AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1938, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

EMBASSY THEATRE. | Thp efforts of the mother of an eccentric family, who is best described as being "plain nutsi" to take in andj lelHioilitute any stray tramps that she can y Hv hands on, form the thread of the' story of ■ "Merrily We Live," nov; beginning its thi?d week at the Embassy; Xiicatie When the mother,--Mrs. KiL. bourne, is played by Billie Burke, and the ; family includes Constance Bennett, just; as dizzy as she was in "Topper," Bonita.. Granvillc and Tom Brown, with Alaii: ! Mowbray as the butler and Patsy Kelly as i the cook,' it can be seen why the film 5 is considered by many to be the funniest comedy of the year. The influences outside tne family that make up an excellent cast are Brian Aherne, who reveals himself as a humorist of the highest order, and Anne Dvorak. The complications that follow Mrs. Kilburne's mistaking ,Jsrian Aherne, a 'novelist "roughing it" on holiday in the full meaning of the term, for a tramp, and engaging him as chauffeur, - provide for some hilarious scenes witnessed for some .time. The last'few.minutes of the picture when the '"tramp," who .is reported to have been killed in a'.motor crash, is seen walking round the house, form a fitting climax to a most amusing film.' REGENT THEATRE. Deeply human drama, culminating in due ot the most exciting nlm sequences ever conceived, is contained in the epic production "Big City," which is attracting large crowds to every session at the Kegent Theatre. Co-starred in the lead are the 1337 winners of the Academy award, Luise Bainer and Spencer Tracy, seen' in honest, down-to-earth roles, as a j< ew York taxi driver and his immigrant wife embroiled in a fight between racketeers and independents. .Civic authorities' later take a hand in 'an endeavour to end the light, and decide to deport Anna■ Berrton (Miss Kainer) 'because she is suspected of committing a bombing outrage. Bentou decides to appeal to the Mayor, ■ and finds him' as guest at Jack Deinpsey's cafe in Ueir'York at a dinner being Rendered? to old-time-'.champions of the squared ring. Then follows one of the most exciting climaxes ever seen, as such sporting figures as James J. Jeffries, Jimmy McLarnin, Maxie. Eosenbloom, Man Mountain Dean, Gus Sonnenberg, and Frankie Wykoff get to work, beat up the racketeers and and the war most effectively. : Set against a background contemporary America, "Big City" has everything that drama should have. It is a notable item of the season's releases. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Hero of thousands of Auckland children and other Western fans, "Hopalong" Caesidy, in the person of William Boj-d, comes again to this city, in. "Heart of Arizona," main.attractionon the new programme that begins a season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. "Hopalong's" old pal "Windy" (George Hayes) is back again after a short absence from the series, while the feminine lead is taken by Natalie Moorhead. Russell Hayden, John Elliott, Billy King , and Dorothy Short are also prominent in th'e cast. With the showing of this film, the score will be eighteen "Hopalong" Cassidy pictures in succession for William Boyd, a real proof of his popularity. The story deals with the efforts of a woman rancher, Belle Starr (Natalie Moorhead), aided by "Hopalong" and his pals, to frustrate the plans of a notorious■■• rustler, "Twisty" (Leo MeMahon), who schemes to steal her cattle. A thrilling climax to the film is a pitched battle between the ighting cowboys and "Twisty's" gang. "Hunted Men," the associate feature, starring Lloyd Nolan, Marv Carlisle and Lynne is the story of the way in which a "kuler gangster is reformed under the influence of/a decent, simple American family.

,/.. MAYFAIR THEATRE. •That the popularity of the Ritz brothers is rapidy outrivalling that of r most other comedy teams, on the screen to-day is shown by the .fact that the season of their latest film. -"Kentucky Moonshine," at the Mayfair Theatre has-.been; extended for a second week. Those whoi have seen the brothers before in. only, niiribr roles will want to see this picture, in which they are the life and soul of the party from start to finish. The last scene in which thev pt»i 'on a complete radio broadcast by themselves is a masterpiece. Romantic interest is supplied by Tony Martin and Alarjorie Weaver, while Slim Summemlle and Wally Vernon provide'some of the humour. "The story is of the adventures of the three brothers and Marjorie Weaver when they decided to f>o to Kentucky and pose -as ."genuine" hillbip.es in the hope that they will be "spotted , • by a radio scout that they know is. leaving for that part of the country in search of talent. Besides the humour there are also some tuneful melodies, in the picture supplied by Tony Martin, and Marjorie Weaver, while the brothers provide some "swing numbers in their own'typical style. STRAND THEATRE. The 15-year-old, dark-haired little Canadian girl who sTcy-rocketed to fame and stardom after her first picture, Deanna Durbin, is seen at her best-Vwhlch means something—in "Mad About Music," which begins a season at the • Strand Theatre to-morrow. This must'be classed as one of the most joyous musicals of the year, ar>d the attendances at its previous exhibitions in the city showed that it has appeal for all children between the ages of eight and eightv. Set against the background of a girls' school in Switzerland, ample opportunity is afforded Deanna to display her vocal talents, and she presents some really delightful numbers, the two best being perhaps, the lilting: "I Love to Whistle," and "_Ave Maria." Herbert Marshall and Gail Patrick handle the leading, adult roles with smooth efficiency; Marshall's polished wit, indeed, contributes materially to the success of the. film. ' "Carnival Queen," the associate feature, stars Dorothea Kent and Eobert Wilcox. It is a breezy drama of the adventures of a society girl who attempts to make a paying a carnival show that she inherits, and which is losing money heavily.