CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22795, 22 August 1939, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

CRYSTAL PALACE ATTRACTIVE PROGRAMME VSiiew type of Western thriller contilLSg more than the usual amount of action and the story <•* the struggle of three persons for the welfare of a child are at ihe Crystal Palace Theatre this week. These films are -Public Cowboy No. 1” and “Little Miss Somebody.” , Gene Autry, the popular outdoor star, heads the cast in “Public Cowboy 'Jo. 1 ” a film which deals with the endeavours of the law. by the use of oldfashioned methods, to apprehend cattle rustlers specialising in modern methods of crime. MAYFAIR NEW TOM WALLS SUCCESS Superb acting in many films in recent years has made Tom Walls one of the best-known and most popular comedians of the screen. In his most .recent productions he has shown ability to handle more dramatic roles, and as if to prove his ability, he takes a most difficult part in “Old Iron,” the -new feature at the Mayfair Theatre. Thousands have laughed at him, and as many will applaud him wholeheartedly for his splendid performance outstanding film.. AVON - «IF I WERE KING” '■• When • film, enters the third-week of its season in Christchurch there is •|io longer a need to utter words of praise for it, yet “If. I Were King,” 'which is still showing at the Avon ' Thieflxe, deserves great praise. In it are /brilliant acting by a magnificent cast,' brilliant scenes, romance, comedy • and pathos, and it’contains all those things that go to make an outstanding film. To cap all this, its direction was

entrusted to Frank Lloyd, who made “Mutiny on the Bounty: ’ and many 'other outstanding films. The cast is headed by Ronald Colman, Frances Dee, and Basil Rathbone. “The Shopworn Angel,” the next attraction lor the Avon, has a back-ground-which shows the first draft of soldiers as they marched away in 1917 'to take part in the World War for America. While the new film has a war theme it does not go into the battle scenes but attacks the problem from the inside, showing the loves of three people in various walks of life. Margaret Sußavan does her finest emotional acting as the girl with a hard-boiled past who married a naive Soldier boy on the eve of his departure for France, Other members of the cast are James Stewart, Walter Pidgeon, and Nat Pendelton. LIBERTY “PECK’S BAD BOY WITH THE CIRCUS” Anoutstanding programme . of special attraction, particularly for children, is now on the screen of the Liberty Theatre. “Peck’s Bad Boy. With die Circus’” is the name of the featured film, and it is crammed full with thrills and laughs, as well as notable actors, Tommy- Kelly; (seen in ‘Tom Sawyer”) -is the starring’ player, andhisf ornrer-sweethoart..Ann..Gillie; isgtilUwith •tag^iit, boy (i l ini^'OuEv.Gapgi’anfi! ‘ aliways popular} ‘ls in the supporting cast, which includes also Edgar Kennedy, of the rubber face, Billy Gilbert, and Benita Hume. STATE SHIRLEY TEMPLE IN “THE LITTLE PRINCESS*’ Revealing all her charm and radiance in what has been' acclaimed as her greatest success, Shirley Temple appears in the glorious technicolour film “The Little Princess,” which opened at the State Theatre yesterday’. Elected for the fourth year in succession as the most popular star, of the year, Shirley lives up* to her high reputation in her first technicolour film, which is based on: Frances Hodgson Burnett’s famous story of'the .same name. .The public’s requests to see its : favourite in her natural colourings are- fulfilled with distinction. . PLAZA • -<■' v DOUBLE-PEATL RE. PROGRAMME i, flims of the, jungle and its innabitants., have, captured the excite-, ment and thrills of animal ■'life to - such a marked; degree as ’.The Lost-Jungle,” " attraction -at the this ‘ week. \ ’ ‘-‘Myr ■ Irish’ Erring; the, captivating*.child Stuart, second.. lea^ CHIUSTCHURCH CINEMAS; LIMITED . .The Vfihn version' of Dr. A; •J. Crostory' “The Citadel/’ 'Vith'fßLbert Donat and Rosalind Russe*L at the Regent. Thfe “Dead-Eud Kids” in “Little ■ropgh Guys in Society” are the curr Sffipl?'ogramme. at the Majestic, aifHomanoe' ‘for f Three," with. Frank rS r S. an * Edna May Oliver, and Reginald Owen, is at the Tivoli. A Jones Family film, “Big Business.” and "Secret Valley,” starring Richard Arlen and Virginia Bruce are w? urreDt attractions at the Grand; “APe *. Perfect Soecimen,” starring Prrol Flynn and Joan Blondell, and JThe Rage of .Paris,” with Danielle Dameux and a new serial. “Jungle Menace, are at St. James’ Theatre.