CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 80, 1 October 1935, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. | Jack London's "Call of the Wild" | is now in its second week at the Regent ; Theatre, starring Clark Gable and i Loretta Young, and Jack Oakie as I Shorty Hoolihan. Thornton iClark Gable), on his way back to civil-1 isation with a well-filled purse,! yields to the temptation for a final ' flutter" and finds himself as he started —broke. He meets Hoolihan, who holds the stolen secret of a rich mine, and the two overtake John Blake and his wife, who are the rightful owners of the secret. Blake is lost, and his wife (Loretta Young) is added to the party, which from then on has many strange experiences: Excellent though the acting is of the principals, the laurels are stolen by a four-legged I actor, Buck, an almost human dog with a streak of the wolf in him. The action throughout is fast-moving. There is an entertaining supporting programme which includes a remarkable silk-worm educational film, a newsreel, and the latest Walt Disney cartoon, "Mickey's . Kangaroo." which is dedicated to Dis- ' ney admirers in Australia and. New Zealand. NEW OPERA HOUSE. The golden-voiced .tenor Joseph Schmidt makes a splendid success of his first picture, "My Song Goes Round the World," which heads the change of programme at the New Opera House. The beautiful' waterways of glamorous Venice are the setting and naturally there is any amount of melody. Schmidt plays the part of a little Italian, Ricardo, and the story deals with his efforts to win recognition as a singer. His big difficulty is his smallness of stature. He.decides that his only hope lies in singing without being seen, and, his plans having been made, he quickly becomes a radio and gramophone star. All that he desires now to make his happiness complete is the love of a girl Nina, but he finds that, his friend and partner Rigo also has ideas about the girl. Ricardo leaves his partner just before their first big appearance, but finally he is moved by his sense of loyalty and returns in time to save the act from utter failure. Also in the cast are John Loder, Charlotte Ander, Jack Barty, Jimmy Godden, and Hal Gordon. There are excellent supports. Noel Coward, one of the most versatile young men of the modern theatre, has a perfect vehicle for his first appearance as a film: actor in "The Scoundrel," which comes to the New Opera House on Friday. The picture was produced by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur, who have spared no effort to make the dialogue of the film as witty and sophisticated as possible in order to provide suitable expression for the famous actor. DE LUXE THEATRE. j Bette Davis stars in "The Girl from i 10th Avenue," which is now showing at the De Luve Theatre. This fijm makes a different approach to the marriage problem, revealing the story of a girl of considerable per- : sonality and charm who marries a : prominent and socially-successful law- ' yer and pulls him out of the depths into which he had plunged after the ' marriage of the girl he . loves to a man who can give her wealth and position. Colin Clive, lan Hunter, Hugh Brown, John Eldridge, and Alison Skipworth are in. support. The rest of the widely-varied bill in- < eludes newsreels, a musical novelty : entitled '.'ln the Spotlight," "Radio ' Silly," a lively comedyj a "Looney I • Tune," and the "Country Mouse," an all-coloured Movie Melody. ' Claudette Colbert essays a totally new type of characterisation in her new . starring Paramount picture, "Private Worlds," which is coming to the De i Luxe Theatre on Friday next; A story laid against the background of a hospital for the insane, "Private Worlds" presents Miss Colbert as a trim, effi- 1 -dent, and beautiful doctor who heals ' the mental illnesses of others although ] she cannot conquer the fear of love '• in her own heart. Joel McCrea, Charles Boyer, and vampire sister, Helen Vinson, are featured in the cast,, which also includes Sam Hinds, Jean ; Rouverol, Theodore yon Eltz, and Big Boy Williams. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The Edgar Wallace thriller "Mystery Liner," now showing at the Paramount Theatre, is based on a theme in which are involved experiments in remote control apparatus on a large liner, international espionage, : and murder on the high seas. When the inventor is installing the apparatus, the captain of the ship becomes afflicted with an unaccountable mental illness and is removed. A gang operating on board gets con-1 trol of the apparatus, and the deputy captain is murdered. Noah Beery heads a cast which includes Astrid Allyn, Ralph Lewis, and Gustav yon Seyffer- ' titz. Another full-length film in the lighter vein, telling of the adventures of a boxer and an actress, completes the programme. The new Zane Grey adventure picture, "Rocky Mountain Mystery," produced by Paramount and coming on Friday to the Paramount Theatre, is a blend of the famous Grey, rip-roar- . ing outdoor action with the added element of a gripping murder mystery. It features Randolph Scott and Ann Sheridan .in the romantic leads and a supporting cast that includes Charles ' "Chic" Sale and Mrs. Leslie Carter. KING'S THEATRE. Jack Hulbert, with Fay Wray and Claude Hulbert in "Bulldog Jack," and Anne Grey and Tom Walls in "Just Smith" are the main attractions on the new bill at the King's Theatre. REX THEATRE. Marriage may be a lottery, but when it threatens to become a tragedy within twenty-four hours after the honeymoon has begun, as it does in "Girl Missing," billed as the leading attraction at the Rex Theatre, the lover of mystery tales can be certain of exciting entertainment before the finale is reached. Prominent in the cast are Ben Lyon, Glenda Farrell, Mary Brian, Peggy Shannon, Lyle Talbot, Guy Kibbee, and Harold Huber. "Registered Nurse," the second picture, is a glowing romance of hospital life. Bebe Daniels has the leading role. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Rumba," which is now showing at the Princess Theatre, stars George Raft and Carole . Lombard in the love story of a beautiful heiress and a tempestuous dancer against the tropical background of Havana. midy Vallee, world-famous radio entertainer, is featured in the latest and most pretentious of Warner Bros.' musicals, "Sweet Music," the supporting attraction. Ann Dvorak. Alice White, Helen Morgan, Ned Sparks, Allen Jenkins. Joe Cawthorn, Robert Armstrong, and Al Shean have principal roles. The programme includes a selection of entertaining short subjects. COMMUNITY SING. This week's community sing will be held in the Town Hall tomorrow, commencing at 12.15 p.m. The song-leaders will be Messrs. Harold Hindle and Harry Wilson, with Mr. Frank Crowther at the piano and Miss Iris Mason at the grand organ. The raffle for the oil painting and dressed doll will be drawn, and, in addition, an accumulation of valuable and useful goods will be offered for sale after the sing. As the season will shortly be brought to a close, the committee hopes there' will be a capacity house. OUK THEATRE, NEWTOWN. One of the most musical and entertaining films of the year is "Radio Parade of 1935," the big attraction showing at Our Theatre. In the picture each artist is introduced logically and effectively into the story of life behind the scenes of a big broadcasting station. The three leading figures as far as the story is concerned are screen favourites. Will Hay, Clifford Mollison, and Helen Chandler* The hilarious comedy-romance "Three-cor-ner?<i,.:lvLoorV'. starnng Claudette Colbert, Richard Arlen, and Mary Boland is.the associate feature,

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

I MAJESTIC THEATRE. A most unusual murder mystery is solved at the Majestic Theatre, where "Death at Broadcasting House" provides .an evening of thrills and sensation. A play is being broadcast, and i one of the cast is strangled during its i development. The man cast for the part plays it weakly at first, and when he gives the best performance of his life before the microphone it is not until his colleagues enter the room from which he broadcast that they find he is actually dead. Scotland Yard ' is called in and one man is held on : suspicion that appears fact. But De-tective-Inspector Gregory has other ; ideas. The players include lan Hunter, Mary Newland. Austin Trevor, Henry Kendal, Val Gielgud, and Betty Davies. The supporting programme ; includes an interesting New Zealand 1 publicity series, a Pathe Pictorial, a view of Australia's sugar industry, and a coloured cartoon. "Don Quixote." "Front Page Woman," Warner Bros.' ' fast-moving comedy-drama dealing with the intense rivalry between a man and a woman reporter on opposing newspapers, opens on Friday at the Majestic Theatre.. Bette Davis and George Brent, the Irish-American actor, are starred in the picture, which includes a supporting cast comprising popular players such as Roscoe Karns, Winifred Shaw, Walter Walker, J. Carroll Naish, Gordon Westcott, and others. ST. JAMES THEATRE. In "The Flame Within," which is now screening at St. James Theatre, Maureen O'Sullivan, with her youthful charm, gives freshness to the story of a young girl who is deeply in love with, a drink addict. Ann Harding contributes character and sophistication as Dr. Mary White. The two younger people are married and leave immediately on a tour abroad, but while he is away, Jack Kerry, the patient (played by Louis Hayward) discovers that his real love is for Dr Mary and not for his wife. Herbert Marshall makes a fine character of Dr. Gordon, Phillips, the young medico who has been in love with Dr. Mary for years. There are gripping consequences. A beautiful song and dance scena, "Old Kentucky." in colour, and an "Our Gang" comedy, are also shown. STATE THEATRE. In the house of de Berghman there is a legend that the younger of twins will kill his brother with a knife. How it comes to pass and the events leading up to the destruction of the slayer himself constitute the absorbing theme of "The Black Room," now showing at the State Theatre. The picture is an out-and-out thriller; everyone knows who the destroyer is, but he' is crafty and manages to keep out of the hands of the people of his town. The twin brothers are Gregon and Anton. Gregon is the cruel, ruthless slayer, and Anton is a man as amiable and peaceful as his brother is lothsome. Karloff plays a dual part splendid)" and others in the cast are Marion Marsh, Thurston Hall, Robert Allen, and the New Zealander, Colin Tapley. There is a generous supporting programme. PLAZA THEATRE. Made throughout in a new technicolour process, the film "Becky Sharp" is now in its second week at the Plaza I Theatre. Miriam Hopkins takes tha title role and is supported by Alan Mowbray, G. P. Huntley, jun., Colin Tapley, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Francis Dee, Nigel Bruce, Billie Burke, and Alison Skipworth. Among the excellent supports are scenes of the wedding of Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard. "Love Me Forever." "Love Me Forever," the latest big film of Miss Grace Moore, the celebrated soprano of the New York Metropolitan Opera House who scored such a great success in "One Night of Love," is claimed to be thoroughly acceptable entertainment, with Miss Moore given more opportunities, if possible, than ill her first film. Once again the story is of a girl with a voice, but this time a girl who needs to be fairly launched on her career —she has no great faith in her own ability. How she reaches the top is a story of romance, often touching and made the most of by Leo Carillo, who has the role of his life. The picture opens on Saturday, October 5, with a charity performance at the Plaza Theatre. SHORTT'S THEATRE. What happens when a beautiful telephone operator eavesdrops on the lines of a handsome Parisian and his girl I friends produces the plot of Paramount's "Ladies Should Listen," at Shortt's Theatre. The cast is headed by Cary Grant, Francis Drake, and Edward Everett Horton. "Crime Without Passion." which is the second attraction, features Claude Rains. Margo and Whitney Bourne. It is the story of an unscrupulous lawyer whose shrewdness and conceit prove the trap which eventually delivers him to the law for his just deserts. " REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre, Karori," Star of Midnight," a baffling murder drama, will be screened. The stars are William Powell and "Ginger" Rogers, supported by a powerful cast that includes Paul Kelly, Ralph Morgan, and J. Farrell MacDonald. Selected short subjects will be screened. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Patrons of the Empire Theatre are assured of a gesd measure of laughs when Ralph Lynn fools his way through his latest production "Dirty Work," which is the current attraction. He is ably supported by Gordon Harker. Robertson Hare, and Lilian Bond. The supporting programme consists of a feature entitled "Wings Over Everest," depicting the adventures of aerial explorers, and a British newsreel. * CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Screening, at the Capitol Theatre tonight at 7.45 is "Father Brown, Detective," a grand old character created by Gilbert K. Chesterton, who, different from most detectives of fiction, uses persuasion instead of power, and logic instead of bullets, which makes for a very human story- Walter Connolly is supported by Paul Lukas and Gertrude Michael. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Tonight at the De Luxe Theatre, Lower Hutt. Cary : Grant, who was one of the stars of "The Eagle and the Hawk," returns again to a role in an aviation film, Paramount's "Wings in the Dark," co-starring Myrna Loy. "Wings in the Dark" is devoted to depicting the thrills and romance in peace-time aviation. PALACE THEATRE, PETOXE. Gary Cooper and Anna Sten are paired as a new romantic team in "The Wedding Night," which comes to the Palace Theatre tomorrow. Miss Sten portrays a modern girl rebelling ' against the dictates and restraints of tradition, and Gary Cooper appears as , a successful, sophisticated New York author with whom she falls in love. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. ■ One of the finest murder mysteries ' to come out of Hollywood is to be seen : 'tomorrow at the Grand Theatre, where the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, "The Casino Murder Case," will be shown. The picture brings a new Philo Vance to the screen in Paul Lukas, who is ably assisted in solving the 1 "perfect crime" by Rosalind Russell, who makes her debut as a leading lady ' on the screen. ; NEW EMPIRE THEATRE, PETONE. ; "When New York Sleeps," a caval- . cade of New York's sporting and night life, comes to the New Empire Theatre : tomorrow. The city"s most exciting ■ years, from 1910 to 1932, are lived again in this powerful story. Lee Tracy, Helen Twelvetrees, and Alice Faye are the featured players.

RIVOLI THEATRE. Again tonight the Rivoli Theatre will present to, its patrons two outstanding pictures on the one programme. In Devil and the Deep," Charles Laughton as the crazed husband, gives a performance of rare distinction. Garry OS P?V S seen as the lieutenant and lallulah Bankhead as Pauline, the beautiful wife of the commander of J,™™ submarine stationed on the Mediterranean. This man, genial and liveable to his friends, is really obsessed with a conviction that his wife «s u,nfa' thful to him. His suspicions finally drive her into a love affair with a young lieutenant in her husband's command, and faced with the proof of his suspicions the husband goes entirely insane. The method of his revenge carries .the film into a melodramatic climax aboard a sinking submanne- Monte Carlo," starring Jeanette McDonald, of "Naughty Marietta" e'^ a ud, Jack Buchanan, forms the second half of the programme. lomorrow the new programme will be headed by "Lives of a Bengal Manr Cy eDow" d in "AW TIVOLI THEATRE. Continental romance and glamour, tne classic music of Franz Lehar, the famous "Merry Widow Waltz," and th 2 reunion' of Ernt Lubitsch, Maurice Chevalier, and Jeanette Mac Donald, spectacular settings, whimsical humour, ana the world's most popular musical romance brought with its full flavour w-j l? lkln S screen, mark "The Merry Widow,' Lubitsch's glamorous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, which comes tonight to the Tivoli Theatre, with Chevalier as the debonair Danilo and Miss Mac Donald as Sonia, the Franz Lehar masterpiece was staged by Irving G. Thalberg on an ambitious scale unprecedented in musical romances. The cast supporting the principals includes Edward Everett Horton, Una Merkel. George Barbier, Minna Gombell, Ruth Charming, Sterling Holloway, Donald Meek, Herman ■oing, and hundreds of mmor players. A highly satisfactory mixture of the screen s most popular themes of the play—music and mystery—is Paramount's adaptation of Earl Carroll's famous New York stage play, "M>irder at the Vanities," which will be the second feature. A troupe of popular screen stars, three talented nswcomers, a bevy of beautiful girls, and Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra provide the screen entertainment in lavish manner. Jack Oakie is the theatre Press agent. Carl Brisson, Gerjtrude Michael, and Kitty Carlisle as stage stars, and Dorothy Stickney as -a maid give outstanding performances. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Paramount's epic drama of British courage, "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer," starring Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, Richard Cromwell, Sir Guy Standing, Kathleen Burke, and CoJin Tapley, concludes at the Kilbirnie Kinema tonight. "The supporting feature is "A Night at the Ritz." Two brilliant productions are offered on tomorrow's bill, the hilarious and successful comedy "Lady Tubbs," starring Alice Brady," with Douglass Montgomery, Alan Mowbray, and Hedda Hopper, and Cecil B. de Mille's great I spectacle "Cleopatra," starring Claudet Colbert, Henry Wilcoxon, and Warren William, with a cast of 8000. MURIEL BRUNSKILL. Visits from world celebrities are few and far between in New Zealand, and therefore the concerts on Wednesday and Saturday, October 9 and 12, by Madame Muriel Brunskill, the young London contralto-who is recognised throughout England as the greatest British contralto of the present time, should be red-letter events in the history of Wellington. Madame Brunskill has come to New Zealand while her lovely voice is at its freshest, and she stresses the fact that this present hurried tour will be her last visit to these parts, for she has found the long separation from her tiny sons in England too big a price to pay in order to make a tour of Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, these two concerts will be the only opportunities that Wellington will, have of hearing this glorious singer who has taken Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin by storm. Wherever she sings Madame Brunskill causes the Press critics to go into raptures over both her voice and her artistry, and during her recent season in Brisbane, the musical critics of the three principal newspapers were particularly lavish in their praises. The box plans for the two concerts will open at Begg's tomorrow. ROXY THEATRE. "Laddie" is now screening at the Rtfxy Theatre. . Filled with the same charm that made the book the favourite of an estimated 40,000,000 readers, and possessed of the same dynamic drama, "Laddie" has a stellar cast headed by John Beal and Gloria Stuart, who is not only beautiful, but also a brilliant actress. The supporting feature is "Radio Pirates," a delightful musical comedy, featuring new stars and new melodies, along with Roy Fox and his band. SEASIDE PICTURES, LYALL BAY. "College Rhythm.V which will be screened at the Seaside Pictures tonight at 8, is a thrilling musical comedy j featuring Jack Oakie, Joe Penner, Helen Mack, and Lanny.Ross. Some college graduates bring . .their college methods into business with most hilarious results. An excellent supporting programme has been arranged. j