ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

STATE THEATRE.

Mile-a-minute burlesque, with the action so fast that the story loses nothing by a little haziness In continuity, . marks "Falling . tor You," .'now showing at the State Theatre. If the appreciation ■of the audience Is any criterion. Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneldga have scored In it their biggest success to date. 11l searcli of a story about a missing heiress, they are as ridiculous a pair of etage journalists as one could Imagine. Matters are complicated early in the plot by Jack's "falling for tbe heiress, after she has solved, with ■ Bash of dazzling geulus, a noughts-and-crosses problem that had baffled his only average Intellect. Hia efforts to make love to ber In a foreign language by means of a phrase-book are partly successful, and be follows her from Switzerland to England. Cicely is after tbe story too, letting nothing dismay her, and in an effort to beat her Jack disguises himself as a porter, as a chimney-sweep, and then finds himself In' a haunted house at midnight, when the ghost (In the person of Cicely) walks with devastating effect. A newcomer to the screen, Taraara Desni, plays to perfection the role of the beautiful heiress. ■ Apart from the superb comedy of the picture and the group of catchy song numbers that are Introduced Into it, the Alpine scenery will cause it to linger long In the memory of those who see it. Ski-Ing, tobogganing, and Ice-skating are brought In with splendid effect, and the lanky Jack Hulbert surprises all by his grace and agility on skates. The supporting programme is long and Interesting.

REGENT THEATRE,

"The Private Life of Henry VIII," now showing at the Regent Theatre, Is s highly interesting and amusing picture, and certainly lives up to the claim that. It la "different." Over and above that, Henry VIII gives Charles Lauglnon an opportunity to exhibit his great artistry. Henry is not depicted in terms of brutality—indeed, his finesse Is remarkable, and his game of cards with Anne of Cleves (who figures rnort as a taker than a giver) Is one of the highlights of the picture. Prior to this, Anne Boleyn Ulerle Oberon) uas been executed wlib all detail, and the second execution results from the King's discovery that another wife (Katheryn Howard, played by Binnie Barnes) has committed adultery with a former lover (Thomas Culpepper, played by Robert Dovot) After Katheryn Howard, it is an older and sadder Henry that goes In for muting and hating. There is an extraordinary scene In which Anne or Cleves (played by Elsa Lanchester) comes back, and Henry calls- her affectionately a card sharper,. but follows her advice to wed th» sedate nurse Katherin* Parr (Kverley Gregg). This last wife gives herself all tbe privileges of a nurse, curbs Henry's appetite, and even henpecks him. Cromwell is played by Franklin Dyall, Wrlothesly by Miles Mander, Jane Seymour by Wendy Barrle, Cornell by Cltude Allister, Cranmer by, Lawrence Ranray, Holbein by Joliu Turobull. There is a good supporting programme.

DE LU'E THEATRE.

TUB adramirts ol a wine society la-vver' who establishes a practice uuongs: the curioui circles of the racketeer* ar« "erealed Id "Penthouse." ibe exei.!ij|j mm Marring Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, which will, be shown for the last time at the De Luxe Theatre tonight. "Only Yesterday," with John Boles, will be screened tomorrow.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

The highly successful "season of Tom Walls with Anne Grey in "The Blarney Stone" will finish tonight. -.-.■. . • ■ .

Gainsborough's mighty picture and greatest dramatic talking success which has captured the public in England, America, and Australia will be seen for the first time In New Zealand tomorrow at the Paramount All-British Theatre. "Rome Express" Is acclaimed as being "the most costly dramatic enterprise yet perfected by a British studio/ and the Press of all countries has showered approval upon it. It deals with the amazing exploits that arise when eight people; including a Scottish millionaire (a part; which Sir Ccdric Hardwicke is credited with "playing with rare distinction), board the Rome express. A strange trick of fate brings and links these travellers together in what Is conceded to be one of the strangest and most fascinating stories ever conceived. The London "Era" describes its grip'upon an audience as "tremendous." In addition to Sir Cedrlc Hardwicke, whose, name appeared in the last honours list, the cast includes the distinguished names of Conrad Veldt, Esther Ralston, -Joan Barry,,, Muriel Aked, Gordon Harker, Harold Huth, Donald Galthrop, and an army of lesser lights. "Rome Express" will be preceded by : a special supporting programme. ' . ':■

KING'S THEATRE.

"Ladies They Talk About," featuring Barbara Stanwyck, will be presented finally at the King's Theatre tonight. New York with its up-to-tjie-mlnute swirl of gay life is the sparkling background against which is etched the drama and comedy of "They Call It Sin," the First National picture which comes to the King's Theatre tomorrow. The blending of. drama, comedy, and music is made possible by the story which takes its characters behind the scenes of ■ musical comedy production, night club and penthouse party life, and portrays the love' of three men for one girl who, in turn. loves a man she cannot have. Excellent featurettes include a Mickey Mouse cartoon and1 Fox (Aust.) ' News. Box plans are at the D.1.C,: and theatre.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Grade Fields, at the Majestic in "This Week of Grace," will be seen for the last time tonight. She appears In the characteristic melodious Lancashire mill lass role so familiar to her admirers, but she a(sq blossoms out into society. "Love's Old Sweet Song" will be the main attraction in the new programme tomorrow, ; , . ■ ■ '

SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY.

"Waltzing Matilda" will be shown at, the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight, The outdoor scenery is exceptionally beautiful and shows some lovely stretches, of, Australian countryside. "Waltzing MatlldiV has for <Us theme the wonderful comradeship which exists amongst the Australians of; the "outback, • and the characterisations are all drawn from life. The cast Includes Joe VaIUV Norman French, Pat Hanna, and a beautiful daughter of Australi" in the person of Dorothy Parnham. There are also excellent short subjects..

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

"The Secret of Madame Blanche" will bo ah^e flll May n '^'-Piayed God," featuring George Arliss, will be shown tomorrow night. The story concerns Montgomery Royale, who, born to wealth, culture, and! luxury, is a musical genius. Grace, a young girl. Is infatuated by his greatness, and: asks mm to marry her He points out tho difference in ace and tells her it la merely infatuation. She asks him to give her six months to prove her love. Itoyale is deafenef by an explosion, and becomes a recluse. ■; He later sees what his broodine has done to;him, and sees his own selfishness, and carries, out charjties anonymously. He also discovers Graces love for a man her own age. He calls her to him and after commending her for her sportsmanship in wishing to stick, ti) her promise, kisses her good-bye and sends her to her lover. • ■ '

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY1. '.

A splendid double-feature programme la tobe screened at the Empire The»tre this evening. • The principal utttactlon is "The Last Trail," starring George ft'Brlen »nd featurins El Brendei.and Claire Trevor.: The supporting attraction is ,"The Stlckpin,"jßtarrlne Henry Kendall and Betty Astlll. "The Stickpin" Is a thrilling story of blackmail and intHgue. • A Fox Movietone Newsreer completes an exce(lent programme, ■."■'., ' ' .'...'

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"Kine of the Jungle," Paramoimt's tlirill- * drama which brings Buster : Crabbe, world I champion swimmer, to the scrten in the role ( of the lion man, Is now showing at the XII- i bknie Kiriema. Crabbe is' the central clmracter.in a story of animals In their natiye > jungle and in the surroundings of 1 a circus. He* Is cast as a youth who, orph- , aned in the jungle at an early • age, grows up in company with a pack iof lions. , The t picture comes to. a climax, when fire breaks i out in. a circus, ,• and' the maddened animals , break loose from their cages, j \ ■_ ■

CAPITOL THEATRE. MIRAMAR

A' Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, "Storm' at Daybreak," featuring Kay Francis, Nils Astjier, and Walter Huston, Is '■. showing ■' tonight- at the Capitol Theatre for . the last, time. The picture, is ', a■ . thrilling romance laid in the Balkans at the outbreak of the' World War and' concerns a wealthy Hungarian landowner, his yoiing and pretty wife, and a guards offlcer t|ho become involved in a series of adventurous and excitVig incidents.

QUEENS THEATRE.

"International House" will be shown finally at' the Queen's Theatre tonight.

A mystery film which keeps Its secret to the very last shot is, in these dai^s of perceptive fllmgoers, a rarity indeed, but "No. IT," tlte Alfred Hitchcock production, which commences at the Queen's Theatre .tomorrow, amply fills the bill in this respect. The »ritlsh cast features Anne Grey, Donald Calthrop, and Jolin Stuart. The second attraction will be a romantic comedy extravaganza -with music, "The Indiscretions of. Ere," with an all-star cast of musical comedy players. It las a succession of song and dance, quip and lest, and piquant flirtatious comedy, baaked by high-spirited portrayal. Its qualities of slecr high spirits indicate an appeal to all.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

"I Loved You Wednesday"! will be shown finally tonight. In' the change of programme tomorrow Will Rogers is featured in "Doctor Bull." As Dr. George Bull, the hero of the story, Rogers portrays a village doctor who Is a shrewd philosopher and has seen tine's shifting parade bring sew faces and new conditions into the life of his village. The second feature is "Arizona to Broadway," with James' Dunn, Joan Bennett, and Herbert Mundln In the leading roles. The story revolved around a smalltime gambler In a Western, carnival'who comes to the rescue of a beautlfuljßlrl. The girl is about to be "taken in"! by a group of other confidence men, wheni he sets out to protect her interests. He succeeds in what ho sets but to do, but do« not reveal'his purpose in doing it—to perform a little "taking in" on his. own accoun). His plan is knocked awry by the fact tllat he falls in lore with the elrl.

ST. THEATRE. "Dinner at Eight" is tn« main attraction at. the St. James Thqatre. There can be no doubting that the production is that rara aria in the entertainment world—a highly boomed show which comes right up to %he anticipated standard, tike 'Grand Hotel," a ilcture of which it is lUbtly reminiscent In mope ' ways than one, it has literally an all-star cast. Including three who were tn - the former production Among those invited to the dinn«- wen Marie Dressier as Carlotta Vance,- a flamboyant but lovable exactress; JohD Barrynroe, as Larry Benault. an actor wltti d profile Whose penchant for drinkIng has caused him to'be placed In the discard; Wallace' Beery.* its Dan Packard, a coGetter mid-Western business man with bis eye on the Capitol; Jeat. llurlow, as Mrs. Packard, a pretty voun? woman' with not very strict Ideas on connubial ttdeliti; Edmund Lone, as Dr. Wayne Talbot, me«lcal adviser to Oliver Jordan (Lionel Barrymnri»). wliuso wife {Billy Burke) l» giving th-; dins«r, and several other characters, seme of »+cm Are played by Karen Morley, Lee Tracy, Jean t Hertholt. Madge Evans, and toulse dosser Hale. There arc flne points to be appreciated, and also dashes of broad humour, with acting or the highest class. '

PRINCESS THEjATRE.

"Another Language" wilt be screened for the last time at the Newi Princess Theatre tonight. ' \

The new picture In the*: change of programme will be "Melody Qrulse," which is not a musical comedy, in tlM> accepted" sense of the word, but the first munlcal movie conforming to screen rather thi-.n stage standards. It features Charlie Ruigles, Phil ■'Harris, Greta Nissen, and Helen! Mack. This picture marks an innovation Vn motion picture musical ~productions. Tk ere are thirtysix glittering beauties in assel lblcd rhythms and incidental songs which we»?e easily into tho continuity. The thirty-six a'rls who provide the brilliant background hl.vc bit roles in the picture. By clever devieiw. the songs are made part of the story; musical dialogue supplants spoken dialogue.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOtiVN

Constance Bennett' Is starred' in "Our Betters," the R.K.O. attraction to bit shown at Our Theatre tonight. Miss Bennett; plays the role of an American heiress who i lees than an hour after her marriage to a 1 nobleman finds him In the arms of another, woman, whom he swears to always love. Sailing revenge ahe becomes the most notorious woman In English society. There are excelfctut sup-

SHORTT'S THEATRE!

"What Price Innocence?" will ■be ..shown finally tonight at Shortt's Theatre. v

Barbara Stanwyck's burning cHlldhoafl desire to be a missionary was almost coiiMummatted In her role in "The Bitter Tu'.ot General Yen," a Columbia picture, whii-h is to be shown tomorrow. "Almost consummated" because her accidental, capture by the war-ilord, the fascinating General Yen, Immediately tonon her arrival In China, temporarily waylaysV her purpose for being in China. And* thqn — when she is free to go and marry her qiiteslonary and devote her life to religion—ttoe no longer desires to be a religious worlieir. The second attraction Is "Mussolini Speakkf" An assemblage of some of the world's greatest figures surround Mussolini In this film... Among them are such royal peoplo as Kin)',' Emanuel and Queen Helena of Italy; Crowi >. Prince Humbert of the House of Savoy; Hi*' Holiness Pope Pius -XI; King Boris of Bult,i garia;, Princess Glovanna of Italy: King Al-(j ben arid Princess Marie Jose" of Belgium ;• Balbo, Minister of Airways: and Dino Grand!, y member of Mussolini's Cabinet.' I

wirth'S circus:

Human daring and animal intelligence are combined with thrilling effect to maintain m Wirth's Circus this year the yery high; stand T ard set in the past. Performances are at present being given every afternoon and evenins in the Winter Show Building, and the crowds that are attracted .by the never-falling lure of the sawdust ring are not disappointed by the twenty-six Items, which go to make up tho three hours' entertainment. The acts are presented with considerable artistry, Inasmuch as the most difficult -feats are invariably kept till last. In the first minute or two of the early acts one Is tempted' to say ."I could do that," but experience soon teaches that these apparently simple tricks, are merely the prelude to exhibitions of skill . and : strength that leave the spellbound spectator gasping with admiration or fear. The galaxy of talent comprises every sort of circus artist. In the acrobatic line; the act presented by the Flying Angels.(the Misses Wltth) Is notable for Its novelty and ■ for the beauty of the lighting effecta. while that of the "Six Wonderful lady Acrobats;" and of the "Seven' Nelsons" presents a whirlwind of nerve and dexterity. As the culmination of the acrobatic feats, and of the whole show,- Aloys Peters, "the bravest man on earth," proves his claim to the title by a series of, trapeze tricks high above the hard floor of the Show building, and a leap through space with his head in a hangman's noose. Two especially beautiful and popular items are the living statues presented first bj Jllss Doris' and her golden horse "Queenie," and then by Mr. George. Wlrth. jun., and by Mr. Clyde-Moore with their milk-white steed, j The animal acts were a joy to', everybody, in-1 eluding the animals themselves. From the light-hearted capering and revelling of the monkeys and the fox terriers to the stronger frisking of the'horses and the massive movements', of the bcare, lions, and elephants, , the, actions of 'every ■ animal'were made with almost uncanny skill and' understanding. They,' and Indeed every performer, need to be seen to be appreciated. ■ .