ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

REGENT THEATRE,

"On Secret Service," at the Regent Theatre, is a thrilling espionage drama. Gretii Nissen and Carl Diehl play the principal roles. The story opens in Vienna on tho eve of the outbreak of the Great War. An Italian spy, Marcella, meets and fulls in love with an Austrian officer who is also a secret service agent. MarcclUi's colleague places evidence in the officer's rooms which, when discovered, leads to his arrest. He refuses the offer of a "gentleman's way out," asking to be allowed to undertake espionage work in Rome to vindicate his honour. He goes to Italy to obtain information 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.

"Happy."

The next attraction at the Uegent Theatre is the B.I.I?, production "Happy," with which it is claimed Britain will Bet 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 McNaughton, 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 tho 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 similar film which has comp out of the London studios.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Gracie Fields, England's most popular comedienne, plays the leading rolo in "Love, Life, and Laughter," the extravaganza now at the Grand Opera House. It is.indeed a bright production, lv" 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 include a short Maori love theme, a scenic feature showing the waterways of Venice, and a clever coloured sound cartoon, "The' Little Red Hen."

DE LUXE THEATRE,

•■■'Disraeli.'' at the De Luxe Theatre, is first-rato entertainment, full o£ humour, dramatic situations, suspense, and intrigue, and spiced with a very Uindly 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 this an exceptional film. One of the outstanding screen productions of the year, "Sadie McKee," starring Joan Crawford, opens at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. With, a supporting cast including Franchot Tone,' 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 screeit. "Sadie McKee"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 17,000,000 dollars when in desperation she marries a drunken millionaire. Saving his life from alcohol, s"he 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. ■ '

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

•In its highly successful season, which clones at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow evening, "Sorrell and Son," the very fine picture based ou -Warwick Deeping's book, sustains the fascinating interest it holds for admirers of the worth-while in picture plays. H. B. Warner's performance of Sorrell will lnot easily be forgotten, and the support accorded by Winifred Shotter, Hugh Williams, Margot Grahame, Donald Calthrop, and Peter Penrose will be pleasant memories. The supporting subjects are interesting, and Paul T. Cullen sings at the organ. Lewis Casson is said, to have caused a sensation on the London screen by his remarkable acting in his first screen play, "Tho Night Club Queen," which will begin at tho Paramount Theatre next Friday. "The" Night Club Queen" is a play of very wide scope. It embraces tense drama, catchy songs, melodious music, dances, and novelties, and it is founded on a celebrated case which occupied the English Courts some years ago. Lewis Casson is seen as a famous barrister who is stricken with paralysis at the zenith of his brillinnt career. He has to relinquish practice, but when his wife faces a. grave charge in connection with the running of "Aunt Aggie's" fashionable night club, he wheels himself into court to defend the woman who has sacrificed her all to support him and her son. The members of tho supporting east, which includes Mary Clare and Jane Carr, are'all London stage celebrities.

KING'S THEATRE.

"The "Song of the Plough," 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 irj 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 sheep-dog. 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.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey appear in the depths of the African jungle in their comedy, "So This is Africa!" at the Artcraft Theatre. The real perils of the jungle encountered in this instance are not wild animals, but wild women, n highly amorous tribe of beautiful Amazons led ,by Raquel Torres. Wheeler and Woolsey fall more or less willing victims. "So This is .Africa!" takes its cuu from the numerous jungle tluillevs screened in recent months.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

"The Kight to Romance" is now being shown at Shortt's Theatre. It is a story of a celebrated iady 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. Barrymore in a picturisation 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.

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, Rochello Hudson, and Frederick Santley. "The First Mrs Frascr" is the secoud attraction.

In "Every Woman's Man," at the Britannia Theatre, Max Bacr, 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 Baer.

STATE THEATRE. "Devil Tiger," at the State Theatre, tells of the struggles of a Email party of -white explorers against jungle perils, chief of which is the "devil tiger." Views are given of ' terrific fights between a tiger and a crocodile, a python and a leopard, and a hyena and a Malayan bear. The film is claimed to bo the first drama 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 'Era Back Alive." Because of its detailed record of the primeval forests of 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 east. MAJESTIC THEATRE,/ In "Men in White," at the Majestic Theatre, Clark Gable plays the part of a doctor torn between his duty to his patients and career and his more personal emotions for an attractive young heiress (Miss Myrua Loy). The heiress fails to appreciate the demands of his profession, and in the end the couple are obliged to make a breach. On the stage Miss Ki-.thleen O'Brien's tap specialists give an exhibition of the latest tap dancing. Universal'^ thriller "The Black Cat," with Karloff and Bela Lugosi, will commence next 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 rising young 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 Rich," an up-to-the-minute laughable show based on pi'esent financial conditions, and i 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 Devine, Leila Hyams, Thelma Todd, John Miljan, Una O'Connor, and many others.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Revue-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 (solirano), Chtf O'Keefe, Joe Shriner, and also (Jeregory Ivanoff (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 Hari, with Clem Dawe, DorothyWhite, 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 Toyraakers' Dream," "The Schoolroom," and "Plantation Days," The revue is preceded by a picture programme, the centre of which is "You're Tolling ■ Me." featuring W. C. Fields.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Spellbinding mystery, ■ sophisticated humour, and the engaging romance of a master criminal and the feminine spy who is hired to track him down, are expertly blended in "Arsene Lupin," at the Queen's Theatre, starrin. 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." Fascinating under-water scenery, thrilling drama and action, and unforgettable romance are the ingredients or the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "The Sea Bat,'1 starring Eaquel Torres, Charles Bickford, John Miljan, and George Marion, which heads the double-star programme commencing at the Queen's Theatre on Friday. The second attraction will be John Gilbert, with Leila Hyams,. Lewis Stone, C. Anbrey Smith,.and Jean Hersholt in the baffling mystery play, "Phantom of Paris."

RIVOLI THEATRE.

"A Lady's Profession," which will be shown tonight at the Rivoli Theatre, is tho amusing story of a of titled Britons, -who decide to recoup the family fortune by opening a night club in New York. Their principal difficulty is not with the law, but with the bootleggers who supply them their stock. The latter, terrified at the thought of joining the breadline once Prohibition is,repealed, insist that the night club owners take far more liquor than they can dispose of. But the English . pair, in a series of highlyamusing incidents, succeed in beating the bootleggers at their own game.- On the same programme is "A Farewell to .Arms," with Helen Hayes, Gary Cooper, and Adolphe Menjou. , , .

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Tonight a delightful comedy, "You Made Mo Love You," will be screened at the Regal Theatre, Karori. Thelma Todd and Stanley Lupiuo play the leading roles in a story of a man who loves a girl with arapiev-like tongue who is the despair of her family. Supports includel a New Zealand scenic, "Secrets Of Nature," and a newsrocl. On Friday and Saturday Ralph. Lynn, in "Up to the Nock," his latest feature, will be screened.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

One of the strangest and < most exciting thrillers, "The Mystery of the_ Wax Museum," will be shown' at the Kilbiniie Kinema tonight. The story deals with a series of mysterious disappearances of both living persons and human bodies and the appearance of a terrifying monster.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

The R.K.O. special production "Flying Down to Rio" is to be screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. The picture, which unites air thrills and musical comedy-drama, reaches a climax by the staging of a girl show in mid-air, the performers enacting their roles and their dances on the wings of aeroplanes. Dolores del Rio, Gene" Raymond, Ginger Rogers, and Raoul Roulin head a large cast. A musical revue, a Pathe Audio Review, and a Pathe Newsreel complete the programme. On Friday and Saturday "Three On a Honeymoon" will be screened.

SEASIDE PICTURES.

At the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight, Ivor Novello will be seen in \I Lived With You." A charming young Russian prince, whose way of living and philosophy of life are completely unusual according to the usual standards, comes to live with a humble English family. Each member of the family comes under the spell of the attractive foreigner, until the entire house is completely disorganised. This forms the basis of this attractive story, in which brilliant comedy; alternates with charming sentiment.

APOLLO CHOIR CONCERT. Senia Chostiakoff, who is World^ famed by his association with the Don Cossack Choir and by his gramophone records made with them, will appear at the Apollo Singers' concert next Tuesday m the Town Hall. The tenor, in Russian costume, is to sing a' group of Russian folk-songs with choir accompaniment. On his second appearance he will sing Massenet s Elegy in French to Miss Ava Symonss violin obbligato, and then he will appear with Miss Myra Sawyer in the "Miserere, to be accompanied by the choir with bell effect. Mr. Paul Vinogradoff will play a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody. The choir is to sinf? "Pilgrims' Chorus" ana soldiers' Chorus," both vigorous numbers, in contrast to the tender Irish lullaby Men from the Fields." A rollicking laughing trio and five other part-songs are also included. Popular prices are arranged for the concert. The bos plans are at Begg s, where generous terms on subscribers concession tickets are also available to the public.

GLIDE SKATING RINK.

This cveninjr's session at the Glide Skating Kink. Wakefield Street, will be a special gala session, from'7.3o to 11 o'clock. In addition to the usual numerous games and special prizes, the programme will include many pleasant surpries. Mr. Ernest Quirke will bo heard in "Tell Me Tonight," and Mr. C. James will contribute n banjo solo. Skating variations will be featured by Miss Scott and Mr. Roffe, and there will also be tap-dancing by .Miss Williams and three pupils. The Glide Ballot of twenty charming §irls will make their debut-

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 !6u Hollywood methods, dealing with, the successful efforts of three genial .rogues -to make producers take notice of a talented, 1 pretty little blonde. "Pat"- Paterson' is the blonde, and those who pave the way— mostly by bluff—to enable her to acbiev* her movie ambitions are "Smoothie" King (Spencer ■ Tracy), "Limey" Brock (Herbert Mundin). and "Spud" Mosco (Sid Silvers), each of whom does 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 long., has a good part, and he, has a fine voice. In addition to its rapid' comedy, "Bright Side Up" introduces four song numbers. There are attractive supporting pictures. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The Cat and the Fiddle/ a musical romantic drama, screening nt the Capitol Theatre tonight, features, together for the first time two great singing stars, Joanette Macdonald and Kamon Xovairo, with Frank Morgan. Vivienne Segal, and Jean, Hersholt. The story concerns the romance of two young music students, their lives in Paris, and their failures and successes. Six new song hits and many striking and unusual dance spectacles and haunting melodies make this picture enjoyable entertainment. I

OUR THEATRE,, NEWTOWN

The double-feature programme showing at Oiflf Theatre tonight is headed by "This Week of Grace," starring Gracie Fields. This picture is notable for its atmosphere of spontaneous and infectious gaiety. Gracie Fields sings rive songs, all cleverly introduced into the story. Irene Dunne and Charles Bickford have the principal roles in the second feature, "No. Other Woman,", a romance of the steel mills.

NEW ROYAL ROLLER RINK.

An attractive programme is advertised for the extended session at the • Royal Roller Rink, Vivian Street, this evening. The skating programme includes MysteryTrain, Monte Carlo, Gliding, Singing Trios, and the latest skating' step, "The Valeta." A championship hockey-on-skates match will be played, between Swifts and Royal Roller teams, and tha Royal Skating Band will .provide., new skating melodies. Tomorrow's school session will extend from 3 to 5.15 p.m.,. >ntli a full staff of instructors in attendance. The Ros'al Ballet is set down for three appearances on August 18, 22, and 25. The Auckland versus Wellington ■ annual hoekey-on-skntes contest has been arranged for August 25.