ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 287, 1 September 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE It is fitting that the Paramount Theatre. which is now celebrating its silver jubilee, and which was the first theatre in New Zealand to show talkies, should •screen to mark its jubilee a film of pinneerin« diiv® in America Santa, r e Trail.” a magnificently produced picture dealing with the notorious John Brown, the abolitionist and fanatic, who felt it his God-sent duty to free the slaves. Errol Flynn, Ronald Reagan and Olivia de J-Invill’aiKl fill the main roles. The story tells ot a group of n est Point cadet's (1854. class) who are sent to Fort Leavenson in a “Suicide Squad. Fort Leavenson is in Kansas, “Bloody Kansas,” as it has been christened by the many people who have suffered there because of the bloodshed and rebellion led 'by John Brown. Brown (Raymond Massey) is ruthless in his purpose and does not. scruple to shed blood m the cause. Young Lieutenants Stuart (I'lynn) and Custer (Reagan) are detailed to capture Brown and stop the unrest, lhey do so after many adventures, but not before Brown has sown the seeds of discord within a whole nation and has acted as a prelude to a war which was destined to set. brother against brother and friend against friend. Many of the battle scenes are spectacular with horses and men, cannon and swords seen through wreathing battle smoke. As a contrast there is a ballroom scene at the President’s home in Washington, when a reception to the officers is held. “Big Boy” Williams and Alan Hale provide comedy as Lex and Windv. two old campaigners who are attracted more, by the rum ration than by anv thought of honour and glory, and Van Heflin, well known on the New York stage, takes the part of Raeder, the renegade, who finally betrays Brown to the militia.

Plaza Theatre.—ln “Major Barbara,” at the Plaza Theatre, as in all his .works, George Bernard Shaw teaches so cnthallinglv with all the high art of showmanship that his listeners follow easily into fields of discourse where philosophy almost unwittingly becomes a. matter of easy conversation. The rest is easy, for he no longer has to rely on a string of wisecracks, or the mechanics of situation to stimulate dramatic unity, but creates the real thing in the minds of the audience who thus, rightly, do halt The job for him. Wendy Hiller plays Barbara sensitively and with au extraordinary depth of feeling; Rex Harrison is good as Cusins; and Robert Morley contributes strongly to the success of the film by his portrayal of Undershaft in an aura ot omniscence.

King’s Theatre. — The ever-humorous character, Topper, appears once again in “Topper Returns,” at the King’s Theatre. The picture is based on one of Thorne .Smith’s clever works, others of which have been adapted to the screen before. His writing and ideas invariably have a far-fetched craziness which appeals to the staidest reader. At the head of the cast is Roland Young, who ably handled the role of the erring Mr. Cosmo Topper in “Topper,” and whose suitability for the part has never since been questioned. In “Topper Returns” it is Joan Biondell who does most to hire him from the paths of righteousness. 1

Majestic Theatre.— Judy Garland sings many songs, including “It’s a Great Day for the Irish,” “Pretty Girl Milking HetCow,” aiid the more modern, “Singiu in the Rain,” in “Little Nellie .Kelly,” at the Majestic Theatre. A strong supporting cast is headed by George Murphy. Charles Winninger appears as the grand? father and his interpretation of the old man who has a horror of work is masterly.

Regent Theatre.—“l Wanted Wings, at the Regent Theatre was produced 011 a grand scale with the full co-operation of the American Army. More than 1000 aeroplanes were used in the making, including several immense Flying Fortresses. Ray Milland is at fhe head ot the cast, with William Holden, Wayne Morris, and Brian Donlcvy. The two leading ladies are Constance Moore and Veronica Lake.

De Luxe Theatre.— The ingenious idea of transferi'ing the brain of a human to the body of a gorilla has been us-ed in “The Monster and the Girl,” at the De Luxe Theatre. How a man wrongly executed for murder achieves his revenge provides the action of the film. Ellen Drew and Paul Lukas have the mam roles. , The second film, “Power Dive,’ stars Richard Arlen and Jean Parker.

Tudor Theatre.—“Mr. and Mrs. Smith, at the. Tudor Theatre, co-stars Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery in a bright domestic comedy, directed by Alfred Hitchcock'. Hitchcock, a master of subtle touches, launches into this sophisticated film with all the skill which made “Rebecca.” Gene Raymond heads a strong supporting cast. Tim Holt and Ray Whitley star in the second feature, “Along the Rio Grande.”

Opera House. —One of the clever, smooth comedies that Hollywood is producing in increasing numbers, “Third Finger, Left Hand,” at the Opera House, is punctuated by individual sequences that evoke hearty spontaneous laughter, Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas head a strong cast, which includes Raymond Waiburn, Bonita Granville and Donald Meek.

State Theatre.— 'Warren 'William and Erie Blore have the principal roles in “The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance,” the main attraction at the State Theatre. The film starts off amusingly when a eat runs away with a valuable string of pearls. Michael Lanyard (Warren William) and Jamieson (Eric Blore) chase the cat and find themselves in trouble with their old arch-enemy Inspector Crane, who bets Lanyard two months’ pay that he will not stay out of trouble for 24 hours.

The supp<w : ng film. “Two-Gun Law.” featuring Ch. rles Starrett, is a Peter B. Kyne story. “The Black 'Watch.” one of the most widely enjoyed films of recent years, is coming -to the State Theatre from 'Wednesday next.

St. James Theatre.— tn “Sis Hopkins," Judy Canova, who created such a sensation in “Scatterbrain,” plays the goodhearted 'country girl in a less obvious manner than before. The part has been toned down slightly so that Sis. is a far more credible and understandable person than the girl in “Scatterbrain.” This is uut to say, of course, that, any of Judy's native humour and sense of the comic is in any way diminished, but it certainly does mean that she gives a more finished performance. Charles Butterworth and Susan Hayward are in the cast. SUBURBAN THEATRES Regal (Karoi'i).—“Businau's Honeymoon." Robert Montgomery; “Dilley,” Anu Sothcrn, lan Hunter. Ascot (Newtown). — "Girt From Avenue A,” Jane Withers. Kent Taylor; "Romance of the Rio Grande,’’ Cesar Romero. Ricardo Cortez. Tivoli (Tliorudon I. — “A Little Bit of Heaven." Gloria Jean, Robert. Stack; "On Dross I’armle.” The Dead End Kids. Kiiiema (Kilbirnie) — '‘Maryland,'’ Waller Brennan. Fay Bainter; “Con stnntinople Express.” Empire (Island Bay). — "Soil of Monte Cristo," Louis Hayward, Joan Bennett; "Tlio Face Behind tlie Mask.” Peter Lorre. ■Rivoli LNewtown). —"One Night in tba Tropics.” Lon Abbott. Bud Costello: "Tlie .Man Wlio Talked Too Much.” George Brent. Yirgiuia Bruee.

Capitol (.Miramar). —"Strike Up lhe Band." Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland; "The lirk Si reels of Cairo," Sigrid Gurie, Ralph Byrd. Prince I'lnard i Woburn I. — "Forlv Thousand Horsemen"; ‘‘Keeping Company.'’ Frank Morgan, Aim linthertord. lie Luxe (Lower Hull).—"All at S.ii." Sain's Dowell; "Where Did You Get That Girl?" Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Kitty Hoyle,”