AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 18

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT. Vivid action is the keynote of "Rulere of the Sea," at the Regent Theatre. Theme of the new film is provided by the history of the development of steam from eail [transport across the oceans, and a highlight m the firet crossing of the Altantic by a steamship. Three who have not yet eeen the production may be assured of its quality when they know that it was made by Frank Lloyd, producer-director of those two epics "Mutiny of the Bounty" and "The Sea Hawk." In his latest, effort Lloyd shows the artistic touoh and acute eenee of the spectacular that characterised his earlier worke. "Rulers of the Sea" ie an historical drama, basically, but it ie the warm human clement that gives it ite greatest appeal. Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. and Margaret Lockwood, fill the leading roles more than competently, but that grand English actor Will Fyffe, juet about 'steals the show" with a sincere portrayal of a Scotch engineer with an almost fanatical attachment to: hie engine. George Bancroft, Montagu Love and David Torrence are amongst the other featured players. !

ST. JAMES , . A new singing star makes her screen debut in "Balalaika," screen version of the popular stage operetta, at St. James' Theatre. She is Ilona Maesey, tall, blonde and charming Hungarian actress, who gives an appealing performance as Lydia Marakova, daughter of a Russian revolutionary. Teamed with her is Nedson Eddy, popular baritone, in dashing form as £" nce , Karagin, Colonel of fche Imperial Cossack Guard, before the Revolution. The pneme on which the screen play revolves ie the romance between Ktfragiife and the lovely Lydia. Charlie Ruggke provides much of the lighter side of the film as Karagm s batman. He is paired with Joyce. Conipton as La Marakova'g maid and together they manage to .draw a good quota of laughs. The musical score, as any theatre patron will know, i« outstanding, fo-i 8 "I , *" 11 * of "Volga Boatmen" and Silent Aight, and Mies Massey's singing of "At the Balalaika" are highlight*.

CENTURY. George Sanders, tali young English star, again portrays the famous Leslie Charterie 'hero in "The Saint's Double Trouble," opening to-morrow at the Century Theatre. A player of more than average ability, Sanders has appeared with considerable success in a number of big pictures in the last few yeaie, but he ie rapidly coming to be identified with "Saint" rolee as the late Warner Oland was witfh Charlie Chan characterisations. Sanders has ehown in previous appearances that he is ideally suited for the part j physically, and he has a natural charm that endears him fo all readei-s of the I Oharterie novels. In the new film "the Saint" ie confronted with the task of solving a series of robberies and murders committed by a jewel smuggler who happens to be his physical counterpart. This factor makes hie task more difficult than usual, but he tackles it with his usual reckless abandon and—need it be said—comes out on top. Helen Whitney is charming in the feminine lead, with Jonathan Hale and Bela Lugosi outstanding amongst the otiher featured players.

MAJESTIC. That amazing young person Maieie Ravier, undergoes eome extraordinary adventures in South Africa in "Coiw;o Maieie.," opening at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. Maisie. as in earlier films of fche series, in portrayed by pretty Ann Sothern, who makes of the character a lively and highly diverting person. In the new film ehe pushes out into the Congo country and makes light of siidh experiences as an emergency operation requiring her services as an impi-jniptu nui-ee, and an uprising of ravages led by native and witch- doctors. The latter she bears at their own game by feate of vaudeville magic. Co-starrinc with Mise Sothern is John Carroll, a young player who makes a promising debut as a star. He ie described ae being "a cross between a Gable and a Grant, without owing too much to cir'ier." Rita Johnson. Shepnerd Strudwick, J. M. Kerrigan and E. E. Clive are aleo in the cist. Associate attraction is the fast-moving drama "Branded." EMBASSY. An ideal tonic for anybody sufferinp from melancholia, "French Without Tears, ' at the Embassy Theatre, ie one of the most entertaining comedies of its type ever shown here. Lavishly produced, if contains a sparkling dialogue and a delightfully handled etory. It was produced by Anthony Aequith, who was largely responsible for the success of that great English comedy "Pygmalion." Many there are amongst patrons who have seen the new film, wfho claim that it ie every whir ae good as the Bernard Shaw effort. Background for the action k< the house of a I self-styled professor of culture, who applies Continental polish to budding English and American diplomatists. In the development of rhe etory a etirvacioue American blonde arrives on the scene and causes widespread disturbances of the equilibrium « the male students. Ray Milland and lUlen Drew are excellent in the leading rolee. but much of the limelight ie stolen 'by Roland Culver, a comparative newcomer to the screen, in the part of a supremely cautious naval commander. I

CIVIC. A trio of highly capable and equally popular players, comprising Alice Faye, Richard Greene and Fred Mac Murray, head the cast of "Little Old New York/' colourful drama of the old New York waterfront, opening at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. Miss Faye hae made her name in films of thie type recently, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Rose of Washington Square" and "Hollywood Cavalcade" being some of her best known. She is better than ever in her latest, as Pat O'Day, keeper of a waterfront tavern, to which comes young Robert Fulton, interpreted by Greene, intent on building a hull for his first steam engine. A series of inteiruptione and reverses, caused by financial troubles, a rival boatbuilder and an embargo declared by President Jefferepu, delay but do not prevent fulfilment of the enterprise. Greene is seen at his beet in his role as Fulton, while Fred MacMurray'e portrayal of a brawny shipbuilder could not be bettered. i

PLAZA. The etory of a mood. "Ret>ecca." from Daphne du Maurier's novel of the same name, lays bare the tissues and exposes , the workings of its character's minde and emotione. It is a picture notable for ite adroit blending of the component parts of the motion picture—writing, direction, acting and production value expressed in mounting and background. The tale concerns a man, the girl he married after the death of his faithless first wife, and their home, all overshadowed by the mocking epirit of Rebecca, the woman he had married first. The cast of this first David 0. Selznick; production to follow his "Gone With the Wind" makes evident ite complete understanding of the epirit of the novel, with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine giving restrained performances in leading roles, providing what has been termed a study in neuroses. Altogether, good entertainment for those who can enjoy acting of the more restrained type and who are sympathetic to excursions into the psychological.

STRAND. The radiantly charming young singing star Deanna Durbin scores her greatest triumph in "It'e a Date,"- her latest film, drawing big crowds in an extended season at the Strand Theatre. She shows the benefit of her growing experience with a more restrained and polished dieplay of acting than ehe has given before, while she etill retains much of 'her characteristic fresh, youthful charm. Her voice, too, seems more mellow, and her einging of Schubert's "Ave Maria," in particular, ie alone almost worth the admission price. Altogether, incidentally, seven song numbers are presented in the film —Harry Owens and hie Royal Hawaiians are responsible for a couple. Deanna portrays the daughter of a famous but , ageing stage star, and the story revolves round the complications that follow to casting of the daughter to a new role coveted by the mother. There are a few dramatic moments, but comedy is the keynote. Kay Francis ie charming in the part of Deanna's mother, while Walter Pidgeon makes an excellent leading man. '