ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 101, 26 October 1934, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Combining large doses of thrills and romance, "Name the Woman," a Columbia picture, featuring Richard Cromwell and Arline Judge, is one of the double features of the new programme at the Grand Opera House. It is an exciting newspaper story about the adventures of a cub reporter who is responsible for an expose of a corrupt city government. The other attraction, "East of Fifth Avenue," is a picture which might be labelled tho "Griud Hotel" of board-ing-house life in New York. It presents situations fraught with dramatic possibilities. The stars arc Dorothy Tree and Wallace Ford. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The musical comedy romauce '"Two Hearts in Waltz Time," is having its Sew Zealand premiere at the Paramount Theatre today. The "Morning Post," writing in criticism of the picture, stated: "There have been other entertaining musical comedy romances, but there is only one 'Two Hearts in Waltz Time.' An entertainment out of the common may, therefore, be anticipated." "Two Hearts in Waltz Time" is a feast of happy hghtheartedness, replete with haunting and lilting melodies, startlingly novel dances, glittering ensembles, lavish dresses, beautiful British girls, and spectacular settings. It is said to be rich in ingredients calculated to appeal to everybody. Its succcess on the London stage was unusually pronounced, and the popularity of the film version is on all fours with the legitimate presentation. Several members of the cast sustain in the picture the characters they created on the stage. These include Carl Brisson, Frances Day, a newcomer who has won immediate recognition from the Press and public, Oscar \sche, Bert Coote. Peter Gawthorne, and Buddy Bradley's British ballerinas from Cochran's famous London Theatre. The incidental song numbers are melodic and catchy. These include "Give Her a Little Kiss." "For Love of You," "Wo Hate the Men," and the captivating melody "Two Hearts in Waltzing Time." . A special feature novelty is a duet sung by Carl Brisson with himself in two voices. Added film novelties and the popular entertainer Miss Iris Mason at the Wurhtzer organ form the first part of the programme. KING'S THEATRE. The most dramatic incideut in the life of a once-famous opera eirjger—an incident in which she nearly sacrifices her own son in her greedy desire to bask again in the limelight of sensational publicityis depicted in "The Past of Mary Holmes, which is now at the King's Theatre, with Eric Linden playing the son, Helen MacKellar portraying Mary Holmes. Jean Arthur the boy's sweetheart, and Richard "Skeets" Gallagher the reporter who dug up..,the story that turned out to be too hot even for him. "The Past of Mary Holmes" is from the story "The Goose Woman," by Rex Beach. The second feature is "Emergency Call/ starring Bill Boyd. Wynne Gibson, and William Gargan. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper appear in "Today We Live," at the Queen's Theatre. This picture combines romance of a thrilling order with a clean-cut, forceful story of the war. Miss Crawford has a striking role as an aristocratic English girl who cannot stand remaining at home whilst her brother and' the two men who love her are at the front. Franchot lone, the brother, and Robert Young, the childhood sweetheart, are members of the torpedo squad, while Gary Cooper, who is closest to her heart, enrols in the flying forces. In order to be near these three, Miss Crawford becomes a member of a British ambulance unit. Cooper ie reported killed, and his unexpected return precipitates a stirring dramatic climax The picture'is brought to a close when two men give up their lives in the sinking of a ship in order to save Cooper for the girl whom they all love. Among the supporting subjects is a Laurel and Hardy comedy, entitled "Scram, a musical review, a sporting item, and a Metrotone news. artcraftTheatre. The Metrb-Goldwyn-Mayer championship picture "Sadie McKee" will open this evening at the Arteraft Theatre. Joan Crawford as Sadie McKee, Vina Delmar s famous character, is the finest portrayal the star has ever essayed. Briefly, the 6tory concerns itself with a girl and three men, each man'playing a significant part in the dynamic Sadie's successful thrust for fame. Sadie, daughter of a cook in in a small town, finds herself confronted by the cruel indifference of a great city. Hardship and struggle lead to marriage to a dipsomaniac millionaire, which sets tho stage for the intense drama which follows. Among the additional subjects will bo a Thelma Todd-Patsy Kelly comedy, "Air Fright," and a Metrotone news. Tomorrow afternoon the management will offer a special programme for children, consisting of "Drums of Jeo- | pardy," featuring Warner Oland; a cartoon, - episode 2 of "The Vanishing Shadow," and other entertaining items. PRINCESS THEATRE. In her new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer-Cosmopolitan picture, "Operator 13," now being shown at the Princess Theatre, Marion Davies appears as Gail Loveless, a lovely spy who is sent to seek and slay her enemy's most valuable scout and spy, Captain Jack Gailliard. Gary Cooper plays the role of Gailliard, and the love complications that spring up between these two enemy spies provides a most romantic story. With the Civil War as the colourful background, "Operator 13'! —based upon Robert W. Charnbers's last and greatest novel—is crammed with interesting sidelights upon one of the least known phases of the rebellion, the espionage systems of the armies of the North and South. In "Romance in the Rain" Universal has brought forth an extravagant production which will tickle the risibilities of any audience. The story deals with a modern Cinderella who wins a contest and loses her heart to the man who gave her the opportunity but was blind to her charm. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Nana" will be screened tonight for the Jaat time at the Kilbirnie Kinema.. Tomorrow there will be the usual doublefeature programme, with "The Thin Man" and the comedy "You're Telling Me." It is said that this is_ one of the best programmes that the Kinema management have offered for a weekend attraction. The programme will start at 7.30 p.m. Patrons are recommended to reserve at the theatre or by ringing 14-202. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. . Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's jungle epic "Tarzan and His Mate" is to be screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. Johnny Weissmuller again plays Tarzon and Maureen O'Sullivan is seen as his mate. The picture, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs's jungle thrillers, continues the adventures of the jungle man and his sweetheart in the mysterious land of the "Elephants' Graveyard." A Hal Roach comedy, a Metrotone Newsreel. ,and a Cinesound Review complete the programme. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Smoky," one of the most unusual films brought to the screen, comes to the Grand. Petone, tomorrow. It is the Fox production of Will James's famous story, depicting an inseparable bond between a man and a. horse that is all but human. Victor Jory has the leading role, and Irene Bentley is cast in the feminine lead opposite him. The film has sweeping production, filledwith the human understanding of a miraculous animal, touched with pathos. Jack Oakie and Shirley Grey, in "Uptown New York." are also on the programme.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Nana," in which Samuel Goldwj h ■ troduces Anna Sten to screen nncliriis a free adaptation nf Emile Zola's f.-n story of the notorious courtesan of 1.. The picture comes to the Palace Tlu-aii-Petone, tomorrow. "Nana" presents an exciting revival of the enn-ean. the dance with which Paris shocked the contemporary blue-noses. As the scnrlct heroine of Einilc Zola's fnmons novel. wlki ris^s from street pamin to nuipir linll star :nid toast of Paris, Anna Ht.cn is a revelation. | Not only docs she look well and act "ell. bat she also sings well. i

STATE THEATRE. j Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls aiUl an- j other success to their already large list by their performance in "Turkey Time," now in its second week at the State Theatre. Thu scene is laid in a seaside town at Christmas time, and a pretty actress of a wandering troupe causes all the trouble. Walls, who is aflianced, rescues her from au embarrassing situation, only to place her in a worse one. Lynn, who has already seen her and fallen in love with her, endeavours to rectify matters, but, of course, makes them worse still. Walls's sweetheart is upset at his conduct, and the society family, with whom he and Lynn are staying, are thoroughly disgusted. Robertson Hare, the late Mary though, D. A. Clarke-Smith, Veronica Rose, Dorothy Hyson, and Norma Vardeu are also in the cast. ST. JAMES THEATRE. An intensely human drama is unfolded in ".Riptide," featuring Norma Shearer, at the St. James Theatre. It is now commencing its second week. Briefly, the story deals with a very modern young lady who becomes the wife of.a matter-of-fact English .lord. Used to freedom and thought of action, she feeld caged by the atmosphere of oppression. During the absence of her husband in America, she meets a former sweetheart and finds exhilaration in the outlet of her pent-up emotions. He willingly reciprocates, but the appearance of an enterprising newspaper cameraman during a compromising situation loosens the foundations of domestic happiness between the girl and her husband. After much deliberation my lord is prepared to forgive and forget, but ensuing complications result in a marital deadlock. The story culminates in happiness for all. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Murder ,at the Vanities," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a combination of brilliant spectacle and thrilling drama. The plot moves against the background of a Broadway show on its opening night, and before the last curtain drops a double murder has been committed and the author of one of the crimes brought to book. The threads of the tale are so well woven together that the audience ia given little opportunity to guess who the murderer is, and suspicion falls lirst upon one and then upon another of the company. And while all this is occurring the Vanities show is proceeding. It is one of the best mystery romances yet filmed. As a atage spectacle the Vanities is a remarkable effort —the last word in American 'revue splendour. Literally hundreds of meagrely clad girls combine to preesut some really brilliant scenes, one of which, "The Sea of Mermaids," is without doubt a triumph of stage technique. "Murder at the Vanities" may be described as two shows in one, with the odds in favour of that dealing with the murder. Carl Brisson, as the. principal male of the show, Lander, again proves his singing ability'in some bright numbers, aiid supporting him are Jack Oakie, as a hard-worked but nevertheless flippant producer, and Victor McLaglen, as an American stage detective. Kitty Carlisle takes the female lead, and is particularly well supported by a large cast. Altogether the picture is a first-class success, and something a little different from the general run of revue dramas. There ia a fine programme of "shorts," and on the stage Fred Webber's band plays tuneful numbers while Dolores and Freda, two clever young dancers, do a graceful turn. RIVOLI THEATRE. What killed Archer Coe? That is the baffling question that Philo Vance, the famous and debonair detective character created by S. S. Van Dine and impersonated by William Powell in the Warner Bros.' picture, "The Kennel Murder Case," which commences a season at the Rivoli Theatre tonight, is called upon to answer. Coe is found dead in his bedroom with a revolver in his hand and not a sign of a a struggle, and the door locked. The police consider it is v case of suicide until Philo Vance walks into the scene, and through a series of deductions proves that it is a murder and not a suicide, and then proceeds to discover the murderer. Not only is '"The Kennel Murder Case" one of the best mystery stories ever screened, but it carries ;i strange love tangle, which is eventually unravelled by Vance. The cast in support of Powell includes Mary Astor, Eugene Pallette, Ralph Morgan, Helen Viusen, and Paul Cavanagh. The second attraction, "Merry Wives of Reno," is a comedy featuring the ever-popular Frank McHugh, Ruth Donnelly, Glenda Farrell, Hugh Herbert, Margaret Lindsay. "The Double Crossing of Columbus" is the latest of the musical featurcttes produced by the Warner Bros.' studios. At the matinees, Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante will be seen in "Speakeasily." CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Cuckoo in the Nest," a brilliant farce from the pen of Ben Travels, and featuring Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Yvonne Arnaud, Mary Brough, and Robertson Hare, is screening at tho Capitol Theatre tonight and at a matinee tomorrow, at 2.15 ■p.m. The story arises out of the inconsequence of Ralph Lynn. This is one of the most amusing pictures that has yet come from a British studio. SHORTT'S THEATRE. A trio of outstanding Hollywood luminaries, comprising Robert Armstrong, Ann Sothern, and Minna Gombell, is seen in tho leading featured roles of '"The Hell Cat" at Shortt's Theatre. "The Hell Cat" is an original screen concoction ot comedy, melodrama, and thrills from the collaborative pens of Adele Buffington and Fred Niblo, jun. It presents a colourful treatment of the "taming of the shrew" theme in the story of a young spitfire society debutante who sets her cap for a presumptious young newspaperman audacious enough to sock her back when she slapped his face for attempting to take her photograph. Briefly, the story concerns the efforts of the incensed debutante to tame the hard-boiled, cynical newshawk. After the more obvious methods have failed, she disguises herself as a reporter from a "small town and wins her way into his confidence. Together they experience a number of thrilling adventures. Also on the programme will be "Hold the Press." a newspaper thriller featuring Shirley Grey. BRITANNIA THEATNE. Fredric March, with Evelyn Venable. in "Death Takes a Holiday," constitute the1 attraction at the Britannia Thearc. The frankly provocaive theme conconcerns the problem of death taking a three-day holiday that he may study life and learn why men love living and fear the eternal parting. He comes to earth as a gay, dashing, romantic lover, enthusiastically taking part in all of life's pastimes and games. He saves love till the last, unti! almost the end of his holiday. He finds no difficulty in meeting women who offer him love, .but finds no love that is unselfish, eternal, until his holiday is almost over. Then, in a series of dramatic circumstances, he finds an enduring love, and in the arms of a beautiful girl' learns all that is beautiful in life. But ho, like any mortal man, must depart—and dreads the thought of leaving behind tho liFe he found so rapturous. "The Crooked Circle" comprises tho best elements of a crook drama, a mystery. play, a shock-thviller, and a most hilarious comedy all in one clever story. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Jack Ahoy," Jack Hulbert's latest starring vehicle, will be shown at Our Theatre tonight. It provides many amusing situations, a romance, and brilliantly photographed and impressive pictures of Britain's naval might. Jack, who enlists" as a naval rating, falls in love with his commander's daughter, and more by luck than judgment rescues both of them from pirates, and also brings to safety a submarine which the pirates have captured. The first half of the programme is made up of a Thatcher Colt detective mystery story, "The Night Club Lady," and special featurettes.

OE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Fay Wvay and Nils Asthcr are featured in "Madame Spy," which screens finally : tonight at the fae Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. It is an intensely dramatic and iventurous film production. Commenc- ." tomorrow morning with three sessions, ;;•.! screening again on Monday at three <v-sions, is Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Won- . i|fi-lan<l," <he screen's first pantomime, and a treat for everybody, young or old.j Charlotte Henry fills the role of "Alice," and others in the cast are Richard Ar-| ten. Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Baby Le; I Hoy, .lack Onkie. May Robson. Charlie! liuffdi'v. and Ned Spark.o. Cox idans are a I tli.- "IVlrr Pan" Lounse, or telephone: theatre, 03-131. J