ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 105, 28 January 1935, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

State.—“Al.v Old Dutch.” Plaza.—“ The Gay Divorcee.” Paramount.—“Spi t lire.” Regent.—“ Blossom Time.” Grand Opera House. — Frank Neil’s Revue, Majestic.—-" Alan ol Two Worlds.” St. James.—" Now And Forever.” Do Luxe.—“ Babes in Toyland.” King’s.—" The Silver Spoon.” “My Old Dutch” Screens at the State Theatre "My Old Dutch,” the GainsboroughBritish film at the State Theatre, is a really welcome change from the many glittering and sophisticated stories that have been presented of late. There must lie many people who can remember having heard the late Albert Chevalier sing bis coster songs, the most famous of which was “My Old Dutch.” The film is a veritable cavalcade of working-class London life, covering a period of 40 years to the present day and rich in humour, pathos, drama, and sentiment. The picture is remarkably well presented, and the general atmosphere is most realistic. The leading parts are taken by the vivacious Betty Balfour, who is seen in the title role, Michael Hogan, who enacts the part of the coster husband, and by Gordon Harker, who gives yet another of his inimitable character sketches, as the family’s best friend. Frank Pettingell and that noted music-hall artiste, Florrie Forde, make all too brief appearances as typical costers. “Aly Old Dutch” is preceded by an interesting supporting programme. “Hell in the Heavens.” Said to be the most spectacular picture ever filmed, “Hell in the Heavens” conies to the State 'Theatre on Friday. In this successor to Hie famed “HelJ’s Angels,” AVarner Baxter is the star, and with him are Herbert. Mundin and Ralph Morgan. “Now and Forever” at the St. James Theatre “Now and Forever.” at St. James Theatre, is a striking vehicle for the . exploitation of the abounding charm and talent of that fascinating child actress, Shirley Temple, now one of Hollywood’s best offerings. Shirley is Penelope Day, the daughter of Jerry Day. who cannot go straight, even though he is loved sincerely by beautiful Toni Carstairs (who lias taken the place of Penelope’s dead mother). Jerry swindles anybody and everybody, and even pinches a valuable necklace from a wealthy old lady, who desires to adopt Penelope. This incident, set in the Rjviera, gives Shirley Temple a great opportunity to show her vitality in emotional scenes. Felix Evans is admirably played by Sir Guy Standing, but it is somewhat hard to accept Gary Cooper (a traditional hero in screen stories) as the waster, Jerry. Still, the acting and the settings are up to the highest standards. Other pictures in the programme are the quaint. -.“Atadhouse Movies.” the “New Deal Rhythm" (featuring Buddy Rogers), a marvellous exhibition of jjincy diving by Pete Desjardins, ami "Ax Me Another,” a comical cartoon. “Man of Two Worlds” at the Majestic Theatre An old problem in a new setting is presented to patrons of the Alajestie Theatre. “Man of Two Worlds” is the story of the savage who, half-tamed, is introduced to civilisation. Some savages in such a situation might become home-sick and weary of their new lite, but Francis Lederer, as Aigo, the great Eskimo hunter, has acquired just enough experience of his English environment to wish for more. He creates an

awkward problem which is increased by the fascination which Joan, the daughter of Aigo’s explorer-master, exerts over him. Au unexpected touch provides the logical solution of the situation. Francis Lederer faces a difficult role, but is most convincing first as the native Eskimo, and later as an entrant into what seemed to him a new world, and commands all the attention of the audience. Elissa Land! tills her part, as Joan with capable restraint, and the supporting players arc in sympathy with the story. 'The scenes of Eskimo life are an interesting departure from the usual settings in films. The supports include a news, two comedies, and a Popeye cartoon. Second Week Showing of “Gay Divorcee” at the Plaza Divorce in the gay atmosphere of a lavish musical extravaganza forms a colourful background for "The Gay Divorcee,” which is in the second week of its season at the Plaza Theatre. The picture has an exceptionally strong east, the leading roles being entrusted to such well-known comedy actors at Fred Astaire and Edward Everett Horton, who show what, they really can do, given the opportunity. Nothing more lovely on the feminine side can be imagined than the captivating Ginger Rogers.. Spectacular dancing scenes are introduced during the picture, and these have been handled with all the American Hair for the unusual combined with the graceful. 'The picture is brimful of tuneful melodies. Altogether it is a musital comedy which carries with it an air of freshness and vitality. “Cup of Kindness,” Coming to the Plaza Theatre shortly is another Ben Travers farce, with Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls. The film is “Cup of_ Kindness.” If there be anyone in Wellington who did not see the famous “Rookery No6k,” first of the 'Travers plus Aldwyeh Theatre cast film features, or any of the later string of equal successes, soon will be their opportunity of expiating the sin at the feet of these comedy gods. And to the multitude who did see them nothing more need be su'd. “Blossom Time” Still at the State Theatre I Mere words padded with adjectives could not-adequately describe the musical and romantic entertainment in “Blossom Time,” which is now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. This wistful love story of Schubert enacted and sung by Richard Tauber live forever among the most cherished memories of all who see it. Others in “Blossom Time” include lovely Jane Baxter, Carl Esmond, and Paul Graetz. In addition to the big film, the supporting programme is also excellent. Musical Show Coming. A picture which lias attracted great interest among theatregoers abroad is “Trans-Atlantic Merry-Go-Round,” which is coming to the Regent Theatre shortly. The picture contains four song hits, ami is brimful of mirth, melody, and mystery. “Babes in Toyland,” Comedy at . the De Luxe Theatre I Laurel and Hardy's latest, hit, “Babes in Toyland,” which is at the De Luxe Theatre, easily eclipses any of their former triumphs. Not only is the film (which is adapted from Victor Herbert’s Alagic Operetta) hilariously funny, but it is also ingeniously conceived. The theme centres around those fairyland people which one still dimly remembers as an essential jiart of one's childhood, with the great improvement that they are brought to life on the screen, with the help of Laurel and Hardy. Had not the love of Tom-Tom (the Piper's son) for BoPeep been menaced by that mean old miser Silas Barnaby, La’urel and Hardy who worked in the warehouse that kept

Santa Claus stocked, would not have been called, upon to play the parts of heroes. Laurel and Hardy get into plenty of trouble. The dramatic culmination is the defeat of the Bogey-land people and Barnaby, himself the dliief Bogey. “Spitfire,” Notable Film at the Paramount Theatre "Spitfire,” a fi;m with a difference, will reward those who go to the Paramount 1 heatre this week. In the mountains of Carolina there are communities of white people who have bpen out of touch with the centres of civilisation so long that they are primitive of habit, ignorant and superstitious to a degree surprising to those who think of the United States of America as one of the most progressive countries of the world. "Spitfire" is a story of these people, and Katherine Hepburn acts the part of a girl of them. This girl of tile mountains, having faith in a kind of Christianity and a habit of praying for the sick, is marked down as a witch by the neighbours, who. when a baby dies, would lynch her but for the intervention ’of an engineer from a nearby dam coast ruction camp. "Spitfire” provides an interesting character study of Katherine Hepburn and entertainment of the rarer kind. A full supporting programme includes Aliss Iris Mason at the organ. “Silver Spoon” and “Purchase Price” at the King’s Once again the King’s Theatre has another entertaining double-feature programme. The major feature, “The Silver Spoon,” is a mystery comedy. It. concerns two gentlemen tramps who have accepted a wandering life in order to forget a love affair. A murder is committed in a house which they raid, and from then on mystery and comedy-farce are mixed in merry proportions. Binnie Barnes, lan Hunter and Garry Marsh are the tramps. A night club singer brought suddenly face to face with the adamant life of the American waybacks hints at the theme in “The Purchase Price,” the second feature, with Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, and Hardie Albright.