CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 125, 22 November 1935, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

So groat* has been the popularity of "The Dark Angel," which is the main feature at the Regent Theatre, starring the Australian actress Merle Oberon, that the picture is to be shown lor a further week. Miss Oberon eclipses all her previous efforts on the screen. The remarkable thing about her portrayal is that it is utterly unlike any role she has'had before. That she carries it off in such splendid fashion reveals that the screen has found an emotional star of the first order. In the opposite role of Alan Trent, Fredric March reveals to the full his capacity as a character actor. Some of the finest scenes in the picture occur after his relief from li.t; institution, when he is struggling against the melancholy and sense of uselessness brought about by his blindness. The third corner of this most unusual triangle is occupied by Herbert Marshall, as Gerald Shannon, the self-sac-rificing friend of Alan Trent and lover of Kitty Vane. The supporting cast is headed by Janet Beecher, John Halliday, Henrietta Crosman, Frieda Inescort, Claude Allister, and Cora Sue Collins. The remainder of the programme, though shortened on account of the length of the main feature, is most entertaining, comprising news•reels and a colour cartoon "Mickey's Garden."

BE LUXE THEATRE.

"Shanghai," the story of a man who dedicated his life to winning control of a financial empire, then threw away everything he had won for the sake of the woman .he loved, comes today to the De Luxe Theatre. Starring Charles Boyer and Loretta Young, "Shanghai" is an intensely dramatic picture of the rise of the new Western influence in the heart of the world's oldest empire. The plot of the picture centres about the rise of Boyer, a mystery man, from the gutters of Shanghai to the very top of its financial pinnacle. Ruthless, determined, without mercy, he sweeps everything out of his path, conceals the secret of his ignominious birth, until he meets the one woman. The woman is Loretta Young, ..a beautiful American. Because he is overwhelmingly in love with her, Boyer reveals to a shocked Shanghai society that his mother is a Manchurian princess—a Chinese! Shanghai turns against Boyer, his fortune is lost, and he is forced to flee into the interior of China. Only one person stands by him, the woman he loves. She follows him to his exile, and there they make a strange decision about their love. James Flood directed the film, which also features Warner Oland, Fred Keating, and Alison Skipworth.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Mystery addicts will have the opportunity of unravelling the intricacies of another Dashiell Hammett murder mystery when Paramount's "The Glass Key," comes today to the Paramount Theatre. This newest film from the pen of the author of the justfy famous "The Thin Man" stars George Raft with a supporting cast that it> eludes Edward Arnold, Claire Dodd, Rosalind Keith, Ray Milland, and Charles Richman. The second attraction is "The Man on the Flying Trapeze," starring W. C. Fields, bubbling over with his customary gags, his mirth-provoking, rib-tickling pantomime, and his pathetic, helpless blunderings. In the role of a hen-pecked husband at home, and a downtrodden clerk at the office, Fields dominates one hilarious scene after another. Also in the cast are Mary Brian and Lucien Littlefieid.

KING'S THEATRE.

Shirley Temple will again delight Wellington audiences at the King's Theatre, where "The Little Colonel" commences a return season today. The pretty, perty whimsicality of. the Juvenile lead is well offset by the more staid but equally clever acting of her co-star, Lionel Barrymore. The star cast includes Evelyn Venable, Bill Robinson, John Lodge, Sidney Blackmer, Alden Chase, William Burres, and others. The story tells of an imperious, wilful little lady of the Southern States of America, whose grandfather long years before turned the child's mother out of his house because she insisted on marrying a hated Northerner. The second feature is "Thunder in the Night," starring Edmond Lowe, Karen Morley, Paul Cavanagh, and Una O'Connor.

PRINCESS THEATRE

Two special features open at the Princess Theatre today. The big attraction, "That's a Good Girl," is based upon the famous stage success which Jack Buchanan produced and starred in at the London Hippodrome. Buchanan is in his element in the kind of entertainment which has made his reputation on the stage. The brilliant cast also includes Elsie Randolph, Vera Pearce, and Garry Marsh. Suspense is the keynote of "A Notorious Gentleman," the Universal drama which forms the additional feature. Charles Bickford plays the principal part, and has never been seen to better advantage. Appearing opposite him is Helen Vinson. Enjoyable short subjects are also included.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

One of the most unusual pictures of the season, in that it combines an exciting mystery story with a brilliant display of fashions, is JJiniversal's latest film, "Rendezvous at Midnight" which is now showing at Shortt's Theatre. The picture is from an adaptation of the stage play "The Silver Fox," ana is said to be packed with thrilling mystery drama. Ralph Bellamy and Valarie Hobson, the new English beauty, play the leading roles. The rise of sn auctioneer to the position of the nation's best-known radio announcer and reporter is the theme of Universal'? colourful picture, "Gift of Gab," which will be the second feature. The picture boasts thirty radio, stage, and screen celebrities, headed by Edmund Lowe and Gloria Stuart.

ROXY THEATRE

A vivid and graphic picture of the thrills, adventures, and perils encountered by a pair of deep-sea divers will be screened at the Roxy Theatre today. It is called "The Best Man Wins" and stars those two rollicking screen he-men Edmiind Lowe and Jack Holt. "In Caliente." the supporting feature, is First National's latest musical spectacle, combining romance, comedy, and drama. There is an all-star cast, which includes Dolores Del Rio, Pat O'Brien, Leo Carrillo, Edward Everett Horton, Glenda Farrell, Phil Regan, Dorothy Dare, Miss Shaw. The De Marcos, and The Canova Family.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

William Powell and Ginger Rogers in R.K.0.-Radio's "Star o£ Midnight" bring to the screen perhaps the best of modern mystery dramas, which will be shown tomorrow at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Strong in story, brilliantly enacted, expertly directed, and handsomely mounted, the picture is splendid. Specially selected supports complete the programme.

EMPIRE THEATRE, PETONE.

"Girl Missing," a mystery thriller, which commences at the Empire Theatre, Petone, tomorrow, features an excellently-balanced cast with Ben Lyon, Glenda .Farrell, and Mary Brian in the leading roles. Others include such well-known players as Peggy Shannon, Lyle Talbot, and Guy Kibbee. "3 on a Match," with Warren William and Joan Blondell, is the second attraction.

PALACE THEATKE. FETONE.

'•The Scarlet. Pimpernel," which commences a three-day season at the Palr.ce Theatre, Petonc, tomorrow afternoon, is a spectacular period romantic drama of adventure, brilliantly adapted from Baroness Orczy's widely-read story. The starring players, Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, give wonderful performances in a picture representing entertainment of universal appeal.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Thrills and mystery are rampant, and laughs and romance play hide and seek with creepy chills and fantastic happenings in "The Hands of Orlac," a new drama of bewilderment which introduces an amazing new personality to the screen in Peter Lorre. It comes today to the Majestic Theatre. Lorre, the European star of "M.," one of the sensational mystery thrillers of all time, "The Man Who Knew Too Much," and others that made him the talk of Europe, makes his debut in films as a mad surgeon, working uncanny medical magic, performing bizarre experiments, and figuring in an amazing plot. His astounding plot to ruin a husband to gain tb<3 woman he covets is the basis of the story. The action ranges from a Grand Guignol horror theatre in Paris to the weird surgery where the mad doctor and his Oriental assistant work out their scientific wonders. A notable cast surrounds Lorre. Frances Drake plays the heroine Yvonne, and Colin Clive is Orlac, her husband. Rollo, the murderer, is played by Edward Brophy. Isabel Jewell is the Apache girl accused of the murder done by the mad doctor.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

"The Goose and the Gander," Warner Bros.' gay comedy drama of marital mix-ups,' is scheduled as the feature attraction at the St. James Theatre today. Kay Francis heads the all-star cast, with George Brent nlaying opposite her. Among the other players are Genevieve Tobin, John Eldredge, Claire Dodd, Ralph Forbes, and Helen Lowell. It is a sparkling, snappy, up-to-the-minute drama, abounding in humour and exciting episodes. The plot centres about the attempt of Kay, in the role of the first wife of a millionaire business man, to get revenge on the second wife who had stolen her husband's heart. Hearing wife number two plan a mountain resort party with another man, she induces her ex-husband, a philanderer already tired of his second wife, to visit her instead of making the business trip he had announced. Through the connivance of a service station operator, Kay contrives to have the flirtatious wife, Genevieve Tobin, and her escort, sidetracked to her lodge so that they will meet the husband and all be shown up in their true colours.

STATE THEATRE.

Of all of Dumas's works surely none is better known than his "Three Musketeers." Untarnished by time, it is one of the most amazing books ever written to come to the screen. It will thrill a twentieth century world with a seventeenth century tale; a story of a brilliant age when the rapier ruled and kings and queens were only pawns in the bitter games of intrigue, treachery, and war. A_famous New York stage star, Walter "Abel, plays the fiery D'Arlagnan, and makes the character i a veritable whirlwind of action. His burning ambitions, his hotheadedness, land his wild willingness to prove his \pro\vess with the sword gets him into plenty of thrilling situations. Then \\ere are Athos, Aramis, and Porthos. The roles are played in fine and .dashing style by Paul Lukas, Onslow Stevens, and Moroni Olsen respectively. Heather Angel plays Constance, lady-in-waiting to the Queen, while the role of Milady de Winter, Cardinal Richelieu's seductive spy, is enacted by beautiful Margot Grahame. Other favourites in, a lengthy cast include Ralph Forbes, lan Keith. Lumsden Hare, Miles Mander, and Murray Kinnell. "The Three Musketeers" opens at the State Theatre today.

UEX THEATRE,

;, "I Am a Thief," said to.be one of the most thrilling and baffling murder mystery dramas screened, comes to the Rex Theatre today as the leading feature. The story depicts the exciting battle between the French Surete and a band of international jewel robbers. There is an all-star cast headed by Mary Astor and Ricardo Cortez. "The Devil is Driving," Paramount's vapidfire melodrama set against the background of organised car stealing and its death-dealing ramifications, is the supporting feature, with a cast including Edmund Lowe, Wynne Gibson, James Gleason, Lois Wilson, Dickie Moore, and Allan Dinehart. The supplementary featurettes comprise "The Radio Scout." "Seeing Stars," and a Paramount News.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

The main feature at Our Theatre, Newtown, tonight, is "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer." starring Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell.' and Sir Guy Standing. This outstanding screen offering combines magnificence, sheer spectacle, and poignant drama in a remarkable manner. The second big attraction is "Here Comes the Groom," sjarring Jack Haley. Mary Boland, and Neil Hamilton in a hilarious high-speed comedy. Excellent supports will be shown.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's world-fam-ous production "David Copperfield" is to be screened at the Regal Theatre this evening. Sixty-five stars are featured in the unprecedented cast, among them W. C. Fields, Lionel Barrymore, Madge Evans, Maureen O'Sullivan, Herbert Mundin, and many others. Two newsreels are also shown.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"One New York Night," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor special attraction, heads the current programme at the Empire Theatre. Franchot Tone, Una Merkel, and Conrad Nagel are starred. The story revolves around a mysteriour murder in a cosmopolitan hotel. A special feature of the supporting programme is "Star Night at the Coconut Grove," showing Bing Crosby and many other famous stars.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"Nell Gwyn" is to be shown finally tonight at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. "Broadway Gondolier," Warner Bros.' sensational new musical comedy, which reunites the popular stars of "Gold Diggers of 1933," Dick Powell and Joan Blondell, will commence a season at a matinee at 2.30 p.m. tomorrow. The picture is heralded as one of the most humorous, as well as romantic productions of the year, and Adolph Menjou. Louise Fazenda, William Gargan. George Barbier, and Grant Mitchell are featured.

KILBIRXIE KIXEMA.

"The Informer," starring Victor McLagltn and "D'ye Ken John Peel?" will be screened finally at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. Tomorrow night the famous Korda picture "The Scarlet Pimpernel," starring Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon, ably supported by Raymond Massey and Nigel Bruce, will be presented. The second big attraction is the hilarious farce "McFadden's Flats," starring Walter C. Kelly, Andy Clyde, Richard Cromwell, and Jane Darwell. "The Scarlet Pimpernel" will be shown at the matinee at 2 p.m.

MARCHING DISPLAY TOMORROW

It is only once a year that the "Wellington Inter-House Girls' Association (Incorp.) gives an outdoor display and tomorrow will see ten teams of Wellington's fair sex vying with one another for the Marching Cup. The displays given at the Wellington Easter Show by members of this association have been the most talked-of event in the history of the show and now the members are giving the public an opportunity of seeing marching, drill, athletics, and games in a spectacular outdoor display. Her Excellency Viscountess Galway has shown practical interest in the work of the girls by extending her patronage and the honour is greatly rewarded by the members who are setting themselves to make tomorrow's display the best, in the history of the movement. After many weeks of arduous training the girls are now ready to give of their best and given fine weather the display should more than reach ihe highest anticipations.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

"Lady Tubbs," the Universal picturisation of the funniest story ever written by Homer Croy, outstanding American humourist, heads the new bill at the Tivoli Theatre tonight. Alice Brady has the title role in this rollicking comedy, which tells the story of a cook in a railroad construction camp who falls heir to a fortune and a title and is received in a fashionable Long Island home. How she helps along a romance and unearths some disturbing skeletons in the closets of a couple who direct constant attention to the "high-hattedness" of their respective families, is screamingly funny. Douglas Montgomery, Amta Louise, June Clay worth, Alan Mowbray, and other popular players will be seen with Miss Brady. "The World Moves On," which will also be shown, has the largest cast of principals of I any picture made in Hollywood in .many months. Headed by the glamorI ous Madeleine Carroll and Franchot Tone, the cast includes Reginald Denny, Siegfried Rumann, Louise Dresser, Raul Roulien, Lumsden Hare, Dudley Digges, Jose Mojica, Frank Melton, Brenda Fowler, Russell Simpson. Walter McGrail, Marcelle Corday, Charles Bastin, Barry Norton, George Irvine, Ferdinand Schumann-Heink, Georgette Rhodes, Halliwell Hobbes, Ivan Simpson, Frank Moran, and Stepin Fetchit. "The World Moves On" is a Fox film by Reginald Berkeley, author of the screen adaptation of "Cavalcade," and is described as

"the love story of a century." It is all of that —for undying love, of the kind that endures for generations, is the dominant note from the first scene to the last.

EIVOLI THEATRE,

The grim determination of youth in its efforts to gain an education against almost insurmountable odds forms the stirring theme of the Monogram photoplay, "A Girl of the Limberlost," which opens tonight* at the Rivoli Theatre. Laid against a background of the Indiana swamplands as depicted in the famous novel by Gene StrattonPorter, the story loses none of its flavour when presented on the screen with Louise Dresser, Ralph Morgan, and Marian Marsh in the leading roles. The picture varies little from the book, which has been acclaimed by millions as a true description of the beauties that abound in the region of the birthplace of the famous novelist. The second" big feature will be "G Men," starring James Cagney, which deals with the relentless fight of the U.S. Department of Justice against gangdom. The methods employed to deal with the national menace represented by the underworld and the success which .attends the efforts of law and order to triumph, over those who know no wlaw but their own are graphically portrayed. Supporting Cagney are Margaret Lindsay, Ann Dvorak, and Robert Armstrong.

ANOTHER PERCY GRAINGER CONCERT.

Those who missed the world-renown-ed pianist-composer-conductor, Percy Grainger, last night, will have a further and last opportunity of seeing and hearing this talented musician at I the Town Hall tomorrow evening at 8 j o'clock, when he is to appear as solo pianist, guest conductor, organist, and ukulele player at the concept by the combined choirs of the Harmonic Society, Apollo Singers, and Boys' Choir, | with chamber orchestra, and with Mrs. Ella Grainger assisting with her "tuneful percussion" and musical glasses. Mr. Grainger's research work in the realm of ancient folk-music has earned for him a world-wide reputation, and five of these popular settings will be included in the programme—an allGrainger one, by the way—as well as three settings of poems by Rudyard Kipling; also "Tribute to Foster," written for mixed chorus, five solo voices, solo piano, second piano, "musical glasses," and orchestra, and the "Marching Song of Democracy." As piano solos Mr. Grainger will contribute "Country Gardens," "Molly on the Shore," "Paraphrase on Brahms's 'Lullaby'," "One More Day, My John," and "Paraphrase on 'Flower Waltz' from Tschaikowsky's 'Nut-cracker Suite,'" and will also play the r'ino part in the setting of "Colonial Song" for soprano (Molly Atkinson), tenor (W. Hoy Hill), violin (W. Haydock), 'cello (Lilla McKenzie), and piano. Temple White will be at the grand organ for Kipling's "Recessional" and will share the conducting with the guest conductor during the evening; and the Chamber Orchestra will conI tribute "Spoon River," an American | folk dance, with Ella Grainger supplying the tuneful percussion—xylophone, | marimba, chime bells. Further details I are advertised.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

It is only at each year end that one realises the number of aspiring devotees of music, particularly cianoforte music, there are in. Wellington. This was demonstrated in a remarkable manner last evening when the pupils oil Miss Ivy Hoare, F.T.C.L., LRSM"1 gave a pianoforte recital to a most enthusiastic audience. There were prosent pupils of all ages. One and all showed rare precocity in the tasks set them. One pupil of distinctive premise was Miss Gladys Lang, who exhibited an ordered facility and artistic touch in works by Beethoven Chopin and Frank Bridge. Other students taking part were Misses Nola Dentico Joyce Edwards, Pat Lord, Ngaire Slack, Ngaire Rogers, Shirley Ting. Christine Lindsay. Joan Kellaway-. Mollie. Robinson. Freda Porter, Marjorio Dykes, Joan Neil, Gwyneth Rea, Beinice Burton, Valeric Collins, Paula Matthews, Marcia Bacon. Mrs. N. Brickman, and Master Ivor Ting. Vocal contrast to the pianoforte music was afforded by Mrs. Elizabeth .Kellaway, who sang a group of songs in an artistic manner.