CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Issue 37, 12 August 1936, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. In. "Desire," now showing at the Reient Theatre, Marlene Dietrich will again win thje approval of picturegoers with her fine performance under . the direction of Frank -Borzage. '-. Miss Dietrich . has now "come down to. earth," and is a human being with a real sense of humour. Gary Cooper as a young American on vacation in Spain also scores a big success. The -story opens in Paris with a cleverly executed jewel raid, and the flight of the adventuress Dietrich to the Spanish border. On the way a mishap occurs as_i a result of which the lovely jewelthief is forced to part company with the stolen property. The young American: helps the escapee and is unable to escape himself. The story moves to ait-amusing and exciting climax. The stars are supported-by an able, cast, including-Joan Halliday, Alan Mowbray, "William Frawley, and .Ernest Cossart. The excellent supporting programme includes a "short" of particular interest to a Wellington public. It is: "Make-up Magic," by Mr. Clement May, and shows him as a master of theatrical disguise.'-. . MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Petticoat Fever," starring Myrna Loy and Robert Montgomery, at the Majestic Theatre, is based on the reactidns of:' a young.-:man, who. after being confined to a lonely wireless station for two years, is confronted by a beautifulfyoung lady: who lands from the air vjrith her fiance. His'attempt to keep her at,the station through the long northern winter of Labrador leads to some amusing incidents. ' ■' "With the production of "The /Unguarded Hour." coming on Friday to the Majestic Theatre, a new romantic team threads through a.fresh departure in mystery-romance stories. It unites Loretta Young and Franchot Tone, popular young players, who have each registered a series of successes. Although different in every respect, the new picture bears closest comparison with the hit picture, "The.Thin Man," in that it deals with a well-to-do young married couple, the husband of which isa brilliant attorney. "The Unguarded Hour" is the story of an attorney whpse brilliance enables him to send men to the gallows by circumstantial evidence alone. In his most sensational case, he finds his wife the witness whose testimony absolyes the defendant, after which he himself becomes involved in a crime, trussed in a skein of circumstantial evidence which he cannot break. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "The Garden Murder-Case," an entertaining mystery drama, with the renowned "",Philo Vance striving to find a solution, is presented this week* at the St. James Theatre, with Edmund Lowe taking the role of the famous detective. The film has plenty of thrilling situations, some lighthearted romance and a thin vein of humour. Commencing with the mysterious death of a young jockey taking part in a gentlemen riders' race, the, plot becomes deeper when two more people are struqk down, both;being close associates of the unfortunate young man. One of -the richest families of the United States is involved in the tragedies, and several of the household are suspected. Virginia Bruce, a young ' society girl, is among those suspected, but she attracts the attention of Vance, ■who seeks a solution: of -i the crimes in order to clear her name. There are some attractive supporting subjects: NEW OrEKA HOUSE. "Show Boat," af the Mew Opera House, is evergreen,' judging by the popularity it is enjoying in its fourth week in the. city,.and- this.is not-sur-prising. The producers have caught the: essence of negro life: on the big river, and ;even if this were not,so the singing of Paul Robesbn in "Ol' Man Riyer" and "Ah Still Suits Me" would bring its pathos and sentiment home to the; audience. While the river setting is superb, the vocal side of the film is not restricted to Paul Robeson; Allen Jones, as Gaylord Ravenal, the easygoing actor who plays ducks and drakes with the heart of Irene Dunne, as Magnolia Hawks, also has a fine voice, and the duets of these two are delightful. Captain Hawks, the owner of the snow boat, and his wife are welldrawn characters, and the wild life of the America of the ' day is picturesquely delineated. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. _ Though the story and production Itself are by no means new to Wellington, by its superb acting and direction," "The : Barretts of Wimpole Street," which is in a return season at the Paramount Theatre, is as completely refreshing as ever. As. a study of characters it is brilliant. Charles Laughton gives a performance that explains his sensational rise to popularity. Norma • Shearer brings her full'sympathy of acting to hear in playing, the gentle, charming Elizabeth Barrett who has been kept to her bed. for years; whose only hope was death, but- whose life was changed completely by the handsome Browning (Fredric Marsh). It is a simple story, . relying solely for, its success on the excellence of the cast. There is a wellbalanced supporting programme. KING'S THEATRE. The Tom Walls-Ralph Lynn-Robert-son- Hare combination ■ appears at the King's Theatre in the amusing Ben. Travers farce, "Pot Luck." It is ' a slick story involving crooks whd steal a famous Chinese vase of fabulous worth, and the antics of Walls and. Lynn as sleuths, who become involved in all manner rof , escapade^ before the gang is laid by the heels. The girl in the case is Diana Churchill,, who is engagingly attractive. The, secind feat- • ure, "Private Number," has a most attractive and humanly interesting story, perfectly expressed, and an ideal cast, with such polished players as Robert Taylor, Loretta Young, Basil Rathbone, and Patsy Kelly. It is a story of the rich young man who marries the pretty maid. : ; KILBIBNIE KINEMA. Alexander Korda's production of H. G. Wells's futuristic drama, "Things to Gome" opens tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Conceived on a grandiose scale, this gripping narrative unfolds a prophetic vision of events likely to occur during the next 120 years. A .particularly strong cast includes Raymond. Massey, Cedric Hardwicke, Ralph Richardson, Maurice Braddel, Edward Chapman, Sophie Stewart, Derrick de Marney, and Margaretta Scott. Drama of engrossing quality is the keynote of Paramount's "Woman Trap," which will also be shown. Gertrude Michael and George Murphy head the cast. ■OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. For £his midweek screening at reduced prices (stalls 6d, circle Is, children, 6d to all parts), a fascinating programme has been secured to suit family audiences. Tonight and tomorrow "Soldiers of ; the Storm," a rapidaction drama of the Mexican Border Patrol, shows how drug smugglers are: circumvented by that fine body of men. Anita Page and Regis Toomey are the featured players. Buck Jones again shows his.: prowess in "Sundown Rider," a thrilling drama of the West. BROOKLYN THEATRE. The main features at.the Brooklyn Theatre tonight will be "Lady Tubbs," with Alice Brady,- Douglas Montgom- , cry, and Anita Louise, and Tom Mix and Ella O'Neil in "The Rustler's Round-up." SEATOUN PICTURES. Pathos and laughs go hand in hand in the great human interest story "Peck's Bad Boy," which is the feaiure attraction at Seatoun tonight. Shirley Temple will also be seen in "Pardon My Pups," a comedy featur-

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THgATRE. Supported by George Brent and an outstanding cast of film favourites, Bette Davis is seen' in "The Golden Arrow;" the current attraction at the De Luie Theatre, a comedy by 'the noted . English dramatist Michael Arlen. - '■■ ■ With Margaret Lindsay and Glenda Farrell teamed as a pair of young women lawyers, "The Law in Her Hands," the new First National com-edy-drama which comes to the Deluxe Theatre, on Friday, is gay with fun and vivid with swift and dramatic action. The picture literally starts with a bans,when a racketeer hurls a bomb into a restaurant,where the two feminine lawyers -are being photographed at luncheon by a news cameraman. This.lstarts their career/for they squash the' photograph which shows him just behind the two girls. Their cleverness catches the attention of the boss racketeer who offers them a fat retainer to handle his business for him. The girls refuse until Warren Hull, who has the role of an assistant district attorney, and the lover, of Miss Lindsay, makes the mistake of having her appointed to defend a criminal from whom he already has obtained a confession. Furious at being; framed, the women lawyers first win their case and then de-' cide to fight tricks with tricks.- ---:.--; PLAZA THEATRE. v The story of the success and failure of one of the most extraordinary figures that our colonial history has pro.duced is told on the screen in "Rhodes 'of Africa," the attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Rhodes was undoubtedly a man of remarkable ability; an empirebuilder of vision^ a type of which the nineteenth century produced many shining examples, and now that his. dream ihas come true, although he died before his schemes* were brought to fruition, we are able to assess more justly the services he rendered in his efforts to creat a new empire for Britain in the country whose welfare he had so deeply at heart. The fact that he died with his policy ending in apparent failure and repudiated by the Home Government made his end bitter, but the events have been the justification of his life and'work. Walter Huston makes an undoubted success of the role' of Rhodes, and Kruger is well portrayed by Oscar Homolka. STATE THEATRE. In the R.K.O. Radio film, "Let's Sing Again," at the State Theatre, the eight-year-old Bobby Breen . makes a brilliant debut. He has a charming personality and is the possessor of " at delightful tenor voice which would alone justify his sudden leap to fame, without his histrionic ability. Among his numbers are "La Donna c Mobile" from "Rigoletto," "Santa. Lucia," "Lullaby." and the haunting theme song "Let's Sing Again." George Houston's fine voice also adds to the musical value of the film. The charming Vivienne Osborne is the lady of the piece. The story is absorbingly constructed, working up to a satisfying climax when the boysinger, through the songs he learned in cradle-days, discovers his father, ■who has also won recognition for his singing. The »upporting programme includes a clever colour feature. "Felix the Cat.". . . . . ' . ROXY THEATRE. . . Scenes of -' intimate . romance and scenes of spectacular grandeur vie for supremacy in "A Tale of Two Cities," starring Ronald Colman, now screening at; the Roxy;Theatre. Appearing with G.olman are such" celebrities, 'as Elizabeth Allah, Blanche Yurka'. Edna May Oliver, Reginald Owen, Basil Rathbone, arxd Henry B. Walthall. "A Tale of Twd'Cities'"gels'its title'from the -fact that the vaction takes .places principally .irr: Paris and- London. It begins in France iri>>l76s, 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. ~-." SHORTY'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 .Ratoff, and a host of other famous players,, is s the main > attraction: at Shortt's- Theatre. Also on the: bill is "King Solomon of Broadway," Universal's* musical 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 Pawley, and other noted players. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Tonight sees the final presentation of "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," starring Ronald Colman, and, Joan Bennett, together with, Jan Kiepura and Sonnie Hale, in "My Heart is Calling." ' night the special attrac-' tion, "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," will1 be shown. This should cause unusual interest, as it has been obtained immediately after its release in the city. A first-class comedy-drama, it is superby acted by Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in association with an exceptionally, strong cast. An excellent supporting programme includes No. 3 of the "March of Time" series. > STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "George White's 1935 Scandals," set. ting new standards in scintillating entertainment, comes tonight to the State Theatre, Petone. Contributing to the fun are Alice Faye, James Dunn, Ned Sparks, Lyda Roberti, Cliff Edwards, Arline Judge; Eleanor Powell, Emma Dunn, Benny Rubin, and George White himself. "Sinister House" will be the associate feature,. co-starring Preston Foster and Margaret Callahan. The novel from; which the film was adapted is said to be an outstanding example of modern mystery .tales. . GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Stanley Lupino stars in the extremely entertaining "Honeymoon for Three," coming tonight to the Grand Theatre, Petone. The story is particularly well suited to his virile type of comedy and is bound to prove extremely popular with picture audiences everywhere. Gene Stratton-Porter's ' world-famous "Laddie" will also be shown. John Beal, Gloria Stuart, and Charlotte Henry are featured. PALACE THEATUE, PETONE. Edward Arnold, Lee Tracy, and Binnie Barnes fill the leading roles ,in "Slitter's Gold," an amazing life drama, which commences a three-night season tonight at the Palace Theatre, Petone. "Sutter's Gold" tells the story of one of the most appealing figures in American annals; a man who built up.a fortune and was despoiled of it. It tells of his adventures, his courage, of the strange twist of fate which left him struggling for justice. The supporting Krogramme includes a musical revue. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The main feature! at the Empire Theatre, "Another Face," starring Wallace Ford, Brian Donlevy, and Alan Hale, is an unusual and thrilling story of a gangster who, after killing the plastic surgeon who altered his appear--ance, went to Hollywood and became a film star, until a thrilling climax reveals his real identity to the police. On Friday and Saturday, "Paddy O'Day" is to be screened. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "King of the Damned," screening at the Capitol Theatre tonight, stars Conrad Veidt and Helen Vinson, with a good supporting cast. The story is crammed with action and big humanity portraying a man's stern regard for duty and a girl's unswerving love. The supporting feature, "Here Comes, the Band," with Ted Lewis, Nat Pendleton, Ted Healy, and Virginia Bruce, is a romantic comedy with elaborate musical sequences.

. TIVOLI THEATRE. •Paul Muni is seen on the screen of the Tivoli Theatre in what is said to be his greatest film characterisation, "The Story of Louis Pasteur," a Cosmopolitan production released by First National. Muni portrays Louis Pasteur, the great French chemist and bacteriologist who contributed so much to science. The story centres about Pasteur's battle against ignorance and prejudice, to save life through sterilisation, and the use of Vaccines against disease. Josephine Hutchinson plays the part of his faithful wife who shared his exile and aided him in his experimental work. The romantic roles are carried out by Anita Louise and Donald Woods. Jane Withers is the leading player of the second feature, "Paddy O'Day." Singing, dancing, playing, and encountering the most thrilling adventures in her film career, little Jane enacts the rc-le of a cunning colleen fresh from Erin who seeks a home in Manhattan. RIVOLI THEATRE. Frank Capra, that peer of director?, has taken Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur, an excellent" supporting cast, a fine story' by Clarence Biidington ICelland, and, a live, intelligent screen play by Robert Riskin and moulded them all into a motion picture: so superior that there are few superlatives worthy of it, Its title is "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," and it is now screening at the Riyoli Theatre. From under Mr. Capra's magic wand has sprung a new Gary Cooper, humorous, amiable, vibrant, and winning. He seems to have been injected with the same mysteriousfluid that "electrified Clark Gable into giving the best performance of his life in Mr. Capra's "It Happened One Night." Miss Arthur, too, is revealed in all her glory. Her performance can only be described .as irresistible. "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" .has to do with a young man from a small town who falls into a fortune of £4,000,000. He is taken to New York against his will to receive the money. What happens to him in; the great city makes up a truly memorable picture. Edward Everett Horton, probably the most popular character comedian on the screen today, plays the lead in "The Private Secretary," the associate feature at the Rivoli. Whilst losing none of its original laughter-making qualities the film version of !-"The Private Secretary" has been treated on modern and novel lines. It introduces a new find —a comedian of the stage, Alistair Sim, with the late Oscar Asche, who became world-famous for his acting-in and production of "Chu Chin Chow," given an important comedy role. ■;- REX THEATRE. In Paramount's "Big Executive," now at the Rex Theatre, Ricardo Coi-tez is the daring speculator who has the ill-fortune to fall in love with the great-granddaughter of one of Wall Street's old-school barons who vows he will "bust" the young man. Elizabeth Young, a newcomer to the screen via the legitimate stage, and Richard Bennett are featured. Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen, those two boisterous fighting, clowning pals, who have fought their way around the world, are at it again, forty fathoms under the sea, in the Paramount picture, "No More Women," which is also on the.bill. This time they are cast as two deep-sea divers who fight together on the. bottom of the ocean for sunken gold. Sally Blanc has the leading feminine-role, as the owner of the boat. . - ; . PRINCESS THEATRE. One of the greatest romances of the air, "Ceiling Zero," is the principal picture at the Princess Theatre. It co-stars that inimi*able team. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, introduces a charming new leading lady in June Travis, and offers an exceptionally large all-star cast in support. The additional feature, "Thoroughbred," boasts an exceptional cast of international players, headed by the-.glamorous Hollyvnood star, Helen Twelvetrees, Frank Leighton, John Longden, and Nellie Barnes. This great epic of the Australian 'iurf^as a-sensa-tional climax revolving; ~afound~ the world-famous Melbourne"Cup^-V----"LOVERS*' LEAP." Of all the light comedies produced in London in recent years, the most successful is "Lovers' Leap," the brilliant comedy by Phillip Johnson, which is to be produced by the Thespians for a season which opens tomorrow night in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. The well-known London critic, James Agate, described it as "the wittiest comedy in town," and other famous critics were no less lavish with their praise. The Thespians are making a special effort in every department for this production. A very strong cast is engaged, including such well-known and. popular.players as T. V. Anson, Marjorie Murray, Sinclair Breen, Myles P. E. Wright, and Selwyn Toogood, and the.setting is also to be a feature of the show. The production is under the direction of Victor S. Lloyd, who has been responsible for all the Thespian productions to.date. The assistant producer is Winnie Cooley, the stage manager is Evan Harrowell, and Isabel Burton: and I Peggy Lucas are the property mistresses. The box plan is at;Beggs.f ; ;; -: DUSEK'S DEBUT. :: "Another %.. big ' attraction has been secured;** the Wellington Wrestling Association forthe Town Hall on Tuesday night. , The. professional contest wul; be between Danny Dusek, who will be making his. - local debut, and Bob Kruse, of Portland, who has created a fine impression: by his polished wrestling. Dusek Is the right type of man to do well in this country both in winning matches and in gaining popularity.. He is nearly six feet in height, weighs about 16 stone, and is an aggressive wrestler who works at top speed from start to finish. His match. withJMcCready at-Chrisfchurch last, night.was very favourably commented ;upon: and-it was evident that he gave the Empire' champion an exceedingly; close call: Dusek is a member of one of the most remarkable families in modern sport, a family whose wrestling follows such sensational lines that it has gained a reputation as "The Wrestling Riot Squad." Danny can mix it.with the best, but he is also a highly-skilled performer who achieved considerable distinction as an amateur before' he turned professional. There will; be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. Particulars are advertised, i -