"THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1938, Page 20

"THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO

POLO." CIVIC. Marco Polo Gary Cooper Princess Kukacliln Sigrid Gurie Ahmed Basil Rathfonn# Kublitl Khan George Barbier N'azaraa Binnie Barnes Kaidu Alan Hale Wrector : Samuel Goldwyn. United Artists. Tniwc who have a penchant for thrills and tense situations where the lives of men nro almost continuously at stake will have no fault to find with the picture "The Adventures of Marco Polo" showing at the Civic Theatre. It is a story of the adventures of a V r enetian, apparently a good-for-nothing, who is the eon of a Venetian merchant. Gary Cooper, as Marco Polo, is sent to China, by his father to arrange trade agreements with Khublai Khali. The latter is the father of Princess Kukuchin, and it is only right that she should be beautiful, but unfortunately she, as is a. custom in China, has been mortgaged when a babe to the l'rinec of Persia, to whom she has been allotted as his wife to be when she reaches womanhood. Marco falls in love with her. But there is still another in the Held, the unscrupulous Ahmed. Khan's chief secretary of state, and with both Ahmed and Marco on the spot deeply in love with the Princess and a prince in Persia waiting to marry her at the seventh moon, matters go anything but smoothly for any of the parties. Again there is trouble between China and .Tapan, and, following an onslaught by Khans jirniy with disastrous results, Marco is sent (o a vassal province where he meets Kaidu. the monarch. Marco eventually leads Kaidu s army to the. rescue of Khan, whose army is threatened with extinction through the work of the traitor. Ahmed. The story has the happy ending, hut this is reached only after some amazing experiences by all the principals, it thrilling battle between in-mod f.irees, and the sensational death of Ahmed. The story features Gary Cooper, whose acting is excellent, but equally good are Ihe performances by Kigrid Curie as Prin(ess Kukuchin. and Basil Rathbone as Ahmed, the cruel and scheming chief of flute. Indeed, many will incline to awarding TJat.hbono the honours in a picture which (alls for fine acting. "The Adventures of Marco PoTo" is real entertainment. mostly serious, but with just that, seasoning of bright humour which gives the enjoyment. The associated programme is good. The news reels deal with a wide variety of up-to-date topics. the Items including excellent pictures of the devastation caused by the recent floods in Hawke's Bay. Ajmther of the "March of Time" series depicts life and important events in Finland and in another picture the audience is taken behind the scenes of the "laugh" industry, where the latest wisecracks, gags and jokes arc tested.

STRAND THEATRE. Dainty little Shirley Temple has her latest starring: role in the film based on the Kate Wisgin novel. "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which has boon transferred to the Strand Theatre from the Civic. Associated with the child star is a fine cast. Most of the players have appeared in former Temple successes. Among them are Randolph Scott, Gloria Stuart, Slim Summcrville and the worldfamous nesro tap-dancer Bill Robinson. Ad far as Shirley is concerned the picture reveals a development of real artistry in the juvenile star, whose natural genius | appears to be. giving way to exceptional acting. The popular idea that she _is merely an unusual ehild is gradually being dissipated. Though the characters are directly taken from the novel it actually bus little to do with the book. One of Ihe features of the film is the scene in *-hich Shirley dances in engaging style with Bill Robinson. Perhaps Helen WeetTer may be singled out for supporting honours in the film. She plays well. "Romance in Flanders," with Paul Cavanagh, is also being screened. STATE, ONEHUNGA. Based on Edna Ferber's great novel, "Stage Door" is the main attraction at the State Theatre, Onehunga. Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn are costarred successfully. Also screening is "Thank You, Mr. Moto," with Peter Lorre in the title role. . PRINCESS, DOMINION ROAD. "Victoria the Great," first film to depict the life of the great English queen, is now screening at the Princess Theatre, Dominion Road. Anna Neagle and Anton Walbrook are co-starred. The Jones Family are seen in "Hot Water," the film which completes the bill. STATE, DEVONPORT. * "Tarzan's Revenge," latest Edgar Rice Burroughs' film, is the principal attraction at the State Theatre, Devonport. Glenn 'Morris and Eleanor Holm, two famous athletes, are the leading" players. "Fifty-second Street," with lan Hunter and Pat Paterson, is co-featured.

REGENT, EPSOM. "Make a Wish," one of the best of Bobby Breen's singing attractions, heads the bill at the Begent Theatre, Epsom. Basil Rathbonc is also prominently cast. Completing the programme is "Breakfast for Two," starring Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall. DE LUXE, MOUNT ALBERT. | Lovely Dorothy Lamour has her first starring role in "Jungle Princess," which is the.Attraction at the De Luxe Theatre, Mount Albert. She is co-starred with Ray Milland. Associate feature is "Action for Slander," with Clive Brook in the leading role. . ADELPHI, RICHMOND. "Love Under Fire," a tale of the Spanish war, is now screening at the Adelphi Theatre, Richmond. Loretta Young and Don Ameche are leading Slayers. "Life Begins at College," a ilarity hit starring the Ritz brothers, is also being screened. <'

KING'S, NORTHCOTE. Frank C'apra's epic production "Lost Horizon" is the principal attraction at the King's Theatre, Northcote. Ronald Colman is the star and others are Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton, Thomas Mitchell. Colman gives a convincing portrayal. SEGAL, PONSONBY. "Heidi of the Alps," which is now showing at the Regal Theatre, Ponsonby, provides the little child favourite Shirley Temple with an ideal role. Jean Hersnolt is prominent in the cast. "Non-Stop New York," with John Lpder and Anna Lee, is co-featured. ! ROYAL, KINGSLAND. Alice Faye and Don Ameche. are the featured players in "You Can't Have Everything," which is now showing at the New Royal Theatre, Kingsland. Several tuneful new numbers are presented. Cofeatured is "A Day at the Races, with the Marx Brothers starred. AVONDALE TOWN HALL. The riotous comedy, "Turn Off the Moor," with Eleanore Whitney, Charles It. uiscgles and Ben Blue, is the main attraction at the Avtiiidalc Town Hall. Associate feature there is "Crime Over London." starring Paul Cavanagn and Margot Grnhame in a talc of crooks. STRAND, ONEHUNGA. Based on Anthony Hope * classic tale of S adventure, "The Prisoner of Zcnda" is the main attraction at the Strand Theatre, I Onchunga. Ronald Colman is the star, wild others in the cast are Madeleine Car--1'?. . Mary Astor. Co-feature is "A Girl With Ideas." AMBASSADOR, POINT CHEVALIER. . -Carroll and Francis Lederer 7,| J? |?om«dy roles in "It's , i ?°rw' * '^i 1 .9 n SJ v at «•« Auibus«idoi Theatre, vl'oint Cl.evalicr. tnred at the Ambassador in "Armomcd Barrett* Robcrt "Wilcox and Judith