ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Hell's Angela," now showing at tUo Regent Theatre and Grand Opera House, Is intended to illustrate the part played in the Great War by the air corps, and the scenes It contains giro a striking insight into the hazards which faced the aviators and the work they were called upon to perform. The prologue gives pro-war glimpses ol a German holiday resort aud Oxford University, the central figures. being two American students, Monte and Koy Rutledge (Ben Lyon and James Hall) and a German student, Karl Arnstedt (John Darrow). Mouto is a lady-killer lacking the physical courage of Ills brother, and Karl is a peace-loving youth who baa developed during his years at Oxford an affection for the English people. The outbreak of hostilities finds Karl recalled to fight for the Fatherland, aud Koy 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.ou London. Karl Is let down from the airship at the end of a steel rope to give the signal for the dropping or the bombs, but cannot bring himself to loose death on to the harmless city and, at Ms direction, the projectiles fall harmlessly into the Pool of London. Monte and Roy are m one of the 'planes sent up to bring the Zeppelin down, aud the impressions caused by me sight of the 'planes chasing the giant tune can only be gathered by seeing and hearing tne strange fight in the 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 her altitude, culminate in the self-sacriflcing , crash of a British airman into the gas-filled envelope to bring it down in flames. The remainder or the- action is laid in France, and all the motion photographer's art Is brought into play to present with startling realism battles waged thousands of feet above the earth by squadrons of opposing 'planes.^ "THE BETTER WIFE." Ruth Chatterton is said to create one of the most interesting roles of her career in raramount's all-talking dramatisation olthe* known Gouverneur Morris story, "The Better Wife," she portraying the role of Pansy Gray, who married a socially prominent, brmia™ attorney and then fights desperately to De worthy of his,-love. A master of mood and character interpretation, Mi«s Chatterton brmOT to her portrayal a believable, stirring qual Ity that compels audience sympathy. Rarely lus this noted a.ctress of the legitimate _staße seemed so completely in command of the.situation. Playing the role of Neil Dunlap, tne attorney whom Miss Chatterton marries,, s Cllve Brook, the distinguished and debonair English actor. In support of Miss ChaHerton and Clive BvooSc is a cast of stage and screen favourites headed by Paul Lukas, Huntly Gordon, Tom Patrlcola CecU Cunningham, and SSffi-TSt KSt ffire^-n^r 6

DE LUXE THEATRE,

"Call of tha Flesh," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic drama with music, will conclude tonicht at the De Luxe Theatre. Said to be the most outstanding picture of Its type yet produced, "Enter Sir John," comes to the De Luxe Theatre, commencing row. It in British International Vn-dia-logue production made at the Elstree Studios, and Is reported to represent Britain's most pretentious and successful _ effort in taltaes to date. Tho story of "Enter & r John tells how a girl is discovered beside the dead body of a woman. Murder is obvious, ami the airl, a touring actress, is arrestnd, tried, ana convicted. A member of the jury, Sir John Menler, however, Is uot convinced of her guilt, and sets out to unravel the mystery. Clue after clue* is followed tip, until tho culmination of the real murderer comes in the midst of exciting scenes in a circus tent. A brilliant cast of British players is headed by Herbert Marshal . one of tha most popular figures on the British stage,to-day. Tho portrayal is said to be a triumph of poise, personality, *nd cultured English diction. Box plans are available at Bristol and Theatre.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

Bessie Love, Hugh Trevor, and a strong company of featured players appear in "Conspiracy" at the Paramount Theatre. . : ' v Directed by Victor Fleming, who mado "Common Clay," "Renegades" is a picture notable for Its realism and swift action. It is an adaptation by Jules Furthman of Andre Armandy's noVel, "Los Renegadats," and the millions who appreciated the dramatic quality of Flemings' previous offering are said to be eagerly awaiting the initial showings of this Fox Movietone, which commences to-morrow at the Paramount Theatre. Four comrades, a French officer fleeing from the spectres of the, past, a burly German, an aristocratic Russian, and a hard-boiled American —are the "Renegades." Box plans are available at The Bristol and at the theatre. ■

KING'S THEATRE.

"Show of Shows" will be shown finally at the King's Theatre this evening. Commencing to-morrow, "Love in the Rough" gives a new romantic team in Robert Montgomery, who is featured, and Dorothy Jordan,, Tho new film is a picturlsatlon of the stage play, "Spring Fever." ,\ Although strictly a musical comedy—with plenty' of music and comedy—«he picture is. refreshingly free of dancing chorus intrusions, clever ensemble routines credited to the skilful Sammy Lee being substituted. Both Montgomery and Mis 3 Jordan sing and dance pleasingly. The music, by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy M'Hugh, is tuneful and catchy, two of the principal hits being ,'Tm Lea>ng a Lot from You" and "Go Home and Tell Your Mother."

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

Many screen players of reputation and popularity appear in "Pardon My Gun," which is now showing at the Queen's Theatre. "Hearts In Exile," which will head a twofeature bill at the Queen's Theatre commencing to-morrow night, is an unusual story of love and political intrigue In Russia. The three central characters, Yera Ivanova (played by Dolores Costello, the star), Paul Pavloff (Grant Withers), and Baron Serge Palmer (James Klrkwood)- form a triangle that runs a dramatic course and reaches - a startling climax. The scenes, which are laid In. Siberia, and tho slums of Moscow, are interesting and realistic. The second feature is "Is Everybody Happy?" featuring Ted Lewis, with Ann Pcnnington and • Alice Day.

SHORTT'S THEATRE. i

"Young Eagles" will be screened for, the last time at Shortt's Theatre to-night. The new programme to be presented to-mor-row will bo headed by "The House of the Arrow," featuring Dennis Neilson-Terry, Benita Hume, and Richard Cooper. 'It Is a British production, and Britain leads in mystery "talkies." "Tho Hous> of the Arrow" mainly concerns a series of sensational murders committed by the mysterious "Scourge." Hanaud, the famous French detective, is called in, and many exciting and thrilling climaxes are reached before the murderer'is-eventually disclosed. The mystery theme is not^pf the familiar lowbrow American variety; tho plot is sanely doveloped and" the denouement comes at the psychological moment.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"The Sea Bat" concludes at the 'Britannia Theatre to-night. Marion Davles's nowest all-talking picture for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, "The Gay Nineties," a story of romance In the '90's, punctuated with laughter and songs throughout, will commence to-morrow;. Extensive research work was executed for the correct styles and conditions of those days, and the picture recalls to mind the bustles and tight-laced waists, the old hansom cabs, muffs; plumed hats, and many other things that have faded from pre-sent-day Axistence. fiongs heard in the picture include many good old favourites rendered by a chorus.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

t The Janet Gaynor-Charles, Farrell musical romance, "High Society Blues," concludes at tho Artcraft Theatre.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"Strictly Unconventional," starring Catherine Dale Owen, and big cast of well-known artists, a delightful drama, from the pen of Somerset Maugham, dealing with the trend of sophistication among modern society, will, head the now "programme at Kllbirnle Kinema to-night. Reserves are obtainable at theatre and Bristol.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

"Charming Sinners," a Paramount all-talking comedy-drama, is to be shown to-ulght at Our Theatre. A brilliant cast is headed by Rutli jChattorton, Clive Brook, aud 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.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

An excellent Universal production, "Little Accident," will bo screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. The story concerns a young man who, torn between conflicting demands of tho affections, finds himself with a baby on his hands and three girls in tho situation of prospective wives. Tho cast is headed by Anita Page, Douglas Fairbanks, junr., Slim Summervllle, Sally Blanc, and Joan Marsh. There is an excellent supporting programme.

SEASIDE'PICTURES,. LYALL BAY. .i

, Two attractions will bo screened at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, to-night. "Not So Quiet on the Western Front," with an all-star cast of London comedians, Is a comedy showing the funny side of war. "Loose Ends," starring Owen Nares and Edina Best, is a drama, of marriage to-day. Both .pictures wore made by British International Pictures. "Loose Ends" is recommended by the censor as more suitable for adults. Scats may bo reserved by telephone.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

The mm of the terrible earthquake) will be finally screened at the Capitol to-night. Polly ."Uoran unrl .Marie Dressier can ho seen in "Oniißlil Short," an unroartously funny comedy. A news reel, a comedy, and a song number will also ho shown. "Untamed," a drama of a jungle ciri who is brought to civilisation, commences to-morrow. Joan Crawford, Robert i Sloiilßomury,' and Ernest Torrenco head the

ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Young Woodley," with Frank Lawlon, Madeline Carroll, and Sam Livesey in the leading parts, will finish its season at the St. James Theatre to-night. The big Fox production, "The Dancers," which will have its premiere in Wellington at the St. James Theatre to-morrow evening, is modern in theme, treatment, and general production. It is a captivating story of an English earl and the girl to whom he is engaged. She is a strictly modern maid, and In this l!)liO romance she certainly shatters many ageold conventions. Dancing, moonlight kisses, and all that is young and modern permeates tho piece. The girl breaks her love vow with up-to-date nonchalance, but, afterwards when awakened by true romance she proves her right to renew it, and demonstrates that a singed moth is entitled to repair Us wings. Tho story is swift, smart, and sophisticated, and it Is interpreted by a c>terio of Fox stars, headed by Lois Moran, the actress who made such a big success in "Stella Jlarls," Walter Byron, an English autor of repute, Phillip Holmes, aud Mao Clark. Tho play was written by Sir Gerald dv Maurier and Viola Tree, and in it Mrs. Patrick Cniapbell makes her debut on I the talkliiK screen. Five supporting subjects wiil precede the screening of tho main feature. Box plans are at The Bristol and also at the theatre.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. That most satisfying' of all British spy pictures with a war background. "The 'W Plan, will finish its successful season at tho Majestic Thea|ro to-night. Inspired by the great success registered Uy the picture "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu, the Paramount Corporation has now produced an entirely new Sax Rohmer adventure under the title of "The' Return of Dr. Fu Manchu, which will commence r> the Majestic Iheatre to-morrow morning. All the stars who were so popular in the first Manchu picture play their old parts in the present adventure. Warner Oland will be seen once mpre as Dr. lv Manchu, 0. P. Heggie will again be the clever detective from Scotland Yard, Jean Arthur with Neil Hamilton will once more supply the love interest, and William Austin and Evelyn Selby will sustain their original roles. Those who visit the' Majestic will find much to thrill and delight them in this latest picture, for It presents Rohmer's famous pen characters as living and breathing people per medium of the all-talking screen. Specially selected Paramount short subjects will form the first part of the programme. The usual late shoppers session will begin to-morrow at 5 o clock and terminate at 7 p.m. Box plans are at The Bristol and also at the theatre. v

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "TJie House ot the Arrow," the B.D.I1. alltalking masterpiece which will be shown tonight at the Regal Theatre, was written by A E W. Mason, whose sequel film. At the villa' Rose." brought forth such; unanimous praise. "The House of the Arrow" is densely packed with thrilling incidents. ■ ■ ;