CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

"Anything Goes" is the intriguing title of the current attraction at the Keeent Theatre. The original stage production of "Anything Goes" was notable for three sensational musical nunv bers by Cole Porter, "You're the Top, "I Get a Kick Out of You," and the title melody "Anything Goes. . lhe screen production is even more notable for, in addition to these three notable it includes a brand new Cole Porter number, "There'll Always Be a Lady Fair," and four other new tunes by equally famous composers. The story presents Bing Crosby aboard an oceangoing liner with the borrowed passport of a prominent criminal in his pocket. He must elude the ship's officers, who take him to be Public Enemy No. 1, while searching for a beautiful stranger whom he believes to be in distress. Charles Kuggles assists him in his various disguises, in order to keep out of the dutches of the law, and within speaking distance of his charmer played by Ida Lupino. Tumbling out of his various disguises while he eludes the ship's officers, the whole ship becomes a madhouse of fun. "Anything Goes" introduces one of the most advanced steps in recording of sound during the past two years. A wellknown band supplies the atmospheric music, which is mostly of the red-hot rhythm type. Also deserving of mention is the male quartet, whicn is heard jn the course of the story in songs of a humorous and nautical character.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tuneful voices, colourful costumes, pleasing music, and buffoonery such as only Laurel and Hardy can provide, are the ingredients of "The Bohemian Girl," which is to be shown for a further week at the Majestic Theatre. The film concerns the adventures of a gipsy band of which the two comedians are happy-go-lucky members.. Mrs. Hardy, played by Mae Busch. is enamoured of Deyilshoof. a romantic vagabond. Devilshoof is flogged when he is caught skulking within the castle grounds of Count Arnheim, and in revenge Mrs. Hardy kidnaps the baby daughter of the count. Then Devilshoof and Mrs. Hardy elope, leaving Oliver with the baby on his hands. He and his good friend/Laurel, raise the girl as a gipsy, and'it is not until she has reached womanhood that she is returned to hev rightful place in the world. In the meantime,' however, many exciting and strange- situations arise. The first part of the programme includes a film dealing with the hit-and-run motorist.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. To glamorous Jean Harlow has fallen a stark role, the most powerful in her screen career. Teamed with Spencer Tracy,, she plays the heroine of ' Riffraff," a dramatic romance of life on an American waterfront, commg today to the St. James Theatre. M.ss Harlow portrays a girl who loves tne swaggering, two-fisted boss of the waterfront, played by Tracy. For him she steals and goes to prison her sacrifice finally bringing about the man o regeneration. This new role is in striking'contrast to her most recent, as[& Doll with Clark Gable and Wallace Beery in "China Seas. In "Riffraff." Miss Harlow appears for the first time cs a brunette, a new hair colour which reveals her as a totally new and even more fascinating personality Together with her new hair, fhe also has a new hero in the person of Tracy with whom she appears for the first time in her screen career. Joseph Calleia appears as one of the rprkless ■ deep-sea men of the Facinc tuna fleet Sna Merkel, the popular comedienne, has an important role.

NEW OPERA HOUSE. ' Douglas Fairbanks, jun., plays the part of Barnabas Bartyin the film version of the .famous Jeffery Farnol novel "The Amateur Gentleman, jat the New.vGpera House, ■ ! ur,anpe, distinction, and an air. ■ H , e ' m ( ? ] ? e f T £? engaging- Barnabas, and Gordon Harker alters a .different sphere ifl .-acting from his usual as Natty . Bell. He scores a decided success in this role. The story opens in the old inni John Barty,.a retired prizefighter, and his faithful servant, Natty Bell, who idolises his employer's son, Barnabas. To the inn one night comes Lady Cleone (Elissa Landi), and young Barnabas falls in love with, her The disappearance of some jewellery and money from the inn, the property of Lady; Cleone's grandfather, the Marquess, of Camberhurst, results in John Barty being thrown into prison, and Barnabas goes to London, masquerading as a gentleman by the name of Join Beverly. The.film then traces his efforts, which end in success, as they must, to prove his fathers innocence.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Haunting musjic o£ Victor Herbert, blended with thundering d/ama of the founding of a great city and with a delicate love romance running through it; such is "Naughty Marietta," Goldwyn-Mayer's spectacular translation to the screen of Victor Herbert's masterpiece, which is to commence a return season at the Paramount Theatre today. Jeanette MacDenald, who never was more beautiful nor sang so divinely, and Nelson Eddy, . young operatic baritone, who makes his debut as a screen hero with a performance that indicates that lie is on the screen to stay, head an elaborate cast. The story is staged on spectacular scale, huge settings, gorgeous costumes ana intense dramatic action embellishing such song hits as "Ah, Sweet.Mystery of Life," "I'm Falling in Love with Someone," "Chansonette, , / "The Italian Street Song," and other immortal Herbert music. ■ .

KING'S THEATRE. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey make a departure from the usual Wheeler and Woolsey comedies in "Silly Billies," coming today to the Kingfs Theatre. Most of their films have been out-and-out comedies, but ••Silly Billies" is a melodramatic tale that could stand on its own without gags. The comedy plays a major but logical part as relief to many -thrills all woven around the. early West. Petite Dorothy Lee again supplies the love interest as a young schpolma am oh her way to the Californian gold big picture. Comedy, romance, and drama are blended in the production, with Jean Parker and .Frarik AlbertTon earring the love interest. Esther Dale, as Ma Boyer, has a rich comedy role.

HEX THEATRE. The new Paramount dramatic thnllej «W<snan Trap," which has just concluded a successful season at the It James Theatre, is the main feature •it the Rex Theatre. It tens or and a wise-cracking but earnest reporter, respectively, give convincing impersonations. Paramount* '•Her Master's Voice," a sparkling new comedy, featuring Edward Everett Horton Peggy Conklin, Laura Hope Crews, and Elizabeth Patterson, is the second feature.

GRAND THEATRE. PETONE "Fi-isco Kid," a story of San IranCisco" notorious Barbery Coast when the noose of the vigilantes was the only check on robbery, rioting, arson, and murder will be the main feature at {he Grand Theatre. Fetone. tomorrow, limes Capney. Margaret Lindsay. RiotvZ Cortez. Lili Dnmita. George E. Stone Donald Woods. Fred Kohler Robert McWade. Barton Mac Lane. and Tosenh Crehan have the principal roles. -You May Be Next!". Columbia's amazing drama of a super-criminal's attempt to hl-jack the radio industry •vith his discovery of a secret radio wave capable of transforming every broadcast into unintelligible bedlam will also be shown. Ann Sothern and Llovd Nolan share the featured roles with Douglass Dumbrillc John ArJedKC: iind Berton Churchill.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

STATE THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE Jack Hulbert is here again with his cheery grin and lightning teet play rig havoc in "Jack of All Trades," coming to the Plaza Theatre today. JacK| Hulbert has directed this Picture himself in co-operation with Robert Stevenson, and one can see the authentic Hulbert touch in most of th-. scenes. There is the amusing scene in a bank, where Jack Hulbert gatecrashes to make himself a. job. While he blusters round i^^ 310 body with his importance Robertson Hare trots m his wake. There is the dramatic scene O f the board meeting in which Jack piopounds his scheme for starting a hug? show combine. There are the upioannus scenes in the shoe factory with Jack dodging a gang of flre-rajse rs on &3SBMS o C M e nr n e d es J c d a C p k e.<S ofafl thereis g Jack Hulbert once again singing and dancing as no one else can

d °The picture contains some of the ie screen today. DE LUXE THEATRE. , soupy fog and of those waiting on the, ffiiri he meets. He arranges for Raf Stuart Erwin, to take his run to order that he can keep an appointilL With Er th wln Pr c e r^e h s°t eSS }&\ complete the De Luxe programme. In r-nnnpetion with Ceiling Zero, xni. De holding a model aerogane competition. First prize is a^frees flight nvpr Wellington donated by the weiHngton Aero g Club. Models must b3 delivered to the manager of the De Luxe by 10 a.m. tomorrow for judging..

Five new stars at one swoop wen added to the Hollywood firmamen when Darryl F. Zanuck secured th< Tdorable Dionne. quintuplets to hea he cast of his "The Country Doctor, he grand new human-interest pictur< vhich opens at the State Theatre to lav Everything that has ever besi aft and Sen about, these max rillotis babies pales into vwnteam* >eside the actual sight of them play ng and cooing, acting real roles in « •ell story, and surrounded by such iollywood stars as Jean Hersholt Tune Lang, Michael Whalen. Slim Sum nerville, and Dorothy Peterson. A •ourageous doctor of the Canadian sackwoods is the hero of the picture, slaved by Jean Hersholt. He is c iimple, earthy man and the picture ollows his triumphs, his tragedies, his lear-defeat, and ultimate victory as he Ights the pains and ills of his people, n the final scenes, despite the cruel xeatmenf he has received. Hersholt '6es on one more deed of mercy, and n a scene that is taut with drama ana bfr% : of; qumuplets.■'■ As the news spreads through he world, he becomes a hero, flattered, lonoured. But only the welfare of iis babies concerns the happy doctor.

PBINCESS. THEATRE. Two attractive features are now showing at the 1 Princess Theatre. The principal picture, "Dancing Lady, reunites Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. ■ Miss Crawford plays th 3 typs of rote upon which she built hsr grcat-st popularity, a girl born to dance w.-.o fiats her way to fame on Broadway. Gable s role is mother two-fisted characterisation There is an outstanding supporting cast.. In "The Casino Murder Case," which forms the additional feature, Prul Lukas brings to the screen a third distinctive portrayal of Philo Vance S S. Van Dine's famous fictional detective. Alison Skipworth is prominently cast.

SHORTTS THEATRE. "Two for Tonight," featuring Bing Crosby and Joan Bennett, heads the new bill at Shortt's Theatre today. It is a brisk, fast-moving comedy, plentifully supplied with music, songs, aud romance, of an ambitious young crooner who accidentally becomes a playwright and becomes involved with a theatrical producer, his stage star girl friend, and his secretary in a series of lively incidents. The adventures of Admiral Richard £. Byrd's second Antractic Expedition are brought to the screen by Paramount in the second feature on the proi gramme, "At the Bottom of the World.

ROXY THEATRE. With'an. all-star cast studded with '.*big names," one of the most elaborate screen presentations of recent years opens at the Roxy Theatre today.' It is "David- Cppperfield," • Charles Dickens's favourite novel, which comes to life with its myriad of interesting characters, through the medium of the films. W. C. Fields creates the immortal Wilkins Micawber, Esq., Frank Lawton plays the adult Copperfleld, and the child role is played by Freddie Bartholomew. Lionel Barrymore, Madge Evans, Maureen O'Sullivan, Edna May Oliver, Lewis Stone, Elizabeth Allen, and Roland Young are among the supporting players.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. < The management of the Seaside I Theatre, in endeavouring to secure an i unequalled entertainment for the com- > ing holiday period, has sxicceeded be- ; yond all expectations. The season will 1 commence on Saturday night with ' iParamount's outstanding 1930 produc- ] tion, "The Bride Comes Home, coupled with another first-class production, "Stormy." These features, together with specially selected "short subjects, will form the programme for Saturday and Monday, and will be followed on the Tuesday (King's Birthday) by the magnificent production "Mutiny on the Bounty," and "The Milky Way," Harold Lloyd's latest mirthmaker. A special matinee programme will be provided tomorrow for the children, and a special Popcye the Sailor birthday party will be given on Tuesday at 2.15. Every child attending the birthday party will be provided with a3d bar of chocolate. Box plans for the whole season of threu nights are now open, and reservation . is advised. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The Murder Man." screening at the , Capitol Theatre tonight and at, a '■ matinee tomorrow at 2.15 p.m.. features Spencer Tracy and Virginia Bruce and deals with the exploits of a reporter who assists the police in solving a mysterious crime, with disastrous results i to himself. "My Marriage," starring r Claire Trevor and Kent Taylor, tells 1 the story of a girl's fight against t society and the underworld for one . man's love.

13th BATTERY, N.Z.E.F. The annual reunion of the 13th Battery (Devil's Own), New Zealand Expeditionary Force, is to be held m Wellington on Saturday and Sunday next, June 20 and 21. Many membcis residing in Auckland. Wairoa, Timoru and Greymouth have advised that they will be attending, and the committee desires that any ex-members who have not already received a notice will clo their utmost to be on parade. An acvertisement appears in this issue.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "My Heart is Calling" and "I Found Stella Parish" conclude tonight at the Tivoii. Theatre. . Another iom Walls-Ralph Lynn story comes to life with "Stormy Weather/ a uaumont-Britisn picture based on a farce by Ben Travel's, in which the famous comedians appear with Yvonne Arnaud and ttobsrtson Hare. It will bs shown at the Tivoii Theatre tomorrow. The picture which is one lull of 'piquant situations, intriguing scenes, and sinister plots, holds the interest irom the moment it opens in a Chinese I den until it ends with a scene in wmen 'charming Yvonne Arnaud is peering over ths baluster of her home watching an aspiring lover in the person of Kaiph Lynn being kicked down the stairs by her husband. The helixometer, which determines whether a bullet recovered after a crime was lired from a particular weapon, has brought forth evidence which has doomed thousands of criminals. It is one of many devices used by the police I staffs of the nation, as well as the Deloartmcnt of Justice, in the war on criminal pangs. Richard Aden featured in the Reliance Picture, Legion of Valour." which will be the associate feature at the Tivoii, found the helixometer an important mechanical part ■ of production in this story of three ■ modern musketeers united m a drive ' on gangs.

RIVOLI THEATRE. Commencing tonight the new propramme at the Rivoli comprises a ; double feature of exceptional merit. . "Red Salute," a United Artists picture features Br>rb->n Stanwyck. Robert Young, and Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike), released in Wellington at the Regent Theatre, this picture stands head and shoulders above, the ordinjary screen comedy, embodying music, I gay and romantic settings, side-splitting comedy sequences. "Red Salute" won | a splendid reputation with Wellington i picturegoers. At the Rivoli there is 1 an added attraction no lass than "Men 'Without Names," Paramount's thrilli ing adventure of the "G" men activii tie l ! which, too. was of such high standard as to merit a season at the St. James Theatre for its initial presentation in Wellington. It would be no idle boast to say that the supporting programme of short featurettes were alone worth the price of admission. Numbering nine, they include every phase of motion picture entertainment j from the very latest news to th? last word in screen perfection, namely the Walt Disney all-colour Mickey Mouse special "Pluto's Judgment Day." A splendid programme is advertsied for i the children's Popeye matinees tomorrow. There is to be a special midnight matinee on Sunday at the mid- ; night hour.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Falling in Love" and "Charlie Chan in Egypt" conclude at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. "Mutiny on the Bounty," which opens tomorrow at the Kilbirnie Kinema, is sea drama as it actually took place a hundred and fifty years ago, a true chapter from maritime history that resulted in a great reform among all ships of the sea and which eliminated for all time the brutal treatment men who go to sea expscted and suffered. "Mutiny on the Bounty" has been faithfully renroduced from the I sensational book oy James Norman I Hall and Charles Nordhoff, in so far as the medium of motion pictures permits. It tells the story as Hall and NordhofE told it. Charles Laughton gives the greatest performance of h:s career as Captain Bligh, and Fletcher Christian lives again in Clark Gables finest role. Adventure after adventure follows the mutiny which has no parallel in naval history—the dogged I pursuit of the mutineers years later, the capture of some and their finish on the gallows, the escape of others to Pitcairn Island, where 200 of their I descendants live to this day.

REGAL THEATRE, KAROKI.

.Tonighf at the Re,,'? I Theatre Barbara Sta wyck and Robert Ttoung will appear- in "Red Salute," a series of gay adventures. Special supports will also be shown. At the matinee tomorrow Episode 1 of "Tailspin Tommy" will also be shown.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE.

"So Bed the Rose" concludes tonight at lbs Palace Theatre, Petone. Screening tomorrow afternoon ana night and Monday night at the Palace' Theatre, Petone, is Earl Der Biggers s j high-speed romance, "Ssyen Keys to j Baldpate," which is carried on midst thrilling and side-splitting comedy ' situations. Gone Raymond, Margaret Callahsn, Grant M.tchell, and Eric Blue are featured in this story of a I novelist who becomes involved in a 1 series of unexp3cted and gripping ad- ] ventures.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Daring Young Man" and "To Beat the Band" will be shown hiially tonight at the State Theatre, Petone. Tonight and at tomorrow's matinee the seventh episode of "Rustlers of Red Dog" will also be screened. Commencing at the matinee at I p.m. tomorrow, the State Theatre, Petone, will feature Jane Withers in "Paddv O'Day" and Paul Kelly and Mona Barrie in "Here Comes Trouble, a bright comedy-drama. First-class supports will also be screened.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Screening at the Empire Theatre tonight is "Barbary Coast," Samuel Goldwyn's magnificent production of America's last frontier. Miriam Hopkins, Joel McCrea, and Edward G. Robinson play the principal roles, while in support are Walter Brennan and Frank ; Craven. An excellent programme of short subjects has been arranged.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Commencing tonight, for two nights and matinee only, Ginger Rogers and George Brent play together for the first time in "In Person." As a straight comedienne Ginger proves she has plenty of that commodity after which she is named, and as a temperamental film star tamed by a man who doesn t care if she is a personage or a penny stamp she has full score for her real versatility. "The Bishop Misbehaves features Edmund Gwenn as a lovable cleric who neatly turns the tables on a gang of crooks, and plays a detective "from the book" to good purpose. Both these features will be shown at the matinee on Saturday, with an excellent supporting programme of short subjects Prices are as usual, with children threepence to the matinee. Our Theatre has been newly fitted with a heating plant.

SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT. In celebration of his Majesty the King's Birthday there will be a grand military nif.ht at the St. James Theatre on Sunday' evening next. The entertainment to be presented is described as "something different _ and will be under the patronage and in the 1 m-csence of the officers of the Wellington Regiment. The full Military Band of the Ist Battalion as well as the Regimental Dance Band will take part, assisted by the Circassians, a talented troupe of'Bo men and women in picturesque costume. Two spscial features will be "The ■ Angelus" ('Maritann") and "The Soldiers Chorus" ("Faust"), by the Circassians, with full Military Band. The majority of the numbers to be presented are of a lively nature entirely to the popular taste. ISLAND BAY CARNIVAL. During ths carnival which was conducted by the Island Bay Ratepayers' Association great interest was aroused by the qusen contest. The "crowning iof the qusen-elect," Miss Phyllis I O'Shoa, will take place tomorrow night. At present the hall is being turned into a Royal Court with a veritable fairyland of colour. The residents have been invited to attend the court and watch the proceedings. The "queen," i also "princesses" Denise Gardiner and ■ Shirley Aldridge. will receive presenta- • tions from ths association, the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hisiop) officiating. The ' bestowal of honours on citizens of ; island Bay who took an active part in , the campaign should arouse consider- ■ I able interest, The crowning scene 'I will be followed by n dance, a full i orchestra being in attendance. Mr. ) i Joseph Knowsley's pupils end other - j well-known entertainer:: will a^o I give special items.