ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Evenings Far Sale."

"Evenings for Sale," now showing at the Regent Theatre, is a picture of many laughs, a touch of pathos, and ■an . excellent cast. An American, widow who Is seeking her Ideal of the "Merry Tidow" Vienna'and its romantic associations with Strauss waltzes Is finely played by^Mary Boland. She meets a penniless gigol-vcount in a cafe where he has found a Job, arouses his sympathy, and finally sav^es -the old family castle from being sold. For some .reason, at 'the beginning of the story, the count chose to go to a masked ball instead of shooting himself as he had intended. Shaken from this Idea, the count accepts a position as a gigolo. It Is then that he meets the widow, who rescues "the family traditions" by buying the castle. In the meantime his girl has changed her mind about him on learning that he Is a gigolo; she consents to marry someone else, again changes her mind, and regains her original status In the passions of the count —now to be made a partner in a hotel which is to be. formed of his castle. The widow departs and leaves the pair to lire happily ever after.

"The Kid From Spain."

One of the biggest hits of the year In England and America is Eddie Cantor's latest musical comedy, "The Kid from Spain," which commences at the Regent Theatre on. Friday. It has been produced on the same colossal scale as "Whoopee" and "Palmy Days," which were extremely popular In New Zealand, and now disinterested observers overseas- consider that "The Kid from Spain" provides the comedian with his finest opportunity to date. The I picture opens with what is, perhaps, one ofthe most brilliantly directed dance ensembles ever seen on stage or screen. In an elaborate dormitory at a co-educational college crowd 3 of lovely girls are seen' rising in the mornIng, amidst melodious song and dance. It Is In this , dormitory that Eddie finds himself, having been plaqed there by his co-students after a hectic evening. This episode leads to ills expulsion, and he crosses into Mexico, where ho pretends to be Don Sebastian 11, the, great Spanish bullfighter. There follow excruciating adventures, involving a kidnapping escapade to help Ricardo, a flirtation with a beautiful blonde, and eventually an unwilling debut in the bull-rhjig. Lyda Roberti takes principal feminine • honours. Other capable artists in the cast are John Mlljan, Noah Beery; Robert Young.'Ruth Hall, Robert O'Connor, and-Paul Porcasl.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

A crook story in which all the principal characters are'trying, each in his own way, to circumvent the driving of the Devil, for money at all costs, Is "The Devil Is Driving," at tho Grand Opera Douse, an unusual, superbly-acted story, set in a fifteen-storey garage. The swiftly-moving tale concerns itself chiefly with the workers In the garage.' Beef Evans (James Gleason) has been driven into the dishonest side of the trade for hla family's sake, while 'Gabby" (Edmund Lowe) his brother-in-law, knows no-, thing until he and the boss's' girl Silver (Wynne Gibson) fall In love. As the 3tory progresses one sees the fevered chaso of stolen luxurious cars through the' streets, the swift turn In ■. to the secret entrance to the garage, the rapid climb at dizzy speeds to the safety of a steel curtained room on the top floor, where an army of experts rips tho car to bits, repaints' it, and by many lightning .changes; even to parts of the machinery, have it 'ready within the few moments'* before the police arrive. The climaxlal killing inseparable from Ameripon stories, is,followed by a terrific fight on the top floor, and a head-on collision on the twelfth floor which wipes out the killers,-both, cars breaking through the wall and crashing down the light well in the centre of the building.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

-The story of "Face in the Sky," at the De\ Luxe Theatre,, centres • around an artist in an advertising business who in the beginning of the film is travelling around the country by motor-Tan and painting signs/ Ho becomes embroiled In the affairs of a farming family, and finally has an elopement farced upon him, and after that.events move fast. .

"Let ,Me Explain, Dear,", the' comedy com^ menclng at the De Luxe Theatre'next Friday, stars Gene Gerrard at the top of his form. Against lavish backgrounds of superb modern settings, Gerrard;, as a misunderstood husband with a flair for falling in and out of .domestic strife, has an excellent cast in support. Viola Lyel, as the stern, unrelenting wife, demonstrates her fine acting talent for this' portrayal. Claude Hulbert gives his usual polished Imitation of an inane and unhelpful accomplice,!and Is an admirable foil for Gerrard, while Jane Carr, as a snappy blonde who needs explanation, warrants the description- of an important screen discovery.. '

KING'S THEATRE.

"Looking on the Bright ■ Side," an ARP. musical comedy, starring the inimitable Grade Fields, and now screening at the Kings Theatre, Is the bright side ,of , screen entertainment Gracie Fields ,is ' Irresistible. , She sings and laughs her way- Into one's heart and then gkes an outing of sunshine and happiness Commencing on Friday at the Kind's Theatre Is Horse. Feathers/ starring Jhe four Man Brothers. It.'is described *as ""just one long college yell of joy as they clown with tho college girls, pester the professors, caper over the campus, and turn a champion football game into a roarlne rjot.'" Box plans are at the Bristol and Theatre,

QUEEN.'S THEATRE,

"The Bis Timer,'1 the Columbia comedydrama featuring(Ben Lyon, Constance Cummings -and Thelma Todd, now showing at the Queen s Theatre; is the story of a small-town chump ' who wanted to be a big time "champ," and nobody believed he had the makings except a girl. The second attraction is "The Night Mayor, a snappy; breezy, comedy-drama about the chief executive of a large city, who discovered- that his heart as well as his head belonged to the public. A. thrilling sea battle between a rum-running ship and a pirate vessel is one of the stlrrine episodes of the drama, "Corsair," which comes to .the Queen's Theatre on Friday. Adapted from the story by Walton "Green, a former secret- service head of Prohibition Enforcement, it is the tale of an all-American football hero who sets out to, beat Wall Street at the game of high finance;, in addition to Chester Morris as, the- star,\ the cast includes Alison Loyd, Xed Sparks,\ Emmett Corrlgan, Mayo Metbot, Frank McHugh, Fred Kohler, William Austin, Frank Rice, Addle McPhail, and Gay Seabrook

PRINCESS THEATRE,

A gusty adventure-story of the hectic days during the Russian Involution provides a vehicle for George Bancroft in.the current.programme at the New Princess Theatre. Bristling with tense dramatic thrills, ."The World and the Flesh" provides the ebullient Bancroft with his most sensational characterisation since The Slighty. On the same programme is presented '.'Personal Jlald," featuring Xancy Carroll, Pat O'Brien, and Gene Baymond. -, ■

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

The romance1 and drama of this ultra-modern age and the marriage problems which all modern .couples encounter, are, beautifully and poignantly portrayed in "The Age For Love," now being shown at-Shortfs,Theatre. Amnng other delectable features, It brings back to the screen, after more than a year's absence the beautiful Bilhe Dove, It is without doubt Miss Doves finest performance. A comedy extravaganza, "Cock of the Air," Is also showng.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

I\otv showing at the Kilblrnle Kineraa, "The Most Danger.ous Game" has a strong romantic lote, usually absent in thrillers. Based on Richard Connell's prize-winning short stpry if the same title, '<TheSlost Dangerous Game" narrates the unique experiences of a boy and i girl shipwrecked on an island owned by a iinister Russian who has turned his game preerve into a human hunting ground.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAIKAR.

•>!■- OMiosr Train." starring Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge, is showing at the Capitol Theatre this evening. This picture offers entertainment of . the very highest order and h.as drawn record business wherever

■ •=■• snuwn. Mystery, thrills, and .umour which is bound to cause roars of laugher are cleverly interwoven. •

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Another splendid double feature programme vlll be screened at the Empire Theatre this venlng. The principal attraction is "The Jolden West," starring George O'Brien. The tory tells of a youth who goes west, where ie meets and marries'a sirl, a son beins'bom. Indian fights, daring rescues, a duel and comedy highlights are a feature of this Zane ircy special. The second production Is a British picture entitled "The Rasp.".

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI,

At the Regal Theatre, Karori. the most amazing story ever written will be brought to Ihe talking screen in picture form tonight. A ■ well-known statesman (Warner Baxter) is murdered at a critical time in his country's 'llstory. How, after death, he gains sufficient lime to complete his political designs makes si most engrossing story. Supporting Warner Baxter will be Miriam Jordan and John Boles. Special supports will be screened.

SEASIDE PICTURES,

The British International Pictures production of the English countryside, "Mr. Bill the Conqueror," by Dion Titheradge, will be shown tonight at the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay. Heather Angel, whose rise to fame in the picture world has been almost meteoric, plays the part of a farmer's daughter with simple unaffected charm. Henry Kendall has the principal male role in this tale of life pn a Sussex farm on the very spot where William the Conqueror Srst landed. There will bo the usual excellent supports. ■

ROYAL ROLLER RINK.

A special .session, extending to 11 p.m., Is advertised to take place at the Eoyal Eoller Rink, Vivian Street, this evening. The usual Jlonte Carlo competition, gliding 'couples, and d'Alberts will be featured, and the "Strollers" Dance Band will supply sparkling skating numbers. All patrons who have skated on the floor surface since it has been reconditioned are loud in its praise. Tomorrow afternoon' 6 session will be extended until 5 p.my

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

In "Rockabye," at St. James Theatre, Constance Bennett is cast as a woman In search of her souL The search Is the more difficult because the heroine Is also a successful actress with a history, and in .the slitter "of the footlights soul qualities and sex lures seem liable to be a bit mixed, so the actress that Miss Bennett has to portray in "Rockabye" becomes a rather elusive personality. Her candour about herself and her zest in "intimate" scenes, also her dressing and general audacity, lift the eyeDrows of the audience occasionally, but the dramatic strength of her emotional work 13 not helped by the strained situations in which the actress-heroine finds herself placed.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

A -riot of music, dancing, and laughter .is "Sleepless Nights" at the Majestic Theatre. The plot involves a reporter Who is sent to Interview an American millionaire aboard his yacht at Nice, and ends up by being found under compromising circumstances with the millionaire's daughter. The audience is fully entertained ■by the succession of unusual ballet tableaux, step-dancing of the principals, and the humour of tricky situations and clever dialogue. Stanley Lupino, the writer of the original play, is at the head of the cast, and his inimitable antics and expressions have seldom produced better results.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette Mac Donald are featured together in "Love Me Tonight," opening at the Artcraft Theatre tonight. Playing- in support of. -these two famous film artists are Charlie Ruggles, Charles Butterworth, and Myrna Loy. Some .of the catchiest songs for years are ,heard in this production, Including ' "Mimi," "Isn't It .Komantic," "I'm an Apache." "Love Me Tonight" is described as depicting "the greater-than-ever Chevalier in the gayest, most human picture, of the

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"Air Mall," a drama of men who wing their way across the continent with the Government mall. Is now at the Britannia Theatre. Events centre around a desert airport mall relay station, where a group of flyers of different types ,of character and various pasts are gathered- to "put the mall through; regardless of all obstacles. The drama of their lives is the-constant shadow of a flyer's death. v

OUR THEATRE, NE.WTOWN. The heroic sacrifice of an escaped convlot for the sake of his daughter's happiness Is the motyating theme pf "While Paris Sleeps," a thrilling Fox melodrama featuring Victor McLaglen. to be shown at ,Our Theatre tonight. Helen Mack and William Bakewell are paired in the romance that is woven into the story. There are excellent supports.

REPERTORY THEATRE.

"See Naples and Die," the great modern comedy by Elmer Rice, will be presented by the Wellington Repertory .Theatre at the Grand Opera House for a season of three nights commencing next Tuesday. An exceptionally strong cast . has been gathered together including Marjorie Muntz, Constance Morice • M. Hardlnge-Maltby. Ina Allan, Daisy Isaacs, Kathleen O'Brien, R. E. Pope, Vivian Khind R. Welton . Hogg, Jasper Baldwin, A. D. Priestley, P. G Hayes-Towns, Carl Watson, H. A. Painter, G. H. A. Swan, and L. Singleton Smith. The fact that Mr. W. S Hiutchop is in charge of the production ia a guarantee that the play will be presented with finished artistry and unusual competency It is confidently anticipated that Wellington playgoers will,flock to see this amusing picturesque, romantic, and exciting comedy, and early booking Is advised. Box plans open at the Bristol tomorrow at 0 a.m.

PARAMOUNT1 THEATRE.

"Love on "Wheels," at the Paramount allBritish Theatre, is giving pleasure to large audiences daily. Comedies with music are now in the top class of film entertainment and it is interesting to note the really remarkable development in this type of picture. These films are now as beautifully dressed and mounted as any "super" drama, and as much care is devoted to detail. "Love on Wheels"' Is a first-class example of this, for Jack Hulbert's latest success boasts well-nigh perfect technique, gorgeous photography, and lovely settings. It is a veritable feast of singing acting, and dancing fun in which the popular Hulbert, is admirably supported by charming Leonora Corbett, Gordon Harker, and Edmtond Gwenn. with an ensemble of hundreds in the background.