Girl In 419," a romantic drama set against the background of a police emergency hospital, has been booked for the Grand Opera House, where it will open on Friday. James Dunn and Gloria Stuart have the loading roles, and the supporting cast is headed by David Manners, Jack Laltue, Shirley Grey, Johnny Hlnes, and William Harrigan. "The Girl In 419" centres around a young physician who heads tho police division of an emergency hospital in ii large city, and around a girl who Is picked up half-dead from a beating and brought back to life by the former's skilled care. Miss Stuart is brought Into the hospital shortly after the mysterious killing of a gangster. When she regains consciousness slie refuses to tell anything of the Incidents leading up to her beating, or even to identify herself. Dunn's contacts with a gangster at first reveal nothing elso about her, but, when an attempt on her liro is made as sho is recuperating, he suddenly discovers what is going on. Tlio breathless events follow. DE LUXE THEATRE. The favourite star Until Chatterton, and George Brent appear in "The Crash," at the Do Luxe Theatre. "Tho Crash" is a vivid picture of tlie gambling mania which seized the American, neoplo before- tho great stock market collapse a few years ago, and ono of tho things which have been blamed for tho present depression. Master and servant are seen feverishly anxious for tips which will enable them to speculate still more, and the results of the great break in the market are traced through a number of lives. .Tho all-star cast of "The Desert Song," which comes to.the Do Luxe Theatre on Friday, contains artists who have had experience in reading dramatic lines in correct character as well as training and ability In singing. They are John Boles, Louise Fazenda, Carlotta King Myrna Loy, John Mlljan, Johnny Arthur, Marie Wells, Jack Pratt, Edward Martindel, Robert Guzman, Otto Hoffman, and many others. Slgmuud Romberg's score is played In its entirety by a symphony orchestra. Although "Tho Desert Song" closely follows tha stage production in that the songs, plot, and characters are practically identical, tho adaptation contains far greater entertainment value than the stage version. A chorus of over a hundred trained voices is heard in "The Desert Song." PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Sydney Howard, the comedian, with his smart colleagues Murk Daly, Dorothy Bartlam, and a capital cast, are creating uproarious laughter nightly at the Paramount Theatre'in the farce-comedy "Up -For tho This- is classed as the best thing Sydney Howard has given to.the screen., The actual race for the "Derby," 'with the accompanying crowds and excitement, are vividly pictured, ' and Tom Wtills's colt "April tlio Fifth," is seen winning the .English classic. George Gee, one of England's most celebrated comedians, who Is known as "the man with 10«0 faces," is famous throughout the British Empire •in legitimate stage productions. Ho has now burst into films for the first time, and is credited with "a tremendous success", in the farce, "Cleaning-up," which will be shown for the first time in New Zealand at the Paramount Theatre on Friday: Gee Is seen us Tony Pumpford, tlie son of a lord, who through lean times ilnds himself reduced to selling vacuum cleaners with wonderful success and fun-raising effect. The situations In which lie becomes involved aro manifold, ami these are said to bo as novel and unhackneyed as they are humorous. Associated with George Gee aro Bettys Aslcll, Davy Burnahly, Barbara Gott, Muriel George, Dorothy Vcruon, and. Gilbert iDavles. KING'S THEATRE. "42nd Street" is now showing at the King's theatre. It has a scintillating cast of fourteen stars, headed by Warner Baxter, Bebe Dauiols, George Brent, and Ruby Keeler, besides a picked' chorus of 150 beautiful girls and hundreds of extras. "42nd Street" has a story that takes Its place among the best, stories of tho stage. More than that, it has a story within that story—a play within a play. Deftly and expertly, it mingles these elements into a spectacular and vastly entertaining whole. Box plans are at tho D.I.C. and theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. In "The Rustlers' Roundup," tho latest Tom Mix-Universal feature, now showing at the Queen's Theatre, is a real rodeo, with thrilling events, such as roping steers, lariat throwing, stage-coach races, and many other breath-taking stunts, which lend an unusual note of suspense and excitement to a Western story brimful of action, feats of horsemanship, and a charming love story. In a burst of applause and the cheers of the crowds thronging the grandstand, Mix wins the stage coach race and is awarded a jewel-studded saddle by the judges. Though Zane Grey's "The Last Trail," cornIng to the Queen's Theatre on Friday, is ■played against a Western background, George O'Brien, who portrays the featured male role, is the only cowboy in tho picture. Tlie other principal male characters are racketeers who attempt to steal a ranch. Clalro Trevor, a beautiful blonde from the New York stage, enacts the leading feminine role, and El Brendcl has a featured part: The second attraction will be the mystery play "Chandu, tlio Magician," starring Edmund Lowe, Bela Lugosi,..lrene Ware, and Henry B. Walthall. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. The film version of Koel Coward's epic "Cavalcade" commences this evening at the Artcraft Theatre. Tho story covers a period of twenty years including the Boer War and then the Great War, and demonstrates the effect of these two events in the history of the Emrllre on English people of various stations In life. This all leads up to a series of tremendous scenes allowing the aftermath of the Great. War and the chaotic muddle of 'he world today. The cast is. an admirable ■one, and the production of the film leaves nothing at all to be desired. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Featuring Joan Crawford and Walter Huston, "Rain," an adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's famous story, is now showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. It concerns a young woman of limber morals who finds herself quarantined by cholera on a South Sea island with other passengers of the ship on which she had been bound for Apia. It is the morals of the girl contrasted to tho rigorous teachings of the reformer, which provides the background of the story. PRINCESS THEATRE. "When Ladles Meet," at the Prln'ccss Theatre, affords Aim Harding and Robert Montgomery tho kind of roles they excel in. The picture presents a novel angle on the old romantic triangle tangle. It concerns a wife who knows her husband philanders and a young man who is worried because he tlnds his sweetheart playing a dangerous game with the married man. He engineers the two women into a meeting that brings a result' he has hopefully and gleefully anticipated. Miss Harding plays the part of the wifo. and Montgomery Is the young man behind tho scenes. "A Farewell to Arms." with Telen Hayes, Gary Cooper, and Adolphe Menjou In the leading roles, opens at tho Princess Theatre on Friday. It tells the story of a man and n woman who loved greatly against a background of war. Gary Cooper has tho role of Frederic Henry, an American lieutenant in tlio Italian ambulance corps, who had been a typical soldier, rough and devoted to hard Manor, until the day he met Catherine Barkley, a brave and beautiful nurse, whoso role is played by Helen Hayes. The two meet through Rinaldi (Menjou), an Italian army surgeon, who has annexed Frederic as his "best friend and war brother." They fall in love and play out tlielr stolen moments of loving with death ever waiting to catch up with them. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Victor Jory and Loretta Young are costarred in the Fox attraction "The Devil's in Love," to be shown at Our Theatre tonight. The supporting cast is headed by David Manners and Herbert Mundin. It is the story of a young surgeon who proves his lnnocenco of a murder by a willingness to sacrifice his own life. Thcro arc excellent supports. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. An exceptionally meritorious programme has been arranged at the Kniplre Tlfeatre this evening. The miiin attraction :Is "Diggers," starring rat Ilanna and George Moon. The story is a racy farce written about tho exploits of two soldiers who thought the war was just a great big joke and dld-thelr best to turn it Into one. The supporting programme includes an orchestral number, v,ocal gems, a specialty dancing numher, a. scenic, a humorous sketch, a novelty featurette, songs by Jack O'Hagan, and an instrumental number.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. In "The Tower and tlio Glory," at tlio St James Theatre, Spencer Tracy Is tlio power, and Colleen Moore Is tho glory. Spencer Tracy tins become old, too, but refuses to bollovo tliiit ho is aerc, consequently liv becomes enamoured of tho younger lady, and his defection so wounds his wife that she- seeks refuge In suicide. After death has removed her from tho picture. Spencer Tracy as the husband meets Ills punishment, for his new falso bride falls In love with his son by the first marriage, uud his discovery of this peculiarly humiliating scandal sends him out of the world by the suicldo route also. Discarding all conventional methods of plot development, "Blind Adventure," -vhich is coming' lo tho St, James Theatre on Friday, and which features Roland Young, Helen Mack, and Robert Armstrong, offers an -unusual treatment of the mystery theme. A young American blunders Into an old English mansion nnd becomes Involved In an extraordinary Intrigue, Amazing complications ensue, and tho hero la compelled to e&cano across London rooftops with a beautiful girl whom he has met under peculiar circumstances. A timid burglar makes a hilarious entrance into the plot, and his professional experience is enlisted by tho fleeing pair. They fall into blackmailers' hands, who hold them as hostages lo force the delivery of Important military secrets. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A fine drama of ft great love between two men, of a wife's faithlessness, and a friend's betrayal, ia told in "The Wrecker," at theMajestic Theatre. It Is one of the must human stories every transferred to the screen, simple in its treatment, yet full of romance and adventure. Jack Holt has an ideal rolo as "Chuck" Began, a wrecker of buildings, whose business grows to amazing proportions and whose love for his wife and small son is as great as the heart of the uncultured gentleman ho portrays. Genevieve Tobin and Sydney Blackmer are the faithless lovers. Commencing "next Fridaj', tho notable Fox feature, "Shanghai Madnoss," will be presented at the Majestic Theatre. The stars of the picture are Spencer Tracy and !fay Wray, aud others prominent In the cast arc Herbert Mundin, Eugene- Pallette, and Balph Morgan. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at tho Regal Theatre, Karorl, a programme of exceptional merit will be screened. "Thp Little Damozel" will head an all-British programme. This amazing and dramatic story of tangled lives and broken romance has as its leading players Anna Neagle and Benlta Hume. SEASIDE PICTURES. At the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight Helen Twelvetrees, Edward Everett Horton, Adrleune Ames, and Baby Leroy head the cast which supports Maurice Chevalier In "A Bedtime Story." The picture presents him in a new type of characterisation —a man-about-town who suddenly discovers as much fun in romancing at the family fireside as in the salons about town. Awakening comes when he finds a baby abandoned in his car. The youngster is so charming that ho decides to raise it himself and sends for a nurse to help in the task. Then he discovers charm in her too. The picture reaches an amusing alimax. S-HORTT'B THEATRE. Al Jolson's United Artists vehicle "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp," at Shorit's Theatre, introduces a number of new song hits. Six numbers, composed by Richard Rodgers and Larry Hart, are an inherent part of the dim story. The titles of the numbers are "Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp;" "You are Too Beautiful," "I Got to Get Back to New York," "What Do You Want with Money?" "Sleeping Beauty," and "Laying the Cornerstone." Tho second attraction Is "Puppets of Fate,",a story of a mad doctor who commits a murder and ingeniously disposes of. the corpse. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Slim Summerville and Zasu Pitts are now being presented at the Britannia Theatre in the starring roles of ' "Her First Mate." As husband and wife, they are the centre of a sidesplitting tale which is filled with laughable incidents and complications which keep the audience in a continual roar of laughter. Slim cackles with merriment when he sees a despised little ferry boat blow up at tho dock of their little town on Long Island Sound, but he doesn't know that the agitated Zasu has bought It with their life savings as a present for him 1 ','Best of Enemies," a new romantic comedy, comes to the Britannia Tlieatro on Friday. Buddy Rogers and Marian Nixon have the featured roles. In theme and treatment, it is a film that has as timely a significance as any recently seen. : Against a background that' depicts, the changes of time, the story details a romance between two youngsters whoso personal lives aro inextricably-bound up with/passing events. Their, bringing up, their daily lives, belonging, as they do, to a familiar class, of Americans, gives rise'to a number of barriers that must, be overcome. Tlio supporting cast Is headed •' by the . vdterans Prank Morgan and Joseph Cawthorn, and includes Greta Nissen, Arno F«y, Wtlliim; Lawrence, and Anders A'aii Uiidcn. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.' ■ A brilliant'comedy, "A Lady's Profession,", is screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight. With.' Alison Skipworth, Roland Young, and Sari. .Marllza In the lead, the story deals with the adventures of a titled English family who by mistake take over a night club in New York,and in their subsequent dealings with bootleggers, etc., many highly amusing laughtermaking situations are enacted. INTERNATIONAL JOY NIGHT. The Smith Family International Joy Night, which takes place at the Town Hall next Saturday night, promises ,to be an outstanding gathering. Over 50 performers' will take partin tho first part of the programme, and for the second part the floors will be cleared for dancing. Many tickets have already been sold, and a crowded house is expected. Prior to the opeuing of the box plan at the D.I.C. on Wednesday tickets may be obtained at the office of tho Smith Family Joy Spreaders, 93-95 Wakcfield Street. In the first part of the programme the audience will witness a lightning tour of the world. The two well-known comedians Messrs. Laurie Swcetapple and Jack Chandler will take the principal parts. In brief the tour comprises a visit lo Java, China, Japan, Hawaii, America, England, France, Holland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Poland, and Russia. This is all condensed Into a. two-hours entertainment. Laughter, swift action, colourful music, and spectacular costumes will combine to make this a thrilling performance, the final scene of which will depict the peoples of all nations joining hands united by the age-old desire for '"peace on earth, goodwill to men." Misses Kathleen O'lirlen, Dorothy I'arlcttc, Margaret O'Connor, KatU. Nickels, Grade Kerr, Kntheriue Ferris, Dorothy Daniels, Messrs. David Oevitt, Frank Tozer, E. W. Priestley, Harlson Cook. Aslicton Harbord, 1). Hogg, Hay .. Truwern-, and many other well-known performers have, combined to present the scenes representing the various countries; The second part of the programme will consist of dancing, when peoples of all nations will assemble on the floor of the Town Hall In all, Mr. Smith's International Joy Mslit will comprise four hours of colourful entertainment. ,