CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 69, 18 September 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Entertainment of an exceptionally high standard is contained in "Fatal Lady," which opened, today 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 of the' ordinary and makes it one of exceptional interest and merit. It is the story of the career of a gifted singer, who comes under suspicion for the violent deaths of those who are attracted to her. Drama and mystery are contained in the opening when an admirer is found dead in Texas with her photograph in his pocket. A wealthy Brazilian who proposes to her is stabbed in the back while enacting a mock scene with her. Madly in love with the star, a young American follows her to Paris, but he is. found dead in his car under mysterious circumstances. Determined to unravel the of the. Amerin-n'F ' . an elder brother endeavours to find the murderer by the desperate rnew~u of publicly woohrg her himself. It as at--this stage of the film that the excitement "is'at its height. The glorious voice of Mary Jjjllis, 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. Pidgeon;ahd the others in an exception-, ally strong cast are Norman Foster, Guy Bates- Post, John Halliday, Alan Mowbray, Ruth Donnelly, Edgar Kennedy, and Samuel Hinds.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The King Steps Out," now at the Majestic Theatre, is a film with: out defect, and its appeal has. been such'" that an extended ,s" . i was a foregone conclusion. Grace Moore's, ability as a singer and as an; -actress are too well known to need description. The story is the old one, of the king , who falls hv love'with a princess masquerading as a- dressmaker, but it is given a delightfully fresh interpretation by the director, Josef von Sternberg. The music, by Fritz Kreisler, embodies the slow section of "Caprice Viennois," arranged for the voice, fragments of other familiar violin compositions 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 art 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. Hazel Terry, . seventeen-year-old f rand-niece of the world-loved .Ellen 'erry, makes her screen,debut at the St. James 'Theatre in Capitol's <'The Marriage of Corbal," in which she is starring opposite Nils Asther. Director Karl Grune congratulates himself on his latest "find,'; and predicts that Hazel is destined ;to carry :the immortal name of Terry to still greater heights in the entertainment world. Miss Terry's role in this thrilling Rafael Sabatini story is that of a young aristocrat, during the Revolutionary days, who is rescued from the :guillotine, and, masquerading;as a drummer boy, succeeds in' making her escape to the chateau of the Marquis' of Corbal. How she manages to elude the attentions of an unscrupulous young cteputy-citizen arid finally manages, with the help of the. marquis, to escape to the Swiss border, _is told in this exciting story. Hugh Sinclair and Noah Beery have leading roles. Also screening is an ■ adaptation of Harold Bell Wright's "The Mine .With-the-Iron Door.". , - /;; ,

PARAMOUNT THEATRE., Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy are the-featurfid-players in-Arthur-Stomers ■Roche's "Penthouse," which opens totoday for a return season at the Paramount Theatre. As a scion of an aristocratic New York family, and a Society lawyer who chooses to defend; notorious racketeers, Warner Baxter is said to give one of Ihe finest -performances of his loiig motion picture career. As Gertie Waxled,; a' beautiful night-club girl, Myrna Loy-far: surpasses any of her triumphs in-previous picture productions. With exou&Joles now a part of her brilliant past, in "Penthouse" she has taken command of one of the strongest and most:lovable characterisations of her career; and her romantic scenes with Warner Baxter will long be remembered.'Mae Clark, Broadway stage favourite, fills a featured role as Mimi, the gorgeous night club hostess who meets ; a mysterious death. Phillips Holmes heads the supporting cast.

KING'S THEATRE. A'new double-feature programme of •comedy and drama is being presented at the King's Theatre. "Love on a' Bet" deals with the hectic adventures of a penniless young man "who, for a wager, travels from New Ybrkto Los Angeles in his underwear. Gene Raymond, Wendy Barrie, and Helen Broderick have the leading roles in ' this. fast-moving comedy-romance. The second feature, "The Last Outlaw," is an outdoor drama of the type of the famous "Covered Wagon" and "Cimarron." Harry Carey, Hoot Gibson, and Margaret Callahan are the leading players.

PRINCESS THEATRE. A stirring drama of small- j town bigotry and intolerance, the Warner Bros, production, "I Married a' Doctor," is the chief attraction at the Princess Theatre. The picture is based on a novel by Sinclair Lewis, which caused a furore, and is filled with pathqs and. tragedy and dynamic scenes, enlivened by romance, sparkling dialogue, and comedy. Pat O'Brien and Josephine Hutchinson have the romantic leads. The supporting feature, "Peg of Old Drury," is a great and true story, which gives Anna Neagle the finest opportunity of her bright career. It also introduces Sir Cedric •'•■ Hardwicke as David . Garrick, one of the greatest actors the English stage has ever known. Conspicuous among the short subjects is a musical revue' in new Technicolour, entitled :'Okay, Jose."

; ROXS THEATRE. At" a successor to their two previous full-length hits, "Fra Diavolo" and "Babes in Toyland," the gay buffoons, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, make their latest feature-length film appearance in "The Bohemian Girl," Hal Roach's ambitious filmisation of the world-famed operetta which has thrilled generations, nowscreening at the Roxy Theatre. 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. Joan Crawford find Clark Gable are co-starred in "Chained," the supporting feature. Clark Gable plays the role of a young rancher in South America. Joan Crawford gives one of the finest performances of her vivid career. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAK. ''Professional Soldier," screening at tho Capitol Theatre tonight and at a matinee tomorrow at 2.15 p.m., stars Victor McLaglen, Freddie Bartholomew, Gloria Stuart, and Michael Whalen. This grand adventure picture tells the amazing story of a little king and a blustering soldier of fortune who become pals in peril. "It's In the Air," the associate feature, stars Jack' Benny, Ted Healy, Nat Pendleton, Una Merkel, and Mary Carlisle, and is a hilarious comedy. \ SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. ' Amid the stirring conflict and trying times of Civil War days, Shirley Teniple .blithely threads . her way .as the heroine of "The Littlest Reßel," screening at the Seaside Theatre tomorrow. "The Littlest Rebel" presents Shirley with a supporting cast which includes John Boles, Jack Holt, Karen Morley, and the wonder tap dancer, Bill, Robinson. Also screening tomorrow night is the comedy-romance. "I Live My Life," featuring Joan Crawford,'Frank Morgan,'and Brian Alierne.

GITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. An unusual type of G-Man picture will be the feature attraction at' the X)e Luxe Theatre today, "Public Enemy's Wife," in which Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, R6bert Armstrong, Cesar Romero, and Dick Foran have the leading roles. The picture is said to be crammed with thrills, including the overpowering of guards on a train and the escape of a gangster killer; the attempted murder of the bridegroom of the divorced wife of the killer; the kidnappin, of the bride; a gun battle between G-Men and the criminal band in their hide-out; the seizing of a ship chartered by the gangsters in which they plan to flee the country, taking the young bride and captured secret service operatives with them. In this scene there is another, and fiercer gun fight, with the chief of crooks meeting his death. The supporting programme will include musical. presentations by the Orchestra De Luxe and organ.

PLAZA'THEATRE. "Under Two Flags," the new and particularly fine version of Ouidas famous story, is now in its third week at the Plaza Theatre. The excellent acting of Ronald Colman, Claudette', J Colbert, Victor McLaglen,' and Rosalind Russell has breathed into the drama ah air of convincing: reality, still further augmented by sound directing and by the beautiful ;. arid 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 falls un 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 an 1 excellent supporting programme. .

STATE THEATRE. Combining comedy, music, and dancing with the new full-colour technicolour, "Dancing Pirate" opens today at the State Theatre, and presents the inimitable funning of Frank. Morgan in a characterisation surpassing even his "Duke" in "The Affairs of Cellini, together with a series of novel terpsichlrean ensembles. The story is laid in Old Spanish,California'and features a hilarious succession of embarrassing situations, encountered by a young Boston dancing • master as he seeks to win, love and- conquer an amazing array of villains. Charles Collins, the screen's new dancing star, has the title role, and co-featured' is Steffi Duna, Luis Albemv Victor Varconi. Jack La Rue,' thevßoyal > Cansino family, two scoreVof expert-Spanish dancers, and marry other, favourites round out the cast. ' The production presents many musical arid terpsichorean novelties; beautiful Spanish dances performed by famous soloists and elaborate ensembles; also the presentation of a new dance rhythm, the Huapango, currently the.rage throughout Mexico.

REX THEATRE. 'A turbulent tale of thrilling adventure and romance in one of the most exciting: periods of American history is Richard Dix's newest picture, "Yellow Dust," which opened today at the Rex Theatre. Drawn from the Broadway play, "Mother Lode," by Dan Totlieroh and; George O'Neil, the story unfolds- in; the colourful territory where the frenzied days of the 1860 gold fever are revealed as/a background for a drama. that_makes..full...use of all. the passions,-romance, greed* mad gaiety, and'lawlessrie'ss'pi the ■ period. Dix strikes '}the:<fiiche9t?,-mirie and then nearly loses" it; and his life along with it, when he strikes romance in the person of an alluring gold camp entertainer played by Leila.Hyams. Also on the bill is the musical success "Dance Band." At the head of the cast is Buddy Rogers, who made such a decided hit in a • series of Hollywood musical films some years ago. June Clyde makes a; delightful partner for him.

NEW, OPERA HOUSE. .-The inimitable Mae West again makes her'.appearance in a characteristic role in her latest comedy romance "Klondike Annie," which is now showing at the New Opera House. The story commences with the flight of "Frisco Doll" (Mae 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 boat is a woman missionary who, strangely, enough, succeeds in inspiring "Frisco Doll" to better things. When the missionary, is snatched away by death the runaway impersonates her to escape the clutches of the police, and starts work in the mission settlement of a gold-rush town.-. Her methods are unique, ,but they bring results. How her identity is discovered by a police officer and how she finally works out the: tangled skein of her romance is swept along to a novel ana happy ending. The supporting programme is excellent. !

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Two in the Dark" and "O'Malley of the Mounted" conclude, at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight. Telling the true story of the most tragic figure in American history, 20th Century's "The Prisoner of- Shark Island" comes tomorrow to the State Theatre, Petone, starring Warner Baxter with Gloria Stuart and a supporting cast of over one .thousand. Dipping into.the hectic days following the close of the Civil War, the picture depicts the assassination of Lincoln and the flight of the assassin to the country home of Baxter, a doctor. For the unintentional, crime of setting the broken leg of a man abont whom he knew nothing Baxter is arrested and sentenced.to life: imprisonment at the dreaded Federal prison on the Dry Tortugas. In stark, terrifying fashion the picture reveals the physical and spiritual agonies of this unjustly sentenced man, his desperate attempt at escape, his ■. courage under the brutal degradation of prison life, and his final vindication/Patrons are particularly advised to. book early.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Page : Miss Glory" and "Broadway Bill" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema.'••' . ' . Joan Crawford brings a new kind of picture as well as a new leading man to the Kilbirnie Kinema tomorrow with her hew Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "I Live My Life." The story is novel, dramatic, and at times uproariously funny. The leading man is Brian Aherne, the distinguished English actor, who with this jyrcture comes into / his ■ own as a • leading . man to be reckoned with; Miss Crawford has never been more: glamorous than in this sprightly, magnificently mounted production. Supporting .the. leading players is a superb cast. Frank Morgan is at his fumbling, mumbling- best as the well-meaning father. In the supporting' feature, "She Married Her Boss," Claudette Colbert has every opportunity to display the piquant charm that has so endeared her. to the moviegoing public. The ■ film is, in essence, a comedy, but enough of the dramatic runs ! through at-,to give it backbone. Melvyn' Douglas and "Michael Bartlett head: the splendid supporting cast. GRAND.THEATRE, PETONE. "Woman . Wante'd"i and "Men in White" concluded,tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petohe. Sparkling comedy, captivating sing: ing, inspiring dancing, fine acting, lovely . songs, ..and .a: delightful story arethe elements of Columbia's new musical film, "The Music Goes Round," which' opens; tomorrow at the Grand Theatre, Petohe. Harry Richman, one of America's premier entertainers, Farley and Riley, composers of the sensational song, "The Music Goes 'Round and Around," Douglass Dumbrille, Lionel' Stander, Henry Mollison, and Etienne Giradot head the huge cast.

TIVOLI THEATRE. I "Anything Goes," which opens today iat the. Tivoii,.Theatre, is a jolly i tuneful, : entertaining' picture. This songstarred ',.- Paramount presentation of the popular Broadway musical comedy which broke records during its New York run has in the cast such favourites as Ethel Merman, Charles Ruggles, Ida Lupino., and Grace Bradley. All the famous Cole Porter songs of the Broadway show are heard in this mirthful picture. He has provided a number of others which are equally as good as "You're the Top," ."Anything Goes," and "I Get a Kick Out of You." The audience is carried headlong from amusing escapades to diverting songs, and from spectacular night club scenes to madcap comedy. The appealing Carole Lombard is seen in a brilliant sophisticated screen comedy, "Love Before.Breakfast,",which will also be shown. In this Universal offering Miss Lombard portrays a self-determined, opinionated young woman who believes she wants to marry two different men. She gives them both a temnestuous time, while she is deciding between them. '• Preston Foster and Cesar Romero . are cast as the two .suitors. j

RIVOLI THEATRE. By special request a midnight matinee will be held at the Rivoli Theatre tonight at which the features will be "The Thin Man" and "The : Invisible Ray," with Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. Heading the programme at the usual sessions at.the Rivoli Theatre tonight and tomorrow will be "Dangerous Intrigue," featuring Ralph Bellamy and Gloria Shea. The other attraction will be the startling aviation spectacle, "West Point of the Air." Just as '\tieii Divers", was the great air epic of the United States Navy, so is the new picture £ a breath-taking revelation of Uncle Sam's strength in the air corps training centres of the army. Wallace Beery in his role as "Big Mike" gives a dramatic portrayal that surpasses even his performance in "The Champ." His pathetic love for a son (Robert Young) whose conceit ; almost brings disgrace, to the air corps builds into the foundation for one of the most smashing screen climaxes ever filmed. Heading'; the supporting cast as the young romantic lead is Maureen O'Sullivan, who .gives a ireshness and vitality..ibher performance that will win. many admirers. Rosalind Russell, Lewis Stone, and Jimmy Gleason have important roles. j OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. I The magic of great song is the principal attraction tonight at Our Theatre, where Lawrence Tibbett is starring in 20th Century's "Metropolitan," the bright and charming romance of a young singer. . Pictured with sympathy, vigour, and an abundance of sparkling comedy, "Metropolitan" traces Tibbett's career as a young singer who can brook no delay, launches out on the world on his own, meets discouragement, disappointment, and romance and, at last, recognition. The associate feature is "Everybody's Old Man," a; delightful comedy, starring Irvin S. Cobb and Rochelle Hudson.. '■,.„•:. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Boys Will Be Boys" and "Hot Tip" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone. , ■ Commencing tomorrow at 2 p.m at the Palace Theatre, Petone, and then showing nightly at 7.30 for three nights is S. S. Van'Dine's latest Philo Vance mystery story, "The. Garden Murder Case," starring Edmund Lowe and Virginia Bruce and featuring Nat Pendleton, Benita Hume, H. B. Warner, and Grant Mitchell. Lowe gives a performance that is utterly delightful, as he drawls his way in and out of a series of thrilling adventures, more than once being in actual danger of sudden death. The supporting attraction 'is the delightful comedy-drama, "The Farmer in the Dell," co-starring Fred Stone and Jean Parker.

SHORTT'S THEATRE. "' "She" Couldn't "Take It," "the George Raft-Joan Bennett romantic comedy of an ex-gangster who inherits the guardianship of : a; family of madcap bluebloods, is the main feature at Shortt's Theatre. Raft is seen as the reformed beer baron, Ricardi, whose major problem is his pledged duty to tame ' the "mad Van Dykes." The spitfire daughter, Carol, is played by Joan Bennclt. Reunited for the first time since Ann Sothern's screen debut in "Let's Fall in Love," Edmund Lowe, versatile leading man, and the blonde star are. co-starred in the second feature, "Grand Exit," Columbia's exciting comedy-drama dealing with the activities of a pyromaniac.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. The "Witness Chair," Ann Harding's new picture, now showing at the King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, is one of the few stories filmed that acquaints an audience with the murderer at the beginning of the picture. It drives through a cross-section of human passions and legal procedure to a novel climax. A new romantic screen team is that formed by John Arledge and Louise Latimer in featured roles of "Two in Revolt," a unique motion picture drama of the friendship between a police dog and a thoroughbred horse, which will also be shown.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

• 'Little Lord Fauntleroy," which is to be screened at the Empire Theatre, this evening, tells of a little American lad who becomes a lord and goes to England, where, he transforms his gruff old grandfather into a loving and delightful person. Freddie Bartholomew, C. Aubrey Smith, and Dolores Costello Barrymdre head the cast, A Walt Disney coloured cartoon, a featurette entitled "Dog Days," and a Fox Australian newsreel will also be screened.

RICHARD CROOKS. J. and N. Tait announce with great regret that owing to the limited time available it will not be possible for the celebrated tenor, Richard Crooks, to give any concerts outside the capital cities of New Zealand. For the convenience of-country patrons all wires and letters are being filed by the-management and : seats will be marked off in the order of receipt. Owing to the unprecedented interest in the limited appearances which will take- place in the Wellington Town Hall; on Tuesday, September 29, and Thursday, October: 1, also to the fact that the twenty-eight concerts given in Sydney and Melbourne were completely sold out, clients from a distance are advised to make early application for reservations in order to avoid disappointment. Preferential applications are now being received at the D.I.C. Ordinary booking will open next Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock at all reserved prices. Under no circumstances will it be possible to extend the Wellington season. Following Wellington, the great singer will give two concerts in Christchurch, one in Dunedin and two in Auckland. Prior to leaving for New Zealand, Richard Crooks will give one farewell concert in Melbourne at the Exhibition, accommodation being provided for 20,000 people. Already 13,000 seats have been taken up for this concert, which for attendance will break all known Records in Victoria. __