ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

King’s Theatre. —Two of the most publicized'stars in all Hollywood history— Vivien Leigh ami Laurence Olivier —have been co-starred by Columbia in its new romantic drama, ‘‘Twenty-one Days 'logetiier,” which will open today. -Miss Leigh is the lovely young English actress who scored personal triumphs tn ‘‘Fire Over England,'’ “Sidewalks of lamdon,” and "A Yank at Oxford,’’ only to exceed everything with her perlornmiiees in "Gone With the Wind.” Chosen for the role after a two-year search, her selection evoked world-wide interest. Olivier is equally as famed. An international stage favourite, his performances in "Wuthering Heights,’ ill “Ke; beeea,” and in "Clouds Over Europe, were only three of his many outstanding eharaeterizations. ‘‘Twenty-one _ Days Together” is an absorbing story ol a boy and girl whose love for each other is stronger than the destiny which awaits them both. Sought by the police lor murder, they find in their marriage three weeks of ecstatic happiness and of desperate, dark, despair, before surrendering themselves. The brooding, magnetic quality of “Twenty-one Days Together has been responsible for the acclaim it has already won.

Kegent Theatre. —A new and interesting romantic team makes its screen bow in "I Take This Woman.” which is now in its second week. The combination comprises Spencer Tracy and Hedj La mart'. Tracy plays a physician, an earn est scientist doing great work in a tenement elinic. Miss Lamarr is a beautiful society girl who, after her romance is wrecked, finds ultimate happiness and a place in life’s scheme at the doctor s side. Her role calls for much compelling emotional acting. Tracy gives a powerful characterization as the man who blincltj worships a lovely woman and is read? to sacrifice his career on the altar ol happiness.

St James Theatre. — The mystery drama, “A. Date With Destiny,” will begin a season today. Basil Rathbone is the star, supported by Ellen Drew, John Howard. Ralph Morgan, and Barbara Allen. Murder pictures, are not all ot the mystery type. There is a number made each year in which the audience knows at the start who did it. _ Such a picture is “A Date With Destiny, in which Rathbone plays the role of a psychopathic murderer. Rathbone portrays one of the most callous killers that ever existed. He hasn’t the slightest compunction about the taking of human life. Rathbone came from the legitimate stage. Many years ago he appeared in “Romeo and Juliet” in New York, and was known on the stage as a great player of the classic dramas. Tim Whelan, the director of “A Date With Destiny,” is regarded as one of the greatest comedy experts in the motion picture business. He made millions laugh with such pictures as “Speedy,” “The Freshman,” and “Safety Last,”‘which he wrote. But, when he starts directing, he turns to the murder melodrama.

Majestic Theatre.— “Forty Thousand Horsemen'’ is destined to make the Australian Light Horse in Palestiue live again.” This endorsement, with which Wellington audiences who have seen the film will agree, was recorded by Frank O’Loughleii, Sydney writer who attended .the preview. “This daring and capableproduction of something entirely different in motion pictures, is capable of repeating the brilliant deeds of the Australian Light Horse with another invasion —this time the foreign film market, toward which the youthful film industry in Australia has been turning with eager eyes and hopeful hearts,” he commented'as part, of an article in Hie “Country Life” newspaper. Old Light Horse campaigners of the last Great War were among those privileged to see the preview, continues the article, and, as Major A. D. Reid, Minister for Agriculture, ami himself one of the Light Horsemen of Palestine fame, remarked :—“That charge of the Light Horse ar, Beersheba was so realistic that at one stage of it I nearly swung my long right leg on the person in the seat in front of me.”

Plaza Theatre. — Out of the black of night rides a bold masked adventurer, his sword striking terror in every heart, his flashing smile and reckless daring winning the loveliest senorita in all of Old California. It is Tyrone Power in “The Alark of Zorro.” his latest starring picture for 20th Century-Fox, which is now in the third week of its season at tlie Plaza Theatre with Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone at the head of the featured cast. Others in the featured cast include Rathbone, Gale Sondergaard, Eugene Pallette, J. Edward Bromberg and many others. The newsreels in the first hall' of the programme have been changed, and they now inchide some remark.'tble scenes called “London Burns,’’ which have just been received by airmail.

State Theatre. — In “Charier Pilot,” Lloyd Nolan and Lynn Bari cease their strife as a wise-cracking Hying ace and radio queen to battle with sabotage in the skies, poison gas having been put in the oxygen tanks of a plane already in the air. ‘ AVith Nolan winging to tlie rescue in another plane, and Aliss Bari broadcasting lhe drama to millions of listeners, the film speeds to a thrilling finish. Alias Bari's role calls for a deft, combination of comedy, drama, and quick repartee. Alsu showing is a moving story of a homeless, hungry boy with no money, no past, and no job, “Street of .Memories,” featuring Lynne Roberts, Guy Kibbec, and John McGuire. As an outcast boy who has lost his memory, AlcGuire falls in love with Aliss Roberts on poverty-stricken ‘Skid Row.” Her attempts to rehabilitate him and their fight for a chance in life provide as unusual love story.

Tudor Theatre.— "The Ramparts We Watch” is a production with one sole purpose—to depict the true story of what Happened in the precipitation of (lie present cataclysm of war. And in that word “true” lies the essence of the film's appeal. It is a tale which incorporates events and people known, to us nil in a manner which is enlightening tit every stage of its unfolding. Produced bv an American organization, the world-famous “Alarch of Time.” operated by lite editors of the magazines “Time" and "Life.” it is entirely free of pro-British “propaganda” and cannot be lightly dismissed bv tlie sceptical as such. More titan any-

thing else, however, “The Ramparts We ■Watch” is remarkable for its incorporation of the Nazi-produced picture Baptism of Fire,” intended to glorify before the eyes of hapless neutrals and intended victims the unconquerable valour and unsurpassable strength of Germany's armed forces. This film, captured by the British at Bermuda, en route to America, was immediately forwarded to its intended destination and allowed world release uucensored —such is the British reaction to one of Goebbels’ most elaborate pieces of propaganda. The associate feature is a murder mystery, ‘‘■Sued for Libel,” in which Kent Taylor. Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond and Morgan Conway have the leading roles.

De Luxe Theatre. — Mystery, romance, and laughter are the elements combined in “They Asked For It,” which will begin today. It has an able east of youthful players, including 'William Lundigan, Michael Whalen, Joy Hodges, Isabel Jewell, Lyle Talbot, and Thomas Beck. The story concerns the efforts of three young college men to inject, some “pep’ into the quiet life of lhe old home town. The main attraction is “Saloon Bar.” a thrilling yet humorous film slurring Gordon Harker and Elizabeth Allan.

Rex Theatre.— “Gunner George,” starring George Forinby, ami “Man Al ith Wings,” will be screened tonight, tomorrow, and on Monday.

SUBURBAN HIEATRES

Ascot (Newtown I.—" The Mortal Storm,” Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart; "Two Thoroughbreds." Empire (Island Bay).—"Virginia City,” Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins; "The Boys from Syracuse,” Allan Jones and Joe Penner. Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Anne ot Windy Poplars,” Ann Shirley and James Ellison ; “Men Against the Sky,” Richard Dix and Wendy Barrie. Kincma (Kilbirniu). —“The ay °£ A.II Flesh,” Akim Tamiroff and Gladys George; “My Favourite Wife,” Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Rivoli (Newtown).— "South of Samoa, Dorothy Lamour and Robert Preston; "Pride'of the Bluegrass,” Edith Fellows and James McCallum. , Vogue (Brooklyn).— Music Ju My Heart,” Tone Martin ami Rita Hayworth’; “Parole Fixer,” Virginia Dale ami William Henry. Capitol (Miramar). —"Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever,” Lewis Stone and Mickey Rooney ; "You’re Not So Tough,” the "Dead End” Kids. Regal (Karori).—”Tl s a V underfill World,” James Slewart and Claudette Colbert; “Ohl Iron,” Tom Walls. King George (Lower Hutt). —"Spring Parade,” Deanna Durbin, Robert Cummings and Afisr-hn Auer. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—“Johnny Apollo,” Tyrone Power ami Dorothy Laniour; "Slightly Tempted,” Hugh Her- " Prince Edward (Woburn).—“Passport to Alcatraz,” Jack Holt and Cecilia Callejo; “Pop Always Fays,” Leon Errol and Dennis O'Keefe.