ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 172, 17 April 1942, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

St. James Theatre. — For those to whom modern music means the blues and also Bing Crosby, no one has a. better right to play the leading part in a film which is almost a history of modern music, and claims -that right in “Birth of the Blues,’ now at the St. James Theatre. With Mary Martin and. Jack Teagarden and his band to help Bing out in the musie, and Rochester to help him in the comedy, the picture fulfils the promise of its subject matter.

King’s Theatre. — Now in its second week, “The Little Foxes” depicts a woman gripped by the lust for power. No one is likely to forget the terrible scene where Bette Davis’s husband, played by Herbert Marshall, stricken with a heart attack, calls for relief while his wife is, mute as stone, watching a falling, fainting shadow feel its way up the stairway wall. Or the final moment when her daughter walks out into the night with the man she loves.

State Theatre.— Another Ellery Queen mystery, with Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lindsay in their usual starring parts, is “The Perfect Crime,” screening at the State Theatre. There is plenty of rhumba and rhythm in “Two Latins From Manhattan,” the second feature.

Majestic Theatre. — Opening today at the Majestic Theatre is a bright, comedy starring Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Greer Garson and Herbert Marshall. Its title is “When Ladies Meet,” and if the events depicted really do occur when ladies meet, the peace-loving male may thank the powers that Ibe that he is not present. Apart from this, it tells a romantic tale not bereft of hilarity and excitement.

Regent Theatre. — -Continuing its triumphal season at. the Regent Theatre, “Pimpernel Smith” is the story of a mild Cambridge don who goes to Germany hunting for evidence of an Aryan civilization, but actually he is rescuing artists and scientists and men of letters from Nazi barbarism. The story is told, so deftly that it. becomes one ofllfeTnost exciting comedies of the year.

Paramount Theatre.— Charles Boyer in “The Garden of Allah” heads the programme at the Paramount Theatre today. Robert I-litchen’s famous desert romance is produced by David 0. Selznick, who gained distinction through his screen version of ‘‘Gone with the Wind.” The cast, including Tilly Losch, Marlene Dietrich and Basil Rathbone ensures a memorable performance. “The Amateur Gentleman,” with Margaret Lockwood, Douglas Fairbanks, junior, is also screening.

De Luxe Theatre.— The first screening in New Zealand of “The Law of the Timber” is at the De Luxe Theatre today. In this, and the accompanying features, melodrama is the order of entertainment, other titles being “Riot Squad,” “The Monster Strikes” and “Highway of Death” from the serial “The Mysterious Doctor Satan.” Stai-ring in the film version of James Oliver Curwood’s novel are Monte Blue. J. Farrell, MacDonald, Marjorie Reynolds.

Plaza Theatre.— The film version will be screened for the first time nt the Plaza Theatre today of Ibanez’s famous novel of the bullring,' “Blood and Sand.” Sound and technicolour give this new version -a splendour which the Rudolf Valentino version could not hope to achieve, aud the film is a great vehicle for its three stars, Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Rita Hayworth. Technicolour adds technically to a story of action in a setting previously rarely invaded by the screen.

Opera House.—To appeal both to opera lovers and swing fans is the proud claim of ‘‘Everybody Sing,” which opens today at (he Opera House. Judy Garland, perhaps the most popular youthful swing vocalist on lhe screen and radio today, stars with Allan Jones. This film was most popular when it was first shown in 'Wellington, and there seems little reason why its popularity should have waned since that time. Many of the tunes have since become established favourites.

Tudor Theatre. —“Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” which has already established itself in the favour of Wellington picturegoers as one of the screen’s outstanding comedies is now at the Tudor Theatre. Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains and Evelyn Keyes head an accomplished cast. The Lone Wolf rides again in “The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance,” which is the supporting feature. SUBURBAN THEATRES Regal ( Karori)—“That Night in Rio.’ Alice Faye, Don Ameehe; "My Life is Yours,’ l.ew Ayres, Laraine Day. Ascot (Newtown) —"Zieglehl .Girl"; "Under Age,'’ Nan Grey, Alan Baxter. Tivoli IThorndon) —"Skylark,” Claudette Colbert, Ray .Milland; "Scotland Yard,” Nancy Kelly, Edmund Gweiiu. Kinemn (Kilbiriiie)— "Rage Ju Heaven," Robert .Montgomery, Ingrid Bergman; "Sis Hopkins,' Judy Canova. Empire I Island Bay.)—"Suspicion,'’ Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant; "She Couldn't Say No,” Tommy Trinder. Rivoli (Newtown) —“.Skylark,'’ Claudette Colbert, Ray .Milland; "Ellery Queen's Penthouse .Mystery," Ralph Beilamy, Margaret Lindsay. (iapitol (.Miramar) —"Road to Zanzibar,” 801 l Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Bing Crosby ; "'Tlie Big Store," Tlie iMark Bros. Vogue (Brooklyn)—".My Lite With Caroline, '■ Ronald Colman, Anne Lee; "Gas Bags." King George (Lower Hull—“ 1 lie Thief of Bagdad,” Sabu, Conrad Veidt,’ June Diiprez. Prince Edward (Lower Hutt) —-"l>urniii Convoy.” Charles Bicklord, Cecil Kellaway; "The Kid Krom Kansas,” Dick Foran, Andy Devine. Do Luxe (Lower Hutt). —"Sky .Murder,” Walter Pigeon, Donald Meek ; ".Meet Boston Blackie,” Charles Morris, Rochelle Hudson.