ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

f CIVIC THEATRE rrhe story of the construction of the Suez Canal is used as a background to fhe development of "Suez," which is +o continue an extended season at tho fide Theatre to-day. Main roles in the production aro taken by Tyrone Power, the French actress Annabella and Loretta Young, and they all give performances worthy to rank among Jheir best. Power has the part of the French engineer, Ferdinand de Lesseps, gilder of the canal, and lie makes the most tlie cll ' aniatic possibilities of the part. Point is added to tho triangular romance in the film by tho appearance of two contrasting types in Annabella and Loretta Young, both j Tvhom have individual charm. An excellent supporting programme also is being presented.

- RECENT THEATRE Jjjrol Flynn has the name role in i'The Adventures' of Robin Hood," which is to continue at the Regent Theatre to-day. Others in the cast are njivia do Havilland, Basil Rathliono and Claude Rains. The film is made entirely in colour, and is perhaps tho best yet in this medium, being a decided advance 011 the colour of "Wings of the Morning." Varied supporting features make up tho first half of the programme.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Norma Shearer has the titlo role in "'Marie Antoinette," the historical drama which is the main item of entertainment at St. James' Theatre to-day. jj'er portrayal of the light-hearted Habsburg princess who became queen of the greatest empire of the day is a brilliant one, and is equalled onlv by that of the English actor Robert Motley in the part of Louis XVI., last of the Capet house to rulo before the Revolution. He gives a performance that is a triumph ot artistry and makes the figure of the rather foolish king a sympathetic one. Tyrone Power has tho part opposite Miss Shearer and again proves that he is perfectly at home in tw historical role.

PLAZA THEATRE Gary' Cooper and Merle Oberon are tie leading players in "The Cowboy and the Lady," which is again to be shown to-day at the Plaza Theatre. The film tells of the romance of a society girl, whose father is trying to secure the presidential nomination, and a cowboy, roles which might have been especially written for the two principals. Continuing a recent trend in American films, the production points a moral in true democracy, bul this is presented in an unobtrusive manner and the film provides excellent eutertahuient.

EMBASSY THEATRE The popular actress Ruth Chatterton las a role- opposite Anton Walbrook in "The Rat," tho thrilling film of life in the Paris underworld, which is the currest feature at the Embassy Theatre. Most of the exterior scones in the film •tvere taken in the French capital, giving an authentic touch to the production. The screen story is based on the successful stage play by Ivor Novello and Constance Collier. Walbrook has the part of the Rat, a criminal who is too clever to be caught and convicted. Ruth Chatterton has the role of Zelia, a woman of fashion who is attracted by him, but fails to allure him except as a possible victim. She has a rival in Odile (Rene Ray), daughter of a dead criminal for whom the Rat has promised to care. The climax comes -when Odile is arrested for murder and the Rat, true to his promise to the dead man, takes the Mame. He in turn is saved by Zelia, yho tells the true story of what has kppened. Mary Clare, Beatrix Lehman and Felix Aylmer also appear in the £\m.

STATE THEATRE. Paul Muni has a chance to display his undoubted talent for dramatic portrayal in "The Storyof Louis Pasteur," which is at present being shown at the State Theatre with "Over the Goal." Probably the life of no other man of science was more difficult than that of Pasteur, father of modern developments in antiseptic surgery, and the film has convincingly captured the features of his straggle for recognition of his ideas ngainst the weight of hostile opinion. Pasteur was the first man to prove that infection of wounds was not a matter of chance but was due to a material cause, a discovery that guided Lister in his experiments in antiseptics. In the film Mani brings to life the written part, and his performance ranks with those lie gave in "The Life of Emile Zola" and "I Am a Fugitive." It further consolidates his claim to a front-rank position among present-day cinema actors and adds lustre to an already considerable reputation. v

STAR CINEMA The entertaining double-feature programme to be presented to-day at the Star Cinema comprises the films "Four Men and a Prayer" and "Easy Living." Main players in the former attraction are David Niven, Loretta Young, C. 'Aubrey Smith and Richard Greene, all of whom gi%*9 good performances. Jean Arthur and Kay Milland have leading Xoles in the second picture.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES /'Springtime in the Rockies" is the title of Gene Autry's latest film, which « to be shown to-day with "Blondes at >" f ork" at the Roxy and Tivoli theatres. Autry is cast as the foreman of a ranch owned by Sandra Knight, a part taken oy Polly Rowles. The plot deals with the attempt of a cattleman, Thorpe i(Edward to get the foreman out of the way so that he may swindle Sandra out of her valuable property. To this end ho has him accused of a 'hooting affray and thrown into gaol, ■fae film closes with an exciting climax. Wenda Farrell has the main role in Blondes at Work," being cast as the jpd reporter Torchy Blane. Opposite her for the fourth time is Barton Macas the 'customary dull-witted Policeman. In the latest production she contrives to secure an exclusive story for her paper through a clever ruse and 15 on the point of being married to the pojeeman when she is called to go out 0n another assignment. The film has Ee veral delightful comedy touches.

STRAND THEATRE .In "Youth Takes a Flint;," which ft to. be presented with "His Exciting «'ght" at the Strand Theatre to-day. McGrea has a role which gives him ® fetter chance to act naturally than • e has had in some former pictures. as a lad from a Kansas farm who .'-Tides that lie wants to go to sea, 6 makes a pleasant study-of the book-f-arned sailor. Andrea Leeds lias the opposite hi)n, and slie gives a good Charles Jltiggles is the i(A' n P' a . V(j r in the second attraction Exciting Night." The film is a comedy, and Ruggles' indi®ual style of humour lias rarely been ®U to better advantage.

• TUDOR CINEMA j. The hilarious comedy "The Perfect Pecinien" is the main feature to be to-dav at the Tudor Cinema. w Ol F| ynn anil Joan Blondell are the 'nam players.

SjATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT and selected short i:ea,vn„ Wake up the programme to he T) ar^ n to-day at the State Theatre, report,

MAJESTIC THEATRE Drama and romance are evenly balanced in the double-feature programme which began a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. The films, arc "Spring Madness" and "Woman Against Woman." In tho first, which deals with the common problem faced by students on leaving college, that of securing a position and making their living, has a charming romantic story between Alexandra Benson (Maureen 0 Sullivan) and Sam Thatcher (Lew Ayrcs). _ There is a largo element of comedy in the plot, which tells of tho attempt of Alexandra's friends Kate (Ruth Hussev), Mady (Jacqueline W oils) and Sally (Joyce Compton) to prevent Thatcher making her unhappy by going to Russia after graduation, rather than face the almost impossible situation of trying to got a job. Tho climax comes sooner than expected, when Thatcher is notified that the steamer on which he intended «to sail is leaving earlier because of anticipated labour trouble. Alexandra's friends scheme to arouse his jealousy by enlisting the help of one of the* faculty to make love to the girl, and they so arrange matters that the professor takes lier to the Spring Dance, the biggest of the college year. They also manage to prevent Thatcher lrom leaving on the steamer as lie had intended, and get him to tho dance. , There his jealousy is aroused by the prearranged friendship of tho professor and Alexandra, and the film ends happily. Tho second feature is "Woman Against Woman," with Mary Astor, Herbert Marshall and Virginia Bruce in the main roles. Marshall has the part of Stephen Holland, a lawyer who has divorced his first wife, Cynthia, because of their mutual lack of sympathy, and lias married again. The second marriage with Maris Keirb (Virginia Bruce) is threatened by Cynthia's determination to make their life unbearable. The film is a dramatic oi;ie ? with the three main players contributing tense studies of emotional strain, and is a fine piece of serious entertainment.

MAYFAIR THEATRE A prison story with a difference is told in "Up the River," the brilliant comedy which is to be shown to-day at ,the Mayfair Theatre. Main roles in the production are taken by Tony Martin, Preston Foster and Phyllis Brooks There is a particularly fine supporting cast, including such players as Arthur Treacher, Slim Summerville, Sidney Toler, Bill Robinson and Eddie Collins. Alan Dinehart and Jane Danvell have character roles in the production. Preston Foster is completely at home in his first light comedy role, and Arthur Treacher, as Foster's partner in crime and footba.ll gives his most polished performance.. The story centres round a group of happy inmates in a mythical prison which lias *a radio in every cell and the best football team in the penitentiary circuit. The film provides welcome relief from the usual story of gaol life, its musical and comedy elements being well presented. The first half of the programme consists of balanced short features. PRINCESS THEATRE Pat O'Brien and Frank McHugli have leading roles in "Submarine D—l," which will bo shown with "Having Wonderful Time" at the Princess Theatre to-dav. Ginger Rogers appears in the second film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Wallace Beery gives a good performance in "Port of Seven Seas" at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. The second film on the programme is "Everybody Sing," with Judy Garland and Allan Jones. LONDON CINEMA The popular singing actress -Teanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy have main roles in "Rose Marie," which is to be shown to-day at the London Cinema. Short features make' up the first half of the programme. ALEXANDRA THEATRE The double-feature programme to he shown to-day at the Alexandra Theatre comprises the films "We're Going to be Rich" and "Outlaw of the Orient." Gracie Fields appears' in the first attraction. BRITANNIA THEATRE Robert Taylor and Margaret Sullavan appear in "Three Comrades," which is to bo shown with "The Gladiator" at the Britannia Theatre. Joe E. Brown is in the latter film. VICTORIA THEATRE The Australian comedy "Dad and Dave Come to Town" is to be shown with "Wings Over Africa" at the Victoria Theatre to-day. Bert Bailey appears in the former attraction. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Breaking the Ice" and "Affairs of Annabel" are the two films to be shown to-day at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Charles Ruggles appears in the former attraction. GREY LYNN CINEMA ' "Rosalie" and "Danger on the AiV are the two films to be shown to-day I at the Grey Lynn Cinema. Eleanor Powell and Nelson Eddy have leading roles in the former picture. REGAL THEATRE The girl comedian Jane Withers appears in "Rascals," which will be shown to-day at the Regal Theatre. A second attraction is "I'll Give a Million," with Warner Baxter. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall have the main roles in "Always Goodbye," which lirill be shown with "Alf's Button Afloat" at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. f CAPITOL THEATRE Gary Cooper hasi the main role in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," which is to be shown to-day at the Capitol Theatre. The other attraction is "The Invisible Enemy." EMPRESS THEATRE Loretta Young and Joel McCrea have main roles in "Three Blind Mice," which will be shown with "Having Wonderful Time" at the Empress Theatre to-day.' ADELPHI THEATRE "Alexander's Ragtime Band" will be presented with "Passport Husband" at the Adelphi Theatre to-day. Don Ameche and Tyrone Power appear in the first; film. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY "Stolen Heaven' 1 is the title of tho feature to be presented to-day at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay. Olympe liradna and Gene Raymond have the mani rciles. ASTOR THEATRE Tho comedy "A Yank at Oxford" is to be presented to-day at the Astor Theatre. Leading roles are taken by Robert Taylor and Maureen O'Sullivan.