ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 35, 11 February 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Dickens on the screen seems bound to ue produced in a form which will, if anything,-increase his immortality. "Great kxpectationa," chosen by .Universal Corporation for screen production, now at the .Regent Theatre, is as much of a success as it had been heralded, revealing the highlights ot human nature and the vitality of the great author. The selection from the story for film purposes has been done admirably, and there is a sense of balance in keeping with the fitness of things. It is a picture standing out, and bound to stand out, as an achievement. The spirit of Dickens and his characters has been captured. From the moment that Pip is revealed seated among the graves* of his family in the little Kentish churchyard up to the last romantic scenes the progress of the story never falters. The acting is exceptionally good. One of the finest pieces of character acting seen on the screen for. some time is that of Henry Hull, who takes' the part of Abel Magwitch, the convict. The strange personality of a man who is at once criminal and unfortunate, coarsened, yet with a heart of gratitude passing imagination, is handled with admirable skill. From- the first scenes on the desolate marshes after his escape from the prison hulks, to the deathbed scene in. a London gaol, Hull convinces that here is Magwitch as Dickens meant him to be; . GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Aspirants' for screen fame have an opportunity to display : their talent at the Grand Opera House, (where Dr. A. L. Lewis, of Hollywood, discoverer of Janet Gaynor, is conducting a series of "comedy talkie tests" on the stage. There are plenty of would-be film stars, offering .their services, and the manner in' whiph Dr. Lewis conducts the performance is both ■ interesting -and amusing 'to the audiencj._ Short extracts from well-known motion pictures are chosen ;as suitable for the purpose, • and Dr. Lewis picks out different candidates for the parts, everyone having an opportunity to -display his or her talent. It is Dr. Lewis's intention- to make.;a thorough search of New Zealand, for talkie types to use in a comedy which he proposes to make in this country. The- supporting programme is' excellent,, the main feature b'eingan Edna May Oliver comedy, "We're Back Again." with Billie Burke. ; Marion Nixon, * and Reginald Denny in the supporting roles. The story tells_ of the troubles of a penniless aristocratic family when a crowd of guests arrives to celebrate'a wedding. The.fun is fast and furious throughout, and interest is well maintained until the end. Also showing. is an excellent newsreel, and a hilarious comedy entitled "Odour in the.Court." .' . ... ;•;.. DE LUXE THEATRE. Edna.May Oliver, one of the foremost character actresses of the screen, has a role that brings her brilliant success in "Murder on the: Blackboard," now at the De Luxe. This' mystery thriller, like the "Penguin Pool Murder" which preceded it, reveals Miss Oliver in the'role of Hildegarde Withers, a school teacher who is thrown into contact with the police because of a baffling crime. • A girl is mysteriously murdered and her body disappears. Hildegarde, who has been detained in school after hours, discovers the crime aud gets in touch with an old acquaintance at police headquarters, helping his stumbling mind over the baffling obstacles which lie between'him and the solution of the mystery.. At the close the inspector imagines that he* has done the whole, thing himself, but the nimble intelligence of the school teacher has reallyprovided the path-finding. In the course of the investigation of the murder many exciting things happen to 'the. pursuers. The first New Zealand screening of .'the' picture "Lest We Forget" will take place at the De Luxe Theatre next Friday. Owing perhaps to its strictly British sentiment, it has captured London audiences in a manner which suggests a deep appreciation of its theme. Dealing with a longawaited gathering of three war veterans sixteen years after the Armistice, it would* appear to offer little change from productions of its type which have preceded it, but its skilful handling as a psychologica\ study of the reactions of men who have braved war and a similarly hazard'oiis peace places it on a distinctly higher level than its predecessors. The country home of Captain Bayrier," where the comrades meet, resembles -some peaceful haven of refuge from a storm; and as the men tell of.their experiences since they parted in 1918 a pretty romance of the younger generation beginsl to bud. The cast is headed by Stewart Rome, whose sincerity of purpose is * -sympathetically: reflected in a role for which he is eminently suited. Anne Yates and Esmond Knight fill the juvenile parts.' PARAMOUNT THEATRE. - "Wharf Angel," at the Paramount Theatre, is a stirring story of love and friendship. Victor McLaglen is "Turk," the finest-built man on the waterfront, and Preston Foster k an idealist striving to prove that all men are brothers, and to earn a living, at the same time. Both fall in love with./ the same girl (Dorothy Bell). Preston has, got mixed up in a street fight, and is found with a ;un in his hand which he has just taken from the killer of a policeman. He runs for it, and blunders into the girl's room. She hides him, and there dawns a pathetic love story, the two bits of life's jetsam finding consolation in each other's trust. This is the girl McLaglen is also determined to marry, sensing in her the gold beneath ;he tawdry dross of the life she has*folowed. Friends, on the ship to which the united man is smuggled, the crisis between the two men arises when' the police make an arrest- when they return to San Francisco. : . QUEEN'S THEATRE. . With Richard Barthelmess in the leading role, "Alias the Doctor" is the chief- attraction at the Queen's Theatre. It is the story' of a ■ man who oecarne the greatest... surgeon in Europe, a famous saver of human lives, practising without the legal right. The girl is Marian Marsh. Also on the bill is "Private Detective 62," in which an international spy, William Powell, gets caught in some muddy business and finds aimself as a "partner" in a private detective agency, trailing faithless wives for suspecting husbands. In due course of events he .breaks up a gambling ring which has threatened to destroy the life of his ■sweetheart, played by Margaret Lindsay. ; '■' SHORTT'S THEATRE. Adapted by Tim Whelan from a story by Guy Bolton,. "Aunt Sally.," at Shortt's. Theatre, concerns the efforts of Sally Bird (Cicely Courtneidge) to Bet a part in the super cabaret of a new London night club, to be opened by Mike Kelly (Sam Hardy), an American night club king. She fails to impress the cabaret producer and is thrown out of the club, but undaunted, Sally returns and persuades Mike Kelly to listen to a song. It is a failure in more senses than one, and she is forcibly ejected. By a ruie Sally gets introduced to Kelly as a famous French actress and she is-engaged to star in the cabaret. Eventually, however, it is Sally as herself who proves an enormous success. The second picture ia "Three on a Honeymoon." ARTCRAFT THEATRE. The appearance together in a picture of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable provides screen entertainment above the ordinary. The popular pair are again associated in "Dancing Lady," which concludes at the Artcraft Theatre this evening. Tomorrow "The Way to Love," with Maurice Chevalier, will commence a season at the Artcraft Theatre. "The Way to Love" is a story of Paris, a romance between a tourist guide and a street gamin, played by Maurice Chevalier and Ann Dvorak respectively. Also in the cast is Edward Everett Horton.. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "The Battle," a Fox.Gaumont. British Special production, starring Charles Boyer, heads the programme at the Empire Theatre this evening. The spectacle of the naval .scenes- in. this production is said to surpass anything of the kind ever attempted' on the screen. The squadrons sweeping into action, the sweating toil of the gun-crews, the havoc wi ought by bursting shells, are picturised in vivid reality. Merle Oberon and John Loder complete a large' cast. An excellent programme of selected featurettes precedes the main attraction. On Wednesday and Thursday Warner Oland will be seen ia "Charlie Chan in London."

STATE THEATRE. • Of the many screen combinations there is probably none more, appreciated by the pictui'e-goiug public than that of Wheeler and Woolsey, who are now appearing in their latest farce, "Kentucky Kernels," at .the State Theatre. In this picture the two commians are east as vaudeville magicians who, through some stroke of misfortune, are appointed foster fathers of a young child. With characteristically wild abandon the pair become involved in a fierce family feud following on the inheritance of a very expensive estate by the child. Wheeler departs from his usual roles by falling in love with the daughter of the leader of the opposing camp, and, of necessity, Woolsey does his best to pacify the enemy. The fun is fast and furious, and in the closing stages there ire. many riotous moments. : The film is particularly notable for the introduction of "One Little Kiss," a catchy melody, which is sure to prove popular.'. An excellent ballet provides fast, high-stepping touches to the antics of Wheeler and his associate. . ■ . ST. JAMES THEATRE. Now in its second week' at the St. James Theatre, "The Barretts' of Wimpole Street" is one of the best of thu many ambitious productions of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.: The action takes placa in the Barrett. household in London in the middle; of last century, a large family being ruled with selfishly oppressive hand by a despotic father. Elizabeth, the invalid, is frequently told that she is not long for this world, and she expects only death until her poetry attracts the attention of Robert Browning. Full of the joy of life and abounding in strength and courage, he persuades her back to health, and finally takes her as his -wife away from the home she. has grown to hate. The intensely absorbing ! story. alone-would make the picture worth while, but it is rendered,doubly attractive by the cast of leading players. Norina Shearer as the dainty Elizabeth, Fredric March as the intensely vital Browning, and Charles Laughton as the smugly tyrannical; father are. the; three stars, and they are ably supported by: a host of first-class artists, not the least of which is Plush, the spaniel.MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Evelyn Prentice," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a murder drama. John Prentice, a successful advocate^ is kept so busy with a series of cases that he spends little time at home. The rather embarrassing attentions of a youngJ and flighty widow, whoni he has saved from a manslaughter charge, threaten to compromise him, but the situation is saved by the quick wit of his wife's friend and the understanding- of his long-suffering v."ife. The wife, however, falls unwittingly into] an affair with a handsome young, poet, Lawrence Kennard. Through the prudence of the wife, .and her: love; for her husband, it does not assume dangerous proportions, but she writes several compro-. | mising letters. The poet then shows himself in his true colours by trying to exact blackmail.: During a meeting with Evelyn in his fiat, Kennard is shot dead, and the woman with whom he is ' living ia found_ . standing over him with j the gun in her hand. Unaware; of his! wife's complicity in the case. Prentice undertakes the defence. How he uses his wife's evidence to obtain a complete triumph and. a happy ending makes a court scene unique in the history of crime films. ■ . ;■ .: ■ ..-." -r .';■- -■"' ' KING'S THEATRE. -"Jimmy the Gent," starring James Cagney, ia now showing' at .the Kings Theatre. The picture is based on' the hilarious comeay romance by- Laird Doyle and Ray Nazarro,- and. concerns, two crooks, each of whom is trying to expose the other to impress the girl they love. The story unveils in humorous vein the unique racket of hunting down lost heirs ] in order to inherit unclaimed estates. And the two notorious heir chasers. James Cagney and Alan Dinehart, do not stop at bribing persons to apt as heirs and coaching them into perjured testimony. Bette Davis is the feminine lead. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A double-ifeature programme, of outstanding merit will be screened at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight at .7.45. Themain feature .is the uproariously funny comedy "Circus Clown," featuring Joe E. Brown. The picture includes - the entire cast of Al. G. Barnes's world-famous circus, including "The Flying Codonas," amazing aerialists, "Poodles Hanneford's" an astounding equestrian troupe, and "The Picchiani Family," tumblers extraordinary. Barbara . Stanwyck arid Joel McCrea, in "Gambling Lady," is the supporting feature. .... . ■"■ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. ' Tonight at the' Regal Theatre a most thrilling detective story, "Charlie Chan in London," will be screened. Warner Olarid, cast as Charlie Chan, gives a most interesting performance, and goes to great pains to trap a murderer, giving of his usual dry humour. Dramatic scenes and intense excitement mark this film as an exceptionally good mystery etory. Special supports will be screened. On Wednesday and Thursday "Caravan" will be shown. ."-■ . OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Will Rogers appears in "Handy Andy," which is now showing at Our Theatre. Rogers portrays a druggist who'wants to work in peace, but his wife nags him to sell out,and learn to play. Arid so he does. First Ke becomes a pigeon fancier and lets his pets fly all over the house. Then he takes up golf; with very funny results. The climax comes, however, when his wife persuades him to take a trip to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. "The Ghoul," a mystery thriller, starring Boris Karloff, is the second, attraction. BRITANNIA THEATRE. ' • Well diversified entertainment is provided at the Britannia Theatre. ■:"■. "Convention City," a hilarious comedy, purports to reveal, in humorous vein, actual; happenings at the annual business conventions held by business organisations. The picture is filled with love tangles which the trusting wife at home knows nothing about— that is, none save two who ■ drop in unexpectedly on their husbands to the embarrassment of all concerned. "The Four Masked Men" is an exciting mystery play in which the principal roles are filled by Judy Kelly,' John Stuart, and Miles Mandet. PRINCESS THEATRE. Bringing to life the famous characters in Damon Runyon's celebrated, story. Adolphe, Menjou, Dorothy Dell, Charles Bickford, and Shirley Temple, .together with a host of other talented players,' are featured in the film version of "Little Miss Marker," now at the Princess Theatre. it is the setory of a five-year-old girl who is used as security for a gambling debt. How she reveals the good side of. numerous wrong-doers, and teaches them the real meaning of love, provides the theme for this really enjoyable picture."Bolero," with George Raft in the starring role, depicts the private and public life of the world's greatest dancer. :-\. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "Take a Chance," a Paramount musical film, will.be presented tonight at the De Luxe' Theatre, Lower Hutt. It is a gay bit of nonsense concerning the careers of four carnival side-show entertainers who become tired of small-town life and decide to snatch fame and.fortune oh Broadway. James Dunn and Cliff Edwards, who just can't keep from pocketing other people's watches and miscellaneous valuables, make a splendid team. Dunn, who has played romantic leads exclusively in the past, steps into farce comedy as though born to it. June Knight and Lillian Roth support them well. "Take a Chance" has a much stronger plot than the usual musical film, besides boasting of a chorus of Broadway's prettiest girls and at least five song hits. The picture follows the careers of the four irrepressible youngsters safely through the villainies of a crooked gambler and a jealous actress, and ends with a double romance between Dunn and Miss Roth and Charles "Buddy" Rogers and June Knight. • SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. At the Seaside Pictures tonight, at S o'clock a double-feature programme will be screened. "Danny Boy," which will be shown first, is ai charming story of. a wandering street player, his successes, and his failures. "Song at Eventide," starring Fay Compton, will also bo screened.

PLAZA THEATRE. Upper-class" society life in New York during the mid-Victorian period forms the background for the "Age of Innocence," which is now showing at the I'laza Theatre. The etory is based on Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize novel of the same name, and tells of the difficulties of young people of the time who want to be free to live their own lives without interference from their relations. The film is notable for the reappearance together of Irene Dunne and John Boles, who scored such an outstanding success in "Back Street." Boles is cast as Newland Archer, the young man. who sacrifices his happiness for convention, and Irene Dunne is the Countess Olenska, who shocks the I elite society of old New York by her frank behaviour. The full beauty of Edith Wharton's book has been captured with sympathetic skill, and credit is due to players and producers alike. Appropriate settings and beautiful costuming are features of the picture. .