AMUSEMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1941, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS

"THE DEVIL COMMANDS" ROXY-TIVOLI Dr. Julian Blair Boris Karloff Dr. Richard Sayles Richard Fiske Anne Blair Amanda Duff Mrs. Walters Anne Revere Karl Ralph Penney Mrs. Marry Dorothy Adams Director: Edward Dmytryk. Columbia. Also: "SCATTERGOOD BAINES," with Guy Kibbee and Carol Hughes. Boris Karloff its back! This master monstor plays a part equal to any of hie past' performances in ''The Devil Commands," which began screening at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. The film is probably the most exciting shocker to come troin Hollywood for a long time, and once again it is proved that terror can make real entertainment. The tale is one of a mad inventor posseted of the desire to communicate with the dead, not by cpiritnalism, but by science. Soon after the story opens Karloff retreats to a desolate, old house on the shores of New England to conduct his experiments. Completely rational when he begins the experiment, Karloft's mind becomes unhinged as he continues to endeavour to make a device which will fulfil his desire. The film is brought to a rousing climax when he seizes his young daughter for an experiment which is fraught with danger. Amanda Dull gives a good portrayal of Karloff\s daughter, as does Richard l'iskc of the young lady's fiance.

The associate attraction is "Scattergood Baines," with Guy Kibbeo in the title role. He dominates the film with an intriguing performance of a genial astute storekeeper. Baines is well known to many readers of fiction, being the central character of the stories of C. B. Ivelland. The plot concerns itself with Scattergood's dream of reviving a small town and also a railroad which is being run for the benefit of his neighbours. With characteristic shrewdness Scattergood outwits a scheme to deprive him of his holdings. The film is good wholesome entertainment.

AMUSEMENT GUIDE TOWN HALL—Pageant Or Empire. MAJESTIC—Ruth Hussey In "Free and Easy" and Burgess Meredith in "San Francisco Docks." BOXY—Boris Karloff in "The Devil Commands" and Guy Kibbee in "Scattergood Baines." ST. JAMES*—Vivien *.ergn and Robert Taylor In "Waterloo Bridge." REGENT—Madeleine Carroll and Fred MacMurray In "Virginia." PLAZA—Morland Graham and John Mills in "Old Bill and Son." OXFORD—George Mjrphy ,in "The Navy Steps Out" and Geo. Sanders in "Saint In Palm Springs." EMBASSY—Lew Avres and Lionel Barrymore to "Dr. Klldare's Crisis." STRAND—Deanna Durbin and Franchot Tone In "Nice Girl." CENTURY—Vivien Leigh and Laurence Oliver In "Lady Hamilton." CIVIC—Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in •'Buck Privates." STRAND (Onehnnga)—"King Of Chinatown" and "No Parking." VICTORIA— "Come On, George" and "Gallant Sons." TIVOLI—"The Devil Commands" and "Scatter* good Baines." TUDOR—"lnspector Hornlelgh On Holiday.** VOGUE—"Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" and "Four Girls In White." AVONDALE—"They Made Me a Criminal** and "Strange Faces." AVON (Newton)—"Tne Navy Steps Out" and "Saint In Palm Springs." ASTOR—"Night Work" and "5.0.5., Tidal Wave." ADELPIII—"Kid Comes Back" and "Lady and the Mob." ALEXANDRA—CIosed for Rebuilding. AMBASSADOR —"Spring Parade" and "Everything Happens At Night." BRITANNIA—"Rhythm On the River" and "Three Men From Texas." BERKELEY (Mission Bay)—"We Are Not Alone." CAPITOL—"The Last Express" and "Fighting Thoroughbreds." CRYSTAL PALACE—"Mad Miss Manton" and "Swift Vengeance." DE LUXE—"Good-bye. Mr. Chips." FORESTERS (Birkenhead)—"When the Daltons Rode." GAIETY (Takapuna)—"He Married His Wife." GREY LYNN—"Lady's From Kentucky" and "Undercover Doctor." LIBERTY (Parneli)—"The Cisco Kid" and "The LBdy and Brother Rat." MAYFAIR (Sandringham)—"Twenty-one Days Together" and "The House Of Seven Gables." NEW ROYAL—"Peg o* My Heart" and "Should Husbands Work." PRINCE EDWARD —"A Woman is the Judge" and "There Ain't No Justice." PRINCESS—"The Great Dictator." REGAL —"Lone Wolf Spy Hunt" and "Cowboy From Brooklyn." REGENT (Epsom)—" Room Service" and "Service De Luxe." RIALTO —"Mad Miss Manton" and "Swift Vengeance." STATE (Symonds Street)—" Over the Moon" and "Poor Country Lads." STATE (Onehunga)—"The Great Dictator." STATE (Devonport)—"All This And Heaven, Too." RADIO PROGRAMMES , 1YA—7.30 p.m.. Studio recital by Ina Boa worth ► (violin), and Kathleen Leary (piano); 7.52, > Studio recital by Joan Bryant (soprano), in songs by Tchaikovski; 10.0. Music, mirth and | melody. I 2YA—7.30 p.m.. Talk by the Gardening Expert; » 8.50, Musical America; 10.0. Dance music by Laurl Paddi's Ballroom Orchestra. 1YX —7.45 p.m., "The Mystery of the Hansom Cab"; 8.0, For the Bandsman"; 9.0, Variety; 10.0, Light recitals. IZM—7.O p.m.. Orchestral programme; 8.0, Concert; 9.30, Hawaiian and popular melodies.