ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 208, 30 May 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

St- James Theatre.— Long before Deanna Durbin achieved her present record of eight straight hits, questions ((bout the quality of her films were abandoned. 'The only argument which remains is "which one was Hie best?” A likely choice for the answer to that query will be found today at tlie St. James Theatre, when "Nice Girl?’ 1 Deanna’s ninth picture, will open. Easily Deanna’s most mature vehicle, and one of her most entertaining, tlie new picture itus moments of romance, hilarity, and music as moving as any in all her eight previous successes. Deanna appears as a smalltown New England "tiiee girl." daughter of Robert Benchley and sister of Amt Gillis and Anne Gwynite. Robert Slack is Deanna’s boy friend. lite "'boy next door.” who is more interested in automobile engines than in romance. Tirol of her "nice girl” role, Deanna recklessly goes on an exciting romantic adventure witli a young New Yorker, portrayed by Franchot 'roue. Iler actions make her subject of u town scandal, and it is only through a combination of hilarious circumstances and situations that iter name is "saved." Included in Deanna’s six songs pre "There’ll Always Be An England,’’ anti “Thank You America."

Regent Theatre.—Tin- background to the comedy released yesterday u t the Regent Theatre, "Arise, Aly Love,” is—it seems hard to believe—Europe in all its troubles, hi the role of an American girl reiwrter, Claudette Colbert finds that a fellow American who has been serving tn the Spanish Republican air force has been imprisoned by Franco and. is awaiting a death sentence on a charge of treason. For the sake of a good story, she bluffs the authorities into thinking that tlie airman, Tom Martin, played by Ray Milland, is her husband and succeeds in saving him from an unpleasant death. Together they make their way to Paris. On tlie outbreak of the present European conflict the girl reporter makes her way to Berlin just as the Polish invasion is launched. It is a story full of laughs, for the European situation lias been treated skilfully and lightly, in such a way as to make it humorous.

Plaza Theatre.— Giving its versatile star a most dramatic and most sparkling human role, "Kitty Foyle,” which will be screened nt the Plaza Theatre from today, presents Ginger Rogers as the heroine of Christopher Morley’s best-sell-ing novel, witli a line, cast enacting the supporting roles of a white collar girl’s career. The book lias been praised as "Ute natural history of a woman,” and this telling phrase fits the picture perfectly. The story deals with the life of a spirited Irish girl in Philadelphia, her stormy romance with a blue-blooded scion of wealth, and the recurring conflicts that romance brings about in her effort to adjust herself to life. Born "on the wrong side of the tracks,” Kitty envies tlie Philadelphia socialites as a youngster, and later as a working girl falls in love with one of them, AVyn Strafford, only to be disappointed in him when he fails to propose. She goes to New York, but AVyn follows, and after a romantic interlude they are married. But their different spheres of life prove too great and a separation follows. Kitty is finally faced with a vital decision, whether to run away to tlie south with AVyn—who has since become married—or to marry a person who has been faithful to her for many years. How she decides makes the gripping climax of the picture.

Majestic Ifheatre. — Describing in graphic detail the pageant and tragedy of the American Civil War, which destroyed the delicate fabric of the plantation age, "Gone With the Wind” today enters the third week of a season at the Majestic Theatre. Vivien Leigh gives a memorable portrait of the central character, Scarlet O'Hara, who, faced with the stern alternative of meeting the new era or dying with the old, develops from a pretty coquette into a cold egotist, determined to rebuild something of the world that has tumbled around her.

State Teliatre.-— With Peter Lorre in the title role, “Stranger on tlie Tail'd Floor” is tlie main feature at the State Theatre. It revolves about th'e experiences of a young newspaperman whose eye-witness testimony lias been the chief factor in securing the conviction of a taxi-driver on a murder charge, though the man is innocent. An exposure of the methods so-called “wildcat” organizations use in competing witli the licensed bus lines of America forms tlie basis of "Wildcat Bus.” the associate feature. Fay Wray, Charles Latig and Paul GuiJfoyle head the cast.

King’s Tiieatre. — Heading tlie cast of “The Thief of Bagdad,” today entering tlie second week of a seitson nt the Kings Theatre, are Sabu, the talented young Indian actor, Conrad Veidt, known for many outstanding performances, June Duprez. John Justin and Rex Ingram. Alexander Korda, who produced the picture, hs struck an original note. Alost stories in pictures have a very definite plot running through them; though this picture has a good and well-rounded story, it is filled with so much of the colour and magic of the East that audiences are inclinedl to wonder if it is not a glorious type of dream rather than a moving picture. The screen has probably had fuller use made of it than ever before in this film, for Korda has not shirked bringing the magic of an Arabian Nights

nature to it. Extremely impressive is the Djinni, an amazing figure that rises from a Mask to a great height.

De Luxe Tiieatre.—Merry tunes keep apace witli tlie new 1941 fashions and dance ensembles of. the timely Republic picture, "Hit Parade of 1941,” which will lie the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre from today. Kenny Baker, singing star of "'rhe Mikado,” and Frances Langford, famous contralto, steal the spotlight in five captivating songs. Inspired by the song hit of tlie same name, Republic's “Rancho Grande,” thrilling action show, starring Gene Autry, singing star of the saddle, will lie the associate feature-length film.

Tudor Theatre. — Hal Roach’s latest comedy production. "Rond Show.” which will be the main attraction at the Tudor Theatre from today, has a cast list contniniug* no fewer than nine of the topflight actors in film comedy—Adolphe Alenjou. Caroli l Landis. John Hubbard, Patsy Kelly, George E. Stone. Charles Butterworth. Polly Ann Young. Margaret Roach and Janies Arthur. "Road Show” introduces to the screen “Tlie Charioteers/' popular radio team, "The Charioteers" sing a group of Hoagy Carmichael tunes written specially for the production. Based on the novel of the same name by Erie Hatch. “Road Show” is a United Artists release. The hero. Drogo Gaines, is played by John Hubbard, who showed a brilliant flair for comedy in “The Housekeeper's Daughter” and “Turnabout." Adolphe Menjou is cast ns Colonel Carraway, while lovely blonde Carole Landis plays the role of Penguin Moore, owner of a carnival to which Droxq and the colonel attach themselves on escaping from a sanatorium. “Millionaires in Prison.” with Lee Tracy, will be the associate attraction.

Re.x Theatre.— Two feature-length films of popular appeal, “Wings of the Navy” and “Valley of the. Giants,” will be shown at the Rex Theatre tonight, tomorrow and Monday.

I‘ai’amount Theatre.— That thrilling melodrama, “Black Legion,” will be the main attraction at the Paramount Theatre from today. The story concerns a young car mechanic, played by Humphrey Bogart, who joins the Black Legioiv—purportedly a patriotic order —in a fit of bitterness over losing the forepaanship of his shop to a foreign-born fellbw-worker. The Legion, of course, is portrayed as a racket, enriching its promoters. The young mechanic takes part in house burnings, Hoggings, tortures—all vividly shown, and finally kills liis best friend. Dick Foran. He loses his wife and child ■ —Erin O’Brien-Moare and Dickie Jones —and has to stand trial for murder. In a stirring courtroom scene, the deluded youth makes what reparation he can, and justice eloses in upon, the leaders of the fanatical legton, who have been stirring up racial and religibus hatred. Picturing tlie hilarious adventures of a music-writing gangster who uses strong-arm tactics to get one of his songs into the "hit parade” class. Universal's musical farce, “I Can’t Give. Yon Anything But Love, Baby,” will be the associate feature. SUBURBAN THEATRES Tivoli (Thonidon). — “Dad Rudd, M.P.”; “Street of Memories,” Lynne Roberts, Guy Kibbie. Kinenia (Kilbirnie). —“The Lion Has Wings,” Ralph Richardson, Merle Oberon; “Forty Little Mothers,” Eddie Cantor. Judy Anderson. Rivoli (Newtown). —“Flight Angels,” Virginia Bruce, Dennis Morgan; "Diamond Frontier,” John Loder, Ann Nagel. Regal (Karori). —"All This and Breakfast,” Loretta Young, Melvyn DougDe Luxe (Lower Iluttl.—"Continental Express,” Rex Harrison. Valerie Hobson ; “Stage to Chino,” George O’Brien, Virginia Vale

Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Too Many Husbands,” Jean Arthur, Fred Mac Murray; “The First Rebel,” John AVayne, Jane Wyatt. Empire (Island Bay).—“Foreign Correspondent,” Joel McCrea; “Champion Chumps,” Joe E. Brown, Martha Raye.

Capitol (Miramar). —“He Stayed For Breakfast.”, oretta Young,’Melvyn Douglas;- “Till ■ AVe Meet Again,” Merle Oberon, George Brent. Ascot (Newtown). —“Andy Hardy Aleets Debutante,” Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone; "Hell’s Kitchen,” “Dead End” Kids, Margaret Lindsay. King George Lower Hutt). —“Aly Son! My Son !” Madeleine Carroll, Brian Aherne. Prince Edward (Woburn). — “Men Without Souls,” John Litel. Rochelle Hudson; “Murder in the Air,” Ronald Reagan, Lya Lys.