CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 51, 2 March 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Sweet Aloes" is: the unusual title for the unusual picture which is now i screening at the Regent Theatre. Kay Francis has'the difficult role-, of ."a woman who surrenders her chila ;to the care of an aristocratic family to save its name and to 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 to 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 and an excellent coloured cartoon in which a' hilarious cock-fight is depicted. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Gorgeous Hussy," now show-, ing at the Majestic. Theatre, is partly a biography of the beautiful Peggy 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 atmosphere 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 America's history. Lionel Barrymore, Robert Taylor, Franchot Tone, and Melvyn Douglas all carry their parts well. A "March of Time," newsreels, and a Robert Benchley comedy 1 complete a fine programme.ST. JAMES THEATRE. A welcome return to the screen is made by Clive Brook, the debonair English star, in "Lonely Road," the new British 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 blunder, who finds himself mixed up with a gun-running 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, 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 cinemaeazlnes. 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 lo a landing when lost in a storm and 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 of thes, aeroplanes. The supporting feature, "The Plot ThickenSj" brings together again the famous pair of sleuths, Inspector Piper and Hildegarde Withers. In this picture, of thrills and laughs, James Gleason and Zasu Pitts combine splendidly.' The story is both baffling and exciting and it 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, Francbot 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 of two young subalterns and Lieutenant McGregor, a Scotch-Canadian. When one of the youngsters is caught up in the intrigues of frontier plotting, andcarr ried off to ■ a mountain stronghold, events take an exciting, turn. The supports include a popular Pop-eye cartoon, a sporting short, and newsreels. ROXY THEATRE. "Mark of the Vampire," the mystery film now showing at the Roxy Theatre, is said to. eclipse any shocker ever presented on the screen. Tod Browning, . past-master at the art of depicting blood-curdling dramas, filmed "Mark of • the Vampire," arid its cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Elizabeth Allan, Bela Lugosi, of "Dracula" fame, Lionel Atwill, and Jean Hersholt. All phases of screen entertainment are brought to th<s screen in the supporting feature, "Absolute Quiet,"* in which comedy, stark drama, breath-taking thrills, and melodramatic action are deftly coupled together. The players include Lionel Atwill and Irene Hervey. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Aptly described as the season's smartest 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. Sally 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, showing at the Empire Theatre tonight. < 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. The supporting programme includes a beautiful colour-tone comedy and a further . issue of the popular series, "Stranger Than Fiction." . • CAPITOL THEATRE, MDJAMAR. "Border Flight" is a story built round the struggles of the coastguard air corps to put down the activities of fur smugglers. Two ace flyers of. the corps find themselves rivals for the attention of the same girl. The stunt flying of one of them brings his expulsion from the service and anger leads him to become a pilot for the smug-1 glers. Peace-time warfare of the air corps with the outlaw band provided opportunity for some of the most thrilling aerial scenes yet filmed. "Palm Springs," (the playground of movie stars and millionaires, is the title and situation of the supporting feature, a tuneful and sparkling romantic comedy starring Frances Langford. Popular songs include "I Don't Want to Make History," "Will I Ever Know," and "The Hills of. Old -Wyomjn'." 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 State Theatre, Petone, tonight. The charming, talented Carole' Lombard' is costarred with him in the screen offering, which was taken from Eyic*Hatch's sparkling, mirth-stirring, novel"of ?the

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. All the thrills of circus life' are brought ■ vividly •to the screen in Warner -Bros.' production "Bengal Tiger,' starring.' Barton ' Mac Lane and June Travis, and now showing at- the. De Luxe: Theatre. ■ Into ■ the bargain ■.- the picture has an unusual romance thread--Ing through it and is full.; of dramatic moments, combining to make,, an- entertaining film. .The associate feature, "Where's Sally?" starring the inimitable Gene Gerrard, is one of the. liveliest' comedies to be screened .in :-Wellington for some time. It is a wildly hilarious story of the most impossible yet most,entertaining type—a glorious melee of matrimonial mix-ups. ■ Claude Hulbert and. Reginald Purdell. are others in the cast. •... : : ' ... 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 ■:. with the ' thrills .of big-game ~ hunting, aeroplane views bver. little-known country, and unexpected glimpses of jungle life.,:lt 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. STANLEY McKAT'S GAIETIES. - "A Brighter 1937," the current presentation -at the New Opera House by, Stanley McKay's Gaieties, attracted another large audience last evening. With Joe Lawman leading the comedy, the fun was fast and -furious. He had an able, team-mate in: George Corelli, who played up Ho-him in good style. The comedienne of the company was Miss Stella-Lamond, who, in additiqn ■to a natural1, flair' for' comedy parts,' sings and dances attractively. ~The Hilo.Duo kept the house entertained and amused with' popular vocal and instrumental items:• Instrumental items were. also" contributed by Cy Pier.' (ukulele) and Miss -Elvy ; Ferguson' .(violin), and Miss. Kathleen Howard and Harvey Hemming we're heard •in some admirablysung numbers. The Warren Bros.; tumbling and clowning made their act one of the features of the programme, and the Flying ;' Martinettis again thrilled the audience. The Gaieties Ballet again supplied an attractive and efficient background to the show. A striking feature of the show.is the band presentation, "A Fantasy in Gold.". A matinee will be given tomorrow, and' another, on .Saturday,. when there will be a stage representation of "The Wedding of General Tom Thumb," Sir Harry Lauder has signified his intention of being present at tonight's performance. George and Wehi Greig (the Hilo Duo) toured the East with Sir Harry .'some years, ago, and they renewed- their friendship,- when the famous comedian arrived from Sydney today. ' ~ ■ '' ' . REX THEATRE. In "Stolen Harmony," the main feature at the Rex Theatre, Grace Bradley, is cast opposite. George Raft, who is starred,with Ben Bernie and all his popular-melody-makers. > The picture combines' music, dancing, and fun, in telling the melodramatic,tale;of a convict's': regeneration through. .love,, friendship,"and his willingness to risk his' life for;. those of his friends. Gene Raymond, H. B. Warner, and Laura Hope Crews support Sylvia Sidney in the principal featured roles of the associate picture, "Behold My Wife," which reveals the dramatic story of a man who married for revenge and learned the true meaning of love. 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 version of 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 .-.Willard Robertson. Featuring the first radio 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 Sothern, and offered as the additional attraction. Some very pleasing short subjects are included on the programme. /';'. '""''SHORTT'S THEATRE. : 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 Shortt's Theatre. The thrilling anticrime 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 Tibbett'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. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "My American Wife" and "Three Men on. a-Horse" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. , "Swing-Time" opens at the Kilbirnie Kinema tomorrow,' co-starring the popular Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In story, songs, dances, comedy situations, supporting cast, and production "Swing Time" tops its predecessors. The noted duo present a spectacular fast-moving double-triangle romantic travesty that holds the audience until the final fadeout. "Speed," a picture that reflects the breathless pace of the contemporary age, will be the supporting feature. It is unique in its combination of romance and terrific action. The cast presents James Stewart, Wendy. Barrie, Una Merkel, Weldon Heyburn, Ted Healy, Ralph Morgan, and Patricia Wilder.SEASIDE THEATRE,' LYALL BAY. "The Preview Murder Mystery" is the main feature on tonight's programme at the Seaside Theatre. ' The story opens at the preview of a new movie. The star has been.threatened with, death, but most of his friends believe it a publicity stunt. But as the preview closes, and crowds surge forward to congratulate the star, they find him dead—of poison. What follows, as nerves become more tense and frayed, and as the investigation proceeds, brings the story to a breathlessly exciting climax. Clarence K. Mulford's popular Western novel, "Three on a Trail," is the supporting feature. GRAND THEATRE, FETONE. 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, Katherine 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 mo.yes, w.ith breath-taking speed feomicmeldyjiamcisituation^tpAanother. &&- '

TIVOLI THEATRE. Handsome Francis Lederer and lovely Ann Sothern are co-starred in Paramount's "My American Wife," which opens 'at the Tivoli Theatre tonight. The picture concerns a foreign nobleman; who" weds an American girl and returns to;'her Arizona home, only to learn that she wants him to remain in braid and spangles, while he wants to become a rancher. Fred Stone and Billie Burke, aided by Ernest Cossart and Grant Mitchell, round out the excellent cast and keep the romance moving at a brisk pace until the close. "Front Page Woman," Warner Bros, fast-moving comedy-drama dealing with the intense rivalry between a man and a-woman reporter on opposing newspapers, 'is the other feature. Bette Davis, deserting for the moment the heavy dramatic roles she has portrayed in- the past, and George Brent, the Irish-American actor,, are starred in the picture, which includes a supporting cast comprising such, popular player! as Roscoe Karns, Winifred Shaw, Walter Walker, J. Carroll Naish, Gordon Westcott, and others. RIVOLI THEATRE. Modern war-torn China is the background for 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. Warner Baxter, in a totally different type of role, heads the stellar cast of "King of Burlesque," the. supporting feature; Alice Faye, Mona Barrie, Jack Oakie, Arline Judge, the pert little comedienne, Gregory Ratoff, Fats Waller, Nick Long, jun., Kenny Baker, and the Paxton Sisters are only a few of the names in the cast that make "King of Burlesque" such gay entertainment. .'■■■., p ■'; ■ 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 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 Jirom a prison camp during the Great War. .' ; ■ RONA OLSEN LECTURES. ; Another will be presented tonight of hearing Rona Olsen when she will: lecture in the Conference Hall,; Dominion Farmers' Institute, at 8 o'clock on "How to Control Conditions' in Your Life." Written questions relating to all psychological aspects of life will be answered. '