ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1932, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

■ A new star has. come Into being lni the talklug picture world. Jan Klepura, the.-28-year-old PoUshxtenor. Introduced to I Wellington for tho irst time _last evening at.the-Regent Theatre, in : a delightful British picture, "City of Song" Bas had operatic-experience in'Warsaw,-Berlin, Budapest, Vienna, and; Milan.; m tho sterling dramatic-release at the Regent, Klepura shows histrionic and.vocal gifts,of the highest order" playing toe part oir the Neapolitan guide, turned lover.to an^EngUsh girl/with anMntense naturalness and atractlveness that place h<m among the fascinating -personalities of the screen. _ Giovanni the: guide, sings to Claire AVinter from the ruins, of ;Pompeli, and. she decides then and there to take him to London London is a vastly different experience for the Mm? * C Kted , yoW's slnger- ami Claire's abilltyrto be pleasant to other young men o£ her paßt perplexe-s the single-hearted NeapollL an "ii '^c becomes'jealous, and,: finding she .=m« £iiS hlmvhe wates a scene in a fashionlable night club, and, broken-hearted, returns to his native land. The story is simple, and the end Bnds Giovanni In the'arms' of his former sweetheart in Naples,: while Claire has memories^of her adventure, in the gramophone S COm Sm .OT loTer' s Toice- Aa Claire> Be»y Stqckfl^W is a rear "find" of tho screen. ?» eaiin Vi n?;™™- wlth- a flair for dress. Miss htockfleld will undoubtedly be sought after. Her speaking voice Is charming, modulated, and cultured. Hugh Wakefleld is another English success. As the Hnnl Roddy Fielding, hopelessly In love with Claire'and sensibly treating his love as a joke/he gives a faultless performance,,and is comical in a refined, sensitive way \> aL" PPealsv, lmme<llately- Llttle Francesco Maldacea as Chi, the" gamin of the Naples foreshore, is another "find.—a boy who will go ar,.because of an uncommon talent for humour anguages,, and drama. Philip Easton reveals i cultured English voice as John Barlow, the rleiid_ of Carmela. Giovanni's sweetheart /Played by Heather Ansel). The views of vaples, Capri, London, and Pompeii ard very me, and photography is good all through, with amor faults. Kiepura's solos, especially "La Jonna c Mobile," are'beautifully done. Also >n tim/blll.are views-of Butler, the aviator, in Australia; shots of the Victoria-South Africa Ticket match; Sydney beach costumes (with •unnlng comment by Charles Lawrence ■ (of ipstume-comedy fame); ."G.8.5." on pollUcs; jews.ptthe. Cambrldge-Abel-Smith wedding, at lome, with, close-up' of. Princess Elizabeth; and i host of other topicalities. • ' < :

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

• A double bill la shown at the. Grand Opera House this.week, a British comedy featuring Bobby Howes, one of London's best-known comedians, and an American drama of "Inside" happenings In a political battle.- -The American film Is Paramount's "The. Secret Call," in Which the leading parts are played by Richard Arlen gnd Peggy Shannon, and the'drama of the picture centres around the chance given a girl to take revenge'on the political "boss"who wrecked her father's, life and drove him tt> suicide. I'Some day, somehow," sho ' says,' ,'I'H get even with you," and the chance comes1 sooner than she expects. The story of the switchboard-at itha; hotel where she works, is the story of the film, and there are many tense situations during the f)ght of Jim .Blake,: the "Boss," to avoid a Congressional Investigation into some of his underhand deals!; -Blake1 makes use of ,any and.all 'weapons 'to' check his opponent;' Sana Cor Stanton, but he>is. foiled in his last desperate attempt to make the JSenator drop his resolution calling for ' tne'lnvestigation, because Wanda Kelly insists ion-regardiritf a lbrig-dlstance communlqatlon as-a'secret'call: "Ji is;round this, that the story revolves, with a dramatic . -conclusion.,, The second 'film'Ms Third Tlnle-Lucky," a Joyous tale of what'happens to the Bey. Arthur Fear when he quits, his country vicarage to go to the city and extricates lus ward from a scrape. The even life of' the vicar i3,much disturbed, for he finds himself turning first burglar, then postal robber;' arid' suspected of being "Psalmy Steve," a notorious thief, and finally a hero. Dorothy Boy<l- plays in this film which Is filled with good'things, The innocent way in which the Rev.'- Arthur Pear embarks :on his adventures, all through' reading a "penny dreadful" and owning' a toy, revolver, makes the film all the more amusing The bill will be repeated until Thursday eveningnext. ~ ■ -...-

DE LUXE THEATRE,

-.■A record has! been established at the De Luxe Theatre. ; For the first time iii the theatre's a picture has entered upon Its third week there. So great has been the popularity of Mother's Millions" that the management lias again extended the season, but it Is announced that, owing to previous bookings, this will be the last week In which : the picture will be shown at this theatre. "Mother's Millions" touches.a high water mark as a comedy-drama. Comedy la the main forte, of the picture, but •Jhere are clever dramatic touches and .- other elements which go to make an exceedingly entertaining production. The picture marks the screen debut of May Bobson, one of America's' Xoremost character actresses, who is said to be J^ years 01d... She dominates the story, which tells of the,loves,, manoeuvres, and fights, .arid the family of "the' richest woman in the I World. After many instances of herdrasclblo character the star reveals herself as .one of the TOost: lovable of women—at least, according to ttie picture. Her acting throughout Is partlcularJy.Eood,; und she la' supported by a fine Cast: The Incidental programme Is In keeping wittr the DJgU,.standard pfvtho-mato picture;- ?.:;>*,•.■'

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

■•-The^story of a woman's fight for' her baby: after, being separated, from it for. three years' ■.behind prison t Walls/;"-WlcK.ed," opened 'a'week" pigagement at the- Paramount Theatre'yesterday. EUssa Limdl has the leading role, and Playing opposite,her - is.-Victor. McLagJen. Margot Rande, a young married woman, is sent to' gaol for accidentally shooting a policeman while' {h^ h t0» SaT h c,^ erJ lusband' » «ank clerk who through, gambling had sought toj.pas his debts \llLt b'n« tn« b^'from b^B'Wrested.^Bbe Zf£, iOJ" > an accompll£e<bf'her-husband.-Her child is born while in.prisßn^S itiis Si to an orphanage to be cared for.;' Unknowing-' ly she signs papers which deprive Jierror'W rUhts or ever claiming it.- ..Whlleii^/ri'sS1 *he Uves only for her.baoy and'dreams ;a*aV^ the long hours thinking ..ofi/ihoMime^herfrthi two will be re-unlted,->,Through tho effort's.of * former lover her term; t Qf flmprikomrieiif is 'cutdown, but on her release' fshe-suffers'the'greatest .tragedy of her llfe^a%'cannoi;clalfcL"baby./ MdnanVtCh'h she Wdnaps,tha,baby from, the home-of ,a. wealthy ' chi mess-couple W hc- Save adopted it^' •'Complications set in,- but in the: end mother-love>oh 'llff'.f tfJW^^^'Wll^*^«S£ Jifh w^ 4? he:r former lover-and-baby.t -\ rS 1 th? PteutP Is highly dramatic lt-ls its comedy sltuatloi' s .^ s krßot flit ?h^. 'glT<l \ flni3hed Performance ;"n. tact Uie acting of the whole cast Is aboverif

"■■'■' ■ ■ vOUEEN'S'THEATRE.-/;W i '' f ffi;y

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KING'S THEATRE.

fP,%£jiSr« ine^deif^Serf1 «mes.,.6Jeajon,;;and aucy.Bea^ont ."lup!s vSI x °?. thlS P'OBTsnime are "The Boy

PRINCESS THEATRE,

:\- Robert Montgomery i 3 ,to.be, seen in- his flmf •tarring role in "Shipmates," a spectacular Btory of Navy life, now showing at thePrin cess Theatre . Montgomery's leldtag lady Dorothy Jordan Montgomery 'is -sf en' L a Bailor who, during.a short .lark,.' poaes S « oU, man and falls in love with a llrt ■Si^U 1? P™Tea, t.°i> e the admiral's daughter .betrothed to a staff officer. "The revelntinTi ; of the swittr-» identity,brings abotiVa-d°a° matic situation. . ThrlUing battle-practice scenes and the burning of an ammunition Hume PJpvlde the highlights in the action .Ernest Torrence heads the supporting cast {There is a number, of fine supportlne pictures i

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ±t.'" Vt?? zi!' se Ni Bhts", w'U be shown to-night■ at' ihe Kilblrnle Klnema. There is a fine sud--portlng programme.' ! ,

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY.

; ' British International's latest,' farce. "Mv Wfe's Family," will be presented ;at-the. SeaBide Pictures,, Lyall Bay, to-night'■ It fs atf adaptation of" the play of the same name by' in American -author, and the fact that It was; originally performed In Chicago, where, it-had a recordrrun^survlvedl by the entire cast, speaks' ■.well for,its popularity. Keadjusted for screen purposes; the>stbry is concerned with a mother-in-laW.fi lAtny/Veness has the leading role Gener Gerrard, Muriel Angelus, Jimmy Gpdden" Qharles 'Paton, "and Dodo Watts are in/the cast'

OUR JHEATRE, NEWTOWM.

' The ■ fi'rifish' 'production, ■':''Tali England v starring; Carl; Harbord,'.:-iTony Bruce;- -and1 Fay, C.ompton, !wm;;be; sftown. at Our vTheatre' to-night;.. It: ls"ada;p'ted~ from Ernest' ■Bay-' mond's'book-of-the Galllpbll epic.' TBelandirig7at GalllpqH' and the-.bombing.jrajd' '-proTldi* the main thrills ;ot the, picture.^-Excellent" .supports complete the 'programme.' ':/ -\. '-->.'

EMPIRE' THEATRE, ISLAND'- BAY.

•"Way Out West,"'starring William Haines heads the programme,, at;,the Empire Theatre to-night..Haines,appears as.a circus band who gets Into trouble'and'W forced'to'go to'work on a'Western'ranch.-" His love affair with the girl owner Js^enlivenedJ'by.-Jils education as a' cowboy, a-thrilling'rescue race;• and .some /riding: feats .that amaze. J.Lella. Hyams.. Clff Edwards, apd Polly- Moran will be seen In support -wltlr Haines. "High C's," a Hal Roach", comedy, starring Charlie Chase, a Barton Holmes •Travelogue, and two,special,newsreels complete the programme. On Saturday afternoon and evening Charter 10 of "The Indians Are Coming" will be added to the programme.

A MARIE DRESSLER SUCCESS.

The name of Mario Dressier has become a big name in the picture world, and she has the honour of being the star of a picture ("Politics") which yesterday, began to show to large audiences in two theatres of this city—the Majestic and St. James. Marie Drossier Is deserving of this double billing* an the early days' or "talkies" (not so long ago) she was one of a 'group in a vaudeville hotchpotch, and since then she has marched to stardom through the agency of such pictures as "Anna- Christie" (which she nearly stole from Greta Oarbo), and "Let Us By Gay" (which she nearly stole from Norma Shearer), and "Mm and BUI." In "Miv and Bill," where she starred, was more fully • revealed her strength as an emotional actress. Her methods In emotional moments are largely her own. It is characteristic, of her that when the high notes of feeling are struck, she has always some little word or gesture to bring the audience back to earth, relieving the "agony" and yet intensifying the sentiment. Example: An emotioual high light In "Politics" Is her scene with her daughter (Karen Morley) caught in the act of hoodwinking • the maternal protector "over a man." The girl, remorse stricken, throws herself down; the mother, to dissemble'her own grief, tells the daughter to get lip from the floor as it has riot been swept; and, behind th« apparent he'artlessness of the remark, the motherheart stands.revealed in a way peculiar to Marie Dressier. The same realism Is used continually to strengthen the idealism; and audiences like such human touches; In comedy her style Is equally, distinctive, but, broader, more adaptable to the general turn of events and to the stock "situations" that ■'the writers of scenario comedy ■ rely on. Without the facial beauty', that most aim actresses parade, she yet easily dominates through strength of personality, and Immediately a scene Is flashed on ; she . becomes the central point of It. In "Politics" they have extracted from the American woman's rights movement (the "purity drive," w.ar on■ racketeers, etc.) a maximum .of comedy and a modicum of dignity, arid-'they could hot have done/tills without' Marie Dressier and her Mayoral campaign,- her women parades, her ferocities, her niotherliness, ■ and her human appeal. .. But after doing, justice. to the star, an equal tribute must be paid to the team work and the general excellence of the picture. No one in the show has let it down, and it owes much not, only to the mingled loyalty and wasplshness. of. Polly. Moran (Marie's sometimes envious lieutenant), and to the henpeckedness of Rosco' Ates (a stuttering "husband),but also'toiyery^'efflclent^racketeers (ted by.John Mlljan), a graft politician; ;a sentimental daughter, ai^d ,a fatherly policeman, ", The director has made tho'mass scenes most'impressive, especially the 'election meetings and the street', march of-the -womeW which has a militarist ns well as a feminist touch. The two theatres have in "Politics" a picture worth while. * ' ■ . . ; ■

There are ■ excellent supporting pictures at both theatres, i■;:■ -, --..-., ..

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN

After a' long absence Gilbert ,'and Sullivan opera will.--be presented!, at: Wellington by the J.-1.. »yniiamson; new ; comic opera company ror a season beginning on 22iid January Anniversary. Day, when the picturesque and very humorous'"The Gondoliers" will' be presented at. the Grand Opera Honss. Other pieces to be.staged.are. "The Mikado," "lolanthe," "The Yeoman of Hie. Guard." "The Pirates of." PenIjance,', ; ',3I;"Jt,S.", Pinafore," and "Patience." Writing, 6f.;he:'opening performance of "The Gondoliers" in;Sydney,-a'critic-says: "It was ,llke a; Jrst night in tho most prosperous period of Jhe^ stage, with the theatre crowded, and wlthv.e^thu'siasnxikeye'd up, to a "high pltch/by itheiwirtorVthe-'maste'r of- quip- and' paradox, and by/ the' exuberant and spontaneous gift of' melody:^ his^equally distinguished collaborator..-.. :,jThe,_ Gondoliers' is) one of .the ;most. entertaining of tho series, in its graceful music and th'e;'lightnes3 of touch, whimsical fancy,:. and^Gilbertian humour of the story ,of the'.'twp, gondoliers called upon to rule the of Barataria. The" performance proved Ibeyoto all; doubt that' tho repprts! from Mel--. ibourne regarding the ryery high accomplishment lot the, artists were true, and it Is questionable whether" Sydney has eve> before been entertained- by 'a' better ;all'-r6urid organisation of. singers, dancers, and comedian's.;-;,' Anoutstanding; feature lof (the ■prpductl.opv.is, the brilliant 'work.-of,.the chorus aridVbanet.'j' , '

BRITANNIA ;THEATRE,

I ,-George O'Brien, : , priglnatpr •of numerous powerful roles iujoiitdpor''romances, achieves !'a notably, fine i)erfo'rmiin'ce«in "A Holy Terror," which is now 'beuiKi' Shown at.'the'Britannla /Theatre.,. .Tlils<rscreen. iidaptatlon :of Max. Brand's; best seller,'V^rallln'," presents the adventures of' a young- '.society man In the West-where he searctfesi for the man he believes shot his father in New. Xork and where, he fails in. loye with,; ■'s beautiful girl. Sally Ellers, In the -leading '■' feminine role, gives a viraciousne'ss tor: her;v.' petformnnce that; is refreshing. -She Is,nptt!pnly. beautiful but : .lmpressively...>talente"d:'.r Rita :La. Roy, Humphrey Bogart. James' Kirkwoofl, ■' Stanley Fields', and Robert ' Warwick, iiye jjconylnclug: pertomiauces., There' is; a gpocl isupiiprting. programmo. , , , . -i » :-.','•. '

SHORTJ'S THEATRE.-1. "''

;" Thrills,, colour clever dancing,-iji'un'eJFu'l .'songs,' speciacleY and' a.T'story of an~-<nrrcc'ttriWiite husband and y a topi-Perfect wife iriaKSi-Cecll B. lie Miße's "Madam Satan," :now at.. Shortt's' Theatre,, an • attraction,- of. great....entertain-" ment merit. The story concerns the marital aiflierenccß of Bob and Angela1 Brooks', a; ma'sl<e(f VJba)l';&b'Sara''a ■Zeppelfri'i "at 5 which'inexotic and mysterious."Madam, Satan", appears,; the mid-air crash of the clpnt airship, the1 descent, of the ''Hundreds:' of 'guests 'via!, par*-:' ■chuter-^aH jinkedl; together witbf songs i;alid ispecta'cular-da'nccs.s.iThe principal -roles of, i<'.Madam';SatanJ'. l 'are filled by. Kay Johnson, Reginald Denny; 'Roland Young, and' Lillian Both. "Reginald Dennyl sings' delightfully; one or two songs. There is a» good programme. . ' -,-i,rj<;wr., j. ~; , .'.;:' -.:* '.

ARTCRAIr'THEAfRE;-

"Body and. Soul," featuring Charles Farrett and Ellssa L'aridl, Is now being - shown: at the irtcraft Theatr^' Ji WluTeo/'Body»» '.aifdj Soul", pas a war backßr.cturid); ltr ( ls ,rio<- a.war ,pic-, ture, the dominant note" being romance.' 'It tells the story of. a young American flying Xce who falls in love with if girl : who ,Is .later 'accused of being a spy. The plot has,a..surprising twist at the finish, but. one that turns 'the tide of suspense to one of satisfaction. There is a good supporting programme. .;>•>';

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. : -'.S>

'/Parlour, Bedroom, and bath," ''starring' Buster , Keatbn and Charlotte- Greenwood,-,ls being shown at; the' Capitol to-nli:ht. -Keaton depicts' a :shy; and; reticent billposter,-' who through no efforts, of,, his .own achieves the reputation. of a' "great lover." •tin a deßper"te, attempt to uphold' his reputation! he.becomes iiirolved1 in arr uproarious. series of . amoroua iaffalrs. Excellent;- supports Include a Charlie Chase- comedy "and twri newsreelsP ■ ...•!.

jIf^DEiLUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. :']>

[Showing finally this atterhoon1 and to-night: at the De Luxe Theatre; Lower Hutt, Is VDaddy Long Legs," starrhig-'Warner Baxter and Janet GaynorY This: picture has already screencd'to very good houses for the last two nights. ' • ' 'British International's '■ latest farce, "SlyWife's Family," will becscreened on Monday, Tuesday/and Wednesday nights, with: a matinee at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The plot deals with-the'-feud-.between. Jack. Cay and his Interfering mother-in-law. :She is suspicious, interfering, sarcastic, narrow-minded, bossy, and unbeautlful. Her son-iri-law finally and Els 'antics' and' the mothcrrlij-law's misunderstandings. keep the audlence : in a coTitlnual uproar. , GeneGerrard, Muriel Angelus, Dodo Watts, and Jimmy Godden are.bi the cast.' i The story of "The: Flylng;Fooj" showing next, Thursday and' Friday; nlKht,.«c,oncerns the, tracV- j lne down of .a,gang, of. international crooks by a chump, who is in reality a keen-witted agent of the Home Office. Harry ; Kendall as the Home Office agent, is a most humorous and engaging hqrq, and. he is ably, supported.by -Benlta Hume 'and i Ursula . Jeanfc .-. !..'/,.i-ii1/^'.'-■!' f

REGAL THEATRE. KARORI.

; To-night "The Secret Six" will be sliown^at the Regal Theatre, Karorl. It is a story of how a great city was' ruled by gangsters and of how,- after years ,of, oppression ;the ,honest people rose up and ousted these ruling parasites. The powerful cast Includes Lewis Stone and Wallace Beery; Special supports Include a lletrotone' News and1 an Our Gang comedy. On-Saturday?only .a further episode of "The Indians.Are Coming", will be. screened. '■

WI.RTH BROS.' CIRCUS,

To-night'there-will .-be given the final opportunity for the Wellington public of seeing Wlrth's Circus at the Winter Show Building! and all; who like to see something unusual in entertaihment-shouia make an, effort to see the diversified'programme of 24 items which will be presented. AH the old tricks of the circus ring are included, with many new ones, and the show provides Interest and excitement from end to end. ' - ■ ■ . ~ .

SUMMER FLOWER SHOW.

i The summer flower show of the ; Wellington Sputh '.Horticultural -SbcietyiMfHl *b^. held on Wednesday: wtek,-. 201b1 January, at -iSt. Thomas' Hftll. -Newtmyii. .: .It promises id' be' up to the Usual ysth'ndi(rd.. l a;s' many exhibitor's'"have alrehtly been pVeparlng..'iTh6'prize list.is a Bencroiis one, and there are several valuable trophies,, including Mr.. S. P. .McLean's cup for roses; Mr. R. A. Klcol's specials for sweet peris; cut blooms, gladioli, and vegetables;.the Vance Vivian cup for carnations; Mr. Bllby's challenge trophy for gladioli; Mr. H. Bull's'cup for pansles;,the Philp memorial trophy for'vegetables; Mr. and Mrs. McGregor's special'trophy for ladles' decorated table; Mrs. Collyer's special for junior decorated tables, and many prizes for the children's sections. Schedules maybe obtained at all .florists.. The. usual monthly 'meeting and competition for members will be held on the Wednesday, 13th, preceding the show: ■ :i ,';■ '- .' ■..",-"-..

.: The.: contracts placed by the. Central ,Electricity JBoard, England, up to a recent date amount-to £18,250,000. This figure is' made iip .of, £3,750,000 for xinderground cables, "'■ £6,260,000': for towers and overhead Mnes,'and'.£B,2so,ooo for transformers j and other equipment.

~ After being used as a tithe barn in Kent for over three centuries, a fifteenth century .; oak building has been dismantled, carried across the Thames, and rebuilt at New;Barnet, He'rtfordsriire,-wh.ere'tit"iir to be lifted ea a church :-w connection with * , college.