CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

"There, but for the grace of God,f I, Portia Merriman, would be facing a verdict of life or death—instead of this young, unfortunate victim of a coward's infatuation." A sensational outburst from the lips of the country's foremost woman barrister, forced by, circumstances to be a stranger to: her own son, and later ordered by Fate to defend the murderess of that son's; father. This is the problem of Portia Merriman, played with illuminating depth and insight by Frieda" Inescort in "Portia on. Trial," now at the Regent Theatre. Portia, as the price of her son's\ name, was forced, seventeen years before,' to forgo maternal claim, or him by signing false affidavits which presented her as a woman unfit for motherhood. Later, when Fate, brings the two together in highly dramatic" circumstances, she acknowledges her birthright and defies the world ta challenge it. Old John Condon, takes up this.,challenge, John Condon, industrial;and .political magnate, whose word is siifficient to make or break men. He brings Portia before the Bar Association in an effort to expel her from the'Bar,; but she outwits him with a brilliant and dramatic coup which forms one of the"high spots of the production. ■ MAJESTIC THEATRE. ■•/:-,; . ■ For . fast-moving and. delightful film • entertainment, with,';^.:theme entirely new, it would be practically impossible to go past "A Yank at Oxford, which will be shown for • a further ; w£ek' at the Majestic-Theatre, with Robert Taylor :in f. the leading role. The story deals •■ with - the - career of Lee; Sheridan- (Robert Taylor), who,after proving -a .magnificent athlete at his American,.State-school manages to get s scholarship to Oxford. liis bombastic entrance and gene?. •alv dernfeanour ih ■ the early days a : that' venerable: institution gain im. jnany enemies.! and for some .ie he is very unpopular. Soine his -actions ; are-considered "not ?ket," but after a while he begins learn .whaj is expected of him. He -ss-al&k'ding part in the rowing arid .tetics of the college and the pic~ :o ends on a happy note as he strokes ■ '■ - Oxford crew to victory over Camige "■' in the annual boat race. ■.seen O'Sullivan, an undergraduate, /ides the romantic interest as far •afteridan is concerned. -•: - | ■ ;:>.ST, JAMES THEATRE. - Nearly every poor man would like 0-enjoy the life of a millionaire for .vo" weeks, .and every rich man would use to go back to the simple pleasures —at least for the same time. Arid that is just what Frank Morgan, Robert Young, and Reginald Owen do in "Ro'mance for .Three,": now :at the St.: James Theatre. Morgan turns poor while the other two actors become rich and powerful. Their plan works until Morgan's daughter, Florence Rice, his housekeeper, Edna May Oliver, and his "girl friend," Mary Astor, find out about it. But in the meantime Morgan, who has won a contest arid has been given two weeks! vacation at an Alpine resort, appears to be a poor man, and therefore is treated, badly by the management. Only one' jnari is kind ip him, and he is Henry. Hull, . the,..: dish-washer, When Morgan's, family makes, him return to j his normal life, as the wealthy capitalist, he orders the hotel manager, and potter; to his- office, explains that he. was actually ,stayiiig.at his own hotejl," reminds* them •of their' treatment towards him, and makes the dish-washer their, boss... ........ , PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ; . It is somewhat of a nQyeltfcto havV a Hollywood premiere in • Wellingtbiij but that, is what the?-:-Paramouai Theatre promises :.;this;-:^ek^ l-ffiifffi with * are lamps, 'cariieras,' souiid 'equipnient, and all things.essential iu filming to greet patrons tin thie vestibule of the theatre,'- d slight idea, of what happens at the big' premieres in Holly wood, w-ill. be-gained. All this is b,eing donet^ welcom;§ to the city Wellington's firsCt^klej "Oh! Mr. Gadd-" This picture has>, a simple but entertaining story running through it,, and should appeal to all.'■-.■:lt is a farical comedy written by Miss Phyllis .j'itzGerald (Wellington).', The leading jiayers are Miss Qracie Kerr and Miu jelwyn Toogood,: who are both wea ,nown for their repertory work. Others .n the cast are Hilda Steele, Gertrude .-iannestad, Jean Coker, Ralph Benjamin, riona" Williams, Pamela Scantier jury, Sheila 'Levy, Grace Walpole, Xut Coltmari: and his Majestic Cabaret Sand,- Taylor's "Novelty Band,- Ghas: Powell, -.B.asil; Young, Geraldine Litch^ iieid, Marjorie Hutton, and Sylvia Oraig- Wright. •■"Oh! Mr. Gadd" was directed-by Mr.-3arison Gook, and is released ■_l?y_ standard.. Film Laboratories. "The Plough and the Stars," whichis-the Associate feature^is taken from the play by:Sean O'Oasey,who is hailed as -Ireland's- greatest living dramatists .The dramatic force of the picture lies in its romantic theme and that, distinctive1 blending of tragedy with.' corriedy. 'Heading the cast is Barbara Stanwyck ;and Preston Foster. KING'S THEATRE. Death deals a hand at the gaming, tables and "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo" gives, one the best mystery bet in fiis most brilliant case, which comes ta the King's Theatre today. The first rumblings of death's roulette are under way at a table where Paul Savarin and Victor Karnoff are playing fortunes on the flip of a card, These two men later are to provide Charlie Chan with another annoying interruption in his quest for a peaceful vacation. Karnoff s wife, his brother-in-law, a mysterious English girl, and. one of the bar-tenders at the casino soon become involved in a weird series of events. Missing bonds are found, just in time to be sent to Paris for a financial coup. A million dollars in securities disappears; the messenger is .found slain, the bartender dies with the millions nearby, a key-witness chauffeur is murclre,d. • Arid Charlie, Chan, along with Number One SoivJands in gaol. Packed with powerful dramatic- situations nnd crammed" with; fast-moving action and suspense*, "Career -Woman," starring Claire .Trevor and Michael Whalen, is the seeon^ feature^ ■" NEWrPitXNCESS .THEATRE.;' . ■ The "perfect'triangle" has been'! found at last. . It Is' made up of Clark | Gable, the husband; Myrna Loy, -the'.-i wife i and Jean Harlow, the "other wqman." Apparently Metro-Goldwyn- . Mayer spared no expense to bring these three great stars together to iothi ! the, 'Perfect triangle" in its brilliant1 filmisatiori of* Faith-, Baldwin's bestseller novel, "Wive Versus Secretary," which is ' showing at the New Princess Theatre, The film is flawless in story, flawless in performr ahce, and masterful in direction. The associate feature is Paramount^Films' mystery thriller., "Bulldog Drummond's Eevenge," starring John Barrymore, John Howard, arid Louise Campbell. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. When Jane Withers and the fHartmans, eccentric ventriloquists and famed Broadway satirists of the dance, start throwing their voices and dancing around, uproariously funny things happen in Jane's latest and most laughable picture, "45 Fathers," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre. "Mid- - night: intruder" is the associate attraction. ..■'. ;■■■■.. . . CAPITOti THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Rebecca of Sunnybrpok Farm," starring Shirley Temple, is showing at." the Capitol Theatre. When radio' appears down by the old mill stream it raises a bumper crop of song and fun, with Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart united m glorious romance and Jack Haley and Slim Summerville making merry. There is a laugh a mmute in. Columbia's rollicking new screen m comedy, "Let's Get Married," starring Ida Lupino and Halph Bellamy, the second feature. It is one of the funniest and most original comedies screened in many months.

CITY MO SUBURBAN; THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE.

So many superlatives have been used previously to describe the sheer artist try on ice of Sonja Henie that it is relatively difficult to describe afresh the poetry of motion of this twinkling star in "Happy Landing," which will be shown for, a further week at the Plaza Theatre. Her art is consummate. But brilliant though her skating is it does not. attract attention away from her . development as* a star in more normal directions. The picture itself, as so many musicals are, is rather disjointed, and one is occasionally ],eft wondering ]ust who the star of the show is. . At one time Sonja enjoys the. complete spotlight; at others Cesar Romero is very much the central figure, and at, still another Don Ameche is • the dominant personality. Still, for all that there, is any amount in the picture, apart from Sonja's spectacular work, that can be grouped under the head of good entertainment, some of it rough and tumble, a There are several catchy songs; even if' the rendition is sometimes harsh; and the dialogue is in the .best twentieth century style. ' :■•■■•' -PE^XUXE. THEATRE/' ■-■ She is the power behind the throne. It sounds complicated; but that is the role"played, by Anna May Wong, the sophisticated Oriental actress, in "The Secret- of Lan Ying," the ■ Paramount drama of a political monarch who .is ruined when he tries to trade his-black-jack for a silk hat. It is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Miss -Wong play , the. . part of , Akim Tamiroff's friend and adviser in. this story of the. inside workings of a' bossrruled community. When'.Tamiroff; casts her aside like an old shoe in order to-leave himself tree to pursue a beautiful girl of the country club set, ,Mlss Wong' turns .the tables on him .and ultimately bringsabouVhis ruin.-Her role in "The Secret of Lan Ying";is- the type which, has put" Miss Wong in the front /ank of Oriental-players, Serene and almost unnoticed, she - moves behind tne scenes, guarding the . destinies of the most powerful figure in the community :^nd finally: destroying him when she feels that'h^ career and murder has-gone too far. The second feature is "Prescription for Romance, a riotous comedy, -with Mischa Auer, Wendie Barrie, and Kent Taylor. STATE THEATRE. A film likely to prove agreeable to all'' states c.is showing at . the State TheatreV This is "Mademoiselle Docteur," an exciting drama which is •based on the real-life adventures of a woman spy. In the title role is Pita Parlo, a glamorous star new to the British sereefr. Opposite her are Erich von Stroheim «and John Loder. The three stars are given every opportunity, in a colourful, thrilling story which shows how Anne Marie Lesser becomes an espionage agent to avenge the death , of: her fiance. Eventually she arrives in Salonika masquerading as a Swedish Baroness interested in Red Cross , work. Here she meets and is immediately attracted to Lieutenant Peter Carr, of the British Intelligence Service. The pair fall in love, and Anne-Marie finds that she can no longer carry on. with her spying activities. But Colonel Simonis, her chief, plays a master card in alleging, falsely, that Carr is the man who killed her former fiance. By this device he persuades her to steal important ' documents from Carr . which results in the. "town being bombed to destruction. All ends ,well in an exciting climax. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. In "Wells Fargo," now at the Kilbirnie Kinema, the story is built around the"express business as founded by Wells atrid^Fargo* slw&tly after-gold was discovered in"Palifornia. Its hero is handsome Joel "McCrea, trail-breaker and man of vision; Its is charmijtg Frances Dee, who marries the bold adventurer' ahdi then, unable to understand him-'as his work carries,him further and further away from her, fiiialiy leaves him. '^"Laughing Irish Eyes," the second feature, tells a rollicking story of a youfig 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. REGAL THEATRE, KABORI.

. Sad-faced Stan Laurel and pompous,. jolly Oliver Hardy, who are starred in "Way Qut West," which is showing at the Regal Theatre, are a riot of fun from the time they enter the picture across a desert stream with their trick donkey until their fadeout crossing the stream on their way back. '-'■■It is their first Western and the pair are screamingly funny as two tenderfoot prospectors trying to do a good deed in delivering a gffld mine deed, only to end up in a series qi misdeeds. "Border Town," the second attraction, stars Paul Muni, Bette Davis, Eugene Pallette, and Margaret Lindsay. - EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. I "Black Legion," now at the Empire ' | Theatre, will probably take rank j alongside that other Warner film of several years ago, "I Am a Fugitive | From a Chain Gang." The story, concerns a young motor-car mechanic, played by Humphrey Bogart, who I joins the Black Legion—purportedly a j patriotic order —in a fit of. bitterness over losing the foremanship of . his [ shop to a foreign-born fellow-worker. ! The Legion, of course, is portrayed as I a racket, enriching its promoters.; [Laurel and Hardy go wild and woolly in their first Western, "Way Out West," j which is the associate attraction. | STATE' THEATRE, .PETONE. "They Won't Forget" concludes tonight at the State Theatre.' \ For the third time in her short career 15-year-ol<3 Deanni Durbin triumphs. In "Mad. About Music," which commences tomorrow, she proves beyond' doubt that she is a genuine star, firmly "established" in her niche of screen fame ; '*Mad About Music" is a delightful picture. -It presents Deanna in a different characterisation from those of her. previous pictures, and in a mood and tempo, entirely different." "Mad About Music'.' is a comedy drama. Only a few tears—and those in the most effective manner—intrude' into the story, of the little girl with the make-believe father and' whose dreams come true.

I PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Down the Stretch" and "Men in 'Exile"* conclude tonight at the Palace 1 Theatre. A I. The Ritz Brothers are starred for the'first "time'-in "Life Begins in College," a musical comedy featuring Joan Davis, Tony Martin, and Gloria Stuart, and a notable cast, which opens tomorrow. From start to finish, "Life Begins in College" is jammed with laughs. The second • attraction, "Extortion," is • a rourder mystery drama and in the cast-are such well-known players .as Scott Colton, Mary Russell, and Gene Morgan. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Oh. Mr.. Porter!" and "Nurse From Brooklyn" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. "Kid Galahad," a story of the prizering and the characters who are in and about it, opens tomorrow. Edward G. Robinson plays a prize-fight manager, Bette Davis is his girl friend, "Fluff,", and Humphrey Bogart.. is Eddie's rival manager. Robinson is none too straight; Humphrey is an out-and-out crook. They kill each other off. near the end of the story, to the great approval of everyone concerned. But meanwhile "Kid Galahad" has moved up to the championship, and has won the heart of little. Jane Bryan, who plays Robinson's kid sister TRENTHAM RACES. Particulars regarding the race trains and fares to the Trentham races tomorrow will be found in the advertising columns of this issue. * j

TIVOLI THEATRE. A sparkling love feud which: takes place at a medieval castle in. rural England is amusingly depicted in Fred Astaire's current musical comedy, "A Damsel In Distress," a P. G.- Wodehouse story, now at the Tivoli Theatre. Joan Fontaine, as a titled English lady, and Fred Astaire engage in the: adventure, aided and abetted by George Burns, Gracie Allen, Reginald Gardiner, Ray Noble, Constance Collier, Harry Watson, and Montagu Love. The hectic and riotous love affair begins with a chance meeting in London at a time when-Miss Fontaine is frantically trying to evade a distasteful marriage to Ray Noble, her aunt's ineffectual stepson. Astaire, disgusted with the false publicity of his Press agents, Burns and Allen, who paint him as a great lover, is attracted to the pretty damsel, follows her to her ancestral castle, and by a clever scheme of a page boy, becomes involved in a rocky romance. While a Chinese dragon writhes its way across the stage, blood drips from a theatre box in San Francisco's Chinatown, and thus>murder finds its unique setting in "Mad Holiday," the second feature, with Edmund Lowe and Elissa Landi in the .leading roles. RIVOLI THEATRE. The deeply dramatic story of a young'lrish girl for whom life and love are twisted and almost destroyed by the Easter. Week "Insurrection" of 1916, in Dublin gives Barbara Stanwyck one of the finest roles of her career in "The Plough and the Stars," which ■is having its Wellington premiere at the Rivoli Theatre. Supported by Preston Foster in the principal male'role, the red-headed star portrays a highly attractive Dublin , slumdweller' whose young husband is torn from her side by his loyalty to "the cause." The tragic drama that gripped those -women whose husbands or lovers were for an entire week absent in the street fighting', is reflected in this story of -Nora Clitheroe's struggle. That wild-eyed clown of clowns, • Jimmy Durante, careers madly through Columbia's new musical comedy, "Start Cheering," the associate feature; And when such excellent actors as Walter Connolly, Joan Perry, Charles Starrett, Gertrude Niessen, Raymond Walburn, The Three Stooges, and Broderick Crawford are discovered in the same picture and in a merry mood, the result can be nothing worse than wonderful. NEW OPERA HOUSE. The new tradition of comedy which has been building by Paramount Pictures 'is continued in "Bluebeard s Eighth Wife," which is continuing its Wellington season at the New Opera House. The film started with considerable advantage, of course; it had Gary Cooper, it had Claudette Colbert, it had the material of a stage play that rocked its tens of thousands of theatregoers, and it had Ernst Lubitsch. The snap of the famous Lubitsch direction is what moves this film up a grade, shows- ordinary events in a fresh light, and places new emphasis on comedy. The use of the trouserlegs of a pyjama suit, for instance, first to establish the character of Michael Brandon, the multi-millionaire who is playing around on the Riviera while conducting big deals by transatlantic telephone, then to bring him together with Nicole de Loiselle, who is going to be (though she doesn't know it) Bluebeard's eighth wife, finally to establish Michael in the heart of the family of de Loiselle, \% an opening which promises great things. For in the strange courtship which follows, the wooing of the bride after the wedding, the efforts of the bride to obtain a divorce, there are some moments of pure comedy as good as anything that has been seen on the screen. ■■ ■ REX THEATRE,' ■ Music, high "comedy, a bftlliant cast of comedians: and featured players, action and romance —that is Paramount's "Thrill of a Lifetime," now at the Rex Theatre. The Yacht Club Boys, Judy Canova, Ben Blue (they ore the funmakers), Elcanore Whitney, Johnny Downs, Betty Grable, Leif Erikson, Latrs- Grabfce^ and lovely'Dorothy Lamour (they provide t,hle, romance). Zane Grey's popular "Stairs of Sand has been made into a hilarious motion picture titled "Arizona' Mahoney," which is the second attraction in this film. Joe Cook disports himself with the brand of comedy that has made of him one of America's greatest clowns. Assisting in the madcap goings on are Marjorie Gateson and John Miljan. ROXY THEATRE. * Starring Charles Starrett "Dodge City Trail," now at the Roxy Theatre, is sufficiently replete with hard-riding gun-shooting action to satisfy the most rabid lovers of he-man action. Four songs display the fine voice of Donald Grayson, new screen idol, to splendid advantage, while the romantic interludes between Starrett and Marion Weldon provide an interesting love story. "After the Thin Man," L with William Powell and Myrna Loy.-is the supporting feature. '• OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "In Old Chicago" heads the new programme at Our Theatre. This magnificent drama tells of the O'Leary family and their struggles and triumphs in a great city. Starring Tyrone Power, Alice . Faye, Don Ameche, and Alice Brady, this-mighty epic of the screen thunders to a terrific climax in the destruction by fire of a big city. "Danger, Love at Work," with Edward Everett Horton, Jack Haley, and Ann Sothern, is the seer on# attraction. It is a bright, sparkling comedy of young lovers and relations in a mad mix-up. Splendid supports complete the programme. "THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY." In the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Tuesday next and for four following nights' theatregoers will be afforded opportunities of seeing special-ly-selected members of the Wellington Repertory Society in Sir Arthur Pinero's world-famous play in four acts, "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, produced by Leo du Chateau. Old and present-day followers of the drama will be interested in the cast which is as follows:—Aubrey Tanqueray, Dr. P. B. Benha,m; Paula (the second Mrs. Tanqueray), Pauline Shotlander; Ellean (Paula's stepdaughter), Nancy Potter; Cayley Drummle, Norman Hannah; Mrs. Cortelyon, Florence Penney; Captain Hugh Ardale, , James Crawford; Gordon Jayne, M.D., C. A. Burgess; Frank Misquath, M.P., T. V. Anson; Sir George* Orreyed, Bart., Hugh Herd; Lady Orreyed, Pat Green-field-Brown; Morse, F. R. Wooldridge; servants, Phyllis Robieson and C. R. Davidson. The scenes have been designed by the .producer, built by W. J. Johnstone, and painted by the society's scenic artist, W, J. Conroy. Harry Painter is. the stage manager, Margery Rose the property mistress, and Mrs: G. C. Boyes the prompter. A noted London critic said: " 'The Second Mrs. Tanqueray' is the most original and startling piece of work which has been-seen on the English stage in our time. No one who witnessed it is likely to forget the intensity of the, interest with which the whole theatre hung upon every word- The last interview between Tanqueray and his wife, in which his. despairing effort to mend their broken lives is checked by her inexorable foresight of the truth, is one of the most memorable pieces of acting I have ever seen." The box plan and other particulars are advertised. MAORI CHOIR. For the first time in New Zealand history a Church of England Maori Choir has been invited to Australia. The choir consists of twenty men and women, all from Hawke's Bay, who will take part, in the Samuel Marsden commemoratioli. celebrations in Sydney. On Sunday next, at the De Lux_e Theatre, the Smith Family Joyspreaders will present this wonderful choir in a programme of anthems, solos, negro spirituals, Maori items, and action songs. They will go away as a selection of the best voices the Maori race can produce, and this programme should prove that this is so. Supporting them will be Momi Kaaimoko and her Polynesian Quartet, together with Reg. Maddams at the organ. Early booking is advisable.

MONDAY'S WRESTLING BOUT. Special interest attaches to the wrestling contest which is to be staged at the Wellington Town Hall on Monday night, as it will .mark the first appearance this season of Dean Detton, "The Morman Flash," who will be matched with r the aggressive and versatile ' "Irish" Jack Kennedy. Detton has gone a long way in the sport since he was here on his second visit four years ago, having held the world's heavyweight title during, the past twelve months. 'He won the championship because of his ability to combine solid mat work with his well■known flair for fast and spectacular manoeuvres and American ranking lists invariably place his name among the best three or four wrestlers in the -world. He is reported to have improved considerably on the fine form he displayed four years ago and now displays wrestling at its best. There will be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. . PLUNKET MEDAL CONTEST. The contest for the Plunket Medaljfor oratory, which is one of the events of the university year, will be held in the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, tomorrow, at 8 p.m. Members of the public who are interested in public speaking are invited to attend. Those who have attended previous contests are well aware of the high standard of speaking attained by entrants, and this year's contest should be one of the best yet held. Subjects are well varied; some are well known, some are new to Plunket Medal audiences, but all coyer a wide field of human activity. It is understood that speakers dealing with the better-known subjects will adopt a new approach, and the novelty of some of the new subjects should provide a great deal of interest. MUSIC FOR CHILDREN. For some time now an interesting series of concerts has been seen at the Westminster Hall, London, where Dr. Malcolm Sargent, conducting the finest symphony orchestras in London, has presented programmes of music for children. New trends in education and new ideas on 4he development of children have made such a.thing possible, and it is generally recognised "today that to inculcate a love of good music into people one must begin with the children. Tonight at the Technical College Hall the first of a. series of concerts, presented with the same object as Dr. Sargent's London performances, will be heard. A professional orchestra has been engaged and is to be conducted by Mr. Leon de Mauny, the originator of the scheme. It is anticipated that the Minister of Education (the Hon. Peter Fraser) will be present to make a few introductory remarks. The. music to be presented has been specially chosen, and each item, will be prefaced by explanatory remarks. It is thought that this will give the children a greater interest in the musical form presented. Among the items will be the popular "William Tell"-Overture, Saint-rSaens's "Danse Macabre," and the. "Scenes tittoresque" Suite by Massenet.