CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND • SUBURBAN- THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

. The spirit and the legendry of Elizabethan England live again in "Fire ' Over 'England," the latest success of the English film studios, now screen- - ling at the Regent Theatre. From the very beginning, the picture'reflects the 'glamour of momentous days, the vigour and recklessness which characterised 'the rise of England into prominence ■ from • the ranks of the second-class Powers, and which accompanied .the downfall of Spain. A. K. W. Mason's famous novel has suffered nothing by "its transmutation to the screen. Its -story is still the same,' and its characters live and move with even more conviction.- There is about the picture an atmosphere of suspense and, of courage which must have been the atmosphere of an England threatened by the greatest ; fleet and. the. largest invading army the Channel had ever "seen. Among, the characters of the "Story, one stands out clearly, that or .Queen Elizabeth. It is the 'finest por"trayal yet seen on the screen of England's presiding genius through those troublous times. Flora Eobson secures the greatest success of years of acting experience. The part of the Earl of Leicester is: ably played by Leslie Banks. Another fine study is that of the staid and canny chancellor, Lord Burleigh, played by Morton. Selten. Raymond Massey's Philip of Spain is also commendable, and brings out the difference between the principals of the two warring countries. The leading role, that of Michael Ingolby. the young seafarer who escapes from Spain to play a major part in the foiling of Spain's great enterprise, is well played by Laurence Olivier. Vivien Leigh • treats in spirited manner the.role of Cynthia, his fiancee. The part of Elena, the Spanish lady who assists, his escape, and who afterwards comes hear to betraying him to' the Spaniards again, is played by Tamara Desni. The supports, which include a Silly Symphony entitled "Country Cousin,' a travelogue, and riewsreels, are, as usual, excellent. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ' Brilliance, of plot ..construction and delightful handling of romantic themes, which are two of the most outstanding characteristics of the plays of Shakespeare, are nowhere better seen than in "Romeo and Juliet," which is now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, and drawing large audiences. The very ambitious nature of the production has assisted in its success, and to add to it the directors of -the film have chosen players;for the title parts who are at the top of their profession. Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard are the,:two chief performers;, and their - creation of the Shakespearean characters. is achieved by intellectual insight and understanding that comes only to those actors and actresses of wide experience and inherent ability. In particular, reference must be made to the Doi^nancy and appealing drama of the last scene,. which reaches dramatic ■heights that have not been attained in ' many plays. John Barrymore, who at ' one time played the role of Hamlet, hag' been assigned' the part: of Mercutio, and. the manner in which he handles one of the few long speeches is outstanding. Throughout the'-pro- . " duction 'delightful incidental music byi Herbert Stothart adds much to the appeal of the play. Altogether it is a brilliant achievement in motion picture1 art. . ■';•;-' -. ,4. ST. JAMES THEATRE. i( . ":«■ "*~.'lt Isn . t Tj onei » whjch opened' at St. '-': James Theatre* yesterday, is probably .one of the best films to - come'fronr'the .Australian,studios.;. The three* essentials of r picture' production, theme, acting, and presentations are to . be found in the picture. '■ The settings, top. are unusually good, but the film's main attribute is the inimitable Australian humour which characterises practically every scene. Cecil Kellaway, who is well known to New Zea- • land audiences, and Shirley Ann Rich: ards-head a large cast, but these two almost dominate the picture. As Hubert Blaydon, an Australian squatter,-. Kellaway comes into the'title of a lord, and his family go to London to claim the title and the estate,. Like fish out of water they find themselves in difficulty through being.forced to associate with the. social set in England, and many humorous situations develop as a result. Lord Blaydon's daughter falls in love with her father's nephew,- the next in line for the estate, and these two provide the romantic interest* ■ After: many vicissitudes, Lord Blaydon realises that the life of a lord is not all milk and honey, particularly when it is thrust upon him late in life. He employs a means of destroying the only conclusive proof of him bemg heir to the title,'and as a result fie finds happiness in seeing his beloved daughter take over the title through her marriage to her cousin. Kellaway and Miss Richards give splendid performances, as do Lord Denvee, the scoffing peer, and Sylvia Kellaway, as Lady Blaydon. The supporting ' programme is of a high order.- It includes newsreels, a cartoon, and a further number in the "March of Time" series. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. That incomparable pair of the twinkling toes, Fred Astaire and Ginger . Rogers, brought back all the delightful rhythm'of "Top "Hat" to Wellington last evening at the Paramount Theatre. Certainly they took a long time to understand each other in their affections, but in the meantime they knocked out many a tripping masterpiece on' the boards. Fred, of course, started .the whole business. He just happened ;to be in his friend's hotel\room, and just happened to want to: dance; the prospective sleeper in the room below was —quite by chance-yGinger. And she, secretly thrilled with Fred, thought he was-Fred's;friend. This as getting a little mixed, but so was the love affair. Fred's friend was Edward Everett Horton, of all people, and was married, ■ and when Ginger finds that the- man who is courting her is not the man , who is courting her, the man who is courting her is not in immediate J favour. But anyhow everything ends all right. It is bright and breezy entertainment. Fred Astaire is typically jovial and tickly-toed, and Horton is in one of his delicious funny . moods. 1 Ginger Rogers, although she thinks she ,■ is'being chased by a married man, forgets all about that while she is danc- ' ing, and gives of her best. Wellingtonians who enjoyed "Follow the Fleet" and "Top Hat" before will be going again. And there is a good supporting programme. KING'S THEATRE. When an American film undertakes American history seriously there is fidelity to the known facts, but seldom has a more convincing tale been produced than "The Plainsman," now, in its third week in . Wellington at the King's Theatre. Gary Cooper seems • to live the part of Wild Bill Hickok, and Jean Arthur that of Calamity Jane, while the Indian fighting is some of the most realistic ever , screened. Wild Bill, as the lone scout, prevents wholesale massacres1 by the interception of rifles smuggled to the, Sioux and Cheyennes, does more in fact than the whole of the military, and has the knack of always being where his respected presence counts. None of the leading characters has been overidealised, and their rugged qualities ring true in many tense situations. The supports include a versatile band of musicians, a "Pbpeye" cartoon, and gazettes of interest, including fine skiing pictures.. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Warner Baxter turns to a tragic portrayal in 20th Century's "The Prisoner of Shark Island," which is screening at Shortt's Theatre .The picture is based on the real life-story of Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd. the physician who treated Lincoln's assassin, and who paid for his unintentional crime by years of agony in an island hell. Gloria Stuart, Arthur Byron. O. P. Heggie, and Claude Gillingwater •re seen In the principal supporting *oles. Starring Edward Everett Horton, the classic comedy, "The Private Secretary," is-the. associate-feature.

PLAZA THEATRE,

• With George Arliss at. the head of ithe cast a film has always been assured of-success, but never before have this .great actor's efforts deserved such unstinted praise as they uo. in "His Lordship," the present attraction at. the Plaza Theatre. Playing the dual part of a pompous secretary of foreign affairs and his scallywag twin brother, Arliss has probably his finest roles to date and demonstrates his remarkable versatility and superb acting ability. When the story opens, a young Englishman (admirably played by Romilly Lunge, a newcomer to the screen) is attempting to obtain an audience with the Emir of an Eastern State. The Emir is murdered by two conspiring Ministers. The Englishman enters the room, is found bending over the body, and ' has .to -,- make a hasty > escape. Dressed as an.Arab, and with Arliss's assistance,. he leaves the country, and the two determine to warn the Crown Prince, residing -in England, against returning to his homeland. The news is spread that the murderer was an Englishman, and the cunning native Ministers arrive in England to seek retribution for the crime. The young Englishman and his friend attempt to explain the position to the latter s brother, who, in his Ministerial capacity, is to deal with the case, but he refuses to listen and insists on a'policy which might bring war between the countries. How the Minister is kidnapped, his place taken by his brother, and the murderers are proved guilty, form an interesting part of a very exciting story. The supporting programme is of a very high standard. STATE THEATRE. How an American "small-time racketeer" reacts to the refining influence, of British Army- discipline provides the comedy- highlights in "Sally of the Regiment," which is featured on the new programme at the State Theatre. From start, to finish the picture is first-class entertainment. It is notable for the quality of its humour, its really funny dialogue, in which Wallace Ford, as the American, shines'. Much of the picture, too, is filmed against the background of, genuine army manoeuvres. Briefly,' the story tells of how Jimmy Tracy, in order to escape pending trouble, flees to England under a dead man's alias. He is accepted as the dead man,' and with that identity enters the British Army. His education into English army ways is one of the most laughable episodes in' the picture. He falls in love with Sally, played,,-by Miss Anna, Lee. Lance-Corporal Bert (John Mills) is also in love with Sally, and competition grows extremely keen. Jimmy develops into a good soldier in time. The final scene is cast in China, where the regiment, in charge of. Sally's father, enters on active service. Here the two friendly rivals for the girl's hand are embroiled in a battle against Chinese pirates, and come out of it with honour, though Jimmy is forced to pay the highest price. In addition to this picture, there is an excellent programme of shorts, including a cartoon, a striking picture in colour interpreting an Hawaiian legend, and some topical newsreels. , . ... . THE MARCUS SHOW. The Marcus . Show., which opens at the New Opera House tonight, nas 80 performers in the entourage, ancluding 22 principals, 16 -big acte. a chorus of, 25. and a ballet of 30 American beauties who have bee: the rage wherever thjy.. have appeared. The scenery occupied.one-fifth ol trie space on the; Aorangi.- whichi brought the company from-the,.States,, and;, is spectacular beyond description,,.while ■the.-lovely girls jn the-,company^ display Ho less than, :600 gowns in- the, first revue, "La Vie Pa,ree." Snappy music is put overin grand style, there are dances galore, and the, fact.that there are: no less than four comedians, ensures that the comedy is both original and fast and furious. "LaA^ie Paree" will be followed by t antaisies de l'Orient" and "Revue Continental." Each revue consists of d<> scenes with about 12 special scenes of particular spectacular effect. Although the girls are. naturally, a big feature of the show, at the same time, this is not a "girl show" in the generally accepted term, for the entertainment in addition to the'beauty'provided by the chorus, and. ballet, comprises a; rapidlymoving succession of highly-developed and lavishly-produced variety acts, sketches, poses, tableaux, and musical comedy items. ■ KOXY THEATRE. ■ Teliing one«of the strangest stories ever to come to life, Columbia's dramatic "Legion of Terror," is screening at the Roxy . Theatre. Bruce Cabot and Marguerite Churchill head the cast. The activities of the infamous hooded legion that terrorised many communities in America provides the theme of the film. , "Gold Diggers of 1937" is'the supporting feature, with Dick Powell and Joan Blondell as its stars. It has, like its predecessors, a lot of, fast-stepping beautiful girls (no less than 200 of them this time), and is interspersed with new hit.songs. . ■ . ~ . OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "San Francisco," starring Jeanette Mat Donald, Clark Gable, and Spencer Tracy, is the main attraction showing at Our Theatre. Gable portrays a gambler and saloonkeeper of 'Frisco at the height of that city's most glamorous, period. Miss Mac Donald is a small-town minister's daughter who seeks adventure in the ,music halls, of the Golden Gate City and rises to fame Woven into the plot # is an absorbing love story for Gable, and the singer. Miss Mac Donald's voice is heard to perfection. The thrilling melodrama, "Wanted Jane Turner," starring Gloria Stuart and Lee Tracy, is the second attraction- "Audioscopics," the screen's latest novelty, is an added attraction. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The main feature1 in tonight's programme at the Regal Theatre will be Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's phenomenal success, "Smart Town Girl." Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor are teamed in this stirring modern romance. The second picture, "The Girl on the Front Page,", features Gloria Stuart as a society debutante who inherits a newspaper from her father. Her managing editor is portrayed by Edmund Lowe, who proves himself a comedian of exceptional skill. The supporting programme is exceptionally good.- Patrons are notified that further improvements to the presentation of Regal Theatre entertainments have been effected with the installation of new sound equipment as well as a new screen, bringing the standard of production to a very high level. In future all evening performances at this theatre will commence at 7.30, with supporting featurettes screening until approximately 7.45, when the first main feature will commence. . STATE THEATRE, PETONE. With brilliant acting performances from such screen headliners as Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Melvyn Douglas, ■and James Stewart, "The Gorgeous Hussy," which opened this afternoon at the State Theatre, is one of the finest pictures, to come from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Miss Crawford has her most ambitious role in this production. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Magnificent Obsession," Universal's version of the best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, in which Irene Dunne is starred with Robert Taylir, Charles Butterworih, Ralph Morgan, Betty Furness, and Sara Haden, is the feature film at the. Grand Theatre. It is npted for the strength and simplicity of its dramatic presentation, and the team work of the actors. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. The Palace Theatre is presenting another double-feature bill. The main attraction is Jack London's thrilling story, "Conflict." Tim McCoy heads the cast in "The Prescott Kid," and on the stage Jack and Robbie Tapp give another song and dance number.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "This'll Make ' You Whistle," Jack Buchanan's latest comedy for Herbert Wilcox Productions, now at the Tiyoli Theatre, is a ■ deliriously daring musical film, crammed lull with gaiety, "song, and dance, overflowing with witty wisecracks and hectic situations, with Jack in the embarrassing position of being engaged to two girls at the. same time. The cast, most of whom appeared in the stage version, which created such a riot ail nver England, include Jean Gillie, Elsie Randolph, who' makes a welcome reappearance on the screen, David Hutcheson arid William Kendall, as Jack's pals, Anthony Holley, and Mariorie Brooks. "The Three Godfathers," based on Peter B. Kyne's widely-read novel, is the associate feature. The picture tells the story of three 'bad men" of the American desert who descend upon New Jerusalem to rob a bank a few days before Christmas. [n their escape across the desert they find a dying mother, an infant clutched in her arms. The sacrifices they make to save the babe's life and get it back safely to civilisation provides the theme of the human story. Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, and Walter Brennan head a notable cast. RIVOLI THEATRE. Sinclair Lewis's "Dodsworth," which thrilled millions as a novel and as a stage play, has come to the screen in Samuel Goldwyn's film production which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, with Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas, Mary Astor, and David Niven in the leading roles. Sidney Howard, who made the stage adaptation of the novel, also prepared the screen version of this stirring story of an easygoing American husband who retired to travel and find himself, but instead found "out the pretty, selfish, frivolous wife who wanted one last fling at romance before settling down .t° middle-age. The talents of William Frawley, Roscoe Karns, Lynne Overman, and Mary Brian are combined in the associate- feature, Paramount's / "Three Married Men." The picture concerns the trials and tribulations of a young couple—Karns and. Miss Brian—who marry despite family objections.. Frawley and Overman appear as brothers of the bride. George Barbier, best of the screen's apoplectic oldsters, and Marjorie Gateson have important supporting roles. REX THEATRE. Two mysterious killings, a stolen emerald, and the disappearance of a priceless art treasure from a museum form the principal highlights of R.K.O. Radio's newest detective thriller, "The Plot Thickens," which is the main attraction at the Rex Theatre. ' James Gleason and Zasu Pitts are featured in the film with Owen Davis, jun., and Louise Latimer playing the romantic leads. Photographed against the exciting background of a fire disaster on the high seas, Universal's "Girl Overboard!" featuring Gloria Stuart and Walter Pidgeon, is also showing. It presents the dramatic story of a girl, falsely accused of murder, who clears herself of the charge, with the aid of a district attorney who loves her. The cast includes such favourites as Billy Burrud, Hobart Cavanaugh, Gerald Oliver Smith, Sidney Blackmer, Jack Smart, David Oliver, Charlotte Wynters, Russell Hicks, R. E.-O'Connor, and Edward McNamara. PRINCESS THEATRE. The leading attraction at the Princess Theatre, "This'll Make YouWhistle," is the lightest, breeziest musical comedy romance the popular Jack Buchanan has ever made. It tells the riotously-funny ' adventures of a nearly-wed young man engaged to two charming girls—at the same time. Running up the comedy scale from amusing to uproarious, and containing a tender love story, with a new approach, Universal's laugh1 hit, "The Luckiest Girl in the World," is the additional attraction, featuring Jane Wyatt and Louis Hayward. Several entertaining short .subjects complete the programme. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Warner Bros.' production of "Anthony Adverse," filmed from Hervey Allen's cyclopean novel, which boasts of 3,000,000 readers, 'is-being shown at the Kilbifnie Kinema, with Fredric March in the stellar role and Olivia de Havilland playing opposite him. In its panoramic story sweeping through five countries and three continents, the magnitude of its. 131 sets, the picturesqueness of its backgrounds, the gigantic scale on which it was produced and the. vast number of talented players in the cast, "Anthony Adverse" surpasses any picture filmed by Warner . Bros. In dynamic action, intense drama, glamorous romance, and thrilling adventure, probably no story was ever better fitted for screen material. And Warner Bros, are said to have caught all the vividness, the. fire,-and colour of the original and to have transmitted it to the film., , • EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Rafael Sabatini's immortal tale of piracy on the high seas, "Captain Blood, now acknowledged to nave taken its place among. the classic stories of adventure written in the last' century, is screening at the Empire Theatre. •In the immensity of its stark drama, its tremendous sets, its bizarre and picturesque background, its thrilling action, and its marvellous characterisations, "Captain Blood" stands out as one of the great film masterpieces.. Errol Flynn and Olivia deHavilland are-the stars.; CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Jane Withers scores her greatest •triumph in "Pepper," which is'showing at the Capitol. With Irvin S. Cobb and Slim Summerville as her hilarious henchmen, Jane goes through a rollicking series of riotous adventures as she hurls tomatoes and keeps the entire neighbourhood in an uproar. Lily Pons displays a successful flair for sparkling wit and brilliant comedy in the musical comedy hit "That Girl From Paris," which is also on the bill. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. The.wilder and more mischievous Jane Withers is in her screen roles, the better movie fans like the harum-scarum miss. In "Pepper," screening tonight at the Seaside Theatre, Jane has ample opportunity to display the inimitable antics that have made her such an outstanding favourite with film audiences throughout the world. Based on a fire disaster which occurs at sea, "Girl Overboard!" hits a new high spot in gripping realism on the screen. It reveals the pandemonium which reigns aboard.a blazing ship. Gloria Stuart and Walter Pidgeon have the main roles. WEEKEND SCHOOL OF DRAMA. The weekend school of drama being held by the Wellington area of the British Drama League is now in full swing. The school was officially opened by the president, the Rev. D. J. Davies, who expressed the hope that all societies and individual members interested in drama would take this opportunity of learning more about such important' phases of the art as voice production, make up, play production, and the art of movement. The school is being held under the tutorship of Miss Elizabeth Loe in the Repertory Theatre. Lambton Quay. Further classes will be given tonight and tomorrow afternoon. A playreading will be given by Professor J. Shelley tomorrow evening at 8.15. GEORGE WALLACE FAREWELLED. The New Opera House was packed last night for the final gala performance to farewell George Wallace, the popular Australian comedian, who has been delighting New Zealand audiences with his sketches in the Connors and Paul Revue and who is shortly leaving for Hollywood, where he intends to make pictures. An entirely new programme was presented, and was well appreciated by the enthusiastic audience. The company is to play final seasons, finishing at Auckland before it returns to Australia. BROOKLYN THEATRE. Two special features will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. Ricardo Cortez and Marguerite Churchill are the stars of "Man Hunt.1' "Hearts Divided" stars Marion Davies. Dick Powell, Edward Everett Horton, and Charles Ruggles.

DE LUXE THEATRE. I A typical English comedy of the, well-tried type, "Aren't Men Beasts,'' which appears at tne Ue Luxe Theatre this weeK, deals with the eriorts of a ' young man to escape from his past in time to marry. On tne brink of a marriage ceremony, his father, a mild dentist with no practice to speak about; becomes involved in a scandal with a young woman who says (quite falsely^ that- he has attacked her. His onlyclue to her identity is that she has a mole on her shoulder. The ; conspirators, to aid the young man; then concentrate upon getting a glimpse of the shoulders of all the suspects and, pt course, this leads to struggles which are always surprised. So there is constant evidence that men are beasts, and Robertson Hare, Alfred Drayton, Billy Milton, and the beautiful June Clyde, Judy Kelly, and Ellen Pollock have a' lively time and crack many jokes. The second, film, "Mysterious Crossing," which has James Dunn as a hard-boiled reporter trying to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a big banker during a train-ferry crossing of the Mississippi River, deals with adventure in the byways of New Orleans and is replete with thrills. Jean Rogers, Andy Devine, Hobait Cavanaugh, and John Eldndge are in this film, which neatly balances the comedy that forms the principal attraction. In addition there is a long list of specially chosen supporting features, including a thrilling skiing picture and the latest newsreels. SUNDAY PICTURES. A grand Coronation feature is announced for tomorrow evening at the De Luxe Theatre, when the enthralling picture "Royal Cava cade will be screened and the full military. ban-i of the Ist Battalion, the Wellington Regiment, will play bright selections appropriate to the occasion. >_ When shown in the large cities this .film delighted large audiences and, in many instances, had record runs. Royal Cavalcade" vividly, portrays world-shaking events of the last 25 years, powerfully interpreted by over 100 stars of stage and screen. Thrilling episodes and glorious spectacles, interspersed witn, music and comedy, go to make a very remarkable entertainment. . The band will play from 8 p.m..: prior to the screening of the picture. HARMONIC SOCIETY. A programme specially arranged in keeping with Coronation Week celebrations has been prepared by the Harmonic Society for presentation on Monday evening in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. The programme includes the patriotic chorus "For Empire and for King" (Percy Fletcher), quartet and chorus "Peace, Gentle Peace" from the "Coronation Ode (Elgar), - and "We Have Fed Our Seas" (Grainger). There will be new numbers on the programme in "Naughty Mary" (Markham Lee) and "When Johnnie Sings" (Lindley Evans), the latter being the prizewinning composition in the Australian Broadcasting Commission's competition in 1935. Old favourites include "Weary Wind of the West" (Elgar), "A Love Symphony" (Percy Pitt), "Vocal Pa van" (Alec Rowley), and. "My Bonnie Lass" (Edward German). Assisting the choir will be Madame Betts-Vincent, solo pianist, who will contribute "Rhapsody in E Flat" (Brahms), "Etude in A" (Poldini), "March Jig" (Grainger), etc.; and Mr. Russell J. Laurenson, baritone, who will sing Jacques Wolfe's "De Glory Road," "The Two Grenadiers',' (Schumann), and "The Organ Man" (Schubert). Popular prices are being charged, and there will be 150 seats at Is. The plan is at Begg's.