ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre’s New Programme

The well-balanced programme presented at the State Theatre for the first time yesterday is headed by “Pop Always Pays,” a smart little comedy which stars Leon Errol. Errol is cast as Henry Brewster, a bad-tempered but lovable householder who is so contrariwise he cannot agree with anyone, no matter what opinion he may defend. In fact, Henry’s manners arc so well known that when Dennis O'Keefe, as Jeff Thompson, wishes to marry his daughter, the best way Mrs. Brewster can think of making Henry agree to the match is to oppose it violently herself. When Henry hears that his wife is so much against: the match, lie at once boosts it as the best thing iu the world.

The family is ; ust congratulating itself on the success of its subterfuge when Henry hears from the maid iu the kitchen that he has been a “sucker.” Annoyed at such treatment, he straightaway declares that be will not bear of the marriage till Jeff, who is of a particularly carefree and spendthrift nature, saves a thousand dollars. Henry promises to match the money with another thousand, but he does this thinking that Jeff will never be able to save such a sum. Mrs. Brewster, however, takes a hand and pawns a particularly valuable diamond bracelet, thus boosting up the fund by some hundreds. Jeff then sells his car, which gives him another three hundred, and when Henry finds, that in a matter of a few weeks he might he called upon to find 1000 dollars he begins to feel that life is a rather complicated business. Things become more complicated still when Jeff finally reaches the thousand dollar mark, and Henry, forced into a corner and in order to save hi s face before some important business associates, has to sign a valueless cheque for the required amount.

Henry conceives the idea of pawning the bracelet, not knowing that the one in the safe is a counterfeit. Arrived in the pawnshop his behaviour is so suspicious that the proprietor rings up the police and Henry is caught with the bracelet ig his possession and with no plausible explanation of how it got there. In the long run, of course, Henry comes out of the mess without a stain on his financial character, but with a suspicion that his wife has not been strictly houest in her dealings with him! He is quite right but it is really through the good offices of Mrs. Brewster that Henry finally gets out of trouble.

Leon Errol is at his best in a storv of this nature, for it gives him full scope' for his talent for mime, and the many funny, not to say hilarious, situations in which he finds himself are made all the funnier by his swift change of expression.

The associate film, "Prairie Law,” describes vividly the feud between the “cow” men and the “nesters” of another generation. George O’Brien, with the help of a few trusty .cowhands, manages to bring law and order to Olympia city, gaining himself an attractive bride while he does so. , “Prairie Law” is one of the most ambitious O’Brien films, and is full of action, good humour and excitement. The photography is also good, and some of the opening and closing shots give a splendi'd idea of the countryside in which the story takes place. An interesting newsreel and a scenic short showing the beauties of the Canadian backblocks. complete an excellent programme.

Kegent Theatre.—Again acclaimed by yesterday’s audiences at the Regent Theatre as truly memorable' entertainment was that musical drama of extraordinary merit, “The Great Victor Herbert.” "The Great Victor Herbert” is not so much a biography of Victor Herbert as a highly successful endeavour to recall his widespread influence over the glamorous show world of his day. As Herbert, the late Walter Connolly has crowned a brilliant career with a masterly portrayal. Allan Jones, Mary Martin, and the 14-year-old Susanna Foster are in excellent voice, and are heard in many of Herbert's most, popular works, including “Ah ! Sweet Mystery of Life,” “Thine Alone,” “A. Kiss in the Dark,” and "I’m Falling in Love With Someone.”

King’s Theatre.— The renowned Walt Disney brings to the screen a strange and enchanting array of fresh characters with “Pinocchio.” presented this week by the management of the King’s Theatre. “Pinocchio” is the story of an old woodcarver named Geppetto, who v. creates a little puppet boy of pine. Because the kindly old man loves children and has never had any of his own, the Blue Fairy brings the marionette, Pinocchio, to life to be a son to him. Pinocchio, however, is told by the fairy that he cannot become a real boy till he has proved himself worthy, and it is how he does this that is so fascinating and absorbing.

St. Janies Theatre. — Cinesound’s most pretentious Ruddville comedy, “Dad Rudd, M.P.” was again most enthusiastically applauded at yesterday’s sessions at the St. James Theatre. While the underlying motif of “Dad Rudd, M.P.” is uproarious .comedy, there is more to it than guffaws round the cowshed. A note of Australian national importance is struck by the introduction of the problem of water conservation for the man on the land —.the aspect, indeed, which motivates Dad .Rudd's political aspirations. The bewhiskered Bert Bailey again portrays Dad admirably, and Fred McDonald, us Dads dull-witted son, Dave, is thoroughly convincing. Yvonne East, is charming as Dad’s daughter, and playing opposite her is Grant Taylor, the 22-year-old exboxer who graduated from the ranks of Cinesound’s Talent School with flying colours.

Majestic Theatre.— Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, two of the screen’s most popular and accomplished dancers, appear together in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Broadway Melody of 1940,’’ today ending an extended season at the Majestic Theatre. Six tuneful Cole Porter hits further contribute to the entertainment value of this latest “Broadway 'Melody,” as well as beautiful women and glorious settings. There are two solo dances, twosomes, and trio numbers between the principals, which include George Murphy. The story is highly amusing and dramatically human, and the dialogue sparkles. . That pre-eminent director of childhood stories, Norman Tanrog, has done a brilliant, piece of work in "Young Tom Edison,” which will lx* launched on a season atthe Majestic Theatre tomorrow. The story of “Young Tm Edisn” is simple. It is that: of nonconformist youth who. misunderstood in his home town, ultimately triumphs to show them that the brain he has is that of a progressive youth.and not that of an “addled” person. Yet, in the telling of this story, there is comedy, pathos, thrills, adventure, and a groat love between a boy and his mother, a boy and his sister and the development of love and understanding between a hoy rtntl his father. As Tom Edison. Mickev Rooney shows bis right to the claim of being tin actor. He is ideally cast, and has never been made more lovable, not even as Andy Hardy. Teamed with Mickey is clever Virtrintn Weidlor. as Toni's sister. Fay Ba inter and George Bancroft art* line as Edison’s parents, and an excellent sunportinc east includes Eugene Pallotto. Victor Kilian. Bobbie Jordan. J. M. Kerrigan, Llov.l Corrigan, John Kellog, Clem Bevans. Eily Malyon. and Harry Shannon.

Plaza Theatre.— Stephen Collins Foster's music preserves one of the most colourful and romantic periods in America's history—(he days of minstrels and river boats —and it is about Foster, the ‘‘great American troubadour,” that ‘‘Swanee Hirer.” today ending an eminently successful season nt the Plaza Thenrte, is woven. Al Jolson and the Hall Johnson Choir sing delightully many of Foster's most famous melodies. Sandy Powell's latest comedy hit, "All at Sea,” will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from tomorrow. Sandy gives a most praiseworthy ] erformitimc as Sandy Skipton. and has associated with him such callable and experienced players as Kay Walsh, John Warwick. Gus Sb'Naughlon, Leslie Perrins, and George Meritt. Sandy Skiptort wages a lone fight against iy pair «yf goemy aytenMi yp.fep-

to steal a secret new high explosive. Sandy takes the explosive away with him when he is sacked from the chemical factory where he is employed as a messenger, joins the Navy, and is sent to the Mediterranean. The agents chase after him, and then ensues a series of hilarious thrills. Written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr, who wrote “.South of tlie Border” and “We’re Going to Hang Out the Washing on the Siegfried Line.” "Ain't it Grand to be in the Nary,” sung by Sandy, is a feature of the production.

Opera House.—lt is not surprising that “Comedy Week” at the Opera House is proving so successful, when the programme is considered. The main items, "Merrily We Live” and “Another Thin Man,” are both of feature length, and each is outstanding on its own. “Merrily We Live,” starring Billie Burke, Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett, is particularly noteworthy, because it is in this that Billie Burke plays the first of her uni-versally-appreciated “dizzy" roles. The plot of "The Thin Man,” a “thriller,” is most ingenious. 'William Powell, hindered and assisted by Myrna Loy, and a baby, solves the mystery with delightful nonchalance and numerous whiskies aud sodas.

Further fascinating adventures of the Hardy Family are brought to the screen in “Judge Hardy and Son,” which will be the main attraction at. the Opera. House from tomorrow. Stan Laurel and diver Hardy are seen as mouse trap salesmen in “Swiss Miss,’’ which will be the associate attraction.

Do Luxe Theatre. — “The Biscuit Eater,” the appealing story of a young boy and his dog. and "Knights of the Range,” as action-packed 'Western, will be shown at the De Luxe Theatre for tha last, time today.

Two feature-length films worth more than cursory inspection will be presented at the De Luxe Theatre from tomorrow. These are "On Dress Parade.” featuring the clever "Dead End” Kids, and "Man from Montreal.” Tn "Man from Montreal.” Richard Arlen admirably portrays a young trapper in the great north-woods country of Canada. The trapper is unjustly accused of robbery and murder nnd thrown into jail, but fortunately for him a "Mountio” (Andy Devine) comes to his aid and helps to bring the actual criminals to justice. Chapter 12 of that intriguing serial, “The Green Hornet.” will also be shown.

Tudor Theatre.— Responsible for provoking most of the laughs in "The Amazing Mr. Williams,” that stimulating comedy-romance which is the main attraction at the Tudor Theatre, are Melvyn Douglas and Joan Biondell. The ever-popular Jimmy "Schnozzle” Durante, Walter Connolly, Joan Perry, and Char.Kn Starrett provide a further fun feast m. “Start Cheering,” the associate feature'length attraction. Suburban Theatres Rivoli (Newtown). — "Espionage Agent.” with Joel McCrea , and Brenda Marshall; and “Curtain Call,” with Barbara Read and Alan Mowbray. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"There Goes My Heart.” with Fredric March and Virginia Bruce; and "The Invisible Man Returns,” with Sir Serdic Hardwieke ad Kan Grey. Capitol (Miramar). —"The Day the Bookies Wept,” with Joe Pender and Hetty Grable; and “The Mind of Mr. Reeder,” with Will Fyffe and Kay Walsa. Regal (Karori).—“Rulers of the Sea, with Margaret Lockwood. Will Fyffe, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun. >t Ascot. (Newtown).— "Shipyard Sat.y. with Gracie Fields and Sidney Howard; and "Young ns you Feel. ’ a Jones lamily comedy. „ , ~, Empire (Tslnnd Buy)., Ihe btar Maker” with Bing Crosby and Louise Campbell: and "Dare-Devil Drivers,” with Dick Purcell and Beverley Roberts. Tivoli (Thermion). —“Juarez.” with Paul Muni mid Bette Davis; and "You Can't Foo] Your Wife,” with James Ellison and Lucille Ball. . King George (Lower IJuttL — M hen Tomorrow Comes,” witli Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. Prince Edward (Woburn).—"Television Spy.” with William Henry and Judith Barrett; and “The Day the Bookies Wept,” with Joe Penner and Betty Grable. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—“Beware, Spooks.” with Joe E. Brown: and "Ladies from Kentucky.” with George Raft and Ellen Drew. Ki»cma (Kilbirnie). —"This Man in Paris,” with Barry K. Barnes and Valerie Hobson ; and "Elephants Never Forget,” .with ILsiwa’al HanxLaMdan.