ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1935, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

"Great Expectations," already hailed as a great Him, is expected to draw capacity houses to the Regent Theatre, where its Wellington season opened toddy. It is said that the attention which has been paid to detail has never been surpassed in any other' film production. It would be foolish to expect the original story of "Great Expectations" in its entirety .upon the screen, which is definitely limited in .its scope, but the film which has been produced reflects tnu Teal authentic spirit of Dickens's narrative. It is an. unusually long picture, taking about two hours to screen, but interest. is never allowed to. flag for an instant throughout that time. From the moment that Pip is revealed seated among the graves of his family in the little Kentish churchy aid up to the last romantic scenes the progress of the-story never falters. The acting is exceptionally good. One of the finest pieces o£ character acting seen on the sqreeu for some time is that of Henry Hull, who takes the part of Abel Magwitch, the convict: The strange personality of a man who.is at once criminal and unfortunate, coarsened, yet with a heart o£ gratitude passing imagination, is handled • with admirable skill. From the first scenes on the desolate marshes after, liis escape from the prison hulks, to the deathbed scene in a London gaol, Hull convinces that here is •Blagwitch ;as Dickens meant him to be. Florence Seed, as Miss Havisham, is sinister yet human. Dickens's lines have been left to speak for ■ themselves, or for Miss Havisham. -

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Edna .Hay Oliver and James Gleason are again - teamed in a thrilling murder mystery, in "Murder on .the Blackboard," which is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Cinema ■ patrons will remember the antics of these funmakers in "Penguin Pool Murder." Again Hildegiirde and Piper solve a baffling crime, straighten . out a loVe affair, narrowly miss annihilation by a mysterious killer, and provide incidental comedy. Miss Oliver is seen once more as the angular spinster school-marm w.ho carries a silver-handled, umbrella, dresses in Victorian fashion, but has modern ideas of crime detection. "Murder on the: Blackbo_ard" takes place in a school where Hildegarde is employed. A beautiful music teacher is murdered, and Hildegarde discovers the bqdy. She summons Piper (Gleason) and, together, they find cluea including a .dead ' ant in a whisky glass, a high-heeled shoe used,. as a weapon, incriminating letters, and a musical exercise written on the blackboard. The picture winds, up with a satisfying denouement.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. /

Dr. A. L; Lewis, of Hollywood, the discoverer of Janet Gaynor, and trainer of many film stars, is searching New Zealand for comedy talkie types to use in a talkie comedy which he proposes to make in New Zealand, thus presenting an unusual opportunity for aspirants for screen fame. Dr. Lewis's season commences at the Grand Opera House tonight, at 8 o'clock. Dr. Lewis proposes to use local candidates to portray short extracts or climaxes from current motion pictures. What may be called contact types rather than those of unusual histrionic ability interest Dr. Lewis particularly. It is personality that he requires, for his comedies depend more upon humorous situations than upon the employment of experienced character actors. A large number of-would-be moving /picture' artists have, enrolled in We!-! jington, and will undergo" tests conducted by Dr; Lewis., The > supporting picture programme includes a.notabie comedy from the Radio City Musical Hall, New York, "Were Rich Again,'? with a notable cast of favourite screen•': players. "■'■■

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

• "Wharfv" Angel," commencing today at the Paramount Theatre, with Victor McLaglen, Dorothy Dell, Preston Foster, and Alison Skipworth in the featured cast, is_laid in the waterside atmosphere ot ban .Francisco.^ It reveals-the story of a tender romance between: an unhappy girl and a hunted man, whose love eaves them from the perils of the notorious San trancisco underworld. George Bancroft returns to .the-,- screen in "Elmer and >lsie. i. in this picture which also features Frances Fuller, Hoscoe Earns, and George Barbier, Bancroft plays, a blustering, goodnatured braggart,, a tn-cfe-driver, who is totally immune to feminine, influence and .thoughts of-ambition;"until he meets Miss Fuller, They are. married, and how his clever and engaging wife actually wins success for him, while permitting him to keep the illusion that he is a self-made man, furnishes an entertaining and thor- | oughly human stbry for this film.

KING'S THEATRE;

Jimmy the Gent," starring James Cagney, is the new attraction at the King's Theatre. The picture is based on the hilarious comedy romance by Laird Doyle and Ray Nazarro, and concerns two crooks, each of whom is trying to expose the other to impress the girl they love. The story unveils in humorous vein the unique racket of hunting down lost heirs in order to inherit unclaimed estates. And the two notorious heir chasers, James Cagney and Alan Dinehart, do not stop at bribing persons to apt aa heirs and coaching,them into perjured testimony. Bette Davis is the feminine lead. Alice White supplies many of the laughs.

QUEEN'S THEATRE.

A.new double^eature bill will open at the Queen's Theatre.'this evening. The chief feature is "Alias the Doctor," with Richard Barthelmess and Marian Marsh in the leading roles.- It is a story of a devoted young surgeon who saves lives without-the; legal, rights ffhe other picture is : "Private Detective 62," starring William Powell and Margaret Lindsay. It is" a thrilling romance, with William Powell as a. romantic home-wrecking Raffles.,', There will,be a matinee to-mor-row, at 2.15, when episode 5 of "Red Rider" will be shown.1 ;

BRITANNIA THEATRE,

[Well diversified entertainment is provided by the double-feature programme now being presented at the Britannia Theatre. "Convention City," a hilarious comedy,.is, a ,'-'tip-off" to lonely -wives. The story purports to reveal, in humorous vein,, actual . happenings at the annual business conventions held by_business organisations. The picture is filled with love tangles which the trusting wife at-home' knows nothing about that is,. none save two who' drop in unexpectedly on their. husbands to the embarrassment of all concerned. An allstar cast includes Joan Blondell, Adolphe Menjou, Dick Powell, and Mary Astor. . The JW Masked Men" is the additional feature. In this exciting, mystery play the principal roles are filled by Judy Kelly. John Stuart, :; and Miles Mander.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

h' Bringing to life the famous characters m Damon Runyon's celebrated story, I "Little Miss Marker," Adolphe Menjou. Dorothy Dell, Charles Bickford, and Shirley Temple, together with a host of other talented players, are .featured in the film version of "Little Miss Marker." now opening a brief; season at ihe Princess Theatre. It is the story of a five-year-old girl who is used as security for a gambling debt. How she. reveals the good side of numerous wrong-doers, and teaches them the real meaning oi love, provides the theme for this really enjoyable picture. "Bolero," an additional attraction, with George.Raft in the starring role, depicts the private, and public life of the world's greatest dancer. An interesting feature'of the picture is the first screen' presentation of the sensational fan dance created by Sally Rand.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Tonight sees.the final screening at the Kilbirnie Kinema of Gracie Fields in "Love, Life, and; Laughter," also- Fay Wray and Paul ■ Lucas in "The Countess of .Monte Cristp." Tomorrow, the management offers another of their popular double-feature programmes. Joe E. Brown in his-latest and funniest picture, "Circus Clown"; also appearing in the picture are "The Flying Codonas," amazing aerialists; "Poodles Hanneford's" astounding equestrian troupe; and "The Picchiani Family," tumblers extraordinary. Barbara Stanwyck and Paul Lucas appear in the thrilling drama "Gambling Lady." "Circus Ctoyn" will be screened at the Saturday matinee,, at 2.15..

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

"The Barretts of Wimpole Street," at the St. James Theatre, is commencing its second week today. The film reaches'a standard rarely attained on the screen. Those who saw the play here about three years ago will^ieadily '. admit that this time the screen has scored a distinct triumph over its. older rival, and that without departing ■to any great extent from the idea b£ confining the action to Elizabeth's sick room. The reason is largely to be found in the exceptionally n"uc cast. Charles Laughton, as the hypocritical, pompous, and overbearing father, gives a performance which will long be remembered. Norma Shearer has never been seen to better effect, and fredric March gives probably the finest characterisation of his career.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

William Powell and ilyrna Loy, who, teamed in photoplays of the 'mystery type, have won immense popularity in this form of drama, are reunited in one entirely different from anything they have done in the past in "Evelyn Prentice," which commenced at the Majestic Theatre today. ' This time, as in "The Thin Man," they again play husband and wife, but both are" enmeshed in an amazing problem, worked but in one of the most dramatic courtroom scenes presented on the screen. It is the drama of the work of a great criminal attorney, who, through- an amazing trick of fate, finds hia own wife enmeshed in the tangled maze of motives and evidence in which lie is struggling to save- a woman's. life.

PLAZA THEATRE.

Capturing the spirit and beauty.of the novel from which it was adapted, "The Age of Innocence," starring Irene Dunne and John Boles is now at the Plaza Theatre. Noted as one of the classics of modern American literature, the story deals with the convention-ridden era that marked, the close of tht last century, and gives intimate glimpses of life as lived by members of New York's then Four Hundred. The picture is said to adhere closely to the story of Edith Wharton's book, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1920, and which was later dramatised by Margaret Ayer Barnes as a starring vehicle for Katherine Cornell.'"The Age of Innocence" centres about the romance of a freedom-loving girl for a man who strives to throw off the shackles of a narrow social code. •

STATE THEATRE.

Two of the most popular American screen players, . Wheeler and Woolsey, give characteristic performances in "Kentucky Kernels," which was introduced at the State Theatre today. Both are masters of the care-free type of. acting, and in this latest film they have roles which give them' admirable scope for their distinctive personalities.. They are cast as two vaudville magicians who are appointed the foster fathers of a young child. They, become involved in a fierce family feud when the infant inherits a vast estate. Wheeler falls in love with the: daughter of the hostile leader of the opposing clan, and Woolsey attempts to reconcile the enemy. The story then develops into an exciting and amusing climax. The picture is particularly notable for the introduction of "One Little Kiss," a new melody which is assured of becoming very popular.. A spectacular ballet performs a fast, modern, high-step-ping|dance. -.-■.'.- '

SHORTT'S THEATRE,

Adapted by Tim Whelan from a story by Guy Bolton, "Aunt Sally," at Shortt's Theatre, concerns 'the efforts of Sally Bird (Cicely Courtneidge). to [get a part in the super, cabaret of a new London night club, to be opened l>y Mike Kelly (Sam Hardy), an American night club king. She fails to impress the cabaret producer and is thrown out of the club, but j undaunted, Sally returns and persuades j Mike Kelly to listen to a song. It is a failure in more, senses than one, and she. is forcibly ejected. By a ruse Sally gets 'introduced to Kelly as a famous French I actress and she' is engaged to star in the cabaret. Eventually, however, it is Sally as herself who proves an enormous success. The second picture is "Three on a Honeymoon."

RIVOLI THEATRE,

"Damaged Lives" at the Rivoli Theatre is a picture which is:not only a dramatic portrayal of intense interest, but it also, conveys a definite lesson to both.adults and adolescents of the danger lurking for the thoughtless in the so-called "social diseases." ;It tells in ■ gripping fashion of a young boy. who just prior to his marriage foolishly and almost innocently allows himself to be Nbeguiled into a fleeting affair with a woman whom he takes home from a gay party. When she discovers that unknown to herself she has been infected with a serious disease she fears for the boy's health,'and warns him, then in despair commits suicide. Now married, the boy is horrified to learn from his doctor that he also has contracted the disease and has transmitted it to his wife, and that it may imperil the health of the baby that is soon to be born. The working out of their salvation by their doctor is at one and the same time excellent screen entertainment and a definite message of hope to those who are already victims of this, malady, or to others who may later contract it. Jack Holt appears in "This Sporting Age." Tomorrow Jack Oakie and . Spencer Tracy will be seen in "Looking for. Trouble, and Elissa Landi and Adolphe Menjou in "The Great Flirtation."

ARTCRAFT THEATRE,

The appearance together in a picture of Joan Crawford and Clark Gable provides screen entertainment' above the ordinary. The popular pair are again seen opposite each other in "Dancing Lady," opening at the Artcraft Theatre this evening. The stars appear in a vehicle which from the viewpoint ■of lavishness, spectacular detail, and casting strength leaves practically nothing to be desired. Miss Crawford,who in "Dancing Lady" starts out as a cheap burlesque chorine and ultimately ends up wifih her name in bright lights, has a part which gives her every opportunity for dancing, .singing, and plenty of displays of emotional fireworks. There will be a matinee tomorrow, commencing at 2.15, when episode' 5 of "Red Rider" will also be shown. ■

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

The weekend programme at the Empire Theatre is headed by "Sadie McKee,'' starring Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone. Briefly, the. story concerns itself with a girl and three men. Sadie, daughter of. a cook in a small-town, finds herself confronted by the .cruel indifference of a great city. ■; Hardship and struggle leads to marriage to a dipsomaniac millionaire, which sets the stage for the intense drama which follows. : A Hal Roach comedy, "Air Fright," a Cinesound Review, a Fox Australian Newsreel, and a Universal Newsreel complete the programme.

GIRLS' MARCHING DISPLAY

More'than 200 girls will be taking part in massed marching and physical drill displays at the Basin Reserve tomorrow night on the occasion of the second annual sports meeting of the Wellington Inter-house Girls' Association. Massed marching displays have been given by members of the association on a number of occasions previously, and they have become increasingly nopular: the display given at the last Winter Show was witnessed with great interest, by thousands of people. The various teams taking part ill tomorrow's contests have reached n high standard of efficiency and should present a fascinating spectacle as they perform various evolutions under the spotlight.

RIFLE SHOOTING

The Karovi Rifle Club -will not hold the musketry shoot as shown in the programme for next Saturday, but will fire ten shots at 300 and 600 yards. both shoots to count for the C.A.C. Cup. The Suburbs Defence Rifle Club will continue with the championship series at xrentham on Saturday, shooting at 300 and 600 yards.

KING'S SILVER JUBILEE SHILLING

FUND.

All members of the Nai? League, in all its sections, are invited by advertisement in this issue to send their shillings to the Navy League Office, Lambton Quay, before February 21 if they ■wish to subscribe to the Silver Jubilee Slnllintr Fund of , his Majesty the King. The 25th anniversary of his accession to the Ihrone occurs on May 0, and it is hoped to present tlie total sum subscribed in the Empire on that day for his Majesty's acceptance and disposal.