ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent.— " Count of Monte Cristo.” State. — “Judge Priest." Plaza. — “The Fountain.” Paramount.— " Upper World." Grand Opera House. — "The Hayseeds.’ De Luxe.— " The Gay Bride." St. James.— " What Every Woman

Knows.’’ Majestic.—" Wagon Wheels” and "Here Comes the Groom.” King’s.—" Have u Heart.”

REGENT THEATRE

“The Count of Monte Cristo”

"The Count of Monte Cristo,” which is to continue screening at the Regent Theatre until the commencement of the “Blossom Time” season, which had been announced for to-day, but which is now postponed, follows fairly closely the stoyy by Dumas on which it is based. The acting is excellent, and the photography superb. The Alexander Dumas novel has thrilled millions of readers iu every civilised country in the world. Produced on a lavish. scale, with a score of principals and hundreds of supporting players, and released through United Artists, the film oners Robert Donat, handsome young English screen and stage actor, ivhom picturegoers will recall as the King's love rival in “The Private Life of Henry >lll, m his first American-made film. Missa Landi apiiears opposite him in the ro.e of Mercedes. Louis Calhern, .Sydney Blnckmer. O. P. Heggie, Irene Hervey, William Farnum and Raymond Walburn head the imposing supporting cast, which includes Georgia Caine, Lawrence Gran”, Luis Alberni. Douglas Walton, Juliette Compton, Eleanor Phelps. Holmes Herbert. Mitchell Lewis, Lionel Belmore, Wilfred Lucas and others, under the capable direction of Rowland V. Lee, who also collaborated with Philip Dunne and Dan Totheroh on the screen adaptation. Peverell Marlev, who has/o his credit the distinction of having photographed "The House, of Rothschild.” and other outstanding screen productions, is responsible for the fine camera work., while Gwen Wakeling created the stunning costumes and John Ducasse Schulze design-. cd the magnificent atmospheric backgrounds of the period. STATE THEATRE Will Rogers in “Judge Priest” “Judge Priest,” in which Will .Rogers is the star, will be screened at the State Theatre commencing to-day. According to advance reports, the star has never been so well suited as. by this screen character, the shrewd, kindly but strongwilled Kentucky jurist, who. is already famous in the stories of Irvin S. Cobb, perhaps .America's most noted humourist. With his characterisation of the “Judge,” Rogers is said to add a new and original figure to his all-American gallery., which includes such memorable portraits as David Harum, Mr. Skitch, Dr. Bull, and the Connecticut Yankee. This time he plays a wise old fellow who, following the Civil War, has. settled down, in his .native Kentucky village with his Confederate cronies. The story opens in his court room on a lazy spring day in 1890. One does not expect drama in » village, perhaps, but in “Judge Priest” plenty of it transpires, according to advance accounts. The Judge’s nephew,, a novice lawyer, and his sweetheart, n girl whose birth is shrouded in mystery, figure importantly in the touching and dramatic story. Always there is Judge Priest, who dilutes justice with the milk of human kindness and who helps to shoulder the troubles of the town. John Ford directed “Judge Friest.” DE LUXE~THEATRE “The Gay Bride” The last laugh on America’s racketeers provides rib-tickling comedy in “The Gay Bride,” fastest moving farce of the year recently completed' by the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer studios with Carole Lombard and Chester Morris featured, which opens at the De Luxe Theatre to-day. The story, written by Charles Francis Coe. deals with the hilarious difficulties or racketeers after repeal when their euor-, mous profits have been cut oft. To add to their troubles an adventurous blonde discovers the gold-diggiug possibilities among the vicious but dumb gentry of the underworld. Carole Lombard gives sparkle

and zest to her role as Blonde Mary, who knows from whence the gold can be dug. Chester Morris, as an ambitious young man who attends to clerical duties in a racketeer's "hangout,” while saving money to set up a garage, is a powerful male lead.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

Archbishop Redwood’s Funeral

The film record of the funeral of the late Archbishop Redwood will be screened, at the St. James Theatre to-day. The film includes scenes in the Basilica iu Hill Street, and of the procession through the streets, lined with thousands, and impressive pictures of the final moments at the graveside in Karori cemetery. The film opens with a short talk by Archbishop Redwood, recorded on the occasion of his diamond jubilee. Sir James Barrie's whimsical romance, "What Every Woman Knows,” is the feature of the programme. Helen Hayes is the star of the screen version. Every facility of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios was concentrated in close attention to detail in both human and pictorial values under the personal supervision of Irving Thalberg. the producer. Months of careful testing before actual filming began re--1 suited in one of the most notable casts of the year. PLAZA THEATRE “The Fountain” A story of great love, “The Fountain,” is to be shown at the Plaza Theatre today iu the form of a film which has attained considerable success abroad. The film is from Charles Morgan’s famous novel, and has been made n significant screen drama. Ann Harding is featured with Brian Aherne aud Paul Lukas. Another considerable attraction iu the programme will be the featurette in new technicolour, "La Cucaraeha,” an atmosphere production of South American music. KING’S THEATRE Jean Parker in “Have a Heart” Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Have a Heart,” the first starring vehicle for Jean Parker, who will be remembered asBeth in “Little Women,” commences this afternoon at the King's Theatre. The wholesome theme of the picture concerns the regeneration of a crippled girl through a romance that gives her the will to overcome her handicap and marry the man of her heart. Into the simple yet sincere plot are packed comedy, pathos, tragedy, hope and courage. As Sally, the young dancer who is forced to take up doll making after a tragic accident, Miss Parker has a role ideally suited to the vivid warmth of her screen personality. The male lead is played by James Bunn as Jimmie Flaherty, vendor of ice cream. Outstanding featurettes are promised. GRAND OPERA HOUSE “The llayseeds” Commencing to-day. “The Hayseeds” will be seen once again in Wellington, this time at the Grand Opera House. The outstanding success and enthusiastic reception of such Australian productions as “On Our Selection” and “The Squatter’s Daughter,” everywhere presented, has led to the prediction of a golden future for the rapidly expanding Australian industry of motion picture production. Now comes “The Hayseeds,” Australia’s latest film achievement, to earn further laurels for the young industry. In many respects “The Hayseeds” sets a new standard in entertainment, for it eaters and exploits new fields. It combines mirth, melody, ballet?, beauty and scenic splendour so skilfully, that all these delightful forms of entertainment become interval parts of the story. A coloured review, “Pleasure Island,” and a Laurel and Hardy comedy, “Our Wife.” also will be shown.