CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 33, 7 August 1936, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

■ fI^REGENT^THEATItE.'.'.'.. .-'-... | ■■' At-iast Hollywood: has found what I to dd,.with Marlerie Dietrich, and under -Ernsts;Lut»itsch's 'personal supervision-and-'Firank Borzage's direction has done it superlatively well. Miss Dietrich is now a human being with a real, sense of Tiumour;.as well.as a- great beauty. •■Her,latest.Paramount picture,: "Desive," which- began, .today at the Regent Theatre,.is described by leading critics as the;gayest and most exhilarating romaintic-combdy to be produced this seascjii. The film has an unbeatable romantic-combination in Marlene "Diet-rich-'and Gary'Coopor, and it is as much a triumph for the latter as it is for .Miss Dietrich and Ernst Lubitach, for .it -proves that Cooper can bo 'as | engaging a. light comedian as the screen, has found. Handsomely produced," "Desire" tells the story of an adventuress who is quite the loveliest jew^l thief ever to victimise her'prey through a cleverly daring ruse. The stars are-cupported by a flawless .cast, which* includes John Halliday, Alan Mowbray, William Frawley, and Ernest. C.ossart. : v. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A light-hearted .whimsical comedy set in a background of Labrador snows is brought- to ,the -screen' in "Pettic6at Fev^r','' starring Myrha Loy. and Robert Montgomery, which is to be shown for second week at the Majestic Theatre.- The film is based ■on thd: reactions, "of a young man, whd , r has. been confined in a lonely wireless post without seeing a beautiful woman for two years, when twtj aviators, one of them a charming 'young lady, descend from the skies and crack up their machine almost at his front door., Montgomery immedi-ately.-becomes infected >vith "petticoat feyer?-and schemes,to keep the pair at hifc,';hut throughput the winter, mean- . while paying attention to the fair aviatrii.(Under the'very eyes of her fiance. • The;:- supporting ! subjects include a coloured traveltalk, a .Charlie Chase comedy, and a newsreel. ■ ' i.uy",■ - ■ ■ . , ■ - I ST. JAMES THEATRE. Philo Vance, this time porti-ayed by' Edmund Lowe, reappears in "The Gar-dtfai-'Murder Case," which opens at thje<;St. - James Theatre, today. As the]cf super-scientific detective, Lowe giyes a performance that is delightful. He^drawls his way. in and out of a ,seses of thrilling adventures, .more Ithan once- being in actual danger, of sudden death. But not one of "his thrills can be compared to-his sudden falling in love. It is the first time in Philo's adventures that he has undergone this.experience, and the way he reacts to romantic situations is at once humorous and entertaining.. Virginia -Bruce is the smart society girl who gives him palpitation of the .heart, and to save her from police suspicion he risks not only his reputation but.his.life. Supporting the two principals is a strong cast. Outstanding in.their roles are Benita Hume, Douglas Walton, Nat Pendletori, Gene Lock■?2£V?-, B- Warner,,Kent Smith, Grant Mitchell and Frieda Inescort, while Hfnry R Walthall, Jessie Ralph, ■ Charles Trowbndge, and Etienne Girarl ; dot contribute notably. NEW OPERA HOUSE -Neither Edna Ferber's vivid novel Show Boat,1" nor the glorious melodies by «em and Hammerstein in' the Ziesleld stage- triumph, need any explanation. As a book, a stage operetta atl. a ,a film, "Show. Boat" is already ■widely known. But Universal's new Pi"°^ upJoS'- w 4 hlch. in the fourth week I *i! 'WeUingtpn season, is to continue at. the New Opera House, gives prominence to the most famous episodes ■with every elaboration of setting and photography. First comes' Pau- Robeson's singing of ".or. Man River." Then Irene Dunne's fragrant Magnolia, with her unexpected -interludes of comedy m' her songs; Helen Morgan, as Julie confessing that she "Can't Help Lovin'1 ■ Dat Man1!;-Charles Winninger, as Andy Hawks producing and explaining the showboat.play.. The best of the new songs is "All Still Suits Me," sung by Paul Robeson. The.importance of the m.usi c. ,no doubt influenced the choice of Allan Jones to play the part of Ravenal, the Mississippi gambler. Other equally ■ interesting characters ■wnp.goto make up one of the, most distinguished casts ever assembled in a motion picture include the following New York stage' and -screen stars: Sammy White, Mac Beatty. Arthur Hohl, J. Farrell vMcDonald, Charles Wilson, Sunftie ; ODea, Harry Baris and HattieMacDanniel.•:>... -■/•-..'.•-.• ■". ,: .- .'-.KING'S THEATRE. :"■:■■ ,-/ The Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn-Robert-son Hare combination appears atthe King's. Theatre in the amusing Ben Travers farce, "Pot Luck.", It is a slick story involving crooks who. steal a famous Chinese vase of fabulous worth, and- the ■ antics of: Walls: "and .Lynn -asC- sleuths, , who ;becgme,: involved .in' all 'mariner; of before the gang is laia^by^the'heels. '.The. girl in the case is DianavGhurchill, who is. e.^ gaginglyr: attractive;; Tttere- is-.. a most . attractive,';and; humanly .interesting screen' •'sttiry;'': perfectly: expressed, undervthe title: "Private Number/ and an ideal* cast.. Such polished players as Robert -Taylor • (of "Magnificent Obsession") :=andM handsome Loretta Young as': the young lovers; Basil Rathbone in" one of those keen-cutting, re--1 morseless roles he knows so well; and Patsy::;yKelly. - as- •■ the heart-of-gold comedienne. It is the story of the rich young ,'foani who marries the pretty xnaid.!<-:'.7■-•:•■.-• '.••-- :■■ '■:;.-■'■,--' ■■■ - ■'■.-■ i "'...*:.':-". /.,, --• --- -. . . JPARAMOIJNT THEATRE. The;-weMpyed" story of misguided parental'loye told in "The'Barretts of ■Wimpble. Street,"; will again be unfolded in ;th>: film which -Will cbmmence a season; at--the,Paramount Theatre today. 'Fredric March as Robert Browning, Norma Shearer as Elizabeth Barrett, arid Charles Laughton as Edward Moultph-Barrett,. lead a cast which faithfully portrays in word !and-spirit thepjay'which has been applauded across-the,footlights of the world. The Jove story of the young poet and Elizabeth, -tyhq,:bieneatt)"her father's iron ■rule is wasting to an, early grave, retains 'a^ freshness "and appeal which , defy the ;fashions;'..of ■ ' ■ ; THEATRE. . ' One of the.greatest romanceXof the air. "Geiling Zero," is the principal picturfeSat- the ;Princess Theatre. -It co-stars that inimitable team. James Cagney. and; Pat O'Brien^ introduces a charming,,ryew leading lady in June Travis/ and oßers an exceptionally large altstar cast in suoppit. The additional :•-feature, "Thoroughbred," ■boasts.«,''an ■ exceptional cast !of international . players, . headed • by the glamorous Hollywood \ star, Helen Twelvetrees, v Frank Leigh ton, John Lotigden, and Nellie,Baynes. This great epic of :the Australian ','urf lias a sensational: climax revolving around the "world-famous Melbourne Clip. ROXY THEATRE. Scenes .61 intimate romance and scenes of spectacular grandeur vie for supremacy in "A Tale of Two Cities," starripf! Ronald Colman, now screening at-the Rbxy Theatre. Appearing with Colman are such celebrities as Elizabeth Allan, Blanche Yurka, Edna May Oliver, Reginald Owen, Basil Rathbpne,' and Henry B. Walthall. "A Tale of Two Qities" gets its title from the fact sthat the:."action, takes places principally in Paris and London. It begins^in France in 1765, and concludes shortly after the fall of the Bastille in 1789. Every feature.of Dickens's original novel has been retained in the screen play. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's tempestuous drama of primitive love, intense hates. and dangerous intrigues, "China Seas," heads the weekend programme at the Empire Theatre. Clark Galtf.e, Jean Harlowi; and Wallace Beery play the leading roles. A Charlie Chr.se comedy, a Fitzpatrick coloured traveltalk,. a Metrotone; newsreel, and a Fox Aus-~ tralian-newsreel complete \\v. programme.

CRY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

|- DE LUXE THEATRE. Bette Davis, with George Brent playing opposite her in the masculine lead, comes to the De Luxe Theatre today in the fast-moving First National comedy drama, "The Golden Arrow." Miss Davis gives a light comedy portrayal with a romantic twist, which involves also some dramatic moments. Brent's role is also largely comedy, he being a shy young reporter whose chief interest is a book he is writing but who finds time to fall in love with the blonde Bette after a series of misunderstandings and flirtatious entanglements which nearly break the course of true love. Other hilarious complications arc caused "by the: attempt cf a newlyj rich oil heiress to: break up the love alTair and steal her rival's lover after her retinue of foreign princes, nobles, and other fortune seekers have deserted her for the lovely blonde, who also is 'presumed- to be fabulously wealthy. There is a good programme of supporting featurettes supplemented liv a highly-diverting presentation by Qx£ i Orchestra De Luxe and the Wurlitzer organ under the leadership of Mr. L. D. Austin. Box plans are available at the D.I.C. and theatre. PLAZA THEATRE. The screen, it has frequently been stated, does not hold up the mirror to life. Whether, this is true or not, nobody can witness the screen story, J "Rhodes of Africa," which will open ; at the Plaza Theatre today, without recognising the producer's unswerving faithfulness to truth in the character of the great pro-consul. Rhodes as a man subject to all the frailties of the flesh which led him at the zenith of his powers into errors, attacked by his enemies, who were legion, feared and hated by the Boers, distrusted by politicians in England, watched carefully by at least two great Powers in Europe, held unflinchingly to his course, and died at" the very moment the goal he had set for himself was in sight. The picture does more than I tardy justice to Oom Paul KrUger, | whose love of country, singlfr-rninderf purpose, and unfailing course in times of acute stress must at least make this and succeeding generations pay their meed of praise to one \v,ho, despite his somewhat puritanical outlook in a progressive world, is worthy to be called a patriot. •' J '. STATE THEATRE. The subject of "Let's ?Sing Again," the new feature showing at the State Theatre, is. Billy, an eight-year-old boy gifted with a beautiful • voice, -. confined in an or■Dhaiiage after his mother deserted her poor - but, aspiring . husband, a singer..Choked with a desire for freedom.td express-his endowed gift of voice, -Billy -flees the- orphanage, and charms a tent show handyman, an erstwhile opera singer, into sponsoring him. Billy's voice ,is developed' by his guardian, and the two come to New York for audition. They wend their way to the home of a famous ■concert-singer.whose guest of honour chances to be Billy's father, now a renowned baritone. Through the medium of a song the father used to sing to his son in the cradle, the pair are reunited in a thrilling denouement. Billy is portrayed by Bobby Breen in "Let's Sing Again," the debut vehicle for this child " marvel,;, Henry Armetta and George Houston head the featured cast in Bobby Breen's support in this RKO Radio release. :i .. REX, THEATRE. Ricardo Cortez has the leading role in the Warner Bros, picture, "Man Hunt," which :is now at the Rex Theatre. "Man Hunt" is strong in all the elements which go to make up a good picture.. Essentially, an action picture,- with * a strong ■ leavening of humour, it concerns the .chase of a murderous .-bank.. robber ■by Federal agents, and the' part played .in it by a reporter andihigisweeth'eart. "Drift Fence,?'. Jthe YHew-^PaHrtld'unt ;■'■ action drana?"adapi^;\'tf&mf:;^ft'v.Zane:"'-'.Grey story;';' ;is the/ associate ;feature. Tom Keene; portrays a Texas' Ranger who comes into the Arkansas cattle country in the guise of a city dude/in Order to rid the.land of cattle rustiers'who refuse to let a large rancher enclose his property. . Katheririe DeMille 'plays opposite him in the romantic feminine lead. i. The. third feature stars Charlie Chaplin : in I'Easy Street." ; « IOLBHINIE^ bONEMA. "Thanks: a Million" and "Stormy Weather" conclude tbnigh't. :,' Jan Kiepura, the European singing star who" 'entranced audiences of the world in "Tell Me Tonight," and Gladys Swarthout, comely Metropolitan Opera star who made her screen debut- in "Rose of the Ranch©," are teamed-in Paramount's "Give Us (This Night," a musical romance which opens tomorrow at the Kilbirnie Kinema. "Give Us This Night"'introduces a new type of musical production to,,;the,screen-r a . combinatiori: of-popular and semiclassical i music ; by, two..' outstanding: figures • in- their ■ respective^ fields:; • "CurlySTop," starring Shirley. Temple, will also be screened- Against the colourful...musical background which Fox has prpyided,, "Curly Top" tells:the fascinating story of the curlyheaded : waif whp brings happiness and romance to th<s millionaire step-father who , befriends' her. John 'Boles and Rochelle Hudson:- have the main supporting roles. _': ' . STATE THEATRE, PETONE. . "Another Face"-and "Baboona" will be shown finally tonight at the State Theatre,. Petone.; Also on the bill' toiiiiHht1 and at tomorrow's matiriee at 2 p.m. will be chapter one of the new and exciting serial, "The Roaring Wesi".'-' „:' ~'■,-." .■. ~ "■•-: :An ageless conflict between stern rockbound morality and the spirit of liberality and forgiveness' becomes a living issue again in the dramatic conflict of "Way Down East," which commences at .the matinee at the State Theatre, Petone, tomorrow afternoon. Rochelle Hudson arid Henry Fonda play" the principal roles in this engrossing, story, which has one of the most thrilling climaxes ever, filmed. Adapted from the: Harold Bell Wright story that: has; enthralled millions of readers, "When a Man's a Man" will also be shown. George O'Brien is the star and with him are Dorothy Wilson, Paul Kelly,: Harry Woods, Jimmy BvAler, Richard Carlisle,.' Clarence Wilson, and Edgar Norton., PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Lady Consents'^ concludes tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone. Conceived and produced upon a grand scale H. G. Wells's "Things to Cornil" commences :at the matinee tomorrow afternoon, and then shows for three nights.'- It is a'marvel of achievement for the technicians, author, and producer—an ■. unforgettable picture. The leading roles are played convincingly by Raymond Massey, Margaretta Scott, Ralph Richardson, and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. ' . GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Mary Burns, Fugitive" and "Alice Adams" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. "Anything Goes," which will be the main; attraction at the Grand Theatre tomorrow, is-a jolly, tuneful, entertaining picture. Bing Crosby is the featured: player and is assisted by such favourites as Ethel Merman, Charlie Ruggles, Ida Lupino, and Grace Bradley. "The Calling of Dan Matthews," Columbia's picturisation of the famous novel by Harold Bell Wright, is the second feature, with Richard Arlen in the stellar role. The story is about a modern crusader who-runs into plenty of excitement-when he attempts to clean up'vice in a small town. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Tomorrow night will see another special weekend programme at the Seaside Theatre. .The programme will be headed by Universal's thriller. "The Invisible Ray," featuring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, and telling the strangest love story ever filmed. The additional feature, "The Ghost Goes West," is a comedy romance featuring the popular Robert Donat.' Specially selected "shorts" will be screened. ■ '

TIVOH THEATRE. Anna Neagle scores the greatest triumph of her career as Peg Wofh'ngton in British and Dominions' "Peg of Old Drury," which comes today to the Tivoli Theatre.' Seldom off the screen, the star dominates the picture throughout, rising to her best moments | m an exquisite rendering of the part or Rosalind in Shakespeare's "As You Like It." A piquant male masquerade, involving a duel, and a moving death scene on the Drury Lane stage, are other attractive facets of a portrayal that is at all times brilliant. Sir Cedrie Hardwicke, playing David Garrick, gives flashes from "The Merchant'of Venice" and other classic pla3's, his work being finely restrained. Carefree, romantic comedy of a decidedly novel type is the highlight of "Pursuit," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's romance of the highways, which will also be shown, with Chester Morris and Sally Eilers. It deals with the adventures of a young couple smuggling a child, the object of litigation, out of | the State by motor-car. I RIVOLI THEATRE. One of the greatest romances of the air, "Ceiling Zero," a Cosmopolitan production, is the principal picture at the Rivoli Theatre. It co-stars that inimitable team, James Cagney and Pat. O'Brien, introduces a charming new leading lady in June Travis, and r oners an exceptionally large all-star least in support. There is every sort of a thrill in the picture, as well as plenty of laughs and romance, "One Way Ticket" is also on toe.programme. On Monday and Tuesday the features will be "Terror Abroad" and "Master of-Men," with Jack Holt, and commencing on Wednesday the programme will consist of "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" and "Private Secretary." "THE NEW MOON." Rarely do theatregoers have the opportunity to see such a wealth of lavish settings, costumes, and music- as is contained in" the brilliant musical play "The New Moon," which comes to the Grand Opera House on Saturday, August 15, for a season of eleven performances. Interiors of mansions, Soahish cabarets, pirate ships, and tropic islands —peopled with colour-fully-costumed lords and ladies, sailors, senoritas. pirates, etc. —all are held together in logical fashion by witty j and dramatic dialogue and the glorious i melodies of Sigmund Romberg. Pro-.I duced for the Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society Qnc.) by Harison Cook, with scenery and costumes by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., the show offers a feast of music and colour seldom enjoyed. , The beautiful song numbers include I Want to Love You," "The Girl on the Prow," "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise." and the big love duets "Wanting You" and "Lover Come Back to Me." SHORTT'S THEATRE. The weird and mysterious drama of killings in the "fast" Long Island social, set, "Remember Last Night?'' starring Edward Arnold, Constance Cummings, Sally Eilers, Robert Young, and featuring Robert Armstrong, Reginald Denny, Gregory Ratofiy and a host of other famous players, is the main attraction at Shortt's .Theatre. Also on the bill is "King Solomon of Broadway," iUriiversal's. musical i com-edy-drama of the-life on the Great White Way, .starring Edmund Lowe and featuring Dorothy Page and Pinky Tomlin. Lowe is also supported by Louise Henry, Edward Pawiey, and other noted players. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Another.. good1 double bill is scheduled for tonight and Saturday at Our Theatre. "Here Comes-the Band" is a musical melange with a good story, catchy song hits ("Headin' Home," "Tender is the Night," "Roll Along, Prairie Moon," and "You're My Thrill"), and features Ted Lewis and his band with a supporting cast that is seldom equalled. "Yellow Dust" has Richard Dix in the lead, and tells the story of a lust for gold that bids fair to wreck two lives. Both these features will be shown at tomorrow's matinee, for- which, the charge for children is 3d.,- ■ - ;■ ... CAPITOL THEATRE, JVIIRAMAR: , Gary Cooper in-trie title'role of "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, gives one of his best performances as a young, unsophisticated man from the country who suddenly finds himself the heir to a vast fortune/ Mr. Deeds arrives in New York from the country village after inheriting his fortune and is pursued' 4foy newspaper reporters as frontpage news. At the same.time various organisations, -including an opera society and two .firms of lawyers, make strenuous endeavours to part Mr. Deeds from his legacy. • There is a most striking denouement which brings the picture to a happy ending. Jean Arthur supporting. Gary Cooper also gives a very fine performance* REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight at the Regal Theatre a splendid double-feature programme will comprise "Foreign Affaires," a glorious farce, with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, and. Frank Buck's '"Fang and Claw," % thrilling jungle adventure. WRESTLING AT TOWN HALL. There is likely to be a revelation in the effectiveness of the elbow jolt on Monday night when Wee Willie Davis makes his New Zealand debut against Jack Forsgren at the Wellington Town Hall. Davis, who is about 6ft 7in in height and weighs over 18 stone, uses his forearms with great punishing power. All his wrestling is along similar lines, being marked by aggression, strength, and speed. In America he is one of the biggest drawing cards in the rtame, not only because he has a reputation for roughness, but also because there is real class in his wrestling, and few men have been able to stand up against him. In Forsgren he will be meeting the right man to make his debut a favourable one. Forsgren may be unpopular in his tactics but lie draws packed houses to watch his every performance. His inimitable mannerisms, the manner in which he works hard from start to finish, the deadliness of his Boston crab, and all the other features of his wrestling combine to make him a rare drawing card. Amateur preliminaries will commence at 8 o'clock.. . NEW ZEALANDER HONOURED — ♦ .—- A distinguished New Zealand-born medical research scientist one of the Knights Bachelor in the King's Birthday Honours List, is Dr. Cedric Stanton Hicks; Professor of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, Adelaide University. His, marriage to Miss Florencfc. Haggitt (Dunedin) too£ place in South Kensington in 1925. He was awarded a Beit Fellowship and arrived in London at the end or 1923. Dr. Hicks had a year at Cambridge, during which period he made inquiries in Switaerland regarding goitre and he was then chosen to go to Chicago on behalf of the Sir W. Dunn Biochemical Institute to bring back a special strain of mice that spontaneously develop cancer. As the result of research' at Cambridge under Professor Sir F. Gowland Hopkins, he was offered, and accepted, the position of Chemical Physiologist, Research staff, Mayo Foundation for Medical Research, Rochester, U.S.A. In 1926 he left for Adelaide to take up the newly-established Marks Lectureship in Applied Physiology and the Sheridan Research Fellowship in Medicine, Last year, with his wife} he paid an extended visit to Europe. *• A DANGEROUS DOG ♦— A charge that he was the owner of a dog which attacked a boy in Freeling Street, Island Bay, was made"- against Leslie Warr before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today! The boy, aged 11, said that he knew the dog, which was an Alsatian. The dog bit him on the leg. The Magistrate said that he had been informed •that the dog had been destroyed. He convicted the defendant and ordered him to pay costs.