ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 94, 15 January 1943, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Celebrates “Old

Favourites” Week

Whether by accident or design, the third week of the New Year must go down in the Wellington cinema as Old Favourites’ Week, with Grace Moore returning to the State in "One Night of Love” and Charlie Chaplin to the King's in ‘The Gold Kush.” If this critic’s memory serves hhn right (and these old eyes have blinked at many million feet of Him since 1934, when “Ono Night of Love” was first released), Grace Moore had been starred’ with Lawrence Tibbett tn a middlingsuccessful version of “The New Moon about 3932. Public reaction was negligible, and Miss 'Moore was dropped. Then Columbia, a tittle-known film-producing company in those days, offered her a role m a new musical—no salary but. n percentage of the profits. The rest is history. "One Night of Love" hit the entertainment world with a wallop, and Grace Moore must have paid more in income tax that year than the President earned m salary. In Auckland the Him ran for months, and the Wellington season (again relying on memory) was 11 weeks or more. Viewed today, the -technical Fillo of the production may be open to criticism, but there is still a charm about One Night of Love” which causes no one to wonder at its success in the carefree early thirties. The songs are as familiar todays as National Savings posters, but some of the stars—including Grace Moore hersclf—seem to have faded from view. Blowing the dust from this musical is an experiment of which the State need not be ashamed. , , , „ , , The likable, improbable Bumstead family dominate the screen in the lirst bait. The film Is called "Blondie s Blessed Event,” and the arvertisement says: I.Uo stork lias just arrived and that means another mouth to feed. And Dagwood has just got the sack. It’s just one big laugh tonic.” Yes, a situation like that sounds a perfect scream—so long as it’s the other fellow.

Tudor Theatre.—Transferred from the Plaza Theatre to the Tudor Theatre today. "Weekend in Havana’ depicts Alice Faye as a shop' girl who has saved for a pleasure cruise to Havana. Ihe boat inconsiderately runs on u reef, and the shipping company’s representative flics down to refund the passengers money. She inis her holiday and, John Payne. <ne representative, tags along, too. The second feature will lie “Golden Hoofs, starring Jane Withers and Charles Kogers.

Opera House.—“ Sergeant York, now m its fourth week at Hie Opera House, Is the story ot Alvin York, a conscientious objector who becomes an American hero of the World War of 191418 Gary Cooper gives a splendid performance in tlie role of Alvin York, a young farmer who divided bis youtli between ploughing bard laud aud drinking bard liquor, and pair! no lieed to bis local pastor. But bls ways changed, and lie became an upright and God-fearing citizen.

King’s Theatre.— Commencing today is Charlie Chaplin’s famous comedy “ Die Gold Rusli.” adapted for modern screening by Chaplin. “This is Blitz,” containing biittle scenes from seized German films, will be one of the supports.

Plaza Theatre.—Today Marlene Dietrich will be tfeen on the screen of the Plaza Theatre in “Tlie Lady is Willing.’ In I ids romantic comedy she is supported by bred Mac Murray. Tlie supporting cast includes Aline MacMahon. Stanley Ridges, Arline Judge, Roger Clark and Baby Corey.

St. James Theatre. —"’Die Big Blockade.” a drama of Hie war. is tlie new.attraction at tlie St. James Theatre, it is a film witli mi impressive cast. 'l’lie p avers include Leslie Banks. Michael Redgrave Frank Cellier, Alfred Drayton. Miehael Rennie, Will Hay. John Mills and Robert Morley, mid Quentin Reynolds, the writer, has a part.

Do I.uxo Ttieaire.—Marsha Hunt ami T.ec Bowman arc Hie stars of "Kid Giove Killer.” of which it is claimed that tlie chief characters make their microscopes more deadly than guns, use one grain of gunpowder to blow up a crime ring, rend messages burnt to ashes and use one tiny strnud of rope to hang a killer. "I'.seiipe From Hong Kong,” witli Leo Carillo and Andy Devine, is also on the bill.

Majestic Theatre.—Still drawing capacity bouses, “Mrs. Miniver” is not a war film about soldiers in uniform, but a film of modern warfare in which civilians become tlie front-line fighters and the ingrained courage of tlie people becomes tlie nation’s most vital strength. Greer Garson [days Hie title role with beauty and dignity. x-

I’aramount Theatre. —“Reap tlie Wild Wind.” a tecliiiieolour film starring Ray Millmid. John Wayne and I’auletle Goddard. supported by Raymond Mnsscy, Robert Preston ami Susan Hayward, comes to tlie I’arainount Theatre today. It was produced by Cecil B. De Mille to celebrate the Both anniversary of I’arainount, and is a speelaciilar drama of Hie sea. The bill will include also a March of Timo. “India in Crisis,” and Hie colour novelty, "Raggedy Ami Meets Raggedy Andy.”

SUBURBAN THEATRES

Ascot tNcwlown). —"We Wore Dancing.” Norina Shearer, Melvyn Dougins; "Double Alibi,” Wayne Morris, Margaret Lindsay. Tivoli (Tliorndon).—“Forced Landing,” Richard Arlen, Jean Parker: "Million Dollar Baby." Priscilla Lane, Ronald Reagan. Regal' iKarori). —"How Green Was My Valley,” Waiter Pldgeon and mi all-slar cast. Umpire (Island Bay).—“Remember, Greer Garson. Robert Taylor; "No Hands on I lie Clock.” M Rivoli <Newtown).—"A Woman's i'nee ; "Dnley." Kin,-ii>:i i Kimirnic).— “Louisiana I’nriliasc,” Bol> Hope, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore: “Nazi Agent,” Conrad Veldt, Ann A.cars. King George I Lower Hutt). —‘Tootsteps in tiio Dark.' De r.uxe (Lower Hutt).— "Manpower. George Haft. Ihlward G. Robinson. Marlene Dellrleh; "Dnngermis Moonlight," Dennis O'Keefe. Jani' ITaz.ee, Brinec F.dwnrd I Woburn).-"Drnms of Hie Congo." Ona .Munson. Sluai't I'il'wln; "In old Colorado," William Boyd. Russell Hayden. Capilol (Miramarl. - “Clioeolalc Soldier, Nelson Ihlily. Rise Stevens: "Bnleli Minds tlie Bnhv,” Virginia Bruce. Brod Crawford. Vogue' '( Brooklyn I.—"l’.alimmi Passage.” Madeleine Carroll. Stirling Hayden: “Arizona Bound,” Buck Jones, l.mimi Walters.