ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 89, 12 October 1934, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

REGENT THEATRE,

Headed by that distinguished actor Sir Gerald dv jMuurier, the British International picture, ••Scotland Yard Alystery," is being presented at the Kegent Theatre. This crime-detection thriller starts off with the disclosure that an insurance company has been heavily hit by a number of deaths from heart failures of highly-insured men who had just been passed as sound by the company's doctor (played by Leslie Perrins). The doctor is hi danger of being dismissed when his fiancee, being the daughter of Police Inspector Stanton, secures the help of Scotland Yard, and under the police analysis the case at first appears to be one of mw'ders-by-poison. In the last analysis, hoirevor, it seems that the criminal has stopped short of murder, for he is a doctor who lias, invented drugs that reduce people to coma, from which they can later be revived by appropriate treatment. But the appearance of death is such that the men, while in coma, are certified as dead; the company pays out; the men recover, and are compensated by the drug-inventor with a portion of their insurance money, which enables them to live abroad under assumed names. Meanwhile, coffins filled with make-weight arc buried in cemeteries, and things begin to hum when the police exhumations start. Whose is the medical brain and criminal mind that weaves this net of living death, fraudulent payments, and belated recoveries? The answer tothis question is gathered as the plot wends its way to the final.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE,

"Damaged Lives," described as a gripping and graphic human document, « picture which commenced at the Grand Opera House today, is a courageous- and praiseworthy presentation of the dangers of tlie "white scourge," embellished by a movingly-enacted drama which, it is said, must rank as one of the greatest achievements in the annals of the screen. All previous attempts at combining the education of the public to dangers of this ei>ormoiis social evil with a narrative of a definite entertainment value, fall into insig-nificance-in comparison with this picture, it is claimed, -which will be shown under the auspices of the New South Wales Racial Hygiene Association.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Interest in spies never wanes. Having faith in this belief, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer brings to the screen one of the most exciting screen stories based upon the loves- and adventures of one of Europe's famous secret service agents. The new picture, "Stamboul Quest," which, commenced today at the Dc Luxe Theatre, presents Myrna Loy in the entrancing role of "Fraulein Doktor." Germany's most valuable spy in the World War and the woman who Etent Mata Hari to her death. x George Brent, as a reckless young American who becomes entangled 'in the international spy web—and inevitably falls in love with the lovely spy —makes his first appearance in a Metro-Gpkhvyn-Mayer picture. It is said that the role appears made-to-,order for Brent who, as a young Irishman, formerly was allied with the Sinn Fein cause and served as <i spy during the last Irish rebellion before he escaped from England with a price on his head. The specially-selected featurettes include Laurel and Hardy in their latest comedy, "Towed in .a Hole."

QUEEN'S THEATRE,

Thrills below the surface, on the sea, and in the air combine to create a sensational background for a stirring romance, "Hell Below," which opened today at the Queen's Theatre, with Robert Montgomery, Walter Huston, Madge Evans, Jimmy Dnrante, Eugene Pallette, and Robert Young as the principals. The picture depicts remarkable underwater shots of submarines in action. Against this background is played the romance of Montgomery, as a young lieutenant in love with Madge Evans, the daughter of his commander. A spectacular air raid over an Italian town, hair-raising encounters between submarines and battleships, the rescue of a submersible doomed at the floor of the ocean, and the bottling up of a harbour full of enemy ships are among the other thrilling incidents in the film. John Gilbert has the principal role sin "Gentleman's Fate," in which ■ Gilbert is a young man,,reared to luxury, who finds himself a member of a rumrunning family, instead of the .society scion he thought himself. There are two leading, ladies, Leila Hyams and Anita Page. ' ■

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

A rare drama, as different, from- the' ordinary run of Hollywood productions as the desert is from a flower garden, is offered the fans will; the coming' of "The Lost Patrol" to Shortt's Theatre. The setting is the Mesopotamia!! desert. A British cavalry patrol loses its officers through an Arab raid. His ordeis are unknown to any of the party, and after' terrible suffering the half-starved horses and men reach an oasis. On th".r first night in camp the.Arabs attack, kill a sentry, and steal all the mounts. Suo.ceeding attacks follow. As the odds against the little band of men increase, the drama grows more tense. At last only the powerful sergeant remains, a lone and heroic figure who laughs at death. An aeroplane reaches the scene, but the pilot is pickjd off by Arab snipers. The sergeant (Victor McLaglen) manages to get the aeroplane's machine-gun, and an unusual climax follows. A drama called "Finishing School" is also being shown.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

The first showings in New Zealand of British Lion's melodrama, "Warn Loudon," and the bright,, breezy comedy feature "Girls Please," are being made today at the Paramount Theatre. Both aro recommended as pictures of unusual worth. Especially written to introduce that great actor and screen favourite, Kdmund Gwenn, as a star in his own right, "Warn London" provides him with splendid chances as Dr.' Kraus, a noted criminologist who, being beggared through losses in the big frauds which shook Paris, is persuaded to turn criminal and use his genius to plot a robbery of £1,000,000 in bullion and so get his own back. Almost as good in a dual role is John Loder, while Leonora Corbett has her share of the. honours. The second feature is Sydney Howard, the clean and clever comedian, in his latest laugh creator, "Girl's Please," in which Sydney runs riot While conducting a finishing school for young ladies during the absence of the headmistress.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Tonight the la^t screening will be made of. the present programme at the Kilbirnie Ivinema, featuring "Trouble," with Sydney Howard in his greatest comedy part. Tomorrow there will be the usual weekend double-feature programme, with Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone in "Sadie McKee." Deserted by a uomantic weakling, married to a dipsomanic millionaire, and loved by a young business man —that is the dramatic story of Sadie McKee. At 2.15 tomorrow there will be a.children's gift matinee.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

Screening nt the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. finally tonight at 8 o'clock, is the British musical comedy of the gay nineties, "The Girl from Maxims," starring Leslie Hcnson. supported by* George Grossmitli and Lady Tree. Tomorrow there will be a Mickey Mouse morning matinee, with ii selected programme, including a Mickey Mouse cartoon. "Steeplechase," and- Tom Keene in "Freighters of Destiny." Tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow niglit Joan Crawford-will be seen in "Sadie McKee." ' Box Plans at the "Peter P/m" Lounge, or telephone theatre, 63-431. .

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Tonight at the Regal Theatre, May TCobson and Lewis Stone, with a powerful supporting cast, will be screened. This delightful picture has all the necessary romance, comedy, and a powerful story to make it a milestone of movie endeavour. Special supports will include a Metrotonn News. Comedy. Australian News, and Universal News.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE,

Tlie final performance nf "The Tinder Box," "The Three Wishes." and . "The Owl nnd the Pussy Cat." will'take place in the Concert Chamber tomorrow afternoon. Scats can still be reserved at the D.I.C. booking office. Mr. F. H. Dawn is the Children's Theatre director.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

"•Romance in the Rain," now showing at the St. James Theatre, concludes to"Channel Crossing," a Gaumont-British picture, from a story by Angus Macl'hail and "W. P. Lipseombe, is being screened at the State Theatre today. The story is interpreted by :i carefully-selected cast, headed by Matheson Lang, as a multimillionaire financier, and Constance Cummings as his secretary. Anthony Bushel] is her lover, who is responsible for tragic happenings. Edmund Gwcnn has a feature role as a passenger—a Lancashire man of substance paying his first visit to France.. Max Miller, ' really an actor, but making believe that he is a commercial traveller, is another leading figure in comedy scenes, cleverly interspersed with the drama. Others in Hie cast are Dorothy Dickson, Nigel Bruce, and Douglas Jeffeiies, talented artists' all. It is a story of dramatic and tragic happenings on it cross-Channel run between Dover and Calais.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

' "What is said to be one of the greatest casts ever assembled, both from the standpoint of number and quality, is K.K.O.Kadio's dramatic romance, ''The Life of Vergie "Winters," now being presented at the Majestic Theatre. Ann Harding is starred in the title role, and John Boles plays the leading male role. Playing the other woman in the romantic triangle about which the drama centres is Helen Yinsou, who came from the Broadway stage. Though a reverse twist to the usual triangle theme, as Boles's- wife in the current production, she is virtually the menace, with the heroine figuring as the injured party so far as the audience is concerned. Betty Furness, in the role of Misa Harding's daughter, and. Frank Albertson, are the principals in another romance.

PLAZA THEATRE.

The success of "Evergreen" at the Plaza Theatre has been such that it is now commencing a third week. The tale of '"Evergreen" shows Harriet Green (Jessie Matthews), the darling of variety, making her farewell appearance in London prior to her marriage with a marquis. The union does not materialise, owing to the appearance,, at a critical juncture of a former lover, the father of ' her secret daughter. Years pass, Harriet dying in South Africa, and her offspring gravitating to the stage as a chorine. Tommy Thompson, an over-enthusiastic publicity agent, working on Harriet's amazing resemblance to her mother, "puts" her over in the West End as the original Harriet, announcing that she has returned from Africa rejuvenated The fraud is brought to light by Harriet's sudden confession to a firstnight audience, her trial and acquittal on an impersonating charge, and ultimate triumph oh merit.

KING'S THEATRE.

Yield Baum, the celebrated author of "Grand Hotel," also wrote "I Give My Love," starring Wynne. Gibson and Paul Lulcas, now showing at the King's Theatre. This is a ihotion picture carrying with it all the emotional gamut of life as it is lived by artists who know no other creed but their own. It is described as a veritable dynamo of heart throbs, written only as the remarkable Yield Bamn can write. Wynne Gibson and Paul Lttkas divide the starring honours in this film. Miss Gibson's characterisation is one of.the most touching and tender ever put on the screen, while Lukas even surpasses his great and human role in "Little Women." The second feature, "111 Tell th? World," with Lee Tracy. Roger Pr.vor/and Gloria Stuart, is a fast and exciting story of a news correspondent in his mad quest for "sensational copy." Box plans are at the D.I.C. and Theatre.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

"Tarzan and His Mate" opened at the Princess Theatre today. It is. said that it has an appeal for lather, mother, children, and "oldsters" from eight to eighty—and breath-taking thrills lo- stir any' audienqe. Johnny Weissmuller, as "Turzaii," and Maureen O'Sullivun are again united in a jungle love story based on the famous fiction characters'created by Edgar Kice Burroughs. Into the primitive romance is packed a series of imimal scenes that have never been equalled in the filming of adventure pictures for the screen Herds of elephants are shown charging members of a safari, followed_liy a mixed fight between elephants and fifty lions, with Weissmuller in the middle of the struggle. Other animal thrills inckide a battle to the death between Weissmuller and a man-eating crocodile more than 30 I'cet under water. Herds of zebras, wuuderbeeste, gorillas, ostrich Mocks, and many smaller African animals are also shown. Human drama in the picture is provided by a strong supporting cast.

RIVOLI THEATRE,

The double-feature programme at the Rivoli Theatre —"Skyscraper Souls," starring Warren William, Maureen O'Snllivan, Anita Page, Jean Hcrsholt, Verree Teasdale, Gregory Katoff, Norman Foster, and George Barbier, and "Letty Lynton," starring Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, Nils Asther, Lewis Stone, and May Hobson—proved vfcry popular with the large audience last evening, and it will be screened finally tonight. A children's matinee will be held tomorrow, the programme being selected specially for the juveniles. Tomorrow evening Paul Whiteman's "King of Jazz," and Chester Morris in "King for a Night," will commence a season.

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

■ Could "Frankenstein" have- defeated "Draeulu" in mortal combat? The issue has been put to a test by Universal Pictures, -which brought together for the first time on the screen those two terror-in-spiring "monsters," Karloff and Lugosi, in a horror picture, "The Black Cat." suggested by a 6tory by Edgar Allan Poe. A gripping story, full \of unusual find unexpected thrills and chills, "The Black Cat." which opened today at the Britannia Theatre, promises to. outdo both "Frankenstein" and "Dracula." Karloff takes on a new guise of horrible and terrorising proportions, while Lngosi braves the laws of life "and death when lie clashes with his sinister adversary. This picture is an epic of fantastic horror and terror. It is said that never has Sydney Howard been seen to. such advantage as in "Trouble," his latest British and Dominions picture. The story is by Dudley Sturrock, and is a light-hearted confection- written round the exploits of a pair of jewel thieves on a pleasure cruise boat.

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

A motion picture filled with unusual emotional appeal, "Only Yesterday," will commence this evening at the Artcraft Theatre. The work of Margaret Sullavan, in the leading feminine role, well explains why she has recently created such a sensation on the New York stage. Never before in his screen career, it is said, has John Boles contributed such- a sincerely moving performance as he does in the principal male role, and high praise is also given to Billie Burke, Edna May Oliver, and Reginald Denny. The entire supporting cast, indeed, is excellent, consisting as it does of Benita Hume, Berton Churchill, Onslow Stevens, June Clyde, Walter Catlett, Barry- Norton, Betty Blythe, and literally dozens of other 'equally wellknown players. Much credit for the unusual success of "Only Yesterday" is attributable to the fine direction of John M. Stahl, a recognised master in the field- of domestic drama.

A big-hearted delicatessen owner, a courageous little crippled girl, a very real little boy, sometimes bad but mostly quite good, a sweet grandmother, and a great surgeon, make up the interesting human factors in "No Greater Love," showing at Our Theatre tonight. It is a story of the great love between a little crippled girl and a lonely old man. A big cast includes Hobavt Bosworth, Beryl Mercer. Dickie Moore, and Alexander Carr. "The Criminal Code," a powerful romantic prison drama, starring Walter Huston and Conntance Cummings, is the second ftatmc.

Jack Hulbert makes merry in "Jack Alioy." which is screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight and at a matinee tomorrow at 2.15 p.m. He is supported by Nancy O'Neill and Taniari Desnj. The picture-provides many amusing situations, comedy, and romance, and Jack is at the top of his siugins and dancing form. A supporting fenturette is a technicolour musical revue, "Not Tonight, Josephine."