ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 248, 17 July 1942, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

Saboteurs And Murderers In Exciting Ncav Film

The Allies arc fortunate in their war efforts that most of the sabotage that goes on happens right in Hollywood If there were as many planes tampered with, as many ships blown up. ami as many dud bombs manufactured as the films would have us believe, the United Nations would soon be fighting the Axis with water pistols But no one objects to a hearty slice of sabotage and murder as an eiennife s entertainment. The latest thriller is at the State this week, and has the tresli and deceiving title of “Blue, White, nnd 1 -r feet.” This lime the crime is tn an ireral’t factory, which seems to be tilled with as many spies and saboteurs fVOlktr*. Matters move speedily, but Lloj d Noil n, who .must be a past master at tnpp ng gangsters, steps in and shows that Michael Shayne can do it a| ’' al * 1 ~ a . , 1p again. Marv Belli Hughes plays opposite Nolan in this him. which is not ail murders but quite a bit of comedy as well. Jane Harwell, who won a recent Academy Award, plays the title part ill lrvate Nurse.’’ the second leg of Hl programme. No nurse could poshibb Keep her mind on the patient’s PUtee if waking moments were as packed with thrills as are Jane Harwell s. Her pi ofessonlal life demands that she he « ” lul! ’.. taring angel to a motley collection et thugs and gangsters. During t e course of jlutv csbe finds herself in several tie»jic corners, but her ethics and her WW keen Florence Nightingales light biignt and unsullied. "Private Nurse is an iicitin.. little picture with enough bomelj realism to make the audience remember the last time it was sick in bed.

DE LUXE THEATRE

The detective story has become so much a part of the modern environment IbJt to cinema audiences especially it oI u cult to visualize an age when there were no unsolved mysteries, baftqng clues,, at d slow-witted Watsons as a to‘l for '“V ductive brilliance of Sherloek Ho mcs. This development is lees. Ilian J ell litl i old, and the first detective story 1 > the modern manner was that written by LtUa. Allan Poe in "The Mystery, of Marie Itoget,” so that its screening is somethin„ of a literary landmark. As a achievement it is little less and the plot unfolded by Maria Montez and I atim Knowles is scarcely less c °V‘ U bn -T.,? bls that told by the aut hor, who based s story on a real murder that baffled the police of bis day. Poe was never nearei the scene of the crime than IOU miles, and had no information other than that in lik newspaper reports, but lie presented . solution which by the confession of an accomplice years later was proved correct. At least two of Poe’s celebrated short stories have 'been combined, for the nliu plot, but the result is convincing. ••.Mississippi Gambler’kis also screening, so that the De Luxe, noted for its double features, has the unusual distinction or showing a complete programme tor the New Zealand premiere.

Majestic Theatre.—Jeanette MacDonald is largelv responsible for the success of the teehnicolour version of “Smilin’ Through Filmgoers who have reached the age of discretion wilt recaill that the story concerns a Victorian wraith with the somewhat preposterous name of Moonyean. Shot at the altar in her bridegroom’s arms, she waits about in bridal veil for 50 years, through the reigns of Victoria, Edward, and part of that of George V, till her husband shall join her on a delayed honeymoon in the ripeness of time.

King's Theatre.—Now in its third week, Dumas’s ’The Corsican Brothers” tells of a vendetta which leaves only two members of the family alive—the Corsican brothers, born Siamese twins and separated by the surgeon's knife. One of them is taken to Paris, educated expensively and endowed with all the virtues of a well-behaved young man. TJie other brother, Lucien, is brought up in the forests of Corsica and is endowed with a sense that warns him of his brother’s deeds.

St. James Theatre.—Now in its second week, “The Bugle Sounds,’ starring Wallace Beery, is an army film dealing with the transition from cavalry to tanks. A tank roars in flames through the stables, mortally injuring Beery s horse. The old sergeant becomes insubordinate and is dishonourably discharged, but once a good soldier always one, and AVallace Jteery cleverly works himself into the confidence of saboteurs, capturing the gang single-handed.

Kegent Theatre—“The Lady Has Plans, starring Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard, has not such an admixture of serious thought as its immediate predecessor. The film is a product of the Paramount studios, which has been making something of a specialty of comedies lately. This" racy and riotous comedy is at the Regent Theatre for its Australasian premiere.

Plaza Theatre—ln “Bow Green Was My Valiev,” Roddy MeDowall gives the performance of the year as lluw, the 12-year-old son against whom the storms of a new era waste themselves in his Welsh home. Sara- Allgood and Donald Crisp as his parents, provoke tears ot sympathy, Li their trials. Maureen O’Hara and Walter Piilgeon arc two more mimes In a long cast.

i’aranioiiiit Theatre. —“Ilcllzapoppin’.” is a glorious setting for Olsen and Johnson, who rocked Broadway in the stage version , for more than two years, and who are seen in the film as a pair of movie chiefs producing "llcllzapoppin’" for the screen. The girls are glamorous and amorous in a Goldwynesque sort ot way.

Time Theatre.—The new policy of two screenings nightly, which begins tonight, coincides with two films deserving ot large audiences. "City for Conquest” stars James Cagney nnd Anu Sheridan, and “Tower of ’Terror” lias as its. principal* actors Wilfrid Lawspn and Movita.

Tudor Theatre. —Tyrone Power stars in “A Yank in the R.A.F.” His part is that of a young American civil flier who enlists in the R.A.F.. and from then onward the film sweeps with tiie speed of a Spittire through a series of . adventures that are a part of contemporary history.

Opera House. —‘‘Men Witli Wings” heads the programme tonight. This new Paramount film presents Ray Milland. Fred Mac Murray. and Louise Campbell in stirring adventure, of men who laugh at death, and in seeking action find glory. The film is in teehnicolour.

SUBURBAN THEATRES

Capitol (Miramar). —"Old Bill and Son,” Moreland Graham, John Mills; “Missing Ten Days,” Rex Harrison. King George (Lower Hutt). —“Tile Shadow of the Thin Man,” William Powell, Myrna Loy. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —“She Knew AU tile Answers,” Joan Bennett, Franchot Tone; “Pacific Blackout," Robert Preston, Marl ha O'Driscoll. I’rlneo Eduard (Woburn). — “Riot Squad," Dick Foran, Andy Devine; “Road Agent,” Richard Cromwell, Mary Ruth. Klvoll (Newtown).—“They Dare Not Love,” Martha Scott. George Brent; “Guuga Din,” Cary Grant, Victor McLaglan.

Regal (Karori). —“Lady Be Good," Eleanor Powell, Ann Southern; “L'ndcr Age,” Nan Grey, Allan Baxter. Ascot (Newtown). —“Tiie Girl in the News,” Margaret Lockwood. Barry K. Barnes; “On Your Toes,” Zorina, Eddie Albert.

Tivoli (Thorudon). —“Unholy Partners,” Edw. G. Robinson, Edward Arnold; “Puddin’ Head,” Judy Canova.

Empire (Island Bay).—"Quiet Wedding," Margaret Lockwood; "Tillie the Toiler.” Kinema (Kilbirnie). —“Lady Be Good,” Eleanor Powell, Anu Southern; “Give Us Wings,” Dead End Kids, Little Tough Guys.

t Brooklyn).—"Bitter Sweet,” Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy; "Outlaws of tiie Desert,” William Boyd. Jean Pliillips.