ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 297, 12 September 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

King’s Theatre.—"Freedom Radio' deals with the organization of a secret radio station which is used in the midst of its enemies to broadcast news and antiNazi propaganda. The story centres round Dr. Karl Roder, a famous Viennese throat specialist who is now a follower of the totalitarian state. As has happened many times in the past, the iSazi ideology threatened to break up Roder’s home, as the doctor and his wife are unfortunately in separate camps. Diauu WynyarJ, who takes the part of the wife, is a celebrated actress in the film who firmly believes that through the Fuehrer and his works, ultimate salvation for Germany is a possibility. When she discovers that her husband is working against this regime, her very real love for him is tom by her loyalties to the new creeds.

State Theatre. — “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” might be described as an “American Cavalcade told in music, and naturally, since the picture uses some 39 of Irving Berlin's best-loved songs, it contains a good deal of his life as represented by his work. What is really notable about the picture is that oue man’s music, plitfed in 1941, cau recapture so completely three decades of history. Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, and Don Ameche have the leading roles. “The Cowboy and the Blonde, which is the supporting film, is a comedy with an unusual set-up.

■Paramount Theatre. —“City of Conquest,” starring James Cagney and Ann Sheridan, is a turbulent film. Cagney plays the part of an East Side newsboy who discovers that one must be hard and tough to succeed in New York. Ann Sheridan has the role of a girl who finds that the price of success can be very high. Together they plan to accomplish something. Ann dances her way to fame while Cagney tries to earn enough money to marry her and send his brother through music school. “City of Conquest” has a strong supporting east. Frank Craven, fine actor of the legitimate theatre, plays a wise old philosopher who knows New York inside out. 1 rank McHugh plays a typical New Yorker, who is never at a loss for words of advice. Donald Crisp plays Cagney’s pal. Arthur Kennery is cast as Cagney’s brother, who composes a “Symphony of the Magic Isle” that is the soul and tempo of New York. Also featured are George Tobias, Jerome Coman, Elia Kazan, Joyce Compton and Lee Patrick. _ Also showing are latest airmail films concerning the war on the Russian front.

St. James Theatre. —“Road to Zanzibar” brings together again the stars of “Road to Singapore." Their new film has in it some good song numbers which include “You’re Dangerous” and “You Lucky People, You.” While Bing Crosby adds music, Dorojhy Lamour provides more tangible delights for the audience. Bob Hope’s gags keep the fun unfailingly alive. His “pat-a-cake” game with Bing is the means of disposing of a whole tribe of ferocious natives,

Regent Theatre.—“Come Live With Me” is a fairly quiet film by usual standards. but polished acting and little incidents make the whole entertaining. Hedy Lamarr is pictured' as an Austrian girl in Ainerjeq, who has to come by an American husband in quick time or be deported. She solves her problem by paying an impecunious authpr (Jamed Stewart) a weekly retainer to act as her husband, provided that he never comes to see her. The story of the film deals mainly with progress from the marriage ceremony to falling in love.

Majestic, Theatre. —The effervescent Mickey Rooney once again has the leading role in the latest of the Hardy familyseries, “Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary.” Tlie usual Hardy cast has had Kathryn Grayson added to it in a singing and romantic part. Andy Hardy goes through gmany troubles in his romances during the picture, and has good cause to feel that the manhood he claims to have attained is not quite all it might be. But his troubles are ironed out before the final fadeout.

Plaza Theatre.—There are variations of emphasis between the film story and the play, buit since Bernard Shaw himself had a major say in what was said and the manner of saying it, it cani be taken for granted that as a film Major Barbara” is Shaw’s om creation. M t J Tu Barbara is the daughter of Andrew Undershaft, millionaire munitions manufacturer who, so his wife says, practices morality and preaches immorality. Barbara of the Salvation Army attracts the attention of Adolphus Cusins, student and professor of Greek, who promptly falls in love with her. As a of religion and morality Adolphus he more knowledge and less faith than the major, but he has the advantage of her in a certain ruthlessness of thought and action.

De Luxe Theatre. —Joan Biondell is becoming more and more in demand for comedy parts, possibly because she combined acting ability with good;, looks. Her latest vehicle,' "Model Wife opens •it the De Luxe Theatre today. Supporting Mies Bloudell are Charlie K u BS lcs ’ Lee Bowman, Dick Powe 1, Ruth Dontipllv and Billy Gilbert. Half a Sinner, the ly second feature, has Heather Angel and John King in the leading roles. Onera House. —“Little Nellie Kelly” stars Judy Garland in the title role, ibis is probably J udy's first completely KF° W “- up role, and in it she proves herself an adult and experienced actress as well l as a comedienne of some resource. B takes two parte, that of the first Nellie Kelly, and then that of her daughter.

Tudor Theatre.— Roland Young is back in bis old familiar role as ' Popper, the worried husband in Leturns” Joan Bloudell, Donald Mcßndand Billie Bprke help things along at an hilarious pace. As in previous Topper films the doings of materialized spirits from the other world have a lot to do.with the straightening out of the affairs of the more ordinary folk op the earth. And combined with the usual comical situations which ensue as a result ot tne capers of a semi-transpa.rent young lady, are all the appurtenances of a good mystery thriller, with an eerie house, secret passages, trapdoors, revolving walls and prowling assailants adding to the Bin. “Five Little Peppers at Home is the second feature.