CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 73, 23 September 1936, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Mary Ellis, the Metropolitan Opera star, makes another appearance on the screen in "Fatal Lady," the main feature at the v ßegent Theatre. The plot is not the one usually encountered in musical films; it is dramatic, at times powerfully so, the action is rapid, varied, and interesting, and the principal actors are convincing in their various roles. The story is that of a singer .(Mary Ellis) whose charm makes her beloved by all. but whose lovers are alt slain by an unknown hand as soon as they declare their love, in circumstances that in each case place the famous singer under suspicion, and ruin her career in the country concerned. Consequently she spends her time travelling from country to country in pursuit of her career, but just when success and happiness are within her grasp the unknown murderer strikes, suspicion falls on her, and she is forced to disappear. In the chief romantic role is Walter Pidgeon, The supporting programme includes a Popeye the Sailor cartoon. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The glorious voice of Grace Moore. splendid acting on the part of all, and an intriguing theme make "The King Steps Out," now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, excellent film entertainment. The theme is not a new one, but it has been given a new application, and therefore is refreshing. An Austrian king (Franchot Tone) falls in love with a singer who masquerades as a dressmaker. .n reality she is a princess, who, with her sister, visits this nearby kingdom..The matchmaking propensities of the king s mother result in the betrothal of her son with the singer's sister, and as )t is not a love match both parties are upset. Grace Moore sets out to rectify the position by captivating the king with her own charms. The supporting programme is of a variety and quality in keeping with the principal picture. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The French Revolution provides an excellent background for the screen version of Rafael Sabatim's romance, "The Marriage of Corbal," now showing at the St James Theatre. A new actress, Hazel Terry, the grandmece of Ellen Terry, makes her screen debut as a young aristocrat who is sentenced to the guillotine, but is saved by the young revolutionary leader, a part admirably played by Nils Asther. Masquerading as a drummer boy, she makes her escape from Paris. . While being pursued she is rescued by the Marquis of Corbal. The attempts of the citizen-deputy to win her back lead the story to an exciting climax. A second feature of the programme is the thrilling romance, by Harold Bell Wright, "The Mine With the Iron Door." Richard Arlen and Henry B. Walthall have the leading parts. NEW OPERA HOUSE. The droll humour of Mac West is seen at its best* in "Klondike Annie," her latest comedy romance, now showing at the New Opera House. This clever actress ably demonstrates that she can discard her humour to sink to the depths of pathos, many scenes affording her this opportunity. The story opens in the Chinatown of San Francisco where the y.Frisco Doll" (Mac West"), while escaping to reach the goldfields in Alaska, is compelled to murder a Chinaman. She secures a berth in a tramp steamer proceeding north and causes the skipper (Victor McLaglen) to fall under her charm. Due;to the influence of a woman missionary, " 'Frisco Doll" is induced to relinquish her former ways and adopt a better life. How, in her missionary guise, she affects the life of the whole town and how her romance is. at last straightened out provide a unique and happy, finish. There is a good supporting programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy head the cast of "Penthouse," which is playing a return season at the Paramount Theatre. Baxter is .fat his best as a youthful member of ..one of New York's most aristocratic families, who, as a lawyer, has a penchant for championing the bottom dog. The picture is a vivid portrayal of modern life in New York, of happenings in mad Manhattan, and of political plotting and clandestine romance—a daring revelation of the merry-go-round of life in the gay metropolis. KING'S THEATRE. A splendid double-feature programme combining comedy with drama is showing at the King's Theatre. "Love on a Bet," presenting a new romantic team, Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie, tells of the adventures of a penniless young man who journeys from New York to Los Angeles, clad only in his underwear, in order that he may win a bet, and finance an important theatrical venture. A condition of the bet is that on his arrival in Los Angeles, he should have provided himself with a suit of clothes, one ' hundred dollars, and a wife. "The Last Outlaw," which is the associate feature, stars Harry Carey, Hoot Gibson, and Margaret Callahan. It portrays the difficulties of a man released from gaol after serving a sentence of twenty years' imprisonment. PRINCESS THEATRE. "I Married a Doctor," the chief attraction at the Princess Theatre, is based on a novel by Sinclair Lewis, which caused a furore, and is filled with pathos 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." ROXY THEATRE. As 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, now screening at the Roxy :. Theatre. Joan Crawford and Clark Gable are co-starred ml "Chained,"- the supporting feature. Clark Gable plays the role of a young rancher in South America. Joan Crawford gives one of l.he finest performances of her. vivid, career. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. . An excellent double-feature programme will be shown tonight at the State Theatre, Petone. A love which demands more courage than most women could muster is the dramatic foundation of "The Witness Chair," presenting Ann Harding in her newest stellar role. Walter Abel is Miss Harding's leading man, heading a talented supporting cast. The adventures and escapades of two light-hearted youngsters who look for thrills and find glorious romance constitute the story of Fox Film's delightful comedy-romance, "The Gay Deception," the associate feature, which stars handsome Francis Lederer with lovely Frances Dee. Featurettes will be shown from 7.30 p.m. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Blossom Time," British International Picture's lavish musical romance of Franz Schubert, starring Richard Tauber, comes to the Grand Theatre, Petone, tonight. Tauber, pre-eminent among present-day singers, "lives" the role of Franz Schubert, and his singing is magnificent. "Joy Ride," the hilarious A.T.P. picture starring Zclma O'Neal and Gene Gerard, will also be shown,

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE,

i j An unusual type of G-man picture, !, "Public Enemy's Wife," starring Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong, and Cesar Romero, is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The thrills include a gun battle between Gmen and the criminal band in their hide-out, and 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. "Broadway Hostess," the new Warner Brothers' film, which will commence a season at the Da Luxe Theatre on Friday, is a rollicking comedy, embellished with several catchy song hiisi and spectacles staged on a lavish scale. The story treats of life on the Great White Way, particularly the night clubs and the palatial gambling halls. It is the story of a little country girl %vho goes, to the big city to make good in theatrical work. Comedy and thrills follow in quick succession until a smashing climax is reached. Winifred Shaw, musical comedy star, has the leading role. Phil Regan is her assistant, while Lyle Talbot is the gambler and Genevieve Tobin the society girl, whom Talbot loves. FLAZA THEATRE. "Under Two Flags" is now in its third week at the Plaza Theatre, and such is its popularity that a further extension of the season has been arranged. Claudette Colbert, as Cigarette, the cabaret owner, mascot, and sweetheart of a battalion, adds to the fire of the play. Ronald Colman (Sergeant Victor) is the hero of an inspiring battle between hordes _of Arabs and a handful of Legionnaires at bay in a fort. Victor McLaglen, as Major Doyle, leads his men in anpther heroic battle. The cool elegance of Lady Venetia (Rosalind Russell) brings these scenes of hot desert sands, sure-footed Arab steeds, and the flying garments of galloping Arabs into vivid relief.. Other actors in the film are1 Herbert Mundin, Gregory Ratoff, Nigel Bruce, C. Henry Gordon, John Carradine, and Lumsden Hare. Excellent supports are the latest newsreels, including the berthing of the Awatea in Wellington Harbour, and selected "shorts." STATE THEATRE. The beauty and colour of Old Spanish California makes an ideal background for such a spectacular film as "Dancing Pirate," a Radio picture now screening at the State Theatre. Senoritas, whirling and swaying in the graceful dances typical of their country, frocked in dancing skirts and shawls of gorgeous colours, are partnered by handsome Spaniards, who perform wonders with gailylined cloaks. Two score of expert Spanish dancers were engaged to take part in these elaborate ensembles and are led by Charles Collins, the newly-discovered dancing star, who is supported by Steffii Duna, Luis Alberni, Victor Varcom, Jack la Rue and the Royal Cansino family.. The story centres around that inimitable comedian Frank Morgan, whose work in this film, it is said, excels even his performance as the Duke in "The Affairs of Cellini." There is a very fine supporting programme. REX THEATRE. "My Weakness," the Fox picture now showing at the Rex Theatre, proves a fitting vehicle for the debut of Lilian Harvey, who reaches heights seldom achieved on the screen. As the young ugly duckling who is made ravishing on a wager, Miss Harvey goes through her sequences with a rare lightness of touch and an almost unbelievable charm of manner. She moves from conquest to conquest until she finally lands the man who made the wager that she could never be made attractive. : Lew Ayres plays the masculine lead. Rich in originality and invested with unusual force, "The Dude Ranger," Fox Film's latest romance, is the associate feature. 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." Edmund Lowe, versatile leading man, and the blonde Ann Sothern are Co-, starred in the second feature, "Grand Exit," Columbia's exciting comedydrama dealing with the activities of a pyromaniac. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A tenor famous throughout the world, and claimed by many to be the greatest since Caruso, makes his first appearance on the screen in "Forget Me Not," a delightful film coming tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. He is Beniamino Gigli, the latest of the opera stars to succumb to the talkies. The second attraction is Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's "The Perfect Gentleman," co-starring the popular Frank Morgan and Cicely Courtneidge. Given a lavish production with numerous musical numbers, it is easily one of the most entertaining pictures of the year. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. As travelling dentists in a small Western town, Wheeler and Woolsey provide many laughs in the comedy riot, "Silly Billies," at the Seaside Theatre. Jan Kiepura and Gladys Swarthout, with their glorious voices, will delight all in the dazzling romantic operetta, "Give Us This Night." Music-lovers will welcome this opportunity to hear the beautiful music sung by two of the screen's foremost singing stars. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Commencing tonight, the Palace Theatre, Petone, will present "Invitation to the Waltz," a delightful musical romance, starring Lilian Harvey. This feature is noted for its brilliant settings and superb music. On the same programme will be shown "Atlantic Adventure," starring Nancy Carroll and Lloyd Nolan, in a mystery drama on the high seas. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. In "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford," R.K.O. Radio's mystery comedy, which is showing at Our Theatre, William Powell again displays his gift for gay romancing, wise-cracking, and pulling pranks in the face of strange death— that same gift that made his films "The Thin Man" and "Star of Midnight" outstanding among light murder mysteries. Jean Arthur is co-starred with Powell. A gambler with life —a player at love — that is the type of role debonair Paul Cavanagh portrays in the drama of love on two continents, "Champagne Charlie," which is the associate feature. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The Current attraction at the Empire Theatre is "The Farm In The Dell," starring Fred Stone and Jean Parker, and blending comedy, romance, and drama in a delightful story. A tworeel comedy, a musical specialty, a travelogue, and a Pathe newsreel complete the programme. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. A story of courage, adventure, and blaming love on the Northland trail comes to the Capitol Theatre, Miramar, tonight in "The Country Beyond." The screen's new dog hero, "Buck," is featured, and Rochelle Hudson, Paul Kelly, and Robert Kent are the principal players. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Modern Times," which is to be screened at the Regal Theatre this evening, was written, directed, and produced by its famous star Charlie Chaplin, and offers a generous supply of most novel and hilarious situations. Paulette Goddard plays the leading feminine role. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Gary Cooper, as Mr. Deeds ou a £4,000,000 spending speed, and Jean Arthur, as Babe Bennett, the girl reporter who's ready to help him, are featured in Columbia's "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," Frank Gapra's latest, now showing at the Tivoli Theatre after phenomenally successful seasons elsewhere. 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 Mine, Matzenaeuer. The screen play by Robert Riskin, who was responsible with Frank Capra for "It Happened One Night," was adapted from a story by Clarence Budington Kelland. How the American Government has organised scientific criminology and a picked body of men in the fight to exterminate crime in that country is revealed m Paramount's "Men "Without Names, which will also be shown. Fred MacMurray heads the cast, with Madge Evans. Lynno Overman, and David Holt in supporting roles. | KIVOLI THEATRE. j A beautiful and brilliant woman driven from her home by a town s intolerance is the theme of Warner Bros, new and stirring drama, "I Married a Doctor." now showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Pat O'Brien and Josephine Hutchison, who played together on the stage and were reunited in the film hit "Oil for the Lamps of China, are teamed together in the featured roles in "I Married a Doctor." The story is based on the famous novel by Sinclair Lewis, which excoriates the hidebound bigotry of narrow-minded small town folk who crucify a woman on the cross of gossip. A new type of ghost makes his debut in the person pf handsome Robert Donat in the associate feature, "The Ghost Goes West,' Alexander Korda's gay new romantic comedy. Jean Parker and Eugene Pallette are featured in Donat's support. The story presents Donat as a charming, and attractive spirit who hates frightening people and retains an eye for feminine beauty. Donat also plays Donald Glourie, the young heir to the haunted castle, who sells it to an American millionaire named Martin, who has the edifice razed and transported to America stone by stone. Unknown to Donald, the ghost goes along, and a series of side-splitting situations develops. BROOKLYN THEATRE. The two excellent features at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight are 'It Had To Happen," with George Raft, Rosalind Russell, Leo Carrillo, and Arlrne Judge, and "O'Malley of the Mounted," starring George O'Brien. RICHARD CROOKS. | There is more than musical signifi-1 cance-in the forthcoming visit to New Zealand of Richard Crooks. He is not only a great singer, but a big man personally, whose mental outlook ranges beyond the barriers of his own country. Bright, bustling, and breezy he is a lover of open spaces, is»fond of sport, is an adept fisherman, hiker, and motorist, and, when he is not singing to his audience, he is. never so happy as when he is out in the country. These characteristics naturally make for sin-, cerity, and New Zealanders will find this tenor the whole world listens to just the type of man—not only a great singer but a genuine and sincere man. A New York paper recently said of him: "There is none of your temperamental nonsense, about Richard Crooks." Richard Crooks, not so many years ago a choir boy in Trenton, New Jersey, finds himself today one of the highest-paid singers of his generation. Managers the whole world over arc bidding for him for operas, concerts, etc. This is his reward for arduous years of hard work and preparation. Box plans for the two Wellington concerts, which will take place in the Town Hall next Tuesday, September 29, and Thursday, October 1, are now open at the D.I.C. KARORI SPRING SHOW. The Karori Horticultural Society's Spring Show, to be held in the Parish Hall, Karori, tomorrow afternoon and evening, bids fair to establish a new record for entries. The modern daffodil covers a very wide range of divisions'and the earlier shows in the Wellington district miss many of the bril-liantly-coloured varieties through later blooming. Anemones, hyacinths, ranunculus, polyanthus, and other favourite spring flowers will be seen as a background to the daffodils, and decorative work by the ladies and children will be a further attraction. Afternoon tea will be served, and a sale of surplus flowers for the society's funds will be held about 9 p.m. The official opening at 3 o'clock will be performed by Mrs. Knox Gilmer.