ENTERTAINMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 November 1934, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

“THE HOME ON 56th STREET” MAJESTIC TO-NIGHT

Few stories are said to offer a star a wider range of dramatic opportunities, or a. more dazzling background than are afforded Kay Francis in “The House on 56th Street,” Warner Bros.’ picturisation of Joseph Santley’s story, which will be shown this evening at the Majestic Theatre. As the orphaned daughter of a professional gambler, whose beauty wins her immediate success in Broadway’s gayest musical shows, and makes her the toast of the town, as one of the “Floradora” girls, Kay Francis undertakes a role completely different from anything she has ever attempted before. The story opens in the New York of 30 years ago, when the marriages of the “Floradora” to millionaires was the talk of the world, and when Delmonico’s and Sherry’s were the rendezvous of New York’s elite. As she steps from the stage into the most conservative social set of the city as the bride of Monte Van Tyle, scion of an old Knickerbocker family, Peggy’s happiness seems complete. It is not gambling for money that brings about her ruin. But Peggy cannot resist gambling with life, and taking j chances with Fate. Becoming involved in the death of one of her former lovers, though innocent, everything she loves is swept from her in a calamitous sequel to an act of reckless generosity. Husband, child, friends and freedom are stripped from her, in the scandal and trial that. follow. New York's famous Casino Theatre, home of a generation’s most celebrated musical shows, Sherry’s, the Casino at Monte Carlo and other famous resorts of the years before the war, were faithfully reproduced on the Warner Bros stage. Miss Francis has some of Hollywood’s best known players associated with her in the picture. Gene Raymond plays Monte Van Tyle. John Halliday is the discarded admirer whose death brings tragedy to Peggy. The gambler, Blaine, who dominates Peggy’s later years and fortunes, is in the able hands of Ricardo Cortez, one of the screen’s best known actors.

“YOU’RE TELLING ME”: REGENT TO-NIGHT

If W. C. Fields hadn’t been such a “goofy” inventor, lie wouldn’t have met the foreign princess who was respossible for his ultimate success, and if lie hadn’t met the princess, his daughter couldn’t have married the banker’s son. That, in a few words, is the substance of “You’re Telling Me,” W. 0. Fields’ first starring picture for Paramount now being shown at the Regent Theatre. In addition to Fields, the picture features Larry “Buster’’ Crabbe, Joan Marsh and Adrienne Ames. Field is cast as a flighty inventor. His devices don’t sell but they bring him plenty of trouble. Ilis familv. the victims of a shiftless, easy-going father and husband, are at low-ebb so far as their social standing is concerned. His daughter can’t even go around with the banner's son who loves her. In despair, the old man tries to sell his latest invention, a puncture-proof tyre. He fails completely, but he runs into a princess of high social standing. Developments then are both interesting and amusing. Oil Thursday and Friday who two inimitable comedy stars, Edward Everet Horton and Edna May Oliver will be seen in “The Poor Rich,” a very funny comedy of rich folk suddenly

becoming poor and trying to maintain, their position in society. THEATRE ROYAL: “BRITANNIA OF BILLINGSGATE”, TO-NIGHT “Britannia of Billingsgate” opens at the Theatre Royal to-morrow. With Violet Loraine and Gordon Harker as the arch fun-makers, the flow of merriment never ceases in this joyous talking picture of London life. Violet Loraine makes her screen debut as Mrs Bolton, the fish porter’s wife who is suddenly “discovered” and pitchforked into the movies. Miss Loraine makes ol Bessie an intensely human character, whether in the Billingsgate fish and chips shop or in the seething maelstrom of London life, under the glare of publicity. Bolton (Gordon Harker) suddenly transforms from fish porter to budding organiser, under conditions of hitherto undreamed-of splendour, fairly breaks out into an orgy of living. The children, Fred and Pearl, pursue their ambitions, the former to become a dirt track champion, and the latter to the star galaxy that is forever rising over filmland. Tuneful song numbers give Violet Loraine a chance to display her ability. On this excellently mounted picture its producers have lavished time and money in a successful effort to screen a first-class entertainment, redolent of the characteristics of British working men and women, born and bred in London. The rich feast of fun is by no means confined to its leading characters ; there are plenty of other parts filled by such capable artists as Wally Patch, Kay Hammond, John Mills, Walter Sondes, Druscilla Wills, Gibb McLaughlin, Anthony Holies and others.