AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

"IN OLD MEXICO." ROXY-TIVOLI. j Hopalons Cassidy ....William Boyd. Windy Halliday ....... George Hayes. 1-Hcky Jenkins Russ<>ll Hayden. The Fox Paul Sutton. Don Carlos Allan Garcia. Auita ....". ..June Clayton. Director: Harry Sherman, Paramount. Also: "LAW WKST OF TOMBSTONE," starring Harry Carey. Here he is back again, that same Hopalong Caesidy who has, after.'a score of successful picture appearances*... definitely placed himself at the top of the cinema tree for popularity. The film is "In. Old Mexico," and today it began .an Auckland season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. And Hopalong lias come back again at a most opportune time with a film that provides the ideal Easter entertainment. What Clarence E. Mulford story would be complete without William Boyd in the name part? Boyd handles the title role again, and some of his old screen companions, George Hayes, Russell Hayden and Paul Sutton are also with him. A starlet worth while watching appears in her first important role in "In Old Mexico." She is June Clayton, a presentable young lady who seems destined to go far in films. In the development of the plot, Hopalong and his two pals, Windy Halliday (Hayes) and Lucky (Haydeii) go to Mexico, lured by a mysterious message. A Mexican friend is killed and Cassidy is. involved in a bizarre adventure. Playing a waiting game, he stalks the bandits, and in the meantime is involved in an intriguing situation with Janet Leeds (Betty Annum I and in a romance with the sister of the slain man. Anita (Miss Clayton). Finally. Hopalong is successful, and though his life is in dire peril for a time, he succeeds in wiping out the gang of bandits and avenging the death of his friend. Treated .in somewhat different style from previous Hopaloug. films, it is ideal action entertainment. No better Clarence E. Mulford story has been adapted, which is saying a great deal. The settings are outstanding, and the production, which is in the hands of Harry Sherman, is ideal. The film is a testimonial, to everyone connected with the Hopalong series. It is easy to see how they have become so jvopular. Second attraction on this Easter bill i« "Law West of Tombstone," another thrilling Western feature. It stars a player who has been a prime favourite in this type of film for many years— Harry Carey. Carey has able support from Evelyn Brent. REGENT THEATRE. Five hundred years ago a vagabond poet from the back streets of Paris became ruler of his country for one tumultuous week, stormed the heart of a Royal princess in defiance of the orders of his king, and saved France by leading a rabble army in battle against the most powerful forces of Europe. This man was Francis Villon, rogue, lover, statesman J and warrior, whose story, roaring down I the centuries, is as thrilling to-day as it was during the colourful age in which he lived. It comes to the screen in "If I Were King," which begins an Easter season at the Regent Theatre on Easter Saturday. Taking the leading part of Villon is Ronald Column, and others in a notable cast arc Fiances. Dec. as Lady Katherine, Basil Rathbone as King Louis XI. of France, Ellen Drew. C. V. France, Henry Wilcoxon and Ralph Forbes, winner of three Academy Awards. Frank Lloyd has made "If 1 Were King"' one of his most notable productions, and the mere presence of his name in the credits is proof that "If I Were King" is a great film. MAJESTIC THEATRE. In one of his all-too-rare appearances on the screen, that top-flight favourite of American radio Rudy Valee is the star of "Gold Diggers in Paris," which begins an Easter season to-morrow at the Majestic Theatre. There is an outstanding cast with Rudy. Rosemary Lane is the principal feminine player, and others on the list are Hugh Herbert, Allen Jenkins, Gloria Dickson, Melville Cooper, Fritz Feld and Ed Brophy. The hilarious story concerns the blunder of Hugh Herbert in signing up a troupe of dancers from a New York night club operated by Valee and Allen Jenkins, to represent America in an international ballet contest in Paris. After some amusing complications the girls actually do take the stage in the contest and succeed in making the judges forget all about ballet as they put over some catchy and "ewingy" numbers. The musical score features four new hit tunes. A novelty band that has gained much popularity in the States, the Schnickelfritzes, makes its cinema bow in "Gold Diggers in Paris." PLAZA THEATRE. Featuring an actress who has been a prime favourite in pictures for some time now, another noted character actor of years' standing and a talented newcomer, cited as one of the best of the season's cinematic discoveries, in a warmly human tale of the racetracks. "Kentucky," which is to begin an Auckland season at the Plaza Theatre on Saturday, appears to be the ideal Easter holiday entertainment. Ihe stars are Loretta Young, Walter Brennan and the new leading man Robert Greene. Others in the east are Douglas Dumbrille, Karen Morley and Willard Robertson. It is a racing story with a difference. It shows the racing game in its best light, for it shows the value of the thoroughbred in the minds of those bleeders who have the best interests of the sport at heart. It is stated that the Technicolour photography is one of the features of the film. Brennan contributes some delightful humour. For his work in this film he received the 1938 Academy Award for the best performance in a supporting role. MAYFAIR THEATRE. A hectre romance between an impetuous heiress and an impoverished newspaperman blossoms under the shadow of a murder mystery in the film "The Mad Miss Manton," which is the main attraction at the Mayfair Theatre. Barbara Stanwyck, more renowned for her dramatic performances, is responsible fora sparkling comedy performance, while opposite her is Henry Fonda. The story traces the efforts of an impulsive socialite to show her worth to a newspaperman who has ridiculed the futile existence of her social clique. She decides to do this by solving a baffling murder mystery. All this is done in light, vein, but there is also a note of excite-' ment and suspense. Sam Levene. Frances Mercer and Stanley Ridges have the main supporting roles. Also being shown at the Mayfair is "Next Time I Marry," an hilarious feature which stars Lucilie Ball, James, Ellison and Lee Bowman. This is the amusing story of the marriage of an heiress and a pick-and-shovel worker, and the ensuing complications.