CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22517, 27 September 1938, Page 17

CITY THEATRES

AVON '♦THE PERFECT SPECIMEN" The successful modern comedy has sow reached a high standard, and "The Perfect Specimen," which is now in it* second week at the Avon Theatre, compares favourably with the best of them., A story eparkling with wit, a talented cast and able direction, make it a notable picture. The story has enough novelty to" take it out of the rut, and it has been handled throughout, with a light and agreeable touch. With Errol Flynrr and Joan EUondell at the head of the

cast, supported by May Robsbn, Edward Everett, Horton, tfugh Herbert, and Allen Jenkins, there is a briiMuace In the acting to satisfy diserira* mating theatregoers. - "OfHuman Hearts." which is com-

ing to the Avon Theatre shortly,. Is - Walter Huston's first screen appearance since his triumphs In "Dodsworth." The picture also features James Stewart. Beulah Bondi, and an elaborate char" acter cast. The picture, directed by Clarence •Brown, is the story of an itinerant preacher and his family in an Ohio, village of Lincoln's day. Father and son misunderstand each other and there are family troubles. The boy deserts the family to become u. doctor, the Civil War intervenes,, and he is finally set on the right path by Lincoln. Dramatic highlights such as the desperate fight between father and son are interspersed among tender human interest and comedy sequences, CIVIC "FOUR MEN AND A PRAYER" The story of the endeavours of four young • Englishmen to vindicate their father's honour is told in "Four Men and • Prayer," now snowing at the Civic Theatre. Loretta Young is ■tarred, and the parts of the four men are. taken by Richard Greene, George Sanders, David Niven, and William Heoiy. The story is taken from the David, Garth novel dealing with the disgrace and death of a colonel of the taoJetn army and the" mystery surrounding .the tragedy. The colonel, played by c Aubrey Smith is court-martialled and returns to England to put the J£oefs of his innocence before his sons, fut before he can explain bis case 2* if murdered and bis papers ere . atoJen. «,5» the supporting programme a short fll* slum* some of toe thrills to be «ad in stunt aviation, aquatic sports, aifii motor-cycle racing. The "March jfTfme" No. 10, 1938 series, is as indieting as this aeries usually Is. PLAZA "THE RETURN OF JIMMY VALENTINE" ■ All readers of crime fiction follow , the" adventures of Jimmy Valentine, daring, courageous, altogether a most engaging personality, who is back again at the Plaza this week in ''The Return °/ Jimmy Valentine," Jimmy Valentme needs no introduction. .In his latest picture he is the centre of a newspaper contest arranged by an up-to-date reporter. "Find Jimmy Valen «ne" is tl»3 slogan, and the whol* "' of the United States flocks ' VrJ e eaU of the banner headings, inWl by the promise of a 5000 dollar rejtrd. "IWO Dollars a Minute," the second attraction, is a film with a fast-moving story, full of humorous situations, CRYSTAL PALACE "•ATTUS OF BROADWAY" AND "IMNAMINT'S BAD MAN" -.' ''•attle of Broadway," which heads '" «!£ s*w double-feature programme at ■t SLCry»tal Palace Theatre, is permp. i«'£BLj*¥ b • brightness and originality k Z££r nßs roucn general appeal. It it-. &■.■•££'** and pleasing comedy. . „ _, "tcond Win, ''Panaraint'r Bed I«S» *••*» with the efforts of Smith Mgejr, a special United States deputy. ?:s2* if out to stop tba robberies from pf«? express coach. JHL)yj*«wcr your income is £2 or £2O ; ¥2SF% wll make it buy more if you .fiSS? 'he advertisements regularly in ||§|£J* Press." —8 I.

MAYFAIR "KENTUCKY MOONSHINE" There is sum to be'hilarious corriedy in any pictures in which the Ritz brothers appear. They have shown this* in their all too few pictures, and "Kentucky Moonshine,'' which is now in the second weak of its season at the Mayfair Theatre, is no exception. Their comedy is inimitable and in "Kentucky Moonshine" they have excellent material. Those who hove seen this madcap trio at work before will need no recommendation to see this picture; and those who do not know the Ritz brothers need have no fear that they will not be thoroughly entertained, , The Spanish civil - war which has prevented Madeleine Carroll from occupying a castle she. bought in Spam forms the background of "Blockade," Walter Wanger's romantic drama which will begin a season at the Mayfair Theatre on Friday, In this picture she is currently starred with Henry. Fonda; Miss Carroll bought the castle shortly before the outbreak of the war, intending to spend her vacations amid the pastoral beauty of the province of Catalonia, in which it is located. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, tIMITED A really bright comedy, "Romance for Three." starring Robert" Young, Prank Morgan, and Florence Bice, is now showing' at the Regent, "That Certain Woman,** with Bette Davis and Henry Fonda in the lead, will open a seaton on Friday. George Formby. the popular comedian, is at hisbest in "J See Ice." which U at the Majestic. Cyril Kitchard to alio, featured, . •"Test PUot," transferred to the Tivbu, is in its third week in Christchurch. Its stars are • Clark Gable. Myrna koy, and Spencer Tthcy "Shall We Dance," starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and "For Valour," with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, are the features at the liberty. The new programme at the -Grand comprises "The Perfect Gentlemen/ starring Frank Morgan and Q ceiy t Courtneldge, and "Absolute Quiet," with'iionel A.twill. Irene Hervey, and Stuart Erwln,