ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 81, 29 December 1934, Page 4

ATTRACTIONS IN THE THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE “Count of Monte Cristo” In the film version of Alexandre Dnmas’s celebrated story, “The Count of Monte Cristo,” at the Regent Theatre, Wellington picturegoers have the opportunity of enjoying the spectacular character acting of Robert Donat. He enacts Edmond Dantes, a young officer on a French ship, who is given command and entrusted with a secret letter by the dying captain. Carrying out instructions to deliver th& packet, he is torn from his sweetheart, Mercedes, and imprisoned in the grim Chateau d’lf on a trumped-up charge. The machinations of three enemies—de Villefort, Danglars, and Mondega, who seeks the hand ot Mercedes —result in Dantes being declared ■dead. Forgotten and languishing tor «years in his dungeon, he finds companionship with the venerable and learned Abbe Faria, another political prisoner, who digs by mistake into Dante’s cell whue seeking freedom, r J?he irbbe confides *n Dantes the secret of a fabulous fortune in gold and jewels buried on uninhabited Monte Cristo Island. Dante escapes when the abbe dies, and obtains millions in buried treasure, and, as the Count of Monte Cristo, goes to Paris, where his enemies have become three ot the richest and most powerful men Unrecognised and gaining their confidence, be encompasses their ruin. Mondega, whom he has found married to Mercedes in accordance with her mothers dying wish, commits suicide when his scandalous private life and traitorous deeds are exposed by the Count of Monte Cristo, who now reveals his true identity. Danglars’s greed lures him into a speculative trap tliat wrecks his dominant hankinghouse and drives him insane. De Villeforte, the King’s attorney, brings the Count of Monte Crito to trial as the escaped Edmond Dantes, but the defendant turns the tables, wins acquittal, and brings about the prosecutor’s prosecution for political corruption. Reunited, Dantes and Mercedes return to Marseilles and happiness. That is the story that United Artists have, translated into a masterpiece of film technique. “The Cotint ot Monte Cristo” has had tremendous popularity as a literary classic, and it repeats this as a film play. STATE THEATRE ' , “Marie Galante” “Marie Galante,” the intriguing picture presented at the State CUheatrc last evening, witnessed the advent of a new and particularly beautiful and charming star in the person of the young French actress Ketti Gallian,. who in appearance and vocal quality is something between the bewitching Yvonne Printemps and Greta Garbo, but fresher and lovelier than either. Mlle. Gallian acts with an unstudied simplicity that is wholly natural. One would never dream there was a director at all as far as she is 'concerned. The story, based on Reginald Berkeley’s adaption from the French, of Jacques Deval, concerns a- plot to blow up the Panama Canal when the American fleet is between the locks. This is supposed to be the work of nn elusive international troublemaker, Ryner, who usually works through women. Marie Galante, a gay little Bor-' deaux messenger, has been enticed on board a ship by a jliunken captain, who, scenting trouble, drops her at the first port of call in the Canal Zone. Though entirely innocent, and only wishing to get back home, Marie is suspected of bqing a dangerous woman, and the tool of this international crook, Ryner. The secret service of four nations, all after Ryner, see danger in this girl,' but the American, Crawbett (Spencer Tracy) knows that she is on the square, and gets her to visit the canal power-house on the "night of the big blow-up. when Crawbett locates and shoots Kyner (masquerading as the German —Brogard), and so clears up an international mystery and disposes of a .potential creator of wars. The picture includes-some wonderful scenes of the Panama Canal, with the fleet passing through. The programme also includes some clever “Adventures in Mud,” showing what artistic marvels are created by the mere shaping qf dampened earth. There is also the Terry Toon cartoon, “The Lion and the Mouse.” ST. JAMES THEATRE “Madame Du Barry” Rich with the glittering decadence of France in the days of Louis XV, “Madame Du Barry,” which had ite Wellington premiere at the St,. James Theatre veeterday and last evening, is a fitting finale to the old year of film entertainment, and an appropriate salute to the new. Those who see “Madame Du Barry,” remembering the recent stage production which toured New Zealand, will recognise little of the operetta’s plot. The film interprets a slice from the life of the 'notorious Du Barry cut. from a, later period of hep sensational history. The s tory opens with her installation as the king’s mistress and concerns itself with her conquests, follies and political successes until the death of the king when, defiant in the face of the displeasure of Marie Antoinette, the new queen, she is led to prison. The piquancy of the picture is heightened by glimpses of the indiscretions which made Du Barry’s name a part of history. (Thus (in the film) she is seen sleigh riding at the height qf summer, the snow for her sleigh being “every grain of sugar in Paris.” ■ When je’alous rivals steal the dress in which she is to be presented at court she appears in her nightgown, and when the Prime Minister thwarts her fehe compromises him in the eyes of the king and has him removed from office. Though the theme of the picture has serious form, its treatment is light and bordering on the burlesque. As such it is delightful entertainment, made the more so by the vivacious acting/bf Dolores Del Rio in the title role. As the king Reginald Owen provides an excellent study and rivals the star'every minute of the time he is before the cameras. A strong cast supports the principals, and the picture itself is accompanied by an excellent programme of short films. MAJESTIC THEATRE “The Old Fashioned Way” That inimitable comedian, W. C. Fields, is at his best in “The Old-Fashioned Way,” the exceedingly clever farde, which headed the new programme presented at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Fields is immense as “The Great McGonigle,” head of an impoverished troupe of barnstormers, who move from village to village with irate sheriffs at their heels for unpaid bills. OkLfashioned melodrama, slapstick and ribald comedy had a wellfilled house convulsed with laughter last night. Jan Duggan gives an outstanding impersonation as a wealthy widow, who is stage-struck, and that talented child actor, Baby Le Roy, makes a fascinating enfant terrible. Joe Morrison sings some tuneful numbers as the rich man’s son who is in love with the mummer’s pretty daughter, splendidly portrayed by Judith Allen. Fields is an entertainment in himself as the old impostor, who ends up in his rightful role —selling quack patent medicines in the open air. An excellent set of supports included n most interesting Paramount British News; “Old-Time Novelty,” dealing with screen souvenirs: “The Old Bugler”; “New Deal Rhythm.” in which Buddy Rogers is seen to advantage; and 1 a Betty Boop cartoon. At . the 2.15 session, “Kiddie Follies,” a big juvenile revue, continues its popular run.

Latest Programmes Under Review

PLAZA THEATRE “My Song For You” So tremendously popular has beeu the Gaumont-British musical comedy, “My Song For You,” that the Plaza Theatre management has seen fit to continue the screening for another week. Last evening’s audience enjoyed to the full the beautiful tenor voice of Jan Kiepura, and the outstanding performance of Aileen Manson, a blonde beauty,,who has an appeal of her own. Her performance, like that of the star, was a piee'e of superb artistry. The story opens with Jan Kiepura singing, and the .film finishes vvith the same act, the magnificent tenor voice, floating over the blue waters of the Riviera. Whenever he sings he gets an appreciative audience, and by a piece ot ingenuity on the part of the author, this fact plays an important part in the story. By a coincidence, Kiepura, who is cast in the role of Gatti, a famous vocalist, meets Mary Ndwburg, a part played with distinction and artistry by Aileen Manson, and falls ill love with her. He pursues her persistently and ardently, but she, although captivated by his voice, is not in love. Gatti, however, is undismayed by her repulses, and continues his wooing in strange ways. Eventually, -when one of the schemes propounded by his secretary, Sonnie Hale, premises to make him utterly ridiculous, Mary acknowledges him; and saves him, and afterward comes very neatly out of the., embarrassing position into which she Was compelled to put herself. Then she has. her revenge, but Kiepura retrieves his position ut the last minute. The role calls for ai superb singing of Gounod's “Ave Maria, and this Kiepura presents with all the. shubtetlies of expressing the light and shade, to which the piece lends itself. Sympathy, clarity of tone, and delicate phrasing as well as the dramatic’ appeal of the situation make that Ave Maria a charming and a moving hymn, llie music is supplied by Kiejnirn and the comedy by Sonnie Hale, who is cast m tn© role of Gatti’s secretary, and whose resourcefulness, sometimes in the wrong place, is responsible for much hearty laughter. So far as Kiepura is concenied, there is only one thing to be said. he is at his best, both as a singer and as an actor. His theme song, Verdis My Song For You,” is interwoven with vanouis phases of the story. * PARAMOUNT THEATRE “The Blue Squadron” In a stirring epic of aviation, “The Blue Squadron,” now at the Paramount Theatre, Esmond Knight plays the part of Captain Carlo Banti, of the Italian Air Service, who is so misguided as to take his best friend’s fiancee, Elene/ acted by Greta Hansen, for a motor ride. Elene wants to drive, and Carlo lets her: the car is consequently incapacitated, and the two have to pass the night at an inn. 'Colonel Mario Spada, .the girls lover, places the worstf construction on this innocent act, and the estrangement between him arid his friend is only aggravated when Carlo succeeds in out-classing him in the air force manoeuvres. Mario, in saving the life of a mechanic, is so severely injured that 'he cannot undertake a height-record attempt in a plane of his own design; he is replaced by Carlo, and this is additionally galling. But when Carlo crashes on an alpine summit, Elene takes the opportunity to explain, and, despite a howling storm, Mario takes off to rescue his old friend. There is in this film a great deal of excellent aero-photography, mountain scenery, and a splendid series of shots of two skiers running downhill with news of the aviator’s crash. The photographs of the pilot drifting down in his parachute against a lofty wall of granite and, ice vtere the outstanding feature of the camera-work. This tense and spectacular love story is one of the best screen romances of the year. The varied supporting programme of travel, comedy and music is enhanced by Miss Iris Mason s presence at the Wurlitzer. KING’S THEATRE Matrimonial Farce “Smarty” A matrimonial farce of the most hilarious kind is “Smarty,” the .Warner Brothers picture which opened its Wellington season at the King’s Theatre yesterday. Warren Williams, Joan Blondel] and Edward Everett Horton form the pointe of a rotating triangle—the one wife and the two husbands. . All the trouble begins when Williams, as the first husband, proves unable to tame the shrew, aud puts himself off side with the divorce court by letting his wife have oue in the eye. Then husband number two, Horton (who is also the disinterested solicitor who secures a divorce in the first place) makes a. valiant attempt, and equally miserably. For the bloude and vivacious wife is something of a tartar with it all, and drives the pair through a series of exasperating scenes before she .finally lands herself back in the arms of husband number one; not to remain there very long, one imagines. The supporting programme is a varied and interesting ouc. GRAND OPERA HOUSE Double Feature Programme Drama, with no high flights into the stark emotionalism so often imported into films, aud serio-comedy are nicely blended in a double-feature programme at the Grand Opera House. Holiday audiences look for something better than the usual in the matter of film entertainment, and in this programme there must be cause for full satisfaction.. Three of the most prominent personalities of the screen—Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins and George Raft—carry the weight of the acting in “All of Me,” the story of which shows that true love may generally be found in the lower strata of life. The theme is sound and the acting perfect. A band of devil-may-dare American marines produce much comedy and a little harmless romance in “Coine On. Marines.” Ida Lupino. Roscoe Karns, Monte Blue and Toby Wing are chief contributors to the scenes, humorous and otherwise, enacted in the wilds of the South American jungle. GRAND, PETONE The great Charles Laughton, together with Carole Lombard, Charles Bickford and Kent Taylor, may be seen in the jungle drama, “White Woman,” which begins at the Grand, I’etone, to-night. iTom Mix, in “The Rider of Death Valley,” supplies the matinee programme. PALACE, PETONE Beginning at the Palace Theatre, I’etone, is the film “Little Miss Marker,” featuring the lovable Shirley Temple, child star, and also Charles Bickford, Warren Ilymcr and Dorothy Bell. , i ■ » DE LUXE, LOUVER HUTT To-night, and on Monday night, at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt, England’s riotous musical comedy, “Happy,” will be shown. Stanley Lupino is the star, and supporting him are Will Fyffe and Dorothy Hyson. “The Girl From Missouri, the rolicking story of a girl's battles through many hilarious situations, will be shown on Tuesday and Wednesday. Jean Harlow is the girl, and with her are Lionel Barrymore . and Lewis Stone. On Thursday and Friday the film shown will be another comedy, “Mama Loves I’apa.”

DE LUXE THEATRE “Treasure Island” The extension of the season of “Treasure Island” at the De Luxe Theatre is thoroughly merited by the quality of the picture. The hearty story from the pen of the master storyteller. R. L. Stevenson, is told with a vividness which brings back to most of those who see it scenes implanted in their memories in younger days, when their imaginations were gripped by the fascinating tale of the sea in the days of the black flag. However, this modern film of buccaneering must be no less thrilling to those who have never read the book, while a better film for the youngsters could hardly be imagined. To the call of the bos’n’s whistle the sails of the Hispaniola are hoisted and she takes a course to the tropical Treasure Island with young Jim Hawkins as cabin boy among her cubthroat crew and the owners of the map showing the place where the treasure is buried as passengers. Jim becomes a firm friend of the genial leader of the scoundrels, Jong John Silver, who in the mutiny, fighting, murdering and robbery, which is incidental to the struggle between the ruffians and the more honest of the ship’s company for the treasure, saves Jim’s life. In return Silver’s life is saved by Jim in the last scene. Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper as. Silver and Jim Hawkins respectively have the leading parts and the supporting cast is all that could be desired. Lionel Barrymore, Otto Kruger, Lewis Stone Nigel Bruce and “Chic” Sale are eminent actors who have parte The supports include a Laurel and Hardy comedy. KINEMA KILBIRNIE A double feature programme will be offered at the Kinema to-night in “Captured,” a four-star hit; also an eight-star cast, in “Silk Express,” including Neil Hamilton, Sheila Terry and Guy Kibbee. PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN This afternoon andito-night the musical film “Bright Side Up,” with John Boles and Pat Paterson, will begin at the Prince Edward Theatre, Woburn. The next change, on Tuesday, will be “The House on 56th Street,” starring Kay Francis. KING GEORGE, LOWER HUTT “Let’s Try Again.” with Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard, begins atThe King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, this afternoon and to-night. On Tuesday and Wednesday the feature will be Shirley Temple in “Babe Take a Bow.”