CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

I>E LUXE THEATRE.

Warren William, Karen Morley, and Lewis Stone have the chief roles Jn "Outcast," the .unusual film which heads the latest programme at the De Luxe Theatre, and all give notable performances, especially Stone. The picture, which reveals the persecution of a man who has been acquitted for murder and tells of a woman who come to obtain revenge and remained to love, is rapid-paced, colourful, and ■with strong motives impelling even the smallest characters. It shows the mind S": a country community at work, with c. Philip Wendel Jones convicted by •that mind even though a jury found him innocent and with community vengeance ready to be inflicted without regard for facts. The story is well told and the climax is a strong one and holding a rich opportunity for Lewis Stone, as a great advocate now retired, who argues his last case for a man's life in the snow under the night sky» The second feature, "Hideaway Girl," tells of crime, police, playboys, yaphts, and young women with strange motives and mixed identities, even bursting into song here and there. The stoj-y is acted by Shirley Ross, Robert Cummings, Elizabeth Russell, and Ray Walker, a band of young people'who behave brightly, with Ed. Brophj providing the. comedy and Monroe Owsley the menace. There are sijme interesting supporting films and g.t the organ Mr. Reg. Maddarns played favourite melodies with his usuaj finished manner. , i STATE THEATRE. "Dhe musical appeal of "Waikiki Wedainig" at the State Theatre is undeniable. Not only are Bing Crosby and SAirley Ross delightful in their vocal Offerings, but there are a number of Sew tunes which will be appreciated. Sweet Leilani" and "In a Little Hula ■Heaven" are outstanding. The instrumental music greatly assists what is a comedy of the lightest and most pleasing nature. As publicity agent and a contest winner, the two stars join in presenting the .fun. Shirley, finds Hawaii a bit tame, and Bing undertakes to supply glamour and thrills. "What a publicity agent can do for a cirl he is interested in is simply amazing, but it is all in the interests of business and the story becomes really interesting when she discovers that his stunts and sighs have all been professional. To keep his role he has to go at it in dead earnest. A subsidiary romance between Burns and Martha Haye helps to supply the relief. It all starts with a pineapple cannery, of -which Bing is the agent. He is too Jazy to live but occasional brilliant inspirations flash across his agile mind, and when he starts to give Shirley a good time the queer imagination works overtime. While on a cruise they are Jcidnapped by natives, and eventually become the unwilling guests of a tribe ■which treats them with elaborate ceremonial dancing, from which they escape through the genius of Bing. Much of the beautiful dancing by the native girls is enhanced by the graceful use of arms and hands. As a spectacle of colourful island life "WaiMki Wedding" is excellent. There s an excellent supporting programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. An epic story of life and love in the minefields is unfolded in "Draegerman Courage," now showing at the Paramount Theatre. Jean Muir and -Barton Maclean play opposite each other, and the combination is an excellent one. Maclean has the role of the bighearted, rough-and-tumble lover, who has the ability to laugh in the face of danger and particularly when he is called upon to risk his own life. to save that o£ his friends. Some highly dramatic scenes of men trapped in the ■bottom of a mine are filmed, and the audience is kept tense with excitement as the h,eroic struggle to free the entombed miners is in progress. The title of the picture is taken from the name .of that gallant band of men, the draegermen, who, chosen for their courage and daring, are called upon whenever it is necessary to rescue their comxades who are endangered in ,the mine. ■ The associate feature, "Life Begins at Twenijy," is a hilarious comedy romance, featuring Patricia Ellis and Sugh. Herbert. KING'S THEATRE. Irrepressible, roguish Jane Withers :is in her element in the many laughprovoking situations of "The Holy Terror," which is the main attraction on the King's Theatre programme. She is ably supported by a versatile cast, headed by Anthony Martin, Leah Ray, Joan Davis, El Brendel, and Joe Lewis. As the young daughter of an officer at a naval air base and the pet of all concerned, Jane gets into such mischief ■that she has to be given a sailor escort. The sailor in question (Anthony Martin) is the one who needs looking after, however. He is in love with Leah Kay, the pretty proprietress of "The Golden Anchor," a sailors' rendezvous, and there are all sorts of complications before the romance ends happily. Spies come into the story, and Jane plays a prominent part m bringing about their undoing. The second feature film is "The Girl from Scotland Yard," a swift-moving drama of spy intrigue, with Karen Morley and Baldwin as the principals. Miss Morley has the role of a girl who matches her wits and beauty against/ the machinations of a gang seeking to destroy her country's armaments with a death-ray invention. The settings for the picture, which holds the interest throughout, include the cabin of a British transport plane, the laboratory of an inventor, a lavish gambling casino, and the interior of a waxworks museum. • REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Love is . News," the streamline, modern comedy of a private love affair, with Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Don Ameche as the thrilling threesome stepping out in a fast-mov-ing, high-stepping springtime romance, is showing at the Regal Theatre. Setting a quick-fire, hilarious pace at the yery start, the director has produced a gay and different comedy romance of sensation-seeking newspapers and headline-dodging heiresses that brings new laurels to its excellent cast, which features Slim Summerville and Dudley Digges. One of the most successful stage farces of recent times "Aren't Men Beasts" has been made into an unbelievably funny screen comedy, with Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton in their original stage roles. Robertson Hare is seen in his funniest role to date, as a little dentist who. through no fault of his own, finds himself inyolved in a scandal with a beautiful, mysterious, foreign lady. ~ CAPITOL THEATRE. Hilarious comedy is provided by ''When's Your Birthday?" now showing at the Capitol Theatre, with Joe E. Brown as funmaker-in-chief. Brown is seen as an "occasional" prize fighter, ■who adopts this means of paying for a course in astrology. Later he reiuses to marry his sweetheart Suzanne Kaaren, because she has select 1 a date ■which conflicts with the favourable aspect of his birth planet. He lands a job as a fortune-telling astrologer in a concession operated by Fred Keating, where Marian Marsh is also working. Predicting the outcome of a race, Brown enables Miner Watson, a gambler, to make a winning bet, and the latter promptly engages the three as his private staff for predicting the outcome of sporting events. There are Six stars in "Gorgeous Hussy," the associate feature. They are Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Melvyn Douglas, and James Stewart. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "Swing High, Swing Low," showing at the Brooklyn i Theatre tonight, is a story of a night club entertainer in Panama, played by Miss Lombard, who falls in love with Fred Mac Murray, a trumpeter recently released from the army. She helps him to success, and loses him to another woman. The cast includes Dorothy Lamour, Charles Butterworth, Jean Dixon, and many others. "O'Riley's Luck," starring F^leanore Whitney and Tom Brown, ill also be screened, .„

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

TIVOH THEATRE.

With virgin forests of the north-west as its background and a feud between rival lumber companies as its1 theme, "God's Country and the Woman" is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. George Brent and . Beverly • Roberts are in the stellar roles. Brent is at his vigorous and ingratiating best as Steve Russett—a rich idler who achieves power in the big woods through conflict with his ruthless brother —and the influence of a courageous girl of the forest, Joe Barton, a role portrayed by Beverly Roberts. Several real lumberjacks take part in the picturesque sequences. The thrilling drama and romance of the film is tempered by robust comedy in the mood of the story. "Sing Me a Love Song," the associate feature, has James Melton, Patricia Ellis, Hugh Herbert, Zasu Pitts, Alle.n Jenkins, and Nat Pendleton in the main roles. It is a highly entertaining song and dance test with three new, catchy tunes. But it is not all music. It has one of the most entertaining stories the screen has produced, written by Harry Sauber. There are laughs, some thrills, and a romance that will gladden every heart. RIVOLI THEATRE. "Love Letters of a Star," with Henry Hunter, Polly Rowles, and a large supporting cast, which is now showing at the Rivoli Theatre, is an exciting mystery that does not reveal the person who commits the crime until the last sequence of the picture. The action flows rapidly, the suspense keeps mounting, and the drama fairly crackles with intensity. The narrative is made sprightly with a sufficient blending of romance and passages of humour. The story reveals the thrilling incidents in the lives of a family that is hounded by a blackmailer. The net which enmeshes them becomes more entangled when the family is suspected of murdering the man, who comes to his end under strange, circumstances. Then another victim meets his fate in an unusual manner. Marsha Hunt and John Howard, both favourites among Paramount-; list of stars, are featured as a romantic team for the first time in the screen play, "Easy to Take," the second attraction. The story is set in a broadcasting studio, and a score of popular entertaiherfs are , heard during broadcast sequences. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. George Formby's latest musical comedy, "Feather Your Nest," is now showing at the Princess Theatre. George's latest film has all the merry swing of its predecessors and the song numbers are both catchy and comical. The fun oscillates between George s work as a gramophone recordist and his mishaps in his "very jerry-built nest." "She's Dangerous," the associate feature, is high-pitched drama played by convincing performers who portray their roles in a vibrant key. Tala Birell, both attractive and emotional, is seen in the character of an insurance detective who traps a gang leader after he steals a half-million dollars' worth of bonds. The mobster, interpreted by Cesar'Romero, becomes wildly infatuated with Tala Birell and later is madly jealous of her love affair with a doctor, enacted by Walter Pidgeon. ROXY THEATRE. "Green Light" is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Errol Flynn adds stature to his dramatic reputation with his handling of the role of Newell Paige, the young surgeon, who sacrifices his own professional integrity to cover the mistake of an older doctor. In shouldering the blame he incurs the hatred of Phyllis Dexter' (played by the lovely Anita Louise), whose mother's death ■was caused by the fatal mistake. "TwoFisted Gentleman," the supporting picture, is the story of Mickey Blake, played by Jimmy Dunn, who rises from bar-room bouts to the position as chief contender for the middleweight crown. REX THEATRE. "The Man I Marry," a swiftly-paced screen comedy that ripples with romance, is now showing at the Rex Theatre. This Universal film stars Doris Nolan, the, glamorous new personality who has taken Hollywood by storm after scoring a hit on, Broadway in "Night of January 16th. Doris Nolan's leading man is Michael Whalen. Other featured players include "Chic" Sale, Skeets Gallagher, and Cliff Edwards. In "Night Key," the second attraction, Boris Karloff, the star, makes an amazing rightabout face, tosses away the monster mask, arid steps forth as a thoroughly likeable human being. He needs no make-up to prove his ability as a splendid dramatic actor. Karloff is supported by "a splendid cast, including J. Warren Hiill and Jean Rogers. ———— \ EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "God's Country and the Woman," Warner Bros.1 brilliant picturisation of the James Oliver Curwood novel of the same name-^dealing with a feud between lumber companies in the deep forests of the great North-west, is showing at the Empire Theatre, with George Brent and Beverly Roberts in the leading roles. The thrilling dramatic romance of the story is heightened by the fact that the scenes—almost all of which are in the open—were photographed wholly in natural colours. Francis Lederer and the lovely Ann Sothern make gay in "My American Wife" the associate feature, which tells the tale of a foreign nobleman who weds an American girl and returns to her Arizona home .only to learn that she wants him to remain m braid and spangles, while he wants to become a rancher. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Theodora Goes Wild" is the main attraction showing at Our Theatre. Irene Dunne is seen as a small-town "nobody," who becomes famous as the author of sophisticated novels. When she falls in love with Melvyn Douglas, whose estranged wife refuses to give him a divorce, she takes a page from her own novel and launches a campaign of wild escapades to gain her objective. Tracking down looters and ruthless killers,1 Ken Maynard and his horse streak through blazing adventure in "Lawless Riders," the associate feature. . STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Kicking shins, hurtling tomatoes, busting windows, and-getting everybody in an uproar, Jane i Withers, in all her glory, goes on a riotous rampage of mischief and merriment in "Pepper," her new Twentieth CenturyFox picture, now showing at the btate Theatre. Aided and abetted by Irvin S. Cobb and Slim Summerville, "Ginger" Jane puts the "miss" in mischief and the "pep" in Pepper. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Murder on the fog-bound moor, a kidnapping, the machinations of a counterfeit band, and the imprisonment of a beautiful woman in a house of mystery, are. a few things "Bulldog Drummond" has to solve in Paramount's "Bulldog Drummond Escapes, the latest in the breezy series of detective films, which is now snowing at the Grand Theatre. Ray Milland plays the role of the master sleuth and soldier-of-fortune who has entertained the world for a generation in fiction, on the stage and on the screen. He is assisted as usual by his pal "Algy," played by Reginald Denny. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Land without law . . . where savage men take what they crave! Alaska! Nature snarling in the raw . . . bullets blazing a bloody trail to wealth ... as thrill piles upon thunderous thrill 'mid the rumbling roars of Arctic avalanches! In this primitive country does Columbia's dynamic drama, "North of Nome," now showing at the Palace Theatre, take place. Jack Holt, square-jawed star of countless successes, plays the leading role. "A Woman Alone," the second attraction, ■ stars Henry Wilcpxon and beautiful Anna Sten. This pulsating human romance is set in the picturesque surroundings of pre-war Russia, „

FAMOUS CONTRALTO. It will be a memorable concert at the Town Hall on Thursday night. Of immediate interest will be the public appearance of Miss Essie Acidand, who is now touring the national broadcasting stations. This world-famous Australian queen of song sings for the people. To quote her own words: "Some musical folk disdain the ballad and what it connotes. Yet they are content to accept as high art something with a foreign , label and foreign words, which is in actual truth, tar inferior to some of the English songs we call ballads. Moreover, they are blind to the real beauty of many a ballad. 1 believe that every singer can imbue the best kind of ballad with a feeling that will enable them to make contact with every section of the audience." Miss Ackland goes further. She affirms that "if a singer leaves the concert platform without having made contact with the minds of the audience and given them some idea of beauty in sound, she has failed in her mission." Miss Ackland, who has been aptly described as "the singer with the voice of liquid gold," will in this celebrity charity concert be associated with the 2YA Concert Orchestra, Mr. Noel Newson (piano), Mr. Reginald Morphew (baritone), and Mr. Vincent Aspey (violin). Mr; Leo Whittaker will act as accompanist. Seats may be reserved at popular prices. The box plan is at the D.I.C. FRANK NEIL'S REVUE. Frank Neil's second revue, "The Talk of the Town," is running merrily on its way at the Grand Opera House and continues to draw capacity houses at every performance. Con Colleano the amazing man on the tightwire, Irene Vermillion, America's great acrobatic dancer with her gifted lady trumpeters. Bob Parrish, the sensational American singer, the Artisto's adagio dancers, the Broadway tappers in the latest dancing hits, the Harris sisters in another wonderful balancing act, all continue to create tremendous enthusiasm and applause. The comedy is in the capable hands of Charles Norman, who is ably supported by Chic Arnold, and Jack and Sylvia Kellaway. The ballet productions are outstanding. Margaret Grimshaw and Bernard McCaffrey., sing delightfully. "The Talk of the Town" will run until next Tuesdsiy night, and on Wednesday the last show of the season, "Lucky Stars," will be produced. SHORTT'S THEATRE. With a laugh, a lilt, a thrill, and a heart-pang, interspersed with seven* new musical hits,' "Star for a Night,' Twentieth Century-Fox picture is showing at Shortt's Theatre . Featuring Claire Trevor, Jane Darwell, and Arline Judge, the film tells an entrancing story of how madcap chorus girls turn a musical show topsy-turvy and Broadway exerts all its make-believe to make a mothers dreams come true. John Knox, that fiery Scot and most advanced thinker of the 16th century, appears in the Ga'umont-British production "Tudor Rose," the second feature, in the portrayal of John Laurie. In the film,- as John Knox is lecturing to a crowd and speaking of the hatred of the two brothers in the Bible—Cam and Abel—a synonymous scene is being played by the brothers Thomas and Edward Seymour, who, in a-roomof the palace, are threatening each other with death if one attempts to interfere with the plans of the other for the Lord Protectorship of the thrones of Edward VI and later oC Lady Jane Grey. . . SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Side-splitting comedy situations, thrilling adventures, and a swift succession of hilarious incidents . feature "When's Your Birthday" Joe E. Brown's new laughing success, now showing at the Seaside Theatre. Romance against a baffling mystery background and in a. colourful setting forms the theme of "China Passage," RKO-Radio's new thriller, with Constance •- Worth "and Vinton Haworth in the romantic roles, .which is the second attraction. . , , EVERGREEN FAIR. The Evergreen Fair, which commences at the Town Hall next Saturday and which will be continued for a whole week, bids fair to equal and in many ways surpass fairs held in previous years by the Wellington City Mission. Programme arrangements have been completed, and very bright non-stop programmes will be featured each evening by some of the best of Wellington's local talent. Dance and song will be interspersed with lively band music, physical culture displays, wrestling, etc. The afternoons will be fully occupied by the baby show,, cooking competition, bridge, children's fancy dress party, and other interesting and novel events. The entire programme will vary from day to; day, .and the public will have a wonderful 'opportunity to join in the fun of the fair, and at the same time assist that very worthy institution, the Wellington City Mission. Season tickets at .2s 6d each are available at the Mission Hall, Taranaki Street. Further particulars will be advertised on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday next Week. VETERAN TWINS. Billy and Bobby Mauch are the two boy prodigees who have appeared in Warner Bros.' picturisation of Mark Twain's "Prince and the Pauper." They are twins, and so striking is the resemblance between them that at times even their parents find difficulty in telling which is which. This amazing similarity was the inspiration for the twin competition sponsored by Warner Bros, during the Wellington season^ of "The Prince and the Pauper," at the Regent Theatre, and a prize of £5 was offered to the Wellington twins most resembling each other, regardless .of age or sex. From a field of 40 twins the 71-year-old veterans, Messrs. Frederick and Samuel White, won easily, to be awarded the £5 prize by the iudges. The presentation was made by Mr. Carson P Shea, publicity manager of Warner Bros., who congratulated the twins on their success. MAYFAIR CABARET. Those who have been in the habit of attending the modern and old-time dances in the Town Hall on Saturday nights are advised that owing to the Main Town Hall not being available for the next three Saturday nights, New/ Zealand Entertainments, Ltd., have arranged for these popular dances to be held in the Mayf air Cabaret until such time as the Town Hall is available The first of these dances will be held tonight; To popularise these three Saturday night dances the management has decided to charge the lowest price possible for admission, 3s. The music will be supplied by Charles Daltons well-known dance band, and particulars of the forthcoming £100 old-time waltz and- fox-trot competitions will be announced. Tables may be reserved at no extra charge by telephoning the cabaret, 51-770. SUNDAY PICTURES. "For the Love of Mike," a brilliant comedy, will be screened at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow evening. "Please Teacher" amused large audienqes at the theatre last week, and the same popular comedian, Bobby Howes, has the leading part in the new attraction. Other fine funmakers in the cast are Arthur Riscoe and Constance Shotter, while Monty Banks is the producer. "For the Love of Mike" is described as "a joyous affair, a long, loud laugh, good, clean, and tuneful." Patrons are assured of an enjoyable entertainment. The Band of the Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment will play bright selections prior to th.c screening of the picture. , W.E.A. LECTURES. A new short course of lectures for the W.E.A. will commence on Thursday next, in the W.E.A. room, Trades Hall, Vivian Street, when Dr. C' E. Beeby will give the first of a series of four lectures/ on "Inequality: Mental and Social."' In his introductory lecture, Dr. Beeby will discuss the ways in which men differ and their essential similarities. A small fee will be charged for admission, and all interested in this vital subject are invited to attend. On Tuesday next Mr. F. B. Stephens, M.A., 8.C0m., will continue his course dealing with "Some Economic Problems of New Zealand," and will consider the "Problem of Secondary Industries." Discussion hour follows tiie tutor's lecture.

WELLINGTON REPERTORY SOCIETY.

After the naturalism of O'Casey, the realism of Ibsen, and the romanticism oi Barrie, Mr. Leo dv Chateau is to produce Frank Vosper's ■ delightful iarc£M:omedy, "Lucky Dip," for. the Wellington Repertory Society, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall for five performances, commencing on Tuesday next. The cast includes the Misses Marguerite Thompson, Zita Chapman, Irene Spidy, Mrs. Sydney Tingey, and Selwyn 'i'oogood, Stanley Vinsen, George' Cooper, James Crawford, R. Gilkison, Cedric Wright, E. C. Gorton, and F. H. Dawn. The piay opens in the luxurious lounge of a Mayfair flat with a couple of affianced "sophisticates" all prepared for a party Being at the^r wits' ends to account for the absence of the guests, they telephone one of the invited and learn to their dismay that the cards have been wrongly dated, June instead of May. To save their own self-respect and save their faces before the servants, they decide to invite, at random from the telephone, half a dozen likely people. A motley bunch is assembled, and throughout the following three acts the fun is fast and furious. Al ultra-mod-ern setting has been designed by Mrs. G. C. Boyes; Miss Pauline Shotlander is supervising the dressing and Mr. Harry Painter will have charge of the stage. The box plans are at the D.1.C., and other particulars are advertised. SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY. Owing to a number of counter attractions, there was a smaller attendance than usual at the Wellington Shakespeare Society 'on Thursday night. Enthusiasm made up for lack of numbers, however, and those present enjoyed a reading of the evergreen "As You Like It." Those taking part were Mrs. A. E. Duff, Mrs. W. G. Ross, Mrs. Martyn Williams, Misses G. Bydder, E. Hind, G. Kerry, S. Williams, and^Messrs. F. J. Brooker, F. J. Jones, F. Pears. J. P.'Nicoll, W. G. Ross, Dr. C. E. Adams. In the absence of the president, Mr. F. J. Brooker was chairman.