ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 24, 29 January 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Franz Schubert lives again in the person of Richard Taubcr in the picture "Blossom Time," now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. ' Said to be remarkably like Schubert in appearance^ Taubcr impersonates him with an artistic realism which leaves one with a vivid idea of the character" of that ' ' illustrious composer. Schubert is shown as a genius,:. confident of his ability, to,succeed but handicapped by a natural timidity and a lack of pui)lic attention. In spite of every! obstacle he achieves, a musical triumph in singing his own composition.s' at a public recital, only to.find that Vicki, the dancing master's daughter'and the object oE all his affection, is more interested in a dashing dragoon, who possesses the. advantage of being a count. Th*e course of true love does not run smoothly with' them until Schubert, realising his own . hopeless ambition, schemes successfully to bring the two together. "Blossom Time" must be one of the greatest pictures Elstree has given to the world; whether it is Tauber's glorious singing, Schubert's melodious compositions, or the colourful scenes of old Vienna that make the picture great is a matter of individual opinion. There are excellent supports. : '"Transatlantic Merry-Go-Rouivl." "Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round," a sparkling new comedy-dramu with melody, mystery, and romance, staged aboard a palatial ocean Jiuer, corned to the Regent Theatre on Friday. A great east of'screen and1 radio stars, headed by Jack Benny, Nancy Carroll, and Gene Raymond, is seen in this production. Benny is seen as a genial master of ceremonies, broadcasting from the high seas, while Nancy plays Sally Marsh, the star of his troupe, arid Raymond is seen as a young Raffles who falls in love with her. The passengers include Sydney Howard, England's Chaplin, Sid Silvers as Raymond's comic confederate working as a steward, Sidney Blackmer as a scoundrelly. Broadway racketeer, Shirley Grey as a married woman who is infatuated with Lother, Ralph Morgan as her suspicious husband, and William. Boyd as an escaped gunman. Mystery develops leading to a thrilling climax. Four tuneful song bite are introduced in the production. Sidney Clare and Richard Whiting wrote "It Was Sweet of You," "Rock and Roll," and "Oh, Leo!" while Mercer and Malnick contributed "If 1 Had a. Million Dollars." DE LUXE THEATRE. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy appear in their most unusual film to date at ths De Luxe Theatre, "Babes in Toyland," a fautastic operetta with music by the famous Victor Herbert. The film/tells of the adventures o£ all the storybook characters, of the grand roles played by Stanley Dee and Oliver Dum, of tbo villainies of the Meanest Man in Town, and reaches a climax when the forces of Bogyland attack-Toyland. In this novel setting the' attractive music is sung by Felix Knight, Charlotte Henry, and others, while the activities of 'Laurel and Hardy are equal in comedy to anything they have done. The supporting bill is of excellent quality. At the organ, Miss Iris Mason plays a popular selection of Toyland tunes. In "Doctor Monica," which is to open at the De Luxe on Friday, Kay Francis is magnificent in her portrayal o£ the title role, and Jean Muir, as tho "other woman," shows why Warner Bros, have so rapidly advanced her to stardom. Warren William makes the difficult role of a man who would like to be true to his wife but cannot resist temptation not only convincing, but thoroughly understandable. Charles Kenyon has given an" excellent dramatisation to the famous Polish play, and William Keighley has directed it with great skill and artistry. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. An interesting character study is given by Kathcrinc Hepburn in "Spitfire" at the Paramount Theatre." She enacts the role of Trigger Hicks, a half-savage whito girl- who lives in a cabin in the mountains. The mountain community haa been out of touch with the modern world for so long that it represents a backwater of civilisation in which circumstance the writer found her opportunity. The supporting cast in "Spitfire includes Ralph Bellamy, Robert 3 oung, Martha Sleeper, Louis Mason, Sara Haden, and John' Beck. Miss Iris Mason gives her usual entertainment at the Wurlitzer organ. A story of the heart-break, pathos, and human drama that goes on behind the curtains,of the vaudeville stage, You Belong To Me," will head the double-star programme at the Paramount Theatre on Friday.' Heading the cast are Lee iracy, Helen Mack, Helen Morgan, the latest juvenile star, David Holt, Lyime Overman, and Arthur Picrson. "You Belong To Me" presents Lee Tracy as a brokendown vaudeville comedian who looks after the welfare of Floretto Faxon and her fatherless son. Their courses separate, and tho manly little boy appoints himself his mother's guardian. While he is at school his mother is killed during her act, and Tracy, determined to adopt the little boy, comes to the school. Here he is surprised to meet his wife whom he had leit years ago and who had since become a headlines Love for the boy re-umted Tracy and his wife.' The second attraction will be "Crime Without Passion, the story of the cleverest criminal lawyer m New York, who found himself trapped Dy his own shrewdness. KING'S THEATRE. Entertainment for all tastes will be found in the two new features now showing at the King's Theatre. The first is a mystery comedy, with a thrilling romance, "The Silver Spoon," featuring Binnie Barnes, lan Hunter, and Garry Marsn. The exciting and amusing story concerns two men who take to tramping after being jilted by the same girl, unbeknown to each other. They come across a murdered man, and in order to protect their girl, they destroy the evidence left beside the body. "The Purchase Price" is a vivid tale of a night club singer, transported to the Dakota wheatfields. . Edward G. Robinson is starred in uext Friday's new feature at the King's, "Dark Hazard." This picture, with Genevieve Tobin and Glcnda Farrell in the supporting roles, deals with a man whose passion for gambling is bo strong that he gives up love and home because of it. QUEEN'S THEATRE. A closely-guarded silk train racing against time, a murder in tho baggage car, two trusted guards secretly working _to stop the train, another murder, a dying man and his daughter counting tho minutes, a detective trying to solve the mystery, are tho constituents of ."The Silk Express," with Neil Hamilton and Sheila Terry, which heads the current Queens Theatre bill. The other picture, "'Frisco Jenny," with Ruth Chatterton and Ronald Cook, is a romance of tho Barbary Coast. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. An unusual picture in cverj way, "For Love of You," which introduces the Italian tenor Franco Foresta, will be a treat for all music-lovcra. "For Love of You," the song from which the film takes its title, was specially composed for the tenor by Franz Vienna, tho young godson of the famous Franz Lehar. Excerpts from "Tales of Hoffmann," "Pagliacci," and "Othello" have also been introduced and form an important part in the story. "Venice, the City Beautiful," is the locale of the story. There are big supports on the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Wonder Bar," heading the double bill at the Princess Theatre, is something entirely new, with six stars, a dozen featured players, to Bay nothing of live hundred other performers. , Al. Jolson has his old stage role. Kay Francis, Dolores Del Rio,' Ricardo Cortez, Diok Powell, and Hal Ie Roy are some of the stars. "Come On Marines" tells of the adventures of a company of marines which has been sent into the Philippine jungle to rescue a ■ nuniber of marooned girls. There aro pleasing featurettes. BRITANNIA THEATRE. Richard Arlen, popular leading man and star of many screen successes, tops the cast of Paramount's "She Made Her Bed,'' at the Britannia Theatre. Sally Eilers, Robert Armstrong, Grace Bradley, Rosco Ates, and Charley Grapewin occupy the other important'roles. All lovers of sensation are well entered for by the mystery thriller, "The" Warren Case," offered as the supporting feature. There is not one dull moment in the entire film.'. There are also interesting short '-subjects.••' .. ■_ ■

FRANK NEIL'S REVUE. "On "With the Show," tlio title of the second week's programme of the Frank Neil Variety Company now playing at the Grand Opera House, is a singularly appropriate one. Prom the opening number, the show never flags, and the twentyiivo international variety stars, aided by a bright and well-trained ballet, keep interest and pleasure at their hghest pitch. Nice, Florio, and Lubow put on a new edition of acrobatic and slapstick dancing that had the audience guessing as to whether the-fight was a serious one or not. The brilliant and graceful trio, • Les Diamondos" amazed witli.their dazzling display of Jiving statues, cllisic poses, and adagio dancing. Alec Halls, musician, clown, and eccentric dancer, is a delight to watch. Another type of dancing is shown by the accomplished pair, MacDonakl and Graham. On the purely comic side, Joey Porter is as popular with the crowd as in the previous show. Hope and Kay kept the audience in a roar ot laughter with their witty cross-talk and singing. The orchestra, under Mr. Harry Lazarus, combined with .the • ballet, and put 011 some very line numbers. Miss Grace Ilnrtington, Mr. Kussell Callow, and Ted Simpson rendered several songs. The two stage pictures, "The Easter Parade (I860)" aiid "Life's Shop Window, revealed the excellence of the company m the best form possible. The act that probably obtained the greatest applause was that staged by '"The Three Ambassadors, a. harmonious trio "of internationally famous instrumentalists, particularly ill old-fashioned melodies, in which the audienco joined. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Now and Forever," the feature at the St. James Theatre; is the story of a crook (Gary Cooper), who tries to come back to respectability for the sake of his infant daughter (Shirley1 Temple). The father in him triumphs over the crook in him, as the little girl leads him upward. Later crookedness gets the upper hand again. Between the daughter and the father stands the woman who has partnered him in his chequered, life; this woman (Carole Lombard) figures as an uplifting influence- also, ■ but it takes a good many people to lift up a man once he has gone down. In the. first part of the programme are a diving exhibition by the famous Pete Dcsjardiu, ' "Madhouse Movies," "New Dealt Rhythm," an^ ''Axe Mo Another," and newsreels. In Norma Shearer's new success, "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," which comes to the St. James Theatre on Friday, three winners of the annual Motion Picture Academy award appear together. They are Miss Shearer, who stars as Elizabeth in the famous tale of poetic" love; Fredric March, who plays opposite as the ardent Robert Browning; and Charles Laughton, most recent winner of the award, who shines as the diabolical father. Miss. Shearer, as the star, naturally carries the brunt of the film—and carries it with grace and charm. Besides the stars, there is also a long string of excellent supporting players. Maureen O'Sullivan, who plays spirited Henrietta; Ralph Forbes as Captain Cook; Una O'Connor as the obs&quious Wilson; and Katharine Alexander portraying the reverent Arabel. MAJESTIC THEATRE, In "Man of Two Worlds," at the Majestic Theatre, Francis Lederer has made an undoubted" success of his first film role. As Aigo, the foremost hunter of an Eskimo tribe, ho becomes the guide of a party of scientists headed by Sir Basil Pembcrton (Henry Stephenson). He becomes fascinated by a portrait of Sir Basil's daughter (Elissa Landi). He is taken back to London, where he meets the original of the portrait. His idealistic belief in the girl persists for some time, but is inevitably shattered, and the Eskimo returns to his native land, his wife, and his child. -A newsreel, two merry comedies, and a cartoon complete an entertaining programme. STATE THEATRE. An appealingly human story concerning three generations of a cockney family during pre-war, wartime, and post-war years is told in "My Old Dutch/ ot the State Theatre. The picture is not a new version of a former production of that name, but the latter is introduced as a silent picture mV one of the scenes_ and there are certain points, of similarity.' From the courting of Jim Hawkins and his marriage the story moves to the growing up of his son. who is killed in the war after a hasty marriage to the daughter 'of a wealthy mine owner. He is succeeded by a poßthumous son whose mother does not live to rear him. After a legal battle with the child's grandfather on his mother's side, who has relented his decision to disown his daughter, the Hawkins's cheerfully shouldered • their new responsibility. With unemployment increasing their position becomes exceedingly difficult, and a crisis is reached during the general strike. The principal features of the story are forcefully portrayed, and there are some exciting scenes. The supports comprise newsreels with a variety of interesting features. EMPIRE THEATRE!, ISLAND BAY. "Stingaree," starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, heads the programme at the Empire Theatre this evening. The story centres around the notorious bushranger Stingaree. Reginald Owen, Conway Tcarlc, and Andy Divine lead a talented supporting east. A- two-reel1 comedy, a cartoon, a Pathe review, 'and a Pathe newsreel complete an excellent programme. On Wednesday and' Thursday "Danny Boy" and "Song at Eventide" ■ will be screened. ' REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre, Karori, a special double-feature 'programme will bo shown. Heading the Bill will be Will Rogers in "Mr. Skitch," "a splendid production by the ever-popular comedian, assisted by Zasu Pitts. The supporting feature will be "Devil Tiger,' 'a sensational thrilling trip through the heart of virgin jungle. On Wednesday and Thursday Richard Dix will appear in "Stiugaree." KILBIRNIE KINEMA. The final screening of "Little -Miss Marker" and "Student Tour" will be made tonight at the Kilbirine Kinema. Tomorrow evening a benefit will be given for the Kilbirnie Cricket Club. The programme will be headed by "The Blue Squadron" and "Picture Snatchers," both pictures of outstanding merit. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "The House of Rothschild," at Shortt's Theatre, traces the rise of the famous European banking family from obscurity in Frankfort, Germany, to the position of international prominence it had gained at the end of the Napoleonic wars, and presents George Arliss in two roles— as Mayer Amschel Rothschild, and later as Nathan Rothschild. Featured in support of Arliss are Boris Karloff, Loretta Young, and Robert Vounp. There are good supports, including a' Walt Disney coloured cartoon, "Gfasshoppera and Ants"; a gazette, and ifcoveltics. SEASIDE PICTURtS, LYALL BAY. At the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight, "On Secret service" will- be screened. It is an. espionage drama culminating in a stirring climax in which two young lovers, secret service agents of enemy nations, /are faced with the'terrible decision, love tor duty. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Handy Andy" is the attraction at the Capitol Theatre tonight for the last time. Featuring Will Rogers, Conchita Montenegro, Peggy Wood, and Mary Carlisle, this is a picture which has been made for laughter, and how well it succeeds can be imagined wlien Rogers is seen raising pigeons in the parlour, taking care of babies, burning up a dance floor with a priceless adagio exhibition, and finally landing in gaol, all to break his wife's social climbing. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. ]<"ilmgocrs who think of the spy romance as fiction will be surprised to learn that in the past two years more than five hundred men and women have been arrested as spies in countries abroad. The man whom Myrna Loy is determined to catch in "Stamboul Quest" is played by George Brent. Others who have prominent roles are C- Henry Gordon, Xionel Atwill, Judith Vosselli, and Leo Carroll. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Power and the Glory" comes to the Palace Theatre, Petone, tomorrow. Spencer Tracy and Colleen Moore have" the featured roles in the production, and they are supported by a cast that includes Ralph Morgan, Helen Vmson, Clifford Jones, Henry Kolker, Sarah Padden, Billy O'Brien, Cullen Johnston, and J, Farrell Mac Donald.

RIVOLI THEATRE. "The House on !J6tk Street," starring Kay .Francis, Gene Kaymond, and Ricardo Cortcz, and "Once to Every Woman," starring F;iy Wray, Walter Connolly, and Kalph Bellamy, will be shown finally tonight at the Kivoli Theatre. Laurel and Ilartly provide a merry interlude in "Our Wife." Tomorrow the new programme will be headed by "White Woman," starring Charles Laughton, Charles Bickford, and Cavole Lombard. The second attraction, "Smnrty," features Joan Blondell and Warren William. THE PLAZA. In "The Gay1 Divorcee," at the Plaza Theatre, an intriguing story is _ cleverly interwoven in a medley of singing and dancing. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers give a remarkable series of exhibitions on the dance floor. ■ Guy Holdcn meets with a charming young lady named Mimi, who has; unknown to Guy, engaged his friend Egbert to secure her a divorce. They all go to the "sea coast, where Guy is mistaken for the "professional"' corespondent engaged by Egbert. The_ ensuing complications are just being straightened out when the real co-respondent' appears, and the story goes merrily onward through the night. The supporting features are all good, and include the latest Australian .and New Zealand news items. ARTILLERY BAND. The first of a series of fortnightly concerts will bo given by the Wellington Artillery Band at the Band Rotunda, Orientat Bay, -on Wednesday evening, at S o'clock. A specially-selected programme of light popular music will be given on this1 occasion, and it is hoped.that the music-loving public will extend their patronage to the concert and help the band to make these concerts a feature of- Wellington's musical activities. A silver coin collection will be taken, up in aid of the band's dull dress and instrument fund.