CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 137, 11 June 1936, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

OIY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" will be screened for the last time tonight at the Regent Theatre. • „ "The Amateur Gentleman opens tomorrow at the Regent Theatre. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Thoroughbred" will be shown flnalAs a to their two previous full-length hits, ''Fra Diavolo" and "Babes in Toyland," Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy make their Invest featurelength'film appearance in " The Bohemian Girl," Hal Roach's ambitious filmisation of the world-fained operetta which has thrilled generations ever since its first presentation at the Drury Lane Theatre in London in 1843. The new picture will be shown tomorrow at the Majestic Theatre. While the general theme of the original operetta has been retained the work has been adapted to fit the inimitable comedy talents of its stars. All the music of the Balfe musical has been retained in solo numbers as well as score accompaniment and sequences featuring choral singing and dancing.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Her Master's Voice" and "Woman Trap" conclude tonight at the St. James Theatre. , . In - "Mary Burns, Fugitive," which comes tomorrow to the St, Juries Theatre, Sylvia Sidney is seen as a girl hunted by the law, a victim of circumstantial evidence, Unaware - that her sweetheart, a former college football hero, Alan Baxter, has turned public enemy. Miss Sidney is sentenced to a long prison term because of her innocent associitfion with him. She makes a successful gaol break with a friend and cell mate, Pert Kelton, unaware that Miss Kelton has been put on her trail by G-men' .who hope she will reveal the hide-out of Baxter, still at large. Miss Sidney gets a job in a hospital and meets Melvyn Douglas, a famous, but temporarily blind scientist; 'However, Baxter, madly in love with her, puts his gang on her trail ,and she is forced to flee. A thrilling, dramatic climax brings, the' film to a finale. ■•; PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Tonight is the final opportunity of seeing,, the beautiful Elissa Landi. in. "Koenigsmark;" In this film she surpasses her t previous' great achievements in "The Sign of the Cross'; arid "The Count of Monte Crlsto." "Koenigsmark" is a story brimful of romance, intrigue, and adventure. Miss Landi, regal of bearing and beautiful, takes the part of Princess Aurore, who, entering a marriage of convenience vcith Grand Dulte Rudolphe of Lautenbourg, is quickly widowed when her husband >is murdered. at "the instigation of his ftroth&v the Grand Duke Frederick, who wishes to rule the duchy. The murder is later discovered, arid after the princess has been through numerous thrilling adventures, she decides tq live her life as she wishes, a surprising climax bringing to -Si close an excellent picture.

KING'S THEATRE. ; | Karloff and Lugosi' are ' together again in the screen's strangest story of mystery and science, "The Invisible Ray," at the King's Theatre. The story deals with amazing scientific developments, which in actual fact , seem now on the verge of accomplishment, and, the discovery of a new; element, "Radium X," a thousand times more powerful than radium. The cast supporting the stars includes i?tapee».-Drake; Erank Lawton, Violet 'Kemble Cooper, Beulah Bondi, and Walter Kingsford. "The Affair of Susan," the gay yet sad Universal/comedy. of what happens when two New Yorkers are lonesome for companionship, co-starring Zasu Pittsand .Hugh O'Gonnell, will also be screened. The cast includes Walter Catlett, William Patvley, and. In ex Courtney.

PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Big; Broadcast of 1936" and "I Dream Too Much" will be finally screened at ~the Princess Theatre tonight. 1 Refreshing entertainment is contained in the programme starting tomorrow at the Princess Theatre. "In Person," which heads the bill, with Ginger Rogers in solo' stardom, is ample proof that the actress merits her place m the top screen rank.and ushers her to her new position with a story that is highly entertaining throughout. It is a Comedy-drama packed with fascinating situations, with George Brent as the male lead. The British Dominions' release. "Are You a Mason?" will be the second feature. The Scenes in which Sonnie Hale arid J. Robertson Hare, as fake Masons, make it their business to initiate Davy Burnaby into the mysteries of Masonic rites of which, incidentally, they have not the slightest knowledge, are amongst the most hilarious sequences ever- filmed. The supports include two technicolour cartoons

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. '•George du Maurier's immortal love sipry, "Peter Ibbetson." co-starring Giry Cooper and Ann Harding, heads the current programme at the Kilbirnie Kinema. "Peter Ibbetson," as a screen production, has captured the dream-like quality that distinguished the novel, the play, and the opera, but . has added more than all three. Humour , of the best kind characterises the British Dominions release "Marry the Girl," which is also being shown, with Sonnie Hale afid Winifred Shotter in the staring roles. It is a fine adaptation of the famous Aldwych farce. - ; STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "One of the strangest romantic film triangles is pictured -in the story of "The • People's • Enemy" at the State Theatre, Petone. It offers the romantic and criminal life of a gangster as contrasting phases of the title character. Preston Foster, Melvyn Douglas, and Lila Lee comprise the triangle, and lesser" roles are in capable hands of Shirley Grey, Herbert Rawlinson, Sybil Elairie, William Collier, jun.j ana Roscoe Ates. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Tonight's main attraction at the Grand Theatre, Petone, will be "The Goose and the Gander," a Warnei: Bros.' comedy drama involving a unique love tangle, with Kay-Francis and Geerge Brent in the stellar' roles. Thfr idditional attraction will be "The Woipan in Red,"' Barbara Stanwyck'c latest starring vehicle for First National. Pictures, a glamorous romance, replete with thrills. '

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Street Singer's Serenade," costarring Arthur Tracy and Anna Neagle, shows again tonight and tomorrow at the Palace Theatre, Petone. Based on the real-life stories of the stars, it has rightly been acclaimed the happiness picture of this year. Arthur Tracy's songs display his wonderful voice to its fullest advantage.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. » Tonight is the last opportunity afforded to see the double bill at Our Theatre, comprising "People Will Talk," with Charles Ruggles and Mary Boland forming the reason, and "We're Only Human/' with Preston Foster and Jane Wyatt. Patrons are reminded that the programme at Our Theatre always commences at. 7 p.m. sharp.

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR. "Brewster's • Millions," screening finally tonight at the Capitol Theatre, features Jack Buchanan and Lili Damita, and concerns ; the adventures of a young man who inherits a fortune of six millions, oh condition he spends half a million already left to him within six months.

THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. f"fcowder Smoke Range," a thrilling story of the West, is the current attraction at the Empire Theatre. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged.

DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Story of Louis Pasteur." Out of the fascinating material of the life Of the great scientist Louis Pasteur. Warner Bros.-First National have made a fine film, "The Story of Louis Pasteur," which had its debut at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday. It is_an ingenious weaving of the story of Pasteur into a dramatic production embellished with the magnificent acting of Paul Muni as the scientist and .carried out in a manner which will make it nne of those films that are remembered and , discussed for years. .Pasteur s flght to prove that microbes are the cause of disease, his dramatic pursuit of the remedy for the most deadly of ailments, his conflict with the medical opinion of the day, and his u na l triumph, are all vividly picturis'ed and invested with an excitement seldom to be found on the screen. Dramatic licence reinforces the points of'his discovery of a vaccine against hydrophobia when the Russian Government sent almost two dozen peasants on a nineteen days' journey to Paris to seek life from the great researcher, and the personal conflicts and general ridicule which were Pasteur's lot in a day when there was wide belief m the spontaneous generation of disease in the body. The personal relations of Pasteur are cunningly used-to strengthen an already vivid theme and in the supporting cast are such outstanding players as Josephine Hutchinson, Anita Louise, and Donald Woods. The rest of the bill is of hign standard, including a newsreel, a musical film with Irene Bordoni, a favourite stage star, and the Orchestra De Luxe under the leadership of Mr. L. I) Austin playing some attractive numbers including a selection from ' Faust. STATE THEATRE. "Message to Garcia" concludes tonight at the State Theatre.. "It Had to Happen," which co-stars George Raft and Rosalind Russell, commences tomorrow at the State Theatre. . PLAZA THEATRE. "Come Out of. the. Pantry" has its final screening at the Plaza Theatre towas a time when Conrad Veidt, brilliant . European,. actor,.. appeared to be established as a screen villain—or at least an actor of strong characterisations that held no. room for the tender emotionsrln "I Was a Spy he thrilled audiences as no other harsh, crisp-speaking official could. In "Jew Suss" he invested that fine-drawn character with greater strength. But with "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," a new Veidt, gentle and sympathetic, came to the screen. Now, in "King of the Damned," coming to the Plaza Theatre tomorrow, he brings a tender love story to the grim drama of the theme'he has to play. Here with Helen. Vinson. as the lovely commandant's daughter, he raises the atmosphere of the gripping film into, the realm of romance and unswerving loyalty. - .

REX THEATRE. Warner Oland has the leading role in Fox Film's latest baffling mystery, "Charlie Chati in Egypt," which is the main feature on-the attractive programme now showing at the Rex Theatre. The cast • includes "Pat" Paterson,' Thomas Beck, Rita Cansino, and Stepin Fetchit. Singers, dancers, and entertainmers, all stage and screen stars, are featured in the Fox Film production, "George White's 1935 Scandals," which will also be shown. They include George White, Alice Faye, James Dunn, Ned Sparks, Lyda Roberti, Cliff Edwards, Arline Judge, Eleanor Powell, Emma Dunn, Benny Rubin. Highlights of the show Lare the,spectacular settings, song hits, and beautiful girls.

SHQRTT'S THEATRE "Diamond Jim" and "Stormy" are to be shown for the- last time at Shortt's Theatre tonight. Based on C. M. Forester's novel, "Brnwn on Resolution," a picture made by Gaumont-British will be the main feature at Shortt's Theatre tomorrow. It is a story of naval adventure on Resolution Island,' one of the lonely Galapagos group in the Pacific. This is the first purely-dramatic film in ! which the full co-operation of the British "Admiralty has been successfully sought. "Orchids To You,", the Fox Film comedy-drama, which will also be shown, has John Boles, Jean Muir, and Charles Butterworth in the three leading roles. Ruthelma Stev *is, Harvey Stephens, and Arthur Lake are among the featured favourites in the cast.

ROXY THEATJtE. "Mutiny, on the Bounty" is to be showri finally tonight at -the Roxy Theatre. j- ■ Chester Morris and Sally Eilers come as'a new type of romantic team in a new type of comedy-romance in "Pursuit," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's whimsical adventure in romance on the highways and byways, screening at the Roxy Theatre. The picture is a delightful combination .of romance and thrills, high comedy and adventure. "Evelyn Prentice," the second feature, is a thrilling mystery drama which brings William PoweH and Myrna. Loy together again in what is probably the most successful of their recent hits together.

LONG TACK SAM. Long Tack Sam and his talented Chinese performers will bring their successful season to a close at the New Opera House this evening. Assisted by other artists, Long Tack Sam and his company provide two and a half hours of bright, clever, and exciting entertainment. The performance is something different, and many of the acts are daring and remarkable. The first part of the programme is devoted to vaudeville turns. Amazing feats of strength and balancing are performed by the supple Chinese, while Long Tack Sam himself mystifies the audience with illusions. His beautiful daughter, Nee Sa Long, shows her versatility in several numbers, including siiiging and dancing turns.

HARMONIC SOCIETY TONIGHT. A final reminder is given of the popular and varied programme to be presented in the Concert 'Chainber this evening by the Wellington Harmonifi Society, under the conductorship of Mr. H. Temple White. The choir will be heard, in a very diversified programme, including a "Choral Rhapsody on Welsh Airs" farr. Fletcher), "My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land" (Elgar), "Sera'phic Song," a choral •paraphrase on Rubinstein's "Reve Angelique," by: Gaines, ajnd "God in the Thunderstorm!? (Schubert). The assisting" artists will be Miss Rae Bond, a talented contralto from Wanganui who is leaving tomorrow for Australia to continue her musical studies, and Mr. Reg. Sutton, solo violinist, a recent arrival here who has the highest credentials for his work. Further details are advertised.

QUINTUPLETS. The Dionne quintuplets appear in "The Country Doctor," and the producers of that film have made use of the circumstances of their remarkable birth. The film, which is the story of an outback country doctor of Canada who, after having spent thirty-five years of his life in the service of an isolated community finds fame when he attends the birth of quintuplets and keeps them alive. Jean Hersholt Is. cast as Dr. Luke, the country medico who plays the part of the rmal Dr. Dafoe, and t!Te pictures of him -playing with the actual children in their nursery are very pleasing. The;, children, 1 --or course, are the main point of the film, and the .shots of them . at. various ages are interesting and well done. Pictures of them bathing, eating, sleeping, and playing are shown, and the sounds of their laughter and chatter are clearly heard.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight, at the Regal Theatre, Karori, "Heart's Desire," a splendid musical treat, 1 with Richard Tauber, will be screened. This is the pinnacle achievement of musical romance. JSmfMnKKt*

TIVOLI THEATRE. "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" and, "Don't Get .Personal" will be shown finally at the Tivoli Theatre tonight. « A turbulent romance charged with lusty humour and lilting melodies brings Ginger Rogers and George Brent together in their first co-appearance in "In Person," coming tomorrow to the tivoli Theatre. Making her bow as - a solo star in the role of an exasperatingly vain screen star, Ginger has opposite her in the male lead a forthright young man who takes it upon himself to turn her into a humbler human being. The manner in which Miss Rogers arouses Brent's ardent interest causes a number of ■■amusing complications. "In Person" was drawn from a story by Samuel Hopkins Adams, writer of "It Happened One Night." A new Philo Vance conies to the screen in the Metro-Goldwyn-lVlaycr picture "The Casino Murder Case," which will be the associate feature, with Paul Lukas playing the famous detective role created by S. S. Van Dine. Lukas is teamed with Rosalind Russell, brilliant young leading woman ol' the New York stage who in "The Casino Murder Case'' makes her seventh screen appearance within four months. Directed by Edwin Marin, the picture's cast includes Alison Skipworth, Donald Cook, Arthur Byron, and Ted Healy. RIVOLI THEATRE. "Captain Blood," the thrilling adaptation of Rafael Sabatini's celebrated historical romance, is tne main feature at the Rivoli Theatre. Brrol Flynn, the young Irishman, has the title role, supported by a sterling cast headed by the beautiful ■ Olivia de Haviland. The associate feature will be the film version of Fanny Hurst's "Imitation of Life," which tells the story, of one of the most appealing characters the novelist has as yet created. Bea Pullman is a young woman who after the death of her husband, whom she has never really loved, sets out to support her little daughter and herself by selling maple syrup from door to door. With the help of a coloured woman she opens a little pancake shop and later makes a fortune by boxing the pancake flour and selling it. Then real love enters her life, but her daughter is then grown, and an unusual triangle situation develops. "Peg of Old Drury" and "The Awakening of Jim Burke" will be the Hew features tomorrow.

NEW OPERA HOUSE. One of the most human and delightful stories of all time is recaptured on the screen in the film version, of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," which commences a season at the New Opera House tomorrow. Starting with the ' background of the poorer parts of New York City, the story traces life of the half-English boy who .becomes the heir-presumptive to the Earl of Dorincourt, and leaves his old lifb of comparative poverty to live among the landed gentry'of the Homeland. Freddie Bartholomew Alls the part of the little lord with complete artistry, his naive questions to his crotchety old grandfather faithfully representing the curiosity of a child who finds himself in strange and somewhat awe-inspiring surroundings. C. Aubrey Smith, one of the finest character actors on the screen today, gives a magnificent performance as- the earl who has never had a single fjiend in his life until his little grandchild is brought to his castle.' Guy Kibbee, as the genial New York grocer, one of the staunchest friends of the little lord in his earlier days, and Mickey Rooney as Dick the shoeblack, also, give convincing performances..'.'.

JOAN AND BETTY TROUBADOURS.

Before leaving for the south Joan and Betty Rayndr are giving two more performances at the Blue Triangle Hall tonight and Saturday' , night at 8.10. The programme is called "Cap and Bells" and will include, some Of the favourite items frorn the three programmes which the Troubadours gave when they were last in' New Zealand. Writing of this programme the Melbourne "Argus" said: "The artistry i with which Joan and Betty Rayner enIdow their Troubadour programmes is la source of continual delight to those who are familiar with their.work and a source of amazement to -those who enjoy' it for the first time.. They always bring some fresh quality to their work without impairing its delicious spontaneity or its inimitable humour based' on an intuitive understands of human nature which accounts for the appeal it makes to people of widely differing tastes."

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. A programme of romance, hilarity, and music will be presented at the Seaside Theatre tonight. The feature presents. George Raft in the merriest of entertainments. '/Stolen Harmony," and Sylvia Sydney in. one of her most successful productions, "Thirty Day Princess:" Patrons are urged to reserve early for Saturday night's entertainment, "Peg Of Old Drury" and "The Murder Man." ; . .