ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1934, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

;,IlV.ihe.presence of her Excellency Lady. liiedislOc and-party, and a largo and en-. tfjViaiustib audience, tlie comidy-dranwi "Bulldog, Drummond Strikes Buck" began the.^eeon'd'week of ita run at the Regent Theatre^ last night. In the middle oi a' Ivjiulou fog; so. dear to the Heart <of the novelist. Ronald Cohnan, in the title role,, frtute-himself pitchforked iiito 'as strange, ikinystery as one could wish-for, and'.in-j <--tk|d'.of proceeding to Suffolk to raise Itbllyhocks,. ,as .lmd-.been his intention",: i} ifcuflirnoud'-turns his attention', to a band; ol'Qviehtarcrooks of unknown nationality. ifyiiii incredibly siiecc'scfful exploits DrumLjiorkl foils their iniquitous .plan aiid wins. the:hear-t of the damsel in distress, whom; Ike" first.encounters in the fog.. The picture, 'provides full 'scone for Colmati's in-j vrii&ble whimsicalities, and he receives; aolid support from Lorctta > rqmig, as -the; ' county heroine, Warner O\s?A fls the suav.e, villain, 'and Charles Butter'worrfi ?im Una-. ■tfertel as 'Algy and liis ■bereft wife 're-; Miectivety. livery- taste is-,catered■'■ for in; jt'ie 'supporting programme. There is anj 'of tlieme songs of y.estcrttoy, newareels 'of the. ill-fated airliner Miss; iloba,T't>'arid.of Prince Henry' opening the; Melbourne Centenary' celebratipns, a. com-; idy in-'technicolour, and.an umfsually in-, 'frosting Mickey Mouse cartoon, entitled; v-GTuiltveV- Mickey." ;;■ ' "Strike Mo Lucky.' T£'-'Skik<y Me -Lucky," a. farce featuring tjae well-known Australian comedian, '$10 (Roy Rene) in his initial picture,, -felbbc shown at the Regent Theatre next Friday. "Mo" has been a popular and oi'ifcinal comedian throughout Australasia fOr many years past, and Cinesound brings tii'm Ho the talking screen for the first tithey and this fascinating story, full of. ttoriils and excitement, with burlesque situations cropping up every few minutes, brings out to a marked degree, the inimitable comedy of Roy Rene. The cast ot stippbrting players includes __ I atria* Mieljon, Yvonne Banvard, Joe Valli, hes Warton, June Mills, and Harry Burgess. 'titi'c juvenile lead is taken, by little: Pamela ife.van. :i p GRAND OPERA HOUSE. iX\yo big features comprise the main riortion of the programme offered to patrons of the Grand Opera House for the flejtfweek. Judging from the favourable tjunment made at the screenings yesterday, ilie.. current programme will prove to be i£. very popular one. The stars in "Name the.Woman/ a Columbia release, include Richard Cromwell, Arline Judge, and Rita JiarKoy. , This is a newspaper story; in ■njliich a young reporter gains notoriety and.■."heaps a lot of trouble on, himself, besides winning a. bride, by his exposure of. a corrupt city government. There are t'Vvfc. candidates for the position of Mayor, one being straight and the other the tool <ii' -a\ gang of crooks. On the eye of the (•lection the district attorney is. murdered, aiid. suspicion falls on the daughter of the straight candidate. The cub reporter, njoije bjf good luck .than good management, gets, mixed up with the affair to such good; purpose that ho finally., manages to lililcidate'the mystery of the murder. Not (lontent)t.with,getting the "story", exclu-j for his paper, he 'actually brings b^ickv-to the. office as evidence.the njuri ijere'r.gagged and trussed. ißefore; he cqn; accomplish such a. deed,.however, he,'is involved in a vyild and exiting motor ohase'. over -winding mountain roads.'. Thq picture has excitement from star^to finish, and- -also has some delightful touches of Kiiindiir, If there are improbabilities in oie>:§tory— and. surely; it is the; most amaz-j it\0 iiewspaper office that over existed, ot! lid/iipt: esist-^they are overlooked- in ;tlia excitement engendered in the-unfolding-of; ■(iiti story. The other feature on the pro^ gramme "isv '"East of Fifth. Avenue," star! i;ing Dorothy Tree and-Wallace,Ford. This; story "depicts New York boarding-houso ijfa; and in .its many intriguing and drama-J tj.c. -sitliatioiis 'provides a good-mixture .of laughter,, tears, and romance '!■ .- •- ) ;:-■ DELUXE THEATRE., | 't;-iA. rapid-fire, gay, and amusing burlesque (j*; ''Convention' City," a Wavrier- Brqs.-i }?»rst National film, which beyan.its season Before • a large house at the Do Luxq Tfroatra';]aflt' eveuiu".- ' ■ Adolphe'- Mdnjouj Jt)iC(li: i j3?cnye]L:Giiy Kibbee,-' Frank. Jtc-i Hugh, Joan Blondell, Patricia Ellis, and Mary Astor play the leading roles in this - ...comedy, which reveals what happens at a business convention held at Atlantic City, the home of holidaymakers and beauty contests. The Honeywell Rubber Company is about to choose a new sales manager at * salary of £10,000 a year, and when Ted Kent, their Chicago represent tative, discovers that ho and George Ellerbe are the final selection for the post tnany things begin to ..happen. _ Kent, having arranged that Elldrbo's nagging Wife shall rusly oS home.and leave her, husband to enjoy himself, suddenly has an attack of conscience for fear that his rival will get into trouble, and the film reveals the amusing complications, which come about through the efforts of the two men to straighten out the position which they have co 'light-heartedly entered upoiij Many: entertain ing glimpses are- givien ot ''Convention City," and what happens to visitors- to that desirable spot. ' Joan IMondell is seen as a gold-digging chorus ; girl, Patricia" El]is rprevfdes' romance" as the daughter of Honeywell, and the riotous behaviour of TTrank McHugh and its unexpected ir<swa-rd;: isy.a"r'hjghligh.t- ot itha film. In support ( js a varjed and interesting programme Syith1' the'1 latest newsrecls,; "Big City -Fantasy,"1 a' musical "novelty number, an'-.pmupinff- comedy, "Very Close Veins," and a mnsiijal reyue starring the famous singer' Lllliiih! Roth. At the or-: R-nn, Miss-lria: Mason,■■presents a bracket of attractive .numbers.. . PARAMOUNT THEATRE.; '/ " \ Romance, inursic, and1 soiig are delighVi fully intevwov^h ' in' '"Two Hearts In; which was shown -for' the iirst time at the Paramount Theatre yesterday. Th-o picture is essentially a musical comedy, but its. theme and presentation are something out of the ordinary. Curl Brissptt, and Frances Bay,- a newcomer to the screen, play the title roles, and they-fill their,-•respective, parts admirably. Both have beautiful voices, which find,- plenty,' of. scope' iv. the, film, Although 'the story is perhaps' ,slender, there ia a feast Of lilting melodies, lavish dresses, glittering scenes', and- beautiful girls. Briason plays the part of Carl Hoptmun, a light-hearted composer o£ musical scores, arid.'Mis«v D;iy: that of Helone JSarry, a leading : English star. Although Carl is overwhelmed with women, ho falls in love with Helcno at first sight, and on her failing, jto- respond to his advances, he sets himself! out .to . capture,, Jiei- .heart. After muejv deliberate delay, he unmtentionaliy composes the theme song, of a new musucal comedy, and', through this he eventually -' wins HeVene's love. The, sequences"' are cleverly worked out, anasome spectacular ■'settings ai'e' preßcntpd, during "the flrdt-night 'performance'ot the new play. Assisting 'tho strfra are Oscar •\sche, Peter Gawthorne, Bert Copte, and many other* The incidental musical numbers are particularly catchy Ihey point of view tho picture w most xchesh tl, o Wurlitzer orsan. completes a mic evening's entertainment. KING'S THEATRE. Tho mo^.t. dramatio incident in thelife of a once-famous opera 'singer—an incident in which she nearly sacrifices her own son in her greedy desire to bask again iti tho limelight of. sensational .publicityis depicted in "The Past of Mary Holmes, which is now at tho King's Theatre, with Eric Linden playing tho son, Helen MacKellar portraying Mary Holmes, Jean Arthur the boy's sweetheart, and Richard "Skeets" Gallaghor the reporter who dug up tho story that turned out to be too hot oven for him. The second feature is "Kmernency Call,'' starring Bill Boyd, Wynne Gibson, and William Gargan. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. 'tonight's double-feature programme at tho KUbirnie Kincma will commence at 7.30. tho features being AY. C. Fields in "You're Telling Me," an astonishing story of a tipsy inventor1 whose contraptions solve everything except trouble for himself, and "Tho Thin Man," starring William Powell and Mynia Loy. Myetrry, Hn-ills, and laughs i?o band in hand. Pictures will be (screnif.'d from 7.,50, and intending patrons arc advisi-d to ring 11-202 for•reserves.

STATE THEATRE. ''Turkey 'Time," another of. Bon Travers's farce stoi-iesf adapted for ■ the films, has ■ been played with outstanding success by the well-known team of Uritish actors; Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and Robertson Have.- Others in, the cast iire thp late Mary Brough, IX A. G'iarke-Suiitli, iVeronicu Rose, Dorothy Hyson,- ■■ arid Ndrnnt ; Yar-don. "Turkey Time" com-; mencect; its* second week at- the StateTheatre, yesterday, after a very 'successful first week presentation. There' is some-, thing iiliko in all Ben Travers's. works,, butthere is. no.doubt about the .ability of Tom Walls, and his 'supports; being able to'create the spirit, and. the1 form of. the "situations. ' The path of the story,: Which'is.crammed, with unexpected and ludicrous, incidents, is between the fashionable .'household of .the Stoat couple— sticklers for convention, entertaining as Yuletide guests Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn—and the environment of,a becoming .actress of a wandering troupe whose .manage!1 .flee^ with ■ the cash and leaves the -playera with unsatisfied landlords and landladies- Tom Walls, who is affianced, and Ralph Lynn, who would like to be, in .turn and then together conspire to ■ assist- the- becoming .actress m her distress. Robertson Hare, playing an inimitable part as a husband domineered out of ittaplineee by his haughty wife, becomes involved much against his wishes. _ i. he: thrco' innocents become .besieged m the; bedroom of the actress, the beaiegers being "tbe'lahdla'dy/the hostess- of the Christmas party; and a troupe 6i carollers, the vicar ; included. The supporting items are many, varied, and interesting. , ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Riptide," featuring Norma Shearer, at the. St. James Theatre, ■« < £™; commencing its second week. Briefly,the' story deals with a very modern young lady who becomes the wile o£ a matter-of-fact English lord, Used to freedom and thought o£ action, she feels 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. lie 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. ." . QUEER'S THEATRE. Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper appear in "Today We Live," at the Queen's Theatre, Miss' -Crawford has a .striking1 roleas an aristocratic English girl who cannot stand remaining at home whilst her brother and the two men who love her aro at the front. Franehot Tone, 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 flyingi forces. In order to be near these, three,; Miss Crawford becomes a member of a .British ambulance unit. .Cooper,is reportied. killed,', and ,'his unexpected return, .precipitates a stirring dramatic climax.-Arnp'n'g^the-supporting subjects ,is a Laurel : and ■'. Hardy -. comedy entitled "Scram." , ARTCRAFT THEATRE. j 'Che Metvo-GfoMwyn-May.er. picture, "Sadie''MeKee,'" featuring Joan Crawford, •israVtho Artcraft Theatre. Briefly, the story concerns'itself: with a gin and three nYen.'eiicn, mnn' playing' a;significant part, in-the, dynamic Sadie's successful: thrust: for:'fame. ■ Sadie," daughter of a- cook/in. in1 a Wnall' town; finds herself confronted; by-the cruel indifference .of a,1 great, city .■ Hardship 'and >6toiggle lead to marriage; to a dipsomaniac millionaire,- ; which sets ■thai stage, for-,the. intense drama -which' follows. Among the additional subjects: ia as Thelnia . Todd-Patsy Kelly, comedy,l "Air/Fright," and a Metroton.e.. news.;" ■ -■-'•' OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. ..;,, "' ''Jack Ahoy," Jack Hulbert'e latest staW ring vehicle, will be shown at Our Theatre tonight.' jt provides many-, amusing situations, a 'romance, and brilliantly photographed and impressive pictures of Bri: tain)B"nt(Yal' miglit. '.Jack, who enlisW'.-aS mahder's daughter, and: more by luck-than judgment rescues both of them from pirates, and also brings to safety a submarine -winch 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. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre, Karori, "Sons of tho Desert" will head the programme. Laurel and Hardy co-star with Charlie Gbase, and this ■. makes for- sidesplitting comedy. The supports are varied and excellent. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Kredrie March, .with Evelyn Tenable, ' appear in "Death Takes a . Holiday," at the Britannia Theatre.. The frankly provocative theme concerns the problem, of' death taking a threeday holiday that he may study life and learn why men love living and fear thfc eternalvpattisg.' 'He cpmep to earth asa gay, dashing;'rom_aritic''lover, enthusiastically taking part in -all-of life's, pas-, times and games. He saves love- till the lafev.urtt'i!' almost the end. of..his iliplidpy.' 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. "Th<j Crooked Ciixle" is' also being shown. ! ' .; SHORTT'S THEATRE. '.',',-A. trio of outstanding .- Hollywood luminaries, comprising Robert Armstrong,; tinn Sothern, and Minna Gombell, is seen an the lending featured roles of "The Hell Cftt" at Shbrtt's Theatre. "Thd Hell Cat'l is: km original screen concoction of comedy,; melodrama, and .from: the collabora-, tive pens of Adele: Buflhigton.and,.,-Fred; Niblo, jun. It presents a colourful treat-' ment of' the "taming of the,shrew", theme in tho'story of a young, spitfire society: dobutantb ( who sets her 'cap for a pre-; sumptious young, newspaperman audaciousen'ough to socle her back- when she slapped: his face for attempting'to take her photo- - graph. Also on the programme is "Hold ■thd-' Press;" ,a newspaper thriller .-featuring; Shirley Grey. ■ • ~-•_.. ; : . PRINCESS THEATRE. : 'i ■ In ','Oporntoi1.13," now being shown ati .the.Princess. Theatre, Marion .Davies appears as Gail-Lpveleps, a-lovely spy who' is sent, to seek and slay ,her enemy's' most Valuable,''scout and' spy, 'Captain: Jack.. Gailliard ■■ (G.iry Co'opor).' The love complications' tliat'spfing up between, these two enemy' spies "provides a most' romantic Ktory. With the Civil-Wai*, as: th 6 ■'co.lourfid -background, ."Operator 13"' —based npom Robert W, Chambci's'a last' and gi'eatest Hovel—is crammed With interesting sidelights upon the espionage- systems of .the armies of , tho North and South. In "Romance in the Rain" Universal has brought forth an estravnjiarit 'production which will 'tickle the risibilities of any audience EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. '" "Tarzan and His Mate" is to bo screened at the- Kmpiro Theatre this ovening. ■Johnny Werssmnller again plays -Tarznu and Maui'eeii O'Sullivan is seen as hia male. The- picture contiimes the1 adventures or tho jmiglo man and his sweetheart in the mysterious land- of the "Elephants' Graveyard." SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. At tho. eSacfide Pictures ttonight at 7.43 a doubla-featurfi programme will be screened. "On. the Air" introduces fifty famous radio istarrt in their most popular, numbers, as well as Roy lfox and his famous dance band. Tho second feature will be • "Sea Devils," a. story of what onpe wei:e men fighting, for poßso.ssion of a, beautiful woman. > ■ ■ CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Cuckoo in the Nest," a brilliant farce from the pen of Ben Travels, and featuring Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Yvonne Ariiand, Maryßrough, and Robertson Hare, is screening at the Capitol Theatre totonight. BROOKLYN PICTURES. Ilorbert Marshall, tho suave Englishman of Broadway and .London stujjg fame, appears in tho leading male role in Krnft Lubitwli'f* Paramnunt picture. "Truublo in Paradise." •which, with Miriam Hopkins, Kay Kmncis, Charliu Ruggles, and Edward Kvcrctfc Ilortou in the cast comes to the- Brooklyn Theatre-tonight

PLAZA THEATRE. An unusual picture from many points of ■view- is "The Buttle," -which commenced itti local season ut the Plaza Theatre yenterdiiy. It may be described as v picture of'conflicts,'.both -psychologically and materially, and it has some particularly gripping scenes. The basis of the story is a Japanese navy: officer's intense patriotism, 'which, rises above his love for his wife. The opening, scene is laid in Nagasaki,' .where a. welcome is being given to the Japanese fleet, returning victorious from battle. Though the fleet's commauder, Marquis Yorisaka, has seen the enemy routed, he is'doubtful whether the victory .was really, convincing, and seeks the opinion of Commander Fergan, the British Naval Attache, who has witnessed the skirmish. Fergan is reticent, and1 Yorisaka adopts the expedient o£ throw-, ing his wife in Fergan's way and thereby (securing an opportunity of. learning what Fcrgan has stated in his" report to the Admiralty. Developments subsequently occur which Yorisaka had scarcely anticipated, and the story proceeds to a powerful and tragic climax. The three central figures are admirably portrayed by Charles Boyer (Marquis Yoris'aka), John Loder (Commander'Fergan), and Merle Oberon (Marquise Yorisaka), and the picture has been very skilfully produced, the battle scenes being responsible for some startling realism. There' is an interesting supporting programme, which includes scenes at the opening, of the Melbourne Centenary celebrations and at the British- Empire Games. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Screening- tonight, Monday morning, Monday .afternoon, and Monday night at the De Luxe- Theatre, Lower Hutt,- is Lewis Carroll's immortal pantomime, "Alice in 'Wonderland," with Charlotte Henry as: the timid yet ever adventurous Alice. She has lived in storybook laud for generations. Millions, young and old, have loved her, and now Paramount brings to glowing life on the sqreen this great story. All the favourites are. there, the Mad Hatter, Tweedledum, and Tweedledee, the Cheshire Cat, the Red Queen, the White Rabbit, Sir Turtle, etc. The excellent, supporting programme- includes another "Popeye, the Sailor" Cartoon. Box plans are at the "Peter Pan" Lounge, Or telephone theatre, CJ3-431. ; . ROYAL ROLLER RINK, A ."pecial late session is advertised to be held tonight at the Royal Roller Kink (Vivian Street). A special skating programme will -be presented, with feature numbers by the. Royal Skating Orchestra. An added attraction will be the .final of the one mile home trainer championship,in which, several o£, the local champion cyclists will.be seen in action. Hie-neat winners are L. Sowerby, A. Sowerby, L. Roberts, R. Ulmer, K. Wilson,-and L. Staverly. The fastest time recorded so far is thati of. L. Sowerby,. who covered the one mile in 72 3-osec. . . • RIVOLI THEATRE. :'William Powell, as the famous detective character Philo Vance, is superb in his latest mystery thriller "The Kennel Murder Case," which. is said to be the. best of the mysteries yet screened. It is now af tlie'.Rivbli Theatre. ' The second, attraction i Wives of Reno," is a; bright and breezy farce comedy, featuring an allstar cast-Frank McHu g h, Ruth Donnelly, Hugh Herbert, Guy , Kibbee, Margaret Lindsay, and Glenda Farrell. "Double Crossing of Columbus" is a: brilliant imisicql ■featurette from the Warner Bros. studios. Commencing a special season on Monday and 'continuing for an extended period "is "The Life 'of Henry VIII, starring Chafes Laughton, who m less than two years iipd only six roles on the screen has risen-to such a peakUat he is ilia-, cussed "as. "greater than Jamiings, iue story is of Henry the man rather-than the, monarch. The story begins on the day \nne Boleyn,; Henry's second queen, was beheaded, and Jane Seymour,-whom he: called sweet but stupid, becomes his third.; But the real romance of the picture is his love- "for" Catherine. ..Howard, . ,whom: he would have ,-taken for, us : fourth, wife- had': diplomacy not selected the German "llu'chess,. -Aim, ot Cleaves, who wanted him for husband 110. more: -than: 'he. • wanted . her;, for • -wife His -■ :'iiwiage to- -.Catherine , Howard. T)romi's.'e.s. tp' be his'-most successful, .but. she finds she has never forgotten her love' for Thomas Culpeper. and thereby hangs a tale of infidelity. The associate attraction, "The Way to Love," Maurice Chevalier's latest picture, is exceptionally good.