ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 157, 31 December 1931, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Palmy Days," featuring Eddie Cantor, at the Regent Theatre, la a hilarious fast-moving extravaganza, with a delightfully light plot giving extra zip to ita magnificent settings and lavish arrangement. Cantor plays the part of the efficiency expert In one of the biggest baker's establishments In America, where the slogan Is "Glorifying the American Doughnut." He la well In the good books of the bead of the firm, but the interference of a bogus mystic and fortune teller upsets his plans here and there. Kddie wins, of course, in; the game of big business and the bigger game of love, which he plays with original gusto and according to unusual rples. The picture. Is set In gorgeous surroundings. A feature is the presence throughout of a particularly beautiful ballet of folliesj who, representing the staff of the, bakery and wearing extremely modern uniforms, stage some clever and effective dance routines. The director has secured a touch that is different wJth ■.these girls, and tjietr-movements in , the gymnasium and in the swimming pool (particularly when . Eddie . gets In by mistake), bring out this original twist that makes "Palmy Day's" something quite out of the ordinary in the production of comedy extravaganza on the screen. ■ Charlotte . Greenwood • shares the comedy role with Cantor.' ....... GRAND OPERA HOUSE. Young and old alike will '• enjoy "Huckleberry Finn," Mark Twain's Immortal story of boy- i hood days,, which forms, tho main attraction at the Grand Opera, House. , "TABU," Polynesians are the principal and supporting r.ctors in, "Tabu," a. romantic drama of the ' South' Seas, to appear for a weefc at' the Grand Opera House as from to-morrow. ■ This " picture is the result of fourteen months' work, in the Islands of-the Society group, In'the South Pacific, some 800 miles from Tahiti. Most of the film was taken on Bora Bora, a small but beautiful mountain isle. The natives of these Islands are fair-skinned, black-haired people, akin to the Hawallans. Two ■of them, Matahi and Rerl, a handsome youth, and a beautiful maiden, were selected, as the hero and heroino of the production. When one considers • that they knew nothing of,-the.art of acting before the film's director discovered 'them. It is 'marvellous to perceive the heights of skill to which they ascend In this,amazing.picture of'a virtual "paradise lost and • a .'paradise found." In addition, tb.6 Mickey; Mouse Pantomime produced by Miss Eileen1 Wilson and 25 children will be continued as an extra feature of the programme.-.. .! •■■■'.' ; • .' OE LUXE THEATRE. •"Mother's Millions," at, the De , Luxe Theatre, concerns the loves, manoeuvres, and flghts of . the ' family •■ of - "the richest woman In the world," and reaches Its climax In the test of the son of old Harriet Breen, who, though Ehe has never shown affection for the boy, 6takes all on his loyalty. It Is a picture ' brilliant of Us kind and providing some of tha'loudest laughs heard here this year; May Robson. plays the part of Harriet.Breen, and her acting, Is very able. The supporting cast Is headed by Frances Dade, : who plays ■ Harriet's ■ devoted daughter, and lames Hall, who is the ■ old woman's secretary. PAHAMOUNT THEATRE. A thrilling story'of gang warfare In America/ "Homicide Squad/ 1 is at the Paramount ■ Zane' Grey's greatest romance, "Riders of the Purple Sag 6," beautifully brought to life by an all-star cast, in gorgeous settings, by means of some of the most magnificent photography ' the' screen' has ever known; will open on Friday. "Riders of the Purple Sage _Is the dramatic story of a man's single-handed flgtit vto protect. the life and Interests of a beautiful girl, threatened by an organised band of clajiri-jumpers, cattle thieves, and outlaws. A mountain avalanche, a cattle stampede, and a.,breath-taking..race, of relayed horses are typical of the many spectacular moments of the picture.. ,■ A ranch house, Is ;destroyed by flre in: one of the most amazing scenes ever brought to the screen..' ' -? ) ■■■.'. KING'S THEATRE. ;' "Dreyfus" will be' shown finally at: the King's Theatre this evening. Gene :Gerrard, assisted by Muriel Angelus, Dodo Watts, and Jimmy Godden will be seen In "My Wife's Family," which commences at the King's' Theatre to-morrow. It Is Bald to be one or the most expertly produced and uproariously funny talking pictures presented. Added attractions "on the programme are the specially selected sound short subjects. Box plans'are at the Bristol and theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. <Buck Jonel ■In "The Fighting Sheriff," a Western ' thriller. Is' at the "Queen's Theatre. ■.The Fox Films'hilarious, offering,'."The Brat," will commence at'the Queen's Theatre to-mor : row.' With 'the elfin Sally O'Neil.in. the titls role and a distinguished cast, the film deals with the surprising results of a Bowery girl's invasion of society. Frank Albertson and Allan ■ Dlnehart have the principal masculine roles, and there are also . such favourites as June -Collyer, Virginia Cherrill, and William Collier; The picture is based on Maude Fulton's, noted, play... ..-.> .'i.i'l'" SEASIDE PICTURES. LYALL. BAY. . "Son of. India," wHhEamon'Novarro in the lead in his first Oriental characterisation, la {be starring attraction' with the changing proi gramme at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay. llt is an exciting and melodramatic story of Bombay, ; adapted from the best seller "Mr. Isaacs."' •»'...■.■' •' GRAND NEW YEAR GALA CARNIVAL. i ' Never have the public of Wellington-had the. opportunity'of seeing the Old Year out'and the New Year in amidst: such. gaiety and Ifmr as lis provided by the: Wellington Social Club at the Basin 'Reserve this New Year's Eve (to-night). The Grand ; Gala• Carnival will commence at B..p.m.;and will ''finish at 12.30 'a.m. : It has been organised in aid of the 'Mayor's Unemployment ;,BeUef Fund, and a small charge: will be made for admission. Every endeavour has. been: made by the promoters and members of the Wellington Social Club to assure .the. success of the . evening, and citizens are urged to help such an admirable cause. There will be community singing, community dancing, .brass bands, jazz bands/pipe bands, Maori entertainers, and many .other attractions. The Wellington public, are-invited to come to the fun, see the Old Year out,: welcome the Jffew, Year in,1 and help the Mayor's Unemployment Tutid. , ; ■ ■ CAPITOL THEATRE.;. V;;;'' •' ".■'"^. "The Criminal Codei". to- be screened at the Capitol- Theatre to-night, Is an excellent, wellacted drama of prison life. The leading role is played:byWalter Huston, supported by Phillip Holmes, and Constance Cummings. . '"■'■ RECALtTHEATRE, RARORI. To-night/at' the Regal Theatre, Karorl, "How Dry We Are" will be screened for the' lasl time. It Is a story crammed full,with laughs and comedy/ ; To-morrow (New Year'B Day) and Saturday "Dance, Fools, Dance," a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Special, with Joan Crawford, will be screened. Miss Crawford is cast as a girl reporter who in running down a murderei finds at the end of her search her brother.-The supports include a Metrotone News, a. Laurel and Hardy Comedy, and a special short subject. On Monday and Tuesday, "Young Sinners' wlll: be screened. '■;■ -" .• ' "; EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "How Dry We Are" heads the programme a! the Empire. Theatre to-night. A large cast Is headed by Slim Summervllls, Harry Langdon and Bessie Love. The story deals with ar adventure in the lives of two tramps. , SHORTT'S: THEATRE? ..'.... Charles Buggies, tha " droll but cherubiclooking comedian of "Young Man o. Manhattan" aDd "Her. . Wedding Night," is seen; In his first starring film, "The Girl Habit," at Shortt's Theatre. . "Call of the Flesh" will be the principal picture for^ the change of programme at Shortt's Theatre to-morrow. It Is said that in this whimsical little story of Spain Ramon Novarro does his finest film.work, playing first of all the part of a care-free, clowning boy. The dramatic: situation- takes form suddenly, ,and it becomes,one of the most gripping, poignant pieces of action the talking screen has seen. Novarro's acting is described as superb, ,and his voice as glorious.- -Dorothy Jordan plays. opposite him. •■•'■.■ ..'. ■' ' .;. ;■■'.; > • :.'; •'•■ '. ' BRITANNIA THEATRE. The plcturisatlon of Mark Twain's immortal story, "Tom Sawyer/ with Jackie Coogan and Mltzi Green;in the chief roles, is being shown at the Britannia Theatre. .•'.-■' The youngest cast ever assembled :for a feature length motion' picture will be presented at the Britannia Theatre to-morrow when "Sklppy," from the cartoon strip by Percy Crosby, will open for a week's season. The cast of juveniles Is headed by Jackie Cooper, aged six, as Sklppy, and Robert Coogan (five) as Sooky. Other leading: child parts are played by. Milzl Green, nine years of age, Jackie Searl, and Donald Halnes. But i while it is designed to appeal to children, "Skippy" has much to attract the adults. >' ■' ' KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Those who like plenty of sophisticated laughs will find them at the Kllblrnie Kinema this evening, where "Annabelle's Affairs,", starring Victor M'Laglen andJeanette Mac Donald, will open. , ' " ' OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN, "The Skin Game" will be shown at our Theatre to-night. It is the'talkie-version of the play by England's eminent author, John Galsworthy. The cast Is headed by Edmund Gwenn and Phyllis Eonstam. The story concerns' a bitter feud between a country and an Industrial family which ends in tragedy. There are excellent .supports. GLIDE SKATING RINK. Sessions will bo held at 'the Glide Skating Rink to-night, and Saturday evening from 8 o'clock until 11 o^clock. Until further notice sessions. will be held on Saturday evenings only "from 8" o'clock-till 11 o'clock. The rink will not,be. open on New Year's.Day.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.. To-night will be the last opportunity to see "Sporting Blood" at the Majestic Theatre. To-morrow (New Year's Day) "Get Rich Quick WalllriEford" will commence Us Wellington season. It arrives f.traldit from its triumphant screenings In Auckland, where critics acclaim it to ba one of the most hilarious comedies for some time. The comedy presents William Haloes. as the irascible but humorous and likable Walllngford, who runs the gamut of crook adventures. Sharing his experiences In the gentle art of .extracting money from people who should know better are the inimitable Jimmy Durante, a celebrated New York stage comedian, and Ernest Torrence. The three romp through a series of amusing adventures, and 'the story moves at a rapid pace. Halnes is said to.be excellent, playjna h.ls role with a quiet effectiveness and shrewd, sense of both Its comedy and Its dramatic. .values. Leila Hyams supplies the love and feminine interests. Box plans for New Year's Day will be open at the theatre from 10 a.m. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Merely Mary Ann," which will commence Its .second great week at the St. James. Theatre to-morrow, is an unmistakable success for the popular screen team, Charles Farrelland Janet Gaynor. Tho tale depends, upon the simplicity, both in conception and performance. Perhaps no actress of the motion picture world so captures the spirit of Innocent and wistful girlhood as Janet Gaynoo does. In "Merely Mary Ann" she appears in a role somewhat similar to that which she filled with such marked distinction in her recent triumph "Daddy Long Legs." Together the royal pair weave a sweet romance which breathes all the freshness of a: Cornwall seaside village, to ■ which the action goes after commencing in a London telement.' The romance is adapted from the book and play by Israel Zangwlll. Seats may.be reserved' at the theatre for New Year's Night from 10 a.m. to-morrow. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Claudette Colbert acd Fredrlc March are co-starfed In a comedy drama, "Honour Among Lovers," which commences at the New Princess Theatre to-morrow. Also prominently cast and lending a gay note to the proceedings are Charlie Buggies'and Ginger Rogers. , "Honour Among Lovers" is an intensely Interesting story which builds dramatic suspense with each, succeeding sequence. " Briefly it tells the story of a young, girl who marries only to discover that she, has always really been in love with her employer, a wealthy Wall street financier.- The. skilful manner... in ..which the nlot is worked out and the unexpected developments that occur, make dramatic, entertainment. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. "Flaee" and "Quirt," those two hard-fisted, soft and fickle hearted leathernecks*of "What Price Glory?" and "The Cock-eyed World," appear'ln another of. their hilarious misadventures In "Women of All Nations," now^ at the Arterift Theatre. Victor St'Laglen and Edmund Lowe are seen again their famous screen roles, and there Is also 41 Brendel,, who again plays "Olsen.T the- dumb Swede marine. That dazzling .Nordic beauty, Greta. Nissen, heads a. stellar array .of feminine, players.', /- ; .( .. , ; \.-.t\ V ~.'. , ."". WIRTHS' CIRCUS TO-NIGHT. Wirth's circus will open: at the. Winter Show. Ground to-night. Surpassing! all- previous presentations, Messrs. Wirttt'Bros: have for_this year's tour of Australia and New: Zealand set down for appearance the biggest offering, of feature, attractions' ever seen in thisl part or the world. Keeping to their slogan- of The Greatest Show on Earth," Messrs. Wirth Bros, have engaged acts that will thrill, entertain, amuse, and astound, all.- Fresh. from their triumphant tour of England and the Contln-r ent, the world-famous riders, "Kazbegs'. Troupe of Kusslan. Cossacks." ; appear In amazing feats of .horsemanship. From the Caucasian Mountains, this "Troupe 'of Cossacks" come, and they: are Been in daredevil tricks on their fiery steeds. They are the . Cossacks'. who defeated riders of all nations at the New York rodeo in 1929. "The Cossacks", appear In cavalry rushes, military charges, and pyramids 'at dizzy heights, and end their performance with a, thrilling climax when "I"edla," the young Cossack, mounted on his horse,- gallops around the ring. When his horse is going at top speed, "Fedia" climbs, from his. jsaddle around the horse, over and under it,, and between, the beast's forelegs. The famous equilibrists and balancers, "The Four Uessems," appear in stunts that are hair-raising. "The Uessems. are aptly described as "the boy 3 who defy gravitation." A special new attraction is- the aerial act "Les Quatre Hlrondelles," Introduced by the "Four Misses Wirth." In this act, grace, charm and , beauty are blended with thrills and sensation. Other featnres of the circus will Include "The Four Sylvesters," clever Juvenile acrobats; "The Santey Duo," presented by Mr; Geo. Wirlh, junr.. as "The Human Propeller"; Miss Gladys and her marvellous black, stallion "Bobs 2nd"; Miss Made r Hne, exquisite dancer and rider; Miss Doris and her wonder horse "Queenle," in specially selected poses; Miss Eileen and her sagacious elephants; "Mile. Spanglleletti," comedy trick rider; Mr. P.',Wirth,. junr.,, /jockey,; a.ct; and "The Performing Brown 'and -Polar Bears.'' CARNIVAL' DANCE; ■ At the .Town Hall to-night, from 8 o'clock until 2 a.m., a grar.d carnival,,-dance will be held in aid- of the Victoria-University College Students' Union building ' fund. An orchestra of eight will supply the music, and a buffet supper will be available.'" TJckets are 2s 6d, and. it» is expected, that many, (hundreds will1,- join the University students.- and see • the New Year in., /7?''-'^^',;;':':'-'ti; --T '~::;.: :..'. ADEtPHr CABARET. .r;v.;~ ;..; •Preparations are well in hand ■ by? the management of the Adelphl Cabaret for a bumper night U6-nlght. There are two .bands supply-lriß.;,cb'ntlrfuous-,muslc.\!rut.-.Coltnjan and his Royal-Dance Band arid Allen's". Orchestra"; Ito entertainment provided Is of the best; and"the novelties galore are to be distributed amongst the-gueats. .The cabaret 4 Is- haing ..redecorated, throughout; and.a, delicious* savoury supper is to bo served*/ '"',i ' ', '.:'■.'.;,'.'■'■,:,''. :"*': i ':'-'.i;; ■;' ■■'.■' ;