CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 122, 19 November 1937, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

EEGENT THEATRE

Oscar Hammerstein 11, renowned lib-1 rettist,' worked over six months on the script of "High, Wide, and Handsome, the new musical romance which comes j to- the Regent Theatre today. The, combined eriorts of Hammerstem, direc-: tor Rouben Mamoulian, and George i O'Neil, went into the completed version | of the story. When he had completed a treatment distinguished for its light-, ness and gaiety, Hammerstein began: conferences with Mamoulian, who had j previously gone into, the history of the j period of the film with great care.. The j two began to'interweave the setting of the' oil boom days-of 1859- with the beautiful love story that is the theme .of the film, creating' a fine combination | of .historical accuracy. and great romantic charm.. ■'■... For additional, help with the dialogue; Mamoulian called on O'Neil, a playwright withCa great knack of 'giving -;;dialogae.: an emotional ■ and | poetic rEippeal.i': The result is a musical romance, with a score by Jerome .Kei-n, and a wonderfully interesting story. Although names of th&:-/characters have been changedl from factual to fictional, the ■facts -of-the,story of the oil boom have been.faithfully ■followed. "High, Wide, and Handsome" stars.lrene Dunne, with Randolph Scott", Dorothy Lamour, Raymond Walburn, "Elizabeth Patterson, Akim Tamiroff, Charles Bickford, Ben Blue, ana>W:iiliam Frawley.;,; ~. ; "■'■"■" '-'■MAJESTIC-;iTHEATRE.: ; .; ;-:: .' Adopting a technique'or story construction . that is entirely new on the screen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer introduces --a. 'novel1 picture iri "Night Must Fall,": •which- commences at the -Majestic'-. Theatre' -today/ The film is a daring venture in- the; production field, but even more experimental for Robert -Montgomery who deliberately chose to drop his accustomed heroic roles for the - characterisation of a pathological killer. :. His performance is remarkable- from .every standpoint. There is no element, of mystery in the narrative; Tt is the peculiarly effective account-.bf.a youth'whose mind: is bent 'oh'crime. The situation, is; complicated by the' romance'between, him and Rosalind' Russell as a girl who finds herself in the unenviable position of loving a; man:Whom,.she knows to be bad. The, background of the story is a country carnival and a small hotel, where most of the action Occurs. In the- cast are players from the original stage company who appeared in the play for 55 consecutive weeks. Among them are Dame May Whitty, Merle Tottenham, and Matthew Boulton. ■/:. ST. JAMES THEATRE. After a lapse of some eighteen months, one of the most brilliant comedy teams ever united oh the screen, is once more launched ;on;-a greatnew laughter campaign. It is the fIVnl"For Valour," which opens at St.; JSmes theatre today with .Torn.Walls and Ralph Lynn. The picture has been adaptedfrom an original story by Ben Travers; ■-■'• Directed by Tom Walls, it is the most ambitious picture ever undertaken by this great team, providing them' with unique opportunities. The famous comedy co-stars both appear in dual roles. Tom Walls, minus his moustache, appears as a private in the Boer War, and a convict adorned with a perfect cauliflower ear. Ralph Lynn will be seen' for the first time without his monocle, as a major in the British Army, and later as a senile, doddering old man. Major Pyke, w:sh- [}- to reward suitably«a private in his battalion for saving his life, is distressed to discover the man is an escaped convict, and when, years afterwards, he sees him in prison, offers to bring up the crook's son .wittuhisown. grandson who it is hoped; will prove an influence for the good. In this he proves sadly mistaken, for, from then on, a life o- crime is led- by all. The action calls for a great variety of settings, varying from the Boer War to a miiK bar, with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn performing the greatest confidence trick of the century. / REX THEATRE. - "Killer at: Large," Columbia mystery melodrama; featuring Mary Brian. Russell Hardie, and Betty Compson, is showing-, at, the Rex Theatre.. Killer At Large" tells of a demented waxworker who uses his strange art to cover, a;career, of murder. ,"lQ<« of the-(Crowd," the second attraction, starring John Wayne and'a splendid supporting cast, is a thrilling action drama of the ice hockey world versus the',-vmderwQrld. ' • ■■■..-. ' KINEMA. "Romeo and Juliet" concludes tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. '- 'In a production sweeping with song and scented •; with, romance,;v Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy come to the screen.at the Kilbirnie Kinema tomorrow, in the well-known characters of the light opera "Rose Marie.' under their magic spell the full beauty of "The" Indian Love Call," "Rose Mane, I Love .You," "Song of the Mounties," and Mother classics from the Herbert Stothart-Rudolf Friml scors live again. "Craig's Wife," starring Rosalind Russell and'John-Boles, is the-second at--traction/■.---It.ij the story of a cold and ••■ calculating 'woman who marries merely to attain her lifetime goalabsolute independence.- She stands aloof from everyone, even, subtly, her own*' husband, whom she considers merely ..a necessary evil.-;' ;■:..:,:..- OUR THEATRE, NE^VTOWN. What happens when two .'of ; iihe world's foremost dancing .■■"•. celebrities find-that everybody believes they are 'mariied forms .the hilarious theme of "Shall We Dance," the mam attraction showing ,:a't :Our- TKeatrfe,,' Snappy song hits' and beautifuly-photographed dance-settings contrast -With the,hum-. our1 of those inimitable comedians, Ea:wardr Everett: Horton and Eric Blpre. There are eight spectacular dance -numbers, including ballet, and modern dance ensembles, .and a number or remarkable ■-solo novelties. England s superb humorist, Will Hay, is.starred in "Windbag the Sailor," the. second attraction. . " '•--'■ -.■■ > ; EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The honours in "Seventh Heaven," now at the Empire Theatre, are divided primarily between the tremendously moving picturisation of this, the tenderest romance' of the time, and the fact that in it emerges fully-an actress destined to be known as' the greatest star on the screen—Simone Simon, costarred with James Stewart. Austin Strong's immortal love' story presents once again that star-crossed■■ pair of lovers, Diane and Chico, who lift one s Also on the programme is "Roaring Timbers," starring Jack.Holt. CAPITOL THEATRE. "Cafe Metropole," now at the Capitol Theatre, with Loretta Young, Tyrone Power,-and Adolphe ■ Menjou in the leading roles, is a delightful blend of romance and comedy. The story' Winds its'amusing way against the background-of the Continents most luxurious rendezvous. Arthur Tracy, the- golden-voiced street singer, who enjoyed such popularity in . his first screen performance, "Street Singer's Serenade," sings his'way to new heights of popularity in "The Street Singer's' Return," the musical comedy romance, which is the associate attraction. There will be a special matinee at 2 p.m. tomorrow, the feature being the comedy "For the Love of Mike." '..."■ SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. ■ Undoubtedly the' best musical comedy he has yet appeared in, Jack Buchanan, sings, dances, and provokes hearty laughter in "Brewster's Millions," showing at the Seaside Theatre. The associate attraction," "Peg •'of Old Drury," has Anna Nea&le and Sir Cedric Hardwicke in the leading roles. The story, which is based on the life of Peg Woffington and David Garrick, tells how the fascinating and brilliant Irish beauty,singer, and dancer went from Dublin to London, and by her vivacity, wit, and charm made herself, at old Drury Lane' Theatre, the'adored favourite of "London's millions.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

The great German tenor Richard Tauber is now as familiar to cinema ! audiences as he is to opera enthusiasts. I His thousands of admirers will find I much to their "heart's desire" in his .latest picture, "Pagliacci," a brilliant j screen adaptation of Leoncavallo's 'famous opera, which opens at the PJaza Theatre today. Tauber scores i a great personal triumph in this | film, in -which he plays a diffii cult role ■' with which he is thori oughly familiar. In adapting the I opera to the requirements of the screen the director ' has shrewdly compromised in a way that is eminently satisi factory to both diehard opera lovers I and entertainment-seeking fllmgoers. The principal role of Canio is, or course, played by Tauber. He is revealed as the doting but jealous husband of Nedda (Steffi Duna), pretty and flirtatious, who acts with him in the comedies produced by their travelling troupe. However,-, Nedda is involved in a love affair with two other admirers unbeknown to her goodnatured husband. But Canio eventually learns the truth and takes a dreadful revenge during a-climax that has the audience on edge with dramatic suspense. The final scenes are filmed in the latest Chemicolour process, which emphasises the. beauty of the tragedy. .. ' .;, ■ ■'■.' DE LUXE THEATRE. "The . Amazing Quest' .of Ernest '.Bliss,"', by '". E. , Phillips Oppenheim, heads the double-feature programme to be presented at the De Luxe Theatre today. Cary Grant and Mary Brian are starred. The second film is Wes.bound Limited," jsvith Lyle Talbot. STATE THEATRE. "Rose of- Tralee," which opens at the State, Theatre today, is a sentimental drama of a poor mother and her infant seeking an absent husband. Ninety,per cent, of the .appeal :of this picture is vested in Binkie Stuart, diminutive child star, who carries almost the entire burden of the story on" her 'tiny, shoulders. In the .juvenile field she will certainly rate as a discovery, for she shows acting capabilities of a surprising order. In addition, she sings with remarkable selfpossession, and winds up with a small dance. The story deals with the tribulations of a poor young mother and her infant daughter, separated from the father, who has become a successful crooner in America. ; Turned out by her. hard-hearted landlady, the mother and daughter are befriended by an Irish «afe proprietor and his quaint old landlady. The father comes home to seek his family, but an un-scrupulous.-agent neatly sidetracks all inquiries until chance, and success, reunite the three once more. Fred Conyrigham and Kathleen O Regan play the romantic roles. .NEW OPERA HOUSE. "Mountain Justice," an exposure, of the ignorance, cruelty, and superstition of America's mountain people, comes to the New Opera House today. Josephine Hutchinson, Mona Barrie, George Brent, and Guy Kibbee are starred. The other feature is Her Husband Lies," the story of a gambler who played square with everything but love. The featured players are Ricardo Cortez,, GaU .Patrick, and Akim Tamiroff. . ROXY THEATRE. "Ready, Willing, and Able," a comedy -'with music is shown at the Rpxy. Theatre; Co-starred are the twink-ling-toed' Ruby Keeler and the famous young eccentric dancer Lee Dixon. "Ready, Willing, and Able has a much more substantial and coherent story than most musical films have.. Depicting the jams into which a girl who has too much money and not enough common sense can get herself into, "The^Footlose Heiress" is the supporting feature, r Ann Sheridan plays the part of the girl. The , young man who tames her and makes a nice, normal person out of her is Craig Reynolds. SHORTT'S THEATRE. • "Half Angel," the thrilling story of a girl who seemingly jinxes the lives of all who' love her, is showing at ' Shortfs:. Theatre, with Frances " Dee, Brian Donlevy, and Charles Butterworth in the leading roles. Miss Dee is cast as the innocent victim of circumstancei twice wrongly accused of poison murders, with Donlevy appearing as the irrepressible reporter who refuses to believe her guilty. The locale of Zane ; Grey's "King of,the Royal Mounted, the second feature,' is th.c primitive vastriess' of North-west Canada. Replete with spectacular action and romance, the picture stars Robert Kent. ' , '■ ' NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. A lifetime of excitement has been packed into the thrilling mystery 'drama, "Reported Missing," which is showing at the . New Princess Theatre, ' with William Gargan and Jean Ebgers, "Reported Missing is a swift;' high-tension aviation story.. Planes protected ; by every scientific device 'crash mysteriously. The associate feature is "The. Friendly Road, New' Zealand's first great talkie drama, starring "Uncle Scrim," who is supported by a large cast. "The Friendly Road". is>. the cinematic expression of a great ideal. . •__ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. AH- who love a good, wholesome laugh will delight in George Formby s latest production, "Keep Your Seats, Please," co-starring Florence Desmond, which Is -showing at • the Regal Theatre. It depicts the. bizarre adventures of George .Withers in search of a fortune that a maiden aunt has left hidden in one of. a set of chairs. America's first ssmi-military. organisation of State officers, the Texas Rangers, is made the theme of a sweeping panoramic film history of the early Lone Star State in "The Tex.as. Rangers," the second feature. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Turn Off the Moon", will be shown finally tonight at the Grand Theatre, "Laughing 'Irish' Eyes," which commences tomorrow,'is a dashi'ngi romantic comedy,' featuring beautiful Evelyn Knapp with Regan,.while such noted veterans as J. M. Kerrigan and Walter C. Kelly fill the'hilarious Irish comedy roles.'' A. startlingly original and highly amusing film is the second ■feature, •"■"The Man;in'the Mirror,"^ starring Edw.yrd Everett Horton with Genevieve Tdbin. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Villiam Powell once more is Myrna Loy's Prince Charming in. "After the Thin Man," which is showing at" the State Theatre. This is their newest hit and the action-packed sequel to their former triumph, "The Thin Man." Once again Myrna and Bill make the ideal married couple—people: romantically in love with each other with that complete understanding and tolerance which all husbands and wives wish they possessed. Included in an excellent supporting programme is a fifteen minutes' "short" entitled "Golf Mistakes," which every golfer should see. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Pride of the Marines," now showing at the Palace Theatre, is a dramatisation of life at a United States Marine Corps base, and tells the stirring story of an orphan lad who is adopted by, and later becomes the "pride of the marines." Billy Burrud. is the young mascot. The principals in: the cast are Charles Bickford and Florence Rice. With all that colour, action, and excitement typical of college football and its background, "The Big Game" is the second feature, with June Travis, Philip Huston, and Bruce Cabot.

TIVOLI THEATRE. It is quite an accomplishment these days—after the movies have seemingly invaded all the trades and professions to find interesting characters to weave stories around—for a film producer to discover one occupation which hitherto had not been picturised. And that's just what Warner Bros, have done in the case of "Slim," the interesting and exciting melodrama which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. "Slim" is a story of the colourful, perilous, touch-and-go lives of high tension linesmen, those sturdy lads who put up steel towers across the land and string the wires that carry electrical power over the mountains and deserts. With Pat O'Brien, Henry Fonda, Margaret Lindsay, and Stuart Erwin in the leading roles "Slim" proves to be a first-class film with an entirely new background. Uncontrollable merriment—born of an hilarious mixture of comic adventure and side-splitting situations, characterises the new George Formby and Florence Desmond offering, "Keep Your Seats,, Please," the second attraction. RIVOLI THEATRE. All the thrills of a trip to Hollywood are provided in "A Star Is Born," David O. Selznick's glorious technicolour production, starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Janet emerges a lovely, new sophisticated personality as Esther Blodgett, the, little country girl who comes to Hollywood in search of stardom, faces the 100,000 to one odds as an extra, and soars overnight to fame. And March, as Norman Maine, the hard-drinking screen idol of the moment, who helps Janet get her first break, falls in love with her and marries her, has a grand role which offers him plenty of opportunities for the kind of comedy at which he excels. "Slim," a melodrama dealing, with a class of young men whom the films have overlooked up to - now—the lads who string high tension power lines across the country—is the second attraction. Co-stars in the picture, and pals in the story, are Pat O'Brien and Henry Fonda, the latter carrying the title role and the former acting the part of "Red," who teaches "Slim" the business. The girl whom they both love is the attractive and capable Margaret Lindsay. There will be a midnight matinee tonight. THE COMEDY HARMONISTS. "They did .it again at the City Hall las: night. They kept a crowded house agog with enthusiasm, not alone for the usual classical music associated with the concert platform, but for many of the melodies which have come to stay' from the latest musical comedies and singing film hits. And they did it to'such good effect that the' audience sat up and clamoured for more" This tribute from the Sydney "Telegraph" is sufficient to assure local patrons of the treat that is in store for them at the Town Hall' on Tuesday evening next, when, under engagement to the National Broadcasting Service, the Comedy Harmonists will give the first of their two public performances in this city. Many New Zealand listeners are familiar with their work over the air; but the pleasure they give is in their broadcasts when they can be seen, for it is by their gestures and antics that they convey the full interpretation of the harmonies they sing io delightfully. Seats may, be reserved at the D.I.C.

WANGANUI ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

An excellent concert was presented on Wednesday evening by the Wanganui Orchestral Society, whose items were' by Sullivan, Coleridge-Taylor, Beethoven, Delibes, Mozart, arid Hayden, writes "The- Post's" representative. The soloist was Olive ScoUlar, who won high praise from Mr.-Lindley Evans in Australia recently. Her items included "Theme and Variations' (Proch) and a selection from "Die Fledermaus" (Strauss), compositions not heard previously in Wanganui.