AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT THEATRE. "Each. Dawn I Die," the powerful penitentiary drama now showing at the Regent Theatre, ie at one and the same time an indictment and a lesson. That lesson ie forced home the more effectively by the presence in its starring ' roles of the screen's most noted gangster characters— Jamee Cagney and George Raft, and even uhough Cagney'e part is that of an innocent man embroiled in a rotten eyeteni his past experience makes him the perfect man for the part. Jaue Bryan 'handles the leading feminine role, and others who playto advantage are George Bancroft, Victor Jory, Alan Baxter and the former world's champion boxer Maxie Rosen.bloom. In the story we find a. crusading newspaper reporter framed by the political boesee whom lie exposes, and 6ent to gaol. There lie meets a notorious gangster, and the adventures of these two men, so different in character and outlook in life, make for •a gripping etory. Kaftf'e portrayal is a keenly-etched one; no one but 'he could have played it with juet the right touch. "Tiie background to this action k well ' designed to fit in with the theme.

EMBASSY THEATRE. An engaging comedy piece with unusual theme and more than usual acting, "French Without Tears," now in season at the Embassy Theatre, has the testimony of hundreds of patrons of the theatre that it is one of the brightest of the eeuson. Made for Paiamount in Britain by .the director of the noted screen version of the Shaw play "Pygmalion," Anthony Asquitu, it is polished, witty and gay. The setting , is the house of a professor who doc-e hifi best to apply a little French polish to English and American aspirante to diplomatic service fame. The comedy revolves around the romantic depredations wrought upon the male inhabitants of the pocket university by a designing and alluring American blonde. Ray Millaud and Ellen Drew are the main iiamee in the cast, but too much cannot be made of the portrayal of Roland Culver, who plays the part of an ultra-dignified English naval officer. He is a grand screen type and a fine comedian. Others appearing in the film

are Janine Darcey, David Tree, Guy Middleton, Kenneth Morgan and Toni Gable. Good eupporting items mark this Embassy programme.

CENTURY THEATRE. The 6tory of the wives who wait for the men in Alcatraz ie told in the unusual film "The House Across the Bay," which tomorrow begins ite season at the Century Theatre. We are here introduced to a new starring pair, Joan Bennett and George Raft, both seasoned players with many triumphs to their credit. It is stated overseas that Miss Bennett playe the role of her career, and Raffs ability in prison drama ie too well known to need reiteration. The film is notable for the worth of ite supporting cast. Included are Walter Pidgeon, Lloyd Xolan and the brilliant character actress Gladys George. The story is a unique one, in which the wife of a emart business operator, not quite within the law, reports him to the Income Tax Department to get him put in gaol for a year—and out of the way of gangsters who are on hia trail. But he gets ten, his lawyer gets his money and nearly gets also the well-meaning wife. The climax, is a gripping one. Archie Mayo directed. Raft carries hia usual style in parts and imbues the character with a little humour. Two songs are set down for Miss Bennett, and they are both of the type that will be popular.

STRAND THEATRE. The ever-popular Western hero Hopalong Caseidy ia again portrayed by William Boyd in the thrilling film "The Show- : down," taken from a story by Clarence E. Mulford. This ehow. will have its first screenings to-morrow at the Strand Theatre at the head of an attractive bill. A stirring story of the turbulent days in the United States on the Western frontier when Indian raids were common and rustlers made free with other men's stock, the film i« reported overseas , to be one of the best Caseidy tales seen for a long time. Remarkable it is how the series retains ite interest. Always well produced and well acted, the films are a tribute to the men who make them. Also on this Strand programme will be a comedy feature, starring popular Charlie Ruggles. The name of the show in "Opened by Mietake," and Charles is in hia usual good form.

PLAZA THEATRE. A story of occurrences which follow the craeh of a 'plane carrying ten persons across uncharted South American jungle is "Fire Came Back," the thrilling melodrama that to-morrow is scheduled to begin its Auckland season at the Plaza Theatre. It is anticipated that this film will come ae one of the surprise productions of the season. Eleven are aboard the 'plane when it leaves San Francisco for Panama City. One, a steward, is lost in a fall from the machine. The craft crashes iu a jungle inhabited by headhunted. Two pilote strive for days to repair the disabled engine, only to find that only bo many of the party can make the trip back safely. How that final choice of who Khali, and who shall not go, is told in "Five Came Back" is stated to be great picture fare. Chester Morris takes the leading role, with Lucille Ball in the feminine lead. Others in the show are Wendy Barrie, John Carradine, Allen Jenkins, Joseph Calleia, C. Aubrey Smith and Patric Knowles. John Farrow directed the film. The etory was by Richard Carroll. Good supports will be shown along with this new change of programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE. Highly-polished romantic comedy there m in plenty in the latest Robert Taylor film attraction, '"Remember?" which continues its winning way at St. James , Theatre. Aβ leading lady in his present show Taylor has Greer Garson, the actress whose name came into public view with a performance of unusual worth in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Lew Ayres, who has achieved fame with his "Dr. Kildare" portrayak hae a good part, and others in tile cast are Billie Burke, Reginald Owen, George Barbier, Henry Travers and Sig Kumaun. Produced by Milton Bren and directed by Noiman Z. McLeod, tho original etory is a bright one, vapung or. the triangular romance line, written by Norman Z. McLeod and Corey Ford. Sophisticated in every respect, the film reveals more than ever before that Taylor Ls an actor in the true sense of the word. Smart dialogue and deft direction are evident throughout. On the supporting programme is a newsreel series depicting recent overseas events, a "Crime Doesn't Pay" short, a colour cartoon and one of those ever-timely little pieces from Pete Smith.