ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 94, 15 January 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre.— -"The Lady in Question” is a tale of a shopkeeper in peacetime France, who serves on the jury in the trial of a young woman accused of murder. Moved by her plight, he takes her into his employment after her acquittal. 'The story is then of how coincidence and misunderstanding combine to complicate his existence and bring his family to the verge of dissolution before his wife discovers his real motives and harmony is restored. Brenda Joyce and George Murphy take leading romaniic roles in "Public Deb. No. I.’’ which will open at the Plaza on Friday, the one ns the "deb, beautiful, wealthy and apparently possessing everything her yout-hiul heart could desire, the other a young man, who. though admittedly good-looking, possessed not even the traditional dime. Also appearing is Elsa Maxwell, ol "Hotel lor Women” fame, who shows that she has not earned her title of the thrower of the world's most unusual and elaborate parties for nothing. Next step down on the cast is Mischa Auer, at his best as the "mad Russian.” Last but not least of the leading characters is Charlie Ruggles. who needs no introduction.

State Theatre.— "The Bride Wore Crutches,” tin unusual and entertaining comedy starring Lynn Roberts. Ted North'. Edgar Kennedy, aud Robert Armstrong, opens today. Action takes place principally against newspaper and gangster backgrounds with a stupid cub reporter trying to solve a hold-up with the aid of his crime-chasing sweetheart, a pretty newspaper woman. The reporter chases gangsters but winds up capturing policemen and getting thrown in jail himself. Every headline is a headqche to the reporter and everything he does seems to go wrong. It is even Iris fault when the bride wears crutches, because lie arranges that little upset too, in addition to his other bungling. "Charlie Chan nt the Wax Museum." the seventh of the popular series in which Sidney Toler has appeared, will he the associate film. The story is laid in a chamber of horrors which has become a murderers’ hideout. This eerie museum of crime. where wax figures come to life, has been described as the most unusual and thrilling background ever conceived for a mystery film.

Opera House. — “Spring Parade,” the colourful musical romance in which Deanna Durbin takes the leading part, is continuing its highly successful senson. With her glorious voice as clear as ever. Miss Durban sings a number of songs and also appears in a dance with Mischa Auer. In her appearance as a village maid. Deanna Durbin plays her most, mature role to date, giving a splendid performance. The singing stars, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, will be seen in “New Moon" at the Opera, House on Friday.

St. James Theatre.— Roller! Young, Maureen O'Sullivan. Lewis Stone, William Garcan. and Lynne Carver combine their varied talents in “Sporting Blood.” The picture, which is one of thrilling ncti'.m. is a racetrack story in a new settine’ and with an entirely new idea. It has'all the thrills of big races being run. with a spectacular fire thrown in for good measure. After a long absence from the screen, (he pon-eyed litlle comedian. Eddie Cantor wifi he seen at the St. James Theatre, on ' Friday in “Forty Little Mothers If is an mlantation of the French comedy “Monsieur Petiot.” by Jean Glutton. Cantor sings the lilting lullaby, “Little Curly.TTcad in n High Chair,” and heading the supporting cast is Judith Anderson. a noted Broadway stage star.

King's Theatre. —Two of the screen’s most ponular stars. Ronald Colman and Ginger Rogers, nre together for the first time in the hilarious comedy. “Lucky Partners.” Adapted from a play by Sncha Guitry, the noted French playwright and wit. it is now in the last two days of its extended season. “The Doctor Takes a Wife.” to be seen at the King’s on Friday, witli Loietla Young and Ray Milland starred, is the hilarious account of the girl who writes books in praise of spinsterhood and a doctor who believes all women are . . • well not. poison perhaps, but fairly close to it. This perfectly matched pan- of haters is forced by circumstances beyond their control into pretending domestic felicity. They bill and coo in public, tliey battle' and clash in private. Complicating the lives of this embattled, twain are Reginald Gardiner, as Miss Youngs somewhat eccentric publisher, who doesn t want to lose iris favourite author eien if he has to marry her himself, something be would very much like to do, m fuel ; Gail Patrick, as Ray Milland s fiancee, who is willing to accept the strange situation in which the doctor finds himself just so long as the doctor doesn't mind if she goes out with Georges Metaxa, a playboy. The do.'tor does mind. Edmund Gwenn, as Milland s father, adds further excitement to the scene, and further comedy. Also in the cast are Frank Stilly and Gordon Jones, as dim-witted football heroes

Regent Theatre.—With a canvas crammed with thrills, desperate adventures, resounding Naval encounters, acts of individual heroism, and adorned with the bluff sardonic humour of the British bluejackets and men of the Merchant. Service. "Convoy” fulfils every demand for a topical drama extolling Britain's* command of the seas. Its direct, unadorned acting serves to throw into greater relief the reality of the subject matter, and a human story effectively serves to give I lie otherwise individual naval battles complete unity.

Majestic Theatre. — Throughout its length "Night Train To Munich.” which Metro-Goldwyn-Muyer Pictures, Lid., will release at tbo Majestic Theatre today. contains a skilful mixture of romance, comedy and drama. Yet, despite the fact that, details of the inner working of the Hiller regime contribute their quota of drama, the most melodramatic scenes of all occur in the comparatively peaceful settings of the German-Swiss frontier. It is here that Bex Harrison, a British Secret Service man posing as a German officer rescues Margaret Lockwood and other members of the east by transporting them across ti chasm in a mountain cable railway.

Tudor Theatre. —“The Blue Bird” is a fantasy of vitally dill'erent order, and. incidentally, a Shirley Temple picture of a new type. "Viva Cisco Kid, starring Cesar Romero. is tin* associate feature. He Luxe Theatre.—A story of I lie crisis of October, 1938. "Constantinople Express” is played by a strong cast of favourite British players. “Down Went McGinty" is an unconventional comedy. SUBURBAN THEATRES Ascot, (Newtown).—“Stardust,” Linda Darnell I .John Payne; “On Their Own." the Jones Family. Empire (Island Bay“Boys’ Town,” Spencer Traev and Mickey Rooney; “The Mau Who Wouldn't Talk,” Lloyd Nolan amt Jean Rogers. Tivoli (Thornilou). —“My Favourite Wife," Irene Dunne ami Cary Grant; "Parole Fixer." William Henry and Virginia Dale. Kineimi ( Kilbirine). —“Blondie Meets the Boss.” Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake “Mexienii Spitfire," Liipe Velez amt Leon Errol, Rivoli f Newtown). —“An Englishman’s Home.” Edward Gwcnn . and Frankie Thomas : "Beware. Spooks.” Joe E Brown and Marr Carlisle. Vogue (Itrool-I va). - - "Yoiiug Tom Edisuii.” M'ekev Itoonov and George Bancroft : "Nick Carter. Def eel ive." Waller pptec,,,, ami •tiln Johnson. Capitol (Miramar).—“Blondie Has Servant Trouble." Penny Singleton and Aril L"i-i-: "Money To Burn,"the Higgiu« Ftnnilv. Rei'M (KnroriL—"Four Wives.” the I.ane Si-iers amt Claude Rains; “Lightn>m> Comhiclor ” Gurdon Harker mid John I ~d.>e Ge, < 1 ower Hut I I - Wall Di*- '■ -1 *i.... I, i, t ’* I I inc I I "O'er 11 lit H - "Vi vn Cisco Kid.” I’e-'ir Ituineru; "Secrets of An Acircss" K'iv Francis ami George Brent. Prime Edward (Wobnrii), — “Susnniiati of the .Monnt ies." Shirley Temple amt 8.-nolulpli Scull: “Suc<| far Libel.” Kent Taylor mid Linda I layer