AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

"SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES." ROXY— TIVOLT. (Jptiß Gene Antry. Krojj Smiley Burnett*-. Sn n.lrn Tolly Ko wles. Silly Silvia I'Ul I»ovt». I'l-ory Kuth Bacon. .lain- . ; Jane Hunt. Irtrrctor: Joseph Knnc (Republic.) Alsri : "BI,OM)KS AT WORK," with Cileuda Farrell untl Barton Macl.ane. Auckland's many Western fans have (food cause, to rejoice this week, for the latest and be»<t film made by the most popular "horse opera" star on the modern screen, Gene Antry, is now showing at the ltoxy and Tivoli Theatres. It was screened for the first time to-day, and the enthusiasm of the large audience* left no doubt as to their enjoyment of the film. According to a recent census of tlje fan mail of the various screen players, Antry is one of the ten most popular stars in America. Autry presents tome new song numbers in the film in typically attractive fashion, and acts his part with ease and conviction. Playing opposite him ia versatile young Polly Rowles, who stepped into this starring role straight after appearing in a minor part in "Vogues of 1938," and fho shows promise of blooming into a fine actress. A Gene Autry film would always seem incomplete without the presence of Smiley Biirnetto. and he plays the part of Gene'* assistant in "Springtime in the Rockies" alii maintains his high reuiitation with ease. Others who show up well in the cast are Ma Love, Kuth Hacon, Jane Hunt and Georgo t'hesehro.

In the development of the plot, a yomifj agricultural college graduate, played by \liws Howies, accompanied by three girl friends. Ro into the range country to tench the foreman of her ranch and hie iiMrfistnnts just how a ranch should be run. Fireworks begin noon after the arrival of the girls and, when they invest in a flock of sheep to bring them into the cattle country, the boys almost give up The girls run into difficulties with Home covetous neighbours, however, and the bovs «tay on to help them out. J his thev do. although Gene finds his way into gaol before things are finally straightened out. Durintf the general mix-up. Gene also finds time to make love to the owner of the ranch and the film ends with the two virtually in each others arms. Barton Mac Lane and Glenda Farrell are once again co-starred in another of the Torchy Blane series, "Blondes at Work, which round* off an entertaining programme. As in other films of this senes, "Blondes at Work" dea s with the adventures of a hard-boiled young reporter and her big policeman fr.end in solving a baffling myetery.

ST. JAMES. Magnificent epectacle and extreme lavl.hnm in production are of "Marie Antoinette," the historical drama which in enjoying great ™m«» »' "J5 St. Jame* , Theatre. For all the bigness in the eettinge and backgrounds, however, it is the personal drama ot tne Queen's life that makes the film such gripping and fascinating entertainment. Norma Shearer rested for two years before the returned to the screen after the death of her husband, Irving Thalberg, and ■he made a highly auspicious come-back , In the role of the ill-fated Queen, to give . what is probably the most impressive performance of her screen career. The brilliant example set by Miss Bhearer apparently proved an inspiration to fte other players, for all are excellent, with Robert Morley, ae Louie XVI., outstanding. Superb co-operation between the director and the player* is evidenced in nearly every scene, those In the latter stages ot the film, depicting the scenes of misery in the Revolution, being especially effective.

I SSOEHT. . ■ • i i >w • •., •. *, ■ Brimful of adventure, romance, comedy and drama, "The Adventure* of Robin Hood" continues its successful run at the Regent Theatre Wore full houses daily. For robuet, red-blooded action, set against lavishly conceived backgrounds, there have been lew films of the past year or two to rival it, and local patrons are giving conclusive evidence of its popularity by their enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment. The title role is perfectly filled by tall, swashbuckling Enrol Flynn, whose virility, good appearance and eMstanding acting talents fit him for parts of this type. Sweet Olivia de Havilland matches the standard of his performance with an excellent portrayal of Maid Mnnon. while Claude Bains, as Prince John, and Basil Rathbone, as Sir Guy de Gisbourne, are both impressively convincing. Great care in the selection of the cast must have been taken by the producer, for every character might have been specially made for his role. PLAZA. The startling adventures of a glamorous young socialite who causes considerable eyebrow-lifting among ■Washington's "better people" when she marries a roving cowboy from the Western plains, is both humorously and dramatically unfolded in Samuel Goldwyn's "The Cowboy and the Lady," opening its Auckland season at the Plaia Theatre this evening. Gary Cooper in ideally cast as the cowboy and Merle Oberon is the lady. A hand-picked supporting cast includes Patsy Kelly, Walter Brennan, Mabel Todd and Fuzzy Knight Miss Kelly, is romantically teamed with Brennan, and Mabel Todd with Knight. The good impression created by lavish production/ is maintained by good individual acting performances, especially by the principals, with Cooper outstanding. Leo McCarejr and Frank K. Adaroa wrote the original story, which was adapted for the screen by S. N. Behnnan and Sonya Levein. CIVIC The epic struggle againet the forces of Nature, and hostile tribes of Bedouins j experienced by those who built the Suez Canal, are vividly portrayed on the screen in "Suez," Gene -Markey's masterpiece, which is thrilling consistently big crowds at the Civic Theatre; Magnificent settings give the film an unusual air of reality, which become* positively frightening when a terrific simoon sweep* down on the camps of the men employed on the work of creating a waterway through the desert. Tyrone. Power heads the cast as the resolute French engineer, Ferdinand de Lesaeps, and he gives an excellent display. Loretta Young does fine work as one of the women in de Lessens life, and Annabella is jus} a little bit better as the other one, In army-reared waif who dies in an attempt to rescue her hero from danger. J. Edward Bromberg and Leon Ames are outstanding In the supporting cast. The story is conspicuous for its cleanness. and clearness. EMBASSY. Electric with its thrills and realistic in its exposition of the life of the Pans underworld is "The Rat," which will have its first local showing to-morrow at the Embassy Theatre. Two stars with impressive reputations, Ruth Chatterton and Anton Walbrook, are teamed at the head of a strong supporting cast, and the film was directed by Jack Raymond. Walhrook, in the title role, has a part that is as colourful as the one he had in "The Soldier and the Lady," while Mies Chatterton is said to equal her superb performance in "Doilsworth." as a sophisticated Pnrieienne. "The Rat" is a notorious criminal of the underworld of Paris, \rhoße cunning and daring keeps him out of the hands of the police. Although he in fiiHt'innting to women, romance means little to him until he m given the chnrjre of a young girl by her dying father. With her he finds temporary happiness, until lip meets a glamoronS society lndy (Miss |Cbnttertonl. with whom he falls Sn love. ! Cγniplie»ition« nrine when his wnrd shoots j'Vne of the l*'ly'« friend* in selMefenr-e. but matters are straightened out by the Uielf-sacrifice of the character impressively 'played by Miss Chatterton.

MAYFAIK. The sombre walls of a State prison are made the • background for uproarious comedy in Twentieth Century Fox's latest, "Up the RiVet," due to open its Auckland season at the May fair Theatre on Friday. . Hailed by advance reports as a combination of music, broad comedy situations nnd do-or-dk> football, the film features Preston Foster, Tony Martin, Phyllis ISrooks, Slim Suinmerrille, Arthur Trencher and Bill Robinson as inmates of an unusual penitentiary where there is a radio in every room. According to Alfred Weiker. the director of "Up the River," tlie cycle of prim prison melodramas has just about run its course, thereby leaving the way open for farce. The Htory centres round a group of inmates of Rockwell Pen-—which boasts the bisijwst football team among, the prisons, and a warden who will do anything to make the boys laugh. Phyllis Brnokx iinil Tony Martin are cast as a young couple, imprisoned for a crime of Which they were innocent. Foster and Treacher make a gnol-break during the performance of a show in the prison, clear the names of the pair, and return just in time for the big football game of the season.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE—Covent Garden Russian Ballet.' CIVIC SQUARE —Amusement Park. PICTURE THEATRES. MAJESTIC —Humphrey Botrart in "Swlmr Your I.ady" and Beverley Roberts and Dirk Purrell In "Daredevil Drivers." EMBASSY —Bette Davis and Leslie Howard In "It's Love I'm After." MAYFAIR —Sonia Hente and Richard Grepne In "My Lucky star" and lion Arnechs and Arleen NVhelan In "Oatewayv" STRAND — Deanna Durbln In "That Certain .Syce." ROXY —lione Aulrv In "Whon It's Springtime in tho Ilix'kli's" and rsienda FaiTcll iinrl Itiii-toi) .Mel.«ne in ''Blondes At Work." REGENT —F.tTol Flynn and Olivia De Havlllanil In "Itohin Hood." ClVlC—Tyrone rower and Loref.ta Young: In "Suez." PLAZA — Shirley Temple and Oeorge Murphy In "Little. Miss Broadway." ST. JAMES , — Norma Shearer and Tyrone Power In "Marie Antoinette." LONDON —"On Our Selection" and "Luckiest 01 ri In the World." ADELPHI—Guest Night. ALEXANDRA—Cueist Mgrhf. AMBASSADOR —"The Hurricane." ASTOR — "Espionage" and "Klondike Annie." AVON DALE—'' M ay tl me." BERKELEY (MlMlon Bay) — "Coconut Grove." BIRKENHEAD—"Hunted Men." BRITANNIA—"Oh, Mr. Porter" and "Portia On Trial." CAPITOL —"Its a Grand Old World" and "Blind AUM." CRYSTAL PALACE —Guest IVIg-ht. DE LUXE —"That Certain Woman" and "Reinrrew of the Mounted." EMPRESS —Guest Mffht. OAIETY—"The Ra&e or Paris." OREY LYNN—Guest Nlg-ht. KINQSLAND— Ouesrt Niffht. MAYFAIR—Guest M«lu. PEERLESS—"FirefIy." PRINCE EDWARD—Guest Niffnt. PRINCESS—Gueet Mght. REQAL —Guest Mg-m. REGENT (Epsom)— Guest Mg-ht. RIALTO—Guest Nig-ht. •TAR <N*wton>—"Topper" and "Married Herore Breakfast." STATE (D«vonport)—"Palmed Desert" and "Meet the Girls." STATE (Symonda Street)—" Dark Journey" and "Heidi of the Alps." STATE (Onahunga)—Guest Xdffnt. STRAND (Onahunga)—Guest Nlgtit. TIVOLI—"Wiiwi it's Springtime In the Mockles" and "Blondes At Work." TUDOR—-'Love From a Stranger." VICTORIA—Guest M?ht.