AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT. Local patrons will receive their first introduction to Danielle Darrieux, the lovely French actress who has taken the I film world by storm, in "The Rage of Pari*," coming to the Regent Theatre tomorrow. Judging from the reception given her in countries in which sb* or her pictures have already appeared, Aucklanders will be captivated bv her glamorous beauty, charm and talent. In contiast to several other well-known foreign players, her slight accent adds to her Fascination rather than detracting from it. Douglas 1-an banks, jim., whose reputation is rapidly approaching the lustre of his famous father gives his best performance to date in the leading male part, hk handling or a difficult role revealing talent out oi the ordinary. Featured in the supportin- cast are such well-known favourites as Mischa Auer, Helen Broderick and Louis Hay ward. lli e story tells of the masquerade of a beautiful but penniless French model Nicole (Danielle Darrieux) as a wealthy socialite, in order to win a rich husband When she hooks Bill Duncan (l.ouis Hay ward) she appears to be set for marriage: just before Mr. Duncan is finally caught, however, trouble comes along in the shape of his friend Jim Irevor (Douglas Fairbanks), who falls in love with Nicole himself, with unusual and amusing results. ST. JAMES'. Judy Garland, the little girl with the big voice, has a leading role in "Everybody Sing." which begins its second week at the St. James' Theatre to-morrow. The vigorous young singer renders several numbers in the style that has made her famous, including "Swing Mr. Mendelssohn," a swing version of the glorious "Spring Song," and a new interpretation of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Some operatic gems and other more orthodox melodies are sung by the powerful tenor Allan Jones, who distinguished himself in "Firefly" and "Showboat," and who has the leading male role in this film. Another prominent name in the cast is that of Fanny Brice, the famous Ziegfeld Follies' comedienne, whose singing of "Dainty Quainty Me" is one of the highlights of the production. Billie Burke and Reginald Owens are ideally assigned to the parte of Diana and Hillary Bellaire, Judy's parents, while Lynne Carver, as Sylvia, Judy's eldest sister, is equally as good. In the development of the plot, after Judy has been expelled from several schools for "swinging" classics, her stage-struck parents decide to pack her off to Europe. Judy slips off the boat at the docks, however, to return and help Allan Jones and Fanny Brice with a musical show that eaves Mr. Bellaire, whose play is a flop, from poverty. MAJESTIC. Packed with catchy tunes and smart wisecracks and with a leavening of sheer buffoonery, "College Swing," starting at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow, is a musical that should appeal to all who enjoy good light entertainment. George Burns and Gracie Allen, of radio fame, head a strong cast, which include old favourites in Martha Raye, Edward Everett Horton and Ben Blue, with Florence George and John Payne providing the love interest. Among the best of the seven new song-hits introduced are "Moments Like These," "College Swing," "You're *» Natural" and "What Did Romeo Say to Juliet." Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen) inherits a big college, through a whim of a long-dead rich grandfather, and proceeds to run it in her own way. As may be expected things do not come out as well as Gracie would want them, and there are many hilarious situations before the film reaches an entirely satisfactory climax. The eternal search by man for synthetic diamonds forms the basis of the plot in "Bulldog Drummond's Peril," on the same programme. John Barrymore, Louise Campbell and Reginald Denny have the leading roles and they are ably supported by a strong featured cast. EMBASSY. Still drawing crowds to the Embassy Theatre. "Merrily We Live," which began its sixth week there to-day, is proving itself well worthy of ranking with the most popular light comedies to be shown here. Hal Roach did a good job with his previous big production, "Topper," but "Merrily We Live," no doubt, because of its more likely plot, is shading it by a big margin. Some of the players in the current attraction appeared as well in its predecessor: Billie Burke, whose performance is, perhaps, the highlight of "Merrily We Live," was a leading light in the other film, as also were Constance Bennett and Alan Mowbray. The last-named is rapidly winning himself a reputation as the best of all screen butlers and he is superb in this picture. Brian Aherne, who has the leading male role, shows himself to be a comedian of more than usual ability, while uniformly good exhibitions are given by Patsy Kelly, Tom Brown and Bonita Granville. STRAND. A newcomer to the screen Richard Greene is co-starred with beautiful Loretta Young in "Four Men and a Prayer," now showing at the Strand Theatre. George Sanders. David Niven, Wally Vernon, C. Aubrey Smith and Alan Hale have featured parts in the supporting cast. Th» efforts of three brothers to clear their murdered father's falsely-tarnished name form the basis of the plot. . I AMUSEMENTS GTJXDE. PICTURE THEATRES. EMBABBY—Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne in "Merrily We Live." MAYFAIR—CInger Rogers and James Stewart in "Vivacious Lady." STRAND —Mchftrrl Oreene and Loretta Young in "Four Men and a Prayer." ROXY —Madge Evans and Bruce Cabot tn "Sinners In Paradise" and Tala Birell and Herbert Mundln in "Invisible Enemy." REGENT—ErroI Flynn and Joan Blondell tn "The Perfect Specimen." CIVIC —Mire Faye and Joan Davis In "Sally, Irene and Mary." MAJESTIC —Dick Powell and Fred Waring in "Variety Show" and Charles Farrell in "Midnight Menace." ST. JAMEB' —Mian Jones and Judy Garland in "Everybody Sing." LONDON —Rorls KarlotT in "The Wanting Dead" and Margaret Lindsay In "Personal Maid's Secret." ADELPHI—"Super Sleuth." ALEXANDRA—"Everything Is Thunder." AMBABBADOR —"The Awrul Truth." ASTOR—"Smillln' Through." AVONDALE —"I'll Take Bomance." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—" Dinner at the Bitz" and "Borrowing Trouble." BRITANNIA—"TraiIing the Killer" and 1 "l.ove Under Fire." CAPlTOL—"Jericho" and "Thank You, Mr. MotO." CRYBTAL PALACE—"Bringing Up Baby" and "Saiint in New York." DE LUXE—"Second Honeymoon" and "Wise Girl." EMPREBS—Guest Night. GAlETY—"Prescription For Romance." GREY LYNN—"Trailing the Killer" and "Motor Madness." KINGBLAND—"Topper" and "Lancer Spy." PEERLEBB — "Bebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." PRINCE EDWARD—Guest Night. PRINCESS —"Adventures or Marco Polo" and "Blind Alibi." REGAL —Guest Night. REGENT (Epsom)—" Desire" and "Danger, I.ove at Work." RIALTO —Guest Night. STAR (Newton) — "Knight Without Armour" and "Girl From Scotland Yard." BTATE (Devonport)—"Go Chase Yourself" and "Owd Bob." STATE (Bymonds Street) — "Woman Chases Man" and "Artists and Models." STATE (Onehunga)—Guest Night. STRAND (Onehunga)—Guest Night. TIVOLI —"Sinners In Paradise" and "Invisible Enemy." TUDOR—"Smash and Grab." VICTORIA—Guest MgtoL

MAYFAIR. The vivacious little French actress with the fascinating dimples, $imone Simon, is co-starred with Robert Young and Don Ameche in "Josette," which opens at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. These three stars are all on the up-grade in popularity, and together form a most satisfactory romantic comedy team. Featured in the supporting cast are Bert Lahr and Joan Davis, who. it will be remembered, were chief l'augh-provokers in Miss Simon's previous film, "Love and Hisses." Miss Davis was recently voted most popular comedienne on the screen in a national poll conducted by one of New York's biggest dailies, and her brand of humour is a refreshing change from the stereotyped efforts of lees competent performers. Paul Hurst, William Collier and Tala Birell are also prominent. In the development of the plot David and Pierre Broesard ("Don Ameche and Robert Young) pack their father off to New York to get him out of the clutches of a scheming cabaret beauty Josette (Tala Birelli. Unknown to them, he takes her with him. Renee La Blanc (Simone Simon) taking her place in the cabaret. The two boys themselves fall in love with the pseudo Josette, and the story goes on to tell of the amusing results of the deception.