ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 96, 17 January 1935, Page 4

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. Janies. —"What Every Woman Knows.” Majestic.—“ Wagon Wheels” and “Hero Comes the Groom.” King’s.—“ Have a Heart.” 1 “Count of Monte Cristo” Still at , the Regent Theatre i "Tile Count of Monte Cristo" continues at the Regent Theatre. The thrilling story of Edmond Dantes, the young Frenchman, torn from his sweetheart’s arms by his enemies and unjustly imprisoned and left to rot in the grim Chateau d’tf, is made to order for Robert Donat, and Elissa Landi is ideally cast as the girl Mercedes. Louis Callhern, Sidney Blackmer and Raymond Walburn are superbly villainous as the black-hearted de Villefort. Mondego and Danglars, respectively. “Blossom Time.” Franz Schubert, probably the loveliest melodist of all time, is the central figure of “Blossom Time,” Richard Tauber’s first all-English picture, which comes to the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Richard Tauber is said to play the role of Schubert as though he were Schubert himself. His portrayal is masterly. In addition, his magnificent voice has never before been so gloriously recorded. “Not the least interesting feature of ‘Blossom Time,’ ” says the critic of the English “Cinema” in his enthusiastic review of the film, characteristic of the entire English Press, “is the amazing resemblance Richard Tauber hears to Franz Schubert” —and who better than the world’s greatest tenor of to-day to re-ereate the tender romance of this great composer of yesteryear? The story, which opens in gay Vienna, in 1820. finds Schubert a bighearted schoolmaster, hopelessly in love with “Vicki,” the beautiful daughter of the dancing instructor, Wimpassinger. But “Vicki” has eyes for none but the dashing “Rudi,” Count von Hohenberg. a handsome young officer destined to wed a baroness as the orders of an imperious' archduchess. Schubert asked permission of Wimpassinger to tell “Vicki” of his love, and the girl’s father, to pacify, tells him, “Inter, when success comes—when you have made a great name as a great music composer.” All honour, too. goes the way of the director, Paul Stein. The big catt also includes lovely Jane Baxter as Vicki; Carl Esmond as Rudi; Paul Graetz, Lester Matthews, and Athene Seyler. “What Every Woman Knows” at the St. James Theatre . “What Every Woman Knows,” the sweet revealing play by J M Barrie, of a brave little Scotswoman’s loyalty, and a man’s rather stupid egotism, is nt the St. James Theatre. “The Notorious Sophie Lang.” A thoroughly modern and entertaining detective story, the chronicle of a eharming, beautiful girl, who single-handedly outwits botli the police and her rivals, Paramount’s “The Notorious Sophie Lang” comes to the St, James Theatre to-morrow, with Gertrude Michael, Paul Cavanagh, Leol Errol, Arthur Byron and Alison Skipworth in the featured roles. Miss Michael plays the title role as the famous international jewel thief who filches both gems and masculine hearts, by employing her cleverness and exotic charm. Will Rogers in “Judge Priest” at the State Theatre Will Rogers gives one of his'greatest performances in “Judge Priest,” the new Fox film drama, which is at the State Theatre. Adapted from the famous Irvin S. Cobb stories of the small-town jijjlge and his Civil War cronies, the film gives Rogers probably the finest opportunity q£ his screen career. His portrayal of the drawling but quick-witted Southern jurist is the blending of a splendid talent with a rich and splendid role. His performance stands alone for sheer dramatic power, and seldom has he had such opportunities to call both tears and laughter from his audience. Life in the sleepy Kentucky town of the early ’nineties supplies the background for the storv. aud much delicious humour is supplied by the negroes. There is a world of humanity in this worth-while picture. Anita Louise, Tom Brown, David Landau, Rochelle Hudson, and Francis Ford are all happily cast. “Peck’s Bad Boy.” To-morrow's attraction at the State Theatre will be “Peck’s Bad Boy,” starring Jackie Cooper, who was featured in “The Champ” and “Treasure Island.” Also in the east are Thomas Meighan, O. P. Heggic and Jackie Searl. “The Fountain” Showing at the Plaza Theatre The cinema presentation of Charles Morgan’s famous war novel “The Fountain” ia at present at the Plaza Theatre. The theme is a story of great love without sordidness, and the atmosphere of war is free of explosions. Its significance is portrayed by Miss Ann Harding, Brian Aherne and Paul Lukas with admirable reality, and with emotion not allowed to break into hysteria. The supports are also excellent. "The Gay Divorcee.” Plenty of humour is interspersed throughout flic brilliant musical comedy “The Gay Divorcee,” which will come to the Plaza Theatre to-morrow after a highly successful season at Auckland. The humour is ([uietly but effectively brought into the picture by Fred Astaire, whose association with Edward Everett Horton forms a strong combination. The audience is kept at high pitch throughout the screening, and the film promises to . enjoy a successful run in the city. It is , a lavish production, based upon the musi- ' cal comedy stage, and serves to introduce ; a talented pair of dancers in Ginger . Rogers and Fred Astaire, whose new dance, “The Continental.” is executed < with all the rhythm and grace of an ae- ’ complished dance team. Five new song hits are sung in the picture—“ Night and Day,” “A Needle in a Haystack.” “Don't Let It Bother You,” “Let’s Knock* Knees." and “The Continental.”

Double Feature Programme at the Majestic Theatre Two film stories, each outstanding m its class, comprise the entertainment at 'ho Majestic Theatre this week. The first, “Here Conies the Groom.” is a comedy that is really funny, and it forsaken wellworn themes. It tells of the mntrimon'nl fortunes of a rich girl, played by Mnrv Boland, who has married a “masked crooner.” The second picture, and featured one, “Wagon Wheels,” is n snlendid story of Zane Grey’s. This film depicts the heroic trek o' colonists moving by caravan from Missouri to Oregon and their adventures by the way.

“Chained.” Opening its season at the Majestic Theatre to-morow will be a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mnyer special production. “Chained.” Joan Crawford ami Clark Gable are the stars, and good supports are also promised. “The Gay Bride.” De Luxe Theatre Comedy Frivolous comedy and excitement are the ingredients of ‘The Gay Bride." which is at (he De Luxe Theatre. Carole Lombard is the star. With her are Chester Morris, Nat Pendleton. Leo Carillo and Znisu Pitts, Miss Trip Mason •s at the Wurlifzer organ. “The Caso of Hie Howling Dog.” A new type of murder mystery drama has been introduced to the screen by

Warner Bros, in “The Case of the Howling Dog.” which comes to the De Luxe Theatre to-morrow, with Warren AVilliam and Mary Astor in the chief roles. The plot is entirely different from the ordinary run of screen mysteries, There is a clear-cut case of murder to start with, but to the police the case closes enshrouded with mystery. >

“The Hayseeds” at the Grand Opera House

A premier Australian production. “The Hayseeds,” is at the Grand Opera House. The sturdy manliness and humour of Dad are delightfully depicted by Cecil Kellaway, with Mum faithfully portrayed by Katie Towers. Ta] Ordoll and Molly Raynor supply the comedy relief in copious splashes.

“Have a Heart” Featuring at the King’s Theatre Met ro-Goldwyn-M oyer’s “Have a Heart,” featuring Jean Parker, .lames Dunn, Stuart Erwin and Una Merkel, screens finally this afternoon and tonight at the King’s Theatre. “A Very Honourable Guy.” Joe E. Brown, who has kept millions laughing for years, comes to the King’s Theatre to-morrow afternoon in his latest comedy, “A Very Honourable Guy ” He is seen in a comedy with an entirely new twist and one which furnishes him with more- opportunities to exhibit his superb clowning. “Upper World” Showing at the Paramount Theatre "Upper World,” featuring Warren William, will be presented finally tonight at the Paramount Theatre. Thank Your Stars.” Introducing six new smash song hits, Ben Bernie and his famous American orchestra make their screen debuts in the Paramount comedy, “Thank Your Stars,” coming to the Paramount Theatre to-morrow. Bernie and his orchestra, featured throughout the entire rfilm, are surrounded by a fine Hollywood cast, including Jack Onkie, Dorothy Dell, Arline Judge. Alison Skipworth. Roscoe Karns. William Frawley, Lew Cody and Paul Cavanagh. “Thank Your Stars” concerns (lie adventures of two youngsters whose love for each other lifts them from their parts in a broken-down side-show io starring roles in America’s most famous radio hour.