ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 190, 9 May 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

King’s Theatre.—ln “The Great Dictator.” in which Charlie Chaplin returns to the screen for the first lime since •’Modern Tinies,” the great comedian not only talks for the first time in his brilliant career, but also plays a dual role. This comes about through a series ol hilarious incidents in which Charlie, an unsuspecting little barber, js mistaken lor a great and powerful dictator and is pressed into service to his country. lie lias a rival dictator in one Napnlom, played by Jack Oakie. and others in this part of liie picture are Keginald Gardiner, Henry Daniell Hilly Gilbert, Grace Hoyle, and Carter <le Haven. Lhe leading lady, of course, is Paulette Goddard. and others in lhe Ghetto scenes are Maurice Moscovilch. Emma Dunn, Bernard Gorcey, and I’nttl Weigel. Chaplin’s aim was to bring home the ridiculousness of pomp, the emptiness of personal ego, and the illusions of fame, and this he does with the greatest, of weapotfs known Io man—laughter. “The Great Dictator” has so far amused Wellington audiences for almost live weeks.

The first Fox Movietone pictures of the Auzaes landing in Greece will be shown nt the King's 'Theatre from today.

Sttite Theatre. —Starring Ralph Bellamy, the first of Columbia's new series of detective films, “Ellery Queen, Master Detective,” is (he main feature on the particularly attractive double-feature programme presented at the' State Theatre. It deals with a “psychological” murder which involves such clues as a jewelhandled dagger, a mysterious raven, and a vanishing body. Many ingenious complications present themselves in the solving of the mystery, but Ellery Queen eventually unravels the baffling ease. Supporling Bellamy is a large cast, including Oharles Grapewin. Michael 'Whalen, ami Katherin DeMille. Bill Elliott's newest and most exciting outdoor drama, "Across lhe Sierras,” is the other feature.

Plaza Theatre.—Shirley Temple's twenty-second picture. "Young People,” will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from today. In this Twentieth Century-Fox production, which has been applauded as her happiest hit. Shirley sings five grand tunes written by Muck Gordon and Harry Warren, "Fifth Avenue,’’ "Tra-la-la-la,” “1 Wouldn't 'fake n Million,” "The Mason-Dixon Line," ami “Young People.” Jack Oakie is at his best in a particularly humorous rule, and Chariotte Greenwood appears leaner, lankier, and funnier than ever. The story pattern concerns two small-time vaudeville entertainers, Oakie and Greenwood, who adopt Shirley. She grows up with them on the stage—but they decide the stage is not the place to raise children,so they retire to a small New England farm. Their attempts to be well liked in lhe reticent town meet with rebuff’s and sly pokes at which they arc slow to fake offence. The denouement comes when Shirley, in an attempt to put over a sophisticated revue at the annual school performance, is booed off the stage by the shocked and indignant parents. A stirring and surprising climax caps the unusual story.

De Luxe Theatre.—A group of highschool students turn amateur detectives to trace a murder so that the father of one of them may be cleared of the crime, in "Gallant Sons,” which will be the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre from today. The students unearth a clue lhe law overlooked, trail it down, reconstruct Hie crime, ami trick the criminal to a highschool show where he is trapped intoi revealing himself by seeing the murder re-enacted. Amid this runs a schoolday romance. Gene Reynolds, Jackie Cooper and Bonita Granville are featured. Also in lhe casKare Gail Patrick and Inn Hunter. Having already established himself as a firm favourite with movie-goers lifter his fine performances in "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel,” "This Man is News.” and others. Barry 'K. Barnes breezes through "The .Midas Touch.” the associate attraction, as an ingratiating, smiling young man who can make money out of anything.

.Majestic Theatre.—The first "period” picture of the Minx Brothers, "Go West," a wild and. woolly comedy laid in the outdoors of LS7O, will be shown at lhe Majestic Theatre from today. The Marxes say this is their epic Western to end all Westerns. It is the first time anyone has ever poked fun at the big bad men, loveJy heroines, and brave heroes of the early West. The Marxes do so by making the picture a howl from start to finish. They are aided in their fun and excitement, by a cast which iiulmles John Carroll. Diana Lewis, Wallt;r Woolf King, and Robert Barrat. Into the lives of everyone come certain events which become impossible Io pass by. It is no exaggeration to say that "(lone With the Wind" has become a household word. The interest _ which centred around Margaret Mitchell’s bool; was immense, and that interest Ims been Io a large extent transferred to the film version, which, al’ter being eagerly awaited for a long lime, has al last come to New Zealand, and will have its first screening at the Majestic Theatre next Friday. Acclaimed throughout the world by critics, lhe film Ims in the leading parts Vivien Leigh. Clark Gable. Leslie Howard and Olivia de Ilaviliand. Dealing with its subject tn such a realistic and absorbing way its enormous length is said Io be scarcely noticed as the attention of audiences is so engrossed. Contributing greatly to the cpiality ol the production is the beautiful 'J'echnicolor. But it is not by technicalities that the film has become such a great success. Rather is it by the inspired acting of those in it.

Kegcnt Theatre.- -A powerful and enioiidii.il piriurr. Si reel. i<*’ screening at the Krgenl Theatre. Willi Charles Buyer and Margarcl Sullavan in the lead ing roles. Fannie Hurst’s novel, which ci’calcd a sensation when it was first published, is faithfully port rayed with its wealth of charadrrizaliou and drama, which at limes is very tense. Fine performances are given by ali lhe actors, who seem to have sensed the atmosphere of the novel and brought it to the screen in trillhful fashion, (’haries Boyer plays a part which is rather less sympathetic than usual. He is seen as a prosperous banker. Waller Saxel. lium New Orleans. who falls in love with Margaret Sullavan. charming in her parr id’ Bay Smith. The two plan io marry, bin ar** I’rihslraicd because ol an unfori iinaic inci d<ut. Walter marries another woman, but when he meets Kay later falls in love with her again. He wishes to gel a divorce from his wife, but as this is not practicable, the two become illicit lovers.

St. James Theatre. -iJeorge Formby appears as a war reserve pul iceman with ninldiioiis to gel into lhe l’’lyiiig Squad, in his Second successive lopical comedy, ‘’(’all a C<>p.” which will be released for :i season at the St. .lame- Theatre today Before his promotion. George, has Io undergo a stern trial, with bis n**arest rival stooping Io lhe meanest tricks to thwart him. George is right at the top of his fun form —whether he is making a lifelom: enemy of his* superior, the chi“f nf police, by colliding with him and carrying him on his handlebars through springboard jumps and Idaziii” building* during a trial Io discover recruits for lhe Flying Squad, or pepping up lhe sales of the music shop iu wliich his girl, Dorothy llystm, works, by singing “Ukulele Man” to the cnsiomeis. or obliging!v working with lie* crooks hr i-s looking for under the mistaken idea they are plainclothes detectives—maintaining with uudiminished lustre the engaging. buckloot lied grin, miraculous sense of rhythm, and ability to make audiences believe he really is in dire peril every time Im gels into one hair-raising jam al’ter another. T'h«‘ I’niicd Slates defence programme is <h<»\vn in a “March of 'rime.’’ which will also be screened.

I Tudor Theatre. The rich possibilities for excitement which spring from :» film lo <|" with gangsters have been fully exploited in "Tall, Hark and Handsome,’' which will begin a season al the Tudor Theatre today. With Cesar Romero in the leading ’-ole. the film is not just an i other gangster film, but an exciting and | amusing pietun* making good entertain- ' menr. Familiar to many as the "Cisco | Kid,” Cesar is seen as a tender-hearted I gangster, who. rather than kill his viei tims. locks them up and keeps them j healthy and well. Attractive Virginia i Gilmore supplies the romantic interest, j Cesar discovers her and in order lo get | mon; closely acquainted decides to pre- | tend that he Jias a family—which he

quickly invents—so that he can invite her to become a nurse in his home. The pace of the story never slackens, and matters are brought to a surprising finish. "Girl From Avenue A.” starring Jam' Withers and including Kent Taylor, Katharine Aldridge, Elyse Knox, Laura Hope Crews, Jessie Ralph. Harry Shannon, Vaughan Glaser and Rand Brooks in its cast list, will also be shown. Rex Theatre.— Two feature-length films will be shown at the Rex Theatre tonight. Saturday and Monday. They are "Four Wives" and "Stable Mates." Episode IT of "Junior G-Men" will also bo screened. SUBURBAN THEATRES Tivoli (Thurndon ). —"'rhe Sea Hawk,’ Errol Flynn. Kinema (Kilbirnie). —"For Freedom." Will Fyffe; "Rhythm of the River,” Ring Crosby. Marv Marlin. Rivoli (Newtown). —"It All Cam*. True." Ann Sheridan. Humphrey Bogart; “Down Went McGinty." Brian Donlevy. Regal (Karori).- "Night Train lo Munich," Margaret Lockwood. Rex Htir risen; "Margie," Mischa Auer. Nan Grey. Capitol ( M irama r >.- — "New Moon,’ Jeanette, MacDonald. Nelson Eddy. Ascot (Newtown).- "Letters of Int ro duel ion.” Charlie McCarthy, Andren Leeds; ••’The Leather-Pushers." Richard Arlen. Andy Devine. King George (Lower Hutt). —"Pride and Prejudice" Greer Garson. Laurence Olivier. Prince Edward (Woburn). —"Before 1 Hang." Boris Karloff; "Triple Justice.” George O'Brien, Virginia Vale. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —"Flight Angels,” Virginia Bruce, Dennis Morgan; "The Earl of Puddlestone." Empire (Island Bay). "Arizona.” Jean Arthur. William Holden • "Kill Nightingale." John Payin'. June Wyman. Vogue (Brooklyn). “Four Sons”; "The House of Fear," Irene Hervey, William G argan.