ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

When Margaret . Sullavan, as a little orphan girl, leaves the "asylum" in which she has been brought up to face the wickedness of the world, siie does so with a determination to do a good deed every day, as some recompense to the taxpayers who have fed her, clothed her, and sheltered her all her life. The opportunity to do her first good deed conies rapidly, and the deed and its consequences form tho plot of "The Good Fairy," the chief picture now at the Regent Theatre. Margaret Sullavan has a difficult task to portray the orphan girl who becomes a theatre •'usherette" and wins the admiration of a skittish old millionaire in a few puzzling days. The infatuated gentleman offers her anything that money can buy, but she becomes frightened and as a means of escape tells him she is married. A husband seemed indicated, and a struggling lawyer was selected •. at random from the telephone directory; then she acte as his "good fairy" in getting the millionaire to set him up in a prosperous business. His amazement can well be imagined, and the position is further complicated by the assiduous care taken of the girl by a friendly waiter. The "Good Fairy" is an impossible but wholly delightful comedy-romance, with plenty of action and sparkling dialogue. Herbert Marshall, Frank Morgan. Reginald Owen, and Alan Hale take the principal male part 3. . . : "The Old Curiosity Shop.", The first British talking picture of a Dickens story will be presented at the Regent Theatre when "The Old Curiosity Shop" (made by British International Pictures at EJstree)is screened. This film is remarkable if only for the great pains that have been taken to ensure the preservation of the Dicken3 atmosphere throughout, which entailed months of preliminary work before the film actually went into production. , Even the selection ot the cast took many, weeks, and it was only after a country-wide search had been made, and hundreds of applicants interviewed, that a suitable Little Nell was found in the person of Elaine Benson, claimed to be absolutely ideal for the part. Other members of the cast are Ben Webster as Grandfather Trent, Hay Petrie as Quilp, Peter Penrose as Kit, Gibb McLaughlin as Sampson Brass, Reginald Purdell as Dick Swiveller, Polly Ward as the Marchioness, Beatrix Thomson as Mrs. Quilp, James Harcourt as Trent's brother, J. Fisher White as the Schoolmaster, Dick Tubb as Coldin, and Tibddy Hughes as Short.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

The latest royal love story to be adapted to the screen is the happy romance which existed between King Charles II and "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," now being shown at the De Luxe Theatre under the title "Nell Gwyn." In part the story is told by dialogue taken from Pepy's diary, and also by recorded words of King Charles himself. This factor, together with the attention which has been given to historical dialogue, enables the spirit of the seventeenth century Court to be recaptured. If anything else were needed it is-supplied by the two leading players, Anna Neagle and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. In the title role the former gives a really outstanding performance, displaying to the full the vivacity, charm of spirit, and standard of artistic accomplishment which made Sweet Nell the stage idol of her time. Sir Cedric Hardwicke could scarcely be improved upon in the part of Kins; Charles. A lively "Tango Andaluz" is performed on the stage by Miss Vedras Remmers, who is accompanied on the Wurlitzer organ by Miss Iris Mason. Miss Mason also plays some new selections at the organ. ' . ■ Barbara Stanwyck, resplendent in the latest costume designs of studio modistes, is to appear at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday in "A Lost Lady," said to be the most dynamic drama in which the popular star has yet appeared. The picture, based on the story of Willa Cather, the famous novelist, is a most unusual romance in which a beautiful young girl is lost in the maze of her own complex love emotions. The picture opens with a dire tragedy in which the young girl s lover is shot down at her feet on the very eve of their wedding by the husband of a woman with whom he had been trifling. Miss Stanwyck has four leading men in the picture. The first, slain by a bullet, is the handsome Phillip ' Reed, recently from the Broadway stage. The second is Frank Morgan; in the role of a great corporation lawyer who marries her without ! asking for- love> content with her trust land friendship. The picture is set in the lavish background of wealthy society folk.

KING'S THEATRE.

Beautiful voices, stirring music, and the comedy of Laurel and Hardy are features of "Babea in Toyland," a delightful operetta now at the King's Theatre. Moving through fantastically gorgeous 6ets, the colourful characters of Toyland present a story that is interesting to both grownups and youngsters. Highlights of the film are the beautiful rendition of Victor Herbert's "March of the Toys," "Castle in Spain," and "Go to Sleep, Slumber Deep. Charlotte Henry is a delightful 80-Peep. and Henry Kleinbach does great work m his first important film role as Barnaby, Commencing next Friday at the King's Theatre is the outstanding success "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," starring N Torma Shearer, Fredric March, and Charles Laugh ton.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

Joe E. Brown, the famous comedian, is now appearing on the screen of the Princess Theatre in the. comedy, "The Circus Clown." A genuine circus is used throughout as a background for the hilarious stunts of the picture, which, however, has its own well-defined plot and romance. The picture deals with the intimate life of the circus folk behind the scenes and also during the giving of a show. "Radio Parade," a supporting feature, may be described 'as a whole year's entertainment rolled into one big star-sparkling, screen- broadcasting: programme.' . '' ~ .' .. ■ .

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

"Let's Try Again." an RKO-Radio picture, now showing at. Shortt's Theatre, presents a daring treatment of a dilemma faced by almost every married couple. "Let's. Try Again" is a subtle drama of mature love, and concerns itself with that crisis in the lives of husband and wife when they have become used to each other and when the ecstacy of young fervour should be passing into that state of. serene affection which makes lasting marriage possible. Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook have the principal roles. Zasu Pitts and Slim Summerville appear in the second picture, "Their Big Moment," described as a hilarious story of a killer who got caught in his own trap. ,

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

"Chained," starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable, will conclude its season at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. Also screening is:', the comedy "The Oldfashioned Way," featuring W. C. Fields and Baby Leroy. Tomorrow's change consists of another, brilliant double-star programme. The main feature is Warner Bros.' dazzling and spectacular musical extravaganza "Dames," featuring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Zasu Pitts, Guy Kibbee, and Hugh Herbert. The supporting feature is the' bright and breezy musical comedy "Over the Garden Wall," starring Bobby Howes and Marion Marsh.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY,

.Gracie Fields will be seen in "Sing As We Go" at the Seaside Pictures tonight at 8. Out of a job when the mills closed, Gracie packed up her troubles and peddled her push-bike into Blackpool, there to become a kitchenmaid, fortune-teller, human spider, and what not. Losing jobs quicker than she can find them doesn't worry her, as she turns the famous pleasure into a rendezvous of mirth and melody. "Barretts of Wimpole Street" will be screened tomorrow night and on Thursday.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"Lilies of the Field," starring Winifred Sliotter, forms a big attraction now showing at the Artcraf t Theatre. Based on the brilliant comedy sf the same title by John Hastings Turner, the film has been adapted by Dion Titheradge with the assistance of the author and has been given a brightnew treatment with .special music. The result is magnificent humorous entertainment. Winifred Sliotter plays a piqnnntly contrasted, role of a lovely and ultramodern young thing who suddenly adopts the pose of a demure Victorian miss, dons crinolines, and becomes captivatingly coy. Claude Hulbo.rt is in the leading male role. ■ There are excellent support*, :

NEW OPERA HOUSE,

A picture outstanding among the releases of 1934 is "Our Daily Bread," which was awarded the League of Nations gold medal. It is now at the Grand Opera House. It is a plea for more brotherhood in the world, and it takes two young people, the husband out of york and the wife anxious to try the land, and transplants them from the city on to a dilapidated and neglected piece of land where shortly a communal system of settlement is in vogue. The qualified farmer, the stonemason, the builder, the bootmaker, etc., all pool their resources of -labour and possessions, and the farm prospers until drought comes, when the strength of their unity is tested severely. The fruitful earth; with its wealth of production is there, it is pointed out in the picture, for all to benefit by, and the plea for brotherhood is well stressed by the story. Heart interest is given, to the drama by the advent into the peaceful settlement of a blonde vamp, who soon causes trouble and almost separates the young farmer and his loyal wife. However, Mother Earth makes her call on her son of toil at the right moment: the call is answered, and a house is saved from collapse. There is excellent acting by Tom Keene, Karen Morley, Addisou Richards, Barbara Pepper, and John Qualen,. The second attraction is "Love at Second Sight," a comedy featuring Marion Marsh, Anthony Bushel), Claude Hulbert, Ralph Ince, and Stanley Holloway.

"THE WIND AND THE RAIN."

The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., comedy company which is to present "The Wind ai/d the Eain" to playgoers of Lower Hutt at the King George Theatre next Saturday night, is the most popular organisation of its kind since the late Dion Boucicault's company visited New Zealand several years ago. The production of the New Zealand author's brilliant comedy should prove an eveut of outstanding interest to playgoers of Lower Hutt, and already a large number of applications for seats has been received at the D.I.C. and The Willows. "The Wind and the Rain" has proved the most successfulplay the New Zealand stage has enjoyed for many a day, and it is justly entitled to its triumphs because Dr. Merton Hodge's work makes an irresistible appeal to all sections of the community. Its dialogue is brilliantly clever, its comedy is original and genuinely humorous, and its story is intensely interesting from beginning to end. The management was fortunate in procuring the brilliant young London actor Mr. George Thirlwell and the delightful Australian actress Miss Joeelyn Howarth for the leading roles, but the whole cast is good, and the staging is quite a feature of the representation of "The Wind and the Rain."

STATE THEATRE,

Never previously has Shirley Temple been a brighter and more twinkling little star than she is in her latest picture, "Bright Eyes," a Fox production, at the State Theatre. Shirley Temple is surely a, child of remarkable talents. The way she remembers her lines i 3 in itself extraordinary for a child five years old. Her laugh, her smile, and her bright, shining little face and glossy curls are among other attributes she possesses which make it easy to realise that she has won nn abiding place in the hearts of theatre audiences all over the world. Those who perhaps have not been too partial towards juveniles on the screen need have no qualms about seeing "America's Darling," as she has been billed, in "Bright Eyes." The part she'plays suits her completely, and the theme is compelling and appealing. There is material for, laughter, tears, and thrills in this dramatic story.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Murder simply frolics through the sketchy' plot _of "Menace"' at ■ St. James Theatre. This social pastime of the age; as shown in fiction and drama, is usually attended by stodginess not limited to the corpses, but in "Menace" thrills alternate deliciously with comedy in such rapid succession that even, the moralist, must smile and shudder with the rest of the audience. It is a flickering plot, fit chiaroscuro for the shining knives that flit out of the darkness to bury themselves in most unexpected people, while out of the half-dozen concerned the identity of the' slayer remains unrevealed till the last. Love and hate play tag as the cast sneaks furtively about the house, and the climax is quite unexpected. There are good supports.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"Six Day Bike Rider," at the Majestic Theatre, is the best of the Joe E.< Brown comedies seen in Wellington. It 'deals with the adventures of Wilfred Simpson (Joe E. Brown), a small-town celebrity who finds himself the object of ridicule because of his wild attempts to save his sweetheart Phyllis (Maxime Doyle) from the clutches of a touring trick cyclist, Harry St. Clair (Gordon Westeott). Simpson leaves town, determined to make his name in the cycling world, and encounters the simple Clinton Hemmings (Frank McHugh), who has-in view the six-day bike race to be held a few days later. An honest misunderstanding provides most of I the comedy of a film which in humorous 'situations gets Wilfred into gaol and makes,him four hours late for the start of the classic event. How he got out, and how he won by unorthodox but hilarious means both the "race and the girl of his heart, is a story that unwinds as the pedals go round.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

Two special attractions head a double programme of exceptional entertaining appeal at* the Kivoli Theatre tonight. "Gallant. Lady," a United Artists' attraction starring Ann Harding, Clive Brook, TuJlio jCarminati, Otto Krnger, and Dickie Moore, presents one of the most poignantly dramatic and • appealing stories that has come to the screen. Ann Harding, noted for her portrayals of feminine character, in this picture has a unique opportunity toexerpise her ability to rise to emotional heights. The story deals with a young mother who is forced to assign her child for adoption immediately after its birth, agreeing' never to see it again. As the years pass she becomes a phenomenally successful business woman, and at the height of her fame she accidentally meets the child whom she had counted lost to her. The story brings her to the point where ehe is forced to choose between being reunited with her child under the penalty of remaining,silent regarding her" true identity and playing fair with the man she loves and running the risk of wrecking' the boy's future." Tullio Carminati, who; appeared with Grace Moore in "One Night of Love," sings delightfully in "Gallant Lady." Paul; Muni and Glenda Farrell head a talented ca9t in "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang," which together with a number of Eivoli featurettes, combine to make an outstanding programme. The next change _ will comprise "Strange Interlude," with Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, and "Flesh," with Wallace Beery and Karen Morlcy. "One Night of Love" Will be shown at an early date. ,

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWI

Heading the double-feature' programme showing at Our Theatre tonight is "Spitfire," a startling drama adapted from the Broadway stage success "Trigger." Katharine Hepburn is seen in the title role and is ably supported by Ralph Bellamy and Robert Young. The thrilling mystery picture "Murder on the Blackboard," featuring. Edna May Oliver and James Gleason; is the second feature. . •

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Tonight at the Regal Theatre Jflhn Boles #nd Irene Dunne will appear together for the first time since "Back Street." "The Age of Innocence" will head a powerful programme. The story concerns a woman, as courageous as she was beautiful, who fought convention — and lost. Special supports will be screened. ,

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE.

Zasu Pitts joins with the sad-faced Nea Sparks in a hilarious comedy entitled "Private Scandal," which comes to the. Palace Theatre, Petone, tomorrow. Mary Brian and Phillips Holmes are the film's romantic interest. Lew Cody, Olive Tell, and June Brewster give fine performances,

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE,

"As Husbands Go," a Rachel Crothers' play that was a sensational success on ,the stage, comes to the Grand Theatre, Petone, tomorrow. The leading role is played by Warner Baxter, who is supported in the featured parts by Helen Vinson, Warner Oland, and Catharine Doucet. 'Others in the cast are G. I. Huntley, jun., Frank O'Connor, Eleanor Lynn, and Jay Ward.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"The White Parade," with Loretta Young and John Boles leading a strong cast, is the attraction at the Capitol Theatre tonight. This picture tells of the great army of young student nurses who dedicate themselves to the service of the suffering.! It must rank as one of the most human, compelling, md dramatic screen Darrativej, _. ,

PLAZA THEATRE.

, Of the many novelists who have achieved fame in the past' halfcentury the Jewish author Lion Feuchtwahger is in the forefront, and the film "Jew Suss1," now at the Plaza, is taken from iwhat is recognised as his magnum opua. There have been probably few historical novels of such remarkable erudition and artistry as this tale of Joseph Suss Oppenheimer, who during the reign of the eighteenthcentury despot, Karl Alexander of Wurr temburg, won for himself remarkable glories by his, astute brain and intrigues. Conrad Veidt lias excelled himself in this picture. He infuses the part of Oppenheimer with a dramatic strength, that leaves his impersonation a memory to be valued by those who appreciate stagecraft. It is a brilliant film and brilliantly acted. Of a large and competent cast the outstanding players are Miss Beuita Hume, Frank Vosper, Sir Cedric Hardwicke. and Sir Gerald dv Maurier. There are many other. [ actors and actresses worthy of mention in this fine British production. >."

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

With all its comic complications and its startling situations, there is a whole* some lesson or two in "Easy to Love," now being shown at the Paramount Theatre. Genevieve Tobin gives a fine rendering of the part of Carol, the wife of John Townsend, a philandering husband (Adolphe Menjou). Women especially will enjoy the clever manner in which Genevieve Tobin undertakes to make life miserable for her husband, and Charlotte, her best friend.Tit is hard to imagine a funnier situation. than Mrs. Townsend'fc visit to Charlotte's apartment. Mary Astor is charming at Charlotte and Edward Everett Horton is a constant source of amusement in the role of Eric. Patricia Ellis, as the determined young daughter, who proceeds to set her parents' house in order, has one of the most interesting parts. The manner in which Janet and Paul shock the elder Townsends back into starting married life all over again constitutes on* of the most delightful episodes in an entertaining picture. .

REX THEATRE

Extensive renovation and reconstruction is taking place at the former Queen's Theatre, in Upper Cuba Street, which closed down at the conclusion of the performance on Saturday evening, and after a week of structural alteration and decoration it will reopen on Friday evening ai the new Rex Theatre, a completely modernised and comfortable talkie house, the policy of which represents "Quality and quantity at popular family prices."

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Screening at the Empire Theatre thii evening is "The Gay Divorcee," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The whole of this delightful comedy is woven around a situation that i 9 harrowing to the people involved and hilarious to the onlookers. Amazing dance ensembles and exquisite songs form highlights b£ "The Gay Divorcee." ■;/;

ROXY THEATRE.

Described as an authentic record, "Th* First World War" is the current attraction at the Roxy Theatre, and it is drawing crowded attendances. The film has bi^n released after 20 years, and is the only recorded film of the Great War. I* is not a studio production, every incident being real. Great nations are said to have given up their secret films to make this startling motion picture of a world* shame. ,