AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 21 September 1938, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"SINNERS IN PARADISE." KOXY-TIVOLI. Anne Wesson M.ndjre Evans Jim Taylor John Bnl*s Hubert Mulone ........ Kruce Cabot Iris C'oiiipton Marion Martin Senator Corey lien* Lock hart Thelnia Chase .... Charlotte Wjutws IMrector : Jumps Whale. N>w t'niversal. Also: "INVISIBLE ENEMY." spy •Irania, with Alan Marshall Tula liirell ana Maily Correll.

Director of such screen masterpieces as "Show Boat,"' "The Invisible Man" and "riankenstein," James VVhale adds further to his reputation with "Sinners in Paradise, J which opened to-dav at the Koxy and Tivoli Theatre*. Leading roles in this film are most competently filled by Madge Evans, whose performance i<s perhaps the highlight of the production, and John Boles, with a strong supporting cast, including Bruce Cabot. Gene Lockhart, Nana Bryant and Marion ■Martin. I'he last-named makes her screen debut in this picture, after many yeans on Broadway, having started, at the age of 16, with the Ziegfeld Follies.

One of the most outstanding scenes, one that is in effect little below the Mtand.ird oi tiie earthquake in "San Francisco ' anil the storm in "The Hurricane, - ' shows the struggle with the elements of a great trans-Pacific air liner, finally to crash into the sea. a rua.se of blazing wreckage.

The theme of the plot is somewhat similar to that of "Four Frightened People." Nine persons, travelling across the Pacific in a great air liner, are cast away, after a storm, on to an uncharted island inhabited only by a doctor, who is ■a fugitive from justice, and hie Oriental 1 servant.

The survivors are an ill-assorted lot, from all walks of life in the city. They include beautiful Tlielma Chase, one of the richest girLs in the world; Anne Wesson, a dissatisfied wife who has left her husband; Senator Corey, a pompon* politician; Mrs. Sydney iN'ana Brvant), travelling to viait her son in China; blonde Irie Compton, fugitive from a gambling inquiry; Robert Malone, a big-time racketeer; and Honey man (Morgan Conway) and Brand (Milburn Stone), pl-in* ning to sell munitions in China. On the island is Jim Taylor (John Boles), a «urgeon, and hie Chinese servant Ping (Willy Fung). Taylor has fled from Shanghai, charged with killing Mrs. Sydney's son. After refusing to allow the passengers to go to the mainland, he finally agrees to allow Ping to take some of them across the channel in hie small boat. The story goes on to tell of the reactions of the people to life on the island. Honeyman and Brand steal the boat after fatally wounding Mrs. Sydney. There are many exciting and dramatic incidents before the film comes to an impressive conclusion.

The second attraction on the programme. "Invisible Enemy." co-stars Alan Marshall and Tala Birell." with Madv Correll. C. Henry Gordon and Herbert Mundin featured in the supporting cast. Tt is a thrilling adventure drama of plot and counter-plot by opposing spies in a fight to gain control of important oilfields and action is fast and entertaining from the start to the thrilling climax.

CIVIC. With ite plot centred about war-torn Spain, "Blockade," coming to the Civic Theatre on Friday", promises to providf really excellent entertainment for thoen who like strong fare. It presents the plight of the innocent peasants, dragged into the maelstrom againet their will, in powerful fashion, but is too and pathetic to be enjoyed by those who enjoy only the lighter type of film. The political aspect ie conspicuous by itd absence, and the production providet strict neutrality throughout: it would appear, however, that underlying it ia n strong indictment of the Fascist war machine, and against war in general. The last worde of the hero Marco (Henry Fonda), jiwt before the fade-out, are, pe--hape the most memorable heard on the screen for some time. The story tells of the adventures of Xorma (Madeleine Carroll) when she visits her father in Spain. the war breaking out soon after her arrival. She meete and falls in love with Marco, who, on the outbreak of war, becomes a soldier and ie later forced to kill her father as a spy. The story goes on to tell of the romance of the young couple, with the spectacle of the starring people and war-torn battlefields ever in the background, ST. JAMES'. There have been all too few such joyous musicals as "Everybody Sing," which begins its second week at the St. James' Theatre on Friday. Vivacious little Judy Garland, the "Deanna Durbin of swing," has one of the leading roles and render* several numbers in typical style. Two of the best of these are the swing version of '"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and ''Swing. Mr. Mendelssohn." a new interpretation of the immortal "Swing Song." The chief male part ie taken by tenor Allan Jones, who will be remembered for his fine performances in "Showboat" and "Firefly," and, as cook in the household of the Bellaire family, of which Judy is a member, he ie responsible for aa excellent piece of work. Hilary and Diana Bellaire, Judy's parents, are played by Reginald Owens and Billie Burke, sufficient guarantee that the roles are more than competently filled, while the famous Ziegfeld Follies' comedienne Fanny Brice also has an important part as the Bellaire maid. The romantic lead is taken by Lynns Carver, as Judy's elder sister. The story telle of the adventures of the etage-struck Bellaire- family, after Judy has been expelled from school several times for "swinging" various musical claesice. MAJESTIC. The famous radio comedy team. Burns and Allen, have the leading roles in "College Swing," which heads the programme opening at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. The supporting cast is one that is studded with the names of wellknown mirth-provokers, such as Martha Rave. Bob Hope. Edward Everett Horton and Ben Blue, while the romantic interest is provided by John Payne and Florence George. Interest will also be taken in the appearance of Jackie Coogan, former I child etar over whom euch a fierce" legal latorm has been raging recently, accom-

As the name suggests, the getting for the picture is a typical American college, but expert direction and production, tine act-

inn and a story that is a little out of the ordinary, combine to put the production in a class above most of its campus contemporaries. The plot concerns the scholastic deficiency of Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen), wlin.se failure to graduate in 1738 prompted her grandfather to leave his fortune to the custody of the college until such time as she or a descendant shall " win a "heerwkm." "ISulldog Driiminond's Peril.' , the second attraction. co-stars John Barrymore. John Howard and Louise Campbell in another of the famous "Sapper"' detective series. EMBASSY. "Fit subjects for the psychiatrist" ie an apt description for the members of the Kilbourne family, which is featured in "Merrily We Live," the brilliant "crazy coniedy ' which bigius Us eixtu week at ihe tmbussy xheai.ru tu-uiuiTuw. lueie "> scarcely a gruiu oi tense 111 tne whole laimly, out the audience cannot help but iiKe tne cnaiaclers, wno are a bright auu L'baiiilialiy huihoious coterie. iroduced u> the master hand ot Uai Koain, 'Manly V\'e L.iYc" is seUnin a staiutaril in popularity that lias luieiy been equalled oy any picture oi its, or any other, kind in tile paet, and is not likely to be lor acne tune in the luiuiv.' ine tlieiue ol me story is built up round a peculiar nabit oi liuttery iiilhe Burke, haie-ui allied wile oi u success! ul business man, whose attempt* to rehabilitate stray tramps by diking them and giving them responsible positions on the servants' staff usually result in the mysterious disappearance of some of the family silver—and the favoured hobo. When she seizes on Brian .Aherne, a novelist enjoying a real holiday with the shackles of civilisation thrown otf, and tfi v es him a job as chauffeur, complications and troubles fall thick and fast on the household, and the other members of the family, Constance Bennett. Tom Brown and Boiuta Granville, have a hectic time. MAYFAIR. Robert Younjt is co-starred with Siinone Simon and Don Ameche in "Josette," which opens at the Mayfair Theatre on Friday. This nay romantic comedy promise* to be a real winner, as. not only do the wisecracks and the story itself provide plenty of laughs, but there aje ae well three new Gordon and Revel song hit*, including "May I Drop a Petal in Your Glass of Wine," "In Any Language" and "Where in the World." The strong supporting cast is headed by Bert Lahr and Joan Davis, the latter fresh from a triumph in a nation-wide newspaper poll to decide the most popular comedienne on the screen. Paul Hurst, William Collier fmd Tala Birell also have prominent roles. To prevent the marriage of their father to a scheming local cabaret singer Josette (Tala Birre.il), David and Pierre Br<«sard (Don Anievhe and Robert Young). pa<-k him off to Xew York from their home in Xew Orleans. Cnknown to them, he takes Josettc with him. Accordingly, the wardrobe mistress of the cabaret fSimone Simon), decides to put on a show railing herself Josette. David and Pieire both become infatuated with the psuedo Josette, and the story proceeds to tell of the romantic adventures of the trio, and the complications .that follow the deception.