ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 226, 19 June 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre. — Smart, appreciable comedy is woven into the strong dramatic plot of Walter Wenger's "Slightly Honorable,” which will be the main feature at the State Theatre from today. "Slightly Honorable” describes excitingly how John Webb (Pat O'Brien), lawyer and suave nian-about-town, attempts to spotlight a society scandal —a scandal that involves thousands- of dollars and many glittering personalities. Webb's task is all the more dangerous because he must battle the powerful political machine of Vincent Cushing (Edward Arnold). Ruth Terry. Broderick Crawford, Alan Dinehart, and Douglas Dumbrille are others of the thoughtfullychosen cast. The establishment of the cross-country pony route from St. Joseph to Sacramento is the turbulent background against which Buck Jones plays in “The Overland Express,” the other feature on the attractive double-feature programme to be presented. Opposed to the pony express is the owner of tlie stagecoach company, and how this man is outwitted when lie stoops to unfair and mean eonnivings. makes for au actionpacked climax.

Regent Theatre. — Made into a memorable film by Paramount, “The Light That Failed” is being shown to enthusiatie audiences at the Regent Theatre this week. The handsome Ronald Colman flawlessly portrays Dick Heldar —at the outset, reckless soldier-of-i’or-tune; later, brilliant artist—and others in the impressive cast include Walter Huston, who. as “Torps,” almost “steals” the picture, Ida Lupine. Muriel A'ngelus, Dudley Digges, and Ronald Sinclair (Ra Hould), the young New Zealander who 'is coming- more and more to the forefront of Hollywood.

Majestic Theatre. — Because of its gay, its sad, .but always stirring music will Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's production of that great and colourful romantic musical drama, "Balalaika," nearing the end of a highly sueccessful season of three weeks at the Majestic Theatre, linger long in the memory. Nelson Eddy and Ilona Massey, both in remarkably fine voice, are the principals, and others iu the well-selected cast are Charles Ruggles, C. Aubrey Smith, Frank Morgan. Joyce Compton, Lionel Atwill. and Walter Woolf King. “The Secret of Dr. Kildare.” which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre from Friday, centres on the strange mental' malady of a beautiful girl (Helen Gilbert), and its correction. Dr. Janies Kildare (played with sympathy and understanding, as in others of the series, by Lew Ayres) here turns detective to trace down the machinations of a- fanaticai nurse and a quack doctor. Tense dramatie moments,.comedy, and romance are ail set against the background of a great hospital and the work of scientists seeking to better the health of mankind.

St. James Theatre. — Characterized by light-hearted romance and charming music, "It's a Date” nears the end of an extended season at the St. James Theatre. “It’s a Date” is Deanna Durbin’s seventh glistering triumph for Universal, and every actor associated with her has given such a performance as to make the production, colourful enough in plot and in settings—especially the sequences in Hawaii —particularly vivid, particularly memorable entertainment. The harassed mother of the piece is feelingly portrayed by Kay Francis, the delightfully precocious daughter who gets in the way of the mother’s romance and stage career, by Deanna, and the lucky pineapple planter with whom both mother and daughter vie for attention, by Walter Pidgeon. Deanna’s fresh and much-ap-preciated voice is heard in Schubert’s I “Ave Maria,” “Musetta’s Street Song,” from Puccini’s “La Boheme,” “Loch Lomond,” and a rhythmic modern composition. “Love Is All.” The inimitable George Formby. Patricia Kirkwood, and Joss Ambler are the mirthprovoking principals of “Come on George.” which will lie shown nt the St. James Theatre from Friday.

King’s Theatre. — -The renowned Daphene du Maurier wrote the best-selling novel on which “Rebecca.” in the second week of a season nt. the King's Theatre, is based. Among those who portray admirably her well-drawn characters are Laurence Olivier, as the temperamental Maxim de Winter, Joan Fontaine, as the shy and unsophisticated second Mrs. de Winter, George Sanders, Nigel Bruce, Reginald Denny, and C. Aubrey Smith- —• experienced c.sxl popular troupers all. Alfred Hitchcock, the director, has secured amazing subtlety in character delineations as well as rich dramatic overtones.

Plaza Theatre. — That that mueli-ad-mired skater and actress. Sonja Henie. is possessed of a dainty and delicate charm, few will deny, and in “Everything Happens at Night,” almost at the end of a season of two weeks at the Plaza Theatre, she is even more fascinating, more thrilling. With the aid of Ray Milland and Robert Cummings, who. as a pair of enthusiastic newspaper reporters, fall in love with Sonja simultaneously, there is a commendable comedy note injected into the story, which is not without moments of tense drama. “Everything Happens at Night” was directed by Irving Cummings, with Darryl F. Zannuek in charge of the production. With Thomas Mitchell. Edita Best. Freddie Bartholomew. Terry Kilburn, and Tim Holt in the leading roles, the first screen version of "Swiss Family Robinson” will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from Friday.

Tudor Theatre.— Set against the vibrant background of modern metropolitan life. Columbia’s "His Girl Friday” is the particularly entertaining main attraction at the Tudor Theatre. Rarely have Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, and Ralph Bellamy been seen to better advantage. An outstanding little comedy woven about family life, “Five Little Peppers at Homo” is the associate attraction.

Opera Douse.—"A Night at the Opera” and “Way Out West” comprise the bright programme for “Comedy Week” at the Opera House. While the Marx Brothers provoke uproarious laughter in “A Night at the Opera,” Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones (of “Donkey Serenade” fame in "The Firefly”), and Walter King thrill with arias from grand operas. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are at their merriest in "Way Out ’West.” They are seen as gold prospectors eager —oh. so eager—to deliver the deed of a valuable mine to the daughter of a companion now dead. Suburban Theatres Kinema (Kilbirnie). —“Miracles For .Sale,” with Robert Young and Florence Rice; and “Mademoiselle Doeteur," with Erich von Stroheim and John Loder. Capitol (Miramar).—“On Borrowed Time." with Lionel Barrymore, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, and Bobs Watson: and “Off the Record.” Tivoli (Thorndon). —“The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” with Charles Laughton: and "Married and in Love,” with Alan .Marshall and Barbara Read. Vogue (Brooklyn).—“Housemaster,” with Otto Kruger and Diana Churchill:, and "T Killed the Count,” with Syd. Walker. Ben Lyon, and Barbara Blair. King George (Lower Hutt). —“That’s Right — You’re Wrong,” with Kay Kayser and Adolphe Menjou : and “Smashing the Spy Ring." with Fay Wray and Ralph Bella my. Prince Edward (Woburn). —"They All Come Out." with Rita Johnson and Tom Neal: and "So This Is London,' with Ro'ertson Hare and Alfred Drayton. De Luxe (Lower Tlutl).—“Searface," with Paul Muni; and ‘‘The Big Show,” will) Jene Autry. Regal (Knrori). —“A Window in London." with Michael Redgrave. Sally Gray, and I’anl Lukas; and “Frontier Marshal." with Randolph Scott. Nancy Kelly, and Cesar Romero. Empire (Island Bay).—“Let Us Live.” with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Sullivan : and 'Kongo, the Wild Stallion, with Fred Stone and Rochelle Hudson. Ascot (Newtown). —“Lady of the Tropics.” with Robert Taylor and Hedy Lamarr; and “Crime Takes a Holiday,’ with Jack Holt and Marcia Ralston.