ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 31, 6 August 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

"On Secret Service," a product of British International Pictures at the Regent Theatre, is a thrilling espionage drama against a background of the Austro-Italian front. Greta Nissen and Carl Dichl play the principal roles. The story opens in Vienna on- the eve ■of the outbreak of the Great War. An Italian spy, Marcella, meets and. falls in love with an Austrian officer who is also a secret service agent. Marcella is powerless to intervene wheu her colleague places evidence in the officer's rooms which, when discovered, leads to his arrest. He is given the oiler of a "gentleman's way out," but refuses. to take this course, asking to be allowed to undertake espionage work in Rome to vindicate his honour. He goes to Italy to obtain information against the country that is of vital importance to his native land, and while there he again meets Marcella, -whose love is put to a terrible test, for it is her duty to betray him. She pleads with him to leave Italy, before she is forced to expose him. There is a tense climax when he and Marcella are brought face to face with the cruel alternatives of duty to their respective countries and love for each other. "HAPPY" AT THE REGENT. The next attraction 'at the . Regent Theatre is the 8.1.P. production "Happy," with which it is claimed Britain Will set a new standard in musical pictures.

"Happy" is a merry, musical melange with a cast of.'star comedians which might easily grace a Royal command performance, including as it does such names as Stanley Lupino, Jimmy Godden, Laddie Cliff, "Will Fyffe, Gus McNaugliton, and Harry Tate. It is a glittering, production with songs to catch the ear, beautiful costuming to please the eye, uproariously fast and hilariously funny comedy with fulsome enjoyment to make it the perfect entertainment to please the whole family. Dorothy Hyson is the leading lady, and is one of the most popular feminine stars'.on the London musical comedy stage, and it would seem that in this film the British producers have definitely set themselves out. to eclipse any and every similai? film which has come out of tlie London studios.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE

Graeie Fields, England's most popular comedienne, plays the leading role in "Love, Life, and Laughter," the extravaganza now at. the Grand Opera House. It is indeed a bright production. In her inimitable manner Miss Fields sings the song of the same name as the production, on several occasions in different circumstances. Perhaps the most laughable incident is that which, takes place on a "royal" and formal occasion, when, asked by "royalty" to withdraw, she departs singing "Out in the Cold, Cold Snow." The supports are excellent, including ,a short Maori love theme with a background of legend,. a fine scenic feature showing the waterways of Venice, and an extremely clever coloured sound cartoon, "The Little Red Hen/'

DE LUXE THEATRE.

"Disraeli" is now making a return season at the De Luxe Theatre. "Disraeli" takes full advantage of the artistic liberties allowed the author who would deal in history, and is firstrate entertainment,' full of humour, dramatic situations, suspense, and- intrigue, and spiced with a very kindly spirit. The endeavours of Disraeli to complete the purchase of the_ Suez Canal shares ahead of Russia, the manner in which he fights the spies of that country and rises to meet an emergency with a : superb piece of bluff, the quaint Victorian setting and excellent casting, all make th.is an exceptional film. In the supporting cast are Joan Bennett, Florence Arlisa. Anthony Bushell, David Torrence, and Doris Lloyd.

One of the outstanding screen, productions of the year, "Sadie McKee," starring Joan Crawford, opens at the Be Luxe Theatre on Friday. With a supporting cast including Franehot Touo, Gene Raymond, Esther Ralston, Edward Arnold, Earl Oxford, Jean Dixon, and Leo G. Carroll, the .story is said to be one of the most gripping ever translated to the screen. "Sadie McK.ee" is a vivid dramatisation of the average American girl.._A cook in a small town falls in love with a carefree young man, who works for her mother's employer. She elopes and tries her luck in ■ New York. Hardship and struggle await her. Her young man deserts her. She takes what jobs she can get, and never despairs. She is catapulted into the luxury of 17,000,(300 dollars when in'desperation she marries a drunken millionaire. Saving his life from alcohol, she seeks to save her own soul by escaping. Another man comes into her life. Yet she still loves her small town friend, who meets a tragic fate. The conclusion holds a tremendous surprise.

KING'S THEATRE.

"The Song of the Plough,". a Britishmade picture at the King's Theatre, is the story of English farming, and it is also a beautiful picture of Nature, of man's everlasting struggle with Nature, and of man's allies in that struggle, the patient animals of the farm. There is romance in the domestic life, in the devotion of the mother to her men-folk in the hour of their economic stress, and in the mutual affection of the tiny daughter and her faithful 6heep-dog. . This animal's performance in the sheep-driving competition is almost human. At one stage, through the agency of the villain (well played by Mr. Alan Jeayes) the gorse is fired to prevent the dog from working his sheep, yet he shiceeeds. Full of incident, too, are many of the other scenes, and all the farm animals, from the noble horaee,to the stately and sedate geese, play their part. There are two series of scenes which are so full of colour and of humn nature that they will live in memory. One series concerns the life-of the inn, but even more funny and pointed is '. the repartee at the stockyards. This farm picture^ is really a farm poem. In the supporting programme, "London" blends the spirit of Westminster Abbey with the modern might of the world's commercial-centre.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

. The sound screen version of Warwick Deeping's well-known novel "Sorrell and Son" has proved so popular that the local season at the Paramount Theatre has been extended. It is the story of a father's love for his son. Captain Sorrell (H. B. Warner) after the war finds himself unemployed. His wife leaves him, but his young son remains loyal to him. The pair set out to find work, the bond of understanding between them having been sealed. Asl a porter who has pocketed Iris pride and determined to make a success of his son as a 6urgeon, H. B. Warner gives a realistic version. The porter's burdens are offset by the father's joys. The surgeon and Molly Peutreath (Winifred Shotter) manifest' another love without detractiug from the old, father-Son love, and the father languishes from heart disease.

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

"The Right to Romance" is now being shown at Shortt's Theatre. It is a story of a celebrated lady plastic surgeon who forsakes a brilliant career in her search for romance and glamour. Ann Harding appears in an entirely new type of characterisation. "Long Lost Father," features John Barry more in a pictiirisation of G. B. Stern's novel, depicting the attempts of a father to gain the love of a daughter twenty years after he deserted her as an infant., . , .

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

In "Every Woman's Man," at the Britannia Theatre, Mas Baer,,the famous boxer, plays the part of a young boxer who in a speakeasy attracts the interest of a trainer. By slow stages he rises to championship form, but then comes the debacle. Women interfere with the serious business of the boxer's life, and a wife knows the torture of jealousy. But love always wins out. There is a thrilling fight between Camera and Baev.

"THE CIRCASSIANS."

I The second subscription concert for 1934 of "The Circassians" will be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber tomorrow night at S o'clock. Lovers of singing are promised a pleasant evening's entertainment. A choral fantasia of national airs arranged by Cuthbert Harris is sure to please, and "Alouette." the Freneh-Canad-ian folk song, is being repeated, as the result of many requests. "The Circassians" comprise 73 voices under the baton of Thomas Wood, and the pianist is Isa Anderson, t.A.B. Tljg box aJafi 35 at

STATE THEATRE,

"Devil Tiger," at the State- Theatre, has a slender plot, which tells of the struggles of a small party of white explorers against the ever-present jungle perils, chief of which is the "devil tiger," but the principal interest of the picture lies in the realistic presentation of the activities of the jungle' beasts, for every sequence was photographed and its sound recorded in its natural locale. Views are given of terrific fights between. a "tiger and a crocodile, a python and a, leopard, and a hyena and a Malayan bear, to mention but a few of the thrilling incidents with which the picture is filled. The film is claimed to be the first draina of feature length ever made in the jungle proper, and its excellence can be judged from the fact that Clyde E. Elliott, who made it, was the director,of "Bring 'Em Back Alive." Because of its detailed record of the primeval forests oE Asia, and their savage denizens, "Devil Tiger" is one of the most unusual and instructive talking pictures that has even been shown. To balance the programme is a light comedyromance, "Ever Since Eve," in which Herbert Mundin, George O'Brien, and the dainty Mary Brian are combined, with a strong supporting cast.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

"Men iii White" is now screening at -. tjie Majestic Theatre. As a -doctor, "Clark ■ '©able ■' 'plays i; the ■partl of a man... torn between -his- duty to his patients and' career and His more personal emptions for an attractive' young heiress (Miss Myrna Loy). The heiress fails to appreciate the demands of his profession upon the doctor, and in the end the couple are obliged to make a breach in order that his career shall not bo ruined. Jean Hersholt and Elizabeth Allan have excellent parts. On the stage -Miss ..Kathleen O'Brien's,:tap specialists give an exhibition 'of the latest tap dancing, the accompanying music being supplied' by the Majestic Stage Presentation Band. .

UniversalV thriller, "The Black Cat," with Karloffi and Bela Lugosi, will commenco nexfc Friday at the Majestic Theatre. Karloff and Lugosi meet with a, lustful desire to wreak vengeance upon each other. An innocent young couple on their honeymoon become involved in their . sinister machinations.. The story is full of fantastic situations. Jacqueline Wells and David Manners,- the risingyoung star, supply an unusual team. Edna May Oliver and Edward Everett Horton commence their first starring roles together as a comedy team in "The Poor Eich," an up-to-the-minute laughable show based on present financial conditions, and their constantly comical complications are said to be-a veritable source of laughs. Edward's unfailing sense of humour'and Edna May's antics are supplemented by the work of Andy Deyine, Leila Hyams, Tkelma Todd, John Miljan, Una O'Connor, arid many others.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Kevue-vaudeville is the principal: attraction at the St. James Theatre, where Clem Dawe is. appearing with,a fine variety team. ' Dawe leads the comedy element, and his company includes Muriel O'Malley (contralto), Ann Luciano ■ (soprano), -Cliff O'Keefe, Joe Shriner, and also Geregory Ivanofi (violinist) The main diet is comedy and ballet. "A Telephone Tangle" is a clever skit on telephony, with Clem Dawe leading. "At Sunrise" is the shooting at dawn of the spy Mata Haii, with Clem Dawe, Dorothy White," and Joe Shriner. Quite different in quality is "The Newsvender," in which Clem Dawe appears as an aged seller of newspapers, squeaky and garrulous. Other sketches are "The Toymakers' Dream," "The Schoolroom," and "Plantation Days," The revue is preceded by a picture programme, the centre of which is "You're Telling Me," featuring W. C. Fields.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

"The Mystery of ; the Wax. Museum" will be presented finally this evening at the Arteraft Theatre. ■'

Deep into the animal-infested jungles of the darkest of the dark belts in Africa tread the famous comedians Bert Wheeler and Bob Woolsey, in their latest film comedy, "So This is Africa?" coming tomorrow night to the Artcraft Theatre. A hundred' beautiful, stalwart, and. blonde Amazon women, give evidence of the power of their breed and their deep and strongflowing passionate instincts, much to the embarrassment and suffering: of, the intrepid explorers, when they braye the terrors of the undiscovered interior' of the darkest of continents. "So This is AfricaV" is described as the most hilarious comedy that Wheeler and Woolsey have made. The programme will include a sport thrill film, a Krazy. Kafc'. cartoon,- a laughable comedy, and a "Screen, Snapshots." ;

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Ramon Novarro and Jeanette Maeßonald are .co-starred in "The Cat ■ and- the Fiddle," which closes tonight at. the Kilbirnie Kinema. It i^ a romantic musical drama, and includes some fine hit song numbers. Included in an excellent shipporting programme is an interesting Pete Smith Oddity entitled "Handlebars."

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"The Women, in His Life'^ is the main picture at Our Theatre tonight. Otto Kruger, Una Merkel, and Ben Lyon have the principal roles. It is the story of a spectacular trial lawyer who always wins the cases for his clients, be they guilty or innocent, who lets.a woman of his past wreck his future. The second feature is "Little Orphan Annie," starring Mitzi Green. The story deals with the heroic attempts of one little orphan to care for another. .'■ . ~

PRINCESS THEATRE,

In "Walls of Gold," at the. Princess Theatre, Kathleen Norris shifts her pen to the problem whether a "girl should accept love unquestionably or take the matrimonial offer of the highest bidder. Sally Eilers has the featured role, with Norman Foster in the masculine .lead opposite her. The supporting ' cast includes Ralph Morgan, Rosita Moreno, Rochelle Hudson, and Frederick Santley. "The First Mrs Fraser" is the second at' traction. . ' ... .. ■■ . .

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Three on a Honeymoon," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Sally Eilers, Zasu Pitts, and Johnny. Mack Brown. The story centres round a, spoiled and reckless girl who has been leading a hectic existence and decides to take a European cruise. Her escapades prove to be a constant, annoyance to the second officer, who although he assumes an impersonal attitude falls deeply in love with her. '; . ■■ .

PORT NICHOLSON SILVER BAND

Tlie concert of the Port Nicholson Silver Band last night was .a great success, there "being a large audience and much enthusiasm. Among the assisting ' artists were members of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association Male Voice Choir and Tin Hat Club, who were happily associated with the band in one of the most delightful programmes yet presented. Mr. J. J.. Drew handled his men excellently in their band numbers. The band items included the marches "Bradford/ "Half and'Ha If," and "It's the Band," the "Maid of the Mountains" selection,-and the idyll "In a Monastery Garden," during which the choir, off-stage, chanted the Monks accompaniment. Bandsman Clarrie Bell gave an effective xylophone solo, "Morning, Noon, and Night" (Suppe), and his encore number, "Ginger Snaps/' provided a j contrast. Mrs. Eoss-Brodie, of Rangitata, South Canterbury, was the only lady j soloist; she-made .a deep-impression with a mezzo-contralto _-voice; ;of' exceptional beauty, artistically iised,-and- particularly well suited to her.■first number, Liszts Liebestraum" ("Love's Dream' ). The auidence demanded more, and Mrs. KoesBrodie Bang "Hills of Donegal and "Cockles and Mussels." Her appearance with the band ' was certainly a happy choice. The choir earig: under the able leadership of Mr. George Holloway, their harmony work being excellent in such choruses as "Rolling Down to Rio," "Comrades in Arms," "Jerusalem/' and "England" (both of which had band accompaniment that made them notable inclusions), "The Deathless* Army" (with,Mr. C. Wilks as soloist), and "Border Ballad." The choir contributed in no small measure to the success of the concert. Soloists were Mv. Alf. Elston, a tenor, whose light offerings were "Margarita" and "Yiddisher Irish Baby," Mr. Frank Cunliffe, who specialised in clever descriptive imitations in a scena entitled "A Round Trip," and Mr. Rear. Blow, who sang "luvictus," "The Drum 'Major," and "Tlie Little Irish Girl." Mr. Frank prowther- jvas atcain-

PLAZA THEATRE.

Varied entertainment - of a popular nature is provided in the first programme at the new Plaza Theatre. The feature picture is "Bright Side "Up," a satire on Hollywood methods, dealing with the successful efforts of three genial rogues to make producers tak'o notice of a talented, pretty little blonde. "Pat" Paterson is the blonde, and those who pave the. way— mostly by bluff—to enable her to aehievir her movie ambitions are "Smoothie'' King (Spencer ; Tracy), "Limey" Brock (Herbert Mundin), and "Spud" Mosco (Sid Silvers), each of whom docs some splendid work. "Pat" Paterson is an English stage star."blessed with good looks, a winning personality, and a pleasant voice. John Boles, as the actor she has admired from afar and • opposite whom, through the efforts of the enterprising trio, she finds herself playing before" loug, lias a good part, and he has a" fine voice. In addition to its rapid comedy, "Bright Side Up" introduces four song "numbers. "Waiting af the Gate for Katy," "Turn on the Moon," "Little Did I Dream," and "I'm Throwin' My Love Away." The supporting programme comprises two newsreels (one of which gives some interesting shots of the second cricket Test' at Lord's); a Terry Toon Cartoon, and a. Movietone Magic Carpet film, "The Rock of Gibraltar." ' : .

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"The Crime Doctor," starring Otto Kruger, heads the programme at the .Empire Theatre this evening. A murder case is unfolded before the eyes of the audience, every step of the crime in the killer's mind being depicted from the inception to the final solution, of the case. Karen Movley and Nils Asther play the leading supporting roles. Two excellent comedies and a Pathe News complete' the \ programme. On .Wednesday and Thursday /'Flying. Down to Rio" -will be screened. '

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Wheeler and Woolsey, tne'pbpular comedians, will again indulge in their sidesplitting tactics at the Regal Theatre, Karori, tonight, when "Hips, -Hips, Hooray" will be screened. Assisted by a huge cast headed by Thelma Todd, they go from one trouble to another in quick succession. The supporting- programme includes a Charlie Chaplin comedy, "The Count," a cartoon, and a 'iiewsreel. On Wednesday and Thursday,. "You Made Me- Love You" will be screened.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Spellbinding , .mystery, sophisticated humour, and the engaging romance o£ a master criminal and the feminine spy who is hired to track him down, are expertly blended in "Arsene'Lupin," at the Queen'» Theatre, starring John and Lionel Barrymore. John Barrymore gives one of the most delightful performances of his career, while Lionel Barrymore has never been seen to greater advantage. The second attraction is the. comedy "Stepping Out."