ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent.— “ Count of Monte Cristo.” State. — “The Richest Girl in the World.” Plaza. — “My Song For You.” Paramount.— “ The Trumpet Blows.” Grand Opera House.— “ The Crime of Helen Stanley.” De Luxe. — “Outcast Lady.” St. Janies. —“Desirable.” Majestic.—“ She Loves Me Not." King’s.—“ Straight is the Way” and “Paris Interlude.” REGENT THEATRE “Blossom Time” Postponed The aliening of the season of "Blossom Time” at the Regent Theatre, which had been announced for Friday, has been postponed for a short period and the screening of "The Count of Monte Cristo, which has been so favourably received, will be extended. “The Count of Monte Cristo follows fairly closely the story by Dumas on which it is based. The acting is excellent, and the photography superb. Robs' ert Donat plays the part of Edmond Dantes, the Marseilles sailorman, who on the threshold of marriage to the lovable Mercedes, portrayed by Eliasa Landi, f s i incarcerated by his unscrupulous enemies in the grim Chateau d’lf, the prison island across the harbour from Marseilles, I with no chance of trial or communication with the outside world. But in jail he encounters the venerable Abbe Faria (O. I’. Heggie), who is tunnelling his way to freedom. The old man shares his imprisonment with Dantes, educates him. and discloses to him the secret of a vast hoard of treasure. Dantes escapes and destroys his enemies, but is almost thwarted by his affection, cleverly concealed, for Mercedes and her son. The story has a happy denouement. MAJESTIC THEATRE “She Loves Me Not” “She Loves Me Not,” at the Majestic Theatre, provides drama, farce, cynicism, romance, satire and music. Besides allowing Bing Crosby _to sing 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.” Randolph Scott, Monte Blue, Raymond Hatton and Gail Patrick have important roles in “Wagon Wheels.” “Here Comes the Groom” is a comedy featuring Jack Haley and Mary Boland. STATE THEATRE “Richest Girl in the World” “The Richest Girl in the World,” al 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 bis role of Tony Travis. A fine supporting programme includes a picture of Ngauruhoe in one of its wildest moods. “Judge Priest.” The next change of programme at the State Theatre will bring to Wellington “Judge Priest,” in which Will Rogers is the star. According to advance reports, the film gives Will the finest and most human role of all those he has played on the screen. Preview audiences in Hollywood and New York have hailed it are the most notable of all Rogers’s gallery of American characters, and there seems little doubt that it will register throughout the country as the star’s most, successful picture to date. The popular series of stories by Irvin Cobb has been used as the basis for this screen history of the shrewd and wise Kentucky judge who flourished in Paducah, Kentucky, in the late years of the past, century. Rich human interest, it is said, blends with laughter and tears in this tale of a sleepy southern town, which still is not too sleepy to cradle stirring drama. PARAMOUNT THEATRE “The Trumpet Blows” George Raft is featured in “The Trumpet Blows,” a thrilling romance of old Mexico, now showing at the Paramount Theatre. “Upper World.” Warren William is said to be supported by a large and well-balanced cast and one of unusual strength in the Warner Eros, picture, “Upper World,” which comes to the Paramount Theatre on Friday. He shares honours with two leading ladies, Mary- Astor and Ginger Rogers. the former taking the part of his wife, for whom he has a deep-rooted affection, and the latter portraying his sweetheart, for whom he has a passing infatuation. The picture is based on the thrilling story by Ben Hecht, famous novelist and playright. PLAZA THEATRE “My Song For You” “My Song for You,” in which Jan Kiepura takes the leading part, will be shown on Thursday night for the last time at the Plaza Theatre. The film is a medley of song, comedy, and romance, and Jan Kiepura sings not only the leading theme song, but excerpts from the opera, “Aida.” “Ave Maria,” is a feature of the concluding scenes. He is excellently supported by Bonnie 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 Plaza Theatre on Friday in the form of a film which lias 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 Aherne 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.

Frank Neil’s Company Next Saturday Week

A wise optimist has said “Most of my troubles never occurred,” and with this philosophy in mind at this time of the year no more appropriate occasion could be found for the announcement made today by J. C. Williamson Ltd. that they will commence their New Zealand activities for 1935 with Frank Neil’s new international company of variety stars in the Grand Opera House commencing with a matinee at 2.30 next Saturday week, January 19. “No matter whether the nights are hot or cold, close or windy, wot or fine,” says a Sydney critic, “Frank Neil’s show is one of the joys of the season that simply compels one to forget one’s troubles and join in the merriment of the comedians and be bewitched by the charms of the lovely bevy of beautiful girls.” The show is said to cover a diversity of entertainment that will appeal to all tastes and is in aeeordanoe with the best traditions of variety. To meet the modern demand for this type of atthe -program me will iaaorjjqrata

ths latest London and Continental ideas in revue specialities and the speciality artists will be headed by a trio of American dancing and acrobatic stars, Nice. Florio and Lubo, who give an amazing performance which holds the balance between daring, artistry and comedy. Joey Porter, the London comedian. should make an instant appeal, and artists from the Continent making their first appearance in New Zealand will include Les Diamondos, Alec Halls. Grace Harrington, MacDonald and Graham, and in addition a full ballet of beautiful girls. The box plans will be opened at the D.I.C. on Wednesday next, and other particulars sre advertised. ST. JAMES THEATRE “Desirable” Jean Muir, a new star, appears for the first time in Wellington in “Desirable,’ row nt St. James Theatre. George Brent and Miss Verree Teesdale are admirable players in a competent cast. “What Every Woman Knows.” Helen Hayes has returned to the Screen in “’What Every Woman Knows," the famous romance by Sir James Barrie, which 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. 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 LUXE THEATRE “Outcast Lady” A story of the emotional adventures of an English girl whose love is thwarted at every turn is told in “Outcast Lady,” which is being screened at the De Luxe Theatre this week. Constance Bennett and Herbert Marshall, an actor and actress of high repute, are the stars. “The Gay Bride.” Carole Lombard and Chester Morris -are co-featured in leading roles of “The Gay Bride,” which will be 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 the self-styled “supermen” of gangsterdom. She shows them up as cowards and fools.. KING’S THEATRE “Straight is the Way” and “Paris Interlude” Two excellent films are at the King’s Theatre this week. “Straight is the ’Way,” a melange of laughter and tears, is supported by “Paris interlude,” dealing with life in the artist colonies of Paris. “Have a Heart” Coinniunccs Friday. The wholesome theme of “Have a Heart,” commencing at the King's on Friday, concerns the regeneration of a crippled girl through a romance that gives her the 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. 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 tbeme there is entertainment of 'he best type. One never tires of "crime” films, and this feature presents a mystery drama in a new locale —a Hollywood film studio. Never has 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. Frank Neil’s Revue Company. Commencing at a matinee the Saturday after next, Frank Neil’s variety revue company will be seen ai the Grand Opera House, and no doubt Wellington theatregoers will seize the opportunity of seeing again a legitimate show, now that such companies- are comparatively scarce. The company, which is appearing under the aegis of J. C. Williamson Ltd., is billed cs comprising 25 international variety stars.