CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1937, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

The special brand of humour that Claudette Colbert has made her own sparkles throughout "I Met .Him in Paris," a brilliant comedy-romanes which commences at the Regent Theatre today. Miss Colbert, a young American girl in Paris on her vacation, is the object of the affections of both Douglas and Young, who portray, respectively, a playwright and a novelist. Both men are masters of the gentle art of the "gag," but discover that the innocent little "girl from back home" is just a shade too fast on the comeback for. them. . The action of the film is at whirlwind pace; the trio of stars is whirled from Paris to Switzerland and then back again to Paris. But no matter where they are, both men find the .time —and the inclination—to keep right on the trail of the girl. In a flurry of some of the most breath-taking winter sports scenes ever brought to the screen, both try to sweep Miss Colbert off her feet, but they manage only to confuse her so much that she can't decide which one of them she loves. She flees back to Paris, resolved to forget them both, but the persistent young swains pursue her back to Paris, and force a showdown. "I Met Him in Paris" is grand comedy, grand fun, and a fast-moving, thrillpacked story. ■

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"Love on the Run," which commences its second week at the Majestic Theatre today, celebrates the reunion of that most delightful of love teams —Joan Crawford and. Clark Gable —in their first picture together since "Forsaking All Otners." "Love on the Run" deals with an American heiress in .Europe on a pleasure trip, whose millions are cordially desired in exchange for a shoddy title. When she discovers the facts in the case the wedding is called off. At that point Gable enters the scene as a newspaper correspondent on the trail of a cable dispatch. To avoid complications the girl agrees to dodge her almost in-laws by joining Gable in a stolen plane. He is not a good pilot, but they get off, and in doing so Joan receives a huge bouquet of flowers thrust into her hand at the airport- In the air, they discover a note in the roses and from it learn that the owners of the plane are spies. The gift of roses was a case of mistaken identity, but it gives Gable a story to cable to his home paper. From that point on the story gathers speed and is never without action. A rival reporter enters the case and the trio is chased all over Europe by spies until the proper exigencies enable them to turn the tables. The supporting cast includes Franchot Tone.

ST. JAMES THEATEE,

Twelve people in a room assembled about a table—the thirteenth is a medium conducting a seance. One of the twelve hopes to solve the murder of his friend :;by psychic methods. In the darkness—and the silence—a mufr fled groan. The lights flash on and the man -is dead—stabbed with a blade —but there is no. knife. . . . No; human has entered.or left the. room. .Who. of the thirteen' is , the murderer? That is the intriguing mystery at the St. James ■ '. Theatre today where the screen adaptation of. Bayard Veiller s famous stage .• play. "The Thirteenth Chair," is presented 'by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The story was a sensation on the 'Broadway stage. With the greater facilities of the studios it becomes more mysterious—more dramatic than ever. The picture required a new technique in Hollywood, for much of it was- filmed in deep gloom. The players include Dame May Whitty, the famous English stage star who recently scored an outstanding triumph with Robert' Montgomery , m ."Night Must Fall, 11?' Madge Evans, , attractive: heroine of numerous.pictures, the^eteran character actor,. Lewis Stone, Elissa Landi in her first ■ appearance since "After the.Thin Man," Thomas Beck, who recently scored m 'Seventh Heaven," Henry Daniell, who won acclaim for his performance with Garbo in "Camille," Janet Beecher, Ralph Forbes, and eight other featured supporting players.

PARAMOUNT I'HEATRE.

A bright musical comedy, well produced, well acted, and with an interesting theme, is showing at the Paramount Theatre, under the . title of "Melody for Two," with James Melton and Patricia Ellis in the leading roles. Its dialogue bristles with snappy repartee and spontaneous humour. Both James Melton and Patricia Ellis appear to advantage. Melton's clear tenor voice is at its best in some sentimental ballads, which the singer interprets with good expression. The story is based upon the stiff competition between night club and radio, bands for places on the big and profitable aerial networks, and provides a suitable background for a melodious and smartly-paced film. Dick Percell ,Marie Wilson, and Winifred Shaw are also in the cast. The popular Warren William again returns to the screen as Perry Mason, the brilliant attorney-detective created by the author, Erie Stanley Gardner —this time in "The Case of the Velvet Claws," a baffling and thrilling murder drama, which is the associate feature. The plot is unique, and the suspense is maintained up to the climax. There are two possible motives for the murder —to coyer a love scandal and to gain possession of the wealth. Eight persons are suspected, one of whom believes herself to be the killer. Circumstantial evidence points to the probability that Perry Mason himself did the deed.

KING'S THEATRE.

There are but few serious moments in "They Wanted to Marry," which opens today at the King's Theatre, but there is plenty of hilarious entertainment in this story of a newspaper cameraman's hectic tomance as filmed by RKO-Radio with Betty Furness and Gordon Jones in. the leading -roles. The story revolves auuuT the love affair between a cocky, resourceful photographer and a heiress into whose home he bluffs his way to get pictures of a society wedding. The initial meeting winds up with both of them in gaol, and thereafter the local bastille receives them nearly each time they attempt to get married. A hostile father, a cynical editor, a timorous butler, and a well-meaning acquaintance play important parts in frustrating the young pair's various matrimonial efforts, which reach dizzy peaks of hilarity as the plot races on its way towards its surprise ending. "Michael Strogoff," starring Anton Walbrook, is an adventure picture offering a wealth of excitement, a tender romance, some of the most spectacular scenes ever .photographed, and entertainment which should-find favour with all. It is ■ the second . attraction. "Michael Strogoff" concerns itself with the perilous journey of its hero across Siberia and through hostile Tartar patrols to reach a besieged Russian army at Irkutsk, with the Tsar's orders for the campaign. A beautiful vyoman spy is on his trail; a Russian girl befriends him; he is trapped, battles river pirates, is captured and tortured by the Tartars, but with the aid of the loyal girl attains his mission and a thrilling revenge over the Tartar leader.

CAPITOL THEATRE.

A half-dozen of the screen's oustanding comedians, aided by a cast of Hollywood's most charming young players, contrive to make Paramount's "College Holiday," now showing at the Capitol Theatre, one of the funniest, gayest, and most hilarious comedies with music to reach, the screen this season. With a madcap story to work upon. Jack Bennie, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Mary Boland, and Martha Raye go through their paces in one continuous howl of laughter. "Laughing Irish Eyes," the second feature, tells a rollicking story of a young Irishman, Phil Regan, who is brought to America as a ring champion. His greater delight, however, is his fine tenor voice, and Evelyn Knapp, as his coquettish but spitfire admirer, artfully steers him from the prize-ring into contracts for love and music.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

STATE THEATRE,

ROXY THEATRE.

The flaming romance of a lovely fugitive fleeing from strife-torn Spain, "Wings of the Morning," Twentieth Century-Fox release opening today at the Plaza Theatre, introduces a new , and exciting screen personality in ! Annabella, starred with Henry Fonda and Leslie Banks, in the film which presents the world-famous tenor John McCormack. Brought to the screen in all the lifelike beauty of natural technicolor, "Wings of the Morning" provides a thrilling mixture of drama, spectacle, and surprise. Annabella, a brilliant new star as different and alluring as her unusual name, first appears in the prologue, as Marie, a gipsy princess. She marries Leslie Banks, the Earl of Clontarf, who dies on the hunting field five months later. Marie goes back to her gipsies to be told that her descendants will be cursed for her marriage for three generations. Modern times bring, us Annabella as Marie, the great-grand-daughter, fleeing from Spain in the midst of revolution to a quieter Ireland, where she can have her horse, Wings of the Morning, trained for the English Derby. Victory in that would provide her with a dowry to marry her Spanish fiance. Kerry Gilfallen, a young Irish trainer played by Henry Fonda, also has a Derby candidate, but he falls in love with Marie, agrees to train "Wings" for the big race, and gives a party for Marie at which John McCormack sings. When her jockey breaks his leg, Kerry even arranges for his own jockey, Steve Donoghue, to ride Marie's horse, although he knows that victory for Marie may mean defeat not only for his own horse but also for his love for Mane.

Mexican elopements- and aerial smugeling are two of the ingredients to be^found in Columbia's new screen fare, "Guardians of the Air," which opens today at the De Luxe Theatre. Mark Owen (Charles Quigley) is a trained flyer, a Government undercover agent, dispatched to the border to aid the Border Patrol officers. Nancy (Rosalind Keith) is a pert little newspaper reporter assigned to the airport where planes take off to carry couples across the border for Mexican marriages. Kurt Feldon (Russell Hicks) operates a trans-border cafe which is popular with the honeymooning couples. Owens, suspecting Feldon of complicity with the smuggling gang, starts operation of a "Honeymoon Express," a dolled-up passenger plane catering: for' romantic couples crossing the border. Nancy, although she admires the colourful plane pilot, is inclined to suspect him of being implicated in the smuggling. Feldon, the real chief of the smugglers, learns that Owens is not a commercial pilot but really a secret service agent. He dispatches Blast Reardon (Marc Lawrence) to force his plane to land at the hidden flying field of the gang below the border. From that point, with Nancy . taking ■ a heroic role in helping Owens, once she. learns that he is not a gangster, the action, is swift and exciting. In conjunction with the film the De Luxe stage trial competition will be held nightly. The winners of the heats each night will compete in the final on Saturday week.

; Paramount's "Student Doctors Can't Take Money," a highly romantic, drama, commences at the State Theatre today with that splendid pair of screen lovers, Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in the leading roles. Both enact their parts, she as an unemployed girl with a past, and he as a young student doctor, with, the charm that has made of them the favourite romantic film pair of millions. Lloyd Nolan is also in the cast in a splendid -role. "Student Doctors : . : Can't.. Take Money"-is a powerful story Of a dilemma which arises when McCrea finds it impossible to take a fee from a patient which would make it possible for him to wed Miss Stanwyck, and to bring her happiness by re-uniting her with her child by a previous marriage. Miss Stanwyck does not understand why McCrea cannot take the money and they part after' a quarrel.- Their destinies are worked put when a racketeer grateful for what'McCrea did for him, takes the complex'situation and irons it out in his own manner. The film is noteworthy for the accuracy with which it portrays hospital life.

A million dollars' worth of racing talent burns up America's fastest tracks in "Speed -to Spare,", screening at the Roxy Theatre. Brother against brother racing grjmly for glory while the crowd in the stands thought they were just a couple of dare-devils. Fury and peril ride in the driver's seat. The racing brothers are played by Charles Quigley and Eddie Nugent; the girl at stake is Dorothy Wilson. "Draegerman's Courage" is the supporting feature. Anthony Coldeway, who wrote this thrilling story,, shows his understanding of the way in which erring humanity can rise to the stature of the gods when confronted with the misery of his fellow-men. "Draegerman Courage" is a melodrama of the mines, telling how the meri entrapped in the bowels of the earth are brought back to the sunlight by the self-effac-ing bravery of their fellows.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Crashing through breath-taking adventures in the jungles, Tarzan and his mate, as enacted by Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan, bring to Our Theatre another thrilling adventure romance. This is M.G.M.'s "Tarzan Escapes," telling the story of human deceit directed against a primitive man of the jungle, and of the treachery of civilised man against the jungle friend of wild beasts who has never known the tricks of his "enlightened" brothers. The associate feature, "Behind the Headlines," is a gripping story of a radio reporter's life.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

"The Masquerader" concludes tonight at the State Theatre.

"No Limit" and "Keep Your Seats, Please," two of the funniest films ever released, established George Formby among the screen's most popular comedians, and his third picture, "Feather Your Nest," which comes to the State Theatre tomorrow, is even funnier than the other two. The film abounds in laughter-rocking situations, and there are several catchy vocal numbers. Formby has an attractive and competent partner in Polly Ward. The "Dionno Quints' Third Birthday," the associate feature, is a-film everyone will want to see.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

"When Love is Young" and "Silent Valley" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre.

A blood-chilling murder story, "Night of Mystery," opens tomorrow. It introduces a new Philo Vance and Sergeant Heath in the persons of Grant Richards and Roscoe Karns. Richards, as the suavely-polished Philo Vance, adds something to the role that gave William Powell a push up the ladder of fame, in the older Van Dine mystery films.. As a leaner, more agile Heath than that portrayed by Eugene Pallette, Roscoe Karns presents a completely different characterisation of a favourite movie character. "North of the Rio Grande," which is the second film, features the popular. William Boyd and George Hayes ("Windy").

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE.

In "The Firebird," the star has the role of the wife of an Austrian diplomat who tries to sacrifice her own life to save the reputation of her daughter. The picture is one of the most unusual as well as one of the most dramatic to come to the screen. There is a talented all-star cast which includes besides Miss Teasdale, Ricardo Cortez, Lionel Atwill, and Anita Louise. The second attraction, "The Payoff," is a dramatic story of the newspaper world, centring around the exciting life ot a sports writer.

TIVOLI THEATRE,

Stai--radiant and melody-laden with romance and drama in snow-silvered settings, "One in a Million," starring Sonja Henie, is now showing aj. the Tivoli Theatre. Also in the cast are Adolphe Menjou, Jean Hersholt, Ned Sparks, Don Ameche, and the Ritz Brothers. The daughter of a Swiss innkeeper, Sonja Henie is being trained by her father to capture the Olympic figure skating championship. Sonja attracts the interest of Don Ameche, young American newspaperman. She also interests, professionally, the manager of a vaudeville troupe, Adolphe Menjou. Menjou induces Sonja to join his troupe and arranges a contract in St. Moritz for the dazzling ice ballet he has envisioned. Realising that such an appearance will disqualify her for the Olympic title so close to her father's heart, Don Ameche flies to St. Moritz, arriving in the middle of the ballet, which he disrupts by abducting its star. Sonja wins the Olympic title, but when her father hears that she has skated professionally, he returns the medals to1 the committee. Don Ameche, with the assistance of Ned Sparks, is able to prove that Sonja is guiltless. The resourceful young reporter further proves to Sonja's satisfaction that they were meant for each other. Something of the mess one can get into by not minding one's own business is revealed in the new Paramount comedy, "Miad Your Own Business," with CharlTo Ruggles and Alice Brady, which is the second feature.

RIVOLI THEATRE,

A best-seller for two years, Lloyd C. Douglas's novel, "Green Light," has been translated to the screen, retaining all of its original strength and beauty and brought to life by a more than competent cast, in the Cosmopolitan production "Green Light," now showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Enrol 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 (Anita Louise), whose mother's death was caused by the fatal mistake. To justify his life, and to prove to Phyllis, whom he loves, that he is trying to make up for the tragic mistake she believes he has made, he goes to an obscure laboratory in the Rocky Mountains and risks his life trying to discover a vaccine that will prevent the dread spotted fever. Sir Cedric Hardwicke is superb in the role of Dean Harcourt, the minister whose advice and philosophy shape the lives of the .other characters. And Margaret Lindsay, as Francis Ogilvie, who loves' Paige but has to give him up, gives a convincing and sympathetic performance, as does Henry O'Neill, as the older surgeon who is the cause of Flynn's martyrdom. The second feature is You Only Live Once," starring Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda.

REX THEATRE

"Hills of Old Wyoming," now showing at the Rex Theatre, is the tenth "Hopalong Cassidy" story by Clarence E iiulford. William Boyd, who created the thrilling film ■ personality of "Hopalong .Cassidy," has the star role, and is supported by George Hayes, Russell Hayden, Stephen Morris and Clara Kimball Young. : California Straight Ahead" is. the second feature, with John ■ Wayne Louise Latimer, and Robert McWade, The film deals: with the struggle between a trucking company and a railroad. The pulsing dramatic battle of man against man, of man against. machine. The underlying story of a girl who wanted a'man to win and helped him do it. ' ': • - : ,;,

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

With Alice Faye singing new times and romancing with Michael Whalen, Adolphe Menjou being stupid and roaming around in his nightie, Gregory Ratofl mangling the English language, the king: and queen of comedy, Ted Healy and Patsy Kelly, smashing all laugh records, and the Ritz Brothers bringing a new kind of musical clowning to the screen, "Sing, Baby. Sing, is now. showing at Shore's Theatre. "Sing, Baby, Sing" starts: crowding the ■ laughs in the opening scenes and only the songs. and romantic love-making provide, interludes from the side-splitting mirth Claire Trevor's role in "Human Cargo, exciting Fox drama, -which is - the second attraction, feaures her as .a wealthy "deb." -who hunts thrills with, a newspaper'reporter, and-provides her with an opportunity to display a varied assortment of new styles. Brian Donlevy is also featured in the cast, which includes Alan Dinehart, Ralph Morgan, Helen-Troy, and Rita Cansino.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE

Dainty Deanna Durbin, with thecharming personality, is seen in Umversal's gay comedy-drama, "Three SmarfGirls," now showing at the New Princess Theatre. "Three Smart Girls 'tells the amusing story of three daughters of a rich New Yorker who upset their father's May-Decem-ber romance with a gold-digging blonde. The 'title roles are played by little Miss Durbin, Nan Grey, and Barbara Read. As the father, Charles Winninger essays a new type of role. Miss Barnes plays the part of the golddigger, and Miss Brady is ideally cast as the ' blonde's scheming mother. Mischa Aver is a hit as an impoverished nobleman whom the three youngsters hire to lure the adventuress away from their-'giddy parent. Ray Milland and John King provide handsome romantic interest as sweethearts of the two elder of the three girls. The associate feature, "Where's Sally," is a hilarious comedy-romance . starring Gene Gerrard and Claude Hulbert.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"Thunder in the City" and "Snowed Under" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. "God's Country and the Woman, Warner Bros, brilliant picturisation at 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—opens tomorrow, 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. "The Crime Nobody Saw," an unusual mystery story with ■ a comic twist, is the second feature, with Lew Ayres, Ruth Coleman, Eugene Pallette. and Benny Baker in the leading roles. It is a thrilling story which moves at a rapid pace and it has everything to make first-class motion picture entertainment.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY.

"China Seas" is the title of the stirring drama which is now showing at the Seaside Theatre, with ClarK Gable, Jean Harlow, and Wallace Beery in the principal roles. The story deals with the adventures of a group of white people on a storm-racked ship off the s^ith-eastern coast cv Asia Perilled by typhoons and pirate raids, they work out a strange destiny in the "last frontier" of the sea. With the stars is a notable cast that includes Lewis Stone,' Rosalind Russell, Dudley Digges, and C. Aubrey Smith. The associate feature, . "Times .Square Lady," has Robert Taylor and .Virginia Bruce in the leading roles. >"

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "She's Dangerous," the Universal picture which is now showing at the Empire Theatre, is high-pitched drama clayed by convincing performers wno 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, be* comes wildly infatuated with. Tala Birell, and later is madly jealous of her love affair with a doctor, enacted by Walter Pidgeon. The plot seethes with intrigue and crackles with adventure. ErrolFlynn, the young Irish actor who soared to fame as Captain Blood in the Warner Brothers picture of that name, and who rises to even greater heights as the star of "Green Light," the second feature, is playing his first "civilian" leading role in that romantic drama. Flynn dons ordinary modern attire for the first time on the screen in his role as a young surgeon. J

FRANK NEIL REVUE,

"Lucky Stars," the final programme of the Frank Neil Revue, won welldeserved applause from the crowded audience at the New Opera House last night. Wellington theatre-goers heard "Ole Man River" sung more impressively than, it has ever before been sung in Wellington. Bob Parrish, the coloured radio singer, used his very fine voice and his excellent sense of rhythm to convert familiar songs into numbers that were in a class of their own They were "The Good Green Acres of Home," "Would You," and "That's Why Darkies Were Born." The ballet danced a wide variety of numbers. Col. Colleano's agile dancing on the tight rope and sensational tight-rope somersaults were also among the highlights. Solo and chorus singing in beautiful settings, contortion dancing, and very bright sketches were among other items on a very enjoyable programme. The Wellington season closes on Wednesday next-

"LUCKY DIP."

The Wellington Repertory Theatre again presented in the Concert Chamber last night that amusing comedy by Frank Vosper, "Lucky Dip." The play is an unusual one for the society to present—they have not done one of this type for some time. "Lucky Dip" found a very appreciative audience last night. In the cast were Selwyn Toogood, who was excellent as Oliver Boulton; his partner in escapade was Marguerite Thompson, who was a delightful Betty Mainwaring. The debonair Mr. Robinson was excellently played by Stanley H. Vinsen, and a splendid character study was given by Mrs. Sidney Tingey as Mrs. Katie Bothways. The role of Mrs. Cameron is not an.easy ope, but Zita Chapman gave ah interesting interpretation. G. O. Cooper was happy as BrigadierGeneral Sir Francis Bothways, and James Crawford was a convincing Adrian Hinchcliffe. Other parts were well played by Irene Spidy, as the ever-susceptible Mrs. Carrington Home, E. C. Gorton,'Robert Gilkison, Cedric Wright, and F. H. Dawn. The play was produced by Mr. Leo dv Chateau, and will be presented again tonight, concluding on Saturday nightMr. Harry Painter is in charge of the stage, Miss Shotlander the dressing, and Mrs. G. C. Boyes designed and furnished the delightful modern setting which was built by Mr. G. W. Johnstone and painted by Mr. G. W. Conroy. Mr. Gco. Colledge controls the lighting effects.

REGAL THEATRE, KAROEI,

Unquestionably the most emotionally appealing and dynamic picture in which Joan Crawford has ever appeared, "The Gorgeous Hussy" is now showing at the Regal Theatre. Here is Samuel Hopkins-Adams's dramatic story of a girl who started out as the daughter of a Washington innkeeper in the tumultuous and . picturesque period of American history m whicn Andrew Jackson was to be elected seventh President of the United States, and who ultimately became the .topic of every wagging tongue in the nation s capital. Also in the cast are Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, and James Stewart. One of the most compelling of present-day problems is presented in entertaining fashion in "The Dominant Sex." i the second attraction, starring Phillips Holmes and Diana Churchill.