CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 18, 19 October 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "The Princess Comes Across," the current'attraction at the Regent The-, atre, can only be described as ideal entertainment. With practically the whole of the action taking place on a luxurious liner crossing from France to New York, the story, is that of a young American actress (Carole Lombard) who, in an attempt to "crash" Hollywood, is returning to the States in the guise of a Swedish princess. On the | ship the "princess" discovers that, situated in the cabin next to hers, is ,a handsome and persevering young band leader (Fred Mac Murray), but, although the pair are decidedly interested in each other. Miss Lombard, because of her "blue blood," is forced to remajn indifferent to his atten■tipns. Trouble arrives in the form of "■a blackmailer who is later murdered. !The murderer's identity remains a mystery practically up; to the end, -and' the -way .in■• which he is "finally unmasked is both exciting- and surprising. There is an outstanding fflrst-half programme, which includes .scenes of the Olympic Games and ■■some excellent' shots of the civil war Ujjhl Spain. !l MAJESTIC THEATRE. - The atmosphere prevailing in Robert "Louis Stevenson's series of thrilling stories of "The Suicide Club" is faultlessly maintained in the picture of the same name now showing at the Majestic Theatre. The debonair Robert Montgomery is splendid as a wayward European prince and his acting is one of the finest things in an always interesting and entertaining picture. As the adventurous princess who prefers to go abroad incognito rather than accept the hand of a prince whom she has never seen, Rosalind Russell repeats the success she scored in "Under Two Flags." The part of Colonel Geraldine, the sturdy henchman and bodyguard of the prince, is admirably taken by Frank Morgan. An excellent array of., short subjects is screened. 'VT':-" v -SIV:JAMES' THEATRE. ■ ■ ; ' > ! 'No more incongruous fellowship cduld be "imagined than that of "The Three Godfathers" at the St. James Theatre. "Doc"- (Lewis Stone) cloaks a sometime worthwhile past in. the title of. doctor of philosophy. His dry ; -humour, patience, and the polish he • Jias, never been able to shed, are a '^strong , contrast; .to ..the. selfish,,.. headStrong impetuousness of Bob (Chester Moms) who has gone wrong young, and Gus- (Walter Brennan), a whimsical desperado nearly as old as "Doc." They, ride in to- New Jerusalem, the staid and puritanical village where Bob .first distinguished himself in fiftxne, to rob a bank, which-.they do after joining in the Christmas' festivities. Humour abounds in,this;part ;of thq 'story,. but when they; are well away they rim across a baby left in the desert by its dead mother, and then the story takes on an altogether novel aspect. The film of the Louis:Schmeling fight takes up the greater part of the first half of the programme. There is an excellent supporting bill. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A.powerful story of crime and punishment is graphically unfolded in. "Manhattan Melodrama," which is the 'main feature at the Paramount Theatre, with Clark Gable, William Powell, arid Myrna Ldy, three of the screen's, most versatile stars, in the .leading; ■ roles. Though the main j)lOt'"of-.-.-the- story- is centred ■ around recent years, the opening scenes of the picture depict the East End in 1904 at the' time the vessel General Slocum c.aught fire. As a result of this tragedy tivo .. boys; ; Blackie Gallagher and ■^i'mmx-Wade, are left orphans!. Blackiel; ■iSs.ar;Wild,': happy-go-lucky, '"individual; iVhile Wade is quiet and studious. The picture depicts the lives of these two as<they'-gr6.w. up, and its predominant .feature is;the rise •in the world- of jVade' arid 'the gradual decline of Gallagher. : A supporting programme; of ■jri,erit;is ..also screened. • vl ■ :,'"'.' ,';:' KING'S THEATRE.... iH Jessie:.* Matthews, ' the Gaumont>star whose dancing and'-sing-rjiig :and:Ncharming personality -have vsyori-the world's heart, has scored a .triumph.; everywhere her latest film, <4lt's Love. Again," has been shown, and Wellington has proved no, exception. Love. Agaui" is now screening.' at -"the King's Theatre. The ■beautiful film is . noteworthy for, 3ts new melodies and bright syncopa-,1 •tion,- and :for this Sam Coslow . and Harry, Woods are responsible. Robert young,is her ideal romantic opposite,1 :vHth Sorinie Hale playing the fool in •ills inimitable way. A high-speed story, crowded with laughs, breezy romance, thrills at the bottom of the sea and excitement ashore, is featured in "High tension," which is' the second film, with Brian Donlevy, Glenda Farrell,, NorjTiaii 'Foster, Helen Wood, and Robert iMcWade at the head of the cast. '■■;■■■•' ''•."■ ■• ROXY THEATRE.; ,*' : ,' ' Screen entertainment - filled with j-hystery, drama, and romance that Syill appeal to young and old'alike is ttnfolded, in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's '"The Unguarded Hour," now screening at the Roxy Theatre. The. picture, vl'hicte includes a cast of notable .playfirs. ,headed by Loretta YoUng- -and' Franchot Tone, has'the same flavour fhat 'made "The Thin Man" last seaSon's, most successful picture. Al-thou^h-iit has several .dramatic- mo--rnehts, "Vagabrad,Lady," the.supporting picture, is in reality a comedy. For despite the seriousness of many situations in which the various players are involved as the story "'unfolds, delightful humour is threaded throughout the production by Sarm Taylor. Featured in a large and imposing cast are Robert Young and Evelyn. Yehable. V: ■ SHORTT'S THEATRE' •-.Jack Buchanan is : - in .splendid' form in the title role of' "Brewster's. Millions," now showing; >at • ■ Shprtt's Theatre, the part being admirably suited to his agreeable personality and his extraordinary ability to play the iool engagingly. He is very well ■supported by a cast'" which inbludes Lili Damita, Nancy O'Neil, lan McLean, Fred Emney, Allan Aynesworth, Lawrence Hanray, arid 500 specially-trained auxiliaries. Based ori the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story "The Valley of Fear," the British Dominions release, "The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes." which is also on the pill, deals with Holmes's return from retirement to triumph over the arch-criminal Moriarty. Arthur Wontner plays the leading role. KILBIRNIE KINEBIA. "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," the first natural-colour motion picture of the outdoors, is now showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema with Sylvia -Sidney, Fred Mac Murray. and Henry,Fonda ,iri ■the starring roles, and Fred Stone 3t the head of the supporting • cast: Jlt tells how an ancient hill feud involv- * ing two families, and resulting iv dozens of deaths, is affected by the inroads of civilisation, in the person of a yuung engineer who arrives to construct a railroad line through the region. Warner Bros.' hilarious comedy, "We're in the Money," is also being shown, with that inimitable trio of comedians, Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell. and Hugh Herbert in the stellar roles. Ross Alexander, Phil Regan, Man Mountain Dean, Chief Little Wolf, Hobart Cavanaugh, Anita Kerry> Henry O'Neill, Lionel Slander, K. E. Clive, and Ed. Gargan are others in the cast. PALACE THEATRE. PETONE. Paramount's new musical romance, "Corona.do," is- the feature film at the. Palace theatre, Petone. Eddie Duchin and his orchestra provide the musical background for the film. The two leading players, Johnny Downs and Betty Burgess, not only act competently—they are talented, singers and dancers as well. Clarence E. MulfordParamount Western, "Call of the J'rairic. featuring William Boyd and Simmy,; Ellison, i34he second attraction..

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. \ j ! Based on Arnold Ridley's famous - story and play, "The Wrecker," 1 the screen version, "Seven Sinners," which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre, is a real thriller, and contains gripping excitement from beginning 'to" cpfy Edmund Lowe and Constance Ciimmings have the leading roles, and they provide a partnership which is- noteA worthy for its clever witticisms and wisecracks. As an American detective, Lowe stumbles on a murder mystery in a hotel in Nice, and when he finds the same body in the wreck of the train in which he had been travelling he determines to investigate and track down the killer. Both he and Miss Cummings, who takes the part of an insurance agent, follow clue after clue across Europe and England, and discover that train-wrecking is a method used by. a gang to rid them of undesirable people and cloak their activities in a gun-running racket. There is, a • good supporting programme, including informative newsreels. DE LUXE THEATRE. Kay Francis, as Florence Nightingale in "The White Angel," now showing at the De Luxe, shows another side to her versatility. Her gentleness, her efficiency, and her supreme sympathy make a moving personality of one who, to the present generation at all events, is just a page from a history book. The film is an indictment of the terrible conditions that existed in the middle of last century, and forces upon one the thought of what progress might have been made if the administration had been less hide-bound; lives would have been saved, and much suffering averted. But in the face of all these difficulties, Florence Nightingale triumphed in bringing to the soldiers, and later to England, new hope and cheerfulness in the amazingly inadequate hospital facilities. There is a large cast in support of Kay Francis, heading the list being lan Hunter and Donald Woods. The brilliant supporting programme is headed by Sybil Jason in "The Changing of the Guard," a gorgeous technicolour musical which draws rounds of .applause at every screening, and the Orchestra de Luxe entertains, with musical selections. \ .. i ■'__ STATE THEATRE. A modern romance, threaded with humour of an extremely entertaining quality, is "The Bride Walks Out," the RKO film which is Dow screening at the State Theatre. The charming Barbara Stanwyck -plays the role of a mannequin in a fashionable dress shop who marries a.young civil1 engineer (Gene Raymond), with a ■ definite matrimonial thedry—-that wives should not have careers. This headstrong young man is arrested four times during his breath-taking court-ship-and marriage and it is in;. the court that he meets the gentleman rake (Roberti Young) 'who, as a. fello'wmisdoer, pays Raymond's fine 'for him and hereafter shows an embarrassing devotion to the young bride. This fast-Rioying comedy of love on a budget, is played admirably, Ned,' Sparks and 'Helen Broderick completing the quintet of mirthmakers. There are turbulent domestic .tangles, and a humor.ous, ,exp.losipn when . the • bride walk's., out. . ' - . NEW OPERA HOUSE ".The Last of the Mohicans," now showing at the New Opera House, continues to attract "large audiences. Figures familiar to every lover of the classic story are vividly depicted, and play.'their'parts faithfully.. Hawkeye, the colonial scout, at first distrusted and later, imprisoned by the Englishman, Major, Hey ward, Hawkey c's rival for.,the.,hand-,0f.. Alice, ... the colonel's daughter,, atidithe lovabe-Indian Uncas ra'rei-jroies. that.have been •■entrusted to'ableiactors.1 Randolph- Scott is cast as the scout Hawkeye, and has the largest part in the film. Henry Wilcoxon,; as Major Duncan Hey ward, Biririie Barnes as Alice, and Heather Angel aSi Cora, have the other leading ■: roles. A "March, of Time" hewsreel and a fine Walt Disney cartoon,'..starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, are also included in the programme.' ■-. , i ;Vv- rex theatre.. "■ • ; ' "Treachery;: Rides the Range," which .is rnipw at, the1 Rex Theatre, features ;'£Ridin! Some," a sturdy frontier ballad',;:of/ the -West, and "Leather and "Steel," a swinging song of the cavalry. It is a thrilling drama of the days when the buffalo1 roamed "the plains' and -the Indians' went on" the .war path. Dick Foran is starred while others in; the cast include-Paula'Stone, ■ Craig Reynolds, Monte Blue, Carlyle Moore, jun., Hentry Otho, Don Barclay, and Jim Thorpe. Also on the bill is Wilkie Collins's mystery .'melodrama', "Moonstone," which has thrilled three generations. David Manners and Phyllis Barry play, the leading roles, with Jameson Thorhas. Herbert Bunston, Gustav. ■ yon; S.eyfferitz, Evelyn , Bostock, Charles Irwin, and John Davidson comprising an excellent-support-ing cast. ' ....... _ . PRINCESS THEATRE. . •' • Foremost .on. the bill at"the Princess Theatre is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's tuneful musical romance "The Cat'and the Fiddle,", which stars the beautiful 'and talented Jcanette McDonald, with Ramon Novarro, Frank-, Morgan, Charles- Butterworth. r Jean ■• Hersholt, "■• - • Vivienne • Segal,- Henry " Armetta, , and Joseph ' Cawthorn. "Fatal Lady," a -111111 combining murder mystery, music, -and romance, thrills and comedy, forms the additional feature. It stars Mary Ellis, noted stage and screen , player, and former : Metropolitan; Opera' prima donna. ; ,Supporting .her in- the .cast are Walter- Pidgeon, , John Halliday, Alan Mowbray, Norman Foster, Ruth Donnelly, \ Guy Bates* Post, Samuel Hinds! Edgar . Kennedy* and Irene Franklin.'..-. The feaiurett'es include.a "Headliner" musical novelty, a Popeye .cartoon, and a; Paramount newsreel." . CAPITOL THEATRE, .MIRAMAR. How' a lad is saved from illegal adoption t>y a greedy circus acrobat who seeks to convert the boy's voice intoa free meal ticket is an exciting sidelight of "Let's Sing Again," screening at the- Capitol Theatre tonight and starring Bobby Breen, the boy .wonder singer. Henry Armetta, George Houston, and Vivienne Osborne are also in the cast. ■ . ' ■ EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Introducing the Dionne quintuplets, the most famous babies in the world, in their first, real acting roles, "The Country Doctor," showing at .the Empire Theatre tonight and tomorrow night, is a warmly sympathetic-siorv of a physician who combats disease and .soothes pain- for the inhabitants of a-Canadian outpost. .>ean Hersholt, beloved character star, heads the sterling supporting cast, which features June Lang and debonair Michael Whalen.in the romantic leads REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. An outstanding attraction will be presented at the Regal Theatre, Karori. ' tonight in "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford." ' William Powell and Jean Arthur, sup- ■ ported by a brilliant cast, including Ralph Morgan- Eric Blore. and' Robert ' Armstrong, provide delightful enter- ; tainment. Powell solves a crime riddle 1 while his ex-wife obligingly helps him : and incidentally wins her husband" ] back. "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford" fully'deserves the popularity it achieved in its 1 first run in, the, city.. . 1 GRAND THEATRE, PEIONE. j "Petticoat Fever," now showing at ! the Grand Theatre, Petone, co-stars those experts at laughter-provoking , technique, Robert Montgomery and 1 Myrna Loy. It is the.story of a wire- « less operator in a remote Government i station, so lonely that he holds prisoner an engaged couple whom he rescues from the freezing night, rather than face another Arctic winter'alone. 1 Warner Bros.' thrilling melodrama, i "Man Hunt," is the second "feature. ] There is a large and talented cast headed by Ricardo Cortez. William Gargan. Marguerite Churchill, and ! Charles- .(Chic) Sale. j 1

TIVOLI THEATRE. "Strike Me Pink" and "The Witness Chair" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. . Truly magnificent in its spectacular sweep, yet absorbing in its delightful intimacy, "A Tale of Two Cities," starring Ronald Colman, opens tomorrow at the Tivoli Theatre. .It takes its place among the immortal works of the I screen, entertainment which cannot be praised too highly.. Ronald Colman is at his best. He never has had a role which gave him such opportunity for I the quiet humour, the high drama, and the poignancy he expresses so well. As Sydney Carton, whimsical, sardonic, brilliant wastrel, he reaches the peak of his artistic career. The story of "A Tale of Two Cities" is intimately known to millions of readers. It tells of the joys and sorrows, the adventures/and the trials of a little group; of people, English and French, who are caught 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 yoomed to frustration in life,, yet \Hiich transcends death in its sublime majesty. With the star is a cast of 112 stars and featured players, most Of them world favourites. ■ STATE THEATRE, PETONE. • Those who liked "Dracula" will find entertainment in the sequel, "Draciila's Daughter," which heads the programme at the State Theatre, Petpne, tonight. Otto Kruger portrays with easy naturalness the scientist who combats "Dracula's Daughter." The title role is interpreted with compelling lure by Gloria Holden, Marguerite Churchill- provides the romantic element, and Edward Van Soal and Irving Pichel also give fine performances. Zasxi Pitts and Hugh O'Connell furnish the hilarious comedy and the ten-der-pathos for Universal's tale of a Corley. Island romance, "The Affair of Susan," which will also be shown. Selected: featurettes will be screened from 7.45 p.m. , OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. \ Air extended season of : two more nights is advertised bJß^'The Poor Little RichvGirl" and "Music Hath Charms" at Our Theatre. In "The Poor Little Rich Girl" Shirley'Temple gives the performance of her life and is surrounded ';. by many of Hollywood's brightest1, stars, including Alice Faye. Michael Whalen, Gloria Stuart, and Jack Haley. Michael Whalen plays Shirley^ wealthy father, who is toe busy to'pay much.attention to his little girl. She runs away, and after a series of highly^entertaining adventures, is .finally "adopted" by Miss Faye and Haley, a pair of out-of-work vaudeville performers hoping for a break on the radio. The associate feature, "Music Hath Charms," stars Henry Hall and his famous 8.8.C. Dance Orchestra. ' TtEPERTORY THEATRE. In ihis criticism of "Hedda Gabler" which is |o be produced by Mr. Leo dv Chateau for the .Wellington Repertory Theatre Society in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall for five performances commencing tomorrow at 8 p.m., Mr; Bernard Shaw writes:— "Ibsen turhs in 'Hedda Gabler' from the' imaginative poetry of some of his other plays 116 J irreducible fact; from mysticism to the hard coldness of electrically brilliant realism. If any person cares to .describe Hedda Gabler as a modern Lucretia, who preferred death • to'dishoiipur, and Thea Elvsted as an abandoned, perjured strumpet who deserted the man she" had sworn before her God-to-love,-honour, and obey, -until-her>■ death—the play contains conclusive. evidence establishing both points. If the critic goes on to argue that, as Ibsen mainifestly means to recommend Thea's conduct above Hedda's by mafclhg the end happier for heiy the moral of the -play-is—a vicious ■ one. Most people know of a case or two in which it would be wise to follow, Mrs. Eivsted's example, but they must also krio-vy of cases in which the.result of suclj. a course would be tragi-comic; • Whttt |bsen insists on is that, there is. iio '.golden rule—that conduct must justify .itself, by its effect upon happiness antt not by its conformity t6 aiiy,~rule or ideal. And since happiness'consists'im the fulfilment of the will, which is, constantly growing and cannot be fulfilled today under the conditions which secured it yesterday, he claims afresh^ the old Protestant right of private judgment in questions of-conduct as against all institutions —the so-called Protestant churches themseles included." \E-iery endeavour is being made to present "Hedda1 Gabler" in. a manner befitting the importance of the occasion., The box plans are. at the D.I.C. and other particulars are advertised. :■ ', BIG BOXING AT TO*VN HALL. The biggest boxing event that has taken place in Wellington for some years will be staged at the Town. Hall on. , Monday, November •2, when "Snowy" Clarke, bantam-, feather-,, and lightweight champion, of Western Australia^' will' meet Clarrie 'Rayner, former ; featherweight champion of New, Zealand and concjueror of Billy 4».itken, another Dominion featherweight champion, and Jack Jarvis. the dresent lightweight champion. The contests' that were staged by the Welliiigton Association during the winter, (showed definitely that there is great.enthusiasm for professional boxing in this city, and no one has done more (to arouse that enthusiasm than Rayj&er. whose victory over Billy Aitken .not only came in the nature of a hip surprise but also showed the Blenheim boy to be a highly skilled, wily, sfaid attractive boxer. Rayner has been fighting as a professional since he won the Dominion amateur featherweight title in 1933, but the .biggest bout of, his career will undoubtedly be that . against Clarke. The latter is commonly regarded as the' cleverest boxer \in Australia at the present time. 'A.'disciple of the Jem Mace school,'he Hae'a.complete ring equipment and, in iprigagihg him under contract, the Wellington Association has banked on i ,quality,with expense a secondary aortsideiiation. Particulars are advertised in"this issue. ' -. "-• ' . " ' ■