CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS KING'S THEATRE. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 117, 13 November 1935, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATRE.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

REGENT THEATRE. "Legion of Valour," which is now showing at the Regent Theatre, gives a vivid picture of the unending strife between the Federal agents and an . organised crime group that by its sensational raids institutes a reign of terror that spreads throughout an entire State. The plot deals with the efforts of three young agents, played by Richard Arlen, Harvey Stephens, and Eric Linden, who combine in an endeavour to track down a daring criminal who was implicated in an attempt to kidnap Linden's sister, played by Virginia Bruce. The film has additional interest as it gives a very • clear insight into i the modern methods of tracking I down criminals as practiced in the up-to-date American Inquiry Bureau and the significance which often attaches to seemingly trivial clues. The supporting programme is excellent, and includes a Walt Disney silly symphony "Cookies Carnival," "Pardon My Grip," an amusing film dealing with wrestling in all parts of the globe, and some interesting newsreels.

"GIRLS IX UNIFORM." "Without exaggeration, it is possible j to state that no motion picture in yeavs j has created the enthusiasm with which the showing of 'Girls in Uniform' has been greeted," said a leading American film critic when writing sbout the attraction which will be seen-on Friday at the Opera House. "Girls in Uniform" is-the celebrated Germai\ production "Maedchen in Uniform, with English dialogue, which was screened in London for six months, m New York for four, and in Paris and Berlin for even longer periods. It went into the Variety Theatre, Sydney, recently for two weeks and has -stayed for six. In America it broke the records held by such notable films as "The Covered Wagon," "Wings, and "Th° Smiling Lieutenant." What is the secret of this film's amazing success One critic has attempted to explain it thus: " 'Girls in Uniform is an extraordinary, a unique picture. Nothing has been done like it in the movies and I do not expect that it will ever be duplicated. . . . Distinguished by a rare taste, by a true and pura beauty, this picture is, in fact, tha. •step forward' in the movies so often heralded." The story of "Girls m Uniform" is of life in a boarding school for daughters of Prussian army omcers and members of the aristocracy, it shows how a lonely girl (Herta Thiele) -•oacts to harsh and impersonal discipline, how she responds to the sympathetic treatment given her by an understanding teacher (- Dor°t^ Wieck); how the headmistress 01 tne school misinterprets the ensuing student-teacher relationship and it shows how the other girls in the school revolt against the stern and unfeeling philosophy imposed on them. Written, acted! and directed entirely by women "Girls in Uniform" is. in the words of another noted critic, "something to revive one's faith in the cinema.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

The eerie notion that a modern scientist of great mental powers and unbalanced mind might choose to reconstruct some of the more startling of the stories of Edgar Allen Poe is the basis of "The Raven," which is the main feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Bela Lugosi, Boria Karloft (a remarkable pair to have ir. one film), Irene Ware,. and Lester Matthews are the principals in this horror picture, which begins when the doctor is called in to save the life of a beautiful young girl and ends with a weird and horrifying house party at the home of the surgeon. Bela Lugpsi has never been better cast than in this film. In. the supporting programme there are. some excellent newsreels, another of the series of "Going Places with Lowell Thomas," and a revival of the popular coloured cartoon classics. The career of a young-doctor with almost miraculous curative powers holds; one "throughout the -unfoldment of "The: Healer, IV the Monogram .screen version of Robert Herrick's novel to be screened-at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, with such brilliant players as Karen Morley, Ralph Bellamy, and Mickey Rooney. The plot recounts the career of young Dr. Holden. whose hobby is to combat ■ the terrible diseases that rack the bodies of young children. He is assisted in his endeavours by a beautiful society girl who has surrendered her social position to take up the meritorious cause. Their companionship is blasted by the intrusion of a pretty and sophisticated young woman who holds out the lure of a large sanitarium to win the doctor away from the scene of his efforts. The doctor accepts the position, but finds that he is stifled by the necessity of catering to the whims of his wealthy patients. The story reaches its climax in a forest fire. The sanitarium is wiped out, and in scenes of suspense and danger he is brought to the realisation that he has grown away from his real aim while leading his highlyartificial existence.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Taking advantage of the vogues for crime pictures and musical pictures, the Paramount Corporation has produced an interesting hybrid of both, called "Stolen Harmony." which is now at the Paramount Theatre. The picture never has a dull moment and is never without its flavour of the unexpected. George Raft is ideally cast as an ex-convict turned song-and-dance man. The other full-length picture on the programme is "Mama Loves Papa." featuring Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles. . Set in a gay background of Broadway life, "Manhattan Moon." featuring Ricardo Cortez and Dorothy Page, is coming to the Paramount Theatre next Friday. Executives at the studios were particularly anxious to.make the backgrounds of the production colourful and varied, in order to best set off the talents of Miss Page, who is making a sensational debut in motion pictures after having captivated millions with her voice over the radio. In the cast, in addition to Miss Page and Cortez, are Henry Mollison. Hugh O'Connell, Luis Alberni, Henry Armetta, and Regis Toomey.

"The Thirty-nine Steps," showing at the King's Theatre, commences with panic in a London music-hall and the accidental meeting of a beautiful, mysterious woman, and Hannay. a younr; Canadian, on holiday in England, and grows more intriguing as the plot progresses. •In answer to the stranger's request for temporary <rotection, Hannay takes her to his home, but her adversaries are too clever, and the young man is horrified to find her dying after being stabbed in the back. However, beforp her death Hannay himself is in possession of her secret, and the importance of his knowledge involves' him in a series of adventures. Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll are the stars..

"Abdul the Dammed," which is showing at Our Theatre, is one of the greatest and most amazing films produced, telling the story of Abdul Hamid 11, Sultan of Turkey, the last of the Eastern tyrants, who was eventually deposed for extreme cruelty to his subjects. Fritz Kortner plays the role of Abdul Hamid; Nils Asther has the role of Kadar Pasha, the chief of police of Constantinople, and Adrienne Ames is seen as an Austrian dancer and singer. In the associate feature, "Now and Forever," Shirley Temple plays the role of a starry-eyed little girl who transforms her father from a daring swindler to the man she wants him to be.

Tonight at the Regal Theatre a programme that \vill hold the interest of all who view it will be screened. "Ladies Love Danger," with Mona Barrie. Gilbert Holand, and a big sup- i porting cast will head the night's en-1 lertainment. A most unusual story and a most original twist to the climax mark this production. A comedy, carloon, and riewsreels complete the programme. On Friday and Saturday "Mark of the Vampire" will be shown. 'Hold the Press" will be screened at the matinee.

OH AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

MAJESTIC THEATRE, Perfect photography, faultless acting, I und a human story make of "The. Keeper of the Bees," showing at the Majestic Theatre, a picture of universal! appeal. The spirit of the story has j been caught perfectly by a superb cast, headed by Neil Hamilton as the war veteran who fights his way back to health and happiness through the accident of meeting a charming girl. Under sentence of death Jamie leaves the hospital where he is being treated for gas poisoning and sets out to walk to Chicago for a final (ling with journalistic pals. A charming school teacher gives the hiker a lift, and so romance enters the heart and; life of the doomed man. Seldom has ] Neil Hamilton been seen to better advantage. Betty Furness, Edith Fellowes. j and Hobart Bosworth interpret their parts well. The supporting programme features a British newsreel, topical events, a Pathe pictorial, and a coloured Sinbad cartoon. As the central figure in the Paramount film "Accent on Youth," Sylvia Sidney plays the part of a girl who has to choose between a dashing youth and a charming middle-aged man, both of whom love her. The film will open a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Miss Sidney is supported by Herbert Marshall and Phillip Reed. When, in the picture. Miss Sidney tells Max-shall, a playwright, and her employer, that she loves him, he reciprocates her feeling. With ? playwright's passion for experimenting, he gives her the leading role in his play, opposite Phillip Reed. He watches the girl fall in love with Reed and finally sees them married. Reed's youth proves callow and unfeeling to Miss Sidney, and she finds her thoughts reverting to Marshall. Driven by love, she flies back to him, ywith Reed in close pursuit. In a humorous climax, there is a showdown between the husband, the wife, and the lover, which ends in the husband's retirement and Marshall's declaring his love for Miss Sidney. As a play "Accent on Youth" was a hit on Broadway. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Those who find enjoyment in tuneful songs, a light-hearted theme, and spontaneous humour will appreciate "Broadway Gondolier,". the Warner Bros, film, showing at the St. James Theatre. Dick Powell and Joan Blondell, the popular stars of "Gold Diggers of 1933," play the leading roles. Dick Powell as a New York taxicab driver with a voice that is capable of causing a traffic hold-up at any time he chooses to break into opera, and Joan Blondell as the chief-of-staff at the U.B.C. broadcasting studios. Adolfe Menjou plays the part of a broken-down Italian opera star who takes the taxicab driver's interest to heart and struggles to get him an entry. There are many obstacles and misunderstandings in the path to fame, however, and Powell is banished from the U.B.C. studios without a real audition. How he succeeds in his ambition makes a t humorous story. ! The story of "Age of Indiscretion," which features Paul Lukas, Madge Evans, Helen Vinson, May Robson, and David Jack Holt, and which will be screened at St. James Theatre, beginning on Friday, revolves about a publisher whose wife leaves him and remarries. Her new mother-in-law insists that she sue for custody of the child of her first marriage. When all else fails the determined mother-in-law "frames" the publisher. The case is brought to Court and the story closes with an unexpected and sensational denouement. The highlights of "Age of Indiscretion" are many, and include the crisis in Lukas's publishing firm, the aeroplane flight to Reno, the dramatic moment in ■ which Lukas learns of his wife's surprise divorce, the . scene in which he breaks the news, to the child, Miss Robson's plot to gain custody of the child, and the bitter legal fight. . Interspersed among the dramatic scenes area number of comedy moments in which" the famous spaniel. "Flush." of "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," has a good share. STATE THEATRE. The fact that it is in its third week of screening at the State Theatre is perhaps the best advertisement for Shirley Temple's latest picture, "Curly Top." In it she plays the part of a mischievous little girl who is adopted by a millionaire, and leaves the orphanage accompanied by her elder sister (the beautiful Rochelle Hudson), her trained pony, and her performing duck. John Boles plays the- part of the handsome young millionaire. Shirley's new-found happiness blossoms forth into laughter, song, and dance. Her talents are given full sway and audiences will come under her enchanting spell when she sings "Animal Crackers in My Soup" | and "When I Grow Up." Rochelle i Hudson, who makes her singing debut in this picture, sings "The Simple Things in Life." There is an up-to-the-minute supporting programme. Said to be one of the most impressive spectacle pictures ever filmed, "She." to be shown at the State Theatre,' commencing on Friday, is a \ story of a man who must choose be- j tween the love of a mortal woman and I of a deathless queen of fabulous beauty who offers him eternal youth. Randolph Scott, a young explorer who has discovered the fabulous kingdom of Kor, where burns the flame of eternal life, has been accompanied by Helen Mack, who appeals to his heart. She is the typiflcation of home, fireside, family, and a normal lifetime with love. Helen Gahagan, as the deathless queen of Kor, holds out to him power and parsion. The drama of the film is in the choice he makes. "She" is based upon the H. Rider Haggard great novel. It was produced by Merian C. Cooper, for RKO Radio, and directed by Irvin- Pichel and Lansing C. , Holden. PLAZA THEATRE. Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn are in their happiest vein in "Stormy Weather," at the Plaza Theatre, and their fellow-conspirator, Robertson Hare, is also at his best, but hardly at his happiest. He reveals himself in the novel role of a sleuth-hound, whose courage, however, deserts him at the critical moment. Yvonne Arnaud plays the part of the wife of Sir Duncan Craggs (Tom Walls). She is blackmailed by her former husband, Polotski, who was supposed to have been killed in the Russian Revolution, but Tom Walls, ably hampered in his efforts by Ralph Lynn, deals with the matter in his characteristic manner. DE LUXE, LOWER HUTT. "Folies Bergere" will be shown finally tonight at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. ! Damon Runynn's most intriguing j story, "Princess O'Hara," will be shown tomorrow and on Friday. Kitty O'Hara. the girl in the story, is one of the most lovable characters ever seen on the | screen, and made doubly so with ador-j able Jean Parker playing the part, j Chester Morris has one of his most I attractive roles in this as Vie Toledo, \ a dashing young sportsman and owner of a taxi company in New York. Some of the highlights of the picture include a raging taxi war, the theft of a famous race horse a clay before the big race, and finally a most thrilling horse race. GRAND THEATRE, PETOXE. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey turn amateur detectives to solve a murder mystery in "The Nitwits." the;r new R.K.0.-Radio feature at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Wheeler and Woolsey are supported by Fred Keating, Betty Grable, Evelyn Brent, and ErilRhodes in this hilarious comedy which | provides mystery, thrills and melody moments. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. i Fox Film's spectacular musical ' "Caravan." starring Loretta Young and '■ the famous Continental singer and actor Charles Boyer, will be shown at the Palace Theatre. Petons, tonight. The perfect blending of melody. romance, and gaiety make this picture one that will long remain in the memory.

RIVOLI THEATRE. "Eight Bells" is being shown at the Rivoli Theatre. Ann Sothern is starred and Ralph Bellamy and John Buckler have featured roles. Dealing with the primitive loves and hates inspired by the presence of a beautiful girl aboard a freighter bound for Shanghai, "Eight Bells" presents some of the finest sea photography ever presented in films. The photography of the storm sequences, when towering waves sweep the vessel from stem to stern, killing [members of the crew, smashing the heavy steel plates, and flooding the boiler room are said to be among the most impressive "shots" made. An Eddie Cantor more at home than ever on the screen in his fifth annual frolic is to be seen in "Kid Millions," a roving, rambling tale of adventure and adventures in search of buried treasure in Egypt. Samuel Goldwyn has built around his banjoeyed clown the usual opulence in setting, maids, and melody. Ethel Merman's bubbling humour and her deepthroated song match Eddie's in the picture; Ann Sothern and George Murphy are the romantic interest. The nonsense of Eve Sully is heard for the first time on the screen in "Kid Millions." TIVOLI THEATRE. Mary Boland and Charlie Ruggles. famous domestic pair of the screen, are featured together again in Paramount's "Ruggles of Red Gap," which shows at the Tivoli Theatre tonight. They support Charles Laughton, who plays the title role. "Ruggles of Red Gap" is the story of a pair of rambunctious tourists who win the perfect butler in a poker game on a European tour and take him home to show up the local socialites. Roland Young, Zasu Pitts. Leila Hyams, and Maude Eburne are in the supporting cast. There is not another actor on the stage or screen capable of playing the role of Charlie Chan, Chinese detective, with the conviction of Warner Oland. This is the unqualified opinion of Eugene Forde, who guided the filming of Chan's newest screen problem, "Charlie Chan in London." which is the second attraction. "Warner Oland just happens to be the living reproduction of the character Earl Derr Biggers brought to life in his novels," Forde declares. "It doesn't matter that he's Swedish; when he steps on to the set he isn't anyone other than Charlie Chan." PRINCESS THEATRE. Heading the double-feature programme now showing at the Princess Theatre is R. D. Blackmore's "Lorna Doone," starring John Loder and the beautiful English star, Victoria Hopper. "One Exciting Adventure," gay story of Europe's most glamorous people and resorts, starring the brilliant Binnie Barnes, is the additional attraction. In the featured roles are Neil Hamilton, Paul Cavanagh. Edna Searl, Grant Mitchell, and Eugene Pallette. Prominent among the fea-1 turettes is the technicolour classic, "Hey, Hey, Westerner." REX THEATRE. In "Wonder Bar," the leading feature now screening at the Rex Theatre, Al Jolson has his old stage role. Kay Francis, Dolores Del Rio, Ricardo Cortez, Dick • Powell, and Hal le Roy are some of the principals. Three hundred of Hollywood's most beautiful girls romp through numbers amid a riot of dazzling light effects. The additional attraction, "The Blue Squadron." is a stirring romance woven around Italian aviation. The double-feature programme opening at the Rex Theatre on Friday will have as its main attraction the screen adaptation of R. H. Bruce Lockhart's famous novel, "British Agent," with Leslie Howard and Kay Francis in the leading roles. ROXY THEATRE. "G Men," First National's sensational picture-written about the heroic deeds of the secret service men in the United States Government Department of Justice, is showing at the Roxy Theatre. The production is enacted by ■an all-star cast headed by James Cagney as the leading "G Man," and Margaret Lindsay. "The Informer," the second feature, stars Victor McLaglen, -aided by a' strong cast;; ' ""j "Ten Minute Alibi," which 'opens at the Roxy Theatre on Friday, is a picturisation'of the sensational stag~e success, which ran for nineteen months in London. It is one of the most ingenious, deftly constructed murder melodramas written in the past decade, and the film version is even more tense and dramatic than the play. The featured players are Phillips Holmes and Aileen Marson. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Two big attractions are now showing at Shortt's Theatre. The late Marie Dressier and Wallace Beery, stars of "Mm and Bill," head the cast in "Tugboat Annie." There are hilarious quarrels between the redoubtable feminine tugboat captain and her shiftless, good-natured husband: motherlove furnishes a poignant heart interest, and there is a tremendous dramatic climax. "Fra Diavolo," the second feature, is an ideal vehicle for the famous comedians Laurel and Hardy. "Love Time" and "She Learned' About Sailors' 'will be the main attractions for Friday's change of programme. "Love Time" is described as "the kind of love story the whole world loves." Pat Paterson. the delightful English actress, nnd Nils Asther play the romantic leading roles. Lew Ayres and Alice Faye play the leads in the second film. Mitchell and Durant. a clever knock-about vaudeville team, and Harry Green contribute to the comedy. KILBIRME KINEMA. Two brilliant attractions will be presented at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. The first is the gorgeous musical extravaganza "Folies Bergere," starring Maurice Chevalier, Ann Sothern, and Merle Oberon. Chevalier plays his first dual role in this picture and six song | hits are introduced, with splendid settings and sensational dancing. The second big attraction is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's mystery drama "One New York Night," starring Franchot Tone and Una Merkel. The picture provides perfect entertainment. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Rumba." which will be shown at the i Seaside Pictures tonight, features the greatest dancer on the screen. George Raft, together with Margo and Caroie1 Lombard. The story is of the romance between a wealthy American girl and a dancer. An excellent programme of short subjects has been arranged. BROOKLYN PICTURES. The first picture released in 1935 with Myrna Loy. star of the two 1934 hits. "The Thin Man" and "Broadway Bill."' is Paramount's "Wings in the Dark," coming tonight to the Brooklyn Theatre. "Wings in the Dark," an aviation adventure romance, stars Miss Loy with Cary Grant. Roscoe Karns, Hrbart Savanaugh, and Dean Jagger are featured. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Ann Shirley, who created such a sensation in "Anne of Green Gables." plays the main role in "Chasing Yesterday" at the Empire Theatre. The picture reveals how the love of a young orphan girl transforms the life of a lonely man. who in turn, brightens the girl's life by furthering her romance with a young scholar. O. P. Heggie and Helen Wesley again play the leading roles. A comedy, entitled "Hunger Pains," a novelty featurette, and newsreels complete the programme. On Friday and Saturday "Naughty Marietta" will be screened. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. By special request a return season of "Naughty Marietta." the popular musicale. is commencing at the Capitol Theatre tonight, and co-stars Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy, the celebrated baritone. The supporting feature is "The Phantom Light," starring Gordon Harker. Binnie Hale, and Donald Calthrop. It is the story of a haunted lighthouse, a lunatic, and a gang of wreckers who plot th? destruction of ships. E. Johnston and Co.. auctioneers, will sell household furnishings at Upland Road, Kelburn, at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. They will also sell household furnishing at their mart. 3 Willeston Street, tomorrow at 1.30 p.m.