ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 72, 22 September 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

Xornro Shearer-plays the most sophisticated role of her career in "The Divorcee," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, now in Its second week at the Regent Theatre. The picture deals In a frank manner with the attltudo of modern society towards marriage. Determined that theirs shall be the old-fashioned marriage with no hint of divorce, Jorry (Norma Shearer) and Ted (Chester Morris) live happily together for three years, at the end of which period Jerry discovers that Ted has been carrying on a liaison with another woman. He tries to persuade Jerry to sec things from tha man's viewpoint, and she forces herself to accept his argument. *Then, to prove that he is sincere, she meets him at his own game, and he deserts her. Utterly disillusioned, Jerry abandons herself to a life of absolute freedom ainotiK the most notorious of night-clubs. Unexpectedly the futility of such n lifo is brought home to her. Ted. she lenrns, is trying to forget her in Paris, and she crosses the Atlantic to win him back. "The Divorcee" contains a moral, and a striking one, but the story is handled with such delicacy and feeling that there is never a jarring note. The supporting programme is well up to the Regent standard.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

The spectacular all-technicolour, talkitu:, sinking, and danciug revue, "Show of Shows, which on Saturday evening attracted an audience which' fllled the St. James Theatre in all parts, with numbers turned away, yon the complete approval of all present. Seventy-five favourites of. the screen appear, prominent amongst whom are the ever-popular Winnie Lightner, Nick Lucas, Bichard Barthelmess, John Barrymore, Noah Beery, and that very clever canine, Kin Tin Tin. The big revue embraces novelties, pageants, marches, dances, song scenas, clever acrobatic turns, vaudeville specialties, sister acts, and picturesque ensembles of wide magnitude and much merit, which are all beautifully embellished in teclinicolour. The picture holds the screen for two hours and a quarter, and during that time there is not a dull moment. George Carpentier, the world-famous boxer, has gone over to

"talkies" and in this picture he leads a particularly clever and beautifully costumed corps of ballerinas and choristers, and demonstrates in a melodic vocal number that he can sing as well us box. Jack Buchanan, the celebrated English comedian, is seen to advantage as the comedian of a clever quartette of male voices. John Barrymore supplies a touch of the tragic in his splendidly rendered soliloquy of the Duke of Gloucester—late Richard 111. from Shakespeare's "King Henry VI." Marcelle and Williams (adagio dancers) presented a terpsichorean novelty in conjunction with a lady acrobat with amazing skill that draws forth prolonged applause. 13ox plans are at the Bristol.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

In the dramatic story, "Born Reckless," now being screened at the Paramount Theatre, Edmund Lowe, whose career has been one of very marked success; rises, as Louis Berettl. from the depths to the heights by an act Of herdism. Afteri a varied career of crime and war service, Berettl in the end meets the most intensive situation of his lifetime. Others In the cast are Katherlne Dale Owen, Lee Tracy, Marguerite Churchill, Warren Hymer, William Harrigan, and Frank Albertson. The story is dramatised from the popular novel written by Donald H. Clarke. The act of heroism performed by Louis Berettl is the rescua of a" child who has been kidnapped. The mother appeals to Louis to help her, and, though he, knQws it may mean his death, he consents. . In recovering the child, he Is wounded, but he knows that he has kept his word to a friend on the battlefield. The first half of the entertainment includes a specially flue series of world events shown in a "Fox Movietone Newsreel," a "Fox Australian News," . and a "Paramount Newsreel"; there is also a movietone comedy.

Reported to rank among tile most poignant dramas of modern times, the brilliant R.K.O. adaptation of -the famous. work by Arnold Ziveig, "The Case of Sergeant Grlscha," commences a season, at the Paramount Theatre on Friday next. Produced by the renowned director Herbert Brenon, this picture is said to be fully equal in dramatic value to his other two highly-successful productions "Beau Geste" and "Sorrell and Son." Some of the outstanding names in the cast are those of Chester Morris, Betty Compson, Alec B. Francis, Jean Hersholt, Leyland Hodgson, and Gustav yon Sefferlltz, with a large number of supporting players.- Bos "plans are now available at both Bristol and the Paramount Theatre.

KING'S THEATRE,

"Such Men are Dangerous," at the King's Theatre, is •' based on the popular story by Elinor Glyn, and is also notable from the point of view that it presents Warner Baxter at his best He has a part which seems as though It were made for him, and nis role, not an easy one for ono less experienced, is handled In masterful style, There is an excellent supporting case, headed by Catherine Dale Owen, wholh assists considerably In making the picture, an all-talking presentation from the Fox Movietone htudos, most enjoyabla entertainment. Also on the programme aro a number of Fox sound fcaturettes of merit.

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

A train wreck, a man "framed" for murder, and a last-minute reprieve are some of the sensations pictured in the all-talking film, "The Greyhound, Ltd.," at the Queen's Theatre. As the ' title Implies, it is a railroad . thriller, with Monte Blue and a cast of well-chosen players providing the thrills in plenty. Monte Blue is a happy-go-lucky, two-fisted railway engineer whose- one aim in life is to protect his wayward pal, ably played by Grant Withers. From start to finish "Tho Greyhound, Ltd.," compels interest. There ,1s a good supporting programme.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE,

"In High Society Blues," at the New Princess Theatre, Mr. Granger has a wife, a daughter, and a son (Charles Farrcll). He sells his stores, to Mr. Devine, who has a wife and a daughter (Janet Gaynor). The Granger family buy an estate next door to that of the Devines. Efforts of the Grangers to be neighbourly with the Divines are rebuffed. However, the daughter of one and the son of the other family find a common ground. Complications arise, but by the time Eddie and Eleanor have settled matters'in their own way, there is the happiest of endings. The supporting programma is excellent.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"The Kaiubow Man," a Paramount all-talk-ing-singlng picture, is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. Eddie Dowling has the leading role in this, his first talking and singing film, which was also Marian Nixon's first time on the audlbla screen. The picture is a melodious romance of life in a small-town minstrel troupe, and it is notable for now plots, new actors, new technique, new thrills, comedy and pathos. Three haunting melodies in the film are "Sleepy Valley," "Smile. Little Pal, and "Rainbow Man." There aro good supports.

THE NEW QUALITY, ISLAND BAY.

Wall Street activities motivate "The Gamblers," the newest Warner Bros. Vitaphone all-talking , production. which screens at the Quality Theatre to-night, practically all its important characters being connected with the .Emerson Trust Company, a great financial organisation which owns a sixty-story building before which the curb market operates each day. The two characters not associated with the Emerson Trust, nevertheless, have a most Important place in Its activities, since one- is a government prosecutor in tha AttorneyGeneral's department, and the other, his wife, is a former sweetheart of. the man who is the active head of the financial company.

SHORTT'S THEATRE.

Lyof Tolstoi's poignantly tragic drama of the Russian officer who, lured by the nomadic call of gypsy ancestry, deserts his wife and family to find repentance too late when he returns, is the vehicle for John Gilbert's new all-talking picture, "Redemption," which is showing at Shortt's ■ Theatre. A scene of rare screen effectiveness is that of the marriage of Fedya to _Llsa, played by Miss . Boardman, the ceremony being that of the Russian Orthodox form with all its interesting details. Winter scenes of the sleighing parties of the nobility, and later the dives which Fedya frequents as he sinks lower and lower in tne social scale—all haTe an Important share in making this picture something out of the ordinary run.

OUR THEATRE. NEWTOWN. Maurice Chevalier is to,be seen to-night at OM Theatre in his tot all-talking mrture, "innocents of Paris." It Is a story of Pans and ?ho romance of a second-hand dealer who necame famous. Chevalier rescues a little boy from drowning, and in delivering a letter lett by the boy's mother, meets Louise and falls in love. Despite her father's protests Louisei reurns his love, and so the story follows heir romance to his success in the re' d Uft° his choice between love for Louise and us career brines the picture to a surprising climax. There aro excellent sound featurettes.

KILBIBNIE KINEMA,

New heights in • the field of romance and adventure are reached in "The Lone Star Banger," Fox Movietone Zane Grey's first talkIng picture fascinating story, which sh™s at the Kllbirnle KJriema to-night Ota ono of the most popular men of the talking screen, portrays the character of Black Duane, an outlaw by force of circumstance, who eventually Joins the Texas Bangers and becomes a dominant factor in breaking up a gang of cattle rustlers. Excellent sound featurettes will also be screened. Reserve at Theatro Confectionery ('phone 11-202). and Bristol Piano Co.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"His Glorious Night" and "Navy Blues" will have their flnal screenings at the Capitol tonight. "The Hollywood Hevue" commences tomorrow. Thß plcturo Is conspicuous for its brilliant dance assembles, the popular song hits and the individual performances of the twentyflve screen stars. One of the first revuea turned out of Hollpvoott it still ranks as one of the finest revues produced. Tlie picture, while being pure revue, is an excellent piece of entertainment.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

The tall-talking, all-British merrymaking production '.'Kaise the Roof created roars ol laughter at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday evening. Excellently recorded for the audible screen, and capitally played by popular Betty Balfour and a long cast of London "us";, each and everyone of whom speak intnwi in a manner that is a distinct pleasure to listen to, "Raise the Roof" provides an entertainment that is well calculated to seive .us a tonic for jaded nerves. The smart ami ingeniously constructed plot tells In very tunny fashion the troubles that beset a revue company, which, driven from London by the auvent of tho talkies, is forced to tour the Provincial towns, minus adequate financial Dacking. The wny in which a wealthy aristocrat enlists the services of the villain of tho piece to bring disaster to the company in order mat Jils only son may bo cured of a joint fascination for the stage and the leading lady or me troupe, does credit to tho Ingenuity of the plotting pair, but not to their • hearts. ff\ c. Ter' through the'astuteness of the aforesaid leading lady, the machinations of the plotters are defeated, nemesis overtakes them, the show emerges triumphant, and is left well-estapusnea on tho high road to success, which is just as it should bo, for the entertainment is clever to a degree and humorous in the extreme, me English atmosphere of the piece is refreshing. "Raiso the Roof" Is preceded by some very pleasing all-talking novelties of varied character and two interesting newsreels. lie comedy will hold the screen till Thursday next Friday's chief attraction will be "The lllrtIne Widow," with the popular English actor Basil Rathbone and Dorothy Mackaill as stars. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the theatre.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

Will Rogers, star of "So This is London, now at the De Luxe Theatre, Is one o£ those comedians who have come into their own with the "talkies." Gone are the slapstick artists whose antics and grimaces .alone served to delight their audiences; comedians nowadays require higher qualifications, and most of them are typified in Will Rogers, whose admirers must be innumerable. His sayings are droll, and coming from 'a man who gives every indication of being a perfect hayseed, they carry so much more weight. He does not open his mouth except to say something funny, and with such an innocent, ruminating air that one comes to delight in his words and thoroughly appreciate their hidden significance. "So This is London" tells the story of an honest-to-goodness American who goes to London with a deep-rooted prejudice against England and everything English. His son, much 'more modern and tolerant, falls in love with an English girl, whose father is deeply antagonistic towards things American and American people. Determined to prevent what seems to them to be an undesirable match, the American mother and father act as the thorough bounders they are thought to be, and they succeed beyond all their expectations. Then they set out to mend the break and bring the young people together again, and in the process both they and the English parents discover that the others are not so bad after all. There are many amusing situations, with plenty of laughs and the cleverest of dialogue. Maureen O'Sullivan, . a fascinating newcomer to tho film world, heads a strong supporting cast. The supports include a newsreel and an hilarious comedy, "At the Dentist's." The music is worth hearing, one of the features being a Wurlitzer item, "Give Yourself' a Pat on the Back," played by Mr. Paul Cullen.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Fascinating Norma Shearer comes to the Hegal Theatre to-night, in "The Last of Mra. Choyney," her latest starring production. In the title role Norma clinches her reputation as the screen's best voice. Tho story is built around the adventure of a. beautiful London society "Raffles," and a member of the nobility who loves her, even when she robs his home. Basil Hathbone has the role or the nobleman, and it proves to have been a happy choice. George Barraud, who plays Mrs. Cheyney's burglaring butler, does some deft character work. The supports consist of an Our Gang" comedy, a dance band, and vocal numbers of outstanding merit. The programme on Wednesday and Thursday is "Three Live Ghosts," and Friday and Saturday next lhe Czar of Broadway." ' ,'

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

A big double-feature programme will be screened at tho Empiro Theatre to-night. The main attraction is "Framed," starring ;Evelyn Brent aiid Regis Toomey. "Framed" is based on a most powerful story of activities in metropolitan gangland. The drama has been heralded as one o fthe best films of the year by critics. .The supporting picture, is "The Vagabond Lover," starring Iludy Vnllee. The story concerns -a small town boy, ambitious to ftecome a band leader, who finally attains recognition of impersonating a popular saxaphone artist. The picture features five new songs, and the dance'ensembles rank among the best seen on the audible screen. A big cant includes Sally Blune, Marie Dressier, Charles Silton, and Eddie Nugent.

TRAMWAYS BAND RECITAL

Last evening in St. James Theatre the Tramways Band presented their twelfth recital before a crowded house. A vocal quartet by Messrs Noho Tokl, Lovo (2), and Puketapu pleased the audience, their numbers being

"Wabash Home," "Say It With, the Ukelele," and Maori medley, all being given in their usual good style. Mr. J. Rodlm, tenor, was heard to advantage in. "On With the Motley" and 'Thank God for a Garden." Rudolf's Symphonic Band were in great form, having to play, five numbers before the audienco. wore satisfied. "II Travatore" was the opening piece, and was followed by "Lonesoem Littlo Doll," "Should I," "Down South," and tho Stein Song. Mr. William Beresford, specially engaged' from -Wanganui, delighted tho listener's with his reiKterlng of the well-known song

"Shipmates' o' Mine," his recall numbers being "When You Come Home" and "The Floral Dance." Miss Nathalie Pollock, monologulst, gave the "Maori Princess" and "Competitions." The band, tinder^ Mr. Franklin, gave a wellchosen programme, Including: March, "Pousane"; selection, "Gounod"; quartet, "Rlgoletto'; and march, "Soladeutblut." Prior to the concert Messrs. Will Gordon, Ltd., gave a gramphone recital. Mr. J. naydocl; was at the piano.

NAVAL BAND RECITAL.

Another large, appreciative audienco attended the De Luxe Theatre last night," when the R.N.V.E. Band presented a most excellent programme. Community ■ singing was indulged in prior to the recital proper. The - effect produced by so many voices with the Wurlitzer organ and .Urn .piano was remarkable. Mr. W. liinet Brown..made an efficient leader. The hymn, "Ahido With Mg," was played by the band as a tribute to the memory, of the late Bandmaster Shardlow, First Wellington Battalion Band. Other pieces were' well rendered, including "II Flauto Maglco" and "Golden Cross." Their performance of these gava evidence of good training and practice, their tone tod precision being favourably commented upon. .A delightful number was "Scenes That Aro Brightest" (Maritana), tjung by Miss Christina Ormiston. This appealed immensely to the audience, and the talented soprano responded with "The Birthday." Mr. Herbert F. Wood sang "Love Made a Gipsy Out of Me," accompanied by Mr.. Cullen on the Wurlitzer organ. This, as well as "The Stein Song" and "Flniculi, Finicula," had a rousing reception. Mr. Wood was In great form. Several bright selections were given by Mr. Claud Bennett and his orchestra, "The Song of Dawn," "Mighty Lak* a Hose," and "Dixie One-step" were heartily applauded. Mr. Paul Cullen was in demand at tho organ. "The Lost Chord" (by.request), excerpts froni Old-English .Comedies, "Happy Days," etc., were played by. him In his wellknown finished style, and the audience appeared to still wish 'tor more. A baritone, Sir. Lionel Bent, made a gelded hit with "One Alone" ("Desert Song") and "Marie." He has a resonant voice of good range, and, with the greater training which it Is hoped will bo available for him, should go far. Mr. Cedric Muir showed that his recent success at the Competitions was well deserved. In the musical monologue "Home, Sweet Home" and the amusing "If Life Were a Play" he had his audience with him all the time. "The Yukon Trail" also proved hia versatility. "God Send You Back to Me" was nicely rendered as a cornet solo by Mr. W. J. Kay, with the band •accompanying.' Mr. Frank Crowther was accompanist. ■ '

VIOLIN VIRTUOSO

The year's most noteworthy musical event, the coming of Jan Kubelik, will provide Wellington with a gala night on Saturday next, when the famous, violinist will begin .a Isew Zealand tour. The romantic life of the great artist Invests nim with a personality that Is charming; and when allied to a wonderful art, it is no wonder he has been called tho magnetic Kubeltk. His musical style and personal modesty will appeal to Now Zealanders, and it is safe to predict that the distinguished visitor will fiind In the Dominion, the same high standard of musical sense and appreciation that he found in Australia. He is playing a wonderful programme of classical gems— Beethoven, Bach, Mendelssohn, Salnt-Saens, Wieniawskl, Schubert, and Kubelik are among the composers to be Interpreted, and particular interest attaches to the inclusion of the magnificent Mendelssohn Concerto—for violin and piano—in which Kubellk and his accompanist, Mr. Otto Hasa astounded listeners recently in Sydney. A night of vivid interest and exhilaration is assured those who'attend at the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday, for the opening recital, or on Wednesday, Ist October, and Saturday. 4th; only three recitals are being given her, and the season is definitely a limited on*. Jan Kubelik is arriving in Wellington from Auckland to-morrow having come from Sydney, and after the Wellington season will embark on a Dominion tour certain of the provincial centres being included. The box plans for tho short. Wellington season open at the Bristol to-morrow morning, where reserves may be had, and where students' concessions— a limited number —are available. It is announced that the famous Stradlvarius belonging to KubelikJ the "Emeperor," will bo on view in the Bristol window on Thursday and Friday, between 12 and 2 p.m.. in the care of the great man's Hindu servant.