ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 137, 6 March 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre’s New Programme

Lloyd Nolan and Lynn Bari, who have already proved themselves an excellent screen partnership are once more appearing together in the main film which began yesterday at the State Theatre. “Pier 13” is a story of Danny Dolan, a police officer who takes up a new beat ou the New York waterfront and meets at the “Skipper’s Cafe” the skipper's prettydaughter Sally. Helen, Sally's sister, is engaged to an officer ’.on a ship. But Helen, though innocent, was involved in a jewel robbery which took place five years ago. The villain in the piece at that time was Johnny Hale, a crook who had the girl in his power through a trick and threatened to expose her as an, accomplice if she disclosed his identity. When Danny comes on the scene nothing has been heard of Hale for some time, and Helen is beginning to feel happy again. On the night of her engagement party an envoy from Hale comes to her and demands that she help them with a further robbery. Through a trick of fate, when the robbery is -carried out successfully Danny is put on the assignment and promised promotion if he brings Hale to justice. This he finally does, but not 'before many adventures have befallen him. 'Hie story abounds in happy wisecracks like the one where Danny asks Sally “Is this Cream Fresh” and she replies “Thfee hours ago it was grass..” Miss Bari and Nolan, take the parts of Sally and Danny, and enter into the spirit of the picture with vivacity and good humour, making it a bright little piece of entertainment.

In the supporting film, “The GayCaballero,” Cesar Romero as the Cisco Kid once more rides the range, gets into trouble, gets out. -of it Again, and finally ■rights a wrong before hurrying out of the picture with a sherrif’s posse in close (but we feel fruitless) pursuit. This is one of the best of the series. Chris-Pin Martin and Shiela Ryan support Romero, and the whole film is a happy blend of humour and hair-breadth escapes which should .appeal to all lovers of the wild west.

Majestic Theatre. — In the film version of "Pride and Prejudice” the greatest care has been taken to portray all the background detail of Jane Austen’s Meryton," and the picture bristles with little touches of local colour so interesting at times as almost to run parallel in interest with the many characters. Laurence Olivier, as Darcy', and Greer Garson, as Elizabeth, carry the main burden of the story with a charm that needs no wordy elaboration, but all of the cast are good.

St. James Theatre.—ln the screen version of Kipling’s “Captains Courageous.” which is in its finaL day, Freddie Bartholomew crowns his brillitpit young career in the role of ■ the rich American boy who is swept from the deck of a liner in a gale off tl]e Grand Banks, rescued by a fishing crew, and trained to the life of the hardy men of the sea. The outdoor adventure film "Wyoming ’ will -begin a season at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. Wallace Beery and Marjorie Main have the leading roles, supported by Leo Carrillo, Ann- Rutherford, Lee Bowman, Paul Kelly and Joseph Calleia.

Plaza Theatre. — It is fortunate for 20th Century-Fox—though it was not so lucky for the forces of law and order in the lSBO’s —that, there were two James brothers, and that the adventures of Frank continued in exciting-fashion after the sudden demise of Jesse. As a resuit two different pictures could be based on the James’s saga. The cast of “The Return df Frank James” is headed by HenryFonda in the title role—a part which he also played in “Jesse James.”

De Luxe Theatre.— An exciting tale ot the famous French Foreign Legion is told in "Drums of the Desert,” featuring Ralph Byrd, Lorna Gray and Mantan Moreiand. Also on the programme is “Sing Dance, Plenty Hot," a scintillating comedy. The rhumba chorus, song and danee'at the end is particularly attractive.

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. Regent Theatre.— “All This and Heaven, Too” gives many filmgoers good reason to believe that Bette Davis has done it again and thut her magnificent characterization of a French governess, will place her in line for another Academy award. The story of Rachel Field’s novel, which, incidentally, is true, and which the film version follows faithfully almost to the last detail, is well-known —the trials of a French governess in the home of a member of l|ie French peerage, who lakes charge of four children neglected by their mother. Kings Theatre.—A comedy of hilarious situations, rippling dialogue and comic misunderstandings, “He Stayed For Breakfast” is in the last day of its season. Imretta Young and Melvyn Douglas head the cast. . The Technicolour production, Maryland.” which previewer's have said is greater than "Kentucky,” will open its season at the Kings Theatre tomorrow. The picture fuses the colour and beauty of the proud South with the stirring story of two spirited young people torn between love and a fierce family pride. The thrillin'- Maryland Hunt Cup Race, with flaming silks flashing against blue sky and green turf, asstout-hearted thoroughbreds compete in America’s most spectacular steeplechase, provides a roaring climax for the film. The picture’s cast includes three leading members —Walter Brennan, Fay Bainter and Hattie McDaniel—who have been awarded "Oscars” (Academy awards). In addition, five members af the production staff have been honoured. Brennan, that. cantankerous, fire-eating old codger of “Kentucky,” has. another great character role as have Miss Bainter and Miss McDaniel. Also featured are Brenda Joyce, John Payne, Charlie Ruggles and Marjorie Weaver.

SUBURBAN THEATRES

Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Charlie's (Big- , Hearted) Aunt,” Arthur Askey and Ricirnrd Murdock; “La Congo Nights,” Hugh Herbert. Kinema (Kilbirnie). —“The Boys From Syracuse,” Allan Jones and Martha Raye; “Men Without Souls,” John Lite! 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).—“Green _ Hell,” Joan Bennett and Douglas Fairbanks, jun.; “Secrets of an Actress,” Kay Francis and George Brent. 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. Ascot (Nevytown).—“Son of Frankenstein,” Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff; “Cheer, Boys. Cheer,” Nova Pilbeam and Edmund Gwenn. King George (Lower Hutt). —“Blockheads,” Laurel and Hardy; “A Lav at the Races.” the Marx Brothers. Pi’inee Edward (Woburn).—“Nick Carter. Master Detective.” Walter Pidgeon: “Hawaiian Nights,” Johnny Downs and Mary Carlisle. „ 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 Tnmiroff and Gladys George.