CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE: "Show Boat" concludes tonight at '' the Regent Theatre. Paul Robeson, • ■■ Irene Dunne/and Allan Jones head a I . .notable cast. "Desire," Paramount's special attraction which will start at the Regent Theatre'tomorrow, is an amalgamation of chucklesome comedy, piquant and daring romance, and thrilling drama, and in each aspect it is outstanding. But perhaps even more~ outstanding is the acting of the two stars, Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. "Desire" is easily their best "picture to date, according .to leading critics. . MAJESTIC THEATRE. ■ -Alight-hearted whimsical comedy set in a background of Labrador snows is brought to the- screen' in "Petticoat Fever,", starring ~Myrria Loy and Robert Montgomery, at the Majestic Theatre. • The film' is based on the reactions of a young man, who has been confined in a; lonely wireless post .without seeing - a beautiful woman for two' years, whentwo aviators, one of them a charming young lady, descend from the skies and crack up their machine almost at his front- door. Montgomery immediately becomes infected with "petticoat fever" and schemes to keep the pair at his hut throughout the winter, mean- . while paying attention to the fair aviatrix under the very eyes of her fiance. ■The supporting subjects include- a coloured traveltalk, a Charlie Chase •comedy, and a newsreel. ST. JAMES THEATRE. ."FraDiavolo"and "The Tough Guy" 'will be. shown finally tonight at the St. James Theatre. - Philo Vance, this time portrayed by Edmund Lowe, reappears in "The Garden Murder Case," which will open, at ~the St. James Theatre tomorrow. As the super-scientific detective, Lowe gives a performance that is delightful. He drawls his way in and' out of *a series of .thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. But not one of his ,thrills can be compared to, his sudden falling in love. It is the first time in Philo's adventures that he has undergone this experience, and the way he reacts to romantic, situations is at once humorous and entertaining. Virginia Bruce is the smart society girl who 'gives him palpitation of the heart, and to save her from 'police suspicion he risks not only his reputation but his life. Supporting the two principals is a strong cast. Outstanding in their roles are Benita Hume, Douglas Waltpri.'Nat Pendleton, Gene Lockhart, H. B. Warner Kent Smith, Grant Mitchell, and Frieda Inescort, while Henry B: Walthall, Jessie Ralph, Charles Trowbridge, and Etienne Girardot; contribute notably. ■ ' PARAMOUNT THEATRE. In "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," concluding its long Wellington season this evening at the Paramount Theatre, Gary Cooper is a countrified young man, whose inheritance of 20,000,000 dollars makes him news. He chooses ' New York as the place in which to see life, and Jean Arthur, a young woman journalist, is first with the news ofMr.' Deed's hilarious escapades. Mr. Deeds becomes involved with a crook lawyer, but when he speaks -out his ' enemies realise that he is not as simplel as he appears.. - -. One. of the most, successful conversions of a play to a film ever brought to the screen was "The Barretts of Wimpole Street," that appealing rdmantic story of misdirected parental guidance lhat- has been- applauded across ■the footlights of the world. The,names which-head the, cast—Fredric. March, Norma Shearer, and Charles Laughton —are sufficient guarantee of the faithfulness of the characterisations. "'The • Barretts of Wimpole Street.* willucomi» mence a seasori-at the Paramount Theatre. tomorrow.^ - ~,--. -.. -, • ■sf-r<-.- ..i. . ——- ■' ■ .•; KING'S THEATRE. \. , ' ''Champagne h Charlie" is showing 'finally tonight at- the King's Theatre. Paul .Cavanagh, teamed with lovely Heleni Wood, plays the: role of a-man whose life is devoted to the gaming tables and the appreciation of golden" wine. Compelled to repay his backers, 'he turns to courting an American heiress. The' picture follows their strange ■ mad courtship through the gay pleasure haunts of Europe to the United States: ■ Embellished with new songs, laughs, and pathos, "Song and Dance Man," the Fox.picture of backstage life, is also oh the programme. Claire'Trevor, Paul Kelly, and Michael Whalen are starred. "Nobody's Fool," starring Edward Everett, Horton, opens at the King's . Theatre-tomorrow; • PRINCESS THEATRE; "The Story of Louis Pasteur" and "The Ghost. Goes West" will conclude this evening at the Princess ■ Theatre. Genuine entertainment, replete with thrills and humour, ' describes the double-feature programme which will commence tomorrow at the Princess Theatre. One of the greatest romances of the air, "Ceiling Zero," a Cosmopolitan production, is the principal picture. It co-stars that inimitable team, James Cagney ; and Pat O'Brien, introduces a charming new leading, lady in June ■Travis, and offers an exceptionally large all-star cast in support..- There is every sort of a thrill in ihe picture, as well as plenty of laughs and romance. The additional feature, "Thoroughbred," boasts an exceptional cast of international players, headed by the glamorous Hollywood star, Helen Twelvetrees, Frank Leighton, John •Longden, and Nellie Bernes. This great epic of the Australian Turf hau a sensational climax revolving around the ' world-famous Melbourne Cup. The short subjects Include a coloured cartoon and an exceptionally interesting educational item. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. A 'gangster, hunted by the police, boldly hides in one of the most brilliant and' public corners of the world. Yet the chances are two billion to one in his favour that he will escape detection.. This is the unusual theme of "Another Face," the main attraction at the State Theatre, Petone. Sharing feature honours with Wallace Ford and Phyllis Brooks, Brian , Donlevy portrays the gangster. "Baboona," Mr. and Mrs; Martin Johnson's latest adventure film, is the associate film. . ■ . GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. - The main feature at the Grand Theatre, Fetone. is "Mary Burns, Fugitive," which stars Sylvia Sidney and traces the tragic experiences. of a girl caught in .the web of the law through an innocent friendship with a man she did not know was a public enemy. The . second feature is RKO-Radio's "Alice Adams," which stars Katharine . Hepburn. PALACE THEATRE. PETONE. "The Lady Consents," a comedydrama of contemporary life, costarring Ann Harding and Herbert Marsha/I, is now screening at the Palace Theatre, Petone.. It ■' provides a triangle drama,- refreshing in the novelty of its serious and lighter situations. The supporting programme includes a cartoon in colour. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "It Had to Happen," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features a new romantic team in George Raft and Rosalind Russell, supported by Leo Carrillo and Arline Judge, and is the tale of a man who battled his way to political success inspired by a lovely lady, who was always beyond his reach "Here Comes ■ Trouble" is a comedy- , drama of mad adyentures on a luxury hner and stars Paul Kelly, Arline Judge, and Sammy Cohen. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tfae best picture that Shirley Temple has produced, "Captain January," heads an entertaining programme at the Regal Theatre tonight. The midget star sings and dances her way to even . greater fame than ever.before. Special supports will also be shown.

OTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. "I Married a Doctor," starring Josephine Hutchinson, has its final screening at the De Luxe Theatre tonight. The story' is based on the greatest of Sinclair Lewis's best-sell-ing novels of married love. Bette Davis, who won the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award for the best performance by any actress in 1935, comes to the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow in "The Golden Arrow." The picture'is based on the play by Michael Arlen, noted English playwright, and is a story of love in high society, set in a background of luxurious yachts and resort hotels. PLAZA THEATRE. "Pot Luck" concludes' tonight at the Plaza Theatre. "Rhodes of Africa" opens at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow. . STATE THEATRE; "Private Number" ends its season tonight at the State Theatre. The unfortunate course on which one child is sent by the separation of his parents is treated with appealing effect in'"Let's Sing': Again," a drama: with music which will be the; new attraction at the State Theatre'tomorrow. The subject of "Let's Sing Again" is Billy, an eight-year-old boy gift«?d with a beautiful voice, confined in an orphanage after his mother deserted her poor but aspiring, husband; a singer. Choked with a desire for freedom to express his endowed gift: of voice, Billy flees the orphanage, and charms a tent show handyman, an erstwhile opera singer, into 'sponsoring him. Billy's voice is developed by his guardian, and the two come to New York for audition. They wend their way to the home of a famous concert singer whose guest of honour chances to be Billy's father, how a renowned baritone. Through the medium of a song the father used to sing to his son in, the cradle, the pair are reunited in a thrilling denouement. Billy is portrayed by Bobby-Breen in "Let's Sing Again," the debut vehicle for this child maryel. Henry Armetta and George Houston head' the featured cast in Bobby Breen's support in. this RKO Radio release. RIVOLI THEATRE, That proverbial fear of one's mother-in-law and' her .caustic tongue, which seems to .■■■■■have ■ become a ■ deeplyingrained part. of - our national consciousness, together with the. successful attempts of a middle-aged Babbitt'to overcome it, furnish the- theme, of Paramount's "Her Master's Voice," sparkling new comedy now showing at (the Rivoli Theatre, featuring Edward Everett Horton, Peggy Conklin, Laura Hope Crews, and Elizabeth Patterson. The combination of film fare offered in "Her Master's Voice" makes it a picture which will appeal to every type of audience. Paramount's "The Story of Temple Drake," an unusual tale of present day youth, is the associate feature, with Miriam Hopkins in the title role and Jack La Rue, William Gargan,; William Collier, jun., Irving Pichel, and Sir Guy Standing heading the supporting cast. REX THEATRE. The unique and lavish musical spectacle, "Caravan," produced for Fox Film by the celebrated Continental director, Erik Charell, is the main feature at the Rex Theatre. Outstanding are such song numbers as the "Wine Song," "Ha-cha-cha," anaY'Happy," I Am Happy.' A brilliant cast in this romantic love story of the Tokay wine harvest includes Charles Boyer, Loretta Young," Jean -Parker, Phillips Holmes, Louise Fazenda, Eugene Pallette, C. Aubrey Smith, Charley Grapewin, and Noah Beery. The second feature on •the bill is "Call-It Luck," a fast action" comedy-romance-., featuring Herbert Mundin and "Pat" Paterson. Both these productions are .being screened at haltprice. ■ A special children's matinee will be neia on Saturday, when prizes will be given away. , . NEW OPERA HOUSE. , Two films that have been very successful individually combine to make a double-feature programme of unusual merit at the New Opera House.- The t>/ iy^ast re Partee, the, cynicism, and ?j£Ldled cruelty °f Noel Coward in his The Scoundrel,"., which -culminates with strong pathos and drama, are offset by that delightful comedy "Trouble in Paradise," in which have been featured several stars. ■ Kay Francis, Herbert ' Marshall, Charles Ruggles, , Edward E. Horton,, and others are shown in fast-moving, subtle fun. Marshall is the handsome, whimsical international thief who wins his way into the secretaryship of Madame Colet; rich widow of the French perfume manufacturer- (Kay Francis), with his- charming pickpocket friend, Miriam Hopkins, as the typist. , SHORTT'S THEATRE. "Come On Marines!" and "Accent on Youth" conclude .tonight at' Shortt's Theatre. The weird and mysterious drama of killings in the "fast" Long Island social1 set, "Remember Last- Night?" starring, Edward Arnold, Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers, Robert Young, and featuring Robert Armstrong, Reginald Denny, Gregory Ratoff, and" a host of other famous players, opens tomorrow at Shortt's Theatre. The1 story was taken from the sensational novel by Adam Hobhouse, which for many months was a best-seller. Also on the bill will be "King Solomon of Broadway," Universal's musical comedydrama : of the life on the Great White Way, starring Edmund Lowe and featuring Dorothy Page and Pinky Tomlin. Lowe, cast as the operator of a glamorous night club and .dance palace on- Broadway, is also supported by Louise Henry, Edward Pawley, and other noted players. ROXY THEATRE. "Hell-Ship Morgan" and "Unknown Woman" will be shown finally tonight at the Roxy Theatre. Ronald Colman, in "A Tale of Two Cities,' screening at the Roxy Theatre tomorrow, never has had a role which gave him such opportunity for the quiet humour, the high drai^a, and the poignancy he expresses so well As Sydney Carton, whimsical, sardonic, brilliant wastrel, reaches the peak of his artistic career^ The story tells of the joys and sorrows, the adventures and the trials of a little group of people, English and French, th^°Vr re l aUi ht ,in the maelstrom of the French Revolution of 1789. Specifically, it tells of the strange love of Carton and Lucie Manette; played by Elizabeth Allan-a love that was doomed to frustration in life, yet which est nSC d°ath in its sublime maJ" KILBIRNIE HINEMA. «?£ 2S& Cf tui-y's spectacular musica! i t'u T^1 ks Mllli°n," now showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, there are a dozen great stars, recruited from screen stage, and "radio. With Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak heading S}S, c,ast ln n the romantic leads, Thanks a Million" presents Fred Allen, Patsy Kelly, Paul Whiteman and his band with Ramona, Rubinoff and his violin, Raymond Walburn and S e «uYaS ht ,_Club Boys- "Stormy Weather,"' the Gaumont-British comedy based on Ben Travers's play, will also be shown. It features Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Robertson Hare, Yvonne Arnaud, and Andrews Engleman. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Tonight's change of programme features Nancy Carroll, Thelma Todd, and George Murphy in ''After the Dance," a musical romance, and Tim McCoy associated with Sue Carol in one of the greatest auto-racing classics ever filmed, "Straightaway." Next week's entertainment fare includes such outstanding productions as "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." On Saturday next, "The linvinible Ray" and. "The Ghost Goes West" will be screened

TTVOLI THEATRE. "Give Us This Night," anew musical romance, concludes tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. The tenth Charlie Chan picture, "Charlie Chan's Secret," I is also on the bill. I Anna Neagle scores the greatest triumph of her career as Peg Woffington in British and Dominions' "Peg of Old Drury," which comes tomorrow to the Tivoli Theatre.' Seldom off the screen, the star dominates the picture throughout, rising to her best moments in an exquisite rendering of the part qi Rosalind in Shakespeare's "As You Like It." A piquant male masquerade, involving a duel, and a moving death scene on the Drury Lane stage, are other attractive facets of a portrayal that is at all ,times brilliant. Sir Cedric Hardwicke, playing David Garrick, gives flashes from "The Merchant of Venice" and other classic plays, his work being finely restrained. Carefree, romantic comedy of a decidedly novel type is the highlight of "Pursuit." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's roniance of the highways, which will also be shown, with Chester Morris and Sally Eilersi It deals with the adventures of a young couple smuggling a child, the object of Mitigation, out of the State by motor-car. Motor camps,farms, and other unusual stopping places figure in the action-packed drama.. WRESTLING AT SHOW STADIUM. The fashion in modern wrestling is for speed—rand more speed. Jack ("Rocky") Britton, of England (15st 21b), and Neil Rex, of Australia (15st), who will: open the National Sporting Club's programme in the" Wellington Show Stadium on Saturday night, are junior, heavyweights—men who combine the strength and stamina of heavyweights with the speed and skill of the men in the lighter "divisions. Both have impressive records with Britton, who has won championships in all parts of the world, as the leading attraction. Rex is younger in the' mat sport but has won high places in other fields of athletic endeavour and is rapidly forcing his way to the forefront of Australian wrestlers. Rex is a wrestler who likes to'mix it but he will find a tough nut to crack in his tried and proven opponent. In addition to the; main event Ryugorb Shima and Kiyo Kameda will engage in a ju-jitsu match, the first ever staged in Wellington. Provincial ■'■■* and national ■ amateur champions will take part in- the attractive programme of amateur preliminaries. Particulars are advertised. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Fang and Claw," the current attraction at the Empire Theatre this evening, is packed with jungle adventures. An excellent supporting programme includes a further number of the Major Bowes amateur radio series, a travelogue, and two Pathe newsreels. ■•■'. On Friday and Saturday "China Seas" is to be screened. - OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.' The reduced price mid-week-screen-ing of "The Bitter Tea of General Yen," with Walter Connolly,- Barbara Stanwyck, and "White Eagle," starring Buck Jones, has found much favour with Our Theatre patrons. Tonight is the last time this week for which prices will be 6d and Is, and the programme is one to appeal to all classes. "DE LUXE WHOPPER CLUB." A unique and entertaining series of competitions will be conducted at the De Luxe Theatre under the auspices of J?i c J'P c Luxe wh°PPer Tall Story Club, commencing tomorrow. Liberal cash and other prizes will be allotted at the conclusion of each week to those patrons of the De Luxe- Theatre sending in the best contributions. There is no entry fee, but the competitions are confined to patrons of the theatre. Two well-known Wellington business men will be acting as judges, their decision being final. Prize-winners, together with winning entries, will be announced at the theatre every Saturday night, commencing on Saturday, 15. ■* ' • PANDORA SOCIETY "To Have the ■ Honour," "a three-act' hvm+t, dyT?y £■ A \Milne' wa* Presented by the Pandora Musical and Dramatic Society on Tuesday to a deliehted audience. Written in the author's best style, the play deals with a bogus prince who comes suddenly face to face with his long-lost wife at a house party given in his honour.' She has al so 7iee, n mas ?uerading—as the widow of a distinguished colonel in the Indian Army, and when the two meet there is amusing repartee as well as awkward situations. The players were as follows:—The Prince, Charles Dennis-toun-Wood; Jennifer, his wife, Mrs. Sr* g-"£i J loU?nds; Angela Battersby, Mlgs Gladys Morgan; her father/ Mr P.. Williams; Dr. Ainslie, Mr. N. Pic*?n; Mrs. Faithful, Mrs. Ring; Imogen Faithful. Miss Marie Wallace; Emily Miss Cornwell; the secretary! Mr. / Just; Captain Holt, Mr. P. WhatmanMrsi Holt, Miss Falkinder. The players and the producer, Miss Gladys Morgan tlltll f- very F!?* fo, r the successful presentation of the play. MUSIC AND BOMBS ■ —~* A powerful "stinkbomb" thrown in the Vienna State Opera House during a performance of "Tristan and Isolde" recently forced the audience among whom were many foreigners and the orchestra to hurry into the streets. The "bomb" is believed to have been thrown bj Nazis as a protest against Bruno Walter, the famous Jew-' ish conductor, who directs the Vienna State Orchestra. In their newspapers the Nazis have repeatedly, declared that it is an insult to let a Jew conduct the works of1 the "most German composer." To - prevent panic Dr. Walter continued to conduct the music. The performance was resumed after a time, but most of the audience did not-return to the house. At the same time a "stinkbomb" of- equal potency was thrown in the Burg Theatre, the former Imperial Theatre, which is also run by the State. The theatre was completely filled -with the smell' and the audience had to hurry into the street. The Burg Theatre, after an interval of half an'hour, recommenced "The Uridivine Comedy,'! by Count Krasinski, the Polish nobleman. Numerous police had been posted in the theatre. "Stinkbombs" were also exploded at two fashionable Vienna cafes and at the Schweden Cinema. The perpetrators have not been discovered. deluxe theatre. r—; • "The Golden Arrow." . Bette.Davis, with George Brent'playing opposite her in the masculine lead, comes to the De-Luxe Theatre tomorrow in the fast-moving First National comedy drama, "The Golden Arrow." Miss Davis appears in a role quite different from those which won her the award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the best film actress of 1935. In "The Golden Arrow" she gives a light comedy portrayal with a romantic twist, which Involves also some dramatic moments. Brent's role is also largely comedy, he being a shy young reporter whose chief interest is a book ho is writing but who finds time to fall in love with the blonde Bette after a series of misunderstanding? , and flirtatious entanglements which nearly break the course of true love. Other hilarious complications are caused by the attempt of a newlyrich oil heiress to break up the love affair and steal her rival's lover after her retinue of foreign princes, nobles, and other fortune seekers have deserted her for the lovely blonde, who- also is presumed to be fabulously wealthy The picture moves in swift tempo to the hilarious and surprising climax. In the cast besides Miss Davis and Brent are included Eugene Pallette Dick Foran. Carol Hughes, Catharine Doucet Craig Reynolds, Ivan Lebedeff G P Huntlcy^ jun.,s Hobart Cavanaugh, Henry O'Neill, and Eddie Acuff. There is a good programme of supporting featurettes supplemented by a highly-di-verting presentation by the Orchestra De Luxe and the Wurlitzer organ under the leadership of Mr. L. D. Austin, Box plans are available at the D.I.C. and theatre.