ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Another Eddie Cantor carnival of fun and cpjendour is provided in "Roman Scandals," an enterprising Samuel Goldwyn, production, which is now showing at the Regent Theatre.

"Koman Scandals" is a pageant of splendour, comedy, sophistication, thrills, and excitement, and above all- is i the effervescence:,of Eddie Cantor. There-was onco a grocery boy in . West Home, Oklahoma, who was. thrown out'of'towu on account of upsetting ~ the Mayor's, unscrupulous plans. He dreamed about the Rome of ancient times vso much that he dreamed his. way into the Emperor Valerius's palace, where also resided' the Empress Agrippa. Appointed official foodtaster to the Emperor, he nearly came to a sad end through doing his duty. Other incidents'in his life were being placed on the block in the slave market, falling in lovo and suffering for It, engaging In a stirring chariot race,, and being threatened with torture and death' many times. After all this, the dreamer comes back to earth in the vanguard of the Emperor's soldiers, who are chasing him, and succeeds In proving, that the Mayor of West Rome is the twentieth century counterpart of Valerius, who was endeavouring to enrich himself at the-people's expense. ' Eddlo Cantor sings three songs. Ruth Etting assists in the singing, and other principals include Gloria Stuart, David Manners, Edward Arnold, and Veree Teasdale. The supporting programme is of a particularly high standard.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

Polished acting and a poignant, story of mother-love lift: "Gallant Lady," the main feature at the Grand Opera House, far above the ordinary run of screen entertainments. With Ann Harding and Clive Brook In the stellar ■ roles, tho production Is assured of success.! Bliss. Harding/ was never more happily cast than'as Sally Wynyard, \vho has loved not wisely perhaps, 'but too well. When the father of her child is killed In an aeroplane accident, sne Is befriended' by an erstwhile prominent surgeon. A kind of Platonic friendship. develops between the two, and through the doctor's efforts, the child Is adopted by a wealthy friend, Philip Lawrence, and .his wife. ■ While in Italy Sally meets a count who becomes Infatuated with her, but a dramatic situation develops when she accidentally comes across her son in Paris. - Lawrence's wife having died, he decides to marry again, and Sally,. disapproving of his choice, sacrifices her freedom In order to preside over tho boy's destiny. Miss Hardlng's acting in the intensely-dramatic scenes towards the close of the picture is magnificent. Otto Kruger gives fine support as Lawrence,' and Dickie Moore is well placed as- the son of the ill-starred romance. Tullio Canninati plays the part ?of the cotint with real distinction. The supporting pictures are varied and interesting.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

, Noel Coward's "Design- for Living" is the basis for the Paramount attraction which, stars Fredrlc March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins at the De Luxe Theatre this week. A strict version of . "Design for Living," It ..is probable, would not have been, passed by: any film censor in the world, so oddly different are the standards of stage and film, so Paramount have made a new story within the old outlines and containing all the essentials of the Miriam Hopkins plays very competently as Gilda, and Fred,rio March and Gary Cooper are excellent foils as the playwright and painter respectively who compete, for her love. Edward Everett Horton has the - fourth character study in tha film, that of ; Max Plunkett, who has been metamorphosed from art dealer into advertising agent; and ha is as good as ever.. There is a long and excellent supporting bill including the ,latest newsreels. Miss Mamie- Reid at the Piano, and Mr, Paul T. Cullen at the organ, play and sing together In "Modern ' Melodies In Modern Rhythm," a series of popular numbers-.. '" :, •■■■■■■

A deeply emotional tale of mother love and sacrifice comes to the' Do Luxe Theatre next Saturday in "Cradle Song," the first motion picture in which Paramount's latest star, Dorothea Wleck, has appeared. Completely off the beaten track of motion picture entertainmont, "Cradle Song" is a delicate handling of a difficult theme. The story.- by the noted Spanish playwright, G. M. Martinez Sierra, tells of a child abandoned at a convent, and raised by one of the sisters. As Sister Joanna', Miss .Wiecki' has - been 'Jonging -foe- the*- motherhood .Jdenled.'her.'.i.:Shb-lavishes'6n;the: foundling all the love and affection she would have given to, a child of her own. Drama and heartbreak mount to a. moving' climax, when the child, grown to girlhood,, meets X young man outside the convent and leaves to marry him. A 'i. spiritual quality pervades, the entire ; production^ though the characters are sharply and individually ' etched. Dorothea '• Wieck, brings to the screen a haunting beauty that promises much for the future. Sir Guy Standing In one of the principal roles gives a warming and heartfelt performance: As the mother superior, Louise Dreiser Is excellent. ,■ Evelyn Venable, the girl,-: is refreshing and "■charming.' "'.-•- ■■■■'•■ ■:■•.■ ' ■

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Pemberton Billings's splendid futuristic drama "High Treason," which created 'something of a.sensation iiulondon oh the legitimate stage ■fs'-"belHgTs"cre"e'nea'"ar:tlie "Paramount- Theatre; Benlta; Hume, .Jamiespn Thomas; Basil Gill, and-Huthbcrton Wright, as the principals of a cast which embodies hundreds of people, register.'splendid There is a good supporting programme". The last three days are announced.

British Dominions Films superb picturing of "Bitter Sweet," Noel' Coward's famous operetta; which will open at.the raramdiint Theatre on Easter Saturday, is^eiescrlbe.d; as being the closest' thing to;., an actual,stage presentation ithathas been given to'the screen. • The whole '/of the-brilliant, 'dialogue is intact, and the lyrics'which; hayo won: such popuflar.ity are a(l there. These include: "I'll See You.Again," "If Love Were All," "Tokay Drinking Song," "Ladies of the Tbwn," "Dear Little Cafe," and g.ll the French • hits of the piece. In these latter Items th'e1 famous actress and singer Ivy St. -Heller .reproduces,-the success" she made on the stage. ' "Anna' Neaglo is credited with a great performance as the heroine,'and Fernand-Graavey scores a "triumph- asher lover. This romance of two people with the world .against them .brings ,wjth, it a reputation' as b"eihg'"tneigreafest Jllm thai.has been' .produced in a'Brltlsh studio." • . ' . ;

PRINCESS THEATRE,

Those who see "Thark," the new British and Dominions farce, starring Ralph Lynn and Tom Walls, and introducing once more the famous Aldwych team, will be struck by the spontaneity of its Humour, and readily agree that this is the 'most hilarious Walls-Lynn comedy ever to be shown. "Thark" is now screening at the Princess Theatre. Nowhere is the comedy more marked than in \the remarkably funny climax, when Ralph and Tom, In bed together in the "haunted" room, reach such a pitch of.nervous tension that every noise and. every movement is translated, by them, into evidence of a ehost. Mary Brough and Robertson Hare,; two; other prominent members of the Aldwych team, also occupy prominent roles.

KING'S. THEATRE.

• James Cagnoy, in his latest Warner Bros, production,"Picture Snatcher," has a thoroughly hard-boiled role, although a delightfully entertaining ■ one. '■ "Picture Snatchor," now showing at the King's Theatre, is based on a newspapor story by Danny Ahearn, which treats of a> little-known phase of the work on a yellow tabjoid of the most sensational type. Jimmy, in-the title role, is the go-getter picture man who gets'photographs of people and news "events by hook or by crook, regardless of ethics: or commoa decency. He Is particularly atted,-for the Job, having served a term in Sing Sing "for robbery lust before he enters upon his new vocation. Also showing is "Mail Pilot," with •>,Slickey Mouse. Box plans are at the D.I.C.- and- theatre.

SHORTT'S THEATBE.

famous murder, cases- as the Molyneux, Patrick-, Crippen, and: Dr. VValtovkillihgV which held the newspaper frontpages for mouths, in the United States and are-recalled by their similarity to the carefully planned murder shown in the Columpla.'fllm, "As the' Devil Commands" featuring-Alan Dinehart, Mac Clarke, and Neil' Hamilton, now. showing atShortt's Theatre. -In "As the , Devil Commands," Dinehart plays the role' ,of a crafty lawyer, who presents a gentle and benevolent face to the world, but who/has. a sinister soul. "Air Hostess," the isecond: feature, is a romantic aim revolving about the love of ' one of those adventurous,modern-girls who fly-the great 'transcontinental. aeroplanes, for ' a -living. Evalyn.Knapp plays the title i-qle1 of "Air Hostess." ~ ; -:■ ; - ■: ;,: .. ■

CAPITOL THEATRE,: MIRAMAR.

"King of. the Kltz,"a: Gainsborough-picture/ starring Stanley Lupino, Betty Stockfeld.1 and' Henry; Kendall, is to be screened'at the Capitol Theatre tonight for the last tlmo. In this brilliant ■ musical comedy, Stanley Luplno is seen as Claude, the head porter of . the JUtz Hotel, an officer so indispensable as to be unofficially recognised by. all as the uncrowned "king" of the establishment. Cleyer dialogue, bright songs, brilliant dancing, beautiful girls, and rare humour ensure a satisfying entertainment.

SEASIDE PICTURES.

At the Seaside Pictures, Lyall Bay, tonight, Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy will be seen in "Penthojjse." As a'scion of an aristocratic New York family, and a society lawyer who chooses to defend notorious racketeers, Warner Baxter is said to give one of the finest performances .of his long motion picture career. As Gertrude Wasted, a beautiful night club girl, Myrna Loy is reported to have far surpassed any of her triumphs in previous picture productions. . With exotic roles now a part of her brilliant past, in "Penthouse" she has taken command of one of the strongest and most .lovable characterisations of her career and her romantic scenes with Warner Baxter will long be remembered. There will also 'be Metro short subjects. Box plan at theatre or telephone 16-393.

EMPIRE. THEATRE. ISLAND BAY.

I Another Warner Bros, special production Is to he screened at the Empire Theatre tills evening. "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" is said to be one of tlie most exciting mystery thrillers'to come to tho screen. A In rite all-star cast is headed by Lionel Atwlll, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell, and Frank McHugli. The supporting programme is headed hy a special two-reel musical comedy, a travelogue, and several splendid fcaturettes. '• On Wednesday and. Thursday, "Tell Me Tonight"- will be: screened,

STATE THEATRE,

.It would-be almost impossible to imagine! a fastei'Tmoving,' more brilliant' comedy •■■• than •"It's a Boy," which heads the bill af the State Theatre this.week. The story, full of nonsensical situations, is written around James Sliippett (Leallo Henson), bachelor-friend of: Dudley Leako' (Edward Everett HortonJ The tun begins when Joe Piper (Alfred Burdon) visits Leake on his wedding day and announces that ho (Leake) is his "dear daddy," and Skippett endeavours to rescue Leake from the altectionato riper. A youthful indiscretion scares tho timid Leako into believing the young man's claim, and the friendly 'Skippett gets into every kind of scrape in his hard-workin" efforts to keep piper from meetirigvthe bride. One of the biggest laughs sof the show is a scene in which Leslie Henson disguises himself as a famous woman, author, fashionably attired and tottering about on ridiculously highheeled shoes. Leslie Henson has plenty of scope to display his sparkling, subtle, rapid-tire repartee. Edward Everett. Horton gives an excellent portrayal in his role as the worried, nervous bridegroom, about to be marled, and Albert. Burdon as the youth who claimed him as his "dear daddy." These, helped by a clever body of supporting playere, notably Wendy Barrie (the bride-to-be), Heather. Thatcher (the real novelist), Alfred Drayton (the irate father of the bride-to-be) Kobertson Hare- (humorously butlerisu) give an excellent display of team work. An added attraction on the stage is the appearance of Harry and Douglas Foster, the talented juvenile tap dancers. Miss Dorothy Daniels, prominent Wellington dancer, gives exhibitions of toe tapping. . ■

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

Musical;''comedy is presented at the Majestic.. Theatre in "Cinderella's Fella " a new- vehicle for . Marion Davies. -\ There Is no:better burlesque artist on the films (unless it, is Florence' Desmond, 'the English impersonator of; screen stars) and In "Cinderella's Fella, Miss Davies. gives a' few impressions thaf are clever in the extreme. ! Cast as a teacher ;of; French in a girls' seminary; and in love with a radio crooner's voice. Miss Davies portrays the girl who' throws up a job to follow her star. She lands a job in Hollywood as lead in a ; musical play.\ The crooner, admirably played: by.-Bing Crosby,, America's most popular radio artist, is having a hectic affair with a. French actress,-and Miss Davies sets out to:.win the foolish young man away fromv the temperamental foreigner. Stewart- Erwin is cast as the wealthy college youth, and Ned Sparks plays another 'o£ ■ his "producer" roles. The supporting programme includes views of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden; a Flip comedy; Zasii Pitts 'and Thelma Todd in slapstick comedy, "Maids a la Mode"; and an interesting newsreel '■ of re-: cent happenings. . .<■■ :, i;.

"Her Sweetheart," based on the pla'yi ."The Late Christopher Bean," 'one of Now ■■ York's' outstanding dramatic hits, opens on 'Saturday at the Majestic Theatre, bringing " together Marie, Dressier and Lionel Barrymore :in their first appearance as co-stars. The new Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer offering is based on Sidney Howard's celebrated drama, "Christopher-Bean,* of a woman who shows a man the road back to honour. It was adapted from the French of Reno Fauchois and was first produced by Gilbert Miller at the Henry Miller Theatre In New York, with Pauline Lord as the star.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

High society crime, cultured Jewel robbers,.' | suave burglars, and a beautiful* woman burglar, a detective turning thief to catch a thief but subdued by a pair of brown eyes—allr these and other ingredients of a good crime thriller are included in "Midnight Club," the hew Clive Brook-George Raft-Helen Vinson picture now showing at the St. James Theatre. The Midnight Club Is the night clubrfrequented by the gang, which is headed ' -iColin Grant (Clivo Brook) and includes Iris Whitney (Helen Vinson), Arthur Bradley (Ala'n;Mb'wbray), and George Rubens (Ferdinand' Go'ttschalk). George Raft is cast as a detective from America'who comes to London (whero he meets'redple who r'cannot talk English"), and puts a spoke Into the wheel of Colin Grant's robbery gang. In an. interesting supporting programme, ,:nd-: thing is more interesting than Indian salmon catching in the foaming waters; of tho Columbia River., The breeding of American trotting horses, a Harry Langdon comlci and Johnny Green's playing are other notable items. ' • ' •

"Little Women."

Awaited, with keen interest, the screen version of Louisa ,M, Alcott's ■' classic,' "Little Women," is soon to be seen here. It Is to screen at the.St. James Theatre as its Easter attraction. The production, featuring a cast I Of. twenty .'artists, headed by, Katharine Hep-^ burn, established a unique record in filmland long before actual production work ■ began, .when approximately 200,000 film-goers wrote the RKO-Radio studio requesting that the' story bo made just as written, and not modernised," as was the studio's alternative., project. The tone of the letters' indicated that the eslmated 20J000.000 people in America alone who-; have read the great classic of home life would consider tampering with the letter and spirit of the original work ani uncalled-for task. Schoolchildren, H was pointed ..out, have, been taught to .believe that the story represents the .highest ideals of youth., It was these letters that led to .the decision to spend a fortune authenticating the period settings. The Alcott home in Concord. Massachusetts, where Louisa M. Alcott drew her- characters -.from- real' life, was rer> prbduce'tt in - Its entirety' at* Hbllyw'oodf' The' homo was . photographed inside and. out, • and thqso photographs,.were^used-as-;niodels;S)r the, sottlngs. - Players selected for .leading roles were not only chosen" for their histrionic.abit-' ity'but fpr their.resemblance to Louisa Alcott's descriptions of her characters. Miss Hepburn plaj-s Jo. The supporting cast arid the roles they enact aro Joan Bennett as Amy, Frances Doe as Jlcg, Jean Parker as Beth, Paul Lukas as-Fritz Bhaer, Edna May Oliver as Aunt March, Douglass Montgomery as Laurie,, Henry Stephenson as Mr. Laurence, Spring Byington as Marmeo, Samuel Hinds as Mr. March, Mabel Ooleord as' Hannah. Johiv Davis'Lodge as Brooke, and Nydla AVestman as Mamie. .George Culior directed. '-• ' \' ' ■-;' ''■■]■.•:-■:■.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE.

Laughter loud and long,-should bo hoard at. the Arteraft Theatre when ."It^s. a King" is '.shown tonight. This: is; tb.e: funniest Sydney Howard film yet, and as the "gags" were written- by talented- English mirth-pro-vokcrs, there is every reason to accept the claim that the humour, though of the crazy variety, is hilariously comic. The story is farcical, and. concerns the, adventures.of. Albert King,', insurance; agent. Albert "Is'due'for' lils animal fortnight's r holiday, and after' much thought ho decides to go gay and visit the Continent. Sydney Howard plays, tho dual role, and an excellent supporting cast includes Cecil. Humphries, Joan j Maud, and .Franklyn'. Bellamy. '■

UUEENS THEATRE,

The new big double star programme now showing at the Queen's Theatre features the ever-popular Tim McCoy in his greatest outdoor: romance,. "Western Code.". The second attraction, "Tha Woman I Stole" • features Jack Holt, Fay Wray Is tha "woman." Noah. Beery and Raquel Torres are also featured In important roles. The story is an adaptation of Joseph Hergesheimer's "Tamplco." Irving Cummings directed. Holt portrays tha role of a two-fisted oil king who takes a fancy to the lovely wife of his superintendent.

BRITANNIA THEATRE.

; "Shanghai Madness." the; new Wax, production which is now showing at tho Britannia Theatre, represents one of the' outstanding contributions of the screen. Spencer Tracy I has tho. leading role .of 'an impulsive naval officer. Fay Wray has the principal, feminine role. "Walking Down Broadway," the other pfcture, features James Dunn and Boots Mallory. It deals■ with..tho romance of,a savings bank salesman, portrayed by James Dunn, and a I little seed store clerk; Boots •'•Mallory, who find that their plans for marriage arouse objections from their friends. Zasu Pitts as Miss Mallory's homely room-mate; Mhina Gombell, as a; wise-crackins girl-friend; and Terrance Ray, as a typical Broadway wise-guy are the principals. *

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

Ann Harding arid William .Powell are costarred in "Double Harness," the RKO picture to be shown at Our Theatre tonight. It is a comedy-drama of a modern, young girl with old-fashioned ideas but modern methods in respect to marriage. She deliberately lures a gay playboy into matrimony and then has the time of her life trying to keep i her husbiuid from beine won from her by a gay widow There are .excellent supports. . ■ ■ ;

KILBIRNIE-KINEMA.

The strangest.character ever created by the screen, comes\to thoiEllbimie Kinema tonight .when Universal's startling: plcturlsation*of H. G. Weils's sensational;'.novel, "The'-Invisible Man, will be seen. Its'unseen star is a scientist, who has succeeded In-conquering light and shadow to. make himself' invisible. How his1 fraiitio attempts to rule the world-plunge a nation • into ra ' frenzy -of; suspense - and •• lear atfd how, the invisible'madman employs his Invisibility to gain his ends and how ho manages a fervid love affair, supplies this amazing picture with a quick; succession.: of liighspots. Claude Rains, London and New York stago light, makes his debut as a sensational screen personality.