ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 112, 5 February 1941, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

Christinas In England Tlie latest British Ministry of Information film, "Christmas Under Fire,” has reached Now Zealand by air mail, and it will be seen front today at the St, Janies. Majestic, Regent, King’s. Plaza and Slate Theatres. It is said to be even more vivid than the dramatic "London Can Take It. ’ Plaza Theatre. — The mantle of Douglas Fairbanks Ims apparently fallen on the able shoulders of Tyrone Power, star of "The Mark of Zorro.” This was one of Fairbanks's most successful films, and much of the same spirit of smiling bravado which so marked it is in evidence in the m'W version 'Pyrone Power is excellent .in the leadin'., role, with Linda Darnell opposite him as" the fair senorita. 'l’he action, suspense, comedy and romance of "The Mark of Zorro” is well blended. Majestic Theatre— The ijmely m-odiie-lcn"tli "Night. Train To Munich, now in its final two days, con-.-nns a skilful mixture of romance, comedy. and drama. Starring Margaret. Liwkwood nnd Rex Harrison, with 1 aul Hernried heading the supporting cast, tliis film presents a vigorous -story in which several of the devastating political events of recent months are re-enacted with almost frightening realism Chosen to play the role of Juber Rouin Charles Chauvel s epic Australian nicture. "Forty Thousand Horsemen, coming to the Majestic Theatre on Inday Betty Bryant has appeared on the repertory 'stage and in broadcasting studios. Grant Taylor, who plays the lead was a boxer in Melbourne ami fought 70 bouts, of which he lost eight and drew 11. Charles Chauvel "discovers P<l” Mary Maguire, who starred in his "Heritage.” and Errol Flynn, who made his first screen appearance m "In the W-ike of the Bounty.” Taylor has prewotisiv appeared in a Cinesound production. "Dad Rudd. .71. P.. and Betty Bryant has played "bits” in films. It. will be interesting to see if Chauvel runs true to form and stars them on the way to the top rung of film t’aipe. " > f h the drama of the Light Horse campaign m Sinai, climaxed Ijy the charge of Beersheba. supplying the action and spectacle. "Forty Thousand Horsemen” is the larg-est-seale Australian film yet made. St. James Theatre. — "Texas Rangers Ride Again.” is a story of cattle rustling ott mass-theft lines. Instead of a few hundred stolen steers, thousands ore taken away, not on the hoof, but in motor lorries. The whole film, in fact,is built. on a huge settle. The Dangerfield ranch is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the vast, open spaces tempt n great: illegal syndicate to take on the work of stealing eiittle as a profitable business. Grandma Dangerfield calls in the Texas Rangers, and when they seem to have failed she gets ready tor an old-time battle on her own account. 'i’he glamorous Ami Sheridan and James Cagney, essence of "toughness-,”, meet in Warner Brothers’ "Tropic Zone, meetm will begin a season at the St. James .theatre on Friday. Pat O'Brien. Andy Devine. Halen Vinsen and George l.obias head the supporting east. Regent Theatre.— England in the lusty davs of Queen Elizabeth is lhe colourful background for the stirring story ol -The Sen Hawk,” which is in its last day. Among England’s heroes of lhe time are the sea fighters, who prey on the Spanish galleons, strip them of their rich bwity and bring it home to swell England s dwindling t.reasnrq. Most daring and etarless of these privateers is Geoffrey 1 hot p .. the r°le ably portrayed by handsome Liru 1 'spencer Tracy, fresh from his trhnnpbs in "North-West Passage, and Hedy Lamarr Number One Glamour Gul ot the screen. will be seen at the Regent. The; atre tomorrow in "I Take This 77 Oman, a romance of New York, which presents the European charmer in her first modern American picture. It provides I racy with the first romantic lover *ie has ever placed on the screen as the faithful scientist', Karl Decker, at whose side Miss Lamarr as a society butterfly with a blasted romance, finds ultimate happiness and a destiny. The east includes V?rree Teasdale in the comedy lead, Kent LD" lor as “the other man,” and Lar.iine Day, Mona Barrie. Jack Carson, Paul Cavanagh, Louis Calhern. Frances Drake, Marjorie Main. George E. Stone, 77- tllte Best. Don Castle, Dnlies Frantz and Reed Hadley.

King's Theatre. — T'he lavish film production of Vicki Baum’s novel. "Dance, Girl Dance,” is in tlie final two days ot its season. Maureen O’Hara. Louts Hayward and Lucille Ball head the cast. "Feuortaufe” ("Baptism of Fire ) >s the notorious Nazi propaganda film used to frighten leaders of European countries into acquiescence to Nazi demands. A print of the film ivas confiscated by British censors in Bermuda and the March of Time secured if from Canadian contraband officers to use with "The Ramparts We Watch." which will be seen nt tlie King’s on Friday. "Baptism of Fire shows for the first time how complete is the power of the Nazi armies. As a ]trupa<'tmda Im. when used by by the March ot Time. "Baptism of Fire” backfires, and the German Emlntssy lias threatened suit against the film company for using it m til is manner.

State Theatre. —"Devil on Horseback ” n natural-colour musical feature. will open al the State Theatre. today. The stars are Jah Dnmita. the dainty Jitih'. Frem-lt star. Fred Keating of the New sork stage, and Del Campo, the magnetic Chilian baritone, who has been called the 'Walentino of the Air." Tlie story, which introduces with elaborate dance ensembles, colourful romance and thrills in a picturesque, tropical setting, deals with the alleged abduction of a famous movie star by it gallant, hive-smitten young Caballero, who turns out to be only a press agent fiction, 1 lie associate feature. "Outlawed Guns." shows si Western rnneh. the property of Buck Jones- and his younger lirot Iler, sit the mercy of swirling clouds of dust, ami the tragic efforts of tlie men to drive 11)00 head of entile from the stricken urea into tin’ protection of a grassy valley shielded from the winds. Willi this iiecmnplished after terrible loss, lhe story advances in a swift succession of dramatic situations when cat tie rustling becomes the preliminary to banditry and terrorism.

Opera House.—One of the best topical dramas produced in an English studio, "Convov” is in the seventh successive week of its season in Wellington. Aillhentie scenes of life on board a British battle-cruiser, aclntilly filmed at sea uiidejwitrlime ennditions. vividly portrays the magnificent work- of the Navy at the pt'fsent time, while scenes among typical British sailors provide light relief.

De Luxe Theatre. The "De.-id Eml” Kids have delighted thousands with their youthful wiseeracking. and "liai’tl-boiied” behaviour, and then- latest film. "7 ou re Not So Tough.” carries on the tradition in nr- style. The associate film, "Three Men From Texas,” is another "Hopalong Cassidy film with Bill Boyd onee more playing the part of “Hopalong.” Also screening is a newsreel of the capture of Bardin, showing the gallant Australian Forces ndvnneing under heavy shellfire, British warships bombing the town and the capture of thousands of Italian prisoners.

Tudor Theatre.—Revealing the arnazju„ experience of a beautiful wife with the husband she thought she knew. “The Man I Married" is an unusual drama. The associate film. “The Bride Wore Crutches.” is a hilarious comedy.

SUBURBAN riIEATRES

Ascot (Newtown).-—“Golden Boy.' Adolphe Menjou, Barbara Stanwyck; “Forged Passport,” Paul Kelly, June Lang. Empire (Island Bay).—“South of the Border.” Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette; ‘‘Return of the Frog.” Gordon Harker. Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Edison the Man," Spencer Tracy. “Blondie Brings Tip B.'ihv." the Bumstend Family. Kinema (Kfibirnie). —“The Man From Dakota." Wallace Beery: “Tropic Fury.” Richard Arlen. Andy Devine. Rivoli (Newtown). —“Anne of Windy Poplars.” Anne Shirley, James Ellison;

“The Defence Roots,” Edward Ellis, Anita Louise. ~ Vogue (Brooklyn).—"The Westerner, Garv Cooper. Doris Davenport; “.La Conga Nights,” Constance Moore. Hugh Herbert. ~ , Capitol (Miramar). — ’Sherlock Holmes." Basil Rathbone and Ida Lupiao; “Everybody's Hobby." Irene Rich and Henry O'Neil. Regal (Karori). —“roreigu Lorresnondent,” Joel McCrea, George Sanders. P King George (Lower Hutt). —“The Roaring Twenties,” James Cagney, Priscilla Lane. De Luxe (Lower Unit). —“’these Gblntour Girls,” Lew Ayres and Luna .Lutner; “Quick Millions,” the Jones Family. Prince Edward I Woburn).—“Mililaty Academy,” Tommy Kelly. Bobby Jordan; “Chasing Trouble," Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds