CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 87, 9 October 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The stirring days of the Russian revolution are faithfully depicted in "Knight • Without Armour," starring Robert Donat and Marlene Dietrich, now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. The film, which must rank as/one of; the most, successful to come from° r a British studio, is > outstanding fapithe faithfulness of the background, the actual' scenery, carrying an air of authenticity which lends to the picture the' atmosphere of the Russian locale. Whether it is a mansion of the aristocracy, a Volga ,barge, Siberian prison camp, or Russian railway station-that is .depicted, no fault can be found with the background. The tendency of soijte British producers to use interior sceiies and painted backgrounds has been completely vanquished in "Knight Without *Armour," which from the pS)int of view of settings Tivals many; of Hollywood's biggest productions. . Marlene Dietrich is cast ,as a Russian countess, ■ whose„ home is destroyed by the revolutionaries. Donat is a British agent who has joined the Reds in order ■ to gain'valuable information. When he is given orders to escort the countess to the capital, where she is to be taken before a court, tlieir adventures begin, and they encounter many breath-tak-ing thrills and hardships before ithey finally win through to happiness. A word of praise must be given foj: the impartial manner in which the, revolu-1 tion has been depicted. The armjes of both sides are shown as cruel andjruthless oil occasions, and shots of prisoners! being'mown down by machine-gup fire, | although not a pleasant subject, are at least evidence of an honest attempt to depict revolution as really is, land riot as it is shown in comic opera; The supports include newsreels showingihe bombing of Shanghai, and a Walt Disney' masterpiece, "Little Hiawatha." . ST JAMES THEATRE. Those who remember the pioturisation' of Erich Remarque's "All? Quiet On the Western Front" will find his "The" Road Back," now in its second ■week at the St. James Theatre, equally thought. provoking. "The Road; Back is a sequel. It commences , where . Remarque's earlier book left off. It is a tale-of the' closing stages! of the war, and' its immediate afterlhath. Soldiers return to find a chaotic postwar Germany—a Germany split by. internal faction and strife.,, The Kaiser has fled, and there is an effort to, rid the country of those military despots ■Who the average citizen believes were responsible'for the war. f The soldiers find it impossible to pick up. the threads of their civilian life where they had laid them down four years before. They are twisted mentally. The process of adjustment is difficult. They ■ find' • fickle sweethearts- .and sweethearts who cannot understand. Life is still cheap. Food riots see men, Who had stood shoulder to shoulder in the tienches, shot down by their former superior officers. . There-is i& murder, and -the dramatic Court scenes which follows give .a clear insight into the feelings of men who, after four years of carnage, see, but no longer can appreciate, the difference _between legalised murder and . the killing of a man who has committed a social evil. The .picture •is well treated and it is well 'acted. ; Johnc King, . Richard Cromwell, "Slim" Summerville, and Andy Devine portray the chief characters. There is an excellent , supporting ■ programme. : PARAMOUNT THEATRE. As a sleek gambler and an atdent lover Clark Gable is very much, in his : element in "No Man of' Her ;Own, this" week's 5 new star"'feature at the Paramount Theatre. He. appeats in the story as Jerry, who makes a good living by fleecing' wealthy . card acquaintances, and in this he is assisted by Kay Everly, played by Dorothy Mackaill. But he grows tired of Kay/ and the unwelcome attentions. 01 a' detective make it expedient for him to seek fresh pastures. In a country town he falls to the charms of the local library girl, Connie, a part well suited ;to Carole Lombard. But Connie ig not too easily to be caught, but finally marries Jerry and returns to Hew York with him. Totally unaware tjf : Jerry's methods of making money, she unknowingly • acts as a decoy for his-dupes. Meanwhile the discarded Kay returns from a South Seas jaunt and, finding Jerry married, plans a revenge by giving him away to the. polices Jerry, however, realises what , is up, and realises too: that he really loves .Connie, so he himself goes to the district attorney, lays all his cards op the table, and gets off with a light sentence •of a few months. He tells Connie that it is business in . South America 'which will > necessitate his absence, for a time, and she goes back to: her home town to await his return. But she is followed there by the detective who previously was on Jerrys track and who believes that she was ,a partner in the gambling racket. Her innocence, however, is proved, > and When' Jerry returns from ■ South Aitierica (or gaol) and starts to confess it is an understanding and forgiving wife who smooths, things out; Excellent^'.acted, staged, arid photographed, "No? Atari'of Her • Own" is destined to have a'successful season; The supporting: CrOgramme-iS one of exceptional •variety. No golfer should miss "Swing Stars," one of the meet interesting of slow-motion golfing pictures -ever shown. Incidentally, it includes'a glimpse df the mawufacture of golf balls. All too. short are the glimpses in' the newsreel of the Ranger and Endeavour competing for the Axnerica s Cup and of Davis tennis. Japan s occupation of •• too, figures m the news section. Aremarkable chimpanzee who turns aviator is the .subject of an excellent and unusual short, arid- there is Popeye and a coloured cartoon as well. Altogether a very satisfactory programme. EMPIRE THEATBJE, island bat. "bain arid Mabel," a spectacular Cosmopolitan musidal production, starring two of the scrtetfs most brilliant celebrities," Marion. Dayies and Clark* Gable, 'is showing at the Empire Theatre, Island BSy. The picture, which is. filled with catchy musical airs and gigantic specialty numbers, is based on a story) by H. C. Witwer, famous for his glamorous picturisatiori of life on New York's Rialto and the flght-arena. It depicts the romance between a musical comedy star almost over night and a heroic young battler of the prize ring, i The associate feature is "Trouble in Morocco, ' starring Jack Holt. ' "Shall We Dance" will be shown on ... Tuesday. . ■ ■ ' regal thk!atre, karori. "Desire," the Paramount romantic comedy, which is being screened at the-Regal Theatde, Karori, brings together that idealj team of screen level's, Marlene Dietfich and Gary Cooper. It -is their "first, co-starring picture since "Morocco."; This screen couple admirably complement one another. -Mifln Dietrich is' the creature of mystery and allure, 1 the personality of fire ' arid ice. Gary Cooper, her dynamic ' opposite, is easw-going, smiling, i and "refuses to let himself be hurried out of his stride i® this ardent romance. " "With virgin forests of the North-west as its background and a feud between rival: lumber companies as its theme,; f God's Country? and the Woman," Warner Bros.' picturisation in natural colours of the Jflmes Oliver Curwood hovel of' the sacne name, is the associate picture. George Brent and Beverly Roberts aije starred, .Shall We Dance" will be shown on Tuesday. ■ ... ■■■ ■■ BROOKLYN PICTURES. The main feature at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight, "The Jungle Princess " is-without (Question one of the most thrilling jungle films ever produced. sThe cast is Jieaded by Dorothy Lamour, Kay Mill and. Akim Tnmiroff, Lynne Molly Lamont. and Mala. ~'"'sasy to Take." a very fine comedy; Maijsha Hunt and John How,.ard, will alao be screened. i, ] li- i'

Crn AND SUBURBAN THEATRES ,

PLAZA THEATRE. ■ Continuing its remarkably successful i season in Wellington is "Wings of .the ■ Morning," which entered its fifth week ' at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. With ' her beauty and charm, the French star Annabella makes an instant ap- ■ peal to all, and the manner in which ! she interprets two entirely different ' roles, first as a gipsy and then as a . society girl, is superb. Henry Fonda, ! playing opposite. Annabella, enacts the > role, of Kerry, and the two team admirably.' Among the notabilities in the !' film -are John McCormack, famous tenor; and Steve Donoghue, the wellknown English jockey. The story ' opens with the infatuation, of a sporting peer for a gipsy girl, their marriage, 1 and the peer's death. The next scene 1 opens in Spain, in the throes of its civil .war. Several .generations have ■ passed and Annabella appears as the ; great-granddaughter Of the widowed 1 gipsy who has. been moving in the high society of Sphin. Both decide to return'to Destiny Bay, and it is about their arrival there that the picture mainly centres. She is engaged to a Spanish nobleman, but on' her arrival at Destiny Bay she falls in love with young horse trainer Kerry,/and in an exciting climax she wins him. .On. feature of the picture which is done very well is 'the filming of the famous English Derby. There are good supports.: ■ .• : • • • •' DE LUXE THEATRE. • A dramatic story of a young I doctor's strange bargain with a dying man, of his receipt of testimony which would create an immense scandal, and-of his flght against a political organisation which runs a great city is told m Let Them Live," which heads tne double bill at the De Luxe Theatre this week. John Howard, who made such an impression in' s "Lost Horizon, lias the principal , role, and with him are Grey Robert Wilcox, and the reliable Edward Ellis, , who gives, an ing performance in the role of the poiiticafboss. The doctor soon finds that he has' , undertaken a fight against fdrces immense in their strength ana ruthless' in their determination to defend itheir position, and after , a beginning in which he is over-persuaded-by the, subtle, political chieftain he. declares outright war./ The whole of the' social forces are mobilised against him. Police" and prison threaten him, and he is likely ,to have his' career wrecked by, cunnmg and • unscrupulous foes, when something happens to save him; In one respect only the chief bt his enemies is vulnerable and it is this spot which gives the young doctor his 'triumph., John Howard is •excellent in the leading role and Nan Grey plays the part of the daughter of one of the political boss's victims well. Judith Howard, in a supporting role, ■ is also splendidly' cast. Also on the programme is "Roaring Timber, a Jack Holt adventure story of the lumber camps, with plenty of action, redbjooded; fighting, and clashes of will. Raymond Hatton and Grace Bradley are in. support. There are some excellent short subjects. , STATE THEATRE. That popular screen team Anne Sothern and Gene Raymond are together again in "There Goes My ' Girl, a merfy xomance of the news world, now screening at the State Theatre. Half-way through their wedding ceremony these two, who are rival reporters, are interrupted by a shooting tragedy in the church; Urged by the news editor,' Whalen, Anne's news instincts get the better of her and she shelves the rest of. the wedding for another, day. Irked by this desertion at the altar, her would-be bridegroom leaves for the scene of-, avmufder, mystery, determined to win a scoop for his'paper. Anne, discovering- that the shooting was only an "act" put. on by the.news editor as a plot to trick her out" of marriage,' follows Raymond bu c | he will not listen to 'her and she too is'drawn to the trail of the murderer. Humour is closely intermingled with an absorbing story now as the mystery is unravelled. • Anne gets the surprising truth. and is badly wounded before Raymond comes to. her rescue. He writes the story, signing Anne s name, but the scheming editor publishes t it- under Raymond's name and brings about a further estrangement. The situation looks black but is saved in a dramatic denouement. The resource and zest of the headline huiiters* makes an interesting , story, its tenseness ■ relieved by the. fun-making, of Frank Jenks and Bradley Page. The cast'includes also Gordon Jones, Richard Lane, Joan Woodbury, Maria Shelton,' and Alec Craig. The supporting features include interesting news pictures.' NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. vThe camaraderie ot a, French , air squadron <du?ing the World War, born from staring into the jaws of death together,. ;is , appealingly pictured in R.K.0.-Eadio's throbbing screen .drama, "The, Woman I Love," which is the main attraction at the New Princess Theatre.'lt stats Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins with Louis Hay ward in support. Both Muni arid Hayward are cast asmeihbers of a crack French air squadron. A bond closer than that of brothers, between the pilot and his observer, : is- shattered when Hayward discovers ; that the girl with whom he has fallen in love is the wife of Muni. Miriam Hopkins plays the role of the wife. In support of this trio of screen luminaries are Colin Clive, Minor Watson, Adrian Morris, - Elizabeth Risdon, Paul Guilfoyle, Mady Christians, Donald Barry, Owen Davis, jurii, Sterling Holloway, and others. The. associate, feature is. the B.E.F. release. "Tall' Timbers," starring Shirley Ann Richards,. Frank Leighton, Frank Harvey, and Joe Valli. ROXY THEATRE. . Fcrnand Gravet, famous continental film star, is featured in "Romance in Paris»" a delightfully .humorous romance, which is being screened at the Boxy Theatre. "Romance in Paris" is glamorous, whimsical comedy at its best. M./ Gravet plays the role of a wealthy, profligate ex-mon-arch who becomes a Paris playboy. His'titled aunt and uncle try to put hjs royal feet on the.straight and narrow: path but "King Alfred" loves the bright.! lights. Then he meet 3 Joan Blondell, in the role of an American chorus'girl/ Sh6 is independent, highspirited, impudent, and cares not a whit for royalty. Humorous complications follow fast and furiously, aided by Edward Everett Horton. "Melody For Two," the supporting feature, is a musical comedy based upon a new angle—the competition between night dub and radio bands for places on''-the Dig' and profitable aerial networks. The picture features James Melton, famous as a radio singer, and Patricia Ellis. SIIORTT'S THEATRE. "Secret Agent," Gaumont-British offering, starring Madeleine Carroll. Peter Lorre,. John Gielgud, and Robert Young, is being screened at the head of the new programme at Shortt's "Theatre. This is a grand successor to the famous Hitchcock thriller, "The 39 Steps," and outshines even that. "Secret Agent" gripping adaptation of Somerset Maugham's "Ashenden," and is the story, of a secret serviceman who sets put'to thwart a German spy during tne Great War. Fluent staging swings the>action from London to the Swiss Alps, thence to mid-Europe, where suspenseful events culminate in a realistic train smash, following bombing by British aeroplanes. A piquant romantic slant and deft comedy touches relieve the engrossing canvas of espionage, The second attraction is "Bad Boy," which is marked by the same human qualities, the same sprightly humoitr, arid the same heart tug. which brought such widespread popularity to "Bad Girl." It features James Dunn in an entirely new story by Vina Delmar. The same combination was'responsible ; for the former film, and is expected to prove equally as popular in the new production.

TIVOLI THEATRE. There was a time when Hollywood was considered to be the only producer of spectacular films, but that day is definitely past, and one realises this particularly while watching the new Gaumont-British film. "Sally . of the Regiment." which is the mam attraction at the Tivoli Theatre. Here is a picture from English studios that has not .only, spectacle, but thrilling action, tense drama, comedy, and laughable situations. It is a film of life and adventure with' the British Army and as such, it can be heartily recommended to'.the most blase of picturegoers. The story centres around Wallace Ford, who stars in the role of Jimmy Tracey, a Bowery tough fleeing from murder suspicion in New York, and joining the British Army under an assumed name to escape detection. The second feature is "Big Brown Eyes." featuring Gary Grant" and Joan/Bennett The central figures are a manicurist arid a'detective, and there are thrills aplenty as the story develops. An outstanding incident is the capture of. a large band of gangsters. . REX THEATRE. Bret Harte's famous story of romance and' sacrifice in the early California gold "diggings," "The Outcasts of Poker . Flat"' becomes a thrilling version with Preston Foster and-Jean Muir heading a notable cast. It. is being shown at the Rex Theatre. The drama and suspense of the original story, perhaps the best known of all Harte's tales, arises Out of the romance of the principal character, Oakhurst, the gambler, with a pretty school teacher, who is also loved by a young minister, and the mutual interest of all three in a waif of the frontier mining cariip. "Come Closer Folks," the associate feature, is an especially, funny comedy. Jarries Dunn, in the starring role, does | one of the best jobs .of his career. As a fast-talking salesman he chatters some of the most hilarious lines in months. Marian Marsh performs excellently as a prim, small-town girl. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Bette Davis is featured; in "Marked Woman," which heads the new, programme at the Kilbirnie Kinema. She plays one ol half a. dozen night-club girls ' who are forced by their overlord, ,a. racketeer wnO buys the place, into helping him to rob the patrons, both by overcharging and by luring them into his gambling rooms. This big boss is played by Eduardo Ciannelli, who was so. sensational in both stage and , screen • versions of "Winterset." , A colourful, fastmoving, romantic • portrayal of outdoor life in the West, "Hills of Old Wyoming," with William. Boyd in the Star role, of "Hopalong Cassidy," is the associate feature.- The filrii centres about a lai-ge reservation in Wyoming'where a crooked Government agent ;tries to use this Indian wards as a screen lor his sinister -operations as head of a cattje-rustling gang. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN'. _ "When You're in Love," starring Grace Moore, is the . main attraction showing at Our Theatre. The story is ; that of a , vain Australian opera star who is forced to leave America when ner passport expires.' As she has set her. heart on. singing at a song festival m the States, on a certain date, she goes ..to, Mexico with a, scheme for reentering the country. The plan does not work out, and as an alternative she marries, a contemptuous young American artist, whom sne pays for the privilege. What happens after-that is actually too funny for words; it must be seen. The associate feature is - the thrilling Western "Heroes-of the Range," starring Ken Maynard,, ■ ' SEASIDE THEATRE. Because- he has tricked her into another, frontpage story, Loretta Young, as an' heiress,- swears, revenge on Tyrone' Power in "Love is News," showing at the . Seaside Theatre; Determined that he shall know just how it feels to be a newspaper "gold&sh-in-ta-bowl," with -as , little privacy as he allowed her, Loretta announces to the papers that she' is engaged to Tyrone, and adds that she has presented him with a milliori dollars. - In a flash the i former newsgatherer is news himself, and Tyrone becames the target of a I thousand, linotypes and twice as many salesmen. To.force Loretta to admit the'hoax, he chases her out to the country, ,orily to' find himself in an adjoining cell'when they are arrested for speeding. The associate attraction is Jessie Matthews's latest 'starring vehicle, "Head Over Heels." ' CAPITOL THEATRE. : Jeian Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, arid Spencer Tracy head the cast in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's delightful comedy-romance, "Libelled Lady," now screening at the Capitol. Miss Harlow plays the role of Gladys, who is per- • suaded 'to enter into a iriarriage of convenience in, order to help compromise Myrna Loy in the role of the libelled heiress, Connie. Powell is the man. selected to "frame" Miss Loy hi order to force her to drop her suit, and Tracy is the harassed'managing editor. The associate feature is "Head Over Heels," a zestful'comedy-romance,, set in the Parisian cabaret world; of three young people and an actress, who has homewrecking; tendencies. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Comedy, thrills, .and romance are combined in. the story of "When's Your Birthday?" which heads the new programme v at the Grand Theatre,. Petone. J. E. Brown is starred as a prize-fighter turned astrologer. Parian' March is his leading lady, and other featured 'players are Fred Keating and Edgar Kennedy. The race track and a tense mystery murder form the background oi "You Can't Buy Luck," which has Onslow Stevens and Helen Mack in the featured roles. This will be the associate feature., STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Jane Withers is appeariiig in "The Holy Three" .; at the State Theatre Petone. As pet of the navy air base, Jane Withers gets into such mischief that Anthony Martin, a I sailor, is assigned to : look after her. | This is all right with, Jane, because I Anthony, in love with Leah Ray, the I owner of "The Gclden Anchor," a I sailor's hang-out, spends most of his :time at the inn. How Jane escapes from a band of conspirators and, in riotous fashion, breaks up a spy ring, retinites Anthony and Leah, brings the picture to a hilarious conclusion. PALACE THEATRE. PETONE. Described as a thrill-teeming tale of a two-fisted rancher . who went on a rampage when racketeers invaded his ! range to hunt down a runaway bride, Harold Bell Wright's new story of the New West, "Secret Valley," Opens tonight at the Palace Theatre. Richard Arlen combines blazing action with capable acting in his portrayal of the stellar role, heading a cast that includes Virginia Grey, Jack Mulhall, Norman Willis, Sid. Saylor, Russell Hicks, and others. . "Windbag the Sailor," featuring ' Will Hay, is the associate picture. . WOODS v. MARSHALL. Joe Kopach Woods, as tough a battler as has ever been seen m a New Zealand ring, will make his first | Wellington appearance of the present season on Monday night, when, he will meet Floyd Marshall in the wrestling bout at the Town Hall. The spectators can depend upon having their fill of excitement, a? both men pursue rugged and aggressive tactics and possess the fitness arid strength necessary to stand up to a long and gruelling bout. Both have exhibited a partiality towards the use of the. forearm jolt, and there will be no end of excitement as the men fight it out to see which is superior in this style of attack. Furthermore, they have made a close study of the scientific s|de of the mat sport and know, all the orthodox holds and counters, and can employ them with great effectiveness. In fact, with Woods and Marshall in the ring together the spectators are in for a rousing time, and the battle will be halted only between rounds or when one or the other secures a fall. The return of Woods wili be welcomed by all those who enjoyed his displays last year, as it is recognised that his combination of boxing and wrestling makes him an opponent to be feared. Marshall established himself in no uncertain fashion when he made his local debut here against Blomfield. There will be amateur "rsliminaries.

MONTAGUE SHOW. The colourful and spectacular revue "This Year of Carnival" presented by the Montague Show, concluded its Wellington season at the New Opera House last night Tonight the Montague Show will present a. new 'programme, "Pot Pourri," at the New Opera House. Everything will be completely different and it promises t' be even bigger and brighter than the. last programme. George Doonan, the • London comedian, who has "roved such a favourite, will'be seen in several new sketches. He will be aided and abetted by that vivacious comedienne Catherine Stewart. The Darmora Troupe of Hungarian dancers, whose performances this week have I shown Wellington audiences a type of! clever dancing never seen before, will I appear in new offerings originated by Madame Darmora herself. Jewell and ■ Warriss, the "irrepressible comedians and dancers," have fresh humour and novelty for their last revue. The Dawn Sisters, hilarious burlesque dancers, will be "knocking about' again, and that tuneful quartet. The Blenders, will ( present more of their popular numbers. An entirely new. act will be given by the Two fiogues. Alma. Mackie will dance as delightfully as ever, and Margaret Kelly's soprano- voice, will be heard in more numbers from her repertoire. The ballet has intrigumg numbers, and the scenes and spectacles will outrival the sparkle and glamour of the last show. , DANCE RECITAL. "The. Fleet's in Port Again" and divertissements will be presented by Miss Margaret Oates and her pupils at the Assembly. Hall, Brougham Street, on Wednesday, October 27, at 8 p.m. Among the ensembles to be staged are "The Santa Claus Express and Skaters," "The Girl on the Little Blue Plate," and "The Dancing Lesson" by the junior pupils, and the main attraction, "The Fleet" f and "When the Poppies Bloom Again, will be presented by the senior students. PRIMARY SCHOOLS' FESTIVAL. People who love to hear the fresh young voices of little children in song and story will be charmed with the entertainment to be provided at the second annual primary schools' festival, to be held in the Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday Of' next week. One thousand children ' from over twenty of Wellington's primary schools will take part. The programme, which will be different - each evening, will comprise choral singing, one-act plays, verse speaking, physical drill, and folk dancing. All, will be concerted items, and the audience will be able to judge the cultural value of artistic co-opera-tion as evidenced'in the splendid team work of the children. The proceeds of the feStivar will be devoted to'improving the i health of children by means of treatment in, the Otaki. Health Camp. . : SUNDAY PICTURES. "What a. Night," a merry medley'of mystery and mirth, will be screened tomorrow (Sunday) evening at the De Luxe Theatre. The title is an apt one, for:it is,certain that few would care to experience, such a night as the leading characters do in this production. Hilarious happenings at a haunted hotel, a comedy of,terrors with crooks and spooks, provide thrills and laughs aplerity. ' Leslie Fuller, the leading comedian, made ; notable successes in "Not So Quiet on the Western Front," "Why Sailors Leave Home," and "Old Soldiers * Never* Die:" He is ably supported by Molly Lamont. Syd Courteney, Frank Stanmore, and an excellent cast. The first-named > takes the part of an enterprising but tactless commercial traveller, who'is not too succesful in his business but nevertheless makes a big sum of money in a remarkable manner. "What a Night" should provide patrons with enjoyable entertainment. The proceeds will be devoted to- the funds of the Artillery Band. AUTOMOBILE" ASSOCIATION. The thirty-second annual general meeting of the Automobile Association is to be held at the Town* Hall Concert Chamber on" Tuesday next. The annual report of the association, which has already been issued; to members, reviews the work of the year and deals with a number of important items. One particular item which will promote discussion among members is the proposal.of the Minister of: Justice to introduce legislation .under which it will not be necessary on the part of a .third party to prove negligence in the I establishment; of a claim for personal t injuries. A great' amount of interest is being taken -in this proposal.;