AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

"THE MAN THEY COULD NOT " HANG." ROXY-TIVOLI. Dr. Henryk Savaard .... Boris Karloff Janet Savaard Lorna Gray •Scoop" Foley Robert Wilcox District-Attorney Drake .. Roger Pryor Lieutenant Shane .. Don Beddoe Betty Crawford ....:.... Ann Doran Director: Mck Grlnde. Columbia. Also "THE MAN WHO DARED," With Jane Bryan and Charley Urapewln. Weird, horrifying and fascinating, "The Man They Could Not Hang," which opened for a season at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day, k strong meat sufficient to satisfy the starkest appetite of the most hardened horror-lover. Starring Boris Karloff in a tale which makes the flash creep and at the same time emerges as a dramatic triumph, the new Columbia melodrama is compelling film fare. This picture should win for Karloff for all time the title of "King of Horror." Never has he contributed a more vivid, more chilling portrayal than that of Dr. Savaard, the inhuman scientist, who is the central figure of the story, Savaard has succeeded in perfecting a mechanical heart, which can restore life to the dead, but his experiments are interpreted as murder and he is hanged for" the crime. What happens after that is a series of shudders that will satisfy any theatregoer. Lorna Gray and Robert Wilcox are cast in strong supporting roles. The second picture, which is also showing at both theatres, is "The Man Who Dared," in' which gangdom gets its jusf deserts through the determination of an old soldier, who wrenches the city from the dark grip of the underworld, Jane Bryan, Charley Grapewin and' Henry O'Neill handle difficult parts in a realistic manner and the picture is a round of thrilling situations, move and countermove, with final victory to the forces of sanity, law and order. This is the typo of film that will please everybody. CENTURY. The tremendous success that greeted the release of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of The Baskervilles" is bound to be repeated in "Sherlock Holmes," which opens a season at the Century Theatre on Friday, with Basil Rathbone in the role of the king of fictional detectives and Xigel Bruce as the invaluable Dr. Watson. The second Holmes picture in the series, this is the story of the tracking down ot a clever criminal who almost succeeds in making off with the Crown jewels from the Tower of London. Outwitted by the famous criminal, Dr. Moriarty, Holmes waits for him to strike again. Moriarty plot* two murders, carries out one successfully and succeeds in tangling Holmes in a series of clues while he turns to what he expects will be the greatest crime in history—the theft of the jewels. Such a shrewd sleuth as Holmes, however, is bound to suspect "the nigger in the woodpile," but the manner in which he does it makes one of the most thrilling pictures that have been seen in Auckland for a long time. There is situation piling upon situation and leading to excitement that will satisfy the most exacting of patrons. REGENT. To be the only male on a tropical island —completely surrounded by glamorous beauties with love-light in their lovely eyes—must be the ambition of every man iii Auckland. His chance to see what actually happens in those circumstances will come on Friday when "The Beachcomber" opens for a season at the Regent Theatre. This is a tropical hurricane of laughter and a typhoon of romance, to keep in South Sea Island character. At the beginning of the action of a picture that is full of action. "Ginger Ted is j disrupting the peace of a tropical Dutch ] Indies island. English remittance man and beachcomber, he is at odds with the scheme of things generally, and the islan<Ts Dutch controleur has a hard time trying to control him, though he prefers his company to that of some other people who play their part in the scheme of things. When "Ginger Ted" is marooned with a girl whom he thinks is not so attractive as she might be there arc complications. Attempting to bring out the better part of his nature she leads the audience into a buncli of screams that are just too funnv for words. Charles Laughton takes a wonderful lead, with Elsa Lanchester a close second. CIVIC. The personality that is Bing Crosby always shines through whatever role he portrays. Those who love his crooning voice will have the greatest treat of their lives in "The Star Maker," which opens a season at the Civic Theatre on Friday. The picture is concerned with a portion of the career of Gus Edwards, entrepreneur of rising voung stars and a rather famous vaudeviUian to boot. Edwards' specialty was the training of children, and there is quite a number appearing in the film, outstanding of whom is Linda Ware,_ of pleasing personality and epleqdid voice. It is essentially a musical film combining both the old and the new in songs. "School Davs," "Sunbonnet Sue," "If I Was a. Millionaire." "In My Merry Oldsmobile. "I Can't Tell Why I Love You. But I Do," and "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." vie with "Go Fly a Kite," "A Man and His Dream." "An Apple for the Teacher," and "Still the Bluebirds Sing in the newer order of things. The role of Barry Earl is carried by Bing Crosby and Louise Campbell plays Mary. Linda Ware, Ned Sparks. Laura Hope Crews and Janet Waldo add fine acting to a picture that will be welcomed by thousands of Aucklanders. MAJESTIC. Those who see "Maisie," which opens a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, can say that they have seen a lady who is, strictly speaking, no lady. On one count she is a bit rough, a trifle tough and altogether too lower-class to be considered one of the beet of the beet families. This i is a film with plenty of fun in it. Maisie. a showgirl stranded in a cowtown, finds for herself the ;job of ladies' maid for a woman who is visiting her ranch property with her husband. Some things do not meet with the approval of "Slim" Martin, the ranch foreman who, besides being a confirmed woman hater as the result of ' a previous unhappy romance, is none too friendly with Maisie because of an embarrassing situation with the young lady, which is pictured in the opening sequences of the film. That is just the opening of a tumult of action—and it is action that brings the audience out of the ' theatre seats. Slim Martin is Robert Young in a fine role, and Ann Sothern plays the part of Maisie in a capable manner. There is also a G-man racketsmashing drama, "Missing Evidence," with Preston Foster and Irene Hervey in the leads. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Glamorous and spectacular is "Lady of the Tropics," -which is showing at the St. James', depicting as it does the mixing of races in a love drama that has an extraordinary turn. Set in Indo-China, the story has a background of the mystic East that is Saigon, and tells the struggles of an exotic half-caste beauty, sought with mixed motives by a variety of admirers. Hedy Lamarr plays the leading role, and plays it magnificently, while Robert Taylor is cast as the young American who wins her love and her hand in marriage. In the role she takes, Hedy Lamarr plays with the dangerous intrigues of her barbaric lovers in order to ensure the safety of the man she really loves. In the exotic atmosphere created by the temple dances and the weird music" and island seascapes, the extraordinary characters and reaction are worked out with fidelity to detail, and Joseph Schildkraut plays well up to the two leads. The situations are unusual, and drama is played with a fire that is unusual in a picture of this type. There is also an excellent supporting programme. SERIES OF LECTURES. Dr. Mac Donald Bayne. well-kpown speaker, who is giving a series of lectures in Auckland, will speak at the Lewis Eady Hall to-night on "What Is Faith? Can You U»e It!" To-morrow evening he will deliver another address op applied fsyoholegy- A number of coloured pier ures illustrating Tibet will be shown each evening before the lectures.

EMBASSY. J "On Borrowed Time," now showing at! the Embassy Theatre, is one of those philosophical pictures that etch an indelible print on the minds of all those who see it. To say it is extraordinary is to be trite. Ik is a magnificent presentation of the question that burdens the mind of every man and woman in the world. Briefly, it is the story of an old grandfather who is afraid to die lest the grandson whom he adores should fall into the hands of a scheming aunt. With that fear in the back of his mind he traps death in the branches of an apple trss. There is nothing morbid in the theme of , this unusual film. Death is personified as a kindly and tolerant individual, with , a dry sense of humour and an infinite patience, despite his implacability. Horror is the last thing that enters into this unusual picture. There is a peculiar serenity and comfort about the plot that is a tribute to the producer.- Lionel Barrymore, as the grandfather, gives a satisfying interpretation, and the mysterious Mr. Brink is portrayed by that master of the art of the screen, Sir Cedric Hsrdwicke. The role of the grandson is in the hands of Bobs Watson who makes a fine job of the part. PLAZA THEATRE. Behind the scenes in politics and just how the great game of graft is carried on is the theme of "Mr. Smith Goes To is the theme of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," the feature which tops the bill «t the Plaza' Theatre. No finer film has ever been offered to the New Zealand public. The picture is ■ claimed •* taie greatest triumph yet in,the career of Director Frank Capra and there is no room for doubting that the claim is well foundedThe story, of course, typifies political graft and deals wHfh the adventure* of » youngster, more honest than the average politician, who gets into the Senate on an appointment by a controlled Governor to serve the unexpired term of a Senator who has died. He stays in to flay the Senators under their own rules, but how he does it is a continual round of exciting situations, interspersed with laughter-pro-vokinjr incidents. What happens is such a mix-up of roguery, that the «*«"£ iti kept tense from beginning U> end 0t tne film. Those who have some ideas of what happens in certain .branches <<»*«* work will find that all their w«t [«» are realised. Jean Arthur and Jsmes Stewart arc conitarred in a magntneent picture. AMUSEMENTS OUIUE. #> ' CIVIC SQUMW—Amusement Psrk. PICTURE TWSIWSM. ««oiNT-~J«m«» Cam»y sno. Mt o'lrltn » ' Twrels with Dtrty fscM" ■MBAMY—Lloiel lUrrymors m on Borrowed Time." •LAZA Jenn Arthur and James Stewart In ••Mr smith Goes to Washington." ttRANB— Geo. Wallace In "Gone to tfci Doss." CENTURY —Pavid Mvsn and Voretta loung in "Eternally yours." CIVIC—-Edward <3. Robinson and Ruth ilussey In "Blackmail." MJUBMiC— Barry K. Barnes In •'Spiesi ftf the Air" snd George Formby In By George." ROXY—laurel and Hardy In "fW"* Deuces." snd Randolph Scott In "Twenty Thousand Men s >ear. •T. JBWBB'—Hedy lamsrr ins) Re-pert T«ylor In "Lady of the Troples." OXFORD— Spencer Tracy In "Stanley and Livingstone." ADtXPHl—Guest Mght. ALEXANDRA—Guest Mght. ABTOR —"Last Train rrom Madrid" and "Stolen Heaven." AMBASSADOR—Ousst Night. BIRKSLKY (Missies B«»)— "White Banners." CAPITOL— Guest Mght. CRYSTAL PALACE—Guest Mght. OE LUXE—"Only Angels Have Wings." EMPRESS —"The Go-Getter" and "Marry the Girl." GAlETY—"Naughty Marietta." QREY LYNN—Guest Might. LIBERTY—"Four Girls In White" and "The Mystery or the {Strange Room" PRINCE EDWARD—Guest Night. PRINCESS—Guest Night. PICTUREDROME— Quest Night. PEERLESS—"GoriIIa" and "Chasing Danger." REQAL—Guest Night. RIALTO—Guest Mght. REQENT (Epsom)— Guest Night. STATE (Dsvonpsft)—Guest Night. STRAND (Onshunga)— Guest Night. STATE (Onehunae)— Guest Mght. •TATE (Symends Street) — "Thunder Afloat." STAR —"The Girl Downstairs" and "llocHheads." SOUTHERN CROSS—"Alexander Graham pell" and "I Stole a Million-" TUDOR—"East Side of Heaven." TlVOLl—Quest Night. VICTORIA—Guest Night. AVORDALB—"You Can't Cheat an Honest Man." BIRKENHEAD—"CIouds Over Europe." May fair—"Boy of the streets" and "Society smugglers."' NEW ROYAL—"Little Miss Broadway." IYA.—B.O, "Trio," by Ravel; s.Ji. Annette Chapman, meito-sopraho; t.f,-}, Alexander Klpnls, bass: ».52. "My Earlier Songs," by Ivor Noveilo. SVA. —"M«rch." from "The Jester at the Wedding," by Ceates; s.s, FranK Birmingham, baritone; a,is, "Round the Piano"; 8,«8. Thomas We»t. tenor; O.SO. "The Radio that Hitler Fears": 10.14, Dance music by Manuel Raymond and his orchestra. 1YX.—9.34, "Personal Column"; ».«8, George Hall orchestra, with vocal interlude by Dolly Dawn. 1ZM—7.15. "Search Tor a Playwright"; 8.0, Peep into Filmland, with "BllMe."