ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 145, 23 June 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE REGENT. "Honey," at the Regent, is notable in that it show,i Nancy Carroll, formerly a popular silent actress,, In a ■ talking role., Regarded as a . laugh, .it has . some good .points. Nancy Carroll photographs. as: .prettily as. ever. Miss Carroll is in masquerade as a cook, and tier brother -(played by "Sheets" Gallagher) is in masquerade as a butler, with whom au heiress (Lillian Roth> falls in love, to the .consternation, of her mother (Jobyna Howland) until everything is "explained." Gallagher Is a great comedy asset- to the picture,, and Lillian Roth.puts .a lot of dash into her work; she, too, sings as well as talks. Their duet, "Let us be Domestic," is afclevcr number that gets home. Beside the support of these clever artists, Miss Carroll has. the help of Harry. Green as a "boob detective" dragged into the plot, and of his vis-a-vis, a lachrymose ward-servant, played by Zasu ritts. ■ The disgruntled mother is presented by..Jobyna Howland as a flounce-about,-autocratic lady, of rather ' overdone aggressiveness, but a "draw" with the audience. Jlitzi Green makes a hit as a very precocious eavesdropping Juvenile; she,says "can't".ln the English*way, contrast- , IngVrather sharply with Miss Carroll's'pronunciation .of the same \yord. Other Items in'the "'supporting: programme . are the "talkatoon" (sound cartoon), "Radio Riots," and "The Metrotone News'," including Japanese ceremonial .scenes, an American -wedding, a petroleum fire, a . child athlete, a youth's, aerial glide, and-SJkh boxing. ..'; •• ■'.',. ■ •-. . PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ■ "Splinters," the all-British comedy sensation, is In its second week at the Paramount Theatre. In- : order to counteract/- the boredom, . which was' becoming ; the greatest enemy of the British Tommy, headquarters decided to arrange some, form of entertainment for the soldier in his idle hours. ;A'music-mall comedian; who waj: serving in the trenches, was sent for, and in an improvised theatre produced an.all-soldier revue, staged with surprising completeness.' 1 Female impersonators in . solos and ballets, singers,' serious and humourous, and instruments supplied a versatile.' entertainment that has. out-lasted the war- and has become a regular feature of the peace-time theatrical; world. In the production of ■"Splinters" >•'■ there are ' both/ romance . aiul reality. In .the cast are Hal. Jones, the original Splinter Number One,' Reg. "Stone.-who was a member of the concert party .In - Franco,. and whose songs aud female impersonations are the hit'of the show/ and Lew rfakeY' to. whose fereatness of heart as.well as: excellence of judgment "Splinters'*, owes, its continuous* • ex-, ■ istence in England. In addition to "Splinters" there is. a splendid selection of sound films. ■■ .-.:/-)-)- '* KING'S THEATRE. /; ... '--: / One'of the. outstanding features of "Atlan.- ---' tic," the all-talking epic of the sea, which is now showing at .the King's Theatrej Is ■'■the strong English .cast, which includes a combination of .London's foremost -actors. "Atlantic" combines/all the ' thrills of the , sea with its heroisms .in a picture which graphically de-. plcts the incidents when a big Atlantic liner is crushed by.an iceberg. The sensational happenings aboard1 the doomed ship and tho emo-v tional appeal and self-sacrifice keep the', attention <.oi the- audience from start to .finish. Tho elocution is excellent,' and generally the picture 'reaches'ia; very high standard.. There Is a good programme of supporting pictures.;' ■/:]X :''..; THEATRE. ! .'■'•■ :'.■;■•; ; ' Zanc Grey's - romantic: ahd v - thrilling story, "The. Lone Star Banger," is tho main attraction at ■', the.. ■> -Queen's ■ -.Theatre.".. The . picture, deals - with v incidental when Texas seceded from Mexico'and .-'declared'itself a free and independent .republic* iii—September;" 1836, flying the famous lone:star flag. This-flag bore two horizontal stripes, one rod and'the other of white on a "Held of blue, in which -was ; set the -white five-pointed star, emblem of the American settlers who.-. fought against .'the tyranny of the Mexican Government for free- < ddm. v The' Texas Bangers Avero- organised in' 1832, and bore the brunt of the conflict when Texas separated'from Mexico. Later they, protected the frontier : from Indians; and since have protected the border. -Thoi activities of these men form the.background.for, tho : story. . \ ."'.-..". ;';':DE,lu'xe!theat;re.';;:-^V;-«'/';-;; :- "Adventures of . 513," ia : Fox--, movietone picture portraying 1' in vivid fashion tho submarine service and its ■ men, is ■ the feature film at tho Do Luxe Theatre. On a dark and stormy night Sl3 : leaves Shanghai.. Its crow a jolly" lot, but when running awash in die China Sea the submarine 'is rammed by a tramp steamer and sinks.:, There is no moans of. escape. Tht> torpedo tubes are fouled,, and there are many dramatic moments before-the crew is eventually rescued, all save orie-^-Bert Quartermain. After divers have made; it possible, the crew escapes from the submarine by one of the torpedo tubes,; but one man Is required to work tho v apparatus- -inside. Because of a previous episode that had earned for him . disgrace,; Quartermain / elects to .be this man rather.than face Weymouth, who is in charge of : the rescuing ; squadron and who had been> a member; of.,the '.Court that. bad found Quartermain guilty.iTlio picture is;a very acceptable 4 change.:, frpm^the general run of talkies. ;Thi support :.:areV;a F.ox Talkie News, a-: musical^ specialty, ?'Sehubert's. Serenade," and a very enjoyable', comedy, ■ "Go Easy, Doctor;",;. . ' ...-V. ■'.■'•-■.',":•.■'■■■"':"' ', "'• ; ■ ARTCRAFT THEATRE. i : .'"Thunderbolt":'. is-"., tho 'star ':' feature at the;. ;:Artcraft..-' ; Theatre, ■v-in which George Bancroft/ ~ -lakes :- ■ the' .-. leading '■;'■':> part. The: plot',,centres, round tho /jealousies of two gang-leaders ■ over a 1 girl,' and the .climax is enacted ;in the (death-cells of Sing Sing Prison. The other, picture- Is-""Not For Publication." Political. corruption, savouring of the "graft" stories of recenet./nevv;spaper elaboration, plays an \ important >part in-^the: theme. ' -Ralph; inee •Ip-starred.'':; ■;-'•;>.:; :;;*■■; .: ■ ;":■.'■'."■■_■'■■.■<■■ '■■'■ i : -:; ■■;.:^;:'V>'::SHORTT'S-THEATRE..^ 'S'--\":----'::"TelUn :g.Uhe,World,",. .at -rShortt's ' .Theatre; starring"■';.. William' ...Haines,.: 'deals .■ with :. '■ a fiewspaper :.maft.-:in; the interior - of: 'China who. .'.sends . : out'-..a story, from an .isolated to\yri.Vwhich>;'.thrills':;;'.the entire f.world. The ;-.Chinese-^scenes, are. especially''thrillI.Hig 'and r'were,; staged/.under -the -supervision [of ;experts .wnp recently returned from 'China. The.; thrilling scene Iwhoroy the .'planes. of the U.S. Marine; Corps i bomb the Chinese town, frightening the ; natives ' and resulting ln^the rescue of, Haines and .the : heroine, are. giiar-autoed-to,give any audience a thrill. "Circus Rookies'.'; Is tho second feature;, starring ;the two ' humourists, Karl Dane- and .. George K. Arthur.- There'are good'supports. ' -,'.' ".;- :- y{ I VkiLbIRNIE KINEMA. '"".' '■' ',:■ ■ ';; Lenore Tllfici tho celebrated Belasco.star,who makes her talkie debut in "Frozen Justice/^ which commences to-night at the Kinema; scores an emphatic hit...What makes -.her ■■■ triumph even more sl'gniflcant :Is'-the-'complex''character, that she portrays, that of a half-caste Alaskan belle, -an ■■ unfaithful wife,1 ah exotic, voluptuous beauty with a-tempestuous flre-and-ice nature, a role which most actressei would 'find It difficult to portray, but which, for the Belascp star; proves a;very natural and,easy 'one. Fox Movietone subjects will also be 'screened.' Reserves are at theatre confectionery, tel/14-202, and Bristol Piano Company. ' ..'..-. .-;. .-'''"■■ BRITANNIA THEATRE. ;..'• '; "Behind That Curtain," starring Warner Baxter, is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. (This all-talkie picture is the story of:a bull--1 headed-father,: a capricious, daughter, a treacherous husband, a fearless lover, and a .mystery. j The film is from the novel by, Earl.Derr Biggers.'There ' are: other pictures of Interest on the programme, including tho Fox ■" Movietone featurettes. . .:,/ . .-."•■ \: .. ./-;■■ NEW PRINCESS: THEATRE. i "The Wheel of Life," starring Richard Blx and: Esther Ralston, Is being > shown at the New Princess Theatre. ' The other feature Is "The First Kiss," in which the leading parts are -taken .by Gary Cooper and Fay Wray. In support there Is a . gazette,: a serial, and. a comedy. . . ..-' ■. ,- NEW QUALITY THEATRE. The final screening of "The Desert Song" will be shown at the New Quality: Theatre tonight. . This ail-talking techrilcolour picture Is * a story of a Frenchman who becomes a sort of Robin Hood In the Egyptian desert. Fast action and colourful drama are supploniented by delightful music, solos, duos, and choruses. Commencing to-morrow, , "Thunder," a sound synchronised picture, will form the chief attraction, 'supported ..by. aUitalkie supports. ; .:: / : ; ■;. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Paramount's all-talking, all-singing production, "The Cocoanuts," will be screened at the Umpire Theatre to-night. Tho four Marx Brothers, ■ who were a success in the originalstage show, arc to bo found with their comical capers , and hilarious , and infectious humout la the picture. Mary Eaton, ono of the Ziegfeld stars, and actress of musical comedy stage, and Oscar Shaw, another-star, are to be seen and heard also. Then there is the wonderful dancing of sixty gorgeous girls and bathing beauties, who form a great ballet. An excellent supporting programme of sound featurettcs will also be screened. . ' OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. / Renee: Adoree and i Conrad Nagel are the stars •in "Heaven On Earth," the, chief attraction to be shown at Our Theatre to-night. The story concerns the lives of the members of a travelling circus troupe in France.. The second feature, "The Bugle Call," starring Jackie Coogan, is an outdoor drama of adventure.-' ; ■'■ ■';■' .■;..'■■■ ■ ■ . PIANOrORTE RECITAL. The tvntb recital will be .given by advanced pupils of Mr. Gordon Short in the Concert Chamber on Wednesday evening next. A number of well-known yr/hg Wellington pianists will take part.in the performance.' A special feature of the programme will be five works for two pianos, some of which will be new to'local audiences. The plan is at The Bristol.' .'.: V- : ~.....;:. . ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard. F. Pago (City Organist) gave. his .weekly recital at the Town Hall last evening, and tho programme was arranged as under:—Choral Prelude, "Have Pity Upon .'."'Me, >O Lord God," by Bach; Overture to "A Midsummer Night's Dream," by Mendelssohn'; Reverie, by Debussy; Serenata, Op. 165 (No. 4), by Albenlz; Suite Ancienne, by HoHoway;TftVs.ne pour une Infante Defunte, bj Havel; feer GyntSuito (Op. 46), by. Grlee.

, ' : MAJESTIC THEATRE. Tho setting of "Footlights - and Fools" at the Majestic Theatre is magnificently spectacular; especially In1 the immense coloured staircase ballets. Colleen Moore, as Patsy Murphy, Is sent to Paris to cultivate a French accent and mannerisms ;by a far-seeing promoter, returns Fid d'Auray, a dazzling 'triumph,, replete with.innuendo, and optic lure, but at heart still Pat' Murphy,' '.with 'only one failing, "Jimmy." ..Jimmy ,1s ..a. . mystery. ' He always, : has1 money, ostensibly obtained by gambling; .and.: at first sight he Is a rather high-spirited chap, whose disregard for conventional ways of getting a living seems: the' essehco of the ' -sporting Ideal, Pyne, a- member.. of a .sharcbrokhiß firm,'piles flowers in Flfi's ■ dressing-room per medium' of a messenger boy who is a iilay all to himself, but gets no further, until' a friend -in > the chorus traps Fifi into an introduction at supper. Colleen Moore has given some wonderful acting up to this . point, sometimes Fifi and sometimes Patsy, but to avoid knowing I'yne she wraps herself in a new personality, that'of an'uncouth, "fresh," and sophisticated girl of the slums, clinging affectionately to I'yne, who cannot get away, and' creating a scene, to. mask her exit. Her chorus friend, {who is in Pyne's pay, after persuading. him. that it really, was Fifi, s«gr gests his getting Jimmy a job as. the way, to her" favour. Jimmy, ■ not: knowing the facts, cannot resist, the chance'of a coup, and the real Patsy is seen for tho first time in her bitter' disillusionment. There-are good supports.' ' ':' ;■' . ' .''.'■"' .'. • "-.' ... ! ~"' ST. JAMES THEATRE. His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) has ? signified, his Intention of: witnessing the-* 61st screening •of "Disraeli", at St. James Theatre to-night.', The admirable picture is now in iits fourth week. The famous English actor,' George , Arllss, presents the • varying, moods, mannerisms, •;• and mercurial, character of Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfleld), with the skill...of an artist. The lights arid shades. of his . work are adroitly wrought, out.. Humorous episodes,, dramatic incidents, arid clover situations are all handled with an histrionic skill, that stamps George Arli'ss' as a master of his craft; Indeed, many, • after witnessing, his "Disraeli," : are acclaiming him to be ''the finest actor in.talk-. ing' pictures;" The excellent support '■•he '-. receives from -an unusually strong band ■ 'of Klfted. English actors, whose: diction", is' a .treat to listen to,-.rounds on? an adriilrablo performance of aii admirable play. Fine all-musical added attractions lend variety to. the programme.. Box'plans at the Bristol are largely patronised.,-":, >:,'■) :'.■:/'.■''.•■ ''.•■■'■. i- ,"■ '. '•'■. '.. "■• :..•. . '■•' .\."v.- :'■, ~'■■ GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "The, Taming of the Shrew," at the Grand' Onera House, was adapted from the play by Sam Taylor, who has .seen n't to delete some of the' characters; there is only one daughter, : for" Instance;;, whoso.marriage- awaits that of the "shrew/ and there has been some modification of,-the scenes—the " famous test in which ; Petruchlo proved how, well-tamed: the shrew was .in comparison with her sisters is not shown: in the . picture, .which ends : with Katheririe's speech as to the. duties of a wife to her lord and husband: - The dialogue also shows the effects of the film, editor's pen, but Shakespeare'is there and in many cases the original lines have been preserved. Douglas Fairbanks and' Mary Pickford, in the respective roles of Petruchio, and Kutherlne,-reach a standard at- which few could carll. vThelr acting' is ' finished and full of life, and their, voices ■. register <v extremely ■ well. -; Tho minor. parts-are also capably Oiled, the players'being, as follows:—Baptista, -. Edwin Maxwell; Gremio; Joseph. ~.■ Cawthorn; Grumlo, Clyde Cook; Horterisloy'Geoffrey Wardell, and Bianca, Dorothy Jordan! Preceding: the principal pictiiro are;sbme>very.entertaining items. There is a' movietone revile" featuring Ella Shields, George Dewey Washington,' Joseph Eogan, and the Ponco'sisters, some songs,; including "The Trumpeter,'., sung in, an; army -camp setting by William O'Neill, '' a humorous duologue starring Jimmy Hussy, and a Harry Larigdon .comedy;.:../■-'■ ■•''.' ■'~...- ,' ;'-:; ; 'V'.\■■.";'■■ ''.''. '■'■', ■■'■• ;":.:V:.'::/; 'fLAYsi / '. '-■,;.'.;-:'•.?: . The second 'evening.'of: the Amateur Arts Society's one-act plays- at the Y.W.C.A. Hall was.well attended on Saturday. Although the actors were almost , all young to the stage; some with no previous - experience, their efforts were marked' by audible and polished delivery and -a' cultivated r sense of stage technique. The plays ; , chosen .were simple comedies;1 yet they v Were .treated in such a. way that the author's purpose".and -intention were weir conveyed: to thff audience. Doubtless the society will advance to more difficult plays in time, but for the-present they would be well advised to continue producing bright, well-written comedies.,' Although^-little defects,; as are t0..:; be expected from the work of amateurs, were iiOr ticeabje, they di*3. not., mar the audience's evident appreciation. ■ The first play was "Never Keep the Public;. Waiting,'^ by ; Roland,'Pertwoe. : The scene was",ln a country post "office, where the> staff's high. ideal of never keeping the public waiting' was unintentionally spoilt when they kept Miss Gladys "."Graham (Miss Blanche Page), and Mr. Ralph Wayne (Mr^Ced^ ric Courtney) waiting" half an hour while officialdom ran • wild.; .As tho ./.three maiden ladles behind the: counter Jtiss Isobel Young/ Miss Giriceu Griffiths, arid Miss Doris -Blake were excellent. Their necessarily passive roleS were hardly offset by1 their customers,'who; although they- adequately-expressed- the lovd interest, were not nearly as distracted na the author, intended them; to be. Miss Hardinge Maltby was the producer. ' . -. '.;,"■£ Letter to the Editor," an original play by Jfiss Judith Purdy, a Wellingtonian, found marked fafrbur with -the audience on both evenings. ,; The play itself was not characterised by original thought, nor was there anything conveyed by suggestion, yet it pleased most as a fantasy. The scene in which greatgrandmamma Rosabel (Miss Madge Freeman) appears in a dream and 'dances with ■ Willoughby Barrington (Mr. 'L. SingletonSmith) was beautifully played,- the actors giving; the impression rthat-,(hey lived their parts. ■ Air.' F.-H.'.Dawni asi Mr. Thompson, of early, Victorian ideas, impressed by his per. Formance, while. Miss Clarice: Read, Miss Kitty' Keddell,' and Mr. Hugh Williams were highly deserving of praise. , Mrs. Martyn Williams ivns'the. producer.: . .: - "The Ghost\Story," by. Booth; Tarklngton, ivas perhaps the most; ambitious cltort of the evening, and it, was one of the niost successful. The plot tells of ;Anna (Miss Efflo Brice); who* is' visited by George (Mr. R. J. Larkin), on the eve of his departure, and of his frantic efforts .to propose. George's hopeß of their being alone: are'dispelled when the "crowd" (Miss Dorothy "Souter, Miss Quennle HallM'Lean, Miss Marls Noris, Messrs. L. Record, R. Hollands, B< S. Andrews,. H.:C. Middlebrook, and Miss Kathleen ißrailsford) appears, so to frlghton them; away he tells the ghost story, which indirectly:.leads;to.his proposal. Miss Brice is an actress with a natural and charming style; and as'such"held the: attention of the audicncei throughout. ; Mr., Larldn pleased greatly as .the.-nervous .'George. His efforts were well .supported by the other: actors. Mr. M:: F:'Turner was , the producer. .: The stage furnishings were slihple ;-yet most effective. An orchestra, under Mr.:A. C.Keysj the first night, and Mr J;'T. M'Caw the second night; added greatly to the success of the performance. ;

PORT NICHOLSON SILVER BAND. The sixth recital of the 1930 season of the popular Port Nicholson Silver Band was given in the Grand Opera House last evening before t an audience that completely filled the theatre. Once again a delightful programmo was pre-J aented, with the usual excellent- judgment. that ensured ;an enjoyable evening. Special interest- attached to the appearance of Miss Jessie Shmlth, an Australian visitor, who is not until own in radio circles, and who-sang, in -"a - .cultured contralto voice, the Zamenicl: ballad, "Lovo Came Calling." Miss Shmith further enraptured her listeners with "Where is the Song ..of Songs for. Me!", revealing, .rich notes and an easy, style. Another wireless favourite was Mr. Barend Harris, a robust buritonc, who rollicked through . "My Old Shako" and'greatly pleased, with "The. Floral Dance."." Miss Ena Bradley, soprano, chose "I Did Not Know," and "A,Birthday" wns \yaruily applauded. . The"1 tenor solos of, Mr. lies Stapp were >well sung—"Sea ■ Fever" . and a Negro spiritual. Mr. Will Bishop made his flrst public appearance—though ho is no stranger over the air—in a series of musical monologues, written by himself; ho made a good impression in "l'ou're in- Love," -and '.'Prehistoric Days;" The xylophone duet by Beno and Arta, "Light Cavalry," drew a double recall, "Artarlna' and ■ "Your Mother and Mine." The band accompaniments were arranged by Mr. J. J. Drew. Mr. Tom Goodall's cornet solos were of the usual high standard, and included "Tancredl" and a German number,. "Dv dv liiest Mir Im Herzen"; the coruetist made light of the intricacies of' both; The band played under the conductorsulp of Mr. J. J. Drew, and';gave notable renderings of the "Radio Hymn" (composed and arranged by Mr. J; Douglas .Green, the blind musician of Wellington); the marches "Middy" and "Wiesbaden"; the selection, "Gold Diggers, of Broadway," and : a novelty, "Whistling Farmer's Boy;" the- latter particularly' appropriate in view/of the presence in; the audience 'of a party of North Auckland farmers, on tour. The excellent programme-was rounded oft by tasteful accompaniments by Mr. Frank Crow-tUer.-j ;., "• \ '~ ■':.-.V'.■:);;.: \:|\ ■'■.'. /'yOLYMPIA SKAtiNG RINK. ;'; Skating sessions are held .three, times daily, morning 10 'till"IS;-.afternoon 2 till' 4, evening ,7 till 10, the charges being, > day sessions, adults Is, children' 6d; evening sessions, onlookers Is, own skates Is 6d, floorage ; and skates 2s, On Monday: nights onlookers are admitted free, the charge ■ fori floorage . and skates being as usual. ,On .Wednesday and -Thursday..' a monster fancy- and. poster dress carnival will bo held, and numerous prizes are being' "offered' for'the best costumes.-' ■■•'■'■ V. : .REGAL THEATRE, KARORI; "Charming Sinners" :. the ~ W.!- Somerset Maugham drama, which will,'show at the Kegal Theatre, Karori, to-night; presents the '•■ problem of a woman who knows her husband Is jairtlng with her best friend, and who chooses jo ignore the situation until she is forced' to recognise it in a startling climax. The-all-star cast is headed' by" Ruth Chattert'oh';and Clive Brook, together with . William Powell. Tub supports are all-talkie, and are-of a,high standard. ■'• *•-•.'■■■' ' '.. " .-.-■. /' ■■ , /.. . ;» -,