ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 299, 15 September 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

King's Theatre. —Oue of the latest films to come from a British studio is •‘Freedom Radio,” now screening at the King’s Theatre. Directed by Anthony Asquith aud with a cast headed by such brilliant stars as Clive Brok and Diana Wynyurd, “Freedom Radio is an excellent film dealing with a theme winch has already thrilled hundreds of imaginations, and which has caused in reality as it does here in film, endless trouble and annoyance in the Nazi regime. The film deals with the organization of a secret radio station which is used in the midst of its enemies to broadcast news and anti-Nazi propaganda Ihqugh the menace and brutality of the Nazi regime is portrayed, it is done less by incidents than by graphic and sincere acting.

Plaza Theatre.—Brilliant Shavian wit and devastating satire, combine in the Gauniont-British-Dominiotis piodiiction of George Bernard Shaws unconventional nlav “Major Barbara,” at the Plaza Theatre. The film is rich in humanity and understanding, and the characters are brilliantly drawn. Ibe Picture .s not an idle tale of people who ““/er exist ed but is a talc of real people—of the kind of people that make up the wor . If is a story of hopes, faith and disiims onnient T 1 e role of Major Barbara, the S* Army whose mission m the slums. U eaplbly b^.^p“ d a y . Hiller, the Eliza Doolittle of lj o ma lion.”

Regent Theatre.—.“Come Live With Me,” the new picture at the Lama'rr "e™ the" minor parts are eir Te I as n da\ y e P and Cd bouald^ a Me^k U ma'ke ? s 1S a W cheerfuL' quick-moving, romantic comedy.

Bob S Hopc and Bins Crosby ’ maßter -m<> Africa with only their own resources to sav? them from certain heath in the jungle. Assisting them is Dorothy Lamour. ’

De Luxe Theatre— Husband and wife in real life, Dick Powell and Joan Bloa £ll appear as Fred and Joan Chambers, the chief characters in Universal s entermining comedy “Model Wife ” which £ the main attraction at the De Luxe 1 c atre Fred and Joan are employed by a firm of gown specialists and then efforts to keep their marriage secret form the basis of the story. , “Half a Sinner, with Heather An o el is the associate feature.

Majestic Theatre— The ever-popular Hardy family of the films, in common with all other families, cannot avoid growing older, but in their latest production, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer s Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary,’ at the Majestic Theatre, they prove that age is no deterrent to hilarity. The inimitable Mickey Rooney as the madcap son ot dignified and kindly Judge Hardy,takes all the major honours. Hie picture deals with Andy’s problems as a high -school senior.

State Theatre. — Instead of the musical numbers being merely interruptions in the story, or the story being incidental to the music, “Alexander’s Ragtime Band at the State Theatre deliberately uses its tunes to tell 'the story. The film might be described as an “American Cavalcade told in music, and naturally, since the picture uses some 30 of Irving Berlin s hostloved songs, it contains.a good deal ot his life as represented by his work. Alice Faye, Tyrone Power and Don Ameehe have the leading roles. The supporting film, JLhe Cowboy and the Blonde,” is an unusual comedy with Mary Beth Hughes and George Montgomery.

Tudor Theatre. — Thorne Smith’s harassed character with whom everyone must secretly sympathize, is once again plagued by one of those illegical sort of ghost that only a Thorne Smith can create in “Topper Returns,” screening at the Tudor Theatre. Thi time the wraith, which keeps on turning up when least expected and generally misbehaving itself, is played by Joan Blondell. Roland Young is once again Topper to the life, and his wife is as conventionally unconventional as might be expected from a Billie Burke portrayal. Eddie (Rochester) Auderson gets more than his share of the laughs as the negro servant. Also on the programme, “The Five Little Peppers in Trouble,” has Edith Fellows in the main role.

Opera House.—ln “Little Nellie Kelly,” at the Opera House Judy Garland advances to maturity by playing a dual role of mother and daughter. She sings several songs delightfully. George Murphy plays husbanfl and father to Judy’s dual assignment. Much of the humour aud humanity exuding from the story’s s’eript comes from the rollicking characterization of Charles Winninger as Nellie’s grandfather. * . SUBURBAN THEATRES Regal (Karori). —“Tree of Liberty,” Cary Grant, Martha SScott; “International Forum,” Dorothy Thompson; “Russia at War,” “Australia at War,” Canvas Capers. Ascot (Newtown). — “Contraband,” Conrad Veidt, Valerie Hobson: “Alcatraz Island,” John Litel, Ann Sheridan. Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Dulcy,” Ann Sothern; “Charlie McCarthy, Detective,-” Edgar Bergen, Charlie McCarthy. Kineina (Kilbirnie). —"Arise, My Love,” Claudette Colbert, Ray Milland. “Saps at Sea,” Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.

Empire (Island Bay).—“Russia at War”; “Nice Girl,” Deanna Durbin, Fraucliot Tone; “Escape to Glory.” Pat O’Brien. Joan Bennett. Rivoli (Newtown). —“No Time for Comedy,” James Stewart, Rosalind Russell; "Ellery Queeu, Master Detective,” Ralph Bellamy, Margaret Lindsay. Capitol (Miramar). —"The Face Behind the Mask,” Peter Lorre, Evelyn Keys; ‘‘Smashing the Money Ring,” Ronald Reagan, Margot Stevenson. King George (Lower Hutt). —“Kitty Foyle,” Ginger Rogers. Dennis Morgan. Vogue (Brooklyn). — "New Moon," Nelson Eddy. Jeanette MacDonald; “The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date” Warren William, Francis Robinson. x Prince Edward (Woburn). — “Judge Hardy and Son,” Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone; “Moon Over Burma,” Dorothy Lamoni-, Robert Preston. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —“South of Samoa,” Dorothy Lamour, Robert Preston ; “Convicted Women,” Rochelle Hudson, June Lang.