ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 140, 11 December 1930, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

"Shooting Straight," featuring Jlichard Dix, will conclude its ruti at tho Paramount Thcatro to-night. Zane Grey's thrilling, romantic West is brought vividly to the all-talking screen in Paramount's latest gripping drama of the outdoors, "The Border Legion," which opens at the Paramount Theatre to-morrow. Richard Arlen is the hero of the story; Fay Wray is the heroine, and Jack Holt, the beloved portrayer of Zane Grey Western roles, is the leader of a daring robber baud. Arlcn has the role of Jim Cleve, a young cowboy who, through the operation of frontier justice, is forced to become a member of Jack Holt's ruthless group of desperadoes. Fay Wray has tho only important woman role in the story. The plot, set in the riotous gold-rush days in California, is a man-plot, a story of virile and stirring action, into which Miss Wray introduces a glowing touch of love and romance.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The season of the operatic comedy, "Bride Of the Regimeut," at St. James Theatre, finishes with to-night's screening. The supporting subjects are good. | As the big feature of next Friday's new attractions. Sir Benjamin and John Fuller announce "A Lady Surrenders," the first of "Universal's" 1931 merit pictures to be exhibited publicly in New Zealand. "A Lady Surrenders" comes with a big reputation, acquired in America and Australia. It is a sophisticated play dramatised to the expressed satisfaction of the author from John Erskiuc's widely-read novel, "Sincerity." It asks at the oui/jt, "Is it fair for a man to cheat after marriage if his wife has tricked him into a loveless union?" and thereafter it proceeds to supply the answer according to the lights of the author. Especial Interest will attach to the first appearance in Wellington of the leading lady, Generieve Tobin, who is heralded as an "International actress from the legitimate theatres of England and America whose splendid art challenges comparison with that of popular Ruth Chatterton in emotional roles that call for acting ability of the highest order." The photography has been highly praised, and the recording of the voices is described as being exceptionally good. The first part of the programme includes novelties worthy of a place beside the main picture. Box plans are at Tho Bristol and also at the theatre after G

REGENT THEATRE.

"On Approval," at the Regent Theatre, will conclude ils season to-night. "GRUMPY." Cyril Maude, the distinguished actor, makes his debut in pictures with tho talking Paramount picturisation of tho famous play in which he has appeared all over the world. Many will remember "Grumpy" on the stage, and now many more thousands will enjoy this lalo of a lovable, irasctblo old man who solved a mystery and helped along a budding romance. "Grumpy" will bo presented for the first time in Wellington at the Regent Theatre to-morrow night. Cyril Maude is one of tho greatest actors of the English stage. Ho has played in Australia, America, and England, but with the exception of one appearance in films some twelve years ago he has devoted his life to the stage. Paramount, and tho invention of talking pictures, lured him from retirement, and he is said to have made a marvellous picture in "Grumpy." This story of an old man who hid an active brain behind an irascible, garrulous temper, and who solved a mystery and brought a romance to conclusion, is described as one of the best that has ever been seen on the talking screen. "GRUAIPY." "Grumpy," which opens at the Regent Theatre to-morrow, is an apt combination of comedy, romance, and melodrama. Above all, it Is a comedy, with the other ingredients prosent in happy proportions. Cyril Maude, the celebrated international star, created the title role of "Grumpy" in 1913. Since that time he played the part 1300 times on the stage in all the English-speaking countries of the worlds "Grumpy" is a play built around a character. As that character, Cyril Maude carries with him the full burden of the show—furnishing comedy, thrills, delicious bits of amusing subtlety, and withal a grand exhibition of real character acting. Most of the action takes place in the luxurious country estate, near London, of the aged but far from dim-witted Grumpy, a retired criminal lawyer who had gained renown in his younger clays before the Bar of justice. There comes to Grumpy's home Phillips Holmes, a young Englishman who has been dispatched from South Africa by his employers in possession of a valuable diamond which he is to deliver to a trading flrm in London. Holmes is in love with Frances Dade, Grumpy's granddaughter. Another guest at the Grumpy home is Paul Cavanagh, a society ne'er-do-well. During the' night Holmes is robbed of the gem. The climax is an unusual one.

KING'S THEATRE

"The Lovco of Robert Burns," which is being finally screened at the King's Theatre to-night, has Joseph Hislop, England's leading tenor, at the head of the cast. Commencing to-morrow, Metro-Goldwyu-Maycr's sensational mystery drama, "Tho Unholy Three," will be the attraction, featuring lon Chancy. The principal scenes of the picture are laid first In the environment of a circus side-show section and later in a bird and animal shop in which Chancy in the disguise of an old woman hides from the police who are seeking him for a murder. In the pctsliop sequences Chancy reveals a new angle of his versatile talents, that of ventriloquism, by which lie makes the parrots "talk." By the same method he makes the dummy in the side-show sequences not only talk but sing. Lila Lee plays the heroine, as the side show girl, and Elliott Nugent is seen in the male juvenile roie, giving a splendidly restrained performance. Laurel and Hardy, in "Blotto," Metro News,' and the Baltimore Trio (instrumentalists) complete the programme.

OUEEN'S THEATRE.

"The Awful Truth" is being screened for the last time at the Queen's Theatre to-day. ltomance and big business, love and Wall street, mingle in William Haines's latest alltalking comedy, "The Girl Said No," which opens to-morrow night at the Queen's Theatre. The picture tells the story of a young man facing the early stages of business life. It shows him taking over tho responsibilities of a -family, and then winning the girl of his dreams, despite stiff competition.

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY,

A double-feature programme will be screened at tho Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. "Sailor's Holiday," starring Alan Halo and Sally Eilers, is a comedy drama of the escapades of a sailor on shore leave. "This Thing Called Love," starring Constance Bennett and Edmund Lowe, is a delicately-produced drama of an attempt to solve tho marriage difficulty by taking a wife on hire. The situations centring on the idea of a modern marriage in which the wife stipulates that she is to receive a salary provide an evening's excellent entertainment. Scats may be reserved by telephone.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

"Jazz Heaven" and "The Very Idea," the double-feature programme which has been well received by audiences at the Capitol Theatre during tho past two days, will have its final screening to-night. "The Vagabond King," tho all-talking, singing, colour operetta, starring Dennis King and .Teanette Mac Donald, commences to-morrow. Box plans for Saturday are now on view at the theatre. J. JTarrell ilacDonald will be seen as "Eiley the Cop" at tho Saturday matinee.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"The Girl Said No," William Haines's new Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer all-talking picture, will be shown to-night at Our Theatre. The story depicts Haines as a youug man who loves his father and faces tho world for himself and family—and the girl who won't love him. An all-talking comedy, songs, and bane) items are included in the programme. ■

ABTCRAFT THEATRE.

■Recommended by the censor as being more suitable for adult audiences, ".Flame of Love." at the Artcraft Theatre, will conclude its run to-night. ■

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

George Bancroft, in his newest starring Paramount picture, "The Wolf of Wall Street," will bo seen and heard for the last time to-night.

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

"Dovil-Jlay-Care," now showing at Shortt's Theatre, and the comedy, "Tho Night Owl," will be withdrawn after to-night's presentation.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"One Romantic Night" will be screened at tho Kilblrnie Kinema • to-night. This picture is Lillian Gish's first serious work for some time, Reservations may be obtained at The Bristol l Jiano Co., or by telephoning the theatre, H-202.

REGAL THEATRE. KARORI

"Clancy in Wall Street," an all-talking comedy dealing with the spectacular "crash" of October last year, is a picture of outstanding merit, featuring Charllo Murray and Lucian Llttleneld, supported by Akslo Herring, Miriam Seegar, and Edward Mugcl. A programme of supporting subjects includes a cartoon, a Sporting Youth, and News Heel.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

"Tho Storm," a Universal special production, will bo screened at the Empire Theatre tonight. "The Ship from Shanghai" is the main attraction to be screened on Friday and Saturday. An excellent programme has been arranged for Saturday afternoon.

RADIO-GRAMOPHONE RECITAL,

After a considerable interval Ernest Dawsoii, Ltd., will on Saturday evening next, the 13th December, present another of their popular recitals In the Concert Chamber. This recital has heeu iirraugcd especially to demonstrate tlio 1031 "His Master's Voice" radio-gramophone combination which has just arrived in New Zealand. A special feature of the evening will be a demonstration of the home-recording device, by means of which records can be made and reproduced at once. An enjoyable evening is assured for all who attend this recital. Admission will be free, and seats may be reserved at Ernest Dawson, ltd., 40, Manners street.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Picturcgoers who have not already seen the clever newspaper sensation, "Iv the Headlines," at. the Majestic Theatre, have only to-day in which to make amends, for the excellent comedy drama will bo screened for the last time this evening. The main attraction of to-morrow's change of programme at the Majestic Theatre will be the appearance of tho popular Betty Compson at the head of a very strong cast of players, which includes Lowell Sherman, Hugh Trevor, .Tune Clyde, Raymond Hatton, Kita Laroy, and Ivan Lebedeft In the R.K.O. talking master picture, "Midnight Mystery," which reproduces the thrilling story of the successful stage play "Hawk Island." In this picture, Betty Compson is seen as a sort of female "Sherlock Holmes," who succeeds in outwitting tho cleverest brains of the criminal world, and she is credited with playing the part with remarkable ability. Mystery plays of the past have mostly been built along conventional lines, but "Midnight Mystery" is said to strike a new note altogether. The action takes place on an island off (lie coast of America and the action j of tho play is limited to a night of iutrigue and romance, during which stirring episodes occur which are calculated to keep the suspense of an audlenco at the highest possible tension. The producers claim that it excels all previous melodramas for speed, realism, and coherence, while the Press of America acclaim it to be "one of tho best acted dramas that has been seen since tho advent of the talking picture." The climax of the play is stated to be of the unexpected order and tho mystery is maintained right to the end. Five novelty featurcttes well varied in character will form the first part of the programme. The usual late shoppers' session will commence to-morrow afternoon at 5 o'clock and finish at 7. Box plans, are at Tho Bristol and also at the. Theatre.

"THE BELLE OF NEW YORK."

Who loves not woman, wine, and song remains a fool his whole life long, according to Harry Bronson (Sydney Burchall) in the 1930 "Belle of New York"; and who loves not the "Belle," with her varied atmosphere of folly and profound wisdom, must surely have' missed some of the sensations of life. Age cannot wither nor custom stale this earliest (in some respects greatest) of musical comedies, and ago is equally powerless against Leslie Holland, the nimble-footed Ichabod Bronson, whose head wishes to tread one path but whose limbs drag him into another. It would. seem that Mr. Holland was fated to play Ichabod in order to prove that the glory has not departed. Miss Komola Hanson is a melodious S.A. lass, but some of her predecessors may have shown better management of the eyelashes. Blinky Bill (Jim Gerald) and his Mamie (Miss Ermic Hobos) are prime favourites, especially in their dancing turns, and Don Kichol makes the polite lunatic notably entertaining. Flfl (Miss Miriam Lester) puts feeling into the love lyrics, and Miss Amy Bochello makes the man-hunting actress sparkle intermittently. The large aud enthusiastic audience at the Grand Opera House last evening proves that the 1930 "Belle" has caught on.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

There is liberal melodrama in "Lawful Larceny," which concludes at the De Luxe Theatre to-night. Set in the colourful, dashing romantic atmosphere of a cavalry post, "His First Command," Pathe's all-dialogue picture starring William Boyd, which opens to-morrow ai the De Luxe Theatre, is an outstanding hit. Boyd, as a rookie cavalryman, has the finest opportunity of his career for comedy. In addition to laughs, "His First Command" furnishes thrills, drama, and pathos, so cleverly blended as to keep the interest of the audience keen every moment-during the entertainment. Particularly thrilling are the steeplechaso scenes, with thirty thoroughbreds, ridden by. dashing cavalry officers, taking the hazardous slides and water jumps at Fort Riley, Kansas. This sequenco reaches a climax when Boyd rescues a little girl from beneath tho hoofs of tho horses just as they tako one of the dangerous jumps. Dorothy Sebastion has the feminine lead. The support is excellent.

"THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST."

Accustomed as ono is to eulogies on tho brilliance of Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest," it will nevertheless come as a surprise to those who are yet to see it as performed by the Repertory Theatre Society at the Y.W.C.A. Hall. The play does not take one back to the days when. "Tho Importance of Boing Earnest" was performed for the first time, but it retains sufficient of the'atmosphere of that period to coincide with the dialogue, which, although not of the kind one finds on the modern stage, is acceptable to any age because of its immortal triviality. The play, if anything, suffers from a plethora of wit iv that one has barely time to appreciate one epigram before the approach of another. The situations are most amusing. One of the best is when Cecily Cardew (Miss Hazel Wells) and the Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax find they are engaged to the one Ernest. • The acting is uniformly good in that it brings to the fore the spirit of Wilde. Jliss H. Louise Hall was'outstanding in her interpretation of the part of Lady Brackncll. There was no doubt as to the success of last night's performance. A largo audience was present. Tho play will bo repeated for the remainder of the week.

SUCCESSFUL PANTOMIME.

St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, was crowded with parents and friends last evening, when Thelma Kldson presented her juvenile pantomime, "Babes in the Wood." Tho pupils gave exhibitions of charming dances, solos including national aud fancy dances, action singing, and the latest tap and acrobatic steps, All the items were very attractive, and were much appreciated by the large audience. The cast of characters was as follows: —Archie and Annie (the two "babes"), Lola Scott and Betty Casey; Uncle, Dick Glensor; Robin Hood, Joyce Poppleton: Friar Tuck, Dick Glensor; Littlejoiin, Phyllis Money; flrat villain, Beatrice Foster; second villain, Vera Richardson; Fairy Earlyblrda, Enid Cracknell; Maid Marian, Joan Wright. Among the soloists were: Lois Collins, GilTa Ball, Jean Prangley, Dorothy Tolley, Pat Trower, Nola King, Joan (Jasey, Phyllis Greig, Lorraine Foster, Joau Vause, and Lorna Holmes. Tho senior girls gave three special items, which wero also very charming. At tho close of the performance the pupils received many flowers and gifts. Too pantomime will be repeated this evening.