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Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 3

ST. JAMES THEATRE. I "Registered Nurse," the First National i picture which is the main feature of the J new bill at the St. James Theatre,^ has much to recommend it, and one of its strongest claims to more than the usual share of attention lies in the fact that Bebe Daniels has the principal feminine part. There are certain pictures iv which she appears to better advantage than in others, and this is one belonging to the former category. .Her natural charm and accomplished'acting have earned for Bebe Daniels a host of admirers and an enviable place in the screen world. "Registered Nurse" gives her a unique opportunity of showing that she is as capable as ever of filling exacting roles' and giving them tho sympathetic treatment that carries conviction. Although its setting (a modern city hospital) is one that has been used quite frequently in recent successes, the picture has a novel twist that makes it unusually interesting. It deals with the private lives of the hospital staff, revealing the doctors and nurses as a little community with much the same problems to face as those iv tho outside world, but working under a greater nervous strain that affects individuals in a variety of ways. Always in the background is the smooth-running routine of the great hospital. Sylvia Benton, one of the nurses, has her own problem, but there is nothing in her manner to indicate the mental stress that threatens to spoil her life. Her hus- . band, who has forfeited her love owingto his drunken behaviour, is an inmate of a mental asylum, but he has intervals _of lucidity that prevent her from obtaining a divorce and finding happiness once more. Finally she is asked to decide whether he shall undergo an operation that may restore complete sanity. Her decision is the only one possible, but Fate intervenes m a startling manner. There are numerous lighter interludes that relieve the tensity of the dramatic situations. Lyle Talbot, John Halliday, Irene Franklin, Sidney Toler, and Gordon Westcott are outstanding in the supporting cast. Also on the programme are a British newsreel, two musical uovelties, a comedy, and a travelogue. Norma Shearer comes to the screen after an absence of some eighteen months, as the glamorous heroine of "Riptide, which will commence at the St. .lames Theatre next Saturday. This is "Miss Shearers first offering since "Smihn' Through. During her vacation Miss Shearer accompanied her husband, Irving G. Thalberg, on an extended visit to Europe. Thalberg, returning to his M.G.M. executive post, produced "Riptide" as the first picture on his new programme. Robert Montgomery, who has appeared in a number of Miss Shearer's previous successes, shares leading man honours with Herbert Marshall in the new film. Included in the impressive cast are such famous stage and screen names as Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Sheets Gallagher, Ralph Forbes, Lilyan Tashman, Arthur Jarrett, Earl Oxford, Helen Jerome Eddy, George K. Arthur, Baby Marilyn Spinnert, Phyllis Cochlan, Howard Chaldecott, and Halliwell Hobhes. MAJESTIC THEATRE. John Boles and Ann Harding, two of the aristocrats of the screen, are assocated at the Majestic Theatre in a poignant drama of a woman's love for a man , married to another woman. "The Life of Vergie Winters" has been one of thwarted affection until John Shadwell returns from his honeymoon, and discovers the trick that sent him into the arms of a social climber. Therefore the couple have no qualms about meetings in secret which result iv the birth of a girl to the lovers. The child is adopted into the Shadwell home, and when Senatorial honours come to the father, scandal also touches Vergie Winters. For twentytwo years Miss Winters knows all the tragedy of the scorned woman. Shadwell's wife insists on the girl knowing the circumstances of her adoption, and the revelation has far-reaching effects. With the marriage of his daughter to a line man Shadwell and his wife come to the parting of the ways, and Vergie's future begins to loom happily; hut Mrs. Shadwell refuses to give him up, 'and the denouement, while tragic, is yet beautiful because a mother at last is reconciled to her daughter. _„ The amazing feats of Sir Charles lvingsford Smith in his famous Fokker aeroplane Southern Cross, affectionately known as "The Old Bus," are to be presented ou the screen at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. The production will include the epic trans-Pacific flight, when the Southern Cross flew from San Francisco to Honolulu, to Suva, and thence to Brisbane; the two trans-Tasman flights; "Smithy's" rescue of the mail at Alor Star, and its consequent conveyance to London and back; his .record-breaking solo hop; and other incidents iv the career of the world's greatest airman. ARTCRAFT THEATRE. With Margaret Sullavan and John Boles in the leading parts. "Only Yesterday" will conclude at the Artcraft Theatre this evening. Jean Harlow and Lee Tracy lead an impressive cast in "Blonde Bombshell," which will begin tomorrow night at the Artcraft Theatre. It is a hilarious presentation of the myths that have been woven around film stars and the motion picture industry, and is ably interpreted by a noteworthy cast of popular players. Jean Harlow is seen as Lola Burns-, a glamorous film star .who has been made sensational by the imaginative creation's of her Press agent, Lee Tracy, who lias taken advantage of her various international love affairs. Her family consists of Frank Morgan, as her father, and Ted Healy, as her brother, who, with her secretary, portrayed by Una Merkei, make her life oue of continual woe. However, after many mirthful happenings, the picture ends on a very happy note. The supporting programme includes a thrilling sports special, "Coo, Coo, the Magician,"' a cartoon, and news highlights of world events. PLAZA THEATRE. "Evergreen," at the Plaza Theatre, is a show that has a strong plot, delightful music, plenty of action mingling with romance, comedy, aud drama. Jessie Matthews brings to her role all her appealing charm. The story is a good one, covering a period of about twenty-five years. It opens with a triumphant performance by Harriet Green, whose dancing aud singing swayed the audiences of King Edward's time. Her final appearance, at the height of her powers, is greeted by the applause of her public; then she disappears from Londou to South Africa. After years are gone her daughter comes to England, and a producer discovers her natual talent for the stage. She impersonates her mother, whose memory is still green iv the minds of the British public and scores a triumph. The stage scenes are gorgeously produced by Victor Savillei Theresa re some tuneful numbers in "Evergreen." 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." at tho Queen's Theatre, with Robert Montgomery. Walter Huston. Madge Evans. Jimmy Durante, Eugene Pallctte, 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. John Gilbert has the principal role in "Gentleman's Fate," in which Gilbert is v young man, reared to luxury, who finds himself a member of a rumrunning family, instead of the society scion lie thought himself. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.----"On the Air" is the principal attraction on a double-feature programme to be screened at the Empire Theatre this evening. Many prominent radio artists arc featured in the production, including Ciapham and Dwyer, Roy Fox and his band, Betty Astell, and Scott and Whaley. Comedy, music, and dancing reign supreme in this bright and merry story of radio land. The supporting feature is entitled "Tembi," and it depicts ■modern methods of travel in South Africa. On Wednesday and Thursday "The Cradle Song" is to be screened. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A love .utory set in the midst of mutiny and thrilling adventure on a sailing-ship that is known in every port as a hell ship provides the drama of "Shanghaied Love," a Columbia picture, featuring Noah Beery, Sally Blanc, and Richard Cromwell at Our Theatre tonight. Carole Lombard and Gene Raymond are starred in "Brief Moment," the second feature. It deals with the marriage of a cabaret singer to the son of one of Now York's richest families.