AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 62, 15 March 1939, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE LAST WARNING." ROXY-TIVOLI. Director: Al Rogell (New Universal). - ith ™ ratric* Laughs and chills are evenly distributed throughout the running of "The Laet Warning, which opened its local season belore appreciative houses at the Rosy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. It is the film version of yet another of the Crime Club novels, the third by Jonathan Latimer to find its way to the screen. The name of the novel was "The Dead Don't Care " and it is well known to lovers of mystery yarns as one of the best books of the last tew years, bearing the famous insignia of the Crime Club.

Heading the cast are Preston Foster and Frank Jenks, as two super sleuths who uncover another baffling mystery to the tune of the usual barrage of wisecracks that fans have come to expect from the pair. They were featured in the two other Latimer novels which have been adapted for the screen—"The Westland Case" and "Lady in the Morgue." The many admirers of Frank Jenks will be pleased to see him making his way to the top of the grade, for he has shown himself, in minor parts, to be one of the smoothest players of his type on the screen. Foster's place among the stars is, of course, established, and he acts up to his best in this film.

Brunette Kay Linaker gives a sound performance in the main feminine role, while E. E. Clive, Joyce Compton and Frances Robinson show up well in the chief supporting roles.

The story opens when the two detectives decide to investigate the mystery of "The Eye," a weird character who harasses a society lad and his sister with threatening notes which mysteriously find their way into locked rooms. There is a wide circle of suspects to keep the audiences guessing, and two killings, a kidnapping and gunfights which kept to-day's patrons in a constant state of excitement.

The efforts of a young assistant district attorney in his war against a gang of racketeers and their crooked lawyers is the basis of "Disbarred," the associate attraction. Robert Preston, who won his spurs in "King of Alcatraz," portrays the crusading young attorney, while Gail Patrick, one of the most beautiful of filmdom's brunettes, introduces the romantic interest as a brilliant young woman lawyer who becomes implicated with a gang of legal "twisters." Others, in the cast are Otto Kruger, Sidney Toler, Helen MacKellar and Virginia Dabney.

MAYFAIR. Whenever Charles Laughton, the English actor, is discussed, mention is almost invariably made of his great performance in "The Private Life of. Henry VIII." Aucklanders will have the opportunity of seeing his artistry in this film again when it opens a return Auckland season at the Mayfair Theatre on Friday. Those who saw it when it last showed in the city in 1934 will remember that, although the production ie historically accurate and is directed against settings of lavish splendour, it is actually a frivolous satire on the much-married monarch. The dialogue is modern, sparkling, and at times outrageous. Laughton's portrayal of Henry is, of course, magnificent. He provokes disgust, compassion and humour with his brilliant acting, and one of the scenes particularly, in which he is seen feasting, is still talked of with enthusiasm. Robert Donat, Merle Oberon and a brilliant cast of minor players admirably support the star. "Algiers." with Charles Boyer, Hedy Liamarr and- Sigrid Gurie, is .the second attraction. CIVIC. One of the cleverest and most smoothlyacted comedies ever produced in England, "Pygmalion" continues to draw big crowds in its second week at the One Theatre. George Bernard Shaw's original etory of the transformation of a Cockney flower-girl into a London socialite by a phonetics expert hae been closely followed in the screen form, and the film provides one of the best illustrations of faithful adaptation for the screen ever seen locally. The performances by the principals—Leslie Howard as the professor of phonetics and Wendy Hiller as the flowergirl—cannot be faulted. Howard gives one of the best exhibitions of his brilliant career, while Miss Hiller makes a, highly auspicious screen debut after several years of successful stage appearances in London, Wilfred Lawson, Marie Lphr and Scott Sunderland .are outstanding in ,the supporting cast. ....

ST. JAMES , . The story of a famous New York cabaret dancer who gives up the glitter of her city life to become the wife of a gentleman farmer, and the complications that arise when the farmer's brother falls in love with her, is told in "The Shining Hour at the St.' James' Theatre. Theß resulting melodrama, when the lives of several persons become enarjed in a manner that threatens to bring disaster until those most directly implicated persuade themselves to act honourably, is capably handled by the strong cast. Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas. Rpbert.Young, Margaret Sullavan and Fay Bainter have the Principal roles, and the ease and sincerity with which they play them is a credit to their capabilities, for the parts are difficult ones. Miss Crawford, as the dancer, is given her first opportunity for some time to dance, and she is seen in one number in particular, with Tony De Marco, that is among the best sequences of its kind seen locally this year.

AMUSEMENTS GUIDE.

CIVIC BQIMW6— Amusement Part. PICTURE THEATRES. K. Barnes in "Who Goes Next? and Robert Preston in "Disbarrea. ClVlC—Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller in "Pygmalion." embassy—Olympe Bradna and Ray Milland in "Say It In French." "TKMS .«& MS.-I*-;1 * - ; OMDON—"We're On The Jury" and " "Mysterious Crossing." IDELPHI—Guest Night. ILMWMDRft—Guest Night. IMBABBADOR —"The Rage of Paris. BTOR—"Two Against the World" and Black Mask." "Son-hy 'SBSK*' miTANNIA— "You're a sweetheart" and "Frame Up." 2APITOL —Guest Night. CRYSTAL P«t*C«—Guest Night. >E LUXE—"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." [■PMBB-Guest Night. IAIITY— "SKy Giant." SRBY LVNM—Guest. Night. Night. HFWLMS—"The Divorce or Lady X. HiIMCK BDWIWID—Guest Night, inmcnsr-oaest' Night. \ , «MNt" « e p S Night. »TAR (M.wfon)^>Pri S oner ot Zenda" anfl -•Moonlight Sonata." »TATE YoilitTimgeJ— Guest Night. iTRAHD %nehuneV)—Guest Nignt. OUTHMHI or the Royal r . Last Warning" and "Disbarred." ■ . rUDOR —'-'800 1.00. , -NiehtlAYFAlß—Guest Night. IVOMDALE— "Tne Perfect specimen."

REGENT. Fast-moving comedy of the "Merrily We variety is provided in "Service De Luxe," which has its initial local showing at the Regent Theatre on Friday. Constance Bennett is the leading feminine player, and starring opposite her is Vincent Price, New York stage fitar who is the latest to join the ranks of Hollywood leading men. Price established himself firmly in Broadway theatrical circles by his excellent performance in the role of Prince Albert opposite the famous Helen Hayes during tfte two-year run of Miss Hayes' play, "Victoria Regina," in New York. With the two principals are some outstanding players in Charles Ruggles, Miecha Auer, Helen Broderick and lovely young Joy Hodges. "Service De Luxe" deals with an exclusive personal service bureau which undertakes almost any assignment from its clients. When Price comes to New York to sell his patent tractor, Miss Bennett undertakes his management. The ensuing complicated situations are among the funniest seen on the screen for some time.

PLAZA. Excellent munedy of the best English type is combined with breath-taking suspense and thrilling excitement in "The Vanishes." at the Plaza Theatre. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who helped make "The Thirty-nine Steps" such a success, the film must be classed as one of the best produced by Gaumont-British-

Dominion Studios for many a day. Nearly all the action takes place on a transcontinental traio, and smooth handling by director and players alike results in an unusual air of realism being achieved. How a ruthless foreign agent attempts to kidnap an elderly English woman epy. and is thwarted by the efforts of a young man and woman on the train, forms the basis of the thrilling story. A young newcomer to the screen, Michael Redgrave, gives an excellent portrayal in the chief male role, while the feminine lead is capably handled by Margaret Lockwood. Dame May Whitty is as convincing as ever as the lady who vanishes, while special mention must also be made of Naunton Wade and Basil Radford ae a couple of typical Englishmen who are making a desperate dash for home to see the cricket Test.