ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

lv "Palooka," at the Regent Theatre, Jimmio Durante appears as Knobby Walsh, a crook light promoter and manager. Success went to Pete lalookas head when he won the boxing championship, and his wife, JUayme (Marjorie Kambeati) leaves him and starts a small road house. Here the story opens years afterwards, when Knobby discovers her son Joe Palooka (Stuart Evwin). Joe interfere* to save Knobby from being beaten up by a boxer. Joe "puts the pugilist to sleep,' and is persuaded to sign Knobby's tontract in his place. Joe has wonderful luck in meeting a champion just after the latter has had dinner with ]S'iiiii (Lupc Vclez), and is seeing double. Niua annexes Joe, who iimls it easy to follow in father's footsteps. What the Press and the radio leave untold o£ all this is easily guessed by Moyme, who comes to New York to r jut things straight. Lupc Velcz so overwhelms Joe that Knobby tries to exert his personality on Juna himself. The erstwhile bibulous champion stages a quarrel with Joe and forces him into a second fight. Joe lasts out half a dozen rounds, but is badly beaten, and the story ends with all the Palookas reunited.

"The Black Gang."

One of "Sapper's" Bulldog Drummond stories, "The Black Gang," will be shown next week at the Regent under the title, "The Return of Bulldog Drummond." A fast-moving thriller, with exciting incidents following in rapid succession, this film follows closely the plot of the book, and the characters also are remarkably akin to those described in the original story. Drummond this time is portrayed by Ralph Richardson, a comparative newcomer in his first leading role. There have been several Bulldog Drummonds, two of the best remembered being the late f>ir Gerald dv Maurier on the stage and Ronald Colman ou the screen, but Mr. Richardson's rugged masculinity is said to be more suited to the role of the do-or-die hero than some of his predecessors. Supporting him are Ann Todd, Prancis L. Sullivan, Claude Allister. and Joyce Kennedy. There are many ingenious twists in this .story of the popular hero's final encounter with the evil-inten-tioned Carl Petevsen, the leader of a gang endeavouring to promote war in order to bring profit to firmament firms in which {hey are interested.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Thrilling episodes from Australia's bushranging days provide the theme for -'When the Kellys Rode," at the Grand Opera House. The story is built about the career of Ned Kelly and his band of followers, a gang which spread terror in many parts of Victoria and New South Wales. Incidents depicted include the robbery of the Eur'oa Bank, the raid on. Jerildcrie, and, the attempted destruction of the police train at Glenvowan. In the early days of their exploits Ned and Dan Kelly were cattle stealers, but later they were driven into the bush, where they shot and wounded a policeman who had been sent to arrest them for horse-thiev-ing. From this time on their worst criminal ventures date, and for many years afterwards they and the men they had gathered to their gang plundered and robbed hundreds of people. "When the Kellys Rode" is a picture full of fast action and stirring episode.

"The Ninth Guest."

Geuevicve Tobin, Donald Cook, and Ilardie Albright enact the three most important roles in "Tiie Ninth Guest," :i thrilling New Columbia production, opening at the Grand Opera House nest Friday. OiTiers in the cast are Edwin Maxwell Edward EUis, Nella Walker, Samuel S. Hinds, Helen Flint. Vincent Barnett, and Sidney Bracey. All the action hinges on a pcuthouse party attended by eight persons who dislike each other intensely. What, happens when they meet iv close quarters, with a mysterious "ninth guest" in attendance, constitutes the plot of what is said to be-the most thrilling drama yet filmed.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

Hans Falladu's world-famotis novu!, "Little Man What Now'?" at the De Luxe Theatre. It is a story of the depression and of the love of a boy and v girl who face life ici a world of chaos. The talc of little Piuneburg, the shop assistant, and of Lammehen is the story of countless thousands in the world today, but it is presented with such drama and with such wealth of incident and fine acting t'aa.^ it is made into a fine picture. The film pains further strength from the actinjr. of Margaret.Sullavan. In her cow Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr-Cos-mopolitan pictm-e, '"Operator 13," which opens at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, Marion Davies appears as Gail Loveless, a lovely Union spy who is sent into the south to seek and slay the Confederacy's most valuable scout aud spy, Captain Jack Gailliard. Gary Cooper plays the role of Gailliardyaud love complications spring up between the two.

KING'S THEATRE,

"Son of Kong," sequel to "King Kong," at the King's Theatre, presents the further adventures of Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who, ' after being financially ■ smashed as the result of the escape. ■of "King Kong/ returns to Skull Island, and once- more dares the prehistoric monsters as he searches for buried treasure. With his Sweetheart Helen Mack) he uncovers traces of a forgotten civilisation, and ajso meets the Son ol Kong, another gigantic ape. .

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

The main attraction at Our Theatre tonight is "One Man's Journey," starring Lionel Barrymore. The supporting cast includes May Robsou and Dorothy Jordan. The story tells of-the life'of _ a skilled country physician, who. sacrifices his chances for wealth and fame to minister to the poor farmers of bis community. Dolores Del Rio and Leo Cm-rillo are starred in the second feature, "Girl of the Rio." The action of the story revolves about the gay night life in. the popular casinos and cafes on the. Mexican border.

BRITANNIA THEATRE^

'•Manhattan Melodrama," at the Britannia Theatre, provides absorbing entertainment. One of the most thriUiug scenes ever filmed is the prologue, which .re-enacts the lire and panic aboard . the . excursion steamer General Slocuni in New York Harbour ■in 1904—a tragedy in which more than 1000 were killed. It is one of Clark Gable's finest performances. William Powell appears ns a district attorney with ambitions for further political honours, yet tot'u betwecu love and duty.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

"Too Much Harmony," a sensational musical 'comedy extravaganza, is at the Princess Theatre. The cast includes Ring Crosby, Jack Oakie, Skeets Gallagher, Judith Allen, nnd Lilyan Tashman. The film reveals Crosby as a musical coniedy star who is engaged to the wrong girl, a scheming, gold-digging blonde. He falls in love with another girl, campaigns for her, and finally wins her after an amusing series of highly-interesting sequences.

SEASIDE PICTURES,

"As IJji.sbnnds.CiO," taken from ■Rachel Crothers' . successful Broadway play, will be screened at the Seaside Pictures tonight. Miss Crothers, who wrote "'Let Us Be Gay" and "When Ladies Meet," has again writton'a play that is rocorde.l as human, veal, and enjoyable. The picture is described as a romance for women that men will like. The leading role is played by Warner Baxter, wbo is supported in the featured parts by Helen.Vinsou. Warner Olantl, and Catharine Doucet. inter-esting-short subjects complete the. programme; • ■

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"Finishing School," at the Empire Theatre, concerns the plight of a young girl student in a profiteering boardingschool, .operated by a snobbish nnd hypocritical, woman. On Wednesday and Thursday "After Tonight," starring Constance Bennett, will be screened.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

All .'imaging spy drama entitled "After Tonight" is being screened nt the Rej-ral Theatre.' Jt is a gripping, story of intrigue in tlic cesspools and undereround channels of war, love against, duty, iind conscience against country. Tomorrow and Thursday "TiiiisliiiiK Pcliool" will be y.-rcrii.-il.

STATE THEATRE

'•'While New York Sleeps," now showing at the State Theatre, covers the life of an American gambler from the beginning of his rise to prosperity and notoriety until his death. At the beginning he meets a sweet, sincere girl whom he marries, and who appears ever afterwards to be his talisman. Although she pleads with him to give up his gambling and his feud with gamins,' rivals, his relish for sport and his insane desire for money draw him on. _ At a fashionable gaming-house which he is running he meets a cabaret singer with whom he conducts an affair, while telling hor quite frankly (hat he is in love with his wife. When she hears of this, his wife decides to obtain a divorce, but is pacified by a well-planned lie. After the singer is killed in a motor accident in which the gambler is badly injured, the wife leaves him. From then uu his fovtutm deserts him, and ho goes steadily downhill until he is shot by a rival gang. Spencer Tracy plays the part of the gambler, thoughtless, boyish, generous, and selfsacrificing. Helen Twelvetvccs has I lie role of the wife.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

'•Wild Cargo" is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The picture shews the daring exploits of Frank Buck, whose livelihood is the capturing of wild beasts for the world's zoos and circuses. The cameras follow Buck through the dense Asiatic jungles. Some of the highlights of the film are the capture of a inan-eating tiger, the deatn struggle of a python and a black panther, a stampede of water buffalo, and a struggle for life by Buck when he is caught by a python. The supporting programme includes a Russian ballet (evenings only) produced by Dorothy Parlctte. "The New Kiddie Follies," staged by Kathleen O'Brien, is presented at the afternoon session. ■ „ .

Tire change of programnie at the Majestic Theatre on Friday will bring to Wellington "The Thin Man." a modern mystery drama in an American setting and centring on a detective's novel method of discovering the culprit. Myrna Loy has a featured part.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

The Clem Dawe Revue Company is now presenting at the St. James Theatre ''The Music Box of 1934," one of the company's most ambitious and most hilarious productions, and • includes a striking novelty. "A Song of the World Today," a finale, "An Indian Idea," and such features as "The Music Sheet," ''The Friendly War," "The Labour Exchange," "A Suicide Episode," "A Study in Blnck and White," "A South Seas Interlude," "Fragments from France," "Male Impersonations" (by Dorothy White), and •'The Skipping Rope Dance." The frolic "Musical Influenza," in which Dawe is an influenza patient and the whole company gathers round him to prescribe remedies in verses sung to grand opera and other classical tunes, is most amusing. At tomorrow's special gift matinee for ladies the Clem Dawe Company will give away a three-piece eeagrass suite and numerous pieces of household linen. .

PLAZA THEATRE,

As a sailor 'iv the British Navy, Jack Hulbert, the noted English comedian, takes the chief role in "Jack Ahoy" at the Plaza Theatre. Jack Hulbert, who is a descendant of an old seafaring family, joins the navy as an able seaman, and falls in love with the admiral's daughter (Nancy O'Neil). His vessel is ordered to the Far East to check .pirate activity. There are complications ou the China station, however, for bandits have seized a British submarine, .and not only that, but the admiral, played by Alfred Dray ton, and his daughter are kidnapped by designing Chinese. Jack rescues them and they escape in the stolen submarine which no one knows how to work. Unfortunately the navy regards the submarine as still being in the hands of the bandits, and Mr. Hulbert and his companions find themselves attacked. All ends happily, however, Jack proving himself a hero and a worthy son-in-law.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

"J. rootlijjht Parade" is destined to break all suburban attendance records, judging by the large attendances at the Rivoli Theatre during the last three nights. It, is a picture containing delightful humour, gorgeous settings, and beautiful girls. James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ruby Kcolcr, Fiankie MeHngh, and Hugh Herbert lead a east of hundreds in this the latest effort of Warner Bros, to produce a musical comedy that will exceed anything previously seen on the screen. "By a Waterfall," ''Honeymoon Hotel," "Sittiu' on a Backyard Fence," "Shanghai Lil," nnd ''Ah, the Moon is Here," are featured song hits. The second attraction is "Wild Horse Mesa," one of the famous Zane Grey thrillers. The cast is headed Xv Randolph Sc-ott. Sally BJaue, and Fred Kohler. Eddie Canlor_ will appear as "The Kid from Spain," together with Dorothea Wieck in "Miss Fane's Baby is Stolen," on Friday next, and "It Happened One Night," with Clark Gable and Claudctte Colbert, will commence a season next week, supported by the Paramount musical, "Top, Much Harmony." .

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

The success continues at the Paramount Theatre, of "That's a Good Girl," one of the brightest and, best musical . comedies seen here for months. The king of singing comedians and dancers, Jack Buchanan, is seen.aj; his best, and so also are the popular artists Elsie Randolph, asJJie screamingly funny "Snoopy," and Vera Pearee,. as the tempestuous operatic prima 'donna. Pretty settings, rich dressings, and a chorus of fifty voices round off a musical comedy that towers above the average. The short films are most interesting, and Paul T. C'ulleu is at the organ. . The big attraction for next Friday will be "The Four Masked Men," by the producers of "The Wandering Jew." Judy Kelly and John Stuart are the stars.

SHORTT'S THEATRE

The management of Shortt's Theatre are now 'presenting the inimitable Gracie Fields, iv "This Week of Grace,' in which she is supported by' Henry Kendall, John Stuart, Frank Pettingell, Douglas Wakefield. and Minnie Rayner.- This picture radiates an atmosphere of «ood fellowship and infectious gaiety, ft gives -the star every opportunity-to-ex-ploit her talent and personality, and she sings five, catchy songs. The second picture is "Headline Shooter," a drama .-of a newsphotographer.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

"Xipht of the Garter," at the Artcraft Theatre, introduces a new character named Rodger, a butler; and Bodger, as interpreted by Sydney Howard, seems destined to take his place among the select group of fictional butlers that includes Jeeves, •Tenkyn, and the Admirable Crichton. Hilarious adventures befall Bodger during the eventful night in which the action of the story takes place; a night when all the members of the cast arrive at a country house in search of a jewelled garter; a night when doors slam alarmingly_ in the darkness, as .iealous wives chase guilty husbands; a night which for Bodger is simply one attack of consternation after another. The cast includes Winifred Shottor and Elsie Randolph.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

' The Queen's Theatre is presenting two fea-fm-es of outstanding-merit The main attrac tion, "The Champ," which stars Wallace Tleery, with Jackira Cooper, Irene Rich. Roscoo Ates, nnd a huge cast. is. a poignant tale of a boy's love for his father—a fallen idol of the prize-ring—his faith and cheerful courage, and his loyal struggle to help his father win back his former succ-pss. The supporting feature, '"'Flying Hish," is an uproarious satire on aviation, starring Bert L.ihr. with Charlotte Greenwood and Pat O'Brien in support.

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR,

"Sisters Under the Skin," featuring F.lifwa Landi, Frank Morgan, and Josenh Schildkriiut, is screening finally at the Capitol Theatre tonight. Elistea Landi is cast as a lovely young acti-ess forced to choose between love and luxury, but her loyalty holds her to the man who can cive her everything, while her heart asks for the other who can only give her love. At a matinee tomorrow at 2.15 p.m. "The Great Decision," with William Boyd and "Chic" Sale, will be screened.