CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

! ■ CITY. AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE,

"Splendour," the current attraction at the Regent Theatre, tells of the shadow of poverty that hangs over the house of an old New York family who are obliged to look to fortunate marriages to recuperate their fortunes. Into this strange and discordant household comes Phylis, the Southern wife of Brighton Lorrimore, the eldest son of the family. Miriam Hopkins, who takes the part of Phylis, has never done better work. Joel McCrea is excellent as Brighton Lorrimore, and Paul Cavanagh, as Martin Deering, plays his part with sincerity. In the words of a leading English critic, the Paramount film, "Hands Across the Table," which will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre, "provides very good fun in a polished manner, and it is impossible to imagine any type of filmgoer whom it will not appeal to." Also on the new programme will be "At the Bottom of the "World," the pictorial record of RearAdmiral Byrd's second expedition to Antarctica, which is still ,fresh in the public mind. Furthermore, Lincoln Ellsworth's recent exploit in the same part of the world invests this second film with considerable topical interest. "Hands Across the Table" contains much of the same quality and appeal as the record-breaking "It Happened One Night." Carole Lombard extracts every ounce of value from the principal role, and is admirably supported by Fred MacMurray and Ralph Bellamy.

DE LUXE THEATKE,

Bing Crosby and-Joan Bennett are starred in "Two For Tonight," the latest attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. It begins with a singer being Joiocked out of a tree by an aeroplane crash when trying to sing a newlywritten melody to a stone-deaf music publisher, and it continues through the efforts of three boys and a girl to write a play for a producer who needs something new for his girl friend. Unfortunately, the producer mistakes the events which have happened for the first act of the play and the effort to keep to such a standard is too much. So one boy decides that We only way to finish the play is to live it and after that things become more complicated than ever. The rest of the programme is of high standard artd the'De Luxe Concert 'Orchestra, under Mr. L. D. Austin, plays some attractive music. A double star programme will be presented at the De Luxe Theatre next ( Friday. The first feature is "Nevada, starring Buster Crabbe and Kathleen 'Burke, and the supporting picture'is ■la; romantic drama, "The Virginia Judge." • ■ ■ ■

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

All the ingredients that one expects in a first-class Western picture are present in full measure in "Hopalong Cassidy," which is featured on the current programme at the Paramount Theatre. William Boyd fills the title role admirably. The second feature ori the programme is a rollicking comedy, "Here Comes Cookie," featuring Gracie Allen and George Burns. Topical news pictures complete the bill. / The hilarious A.T.P. comedy "No Limit," which comes to the Paramount Theatre next Friday, brings to the screen for the first time a brilliant new comedy team in George Formby and Florence Desmond. George Formby lias for long been recognised as one of the greatest stage comedians in England, while Florence Desmond has a . style of comedy all her own. She can lay claim to being the world's greatest impersonator, her impersonations of famous Hollywood stars being positively uncanny. The hilarious story was "written by Walter Greenwood, ■ who wrote the phenomenally successful play "Love on the Dole." The second feature. "Beggars in Ermine," starring Lionel Atwill, is one of the most powerful dramas of the year.

KING'S THEATRE.

■ So great has been the popularity of Shirley Temple in "The Little Colonel" that the picture is now in a return season at the King's Theatre. Shirley Temple is supported by Lionel Barrymore and Bill Robinson. As usual, she presents herself as an adorable mixture of mischievous sprite . and angel, and in this picture she shows her love strong enough to make her grandfather forgive a daughter he had sworn to forget. Shirley's winsome personality is inimitable and inescapable, and she is sure to delight once again the hearts of all who see her. The =. second feature on the programme is "Navy Wife." a 20th Century production, starring Claire Trevor, Ralph Bellamy, Jane Darwell, and Ben Lyon.

PRINCESS THEATRE

Fred MacMurray. handsome star, and lovely Madge Evans are coupled in the leads of Paramount s thrilling secret service film, "Men Without Names.", which is the principal attraction at the Princess Theatre. A? motion picture that easily ranks as one of the season's most enjoyable comedies is "Lady T.ubbs,'1 the Universal screenplay which forms the additional attraction, with Alice Brady starred and Douglass Montgomery and Anita Louise in featured roles. Outstanding short subjects comprise a musical revue in technicolour, entitled "What! No Men?" a sportlight, a musical novelty, and a newsreel.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE

Commencing tonight at the State Theatre, Petone, Janet Gaynor and Warner Baxter will be the main attraction, appearing in "One More Spring." These stars, who made such a screen furore of "Paddy" and "Daddy Long Legs," appear in a poignant and tender romance of today, adapted from the acclaimed best-seller from the pen of Robert Nathan. This vibrant romance affords each star a rare opportunity to reach new emotional heights.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE,

Thrills and mystery against the quickly-shifting panorama of life aboard a'Warship, provide gripping entertainment in "Murder in the Fleet," the unique detective thriller now showing .for three nights at the Palace Theatre, Petone. This new M.-G.-M. production uses a cruiser during manoeuvres as the locale for a series of baffling crimes, and the work of a young naval lieutenant in ferreting out a criminal. The cast is headed by Robert Taylor, Jean Parker, Nat Pendleton, Ted Healy, and Una Merkel.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE

• The drama of a political battle, the excitement of a murder mystery, and the tenderness of romance are the elements from which is woven the engrossing story of "The Glass Key," which is now showing at the Grand Theatre, Petone. George Raft, Edward Arnol/3, and Rosalind Keith are the stars. An additional attraction will be Faramount's romantic comedy, "Ready for Love," featuring Richard Arlen and Ida Lupino.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"tittle Miss Marker" concludes at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, tonight. Freflric March and Charles Laughton play fugitive and pursuer in the most celebrated of all fictional man hunts in Darryl Zanuck's Twentieth Century production of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," which will be shown tomorrow evening and on Thursday. Sir Cedric Hardwicke, the distinguished English stage and screen star, shares stellar honours with the pair as the benevolent Bishop Bienvenu.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

Charles ("Buddy") Rogers heads a large cast in "Old Man Rhythm," the current attraction at the Empire Theatre. The story concerns a gay young college man. who becomes so i.angled up romantically this his staid father has to abandon business and fnrol as a student to straighten matters out. Barbara Kent, George Barbier, and Grace Bradley head the supporting cast. A comedy and newsreels will also be shown.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"Anna Karenina," featuring Greta Garbo, is in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Tolstoi's great romance, set against a background of Imperialistic Russia in the days before the revolution, is brought vividly to the screen, and Greta Garbo is at her best in the title role. Fredric March, as Count Vronsky, who .falls in love with the beautiful wife of Karenina, is a perfect partner for Greta Garbo, his acting being in keeping with the high standard which he has achieved in oast successes. Freddie Bartholomew, the English boy star who created such a sensation in "David Copperrield," has the role of Sergei, Anna's son, and although he is not so brilliant as he was in the former picture, he, nevertheless, lives the part with- skill. Other notable figures in the cast are Basil Rathbone, as Karenin, Maureen O'Sullivan. who makes a' charming Kitty, and Reginald Denny, as Vronsky's friend Yashvin. Supporting items include a coloured cartoon, a Pete Smith oddity, and Metrotone Newsreels. Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper are together again in "O'Shaughnessy's Boy," which opens at the Majestic Theatre on Friday.' As "Windy," happy-go-lucky, swaggering animal trainer, w,ho faced a ferocious tiger and frantic elephant for the love of his son. "Stubby." Beery has one of the finest roles of his long and illustrious screen career. Jackie, as his son, will be the envy of every boy who has dreamed of travelling with the circus. The co-stars are surrounded by1 a splendid cast, which includes Spanky McFarland, as "Stubby" when a child. Leona Maricle, as Cora. "Windy's" wife, Sarah Haden, as ] Martha, her spiteful sister. Willard Robertson, as the circus boss, Henry \ Stephenson, as Valkenburg, Clarence Muse, as Jeff, the coloured rouseabout, and Ben Hendricks, as Franz, circus ringmaster.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

Something different in musical shows makes its appearance in "Here Comes the Band," the new release which is now screening at the St. James Theatre. Not only is there varied musical entertainment to suit all tastes, but the film also abounds with comedy, and with Nat Pendleton, Ted Bruce, and Ted Healy in leading roles this aspect of the plot is certainly not neglected. The action centres around a young boy from the country, OUie Watts (Harry Stockwell), who comes to town to make good on the radio, be-ing-supported by some poor but kindhearted taxi-driver friends who do their best to help him on the road to fame. Ollie's chances of becoming a succ :s on the radio seem to be very slim when he falls in love with Margaret Wallace (Virginia Bruce), and forgets how to sing properly, but all .turns out well. There is an excellent supporting programme.

PLAZA THEATRE

The winning of ten million francs at the baccarat tables at Monte Carlo could not possibly be due to luck; there must be a system behind it. So said everyone when Ronald Colman left the Sporting Club with that amount in his latest picture. "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," now showing at the Plaza Theatre. But luck it was, and the hero, resisting the wiles of a management anxious to lure him back to the tables, returns to Paris where he is revealed as a former Russian nobleman turned taxidriver, with most of his compatriots cooks or waiters. The Sporting Club management has. another lure that proves to be indirectly successful. She is the blonde Joan Bennett. How the uicture goes after that can easily be imagined. Only Ronald Colman, with his inimitable nonchalance, could carry off some of the situations in the picture. Items of topical interest are included in the varied supporting programme.

STATE THEATRE,

Fred Astaire won a place in the first rank of dancers when he appeared before London audiences in duo numbers with' his sister, Adele, now one of Mayfair's best-known hostesses. Now partnered by Ginger Rogers., he is a wizard of modern and original dance steps, the best of which are seen in "Top Hat." the film which is now iu its fourth week at the State Theatre. There is a lightheartedness about "Top Hat" and humour that never palls handled as it is by such masters of comedy as Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blane. Magnificent hotels and vistas of such scenery as is available only in Venice and Italy are used as settings for'the dances. One number is actually danced in an ornamental rotunda in. a park, in the rain and the accompanying song "Isn t Thus a Lovely Day" is a charming refrain. There is an excellent and exceedingly funny story of mixed identity which holds the interest from beginning to end. Chorus numbers are strikingly dressed, and Ginger Rogers is seen in beautiful gowns.

ROXY THEATRE,

"The Goose and the.Gander," Warner Bros.' gay comedy drama of marital mix-ups,- is now screening at the Roxy Theatre. Kay Francis heads the allstar cast, with George Brent playing opposite her. The story involves not only the theft" of hearts, but that of precious jewels. "Their Night Out," a piquant comedy, which is the supporting feature, concerns the plight' of a young man who is obliged to "cut" a theatre engagement with his mother-in-law and father-in-law in order to take a woman buyer from, Aberdeen to her first night club. -The leading players are Claude Hulbert and Renee Houston.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

There are laughs aplenty in "Handy Andy," starring the late Will Rogers, which is featured on the programme at Shortt's Theatre. Rogers portrays a druggist who wants to work in peace. But his wife, expertly played by Peggy Wood, nags him to sell out and learn to play. And he does. First he becomes a pigeon fancier, and lets his pets fly all over the house. Then he takes up golf with excruciatingly funny results. The climax comes, however, when his wife' persuades him to take a trip to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The second picture is "My Old Dutch," in which Betty Balfour and Gordon Harker are' co-starred.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

"The Last Days of Pompeii," which heads the double-feature bill showing at Our Theatre, is R.K.0.-Radio's spectacular drama of magnificence based on poverty, splendour founded on despair, and lavish luxury thinly cloaking brute savagery, wiped, from the earth in a single giant upheaval of NatureVesuvius in eruption. Preston Foster and Stan Hale, Basil Rathbone, and Dorothy Wilson head the cast. The musical • comedy, "College Rhythm," starring Mary Brian and Jack Oakie, is the second attraction.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

The current attraction at the Regal Theatre is "Ginger," starring Jane Withers, who played such a wonderful part opposite Shirley Temple in "Bright Eyes." The story is rich in humour and human interest, and concerns a young girl of the slums who is adopted by a rich family. Jackie Searl and O. P. Heggie play the principal supporting roles. There are good short subjects.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

The 'current programme at the Kilbirnie Kinema consists of two remarkable features. The first is Alexandre Dumas's.immortal classic, ine Three Musketeers," featuring Walter Abel, Paul Lukas, Margot Grahame, Heather Angel, and lan Keith, which takes its place among the season s outstanding productions. The second big attraction is Metro-Goldwyn's sensational production "The Hands of Orlac." picturised as "Mad Love." Peter Lorre, the greatest screen personality since Lon Chancy, is in the stellar role, ably supported by Colin Chve, Francis Drake, and Ted Healy.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

Paramount's "Now I'm a Lady," which is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre, brings Mae West back to the screen to win new laurels as a modern belle with ultra-modern ideas. The costumes worn by Miss West in the picture are dashing and new, the situations are up-to-date, the backgrounds might even be termed ultramodern, but Mae West is still the same, grand Mae West. Shrewd, ingenious, robust, and full of sly humour and observation, she proves again that she is not necessarily a girl o£ the "Naughty Nineties" or of the "Hectic Thirties," but an eternal character. RKO-Radio spared no effort in research work to make its film version of "The Little Minister," which is the second, feature, exactly like Sir James Barrie's original story. Four well-known writers, Sarah Y. Mason and Victor Heerman (responsible for the script on "Little Women"), Jane Murfin. and Jack Wagner, worked on the story for six months changing Barrie's pensive word pictures into accurate film reproductions. A notable cast, headed by Katharine Hepburn, including John Beal, Alan Hale, Donald Crisp, Lumsden Hare, Andy Clyde, Beryl Mercer, Billy Watson. Dorothy Stickney, Mary Gordon, Frank Conroy, Eily Malyon, and Reginald Denny.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

■ The sensational success of Elisabeth Bergner in the stage version of "Escape Me Never" is still a household term in London theatre-going circles. When the Fress. therefore, acclaims'the famous Austrian actress as being even finer than ever in the film, which heads the current bill at the Rivoli Theatre, this must be regarded as praise indeed. They have gone so far as to state that no more superb acting performance has been seen on any screen than Miss Bergner's Gemma, arid her astounding versatility in cojnedy. drama, and emotionalism, insist that no other artists could remotely approach the subtleties of the characterisation-. Beautifully staged, "Escape Me Never" is an unforgettable picture. Characters of the gay nineties, the most colourful and romantic period in the history of the United States, come to life in Universal's special production, "Diamond Jim," starring Edward Arnold, which is the second feature. The story deals with the life of James Buchanan Brady, the man who- made the gay nineties gay, and is in reality the portrait of an era. Arnold, who heads the cast, actually resembles the super-salesman —the man who wore £500,000 worth of jewels—who asked Lillian Russell to marry him and offered her a £200,000 dowry—who made and lost fortunes while selling and manufacturing railroad equipment. Supporting him are Jean Arthur, blonde stage and screen star—Binnie Barnes, as Lillian Russell —Cesar Romero. Hugh O'Connell, George Sidney, Eric Blore, Robert McWade. and many other noted players.

"WHITE HORSE INN."

With its wonderful frocking and spectacular background, "White Horse inn delighted another full house at the New Opera House last evening. Excellent singing, captivating ballet work, and piquant and clever humour are features of a production which is outstanding in almost every particular, and last night's audience was enthusiastically appreciative of the rapid succession of bright and novel interludes. The music and the singing were memorable, particularly such numbers as "Good-bye," "It would be Wonderful," "Lend Me a Dream," and "The White Horse Inn." The acting, too, was finished, Romola Hansen as Josephe, proprietress of the inn, and Colin Crane as the Emperor Francis Joseph, being splendid in their respective roles. Herbert Browne's singing is notable, while Alfred Frith and Don Nicol make a first-rate comedy team. Plans opened this morning at the DIC. for the extended season of the "White Horse.lnn" Company. In response to popular demand, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have rearranged the tour in order that four more evening performances can be given in Wellington, in addition to the nights already announced. The season will therefore terminate with a gala performance at the Grand Opera House tomorrow week, Thursday, February 20. As a consequence it will not be possible lo open in Christchurch on the date previously arranged, and the season there will now open on Saturday week, February 22.

REX THEATRE,

Joe E. Brown's latest comedyromance, "Bright Lights," a First National picture, filled with mirth and melody, is now the feature attraction at the Rex Theatre. The production is a hilarious comedy of "back stage, with songs coming in naturally as part of the action of a theatrical troupe. George' O'Brien appears in the mighty Western drama, lhe Golden West" from the famous novel by /-.anu Grey. A big supporting programme makes the entertainment an outstanding one. Patrons are reminded that in future the evening performance is to begin at 7 o'clock. Seats may also be reserved for the amateur vaudeville trials tomorrow night.

BROOKLYN THEATRE

In "The Power of Evil," which will be shown at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight, Constance Cummings appears with a splendid cast of actors, includwill also be screened.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Age of Indiscretion," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Paul Lukas Madge Evans, May Robson, Davfd Jack Holt, and Helen Vmson The great skating rink sequence, the night club, the cabin in the woods the snow sequences all add dash and colour to the brilliant performance of the nlavers in this powerful .romantic drlma The story ends with an unexpected and sensational climax. .

SEASIDE PICTURES, I/STALL BAY. "Paris in Spring," featuring Mary Ellis and Tullio Carminati, will, be shown at the Seaside Pictures tonight at 8 The picture embodies some fine singing clever comedy, and gorgeous seUings. as well as a delightful romantic interest. The supporting programme is excellent.