ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

King's Theatre.—"l'bioecliiv.'’ Dale Desmy'.s charming and beautiful lei hnicolot’.r lairy-tale now 111 lls .second week at the Kings llieali’’. is a Him for adults as wed as lor cliildi en. It is a real work of arL ol imaginative perfection, and a source ol enchantment and delight to all who see it. Gcppert.o, kindly. doddering old woodcarver, is very promt of a puppet boj whom lie lias christened 1 ’inoecliio. \\ lien lie and Figaro, bis comical cal. relirelor the night, Geppetto sees the \\ isliing Star and teds Figaro that lie would wish tor Pinocchio lo become a real boy. lie ptlj'tially grants the wish and gives Pinocchio life.' The complete transiormarion call only be accomplished when he proves that he 'is brave, unselfish, and able to distinguish right from wrong. Jiniin.) Cricket, a likeable little nomad, is uppointed Pinocchio s conscience. J lie story tells how Pinocchio eventually does become a real boy.

Majestic Theatre—Mickey Kooney gives bis best performance JU the very entertaining and well; directed film. “Young Tom Edison, at the Majestic Theatre. It deals, of course, with the boyhood of the famous inventor. Tom's escapades are all told l n amusing manner, but a serious, note is struck when Ms beloved mother (Fay waiter) is suddenly stricken with appendicitis, and is iu great danger because the local doctor refuses to operate by lamp light. With the aid of a mirror and all the lamps in the house, Tom manages to obtain enough light to make an operation possible, saving his mothers lite. M lien the train which contains Ms sister Tunny (Virginia Weidler) and elder brother. Bill, is speeding toward where the bridge has washed away. Tom manages to get a message through and saves tlie train.

St. Janies Theatre. —Cinesound s latest Dad and Dave production, “Dad Rudd, M.F.”, retained tor a further week nt the St. James theatre, stands out. from its forerunners, bets ami lighting are excellent. The acting has none of that stiffness that marred earlier films. The story, with a romance between Ann Rudd and young We-.st.er as n sidetheme, Jooses a gale ol laughter. IIiMC is a great irrigation dam to be built,, but money is short. Argument quickly becomes political issue of a Parliamentary bve-eiection. Dad (Bert Bailey) persuaded to stand in the interests ot the small farmer, wins the election, and in an impassioned speech in the House gains his point.

Plaza Theatre. —Sandy Powell as Able Seaman Skipton. provides a great deal of fun in All at Sea,” the Gainount British film at the Plaza Theatre. He is supported by attractive Kay Walsh, inimitable Gus McNaughton, John Warwick, and Leslie Perrins. Sandy Skiptou has made the acquaintance of Miss Miles (Kay Walsh), who, with her father, has invented a new and tremendously powerful explosive. With enough in his trouser pocket to sink a battleship, he joins the Navy without realizing what he has done til] too late. He innocently gives the explosive to the wrong miin. Then starts the hunt to recover it, with Sandy and Gus in many an awkward predicament, but triumphant in the end. Along with “All at. Sea" go a number of interesting supports, the best a “March of Time” of Canada at war.

Regent Theatre. —A new and attractive singing star iu “The Great Victor Herbert,” at the Regent Theatre, is Mary Martin, who has Allan Jones and Walter Connolly associated with her in the principal roles. ‘I he Great Victor Herbert” is more the story of Louise Hall, John Ramsey, and “Princess Peggy,” their daughter, than a biography of Herbert. Louise (Mary Martin), up from the country with a good singing voice, marries John Ramsey (Allan Jones), leading Broadway star. John’s nature is not big enough to withstand Ms wife s popularity increasing while his is on the wane. Their only child, “Princess Peggy” grows up showing histrionic ability. Her triumph completely wipes out her parents differences. The family is again united.

State Theatre.—A lively, entertaining and well-produced Western, “Prairie Law,” is the main feature on a particularly attractive doublefeature programme presented at the State Theatre this week. The efforts of a crooked politician to sell worthless prairie land to settlers and at the same time to oust the ranchers who control it by using the law to reclaim their water springs from them, rivet attention throughout. The virile George O'Brien is ideally cast as the rancher who seeks to expose the treacherous land shark. Virginia Vale and Dick Hogan contribute to the success of the film. The complications that ensue in "Pop Always Pays,” the other, feature, when a girl’s father tries to raise 1000 dollars as part of her marriage contract, are as uproarious as they are engrossing. Leon Errol, clever comedian, plays the leading role.

De Luxe Theatre.—The “Dead End” Kids, Billy Halop, Huutz Hall, Leon Goney aud the rest, not for once, in their ragged clothes and with uncouth mannerisms of the slums but as (with the exception of Gorcy) young gentlemen inhabiting the George Washington Military Academy, romp through “On Dress Parade,” the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. A splendid out-of-doors film dealing with fur trappers and the North-west Mounted Police, “Man from Montreal” is the associate feature-length attraction. Richard Arlen is the star.

Opera House.— The “Cheer-Up Week programme at the Opera Houst} centres round “.Judge Hardy and Son” and “Swiss Miss,” two very entertaining films. "Judge Hardy and Son” is a further records of the famous Hardy Family. This time, Andy Hardy, son of the family, turns amateur detective to help his father in a law case, and becomes involved with three prettygirls who fill his life with trials and tribulations. Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone. Cecilia Barker, Fay Holden, Sara Haden, and Ann Rutherford maintain their roles of previous films in the series, and three refreshing young girls. Juno Pressier, Martha O Driscoll, and ar ” garet. Early, are introduced. A feast of fun is provided by “Swiss Miss.” As mouse trap salesmen, rarely have Olivet Hardy and Stan Laurel been so amusing. Tudor Theatre.—One of the most colourful and romantic periods of America’s history—that of minstrels, and river bouts —is preserved in the music of Stephen Collins Foster, "Tile great American troubadour,” subject of Sivauee River,” at the Tudor Theatre, now showing. Al Jolson and the Hall Johnson Choir sing admirably. Dou Amcche portrays Foster, rpid Andrea Leeds, Jane McDowell, Foster's sweetheart. Though the Jones Family are practically without money at the outse.t of “On Their Own, the associate feature-length attraction, that does not affect their provoking laughter throughout. Suburban Theatres Rivoli (Newtown). —"Rulers of the Sea.” with Will Fyffe and Douglas Fairbanks. jun.; irnd "The Return of Doctor X.” with Humphrey Bogart and Wayne Morris. , ~, ~ Vogue (Brooklyn).— lhe Women, with Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford; ami "The Marshal of Mesa City, ’ with George O'Brien and Virginia Vale. Capitol (Miramar). —"The Lady tj From Kentucky,” with George Raff amt Ellen Drew; and “Green Hell,” with Douglas Fairbanks, jun. and Joan Bennett. Regal (Karori). —“Of Mice and lien, with Burgess Meredith and Betty Field: and “E-mionage Arent,” with Joel McCrea and Brenda Marshall. Ascot (Newtown). —"At the Circus, with the Marx Brothers and Nat Pendleton ; and "S-O-S—Tidal Wave.” with Ralnh Bvrd and George Barbier. Empire (Island Bay) .—“Daytime Wife.” with Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell: and “A Chump at Oxford,” with Laurel and Hardy. Tivoli (Thorndon). —"Disputed Pas--1 sago ” with Akim Tamirotf and Dorothy

Lamour; and “Curtain Call,” with Barbara Rend and Alan Mowbray. King George (Lower Hutt).—"The Light That Failed,” with Ronald Colman and Walter Huston. Prince Edward (Woburn). —“Come On, George,” with George Form! y; and “Blackwell's Island,” with John Garfield and Rcvmnry Lane " De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —“In Old Monterey.” with Gene Autry; and "The Invisible Man Returns, witli Sir Cedric Ilnrdwicke and Cecil Kellaway. I Kinenia (KiP irnie). —"It’s a Date.” with Deanna Durbin ; and “The House of Fear,” with William Gargau and Irene I Hervey.