CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 138, 8 December 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

The inevitable clashes and unhappiness which eventuate when an educated and quiet-natured gentleman marries a socially-ambitious mmnana are forcibly brought to the screen in "Stella Dallas," featuring Barbara Stanwyck and John Boles, which is now showing at the Regent Theatre. "Stella Dallas" gives a candid portrait of a home torn, apart by the utterly different outlook of husband and. wife. It is when (he child of Stephen and Stella Dallas, Laurel Dallas, grows up to young womanhood, that her father, who by this time is living away from the mother and her child, realises only too well how his daughter is missing the refinements of life which he could offer her The mother's intentions are good, but her conduct with a drunken roisterer has set the neighbourhood against her', and the daughter's position in the community as a consequence does not hold out rosy promises for her future happiness.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Suppose that you were a wealthy old man with an attractive secretary of sterling qualities,' but no gift of displaying them, and .with a scapegrace young man your last near relative. You inevitably see the end oi the young man after your death. You have affection for him, but that does not bind you to his faults. You wish he were safely married to a nicelymanaging young woman. And then you have an idea—disinherit him and leave the money to the girl you wish were his wife. That was what happened in "It's All Yours," which is showing at the Majestic Theatre and that is the theme which is acted out with spirit and laughter tar Francis Lederer, Mischa Aver, and Madeleine Carroll. There are many novel twists to the theme.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

Drama of a particularly exciting nature is contained in "Song of the City," which is now being screened at the' St. James Theatre. Margaret Lindsay and Jeffrey Dean, who have •the leading roles, give good performances. The story, concerns the actions of a speculator on the stock market who, having lost all his money, determines to marry a wealthy heiress. On the sea journey to meet her he falls overboard while drunk and is picked up by an Italian fishing boat. Nursed back to' health by the daughter of the family he works as a fisherman and obtains a different outlook on life. A terrifying and skilfully-handled climax is reached when he rescues the fisherman's daughter from a blazing ocean liner. The supporting programme is long and varied.

NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Sandy Powell, the well-known comedian of the radio and gramophone, makes his screen debut in "Can You Hear Me, Mother?" which has been transferred to.the New Opera House. Sandy is whisked from his little native village to London, where he is offered a job by a theatrical agent, but he finds that it is not as easy .to become famous as he imagined. Sandy finds a baby on his way to the big city, wins £50 from a gang of cardsharpers, obtains and loses several jobs, and does practically everything except get his name in lights. Finally, however, with the help. of his girl friend (Mary Lawson) and a good deal of luck, he proves himself to be a great attraction. The supporting feature, "Melody of the Plains," starring the new .singing find, Fred Scott, is an action-packed Western tale with plenty of suspense, comedy, and excitement.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

That inimitable pair ;of humorists, Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, are together again in "For Valour," which is showing at the Paramount Theatre. The story, at the start, deals with the Boer War, where Tom Walls, a rather shady character, rescues a certain major (Lynn) from a difficult spot. The latter is overwhelming in his gratitude and eighteen years later, when he is recruiting soldiers for the World War, he runs into his old rescuer serving time. He offers to bring the gaolbird's son up with his own grandson, and that's where the trouble commences. Both grow up determined to become crooks and Tom Walls is successful. Ralph Lynn is not quite so successful, and becomes quite a familiar figure in the prisons. The associate feature, "Fury Over Spain," depicts vividly the horrible effect the war is having in such places as Madrid.

KING'S THEATRE.

"Slave Ship," which is now showing at the King's Theatre, is one of the npteworthy period films of the year. It concerns the fortunes of the last slave ship aod her captain at a time when the Governments of the world had outlawed the. dreadful trade in "black ivory" between the Gold Coast and the southern States of America. The picture vividly reconstructs the tense, brutal atmosphere of the slavers. Warner Baxter gives, an excellent performance as the slaver captain trying desperately to break . loose from, the trade against the wishes of his ruffian crew. Wallace Beery gives his usual adequate support, and convincing parts are portrayed by Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Allen. Also on the programme is "Woman Wise,'" an exciting picture of newspaper life, with Michael Whalen and Rochelle Hudson in the leading roles.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE,

Singing, dancing, - and romancing their way more securely into the hearts of millions of theatre-goers, the world s dancing favourites, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, are co-starred once more in their gayest and most spectacular screen hit, "Shall We Dance, which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. The stars, who hold undisputed rank as the most popular team on the screen, break completely away from the type of characterisations they have given in the past to offer a brand-new kind of musical film. The associate feature is "When Thief Meets Thief," starring Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Valeric Hcbson.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

A motion picture that has been called "The 'Front Page' of the medical profession," Paramount's "A Doctors Diary," is the feature attraction at the Palace Theatre, Petone. Telling the story of a young physician's romancp and hardships, the film has John Trent, Helen Burgess, and George Bancroft in the leading roles". Four new hit tunes, written in the traditional hillbilly manner, will.be heard for the first time in "Mountain Music, starring Bob Burns and Martha Raye, the associate feature.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

Deanna Durbin, who rose to screen fame in "Three Smart Girls," is starred in her second picture, Universal s "100 Men and a Girl," a comedy-drama with music which is showing at the State Theatre. Featured ' with Deanna Durbin is Leopold Stokowski, famous conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. An unusual cast surrounds Deanna. It includes Adolphe Menjou, Alice Brady, and Eugene Pallete.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

Along the anti-crime front, 20th Century has exploded a bombshell in the gripping, searing story of the nations war on the new underworld terror, "Show Them No Mercy," now at the Grand Theatre. The action of the story centres about a hideout in the California foothills, where. gangsters Cesar Romero, Bruce Cabot, Warren Hymer, and Edward Brophy wait until the furore created by their 200,000" dollars crime has cleared away. The presence of unwelcome guests—Hochelle Hudson, her husband Edward Norris, and their baby—complicates the situation. The second feature is "All In," starring I Ralph Lynn.

CITY' AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

, STATE THEATRE,

SHORTT'S THEATKE.

ROXY THEATRE,

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

CAPITOL THEATRE.

In "Under the Red Robe," which Is showing at the Plaza Theatre, a thrilling story is told of France in the early seventeenth century, when Cardinal Richelieu was First Minister of the country. In the leading role, Conrad Veidt appears as a discredited duellist, known as the "Black Death," who, as an alternative to execution, becomes an emissary of the Cardinal, and is sent to unmask a plot of the revolutionary Fronde in ths South of France. He has the misfortune to fall in love with the sister of the leader of-the revolutionaries. He chooses to return to Richelieu and death. But in the meantime the Cardinal has suffered reverses, and when hs finds that the swordsman, although under pain oi death, does not flee from him when his sycophants run, he rewards him for his loyalty with his life. However it is Annabella, the lovely French actress, who claims the attention in this romantic drama.

Richard Dix and blond Joan Perry have the principal roles in "The-Devil is Driving,'/'a dramatic film of the toll of the motor which is the chief of the two feature attractions screening at the De Luxe Theatre. The story deals with the career of a successful, popular, and brilliant young lawyer who is elected district attorney and after reaching that post is placed in the peculiar position of having to indict a young man whom he previously defended and ' whose acquittal he procured with perjured testimony. Also on the programme is "Dancing Feet," in which Joan Marsh returns to the movies in the role of a self-willed young heiress who leaves.her grandfather's house in a rage, finds that the only career open to her is that of a dancer, and has some unusual adventures in the course of living her own life and helping along a young man.

Having inherited an exaggerated sense of finding an air of mystery and intrigue in everyday problems, Jane Withers creates a laugh riot in her new film, "Angel's Holiday," now showing at the State Theatre. Other players in the cast are Sally Blanc, a screen actress, Robert Kent, a wide awake reporter, Frank Jenks and Al Lydell. The story opens with a hilarious scene in a railway carriage in which Jane is reading a detective story to all the passengers. The guard intervenes,' but the passengers hoot him and get Jane to go on with her story. From this atmosphere of suspense Jane stumbles upon a real mystery in which an organised kidnapping is arranged as a publicity! stunt for Sally Blanc. Supports include shots of the present Sino-Japanese conflict and a clever cartoon.

A romance of two young newly-weds who find out you don't have to have quintuplets to have baby trouble is told in the gay and tender Fox comedy, "The First Baby," which is showing at Shortt's Theatre. Featuring handsome young Johnny Downs and Shirley Deane, this is a story of love, ■ round-by-round, with "in-law" trouble upsetting things, and a little bundle from heaven helping the two youngsters find their way to happiness. There is roistering, rollicking humour in "Where There's a Will, starring Will Hay, which is the second feature.

That irascible but lovable old seafaring character created by Peter B. Kyne —Cappy Ricks —comes to life on the screen in the comedy-drama "The GoGetter," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Charles Winninger plays Cappy. He isn't' the "go-getter." That individual is the tall, handsome Irish star George Brent, who is in love with Capp.y's daughter, portrayed by Anita Louise. Another exciting romance of the Wild West is unfolded in the "California Mail," the second feature, with Dick Foran, the "Singing Cowboy," as the star.

"Song of Freedom," the first British film in which Paul Robeson has starred since "Sanders of the River," is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The story, part of which is based on a legend known to tens of thousands of natives of Africa, handed down to them from the slave-trading days, involved sequences in the African interior, shots in all parts of Europe's capitals, and the engagement of hundreds of extras, both black and white. Joseph Calleia not only gets on the side of the law for the first time in his screen career, but he also becomes a lawyer in his new picture, "Man of the People," the second attraction. *

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

"Men Without Names" heads the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre'at reduced prices. Fred McMurray plays the role of a member of America's Department of Justice, and atempts to track down a- gang of desperate criminals. How he accomplishes the task and wins the heart of a beautiful girl is shown in the picture. Madge Evans, Lynne Overman, and David Holt have the supporting roles. The associate feature, Zane Grey's "Wagon Wheels," depicts the hardships, perils, and romantic lives of the sturdy adventuring pioneers. Randolph Scott, Gail Patrick, and Raymond Hatton head the cast.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY.

The special brand of humour that Claudette Colbert has made her own sparkles throughout "I Met Him in Paris" the brilliant comedy-romance now at the Seaside Theatre. With two leading men. Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young, fighting to win Miss Colbert's affections, "I Met Him in Paris" offers a double guarantee of sparkling situations and bright dialogue. The associate attraction, "Wings 'Over Honolulu," is a thrillingly dramatic naval story featuring Wendy Barrio and Ray Milland.

' Gay, sparkling Paris and thrillpacked St. Moritz,. capital of Switzerlands winter sports region, form the background for Claudette Colberts latest comedj -romance, Paramounts "I Met Him in Paris," in which the brunette star is teamed with Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young. The film is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Boris Karloff reveals himself in a new light in his latest starring picture, "Night Key," the associate featunc. The star is seen, not as a monster, but in a .straight sympathetic role, the first the actor has played since he rose to stardom.

REGAL THEATRE, .KARORI.

"Wings of the Morning." featuring the new French star Annabella. is showing at the Regal Theatre. Others in the cast are "Henry Fonda, John McCormack, and Steve Donoghue, the wellknown English jockey. The story opens with the infatuation of a sporting peer for a gipsy girl, their subsequent marriage, and later the peer's death. The next scene opens in Spain, which is in the throes of the civil war. Several generations have passed, and Annabella appears as the great-grand-daughter of the widowed gipsy. In addition a film of the world's heavyweight boxing championship between Joe Louis and Tommy Farr will be shown.

BROOKLYN THEATRE,

"Roaming Lady," featuring Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy, will be the main feature at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. The film is an action-filled adventure tale of an- American aviator and a young girl who are involved in a Chinese rebellion. Chester Morris and Margot Grahame are featured in "Counterfeit," the second attraction. The supports include a newsreel, comedy, etc.

TIVOLI THEATRE,

"The Prince and the Pauper," the first talking-film version of Mark Twain's immortal adventure-romance, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The well-known story is that of two babies bom in London at the same moment in the sixteenth century—one the young Prince Edward, who first sees life in the Palace; the other Tom Canty, who opens - his eyes ■in -the slums, the son of a thief and a villain. Their lives become tangled because they look exactly alike. The producers discovered a pair of identical twins —Billy and Bobby Mauch, for the picture. Bobby plays the Prince, Billy the Pauper. Errol Flynn heads the cast. Once more he is a swashbuckling swordsman. Love, murder, and comedy form a contrasting combination in "The Longest Night," the second attraction with Robert Young and Florence Rice. This novel picture is placed entirely in a great department store. The scenic effects are amazing and the plot is entirely within reason, in the light of police activities in the large cities of the day.

RJTVOLI THEATRE,

There is more tnan a little human interest in "Moonlight Sonata," now showing at the Rivoli Theatre. In presenting Ignace Paderewski to the screen for the first time it shows the old master of the pianoforte still incredibly gifted as a virtuoso. Maybe a little of the youthful fire has gone, but there is, in the. excerpts which he plays in the picture, the embracing technique "and something of the serenity and charm of one who has grown old gracefully, absorbing from his music the essential peace of its quieter moods. And so, as he sits at the piano and plays Liszt's second Rhapsody or the ' Moonlight, he is in himself an interesting study. He acts well, too. The story of the film is splendid, some of !the photography is outstanding, and the old-world grace characteristic of so many of the scenes gives it great charm.. Marie Tempest also appears in the film. Eddie Cantor is let loose in a gigantic amusement park in "Strike Me Pink," the second attraction. Eddie is cast as a timid fellow who takes a correspondence course in acquiring a dominating personality and becomes manager of Dreamland Amusement Park.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

Paramount's "Straight From the Shoulder," now showing at the. Empire .Theatre, furnishes real and solid entertainment. The film tells of a quick-thinking artist, who, when he witnesses a gang killing, sketches the killers for the police, thus identifying them. The killers vow to "get" him, and are thwarted only by the courage and. bravery of his young son, played by David Holt. Facing execution for a crime he didn't commit, Onslow Stevens in "You Can't Buy Luck," the associate feature, escapes from gaol and apprehends the guilty man. Helen Mack plays the feminine lead. Also being shown is the fight between Louis and Farr for the world title.

THE CHRISTMAS TONICS,

So successful was the recent production of the Tonics Concert Party in the Town Hall that the producer, Mr. Assheton Harbord, has decided to continue along those lines for his annual Christmas presentation. Speed and snappy movement is the keynote of the production', and humour abounds. Some particularly fine dancing will be featured by pupils of Mr.-Joseph Knowsley, and a spectacular tap ballet will appear from the Marjorie Vause Studio. A highlight of the productions will be the presentation of the two Deanna Durbin finalists from- the Assheton Harbord studios, both of whom will play prominent parts in the performances and who will.sing Deanna Durbin songs. Another feature will be the presentation of a burlesque Christmas pantomime, "Dick Whittington, which should prove most humorous. The funds of the Far East relief of distress scheme are to.benefit from these per r formances, and with such a worthy cause and such a splendid production the Concert Chamber should be well filled at every performance. There will be a change of programme at each performance. Details are advertised, and the box plan is at Begg's.

ART LECTURES

Two interesting Jecture-s will be given this week at the National Art Gallery, Buckle Street, in connection with the "Contrast" collection of reproductions of old and modern masters. Tonight at 8 o'clock the lecturer will be Mr. J. M. Ellis, and on Saturday afternoon at. 2.30, Mr. A. D. Carbery, F.R.C.5.1., will give a talk on the' pictures. Admission will be free arid the public are invited to attend.