CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 75, 28 March 1936, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Robert Donat, whose performances in "The Count of Monte Cristo" and ''The Forty-nine Steps'' were so successful, has achieved an even more obvious triumph in "The Ghost Goes West," which is screening for a second week at the Regent Theatre. He appears in his latest story as a scion of tlva noble Scottish house of Glourie, more interested in dallying with tnelassies than in making war on the hated English. Even more hated than the-English are the clan MacLaggan, whose insults to the Glouries the youthful hero fails to wipe out before his untimely demise in a gunpowder explosion. That was two hundred years ago, and still the ghost of Murdoch Glourie haunts the dini corridors of Glourie Castle as a punishment for his failure to avenge the insult. The modern representative of the clan is Donald Glourie (also played by Robert Donat), an impecunious Scot, who is forced to sell Glourie Castle to an American chain-store grocer. The castle is dismantled stone by stone and re-erected in Florida, and the poor bewildered ghost is forced to follow. The ludicrous adventures of the ghostly Murdoch and his very much alive descendant, with the Americans attractive daughter (Jean Parker) complicating the plot, prov' le as hilariously entertaining a picture as has ever reached the screen. The short items include a Walt Disney Silly Symphony in colour, "Who Killed Cock Robin? in which the old nursery rhyme is dramatised and brought up to date, a clever film depicting the wanderings of a mongrel dog in London s dockland, and a varied newsreel. NEW OPERA HOUSE. Two full-length feature pictures of widely-differing character make the programme now showing at the New Opera House one that is suitable to all tastes. "The Charm School is a musical extravaganza of unusual merit, starring Jack Oakie, Frances Langford. Joe Penner, Lynne Overman, and Ned Sparks. It is filled with bridit back-chat, and has a fine ballet made up of sixty talented girls. Frances. Langford is at her best, and sings several catchy new melodies, ably assisted by Jack Oakie, Joe Penner is also very prominent, in the role of a wealthy young man who has forgotten who he is, but who has enough money to finance Oakie's great scheme of turning a girls' school which he - has inherited into a school of charm ana personality. Of course, Oakie's scheme is a success, even the girls' parents giving their share of applause, but before the school is proven, a detective appears threatening dire consequences to the syndicate.. Betty Jane Cooper, the famous international dancer, is seen in several brilliant numbers. "The Moonstone," the wellknown story by Wilkie Collins that is one of the classics of English literature, makes up the first half of the programme. The tale of the theft of a huge yellow diamond from an Eng.lish manor, and of its subsequent recovery. is a thrilling one. David Manners; Phyllis Barry, Gustav yon Seyffertitz, and Jameson Thomas all have prominent parts. The fine film of the funeral of the late King opens the programme. DE LUXE THEATRE. Kay Francis reappears after an absence of some time in "I Found Stella Parish," an ingenious and unusual story of an actress and her secret which features the popular star with Paul Lukas and lan Hunter at the De Luxe Theatre. This tale of a popular London actress who disappears aiier the opening of a play which is headed for-success-and then becomes the centre of a most remarkable quest provides excellent material for the favourite actress- to display all . her. ability. Stella Parish has a secret. She Jives in dread. She will not go out; she has a country house which is hidden from everyone and she is never seen off the stage. With the years she has built up a great reputation, too great. For news of her reaches a man in the United States who remembers her past. After that she has no resort but flight. It is at this point'that tne film begins. Thereafter the story is told with brilliance and the mystery of Stella Parish, when it is cleared up, does not rob her of her happiness. Miss Francis has never been better than in this film and lan Hunter, who will be remembered with Bette Davis in The Girl from Tenth Avenue," reveals, a -force and charm, that must make him a popular star. The supporting programme is a long one and includes interesting newsreels, "Ps and Q, a demonstration of- marvellous tricK billiard shots, and "The Doorman s Opera," possibly the.best short variety film ever made. In addition, Mr. L. D Austin conducts the Orchestra Da Luxe in such favourites as a selection from "The Belle of New York' Jam* feidt's "Prelude," the "Anvil Chorub from"II Trovatore" and Fnedmanns "Slavonic Rhapsody," all of which are •excellently presented. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. After having enjoyed a notably successful run at the De Luxe Theatre, the romance-adventure picture, Oap..tain.Blood." has been transferred to the Paramount Theatre. It is a film which already has attracted much attention, and, doubtless, during, the extended season it will be acclaimed by many hundreds more. "Captain Blood has been adapted for the screen from Rafael Sabatini's world-famous saga of adventure, a story pulsating with the activities of rollicking, reckless buccaneers, and it is an unusually ■ long film, being nearly 11 (OOOft. It is notable also for its technique, background, and the acting of the principals, chief among whom is Erro. Flynn, who makes of Captain Blood an outstanding personality. He is a new star and in this picture he has , done so well as to suggest that his next- starring role will be awaited with interest. A very effective romantic interest is supplied, by Olivia de Hayiland, niece of Colonel Bishop, of the ' Port Royal slave colony, and Lionel Atwill makes the colonel a thoroughly villainous person. The story lends itself to spectacular treatment, and Warner Bros, have taken full advantaee of this, the film version of Sabatini's exciting book being very realistic and thoroughly entertaining from first to last. KINGS THEATRE. One of the most thrilling and tense of ell jungle productions is Universal's "East of Java," starring Charles Bickford, which is now screening at the King's Theatre. Bickford, cast as an American gangster fleeing from East Africa with "G" men on his trail, champions seven cowering human beings, including a beautiful woman, against seven lions, when a tramp schooner is wrecked on the reefs of a jungle isle a hundred miles from the nearest 'civilisation. This is the film in which Bickford was attacked by a crazed lion and nearly died of his wounds. In the cast are Elizabeth Young, Frank Albertson, Leslie Fenton, Clarence Muse, and many other noted players of stage and screen. Universal's "Dangerous Waters" will be the second attraction, with Jack Holt in the starring role. The action takes place against the romantic background of the Pacific, with Holt as a sea captain who is constantly the centre of exciting events. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Every Night at Eight," the . new Paramount musical comedy romance now showing at the Princess Theatre, is the first motion picture to present a romantic story around radio amateur hours. With George Raft, Alice Faye, Frances Langford, Patsy Kelly, the Three Radio Rogues, and Walter Catlett, in the leading roles, the picture introduces brand-new hit songs, clever dancing, and highly-hilarious situations. The Australian comedy "Grandad Rudd," produced by Cinesound, with Bert Bailey in the title role, is the second feature. Founded on th» famous series of Steele Rudd stories, it is literally crammed full of laughs, charm-filled romance, ami drama. The programme also includes a coloured .cartoon, a musical novelty, and a Betty Boop cartoon.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, the c 'ebrated Gaumont-British team, can always 'be depended upon to raise a laugh, and when provided with a story by Ben Travers they invariably produce a comedy out of the ordinary. Ben Travers was responsible for the story and dialogue of the hilarious farce "Foreign Affaires," which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre, and Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn are ably assisted by Robertson Hare, the perfect "henpecked husband" of the screen. Walls gives a fine performance as Captain the Hon. Archibald Gore, an aristocratic old gentleman who has no assets except his self-confidence and his charming manner. When this blueblooded waster loins another penniless impostor in the person of Ralph Lynn, and both adjourn to the Casino at Nice to find some easy money, the comedy gets going with a will, lne two unfortunately get involved m dirty work concerning jewel robberies, ' and it looks as if their reputations will be blackened for ever. A batch of rather difficult relatives also appears at the Casino, and Ralph s chance of inheriting a fortune from his rich aunt diminishes with remarkable swiftness. Happily the cunning Captain Gore gets to work and succeeds in straightening things out in a novel manner. The supporting programme is excellent and includes newsreels and a fine short subject dealing with life in the Royal Air Force, showing the cadet training colleges, foreign stations, aircraft on duty with the navy, and some wonderful formation flying by the crack fighting squadrons of the force. STATE THEATRE. Sonnie Hale is another of those film stars whose every appearance in a new picture wins him hundreds of fresh fans. In "Marry the Girl." at the State Theatre, he gives one of the best performances of his screen career as the wealthy and-irresponsible Wilfred, a young man who has considerable difficulty in evading former entanglements when he becomes engaged to Judy Kelly. The mother and brother of his former sweetheart, Winifred Shotter, set about breach-of-pro-mise proceedings. Wilfred enlists the help of his barrister friend, Hugh Wakefield, who is even more given to philandering. Hugh takes Winifred Shotter for a motor drive m Wilfred's car, thinking, to influence her to withdraw the case. They dine at a country inn and the car is stolen, forcing them to spend the night there. This incident is the beginning of a series of complications which culminate in a hilarious court scene. This, if it lacks the dignity of a real court, makes up for it with overwhelming humour and exceedingly clever acting on the part of the Judge and those who share the scene. The whole piece is witty and very droll from the beginning, and yesterday's audiences were bubbling with merriment until the final curtain. The cast also includes Amy Veness, Kenneth Kove. Wally Patch, and John Deverell. The supporting films include some very interesting studies of bird and animal life. MAJESTIC THEATRE. It is not often that a particular film appeals greatly to all who see it whatever be their own particular tastes, but such a film is "Mutiny on the Bounty," now in its fourth and final week at the Majestic Theatre. It combines a dramatic story with effective direction, fine photography, and outstanding acting. Charles Laughton's interpretation of the martinet of the Bounty, Captain Bligh, is a masterful one, and Clark Gable, as the young officer who led the mutiny gives one of the finest performances of his career. The story of the Bounty mutiny is one of the most dramatic incidents in British maritime history and is of particular interest to New Zealand because of its enactment in the South Pacific. The revolt led by Fletcher Christian, the escape of the .mutineers to Tahiti, the memorable voyage in an open boat of Captain Bligh and his subsequent return to Tahiti are very realistically portrayed There is a good supporting programme. REX THEATRE. The five-year-old Shirley Temple achieves a notable success and portrays one.of.her most appealing characters in "The Little Colonel," a story of family pride and civil war prejudices, in which she is co-starred with Lionel Barrymore at the Rex Theatre. The associate feature is the Fox Film thriller "Charlie Chan in Paris," in which Warner Oland plays his familiar detective role, this time in a mystery plot never before used on the screen. Mary Brian, Thomas Beck. Erik Rhodes, and John Miljan head the supporting cast. On the stage Keith Woollett will be seen and heard in an eccentric dance and song. The young lad is a pupil of the Hazel Martin School of Dancing, and is considered to be one of the finest performers of his class in Wellington. Tonight's patrons can look forward to a good entertainment. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Preceded by glowing reports of its laugh-provoking situations, "It's a Small World," is now showing at Shortt's Theatre as the main feature. This is a Fox Film's screen adaptation of "Highway Robbery," Albert Treynor's American magazine story. Spencer Tracy is featured, and his leading woman is the beauteous British player Wendy Barrie. The novel properties of the story of "The Phantom Light," a Gaumont-British thriller, which will also be shown, are finely supported by the convincing atmosphere the picture presents of a lonely lighthouse on the rugged coast of Wales. Gordon Harker, Binnie Hale, and lan Hunter have the main roles. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A colourful outdoor drama, "Wanderer of the Wasteland," outstanding because of its originality of plot and rip-roaring action that marks the ageless popularity of Zane Grey Westerns is now screening at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Dean Jagger brings a new type of likeable, virile Western hero to the screen in his impersonation of an innocent man hounded by the law. Others prominent in the cast are Gail Patrick, Edward Ellis, Monte Blue, Trixie Friganza. and Raymond Hatton. Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler appear in their most pretentious picture in "Shipmates Forever," a thrilling drama of midshipman life, which is the associate feature. There is a talented supporting cast. Special songs were written for the production. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.' Lilting melodies, colourful and beautiful settings, and dancing such as has seldom been seen on the screen or off it make "Broadway Melody of 1936." now showing at Our Theatre, an unusually fine production. Featured in it are no fewer than five bright song numbers. As the young and impressionable musical producer, Robert Taylor is most convincing. Eleanor Powell, acclaimed as "the world's greatest tapdancer." plays the lead opposite Taylor. June Knight plays the role of the spoiled society girl, and Una Merkel gives her best performance to date. The great American melodrama "Way c Down East," starring Rochelle Hud- ;, son and Henry Fonda, is the associate it feature. ~ EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. t- In "It Happened One Night," which c heads the weekend programme at the ■r Empire Theatre this evening. Clark i- Gable and Claudette Colbert play the l- principal roles, with Walter Connelly i, and Roscoe Karns in the leading supis porting roles. The story is that of a n hard-boiled newspaper man who d stumbles across a runaway heiress try )f ing to reach her lover in New York, el She is helpless in the face of difficul;s ties along the road, and Gable places 7, her under his rough, but protecting wing. There are good supports.

XIVOLI THEATKE. |G The grim determination of youth in its efforts to gam an education against j almost insurmountable odds forms the y stirring theme of the Monogram pho- v toplay. "A Girl of the Limberlost. q which is now screening at the Tivoli w Theatre. Laid against a background G of the Indiana swamplands as depicted b in the famous novel by Gene Stratton p Porter, the story loses none of its v flavour when presented on the screen 0 with Louise Dresser, Ralph Morgan, X and Marian Marsh in the leading R roles. The picture, which was directed v by Christy Cabanne, varies little Irom .. the book' which has been acclaimed c by millions as a true description of the beauties that abound in the re- * gion of the birth-place of. the famous * novelist. Those prime corftedy favour- lites of the screen, Grade Allen and Sl George Burns, otherwise known as ? Burns and Allen are seen in their 11 latest fun film. "Here Comes Cookie,' a which measures up as first-rate com- L edy entertainment. The picture deals z with the hilarious incidents that result when a millionaire father turns a over his entire fortune to his daugn- n ter. giving out the story that he is y broke, to prove to his other daughter tl that her boy friend is nothing but a t: fortune hunter. C 1j REPERTORY THEATRE. J "The Admirable Crichton1; was t again well received last evening, the t - strong cast of members of the Wei- c lington Repertory Theatre Societyaa- t , pearing just as effectively as in previous productions. The play will be produced for the last time this even- * ing and Miss Bessie Thomson, pro- f ducer for the Dunedin Repertory So- l _ city, will be present, as she is flying ' from the southern city today to see n "The Admirable Crichton" produced s here. The cast is such a fine one that * it is scarcely fair to select any mem- a bers for special praise, but. as in prac- o tically all plays, there are several g who have the opportunity to make the t play a success by their eorts. Mr. r J. B. Yaldwyn gives an understanding r interpretation of the suave and lmperturbable Crichton, who controls the J> ives of those who previously control- I led him, Dr. S. E. Crawford gives an I ideal representation of Lord Loam, o Miss Molly Brown is charming and c vivacious as Lady Mary, and others f who appear to advantage are Mrs. Syd- i ney Tingey. Mr. A. H. Macandrew, Mr. c Redmond Phillips, and Mrs. G. H. A. ( Swan. ISLAND BAY CONCERT. In connection with the Island Bay queen carnival a grand concert is to be held at the Masonic Hall, Island Bay. on Tuesday next at 8 p.m. The programme is being provided by a very strong team of leading Wellington' artists headed by Mrs. Amy Wood- t ward and Mr. Herbert F. Wood. The \ presence of these two popular vocal- c ists alone will assure a large audience <. and Island Bay residents are not like- I ly to miss this fine programme. The t queen carnival itself opens on Satur- i ay next and the proceeds will be i used in the general improvement and c beautification of the suburb. The last i carnival at Island Bay produced £1300 t and it is confidently hoped that the i proceeds of this carnival will be even i greater, and with that end -in view c elaborate arrangements are being made 1 by several hard-working committees l for functions to further the success of t the various queens. ' ( SUNDAY PICTURES. \ Tomorrow evening at the De Luxe c Theatre the Port Nicholson Band will 1 present a grand picture and concert c entertainment headed by "Radio Pirates," a fast-moving romantic com- 1 edy with a splendid plot, delightful i and catchy music, produced and per- i formed with fine imagination. It ( brings to the screen the two leading ( favourites of London's . light-comedy -, stage, Leslie French and Willie Jen- ) kins, and there is no escaping their j original methods, while Mary Lawson ; as their chief lieutenant is daintiness . itself. In addition, Roy Fox and his ( famous band provide- a presentation r of Hill Billy favourites—"Home on the . Range," "Wagon Wheels," "Old Faith- , ful," and "Little Girl What Now. >_ while the impersonations of Mac West t and Maurice Chevalier by Hughie . Green, the fifteen-year-old genius of , the English wireless world, are a sheer , delight. The band will be heard in \ some popular items. Patrons are ad- ( vised to be early in order to secure , a seat. The picture is timed to finish |. in ample time for trams to any locality. ROXY THEATRE. "China Seas" is the title of tha stirring drama which is now showing at the Roxy Theatre, with Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Wallace Beery in the principal roles. The story deals with he adventures of a group of white people on a storm-wracked ship off the south-eastern coast of Asia. Perilled by typhoons and pirate raids, they work out a strange destiny in the last frontier" of the sea. In the supporting picture, "Baby Face Harrington, Charles Butterworth is a timid bookkeeper, with a terrific inferiority complex who is mistakenly identified as the master mind of a daring mob Others in the .cast are Una Merkel Harvey Stephens, Eugene Pallette, and Nat Pendleton. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. A double-feature programme will be screened at the Seaside Pictures tonight at 7.30. Al Jolson and his wife (Ruby Keeler) will be seen together in their first picture "Go Into Your Dance" The story tells of an actor who has the habit of deserting the set and getting himself well and truly drunk but he is finally cured. The picture portrays some spectacular dance ensembles, catchy songs and s^JameT DuZ'Tnd pSriciWlfis in a comedy-drama of the newspaper world. A comedy, a cartoon, and Ripley "Believe It or Not" will also be shown. ' PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Seldom is a picture .produced of such outstanding qualities as Magnificent Obsession," which screens at the Palace Theatre. Petone, tonight, Monday and Tuesday nights This is the newest production by John btam and the crowning achievement of ms brilliant career. Irene Dunne and Robert Taylor fill the starring roles. Such favourites ■as Charles Butteiworth, Betty Furness, Sara Haaen, Ralph Morgan, Henry Armetta, Gilbert Emery, and Arthur Treacher fill the supporting roles. "Magnificent Obsession" is one of the sweetest romances ever told, yet it reaches into the realms of deepest drama. Early reservation of seats is advised. Telephone theatre, 63-610. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Bonnie Scotland," now showing at the Grand Theatre, Petone, is rated as the funniest and most ambitious oi the feature-length comedies co-starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. With Scotland and India as the background for most of the action—of which there is plenty—the story advances through seven reels of almost continuous laughs. There are good supports. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal, a special return season of the world-famous "Naughty Marietta" will be held. This splendid singing musical treat has goldenvoiced Jeanette Mac Donald in the title role and she is ably assisted by Nelson Eddy, who sings and acts with great appeal. The short subjects will include a Charlie- Chase comedy, a coloured musical cartoon, a revue, and varied and topical newsreels. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Wings- in the Dark," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, and Roscoe Karns It is a story of drama and romance above the clouds and centres about the love of a dare-devil aviatrix for an adventuring aviator. "She Couldn't Take It," Columbia s widely-acclaimed romantic comedy, is also screening and stars Joan Bennett, George Raft. Walter Connolly, and'Billie Burke. j BROOKLYN THEATRE. j ■'Great Expectations" will be screened tenight at the Brooklyn Theatre. A splendid cast is headed by Henry Hull, America's greatest interpretive artist. "Double Door," featuring Mary Morris Kent Taylor, and Sir Guy Standing, will be the second feature. '

I GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS. With the approaching season of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, which will be inaugurated at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, April n. with a magnificent production of Hie Gondoliers," memories of the past win be revived.- The elder generation ot playgoers will remember when me leading parts were taken in the works of the beloved collaborators by Miss Nellie Stewart, Miss Dolly T Vastle^' Miss Gladys Moncrieff, Mr. Howard Vernon, Mr. George Lauri, Mi. William Elton, Mr. Charles Riley, Mi. Charles Walenn, Miss Flora Graupnoi, Mr. Charles Kenningham, Miss Violet Varley Wallace Brownlow, and otnei celebrated artists of the past. The present generation will have only heaia of these names, but. nevertheless, their interest will probably be aroused just as keenly in the productions of lne Gondoliers," "The Pirates of Penzance," "The Yeoman of the Guara,^ "lolanthe." "The Mikado," "Patience, and "H.M.S. PinaforcV' because the music and wit of Gilbert and Sullivan will make the same appeal to them as they have done to all generations during the past 40 years. "The Gondoliers" is brimming over with real live comedy and intricate situations. The two gondoliers are informed on their wedding day that one of them is to become King of Barataria. During the unravelling of the tangle of circumstances which led the royal babe to be confused years ago with the son of the "highly respectable gondolier, whose taste for drink, combined with gout, had doubled him' up for ever, the two youths go to Barataria and reign together, leaving their brides behind, each longing for the time when she shall be a "regular royal queen. However, Luiz, who has passed as the attendant cf the Duke of Plaza Toro, or, as he takes care to inform us, "his grace's own particular drum," is found to be king, and Marco and Guiseppe relinquih joyfully . the thrones which have been so incompatible with their "republican fallacies." ' Mr. Ivan Menzies. Mr. Gregory Stroud, Miss Evelyn Gardiner, and Mr. Bernard Manning will be welcomed as- old favourites, and the new artists, which include Miss Winifred Lawson, Mr. Godfrey Stirling, Mr. Richard Watson, Miss Eileen Kelly, and Miss Helen Langton can be assured of a good reception. Other details are advertised.