ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre. — “The Return of Frank James” is a sequel to the first film released about the James Brothers. Jesse’s deatn at the hands of the fiord brothers, traitors. The scene then changes to where Frank, on a wayback Ozark farm, is happily tilling the soil. When it is learnt that the Ford brothers, though found guilty of the murder, have been immediately released and given the reward money offered for Jesse. Frank’s determination to avoid future lawlessness and disorder fades before a desire to revenge his brother. He once more buckles on his eix-shooter and prepares to hunt down the murderers.

St. James Theatre. — The screen version of Rudyard Kipling’s famous story, “Captains Courageous,” has Spencer Tracv, Mickey Rooney, Lionel Barrymore, Freddie Bartholomew and Me*'yn Douglas in the leading roles. Ibis is a tale of those hardy men that go down to the sea in ships and it brings home to audiences all the hardships, all the grinding toil, and all the vigorous adventures of those New England sailors who fish the great Banks. Yet, for all the robust virality, ‘Captains Courageous” is a very tender and beautiful picture. . „ The outdoor adventure film M yomnig will begin a season at the St. James theatre on Friday. IVallace Beery and Marjorie Main have the leading roles.

De Luxe Theatre.— An exciting tale of the famous French Foreign Legion is told in “Drums of the Desert,” featuring Ralph Bvrd, Lorna Gray and Mantan Moreland. Also on the programme is “Sin? Dance. Plenty Hot.’ a scintillating comedy. The rhumba chorus, song and dance 'at the end is particularly attractive.

Kings Theatre.— With the world in the state it is, Alexander Hall, director of “He Stayed For Breakfast.” believes that audiences want real comedy in their entertainment these days, ‘‘Audiences want to laugh, not just smile. ’ he says, and it is in this vein that his latest farce was directed. In the early movie days, Ben Turpin. Buster Keaton and batty Arbuckle were popular comedians, but the .present generation demands more sophisticated faro with swift, sparkling dialogue and “He Stayed For Breakfast” has all these ingredients. . The romance, beauty and traditions of America’s proud South, climaxed by the most spectacular stecnlechnse in the country, the Maryland Hunt Cup race, are highlights of the Technicolotir production of “Maryland.” which will open at the King’s on Friday. . Three. leading members of the cast in “Maryland have been awarded “Oscars” (Academy awards). In addition, five members of the production staff have been honoured. The list of prominent players is headed by Walter Brennan, the Acadomv awardwinning star of “Kentucky.” The hqman. lovable role of the horse trainer in “Maryland” gives him. another made-to-order part. Fay Baiiiter, who won nn Academy Award for her work in “Jezebel.” has another imno'rtnnt featured role in the picture. Brenda Joyce and John. Payne, as the headstrong younglovers, torn by fierce family pride, .share the romantic lead. Others prominently featured are Charlie Ruggles, Hattie McDaniel, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the- lovable kerchiefed Mammy of “Gone With the Wind,” and Marjorie Weaver.

Majestic Theatre.— Amid gay and prosperous settings of well-to-do society, the sharp and fresh humour of “Pride and Prejudice” comes as a welcome relief from the serious nature of everyday happenings. In the screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel the pert and refreshing candour of the characters and the atmosphere created by them have been retained, and a better specimen of brilliant entertainment would be hard to imagine.

Kegent Theatre.—“All This and Heaven, Too," the film version of Rachel Field's famous novel, is ample proof that the public can “take” straight drama, faultlessly produced, in spite of the times. Bette Davis, in the leading role as the French governess who finds nothing but unhappiness from the time she joins the household of a French nobleman, shows once again that as a character actress she has no superiors. Charles Boyer, who plays opposite her, gives a clever characterization, in fact one of the subtlest lie has turned ont.

State Theatre.—A romance with bright humour and plenty of action is to be seen today in “Pier 13,” a tale of in: trigue on the New York waterfront and brushes between two families of IrishLloyd Nolan playing a Dolan and Lyuu Bari a Kelly. Others in the cast are Joan Valerie, Douglas Fowley. Chick Chandler, and Oscar ' O’Shea. Lloyd Nolan, as a new policeman on the Pier 13 beat, and later as a detective on a jewel robbery case, meets Lynn Bari in the part .of a girl who runs a coffee shop. Her liking for him is disguised by a series of sharp retorts to almost everything he says to her and yet she steadily falls in love with him and Im with her. The associate feature is one of the popular Cisco Kid films, “The Gay Caballero.” Cesar Romero again stars in the main role and is assisted by Sheila Ryan and Robert Sterling. Tudor Theatre.— With Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier in the leading roles, "21 Days Together” is a drama of magnetic quality, “Out West with the Peppers" is the latest adventure of this attractive harum-scarum family. SUBURBAN IHEATREh Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Charlie’s (BigHearted) Aunt,” Arthur Askey and Richard Murdock; “La Congo Nights,” Hugh Herbert. Kinema (Kilbiruie).—"The Boys From Syracuse," Allan Jones and Martha Haye; “Men -Without Souls,” John Litel and Barton Mac Lane. Rivoli (Newtown). —“We Are Not Alone," Paul Muni and Jane Bryan; "The Ghost Breakers,” Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. Vogue (Brooklyn).—“East Side of Heaven,” Joan Blondell and Bing Crosby ; “You Can’t Get Away With Murder.” Gale Page and Humphrey Bogart. Capitol (Miramar). —“The Saint Takes Over.” George Sanders and Rita Johnson; “Castle on the Hudson,” John Garfield and Anne Sheridan. Regal (Karori), —“Test Pilot,” Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Lionel Barrymore. Asoot (Newtown). —“Son of Franken 1 stein,” Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff; “Cheer. Boys. Cheer.” Nova Pilbeam and Edmund Gwenn. King George (Lower Hutt).—“Blockheads,” Laurel and Hardy: “A Dav at the Races.” the' Marx Brothers. Prince Edward (Woburn). —“Scatterbrain." Judv Canova : “Tower of London.” Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —“Rewi’s

Last Stand,” “Blondie Has Servant Trouble.” the Bumstead Family.

Empire (Island Bay).—“Charlie McCarthy, Detective"; “The Way of All Flesh,” Akim Tamiroff and Gladys George, i