WERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 18, 21 July 1934, Page 6

WERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

; The lives, loves, and hates . oE, circus .people..are depicted graphically in "The (Red-; Wagon'^at the/ Regent '• Theatre. I'rom the point of view of acting, pre- ' sensation, and theme, there is; much to ; commend the picture. There is a strong 'cast -which, includes Charles Bickford, Raquel Torres,'and Greta Nissen. Left an orphan at an early age, Joe Prince, who "has the circus blood in his veins, joins a •travelling show in England. By perseverance and hard work he rises to the .stat act, and on the death, of tho "boss," ■who has more or less fathered him, he be.comes proprietor of the circus. Falling in love with the pretty star of a tiget;tatning ! act, he is betrayed by his best triend, and •niarries a beautiful gipsy girl on the rebound. Then the trouble starts. Being a .'.gipsy his wife, is not accepted by the ; circus folk, and when she starts inter■fering the performers and hands leave one 'by-one.. On,"top.of this another circus •forestalls him at ..every'.town, and the 'climax.comes, when after a hand-to-hand Vfight; between his men'and his rival's men his wife clears \ off with her lover and her .husband's money.. Realising that he canin6t carry on,.he;sells the circus to his "rival and bids farewell to all his friends. 'When he arrives in London a proposition Jis put up to him to "stage an equestrian •act with a'pretty girl, the latter being for •the purpose of lending sex. appeal to tho ■performance. -. After much . hesitation ho agrees, and on meeting his partner-to-be .finds she- is the girl whom he had loved •when at the height" of his, career.,.'.'. The .picture, is filled, with the romance and .glamour of.the sawdust ring, and is crbwd,ed'with' incident. The supporting -pro-' gramme is of a high standard.. .

GRAND OPERA HOUSE;

With' Wallace Beery and George Raft as rivals; for the. slap-stick, .rough and tumble popularity which meant leader.ship.ih the bad o!3 days when the Bowery %aS a sailor's paradise, where a fight could be found without; looking for it, the success of "The Bowery" at the Grand Opera House is thorough. Beery is the king of the only saloon in this street o£V queer, gamblers, confidence men, and worse.-Then ifc ,was the fashion amongst young bloods, who today would-gyrate in a night club, to seek rougher fun in this quarter of .New York, and judging by ''The Bowery/ they/never were allowed to ; miss it.; Beery, as' Chuck Connors,- is a sport,: quaintly -uncouth and "boorish. Raft, as "Steve," is quite a polished gentleman by comparison, but nevertheless a sport also. The rivals are leaders.of bitterly opposed-fire-brigades, and the finest scrap of a aeries is,presented Avhen the, brigadesmen clash: at a fire. Chuck,rashly wagers that he will hand over his saloon to Steve if Steve jumps off Brooklyn Bridge. Steve has everything ready to drop a dummy,heavily weighted, and swim out under water from below the bridge td rise at the ,righi time,, but they steal his dummy, and he has to make .the jump.' Standing watch over the saloon-to stave off a raid by Carrie Nation with an army of Pro-; hibition women, Chuck is told that Steve .has. survived, and invites Carrie : into Steve's saloon, where the wreck is awful. Jackie Coogan plays a big part. The ending le quaint. The supports are above the average in quality.; ! ■"•'"•:

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Twoiavourite film stars, Edward Everett Horton and Genevieve Tobin, head the1 cast in "Uncertain Lady," an unusual film of the eternal triangle which is now being screened at the De Luxe' Theatre. The picture reveals what happens when a modern, sophisticated business woman loses Her husband to another girl. She vis quite willing to let her husband go, but expects another in return. That, at least, is what she says, and as she is too busy ."to1 lurk and lure a new husband she places upon her defaulting spouse the duty of finding his successor. His efforts, are not very successful, and when the lady herself takes a hand in the. game the house party at which: most of the action takes place' assumes quite a new aspect. For tho wife knows a very, wealthy and very attractive shipowner (Paul, Cavanagli) and when he comes.to the rescue there is a change all round. The husband is not co certain that he.wants a new wife, the new wife is quite certain that she prefers die millionaire; .and : the present wife begins to. •have doubts about the success of her little plan.- Then the party breaks:up and there is a quite unexpected ending. In the large cast,. supporting Horton and Miss Tobin, \ who play; the parts of the couple,around ■which, the action'revolves, are.Renee Gadd, Mary Nash, George Meeker, and Dorothy: Peterson. . The supporting bill includes the latest newsreels,. a cartoon film "The Gingerbread Boy," a novelty number, a comedy, and Mr. Paul T. Cullen singing and playing a series of 'gipsy songs and' up-to-the-minute frivolities.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Ag the'title might suggest, "The \Man! \Vho Changed His Name," 'which, is now>l being shown-at the. Paramount Theatre, is a thriller of a stirring type. It has an engaging Edgar Wallace plot, with something o£ the unusual in it, and a good cast of players.. Naturally one would expect a murder* or so in a Wallace plot, and '"The Man Who Changed His Name" is! 'no "exception to' the generally accepted 'form of mystery tale, composition. The film ia on somewhat, novel lines, but throughout the atmosphere o£ mystery is ■ maintained and the climax is altogether surprising.^ The plot:concerns the welfare, —or lack of it-of a young man whose; mode x>f life raises complicated problems.l These he itopes to. straighten out by : ob-: £taining;:,the lease of a stretch.of land in1 Canada, on which he has been :assured there may be found large quantities >of silver, grade. A plus. The wife jof the owner of: the' land is a former sweetheart of the Would-be prospector, and a.rehewal . of, associations., is indicated." The sweetheart, ; howeveri has married- a wealthy Canadian landlord around whom an ait of mystery has developed. Things become considerably mixed up in the ensuing exchanges of .fate,, which are somewhat .aggravated by. a threat of murder. A .strain.or.intelligent humour runs through -the -filmi Lyn Harding and Betty Stockfeld, take the leading roles. '..' ; n The famous talking picture '"Sorrell and Son," the story.of Warwick Deeping's greatest'booky will begin its Wellington' season at-the-matinee performance at the' iParkmount Theatre next Friday. Box plan facilities are now open. The magnetic points about "Sorrell and Son" as filmed by British and Dominions, Kirn's are the merit and popularity of the. splendid book,1 the big success scored by the silent version of the film, and" the remarkable strength .ot the acting cast in the present production; That very fine English actor. H. B. Warner,; whtv scored a triumph in. the silent version," again sustains, the part of the elder "Sorrell," and iia impersonation of the role is admitted-by. the critics to be "a masterpiece of acting,for the screen." A feature of the film is the beauty of the English scenery, -

KINO'S THEATRE. >

An unusual theme,, involving the adventures of a handsome aid magnetic rogue masquerading as a famous..surgeon, was* hit upon for:the production of j "Bed*1 side, at ■ the ■ Kind's Theatre.-. The! raasquerader, played by Warren William,! has a way:with women which wins him tris-: Biendous success in the profession. In fact, it-is this way with women,'together with hia passion for hard liquor ana the gaming -table, that is responsible for his dismissal .from ,a,medical school.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

: Clarfc ■': Gable : and Jean Har'low ap-, pear together in "Red Dust" at the' Queen's • Theatre. "Red Dust"- ia a romantic adventure story laid amid the: rubber plantations of Indo-China.The screen version was filmed on a pretentious scale. The plantation setting alone occupied an entire sound-stage. Porches, mat roofs, and-floorings of rough-hewn timbdr construction were duplicated from photographs. The second attraction is the intriguing romance, "Shipmates," starling. Robert .Montgomery, Ernest Torrence, Dorothy Jordan,-and Hobart Bosworth. ■ -~-.-. ■ , • .

GLIDE SKATING RINK,

m This evening's session at the Glide Skating Kink in Wakefield Street will be from 7.30 to II p.m. The popular Glide Melodlans Band will be in attendance, featuring latest melodies.: Novelties to be introduced during the evening will include "Lucky Number" and "Singing Trios." A separate link for beginners enables novices to enjoy the programme equally as well as the more advanced skaters.

STATE THEATRE.

Evidence of ,the pride that New Zealandcrs,take in the beauties and glories of .their country is the fact that 7 "Romantic'" New Zealand" is now in its second week of screening at the State Theatre, and f attracting a, .crowded house'at every session. The intrinsic merit of the picture itself is another reason for its popularity, for it is an entertaining combination of travelogue, historical picture, and variety show. Commencing with-the discovery of New Zealand by the Dutch voyagers and with Cook's visit at a later date, the film goes on to depict with a wealth of detail the lives and customs of the Maoris and the scenic wonders of the Dominion. To tho accompaniment of a' pleasant explanatory voice tho camera takes one on a tour of the thermal wonders of the North Island,' of big game and : trout fishing places in sea and river, of the Tongariro National ■ Park and Mount Cook winter sports grounds, of Otago and West Coast goldminirig areas, arid of the glaciers and forests, and agricultural and pastoral country of the j whole Dominion. Topical views are presented of the four main centres —Of Auckland and its'beautiful harbour, of the 'capital s city: from1 the air, with intriguing glimpses of its suburbs; and of the architectural -beauties of Christchurch ■ and Duriedin. An outstanding feature .of the film is the use in many parts of the Trucolour process, a: New Zealand invention which reproduces every cdlour with the fidelity of, Nature itself. A sunset tond; sbine, seascapes transferred to-thel screen ■by -this pi'ocess are strikingly brilliant and beautiful. Altogether, "Romantic New Zealand" creates a more than'favourable impression, and its ? advertising ; value overseas should be enormous.; On.the same programme is "Red Ensign," a gripping story of tho British.mercantile marine. .'.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

When a husband tries to deceive Ins wife, he is.:almost certain to become involved in a series of difficulties.- This ia especially true if he is assisted in his fabrications. by one. as dumb as: Stan Laurel, :whp, with his. side-splitting, eye-; brow-raising, partner, Oliver Hardy, is seen in their comedy, "Sons of the Desert," which.will be shown at the Kilbirnie Kinetna tonight. Assisted by a notable oast, including' Charley Chase, .Mao Busoh, Dorothy Christy,' and Lucieni Littlefiold, a Situation of wife-deception is turned into a screamingly funny picture'that ably colours the mirth-provoking antics of the stellar comedy team. . ; ''

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

"Once'-to Every Woman," at Shortt'a Theatre, isibased on A. J. Cronin's magazine novelette, "Kaleidoscope in 'X..':" Pay Wray, is featured opposite Ralph Bellamy. The. story concerns the dramatic entanglement of the lives of a number of people in_ the love affair, of Miss Wray and a brilliant young Burgeon. A supporting picture is "The Line-TJp," which depicts what happens when a young detective-is forced to put his sweetheart through a grilling police line-up. ..:

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

;' "Take a, Chance," at the Britantiia Theatre, is a gay bit of nonsense concerning: the careers 6f four carnival side-show entertainers who become tired of "smalltown'life and decide to snatch ,fanie and fortune on Broadway. The picture follows tho of the four irrepressible youngsters/through the. .villainies ,of a crooked gambler and a jealous actress, and, ends „ with a double romance. "The King's Cup," from'a story by Sir Alan Cobham. and featurim; Dorothy Bouchier, ia also being shown.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

- Tonight "The Good Companions,", ■with; Jessie.Matthews, Britain's most charming star, in the starring role, will be screened at the Regal Theatre. This delightful picture showa the joys, triumphs, and loves of a band of' strolling players. The picture for next Monday and Tuesday is "I Lived With You." .

SEASIDE PICTURES.

. At the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight Bihg Crosby, will be seen in "Too Much Harmony." A group of show people are rehearsing for a. musical comedy.. Bing Crosby, engaged to the fascinating' golddigger Lily an Tashman," meets Judith Allen, thinks she has great stage possibilities^ makes :her a member of the show, rand promptly falls in love with her. The situation becomes embarrassing when he discovers that Judith is .virtually .engaged to JackOakie, part of her act. Oakie and Crosby comO; to blows, and, then to an understanding. , ■ ...,,«':•■'

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

'.. The workings of Scotland Yard,'a favourite background for authors of murder and detective stories, ■ are exploited, in "Mystery of Mr. X," Robert Montgomery's new starring vehicle at the Artcraft Theatre. -, The , story deals' ; with .the alarm, ..caused in _ London over the fatal stabbing of six • policemen,. in as many, nights, by a homicidal maniac. Mr,, X. - kills his. sixth victim outside the house where Revel, an attractive gentleman burglar, is robbing a safe of the Drayton diamond; which gives the police the theory that if they find the diamond they find X. : . -

RIVOLI THEATRE.

A feast of merriment is in store for Rivoli patrons tonight, when "The Gold Diggers of 1933" will commence a special season. It is said to be the most' lavish and ornate musical ever produced.as a talking picture; Two hundred girls in silken hellical skirts dance on a hellical stairway in the exquisite ."Shadow Waltz" number. During the dance.the' girls play on illuminated : violins, winding -around the gigantic stairway. The "Pettin' in the Park" number is a triumph in motion picture achievement. , "We're in the Money" is another masterpiece of artistry. There is a strong dramatic story interwoven with the musjc, song, and dance., Joe B. Brown jwill appear in the comedy "You Said a.Mouthful" as the supporting picture. T,he usual [short subjects are inducted in this fine programme. .

BROOKLYN PICTURES,

_ Inneiv secrets of city politics, the working of the underworld, and an astounding story-i of.'the rise of a gang-ruler are en-: grossing elements of "The Secret Six," a drama of modern American life, which is how playing at the Brooklyn. Theatre. Wallace Beery^ plays the. principal role. The cast also includes Lewis Stone, John Mack Brown, .Jean ■ Harlow, Marjprie Rambeau, Paul Hurst; Clark Gable, and Ealph Bellamy. ■

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE,

Lilian Harvey plays her second role in American films in "Myl Lips Betray," which "will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre; Moora; this evening. Kernell, the composer 6f the song and thematic numbers for this1 picture, introduced the idea of definite plot stories in musical photoplays, with action predominating. "Where musij! is employed/ he states, "it is used primarily to- establish, moods beyond the range of the camera. The old form, now happily in disrepute, was patterned after the stage technique^ with its structure, false-plots; and illogical .sequences/ exaggerated to extremes." . '.....'

,-NEW.ROYAL ROLLER.RINK

The' remodelled Royal Holler Kink ' in •Vivian Street is now run on exclusive lines.. An extended session is being held this evening, with special attractions. Tho celebrated Australian saxophonist Ivan Royston will bo .heard in a solo, number with vocal, accompaniment, and in conjunction with the' Royal Skating Band will "render special musical hits. The skating programme will" include some interesting' novelties, including Mystery Train, Monte Carlo, Vice-Versa Partners, 'Excuse-me Partners, Gliding Partners, etc. A dainty cafeteria supper is available .in the redecorated upstairs, lounge. . ....!

NAVY LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING.

Tho annual meeting of the Wellington branch of tho Navy League ib to be held.oh Monday,'at B,p.tn., in Gamble and Creed's rooms, Lambton Quay. Not only members, but all citizens who are interested in the peace and defence of the Empire, and who iite concerned about the adequate ■proteci tion of our trade routes, ore invited to attend. Mr. J. B. Callan, X.0., will deliver an address, which will be followed by a musical programme. Supper will be provided. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, a vice-president of tho league, will preside at the meeting. The annual meeting of the junior branch will be held the same i evening in the same place at 7 o'clock,

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Picture programmes aro showing signs of being varied in iuterest by the introduction of'other forms of entertainment. It is" noticeable that songs and music features are being interspersed regularly with> cinema "shorts," in themselves chosen for varied appeal. The Majestic Theatre has enlisted the aid of Silver's band of musicians, known as the Majestic Stage Presentation Band, and that feature during' the interval is very popular. Last night they played as the background for a dancing number by Miss Maida Wilson and Mr. Bert Cross. The main picture, "{sitting Pretty," is a production concerned with songs, and leads from New York to Hollywood, where Jack Oalrie, song writer, and Jack Haley, with Ginger Rogers, both singers, after varying experiences at last succeed and "sit pretty" tho star performers. Apart from the interest in the main characters in the talc, and there is a love development, it would be difficult to name a picture "which contains such a spectacular ballet number as that accompanying the solo "Did You Ever- See a Dream Walking." The "Hundred Hollywood Honeys" aro coordinated in every movement, making a marvellous spectacle. "Sitting Pretty" i9 a spectacular and tuneful production in which mirth and love are part; of the composite pattern.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The jmblle showed an excellent sense or anticipation of something good by crowding St. James Theatre last evening to seo 4 the film version of A. A. Milne's exceptionally clever, comedy Dover Road" (alias "Where Sinners Meet"). As a legitimate stage .performance "The Dover KoacK' has left bright memories wherever played, and its production in Wellington some years ago by amateurs was evidently no exception, for its drawing power was proved last night by the overflowing house. And the audience was in no degree disappointed by the sparkling performance ~Of Clive Brook, Diana Wynyard, Billie Burke, and a well-chosen team of supports. This picturised version of "The Dover Road" specialises in three of tlie Milne characters—Anne, Latimer, and Eustasia. In some respects Eustasia is the beßt. .character in the story, for she is a character that lives in everyday life, and Billie Burkes Eustasia deserves tc rank with the work of the two stars. Tile fussy woman Who plagues men to death irith her minute and persistent attentions proved to bo well within , Miss Burkes range, and there is not a dull moment Belong as Eustasia is tormenting her male victims. From artists of the standingl of I Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook a finished [performance of the leading rqleg is to bo expected, and they give it. Miss .Wynyard (Anne) is radiant femininity. In his plai tonic attempt to bring amourists to a sense of reality/(before'they make .the'.I'final. plunge) Clive Brook (Latimer ; ) is supported by Gilbert Etnery as the masterful-butler. The male amourists are i Reginald Owen (Lord Leonard) and Alan Mowbray (Nicholas). In the first part of the programme tho Ely Culbertson bridge-play and the cartoon are entertaining; and the newsre'els are particulaiy bright, and varied.... ,

PRINCESS THEATRE,

Greta Garbo plays in the title role of "Queen Christina," at the Princess Theatre. "Queen Christina" is the story of Sweden's glamorous regent o£ the seventeenth century who sacrificed her, country and. her throne for love and religious motives. Christina, besieged on all sides by wars, obtains peace for her country against the wishes of Sweden's triumphant armies. During an incognito flight from the worries pi statecraft sho meets Gilbert, the handsome, Spanish envoy, and falls in love with Kirn. The love affair ends tragically, and Christina sails away from her homeland. ; , :

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

'. The Gaumont-British comedy, "Happy Ever After," is being ; shown at Our Theatre tonight. The story concerns two' window-cleaners who fall in love with .a; delightful little girl up from the country who possesses one ambition— to bo a Hollywood film star. Their companionship is broken by quarrels over the fair charmer, ■ and although the onlooker gets' a, lot of laughs out of the situation they become very gloomy.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

■Janet Gaynor and Lionel Barrymore play the leading roles in "Carolina" atitlio Empire Theatre. Laid against a background of tobacco plantations, the story centres about adecadent southern family strivingto regain its former glory. The son of the family falls in love with a poor girl, who breaks down the icy dignity of the aristocratic family and brings prosperity and happiness to.-the old! plantation.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR

-. In -Nellie!" Paul Muni and Glcnda Farrell are/seen in a picture, at the Capitol Theatre, which combines thrills With hilarious laughter as the hard-hitting editor of a newspaper is d-osrated to writing the "heart throbs" column. The second feature, "Master of Men," tells the story.rof a;mill-nand who becomes the dominating figure of the steel industry.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER ■■■:',': ■■■■■■-:'■ HUTT. - ' ,

"Aunt' Sally ia the current attraction at the' King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. Cicely; Courtneidgo delights with her ■ hiiihitable flair for burlesque, I whether of singer or dancer. In particular her Apache dance, which terminates the film,- is a remarkable achievement, quite apart ■ from ita inirth-provoking qualities. The picture is packed with fun, interspersed with bril-liant-and eye-delighting cabaret sequences, the!masßing of dozens of beautiful chorines and dancers beifcg. extremely effective in the many delightfully .tuneful numbers.

PORT NICHOLSON BAND.

; The Port. Nicholson Band will give a recital in the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow [evening.. The;.band's concerts are noted as beingjamong the best that are given in the Dominion, and an excellent programme has been arranged for tomorrow. Talented artists to appeal include! Mr. Paul Gullen, who will be at the Wurlitzer organ and will also sing "In the Valley of the Moon." A welcomo reappearance will be made by Miss Myra Sawyer, who has sung at most of the principal concerts throughout the Dominion', and. on this occasion she will be heard in "I Love the Moon." Mr. Dan Hopa, the popular Maori baritone, will sing "The.Desert Song," and Miss Jean Cerchi, the well-known child artist, will be heard in "Bird Songs at Eventide." A feature of the concert will be the appearance of the ventriloquist Mr. Vivian MidIdleton, who at a previous concert was re[ceived enthusiastically. He will entertain [with "Ventriloqual Verbosity." Mr.Frank E. Crowther will1 act as accompanist. The band items will include the hymn "Prayer Song," the overture "If I Were King," the selection "Lurline," a novelty, "Comin' Thro' the Rye," and the marches "0JR.8." arid "Liberty Bell."

ST. ANDREW'S BURNS CLUB

"My Robert Burni" will be the subject of the address by the president of the St. Andrew's Burns Club, Mr. Robt. Hogg, at the- inaugural ; meeting' on- Monday evening in the Rechabite Hall> Willis Street. A programme of musical and elocutionary items will be given by wellknown exponents of the poet's,works. All interested, in the cultivation of Scottish 'literature and song are invited to. be present. ' .

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

I With Joan Crawford and Clark Gable headlined, a fine series of .song, hits, a I thrilling cavalcade' of chorus ensembles, and a sensational drama as story motivation,' "Dancing Lady," which screens tonight arid Monday night at the Do Luxe. Theatre, Lower Hutt, reaches new heights in screen musical entertainment. The 'dancing1, particularly' Miss Crawford's efforts with the world-famed Fred Astaire, is unusual, and the brilliant ensemblo work and presentation of the musical numbers sets a new level for spectacular film ontertainmenti The supporting programme in- ! eludes the Mickey Mouse- cartoon "Mickey's Mechanical Man" and a Charlie Chase comedy. "Puppets of Fate" screens next1 Tuesday and • Wednesday nights, and "Night of the Garten" next Thursday and Friday nights t ..

The annual: report of tho Wellington branch of tho Navy League records the deaths of a number of members, including Mr. Cecil W. Palmer, for many years lion, secretary of the branch; Mm. Macarthy >Reid, a supporter for many-years; Dr. W. E. Herbert, a life member; Captain Parker, R.N., president of the Auckland branch; and Mr. J. Waddell Smith, president of .the ptago branch.