CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KEGENT THEATRE.

"' ''History is Made at Night," now showing at .the Regent - Theatre, has •■ everything that makes for. . stirring drama "and 'first-class entertainment. - The story moves with a'smooth* coneviction through incident, after thnll- • ing incident to ■ a splendid and well- ,. balanced climax. It. has ■ humour, ' pathos, drama, and music, and sparkles With some really first-class acting. As <Paul,; the urbane, efficient head-waiter " of the popular Parisian cafe, Charles Boyer excels even his. usual high standard. Playing opposite him as the wife of a strangely jealous and nal™: , sane shipping magnate, Jean Arthur is -:: no. less appealing than she was as -/"Calamity Jane" in .■The Plainsman " ; but is a vastly different personality. A really brilliant character portrayed is that of Colin Clive as Vail, the shipping magnate. A fourth act;or who, de- : spite the excellence of the others, /almost, steals the show, is' Leo Canllo, an old favourite, who is cast as: Pauls :: henchman; the world's greatest chef.; The supports include newsreels, a -josports subject, and a fine new Mickey I. Mouse cartoon.' • ;:'..•.■/'■

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

'- Rich in singing, music, and- scenic : Ifeauty. the.Metro-Goldwyri-Mayer film *• version of the popular operetta "Rose Marie" is delighting large audiences - in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Jeannette Mac Donald and Nel- ■ son Eddy, who take the leading roles, > sing not merely ■• the original score, .>,. which' includes, the "Indian Love jCall,'1-- "Rose-. Marie,"' ."Song of •the Mounti.es,"' and several other 'items,- but also' selections from ,the ;; operas "Romeo and ■.;. Julietf? and ■ "La'Tosca." The result is ?a musical feast, "set against magnificent backgrouhdsofmountain trails; shimmering 4-lakes,;and cloud-flecked skies. Miss Mac- ■' Donald's earlier scenes display 5 her as a,temperamental prima donna; then learning that her brother has escaped ■ from. gaol'and is hiding in northern Canada she attempts to find him. During the journey she encounters Sergeant Bruce (Nelson Eddy), and is compelled-to accept him as her escort. The rest' blithe story, tells Mi>w the ig^od-humoured- .mounted policeman tames her tantrums: and wins her affections. The supports are excellent.

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ST. JAMES THEATRE;

' Painted savages, ■ ''fierce' - beasts, a treacherous white man, sta'd the terrible ' mystery of the jungle1 are a few of the hazards which a brave little party has to face in "Tarzan Escapes," the cur- '■' rent attraction at the St. James Theatre. A-young Englishman and his sister (William Henry and Benita Hume) set off to find their ' cousin (Maureen ' O'Sullivan), whom they believe to be 1 living with a powerful jungle-man (Johnny Weissmuller) and whose signature is necessary for a legal document. Their guide (John Buckler) has ideas of capturing Tarzan, and when, after - escaping from hostile warriors and v crossing crocodile-infested, rivers, they .-arrive in-his part -of > the -country ' •vßucklei' sets. his ti-ap^.-Tarzan,-.at first ■ is-.-too -wary, but on'the-^trek back, - ■ owing 'to Buckler's plotting, the party ' is captured by natives after Tarzan has been made -prisoner. With the aid of his animal friends, however, he ■ escapes, and is able to wreak ven- \ geance- on his enemies. The supports are of a very high standard.

KING'S THEATRE,

"The beautiful voice of Bobby Breen •is the outstanding feature -in "RainTboW on the-River," the- main attrac- ■ cuwetot t>eograirfnie at the •■-Kihg's;'t--TKeatre:vi:,.THtf; ,«OHgff .which Bobby sings.are ."Old: Folksiat Home," ,"Ring; ;Ring v ;.de. Banio'^V '"The Camp--■4(3 wrt- Racesw "Aye Maria"' jSchubert), .-the-.-.theme.'niimber; VRairibowVj on the River,'/ "Waitin' for the SunY' a spectacular spiritual number; tire" traditional hymn "Holy, Holy, \ Holy," and "The Flower Song," an exceedingly delightful song 'which Bobby sings in his .. best manner. There are two outstanding characters in addition to Bobby—May Hobson, the grand old lady of the theatre —and Louise Beavers, who takes, the -part of , Bobby's traditional . "coal j black • mammy." The supporting .feature is .v'jnp'h'tTell the Wife.?- It'rleals'with the adventures of a gang of financial crooks who, against thqir will, become public benefactors. Guy Kibbee takes the leading part. ' ' - •». ~? . , "Borderland," a Clarence E,."Mulford story, and "The Accusing Finger" will :be the new features at the- King's . Theatre on Friday. . ■. -

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"The Devil Doll,'' ihe M.-G.-M. thriller showing at the i Kilbirnie Kinema, is a i spectacular ,: demonstration of the'"limitless range !of the modern screen; The picture is, based on the startling,' fantastic hove), "Burn, Witch, Burn,1' by A; Merritty distinguished .author of-mystery stories, and stars Lionel, Barrymbre, Ayithia notable cast of sijpporting players. "In'a happy ■Jjurst Of song, dance, and laughter,- the "Gold Diggers 4'- have ■' arrived' again in the 1937 edition of the famous screen show, which will also be shown. The newly-wedded couple, Dick. Powell and Joan- Blpndell, are whirled, gaily through'1 story and song, and as the stars-of thei film .the appeal of their performances i 3 again strong.

OTJR THEATRE, NEWTOWNi

Braying hate, defying fear, and fighting for love, Warner Baxter, and June Lang rise to great dramatic heights in the .Twentieth ; Century-Fox picture "White/ Hunter,"; ;whicli;V h'eads:,; -the double-feature programme showing at 'Our .Theatre. ■ Crowned , J>y,the brilliant -- performances, of :■ the- stars ; ,and an ijripressiye -supD'ofting cast, including Alison Skipworth, .Gail: Patrick, and George Hassall; the picture depicts drama charged with the menace of savage passions. The fascinating adventure-romance. "A Message to. Garcia." starring Wallace Beery, John Boles, and Barbara Stanwyck, is the associate feature. : .

SEASIDE THEATTiE^LYALL BAY.

Set in the colourful background of New Orleans in the gay seventies, "Rainbow on the River." ■ Bobby Breen's mew singing vehicle:-at the Seaside Theatre : offers film patrons 'ii r lavish ■•"rnusical''■ drama boasting ;'a : strong" story' plot, a fine- cast, elaborate settings,.at)d. a group of songs by.tlie talented nine-year-old star. "Big Brown Eyes," an ;amusing detective .film, is i.the-associate- feature. Cary :Grantand Joan Bennett have, the leading'roles.' ."~: '_.]'...'::./' •■'■••.'.•'■.'■''( -

STATE THEATRE, PETONE

JeanrHarlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy head the cast of "Libelled5 Lady,?'.-- which is showing 'at the • State.' Theatre, ■ Pelone. It is an- engrossing story:of -an heiress libelled b^. a' metropolitan news paper and suing to'the tunfr of five million dollars. The story presents not only'a crossrtangle bl'. emotional conflicts .'upon 'thel part of .its four forceful protagonists but also reveals a- new- angle.:on the newspaper story.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

: "Thank: Your Stars," Paramount's newest mirth-maker, with'a gala comedy cast headed ]by Jack Oakie, Arline Judge, Alison Skipworth, Roscoe Karns, and music by Ben"Behriie and his orchestra, is screening at the Grand Theatre, Petorie. "Trail' Dust," the latest of the "Hopalorig Cassidy" series of Westerns, is the second feature. William Boyd, Jimmy Ellison, and George Hayes have the main roles.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE,

"The Case of the Velvet Claws," showing at the Palace Theatre, is unique and baffling and suspense is maintained up to the moment of the amazing climax. Winifred' Shaw plays the wife suspeoted of the murder, while Claire Dodd is the bride. •" The second feature. .'End of the Trail,"-adapted from Zane Greys story, "Outlaws of. Palouse," stars Jack Holf, Louise Henry, and Gwinn Williams.

PLAZA THEATRE.

Sonja Henie, world champion ice skater, lives up to the title of the film "Girl in a Million," in which she is starred at the Plaza Theatre, for not only does she give superbly, graceful and sensational exhibitions on the ice, but her dainty whimsical manner and her natural appeal combine to make her a most attractive and accomplished, actress. The film itself is outstanding for several reasons, but mainly in that it combines beautiful figure-skat-ing and ice-ballets, musical numbers, a romantic theme, and drama with a copious supply of humour. The supporting cast is exceptionally strong, including Adolphe Menjou, Jean HersholV Ned Sparks, and the Ritz Brothers. The story, which for the mam part is set in' Swiss Alpine country, tells of the complications, romantic and otherwise, which occur when the training of an innkeeper's daughter for Olympic skating honours is interrupted tiy the advent of a party of Americans. The supports include newsreels and a cartoon.1.-. ■.., :■ ■•':■ ; ., ■. .'.'■ ::' ■,■

DE LUXE THEATRE.

Edmund Lowe and Elissa Landi are the .stars; of ■■ "Madl Holiday," one of" the films on the attractive double bill at the De Buxe Theatre this week. The other film .is , '.'Devil's. Playground, . a drama of - love. and adventure, near an. .American naval base, and with Richard Dix, Chester Morris, and Dolores del Rio playing the leading roles. ■.'.'■/ - .-'■■'•.

STATETHEATRE.

"Hearts :in Reunion," which is showings at the State Theatre, is more than,.;.. a,...',delightful'..:..page ... in the lives-' Of ' the Dionne Quintuplets. It'is a well-knit story of a popular family medicar practitioner,. Dr. Luke (Jean Hershblt) who decides upon a novel form o£ celebration, a reunion of the hundreds of persons whom he has helped, to bring into* the world. Before the reunion,, his nephew Tony, (Robert Kent), a "promising youngdoctor, arrives from Toronto to relieve Ms uncle;-when the latter goes on a wc-rld tour. T6ny is in love with the doctor's assistant. (Rochelle Hudson) but the arrival of, one, of Dr. Luke's early charges,. Mrs. Sheridan, with her husband; a doctor, and■: Tony' 3 benefactor, threatens .very serious" complications. • Slim Summerville, as the village Constable, lends a spice of humour to' the picture. Scenes showing the quintuplets - are ' delightfully woven through the cross-themes. , There is a good supporting programme.

THE MARCUS SHOW.

The scintillating, dazzling "Broadway ..; Vanities" revue, of the Marcus Show,, concludes tonight at the New Opera House. The items flash by like a 'cascade of brilliants. Rare and daring gowns are worn only a minute or two as the magnificently staged scenes succeed each other, each spectacle a surprise in artistic arrangement and; a delight in the harmonies of its lively, colourings, enhanced ibyj consummate lightiiigj-flnterspersed are turns of rare-quality; in dancing: and acrobatics, and .there is sabtlety in. the: snappy comedy. ' "Revue Continental" commences tomorrow night. The Show will Jcontiriue all the week with :■ a special- farewell presentation on Saturday night. ... . ,

REX THEATRE.

Paul Galileo's sparkling story of the romance of a couple of- harum-scarum Chicago newspaper reporters is brought tai the;scre'eniias a- hilarious .comedyrbinance' ,in:f^Paramp!unt's,' Present," the Joan Bennett-Gary Grant, film which-"is; showing at the -Kejc 'Theatre.v^JJ^He^S^ffiel^eSt;1??:;:^ other attraction; adapted from' darenSe E. Mulf ord's novel "Mesquite,: Tumbleweed,'* is the sixth Hopalong Cassidy film made for Paramount by Harry Sherman Productions. Iti features again the favourite hard-riding, straightshooting Western pair of the screen, William Boyd and Jimmy Ellison. "Heart of the West" has a literally "dynamite" ending; several sticks of the high explosive prove the means of saving a dozen lives and thwarting the scheme 'of the dishonest Tumbling L cowmen.

PRINCESS THEATRE.

Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer appear as co-stars of David ,O.; Selznick's technicoiour production of "The Garden of Allah,".which heads the programme at the Princess Theatre. The famous Robert Hichens love story presents Miss Dietricji and Boyer in their greatest roles as the principals in one of the strangest arid most beautiful romances ever brought to the screen. A comedy-romance played against "thecolourful background 'of a pretty camera mpdel's career is the basis of "Smartest "Girl in Town," a sprightly entertainment teaming Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern in the "stellar roles,; and shown as the additional/feature. A; comedy, a,musical nbvelty;-'and:twoi newsreels Complete the; bill, vk-- . r;

SHORTY'S THEATRE-

• The story of "Rangle : River," the Columbia production . showing at Shortt's Theatre, was written by Zane: Grey, great sportsman-author, his versatile pen creating countless thrills set against a background of the gi?eat Australian cattle country. Besides starring Victor Jory/ "Rangle River" has a large supporting cast, including Margaret Dare, charming young Sydney girl, Robert-Coote, George Bryant, Cecil Perry, Rita Paunceiort, and v'Georgie Sterling. "Roaming Lady/'.the second attraction, is a*thrilling adventure tale, of the China Seas With Fay Wray and Ralph Bellamy in the stellar; roles.. . ■''..■

ROXY THEATRE.

Stealing a rare diamond and yet not being a thief, is the paradoxical situation in which Joan Perry, co-featured with Ralph Bellamy, finds herself in Columbia's "Counterfeit Lady," showing at the Roxy Theatre. From the moment Joan 'gets her fingers on the jewel ' until the unexpected climax there are dramatic and exciting complications. The supporting feature, "Hollywood Boulevard," a Paramount production, starring John Halliday, is a colourful' story of the comeback of a fallen screen idol and has in it a big parade of famous names of the.silent film ,days and current players of prominence. Marsha Hunt and Robert Cummings supply the love-interest.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIKAMAR,

"San Francisco," ■undoubtedly one of the screen's greatest screen, achievements, is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Drama, romance, comedy, and spectacle are skilfully woven together. Clark Gable and Jeanetta Mac Donald are the stars. The scenes showing the destruction of the city by fire and earthquake are said to be the most thrilling shots of their kind ever recorded in motion pictures. "Crown and Glory," "Audioscopiks," and the latest Cinesound News complete the programme.

TONIGHT'S WRESTLING.

Hal Bumberg beat Sammy Stein, Jack Forsgren beat Rumberg; can Forsgren beat Stein? This question, which is of considerable interest to wrestling enthusiasts, will be answered at the Wellington Town Hall tonight when Stein and Forsgren will have their first match in New Zealand. Fors-. gren's first bout here was full of excitement, and the crowds want more of the same kind. Forsgren, however, is more than a purely rough wrestler, as he showed when he beat Rumberg on Saturday night. Therefore, if Stein is able to make him confine himself to straight wrestling he will not be found wanting, as he has shown many times in this country. Stein will be out to redeem himself for the defeat he suffered last Monday, and will spare no effort to show that he is the best wrestler in the country at the present lime. There will be amateur preliminaries.

TIVOLI THEATRE,

"The Man Who Could Work Miracles," and "The Girl on the Front Page" conclued tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. A dramatic star-shell is promised in "The Road to Glory," the Twentieth Century-Fox, production coming to the Tivoli Theatre tomorrow Fired with the inspired acting of such performers, the film tells a gripping story of love in all its phases, painted on a canvas as great and encompassing as the war itself. Baxter is seen as the warweary commander of a valorous regiment, Monique, a lovely French nurse (June Lang), provides him with his only interest in life. Fredric March, Baxter's chief aid, unwittingly falls in love with Monique, too, unaware that Baxter cares deeply for ,the girl The triangle creates a crisis between the two men, which is increased when Baxter, to his astonishment, discovers that his father, Lionel Barrymore, is a private in the regiment. "Women Are Trouble," which will also be shown, is a. newspaper story out of the ordinary in every respect. Stuart Erwin, Florance Rice, and Paul Kelly have the main roles.

RIVOLI THEATEE.

"This'ir Make You Whistle,"' Jack Buchanan's latest comedy for Herbert Wilcox Productions, which is; showing at the\Rivoli'Theatre, is a deliciously daring musical film, crammed.full with gaiety, song, and dance, overflowing with witty wisecracks and hectic situations, with Jack in the embarrassing position of being engagecV to two girls at the-same time. His attempts to extricate'himself from this dilemma only land him into further difficulties, which are hot in any way improved' upon when his two "nit-wit" pals, Reggie and Archie, join in the fun. "Three Men on a Horse," an uproarious comedy, which is also on the bill, features Frank McHugh and Joan Blondell. Others in the cast besides Mr. Kibbee are Sam Levene, Teddy Hart, Allen Jenkins, Harry Davenport, Carol Hughes, Edgar Kennedy, Eddie Anderson, Tola Nasmith. and Eily Malyon. "Three Men on a Horse"—the play from which the picture is taken—is still going strong on Broadway after more than two years, and there are seven road companies on i tour. ■ ;

STA'NEEV McKAY'S "GAIETIES."

Masterton and Lower Hutt theatregoers are •to have the pjeasure of seeing Stanley McKay's "Gaieties" ville Revue Company before it leaves; for- Australia by the Maunganui on Saturday next. Arrangements have been made for a two nights''season at the Regent, Masterton, when "Some Show" is to be staged tomorrow and "In. Sunny Hawaii" on Wednesday. The New Zealand season concludes at the King George Theatre,- Lower Hutt, on Thursday next. In addition to the Australian company headed by Joe Lawman, the young New Zealand eccentric dancer, Heather Wright, is to say au revoir to New Zealand at her home town, Lower HuttV having 'been engaged by Mr-. Stanley McKay for his Australian tour.

■ ■ -. )-■ ■ ■ • EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND, BAY. Dealing with a son's poignant efforts to clear his father's name of an undeserved stigma, "Winterset," showing at the Empire Theatre tonight, is from jMaxwell Anderson's dramatic hit, and |is said to beione of the ; most remarkable.film offerings of tljg year. Contrasting a romance, of. poetic-intensity against the background Of New York, the film promises to duplicate the reImarkable success of the stage play. Burgess Meredith, Margo, and Eduardo Giannelli enact the leading roles.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

Hailed asr the greatest love story of today, the Twentieth Century-Fox piciturisatioh of Richard Sherman's \videly-' discussed novel, "To Mary-—With Loye," is showing at; the Regal Theatre tonight.;. Co-starring iWarner Baxter and My ma Loy;'.the, film is a gallant' story at a gaflant :,,love;: ■ of. two who hide their huftsVand holdback thibir tears.;; v "; ''The'ltuckiest^Girl ■in the World," Universal's laugh-hit,. featuring- Jane Wyatt and Louis Bay ward, will also be shown. '.-.'■■ '■■ ■'..'■ ■

BOXING AT PETONE,

Great interest has. been aroused by the professional, boxing contest between Don Glengarry and J. S. Smith, both of Wellington, at the Labour Hall, Petone, tomorrow • night. .The pair met three weeks ago; when.they drew, and patrons,, are promised a; v;ery good contest., 'In-addition; there 'J will be seven^preliminary contests. Of special importance .■'■■■ will be a . bantamweight contest, between E. Viscovich, • runnerup ; for,; the Auckland ; championship this year, and J. Parker, of Newtown, Wellington, bantam champion. There will; also be a special contest between H, Calder aiid Alec Hill,-two prominent local . L amateurs. Hill will be a strong tontender for a place; in the Empire Games team for Australia next year, and patrons will be able to judge his capabilities.

I- "THE GREEN PASTURES."

: Possibly .one of the.most keenly antir cipated films to come to, Wellington jS Warner' Bros.' V "The Green: Pastures^'; which is scheduled to commence a sea** son;;at the New Paramount, Theatre, now undergoing! extensive renovation and redecoratioh, on Friday next. '-Tlie Green Pastures," which, incidentally* is the forerunner of other important/first release", pictures set down for screening at the New Paramount, Theatre, might be described as a comedy, and in point of fact it was called "the modern ,Divine; qbmedy": by a. prominent New. York newspaper,' >.but it; is the comedy of the sort that evokes a sympathetic smile rather than loud, laughter; its>homely simplicity is most appealing; its quaint anachronisms are delightful. Nothing like "The Green Pastures" ■ has< ever been seen on the stage or screen before, and there is certainly plenty of justification for the claim that it is totally unique and absolutely different. The advent of "The Green Pastures" in Wellington is expected to create unusual interest, just as it did in Auckland, where it enjoyed .a record-breaking season. . The New Paramount Theatre is being renovated literally from floor to ceiling, and during the short time the theatre is closed Western Electrics engineers are working at top speed installing Mirrophonic Sound reproducing equipment, which is claimed to be the world's most modern development in this tegard.