CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CTTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE. A gay and. debonair comedy which' moves with a swing from start to finish, "One Rainy Afternoon," now showing at the Regent Theatre, is a musical picture of a refreshingly new type; the music being integral with the plot and not, as is so often the case, apparently thrown in as a sort of additional ornament. The cast is headed by:, Francis Lederer and Ida Lupino. There.isan excellent supporting prograname, including newsreels, a travelogue/ a musical comedy, and a fine Silly Symphony. ■ -'..v • :. 'Show Boat.'

. DE LUXE THEATRE. Science pays a stciiar role in the Vvarucr jjius.' picture, "Tne Waikmg ucau," nuw snuwms at tne Lie iai^o rntaire. rne "j-.inv.ijcrsn neart," perlecttu oy coionci >-naiics i_iinub^t;n auu ur. .cUexxs is us^d to icxiu auuicnucuy to tne process Dy wmen nuns iuiuju r au luuo^ai n.an vviio nas uecii euccroouwu, is brouent bacK to uxe. Jixe^iicin sapt-orung icaturei^s uresiiov.ii in daiuiwj 10 uiajicai seiecixuiis jjrcs.-ni.tu uy tne orcnescra ue utu.e uiiu we v/ui'nUor org«m X,oumwiici.ng cxi xTiuay at the De Luxe is oiiuwta unucr, •' a Warner XJI.VS. iin-siUcuunai picture, descnocu

"Showßoat" will start at the Regent on Friday.-The cast is headed by Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson, Allan Jones, Charles Winninger, and Helen Westley.* 'All: of the original Kern-Ham-merstein,. music is retained in the motion . picture version, with three new:riumoers in addition—"Gadiv .lu.i,' Around," "I Have the Room Above Her," and "Ah Still Suits Me," the last-named introduced by Paul Robeson, who also sings his famous "01' Man -River."*

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

In "Trail of 'the Lonesome Piny" the natural colour picture now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, Sylvia Sydney enacts the role of June Tolliver, daughter of a family who have been engaged in mountain warfare ; for years with the Falin family, while Henry Fonda plays the part of Dave Tolliver, June's cousin • Into ' these backblocks comes a.railway construction gang headed by Fred MacMurray. endeavouring to push a railroad through the mountains.. A ~ good supporting programme is also g screened. Gary Cooper, as Mr. Deeds on a £4,000.000 spending spree, and Jean Arthur, as Babe Bennett the.girl'reporter who is ready to help him, are featured in Columbia's "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," Frank Capra's latest, which is coming on Friday next to th? . Majestic Theatre. It has been heralded as Capra's first romantic comedy to top -his .own "It Happened, One Night." Appearing in important supporting roles are George Bancroft, Lionel Stander, Douglass Dumbrille, H. B. Warner, and Mme. Matzenauer.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

A lieht-hearted comedy-drama th it provides plenty of laughter, thrills, and romance 's "Thirteen Hours by Air." which is now screening at the St. James Theatre. As is suggested by the title, the action takes place i. board a trans-continental passenger airliner travelling between New York and San • Francisco. Fred MacMurrav has the role bl the pilot wno is attracted by.a lovely young passes fier (Joan Bennett) who he considers is. in danger and is anxious to protect. When the machine takes off from New York there is a very motley collection- of ,passengers, aboard, including a-desperate murderer, and a doctor whose actions are very suspicious Remarkable action takes place when a' storm forces the great machine when a storm forces the great machine down into a snow-covered flield among the mountains. . The supporting subjects are interesting and include u Betty Boop cartoon newsreels. and . musical number. ~ :

."Public Nuisance No. i" opens at the St. James Theatre on Friday.

NEW OPERA HOUSE,

A merry musical show is "Cheer Up," in .which Stanley Lupino has the leading :...role, It heads a generous programme: of.entertainment at -the New Opera House, and deals with the adVentures^ of a young man who has many ambitions.-one of them being to'produce a play. The opportunities for Stanley Lupino':ave ;limitless, -and 'he niakes the fullest possible use of them ■with the result, that there is an abundance ;'of comedy. Interspersed are some tuneful . musical numbers and spectacular dancing, which round off the picture and make it thoroughly en-' joyable. A Zane Grey Western, "Drift Fence,"'is the second attraction. Inl this., there are plenty of ■ action and thrills, the story centring around the conflict- between big and small ranch owners, when all land was considered common property for grazing purposes It:is",'a story of the great outdoors of which Zane Grey has made a specialty Another of the popular and exceedingly interesting "March of Time" films i* the-third-unit -on-the-programme.... ■

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

.'■"Six accomplished artists collaborate in "Design for Living," the comedydrama at the Paramount Theatre. They are Frederic March, Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins, Edward Everett Horton, Ernst Lubitsch, and Noel Coward, the playwright. On a Paris-bound train. Miriam Hopkins, a vivacious young artist meets George Curtis, also an: artist, and Tom Chambers, playwright, played by Cooper and March respectively. Tom and George fall madly in love with her. To complicate matters further, Miss Hopkins falls jn love, too; only she is too fond of Tom to tell him she loves George, and she loves George too much to tell him about Tom. The subsequent developments are ■:■ most amusing. The supporting programme is particularly interesting.

KING'S THEATRE.

Having the distinction of .being the first film: In screen history to feature a "dog and a horse. "Two in Revolt' is the main feature' at the Kings Theatre. The unique team is comoosed of Lightning, a descendant of the silent screen canine favourite Strongheart, and Warrior, a pedigreed stallion. . The adventures of the two animals, who grow up together on a Montana ranch, furnish what are said to* be some of the most amazing scenes ever filmed..a battle with a wolf pack being one of the manv dramatic highlights of the film. Swift action, In a SDlendid story, enacted by experienced and talented performers, make "Super-speed." the second feature on the . programme, thoroughly - .entertaining film fare. Norman Foster. Florence Rice, and Mary Carlisle head the fine cast.

as me season S1 raciest, uiiu modi sparkling coiueuy ruiiiaiice wilri a tiv..-s.~.r Luot. ux niiu la^iAuvtcS, Licorge x^reiii, (atilevieve '-loom, (jienua namui, x raiui. ivitxlugii, and .f airicia, Ems. Tne action-takes piace in a iNew i^us.aiia luiwiuuoc.wiiae a young piaywngnt, wno is inaaiy trying to musii a iiawdrama, is siiowoound vvitn two uxvvivcs, a new iiwev-uicart, tne lawyer for. tne second wiie, ana a snerm, wno is seyKiiig .10 lanu tne autnor in gaol for failure to pay ms amnuiiy. xiie picture is not Wimout thrms, and winds up napp^y in a most amusing and surprising climax.

PLAZA utiEATEE,

A gem ot mirta-provoking satire is "Professional Soldier" at the Plaza Theatre. Victor Mauaglen, that old film favourite, 'returns to the screen as Colonel . Micnael Oonovon, wnose own accounts of his. youthful exPiOiCS faiuw uiufc utiuiv. ao mo inurement from active service grows longer. At last he finds a listener ana a Deiiever in tne ooy Knig i-ecer ijjx^ucue bai'tnoxomew), whom the coionei is bribed to kidnap in order to aid political ■noves wuhin the kingdom There is an exciting clash 'between revolutionists and royalists and the colonel is obliged to prove the truth of his own tales, which he does" by holding up the enemy at the point of a rna^u.jio-Bun. uiua saving uu- .■.* .g and becoming a hero in reality. Michael Whalen and Gloria Stuart are featured players. There is an entertaining supporting programme, including pastoral scenes in tccnnicoloui

William Po\vell is co-starred with Jean Arthur in his new R.K.O. Radio mystery "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford," which commences at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. •

STATE THEATRE,

The true story of one oi the most tragic figures in American history is told with dramatic power and intensity in "The Prisoner of Shark Island," which is showing for a second week at the State Theatre. Amid the rejoicing at • the close of the Civil War. the great President Lincoln is assassinated by the actor John Wilkes Boolh. The assassin flees to Maryland, and without knowing his identity a country • physician, Dr. Mudd (Warner Baxter) set his broken leg. Mudd .then becomes one of the innoqent victims of th.- hysteria of a nation mourning its leader, and is condemned by court-martial to imonsonment for life on America's "Devil Island.'V Mudd fights against the degradation of his position, attempts to escape, is brought back, and finally wins a pardon for his heroic work in assisting to quell an eo'demic of yellow fever on the ;island. Gloria Stuart has the leading feminine role. There is an excellent supporting programme.

PRINCESS THEATRE.

"Colleen," Warner Bros.' latest musical .film, is the leading attraction at ' the Princess Theatre, with an all-star • cast, including Dick Powell;" Ruby ' Keeler, Jack Oakie, Joan Blondell, Hugh Herbert, Louise Fazenda, and a'score of other principals as well as a couple of hundred chorus- beauties and dancing youths. Universal's thrilling South American war and aviation drama. "Storm Over the Andes," is offered ,as the additional fe?*Mre. with Jack Holt. Antonio Moreno. Gene Lockhart. Mona Barrie, and. Grant Withers heading the cast. Among the short subjects is an amusing coloured cartoon entitled "Flowers for Madame."

EOXX THEATRE.

A new romantic team appears in JMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Exclusive Story," with Franchot Tone and Madge Evans heading the cast, now screening at the Roxy Theatre. The story itself is a dramatisation of the reallife activities of a New York newspaperman. With the shrill scream of zooming aeroplanes as a blood-stir-ring background. Wallace Beery is featured in the startling aviation spectacle, "West Point of the Air," the supporting feature. Beery in his role "of "Big Mike" gives a dramatic portrayal.

KILBIRXIE KINEMA.

In his latest Gaumont-British production, "The Guv'nor," coming tonight to the Kilbirhie Kinema, George Arliss brings to the screen a tramp—a living breathing "charac,ter." compelling such interest as to leave the senses satisfied that here is the actual man himself. The balance ol the cast is amply sustained throughout and the blend of humour and powerful drama goes to \ the makino of a memor^bl" film "College Rhythm" is the associate feature, with Joe Penner heading a cast which includes Lanny Ross, Jack Oakie. Helen Mack. Lyda Roberti. and Mary Brian.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Captain January," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight aria ai a matinee tomorrow afternoon, stars Shirley Temple with Guy Kibbee, Slim Summerville, and Budy Ebsen. In a delightful mixture of song, dance, and comedy the\ picture follows the adventures of Shirley, and Guy Kibbee, the grizzled old lighthouse keeper v/ho had rescued her from the sea. The associate feature, "Falling in Love," is a pleasing comedy-romance with a fine star cast.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

Paramount's "Wings in the Dark," starring Cary Grant with Myrria Loy is now screening at Shortt's Theatre. Although "The Eagle and the H*wk" was a picture of war aviation, 'Wings in the Dark" is devoted to depicting the-thrills-and'romance in the development of peace-time aviation. An engrossing murder mystery which takes place at fictitious Rudyard College, provides the theme for Paramount's "The Clock Strikes 8," which is also on the programme. Kent Taylor, Arline Judge, Eddie Nugent, and Wendy Barrie play the principal roles in the picture.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Two . excellent pictures are being presented tonight and tomorrow (only) for the reduced-price entertainment at Our Theatre. It is a programme the whole family can come to see, and enioy. the prices for adults being 6d to stalls and Is to the circle, while children will be admitted for 6d to all parts. "Fog" is a murder mystery, starring Mary Brian, Donald Cook, and Reginrld Denny. "McKenna of the Mounteds" has Buck Jones in the leading role of an exciting, and withal humorous, drama of the N.W. Mounted I Police.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"My Message," starring Claire Trevor and Kent Taylor, at the Empire Theatre, is a story of the underworld and an innocent girl's treatment by society "Every Saturday Night," with June Lang and Jed Prouty. is a hilarious comedy-drama of an old-fashioned father driven frantic by his family of ultra-modern children.

SEATOUN PICTURES.

The record-breaking dramatic epic "Escape Me Never" is the feature attraction at the Royal Theatrette tonight. It is a notable contribution to that class of picture which makes for the prestige of British films and their welcome acceptance by the public anywhere.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY.

The two first-class productions to be screened at the Seaside Theatre tonight are "The Gay Deception." starring Francis Lederer and Frances Dee, an. amusing comedy romance, and George O'Brien in "Hardrock Harrigan," a "thrill-a-mihute" production.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

Two outstanding features, plus a special array of short subjects, will be screened at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight, commencing at 7.30. Claire Trevor and Ralph Bellamy will, be seen in '.'Navy Wife," a story of a strange marriage bargain The supporting feature, starring Preston Foster and May Robson. is entitled "Strangers All," a comedydrama of family life.

PALACE THEATRE. PETONE.

Now showing at 8 o'clock for three more nights at the Palace Theatre. Petone. is the greatest of all sea dramas. "Mutiny on the Bounty." It tells of the tyranny of a brutal captain who drove his crew to mutiny, of the life and loves of the sailors in a tropical paradise, and the dogged pursuit by Captain Bligh for the men who had f°d him to the wrath of the sea by casting him adrift in an ocen boat. The mst is headed by Charl°s I.aushton. Clark Gable, and HYf>nc:hot Tone.

"The Story of Louis P^teur" commences a season on Saturday.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "First a Girl," the main attraction at the Tivoli Theatre, is musical comedy at its Dest and brightest. It is a sprightly story of a gin's masquerade as a female impersonator, and the subsequent complications. scintillating performance by Jessie Matthews embraces piquant romance, saucy innuendo, and merry masquerade, in addition to a rich feast of song, dance, and spectacle, in which she, the central hgure, is finely supported by Sonnie Hale in light-hearted qu.p and zest ending in riotous impersonation of impersonator. Each incident is delightful entertainment, the finished wnole a film that "goes over" With a slick story, merry comedy, extravagant spectacle, and lilting tunes. "The Great Impersonation," the greatest of all the romantic mysteries ever written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, is the other feature film. Edmund Lowe, the star,, plays a dual role in this excit.ng. story of international intrigue and love, and opposite him are beautiful. Valerie Hobson and seductive Wera Engels, the lovely women in his life who finally pierce through the secret of "The Great Impersonation" and bring it to a grand conclusion. I

RIVOLI THEATRE.

Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper are co-starred in "Today We Live," now showing at the Kivoli Theatre. The picture is said to give Miss Crawford Driliiant opportunities as the young English- girl who struggles desperately to win a chance for love amid the turmoil of the World War. . The three men with whom her life is entangled are Coopsr as the American aviator, Kobert Young as the childhood sweetheart who wins her for a few brief days during the hysteria of life in a billet town, and i'ranchot Tone, the New York stage star, who makes his first film appearance in "Today We Live" as M^ss Crawford's brother. The cast also includes Roscoe Karns, Louise Closser Hale, Rollo Lloyd, and Hilda Vaugnan under the direction of Howard Hawks, who produced "Scarfa'ce." What, happens when a spirited Southern beauty marries into one of New York's "first families" and is ruthlessly sacrificed in the battle to preserve their crumbling grandeur is depicted in dramatic fashion in the associate feature, "Splendour," which has Miriam Hopkins and Joel McCrea heading the cast.

REX THEATRE.

Edmund Lowe and Wynne Gibson ulay the leading roles in "Her Bodyguard," ',the romantic comedy, now showing' at the Rex Theatre. Edward Ar lold, Johnny Hines, Marjorie White, Alari Dinehart, and Fuzzy. Knight head the supporting cast. "Her Bodyguard" is the amusing story of the love affair between a beautiful stage star and the private detective assigned by a jealous "sugar-daddy" to guard her from rivals. Also screening is "The Eagle and the Hawk," a thrilling story of the air, starring Cary Grant.

BROOKLYN THEATRE,

"The Big Broadcast of 1936," which features Jack Oakie, Burns and Allen, and Lyda Roberti, and "At the Bottom of the World," will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight.

FOLK SONG RECITAL.

The recital to be given this evening in the Town Hall Concert Chamber by Miss Russell Fergusson will be the only one given in Wellington. The singer has toured Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, also America and South Africa, and everywhere these recitals of the folk songs and the playing of the Celtic harp have aroused great enthusiasm. These songs show the people in all their moodsjoy, grief, work, and play. Many of the songs were written or rediscovered and sung by Mrs. Kennedy Fraser, Roderick McLeod, and by Mary McLeod, the Gaelic poetess of the Hebrides. They are sung and explained in the native tongue of the land visited and explanations are also given of the songs. The ancient Celtic harp, the clarsach, is the natural music for these songs. This evening there will also be a short programme of band music and juvenile dancing before the Hebridean recital by Miss Russell Fergusson. The box plan is at Chas. Begg and Co., Manners Street. :