CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 83, 7 April 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. . In "The Milky Way," now showing at the Regent Theatre, Harold Lloyd is at his funniest as the simple, innocent milk roundsman, Burleigh Sullivan, who has greatness thrust upon him through the agency oi a young sister and a street brawl. The two- other men who figure in the brawl are discovered by the Press, to be "Speed" McFarland, middleweight champion of the world, arid his henchman. Sullivan, whose specialty learnt in childhood from bitter experience, is the ability to duck a blow, gets the credit for knocking out the champion, though the blow was really struck by McFariand's heavyweight sparring partner... Sloan (Adolphe Menjou), the champion's manager, does his best to offset the consequences of the wave of publicity, but the subsequent happenings. .. send. the volatile little man into" fi.! state of collapse which 'is1 not helped' by the further, triumphs of the milkman over the two fighters. At last,1 he conceives the idea .of training Sullivan up .asa contender for the championship. The:trainmg and fighting scenes that ..follow are arriong the funniest ever-seen on the screen. The feminine side of the cast is well portrayed by-Helen Mack and Veree Teasdale. Newsreels, special featurettes, and a fine musical novelty complete a programme well worth seeing. NEW OPERA HOUSE. In "The Ghost Goes West," which is now screening at the New Opera House, Robert Donat plays the principal part, or- rather parts, as he plays Doth the ghost and the descendant ,or the ghost's originator ■in the amazing, adventures they have together. Two hundred years ago (according to the story of the picture) a scion of the noble 'house of Glpurie,, who has failed to wipe but the insults of a clan MacLaggan heaped upon the Glouries, departed life in a gunpowder explosion, and as a punishment for his failure to wipe out the insults, his ghost was condemned to haunt the nou'se • Oj. Glourie. In modern times the ■ surviving • representative of the Glouries is forced to sell Glourie Castle to an American chain-store merchant whe has''it removed stone by stone to be re-erected in Florida. The bewildered ghost, having been forced to follow his abode to the West, starts the real story, which is ludicrous in the extreme. Jean Parker has the leading feminine role. The supporting features are good and include a Walt Disney Silly Symphony in colour, "Who Killed Cock Robin?" MAJESTIC THEATRE. After an absence from the screen for (some months Myrna Loy makes a welcome reappearance in "Whrpsaw, *• the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic cojnedy-drama now showing at the Majestic .Theatre. Spencer Tracy appears as a* Federal agent who1 :s tracing a gang of jewel thieves, for whom Vivian Palmer (Myrna L'oy')' is working. These two, m turn, are being dogged by a rival gang who are'anxious "to possess the Koronoff pearls, believed to be in the possession of Vivian. Tracy, posing ias a fellow-crook, travels with Vivian by air half-way across the continent, all the time being blissfully, unaware that she knows of his identity. He falls in love with the attractive fugitive from justice, but has actually arrested her when the rival gang burst into the farmhouse where they are staying and demand the pearls. Included among the supports are a Laurel^ and Hardy comedy, a Pete Smith sports item on rowing, newsreels, and other items of interest. , PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The final screenings are announced for "Dancing Lady," at the Paramount Theatre. It is certainly a popular revival of the film, which proved 'so successful when shown here previously. Fred Astaire is Joan Crawford s dancing partner,, and appears .in 'a number of particularly fine numbers. Another player ,in .Lady,", who has since found stardom, is Nelson Eddy. • "The Big Broadcast of 1936." " ■ Seldom: does one' picture have sufficient variety to satisfy all tastes, such, a one is due for release at the Paramount Theatre for the Easter holiday attraction. A combing of all;the scfieen,''radio, and/stage talent has rayed in "The/Big Broadcast of 1936" a group of stars that it would be practically impossible to equal. Jack Oakie and Henry Wadsworth, air entertainers; plan'to enter an international broadcasting- contest to save .their radio station, from "bankruptcy. George' Burns and his'wife; Gracie Allen, • bring'the boys .their/television, invention, the Radio Eye, and naturally complications set in. 'Prominent -among' the "specialty presentations/are Richard Tauber, who sings "Melody of Rubenstein" and "Invocation to the Storm," the Vienna Boys" Choir, which sings "Holy Night," comedy- sketches, by- Amos 'n'. Andy, and Charles Ruggles and Mary BolarM; Bill Robinson, the coloured tapdancer; Ethel Merman, who sings "Its the Animal in Me"; the Nicholas brothers, ,negro lads.who present a surprisingly fine eccentric dancing turn;. Bing Crosby, who sings "I Wished on the Moon";. Ray Noble and his Band, a chorus of ,100 girls, an elephant ballet, and many novel and amusing backgrounds. KING'S THEATRE. "Motion pictures are at last revealing' the true John Boles—the gay romantic Boles, and Fox Film's musical spectacle "Redheads on Parade," which is. now showing at the King's Theatre, stars him in his lightest-* hearted, gayest role. Boles starred with Dixie Lee. acts the male lead in the tender inspired love story about which the plot of this picture is woven. He sings both with ensembles and his co-star the three hit tunes written for the picture. 4tfid then to top his performance he reveals himself as a dancer of the first rank. Something unique in film subjects is the British Dominions' release "Scrooge" based on Dickens's immortal tale "A Christmas Carol," ■which is the second feature. England's famous actor Seymour Hicks plays "Scrooge," and has never been seen to such advantage, PRINCESS THEATRE. Fast-moving and novel, and packed with laughter, "The Rainmakers," which is the principal attraction at the Princess Theatre, deserves rating • among the best comedy features given to the screen by Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey. Placing Wheeler and Woolsey in the roles of scientific "rainmakers," "The -v Rainmakers" races swiftly to an uproarious climax. Combining romance, mystery, and stark drama, Paramount's "Without Regret," a gripping drama of sophisticated love, which is the additional feature, has a notable cast, headed by Elissa Landi, Paul Cavanagh, Kent Taylor, Frances Drake, and Colin Tapley. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. I'red Astaire and Ginger Rogers rlance, sing, and romance their way through a gay, colourful story in "Top Hat" their new RKO Radio musical comedy, which heads the double-feature bill showing at Our Theatre. "Top Hat" traces a romance, which gets off to a flying love-at-first-sight start in London, and meets complications against the colourful background of the Lido. Dancing to Berlin's latest tunes, the stars introduce a number of sensational new routines, climaxed by the featured "Piccolino." The associate feature is the hilarious comedy, "Honeymoon for Three," starring Stanley : Lupino. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," featuring Ronald Colman, Joan Bennett, Colin Clive, and Nigel Bruce, is screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight. It deals with • the adventures of a Russian prince, impoverished by the revolution, who runs a few francs into surprisingly big winnings and then uses the money to pursue a girl hired by the gambling syndicate To lure, him back to . the ■tables.

GfTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

, DE LUXE THEATRE. i 1 Now in its second 'we"ek at the De i Luxe Theatre, the Warner Bros.—First . National piclurisation ot John Monk . Saunders's vibrant story has proved very popular indeed with Wellington ! audiences. Kay Francis gives a tensely emotional portrayal of the woman . i who won the heart of the world and : almost broke her own in doing it. "I ■ Found Stella Parish".is convincing bei cause it has the several qualities o£ human interest, dramatic fire, and mother love which is ■never allowed ;to become maudlin./ Cast with Kay • Francis; who looks more ravishing than ■ ever, are lan Hunter, handsome Eng-I ; lish leading man, Paul Lukas, and the i new and captivating six-year-old star i Sybil Jason, who shares the honours 1 of the picture Miss Francis her-1 • self. Also on the programme arc some j i entertaining featurettes and a fine .' musical presentation by Mr. L. D. ■ Austin 'and the -Orchestra De Luxe, I together with the organ. ''Midsummer Night's Dream." No happier choice for its Easter, attraction could have been made by the De Luxe management than Warner Bros." great Max Reinhardt production, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." "Ihe Dream," with its rollicking comedy, its ■grand spectacle, romance, and glittering beauty, took London and New York literally by storm. A triumph of casting, much personal care was given to this phase of the making of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by the German genius. Max Reinhardt, himself. Established favourites m Joe fc. . Brown, James Cagney, Dick Powe I, Olivia de Haviland, Fralk McHugh, ■ Hugh Herbert, to mention but a few of the fifteen stars, enact their dimcult roles to perfection. Probably 1 some of the funniest comedy sequences ever recorded on film, are contained in the masque presented by the artisans—Brown, Cagney, Herbert, McHugh, and company—before 'The Duse of' Athens," a part given into the safe keeping of the Englishman, lan Hunter. "A Midsummer Night's Dream commences its season at the De Luxe on- Saturday night, and reservations can now be made.PLAZA THEATRE. Tom Walls is at his best in "Foreign Affaires," which is now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre, as a drinker of rare wines and judge of women, and Ralph Lynn is as amusing as ever as a vacuous fool who lends all his money to Tom Walls. Robertson Hare is not as prominent in the picture as he usually is, but the glimpses that one ge.ts of this sorry little man, still harassed unrepentantly by his wife, are as funny as ever. Tom Walls gives a fine performance as Captain the Hon. Archi- " bald Gore, an aristocratic old gentleman who has no assets except his selfconfidence and his charming manner. When this blue-blooded waster joins another penniless importer 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 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 + t>y the crack fighting squadrons of the force. HART-O'BRIAN FAREWELL WEEK. The final revue of the Hart-O'Brian Company, which is now being presented at the St. James Theatre, is a bright, varied and ingenious bill. There are twenty-seven numbers on the programme, which concludes with a cocktail party in which the girls descend into the audience with shakers and cups' and their men companions otter cigarettes. Miss Janice Hart is heard m a number, of appealing songs, and finally appears in a Ballet of Bells in whichthe :girls, eacli with a harness of bells tuned •to, one note, play melodies by means o£Y dance steps. Frank O'Brian is at his best in his "Didn t ;>It?" and in the number where he finally unfolds to the audience what it was that Eve really said to Adam. Reinforcing the 'many sketches are the songs' of Eric Kelleway, Marie Doran, and Max -Reddy. Dave James, a clever "magician, does some baffling work with cigarettes and matches; Paul Velesco 'plays the violin with excellent -.. tone; Vie Sanderson re- ' veals'himself to be one of the best jugglers seen--here in a long, time, and the three Rumanian Velescos do some clever work in acrobatics. The dancing is a feature of the show. The Orlandos are also seen in some whirlwind acrobatic ' dancing, and Desiree and Montigue prove a dramatic r , and accomplished pair. " ROXr THEATRE. A colourful outdoor drama, "Wanderer of the Wasteland," outstanding because of its originality of plot,humaneness of characterisation, and rip-roaring action that marks the ageless popularity of Zane Grey Westerns, is the main attraction offering at the Roxy Theatre. Laid against the picturesque desert country' of the West in the days when bands of outlaws roamed the desert wastes preying on gold prospectors, "Wanderer of the Wasteland" stars Dean Jagger and Gail Patrick. "The People's Enemy," a powerful racketeer story featuring Preston Foster, Lila Lee, and Melvyn Douglas, is the supporting feature. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Comedy combines with mystery in Fox Film's "The Great Hotel Murder," which is now showing/ at Shortt's .Theatre, with Edmund Lowe . andi Victor McLaglen co-featured. Bo.thj men, one as a house detective, the i other a mystery yarn concocter, plunge} into a maze of clues and engage in a spirited race to reach the solution. In the supporting cast are Rosemary Ames. Mary Carlisle. Henry O'Neill, C. Henry Gordon, William Janney, Charles 'C. Wilson, John Wray, and others. "Ladies Love Danger," Fox Film's mystery comedy, which is the other main film, tears to tatters the theory of circumstantial evidence. Mona Barrie and Gilbert Roland are the principals. "The Battle," said to be a sensational naval picture, and "Judge Priest," starring the famous Will Rogers, will be the new features commencing at Shortt's Theatre on Saturday. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Wanderer of the Wasteland" and "Here Comes Cookie" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. "Danny Boy" will head the doublefeature bill which begins at the Grand Theatre, Petone, tomorrow. The title role is played by Ronnie Hep worth, Dennis O'Neill, the popular Irish tenor, Dorothy Dixon, and Frank ForbesRobertson, virtuoso of the violin, hava important roles. "The Ragamuffins Band" and the "New Year Revels are outstanding features of a remarkable picture. Fay Compton in Song at Eventide" will be'the second attraction. ■ PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Dark Angel" screens finally tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone. ■ Commencing a two-night season at the Palace Theatre, Petcne, tomorrow night is the magnificently produced screen version of the "Dubarry I Give My Heart," which presents a new star, Gitta Alfar, the Hungarian nightingale, possessor of that rarest of entertainment combinations, beauty, charm, and a delightful voice. Humorous situations, royal love-making, spectacular settings, inspired direction, perfect photography, and glorious singing all combine to make "I Give My Heart a future that will delight all lovers of good music. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Jack London's roaring drama of the Klondike "Call of the Wild." starring Clark Gable, heads the programme to :be screened at the Empire Theatre ' this evening. Loretta Young. Jack 1 Oakie. and Reginald Owen play the leading supporting roles. A Mickey ' Mouse cartoon, "Mickey's Kangaroo, '<. a Medbury Travelaugh, and the lat--1 est screen snapshots complete the programme.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Clark Gable, Loretta Young, and Jack ■• Oakie are the main players in Darryl Zanuck's 20th Century production "Call of the Wild," which is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The screen play ■ is an adaptation of Jack London's immortal story of love and treachery during the Yukon Gold I Rush and all the colour of those feverish times has been transferred to the I screen. The film introduces a hew dog star in the role of "Buck," perhaps the best-known and best-loved canine hero in all fiction. May Robson plays an outstanding role in the supporting feature, "Age of Indiscretion, a gripping drama of the legal battle of a millionaire mother-in-law to obtain the custody of a child lof divorce. Her contest with the father, enacted by Paul Lukas, forms the dominant note in a romance of today and its divorce, problems. Helen Vinsbn plays the frivolous wife, who figures in a divorce and remaVriage with Ralph Forbes, and precipitates the child custody contest, and Madge | Evans is the feminine lead opposite Lukas. as the faithful secretary who really loves her employer and who aids him in his fight for the child. j RTVOLI THEATRE. I Five pairs of motion picture players are reunited in "Professional Sweetheart." the burlesque on life in a broadcasting studio, which is now showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Ginger Rogers,- scored notable successes in "Top Hat." "Roberta." and in ""Young Man of Manhattan" opposite Novman Foster, has the same leading man in "Professional Sweetheart." Miss Rogers also appears in the film with Gregory Ratoflr, under whom she starred in his tabloid version of "Girl Crazy." Allen Jenkins and Frank McHugh provide the comedy relief, and Zasu Pitts and Lucient Littlefield are seen in the roles of sob sister and radio announcer. Also cast in "Professional Sweetheart" are Edgar Kennedy and Franklin Pangborn, who have appeared in a number of two-reel comedies. In the RKO-Radio comedydrama "This Man Is Mine." which is the associate feature, Irene Dunne is seen as a resourceful wife who not only manoeuvres to risk her husband to the tentacles of a siren, but also fights to recover him when he becomes a victim. -Ralph Bellamy is seen as the unfaithful husband and beautiful Constance Cummings as the woman who tempts him to leave the straight and narrow t>ath. Others in the cast are Sidney Blackmer, Kay Johnson. Charles Starrett, Louis 'Mason, .and Vivian Tobin. REX THEATEE. "Bar 20 Rides Again," featuring William Boyd and Jimmy Ellison, and "Life Begins at 40," starring Will Rogers, are the current features at the Rex Theatre. . Vaudeville Attraction. A new policy at the Rex Theatre will commence on Easter Saturday at the matinee and thereafter every evening •at 8 o'clock, when the management will present a unique stage show, Fred. Argyle's International Vaudeville Revue Company from Australia in ."Footlight Frolics," headed by Fred Argyle, "the king of comedians." Rae Williams, a soprano from the Prince Edward Theatre, Sydney, has a golden lilt in every note she sings. The supporting company includes Roy's Rhythm Band, Joy -Oliver, a dainty comedienne, Esma Chalk, "the personality girl," in snappy tap dancing, Roy Baker and his piano-accordian, and the Rex Beauty Ballet, who dance and sing in attractive song scenas. There will be a host of comedy sketches. The opening production has many tuneful numbers and much clean, clever comedy. The plans are at the D.I.C. and theatre, telephone 52-334. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Broadway Melody of 1936" and "Smart Girl" will be screened finally at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. From every- standpoint "Nell Gwyn," the British picture which opens tomorrow at the Kilbirnie Kinema, can claim parity with Hollywood's best, as its reception in both London and New York have conclusively proved. Particularly the critics have been impressed with Anna Neagle's performance in the name part; she makes Nell Gwyn a character full of ■ outspoken bawdy effrontery and devilment, holding 'the attention of Charles ll'by giving full rein to her brazen high spirits and unlimited vitality. Sir Cedric Hardwicke play.s the part of the "Merry Monarch" and there is a huge supporting cast. Combining romance, mystery, and stark drama, Paramount's "Without. Regret," a gripping drama 'of sophisticated love,.will also be shown. Superior performances are given by .Elissa Landi,' Paul Cavanagh, Kent Taylor, and Frances Drake in the leading roles. ' ..-■■■■ DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "China Seas" and "Mr. What's His Name" conclude tonight at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. "The. Dark. Angel," which opens tomorrow at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. gives an opportunity to see the ever-lovely Merle Oberon co-starred with Fredric March and Herbert Marshall. Apart from this "The Dark Angel" is the most powerful and gripping drama to reach the screen for a long time. Selected supports include a Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Mickey's Garden," and a musical revue, "Gipsy Sweetheart," both in colour. TIN HAT CLUB. Returned soldiers are reminded by ,an advertisement in this issue of the tattoo to be held tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock at the R.S.A. rooms, 12 Victoria Street. This is the first tattoo of the new season and the committee has arranged a programme of outstanding merit. Members of the New ZeaJ land Navy' who served in the Great J War have been invited to attend, and ! a most enjoyable evening is anticiipated. The Hon. F. Waite, M.L.C. will i occupy the cha*ir, and the usual Digger's supper will be a feature. The secretary, will be in attendance at 7.30 p.m. to enrol members for the new season. ■> REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre a programme that sets a new standard of gay entertainment will be screened when "If You Could Only Cook" will head the bill. Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur are assisted by Leo Carillo. Interesting short subjects include a cartoon, screen snaps, and variety. GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERAS. There was a very large demand for seats when the box plans were opened at- the D.I.C. yesterday for the first eight nights of J. C. Williamson Ltd.'s Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, which will be inaugurated on Saturday afternoon and evening next at the Grand Opera House with two brilliant gala performances'of the deliriously tuneful, very picturesque, and highly amusing comic opera "The Gondoliers," which by many is regarded as the best of the works of the famous collaborators. "The Gondoliers" will also be staged on Monday afternoon and evening, and on Tuesday and Wednesday nights of next week "The Pirates of Penzance" will be produced. On Thursday and Friday nights, April 16 and 17, and on Saturday afternoon. April 18, "The Yeoman of the Guard" will be revived, and in quick succession will also be staged "lolanthe," "The Mikado," "Patience," and "H.M.S. Pinafore." Playgoers will probably be delighted to welcome the reappearance in Wellington of Ivan Menzies, the popular comedian, Evelyn Gardiner, the distinguished contralto, Gregory Stroud, the brilliant young baritone, and Bernard Manning, the talented Gilbertian artist. A welcome will be given to the new artists, which include Miss Winifred Lawson, a brilliant London soprano, Mr.' Godfrey Stirling, a well-known London tenor singer, Mr. Richard Watson, a noted London bass singer and Gilbertian artist, and Miss Helen Langton and Miss Eileen Kelly, two talented young Australian artists. The company also includes Phyllis Dickinson, Vincent Mac Murray, Clifford Cowley, and Tommy Jay, also a full operatic orchestra and chorus and a clever Australian ballet. Central seats in the dress circle and stalls may be selected from 9 o'clock this morning, at the D.I.C.

STATE THEATRE. Jane Withers the gifted child actress, jigs her way through "Paddy O'Day at the State Theatre, causing, as Irish folk usually do, a riot of mirth and a few tears. Paddy is first met on board the ship which takes her from Ireland to America, where she is to meet her mother, with her Russian friends, fascinating Rita Cansino and other members of the Petrovitch family who are going to America as a troupe of entertainers, Paddy wins all hearts on the ship with her Irish songs, chief among which is "Keep the Twinkle m Your Eye." When the ship arrives at Ellis Island news of the death of Paddy's mother is brought, and the immigration authorities decide to send the child back to Ireland, but Paddy find her dog escape in a novel manner. Pinkie Tomlin, who is a studious young man, much repressed by two maiden aunts, becomes attached to Paddy and through her meets, the Petrovitch family and falls in love witn the beautiful Rita. He finances their entertainment cafe and surprisingly finds himself to be a composer of songs which he sings during the piece. The nimble feet and lusty lungs of Fred Astaire are given a thorough work-out in RKO-Radio's musical, "Follow the Fleet," in which he is again co-starred with Ginger Rogers. The picture will be the next attraction at. the State Theatre. Astaire sings four, brand-new Irving Berlin melodies, one with Ginger Rogers, and dances four times, three times with Miss Rogers, and one solo dance, along with engaging comedy 'performances, tor his solo dance. Astaire does a sensational seven-minute tap routine to id Rather Lead a Band." Twenty-four sailors accompany him in this novelty drill dance which is the rhythmic highlight of the picture. Astaire anil Miss Rogers are supported by a brilliant cast, including the lovely .Han let Hilliard and Randolph Scott in featured roles. TITANIAS PALACE. The exhibition of Titania's Palace in Wellington, which has been m progress for the past month at the premises ol James Smith, Ltd., Cuba and Manners Streets, concluded last evening. The adults and children who saw the palace numbered 15.651 and the fund, of the local branch, of the Crippled Children's Society will benefit by about £600. -