ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Gracie Fields returned to the Regent Theatre" today in what has been acclaimed her greatest success, "Love, Life, and! Laughter," an elaborately produced, merrymusical comedy, punctuated with five catchy, comical song hits. Gracie appears as a modern Nell Gwyn who has captured the heart of a prince. She hit him with an orange at a charity bazaar, and then stole his heart. With her bubbling, irrepressible spirits, she appears at court, where everyone is so prim and proper, where plump, 6traight-laced ladies in their long, flowing robes tread the measure with the dignified gentry of the populace, and conversation is carried on in hushed, stately tones. Of course, Gracie gets a little "fed-up," particularly when the prince leaves her to dance with a neighbouring princess whom the king has ordered him to marry. But the prince rebels against his father's commands and leaves his regal home to appease his wrathful Gracie. This is the beginning of a period of happinefs tor the two young lovers, during which they appear together in a talking picture, but the blissful apple-cart is upset when the king dies and the young man is called upon to ascend the throne. Of course, this does not end Gracie's cheerfulness, nothing can stop that—and the fun continues right to the end. The prince is played by that handsome young star, John Loder.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

After a successful season at the Regent Theatre, "Red Wagon" opened a season at the Grand Opera House today. "Red Wagon," a screen adaptation of Lady Eleanor Smith's romance of circus life, is a most unusual film in many ways, and is probably one of the most realistic pictures ever offered for public entertainment. The cast, which includes 25 featured players, is exceptionally strong; the plot is vivid and gripping from start to finish, and the whole'show is produced on a most lavish scale. A film or a story of circus life is always bound to get a good reception for there is a compelling lure about life around the sawdust ring. It is the behind-the-scenes life that is fraught with sorrows and heartaches, with loves and jealousies, and sometimes with tragedies. It is such a story that is unfolded in "Red Wagon," which tells of the ambition's and loves of a circus owner whose whole life is almost wrecked- by the faithlessness of those whom he loved.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen play together in "No More Women," a riotous *aga of salvage divers, which commenced at the De Luxe Theatre today. Divers by day and Romeos by night, they fight and caress their way through a veritable cyclone of adventures and romance. It all begins when Lowe "outsmarts" MeLaglan, a diver on a competing salvage tug, by recovering 20,000 dollars in gold from a submerged rum-runner. Matters are not improved when the tug on which Vie works is inherited by a young and attractive girl, played by Sally Blanc. Eddie promptly quits his boat to join her crew, causing Vie to be demoted.- From then on the fun is intense, with more than a sufficient number, of sirens to give the rival ;divers cause for conflict. Along with the comedy, the picture unfolds thrill after thrill, reaching a climax in a desperate fight for life on the ocean bottom.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

The famous talking picture "Sorrell "and Son" opened- at the Paramount Theatre today. Concerning its ' season in Melbourne the "Argus" wrote: "The unbounded success of this splendid talking picture is easily, accounted for. Built on the story of Warwick Deeping's best-selling book, a truly worth-while play has resulted. There is something to! be enjoyed in seeing it—much to be learned from it. It presents a gripping story and it points a splendid moral. There has been none better, and there is never likely to be. Excellent dramatic material is often spoiled by mediocre acting. That is not so in respect to 'Sorrell and Son.' A better cast could not be assembled, or wished for. Every player in the piece bears himself or herself with real distinction. Standing out with great prominence, is the sterling English actor H. B. Warner, who is seen as "Sorrell,' the part he made so endearing in the silent film of years ago. His beautiful speaking voice of true emotional power enables him to excel in the talking picture the wonderful work x he put into the silent film."

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

The double-star Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer programme now showing at the Queen's Theatre provides an unnsual treat for intending patrons. The ever-popular and adorable Joan Crawford will be seen in Bayard Veiller's sensational stage success "Within the Law," with a thrilling underworld plot. Miss Crawford is ably supported by a big star cast, including Eobert Armstrong, Marie Prevost', Kent Douglass, aud other favourite players. The second attraction is the mystery thriller "Guilty Hands," starring Lionel Barrymore, Kay Francis, Madge Evans, William Bakewell, and Polly Moran. In addition there is the screening of the first chapter of the serial "The Pirates'" Treasure."

KING'S THEATRE,

Ida Lupino and Gibb McLaughlin are featured in "High Finance," now showing at the King's Theatre. It is a picture of fascinating interest, and bears a startling relation to recent chaotic events in the financial world dealing with big city operations. McLaughlin is seen as a tyrannical financier whose lust for power completely warps his mind to the human elements of life. Ambitious and merciless, his code is one that allows of no mistakes from his subordinates. The second attraction is "The Match King," with Warren William. An outstanding item on the supporting programme is "Lullaby Land," a Walt Disney coloured Silly Symphony. Box plans are at the D.l.p. and theatre.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

W. C. Fields and Alison Skipworth appear together at last in "Tillie and Gus," which commenced screening at the Britannia Theatre today. They play the roles of card sharps who, after emptying wallets and dodging sheriffs all the way from Shanghai to Nome, arrive back home to find their niece -and her husband practically penniless, due to the skinflint methods of a shyster lawyer. They decide to give the old crook a.bit of his own medicine, help themselves to a fortune, and bring happiness to the young couple. Leslie Howard in "The Mayor's Nest" and Episode 1 of the chapter play "Pirate Treasure," complete the' bill.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"Roman Scandals," the fourth annual musical comedy made by Eddie Cantor for United Artists, heads the programme at the Empire Theatre this evening. Cantor is again seen in a picture that leaves nothing to be desired in the way of bright entertainment. Three new and tuneful song hits are featured, and the spectacular dance ensembles and the thrilling chariot race are scenes that will be long remembered. A Walt Disney Coloured Cartoon, an Organlogue, a Cinesound Review, and two excellent newsreels complete the programme.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Two of the world's most famous movie stars will appear at the Regal Theatre tonight when "Carolina," with Janet Gaynor and Lionel Bariymore, will be shown. This picture is the most successful picture Miss Gaynor has yet made. The story is woven about a family of the Southern States. Supporting items include a Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Mad Doctor," a Magic Carpet travelogue, newsreels, and a further cartoon, "Beanstalk .Tack." On Monday and . Tuesday- "The Man Who Changed His Name," a thrilling Edgar Wallace story, wijl bo screened.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

"Under Montana Skies," with Slim Suinmcrville, Kenneth Harlan, ami Dorothy Gulliver, and "The Crusader," with 11. B. Warner, Evelyn Brent, and Xcd Sparks, will be screened for the last time at the Rivoli tonight. Tomorrow there will be specially selected programmes for the children at the matinees, and in the evening "Cynara," starring Ronald Colman and Kay Francis, will be the main attraction. "Sky Devils,", an exceptionally good comedy feature, with William Boyd, Spencer Tracey, and Ann Dvorak, will complete the programme.

STATE THEATRE.

An amazing and thrilling picture record of the world's heavyweight championship contest between Max Baer, the 24-year-old Jewish-American from California, and Trimo Camera, the Italian title-holder, is now. being shown at the State Theatre. A crowd of 52,000 people all eager to' follow their respective' champions, was gathered round the huga open-air Madison Square Garden Bowl at Aew York City when Max Baer stepped into the ring, to commence the fight that was to give back to America the heavy, weight championship of the world, which he captured by a technical knock-out in the eleventh/ round of a fifteen-round bout, lime and again Camera was knocked down to the canvas, only to rise and get ttack onea more into the most thrilling encounter the pugilistic work has seen for some time. Baer is officially credited with eleven knock-outs and one knock-down after two minutes sixteen seconds of tha ? n-ii V l6, eleventh round. As Camera tell it looked like a building toppling. For the last time he got up, after a thiea count, but the battle was over. Camera was in a daze; he tried to rise to his feet,' but the crowd was already cheering a new, champion. It is said that there was mora fast action in this bout than in all-tha' heavyweight fights of the last six years, together, . And RKO. have .caught every thrilling moment with the, camera. , '

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"Miss Fane's Baby is Stolen";.is novf] being screened at the Majestic Theatre, with Dorothea Wieck and * Alice Brady m the co-starring roles. The original story was written by Rupert 'Hughe's. In addition to . the above-named1 Players, the cast includes Baby Le Roy. wni- sue> Alan Hale' George Barbier. William Frawley, and "Spanky" MeFarland The story tells of Medeline Fane, * well-known screen star, who, ready ti>' leave for a location trip, goes into heft baby s bedroom for a last look at him. Tha baby has been kidnapped. She does not! notify the police, hoping to be able to deal direct with the gang responsible. When1 this fails, she fights with, all the forces of| law enforcement to bring about the saf« return of her child.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

A revelation of the inner, workings of » metropolitan police force in ■ tracking, criminals is made in the murder mysterjH drama '-From Headquarters," featuring George Brent and Margaret Lindsay,l now being presented .at the St. JameS .theatre. The story opens'with the mun der of a millionaire Broadway play-boy,l and follows the ■ search for the slayeri through scientific investigations at polica headquarters from the finger printing ofj suspects to then- inquisition in the dark-| ened third degree room. The mystery is made doubly baffling through a secondl murder which takes place under the very, noses of the police at headquarters, presumably to cover up the first crime. In-! vestigation reveals that.the. slain play-boy, has been involved in many blackmail, plot* as well as in clandestine love affairs, whichj opens the door to a number of suspectsi j

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

' A great character enacted' by the great* est of character actors is the chief attracj tion of "One Man's .Journey,". which, opened today.at Shortt's, Theatre. The sup-! porting cast of May Robson, Dorothy Jor-j dan, Joel McCrea, and Frances Dee ,im headed by the" inimitable Lionel Barry-! more. Barrymore's character is that afj a simple country physician who is a great human benefactor, but nevertheless consid^ ers himself a failure. . While the story! centres chiefly about the doctor's activi^ ties, it is rich in youthful romance, with. Miss Jordan and James Bush the ceiitral figures of an absorbing love-affair, andMcCrea and Miss Dee the principals of another. Even Barryrnore enjoys a "Decemi ber romance" with the veteran * actress. May Kobson, who is seen as his housekeeper. "Midshipman Jack," with Bruc* Cabot and Betty Furness, js the second: picture.

KILBIRNIE KINErtA

The merry ■ matrimonial mix-up "The Love Xest," starring the genial Gena; Gerrard and Camilla Horn, will ba screened for the last time at the Kilbirnia1 Kinema tonight. Greta Garbo will appear on Saturday in the title rale ,io£ "Queen Christina j",a picture rich in acting,) vitality, and pictorial splendour. Prominent in- the supporting cast are John Gilbert, Lewis Stone, lan'Keith, and Elizabeth Allen, (hying to the length of tha programme the matinee will commence at 2 p.m. instead of 2.15 p.m.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

An exceptional double-feature pro« gramme will be shown at Our Theatre to* night. Laurel and Hardy's comedy "Sons of the Desert" is a funny story, and the comic pair make it even funnier. -A» husbands who have to deceive their wives in order to attend the Sons of the Desert convention in a distant city, they keep the audience convulsed as the comic situations unfold to their extreme discomfort in each, case. The second feature, "Hold That Girl," co-stars James Dunn and Claire Trevor. The story is of a young detective who falls in love with a girl reporter.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

The elaborate film presentation of."Bitter Sweet," ranking at the top among Noel Coward's successes, will commence this evening at the Artcraft ' Theatre; "Bitter Sweet" is sheer romance, telling the story of the deathless love of the beautiful Sari for the handsome but penniless fiddler Carl. Carl -and Sari elope ■to Vienna, where Sari sings and Carl leads the orchestra in a gay cafe, and where bitter mixes with the sweet when a captain refuses to be discouraged in his attentions to the lovely Sari. The romance is told to music, also by Noel Coward. Among the supporting subjects is a Mickey Mouse cartoon, a musical novelty, a scenic film of the Western Highlands, a Pathe Gazette, and" a Fox News. The opening chapter of the serial "Pirate Treasure" will be shown at the matinee tomorrow.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

After almost half a year of production,' "The Cat and the '"Fiddle" commenced screening at the Princess Theatre' today. It ia one of the moist- delightful musical romances from the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer studio yet seen on the screen. Kanion Novarro and Jeanette Mac Donald are the co-stars. Each is not only a romantic 'favourite,' but an accomplished singei-. They are teamed for. the first time in this production, but their success has been so instantaneous and outstanding that SI.G.SI. is now reported to be seeking a new vehicle in which they may appear to* gether. It is a romantic musical drama, and includes such hit song numbers as "The Night was .Made for Love," ."She Didn't Say Yes," "Try to Forget," "One Moment Alone,"1 "A New Love is Old," and "The Love Parade."

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR,

"Aunt Sally," the most entertaining musical comedy that has yet been made in British studios, is screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight. Headed by Cicely Courtneidge, assisted by Sam Hardy, comedian, Billy Milton, internationally famous for his records, and Debroy Somers Band, these stars lead a merry, dance through the fastest, funniest musical comedy that has been screened for a. long time. At the matinee tomorrow at 2ila p.m. a thrilling jungle picture entitled "Rango" will be screened.

CONCERT AT NEWTOWN

A concert has been arranged by Miss Gracie Kerr for tomorrow evening in tha school hall of the JJewtown Congregitional Church, Constable Street. Mis* Kerr will present a very attractive programme, and it is hoped that there will be a good attendance. ; ;