ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 52, 2 March 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

'-.\ REGENT.THEATRE. "Facing the Music," which is now being shown at the Regent Theatre, provides Stanley Lupino with a role after his own heart, and he will be seen as a persistent young man, who, having made up, his mind to "marry the girl," goes, through Are and water ta gain her consent. Complications-in the form of her aunt. Madam Calvini, a famous but temperamental prima, donna, and her publicity agent, make it ,tiard going for Jack; but by a stroke of luck he hits on a sound publicity stunt, which' Involves the.stealing of Calvinl's jewels during a performance of "Faust.'*.-. A fair newcomer to the screen is Nancy Bume, who plays opposite Stanley Lupino. The picture not only provides Stanley with hilarious and original situations, but also brings to the screen delightful excerpts from "Faust." A full symphony orchestra of-over, sixty performers, conducted by Harry Acres, provides the accompaniment. The chief.item on the musical side of the production Is ''I've Found the Bight Girl." Besides this haunting number thero are further treats in store for music-lovers who see "Facing the Music," for this comedy boasts an unusual background in the form of an-Jhterna-tional Opera . Company", and: excerpts'!,', from Faust' and "Tristan; and Isolde" play an important part* in the fllm. Nancy Brown, of "Maid of the Mountains," and Doris Woodall, of Covent Garden fame; are also prominent. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Put twenty people of widely differing temperaments, and Ideas together in a great passenger bus. on a transcontinental trip", and lots of fun is bound to come-out of it. This is the situation which exists in* "Cross-Country Cruise," the Universal comedy-drama -which opens its" season at the Grand Opera House today, with Lew. Ayres •', in the - starring, role. The trip is from New York City to San Francisco, and as the journey progresses wise-crack-ing banter flies thick and fast, with first honours going to a grouchy old gentleman who is continually irked by' a steady flow of comment from a voluble fat*man. A.romance.develops between Lew Ayres and June Knight and less sincere ones between Alice White and various males. Unusual * attractiveness is brought to "Cross-Country Cruise" by the fact that the background is constantly changing, and interesting sections of the country flash past the windows as the .great bus continues on its way. The things that occur to the not-so-good characters of the story all tend to make "CrossCountry Cruise" : one of the most -interesting pictures to be shown oh the screen, and a distinct departure from formula, it Is reported The picture was; directed by Eddie Buzzell, and Ayres s supporting cast, in addition to Miss Knight and Miss White, includes Alan Dinehart, Minna Gombell, . Eugene - Palette, ?• Robert McWade.and Arthur Vinton.-. '■ The* supporting featurettes make, a bright assortment. , DE LUXE THEATRE. ';.*, ' '-; Ay,Uh, ,a„highly. succesful week's run behind it. Gold Diggers of 1933" will begin the second week of t its .season at the De Luxe Theatre nB < uhQ I,roduc«on «s sensationally spectacular in its* many gorgeous settings for ballet and chorus. There Is> a sketchy story running through these-scenes of theatrical glam* our interspersed. with numerous songs and wm?„™ u 0? 0"^ 63-," ■ Such agists as Warren S!wi» m' Ee,eler, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell Aline * MacMahon, Guy Klbbee ■?»^ eer ers ' ,* nd>Nea Sparks are in .the cast. -'The, .-.'- Gold Diggers .* of I' 1933" In -»tti'SJi teL7 * n? w-*"P'ct«re,l up to the minute in settings, dancing, and. melodies,* with one n'n;i»L nnee,!7 c,! sta?3 in Dick Powell: and with no lack of humour and Incident. Throughout rinfJL 13 W? Tf? a series °r snappy-songs and dances, and there-is also-the, story, of the ro-AHn-2 c '°r„ GV? „Klbbce- the -family: solicitor.*and Aline McMahon; tho comedienne. 'In S ™i C?.u" a number-or- interesting ™' """J at,,f<J° organ, the popular Paul't! Cullen,plays "Barcarolle." and sings, a series of gloom-chasing songs. ' * • - * ■.-"-■: PARAMOUNT THEATRE?" " Today w m mark the.occasion7of7the7renro7 auction at the. Paramount Theatre'of the l.sl reissue of Ben Travers's world-famous success Rookery with the celebrated comedy favourites.-Tom Walls and* Ralph".Lynn in the roles which made; their, names household words Travers, the author, . and Walls >' and Lynn have contributed, to-the joy of-British audiences in many clever-farces, but it Is safe to say that none -of theso, has intrigued the public quite so much as their; first - big hit - Rookery Nook." "Rookery Nook"- as seen on the screen is a reproduction;of the actual stage performance photographed and - recorded" &' the Aldwvch Theatre on a Suuday morning 'When the farce-was at the height of Its popularity. J'ary,BroUßh, as the charwoman with a horror of the queer doings going on in this 'ouse.** ,is*a -big--favourite, and the run-away girl played by charming- Winifred ' Shorter,, still stands as the mosf deUghtful performance she ?.?r s El,!, en t0 the screen. Robertson Hare; as Harold, is very much in. evidence, and so also is every member of. the -celebrated Aldwyeh Theatre Company,of players. Three supportingysubjects will precede ;>'Rbdkery Nook." 7 kiubirnia. kinema: 7.; : While^ "Adorablej" the ?riew> Janet Gaynor-* Henry Garat production .for Fox. Films, which" is now showing at;the Kilbirnie Kinema, is a,'story of pure'romance; It has a musical settmg that is. an important adjunct ,of the pic-' ture. The music: written. by -i Werner .'Richard HeymannJs^speclally adapted to the-romantic! rHy'lim of* the story, *and i s : as essential.to it as the dialogue. Themusical direction of thai film was in the hands-of Louis de Francesco' a member^of-the;Fox,studio.staff who-Is-re': sponsible for some - of. the outstanding musical direction in pictures.- ,-■ *, ° •

STATE THEATRE. •A_ groat and moving dramatic story ;is told !L ■L xym"*"sP>V''whleh'*ls"TiSW-aowTas-at the State Theatre. It recapitulates the dar- ' ins- deeds of Martbo McKenna, who was a "Belgian nurse in a- German hospital during the war. Gaumont-British adapted the "film from the woman spy's own reminiscences, and Vie- ' tor Saville has directed a British picture that has been acclaimed as a triumph of realism, it Is a war-time story, intensely dramatic,' suspenseful, and thrilling. One of the chief features of the production is the reconstructed market place of Roulers on a scale sufficiently large to accommodate almost a battalion of infantry, together with, the units which go- to form-a-flghting regiment, and the usual stalls, S'*?- 1 •?,17 B parl* of- the every-day- busy life, fhe brilliant- east is led by Madeleine Carroll, the most capable ;and popular: British*screen actress of today; Herbert Marshall,- a favourite ; Conrad Veldt, the Continental actor, famous in two continents; Gerald dv Maurier, one of England's greatest stage artists; and Edmund Gwenn, whose character studies are always excellent. "1 Was a Spy" is a real - Ufa story. The people concerned are living their- lives.- not acting upon the stage. Marthe,. Impelled by ; her humanity to act as a nurse In a German hospital, also accepts *. the call of patriotism, spies upon the Germans, and works to defeat their aims. Day in and day out she lives a life that will be forfeited if she fails. Information leaks out of the town;but the Germans fail to discover its source.* * Marthe works hand-in-hand with Stephan, a hospital orderly. They deal the enemy a heavy blow when they destroy a dump of; cylinders- containing poison gas., When the gassed. -Allied' soldiers. pour into the hospital, Marthe determines to avenge the enemy's brutality.-' News that a church parade is. to be-held on the ToI-: lowing Sunday is passed on to British headquarters,. and the service is bombed—and then Marthe is trapped. ,* .- .*; ■* .y v- . KING'S THEATRE/ 7 .i,"-?, m 7f ky'';„'VVHI James's '. best selleri 7that 'has thrilled millions of readers," will' be the current attraction at.: the King's. Theatre. The author, known as * one of the most 'colourful figures of the West, is a member of, the cast and he participates both as actor ;and; narrator, victor Jory, who has the leading role, portrays the part of a cow hand, who. tames and befriends "Smokr.'-" the:wUd'horse; born and bred on the plains of the 'West. ' The friendship of man and animal* becomes-so'great that when; "Smoky" is stolen.-his" friend-gives up lovo and iob to go in search of* him.- The life.of 'Smoky," his rise and fa11,.-forms the basis.of the film.. There will also -be shown Lptown New York," starring Jaclc Oakie. Box plans are at the D.1.C.. and. theatre. \ QUEEN'S THEATRE/ 77 *7; _ Buck. Jones, the greatest Western, star/of. the movies, goes back sixty years to the hectic days in Kansas at the close of the; Civil War" when,various, large armed .bands *-of ate sympathisers made an armed; battle-ground ? ~*t erritory, in his latest Columbia-pic-c*'* r- e *' Treas°n." which is'now showing at the Queen's Theatre". '* * The 'story takes; a leaf from mlstory, presenting Jones'ln- the colourful characterisation of Jeff Connors,, fami ous army^scout, who is detailed-to capture and bring, back, dead or alive, a remarkable, young Joan of Are of modern times,* who has established by might-of arms the Republic of South Kansas. JThe second attraction will be-"Obey. the Law, starring Leo Carrillo, Lois-Wilson,* and Dickie .Moore. ,- ; ;-: ., :-.\ ■ .*..-■*,-.'.:; -..J-----:/r;":"':'7v':'7 v^RTc^F^7THE^RE;7777'77V7^ ."Melody 'Cruise" ;;the'"new- pictore" how showing., at the Artcraft' - Theatre," '--■ Is a • musical movie, rather ; than a * musical screen comedy,; for it;is*said to-be the*-first story :set. to. melody in accordance with '< effec-1 tiver talking .picture standards. ;rClever*-lyrics are made consistently. part of the .story" dialogue. The ■ ensemble-- work builds 'right; Into the^story .with logical ease/ -Charlie Ruggles as Pete Wells Is a comedy treat.. Phil*Hahli" as the playboy reveals the-ingratiating-and pleasing voice-he has been, broadcasting over . f, f^ r the last, four years • from -Los Angeles Cocoanut Grove. In supporting roles Greta Nissen. Helen Mack, -;■' June Brewster.' Chick Chandler. Shirley* Chambers,' Marjorie oateson/ and Florence Roberts -contribute ex-' cellent;performances. *...;,,: :;— —;, ,■- ---;;.-.;7::/; < ;PRiNCESs;;.T'HEA*rRE.;7y';*'7i;U7 ~ The ,'secret. of ..many -a. :child's-succession the .stage Is revealed in ."Stage, Mother,"- a drama .of theatrical life-recently .filmed by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, - which -is now showing. at : the - Princess (Theatre.* - Adapted from an original' storyYby .Bradford" Ropes; author: of "42nd Street,"! the picture.deals with a. little-known side of* the theatre—the Intense ambition that causes "stage;;mothers".; to,drive their children to success. Tlie heartbreaksiand laughs that are encountered by the'youngsters being "herded" on their way'ls-brought vividly to the .screen. Alice.Brady scores*even "a peater triumph than In "When .Ladies Meet'? In her portrayal as the ambitious mother who will stop at nothing to further; the careei; of her daughter. Supporting, roles are "capably filled by C. Henry Gordon, Alan Edwards, and Ben. Alexander. *.-;;;..*' ; *..;.-. ; * ;:.;;;-; shortt's theatre. 77 7/ f*7/ /".Charles .-Bickford plays rthe lead'in ;Columbia a/: sea mystery Adventure * film,: -'The*.' Last ■£?*" *-uow,-showing- r; at - Shortt's* Theatre.= with, Constance. Cummings'. playingi onposlte , 'him. Bickford's role is that of; a detective for , a London;insurance flrm/which.has hada'suc-- : cession of heavy marine 'j losses. *He goes " to" Port Suez to;lnvestigate; arid'his startling<ex-'-----penences m running down the; gang; and itheir leader, *.who - have been*, scuttling - the', ships"; in , order to collect the. insurance; money,,.provide one of the?most gripping; sea**mysteries'ever made for the screen. Other members of the" , cast aro.Alec -B. Francis, Alan- Rbscoe,* Robert Ellis, and Kit Guard. Howard Higgln .directed ..!,.. ,?' *.JJ aD* '■■■ T>-8 second .picture -will rbe \lrtue. the Columbia .picture featuring Carole Lombard and Pat O'Brien.'-'- *■*-'

ST. JAMES THEATRE; Trading his usual military uniform for that - M a guide for a large, prosperous Parisian tourist agency, Maurice Cbcialier is seen in his newest production. "Tlio Way to Love" at the St. James Theatre. Instead of the ' ostentatious palaces, night spots, and dress-suit theatres '„'ay Maurice takes one into the rooftop dwellings and musical halls of Paris's left bank With all the fire of his sparkling personality, the trench star plajs his game of life and love amid settings so familiar to him. -Naturally, as all good guides should do, Maurice shows all tlie "beauties" of Parec, Including some vihlch one doesn't sco from the top of a sight-seeing bus. His romantic ]oumejs load him to Ann D\orak, lonely street urchin who is the target for .1 ullalnous knifethrower She runs away from the carnival and follows Chevalier to his roof-top homo S-i 1 ~ shares --""lth otller friends. With the, star and Miss DtorakW pear Edward Everett Horton, Arthur- Pierson. and Minna Gombcil. Four new Fong hits are included, and there is a specially ittractlvo supporting programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ArF, h'l? Van£? returns to the screen at the wmf C t. T MCatre ln the P«son of Sniw P, owell*i J»*i«ts about to unravel the "T& l-.l m? ? f, S ,S' yan Dlne's famo«» story! ,™?„. eDnf Mu, rder Case." The role of the amateur criminologist, who knows as much about dogs and Chinese porcelains as he does !.H. J ?J c' flts tho diPPer, sophisticated star SwES ily .?' hls onn immaculately tailored »,m^» a„ ' The Eennel Murder Case" Wil--1.1. .«,°T eU ?1° yes that he has lost "one of ™£ Ftistry which has made him one of HollySX JL? 081 I,atronlsed stars. An exceptional - ?™ S CTI- y one of tbo num«ous characvmd kennel Murder Case" doubly y BRITANNIA THEATRE. / . »t"-.h- e B ?' Bht out'" whlch ls now showlnt rLI A T, lt? Dnl a- Theatre, is tho first starring vehicle for the screen's most priceless chump, Claude Hulbert It tells the story ot rrrll^vi?™ Who ls mlsta*-***-**a for a famous crook. Fiimgocrs may look forward to seeing ™ , as something in the city" against; i,n^ Mker. OUn' 1 of a modern business office; a nThf ni l S \, il aas lady from Aberdeen ti a night-club which is raided; entangled with a gang of crooks who imagine him to be a master-mind; struggling to pacify a fiery vamp and keep her presence hidden from his mother-in-law; and as a de\oted husband in romantic scenes with his beautiful young wife. Tha cast Includes Amy Vencss, Judy Kelly. Btnnte Barnes, and Gus McNaughton, Hal Gordon, and Jimmy Godden. • Reneo Houston, the variety star, makes an auspicious debut as the younc ' lady-from Aberdeen. EMPIRE THEATRE; ISLAND BAY. « ". G, a,? r? el °*cr the OTllte House" -will have Its , flrst W cllmgton screening ot tho Empire Theatre I this evening. Walter Huston, Franchot Tone., and .Karen Morley play the.leading roles, and 1 supporting them are C. Henry " Gordon . and 1 Dickie Mopre. The story concerns the presi- I dent of a country who overnight changes front I a timid, amiable man into-,a forceful, dynamic! personality. A large supporting programme includes a -Hal Roach comedy, a Mickey Mouse ' cartoon, and two newsreels. j CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. | The Gainsborough feature,* "Tailing for! You," -which stars Jack Hulbert, Cicely, Courtneidge, and'Tamara Desni, Is to show at the Capitol Theatre tonight, and* at* a matinee to- I morrow at 2.15 p.m. This picture; filmed mostv,m Sflltzerland, shows magnificent scenery, while the story concerns two rival newspaper reporters, plajed by Jack Hulbert. and Miss Courtneidge. who, jn their endeavours to fc« first with tho news, are responsible for much brilliant comedy and gay humour. 'There "are tuneful comic songs, clever dancing, and brilliant skating. Also showing at the matinee tomorrow will be episode two of ."Clancy ot the Mounted." OUR THEATRE. NEWTOWN. R.K.O. Radio Pictures' frolicsome and tune- 1 ful "Dlplamaaiacs" is to be shown at Our' • Theatre tonight. . Featuring Bert Wheeler and I Robert Woolsey, backed by an all-star cast I and a bevy of beautiful girls, it trips tune- | fully through the world's current problems,', making laughs of its carefully-nurtured wor- ' • rlcs. "Heading the supports is a Charlie Chap- ' lin cOmeay, "The Rink." I \ fIEGALfTHEATRE, KARORI. "The Solitaire Man," starring Herbert Marshall, heads the weekend programme at the I Regal Theatre. The story concerns a young I man who robs a rhouse. Whilst, hei is there ra. ] policeman'ls.killed; and it-is only after!numerous thrilling.."adventures that .he .is proved 1 innocent, Lionel'Atwill and May Robson play , leading, supporting ;roles..* The supporting programme includes a Charlie Chase Comedy, a I musical revue, and two excellent newsrcels.