CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1937, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. - - "Sweet Aloes" is the unusual title for the unusual picture which is now ' screening at the Regent Theatre. Kay .Francis has the difficult role of a 1 woman who surrenders her chip ,to the care of. an - aristocratic .fefaiily .to save its name and w ensure it advantages in .life which it could not have otherwise , enjoyed. When, however, • she herself finds ■herself in a position, .to 'offer it those advantages she realises that ttf 'claim her child, or even to see it, would .necessitate revealing her past life to ■ her husband. Although the part played by Kay Francis is an emotional role, on no occasion does she over-act, and the situations throughout the film are handled' with admirable restraint. Settings are tasteful, without , being ostentatious, and the gowns worn by Kay Francis and other players are beautiful creations. Roland Young, ' starred beneath George Brent, is responsible for most of the. humour and witty dialogue in the picture. The 'supporting features include newsreels an<l-an excellent coloured cartoon in which- a hilarious cock-fight is depicted. * MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Gorgeous Hussy," now showing .at the Majestic Theatre is partly :a biography of the beautiful Feggy ■O'Neal, and partly one of Andrew Jackson, the- beloved "Old Hickory" who -as seventh- President of the United States, did so much for the .Union. In the title role, .Joan Crawford reveals still further her. talent as a character actress Peggy O'Neal grew up in an atShere such as could, only exist ■in a young republic. An' inn-keepers ■daughter, she met and was influenced by such men as Andrew Jackson, John Randolph, Martin Van Buren, John Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, .great names in Ampviea'"! history. Lionel Barry.^Robert Taylor, Franchot Tone and Melvyn Douglas all cany their 'parts wellT A "Mirch of Time," newsrTels and a Robert Benchley comedy ' complete a fine programme. ',".- ST. JAMES THEATRE. ', A welcome return to the screen is made by Clive Brook, the L .debpnajr English star, in "Lonely Road, the new Dritish. production which is now 'in ' • its second week at the St.- James Theatre/ . The film has an exciting and' entertaining plot. Brook has the part of an ex-naval man, discharged because of a blunaer, who finds himself mixed up with a- guii-ruhning gang on a lonely part of the coast. He turns himself into an amateur secret service agent 'and works in co-ordination with •Scotland Yard, with whose officials, 'however,'he does not always see eye '.to eye. Previously he has been very ■unsuccessful in. winning feminine •hearts, 1 but it is in a Leeds dance hall ■that he meets a pretty professional partner (Victoria Hopper), whose brother, curiously enough, is also involved in the gun-running racket. The supporting programme contains interesting' newsreels and cincmaeazmes. , .. , KING'S. THEATRE. .. In "Without Orders," a thrilling drama- of the air/ now showing at the King's Theatre,- the audience ,is kept tense with excitement and the final scenes, when the heroine (Sally Eilers) pilots a huge commercial aeroplane to a landing -when lost ,in a storm ana , out of fuel, provide a gripping climax. The story, centred about a big airport, concerns the love of two aviators, Robert Armstrong and Vinton Haworth, for Sally Eilers, stewardess in one. otthe "aeroplanes. The supporting * feature," "The Plot Thickens," -brings together again the famous pair ' 'of sleuths," Inspector Piper and Hildefgarde Withers. In this picture of thrills and laughs, James Gleason and ■ Zasu.Pitts .combine splendidly. The story.is both baffling: and-excitmg and itj-is not,'until the last scenes that the mystery-is solved... .-* PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A picture • which can be unconditionally recommended is "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," which is in a return season at the Paramount Theatre. The direction of the young producer Henry Hathaway is outstanding, as also is the acting of the. stars, Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, and the late Sir Guy Standing,' whose recently-announced death is said to have been the result of a spider bite during the production of the picture. ■ "The Lives of a Bengal, Lancer" centres round the adventures on the North-West Frontier 6f two young 'subalterns and Lieutenant McGregor, a' Scotch-Canadian. 'When one of. the youngsters is caught- up in' the intrigues of frontier plotting, and- carried off to a mountain ' stronghold, events take an-exciting turn..The supports include" fa popular Pop-eye, cartoon, a sporting, short, and-newsreels. ROXY THEATRE. "Mark of>the',Vampire, I> the mystery film now shoeing at the.Roxy Theatre, is said to eclipse anyshdeker 'ever presented on-the 'screen. Tod • Browning, past-master'at. the art';-of, depicting . blood-curdling: dramas; filmed "Mark1 of the'-Vampire," and its,cast .includes Lionel'Barrymore, Elizabeth '-Allata, Bela Lugosi, of "Dracula" fame, Lionel Atwill, and Jean'Hersholt. All phases of screen entertainment are brought to the' screen in the supporting feature, "Absolute Quiet," in which comedy,' stark dramaj breath-taking thrills,, and melodramatic action are deftly, coupled together. The .players include Lionel A'twill and- Irene't Hervey. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Eastv"ileets .West," at " the Capitol Theatre, ris a > robust . melodrama with -George; Arliss giving a char-acteristics-performance as a crafty Sultan who -replenishes his exchequer by- deft diplomacy., Developed' with great effect; ornate settings, large crowd scenes, gripping suspense, and the star's personality have combined to make a rich offering for all lovers of spectacle and drama. With a combination of drama, laughter, and romance,;" Three Wise Guys," adapted''from Damon Runyon's popular novel, relates the adventures of a rich man's son- who strolls from his father's private car on a de luxe train and! encounters a beautiful girl in a forward coach. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Aptly described'as the'season's smarU est comedy, "Love Before Breakfast," featuring Carole Lombard and Preston Foster, heads tonight's programme at the Regal Theatre. The second feature, "A-Woman Alone," is a story which will appeal to every, woman's heart. It has two famous stars in Anna Sten and Henry Wilcoxon. The latest Fox Newsreel will also be screened. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Another exceptionally good programme will be presented at the Empire Theatre, Island Bay, tonight and tomorrow; ISally Eilers,' James Dunn, and syncopating Pink Tomlin head the cast in "Don't' Get Personal," a'clever comedy set to music and laughter and crammed full'of high-speed action. The second feature, "Yellowstone," is a matchless mystery drama, filmed against the majestic beauty of America's '' world-famed Yellowstone . Park, and featuring Harry Hunter, Allan Hale, Ralph Morgan, and Andy Devine. /Hie supporting programme includes, a beautiful ■ colour-tone comedy''and' a further • issue of the popular*-',series, "Stranger Than Fiction." STATE THEATRE, PETONE. / William Powell attains the. distinction of-being a butler for the nuttiest family in the whole country, in the Universal romantic comedy, "My Man Godfrey," which shows at the Stale Theatre, Petone, tonight. The charming,'talented Carole Lombard is c.ostarred'wlth him in the screen offering, which was taken from Eric Hatch's sparkling, mirth-stirring novel of the satn.e-name. ,

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. I "Bengal Tiger," which heads the programme at the De Luxe Theatre this week, is a novel circus film with plenty of thrills in and about the cages of the wild animals in the show. Barton Maclane has the role of a lion tamer with the ambition of taming Satan, a maneater from Bengal. Satan and Cliff Ballenger are pitted against one another four times in the picture and each time there is /a different outcome. '.On the second occasion Ballenger is badly mauled and Carl Homan,. father of • beautiful young Laura, is killed. When Ballenger falls, in love wtih the youngster the stage is set for some dramatic developments, for Joe Larson (Warren Hull), the trapeze artist, also is in love with the girl and drama is not far away. The second film on the bill is a frothy comedy, "Where's Sally?" which has Gene Gerrard, Claude Hulbert, Chili Bouchief, and Rene Gadd in its cast. Also on the bill is the latest newsreel. NEW PLAZA THEATRE. Lily Pons, the diminutive French songstress whose petite stature belies her excepti6nal. voice, returns to1 the screen for her second starring vehicle, "That Girl from Paris," wmch will mark the reopening of the New Plaza Theatre on Friday next. Said to be a sparkling melody festival, it pictures Miss Pons as a Parisian opera star who leaves her fiance at the altar, thumbs her way across the Atlantic Ocean, and sails into a gay, exhilarating romance with Gene Raymond, whose manifestations form an entertainment delight. Raymond, who has cinematically wooed every important Hollywoodheroine, heads a "swing" band comprising Jack Oakie, Frank Jenks, and Mischa Aver. While the immigration 'authorities whom she dodged at the docks trouble her legally, Raymond' and Oakie complicate Miss Pons's life romantically. But lilting melody and brilliant comedy develop matters to a successful surprise climax. In the title role, Lily Pons is also supported by Herman Bing, Lucille Ball, Patricia Wilder, Vinton Haworth, Willard Robertson, and Harry Jans, who round out-the all-comic cast of "That Girl from Paris," an RKO Radio picture. STATE THEATRE. Set in the jungle country of Nairobi,' Kenya, the 20th Century Fox film, "The White Hunter," now at the State - Theatre, is packed witn the thrills of big^game hunting, aeroplane views over little-known country, and unexpected glimpses of jungle life. It is in Kenya that Warner Baxter, known as the White Hunter, has arranged to act as guide to an Englishman, his wife, and daughter. When he meets the- party the hunter recognises in Dr. Darrock, an early enemy, and the cause of his exile in South Africa. In the wife he finds a former sweetheart who also played a part in the plot to discredit him. Both-Darrock and the hunter plan a speedy end for each other and there are tense developments. June Lang is charming as Darrock's .daughter. The supporting programme includes a film* of the first professional tennis match between Perry and Vines. PRINCESS THEATRE. Randolph Scott, Binnie Barnes, and Henry Wilcoxon head one of the greatest casts of stars ever assembled on the screen in "The Last of the Mohicans," (Reliance Pictures' film versionof the immortal James Fenimore Cooper classic, which is the main attraction at the Princess Theatre. Also appearing in important roles are Bruce Cabot, Heather Angel, Phillip Reed, Robert Barrat, Hugh Buckler, and Wil-lard-"Robertson. Featuring the, first radto chase ever staged in films, R.K.O. Radio Pictures brings to the screen the hilarious - comedy with ' music, "Walking On Air,"' starring Gene Raymond'and Ann Sotfcern, and offered as the additional attraction. Some very pleasing short subjects are included on the % programme SHORTT'S THEATRE. i : Merciless gangsters prove no match for the savage bravery of a girl fighting for the things she loves most in 20th Century's "Show Them- No; Mercy!" which is the main attraction at j Shortt's Theatre. : The thrilling anti- j crime picture' features Rochelle Hudson as its heroine, with' Cesar Romero, Bruce Cabot, and Edward Norris in the supporting cast. - "Metropolitan," the 20th Century production, which is the supporting feature, is Lawrence Tib: bett's fifth motion picture. The world's leading baritone is supported by Virginia Bruce, 'Alice Brady, Cesar Romero, and Luis Alberni in this sparkling story of the drama, near tragedy, and thrills in the life of a grand opera star. REX THEATRE. "Murder by an Aristocrat," one of the most unusual mystery dramas to come to the screen from the Warner Bros.-Firsf" National' studios, is the main feature at the Rex Theatre. The picture deals with mysterious and at times-eerie happenings in the home of the proud and aristocratic Thatcher family, which includes a black sheep among its members. It is when" this person begins a blackmailing scheme that things start to happen, piling up to a thrilling climax. The cast includes Lyle Talbot, Marguerite Churchill, Claire Dodd, Virginia Brissac, and William Davidson. "Orphan of the Wilderness," the action-filled. Cinesound production of the Australian back-country, is the other feature film, with a cast headed by Gwen Munro, Brian Abbott, Joe Valli, Harry Abdy, Sylvia Kellaway, and Ron Whelan. KILBIRNIE . KINEMA. Everything that ■ goes to make a highly successful comedy-romance is possessed 'by the attraction showing tonight 'at the Kilbirnie Kinema. <rMy American Wife" has been heralded as possessing the qualities of that most delightful of Euro-pean-American comedies "Ruggles of Red Gap," and it fully lives up to expectations. Francis Lederer and Ann Sothern give a first-class account of themselves in the main roles. A rollicking comedy of a most unusual type, "Three Men on a Horse," which is the other feature, 'has claims to being one of the funniest stories ever brought to 'the screen. The cast is headed by Frank McHugh. Allen Jenkins, Ted Hart, Sam Levene, Joan Blondell, Carol Hughes, and Guy Kibbec. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Jeeves, the funniest character in fiction, comes to the screen for the first time in "Thank You, Jeeves!" the 20th Century picture based on P. G. Wodehouse's hilarious "gentleman's gent,' now showing at Our Theatre.- The droll Arthur Treacher plays the title role, with Virginia Field as the "lady in distress" and David Niven as the muddle-headed Bertie Wooster. The second attraction. "Everything is Thunder," featuring Constance Bennett and Douglas Montgomery, is a gripping drama revolving around a British officer's escape from a prison camp during the Great War. • ■ GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Showing at the Grand' Theatre, Petone, tonight is Helen Hunt Jackson s immortal romance, "Ramona," produced entirely in the new perfected technicolour. Loretta Young and Don Ameche head the cast of screen favourites, including Kent Taylor, Pauline Frederick, Jane Darwell, Kathenne De Mille, and John Carradine. An excellent array of short featurettes will be shown. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Crammed with thrills, romance, and sparkling comedy, Columbia's "Blackmailer," which is now-at the Palace Theatre, Petone, stars handsome William Gargan and charming Florence Rice. One of the most exciting mystery dramas of recent times, the picture moves' with breath-taking speed from ona dynamic situation to another.

.TIVOH .THEATRE. '•Ruggles of Hed Gap" concludes tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. RIVOLI THEATRE. Modern war-torn China is the background, lor the. fast-moving drama of romance, adventure, and intrigue, "The General Died at Dawn," which is the main feature at the Rivoli Theatre. The picture presents Gary Cooper as a soldier of fortune' in the ranks of the people's army engaged in a war of annihilation with the war lords who have preyed upon the country for centuries. Beautiful blonde Madeleine Carroll plays the part of the lure used by a war lord to betray him. A powerful dramatisation of the undercover activities of the Federal TMen, guardians of the U.S. Treasury, provides the theme of Columbia's "Counterfeit," which is the second feature. Chester Morris, Margot Grahame, Lloyd Nolan, and Marian Marsh head the impressive cast which most capably and convincingly portrays the amazing story of underworld intrigue, drama, and romance. In a whirlwind climax, T-men and gunmen come to grips in a hair-raising battle, with the law emerging the victor. STANLEY McKAY'S GAIETIES. A crowded house gave an enthusiastic reception to Saturday night's change of programme at the Opera House by Stanley McKay's Gaieties, the varied and well-balanced entertainment meeting with instant approval. With Joe Lawman leading the comedy, the fun was fast and furious, the comedian's versatility—he does everything that is expected of a finished performer—keeping the audience in a buzz of merriment the whole evening. He had an able team-mate in George Corelli, who played up to him in good style. The comedienne of the company was Miss Stella Lamond, who, in addition to a natural flair for comedy parts, sings and dances attractively. She was very popular with the audience, as were the Hilo Duo, who kept the house entertained and amused with popular vocal and instrumental items. ' Instrumental items were also contributed by Cy Pier, on the ukulele, and Miss Elvy Ferguson, who was warmly applauded for her violin playing. Miss Kathleen Howard and Harvey Hemming were heard in some admirablysung numbers, their efforts being warmly appreciated. Something different was provided by the Warren Bros., whose tumbling and ■ clowning made their act one of the features of the programme. The Flying Martinettis thrilled the audience with their display of gymnastics, their feats of strength, and balance being particularly well done. The Gaieties Ballet again supplied an attractive and. efficient background to the show, and were seen in some attractive ensembles and clever team-work. A matinee will be given on Wednesday and another on Saturday, when there will be a stage representation of "The Wedding of General Tom Thumb." SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Making his first appearance for some time, George Arliss again gives an outstanding performance in "East Meets West," now showing at the Saaside Theatre, Lyall Bay. This time he has the role of a crafty Sultan who replenishes his exchequer by deft diplomacy. Deftly exploiting his famous mannerisms, he succeeds in presenting a> study in1 the Arliss vein, peppering the dialogue with characteristic quips of his own. "Speed," featuring James Stewart and Wendy Barrie, reflects the pace of the mechanical age and at the same time humanises the scene in any typical American industrial plant. It is a story' of automobile manufacturing and of daredevil tests on dangerous curves, with a colourful love affair in progress. RONA OLSEN LECTURES. "How to Control Conditions in Your i Life" will be the subject of Kona ■ Olsen's lecture tomorrow evening. in the Conference Hall, ■Dominion . Farmers' Institute. On Wednesday- Ron a Olsen • commences a class in applied psychology. Written questions, will be answered again at the conclusion of ■tomorrow's lecture: • -