ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent.— “ Count of Monte Cristo." State. — “The Richest Girl in the World.” Plaza.— “My riorg For You.” Paramount. — “The Trumpet Blows.” Grand Opera House.—“ The Crime of Helen Stanley.” De Luxe.— -“ Outcast Lady.” St. James. — “Desirable.” Majestic.—“ She Loves Me Not.” King’s,— “Straight is the Way” and “Paris Interlude.” STATE THEATRE “Richest Girl in the World” “The Richest Girl in the World,” at the State Theatre, presents a novel interpretation of the age-old maxim that money can’t buy everything. Dorothy Hunter's riches could not gain her a taste of true love. The action moves at staccato tempo to a rousing finish. Joel McCrae is splendid in his role of Tony Travis. A fine supporting programme includes a picture of Ngauruhoe in one of its wildest moods. A Will Rogers Film. The next change of programme at (lie State Theatre will bring to Wellington “Judge Priest,” in which Will Rogers is the star. REGENT THEATRE “The Count of Monte Cristo” “The Count of Monte Cristo,” now showing at the Regent Theatre, follows closely the story by Dumas on which it is based. Robert Donat plays the part of Edmund Dantes, the Marseilles sailormau, who on ■the threshold of marriage to the lovable Mercedes (Elissa Land!) is incarcerated by his unscrupulous enemies in the grim Chateau d’lf. Dantes escapes on the Abbe Faria’s death by substituting himself for the body and being cast into the sea. Having found the treasure he returns to France, armed with unlimited money, to revenge himself on his three enemies. One by one he destroys them, but is almost thwarted by his affection, cleverly concealed, for Mercedes and her son. The story has a happy denouement. “Blossom Timo.” The singing of Richard Tauber plus a eharming romance, delightful settings of rare beauty is promised in “Blossom Time,” the enchanting love story of Franz Schubert, .Richard Tauber’s first English screen production, which . will come to the Regent Theatre on Friday. A century has rolled by since the genius of Franz Schubert first enthralled a musicloving world. To-day, as if to celebrate this centenary event, Richard Tauber, the golden-voiced tenor, arises to perpetuate the art of the great, composer by the miracle of the audible screen. This wistful love story of Schubert this miracle of fragrant melody and romance —will five amidst the most cherished memories of all who see it. ST. JAMES~THEATRE “Desirable” Miss Jean Muir, a new star discovered by Warner Brothers, appears for the first time in Wellington in a cinema drama with the appropriate title "Desirable,” now at St. James Theatre. In addition to youthful charm. Miss Muir discloses a rare ability. George Brent and Miss iVerree Teasdale arc admirable players in a eompetenE cast. The supporting films include an interesting newsreel and an operatic romance with Tyrolean ballets. “What Every Woman Knows. After an absence of more than a year Helen Hayes has returned to the screen. Her latest picture, “What Every ’Woman Knows,” 'the famous romance by Sir James Barrie, will 'be seen at the St. James Theatre on Friday. Surpassing all of her previous efforts, Miss Hayes is said to have achieved a new strength in emotional portrayals. Her appeal seems to reach out from the screen to actually stir the spectator in sympathy with the character she plays. Intensity and a firm belief in the motives of the story arc evident in her every action. The charming plot concerns the efforts of a retiring but capable Scotch woman to find romance, although handicapped by what she calls “lack of charm.” ‘ DE LUXETHEATRE “Outcast Lady”

Constance Bennett and Herbert Marshall are stars in “Outcast. Lady.” at the De Luxe Theatre. This is a story of the (Complicated emotions evoked by the romantic adventures of the character played by Miss Bennett. Mrs. Patrick Campbell and Elizabeth Allen have important parts in support. The programme includes a film of the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. “The 'Gay Bride.”

Carole Lombard and Chester Morris are co-featured in leading roles of “The Gay Bride.” which will he shown at the ■De'Luxe Theatre commencing on Friday. ■Miss Lombard, who proved herself an ■adept comedienne in "Twentieth Century,” plays in this comedy a blonde who •is too clever for (he self-styled "supermen” of gangsterdom. She shows them up ns cowards and fools,.

PLAZA THEATRE

“My Song For You” “My Song for You.” in which Jan Kiepura takes the lending part, is in its last week at the Plaza Theatre. The film is a medley of song, comedy, and romance, and Jan Kiepura sings not only the lending theme song, but excerpts from the opera "Aida,” and “Ave Maria,” which is a feature of the concluding scenes. He is excellently supported by Sonnie Hale and Emlyn Williams, who do clever comedy work. Pretty Aileen Marson makes an enchanting, heroine. “Princess Marina’s Wedding,” gives closeup views of the assembly of the grace and chivalry of Europe in London for the Royal wedding. “The Fountain.” A story of great love, “The Fountain,” is to be shown at the Pinza Theatre on Friday in the form of a film which has attained considerable success abroad. The film is from Charles Morgan’s famous novel, and has been made a significant screen drama. Ann Harding is featured with Brian Alterne and Paul Lukas. Another considerable attraction in the programme will be the featurette in new technicolour, "La Cucaracha,” an atmosphere production of South American music. PARAMOUNT THEATRE

“The Trumpet Blows” The glamour of bull-fighting in Mexico is brought to the screen at the Paramount Theatre in the entertaining film. “The Trumpet Blows,” the leading parts in which are excellently handled by George Raft, Adolphe Menjou, and Francis Drake. Raft plays the part of a Mexican boy, who returns to his country after completing his education in New York. He falls in love with his brother's fiancee, not knowing there is anything between them, and complicated situations are finally smoothed out.. "Upper World” on Friday. Commencing next Friday at th e Paramount. Theatre is “Upper ’World,” starring Warren William and Ginger Rogers. It is a film adaptation of the book by Ben Hecht. '

GRAND OPERA HOUSE

“The Crime of Helen Stanley”

“The Crime of Helen Stanley,” at the Opera House, is a murder story with a limitless field .for speculation, while for those just, content to follow the (heme there is entertainment of the best, typeOne never tires of "crime” films, and this feature presents a mystery drama in a

new locale —a Hollywood film studio. Never bus suspicion fallen upon so many people. Helen Stanley, a noted actress, is shot to death while acting in a scene. Ralph Bellamy, as Inspector Trent, has a leading part. KING’S THEATRE “Straight is the Way” and “Paris Interlude” Two excellent films ace at the King's Theatre this week. "Straight is the Way” is a melange of laughter and tears. This gripping film is supported by a second feature, “Paris Interlude," dealing with life in the artist colonies of Paris. “Have a Heart” Commences Friday. The wholesome theme of "Have a Heart,” commencing at the King’s next Friday, concerns the regeneration of a crippled girl through a romance that gives her tlhe will to overcome her handicap. Jean Parker, James Dunn. Una Merkel, and Stuart Erwin are featured in this story, which is described as packed with comedy, pathos, tragedy, hope, and courage. MAJESTIC THEATRE “She Loves Me Not” Into the making of “She Loves Me Not,” at the Majestic Theatre, drama, farce, cynicism, romance, satire and music have gone, and the picture covers a lot of ground, Besides allowing Bing Crosby to slug several songs, and Miriam Hopkins to display her personality, it has its audience laughing at some of the eccentricities of American life. Most of the scenes are in the students’ quarters of Princeton University. The supporting programme is especially entertaining, an 1 includes a picture of the recent royal welding. Two Features on Next Programme.

Two features will be included in the programme which will commence screening at- the Majestic Theatre on Friday. They are Zane Grey’s “Wagon Wheels.” described as the successor to "The Last Round Up,” and "Here Comes the Groom.”