CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 149, 20 December 1935, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

When Clarence E.: Mulford began to write Western.novels he infused a new colour, into a. branch of fiction that had begun to pall. With his delightful stories of the boys of the Bar 20 he not only conceived deeper plots, but ..brought' dialogue that had never been contained in. stories ot similar type. Action was of brisker tempo, and- there' was: a refreshing vein of humour. That is why "Hop-along Cassidyl," which opened last evening, at the Regent Theatre, is no ordinary cowboy thriller. Cassidy, Johnny Nelson, Red Connors, 'Buck' Peters,' and all the rest of that unorthodox outfit shoot

their-way out: of the pages and give fast-moving:'• entertainment. It other stories from the same series are filmed, there,'is something to which filmgoers cah,'. look forward. Bar 20 and the neighbouring ranch are not on the best of- terms. 'There is' hot. atmosphere over "water rights, and the flame that is'just' being kindled is fanned by the- operations of rustlers, of whom the chief is foreman of one of the ranches. When the two outfits^find that neither is :.to-blame ..for- the -trouble, they join forces, -i -,and . there is a hard-fighting climax -among, the rocks when they storm, the ■rustlers. Willigm Boyd is excellent as Cassidy, idol of ithe ranch, the 1 youngi actor,- Jimmy Ellison, is well : Cast as the hot-headed Johnny Nejson-—almost'in love with the girl onthe- ' neighbouring ranch—arid Paula Stone; occupies, a lot of Nelson's time. The supporting programme is long, and is of exceptional merit. There are excellent newsreels,. a Paramount pictorial, Grantland Rice sportlight, a novelty featurette, and a "Popeye" cartoon. ' At afternoon sessions a children's pantomime is being presented.

DE LUXE THEATRE

Shipmates Forever," commencing at the De Luxe Theatre today, is an intimate and' revealing story of the liyes of the midshipmen in their study rooms at Annapolis, on the parade grounds, and their cruises at sea. It pictures them at work and play; their loves and their laughter; their loyalty and their courage "under fire." Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler, head the cast. Dick personifies the raw cadet, somewhat spoiled but with the makings of a man, who' is whipped into shape as a gallant officer through the rigour of the Naval Academy training,. and Ruby, the loyal daughter of the navy. The film company spent a month at Annapolis, the movie actors enacting their roles with the training school as a background, and with 1000 cadets taking part. While the picture is riot a: musical, several new songs are introduced by Powell in his role as a night club entertainer. All were composed by the famous song-writing team of Warren and Dubin. The chief of them is a marching song, "Don't Give Up the Ship." In addition to these, Dick sings a number of famous old sea ballads, among, them "Abdul Abulbul Amir" and. "Anchors. Aweigh." There is an excellent supporting'programme, ■ including "Keystone: Hotel," a hilarious comedy, showing a .team of old-time favourites. The De Luxe Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. L. D. Austin, will.present a; new musical programme.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

: Tense, breathless drama merges with romantic situations of no little intensity throughout the unfolding of the fastmoyjng plot of "Columbia's "Behind the Evidence," which is' at the Paramount Theatre. . From the very outset the picture exerts a powerful sway over the audienc's motions. Tony . Shridah,. millionaire:-;sportsman,v is: -sud? dehly-.-jiinpoyerished. by the : collapse of- --■;.■ ft-) trust' company. Convincing a scepticalcity editor that he will make a reporter, he gets the job. Tony makes good,'and in a sensational way runs to earth the chief of a gang of crooks that have been preying on the city for months.: Norman Foster does fine work as Tony Sheridan. In support of. him is Sheila Mannors, relatively' a newcomer in the featured field, but showing'promise of a speedy rise to stellar heights. The second feature is "Dinky," starring Jackie Cooper, Mary Astor, Roger Pryor. ■

KING'S THEATRE.

After\a successful season at the State I Theatre, "Charlie Chan in Shanghai" has been transferred to the King's TJHeatre. : The picture is another triumph for:Warner Oland in the role ofv.'Charlie.Chan, a character he has made famous. He goes from Scotland Yard-to Shanghai -to make' investigations 'concerning, the operations of a gang of smugglers, and runs to earth a dangerous gang in an unexpected and clever manner. Another big film, "The Gay: Deception,*! is also on. the: programme. It is a comedy-romance, featuring Francis VLederer and Frances Dee,; ""The .Gay Deception" is-the fairy stpry : come-.true—the handsome prince and the beautiful girl,. though. in this instance she is not' a princess, but; a" small-town-girl; Mirabelle; who,!-hay-ing won 5000 dollars in a sweepstake,; decidesl to have one glorious fling in New-York; .- ■■•. ■-■••■', . ■ • !

REX THEATRE.

Two admirably '■ chosen Christinas afctractions are, being shown at :the Rex Theatre,'.--Joe E: Brown^ the famous comedian, plays the lead in the main' featureI,;."The Circus Clown." A genuine circus isused throughout as a; background for the hilarious stunts of the picture, 'which, however, has its own well-defined plot and romance. vThe picture, deals... with the intimate life of .the - circus folk behind the .scenes and also*' during .the giving .of a • show: The.': additional attraction is ;the 'elaborately presented andtuneful musical romance," "The Gay Divorcee" picturised ■ from <the London v> and New. York • : stagd success. Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Alice Brady, and Edward Everett Horton are the featured players. The song hits, "Don't Let It Bother You," "Looking for a Needle in a Haystack," "Let's Knock-k-neez," and the novel dance number, 'The Continental,".are among the many outstanding items introduced in the picture. , ,

PRINCESS THEATRE.

I The two features specially selected as .Christmas Week'attractions for the Princess Theatre provide a programme offering ample variety. Thrilling entertainment for the entire family Is the new mystery drama, ."The Mystery of Edwin Drood," with Claude Rains and a brilliant" cast of. supporting, players. "The Mystery ■of Edwin Drood" was adapted for the screen from the famous novel of that title. In featured roles with Rains, are Douglass Montgomery, Heather Angel, Valeric Hobson, and Francis Li Sullivan/ The film has;been' produced oh." a grand and spectacular scale wi,th;some of the largest sets' that have ever been constructed for a picture. A new comedy of quite a different type kis. "It's. a: Bef." ; The v :star of the picture is Gene Gerrard and opposite him is Helen Chandler, the popular.little American star. Other leading roles are filled by Judy Kelly and JlmmyvGodden. It is a fast-mov-mg comedy played against a background: of numerous English beuaty spots.- .<•■ .■-■■•.■.•■ ,

, ROXY THEATRE. '..'./

In Fog Over Frisco,", a melodramatic mystery, thriller, now screening at the Roxy Theatre, .thrills and suspense are blended with 'love and romance .with such a nicety as to form a most unusually entertaining picture. The pic-1 ture : gets off to a swift start, and the action -never slows up to the final smashing climax. Bette Davis and Donald Woods are the featured players. 'Kansas City Princess" is the supporting feature. In a swift series of kaleidoscopic incidents the picture takes the spectator from Kansas City to New York by train and aeroplane, aboard a French liner on which riotous scenes occur with two manicurists chiseling their way across and then to Paris, where the climax comes with the wildest love mix-up and a whirlwind of laughter. Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell have the role of the two gold-digging manicurists with Hugh Herbert as the somewhat.dumb millionaire. *

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Enchanting music, spectacular dance routines set in backgrounds of unprecedented splendour, a pageant of the world's greatest entertainers headed by Jack Benny, and an intriguing story all combine to make "Broadway Melody of • 1936," Metro-Goldwyn-i'Maycr's:.most ambitious musical extravaganza. the screen's outstanding eye and ear entertainment of'the year. It begins its Wellington season at the Majestic Theatre • today. There • are five songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur. Freed, "Broadway Rhythm," "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'," "On a Sunday Afternoon," "Sirig Before Breakfast," and "You are My Lucky Star." . Sid Silvers gets many a laugh with his drtfll ' humour. Other new screen- personalities who definitely score, in this..elaborate musical .are Eleanor Powell, for the past five years acclaimed as "the world's greatest tap dancer," who plays the lead opposite Robert Taylor. The latter does his best screen work to date. Una Merkel, as a joking secretary; June Knight,, as a spoiled darling of New York society; Vilma and. Buddy Ebsen, famous comedians and dancers; Nick Long, jun., noted acrobatic dancer;. Frances Langford, 'radio's song bird, ' and Harry Stockwell; concert baritone; all deserve the highest praise for their amazing entertainment talents. Roy pel ,R.uth directed and John W. Considine, aun., was the producer. Moss Hart wrote the original.story and'the screen play was prepared by Jack McGowan, Sid Silvers, and Harry Conn. Dave Gould, who was responsible for the Carioca and*"The Continental," staged .the dance routines and Albertina Rascn presented1 the ballet.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The season' of "Bonnie Scotland," featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy at the St. James.- Theatre has been extended. It is undoubtedly one of the best efforts of this famous team. The plot, as usual, is one of then: own, but this time Stan Laurel sports a "Mac" in front of his surname, as the would-be • heir to _ a large estate in Scotland. After the discovery that the legacy consists of a set of historic bagpipes in a snuffbox, the pair have a run of bad luck, which culminates in their being inveigled into the Caledonian Highlanders. Their wildest and most hilarious adventures, however, take place on the North-west Frontier of'lndia, to an outpost on which the regiment is sent. There is also: a;strong love interest, provided by the romance between Lorna McLaurel, the heir to the estate (June Long), and Alan Douglas (William Janney). As the military hero of the piece, Vernon Steele is convincing. Anne Grey plays ;well the part of the schemer who'goes close to wrecking the romance between Lorna and Alan. James Finlayson,' .as the sergeantmajor, makes.the Laurel-Hardy team a trio in some of the best situations of the film.- The supporting programme is a very fine one. -

STATE THEATRE.

Superb', acting on the part of little Jane Withers and an unusual story mark the Ifox, Film production, "This Is the .Life;" which is the current attraction at the/State Theatre. Jane has gone Jar since she, appeared as |the'obnoxious child in "Bright Eyes," starring Shirley Temple. In her new picture she gives a scintillating performance. both-, as a dramatic actress and a' song-and-dance personality, and is ably supported by. John McGuire, Gordon'Westcott, Sally Blanc, Sidney Toler; Gloria Roy, and Francis. Ford. The story • centres around' a brilliant child ■performer who is made1 a virtual slave-by her guardians until she is rescued -from torment by • John • McGuire, falsely accused,of robbery and seeking, to. avoid arrest by the police. Masquerading as a boy,, she hitch-hikes, across the continent with her newfound friend while an entire nation searches frantically for her. They have numerous adventures until McGuire gives himself up to the police to save Jane from being returned to her guardians.

"Thanks a Million."

"Thanks a Million," which is coming to the .State Theatre, introduces entrancing melodies, dances, and a'cast that includes a legion of celebrities from stage, screen,, and radio. Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak are teamed as the centre of romantic interest, and the picture also presents Fred Allen, Patsy Kelly, Paul Whiteman and his band,'\with Ramona, Rubinoft and his violin, and the Yacht Club boys. .The story of "Thanks a Million" follows, the adventures of a road troupe hitting the soft spots of America with Fred Allen as ; their presiding genius. Powell is the warbler, Miss Dvorak and Patsy Kelly the dancers, and Rubinoff the musical genius. ' _ ■.■■■■>■•-.

PLAZA THEATRE.

The inimitable .Will Rogers is to be seen .at the Plaza, Theatre this week in one of the last films he, made. -The picture, "In Old Kentucky,"^opened its' local season yesterday, and' was revealed as 'a typical production of the famous and loved 1 humorist. /Will Rogers', is cast as . a racehorse trainer whose interest is bound up in his eccentric employer, and the man's really great horse.. The-endeavours of a pair of schemprs to : place.Grey Boy out -of, commission.for the big race and thus make the event safe for their ownhofse; the manner'in which Rogers foils, these .'plans, and -the- final remarkable, victory : jof ; Grey Boy, achieved-through a happily, soft track, areyrevealed, amidst, scenes of laughter and" sentiment,' and the production' is, enlivened by .the antics of an old rain-maker, the 'fighting1 ambitions of the. horse's owner,: and'Rogers'sown native wit. Dorothy Wilson, Alan Dinehart; and Russell-Hardie: appear: in the supporting cast, and the presence of Bill Robinson, the famous coloured tap-dancer, must not be forgotten. The supporting programme includes the latest newsreels, revealing incidents in Abyssinia, and the world's armies in review, A skit on the films, "Then Came the Yawn," and a Terry Toon are also on the bill.

DE LUXE "THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

; "liimehouse Blues" and "Love in Bloom are to be screened finally at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, tonight. Commencing at the matinee tomorrow at 2.30 will be "Sanders of the .River," in which impressive work is done by Leslie Banks, Paul Robeson and Nina Mac McKinney. "Sanders of the River".is something quite new in film.entertainment. Based on the popular Edgar Wallace stories of the same title, it deals-skilfully with' British rule'in Africa. The story sets out to show that the way to control millions of untamed jungle dwellers is not by harshness and violence,, but by making it obvious that their welfare is at 4,he heart of the ruler.-..'...'

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE

'.'She Loves Me Not," co-starring Bing I Crosby and Miriam Hopkins, will be shown finally tonight at the Grand Theatre; Petone. "Universal's "Werewolf of London," which, commences tomorrow at a matinee at 2 o'clock, with Henry. Hull, Warner .Oland, and Valeric Hobson in the leading,roles, is claimed to be one of the weirdest pictures of the year.l The supporting cast includes Lester Matthews, Spring Byirigton, Clark Williams, Lawrence Grant, and Charlotte Granville. A splendid supporting .programme will also be shown.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE.

The screen version of ."Lo'rnar Doone," R. .D. Blackmore's famous -classic, concludes tonight at. the Palace Theatre, Petone.

"Oil for the Lamps of China," with Pat O'Brien, Josephine Hutchinson, and Jean Muir, commences tomorrow at 2 p.m. There is thrilling action and strange adventure, with its spirit of pioneer men and women actuated by a burning ambition andloyalty to'their jobs,

TIVOLI THEATRE.

Another double-feature programme is being shown at the Tivoli Theatre. "G Men," the first big picture of America's greatest. battle in the war on crime, is the principal picture Starring James Cagney, Ann Dvorak, Margaret Lindsay, and Robert Armstrong, it was chosen as the picture of the month by the American "Picture of the Month" Committee. It is a stirring story of the battle of Government men against gangsters. "G Men" is the name given to the secret service men whose job it is to round up the arch desperadoes in America. The picture follows the career of one of these "G Men" from the time he joined the Federal service, through his training period, through machine-gun battles with gangsters to a thrilling climax in vyhich he finally rounds up and exterminates a gang of murderous kidnappers. Cagney, heretofore Hollywood's most famous, "bad man," now depicts the "G Man." who. set the deadly trap.for | the mad dog of the mobs arid brought the "Big Shot," -whom no gaol could hold, to an ignominious death. Opposite him is' charming Margaret Lindsay, who has the part of the sister of -Robert- Armstrong, Cagney's superior .officer, and the girl whom Cagney loves. "We're Not Dressing," featuring the crooner Bing Crosby and 'Carole Lombard, is the second ■ attraction. It is a romantic musical melange.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

With only two exceptions, the cast-of "Mystery of Mr. X," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer thriller; is all-British, It- is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Headed by Elizabeth. Allen, petite Englisli screen actress, who scored, such a hit with Herbert Marshall in "The Solitaire Man," the artists include Henry Stephenson, well-known character actoc; Ralph Forbes, Forrester Harvey, famous for his delineation of cockney roles, Alec 8.. Francis, Ivan Simpson, Charles Irwin, and Leonard Mudie,, who plays the sinister "Mr. X." The exceptions are Robert Montgomery and Lewis Stone, both of whom, although born in. America,' might easily be mistaken for Englishmen, .both in appearance and speech. Adapted from the sensational novel "X Versus Rex," the film is set. in London, and tells th 3 thrilling story of a duel between Scotland Yard and a maniacal slayer of policemen. Montgomery as a suave crook is forced by circumstances to take a hand in the game, with results that are both sensational and farreaching. "Front-page Woman," with Bette Davis and George Brent, is the second attraction. The picture is entirely different from any other newspaper play; It deals with the bitter rivalry of two star reporters, a man and a woman on opposition papers, who are really in love with'each other, but do their best to "scoop" each.other. Bette Davis plays the role of the newspaper woman and George Brent is the -reporter who is in love with her but who scorns her ability'until she eventually beats him at his own game.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

Heading the. change of programme, at Shortt's Theatre is "Too Much Harmony," which has a fine cast, featuring Bing, Crosby, Jack Oakie, Skeets, Gallagher, Judith Allen, Harry Green, and Lilyan Tashmari. In addition to being the focal point of the romantic plot, Crosby sings several brand-new hit tunes, especially: composed for him. Jack Oakie and Skeets Gallagher are cast as a team of footlight fools.- "King of the Jungle," with Buster Crabbe . (the crack swimmer) and Frances Dee is the second attraction; The plot concerns the' adventurous life ofKaspa, the Lion Man1, who is reared by lions in the African Veldt.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

The much-discussed film "The Scoundrel," starring Noel Coward, will be screened'finally at-the Kilbirnie Kinema'tonight. The supporting feature is Gerie Strattori Porter's "A Girl of the .-■ Limberlost;" starring ;■ /Marion Marsh, RalpluMorgan, and Louis Dresser. The main attraction on tomorrow's bill is. Warner; Bros,' mammoth musical extravaganza, "Go Into Your I Dance," featuring Al Jolson and Ruby iKeeler, with Glenda Farrell, . Patsy Kelly, and a beauty chorus of hundreds. Seven song hits, plus gorgeous ensembles, lavish spectacle, and sensationali dancing, are features of the show. The additional attraction is Paramount's enthralling drama, "Private Worlds," starring Claudette" Colbert, wtih Charles Boyer, Joan Bennett, Helen Vinsen, and Joel McCrea.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

Two big pictures' offering genuine entertainment are being screened at the Capitol Theatre tonight. "All the .King's Horses," a well-mounted musical 'production, features Carl . Brisson, Mary Ellis, and Edward Everett Horton. The picture reveals the story of a shy king and a flirtatious queen, whose romantic differences are settled amid an abundance of songs, dancing, and comedy. "She Married Her Boss," Columbia's successor to "It Happened One Night," is the second picture. It stars Claudette Colbert, Melvyn Douglas, and Michael Barlett, and is a sparkling comedy. :

REGAL THEATRE,. KARORI.

Tonight.at the Regal Theatre, Karorij a' programme calculated to please all pieturegoers , will be screened. Claudette : Colbert and Clark Gable are featured in the record-winning picture, "It Happened One Night." Chock full -of comedy, and with a■, splendid romance, th;s • picture .won the year's motion picture, award. Specially arranged supports ,will be screened before the main feature. Patrons': are ad-' vised to book their seats at Holland's Fruit Shop.- . : - . ■'•■'.'...

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY;

,The programme for today and tomorrow,at the Empire' Theatre, Island Bay, is headed by "Public Hero No. ■" 1," starring Lionel Barrymore, Chester Morris, and :Jean Arthur. Tracing the pursuit of a 'notorious public .enemy; the work Of the-person who brings him to justice, and the amazing ramifications of the agencies pitted against the. underworld, the story shows, from de-' tails actually taken from records, cases, and newspapers, that crime does not pay. Lewis Stone and Paul Kelly head the large supporting cast. A Laurel and Hardy comedy, a Pete Smith featurette, a Metrotone newsreel, and. a Fox Australian newsreel complete the programme.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

"The Farmer Takes a Wife", headsl the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre. tonight. Janet Gaynor and Henry Fonda are two young people who fall in love with one another while working on the Erie Canal. Miss Gaynor is- a canal-boat cook, born and bred on the waterways and completely in love with the life on the canal. Fonda, on the. other hand, is a farmer working on the canal for the sole purpose of earning ! enough money to buy his own farm. The opposed ideals of the two lovers adds a zest and charm to the romance that is fascinating and delightful. Zane Grey's thrilling; Western "Wagon Wheels" is the supporting feature.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE, X

Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe, one of the most notable teams in tha history of the film industry, are the co-stars of "Under Pressure," which is at the State Theatre, Petone. "Under Pressure" presents a new type of underworld—a world confined to a steel line tube, some 17 feet in diameter, an unreal world of high-pressure air and smoke, and raw searing gases. Buried under twenty feet of . mud and silt, with many feet of water above that, the men of "Under Pressure" live, fight, and carry on with courage under astonishing ' and hazardous conditions. "Under Pressure" supplies Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen with their eighth co-starring Fox film and it is one of their most notable. ' "

PANTOMIME AT REGENT.

Throughout the Christmas holidays at the afternoon sessions only, a pantomime, "The House that Jack Built," staged by Grace Brown, is being presented at the Regent Theatre. The pantomime will be seen in conjunction with "Hop-along Cassidy" and with "The Last Outpost," the programme providing excellent holiday entertainment for ,the whole family. Nearly 40 clever artists will be seen in "The House that Jack Built,"