CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "A magnificent canvas, broad in conception and- showing genius in execution," is a true description of Alexander Korda's'new production, "Rembrandt," starring Charles Laughton, •which is now at. the Regent. Theatre. The production ■'■suppresses fall crude emotionalism, allowing the '■powerful personality of Rembrandt to stand out against a background not so intricate in plot as to detract from the aesthetic unity of the canvas. The supporting programme is of ahigh standard. 1 Joy Mellory's famous play, .."Sweet Aloes," which in 1934 ran for more than a year on the London and Broadway stages and which was recently filmed by Warner Brothers, under the of Archie L. Mayo, will begin 'on Friday at the Regent Theatre. The story of the conflict between a happy marriage and an unhappy past, "Sweet Aloes," will be found particularly appealing to women. It is not, however, the sentimental plot which makes the picture such interesting and dramatic entertainment. It is the combination of suave production, direction that is admirably skilful, and the acting of the entire cast. Seldom has Kay Francis appeared more beautiful and her acting in the part of Linda is most appealing. With her excellent speaking voice, an admirable command of gesture and complete understanding of her part, she has made a triumph of-the film. Fine performances are given by Roland Young, George Brent, and Frieda Inescourt. . MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tom Walls is the chief star in "Dishonour Bright," the latest product of the pen of Ben Travers, which 's being shown- at the Majestic Theatre and in which Travers maintains his iecord for producing laughs out of odd situations. The plot is one of the most ingenious that Travers has put together and it has the old sparkle of the innocently unfortunate situation the lady who is misunderstood and the husband who insists on misunderstanding. After the divorce, Tom Walls, as the offending Mr. Champion, ■goes off to the Continent. He finds that he has-to put in most of his time in straightening out the affairs of the wife of the lawyer who has shown him at his worst in the witness-box. The lady is the victim of a blackmailer. Saved once by Walls, she seems to become enmeshed... mere thoroughly in the web of "rcum-. stances; The supporting cast includes Betty Stockfeld, Diana Churchill, and-Eugene,.pallette.-and all are excellent. [ 'StSjAMES. THEATRE. ' A .welcome return to the screen is made by-dive Brook,'-the debonair English star, in "Lonely Road," the new. British production which is now showing at the St." James Theatre. _ The film has an exciting and entertaining; plot, the parts are capably handled by the actors and < actresses, and the scenery and staging is i excellently carried out. Br,ook has ■■the.-parr-oi; an ex-naval man, discharged-because of a blunder, who finds himself ..mixed' no with;a gun-running gang'on sa lone- •' ly part"of the" coast He turns himself into an amateur secret ;■_.'service agent and works in co-ordmation. witn Scotland Yard, with whose officials, however, he does not always see eye to eye. . Previously, he has been very, imsuccessful in- ginning feminine hearts, but it is in a, Leeds dance hall - that he meets, a.pretty professional; partner '{Victoria tHopper), whose, brother, Curiously enough,,is also involved in: the gun-running racket. The supporting-programme contains inter-i esting newsreels and cinemafiazines. ■;■ KING'S THEATREv \ "Pepper.'' in .which', Jane Withers is starred,; ismiow ny its.Vsecond; week at the King^'Theatre. The-story, of Pepper wJi'q•' sets, ': out to aid.a .-'family about.-tb be •: evicted and becomes mixed up with a millionaire's private "business is entertainingly told •ft'and well acted by a cast'which is tf- headed-.- by the two favourites.1- Irvin -" S. Cobb and Slim Slumrnerville. Irvin Cobb>:plays the role of the irascible ' old-man in excellent fashion and.Sum ' merville, employed in the local streetcleaning department, is the dreamy third member of this odd, trio. ■- The tale comes to a smashing climax: and is embellished with songs- and much humour. The second feature on.the programme includes Robert Kent, Rosalind Keith, and Alari'Dinehartin its cast. "King of the^Royal Mount-: ed" shows how the "Mounties" get their man. ■'■: PRINCESS THEATRE; ' Two outstanding attractions.are showing at the Princess.Theatre.xWith. their newest vehicle, 'Swing Time,',':which is the chief feature,; Fred ' Astaire. and Ginger Rogers "deliver -the most; tuneful and captivating playiiln iStory,. songs, dances, cdrnedy situations;'supporting cast, arid production,*'' Swing Time" tops its predecessors.;;;:^ light,romantic story is deftly arid'amusingly* told in the associate feature, 'JMyiArne-: rican Wife," Paramount's romance'of a Count who marries a wealthy American girl and then sets out to become an Arizona rancher, despite the girl's social ambitions. The picture costars Francis Lederer, European romantic screen favourite, and Ann Sothern. ROXST THEATRE. "Last of the Pagans," a romance of South Seas native life, is screening at the Roxy Theatre. It is a charming native love story, of a boy and girl, separated through the trickery of white traders, and reunited through the heroism of the native warrior. A boy, a hunted criminal, and a dog figure in one of the strangest adventures the screen has ever brought to theatre audiences in "Tough Guy, a romance of the Secret Service which is the supporting feature. Jackie Cooper, Joseph Calleia, and Km. Tin Tin, jun., are the three principals: OUK THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Heading the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices is "White Lies," featuring Victor Jory, Fay Wray, and Walter Connolly. The film tells the dramatic story of a ruthless publisher whose zealous search for sensational news makes his own daughter a victim of his unscrupulous news editing. "Death Flies--East," the . Columbia mystery melodrama of murder on a speeding giant air liner, is the second attraction. There are some fine short subjects, including a comedy, cartoon, and newsreels. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Two of the world's greatest voices and two of the screen's most vivid personalities are featured in "New Moon," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's transcription of the stage hit, co-starring Lawrence Tibbetr and- Grace Moore, opening at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight. "New Moon" in its picture form is far different from the original stage version, although preserving all its salient parts and its most popular songs. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. There's a laugh,- a lilt,, a thrill, and a heart-pang in the entrancing story of "Star for a Night," which opens tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone, with Claire Trevor, Jane Darwell, Arline Judge, Evelyn Venable, J. Edward Bromberg, Dean Jagger, Alan Dinehart, and Joyce Compton. The second attraction is an adventureromance that . moves at a thrilling tempo from San Francisco to a rebel camp in bandit-ridden China. The film is Columbia's "Roaming Lady," with Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy in the leading roles. % : ;BROjpKXYN; THEATRE. \ V-'Men Without Names" will be the main feature-at Brooklyn ; 'tonight. Madge Evans and :Fred' Mac Murray beadHhe cast. "The Moon's Our Home" will also be screened, starring Margarefc;Sullavarr±and HenryAEonda,

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. | ■Warner Bros.' memorable screen, production, ''The Charge of the Light Brigade," starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, will conclude its highly, successful four-weeks' season at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow. Heralded as one of the most thrilling screen dramas with a unique romance and colourful settings, "Bengal Tiger, a" Warner Bros, production, opens at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday, with Barton Mac Lane, June Travis, and Warren Hull in the principal roles. The-'story centres about the lives ot circus folk both at work before the public under the "big top," and in their private dressing-tents. It is the inside story of this colourful clan in the big tents, on their special train during the summer tour, and in winter quarters. The associate feature on this programme is "Where's Sally? a hilarious comedy with Gene Ueirard and Claude Hulbert. STATE THEATRE. With Ann Sothern and Gene, Ray-, mond to provide the romantic interest, with Eric Blore once more "as' the incomparable valet, and with; Helen Broderick forever finding a new :description of her scapegrace husband, "Smartest Girl in Town," the R.K.O. picture, now at the State Theatres is a film that will appeal to theatregoers of all types. Ann, as a beautiful photographic model, makes up her mind to marry money. Even when she meets Gene-Raymond, and is strongly attracted to him, she refuses to regard his- attentions seriously, believing that he is only the free-lance photographers model he pretends to be. Unknown to Ann it is really a millionaire whose proposals she refuses so definitely. Finally, Gene Raymond devises a scheme whereby he may see her more often, and Anns efforts to resist his attentions involve her in a series of gay adventures. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A remarkable epic of the ocean,' with all the glamour of eighteenthcentury sailing ships, is "Mutiny on the Bounty." now showing- at the Paramount Theatre. Although. Clark Gable and Franchot Tone in the roles of Fletcher. Christian and Roger Byam, give fine performances, they are, as indeed is the whole cast, dominated by the figure .of Charles Laughton as the tyrannous and remorseless Captain Bligh, in which part Laughton is magnificent. The story concerns the voyage of the Bounty to the, at that: time, almost unknown and uncharted' South Seas, to bring back breadfruit plants, and the mutiny caused by Bligh's inhuman treatment. The scenes on' the beautiful island of Tahiti are fine and: the1 storms at.sea are:wonderfully photographed. In support are interesting newsreels of recent events. REX THEATRE. "Bachelor of Arts," a story of carefree college youth, is the main feature at the Rex Theatre. Tom Brown and Anita Louise are seen'in. the roles of the young campus ."sweethearts, and there is an exceptionally,fine "supporting cast, which ■ includes Henry B. Walthall, Mae'Marsh, Arline Judge, Frank ' Albertson, Frank Melton, and John Arledge..-.-''.'■'.The.,.:- Cowboy Millionaire," featuring George O'Brien as a cowbby who experiences heartbreak and struggle, both -"in -Arizona ana London, in- attempting to .retrieve a lost love and a. lost .fortune, \is the,, supporting picture;'.,/with*:;:Evalyn-,:::Bostock, Edgar '.Kennedy, fAlden, Chase, Maude Allejn, and.Dan Jarrett also>-iri.the cast. ';?h "sHbßXT's^qniE^KEie';:i - • '■ • The main-'attractidh.'at'Sriortt's.iThea--tre:is "Captain:Jaripary/'-^iHi.the everpopular Shii'ley.lTem'pie ih^he. .leading role;-- Sheas .supported'by^GuyiKibbee and: Slirrii-.Summeryille. : Iri' a delightful mixture 'of song's, dances,,: and comedy, ■ the',.'new-■"■picture follows;- the. adventures '~of. ■ and ' Guy Kibbee,;V;.the grizzled, old lighthousekeep.er, -\vho -had. rescuea her from the' '.'"sea,,- andyVwho was jealously! determined to/keep, her for himself. "The'second attraction is "Music is Magic/which features^Alice Faye, Ray-Walker, and Bebe Daniels. It is one of the brightest musical seen locally for a long.time. : "Show Them No Mercy" and "Metropolitan" will be the new features at Shortt's Theatre/on Friday.: KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ' Nino Martini, who in the opinion of opera critics possesses the finest voice of any tenor since Caruso, has the star role in "Here's to' Romance," coming tonight to the Kilbirnie. Kinema. Genevieve Tobin, Anita Louise,' Maria Gambarelli and 'Reginald Denny ;sup-por-t Martini in this story of an opera star's private life arid loves. Drama in., -the depths of America's forests' is dealt with in "Come and Get It," which will be the second feature. .'. In. a story which extends,over a.period of two generations, Edward Arnold, Joel McCrea, and Frances1 Farmer have been'- assigned the most prominent roles.'. - GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. An outstanding double-feature -programme will commence tonight ■»-■• at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Jean Hersholt is starred in "Sins of Man; which is the main attraction, and Don Ameche and Allen Jenkins head the supporting cast. The picture is a stirring story of a father's struggles ..and temptations, his sorrows and triumphs. The additional' feature is' "Educating Father," with Jed Frouty, Shirley Deane, Dixie Dunbar, Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, June Carlson, George Ernest, Florence Roberts,.and William; Mahan in the main roles. SEASIDE THEATRE, JLYALL BAY. "Counterfeit," a thrilling film, is the main attraction on tonight's programme at the Seaside Theatre, Lyall Bay. The action is fast and one is held in tense suspense throughout. In the featured roles are Chester Morris and Margot Grahame. "The Beloved Vagabond" is the screen's adaption of W. 'J. Locke's world-popular romance/ Maurice Chevalier seems to be an evergreen performer, for he proves by this film that he has lost none of his screen personality. ' With his associates he is responsible for entertainment of a type that leaves little to be desired. ' REGAL THEATRE, RARORI. Michael Aden's daring story 'o£ the idle rich, "The Golden Arrow," will, be the main feature at the Regal Theatre tonight, with Bette Davis, George Brent, and Eugene Pallette heading.-ari1 exceptionally talented cast. The other attraction will be "Stars Over Broadway," a sparkling musical production featuring Pat O'Brien, James Melton, James Froman, and Jean Muir. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Love Before Breakfast," which brings Carole Lombard and Preston Foster together in a hilarious story full of unusual situations and bright dialogue, will be the principal attraction at the Empire Theatre this evening. Also on the programme will be the high-speed romance "Walking on Air," co-starring the popular pailGene Raymond and Ann Sothern. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Gracie Fields reaches the pinnacle of her career in a role which gives full scope to both her glorious voice and amazing entertainment talents in "Queen of Hearts," the main feature at the Capitol Theatre. The appealing story gives Gracie her rightful place amongst the world's greatest favourites of stage and screen. The supporting feature, "Forgotten Faces," an unusual and entertaining • melodrama, has Herbert Marshall and Gertrude Michael in the leading roles. PUBLIC S ERVICE S PORTS. At the Basin Reserve tomorrow afternoon the pick of the Public Service athletes will be seen in action in a grand .athletic assembly. Many_ of the competitors are intending participants in the New-Zealand'championships, i

TIVOLI THEATRE. The awakening of China's teeming millions to battle against age-old oppression is the basis of a thrilling romance of intrigue and adventure, "The General Died at Dawn," a Paramount picture now screening at the Tivoli Theatre. With Gary Cooper as a dashing soldier of fortune who links his fate with the oppressed, and with beautiful Madeleine Carroll as the woman whose charms are used by a scheming war-lord to destroy him, "The General Died at Dawn" was based on "'actual background. En-, meshed in the web she helped to prepare, Miss Carroll finds her admiration for her victim blooming into love. She offers her life' in return for his freedom*. But their destinies are worked out as they could be only in the modern, war-torn Orient. With all the whimsy, pathos, and genuine comedy at his command. Edward Everett Horton renders a portrait of a small town hero who had to take a number of kicks to get wise to himself in the supporting feature, "Your Uncle; Dudley " • The cast includes Lois Wilson, John McGuire, and Rosina Lawrence. RIVOLI THEATRE. H' G Wells's amazing forecast of the future, "Things to Conic," is the mam feature at the Rivoli Theatre. The widely-discussed film; which was produced by Alexander Korda, predicts the ■■ staggering developments in our world in the next century, and its magnitude.' challenges anything- ever attempted in Hollywood. Opening in the year 1940, "Things to ComeI.' describes the "breakdown of our present civilisation through'the next 'war, and a return to primitive living. Out of this hopeless state grows a marvellous new subterranean world—a sane, practical, and very livable Utopia. Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Pearl Argyle, Margaretta Scott,: and 'Patricia Hilliard head a cast of 20,000 in this truly' stupendous production., ' The additional attraction is "The White Parade/ featuring Loretta Young and John.Boles. '. } "THE GAIETIES OF 1937." The average revue has been termed an exposition ■of ;limbs,; but .occasionally a show arrives which has more than the customary exhibition of physical beauty—it has that-.elusive quality— "pep," and Stanley, McKay's "Gaieties of 1937," tat the New Opera House, pro-, vides plenty of humour and a variety of dancing and music.- ■ The show is well staged and lighting and scenic effects are of high-, standard. . .With Stella Lamond .as, leading lady, Joe Lawman, inhis inimitable sketches, and with the assistance of a fine .array of artists in support, the revue has not a dull moment.' Stella' Lamond has an original and.'pleasing style of presentation, and her numbers are well received, and Joe Lawman, whose gay antics and astonishing abandon, arouse much mirth, never fails to "get. over." Kathleen Howard sings .. some- bright numbers with the ballet,,, which shows creditable precision and verve, led by Joy Wright, an attractive dancer and actress. Elvy Ferguson's ■tuneful contributions on the violin, the Hilo Duo, Elton Black, Scots comedian, Cy Pier with his ukulele, the acrobatics of Warner Brothers, and the thrilling turn presented by the Flying Martinettis round off an enjoyable,show. •

The second revue, "A Brighter 1937," opens at the matinee on Saturday.