CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 19, 23 January 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Rich in colour and romance, "Garden of Allah" which is showing for a ' second week at the Regent Theatre, brings to the screen all the magic and exotic beauty of the East. The attractiveness of the desert sky, and caravan teams, and the colourful life of Northern Africa are greatly enhanced by the use of subdued and effective natural technicolour. Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer are the leading play- > ers, and both give some fine emotional .acting in their polished performances. The story is: a, strange one and ccn- ' cerns the meeting of a woman, who seeks peace of mind, and a man unv used to the ways' of the world, an .escapee from a Trappist monastery. They fall in love, and marry but nap-V-'piness does not bless them and in their 'honeymoon in the desert B°yesis_revaeled as the man who broke the most sacred of vows. The film moves through many very dramatic and stages to reach an unusual climax. Many strange sights of the East are seen , and a unique Arab f ance a sprinkling of humour fittingly assist the story. Basil Rathbone, C. Aubrey Smith, and Joseph Schildkraut are included in the cast. On the supporting programme are an interesting "March of Time" subject and Alpine 'Climbers," a symphony in colour. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "The Great ZiegfelcT is the mam feature at the Majestic Theatre. Glittering scenes from the most successful show! of the Sreat Florenz Ziegfe.d, iun., follow each other in an almost breath-taking sequence of weu-con-ceived and brilliantly-executed ensembles: -There are acts 111 the shows which, b* their own appeal, unaided by 'dazzle or sumptuous setting, actualiv succeed - in drawing applause from the audience, a difficult thingtoaccornplish in these days, in which the art of the talking picture is usual taken for granted and in silence. Such acts are those of Fanny Bnce and. 0 f a genius in the line of tap-dancing. T story itself is a biography of the great showman of the 20th century, whose name is a byword for taste and magmflSence. ■ One of the finest' character studies'in his career is given by ■ William Powell in;the title role. As his first •wife, the talented Anna Held, Luise Rairier scores yet anol th er sue- : cess., Myrna Loy and Frank Morgan are others in the cast. ST. JAMES THEATRE. An 'innocent .French, banker who escapes from gaol after serving seventeen years of a life sentence and uses an amazing scientific dlscov^. Iher his campaign of hate against his three former and guilty partners, is the theme of. "The Devil Doll, which opened its Wellington season at St. James Theatre last evening. As the management of . the theatre righ y points out, the production is probably the most astonishing film since Lon Chaney's ■ day. Lionel Barrymore, the ■banker crazed with the desire for revenge, escapes , from prison with a scientist who has perfected a method of reducing animals to a sixth of their natural size. He goes further, but as he gains his ambition of to reduce a human being to- thirteen inches he dies. It is then that Barrymore, with a young woman and a man reduced almost to' insignificance, gives the .Surete and his former colleagues much to think about. It is one of the bankers who has been reduced in size, and who is controlled ,by the will of Barrymore. Another partner is paralysed,, and the third—well, Barrymore s name is cleared. To gain his object Barrymore masquerades as an old woman, and in his dual capacity his acting is brilliant. Maureen O Sullivan, too, gives a splendid performance, and also in the cast are the versatile, Frank Lawton and Henry B. Walthall. , The supporting programme is unusual- : ly long and highly entertaining. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The ever-popular film version of Victor Herbert's famous opera,. "Naughty Marietta," showing in a return season at the Paramount Theatre, will give theatregoers another opportunity of hearing Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy in one of the finest musical pieces tnat has ever come out of America. The: pair -achieve a triumph in the magnificent duet, "Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life." Jeanette Mac Donald, a princess at the Court of Louis XV, in-order to avoid a marriage not of 'Iter own choosing, masquerades as Marietta, one of the casquette girls, subsidised by the King of France to ' make the voyage to Louisiana, there to become the wives of settlers. The ship is captured by pirates off New Orleans, but the girls are rescued 'after-an exciting battle in the" Everglades. The adventures of Marietta in the historic town of New Orleans, her discovery, and the famous ballroom scene, when she is to be taken back to France, are realistically portrayed. Frank Morgan and Elsa Lanchester (Mrs. Charles Laughton) are in the supporting cast. The programme includes a newsreel, a Laurel and Hardy comedy, and a short, "Crime Does Not Pay." ' KING'S THEATRE. "Daniel Boone," with George O'Brien, Heather' Angel, John Carradine, and Ralph Forbes included in its big cast, heads the new bill at the King's Theatre. and at its first screening yesterday was revealed as a thrilling recapture of the ancient days of settlement in the United States. At the end of the eighteenth century there set out for a fertile valley later to become part of Virginia a wagon train led by the famous scout Daniel Boone. The scout, had spent two: years exploring the valley and route, and organising the. expedition, and the film tells of the adventures of these courageous pioneers, of the menace of the tribes of Indians led by a white renegade and of the love of Boone and the daughter of the leader of the settlers, There is capture, pursuit, ambush, treachery, and a full-dress battle between settlers and Indians, in addition to politics and the betrayal of the settlers by their own kin. In support Is "Don't Turn 'Em Loose," a dramatic film of crime and prison in the United States, aimed at the parole system and relating the story of a father who is forced to condemn his own son. In the cast are Bruce Cabot, Lewis Stone, Betty Grable, and James Gleason, Cabot giving one of the best performances of his career and'Gleason being cast in another of his effective tough detective roles. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Two generations have thrilled to the story of "The Mine' With the Iron Dopr," one of the most popular of all Harold Bell Wright's popular novels. Now it has been brought to vivid re--'ity on .the screen as a Columbia picture with Richard. Arlcivin the stellar vole, and is the main feature at Shortt's theatre. a- true life problem that is certain to. arouse a deep feeling of sympathy in" any audience for the' central characters, Columbia's romantic drama, "Lady of Secrets," is also being shown. , Ruth Chatterton and Otto KrUger play the leading roles. Others featured prominently in the cast include Lionel Atwill, Marian Marsh, Lloyd Nolan, and Robert Allen. REVUE SEASON ENDS. A tumultuous sendoff was given George Wallace, Paul, and Connors, Lulla Fanning, the Sunkist Ballet, and the other versatile members of the "Au Revoir" revue at the New Opera House last night. A packed race-night crowd filled the theatre. Cheers and streamers closed a cori-airiore performance, at the close of which "George"-thank-ed all Wellington friends, and announced that after leaving New Zealand this time he was going to make pictures at which he hoped they would laugh. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "Under Two Flags" will be the main feature at Brooklyn tonight. The cast is headed by Ronald Colman, Claudette Colbert, and Victor McLaglen. "Champagne Charlie" will also be screened, starring Paul Cavanagh and Helen Wood.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

STATE THEATRE. Another romance of the Strauss family is told in Faramount's spectacular film "Champagne Waltz," now at the State Theatre. Produced to -celebrate Paramount Pictures' twenty-fifth year and the jubilee of Mr. Adolph Bukor, the founder, this film has been made on a lavish scale. Its orchestral music is excellent and the singing of Gladys Swarthout, who plays the role of Elsa Strauss, is brilliant and artistic. Franz Strauss's waltz palace in Vienna is the centre about which the story is woven, in the time when the composer of "The Blue Danube" was hailed by the world as the king of waltz. Then comes something new to steal the palace patrons in the form of a smart American jazz band, led by Buzzzy Bellew. It makes an immediate hit in Vienna, to the distress of Elsa as the Strauss audiences drift away. During a visit to the American Consul to protest against this treatment, Elsa meets the leader of the band whom she mistakes for the Consul. This is the beginning of a series of comedy situations which are sustained in a happy solution to the problem. Old Franz brings novelty to a ]azz-mad America and in his beautiful Blue Danube roof garden in New York he finds success anew. Miss Swarthout sings among, other numbers the lovely aria, "Softly Awakes My- Heart." from "Samson and Delilah." The cheerful Bellew is admirably played by Fred Mac Murray, while Jack Oakie is the mirth-making Gallagher. A review of Paramount's best pictures and a Betty Boop cartoon are included in the supporting programme. "THE GONDOLIERS" TONIGHT. Tonight, at the New Opera House, beginning at 8 o'clock, J. C. Williamson, Ltd's Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company will begin a season of .11 nights in a grand gala performance of the deliriously tuneful, very colourful, and highly humorous comic opera. The Gondoliers." The latest J.. C. Williamson, Ltd., company is said to present a better all-round performance than has been previously given in New Zealand of the picturesque Venetian opera. A large amount of interest is being taken by playgoers over, the reappearance here of Miss Strella, Wilson, who possesses a soprano • voice of exceptional range and quality. No more accomplished, Gilbertian' comedian, than Ivan Menzies has ever appeared in the works of the famous collaborators in the Dominion, and, without any doubt., one of his finest and most humorous characterisations is that of the Duke of Plaza-Toro, in which role he has previously delighted playgoers of Wellington. Miss Evelyn Hall, who was a principal member of the last Williamson, Ltd., Grand Opera Company which visited New Zealand, and who will appear as the Duchess of PlazaToro, has a rich contralto voice, and she is also a finished actress. Other members of the company are the talented tenor singer, Mr. Godfrey Stirling, Mr. Gregory Stroud, the popular baritone, the two very dainty and talented young Australian artists, Miss Helen Langton (soprano) and Miss Eileen Kelly (mezzo), the distinguished London basso singer, Mr. Richard Watson, Mr. Clifford Cowley, Mr. Vincent McMurray, and Valerie Walshe as Inez. The work of the operatic chorus and orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Leo Packer, is a feature of the production. REX THEATRE. "Everything is Rhythm," A.T.P.'s latest entertainment gem, which marks the film debut of radio's most popular band leader, and his lovely bride — none other than Harry Roy and the Princess Pearl—is now showing at the Rex Theatre. Eleanore Whitney and Tom Keene head the cast of players in "Timothy's Quest," Paramount's adaptation, of Kate Douglas Wiggins's wellknown novel, which is the additional feature. Dickie Moore, Virginia Weidler, Sally Martin, and Bennie Bartlett comprise The quartet of children who stir up excitement and trouble. An added attraction is the authentic film record of the Louis-Schmeling fight, including the knock-out in the twelfth round. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Sanders of the River," which is the chief attraction at the Princess Theatre, is something quite new in film entertainment. Based on the popular Edgar Wallace stories of the same title, it deals skilfully with British rule in Africa. Leslie Banks and Paul Robeson are superb in the principal parts. Others prominent in the cast are Nina Mae McKinney, Tony Wane, Eric Maturin, Robert Cochran, and Martin Walker. "Forgotten Faces," a Paramount picture, a story of tragedy which follows a marriage that crashes on the rocks, is the associate feature. Herbert Marshall stars in the film, and the excellent supporting cast features Gertrude Michael, James Burke, Jane Rhodes, and Robert Cummings. EMPIRE THEATRE. ISLAND BAY. Packed with action which ranges from gunplay to shipwreck and from typhoons to' battles between human beings and wild beasts, Universale "East of Java," the picture in which Charles Bickford was nearly killed by a lion, is showing tonight at the Empire Theatre. Love interest is supplied by Bickford, who centres his interest in beautiful Elizabeth Young, and Frank Albertson, who also loves her. at the same time hating the brutish and at times almost animallike strength of Bickford, disciple of the doctrine of the "survival of the fittest." The second attraction, "For-get-Me-Not," features the world-famous tenor, Beniamino Gigli, in a role which reveals him as a fine actor as well as a superb singer. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Jean Harlow plays one of the most dramatic roles of her career in "Riffraff," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature which shows tonight at the Regal Theatre. She is the heroine of a stormy romance with Spencer Tracy abounding in laughs and tears. Carefree, romantic comedy of a decidedly novel type is featured in "Pursuit," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's romance of the highways, which will also be shown, . with Chester Morris and Sally Eilers. The supporting programme, like the main features, comes from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and includes a Charlie Chase comedy, "Vamp Till Ready," Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in "Hot Money," and "Old Plantation," a cartoon in colour. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Page Miss Glory" and "So They Were Married" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Nino Martini, world-famous singing star of radio opera and films, comes to the Grand Theatre, Petone, tonight in Pickford-Lasky's sparkling romance, "The Gay Desperado." Ida Lupino and Leo Carrillo are featured in support of the handsome tenor. "The Gay Desperado" tells a fast-moving romantic story of a gay and glamorous Mexican bandfQo who sings his way out of a succession of' difficulties, saving his life and winning the girl by the magic of his voice. OUR THEATRE. NEWTOWN. Warner Baxter is starred in "Robin Hood of El Dorado." the spectacular new outdoor feature which heads the double-feature programme now showing at Our Theatre. It is a romanticised slice of one of the most glamorous periods of America's frontier history—that era which began in 1848 with the discovery of gold in California. In the supporting cast are Ann Loring, Bruce Cabot, and Edgar Kennedy. The intriguing romance, "Thirtysix Hours to Kill," starring Brian Donlevy and Gloria Stuart, is the associate feature. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "San Francisco," the sensational spectacle of the Barbary Coast, with its breath-taking earthquake scenes, is showing at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight. Clark Gable and Jeanette Mac Donald are the stars. "Audioscopiks," the screen's latest novelty, will also be shown.

TIVOLI THEATRE. The consequences o£ a young husband's attempt to impose economic restrictions on his headstrong and spendthrift wife at the same time that a wealthy playboy falls for her provide the smart comedy of the new feature coming to the Tivoli Theatre tonight, Barbara Stanwyck's "The Bride Walks Out," in which she is starred with Gene Raymond and Robert Young opposite. Raymond, as the young spouse, fails in his marital dictatorship. but effects a "coup d'amour" in a surprise climax. Miss Stanwyck's remaining featured support includes Ned Sparks and Helen Broderick, exponents of the "dead-pan" brand of comedy. Paul Muni, one of the greatest actors of the stage or screen, is starred in the supporting feature, "Bordertown," which is said to be the most powerful drama in which he has ever appeared. The picture is a stark, realistic picturisation of the colourful life in a town on the American border, with its night clubs and gambling resorts frequented by American millionaires and bored society women seeking diversion. Muni is supported by Bette Davis, Margaret Lindsay, Eugene Pallette, Robert Barrat. Henry O'Neill, Hobart Cavanaugh, and Gavin Gordon. "Swing Time." Astonishing dancing, delightful romance, and a fast-moving story with the screen's finest music have always been features of the Fred AstaireGinger Rogers starring pictures for RKO Radio. In their newest offering, j "Swing Time," coming to the Tivoli Theatre on Tuesday, these qualities have been enhanced by an even larger percentage of comedy than any of ! their former pictures contained. With Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, and Eric Blore given lavish opportunities in support of the stars, laughs run in a steady stream throughout the film. Moore, Broadway's most consistent comedian, provides a large share of the mirth as a bungling vaudeville magician whom the no less convulsing Astaire takes under his wing. "Brides Are Like That," Warner Bros.' latest rollicking comedy romance, will be the second feature. The picture* is based on the play "Applesauce" by Barry Conners, which was one of the hits of the stage. It carries a unique and most unusual plot. There is an exceptionally talented cast, which is headed by Ross' Alexander, Anita Louise, Joseph Cawthorn, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, and Richard Purcell. RIVOLI THEATRE. A special .holiday programme has been arranged by the Rivoli Theatre. The main feature,' starring Ginger Rogers and George Brent, is the popular film "In Person." The second feature is "Forgotten Faces," with Herbert Marshall, and Gertrude Michael. This picture • created quite a sensation when shown in the city recently. This programme will continue on Monday. Herbert Marshall is the star of Paramount's "Forgotten Faces," which opens tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. In his supporting cast are Gertrude Michael, James Burke, Robert Cummings, and Jane Rhodes. The film is a story of an all-consuming love and revolves around a gambling house operator, and the woman he marries. When he finds she is faithless, he commits a murder and is sent to prison. Through a friendly police sergeant, his daughter is given to a well-to-do family for adoption, and never knows who her real parents are. From this point the story develops to a powerful climax. A turbulent romance charged with lusty humour and lilting melodies brings Ginger Rogers and George Brent in their first, co-oppearance in "In Person," the second feature. Making her. bow as a solo star in the role of an exasperatingly vain screen star, Ginger has, opposite her in the male lead, a forthright young man who takes it upon himself to turn her into a humbler human,being. The manner in which Miss Rogers arouses Brent's ardent interest causes a number of amusing complications. ROXY THEATRE. "Stage Struck," heralded by First National as the gayest and snappiest of all its long list of musical comedy hits, is the main feature at the Roxy Theatre. There is an all-star cast, which includes Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Warren William, Frank McHugh, Jeanne Madden, and the four Yacht Club Boys. The picture is filmed on a lavish scale with spectacular numbers. The supporting picture, "We're Only Human." featuring Preston Foster, is a thrilling drama of the war on crime. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Never has the beautiful star, Marion Davies, appeared in a more entertaining and gripping romance than in her latest Cosmopolitan production, "Hearts Divided," which shows at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. . This story of the wooing and winning of the brilliant and beautiful Betsy Patterson, of Baltimore, by Captain Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the French Emperor, is a real, heart-throbbing drama. William Powell has the masculine' lead. Jane Withers returns to the lovable harumscarum type of role that first brought j her screen fame in "Little Miss Nobody," which will also be shown. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. An excellent Couble-feature programme screens at the Seaside Theatre tonight. Grace Moore, the glorious singing star of "One Night of Love," makes her reappearance in "The King Steps Out." an ' outstanding musical romance. Franchot Tone has the leading role opposite her, while the remainder of the cast includes such popular players as Walter Connolly, Victor Jory, and Raymond Walbruer. The associate feature is "The Garden Murder Case," iyiother of S. S.. Van Dines's Philo Vance mystery stories. Edmund Lowe, Virginia Bruce, Nat Pendleton, and Benita Hume have the principal roles. An excellent supporting programe includes the latest Cinesound News. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Grand Jury," the tense story of a girl whose lover becomes the pawn of a racketeer, and of a man who sets out to rid his town of vice, is the main feature at the Palace Theatre, Petone, starring Fred Stone. The second attraction is "A Notorious Gentleman," featuring Charles Bickford as a lawyer who kills his rival with the result that an innocent girl is suspected of the crime. LEON GARADE. Leon Garade, who appeared at the Town Hall last Saturday, showed that he was a master hypnotist and he put on a most amusing entertainment. It is usually thought that a professor of hypnotism has to use his eyes or give his subjects a bright object to look at, but this was not the case. It made no difference whether Mr. Garade was looking at his subjects or had his back turned to them; the results were just the same. A hypnotic boxing match, in which the contestants fought furiously three rounds but never struck a blow, was one of the most humorous events of the evening. Mr. Garade promises new entertainment for this evening. SUNDAY PICTURES. "The Return of Bulldog Drummond" will be screened at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow night under the auspices of the Port Nicholson Band. A special feature of the production is its amazing realism. The dare-devil Drummond falls into the hands of a political gang who place him under a paralysing drug and, seating him in a huge car, send him hurtling over an open drawbridge into a river. Throughout the English-speaking world this virile gentleman, with his cheery, inimitable manner, his quick thinking and lightning-like methods of action, is a favourite with young and old alike. An additional attraction will be the welcome reappearance of the Dominion's brilliant soprano. Miss Kathleen Ferris, who will sing the "Jewel Song" ("Faust"). Mr. Frank Crowther will act as accompanist. The band will be heard in favourite items. Patrons are advised to be early in order to sccure a seat. BAND CONCERTS. i The Wellington Junior Boys' Band will give a performance at Hobson Street and the Band of Ist Battalion the Wellington Regiment will play at the Zoo tomorrow at 3 p.m.

DE LUXE THEATRE, The remarkable adaptation of Hervey Allen's famous novel, "Anthony Adverse" commenced its fifth week at the De Luxe Theatre yesterday. The translation from novel to film has inevitably brought some changes, but the remaining framework, vast in design and lavishly mounted in production, makes the film an experience, and the acting ,of the famous stars who have been chosen for the various important roles, Fredric March, Edmund Gwenn, Claude Rains, Anita Louise, and Olivia de Havilland, is on a high plane. "Anthony Adverse" is Dumas up to date. It has the vitality, the sweep, the romantic fervour, the immense absorption in the events of the moment of Dumas; but it also has something of the modern restlessness, the twentieth century questioning of values. In the film, however, Anthony emerges with a code and few who see his struggle through the years and his victimisation by fate will question its validity. The supporting cast plays up to the level set by Fredric March as Anthony and his work is of a very high order, while Olivia de Havilland, as Angela, reveals depths of character which place this talented actress in a new light. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Those perennial purveyors of fun, Laurel and Hardy, have never appeared to better advantage than in their screen version of Balfe's opera "Bohemian Girl," showing at the Capitol. All the music of the Balfe musical has been retained. The supporting' feature, "Yellowstone," combines action, romance and suspense, together with outstanding photography of this well-known scenic resort. In the cast are Ralph Morgan, Henry Hunter, Judith Barrett, and Alan Hale. An excellent supporting programme includes a beautiful colour travel talk, "The Hit-and-Run Driver," and the latest Cinesound News.