ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 34, 10 February 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Hell's Angels," now showing at the Regent Theatre and Grand Opera House, is Intended to Illustrate the part played In the Great Mar by the air corps, and the scenes it contains give a striking insight into the hazards which faced the aviators and the work they were called upon to perform. The prologue gives pre-war glimpses of a German holiday resort and Oxford University, the central figures being two American students, Monte and Boy Rutlddge (Ben Lyon and James Hall) and a German student; Karl Arnstedt (John Darrow). Monte Is a Jady-klllcr lacking the physical courage of lilts brother, and Karl is a peace-loving youth who; has developed during his years at Oxford an alfection for tho English people The outbreak of hostilities finds Karl recalled to.fight for the Fatherland, and Itoy and Monte (the latter falling a victim to a pretty female patriot, who offered kisses in return for, signatures to' recruiting forms) joining the British Air Force. The next scene—an awe-inspiring one —deals with a Zeppelin raid on London. Karl Is let down from the airship at the end of a steel rope to give tho signal .for' tho 'dropping of the bombs, but cannot bring himself to loose death on to Aha harmless city-and, at : his direction, tho projectiles fall harmlessly Into the, Pool of Londqn. 'Monte and Roy aro in one of tho "planes sent up to bring the Zeppelin down, and the impressions caused by the Bight of tho 'planes chasing the giant lube can only be gathered by. seeing and hearing the strange fight ih'tho clouds. ' A series of thrills which include the dropping of men from the Zeppelin in an endeavour to lighten her load and enable' her to Increase iier altitude, culminate in -the- self-sacrificing • crash or a British airman Into the .gas-filled envelope to bring It down In flames. The remainder of the action is laid in France, and; all the motion photographer's art is brought into play to present, with startling realism battles wagetl thousands of feet,above the,earth by .squadrons of opposing 'planes. The picture (leaves its audience silent and thoughtful,, so powerfully dramatic Is it, and .It should ' not be missed by any who desire to see something well out of the ordinary. The love Interest docs not greatly;intrude, but Jean Harlow * is mostly responsible, for it ;as .Helen, > blonde' who felt that life was short- and should be made as sweet as possible. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The striking British talking production, "The W Plan," is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The original story as written by Lieu-tenant-Colonel1 Hutchison, D.S.O.VMjC.,- was sufficiently thrilling, but tho talking version supplies much in impressive pictures that the written word- could but hint at. ■ It is-'a British spy drama with the great war as a background. Brian Ahcrne Is tho hero, and lie presents a convincing portrait of the hero,Colonel Grant, while Madeline Carroll is charming as the girl he is engaged to marry. Glbb jM'Laughlin wins, favour as a Scottish soldier ■who infuses comedy into the .piece,., and George Harker is also worthy, of special;,mention as "Private: 'Waller." Tho "W Plan," first found by Colonel Grant on the body of a dead German officer, turns outto bo a map of a scheme to undermine and blow up all British trenches at the front lines. How the plot Is discovered and circumvented by the intrepid British spy and his colleagues aro shown in realistic manner. A film of the .Napier and Hastings' earthquake is full of Interest. Box plans aro at tho theatre, and also at the Bristol: For Friday next Paramount's latest -sensational production, "The Return of Dr. Fh Manchu," will be the main feature. ",; '•■„'. . ' „ ST.-JAMES THEATRE. '.:-'-'' "Young Woodley," the British picture play which is attracting large audiences to the St. .Tames Theatre, breathes the' atmosphere of the English public school and the English countryside, and there is perfect elocution and enunciation throughout, while the theme is also fresh. It is tho story of a youth who. falls In, love with tho wife of the rector of the school,' but really the picture is a study in psychology/for jt portrays in strikingly realistic manner different types of mentality in adolescence. "Young Woodley" is brilliantly interpreted by Frank lawton. Sam Livesey's interpretation of the hidebound, pedantic, self-conceited and emotionally cold rector and husband brings to, the screen a new standard of artistry. The roleoosf s the rector's wife, played by Madeline Carroll, 3s a triumph. The supporting subjects' include an -impressive motion picture of tho NapierHastings earthquake. Box plnns are at tho Bristol nnd also at the theatre. DE LUXE THEATRE. . "Call of the Flesh,"/ a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic >Jrama with music, .is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Dorothy Jordan acts as the heroine.- The story is a vivid drama of the life and lore of a Spanish opera singer, tho role played by Ramon. Novarro In tho picture. Renee Adoree, who played with lilm In "Tho Pagan." plays the rival sweetheart as a fiery Spanish dancer. A picture of the Napier-Hastings earthquake disaster Is also screened. "Kilter. Sir John" has been made in a British studio, with an all-British cast, by a British •producer, Mr. Alfred Hitchcock, from a story by British writers. Miss Clemence Dane and Helen Simpson. Neither Mr. Hitchcock nor the authors need any introduction. The spirit and the text of the story' have been adhered to: so often screen versions of novels are very disappointing and very different. It would not tie right to toll the story of this film, which hinges entirely upon the suave artist making his own inquiries after the police case Is all over, and bringing them to a successful conclusion. There is a large and most outstanding cast of players irr "Enter Sir John," which screens at the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Bessie Love, Hugh Trevor, and a strong company of featured players glvo a splendid representation of spectacular mystery melodrama in "Conspiracy," now being shown at tho Paramount Theatre. Ned Sparks, noted for his comedy ability, plays a new aqd surprls- , ing part in this picture. The supporting programme contains some interesting features and talking gazettes, also the first authentic picture of the Hawkes Bay earthquake disaster. With stark drama worthy of Eugene O'Neil at liis best, ''Renegades," the Fox movietone feature which opens at tho Paramount Theatre on Friday next, is said to be one of the most engrossing and entertaining talkies seen here for many months. "Renegades" Is the finest picture of the French Foreign Legion to reach the speaking screen. The notable performance of Warner Baxter In the leading role is described as a revelation to those whose admiration for this fine actor has heretofore revolved around his impersonations of dashing bandits In tho old South-west. As the luckless French officer who flees to the Legion when Ills sweetheart proves to bo an enemy spy, only to encounter her deadly activities at the moment of-his triumph, Baxter's work is said to be flawless. Myrna Loy is as alluring <as ever. Box plans aro available at the Bristol and theatre. KING'S THEATRE. "Show of Shows," at the' King's Theatre, has In tho cast a staggering ' number of stars of stage and screen, half a thousand supporting people, magnificent ' settings, melodies, dances, witty dialogue. - Featured players are John Barrymore, Irene Bordoni, Georges Carpentler, Patsy Ruth Miller, Alice White, the Adagio Dancers, and Beatrice Lillic. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Many screen players of reputation and popularity appear In "Pardon My Gun," which Is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. The scenes of the comedy are located in the wide open spaces of the west. There is a charming love romance in which Miss Starr and Mr. Duryea are the central figures. CAPITOL THEATRE; MIRAMAR. The special 'film of. the ; Napier-Hastings earthquake damage will be shown at the Cnpltol Theatre to-night. This film shows the Btark tragedy and ruin caused by the terrible earthquake of Tuesday, 3rd February. Polly Moran and Marie Dressier, tho screen's funniest female team, can be seen in "Caught .Short," an uproarious comedy of the stock market suggested by Eddie Cantor's book.. A News Iteel and. comedy will also be shown. BRITANNIA THEATRE. , "The Sea' ~ Bat." "a marine melodrama, Is showing at the Britannia Theatre. Sea bats, those giant rays weighing two tons, or more ■which infest tropic waters, aro the monsters which supply tho excitement of this tale. The tangled romances >of Charles Bickford, Itaquel Torres, and John Miljan form a dramatic overtone. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Paramount has. woven an., intensely human etory around the wartime aviators in France in "Young ' Eagles," at Shortt's Theatre. Tlie film Is built on the novel theme of the affection and friendship which springs up between two enemy aces. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Whoopee," the dollghtful comedy which had such a popular run In the city, is showing at the Kilblrnie Kinema to-day. Produced by Samuel Goldwyn and Florenz Ziegfeld, this lirllliani musical comedy makes a gorgeous spectacle on the talking colour screen. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Among the many features of "The Arizona Kid," which will be shown at the Regal Theatre to-night, is the fact that it has' no "theme songs." Both Warner Baxter and Mona Marls, the .leading lady, sing during the production, but their songs are old-world Spanish melodies. It is a glamorous tale of a debonair bandit and his love affairs. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A British Dominion special,. "The House of the Arrow," is the main attraction at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story revolves around'the mysterious murder of a Mrs.1 Barlow, the owner of a sumptuous home in a part of France which is being menaced by a mysterious person known as'"Tho Scourge." SEASIDE. PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "Good Intentions," starring Edmund Lowe and Marguerito Churchill, is a gripping story of a roan who rose by sheer strength of will from the slums only to find when romance beckoned that all his money and power could not avoid tlie relentless shadows of the past. Splendid .supports, including Fox News. 1030 Melbourne Cup. and an all-talking comedy will also bo screened. . ■ ••

ARTCRAFT THEATRE. The latest Janet Gaynor-Charles Farrell musical romance "High Society. Blues." said to bo the finest effort yet produced with this pair of screen sweethearts in the lead parts, commenced screening at the Artcraft Theatre to-day. They sing nvo songs. Supporting players aro William Collier, senr., Hedda Hopper, Joyce Compton. Louise Fazenda, Lucien Littlefleld, and Brandon Hurst. The story relates the love Intrigue of the characters represented by Miss Gaynor and Mr. Farrell, and shows the subsequent elopement and the inevitable marriage alliance. There arc worthy supporting-, pictures. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. When "A Lady Surrenders" opens its. local engagement at tho Kilbirnlo Theatre to-night, audiences will be treated to one of the smartest, most sophisticated dramas of the season. Excellent sound featurettes precede, this feature. Reserro at thoatro and Bristol. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Charming' Sinners," a Paramount all-talUliig-comedy-drama, is to be ■•shown to-n!glit at Our Theatre. A brilliant cast is headed by Ruth Chatterton', Clive Brooli, and William Powell. The picture presents the problem of a woman who knows, her husband is flirting with her best friend, and who chooses to Ignore the situation until she is forced to recognise it in a startling climax. There are excellent sound supports. DE LUXE ASSEMBLY. The De Luxe Assembly, Victoria Hall, Adelaide road (John street tram .stop), will hold its usual weekly dance to-night. The . committee has decided to handover the whole proceeds until further notice to the earthquake funds.