CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

The spirit and the legend of Elizabethan England live again in "Fire : Over England," the latest success of ' the English film studios, now screen- ' ing at the Regent Theatre. A. E. W. Mason's famous novel has suffered nothing by its transmutation to the screen.. MAJESTIC THEATRE. ! "Romeo and Juliet," featuring Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard, is to be shown finally, at the Majestic Theatre tonight. ST JAMES THEATRE. "It Isn't Done," the attraction at the St. James Theatre, is probably ' one of the best films to come from the Australian studios. The three essentials .of motion . picture production, themej i acting, and presentation, are to be found in the picture. Cecil Kellaway t who is well known to New Zealand- audiences, and Shirley Ann Rich- • ards-nead 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 but of water they find themselves in 'through being forced to associate ;with the social set in England, and many humorous situations develop as -a result. 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. "Top Hat," starring that incompar- ■ able pair of the twinkling toes, Fred "Astaire and Ginger Rogers, is to be screened finally at the Paramount Theatre tonight. . KING'S THEATRE. v "The- Plainsman" is- to conclude a successful season, at the King's Theatre tonight. ': : ■, Set in the colourful background of New Orleans in'the gay seventies, "Rainbow on'■;the River," Bobby Breen's new singing.vehicle, offers film patrons a lavish, musical drama boasting a strong story plot, a fine cast, elaborate' settingSv'and .a group of songs by the talented nine-year-old star. It is to start screening at the King's Theatre.tomorrow. May Robson heads the supporting cast, which includes Charles Butterworth, Louise Beavers, Alan Mowbray, Benita Hume, Marilyn Knowlden, and Henry O'Neill. More than a thousand players appear in the several spectacular sequences. , The ; fate of a pretty chorine, accused of murdering her husband, dangles by • the slender thread of a sole woman's ■ conviction that she should not hang, .' in "We're On the Jury," co-starring r Victor Moore and" Helen Broderick, . which is to be the associate feature.. The comedians are supported by a '. strong cast including Billy Gilbert, '•• Philip Huston, Louise Latimer, Colleen Clare, Vinton Haworth, Mc- • Wade, Frank M. Thomas, and others. ■ PRINCESS THEATRE. ' "This'll Make' You Whistle" and "The ■•. Luckiest Girl in the World" will be C finally screened tonight at the Prin- ':; cess Theatre. ■■ ,-;!f, ' ■' :. Two conspicuous film successes from '" the Paramount Studios-will commence ' tomorrow at the Princess Theatre. Per- ■'■ haps the'most ambitious " and costly spectacle that Hollywood has ever at- :' tempted. Paramount's, -'.'The, Lives*.qf a f "• 'Bengal Lanoer;"Ms"-i&e'chief-attraction,,. :;. Featuring Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone,, -' Richard Cromwell, and Sir Guy Stand-; r ing in the.principal,roles, "The Liv*s, *:■:, .--ofi-a; Bengalr,.Lancer-v..-is a- stirringj.-coU ourful, and action-crammed story of the exploits and adventures of England's colonial soldiers in India. Randolph Scott and Frances Drake have leading •■"' romantic roles in the: Paramount pro-' : duction of drama on the highways, • "Toll of the Road." ; the associate fea- . ture Closer to reality than most dramatic films of the past, because it deals • with an agent of death common in ; everyday life, "Toll of the Road" is a skilful blend of romance,. and thrills. ' The" supporting cast . includes Tom . Brown, Billy Lee, and Fuzzy- Knight. ; ROXY THEATRE. ' "Legion of Terror" and "Gold Dig- . gers of 1937" are to be shown. finally " at the Roxy TheatreI'tonight1'tonight ■;,;-. _ "Three Men-'on a Horse,";, featuring "■ Frank- McHugli, Joan • Blondell.-.'■ and; ' Guy Kibbee, is to commence at :' the Roxy Theatre tomorrow. ~ This is, • a srae-splitting story of,1 Erwin4(prp- ': nounced Oiwin), aineek little ■writer of ; greeting:^card verses—who ;-haS tna . weird gift of picking winners in horse : races. He keeps that secret to himself, and as he rides to and fro - to ■ work from his home he :ots down in -,- a little book his prognostications ana -* imaginary winnings. His nagging wile '.' fihds^the book, denounces him-as. a philanderer, and browbeats him' to the < point of desperation.' > "Alibi for. Mur-: der." Columbia's new murder-mystery, will be the supporting feature, witn ■ William Gargan, Marguerite Churchill. ■ and Gene Morgan in the leading, roles. The film'deals with a murder case in ' which all suspects have an airtight alibi. ~ , KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ■■'■■'; The stirring love- drama/bf the Great ■ War, "The Road to'Glory,'':a Twentieth Century-Fox production, ?ds showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema- Vibrantlyenacted by an impressive cast, mclud- ■ ingFredric March, Warner Baxter, Lionel Barrymore, June Lang, and Gregory Ratoff, the film tells a robust, dramatic story, and maintains an intense suspense from ''• beginning '■ to end. " Hollywood ' Boulevard." a Paramount production featuring John Halliday, is a colourful story of the comeback of a fallen screen idol and has in it a big parade of famous names of the silent film days ; and current players of prominence. Halliday is supported by pretty Marsha Hunt, Robert Cummings, Esther Rals- \ ton,' Frieda Inescort,. and. C. Henry ' Gordbn. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Jealousy," which heads the double- - feature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices, tells the J story of a prize-fighter who kills a man in a jealous rage after a quarrel ; with his wife. He allows the girl to" • take the blame for the crime until, conscience-stricken, he surrenders and is convicted of the deed. Nancy Car'roll, George" Murphy, and Donald Cook have the principal roles. The . exciting drama, ''Straightaway,", star- - ring Tim McCoy and Sue Carol, is the second attraction. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Smartest Girl in Town," co-starring ' Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern, at ■ the Grand Theatre, is a modern, spark- - ling romance rippling with gay situa- ,. tions which terminate in a barrage of - side-splitting complications. The sup- - porting cast is studded with comedy . favourites, such as Helen Broderick, Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes, and Harry : Jans. ( STATE THEATRE, PETONE. The feature film at the State Theatre, ' Petone'' is "Can This Be Dixie?" : Jane Withers's 20th Century-Fox sue- • cess. The film is a combination of hilarious fun, lilting music, fast-moving • dances, and rollicking comedy. Slim ' Summerville heads the outstanding ', cast -which ' includes Helen Wood, 1 Thomas Blck, Sara Haden, Claude Gillingwater, and Donald Cook. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. ' Tonight's main feature at the .: Palace Theatre will be "Night Wait- : ress," in which.a fortune in gold sec- - reted-at the bottom of San Francisco ■ Bay precipitates a youthful schooner '. captain and his girl into-a series of thrilling adventures. Margot Grahame , and Gordon Jones play the leading . roles. "Orphan of the Wilderness, with Brian Abbott and Gwen Munro, will also be shown. ■

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

i- With George Arliss at the head ot c the cast, "His Lordship" is being well if received at the Plaza Theatre. Playing | i. the dual part of a pompous secretary r, of' 'foreign 'affairs and his scally- ). wag.twin -brother, Arliss has probi. ably.'.:. his. finest roles to date. .' .When Vine .';story opens, a young Englishman ' (admirably . played by I Romilly Lunge;.,a newcomer to the g screen) is .attempting, to obtain an audis ence with the Emir of an' Eastern State. c The Emir is. murdered by two conspir-1 ing Ministers'.: The Englishman enters I the roomi is found bending over the body, and has to make a hasty escape. Dressed as an Arab; and with.Arliss's t assistance, he leaves the country, anci jr the two determine 'to" warn the1 Crown c Prince, residing in England, against re- [. turning .to ■ his homeland.; What fol- , lows makes up a very "exciting story. 0 The supporting programme is of a very l. high standard. i- DE LUXE THEATRE. 3 "Aren't Men Beasts," in which s Robertson Hare, Alfred Drayton, Billy :; Milton, June Clyde, Judy Kelly, and 1 Ellen Pollock have the main roes, and 3 "Mysterious Crossing," starring James - Dunn, are to be shown ■ finally _at the 3 De Luxe Theatre' tonight. STATE THEATRE. ' How ah American .'"small-time ■ racketeer" reacts to the refining influ- ; ence of 'British Army discipline provides the comedy highlights in "Sally of the Regiment," which is to be shown finally tonight at the State | Theatre. , f ;, [ WELLINGTON REPERTORY I SOCIETY. [ Irr his "Living' Authors" Dilly Tante, the great Irish-American authority, writing of Mr. Scan O'Casey's tragedy "Juno and the Paycock"—which is to be produced by Mr. Leo dv Chateau l for the Wellington Repertory Society i in the Concert Chamber, commencing on Tuesday nex't —says: "Scan O'Casey, ! Irish playwright, was born and brought ,up in a Dublin tenement house. He ■ did not go to school but received his i education in the streets of Dublin. For ■ a while he worked in a big news . agency for 9s a week and had.-to be on : the job at 4 o'clock in the morning. He ; did not learn to read until he was : twelve years old. He has been a dock i labourer, a hod carrier, a stone-breaker ; on the roads, and a builder's labourer. He was also connected with the Irish ! Transport Workers' Union. He helped \to organise the Irish Citizen Army ', which fought in the streets of Dublin iin 1916 under James Connelly. In 1919 > he' wrote "The Story of the Citizen : Army,"'his first published work. A . regular attendant at the Abbey ' Theatre in Dublin,he learned his tech- : nique by watching the plays produced 1 there./ In April, 1923, his "The Shadow '■ of a Gunman" was staged at the Abbey ■ Theatre and it made his Dublin reputation in a single night and packed the 1 theatre for weeks with enthusiastic audiences. The Abbey was compelled ' to turn away hundreds of people every night. The Hawthornden prize was awarded to O'Casey in 1926 for his play "Juno and the .Paycock." Box plans open tomorrow 'at the DI.C. REX THEATRE. Evelyn ■ Brent returns to films .: in Paramount's Zane Grey story, "Home on the Range," which is screening- at the Rex Theatre,, with Jackie Coogan and Randolph-iScott in featured roles. "Hbme. on the Range" is a picture, of ! the jn i e%.Wes,tr'apd,of tw° brothers-and ■: a' 'girl'^.yho outwit gangsters who are ' attempting to steal their ranch. iThe : riew W. C. Fields picture, "It's a Gift." ■ which is also on the bill, presents Para- ■ "Hißurit's"droll" gem'us"'ot comedy"in a story that fit shis peculiar talents splendidly. He-is-supported by Baby Lrßoy. Kathleen Howard, Jean Rou- . yerol, Julian ..Madison . and Tammany Young. ... SHORTT'S THEATRE. . "The Prisoner of Shark Island" and "The. Private Secretary." are to le shown- 'finally at Shortt's Theatre to- . night. ';: ;' ' ■„ ' ; '. ■'". High adventure," glamorous nights of romance in the tropics, and roystering, boisterous comedy are the elements from which the action of "A Message to Garcia," 20th Century's fascinating . adventure;, romance, coming to' Shortt's Theatre-tomorrow, were woven. Bringirig -together • Wallace',; Beery, John Boles, and Barbara Stanwyck in their first roles together, the new picture is •an engrossing-storyi of the s adventure that .changed.,-the destinies •', of three ; nations. Warner ■ pland,. 'plays his eleventh Charlie Chan role in the Fox mystery, "Charlie Chan at the Circus," which will also be shown. The supporting cast includes Keye Luke, George and Olive Brasno, Francis Ford, Maxine Reiner, John McGuire, Shirley Deane, Paul Stanton; and J. ■ Carrol Naish. . • : CAPITOL THEATRE. ."White Hunter," starring Warner Baxter and June Lang, is to be shown . finally at the Capitol Theatre tonight. Nino Martini, world-famous singing star of radio, opera, and films, appears in- Fickford-LasKy's sparkling romance "The -Gay Desperado," to commence at the Capitol tomorrow. Ida Lupino and-Leo Carillo- are featured in support.'of the handsome tenor. Undoubtedly' the greatest of all unsolved sea mysteries, "The Mystery "of the Mary Celeste," has been vividly brought to the screen. Bela Lugosi and Shirley Grey head the cast. "San Francisco" is to commence on Saturday. A special- matinee will be held at 2 p.m. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "That Girl From. Paris," starring Lily Pons, Jack Oakie, and Gene Raymond, is showing at the Empire Theatre. To taste the fruits of success as an opera star or enjoy ecstacy in love's retreat is the problem facing Lily Pons, the renowned diva, .in this picture. The diminutive singer plays the title heroine who deserts her manager at the altar and pursues a handsome young American to his country. Here she encounters a series of hectic experiences which lands her in gaol, into love with two men, and finally marriage with one of her suitors. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. ,A novelty in musical pictures, with an hilariously funny story as a thread on which the world's foremost coloratura soprano strings her pearls of song, is. offered to picture-goers in "That Girl From Paris," the principal attraction at the Regal Theatre. The stars are Lily Pons, Jack Oakie, and Gene Raymond. Breaking away entirely from the customary type of musical comedy, ; this picture is described as a gay laugh- ; feast from start to finish, with a notable '. cast aiding the tiny prima donna in her . mirthful endeavours. ; CORONATION CONCERT. Amongst the several special Corona- ! tion concerts which have been given recently was that of last night arranged by the New Zealand Grand Opera Society, under the baton of Signor L. Cesaroni. A special feature was the , singing of Verdi's "Hymn to Nations," 1 which was composed for Queen Vie- . toria's Coronation. An excellent prof gramme included the following items: J —Coronation Ode (Healey Willah), \ choir; "The Lute Player" (Allitsen), r Professor Cesaroni; "Ai-ise, O Sun" ' (Craske and Day), Miss D. Roberts; ! "Drink to Me Only," duet, Mrs. D. Bernard and Miss P. Paton; "My Pretty Jane," Mr. J. Murphy; "The Blind Ploughman," Mr. M. O'Brien; "The Sea" (Palmgren) and Nocturne : (Grieg), pianoforte solos, Mr. R. Mad- ■ dams; "The Poet's Life" (Elgar), Mr. ■ G. Perry; "Polly Oliver," duet, Miss i D. Tew and Mrs. M. Bridgford: "Rest," ' Miss D. Roberts; "Angus McDonald," : Mrs. Bridgford; "A Hunting We Will •■ Go," duet, Mr. Perry and Mr. O'Brien; \ dance solo, Miss L. McKay; "Break of Day," Mrs. .F. Rodger; "Land of Hope i and Glory" (Elgar), choir. _ The accorujanist was Miss K. Gieseking.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "East Meets West," a George Arliss picture, and "Poppy," starring W. C. fields, is to be snown finally at the Vivoli Theatre tonight. Joan Bennett ana Joel McCrea are the stars of "Two in a Crowd," to be 1 iHown at the Tivoli Theatre tomorrow. 'Two in a Crowd" is a rollicking (romantic comedy drama, which reaches i the height of hilarity, often carrying fun to the point of howling laughter, ihe picture proves that one half of a thousand-dollar bill is not worth any more than half a soap bubble; that I a girl should never spend her sweetheart's wedding trousseau money unless she is sure she wants to marry, him. The second attraction is "The Suicide Club." c«-starring Robert Montgomery" and Rosalind Russell. Montgomery is ' the crown prince of a mythical kingdom, and Miss Russell is the princess ■ of another equally mythical kingdom, and their adventures in company all ■ take place while they are travelling I incognito. The theme provides great fun. RIVOLI THEATRE. "Small Town Girl," starring Janet Gaynor and Robert Taylor/is the main feature at the Riyoli Theatre. The stars reach new heights in the stirring story about a modern runaway marriage brought about by the rural girl's effort to'escape the boredom of a small town that is snuffing out her life. With the star of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture is an elaborate cast including such favourites as Binnie Barnes, Lewis Stone, Andy Devine, Elizabeth Patterson, Frank Craven, and James Stewart. The brilliant Alexander Korda-H. G. Wells partnership which was responsible for "Things to Come" has turned its attention to comedy in "The Man Who Could Work Miracles," which is also showing. It ranks as one of the funniest and most spectacular comedies ever produced. Roland Young in the leading role gives a grand performance in the light, whimsical'vein for which he is famous. I The cast includes Ralph Richardson, Joan Gardner, Sophie Stewart, Robert Cochrane, Lady Tree, and Ernest Thesiger. THE MARCUS SHOW. From the curtain rise to the final brilliant tableau just on eleven o'clock, the holiday audience at the Opera House was delighted with the Marcus Show last night, when to the programme items was .added a special Coronation tableau in which the show girls stood to attention while, behind them, a stage-wide Union Jack unfurled in sections as the National Anthem was played, bar by bar. The Marcus Show was entertainment exactly suited to the mood of. Wellington to round off the holiday. It may be typical of Broadway entertainments, but it is certainly,something quite new to this country, neither vaudeville, revue, nor anything approaching musical comedy; it is a series of gorgeous and scintillating scenes, wonderfully staged, with wonderful girls and costumes (sometimes wonderfully scanty), clever dancing, and not so much singing, spaced out by before-the-curtain nonsense and interludes while the main settings are being changed for the next astonishing spectacle, so that the evening goes by-with a rush. The music is excellent and the lighting effects, with which stage miracles are produced with even moderate costuming and staging, are astonishingly beautiful when lights and colours and such dressing as has been designed for the Marcus Show are combined. Before the final curtain Sir Benjamin Fuller expressed the appreciation of the company at the hearty reception given their programme, and said that though he had felt some trepidation about "bringing Broadway to Courtenay Place," the enjoyment of the show by New Zealand audiences had removed all his doubts. The present programme will be continued until Monday evening, and on Tuesday evening a complete change In spectacles,' dresses, and music will be made. "BROADWAY VANITIES." The second Marcus revue, "Broadway Vanities." will commence at the New Opera House next Tuesday evening. This is a completely new revue in every characteristic, and is slated to equal the first presentation, "La Vie Paree" as to spectacle tin which commodity the Marcus Show has established new levels in Dominion theatrical entertainment), comedy, dancing, music, and novelty. The scenes in "Broadway Vanities" are particularly striking and when the magnificentlycostumed chorus and ballet occupy the stage, most remarkable effects are obtained. Ben McAtee, already a firm favourite, has some more hilarious sketches to offer. Senorita Sofia Alvarez will be heard in new Mexican numbers and Fid Gordon, the crazy violinist, has something fresh-in musical nonsense. Miss Sharon de Vries, vocalist, Leon Miller, brilliant straight and eccentric dancer, Les Sechnst, the "Squeeze-box virtuoso," Spar^ey Kaye, Harold Boyd and his "jigsaws," George Schreck (who stopped the show at every performance in La Vie Paree"), Bob White, and Lee Mason, will aIL present new numbers in their own particular style that will undoubtedly make them even firmer favourites with local audiences. "Broadway Vanities" literally brings a real Broadway show to Wellington. Preferential plans are now open at the D.I.C. * STEIN AND BLOMFIELD. . The two biggest drawing cards among the wrestlers in New Zealand at the present time, "Lofty" Blomfield and Sammy Stein, will meet in the professional heavyweight bout which is to be staged at the Wellington Town Hall on Monday night. Stein has won all his matches in the Dominion so far and has given some outstanding displays marked by science, speed, and versatility. The first time he met Blomfield he won by the only fall of a memorable match, and Blomfield is confident that he can reverse that result. He will have the advantage in size, while his great strength and ability to stand up to any amount of punishment will provide Stein with a real problem. • In his bout with Rumberg last week he showed that he is at present at the top of his form and he will have many supporters when he takes the ring against Stein. There will be amateur preliminaries. ENTERTAINING THE BLIND. The Wellington Social Club for the Blind arranged a special afternoon function on Monday last for a party of blinded soldiers and their escorts, numbering about 20, which passed through the city on the way to a reunion in Christchurch. About 100 sat down to tea and a pleasant time was spent, speeches and musical items being included in the programme.