CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 135, 4 December 1935, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

]■'■' REGENT THEATRE. '■Dance-Band," one o£ the brightest musical comedies to be screened in Wellington, is showing at the Regent Theatre, .and stars Buddy Rogers and June Clyde. ;■• "Rod Salute." ,"The many picturegoers who hav2 admired Barbara Stanwyck's emotional and dramatic roles will be pleasantly surprised by her first appearance as a comedienne in 'Red Salute.' With a versatility1 that marks the true artist, she captures perfectly the light-hearted challenging spirit of modern youth as aumversity student who kicks over the traces and has to be brought. back with a firm hand to the accepted way of thinking," writes a critic of this romantic comedy, released by United Artists, which will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre. "The young man who applies the firm hand and amus ingly converts her from radical ideas is that popular player Robert Young, and he and Miss Stanwyck make a comedy combination that it is to be hoped will be seen again soon. There is more to the story of 'Red Salute' than appears on the surface, but that need, not worry the picturegoer who is simply looking for laughs,. for, he will find plenty in : this film, served up with speed and intelligence, and withjjutur>t that dash of: unexpectedness, which makes the dish doubly appetising. From the moment when Miss - Stanwyck, as the general's daughter, is hustled out of America and into Mexico to escape' the influence^ of a young orator whose politics are deeply tinged with red and through the adventures which follow when she and: a youthful soldier, (Robert Young) make a break across- the border :in a .stolen, car-.and -head ..for home, with the authorities 'in close . pursuit .',■■ the -; • tempo' of. the action never slackens. Cliff Edwards also • enters into the fun as the very obliging owner of a motor-cara-van commandeered by the fugitives.'-' NEW OPERA HOUSE. In the screen presentation of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," now being screened atthe New Opera House, the producer, Alexander Korda, has captured all the romance and glory from the pages of Baroness Orczy's well-lpved story. Leslie Howard in the title role has scored a real triumph. Merle Oberon plays opposite him as his pretty French wife. . People who like full-blooded, exciting entertainment should revel in th 2 fDecial programme which will start on riday at the New Opera" House. First there will be the film of the recent fight between Max Baer and Joe Louis the Negro boxer, for the world's heavyweight, championship. Just twenty seconds after the start of the fourth ' round Louis put an end to the pretensions of Baer in what has been described as one of the most sensational battles in ring history.. Every moment of this exciting fight was caught by the Fox Film cameraman. Two sections are repeated in slow motion—ths battering of Baer in the third round and the knock-out punches in the fourth. Both give expressive reasons ■why Louis is likely to be the next heavyweight champion. In conjunction with the Baer-LouiG . fight film there will be screened the Paramount boxing comedy feature, "Two-Fisted." This is said to contain an engaging story, swift-paced action, and hilarious performances on the part of all coo.cemed. Lee Tracy, Roscoe Kara1?, Gail Patrick, Kent Taylor,. Gordon Westcott, Florence Lake, and five-year-old Billy Lee have the principal parts. . "Scraping the Skies" is the name of a thrilling short subject. ' There will be £ special shoppers' session on Friday at 5 p.m. . DE LUXE THEATRE.', Katharine v Hepburn 'has. 'one of her most effective roles in "Alice Adams," which is to be seen at the De' Luxe Theatre ;_this week. Miss Hepburn creates in every mood, inflection of voice, and mental attitude the part of the girl of poor family who pretends that she; is someone important in the social scale and struggles through life, despite snubs, to find a ' basis for happiness. Fred Mac Murray, who is cast opposite Miss Hepburn, is an attractive ' foil for the star. In addition, iFred Stone, a famous character aqtor, makes his debut, and the whole production is excellently finished. Selections by the new De Luxe Concert Orchestra, the latest newsreels, afid a variety film round off the bill. ■Bette Davis and George Brent are again paired as screen lovers in the new Cosmopolitan production, "Special Agent," a Warner Bros.' picture, coming to the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. The picture is said to reveal the inner workings of the U.S. Treasury, Department, showing an entirely new angle of the Government's activities in wiping out the nation's public enemies. There is a stellar cast including besides Miss Davis and Brent,- Ricardo Cortez, Jack Laßue, Henry O'Neill, Robert Strange. Joseph Crehan, arid J. Carroll Naish. ■■■■.• PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The theme of "Men of Tomorrow," at; the Paramount-Theatre, is that of the romance of a poetic student intolerant of Oxford's athletic Interests, and a- young girl bacteriologist. Maurice Braddell, Joan Gardiner, Merle Oberon, • and Robert Donat are the principal players. In "The Clock Strikes Eight," the second feature, an ingenious murder mystery is unfolded. "Baroud," the somewhat intriguing title of the Gaumont-British picture released by Fox Films and coming to the Paramount Theatre next Friday, means 'in English "tribal warfare." Tribal warfare caused by three-cor-nered lovfe between an Arab princess, her French officer lover, and a bandit chief who also loves her, gives the picture its name, as well as most of its drama and action. "Baroud" was produced on the site of its locale by Rex Ingram, producer of many famous silent pictures, who also appears as its star. KING'S THEATRE. The current features at the King's Theatre are "Hardrock Harigan," starring George O'Brien, with Irene Harvey and Fred Kohler, and "Peck's Bad Boy," in which Jackie Cooper, Thomas Meighan, Jackie Searle, and 0., P. Heggie head the cast. • REX THEATRE. "The attractive Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer bill at the Rex Theatre comprises "Hide-out," an engaging comedy-drama, with Robert Montgomery and Maureen p'Sullivan, and "Student Tour," a comedy, vibrant with new music, deeply, romantic and spectacular, with a notable cast that includes the goldenvoiced Nelson Eddy. .A fine double-feature programme is coming to the Rex Theatre on Friday. Headirrg the bill will be Richard Dix in Zane Grey's stirring romance "West of, the -,Pecos." A specially added attraction will be provided by the appearance of Mac West in the novel comedy-drama, "I'm No Angel." SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Our Little Girl," starring Shirley Temple, Rosemary Ames, and Joel McCrea, and "Frontier Marshal," featuring George O'Brien, are the main pictures at Shortt's Theatre. ■ The appearance together in a picture of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable is an unmistakable sign of screen entertainment above the ordinary run. The popular pair are again' to be seen opposite each other in "Dancing Lady " Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's adaptation of the widely-read James Warner Bellah novel, which \vill be the main feature on Friday at Shortt's Theatre. Comedy and mystery, twin elements of entertainment, are deftly blended in "Murder in the Private Car," new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature, which will be the second attraction. Charles Ruggles, Mary Carlisle, Una Merkel, and Russell Hardie have the leading roles. BROOKLYN THEATRE. ■"Crime Without Passion." the stark drama of a crafty criminal lawyer who deliberately set out to destroy the woman he had once- loved without leaving a single incriminating trace, is the feature at the Brooklyn Theatre toi -night, , . -.-'--..

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The numerous touches of bold ex-| travagance in the fun-making which predominates in "She Married Her Boss," the hilarious romantic comedy now screening at the Majestic Theatre, make it bright and sophisticated entertainment. Chief interest in this - production lies in the splendid performance of Claudette Colbert whose aptitude for light comedy roles is further enhanced by her buoyancy and freshness. Then there are Melvyn Douglas, her rather dyspeptic husband, whose one regret is his hectic youth, and Michael Bartlett, as the irrepressible and . debonair young man, who will be remembered for his singing in the Grace Moore film "Love Me Forever." One of the best performances is that of a small child, Edith Fellows, whose portrayal of a stubborn little girl is really outstanding. The supports are excellent, Paul Muni will be seen on the screen of the Majestic Theatre on) Friday in his latest starring vehicle, "Dr. Socrates," in what is said to be one of the most dramatic roles of his career. The picture, which combines thrilling adventure and a glowing romance, is based on the best selling novel by W. X, Burnett, author of "Little Caesar." Ann o Dvorak and Barton Mac Lane appear in support of Muni. ST. JAMES THEATRE. . "Heritage," the Australian production, now showing at the St. James Theatre, is truly the "Cavalcade of the island continent. Such great national figures as Governor Phillip, the visionary Macquarie, and Wentworth, the Empire builder, appear on the screen in scenes characteristic of their greatness. The roles of the two governors, though small, are very well played by Frank Harvey and Norman French. The finest; scenes in the picture are the historical ones, drawn in the streets of old Sydney, and on the broad canvas of the Blue Mountains and the rolling plains beyond. Franklyn Bennett, Peggy• Maguire, and Margot Rhys are outstanding as 0 unusually fine characterisations. Newsreels, a novelty, a travel-talk, and a coloured cartoon complete a very entertaining programme. STATE THEATRE. "Dante's Inferno,"'which is the main feature at the State Theatre, is a film of modern character linked and threaded with Dante Alighieri's epic ,poem, "Divine Comedy," and develops along startling lines. The cast includes Spencer Tracy, Claire Trevor, Henry B. Walthall, Alan Dinehart, Scott Beckett, and Rita Cousins. When Merian C. Cooper, master-pro-ducer of spectacle drama, decided to make "The Last Days of Pompeii" as Ins final work for RKO-Radio Pictures, he and the company, made up their mmds at the same time to spare no trouble, time, nor expense in re-creating perfectly for film audiences the rich city of Pompeii that lived, laughed, and-loved until Vesuvius^ spoke, and the town was buried in flaming ruin. Months of painstaking research went into the faithful duplication of the famous playground of Rome. One set alone, the Temple of Jupiter, with its forum and narr,ow converging streets, covered four entire sound stages-at the RKO Pathe studio. The greatest. open-air set erected is the monumental replica of Pompeii's arena, in which the pleasure-sated patricians of those pagan days watched the bestial conflicts of man against man and man against beast. "The Last Days of Pompeii" opens at the State Theatre on Friday next. ['~ PLAZA THEATRE. Elusive, captivating, quaintly elfish Elisabeth Bergner has a role in 'Escape Me Never," now in its final nights at the Plaza Theatre, that is peculiarly suited to her talents. A- volatile, appealing thing, she is a child, with all a child's whimsicalities; throughout her life, yet she is as-certainly a' woman bearing her- sorrow steadfastly, never looking back, never quite losing heart. Fierce in her love for her child, there is in her little form a strange power, a peculiar personality, that makes her seem half-wild. Laughing joyously one moment, intearsthe next. Gemma-Jones, the little gamin of Venice, is surely ..'one'of the most delightful personalities that have appeared on the screen; Hugh Sinclair does well as the callous husband,-and Griffith Jones makes .the most of his part as his more .matter 7 of-fact.brother. Others,in; the- cast are Penelope Dudley Ward, Irene Yanbrugh, Leon Quartermaine,. and Lyn Harding.. .. .■../,..-■ 1 PRINCESS TJHEATRE. Tvvo outstanding features are now showing- at the Princess ' Theatre: Paramount's comedy with songs,' "Here Is My Heart." which is the leading attraction, presents Bing Crosby with Kitty Carlisle, Alison Skipworth, and Roland Young. -The songs include "With Every Breath I Take," ' "June m January," and-"Love Is Just Around the Corner." Conrad' Veidt, one of the greatest of screen actors, is the central figure in "The Wandering Jew." the magnificent spectacular film offered as the associate feature. The programrr° also includes a technicolour gem, "Honeymoon Hotel." ROXY THEATRE. Perhaps the most ambitious and cosily spectacle that Hollywood has ever attempted Paramount's "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," is the present attra,v tion at the Roxy Theatre. Featuring Gary Cooper Franchot Tone. Richard Cromwell, and Sir Guy Standing in the principal roles, "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer is a stirring, colourful, and action-crammed story of the exploits snldd V^ntU Tes,- of England's colonial soldiers in India. Cooper's role m t™s picture is his most heroic arid enKILBIRNIE KINEMA. T< -i™?, m?in .attraction at the Kilbirnie Kmema tonight is Warner Bros.' new %»£?&2- uf ical comedy "In Caliente," starring Dolores del Rio, with Pat Swt len' T Gler£ a Farrell, Edward I. Hoi ton, Leo.Canllo, and the worldr ™"s dancin S stars, the De Marcos. Georgeous spectacle, sensational dancing, and catchy song numbers are featured in this lavish production. The additional attraction is the baffling mystery .thriller "Charlie Chan in Paris," starring Warner Oland, with Mai-y Brian and Thomas Beck. . OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. . Nine-year-old Jane Withers is starred in Fox Films' latest comedy success, Ginger which heads the double-fea-ture bill at Our Theatre. O. P. Heggie and Jackie Searle head the supporting cast Although the talented littli orphan Jane is denied the love and care of a mother and father, she herself looks after O. P. Heggie, gives him lectures, loves him, defends him and keeps house for him. When Jane is taken into the Park Avenue home of the pampered Jackie Searle, trouble and fun follow quickly. The musical comedy "Heat .Wave" is the second attraction. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The current attraction at the Regal Theatre is "Under the Pampas Moon," starring Warner Baxter, and Kittie Gallian. The story concerns the adventure of an Argentine gauchb who falls in love with a beautiful cabaret entertainer. John Miljan' heads the supporting cast. A comedy, cartoon, and newsreels complete the programme. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Becky Sharp" heads an entertaining programme at the Empire Theatre this evening. Filmed entirely in the new technicolour, it tells of a wilful and clever beauty who uses her loveliness to advance her social position. Miriam Hopkins plays the leading role. A comedy, a variety number, and a Pathe newsreeLcomplete the.^ro^rammej- •,

TIVOU THEATRE. An exceedingly large and powerful cast was selected for the dynamic roles in the First National Productions' feature "British Agent," which is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Two of the most popular stars of the day, Leslie Howard and Kay Francis, head a list of twenty talented players in important speaking parts, while there are a score more smaller roles and hundreds of extras playing in: many of the spectacular scenes. Howard and Miss Francis furnish the romantic interest as two lovers, the former an unofficial British agent and the latter an aristocratic Russian turned Red. For pure, hilarious entertainment, one of the best pictures of the year is Paramount's "Ladies Should Listen," which will be the additional attraction. The story is a Continental farce in which a young man-about-town in •Paris gets into all sorts of complications with an option on a South American nitrate concession and too many lady friends. The efforts of a telephone operator who is in love with him- to extricate him from his troubles only help to complicate matters further. In the prinI cipal male role, Cary Grant displays ability as a faceur, aided by Frances Drake, who is highly pleasing as the telephone operator. RIVOLI THEATRE. In "Caravan," the spectacular musical romance which will be shown tonight at the Rivoli Theatre, Charles .Boyer, idol of movie fans on the Continent, appears as a captivating songmaker who loves and is loved by a beautiful and 'capricious countess. In the latter role will be seen the dazzling Loretta Young; while the raven-haired Jean Parker appears as Tinka, the other girl. Phillips Holmes, in the role of a dashing young Lieutenant, completes the foursome of principal players. Others in the cast are Eugene Pallette. C. Aubrey Smith. Charley Grapewm. Noah Beery, Dudley Digges, Richard Carle, Lionel Belmore, Billy Bevan, Armand Kaliz, and Harry C. Bradley. Some 3000 extras were emDloyed in the scenes for massed effects. The music of "Caravan," it is said, will create a sensation. The success of Jan Kiepura in "Tell Me Tpnight" invests his latest Gaumont-British picture, "My Song for You," which will be the second feature, with more than ordinary interest. An additional point of interest in "My Song for You" is the fact .that Sonnie Hale is aaain associated with Kiepura. In "Tell Me Tonight" he scored as a comedian, and in this new picture he is afforded even greater opportunities as a laughter-maker. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Menace," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Gertrude M,lc^ a,e1.' Paul Cavanagh, Berton Churchill, and Montagu Love. The story deals with three people who are hounded from Africa to California by a madman who believes them responsible for his brother's death. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "David Copperfield" will be screened finally tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone; The main attraction on tomorrow's bill is Paramount's "Torch Singer" a unique drama of the life of a famous radio performer-starring Claudette Colbert, with Ricardo Cortez. David Manners, Lyda Roberti, and Baby Le Roy. Here Comes the Groom," a hilarious comedy featuring Jack Haley. Mary Boland, Neil Hamilton, and Patricia Ellis, is the additional attraction. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "Transient Lady" is being shown tonight only at the De Luxe • Theatre, Lower Hutt; Commencing tomorrow night the feature will be "Forgotten Men, the authentic war film hitherto siiDpressed by the Governments of the world and now released in the great cause of peace. It shows the stark realism of the world war as it was in a succession of vivid scenes taken by cameramen in the thick of the fighting. Sir John Hammerton, worldfamous historian, as commentator to Forgotten Men," retells the story of thft events that went to the compiling of those black pages of modern hisEMPIRE THEATRE, FETONE. EJ? ■-R-K.O'.-Radip's : newest thriller, .The Silver Streak," which commences a^J hfe *t. Empi??'Theatre, Petone, tonight, the Burlington "Silver Streak" Americas first Diesel-motored streamE - }}' am> is seen on the run which ?i"« aP:L open?d Colorado's remarkable Mpffat Tunnel. Sally Blanc, Charles Starrett, Hardie Albright, and William Farnum are featured. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. ''The Girl from Tenth ' Avenue," a First National picture with Bette Davis ln.-the stellar role,.commences a threenight season tonight; at : the Palace Theatre/ Petone. It is the story of a game shop girl who rescues a derelict, though brilliant society man from the gutter after he.has :been jilted by a gold digger. How she succeeds in his rejuvenation makes an engrossing and dramatic picture... Others in the cast are Colin Clive, lan Hunter, and Alison Skipworth. There is a-good supporting programme. /■■ ■ VERSE-SPEAKING CHOIR. The Wellington Verse-Speaking^Choir is to give its •second annual recital tomorrow in the Blue Triangle 'Hall: The choral speaking of-verse was revived in England about ten years ago, and has aroused widespread interest. In the days of ancient Greece, poetry was sometimes recited publicly by the poet, and sometimes by a number of trained speakers, who observed the rhythm and brought out the music of the words. With the spread of printing, the speaking of verse came to be neglected; but poets, and especially our modern poets, say that we cannot fully appreciate their poetry if we merely read it silently, for poetry is music and must be heard to be appreciated. The aim of the Verse-Speaking Choir is to speak • fine verse simply and beautifully, and with a beauty and -variety of tone which is not possible'when the poems are-spoken by a single individual. The choir, under the direction of W. J. Mountjoy, jun., who has been actively engaged • with versespeaking choirs for the last five yea«:s, will present a new programme of verse by the best modern poets. "The Isle of Lone," "Silver," "Witch Hare," and "The Horseman," by Walter de la Mare; "The Crowning of Dreaming John," by Drinkwater; "Laugh and be Merry," by Masefield; and "Morning Express." by Siegfried Sassoon are some of the poems to be spoken, while Eileen Duggan, Vachel Lindsay, Carl Samburg, Edgar Allan Poe, arid Sir Walter Scott will all be represented. Two examples of light verse will be presented. In addition two pupils of Josejh Knowsley will give a modern German dance and a Spanish dance, the Lyall Bay School Choir conducted by Mr. O. A. Banner,, will. sing the songs with which they won at the competitions this year, Binet Brown will be heard in vocal solos, and Barbara Bannister will give a pianoforte solo. WELLINGTON REPERTORY THEATRE. Acclaimed everywhere as John Van Druten's finest play since "Young woodley and this opinion being confirmed by the advance booking, the Wellington Repertory Society would appear to have made a wise choice in selecting "After All" to close' their years work. Some excellent settings have been designed and a capital cast under the direction of Mr. W. S. Wauchop will include Miss Daisy Isaacs as Mrs. Thomas; Mr. C. J. Bell as Mr-.- Thomas, Mr. Ralph Hogg as Ralph; Miss Ngaire Horton as Phyl; Mrs. F. M. Davies as Alice; Mr. N. V. Wotton as-Mr.- Melville; Mr. T. V. Anson as Duff Wilson; Miss Lily. Silverstone as ' Greta; Mr. Allan Howard as Cyril Greenwood, and Miss Ruth Skerman as^ Doris Melville. Mr. Carl Watson will have -charge of the stage, Miss Pauline Shotlander the wardrobe, and Mrs. Mary Mackenzie the properties. London "Punch" closed a highly eulogistic review of "After All" as follows: It is a sound, sincere, and moving piece of work; an excellent play that should on no account be missed." After All" will be presented for four performances, commencing this evenJ?i? a ud concl"ding on Saturday next. The box plans are at the D.I.C. and intending are reminded that the booking for the final performances is-.particulax]y jveavy» • ,

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. At the Seaside Pictures tonight at 8 McFadden's Flats" will be screened. It is a hilarious comedy featuring Walter C. Kelly and Andy Clyde. The supporting feature is worthy of special mention. Entitled "Legong" (the dance of the Virgins), it is filmed entirely in natural colour and portrays a tropical romance. Two newsreels will also be shown. VIENNESE SINGING BOYS. In response to a great number of letters and inquiries for the return of the famous Viennese Boys' Choir, J. and N. Tait announce that they have been successful in readjusting dates in order that two farewell performances may be given in the Grand Opera House on Saturday week (2.30 and 8 p.m.) prior to the departure of the choir for America. Special Christmas programmes are in preparation, including famous carols and other appropriate numbers; also, it has been decided to present two operas in costume at each performance. Souvenir programmes will be presented to all children attending either the matinee or evening performances. In order to bring these special performances within the reach of all, it has been decided to charge popular prices, booking for dress circle and stalls being fixed at 3s and 4s, unreserved stalls at 2s, and gallery at Is 6d (no tax). Early application for students' tickets and party arrangements should be made at the D.I.C. PORT NICHOLSON BAND. At the De Luxe Theatre on Sunday night the Port Nicholson Band will be heard in some popular items, and "The Maid of the Mountains," the brilliant English picturisation of the well-known musical comedy, will be screened. All the favourites, such as "Love Will Find a Way," "A Bachelor Gay," and "Vilia," are featured by a brilliant cast, including Harry Welchman, Nancy Browne, Wallace Lupino, and Gus McNaughton, while the staging is on the most elaborate scale. For haunting beauty the music of "The Maid" has excelled anything of recent years. Patrons are advised to be early. TECHNICAL COLLEGE FAIR. The Wellington Technical College fair is being held tonight, from 7 o'clock to 10 o'clock, and tomorrow, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Many sideshows have "been arranged and craftwork of all descriptions will be on show, while the wide selection of goods for sale will present many opportunities lot the purchase of Christmas presents, and at the same time assist the college funds.