AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

I ST. JAMES' THEATRE. { The story of the adventures of three war-weary German soldiers on their * return to the Fatherland after the war is told in "Three Comrades," now showing at the St. James' Theatre. Adapted from the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, author of "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "The Road Back," this is not a war picture, but an intensely powerful drama of life in Germany after the armistice. The cast is an exceptionally strong one. with Robert Taylor, Franchot Tone, Robert Young and Margaret Sullavan in the leading roles. The fine performances of these seasoned players ensures that none of the grim tragedy conveyed by the pen of Remarque is lost, and the film promises to merit ranking as the most impressive of the 1 year. Three friends (Tone, Young and Taylor) return from the war to find unrest and lawlessness rife, with peace and sanity almost non-existent. They open a repair shop and eke out a somewhat miserable living until the advent of a young aristocrat (Margaret Sullavan), poverty stricken by the war, gives them something to live for. She and Taylor get married, but her death from illness on their honeymoon provides for some of the most poignant drama seen for some time.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

A tribute to the popularity of William Boyd in his "Hopalong" Cassidy roles is the fact that, with the showing of "Heart of Arizona," which begins at the Majestic Theatre to-day, he will have played the part of the famous Clarence E. Mulford, sharp-shooting cowboy hero, no less than 18 times. After a short absence from the series his old pal, "Windy," (George Hayes) is back again to supply some of his well-known brand of humour, while the leading feminine roles are taken by Natalie Moorhead and Dorothy Short. As in previous "Hopalong" films there is scarcely a dull moment throughout, and action is the keynote of the whole production. The plot deals with the efforts of Belle Starr (Natalie Moorhead), a woman ranch-owner, to thwart the attempts of the rustler, "Twister" (Leo McMahon) and his gan» to steal her cattle. "Hopalong" and his mates lend ' hand, and, after some thrilling scenes, the climax comes in a pitched battle between the cowboys and the rustlers. The story of the reformation of a notorious gangster when he comes in contact with a normal, decent American J'Npily is told in the second attraction. Hunted Men," with Lloyd Nolan, Mary Carlisle and Lynne Overman.

STRAND THEATRE.

Set against the background of a girls' school in Switzerland, and plentifully spiced with humour, romance and beautiful songs, with a touch of pathos here and there, "Mad About Music," beginning rts second Auckland season at the Strand Theatre to-night, is, perhaps, Deanna Durbin's greatest success to date. The pretty little Canadian girl, whose rise to fame hae been one of the .quickest on record, sings more attractively than in her two previous big films, and some of her numbers, notably "I Love to Whistle" and "Ave Maria," are truly delightful. Her acting, too, has improved, though she still retains most of that refreshing naturalness that was so evident in' htr first picture, "Three Smart Girls." A great compliment has been paid to Deanna by the producer }n giving her Herbert Marshall for a "screen daddie." This polished actor's whimsical -perforjiance is one of the highlights of the film, trail Patrick, as the girl's film star mother, is competent as usual, while the girls at the school are all deserving of praise. Dorothea Kent and Robert Wilcox are starred in the second picture, "Carnival Queen," in which Hobart Cavanasrh. Ernest Cossart and Billy Wayne are also prominent. I

MAYFAIR THEATRE. Th® Ritz brothers add fresh lanrels to their collective reputation as funsters in 'Kentucky Moonshine," beginning its second week at the May fair Theatre > to-night. It is a long time since such a aigh-class comedy with Kentucky and the Southland" as a background has been seen in Auckland, and the Ritz brother* snow themselves to be more than ordinary clowns; most of their humour is really clever, which is more than can be said for some of the other well-known modern comedy teams, while the fact that they can be so funny and still avoid any suggestiveness or unclean 11 cbs, is surely a tribute to their ability. Also in the cast are Tony Martin and Marjorie Weaver, as well as comedians Slim Suuimerville, John Larradine and Wallv Vernon. Hearing that Jerry Wade (Tony Martin), a radio star, is going to Kentucky to search for real hillbilly talent, the brothers and Marjorie Weaver leave for the liills and masquerade as the genuine article. Their adventures after they become involved in a family feud can well be imagined, but must be seen to be really appreciated. It is said that when this film was previewed at Glendale, California, the hardened theatre attendants were louder in tlieir applause than the paying guests. REGENT THEATRE. Set against the background of the ordinary, everyday life of the workers in j New York, "Big City," beginning its ! second week at the Regent Theatre, shows that unusual scenery is not needed to provide a setting for powerful drama. The picture is remarkable for the strength of its cast. Not only does it bring together the two Academy Award winners for 1937 in Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, but it also includes such well-known players as Charley Grapewin, Janet Beecher, Eddie Quillan and Victor Varconi. In addition there is a veritable galaxy of former and present stars of the canvas-covered and matted ring, as well as some of the track, in Jack Dempsey, James J. Jeffries. Jimmy McLarnin, Jim Thorpe. Frank Wykoff, Man Mountain Dean and Gus Sonnenburg, among others. The story is of a taxi war fostered by gangsters, in which Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, as taxi-driver Joe Benton and his immigrant wife Anna, are directly concerned. The final scene, in which a large party of veteran ringsters make a concerted attack on the gangster's hired sluggers, and save Anna Benton from unjust deportation, is a memorable one. The supporting programme is excellent. ROXY-TIVOLI. Action is the keynote of "Gun Law," main attraction on the Western programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, with rugged George O'Brien in the leading role. This seasoned cowboy actor n ideally suited to parts of this nature, with his fine physique and natural acting, and he gives another typically competent performance. The story tells of his adventures when, as a United States sheriff, he sets out to investigate and suppress an outbreak of lawlessness at the little town of Gunsight. Posing as a notorious outlaw, he is received as a fellow bandit by the hold-up gang at the town, and by cunning and daring, he uncovers sufficient incriminating evidence to convict the members of the gang and also their treacherous leader, the crooked Mavor. The picture works up to a thrilling climax through a series of exciting incidents, and though the plot is not unusual, the attention of the audience is'maintained throughout, and the suspense is retained admirably. Buck Jones has the leading role in "Stone of Silver Creek," the associate feature, in which he has no fewer than three leading ladies, Noel Francis, Marion Shilling and Peggy Campbell.