ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

x REGENT THEATRE. Miss Tallulah EankhcaU appears at the I!o----gent Theatre as the leading lady In the talking picture, "The Tarnished lady,'-' a, story of matrimonial and monetary troubles interwoven In New Tiork society lire. Though the characters are American, the accents of the players nro English, and a splendid lead Is given by Miss Bankhead and Cllvc Brook. Tallulah Baukhead'j performance shows that (lie transference of her talents from the legitimate stage to tho screen has meant a distinct gain to the one at tho expense of the other. Her acting and her rendering of her share of the dialogue are both first clasa. Of Cllvc Brook it is unnecessary to say more than, that he maintains tho high piano he has set In previous productions, while tho standard, of the leading pair Is by no means too high to he reached by riiocba Foster, Alexander Klrkland, OsKood Forking, and Elizabeth Patterson, who Interpret the remaining parts. To maintain her mother In tho social position to which she was accustomed before her father died, leaving, debts, Instead of the expected legacies, Nancy Courtenay marries Norman Cravath, a multi-millionaire,'despite her love for a struggling young writer. After some months slio is unable to carry on under the existing conditions any longer, and leaves her husband to go to her lover, only to find his allegiance transferred to a woman who Is her rival with both men. From that: point the atory takes several unexpected turns. Tho supports are excellent. ... . j - ■■•The Devil to ray." With direction that makes the most of a good story, sparkling dialogue, amusing situations, and a flne supporting cast, Ronald Colman rounds out a splendid entertainment by giving one of the best portrayals of his career in "The Devil to Pay," which will open at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Tho story, with the zip and go of witty lines, concerns certain important episodes in the life of the Hon. Willie Hale, wayward son of Lord Lecland. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Douglas Fairbanks Is featured in "Beaching for the Moon," a United Artists picture, showing at the Grand Opera House. Apart from the : attraction provided by the inclusion of Douglas aFlrbanks himself there of Douglas Fairbanks himself there feminine role Is taken by: ,that most popular actress, Bebe Daniels. The picture is a typical Fairbanks production, and, as Larry Day, a wealthy buslnes mau, Fairbanks puts any amount of "pep" into his .work. Tho story is simple. Larry Day becomes infatuated with the charming Vivian Benton (Bebe Daniels)., and, without a, moment's hesitation leaves his very Important business affairs to take, a passage on a ship by which Vivian Is travelling. Most or tho scenes are located on board, and the settings are a feature. la pursuit of happiness, tarry undergoes many unusual experiences, some of which are not without their humorous side, but ha ultimately attains his goal, though not before he has almost given up hope. There is a strong cast, which Includes Edwin Everett Horton (Roger), Claude AHster (Sir Horace Partlngton Chelmsford), Jack Mulhall (Carrlngton), Walker Walker (James Benton), June Mac Cloy (Kitty), and Helen Jerome Eddy (the secretary). "Beaching For the Moon" contains any amount of swift action, with an ample sprinkling of»comedy. The supporting programme is up to the usual high standard. DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Man in ; Possession," Metro-Goldwyn's picturisation of avwell-known play, with additional dialogue by P. G. Wodehouae, is the draw at the De Luxe Theatre this woek. Robert Montgomery and Irene Purcell appear in this film as two unusual people, Montgomery as a bailiff's man turned butler for ono night, Irene Purcell as a lady who lives by her wits, but Is nice withal. Both arc admirably: cast. The film is; well played, produced In a manner which does justice'to Its high spirits, and is an excellent example of what the talkies can do in'smart comedy since they embarked on that road. In addition to the appeal of Irene Purcell, who was last seen here in a somewhat similar film, "Dancing Partner, and Montgomery's impudent face, th«re Is the humour of the elongated Charlotte Greenwood. The supporting bill Includes another of the golfing lessons of Johnny Farrell, the American Open Champion of a few seasons ago, "Under Par." Here the famous Farrell free swing Is once more «een In perfect surroundings, and all manner of shots from the drive to the fiftyyard pitch are Illustrated. In addition there are two newsreels, and the whole programme is one of the best the Do Luxe has had for some time. ■■■■,; PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Lewis Ayres takes the leading part in "Illegal," now being screened at the Paramount Theatre. He portrays Lou Rlcarno, a mild-mannered but ruthless head of a gang engaged In Illegal practices which bring them Into conflict' with the police. He retires to a quiet life for a time, and Is engaged In writing the thrilling story of his life, when he hears that a number of gangsters have plotted to kidnap his young brother, and, in carrying out their plan, one result is that the boy loses his life. Fired with the determination to avenge the child' 3 death, Klcardo returns to his former life and suffers the retaliation of his former comrades. The cast includes such well-known players as James Cagney, Kobert Elliott, and the child star, Leon Janney. Dorothy Matthews, a striking newcomer, excellently portrays the part of the girl who plots with her mate to lay a trap for the king of the underworld. Including marriage with him, and consequent possession of his fortune. Famous for his screen and stage detective roles, Robert Elliott again enacts one of Ms Inimitable parts as a police chief. A gazette of world happenings and a comedy are included in the programme. KING'S THEATRE. ■ "Good Gracious Annabelle" at the King's Theatre tells the story of a beautiful girl who becomes the wife of a rough, illiterate miner. She escapes from his lonely cabin in the west and makes her way to an eastern city. Meanwhile her husband strikes It lucky and becomes immensely wealthy. Though he makes no attempt to see ot communicate with her, he sends her a liberal allowance of money which she promptly squanders. After a lapse of some months, her husband,-sans beard, well dressed and considerably Improved In other ways, appears on the scene, and his wife, not recognising him, promptly falls In love with him, and all ends well when his Identity Aa revealed. Victor M'Laglen, Jeanette M'Donald, and Roland Young head a big cast of players. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Ken Maynard, Unlversal's hard-rldlng, hardhitting, Western star. Is at the Queens Theatre in his latest success, "The Fighting Legion," a picture of the old fighting West. "The Fighting Legion" brings Maynard to the screen at his best in a story full of action and excitement. Dorothy Dwan appears opposite htm as the beautiful heroine of this whirlwind picture, and ; the' supporting cast Is one ot the-strongest ever assembled for a Maynard film. "The Fighting Legion" Is a thrilling drama of the Texas Rangers. There Is a list of entertaining short subjects. Box. plans are available at Bristol and theatre, with popular prices. EMPIRE THEATRE. ISLAND BAY. "Dance, Fools, Dance," starring Joan Crawford, will be screened at the Empire Theatre to-night. Miss Crawford plays the part of a society girl, reduced to poverty, who turns to newspaper work for a livelihood. In her hunt for the gangster killers of another reporter, she discovers her own brother to have been Involved fn the brutal crime. A great climax is reached when she decides to give her brother up. A Hal Roach Comedy, "Our Wife," starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, special vocal numbers, and a Metrotone Ncwsreel complete tho programme. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The Paramount picture, "Playboy of Paris," starring Maurice Chevalier, will be shown at Our Theatre to-night. ■ Maurice is seen as a young millionaire, bound by contract to a waiter's. Job by day. He kicks over the traces Rt night, finding in the brilliant Paris cafes women to love and great Inspiration for his joyous singing. Excellent- supports complete the programme. SHORTT'S THEATRE. It is Impossible to convey in words the screamingly funny humour in "Plunder,"-the British and Dominions film showing at; Shortt's Theatre. Of the many funny incidents ono situation stands out—a scene in Scotland Yard when Ralph Lynn,, as D'Arcy Tuck, and . his partner In crime Tom Walls as Freddie Malone, are interviewing some of the detectives working on a mysterious burglary that, took placo in a country mansion. Ralph Lynn's inano expression and his brilliant method of conveying in his fatuous remarks wistful appeal is incomparable. Lynn, the laughmakcr of England, is seen at his best. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Unfaithful," starring Ruth Chattel-ton and Paul Lufcas, is being shown at the Arlcraft Theatre. It is an intensely gripping story, with action mounting on plot and counterplot; with a group of really human and interesting characters; with a theme that appeals to women universally, it has everything Ruth Chatterton needs to give full play to her rare talents. The story of "Unfaithful" Is ono of love and conflict and pride; of a husband who reveals himself faithless on his honeymoon; of a good woman whose wounded pride whips her to reckless actions which make her tho most slandered woman in Europe. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Dracula," Unlversal's weird vampire thryior, wll be shown finally at the Capitol Theatre tonight. To-morrow night Mario Dressier and Polly Moran will team together in "Reducing," a hilarious comedy, which is even funnier than "Caught Short." SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. For the final concert of the 19S1 season tho Wellington Symphony Orchestra, under tho conductorshlp of Mr. Leon de Mauny, will present on Thursday week, 15th October, a programmo that Is certain to' be popular. Among the lighter items will be the Strauss wait*;, "Tales from the Old Vienna Woods," Mozart's "Figaro" overture, and Tschalkovsky's "Polonaise" from "Euccn Oncgln." Tho moat important symphonic works will bo Tsclmlkovslij-'s "Fifth Symphony (In 15 Minor), and Mendelssohn's lovely "Piano' Concerto' in <"■ Minor." The soloist for this latter work will bo Madame Evelyn de Mauny. The vocal number of tho evening is an a»la from Gounod's opera "The Queen of Sheba," and will be sung by Mrs. Wilfred Andrews.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Thnt clean and wholeaomo entertainment, "Daddy Long Lena," pleased the pulato of largo audiences at all sessions at tho bt. James Theatre. In "Daddy Long Legs,' wistful Janet Gaynor. presents a, performance of Judy Abbott that Is a sheer delight to al who sco It. Miss Gayuor has always stood high in public favour. Hereafter she will occupy a higher niche than ever In the esteem of picture followers. The same may be.salel of Warner Baxter, who la moat likeable and thoroughly convincing In 'the character of "Daddy Long Legs." The help given to the two stars by tho supporting players, Including the-very clever .anil amusing efforts of a fine bunch of kiddies in the diverting orphanage acenes, results in an entertainment of -the highest grade. The auxiliary pictures which precede the main picture are all gems In their class. Patrons are advised to book seats at the Bristol. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The all-British' music-comedy, "Let's Love and LauirlV." went with a swing from beginning to end at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, and hearty laughter never seemed to abate. Gene (Jerrard. one of the biggest favourites of the' London music-comedy stage, has the leading role, and scores' all along the line. Gerrard is sure to become a real favourite, fnr Ills acting Is excellent, and his singing all that could be wished. Muriel Angeltts, a gifted coloratura soprano, is tho leading lart.y, and a very delightrul one at that. A notable feature Is the calibre of the supporting players. Each one Is an artist who is familiar with his or her job, and does it eminently well after the true British stage fashion. Add to the above the fact' that the' short subjects, which include a very line and complete reproduction of "The Liverpool Grand hatjonal Steeplechase, 1931," an hilarious comedy, O.K. Chief." and "Old History" (Pathe Special), and the result is a programme that should not be missed. Box plans are at the Bristol, ana also at the theatre, ORGAN RECITAL. Mr. Bernard F. Page (City Organist) gave his weekly organ recital at the Town Hall last evening, and the programme was as follows:—Sonata in D minor (for harpsichord), by Scarlattl-Paee; Overture to "Corlolanus," by Beethoven: bummer Sketches, by Lemare; Prelude and Fugue (on the name of "Bach"), by Liszt; Choral—lmprovisations, Op. 65, by Karg-Elert; Three Treludes. Op. 11, Nos. 4, 2, and 5, by feeriablne, and Good Friday Music (from Act III.), "Parsifal." by Wagner. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Body and 50u1,," the main attraction at the Empire Theatre to-night, tells of a dashing young aviator (Charles Farrell), who falls in love with a beautiful woman' (Elissa Landi), accused of being a epy. He becomes involved In the accusation. There is a startling denouement when the girl reveals her 'penty. A comedy, "Good-bye Legs," and two splendid Fox Movietone Jfewsreels complete the programme. On Wednesday and Thursday "Dracula" will bs shown. ■%* ■ BRITANNIA THEATRE. "Tho Secret Six," a sensational drama of American city-politics and the underworld, Is the attraction at the Britannia Theatre. 'With Wallace Beery, hero of "The Big House, and "Mln and BUI," Lewis Stone, John Macl: Brown,' Jean Harlow, Marjorle Rambcau, and John Mlljan heading one of the biggest casts assembled in years, the picture unfolds an astounding tale based on actualities of modern American city life. There Is an excellent supporting programme. „ KILBIRNIE KINEMA. With the greatest genius of the stage, George Arliss, heading the cast, "The Green Goddess Is at the Kllbirnle Klnema. One of the thrills of the production is the condemning to death of three English people to satisfy the vengeance of an Eastern Rajah. After that comes a great anti-climax. George Arliss's role Is claimed,, to be the greatest characterisation of his career. ■ ■ J ■. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The main attraction at' the Kegal Theatre to-night will bd "Not Exactly Gentlemen, starring Victor1 M'Laglen, Lew C6dy, and Eddie Grlbbon. The story concerns three; adventurers, each with a price on his head. They join forces for mutual protection from tho police, when each in turn finds the girl he loved just a double-crosser. The supporting picture is "Too; Many Crooks," a British special production. 'Two Fox Movietone Newsreels will also -be shown. On Wednesday and Thursday "Dracula" will be screened. ROYAL ROLLER RINK. A special attraction to-night at tho Royal Roller Kink, Winter Show Building, John street, is the Monte Carlo competition, for which good prizes are offered. The opening of this new cabaret rink has been the means of popu-; larlsing skating 'in Wellington, its interior arrangement being modern and attractive. Free tuition in the two-step is being given during all sessions' this week. In the case of the rink being hired' for private parties, special concession rates apply, and monthly concession tickets are available for convenience of patrons. This new rink is the first of its kind in the Dominion. NEW SKATING RINK. Splendid opportunities are afforded to those learning at the St. George Skating Bink. Two sessions, 10 to '11.80 a.m., and 4.45 to 5.4 d p.m., are specially set aside for learners, and on the perfect floor of the St. George and under the tuition of expert skaters beginners can easily learn' this fascinating and exhilarating art. A Skating Club Is now being formed, and skaters who would Ilk* to enjoy all the concessions of this club. Including extra skating time on Tuesday nights, are Invited to inquire for particulars at the office. "GETTING MARRIED." George Bernard Shaw's comedy, '"Getting Married," was presented finally by_the National Repertory Theatre Society in the Y.W.C.A. Hall on Saturday evening. The large audience thoroughly enjoyed the production, which was again most excellently acted. ■ GLIDE SKATING RINK. Tho commodious bitumen floor of the Glide Skating Kink—the largest skating floor in Wellington—makes one of the finest and fastest skating surfaces of any rink In New Zealand. The courteous attention of efficient attendants and tutors combine in making the Glide very popular, and the management leaves nothing to be desired in catering for the comfort of patrons. Session* are held every morning and afternoon, and two sessions held in the lunch hour (12-1 and 1-2 p.m.) are very popular with city workers. TRAMWAY BAND RECITAL. The St. James Theatre was crowded last night when tho Tramway Band gave Its ninth recital. The Bridges Trio provided some excellent entertainment, the xylophone number, "Cuckoo," being especially pleasing. Their steel guitar items, too, were an added attraction. Slgnora Alda Bulmas, Italian operatic soprano, was in excellent voice, and was encored repeatedly. Perca and Les, the melody boys," who were making their first appearance in New Zealand, pleased greatly, their pianoforte duos being excellently rendered. ■ The band was in fine form, thanks to the careful training of Conductor E. Franklin, and its. numbers were delightfully played. By request from. Honolulu through 2TA, the band played the overture "Bohemian Girl" in a manner that must have been pleasing to its distant hearers. Other band items were: March, "Bold Fro«t"; humorous selection, "MacGtegor's Wedding"; a selection, "Chosen Numbers," compiled by the conductor from various works; and, finally, the march, "Courtcnay placei^ mm .^ mmmm^^mm^-m^.