AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1939, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. Francois Villon, poet, rogue and beggar, has saved Louis XI. and Prance from the treachery of Burgundy many times on stage and screen, but he has never done it so superlatively as in the screen ver"If I Were King," which is attracting large crowds to the Regent Theatre. This is the silver anniversary of the screa*i.'areer of the man who created "Cavaiftide" and "Mutiny on the Bounty," Frank Lloyd, and Lloyd can well sit back and regard it as a job well done. Making one of his all-too-infrequent screen appearances, and in the process adding yet another triumph to an already long list, Ronald Colman plays the part of Villon. Equally good is Basil Rath-bone, in the part of the King of France, while others who add to the success of the film are Frances Dee, Ellen Drew, New Zealand's Colin Taplejr and C. V. France. The production and direction are perfect examples of screen artistry; scene follows scene, sequence follows sequence as if by magic. A Popeye cartoon and a musical are on the programme. CIVIC THEATRE. Moving fast and presenting a story with infinite possibilities for great drama, romance and comedy, Walter Wanger's latest production, "Trade Winds,'' is attracting large audiences to the Civic Theatre. In the film appear Fredric March and Joan Bennett, perfectly cast, and Ralph Bellamy and Ann Sothern contribute to the success of the production in no small measure. The story deals with a girl (Miss Bennett) who shoots a millionaire whom she believes responsible for her sister's suicide. She dives over San Francisco bridge and is reported dead. Evidence accumulates to show that she has not died, and a detective (March) is sent after her. His quest sends him globetrotting; to Japan, China, Indo-China and Singapore he goes, as the screen portrays in unique manner the glories of the Eastern scene. Wanger has made the most of the material and produced one of iliis usual masterpieces of artistry. A notable item on the supporting programme is "Uncle Sam, Good Neighbour," a March of Time, which tells the story of Nazi activity in South America in vivid style. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "Sweethearts over again," runs the song, and that is the case with the most popular of all singing teams in films, Jeanette MacDonaltl and Nelson Eddy in the musical "Sweethearts," which is having a highly-successful run at St. James' Iheatre. The film is notable for two reasons—the couple appear against a modern background, and the film is in Technicolour. Audiences at St. James' have been revelling in the perfect characterisation of Frank Morgan, in the role of the stars' manager, while Alischa Auer is also prominent. The story is about a happilymarried stage couple who have been in the same Broadway show, "Sweethearts," for six years. They* want to get away to Hollywood, their manager thinks out a plan to stop them, and the fun begins. It is great entertainment, and the thrilling voices of Eddy and Miss Mac Donald make it almost the perfect screen attraction. Some of their songs are "Little Grey Home in the West," "Sweethearts," "Pretty as a Picture" and "Summer Serenade." The second of the remarkable third dimensional short features, "Audioscopiks' heads the supporting programme. EMBASSY THEATRE. Brisk and invariably amusing, one of the best light comedies seen in Auckland for many a day, "Three Loves Has Nancy" is the attraction now at the Embassy Theatre. As one film writer said after the preview in California, it is the greatest comedy in years judging by appearances, unless the guests went there to roll in the aisles just for exercise. One word could be used to describe the cast— "nameful." Leading lights are Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery and Franehot Tone, while in lesser parts are Guy Kibbee, Claire Dodd, Reginald Owen, Charles Grapewin and Emma Dunn. The story is a light piece about a famous novelist and his publisher who live in adjoining flats and fall in love with a lass from the South who has just been jilted at the altar. Janet is superb as the innocent maid, naive and charming, who moves in on the two literateurs and causes their heart-flutters. Clever dialogue and uproarious comedy are deftly woven into one gloriously funny whole. Director Richard Thorpe has done a good job of work, one that merits the thanks of all who see his film. PLAZA THEATRE. No better horse-racing picture has been released in Auckland than "Kentucky," which has started its second week at the Plaza Theatre. There are many notable features of Darryl F. Zanuck's latest production. First of all there is the costarring of beautiful Loretta Young and the young star of "Four Men and a Prayer," Richard Greene, a player of whom Hollywood expects much. The film capital is unlikely to be disappointed. Then there is the portrayal by Walter Brennan of the irascible, impoverished old Southern gentleman. A gem of character acting, this performance gained for the veteran Brennan a 1938 Academy Award. Others in the cast are Douglas Dumbrille, Karen Morley and a brilliant juvenile performer, Bobs Watson. Kentucky, home of American blood stock, is the background for the action, and nothing more thrilling could be imagined than the racing scenes, with their climax of the Kentucky Derby, the richest turf event in the United States. Several famous horses, such as Man o' War, Omaha and Gallant Fox, are seen in the film. Outstanding supports are showing. MAJESTIC THEATRE. A stirring melodrama of the sea, wild and exciting as its title, "The Storm" will have its first Auckland screenings at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Seldom is such an array of top-flight stars seen on the one cast list. Charles Quigley is nominal leading man, and others are Barton Mac Lane, Preston Foster, Tom Brown, Nan Grev. Andy Devine and Frank Jenks. Action, excitement and spectacle are intermingled with a rugged type of comedy in "The Storm." It deals with a tough radio operator, who does not wish his young brother to follow in ■his roving footsteps. He cannot stop the boy, however, and they become colleagues in the one vessel. The thrilling climax comes when the younger man is taken desperately ill and his life is saved in sensational manner. The scene changes swiftly throughout; indeed, it might be said that the background for the action is the seven seas. Also to be shown for th? first time on Friday is "Mr. Reeder in Room 13," screen version of one of the Edgar Wallace tales of the famous fictional detective, with a new star, Peter Murray Hill, in the lead.

MAYFAIR THEATRE. Though the two films are of different type, the two amusing attractions at tjie Mayfair Theatre are both masterpieces of comedy entertainment. First of these, now in its sixth week in Auckland, is the screen version of the George Bernard Shaw play, "Pygmalion." Now at the peak of hie remarkably successful career on stage and screen. Leslie Howard plays the leading role, and a newcomer, Wendy Hiller, is opposite him. The story is, of course, that of the didactic phonetic® professor who adopts a C'ovcnt Garden flower girl and sets out to teach her to speak properly and generally become the complete lady. Nothing quite like this has ever been seen on the screen. It marks a new era in production for the English film industry. More boisterous fun is efeen in the Ritz Bros.' film, "Straight, l'lace and Show," the other attraction. With the Kit7.es are featured Richard Arlen and Phyllis Brooks, whjle Ethel Merman sings several tuneful numbers in fine style. It is a typical Bros. film. Nothing more need be said, STRAND THEATRE. An apt title has been chosen for the latest Jane Withers' starring attraction, which is now screening at the Strand Theatre. It is called "Always in Trouble." If good intentions were good deeds, Jane would be an angel, but somehow her best plans never seem to work out right; at least until the end of this amusing comedy. In the development of the plot, Jane plays the part of a "poor little rich girl," who wants to get her family back to the happy harmony which existed in the days when her father was an ordinary father, not harassed by boards of directors and not harried from pillar to post by his newly-rich family. Arthur Treacher plays a supporting role admirably, and others in the cast are Jean Rogers and Robert Kelland. Brisk and always amusing, the film allows Jane's great juvenile comedy talent full rein. A further attraction at the Strand is "Follow Your Star," which features Arthur Tracy, famous the world over as the Street Singer. He gives several outstanding numbers.