ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 101, 1 May 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Now York Nights," which will bo showinK finally to-night at the Regent Theatre, is a melodramatic production, rich In romance, depicting Norma Talmadge in her first musical talking picture. It ia the story of a chorus girl, Jill (MissTalmadge), married to a lazy song-writer who manages to write tho only successful song of his career and sells it for a drink of gin. Tho plot revolves about the character of a -acketcer niio covets Jill and plans to rid her of her Husband, but is unsuccessful. The film Is a radical departure from the numerous plays about Broadway's theatrical people that have preceded it, and is essentially a live story with a logical plot pleasingly presented. As a background to this plot is laid glamorous night life. Miss Talmadge's work In the starring role is a'triumph of - finished acting. Gilbert Roland impersonates the song-writer husband of Miss Talmadge. Lllyan Tashman, as tlie chorus girl friend of Jill, is in a characteristic role. Excellent supports are screened. "TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN." The first presentation in Wellington of "The Trial of Mary Dugan," the all-talking screen version of Bayard Veiller's melodramatic stage hit, has been, set for to-morrow at the Regent Theatre. "Mary Dugan" ran for more than a full season at the National Theatre in New York City. At tho present time there are four companies still touring the TJnited States, with two in England, four In Germany, four in Holland, {wo In Norway and Sweden, and one in France. A cast combining screen and stage talent, with Norma Shearer in the title role, was selected by Mr. Veiller for the pieturisation of the play. Raymond Hackett, who succeeded the lato Rex. Cherryman in the role of Mary's brother on the stage, has the same part in the, picture, while other important roles are played' by H. B. Warner, Lewis Stone, Olive Tell, Lilyan Tashman, and De Witt Jennings. In transcribing his murder mystery to the screen, Mr. Veiller followed the form and dramatic treatment laid down in the original play, which was seen recently at the Grand Opera House when Leon Gordon was the prosecuting attorney. The courtroom setting is retained throughout the telling of. tho story. When the film had Its premiere in New York City, unanimity of opinion prevailed among the critics that it wa« the outstanding all-talking film of its kind, it 'duplicated in melodramatic: guise the success of , "Tho Broadway Kolody." "The most expert piece of work that has been delivered to the. , talking screen," commented the "Morning Telegraph," . New York's theatrical newspaper. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Again stage life has been chosen as the basis upon which the plot of a talkie has been, built. The theme is used in "Pointed Heels," which will be shown finally to-night at the Paramount. Theatre. It presents the love story of., an actress and a millionaire song-writer. Revue scenes set in natural colour, good acting, and popular song and dance numbers carry the picture to a pleasing climax. To lead a life of luxury, and then to have his allowance stopped because of his marriage to a girl of tho stage-is tho lot of the star, and this part is ably played by William, Powell. Others In the cast are Helen Kane, tho wellknown singer, and Fay Wray and Richard Gallagher. ■■■■■. Three Western bad men find themselves custodian of a new-born baby. in tho midst of the desert. They had promised the dying mother that they would take the child safely to the little frontier town of New Jerusalem. Their water supply is low, a frightful trip across the desert confronts, them —and the noose awaits them at New Jerusalem if they come through alive. This is the central dra^ matic situation of the all-dialogue picture, "Tha Three Godfathers," which opens next Friday at the Paramount Theatre. Romance, adventure, .pathos, and humour make "The Three Godfathers" one of the most unusual and distinctive pictures brought to the screen. Many of the scenes were taken in the heart of the great Mojave Desert at the height of the blistering summer season. Charles Bickford, Raymond Hatton, and Fred Kohler. contribute remarkable characterisations. Fritzi Ridgeway, Maria Alba, Joe de la Cruz, Buck Connors, and Walter James also are among those who give exceptional performances. The picture is based on Peter B.r Kyne's famous story, of the same name. Box plans are available at tho Bristol and theatre. KING'S THEATRE. ■ "Three Live Ghosts" will conclude its return season at the King's Theatre to-night. The picture differs entirely in its theme, story construction, and locale from any all-talking picture thus far produced. . "Three Live Ghosts deals with the complications that arise when three British soldiers, after escaping from a German prison camp, return to London and learn to their amazement that they have .been listed by the Government as "killed in action." The cast Includes Shayle Gardner. Cecil B. De Mille's first talking production, "Dynamite," will be screened 11 at King's Theatre commencing to-morrow. Society panoramas are blended into ao enthralling dramatic situation in which a coal miner and Ills rival for the hand of a society girl face deatli together, a thousand feet below tho earth. Mlic stars include Conrad Nagel, Kay • Johnson, Charles Bickford, Julia Faye, Robert JSdeson, Scott Kolk, Leslie F.enton, and Joel M'Crea. The, "aero-hoop" race, in which girls strapped to great hoops participate, the archery competition, the game of "Doug," and all tho other lavish .and unusual touches which tho 'director has administered make the picture one long to be remembered. Tho,dialogue is brilliant. "Dynamite" opens a .return, season at the King's Theatre to-morrow with matinees daily,! •2.30. Box plans are available at the Bristol. QUEEN'S THEATRE. "The Parade of the West," an all-talking production starring Ken Maynard, now at tho Queen's Theatre, is a splendid example of the entertainment value of a good Western picture. The picture is lifted far out of the class of the ordinary by the songs sung by Maynard and members of the cast, old-time Western favourites like "The Chisholm Trail," "Down in Union County,'* and "Sal's Got a Wooden Leg." Maynard is given splendid support by the beautiful Gladys M'Connell and Otis Harlan; of" "Show Boat" and "Broadway" fame. Appearing in the picture is "Rex," the "king of wild horses." A dialogue drama of the underworld, "Madonna of Avenue A," opens ' to-morrow night at the Queen's Theatre with. matinee Saturday, 2.30. The hectic atmosphere of \ a New York night club—the Cafe Georgia—is shown in "Madonna of Avenue A." The swirling gaiety of this metropolitan cafe forms the background of much of the, action of the story,' and the spectator1 is.•taken behind .the. scenes to learn the sordid, tawdry atmosphere of cafe life. 'Supporting the star, Dolores Costello, are Grant Withers, Loutae Dresser, Otto Hoffman, Douglas Gfcrrard," and: Lee Moran. There is an excellent list of supporting featurettes. DE LUXE THEATRE. A dramatic comedy-drama, '"A Song of Kentucky," will bo shown finally to-night" at tho -De Luxe Theatre. It tells the story of how Jerry Reavis, a talented young composer and' song-writer, won the heart of Lee Cpleman, a society heiress. It tells also how, by underhand plotting, a rival for his lady's hand poisons her . mind' against Jerry, making her believe that he had been too intimate with Nancy, his former vaudeville partner. Rcavis is well-nigh driven to despair; and, bereft of love and hope, write 3 a rhapsody which opens all his Inmost heart to the lady of his dreams, makes her realise that he Is well worthy of her love,,and brings her back to his arms. One of the most thrilling scenes in this play Is the actual running of the 1929 Kentucky Derby on the historic Churchill Downs. .The race-picture ! is ' most. , realistic. The part of Lee Coleman is in the ..capable hands'of Lois Moran, and the other roles are also well sustained. Tho supports are good. "Broadway Scandals," a musical comedy, opens next Friday at the De Luxe Theatre. It is sparkling entertainment done in Broadway's best style. The stars include Jack Egan, Sally O'Neil, and Carmol Myers. "Broadway Scandals" proves that it is possible to incorporate a good story in a musical production. Hero is said to bo drama, a beautiful romance, and with it all good music. There are seven songs. "What is Life Without Love," tho theme melody of the show, will undoubtedly be popular. The struggles of tho two young actors, Ted and Mary, who shoulder their way bravely through misfortunes, with their eyes. turned toward . stardom on Broadway, are typical of what every stage actor has lived through some time in his career. Box plans are available at Bristol and Aitken's. Said to be one' of tho greatest of screen spectacles filmed In natural colours, "Paris," First National and Vitaphone's talking, singing, dancing production, will open a season in Wellington at the De Luxe Theatre on' Friday, 9th May. Tho famous stage star, Irene Bordoni, has at last been brought to the screen, and makes her.debut in "Paris," scoring, according to preview critics, a sensational success. Tho supporting cast is said to be massive. "Paris" is reported to bo one of the biggest talkie productions to date.ARTCRAFT THEATRE. A new programme will be screened at the Artcraft Theatre to-night, and it should afford excellent entertainment. Ruth Chatterton and H. B. Warner will bo Been in the powerful play, "Tho Doctor's Secret," and Reginald Denny in one of his best comedies, "One Hysterical Night." Good supports will be shown. SHORTT'S THEATRE. "A Lady of Chance," starring Norma Shearer, and now being presented at Shortt's Theatre, presents the star as a professional gold digger who, after years of experience at picking out wealthy men who were easy to "fleece," selects a handsome young fellow who is wiring his mother of a million dollar promotion scheme, and finds, after marrying him. that she miscalculated. Johnny Mack Brown, one of the screen's most promising actors, assumes the role of the country boy who completes the smart city girl's education. The Beeond big picturo is "Our Dancing Daughters." in which Joan Crawford takes tho leadlns role. NEW QUALITY THEATRE. The picturesque Feather River, in California served as tho location for much of the action of "No Defence" the Warner Bros.' production now being shown at tho New Quality Theatro —an all-talking film. Almost a thousand miles from Hollywood, scenes were made showing tho construction and dedication of a great bridge, as well as the beginning and progress of a romanco between Monte Blue and May M'Avoy, who' aro co-starred in the picture. Bine plays .tho part of the construction foreman ,-in chargo of tho building of the bridge, and tho dainty Miss M'Avoy is seen aa tho daughter of the contractor, who accompanies hei1 father I" 'i ia 'irlvatc car to the scene of.' tho work.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "British throughout" is the claim made for "Atlantic," the great -talkie" picture at tha Majestic. "Atlantic" is founded on fact, and in somo particulars is a record of what actually happened when the latest achievement of British naval architecture, the unsinkablo ship, clanced an iceberg and went down with terrible loss of life. "Atlantic" 'is described by talkie authorities as a triumph for British production, and so it was endorsed by. tho thrilled audience who saw It for tho first time on Saturday. It is British In sentiment, too, and upholds tho best tradition in British seaman ship. Tho ship strikes a berg, but the shock is so slight that the dance goes on, the poker play is uninterrupted, and for a'time only, those In the engineroom and on the bridge, ,-ealise that the ship is doomed, and the wirelesa operator knows that to his 'S.O.S. calls no aid can come before daylight. In some respects "Atlantic" is a deeply impressionable picture, .and some scenes no doubt conform to probability. Technically, it is an outstanding work, and grips all who see it from the outset to Its terrible close. The supplementary pictures include an Intensely popular black and white cartoon-comic, and a superbly coloured love-story, "In a Persian Garden," besides sound and pictorial chronicles of Important events In Great Britain, the United States, and other countries. ' To ensure that every detail of sets, wara\ robe, character, and speech should be absolutely authentic, three technical directors assisted in the production of "Seven Bays' Leave," starring Gary Cooper,' which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday next. The story of "Seven Days' Leave" is laid in wartime London, and the numerous characters portrayed in the production include London cockneys, shopkeepers, sweet hawkers, British officers, and members of the Canadian regiment of the famous "Black Watch." Bertram Johns had charge of the English character cockney types in the London sequences. Frank Terry, a former London music hall favourite, wasthe advisor on the big music hall sequence. Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donnell, formerly of the Canadian Princess Pats, Nmade 'certain' that every detail of uniforms and military procedure was correct. "Seven Days' Leave" was adapted from the stage play, "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals," by Sir James M. Barrle. The story is that of a woman who, having no son to send to war. Invents a son of her own to -top the stories being told by other women, and who finally.sees her story vindicated when Cooper conies to London on leave of absence and helps her out. The "scrub woman" is played by. Beryl Mercer, who became famous recently for her playing of Mrs. Gubbins in "Three Live Ghosts." HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.' Although in its second week, "Gold Diggers of Broadway," the Warner Brothers' all-talking and singing production in colour,' is continually drawing packed houses at His., Majesty's • Theatre. There are many distinctive characteristics about ihe picture, but perhaps the most outstanding is the colouring. The female lead is.taken by Nancy . Welford, who Is supported by Conway Tearle. The comedy, portion of the production is supplied by Winnie Llghtner, a very experienced "gold digger," who plays the part of Mabel, a happy-go-lucky young woman, who is full of fun and amusing remarks. The chief song hits in the picture are sung by Nick Lucas, one of America's leading broadcast artists. The two most popular songs are "Tip-toe Through the Tulips" and "Painting the Clouds with Sunshine," but there are several other tunes that are almost as . good. The big stage scenes display a magnificence of setting that is a marked contribution to the art of the talking picture. Like the big film the supporting programme provides splendid and varied entertainment. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Playing the role of an untamed white girl who has never seen civilisation, in "Untamed," which is drawing large audiences at the Grand Opera House, Joan. Crawford finds herself time and time again in many awkward situations owing to her lack of knowledge of recognised convention. She proposes, for instance, at one of her parties, that two of her guests, In order to settle a dispute, should fight it out in . the ' time-honoured manner on the spot. The opening scenes of the picture show the murder of the girl's father, an oil-prospector, in South America by a drunken trader, and on his death bed he reveals the existence of a clear title to some rich oilbearing lands. No time is lost in making posthaste for New York, and on the voyage there, take place many screamingly funny situations. The drama develops thenceforward. Miss Crawford plays a difficult part admirably; Included in the supporting programme are "Noah's Lark," a clever'"Paramount Talkartoon, and "Great Gobs," a rollicking comedy dealing with the doings of two American sailors ashore in t Mexico. Box plans are available at the Bristol and the Berkeley. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. , What old-time Hollywood residents • declared to be the most spectacular short scene <ever made.for a motion picture appears in George Bancroft's latest Paramount feature, "Tho Mighty," at the Kilbirnie Theatre, starting tonight. The scene made at a street intersection that during week-days is one of tho bu'rlest in the city, shows the simultaneous robbery of three banks by machine-gun bandits and their subsequent .routing by a squadron of thirty-five motor-cycle policemen. In "The Mighty" Bancroft plays tho irole of a returned, war hero who is given; the'leadership-of tfie ■■ police department of a crime-ridden city, the people not knowing that Bancroft formerly was.- a notorious gangster. He assembles his old gang to make a haul, and then decides to go straight for the girl he loves. Warner Oland,: Esther Ralston, 0. P. Heggie, Baymond Hatton, and Morgan Farley are also featured in the cast. An excellent array of short features will also be presented. Reserve at theatre confectionery and Bristol Piano Co. CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR. "Flight," n drama of adventure in the sky, will bo shown at the Capitol Theatre to-night. 'It relates the story of a nervous aviator and a hard-boiled but friendly sergeant. They are rivals for a girl. Tho picture is developed on spectacular lines, with magnificently photographed aerial shots, and is a mixture of suspense, comedy, romance, and pathos, moving to an unusual climax. Jack Holt and Ralph Graves, who did such excellent work in "Submarine," can be seen and heard together in this picture. Lila Lee is splendid In tho comparatively small role of the girl. "Flight" is recommended by the censor as being more suitable for adult audiences. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Eleanor Boardman and James Murray head a noteworthy cast in "The Crowd," the chief attraction to be. screened at Our Theatre tonight. The story depicts the live 3of millions of young couples who help to make up the great masses. The second feature, "Beyond the Sierras," starring Tim M'Goy, Is a thrilling romance of the old days in California. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. . "How to Handle Women,': with Glen Tryon in the leading role, constitutes the main feature 'at tho Begal to-night.' This is described as one of his most humorous.and entertaining pictures. Good supports will also be, shown; ARCADIANS; "The Arcadians" will be presented at the "Grand Opera House" next. Saturday and the season finishes on Thursday, Bth May. By arrangement with J. C. Williamson "Tho Dennis Operatic Society" are producing this hilarious musical comedy, which will be exquisitely mounted against beautiful backgrounds and settings. The singing and' (ho dancing will bo up to standard^ One of tho hits will bo Peter Doody's song "Always Merry and Bright," and he has also several other bright numbers. Patrons are advised to attend early in tho season and avoid being locked out. on the last night as patrons were last year. The proceeds are in aid of the Wellington Free Ambulance. The plan is at the Bristol Piano Co. UNIVERSITY EXTRAVAGANZA. Beautiful ballets and big choruses aro a feature of the 1930 extravaganza, ■ "Kyd," coming to the Town Hallj on Saturday next for a short season. Mr. ;D. Priestley heads tho cast as the irrepressible, Irresponsible Captain, and followed by his trusty band of bucaneers led by such well-known personalities as Little Eric of Berhampoce and Sun-kissed Sammy. The plot unfolds itself in a riot-of merriment full of topical i allusions. "Kyd," as\ an additional attraction, has a local setting—rWard Island. Sherlock Holmes has been instructed by the League of Notions to find New Zealand. * Could he do it, and did he solve the mystery of the member for Parnell? "Kyd," the extremely exciting and educating extravaganza, solves these questions, and hundreds more. Miss Edna l'urdie heads the cast, playing opposite Mr. Priestley. Other well-known artists, including Aileen Davidson, Messrs. D. Edwards, R. Hogg, W. P. Rollings, \V. J. Mountjoy, and H. C. Reid, lead a supporting cast of over 50. The box plans are at the Bristol. ! . MAORI AND PAKEHA CONCERT. A Maori arid pakeha concert in aid of the hall funds was given by' Sir. Gus Aperihaina and company at St. Anno's Hall, Green street, last Monday evening. The nail was filled, many being" turned away, and the audience showed enthusiastic appreciation of the excellent programmo rendered. Solos were given by Miss Roberts, Messrs. W. Hoiia and H. Austin; duets by Messrs. Aperihama and Baker, and Messrs. Williams and Evans, wJio augmented their songs with a snappy step dance, and Mr. Shand (pianist), and Mrj Sherwood (saxophonist), also' contributed. Mr. Gus Aperlhama's string orchestra of. ten performers rendered some beautiful Maori and Hawaiian music, tho company' harmonising many of the pieces., Local Maori girls presented double poi and canoe poi- and the Porirua team the long poi, while the Bing Boys; were seen in some very realistic hakas. Every item was encored, and Mr. Jarvis thanked and congratulated the performers on behalf of the church, Mr. Harry Katene responding'for tho company.