CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 67, 16 September 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The inimitable Mac West again makes her appsarance in a characteristic role in her latest comedy romance "Klondike Annie," which is now showing at the Resent Theatre. The story commences with the flight of '"Frisco . Doll" (Mac West) from the san Francisco Chinatown. On her way north, on a tramp steamer she attracts the attention of the skipper (Victor McLaglen), who .■thereafter proves himself to be a friend in need. On board the ;bpat is a woman missionary who, strangely enough, succeeds in lhspir-. -ing "'Frisco Doll" .to better things. When the missionary is snatched away by death the runaway impersonates her ..to escape, the clutches of the police. : -.'..'' "Fatal Lady." .Entertainment of an exceptionally high standard is contained in "Fatal Lady," a film that is full of surprises as the story develops and reaches a spectacular and thrilling climax. It will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre. Music is the vehicle on which the , film depends for its success, but the series of mysterious murders, ■which happen with amazing rapidity, lifts the picture out o£ the ordinary and makes it one of exceptional interest and merit. Determined to unravel the- mystery of an American's death, an elder brother endeavours to find the murderer by the desperate method pf publicly wooing her : himself. It is at this stage of the film that the excitement is at its height. The'glorious .voice of Mary Ellis, the former Metropolitan Opera prima donna, who plays the leading role brilliantly, is one of the" strongest features of the film. In the chief, romantic role is Walter Pid<leon,..who plays his part admirably, nnd the others in an exceptionally •~ong cast are Norman Foster, Gr" Sates. Post, John Halliday, Alan Mow la Ruth Donnelly Kenned} id Samuel Ilinus MAJLSTIC TUEAIRL The King Steps Out now a the nesuc ihcaUe is a film witn v defect Gi te vlooic abil y a as ngci and as in act e« ate jj well known to nueJ d°scnption he stoiy i the old one o the 1 ing who tails in lo'ie with a prince s mub qucrading as a di comaker but it ib iven a dehehtfully fiesh intiiprcti on by/the ducctoi Jc-et yon Steir dcij, The music by lutz Kicislll embodies the slow section of "Caprice Viennois auanged for the voice li ayrients of other familial violin com positions and a series of soprano solos which have been drawn from Kreisler's opera ;"Cissy," which was staged in Vienna several years ago. Excellent supporting performances are given by Franchot ,Tone and Walter Connolly. The , supporting programme is of a variety and quality in keeping with the principal picture. . , ST. JAMES THEATRE. . "Moonlight Murder," which . makes up the second half of the double-feature programme, now showing at the St. James Theatre, is a thrilling and convincing murder .mystery which - con-; cerns -a dual Natality at Hollywood. Gino ,d'Acosta, well played by Leo Carillo, is a visiting "Continental opera star 'who; just, before taking part in a performance of "II Trovatore" at the famous Hollywood Bowl, receives several warnings' that ii he sings lie will die. Despite one at-tempt-on his. life; he appears in the opera, arid is smitten by a mysterious hand. Steve Farrell' (Chester: Morris), an enterprising young detective, steps in; and is assisted by Madge Evanis in his attempts to clear up the mystery. H., B. Warner, Katherine Alexander, and Benita Hume are featured. The Other;attraction .is -"Western.' Frontier," in .which •:Keiv'Maynar.d ,Is, starred, , NEV^ OPERA HOUSE. The; double, bill, at' .the ■ New Opera House contains two features of widely differing .appeal. ,: ''Timothy's Quest,"' by the author of "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," is a really delightful tale of a boy's' quest for a mother for j his little sister. The boy has Don! Quixote always beforehim. asjiis hero, and this trait is- cleverly, woven vinta the story. The children are victims of baby farmers \in a city saloon, but they manage to make their escapeby giving a false alarm of fire; and finally they are given shelter" iri' a farmhouse in the country. Here a soured arid; elderly spinster seems a most unpromising proposition as an adopting mother, but she gradually melts and i all ends happily. The second feature, "The Sky Parade," is replete from start to finish with sensational • flying, aeroplanes crash and burn, and one gasps with trepidation at the various "stunts." The supporting programme is a good one. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ! Good humoured, affable, and smiling j in public, an insanely jealous, horribly1 brutal husband in private—that is the part Charles Laughton plays in "The Deyil and the. Deep," at the Paramount Theatre, as the commander of a.sub-) marine based at a small port on the north coast of Africa. No one but his young- and charming wife, Pauline) (Tallulah Bankhead), knows the real secret of his character. When Sturm has one of his lieutenants transferred for negligence of duty, Pauline knows thereal reason is jealousy. She tries to convince him that .his suspicions are wrong, but he goes into an insane fit. Pauline dashes madly from the house and gets mixed up in a mob celebrating a holiday. Here, a' young man (Gary Cooper) rescues her. Later the two ride out into ..-the desert to_ enjoy the quiet and beauty of the night. Romance begins to assert itself, Timt' she insists they must never see each other again. Next day this young man reports for duty at Sturm's home. Sturm's suspicions are aroused. The story works up to a thrilling and dramatic climax. KING'S THEATRE. A rollicking tale of romance arid adventure, "Professional Soldier," brings Freddie Bartholomew and Victor McLaglen tbgether on the screen of the King's Theatre. The principal figure in the tale is Victor McLaglen, an adventurer who loves to fight and fights for a price^-until he meets the little lad who can pierce his tough shell. Just as this blustering warrior is reaching the end of his resources in Paris, he is hired by revolutionists of a little kingdom to carry away their king. But he has not been told the.king is a little boy, and a great friendship springs up between ■■ the blustering 'braggart of a soldier and the delicate and brave- lad. Jane Withers returns to the lovable harum-scarum type of role that first brought her screen fame in "Little Miss Nobody," which is also on the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. Paramount's presentation of "Anything Goes," the Broadway musical comedy success, heads the programme at the Princess Theatre. It is a sparkling, happy comedy, starring Bing Crosby, and contains all the famous song hits associated with this play. The additional attraction is Monogram's masterly adaptation of the popular Gene Stratton-Porter story, ''The Keeper of the Bees." Neil Hamilton. Betty Furness, Edith Fellowes, Emma Dunn, Hobart Bosworth, and Helen Jerome Eddy are featured. The short subjects include a coloured cartoon, "Sinbad the Sailor," a screen song, and a Paramount News. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes," with Arthur Wontner in the leading role, and "In Town Tonight," a musical comedy drama, will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Sutter's Gold," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, features Edward Arnold, Lee Tracy, Binnie Barnes, and a very large cast. The story deals with the romance of a man who discovers gold and it shows the rush ofhumanity that takes place and I te.Mials- {& those- ikkiug. pextiniU

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE XUXE THEATKE. In "Viennese Love Song," now showing at the De Luxe Theatre, Jean Muir has a role that would tax the talent of a seasoned player and acquits herself splendidly. It is a stirring' romance of a Viennese singer and his rise to fame. Others in the cast in- ' elude Gene Gerrard, Hans Sonker, and ! Chili-Bouchier. The associate feature, i "The Big, Noise,'.' starring Guy Kibbee, I is a romantic comedy drama filled with thrilling episodes and hilarious laughter. The "supporting programme includes a Universal Newsreel and musical selections by the Orchestra De Luxe and organ. No more dramatic thrills have ever been shown in a picture embracing the activities of G-Men than in the Warner Bros, production "Public Enemy's Wife," which comes to the De Luxe Theatre on Friday. Yet the picture has a unique and unusual flavour, as in addition- to the exciting episodes, there is a fascinating romance between the ace G-Man and .the woman in the title role, the wife of a public enemy, although at the time she is the exwife. An unusually talented cast includes Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong, ■ Cesar Romero, Dick Foran, Joseph King, Richard Purcell, and AdcSison Richards in the featured leads. PLAZA THEATKK. "Under Two Flags," the new and particularly fine version of Ouida's famous story, is showing ;for ■an extended season .at the Plaza Theatre. The. excellent acting of Ronald Colman, Claudette Colbert. Victor McLaglen, and.Rosalind. Russell has breathed into the drama an air of convincing reality, still further augmented by sound direct-j ing pod by the beautiful and .real desert scenes. The story opens in the military circle of the Foreign Legion in Northern Africa. Major Doyle (Victor McLaglen) is infatuated with Cigarette (Claudette Colbert), who runs a cafe frequented by the soldiers of the legion. Cigarette fallr, in love with Sergeant Victor (Ronald Colman), but the sergeant is in love with Lady Venetia,(Rosalind Russell). Not knowing this, Major Doyle, in a passion of jealousy, sends Victor three times on a mission of doom and each time he returns. The final scenes of desert warfare, when Victor and his garrison are relieved, are some of the most spectacular in the- history of the films. There is art. excellent supporting programme.; ■::■■■■■ ;> . ■ •■',. v : ,-■.' ... ■"

'':y' STATE THEATRE. ■'\. ■ The picturesque country of the Austrian Tyrol is the setting of the Mm "Sins of Man," now screening at the State Theatre. Jean Hersholt ("The Country Doctor") takes- the part of Christopher Fryman, the bellnnger and sexton of a small Tyrolean village. His one ambition is that one of his sons will grow up to take his place as bellringer. but he is bitterly disappointed in Karl, the elder, who ;s deeply interested in aviation, and in Gabriel, the younger, who is born a deaf mute. Karl leaves the village for New York, where he makes good as an airman, performing difficult and dangerous feats. He sends money for his father to Come to America to arrange for special medical attention to Gabriel, but while old Christopher is in New York war is declared. He is prevented -from returning, and early news reports thai the Tyrolean village has been bombed. Christopher's life, until years afterwards, when: he again meets Gabriel in amazing'circumstances, is told in a strange mixture of pathos and- liumour. ! ' . < I SHORTTS;THEATRE. ■•■ -Th ■'■■"Bulldog Jack,"' the main-featurs. at Shortt's" Theatre, Jack Hulbert. has an entirely new type of role, a mixture of heroics and comedy, .undeniably: the best this talented- .-comedian of many big hits'has'yet pufover. The pictureis' the ' funniest of Hulbert comedies with a storyrwhich ■al«c>;paeks--genuine thrillsi' -'Dante's Inferno." the associate feature, creates for the first time, on the talking screen the thrilling' adventure of Dante in his journey through Inferno, serving as the expression of a j modern story theme. Spencer Tracy. Claire Trevor, and Henry B. Walthall head the featured cast. ."She . Couldn't Take It,", starring George Raft and Joan Bennett, and "Grand Exit," with Edmund Lowe and Ann Sothern, will be the new features at Shortt's Theatre on Friday. ROXY THEATRE. "Riffraff," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring vehicle for Jean Harlow arid Spencer Tracy, is the main feature at the Boxy Theatre. The picture presents Miss Harlow in one of her most unusual roles, on angel of the waterfront who marries a braggart and a bully and spends the rest of her life trying to reform him. Nights of love, days of laughter, and the haunting spell of romantic Vienna are echoed in the remarkable new example of screen entertainment. "The Night Is Young,'1 a- glamorous love story of Vienna, which is the supporting feature, with the lovely English star, Evelyn Laye, as a teammate for Ramon Novarro. JOLBIRNIE KINEMA The Cosmopolitan comecy, ■"Page Miss Glory," with Marion- Davies , m the stellar/role and a supporting cast composed of more than a score of Hollywood stars and featured players, is now showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. "Page Miss Glory" is said to be the'finest of Miss. Davies's-stellar vehicles. The casting' of< Myrna Loy opposite Warner Baxter'in Frank Capra's. Columbia picture, "Broadway Bill," which is the associate feature, brings her together again.. with the first- leading man she ever had on the screen. "Broadway Bill'" is a romantic comedy in which Baxter plays a reckless, lovable roustabout, and Miss Loy is a horse-loving feminine counterpart of him. STATE THEATRE, FETONE. With Walter Abel and Margot Grahame co-starred RKO Radio assembled an unusually strong and well-balanced cast for its thrilling mystery film,-"Two in ; the. Dark," .which heads the new programme at the State Theatre. Petone, tonight. Alan Hale, Wallace Ford, Gail Patrick, Erin O'Brien-Moore, Eric Blore, and Erik Rhodes have important roles. A lovely miss in danger.and outlaws who test the mettle of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police furnish peril and adventure aplenty for George O'Brien in "O'Malley of the Mounted," the action-crammed. Fox drama which will also be shown. OPR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. i With a sweep and realistic power probably never before approached by motion pictures, 20th : Century Fox brings^ to the screen in "The Prisoner of Shark Island," now showing at Our Theatre, the true story of the most tragic figure in America's history. With Warner Baxter starred in the leading role, the picture tells the story of the gentle Maryland physician who was trapped with Lincoln's murderer, and who spent years in a living hell for a crime he had never committed. Gloria Stuart is cast as Baxter's heroic and loving -wife. Fred Stone and Jean Parker have the leading roles in "The Farmer in the Dell," the second attraction. ■' • ' •■'"■' KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. The dreaded Devil's Island,, paiijted in fact and fiction as the hell-hole of the tropics, serves as the locale for a highly exciting melodrama called "Escape From Devil's.lsland," now showing at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt. Victor Jory, Florence Rice, and Norman Foster head the cast. The romantic theme takes a tragic turn, climaxed by a novel and exciting denouement. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight a special double programme will be screened at the Regal Theatre, Karori. "The Captain Hates the Sea," with Victor McLaglen and John Gilbert, 13 a splendid satire on liner life. In "Dangerous Intrigue" Ralph Bellamy arid.' Gloria Thee qppear in. a gripping^ sensational grants*

lIVOU THEATRE. One of those gay, effervescent, and light-hearted comedies, Paramount's "The Gilded Lily," is now screening at the Tivoli Theatre to score another hit for its star, Claudette Colbert, who lias been seen in so many of the recent season's successes. Assisted by Fred Mac Murray and Ray Milland in the principal romantic roles, Miss Colbert gives an entire performance in her topnotch comedy vein, with short and de- - lightiul sequences of the dancing and r singing she first introduced in "Torch t Singer." Robert Donat, the handsome - young English actor who rose, to world - fame overnight when he was brought 5 to Hollywood to play. "The Count of - Monte Cristo," makes^ -his latest ap--1 pearance in "The Ghosi Goes West," v I Alexander Korda's gay. romantic , | comedy , which will also be shown. ) Jean Parker and Eugene Pallette head • the supporting cast. "The Ghost Goes - West", follows the amazing and amus- - ins adventures of a handsome and ; amiable "spook" who haunts an ancient Scottish castle. !' RIVOLI THEATRE. 5 "Gabriel. Over the White House," >! now screening at the Rivoli Theatre, Is : based on the anonymous novel of the ; same name, a book which stirred up , some discussion in political as well as t literary circles because of its mode of • approach to present-day problems. Walter Huston, as the President of the - United States, gives a performance ; magnificent in its penetrating quality and forceful conviction. Karen Morley • gives a warm, human touch to her role, and the popular Franchot Tone is \ splendid as the President's secretary. The work of such supporting players as Arthur Byron, Dickie Moore, C. Henry Gordon. David Landau, Samuel I Hinds, William Pawley, Jean Parker, : and Claire Dubrey leaves nothing to ' be desired, while the direction of Gregory La Cava is striking and crisp. ' Also on the bill is the now famous ' "Thin Man," a picture which set a [ standard when first presented for its crisp dialogue, its swift-moving action, [ and unusual theme, and the remarkable acting of all concerned. William Powell lias probably the most corijjenial role of his career as Nick Charles, a brilliant detective, who emerges from retirement to investigate three mysterious murders. Myrna Lby, as his charming wife, heads a fine supporting cast. ' ■ . ■■ REX THEATRE. Zane Grey's action romance of the west, "Heritage of the Desert," made into a Paramount picture with a cast headed by Randolph Scott, Sally Blanc, and J. Farrell Mac Donald. is now at the Rex Theatre. The picture follows the plot of the novel closely, and with - its thrilling treatment of'the; activities, of rustlers, and a romance between a |. young surveyor and a rancher's daughter, it is gripping entertainment. "The Girl in 419," a romantic, idrama set : against the background of a police emergency hospital, is now also screening. James Dunn and Gloria Stuart have the leading roles, and the supporting cast is headed by David Manners. Jack La Rue. Shirley Grey, Johnny Hines, arid William Harrigan. All the excitement and humour of the day's routine in the receiving ward of an emergency hospital are crammed into the picture. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. The riotous adventures of a schoolmaster, the pursuit of a priceless necklace, and the budding romance of a wealthy widow, are the main themes of the star attraction, commencing tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone, "Boys Will be Boys," starring Will Hay and Gordon Harker. Comedy, suspense, and drama are expertly combined in .the supporting feature, "Hot' Tip," featuring Zasu Pitts and James Gleasbn. : Selected "shorts" will.', be shownfrom 7.30.p.m. to 8. p.m. ■ , .". ■ SEASIDE T3EATEI", -,iYALL BAY. The programme tonight at the Seaside Theatre. presents/Elisabeth -Berg-i ne'r in ".Escape'Me "Never." .Elisabeth Bergher.;.is. .rightly' described as ■■'■ theworld's greatest living actress, and her brilliant acting Jiasv'prpv^d a Revelation I wherever • this ■ picture '• has b*.en" shown throughout the world: : The. additional attraction :'is Edward Everett Horton in "Her Master's- Voice/'.another of the hilarious comedies which have made him famous. An excellent supporting j programme will be screened. RICHARD CROOKS. Arrangements have been completed for, the,1 wprld-famous tenor, Richard Crooks, -to '.commence 'his brief concert season here, shortly. Owing ft his oversea engagements, Mr. Crooks's stay ill.New Zealand must necessarily be limited. Only 'seven appearances will be possible in the whole of the Dominion. When Mr. Crooks made his sensational debut at the Metropolitan Opera something happened that had not occurred since the days of Caruso's prime. The entire crew of stage-hands gathered in his dressing-room an hour before they were due to report for work and'decorated it with flowers and mottoes and amusing toys, just to please him. Then, three hours later, the vast and critical audience did something else "to please him"; they rose to their feet, yelled, shouted, and forced the amazed young man to return for thirty-seven curtain calls. Everybody feels that "certain something" that emanates from Richard Crooks, and when he sings there is no great gulf between the footlights, and the audience. While, singing Beethoven's song, "I Love Thee," at a recent recitala "black alley" feline stalked up the aisle. The audience sat in complete silence,: glancing first at the artist and then at the animal, expecting any minute to hear it attempt to harmonise. But-the*'.cat was apparently too charmed to- utter even a "meow." When Mr. Crooks' completed his number he nonchalantly turned to the audience and said, "We.seem to have a guest here who ■ hasn't paid for his ticket!" The audienpe responded with a generous , round of laughter. Preliminary.booking :for the :two Welling ton concerts will now be received at the D.I.C. Full details are advertised. . ' _ , > , :■..-. .I.i "THE DUTCH FAIR." The Seatoun Pierrot Troupe will entertain tonight at 8 o'clock at 1. he Dutch Fair" in the Town Hall. Music will be provided by the Boys' Institute Band. Evening admission to the lair is Is. children half-price. A jumble. sale will be held tomorrow, afternoon, to which admission is free Coming evening attractions are Mr. Herbert t . Wood's concert party and the Port Nicholson Silver Band tomorrow night, an exhibition of wrestling and music by the Artillery Band on Friday, Miss Heather Wright in acrobatic, eccentric, and tap dances, and Miss Oates s pupils in an exhibition of clog dancing on Saturday night. The children s grand fancy dress party will be held on Saturday afternoon: at 3 o'clock. Admission is,, adults Is; children 6d. ■- BOYS' INSTITUTE STREET DAY. A street day will'be held tomorrow to raise funds to enable the committee of the Boys-Institute and S. A. Rhodes Home for Boys to refurnish the boarding establishment which urgently requires new furniture and furnishings. The Boys' Institute is carried by purely voluntary contributions1 and endowments and it is hoped by tomorrow's street day to add considerably to the finances 6f the institution.; ■'■ .'.■: "'. :

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. .'A splendid "double-feature programme screens' tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. The main attraction is "Woman. Wanted," featuring Joel McCrea, Maureen .O'Sullivan, Lewis Stone, Louis' Calhern, and Adrienne Ames, and deals with the winning battle of law against the underworld. "Men in White," the second feature, costarring Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, is a dramatic hospital story. An excellent supporting programme will be shown from 7.30 p.m.. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY The principal attraction at the Empire Theatre this evening, "The Virginia Judge." starring Walter C. Kelly and Stepin Fetchit, centres around the many problems, .both serious and amusing, which confront a genial smalltown Judge. The supporting feature is "Without Regret," with Ehssa Landi, Paul Cavanagfr, and Frances Drake. A Paramount newsawtf .wytl also- b?