ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre. — The mantle of Douglas Fairbanks has apparently fallen <>n (lie able Hmuldcrs of Tyrone Power, star of “'l'lte Mark of Zorro, at the 1 laza Theatre "Th'’ Mark of Zorro was one of Fairbanks's most successful films, ami nttii-h of the ("I" 1 ') ’Tiru " ing bravado which s-o marked it is in evidence in tltis new version. Tvrone Power is excellent tn tlie leadin'- role, with Liml.-i D.-irnoll playing oppo’iite him as the fair senmUa. l.asi Rathbone, whose flair tor villainy is known, enters into his part with gusto iinrl mnlu’s a thorough job of the tinsel 11pttl.ms Captain Estel.au. The action, suspense comedy and romance of Ime Mark of Zorro" is well blended.

State Theatre. — An exciting comedythriller in which Rod I.a Roe<|tie is nl his best as tt newspaper crime speentlist, ‘lnternational (’rime" is ibe mum lett|U|.P on the ptirtieiilttrly attrnctive double-feature program me at Hie Suite Theatre. Amm ami Iter father are I zeclis. ho an industrial chemist with a halllinisbed formula for a new armour-plate „ n(i Shu his only relaltve When llttl.-r marches against CzeHmslovnkm the old man is spirited away to tlie sateiy ot Britain, but Anna remains behind nmi is tin-own into a com-eni rat ion canift. Tlie Nazis, finding themselves batlly in need of (lie formnlit. go to extrttordimtrv lengths |„ find out lite old m,-tn's whereabouts. . ‘•The R.-iinjers' Round Ip. the other I'eal tti-e. is Stan Laut-iTs first essay at prodiiction ttnd hits an atlr.-ietive new Western siugitia slur in Fred Scott, whose lett’iioiie voice is. heard to gi’etil atltniilage iu some new and catcliy limes.

King's Theatre.- -Lucille Ball, who added some of file sparkle to •'Five Cante Buck" when that excellent little show was doing its rotmils. makes an electrifying appearance _in ■■Dam-e. Girl. Dance.’' tile R.K.O. film now screening al the King's Theatre. Site makes excellent play in an excellent part which is well set-off by the contrast til' Maureen (t'Hara's ueiille. almost wistful appenranee. "Dance, Girl. Dance is a bright show which opens with the kind of vigour one seems Io remember from those good days when movement was tlie prime requisite of a "movie.' It is tlie story of two girl dancing students, one of whom I Lucille Ball) becomes a great success in burlesque while her friend '(Mnureon I’l'Hiiral. whose ambition is to be in a ballet, can do no belter than act ns her stooge.

St. James Theatre.- "Texas Rangers Ride'Again" is screening at the Sr. James- Theatre with John Howard and Ellen Drew in Hie leading parts. it is a story of entile rustling mi mass-theft Hues. ' Instead of few hundred stolen steers, thousands are taken away, not on the hoof, bitt in motor lorries. The whole film, in fact, is built on a huge scale, , . . Tlie Dangerfield ranch is one of I lie largest of its kind in the world, and Hie vast open spaces tempt, n great .illegal syndicate to take on Hie work of stealing eiittle as a profitable business. Grandma Dangerfield calls in the Texas Rangers, and when they seem to have failed she gets readv for an old-time battle on her own account. Also in the _ programme are some excellent "shorts. including newsreels, a Grantliind Rice Snorlligbt ■and a satrical "travelgab," on New Y’ork.

Regent Theatre.— A Im ndsomely-pro-dneed film of the specious days of Queen Elizabeth’s,reign, when piracy against the Spanish was officially frowned on and unofficinll,v so much encouraged that many Piv'ftpfcd in tilt* (binacrous but pnriGhiiijl trade, "The Sea Hawk” is in the second week of a popular season nt the Regent Theatre. Headed by Errol Flynn the cast, bristles with stars —people who have lent distinction to many films. Flora Robson portrays the Queen, and others are Brenda Marshall. Claude Rains. Donald Crisp. Alan Hall and .Tames Stephenson.

Opera House.— That "Convoy’’ is in the seventh successive week of a season in Wellington, where it is nowbeing shown at the Opera House, is 111 itself an appreciable tribute Io the manner in which if has stirred the public. "Convoy." though it is a fiction film, is based nn day by dav happenings of the war at. sea. It serves the double purpose of bringing home to landlubbers the fact that their safetv depends in large measure on the courage of tlie men at sea. and of providing magnificent entertainment.

Majestie Theatre.—The time'. prnduetion “Night Train to Munich,’ at I lie Majestic Theatre, co-stars Mar. gnret Lockwood and Rex Harrison, will) Paul von Heriiried heading lib' supporting east. This is not a propaganda picture, lull a thrill-packed romantic drama, punctuated with refreshing humour. The tale concerns the adventtires of a Czech refugee (James Harcourt) and his daughter (Margaret Lockwood). who try to escape from the farreaching persecution of the Gestapo. Several of the devastating political events of recent months are re-enacted as part of the stow with utmost realism. Also showing is a Cinesound newsreel of the capture of Bnrdio, containing IMO feet, of thrillinc camera shots of the brilIfint. victory on January 3 of the Australian Imperial Forces. , , “Forty Thousand Horsemen.’’ Brilliant acting by players at the top of their class is a feature of “Forty Thousand Horsemen.” which has its New Zealand premiere on Friday next. Hits outstanding Australian production deals with the exploit* of the Australian Light Horse in Palestine during the Great J* -ar, ami it is of interest to know that Mr. Noel Coward. "bo attended a preview at. his own request recently, was particularly impressed with the picture. Its cast is headed by Betty Bryant. Grunt Taylor, “Chips" llaflety, Palo Jwohill, Joe Sab and Harvey Adams. "Forty Thousand Horsemen" is a picture with special appeal. and recalls the stirring deeds of the famous Australian regiment during IJI‘G IS. Wellington audiences will find particular interest in this film in view of the formalion in New Zealand of mounted units Plans open today at the D.I.C • and at the Majestic Theatre, telephone 45-100, De Luxe Theatre. —The "Dead End Kids have delighted thousands with llieir voillliful wisecracking, and "hard-boiled behaviour, mid their latest film, ’Moure Xot So ’rough.’' now screening at the De Luxe Theatre, carries on Hie tradition iu line style. The associate film, "lliree Men I’roni Texas" is another “Hopaloiig" Cassidy tilm with Bill Bo.vd once more playing the part of “Jlopalong." Tudor Theatre. —Revealing the atnuziiv- experience of a beautiful wite witli the hu’sbnnd she thought she know, "The Man I. Married.” transferred to the Tudor is an unusual kind of picture. Joan Bennett plays the wife of Francis Lederer, while Nolan is an American corresponThe notion of "I he Bride Moro Crutches." the associate feature-length attraction, takes place principally against newspaper and gauglnnd biickgroiimis. •ind invluves a stupid cub reporter who tries to solve a liohl-ttp with (lie aid of his <rime-eliiising sweetheart, n pretty newspaper woman. SUBURBAN THEATRES Ascot (Newtown).— “Strange Cargo,” Clark Gable mid J"nn Crawford; "The Firing Irishman. Douglas Corrigan. Empire (Island Buy L—"lrene," Anna Nettgie and Ray Milland; "Danger on Wheels " Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. Ti>oli (Thorndon).— "Foreign Correspondent." Joel McCrea. George Sanders, Edward Gwenn and Herbert Marshall. Kineina ( Kilbirniel — "Gunner George, ’ George Formb,v: "The Flying Deuces,” Laurel and Hardy. . . ~ Rivoli (Newtown).—A irgima City, Errol Flynn mid Miriam Hopkins; “Blondie Has Servant Trouble." the Bumstead Family. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Another Ihin ,\lmi.” M.vfnit Loy and William Powell; I "Kid Nightingale." Capitol (Mirmn.ir). —“We Are Not Alone." I’mil Muni and Jane Bryan; “Village Bam Dance," Richard Cromwell and Doris Day. Regal (Karori).—“Listen, Darltng,

Judy Garland and Walter I’idgcon; ‘ The Lone Wolf Meetsa Lady.” King George (Lower Hutt). — Ihe Great Victor Herbert,” Mary Martin and Allan Jones. De Luxe (Lower Hutt ).—"Sherlock Holmes.” Basil Rathbone ami Ida Lupin,,; "Shooting High." June \\ ithers mid (teiic Autry. Prince Edward (Woburn).— ’U-Boat 211." Conrad Veidt mid Valeric Hobson; "The Amazing Mr. Williams.” Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell.