AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 156, 3 July 1940, Page 16

AMUSEMENTS.

ROXY-TIVOLI. "TORCHT PLATS WITH DYNAMITE." Torchy Blane Jane Wvman Steve Meßride Allen Jenkins Gahagan Tom Kennedy Jackie McGuire Sheila Bromlev Maxie Joe Cunningham Director: Noel Smith (Warners). Also : '• FREE, BLONDE AND 21," starring Lynn Bari. "Torchy Plays With Dynamite"' is the intriguing title of the latest adventures of the attractive young newspaper woman, Torehy Blane. The film heads the new Koxy-Tivoli programme presented for the first time to-day. Previously Aucklanders have connected the name of Glenda Farrell with the title role, but in this show the part is taken by one of Hollywood's most promising young actresses, Jane Wyman, who has her first chance in a starring role. She makes a complete success of it. Opposite her in the well-known role of Lieutenant bteve Meßride is the versatile Allen Jenkins, while the dumb police driver Gahagan is portrayed by Tom Kennedv. Others m a brilliant cast are Sheila' Bromlev, Joe Cunningham, Eddie Marr and Edgar Deering.

In the plot development Torchy is fined for speeding. Before she is bailed out of gaol by her police boy-friend she meets a girl shoplifter, a friend of Denver Eddie, an escaped bandit. The two girls escape from prison and head for 'Frisco Byarrangement, Meßride and Gahagan fly ahead to wait for them. The wind-up comes after a screamingly funny wrestling match, w-hen Gahagan plays a" vital but quite unconscious part in "nailing" Denver Eddie.

Free, Blonde and 21" is an attractive title for any film. The co-feature, of that name, which stars Lynn Bari, has its moments of drama, romedv and romance skilfully blended. With Miss Bari are Mary Beth Hughes. Henrv Wilcoxon, the comedienne Joan Davis and Katherine Aldndge. Directed by the former screen hero Ricardo Cortez, "Free, Blonde and 21 is well worth seeing. J CIVIC THEATRE. Ginger Rogers, now at the height of her ! tame as an actress, has a further chance to show her worth in the unusual film "Primrose Path," which on Fridav will succeed the present attraction at the Civic I heat re, "The Amazing Mr. Williams." Miss Rogers was until a very few months ago merely known as a great dancer, but perform a nee* in "Stage Door" ' and "Bachelor Mother" gained her recognition, and she now has the lead in this dramatic study by Gregory LaCava of the stern reality of life on an American waterfront. Joel McCrea is in brilliant acting form and succeeds in making his study a telling one, state overseas critics. Others in the cast are Marjorie Rambeau, Henry Travels, Miles Marnier* and Vivienne Osborne. The story is of the life of young Elbe Mav Adarns in a home in which the niother provides when and how she can, bv lawful means or otherwise. The struggle of the girl against her background make? for a gripping social indictment. One of the most unusual and unconventional screen plays to be brought to the screen for a long time, "Primrose Path" promises much to the discerning cinema-goer. REGENT THEATRE. I Power is the keynote of the prison drama "Each Dawn I Die," which continues to attract large crowds to the Regent Theatre. Co-starred ale two players who have reached the top flight in their profession—and prove it by their performances. They are James Cagncy i and George Raft. Leading feminine role is handled well by Jane Bryan, while others in the cast singularly well fitted to take part in such a film are Georg-_> Bancroft, Maxie Rosenbloom, Victor Jory and Alan Baxter. The story sees Caguey as a crusading reporter who is framed by political bosses because of his exposure of their crimes'. Thrown into gaol for a 20-year term, he falls in with a noted gangster, played by Raft. Despite the efforts of those outside to get him out, -Cagney remayis in gaol, experiencing ail the worst that is in the American prison system. The hate of killers, the despeiation of the men behind bars, and the fury of a mob let loose in a desperate effort to gaol-break, are seen before the stirring conclusion. Cagney has done nothing better in pictures. Excellent supports include a remarkable insight into cardsharping by a man who is a real expert. EMBASSY THEATRE. Remarkable success is attending the presentation at the Embassy Theatre of the amusing "French Without Tears," tne screen adaptation of the notable l.g'ut comedy of the stage. Handsome Ray Milland plays one of the best roles of his career, and with him are associated Ellea Drew and Roland Culver. Culver, in the role of the typical Englishman, steals many scenes and has already created a big following among theatregoers in Auckland. Background for most of the action is a cultural establishment maintained by a French professor, who makes his living by rubbing the rough edges off ambitious young British and American recruits for the diplomatic service. That's all right, i but . . . The but concerns a curvaceous American blonde who enters the school and the solemnity of the place is soon a thing of the past. The show starts off with a laugh and continues that way until the hilarious climax. . Embassy supporting programmes are noted, and this one is no exception. A Graotland Rice sports short, a Pop-eye cartoon and engrossing newsreels from abroad are included. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. A sophisticated comedy-romance is the latest vehicle for exploitation of the talents of young Mr. Robert Taylor in the film "Remember?" one of his best yet. The film is showing before good houses at the St. James' Theatre. Appearing with Bob in this show is Greer Garson. the player who caused so much comment by reason- of her brilliant acting in the Robert Donat film, "Good-bye, Mr. Chips." Then there is Lew Ayres. in a supporting role. Ayres. from a place of mediocrity in films, has brought himself back to. a place higher than ever in the cinema world. Billie Burke and Reginald Owen are two more in an outstanding cast. A new M.G-M. producer makes his debut with '"Remember?" He is Milton Bren, and a fine job he has made of it. Racy and rollicking comedymarks the action as the old triangular romantic theme is developed. Ayres is supposed to be engaged to Miss Garson, but when the handsome Taylor comes into the romantic scene, and the whole thing is given a comedy twist, "Remember?" becomes a high-class production well worth seeing. A "Pete Smith Specialty" and a "Crime Doesn't Tay" short are also showing.

CENTURY THEATRE. | An unusual yet highly attractive couple appear in the drama "The House Across the Bay." which on Friday will begin its Auckland season at the Century Theatre. They are Joan Bennett and George Raft —two screen players with a host of successes behind them. Overseas critics are unanimous in stating that Miss Bennett is responsible for the finest dramatic performance of her long career in this interesting study of the wives who wait for the men who go Alcatraz. George Raft, varying his stoic style with a dash of humour early in the piece, again gives a penitentiary portrayal in the stvle in which only he can perforin. Lloyd Xolan, Walter Pidgeon. Gladys George, June Knight and Peggy Shannon are others prominent in the film. - Miss Bennett in this film makes one of her rare showings as a singer. Archie Mayo, a leading director for some years now. was the man behind the scenes in this United Artists film. Different in conception and in treatment, "The House Across the Bay" appears to be one of the best studies in criminology we have seen. PLAZA THEATRE. "Five Came Back," a productio.i hailed overseas as one of the really great dramatic films of the current * cinema season, will have its initial showings of an Auckland season on Friday at the Plaza Theatre. Not only in" its theme is the picture outstanding, for it is blessed with a judiciously selected cast which is headed by Chester Morris and Wen ly Barrie. Both of these „i , -i:us

with success behind them, and in both their cases there is more than enough evidence that they have never been appreciated to the full. "Five Came Hack" has also in its cast the lanky character actor John Carradine, the amusing brunette Lucille Ball, veteran C .Aubrey Smith. Joseph Calleia, Kent Taylor, Pa trie Knowles and Elizabeth Risdon. This stark tale of the twelve who went out and five who came back will probably reveal •itself as a masterpiece. It certainly has all the ingredients for Buccess. Meanwhile the screen version of the novel "Rebecca" is attracting big audiences. David 0. Relznicks version of the book stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. AMUSEMENT GUIDE. PICTURE THEATRES. RECENT—James Carney and George Ran In "Each Dawn I Die." PLAZA—Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine in "Rebecca." EMBASSY—Rav MiUand and Ellen Drew in '•French "Without Tears." STRAND—Flanagan and Allen In "Frozen Limits" and the Jones family in "Voung As You Feel." CENTURY—Sandy Powell In "All At Sea." ClVlC—Melvvn Douglas and Joan Blondell in "Tne Amazing Mr. Williams." MAJESTIC—Richard Arlen In "Danger on Wheels" and Bruce Cabot in "Traitor Spy." ROXY—Jane Wyman in "Dynamite Torchy" and Lynn Bari In "Free, Blonde and 21" ST. JAMES'—Bob Taylor and Greer Garson in "Remember." OXFORD—AIice Faye and Richard Greene in "Little Old New York." OE PARlS—Continental Films: "Proressor Mamlock." ADELPHI—Guest Night. ALEXANDRA —Guest Night. AMBASSADOR —Guest Night. AVONDALE —Guest Night. ASTOR —"Night Clul) Scandal" and "All American Sweetheart." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—" The Flying Deuces" and "Married and in Love." BRITANNIA—"The Mikado" and "They All Come Out." BIRKENHEAD—"Gone to the Dogs." CAPITOL—Guest Night. CRYSTAL PALACE—Guesj Night. DE LUXE—"The Sun Never Sets." EMPRESS—Guest Night. GAlETY—"Captain Fury." GREY LYNN—Guest Night. LIBERTY—"Return or the Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Beg. Borrow or Steal." MAYFAIR—"Gunga Din." NEW ROYAL —"The Great Waltz." PRINCE EDWARD—Guest Night. PRINCESS—Guest Night. PICTUREDROME —Guest Night. RIALTO —Guest Night. REGAL—Guest Night. REGENT (Epsom)— Guest Night. BTATE (Symonds Street)—"lt's a Date." STAR—"Bachelor Mother" and "They Made Her a Spy." BTATE (Onehunga)—Guest Night. STRAND (Onehunga)—Guest Night. BTATE (Devonport)—Guest Night. 80UTHERN CROBB—"Stanley and Livingstone." TIVOLI—-Free, Blonde and 21" and •Dynamite Torchy." TUDOR—"HoId My Hand." VICTORIA —Guest Night. RADIO PROGRAMMES. IYA—?.<) p.m.. concert programme; 9.15, "Those We Love": SI.3S, gems from "Show Boat," by Kern. 2VA—S.O p.m.. "Mlgnon" overture bv Thomas; s.lO. Frank Berminghani. bass-baritone: s.2i, Millicent Phillips, soprano: 9.1.". -The Moonstone"; 9.3 1. •Thrills"; 9.46. -The Vicar's Concert Party,'' a 8.8.c. production. IVX —SO pni., "Arouna the Bandstand"8.30, "The Hunchback or Notre Dame"; y.Jij. "Joan of Arc." ' I***—T.4.". "Search Tor a Plavwright": s.u, -Teep into Filmland."