ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1931, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

"HELL'S ANGELS." "Hell's Angels," an epic of tlio air, will open at the Regent Theatre aud Grand Opera Houso to-iilght. To take a typical episode in tlio picture: In the dead of night a Zeppelin noses its way through dense clouds on a mission of death and destruction. The air seismographs on the outskirts of London register tlio sounds of ttie whirring motors. v There is an alarm and immediately the power houses are made mute, and London is plunged into darkness as a squadron of English aeroplanes is marshalled on the flying grounds and sent off into Uio skies to light off the Invader. Thus begins oue of the most amazing air battles ever brought to tho screen. No thrill can compare with the terrific spectacle of-a lone aeroplane zooming down into tlio very heart of the big ship, sending both machines up in gigantic flames. "Hell's Angels" took three yours to make, abounds ..In amazing scenes from tlio opening shots showing tho jazz-mad capers of tho pleasure-loving rich before tho war right to the final sequences, mirroring a mammoth aerial dog fight in which fifty aeroplanes took part and skirmished so realistically as to cause a shower of praise from the world's . foremost authorities on aviation. Tho story concerns the adventures of two brothers, ono' an Idealist; the other an out-and-out worldling who loved wine, women, and song. When-.mar Is declared both join tho Royal Flying Force, but for different reasons. With one It is patriotism, the other a woman. Their exploits against Richtofen's famous Hying circus is said to be one of tho screen thrills one will never forget. Their Initial flights, tho battle with Richtofen's famous flying circus, their crash into enemy territory, are said to provide thrills such as the screen will not see again for years to .como. Jean Harlow, | Ben Lyon, arid James Hall head a cast of several thousand- people. Including many of the world's greatest aviators. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Call of the Flesh," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic drama with .music, will open at the Be Luxe Theatre to-night. Dorothy Jordan acts as the heroine. Tho story Is a vivid drama of the life and lovo of a Spanish opera singer, the role played by Ramon Novarro" In the picture. Renee Adoree, who played with him in "The Pagan," plays the rival sweetheart as a fiery Spanish dancer. Ernest Torrenco is seen as the singer's aged teacher, a former opera star, and Mathllde Comont, French stage actress, appears as another former opera star also aiding In launching the young singer to success. Nanco O'ZS'eil Is seen as the Mother Superior In the convent scenes, and Russell Hopton, stage actor, plays a talking screen role as the heroine's brother. . In addition the first authentic picture of the Napier-Hastings carthquako disaster. will be screened. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Conspiracy,". a spectacular mystery-melo-drama produced by Radio Pictures, will have its initial showing' at the Paramount Theatre' to-day.. Bessie Xove heads., the. all-star cast of more than 20 featured players. Ned Sparks, seen in uia.ny.RKo pictures and noted for his comedy characterisations, plays a new surprising part -In this picture. Cast as a wealthy, eccentric author whose hobby is tho solving of current crimes. Sparks adds' 40 years to his age. . v The result 13. a startling change in Ms appearance. Hugh Trevor cast as a young reporter, plays opposite Miss Love. There will bo a special supporting programme of audio supports. . . In- addition the first authentic picture of the Napier-Hastings earthquake disaster will also bo screened. .... ST. JAMES THEATRE. The picture, "Young Woodlcy," a highly esteemed British International production, Is being shown to-day at .the St. James Theatre. No play of modern times has raised more controversy than "Young Woodley," and owing to tls theme—tlio love of a schoolboy for his headmaster's wife—it will continue to be discussed as a talking picture. Frank Lawton, the gifted young actor, who made such a success of the title role in the London stage production, is said to appear to even greater advantage on the film. Madeline Carroll has gained much kudos for her admirable portrait of the schoolmaster's wife,' while Sam Livesey has won unstinted : praisc for Ills fine work as the headmaster. Especially selected short subjects will form the first part of tho programme, and special interest will centre in the motion picture record of tlio Naplcr-Hastlngs Earthquake. It ■ visualises the result of the lamentable event in n way that must leave a lasting impression. Box plans are at the Bristol and also at the thoatco. KING'S THEATRE. "Show (if Shows,"- which will head tho new bill at the King's Theatre to-night, has In the cast a staggering number of stars of stage and screen, half a thousand supporting people, magnificent settings, melodies, dances, witty dialogue. It is a sort of "Field of the Cloth of Gold," an intricateand yet restful and invigorating design like that of an Oriental rug, or a Gobelin tapestry. John Bnrrymore gives a touch of. the tragic In his splendidly delivered soliloquy of tho Duke of Gloucester, from King Henfcy VI. He is supported by Mr, Ratcllffo and Mr. Bushell and thirty others. France is represented by two of her most captivating personalities. Irene" Bordoni and Georges Carpentier, Patsy Ruth Miller, Alice White, and a hundred -or so athletic beauties go through some amazing, callisthenics. Then there are the Adagio Dancers. Ted Lewis and his jazzboys. Beatrice Lillle, of the London music halls, and others QUEEN'S THEATRE. ■ Many screen players of reputation and popularity appear in "Pardon My Gun,", which conies', to thp Queen's Theatre to-night. Tho list includesI':among the more notable, George Duryea, Sally Starr, Robert Edeson, Mona Ray, Lee Moran.-and Ida May Chadwick. The scenes' of the comedy aro located In the wide open spaces of the west. There is a rodeo which attracts ranchers and their families, who watch the breath-taking exhibitions of broncho busting, bull dogging, and trick riding. There is a charming love romance in which Miss Starr and Mr. Duryea urc the central figures., ARTCRAFT THEATRE. - The usual change of programme .took place to-day at the Artcraft Theatre, "Why Leave Home?" is the title of- the hilarious musical farce which heads the bill. With its snappy melodies by the famous team of Conrad, Mitchell, and Cottier, and an entertaining and fast moving story of modern life, college boys, chorus girls, flirtatious husbands, and neglected wives, "Why Leave Home?" is said to be the funniest "talkie" that Hollywood has yet offered. Walter Catlett plays a featured role. Sue Carol and Nick Stuart have the other leading parts, and such screen and stage favourites as David Rollins, Richard Keene, Dixie Lee, Jean Bary, and Ilka Chasa are seen and heard In this screen version of "Cradle Snatchcrs.".

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Metro-Goldwyn's super comedy special "Caught Short," starring Marie Dressier and Polly Moran, will be screened at the Empire ;Theatre to-night. The story concerns Marie and Polly, a pair of impoverished New York landladies. Tolly experiments with the stock market and entices Marie into the mystic mazes of Wall Street. Good friends are parted frequently by the quarrels of prosperity, and when this hqppens it also -threatens the romance between Marie's daughter and Folly's son. The supporting programme includes an all-talking comedy, a Mctrotone newsreel, and two special musical numbers. BRITANNIA THEATRE. "The Sea Bat," a, marine melodrama, opened a season at the Britannia Theatre to-day. Sea bats, those giant rays weighing two tons or more which infest tropic waters, are the monsters which supply the excitemeut of this tale. When one of them folds Nils Asther in its heavy wings, crushing him to death, it starts a war of reprisal in which the tangled romances of Charles Blckford, Ttaquel Torres, and John Miljan^form a dramatic orertone. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Paramount has woven an intensely human story around the wartime aviators in Trance in "Young Eagles," which commenced at Shortt's Theatre to-day. The film is built on the novel theme of the affection 'and friendship which .springs up between two enemy aces. No aviator on either aide was ever shot down by his enemy pilot If his guns had jammed; a man was always given his chance to fight back, and to protect himself and his 'plane with all ordinary weapons. In "Voting Eagles", this admiration, which amounted almost to friendship, is shown between Rogers, as an American pilot, and Paul liiikas, an enemy ace. The second feature on the programme is "The Lady Lies," a powerfully dramatic subject. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Gay revues, vaudeivlle skits, song hits, and other phases of New York's "Tin Pan Ally" are amusingly pictured in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new all-talking, singing, and dancing romance, "Children of Pleasure," which opens at the Kegal Theatre to-night. Brilliant portrayals upon the- part of the cast help to make this picture something better thau the ordinary movie, Lawrence Gray giving a skillful characterisation to tho role of tho song writer, while splendid parts are played by Helen Johnson, Wynne Gibson, Bonny Rubin, Kenneth Thomson, Jlay Boley, and Lee Kohlmar. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Women Everywhere" Is showing at the Kilbirnle Theatre, with J. Harold Murray and JMfl Dorsay in tho leading roles. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "The White Hell of Pltz Palu," now showing nt the Capitol Theatre, is an outstanding now experience in screen drama. Where was the camera? That is tho question that puzzles one on seeing this dynamic, breath-taking drama unfolded on tho uppermost reaches of the mighty Alps. Nothing like it has eycr been scon before. The Immortal triangle is staged In the clouds en a frozen, storm-swept .mountain peak. OUR THEATRES NEWTOWN. "Flight," the Columbia all-talking aviation |ii«iurc, is to be shown nt Our Theatre tonight. It is a mighty drama of adventure in the sky. featuring the most sensational air feats ever photographed. A capable cast Is headed by Jack Holt, Ralph Graves, and Lila Lee. ....,......'•■■•■

MAJESTIC THEATRE. To-day's outstanding production at the Majestic Theatre is the British International Corporation's English'film triumph, "The W. Plan," a talking picture play that captured not only England but has also won the warmest approval and big public support In America. At duced at the Lyceum Theatre, Sydney, for the Him is showing there three times daily to capacity houses, ami "Smith's Weekly" proclaims it to be "The most thrilling adventure picture with a war background that has been seen in Australia." Ueut.-Colcmcl Seton Hutchison,1 D.5.0., M.C., wrote the story from which the play has been faithfully.adapted. The cast are i all British players, and the majority are Lon-! don actors of repute. These include Brian Ahernc, Madeline Carroll, Gibb M'Lauffhlln, the j famous Scottish comedian, George Merrilt, C. M. Mallard, Fred Lloyd, Jlary Jerrold, and others. Worthy short subjects will form the first part of the programme, and standing forth in point of special public interest will be a most impressive motion picture of the Isapier and Hastings Earthquake. The usual late shoppers' session will commence at !i o'clock today and finish at 7_ p.m. Seats may be reserved at the Bristol, and also at the theatre. KILDIRNIE KINEMA. "Women Everywhere" shows to-night at the Kilbirnie Theatre, with J. Harold Murray and Flfl Dorsay in the leading roles. "Whoopee," starring Eddio Cantor, will commence screening at the Kinema to-morrow. Reserve ift Theatre and Bristol.