ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

; ■ -REGENT-THEATRE. Many characters are - concerned in the modern theatre , revue '-''Transatlantic Merry-go-round," at the Regent Theatre. It is a production on a large scale, and is packed with variety and excitement. The background of tho story deals with the crossed skeins of crooks and : the unfaithful wife, Anyu Eosson, who leaves New York .on a palatial liner with Lee" Lother,. a crook. The story begins on the liner; with two pistol shots and the ship's officers trying to break into a cabin. Then the clock goes back 48 hours, the time of the ship's departure, from Kew York. It witnesses Anyu Eosson's .departure from her husband, after which he quietly steals on board.- there is Chan.Denby and his troupe of revue players, headed by Sally Marsh. Lother has. one of Denby's company in-his power for having at one' time forged his name to a cheque.' Sally gets to know of this, and., begs Lother to release the boy ftorn, his i power. Lother promises to return the forged cheque to Sally in her cabin after a revue show, and here two shots are" fired and Lother is killed. The. examination of all those possibly involved iv the :-:urder is being conducted by apolice inspector when there is another shot and Mrs. Eosson falls dead. Her husband, fully alive to her infidelity, has done what he went on board to do.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Kay Francis and Warren William have the leading.roles in "Dr. Monica," a story based on a famous Continental play, now at tHe^De-Mse'l.keatre. -She-play.Ctbe-part o£ a •woman doctor, specialising in maternity .work, who is married to a-happy and irresponsible author and who suddenly finds-herself confronted by the ruin of all"her happiness. The ciiiise of this turn o£ events is an attractive young girl, a part played by Jean Muir, and the course whiqh happenings take after this revelation makes this an uiiusual and interestihg^pTiotppJay. The .two women plan for the preservation of the happiness of the man/they, both.lo.v.e,,and.each in her own -way seeks a solution of tha problem. When the end comes it is in a most unexpected; manner. The film is excellently acted, and the whole-supporting cast-is of outstanding merit.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

1 With Lee Tracy, Helen Mack, Helen Morgan, and David Holt, aged six, in the cast, - "You;v Belong to' Me" brings a human, sympa.thetic, and enthralling story about three of life's ."brave" unfortunates to the screen, of the Paramount Theatre. Young Holt is the most believable little boy fheVacreen has shown: '-, The story revolves around the.off-stage experiences of a vaudeville team, through love for the boy,:Tracy and his. wife, who have parted,-become- reconciled, and' the trio set out to fight the world together. It •is a hear-t-jv'ar-ming drama of three people whose whole happiness depended upon each other;,' "Crime Without Passion," which is the second of the two chief pictures, is- .-adapted 'from an original short story by Ben Hecht, and is "devoted to the story of an unscrupulous lawyer who contends cynically ' that • "the" only crime' punished by Jaw. is stupidity.".

.KING'S THEATRE.

"Dark Hazard," starring Edward G. Robinson,-supported •by Gehevieve Tobin and Glenda. Farrell, is now showing at the King's Theatre, and for the first time shows "dog-racing as the background for what is stated to be a dramatic picture. The tb,eme of the story deals with,a man's paesi'on for gambling, which cost him love and iome.' -Robinson is |he gambler. Genevieve. Tobin has the leading feminine 'role as his unhappy wife, who ultimately hopes to reform him, while others in,the cast, are Glenda Farrell as Robinson's: former..girl,friend,, and Robert Cavanagh.!

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

Anna: Sten.:: .plays- -the'■..titles, role in "2iTana|v' s ;^'ilbitßi'.-Zpl^'s {. grjeat'., story. :f6f. a couftjezai'.;'.o.f^.P-aris ■■-in'..JithV 'seventies; at Sr^b^B^^eatrlj^he ..written, story is a c'l^i^an^;'.|-hj'.:filiii 'version is Bot less ro'-"''- J3ii.-/jts^.:;:sp£ere4^'' Anna Sten's charaat^ijsaiioii-is a.wonderful one which has p|^'ce;d't;'lier '-.am'opg ' the' first-rank-ers in;;£lie,.stuciio world. Spencer Tracey an& Jack;'* Oakie, with. Constance Cum,---raing- .^rjine' Judge; and Judith Wood,: take the; leads- in: "Looking :ITor Trouble," the cooiiedy • selected as a balance io the tense drama and pathos of the Zql^; story.

BHiTANNiA Theatre.

• Two'v-completely-satisfying . features., are being 'sh"ftsVn at the Britannia .Theatre. Universal'si "Million Dollar -.Sansbm," which Ifbrms the principal attraction, .is full oEifexcitiag situations, racy'\lialogue, and suspense. Heading, a long and important?.cast' are Phillips Holmes, Maryi Carlisle, "^Edward Arnold, . Wini Shaw, Andy Dejirie, and Marjorie Gateson. The supporting. feature is a brilliant satire on Ruritama, 'fThe Queen's Affair," which ',;teui-troduceß the starring-team of Anna and Fernand Graayey. Drama, comedy^.' spectacle, and romance 'are all blended:;-in.-'this picture. Among "the. eupports is'^he'fourth chapter of "The Red Rider.": U-i -.-. . i " -

THEATRE.

Two :eic'eßeht-comedy features are being shown '^"'the/Princess Theatre!: "THa. Old-fashioned-Way" is; the leadingVattraction. This cornpdy, Vhichy has .for -its theme the. adventures.Uandwihishapa':;. of ..an old-timgr:yaudeville;tro,upe,.:presents W. C. Fields JasV the- -manager, '.rbmahtic lead, and chief/support, of :':a-. hungry T troupe of players-i:\vho are alw^ysf one jump ahead $M,;;the v"-^pheriff and tjiree. weeks behindSih-'tteir pay. A snappy musical comedy.^;eni;itled_ which..' intror duces somei brilliant song numbers, is presented feature. There is alßo^ai'enjtertaining selection of shortsubjects;.; t^::'.::■ ' ■.■:'.":

MtiEEIN'S THEATRE

Heading "the:'currcnt double bill at the Queen'sikis /"Parachute Jumper," with Douglas;y.airbanks,' lun.,' and Bette Davis. The stpr^ ieiaj|s--the excitihg adventures of two jtfarine ;cqrps,air pilots in Nicaragua and.-.NO-*-: : Yo.rfv, ■■ where they are 'involved contraband. This brings m niatiy.:;spe.etacurar;.dir' stunts: The other pJ^Hpe :is ..''Th^/Mayor of Hell," with Jijs3S cQagney. -and .Madge Evans in the les3 r %lt- is'^a; Jstpryv set behind, the. walls ofr-a' reformatpry' mstrtution.'land is. an indi^tnii^nt:spf;:treatment meted'out to certain juvcfaileVcasesil- ■'V : - .'. :

- ■^PT^§^F^:THEATRt!&'j^;i ; : -V Th3t outstanding musical' drama "Woiiner Bar," the internationally famous musical drama with an all-star cast, headed by Kay Francis, Al Jolson, Dick Powell Ricardo Cortez, and Guy Kibbce, concludes its season at the Artcraft this evening". The picture is set amid the say revelries- of a Parisian night club with spectacular musical and dance numbers in which 300 beautiful girls take part. Commencing tomorrow, "You Can't Buy Everything,", with May Robson, Lewis btone, and Jean Parker, will be screened.'

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND. BAY.

A splendid programme has been'arranged for the Empire Theatre this'evening. The principal attraction is "Music Hall." Briefly the story concerns a Retired music hall proprietor who learning that the theatre has fallen on evil days, is persuaded to take charge again. Ha does so and puts it back\oriMts feet: Songs, music, and dancing as well'as numerous' vaudeville acts are featured. The turns include Debroy Somers Band, Herman Fisher Girls, George Carney, Macon's Dutch Serenadets, Chester's ; Famous Dogs, and Raymond Newell,

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"The Lost Chord," made on the lines of a romantic • love story and based on Sir Arthur Sullivan's famous ballad, will provide the movie entertainment at tho De' LuSe Theatre, Lower Hutt, tonight. Other compositions of the great British .composer are introduced' throughout tho film. Maurice Elvey. directed the production, Which was the last film in which Elizabeth Allan appeared prior to taking up her Hollywood contract. Special arrangements were made for all the scenes in which she appeared, to be "shot" first in order that it was possible for her to leave for America as soon as possible. The brilliant cast also includes Jeftn-:Stuart and-~Anne-Gccjv. ..-.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," at. the St. James Theatre, reaches a standard rarely attained on the screen. Those who saw- the play hero about three years ago will readily admit that this tinie^ the screen lias scored a distinct triumph' over ils older rival, and thut without departing to any great extent from the idea o£ confining the action to Elizabeth's sick room. Tho reason is largely to be found in the exeer4ionnlly fine cast, which includes Norma Shearer, as Elizabeth; Charles Laiightou, as her father; Fredric March, as Kobett Browning; and Maureen O'Sullivan, as Henrietta Barrett. Charles Lnughton, us the hypocritical, pompous, and overbearing father, gives a performance which ?vi!l long be remembered. Noinui Shearer has never been seen to better effect, and Fredric March gives probably the finest characterisation of his career.

"""'■■'. MAJESTIC THEATRE,

,"The;Return of the Terror," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a muidor mystery of a new and refreshing type. Adapted from Edgar Wallace's famous book "The Terror," it carries .on in a striking manner the story of the career of Dr. Eedmaynpj and tells of the exposure of a colossal- and almost successful 'plot. The picture opens with the trial of -Dr. EeJmayne. (John Halliday)fpr the raurdcr o£ patients in his sanatorium. The doctor's lawyer (Irving Pickel), on the advice oi his colleague, Dr. Goodman (Lyle Talbot), enters a plea of insanity in order to gain time. It is accepted, and Dr. Redmayue is incarcerated in an asylum. He escapes, and in and about the sanatorium on a wild and stormy night are congregated a queer collection of people. The supposed maniac, flits about among the patients, hunted by Dr. Goodman and various others. How his name is at last cleared arid how the real malefactors are brought, to book forms the subject of a most intricate anl entertaining story.

PLAZA THEATRE.

About the most popular form of comedy. that the talking film has as yet risen to is afarce by Ben Travers with Tom Walls, Ralph Lynri, and Robertson Hare to interpret it. With an enviable record of pa3t successes to their credit this combination has turned up again at the Plaza Theatre in "A Cup of : Kindness." The story is up to the Travers ; style,- and there are endless ludicrous situations arid misunderstandings, causing frequentlaughs. Tom Walls is once again an elderly -port-encrusted parent, ■ Major Tutt. The vacuous and monocled Ralph Lynn is his son,! Across the lives the Ramsbotham family, hopelessly estranged from the Tutts.. But,, I as might be expected, a love affair dev»l-j ops between young Tutt atidithe charming:! daughter across the road, and when the erring. son is arrested on the eve of his wedding for selling worthless shares, all the ingredients for a first-class farce are at.hand. '. ' ; . .' "

STATE THEATRE,

.. r?ear, born of fretted nerves and a morbid imagination, was perhaps the deadliest 'foe..that wartime flyers had to face. Its: causes and effects are graphically portrayed in the picture "Hell in the. Heavens1' at the State Theatre. Warner Baxter has the part of an American aviator in | command.. of a fighting squadron iv France. The squadron's counterpart on the. other ; side of the lines is commanded by a German known as "The Baron," whose, uncanny skill, in" the air has sent dozens/of his enemies crashing to the ground in flames. When Baxter arrives at the chateau where his squadron is stationed, "The Baron," in a message dropped by parachute, promises him a "brief but interesting stay." Baxter accepts the implied challeDge ; and the war takes on the aspect of a personal combat between the two. Underlying it all, t and now and then forcefully exemplified', is the demoralising.effect of fearful anticipation, upon . the . .flying men's skill and courage. Cohchita Montenegro is * the heroine, with Herbert Mundin and Andy Devirie as the fun-makers.

CAPITOL THEATRE^ MIRAMAR,

"Student Tour" is eliowing at the Capitol Theatre tonight. Headed by Jimmy Durante, Charles Buttenvorth, Maxine Doyle, Phil, Regan, and Monte Blue, "Student Tour" concerns the "doings of a: rowing crew who set out on a palatial liner for.England, but instead drift round the -world, with" a bevy, of,-beautiful girls and a team of funny men aboard: ■ Laurel and Hardy also appear on the programme in "The Midnight Patrol." ; v \; : :