ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 60, 12 March 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. provided at the popular Regent Theatre this week, where Ann Harding arid Clivo Brook are co-starred in a poignant drama of motherlove, and Rene Eich, a gifted violinist and Bex Desmond, saxophonist, put on a delightful stage entertainment. "Gallant Lady" lives up to every prediction of the producers, mid tells a heart-reaching story of a woman who lias loved not wisely perhaps, but too well. The lather of her child, an aviator is killed In a crash, and the girl, Sally Wynyard, is befriended by a down-and-out doctor who has defied medical and legal law by putting an incurable patient out of his misery. The two enter into a kind of platonic partnership,' and the child is adopted, through Doctor Dan's efforts, by a wealthy friend, l'hllip Lawrence and his wife. Sally becomes a fashionable decorator of homes, and Incidentally a leader of fashion In women's clothes. A visit to Italy brings her the infatuation s>! a count, but In Paris she meets, accidentally in a hotel, her own son. 'Following on Lawrence's decision to marry again (his wife having died), Sally disapproving of his choice, determines to marry her bpys adopted father, and despite expectations 'on the part of the audience that the Kindly Dan might come Into his own with Sally, ?° ,str. one is the mother-lovo of tho woman that she sacrifices her freedom ln»order to liresido ovor the future destiny of her boy. Tho acting Is faultless. Tho programme also includes n Disney cartoon 'Shanghaied"; a wonderful P cture of animal training, and the news service exclusive to. the theatre. Miss Kich and jur. Desmond s act is alone worth while. Tho ladys playing of "Ghost Dance" was excellent, and the saxophonist's solo "Indian Lovo ™~ was arti3"c work. Their duets were very popular, and the laree audience save tho party a warm welcome and several encores. "Loyalties." fnmo?,/ 1? Tef, s.lon of «ie late John Galsworthy's .m °us Pay ".Loyalties" will be presented soon at the Regent: Theatre. The play is not a defence of the Jews, Nor Is it an attack upon them. Herein lies Its greatness; that it shows, with-wonderful sympathy and Intuition, the riih<L q n for ces '"'Mb directions. Basil •mw tnP, '«" e5H lcr ,Tl ""cher. *»les Mandcr, and Joan Wyndham have prominent parts. ; GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Two splendid pictures at the Grand Onnn House should make It one of the most popular SttractiSn Ute"Th nm vnl this wcelc- Tho ™" "JmStl? J The End of tne Rainbow," in which the famous tenor, Bichard Tauber scored ?taSott--hH?£ eSS w"? on,thc Picture was in Wei-ust-ln tlm« ♦ S' natiT e vllla Ec, "aching there kotW^.l 0? J? ls Sweetheart married to inotncr. Tauberis heard in seven songs and t tEf £ rma-? cc su^tahtlates tho claim that he ™v£m* orld, s. neatest living tenor. His per- ?£°£ hV*?* 188' n«gy and cheerfulness, and tf n n/i h he 'by-a cast of internaMeh* ;-SoUnrt h?i, I' rCtUre- ls WS alone- Cental lousn^f the;scenes at the Berlin Opera danc«.l»L PJ ne irtsws> and' quaint Bavarian folk baleen hi COl°"rt<' the Picture, which should ?.»«« ? y it very music-lover. The second atth«p«m i 1?" theis rst .sheening:in.Wellington of episcopal iuhnnd . fllm:.° f,f rchbishop Redwood's Sli 2? a JMpU.ee celebrations. To the many as weU^as'loSrr' 8' ', he Tarious 'unctions! Wrrf » ° 'he thousands who were, the plcSSj'j •,o',-- mJ{S h more ; tnan Passi"g interest. Delng.a splendid; record of a great occasion. . -..<■ SIR;H.UBERT. WILKINS.' <.. *£*<*** ,int l erest >s. already being taken in the «?£sh ?£?,«*' "le famOUS explorer! ni v» ? rt Wl^ln J' at the Grand Opera House on Friday next Sir Hubert's record is an un"™»l one. .-During his forty-flve years" he ha.? travelled all over the world in various capacities and-on-various- tasks, and by routes over whlclt no one 'else has ventured. Ho was nine times'wounded'in the war, and won the Miliary Cross with a bar. Sir Hubert was with Stefransqn's expedition to the Arctic; ths British. Imperial . Antarctic Expedition, and Shackleton's Quest Expedition. He went to Russia- investigating fa-mine conditions In that country. Two; 'expeditions to the Arctic Ocean >y aeroplane 'followed.' In 102S Wllkins and Elelson made their great flight from Alaska over the-North Pole, to Spltzbergen. One of his most spectacular'exploits was his voyage n.the submarine Nautilus to the Arctic. Xo°w he has-jus,t returned from the Lincoln Elisworth expedition to the Antarctic. Sir Hubert can telf a thrilling' story of his amazing adventures; and his lecture is tote illustrated by marvellous motion pictures. DE LUXE THEATRE. .In_"One Man's Journey," the De Luxe Theatre has secured a picture in which there S't.nH.mt dev. el°Ped to a very fine degree the lotentialities. for an - appealingly human story a °rouJ°v n fd ""W 8 m 1 f a famlly doctor *" a country township,.and also a picture in which one- of the screen's greatest character actors Lionel Barrymore, is seen' in what must rank f»Tc?JI m? st. Buc«ssful roles. Barrymoro akes th 6 part.of Dr. Ell Watt, who is driven by a series of misfortunes, including the death na.i™3 f* 1'6 ' ™c, hlldblrth' to practise in his native town.' 111-luck detrimentally affects his prospects, and he has to rely for his patients on the very poor, among whom he becomes almost an institution. When his work in a smallpox epidemic re-establishes his reputation and provides the opportunity for continuing the studies neglected for years, he finds ™mm »re tles blndta S him to the community very hard to break. Though he has dropped behind the march of science, however,- he has developed very highly an ability to understand his patients, and this gl^es him a healing power.which is effective when-speelaHstefiave failed. Ther. is an esceltent supporting- programme; ■ and Mr. Paul LXr* 3 Serenade" on the-Wurlttzer organ "rots • ■ accompanying himself in a nura- ; ■ PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ~h^ w ry t that has '"nlTersal appeal, and one which .teaches-a-.lesson in patriotism, comraderi?U a m • seA f-sacrlflee, is ■ contained in the British_aim.'.-Keunion,". which is being shown at the Paramount Theatre. The picture tells the flnHty.Sfa P. ex-army officer, who .after the war finds that changed conditions have made life much country, but one day.receives an invitation from his-old company to be the euest of honour and take the chair at a reunion. With what remains of his money he redeems his "dress clothes and'goes, to London. The dinner is a typical get-together of old comrades —sing-songs and amateur: turns and speeches. The padre nakes-an appeal for an absent comrade who has.fallen on evil days, and the guest of honour start 3 the.collection with all the money he has got—the money wheh was to have been his return- fare; ■At the end of the dinner he ;oes out into the.night consoling himself with the reflection that a . "man is never deserted until he deserts himself." An .Intelligent and understanding-performance Is given by Stewart Rome, • the' star'of-. the picture. Among the choruses-in- "Reunion" are such never-to-be- ?,? otten-favourites as "For He's a Jolly Good, -.1 ' «L' *\ e<iP the Home, Fires Burning," "Oh, 's;;w *i' s-''f»; L? 7ely War'"' "Wo are Fred ia, r, ns s Army," "Auld Lang Syne," and other ballads.. A|so., on . tbi same programme Is Aerobatics;" a .thrilling novelty shoiwng the inde working; of loops, .side spins, rolls, and le whole paraphernalia of aerial acrobatics. ?rior_to the screening- of "Reunion." Mr. Heroert .«ood sings favourite songs. . ;-, SHORTT'S THEATRE. ■ Superb performances by an excellent cast K BU mg mMslc; and-a story charged with originality ..contribute qualities .to Columbia's «tr« ■??' ' now showlne at Shortt's .The cast is topped by Helen Twelvetrees. Victor Jory.\ and Wallace Ford. «ost_of the action takes place in a big radio iroadcastlng station. This setting provides an dear spot :for. the excellent music, composed by the I director,, Victor Sehertzlnger. The second feature, will be "The Circus Queen Murder. Adolpho Menjou is seen, as Colt the /nave, ingenious sleuth who solves the Gret VI an "I: fatcd .aerlalist, played by "" aUEEN'S THEATRE. It was a., great" reunion for the two old l™v ? s' and knowing that Harrison was 'an I rripnit I - 10 KS? ma .u' Tlm McCoy Promised his friends a job in the movies before the evening »■«^ »" ,Aa, a,,result' Red 30lned the cast of r^ an. ot Actlonl" McCoy's latest release for "M*n nf amT sSowlne at the Queen's Theatre. »nS? r Aption ls a story of a mystery in a small frontier town of the West. The picture ?J,i, n »! QlllK'ey- The second attraction! is Jack Holt s sensational drama, "The Wrecker." j i KING'S THEATRE. Play, in which Andy Devine is co-starred, is the main attraction at the King's Theatre. The hi° "1L" ?° PJ ay" misht b0 aP»y called (hp m.J Of a horse" " tells hmT' through the mad manocuverings of Slim and Andy, two Z™ 1"11 cowboys, the animal is finally prec? ,f».? m d , royal sP'endour-through a maze ».. m ?£ drcumstances-to tho girl who Is El he.^ Pleof Sllm' s bMhru> eye. Also rtowlnu Is King For a Night," featuring Chester Morris and Helen Twelvetrees, and "Mickey are at the D.I.C. and theatre. ARTORAFT THEATRE. r^?i. nnor,,at Elßht. J> the much-discussed Mctros|a«r" championship production is showing at the Artcraft Theatre, Kings Cup," >.n "ai r thriller" based on a^ story by Sir Alan Cobham. having as its theme the progress of civil aviation in England, and coming to a climax In the annual air race round Britain will be screened at the Artcraft Theatre tomorrow. In order to Air Derby, the race was filmed when it took Place. In addition, two aeroplanes which flguro In the picture were entered In the race. One a rusa Moth, was entered' by its owner, Lieu-tenant-Commander Geoffrey Rodd, who also flew it. The ot, her--a Hawkrr Tom-Tit, was entered by Wllcox, Director of Productions to British and Dominions. The navigator of the aeroplane was Harry .Milton, himself an cxlnThe rfllm R' A' F" who plays .the male lead REGAL THEATRE. KARORI. Tonight "Frisco Jenny." Warner Bros.' creat story of the cesspools and byways of San Francisco, w!U be screened at the Regal Theatre. Karorl. Ruth Chatterton plays tho title role, and Is supported by a powerful cast. Short ana Interesting supports will be screened. On wMi ? nhi * and, Thurs(lay "Jimmy and Sally" will be screened.

STATE THEATRE. During the last few years there has been an ever-increasing variety of war-novels, waruramas, ana war-pictures. "I Was a Spy," now showing at the State Theatre, Is, however a masterpiece of a different typo. It is more human in tone, and more likely to serve its purpose of entertaining the public, for Us mala theme revolves round the sympathetic tlgure or a woman. It Is the woman who serves to solten many of tho bitternesses of human discomfort, so that it is uot without some decree of justice that Marthe MoKenna should have been left to tell the story of her life. -I Mas a Spy" has the merit, however, of not Iransgressing generally accepted probabilities, and while tense in its drama and characterisation, it retains those elements of human pathos and comedy that always lend a particularly keeu sense of realism. The picture has been staged on a very lavish scale, some of the sets being the last word in completeness of detail and comprehensiveness. Tho cast, which includes many hundreds, is excellent, tbe principals particularly being worthy of note for their flne acting. Madeleine Carroll achieves the finest characterisation of her career as Marthe, while Conrad Veidt gives a really remarkable portrayal of the commandant. The story is set in Belgium in 1915, and through a series of highly dramatic situations It moves to a cllmas of self-sacrifice and peace. In the choice of supporting pictures tho State lias again displayed fine taste, there being a wide variety of news and sporting reels,, together with another of those atractive descriptive pictures, this time dealing with Ludlow, in Shropshire. England. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Lifo in tho offices of a successful criminal lawyer on tho upper floors of a skyscraper in ■New.York City, if it is to he judged from the Counsellor at Law" at tho Majestic Theatre, ! must be a- hectic affair. Streams of suavo and polished commercial rogues, murderers. Communists of tho common unsuccessful variety, vital and rather overpowering women who are either tho clients In divorce cases or tho causes of them, besiege an army of clerks and assistants to gain' audience of George Simon (John Barrymore), who is always doing three or four tlungs at once, and curtly dropping anything in wlilclv there docs not loom forthwith thousands of dollars. There Is a direct ruggedness and kindliness to the penniless about Die self-made Slmuii that draw his start or crooks, many of llicm he has saved from gaol, strongly to him. Of the skeletons in his cupboard tho most ever present is his society wife's boredom with him. lie is unable to accompany her to Europe because he is faced by a political opponent with the exposure of a faked alibi. This is chsily straightened out by one of his clerks, a former burglar, who secures a wad of incriminating documents from ono of the secret homes of the opponent, but in the meantime his wife has started tha trip to Europe with somebody else, and he is just about to jump from the twelfth storey window when he U restrained by his stenographer (Bebe Daniels), who it then becomes apparent, has loved.him all along The supports, including a "Strange as it seems and a vaudeville, are excellent. ST. JAMES THEATRE. _ "Female," now showing at the St. James »t \ ? s the P'cturo of .a woman with a business brain by day.' and a woman of passion by, night—by day a moneymaker without sentiment, and <by 'night a female Don Juan. Such was the woman that Alison Drake thought herself ,to be. In her great motor factory, her male employees wer her industrial slaves, : but some of them she singled out for lone favours in. the evening (after the fashion,that history,or legend attributes to a great Roman Empress arid 'to a great Russian Empress), only to .throw them back into industrial. slavery In the factory next morning. Men, argued Alison Drake, have always, treated women like that—have treated women as slaves and playthings—and she woulc Tt™ «iSamei WU K. men- Co °Per (Johnny Mack Brown) was in this way fooled by his employermistress, and so were other men' but her pride came to a fall, when she tried.the same tricks Ti"rpnn de.slSn'ns: engineer, Jim Thorpe (George Brent). In the finish, the super-woman climbs down, * and Ruth . becomes quite loving and obedient to her . George. In the Hrst part there is a very origlna.l and varied musical record, "The No Man." Gus Shy leads a comedy, "Turkey in the Rain " The sculpture and art of Italy are shown In a beaur^i.f r °S-ii, ending wlth the wonderful Milan Cathedral. The gazette features Mussolini. RambyytheaßmishldMSumhe C<><iCX latCly '*ulre<l • Suave William Powell returns to the type of role that first won him recognition in "Private Detective 62," which is to commence at tho St. James Theatre on Friday. Once again this polished star portrays, as the title suggests a detective; but one of a different order from his «. ?iAl!? cc .characterisations °* «'<= Past. In this thrilling, highly entertaining offering Powell is a more Interesting spy on erring wives and wayward husbands. Powell's work in "Private Detective 62" is seconded by that of Margaret Lindsay, who may be remembered for her role as the girl on the Titanic in "Cavalcade." PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Girl in 419," a romantic drama set against the background of a police emergency hospital, is now being shown at tho Princess Theatre. James nuffli ana Gloria Stuart have the leading roles. "The Girl in 410" centres around^ a young physician who heads the police division of an emergency hospital In a large city, and around a girl who is picked hL* alf ,&*i from a bel»tlng and brought back to life by the former's skilled care, A wardrobe pf fifty gorgeous gowns and tho.pernripFnlA"^"?ll* «° f a r°yal PririC6 Of EU"P° OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. c Benita Hume and Adolphe Menjou have the featured roles in "The Worst Woman in Paris " the Fox production to be shown at Our Theatre tonight. The story concerns a Parisian beauty whose scandalous affairs .on tho Continent brand her us the worst woman in Paris .Excellent supports complete the programme. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND /BAY. "Xight of the Garter," starting Sydney ?nr a» \! s, the mala attracti°n at. the Empire Theatre this evening. The story, adapted from hnm ragß /"IT "GettinS Gertie's Garter." is bui t round the character of a butler named S»^ ef{ V ini,red Shotter and Elsie Randolph play the leading roles. An excellent feature travelogue, entitled "Wings Over Africa" will also be screened. On Wednesday and Thursday "Whoopee" will be shown.. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. The Gaumont British special feature "FPi" starring Conrad Veldt, Leslie Vcnton, and 'jill Esmond, with a very strong. cast, is to be screened at the Capitol Theatre tonight for an extra session. The titlo refers to mid-ocean "Floating Platform No. 1," a landing point for a transoceanic air service and the story concerns a young inventor Safely erected, sinister forces-are later seen working for the platform's destruction. Then there is a dastardly attempt to sink it, and there are 2£ nfrS.L e? orts mado t0 save tho mlshty worfe. The byplay of emotions, romantic and villainous, punctuates the story as the Inventor's imaginings, become reality. This picture, which is of an incredibly amazing nature, is packed from start to finish with thrills. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Xever has beauty had such an amazin" champion as tho beast which fights for Fay Wray n RKO-Radio Pictures' "King Kong," *?, attraction at the Britannia Theatre. But the terrors that boset the girl and Robert Armstrong and Bruce Cabot, in the jungle are magnified when they take the great ape to A'ew York. "So This is Harris." barring Phil Harris, will also be screened. Walter Catlett heads the cast in support of Phil Harris famous on the air and at Los Angeles's celebrated Coconut Grove; for his 6lngin" and his band. Helen Collins, June Brewster, James Flnlayson, and a bevy of beauties who sln» and dance make up tho east. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. It Is a new and somewhat dishevelled Geor"e Arllss who appears in the Warner Bros, picture, "Tho Working Man." now showing at the Kilbirnle Kinema. This picture broke all records in its opening 'at "Radio City Music -Jlall. the largest theatre in tho world. , Bette Davis, who played with Mr. Arliss in V'The Man Who Played God," Is his leading lady, while Hardlo Albright the juvenile lead in "A Successful Calamity" has a similar part la the current picture. CHORAL UNION. The Royal Wellington Choral Union for its first concert of the present season has decided to put on v'erdi's grand opera "I! Ti ova tore,'- tiie perforinar.ee of whim ni'.l taUe rlace about the end* of Slay. Helie.irsais will commence tomorrow evening at b't Joliu'-, Schoolroom at S o'clock. Mr. Harry Bruscy will be in attendance at 7.20 the same evening for the purpose of testing voices. There are vacancies in all sections, but particularly for tenors and basses. MAJESTIC LOUNGE. A farewell week for Tommy Strattou and his band is being held at tho Majestic Lounge and Cabaret, when the popular players appear nightly at the dance session. From Saturday next Ivan Perricr and his band of nine musicians' selected from all parls of New Zealand will bo introduced. The combination promises to be the most outstanding of Its kind in the Dominion. Several Innovations which should further enhance the popularity of tho loungo arc being introduced, both during tho luncheon and tea hours and tho cabaret sessions. TIN HAT CLUB. The next Korero of the Tin Hat Club of the Returned Soldiers' Association will be held on Wednesday In the n.S.A. rooms, 13 victor™ Street, at 8 p.m. There will be as guests officers and men of the New Zealand Navy and iin excellent programme has been arranged These koreros are proving very popular, and are tho means of all returned men meeting old comrades in a "diggers'*" atmosphere. AH returned men should not miss these korpros as Ihe club was formed to cement the old wartime friendship In a way not hitherto attempted Admission In concert Is. supper provided. The Jolly Fellows' dance committee wilt hold their weekly dance at the St Jude's Hall. Freyberg- Street, Lyall Bay", this evening. Four hours of good fun are assured patrons. Lucky spot, grand Moute Carlos, twilight dances, etc. Late bus leaves Lyall Bay terminus at U.Sa' p.m. Miific by (.. Parsons' Select Orchestra.