AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

"OUTLAWS OF THE PRAIRIE." ROXY-TIVOM. Dart Collins CliarlM Siarret-t Slim Grayson Itonnkl (Jruvsim Judy <;artiol<! Iris Meredith William I.upton Norman Willis hragg I»iek Curtis l.afc Uartinlil Kilward I>>Saint I>irort«»r : Sam Xplsmji (Colum-bin). Also: "No PLATK To <?n." with Dennis Morgan ami tiloria Dickson. Fast-moving, red-biooded action, attractive music and a pleasant romance— these are the highlights of "Outlaws of the Prairie"' vivid Western film. which opened before appreciative audiences at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Ihe Mieenplay concerns Dart Collins, who, as a boy, saw his father killed and i was himself maimed by a border tenegi'ih . \\ lien he gii w's to virile manhood, he becomes a ranger. After some narrow escapes, he finally gets on the track of a wanted criminal, who turns out to be the man who killed his father. The story works up to a powerful climax as the killer is hunted down, and Dart wreaks grim vengeance for the murder of his father. lollins is portrayed by Columbia's latest cowboy hero, husky young Charles Starrett. who should gain a lot of supporters witli his attractive personality and tine acting. Main feminine role is filled by auburn-haired Iris Meredith, another comparative newcomer who gives a good account of herself. Typical Western music is presented by pleasant-voiced Donald Grayson and the "Sons of the Pioneers." a quintet of whom more should be heard in the near future. An entertaining homespun story is unfolded in the associate attraction, "No Place to Co." a comedy-drama featuring Dennis Morgan. Gloria Dickson and Fred Stone. 'The plot centres lound the coin- 1 plications that ensue when a successful young business man takes his aged father out of an old solidors" home to live with him and help him at his job. STATE, SYMONDS STREET. Patrons of the State Theatre. Symonils Street, will have their last opportunity to-night of seeing "Good live. Mr. Chips," one of the most universally popular■ films of the year. Robert Donat -ivos a brilliant characterisation ot t hippings of Brooktield, of such class that, on the strength of it, he was awarded the? Academy Award. Greer Gat-son is excellent in the feminine lead, and the supporting characters are all strong.

ST. JAMES'. A new Greta Garbo is presented to filmgoers in Xinotchka. ' strong attr.ietion iu •rf exten^ei l season at the St. James' Theatre. Aucklanders were growing a little tired of the old Garbo- the great tragedienne, the wooden-fare,! rev 1 use who "vanted to Ik? alone." But they have taken to their hearts in no uncertain fashion the rejuvenated Greta---diz/.v comedienne who gets tipsy, falls in love and, lit acts like an ordinary linmaji bcinff. Greta is seen as a Bolshevik who is sent to Paris to 6ee that a trio of Red agents do not get up to an\ monkey business in the selling of imperial jewels. A niati-about-town appears on the sirup in the person of Melvvn Don-las, and the Bolshevik iorgets her Spartan-like training sufficiently to tall in love with him. Alter that its a case ot toigctting about Communism and getting a lull measure of fun out. ot Willi: in hue iu I'.uis. The ,-toi v is handled sliekl.v In tin- pi. nets. Douglas being right up to standaid and (liet.i show in- out as competent!) .is a comiHlienne as .-lie was a tragedienne. Ina Claire. Beia Lugosi and Sin Kuniann have the mam supporting loles. CENTURY. There is a certain Ameriean film critie who is known throughout the film world for the harshness ot his commentaries on picture*. He never bestows a word of piaise where it is not due. .mil often withholds piaise where it might justly be considered due. 1 hns». when Tie >.i\s a picture is "fair, ' \l can be taken that it is worth seeing. When he pies further, it is sale to expivt bin tilings of the tilm. t)f "J'aek Up Your Tumbles." opening at the Century on Fridax. lie sail I: "l'rettv good entertainment." 'That in itself is suflicient recoiiimendat ion that the tilm will have high appeal to the discerning lihngoer. Local patrons will be a!! the more eager to see it because the leading playeis are none other than the Kit/. Brothers and breezy young -lane Withois. The action takes place dm in- the last war. lint, with such playeis as the above, it is onh to be expected that it is anything but a grim drama of mighty nations at grips. It is hilarious comedy from the start and the brilliant performances by the stars more than compensate for the fairly thin plot. SWITZERLAND ICE SHOW. •T. C. Williamson's spectacular extravaganza on ice. "Switzerland." which is to lie staged lor a brief farewell season beginning on Saturday afternoon and evening next, is one ot the most picturesque and most entei taining theatre attractions seen in New Zealand in recent years. 'The first act is devoted to the ice ballets and the ice show, the second act to a cabaret scene, and the third act reverts back to an amazing exposition of glorious dancing on the ice. Megan Taylor's outstanding

artistry is ono of the feature# of the production, and her father's thrilling exhibition on stilts and his barrel jumping never fail to delight the audience. Eddie Marcel is highly amusing throughout the show, particularly when lie is associated with the pantomime horse Black Bess, the antics of which on the ice always create much laughter. The exquisite ballets are another feature of "Switzerland," and in the cabaret scene Connie Graham and Hal Scott and Tommy Russell and Kddie Marcel are highly entertaining. REPERTORY THEATRE. Franz Molnar's "Liliom" will l>o presented h\ the Auckland Repertory Theatre in the St. Andrew's Hall. Symond's Street, on May 1 and 2. IVtails are advertised.