ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. "THE THIRD FLOOR BACK." “ ( AT THE CIVIC THEATRE. The story of the troubled lives that are being led in Mrs Sharpe’s hoard-ing-house, and of the transformation that takes place when the Stranger pays a call, is well brought out by Berthhold Viertel, the director, by Conrad Veidt, and by the strong cast of distinguished artists supporting him in the screen version of Jerome K. Jerome’s great play, “The Passing of the Third Floor Back." Two principles or powers are concerned in the story, an emotional and tragic battle developing between the two. The conflict, rapidly growing more severe, is fought out in an ordinary Bloomsbury boarding-house, inhabited by an average company of residents. Evil dominated the whole of their lives until the Stranger, believing in kindness and the essential goodness in humanity, came. His very presence in the house exerted a tremendous influence! The Jarring elements reacted to the spell without realising whence it came. They knew that the Stranger was different from them; what their minds could not conoeive was the power his presence emanated. Only Wright realised and stood up against him. Evil at once recognised that its predominance was being challenged and contested. Apart from the quiet acting of Mr Veidt as the Stranger, Mary Clare (Mrs Sharpe), Frank Collier (Wright), Anna Lee (Vivian), John Turnbull and Cathleen Nesbit (Mr and Mrs Tompkin), and Sarah Allgood (Mrs de Hooley) are outstanding; while Rene Ray as the browbeaten Stasia, the only person to perceive the true goodness of the Stranger, reflects great genius in her delicate handling of a difficult role. "MEN WITHOUT NAMEB.” AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. Fred Mao Murray and lovely Madge Evans are coupled in the leads of the thrilling secret ser-vlce Him “Men Without Names.” The Men Without Names" of the film are the men in the American Government's Department of Justice, the super-sleuths and scientific detectives whose bravery, daring and skill have stemmed the wave of crime In that country. In the pioturc, secret service agent Mao Murray is put on the trail of the gang who commit-

ted an armed truck robbery. By keeping track on the stolen money passed by the gang he trails it to an isolated township. Then, posing as a visiting business man, he tracks the criminals to their lair. Breaking up the gang, however, does not occupy all MacMurrays time, and he falls in love with a local beauty, Madge Evans. Just as Mac Murray thinks he has the gang cornered they kill a fellow’ agent, Lynn Overman, and flee. In a thrilling climax Mac Murray and Miss Evans combine with secret service agents 10 trail down the gangsters and give them their dues. David Holt, the new juvenile sensation, is featured as Miss Evans' little brother.

"DRESSED TO THRILL.” AT THE STATE THEATRE. Clive Brook’s romantic dilemma in “Dressed to Thrill” dates from the last days of the war. Leaving Tiutta Rolf, a dressmaker in a provincial village who loves him devotedly, he returns to America. Years later she catches up with him. He is now a banker, she a “Rusisan” stage star. Although he is captivated by her beauty he fails to recognise his old sweetheart. Cruelly, deliberately, she leads him on, wastes his fortune, and deserts him. Then, as the dressmaker of old, she returns to him. Changing from one personality to the other, she finally manages to convince Clive Brook that it Is the simple little dressmaker he has loved all the time. How Tutta Rolf manages to bring the romantic complications of “Dressed to Thrill’' to a happy solution is revealed in the skilfully-written climax. George O’Brien, long known for his Western characterisations, has the lead in “Frontier Marshal.” Tombstone, Arizona, known in the days of the old West as a roaring, politically corrupt mining town where lawlessness and death were the order of the day, forms the background of this epic. The film was taken from incidents in the life of Wyatt Earp, the West’s most peace officer and the fearless leader of the law elements that had made Tombstone known the world over. "WHITE HORSE INN.” PRODUCTION IN AUCKLAND. The directors of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., with the knowledge that residents of the Waikato have a genuine regard for the legitimate stage, a fact whloh has been proved over and over again during the* frequent successful seasons enjoyed by musical and other productions which they have staged in Hamilton, greatly regret that the demensions and facilities of the Theatre Royal will prevent them from presenting in this theatre their colossal London Coliseum spectacular musical play, “White Horse Inn," which, with its huge revolving stage, is by far the most tremendous and most expensive production which has ever been staged in New Zealand. “White Horse Inn” is to be.staged for a season of 15 nights at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, beginning on Thursday afternoon next (Boxing Day), and arrangements have been made so that playgoers of Hamilton wishing to witness one of the Auckland representations of it may reserve their seats through the agency of Mr and Mrs Rountree (Lewis Eady, Ltd.) Radio Shop, near the Theatre Royal. The company inoludes Miss Romoia Hansen, who last appeared here in the title role of “The Merry Widow”; Herbert Browne, the brilliant operatic tenor; Alfred Frith, probably the cleverest and most popular oomedian who has ever appeared in New Zealand; Don Nicol, the talented young comedfan w*ho previously toured New Zealand with “The Merry Widow” company; Miss Marie Conan, a brilliant young London comedienne; and Alban Mack, a clever dancer and light comedian. The cast also includes Miriam Lester, Colin Crane, Jeanne Battye, Daphne Low, Peter Gordon and Master Graves. "THE SCARLET EMPREBB.” • AT THE ROXY THEATRE. A generous programme will be screened to-day—“ The Soarlet Empress,” an exolting drama featuring the exotic Marlene Dietrioh; “The Mystery Liner,” a film version of tho Edgar Wallace thriller; and “I Haven’t Got a Hat,” a spectacular production in colour. The pictorial magnlfloence of “ The Soarlet Empress ” which is a pageant

of sumptuous splendour, beautiful music and spectacle, is enriched by natural sound, dialogue and magnificent settings. There are several scenes that impress on the memory of their vivid portrayal—the marriage of the Grand Duke Peter to the girl from Germany; the swaying of the ritual to the famous strains, of “ Kamenoi Ostrow;" the wedding feast; the bizarre and grotesque figures of the Palace, set amid barbaric splendour, and the sensational climax when Catherine rides at the head of the Cossacks to gain the Throne. “ The Mystery Liner ” Is the thrilling story of a remarkable new scenic invention —an apparatus enabling the operator to control a ship from the shore. "THE PAY-OFF.” AT THE REGENT THEATRE. Filled with thrills, romance and comedy, the latest drama of newspaper life, “ The Pay-off” will be screened to-day. The production concerns the adventures of an honest sports reporter in his battle to eliminate a band of gamblers who are making millions by fixing all kinds of sporting events. The gamblers are unable to fix the sports reporter either by bribery or intimidation, until his wife doubleorosses him and gets him so deeply in debt to the band that he has to quit attacking them to save her reputation. James Dunn gives a splendid performance In the role oj, the sports reporter, very much in love with his beautiful wife. 'Claire Dodd has by far the meanest character in this picture of any she has depicted. Her work Is exceptionally clever. Patricia Ellis, as a newspaper writer very much in love with Dunn, plays the part with sympathetic understanding and real dramatic ability. Frankie Darro is excellent as the little jockey who refuses to sell out.

"DRAKE OF ENGLAND.” AT CAMBRIDGE THEATRE. An outstanding attraction will be soreened to-day, when “ Drake of England ’’ will be' shown. This is a very spectacular production of a thrilling bit of English history, with Matheson Lang giving a fine performance in the title role. The naval encounters are presented very realistically. Gn Tuesday and Wednesday that fine film, “ Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” which has impressed audiences elsewhere, will be screened. It tells how a handful of picked men keep Intact the frontiers of Empire, and is a picture that stirs the blood. The exceptionally strong cast includes Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Kathleen Burke, arid Sir Guy Standing. PARISIAN BALLROOM. An Old Time Carnival Dance will be held at the Parisian Ballroom, Frankton Town Hall to-night. There will be special novelties and The Parisian Popular Old Time Band will be in attendance. Special holiday attractions have also been arranged for Boxing Night and New Year's Eve. Transport arrangements are advertised. 676