CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

"REGENT THEATRE.

China's struggles 'against the oppression of her war lords forms the central theme of "The General Died at Dawn," a powerful drama which is now screening at the Regent Theatre. The acting, scenery, and photography convey a realistic image of the conditions of the country, and the romance and intrigue which form the plot have the benefit of a convincing background. The two principals, Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll, the former as an American soldier of fortune and the latter as an adventuress who lets her heart interfere with her schemes, give excellent performances, but a third member of the cast, Porter Hall, threatens to steal the honours, his portrayal of a' drink-sodden waster being one ox the finest pieces of acting seen on the local screen for some time. Akim TamirofT is assigned the part of the cruel and unscrupulous Chinese war lord. The film works up to an unusual and dramatic climax. Included in the supporting programmeare newsreels, a novelty, "Knock, knock" number, and a Popeye cartoon.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

The abundant wild Hie, the rolling countryside, and the beautiful bush of Australia are to be seen in the Australian cinesound production, "Orphan of the Wilderness," the new attraction at the Majestic Theatre. In the allAustralian cast are Brian Abbott, Gwen Munro, Sylvia Kellaway, Harry Abdy, and Ethel Saker. Miss Munro is a Melbourne girl who was discovered in a "Search for Beauty" ' contest. There is a delightful romantic interest in the film, which is a refreshing departure from the usual type. It portrays the typical Australian farming life and all the characters are true to life. The sup-porting-programme includes "shots" of the first cricket Test between England and Australia, a comedy, and other interesting features. >

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

.Laurel and Hardy.make their flr-:t appearance as dual characters in "Ouv Relations," now showing at the St. James Theatre. The incomparable nair has been converted into a quartet by the addition of another Laurel and another Hardy. It appears that there were two sets of twins, one of each pair turned out to be a pood little boy, but the other was not so good. In the fullness of time, both of the good boys married and settled i do\yn to quiet suburban lives. The two others ran away to sea, and were presumed to have taken part in a mutiny and been duly hanged. Their secret was closely guarded by their brothers. The respectable pair are discovered enjoying the comforts of home life. Soon after, however, trouble comes on the scene with the return of the wayward pair, and there are hilarious and exciting developments. A fine "Our Gang" comedy, a coloured cartoon entitled "The Cat's Away," and the latest newsreels make up the programme.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

"The Private Life of Henry VIII," which is now in a return season at the Paramount Theatre, set the seal on Britain's ability to produce a first-class historical drama—an achievement equal to anything that Hollywood has produced—and it made an undying reputation for Charles Laughton as-#n actor and Alexander Korda as a producer. As Henry, Laughton gives a \ masterly: performance; he brings the pompous monarch to life against a background that reflects without a blemish the sixteenth century tradition and atmosphere. Robert Donat and Merle Oberon, two players wlio have developed into stars in their own right, reveal themselves as finished perforjners. A first-class programme of short pictures supplements the main feature.

KING'S THEATRE,

Considered by many to be the world's greatest love story, "Ramona," now1 at' the King's Theatre, gives Lor,etta Young' plenty of scope for ' her undoubted histrionic ability. She is supported by an exceptionally strong cast, including Don Ameche, iPauline Frederick, Jane Darwell, Kent' Taylor, and Katherine De Mille. The picture, produced! in the new ; perfected technicolour, is an adaptation of Helen Hunt Jackson's famous novel of the California of yesterday and carries the full conviction of realism. The supporting feature, "Educating Father," depicts the adventures of the Jones family, typical Americans, in a host of amusing situations. .

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Three of Hollywood's most important romantic stars, Fredric March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins together with, Edward Everett Horton, play the leading roles in Paramount's film adaptation of Noel Coward's "Design for Living," which is the main feature, at the Princess Theatre. The picture concerns itself with the romantic entanglements of three sprightly, light-hearted artists. "A Woman Alone" is the additional attraction. Henry Wilcoxon and beautiful Anna Sten star in this pulsating human romance which is set in the picturesque surroundings of pre-war Russia. The short subjects include a coloured cartoon entitled "Simple Simon." ,

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

The ninth of the Charlie Chan films, all of them starring Warner Oland in the role of the benign Oriental detective, is "Charlie Chan in Shanghai." whih heads the bill at Shortt's Theatre. The picture piles thrill on thrill, developing to a smashing climax in a waterfront dive. Singers, dancers, and entertainers, all stage and screen topnotchers, bestar the Fox Film entertainment, "George White's 1935 Scandals," which is also showing. They include Alice Faye, James Dunn, Ned Sparks, Lyda Roberti, Cliil Edwards, Arline Judge, Eleanor Powell, Emma Dunn, Benny Rubin, and George White himself.

KILBIRNIE KJNEMA.

Unlike his last three pictures, "Come Out of the Pantry," Jack Buchanan's latest which screens at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight, is not a musical comedy. But Jack regards himself primarily as a song and dance artist, and he sings and dances in "Come Out of the Pantry" in spite of everything. Sparkling comedy, shot through with moments of thrilling excitement and tender romance make the screen play of "Thre^e Live Ghosts," which will also be shown, unusual entertainment. Richard Arlen is featured at the head of a fine cast, which includes Beryl Mercer, Charles McNaughton, and Claude Alister.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

A vivid chapter of historic drama depicting the colourful and tempestuous career of Mary Stuart is brought to the screen with lavish realism in "Mary of Scotland," co-starring Kathlen Hepburn and Frederic March, which shows at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight. The hectic life of this naive young girl, Mary Stuart, who suddenly finds herself transplanted from the luxurious warmth of the French Court into turbulent Scotland, its warring factions, its ugly poverty, its religious strife, its unscrupulous intrigue, has lent itself admirably to spectacular reconstruction on the screen.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE.

Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor will be seen at the Palace Theatre, Petone, tonight in "Small Town Girl," a comedy romance of a country girl who married a city man. Supporting the stars is a finished cast headed by Lewis Stone and Binnie Barnes. The associate programme includes a Technicolour featurette, "St. Helena."

WEE JIMMY.

The Evans Bay Carnival opened on Saturday with Wee Jimmy as one of the outstanding attractions. This beautiful little thoroughbred is only 23$ inches high, and his shoes are made of solid gold. Wee Jimmy will be on exhibition throughout the carnival "tiniil - January*2.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

STATE THEATRE.

REX THEATRE,

ROXY THEATRE,

P. G Wodehouse's classic characters of Jeeves, the perfect butler, prizefighter, valet, and general handy man, and Bertie Wooster, the equally perfect nincompoop, again come to the screen in "Thank You, Jeeves," which is now at the Plaza Theatre. The film is a .faithful reproduction of the Wodehouse atmosphere of hilarious and quite irresponsible nonsense. Bertie Wooster, forced by the complaints of his neighbours to abandon the only thing in life that gave him anything like a kick—playing the drums—finds life empty, dull, anu dingy; he is bored. Feeling, then, the urge for adventure, and lured ,on by his extravagant admiration for a young woman who descends into his flat one night, he becomes entangled—there is no other word for it—in the plots or spies and arch-plotters and other interesting "people. Arthur Treacher is excellent as Jeeves. The supporting programme is good.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

Dick Foran has never been in better voice, nor has he done more dashing riding nor more dare-devil stunts, than in his latest First National thriller, "Trailin' West," which is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The talented supporting cast includes Paula Stone, Gordon Elliot, Addison Richards, and Robert Barrat. The associate attraction is a hilarious comedy hit entitled "Hot Money," a Warner Bros.' picture starring Ross Alexander and Patricia Ellis.

Few studios would have attempted to transfer to the screen a story requiring such breadth of • treatment as "Anthony Adverse," but Warner Brothers have succeeded-in making an unforgettable book into a great picture. "Anthony Adverse." which will be the Christmas attraction at the De Luxe Theatre, boasts an imposing list of stars, headed by Fredric March, Claude Rains, Edmund Gwenn, Olivia de Havilland, Anita Louise, Ralph Morgan, and Akim Tamiroff.

What funnier 'situation can be imagined than a comedy team such as Wheeler and Woolsey in an ancient tomb of Egypt surmounted by menace and mystery. In "Mummy's Boys," the new attraction at the State Theatre, such a situation arises when Wheeler and Woolsey skip from ditch-digging in New York to archaeology in the Valley of the Kings. Things begin to happen even before the ship reaches Egypt, inexplicably strange things, that make the spine shiver yet tickle ones sense of humour at the same time. A collision at sea keeps the heroes busy as rescuers of fair dargo, and once more at the tombs there begins a series of warnings which increase the mystery. A landslide imprisons the intrepid pair in the tomb with a murderous maniac, but however frightening this may be to Wheeler and Woolsey, it produces nothing but laughter as far as the audience is, concerned. There is a good supporting programme.

Wellington theatre-goers who favour bright and breezy entertainment in which variety is the keynote are well catered for in the show provided by Trevor and Dawn's "The Brevities", vaudeville and revue company at the Rex Theatre. The popularity of this type of entertainment, and of this " company in particular, is being amply demonstrated in. every town in which they have appeared. Trevor and Dawn, adagio dancers, need no introduction to Wellington' audiences, and they have been fortunate in securing a strong aggregation of big Tivoh acts and revue artists. • "Brides are Like That," Warner Bros.' latest rollicking comedy romance, is the ~- attraction ion : the screen. \ There is an exceptionally talented cast .which is headed • by. Ross. Alexander, Anita Louise, Joseph..Cawtharn, Gene and, Kathleen Lockhart,. and Richard Purcell. ; ■'■ . : ■ '

T-men operations in* law enforcement have been vividly dramatised in the- Columbia production entitled "Counterfeit," which is now screening at the Roxy Theatre. Featured in the imposing cast are Chester Morris, Margot Grahame, Lloyd, Nolan, and Marian Marsh. Briefly the story relates the adventures of T-man Chester Morris, who gains entry into the counterfeiting ring headed by Nolan and his sweetheart, Margot Grahame, posing as a ruthless killer. Plenty of thrilling outdoor action is: contained in Tim McCoy's latest Western "The Square Shooter," which is the supporting feature.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Two1 of history's most vivid figures live again a romantic tragedy that shook two kingdoms with its consequences as Katharine Hepburn and Fredr'ic March co-star in "Mary of Scotland," which heads the double-feature bill at Our Theatre. Miss Hepburn portrays the hapless Scottish Queen in this adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's stage hit of the same name, and March is the bold and handsome' Earl of Bothwell for. whose love she sacrificed her life and crown. Brian .Donlevy and Norman Foster are seen as dare-devil pals' who1 love as recklessly as they live in "High ■ Tension," whihc is the associate- feature.. -

SEASIDE THEATRE, IYALL BAY.

What happens when three soldiers return, from a German prison camp to find themselves officially "dead", is amusingly ' told 'in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's sparkling new comedy-drama "Three Live Ghosts." Richard Arlen, Charles McNaughton, Claude Allister (Spbofy), and Beryl Mercer have the leading roles. The supporting picture, "Your Uncle Dudley." features the popular comedian, Edward Everett Horton, as a bachelor who, through his brother's marriage, inherits so many in-laws that there is no room in his life for romance.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

Paramount's comedy dramatic romance, with music, "Ship Cafe," featuring Carl Brisson and Arline Judge, comes to the Regal Theatre, Karori, tonight. "At the Bottom of the World," a memorable account of the thrills, adventure, ..and drama encountered by the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition, will be the second feature.

empire Theatre, Tsland bay.

The late Will Rogers has one of the finest roles of his career in "The County Chairman," which comes to the Empire Theatre tonight. In this fine screen version of the famous George Ade comedy of the same name, Rogers is supported by Evelyn Venable, Kent Taylor, Louise Dresser, Berton Churchill, Frank Melton, and Stepin Fetchit. '

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR.

In "Swing Time," which screens at the Capitol Theatre . Mh'amar, tonight, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance in their delightfully carefree and effortless manner. A new screen comedy team in Victor Moore and Helen Broderick makes a successful appearance as the friends of the young couple. There is several fine new dance hits. The excellent supports include newsreels, a novelty travelogue, and a further issue of "March of Time." ...

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

Rafael Sabatini's immortal tale of piracy on the high seas, "Captain Blood," the film version of which is now at the Grand Theatre, Petone, is now acknowledged to have taken its place among the classic stories of adventures written in the last century. Its thrilling action and absorbing romance are known to all readers, whose hearts respond to the call of adventure and the lure of excitement. Dashing Enrol Flynn is in the title rol« with Olivia de Havilland playing opposite him, '

TIVOLI THEATRE.

"King of Burlesque" and "Till We Meet Again" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre.

RIVOLI THEATRE

Acclaimed as one of the outstanding j productions of the screen, "The White Angel," a First National picture portraying the life story of the immortal nurse, Florence Nightingale, is now showing at the Rivoli Theatre with Kay Francis in the stellar role. The picture paints in fiery drama the fight of Florence Nightingale, a wealthy English society girl, to remedy conditions in army field hospitals and the neglect of dying soldiers. Max Miller's romantic adventures in "Get Off My Foot," the second feature, are not least of the many amusing highlights of the comedy. Jane Carr is the siren, Norma Vardon the society girl who attempts to ensnare him, and Chili Bouchier a housemaid who finally wins his heart and hand.

EXCURSION TO PICTON.

An opportunity for a splendid day's outing on Boxing Day is provided by the Rangatira, which will make one of her popular Cook Strait excursions. Leaving Wellington at 8 a.m., the Rangatira should arrive at Picton about half-nast 10. The run from heads to heads will take approximately an hour and a quarter, the rest of the time being spent in the sheltered waters of Wellington Harbour and of Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound. Picton has many beautiful spots in which to picnic, and during the day children's sports and a floral procession will be held on Picton Esplanade. A number of special launches will be run in connection with the excursion, and these will visit many of the beauty spots on the other side of • Queen Charlotte Sound. A cruise to Grove Arm and Double Bay will be made by the small steamer Tuatea. For those who wish to go further afield, there will be a train leaving Picton for Blenheim at 10.50 a.m., returning before the steamer leaves at 2.30 p.m. for Wellington, where she should arrive about 5 p.m.