CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

Errol - Flynn, Anita Louise, Margaret Lindsay, and Sir Cedric Hardwickc have the principal roles in "Green Light," the principal feature oil the Regent Theatre's 'new bill. This pic- ; ture, a dramatic story of a doctor's mistake, of the medical code laid down by the Hippocratic oath, and the strange way three lives are woven to- j gether in a pattern of love, suffering, and adventure, breaks new ground, and is admirably acted. The prominent and charitable Mrs. Dexter dies on the operating table as the result of a surgical mistake. The operation was begun by the young and brilliant surgeon Newell Paige; it was taken over by Dr. Endicott, a man who at this moment has been caught up in a crisis and momentarily unnerved. Paige is blamed by the hospital and bound to silence by the terms of his medical vow. And then there comes back -o America the daughter of the woman who died so unnecessarily, and the two fall in love. This tense and dangerous situation for them both is worked out in a novel and thrilling way, the succeeding events heap suspense on suspense, and the film reaches an unexpected and satisfactory ending Errol Flynn, even and virile, is wen cast as Dr. Paige; Margaret Lindsay has the role of the nurse who loves him, yet makes way for another woman; Anita Louise plays understanding^ the "part of Phyllis Dexter; and Sir Cednc Hardwicke is cast as a minister who has quite an influence on the story. The supporting films include an interesting newsreel which has some startling pictures of the Hindenburg crash, spectacular and incredible m its speed and horror, a musical novelty, "Swine for Sale," and a pictorial news, in colour. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Not only for the beauty of the singing but for the awe-inspiring outdoor scenes, the high standard of acting, and the strength of the story, "Rose Marie, starring Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald, which has entered its fourth week at the Majestic Theatre, will live in the memory for many years to come. In such numbers as "Rose Marie," "The Indian Love Call," "Song of the Mounties," and selections from the operas "Romeo and JulietJ' and "La Tosca," the stars are given ample opportunity to demonstrate their ability, and the result is a feast of song. Miss Mac Donald is cast as a leading opera singer who, on learning that her brother has escaped from gaol and is hiding in Northern Canada, sets off to find him. Out in the wilds she is abandoned by her treacherous guide and, after being saved from a river by Sergeant Bruce, of the Mounties (Nelson Eddy), she is forced to accept his company. Without disclosing her identity, she learns that the sergeant is looking for her brother, who is wanted for murder, and when the young couple fall in love the issue is somewhat complicated. It is some time before the tangle is unravelled and a happy' ending reached. The supports include an M.G.M. newsreel of the Coronation. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Grace Moore achieves another triumph with "When You're in Love," which opened at the St. James Theatre last night. Very few musical films have utilised a first-class voice so effectively as does this one, and very few have combined so many and such a variety of numbers without any loss of continuity. Grace M6ore makes a real hit in the "tough" song "Minnie," and slips with equal versatility into the memorable number from "Madam Butterfly," "One Fine Day." Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields produced two excellent songs, "Whistling Boy" and "Our Song," the first \of which cleverly ■exploits a very effective accompaniment by children. "Vissie Darte," from "La -Tosca,"-"In - the Gloaming," the waltz aria from "Romeo and Juliet," "Siboneyi" and Schubert's "Serenade" are some of the other' numbers that make the film a music-lovers' delight. The able directing shows the hand of Robert Riskin, the scenarist of "It Happened One Night" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town." The scenes are co woven together that the delightful singing fits naturally into the plot. Cary Grant's acting is excellent. Others in the cast are Aline McMahon, Henry Stephenson, Thomas Mitchell, Catherine Doucet, and Lrin Alberni. The supports include * very thrilling film "Plane Dev',s," and a special animated carton number. NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE. AU the quaintness, the whimsy, and the pure reverence of the American negro's conception of the Old Testament are contained in "The Green Pastures," a truly remarkable picture which is now in its second successful -week at the New Paramount Theatre. In his famous play of the same name. Marc Connolly set out in a spirit ol true sincerity to portray how the story of the Bible would be visualised by those who attended a coloured Sunday school. What he accomplished was a piece-of living literature of rare beauty, the , absurdities ' and inconsistencies of 'which only serve to enhance the glow of the pure, unquestioning faith which lies behind it. Though one laughs at the spectacle of angels doing housework with their wings done up in. dust cloths, and of Babylonians in dinner suits, one is not conscious merely of the humour of the situations. There is a message behind all the drollery, and that message is the one the writer intended to convey. And one cannot laugh at the black-faced, frock-coated figure who dispenses thunderbolts and ten-cent cigars at will, and who is known in all reverence as "De Lawd. He has a strange and unruffled dignity which transcends all worldliness. "Green Pastures" is a unique picture which cannot fail to impress all who see it. KING'S THEATRE. "Lloyds of London," which is playing a return Wellington season at the King's Theatre, is without a doubt one of the finest films to come from American studios. The film, which is a con-summately-told romance, deals with the glamorous period of English history which culminated in Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in the early part of last century. Around that famous insurance house, Lloyds of London, the producers have woven a tale of adventure and romance. Many figures famous in history are brought to life again on the screen. The lead is taken by Tyrone Power, who is cast as Jonathan Blake, the enterprising member of Lloyds, who brought that firm to the high international reputation it holds today. :The late Sir Guy Standing appears as John Julius Angerstein, one of the early directors of Lloyds, C. Aubrey Smith portrays the famous sporting Marquis of Queensberry, or "Old Q," as he was familiarly known. Lord Nelson as a boy, and as a man. is played first by Douglas Scott and then by John Burton. Madeleine Carroll supplies the romantic interest. The second attraction is "Pigskin Parade," a fast and furious musical comedy with football as its theme. The cast includes Stuart Erwin, Johnnie Downs, Arline Judge, and Betty Grable. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. A dramatic revelation of ecstatic first love, a young, exciting new personality, and a daringly different emotional story are features of 'Girls Dormitory," the 20th Century-Fox production at the Regal Theatre Simone Simon, Herbert Marshall, and Ruth Chatterton are starred. "Devil Doll," the second feature, starring Lionel Barrymore, concerns a Devil's Island prisoner, wrongly accused, who escapes and returns to Pans armed with the weird secret of a mad scientist, which he uses to revenge those who wronged him and clears his name, in a bizarre mystery plot. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "Half Angel," a mystery comedydrama, with Frances Dee and Brian Donlevy, and "King of Burlesque," with Warner Baxter, Alice Faye, and Jack Oakie, will be the main features at Brooklyn tonight.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. A brilliant new star, an entirely original theme, and an exceptionally strong supporting cast all help to make "Girl in a Million," which is continuing for a third week at the Plaza Theatre, the most outstanding comedy romance of the year. Sonja Henie, world champion skater, demonstrates her ability on the ice in a number of sensational exhibitions, and proves herself to be a charming and accomplished actress. Combining graceful figure skating routines and ice ballets, catcl'V musical numbers, and plenty of humour, the film is indeed an outstanding one. The story is that of a beautiful Swiss girl whose father, an innkeeper and once famous skater, is training her in the. hope that she will win the Olympic championship. A troupe of American musical artists and a reporter visit the inn, and the scheming manager of the troupe persuades the girl to give an exhibition at a tourist resort, whereby she endangers her amateur status. The newspaper man comes to her aid, however, and a romance springs up between them. How the little skater fares in the competitions and how she becomes really famous are part of an intensely interesting story. The supporting programme includes a film of the Coronation. STATE THEATRE. Winsome Shirley Temple makes a greater appeal than ever in her latest picture, "Stowaway," which is featured on the new programme at the State Theatre. It is a film with a distinctly unusual setting, and it gives the youns star plenty of scope for her undoubted talent and versatility. Orphaned by a bandit raid in the Chinese interior. Shirley is forced to flee to the coast, and there, accompanied by Mr. Woo, a dog of uncouth appearance and questionable pedigree, she meets Robert Young, who acts the part of a millionaire playboy. Fortuitously. Shirley and Mr. Woo stow away on the luxury liner that is taking the playboy back home, and on discovery she is taken in hand by the playboy. Also on the boat is Alice Faye, who takes the role of a young bride-to-be going somewhere to be married. Shirley acts as an unofficial Cupid in the matter, and before long it is obvious that there are complications ahead. However, the bride-to-be changes her mmd, the playboy reforms, and Shirley gets herself a position as adopted daughter Topical features and a cartoon supplement the main picture. REX THEATRE. "Breezing Home," the main feature at the Rex Theatre, is a sprightly comedy drama featuring William Gargan, Binnie Barnes, and Wendy Bame. The story has its settings in modern night clubs where Wendy Barne is a singer and at the Santa Anita track where Gargan trains a string of horses owned by Binnie Barnes. There is romantic rivalry between the '.wo. girls over the affections of Gargan. Alan Baxter, as a cabaret owner and bookmaker at the track, provides the menace which intensifies the dramatic element of the.screen narrative. The ominous threat of drought and the villany of unscrupulous beef dealers who Elan to use it to enrich themselves y forcing up the price of beef, is the story of Paramount's "Trail Dust," the latest "Hopalong" Cassidy picture, which will also be shown. William Boyd, Jimmy Ellison, and George Hayes head the cast. PRINCESS THEATRE. Paramount's "College Holiday," which is the principal attraction at the Princess Theatre is ' one of the funniest, gayest, and most hilarious comedies with music to reach the screen this season. Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie,,Allen, Mary Boland, Martha Raye, Marsha Hunt, Eleanore Whitney, Lief Erikson, Johnny Downs, Olympe Bradna, Louis DaPron, Ben Blue, and Etienne Girardot are the principal players. A courageous English girl valiantly sacrificing her own desires for her daughter's is the dramatic role played by Katharine Hepburn in "A Woman Rebels," the associate feature. Herbert Marshall, an English diplomat, plays opposite Miss Hepburn in this RKORadio picture. SHORTT'S THEATRE. A short story by Damon Runyon, dean of Broadway writers, serves as the basis for the plot of 20th Century's "Professional Soldier," which is the main feature at Shortt's Theatre. Starring Victor McLaglen and Freddie Bartholomew, it tells of warlike adventures in a strange European kingdom. Gloria Stuart and Michael Whalen occupy the chief supporting roles. "The Country Beyond," the Fox picture which is also showing, featuring Buck, the giant St. Bernard, with an all-star Hollywood cast, is perhaps the most famous of James Oliver Curwood's tales of courage and hardship in the Northern wastes. Rochelle Hudson, Paul Kelly, and Robert Kent are the leading players. KILBIUNIE KINSM/V. Moments of sheer beauty contrast vividly with moments of the tensest sort of dramatic suspense in "Stolen Holiday," the First National romantic drama which opens tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The picture stars lovely Kay Francis, whose "Give Me Your Heart" and "The White Angel" are still fresh in the memories of her multitude of admirers. The romantic interest is provided by lan Hunter, the handsome young British actor. Jean Harlow reaches the high note in her glamorous career as a star in the associate feature, "Suzy," the unusual M-G-M picture of an American girl caught in. the intrigues of wartime spying. Franchot Tone and Cary Grant play the main roles opposite Miss Harlow. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Nino Martini, the world-famous tenor, comes to the Empire Theatre tonight in Pickford-Lasky's sparkling romance, "The Gay Desperado." Ida Lupino and Leo Carillo are featured in support of the handsome tenor, who portrays a gay and glamorous Mexican bandido who sings his way out of a succession of difficulties, saving his life and winning the girl by the magic of his voice. Dramatic situations abound in Columbia's "The Final Hour," which is also showing. Ralph Bellamy is co-featured in the leading roles with Marguerite Churchill. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart are costarred at the Palace Theatre, Petone, in "Wasted! Jane Turner," a story of the U.S. Postal Department's fight against postal thieves, crammed with excitement and thrills. The second feature is "Love Letters of a Star," a story of a family hounded 'by blackmailers. Henry Hunter and Polly Rowles have the leading parts. The supporting programme is a good one. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Cecil Kellaway, Australia's foremost character comedian, has one of his congenial roles in Cinesound's latest production, "It Isn't Done." which is screening at the State Theatre, Petone. It is a scintillating, modern comedy romance with Australia's new screen "find," lovely Shirley Ann Richards, as Kellaway's screen daughter, Pat. Brilliantly enacted, "It Isn't Done" is the brightest and breeziest of entertainment. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. A musical melange ranging from modern swing tunes to an operatic aria sung by the world-famous diva, Lily Pons, is brilliantly and unobtrusively presented in the melodic comedy, | "That Girl from Paris," in which Miss | Pons is starred with Gene Raymond j and Jack Oakie. The picture opens i tonight at the Grand Theatre,! Petone. The cast includes Herman Bing, Mischa Aver, Frank Jenks, and I Lucille Ball.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Nino Martini, world-famous singing star of radio, opera, and films, comes to the Tivoli Theatre tonight in Pick-ford-Lasky's sparkling romance, "The Gay Desperado." Ida Lupino and Leo Ca.illo are featured in support of the handsome tenor. The second offering of the newly-formed Mary Pickford and Jesse L. Lasky producing combination, "The Gay Desperado" completely discards the conventional plot formula for films starring famous singers and tells a fast-moving romantic story ot a gay. and glamorous Mexican bandido who sings his way out of a succession of difficulties, saving his life and winning the girl by the magic of his voice. In addition to the original songs written for Martini, there are several °Peratic solos and a number of Mexican foU songs. A thoroughly delightful and hilarious comedy of married life, Paramount's "Wives Never Know," wnicn will also be shown, stars Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. It is a story of a happily-wedded pair whose romance goes on the rocks when they take the advice of suave Adolphe Menjou, cast as a novelist who believes himself too wise to get married, but is free enough with his wild-eyed theories on what constitutes happiness in marriage. RIVOLI THEATRE. Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer are co-stars of David O. Selzmck s Technicolour production of "The Garden of Allah," the main feature at the Rivoli Theatre. The famous Robert Hichens love story presents Miss Dietrich and Boyer in their greatest roles as Domini Enfilden and Boris Androvsky, a woman and a man from widelyseparated worlds who fled to the Algerian desert to find a new life and were swept into one of the strangest and most beautiful romances ever brought to the screen. Basil Rathbone. C. Aubrey Smith, Tilly Losch, and Joseph Schildkraut are featured in the supporting cast of this Selznick International picture. An unusual murder plot is unfolded in the supporting picture, "Fugitive in the Sky." The vie-1 tim is a pasesnger on a speeding aeroplane, and the killing takes place far above the clouds in the presence of.a G-man who is pursuing a woman criminal whom he believes to be on board. Besides the stars, Jean Muir and Warren Hull, the cast includes Gordon Oliver, Carlyle Moore, jun., Howard Phillips, Winifred Shaw, Mary Treen, John Litel, Gordon Hart, Gordon Elliott, and Nedda Harrigan. NEW OPERA HOUSE. "Land Beyond the Law," a story of New Mexico in the days of the pioneers, heads the programme at the New Opera House. It is a vigorous Western film, easily the best in which Warner Bros, have starred their singing cowboy, Dick Foran. There is plenty of action, tense situations in which primitive passions are unleashed, tender scenes in which Linda Perry plays opposite Foran, and catchy music which is in keeping with the story. Foran portrays the part of a harum-scarum youngster who joins up with the forces of law and order, becomes a sheriff, and sets himself against the killers and cattle thieves who infest New Mexico. "Midnight Court," a melodrama whose characters are introduced to the audience at a novel police tribunal, Will be the associate feature, with the 'popular Ann Dvorak in the starring role. It is typical of those timely, out-of-the-headlines pictures which Warner Bros, turn out so well. John Litel, an excellent actor who recently left Broadway for Hollywood, has the featured male role. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The love story which changed the destiny of an empire, with the screen's new romantic sensation, handsome Tyrone Power and beautiful Madeleine Carroll, is told with stirring beauty against a magnificent setting in the 20th Century-Fox triumph, "Lloyds of London," which heads the double-feature programme now showing at Our Theatre. Starring Freddie Bartholomew and Madeleine Carroll, the film also features Sir Guy Standing and C. Aubrey Smith. Merrily : rolling along on a vacation on wheels, the happy, scrappy Jones Family fill the wide open spaces with fun and hilarity in their latest hit, "Back to'-Nature," Which is the second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE, RHRAMAR. What happens when a girl who has full intentions of marrying a millionaire discovers she is in love with a supposedly penniless young man forms the theme of "Smartest Girl in Town," a romantic comedy starring Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern, which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. "Sally of the Regiment," the other feature, has not only spectacle, but thrilling action, tense drama, comedy, and laughable situations. Wallace Ford is starred in the role of a Bowery tough fleeing from murder suspicion in New York who joins the British Army, and falls in love with the sergeantmajor's daughter. THE THESPIANS. A strong cast, clever stage and lighting effects, and a general production fully up to the society's usual standard promise to make an outstanding success of the Thespian production of J. J. Far j eon's masterpiece among thrillers, "No. 17," which opens a season of four nights in the Town Hall Concert Chamber next Wednesday. The play takes place in and about a deserted house in London d uring a thick fog; mysterious noises, corpses which disappear, and numerous sinister figures combine to terrify Ben, the poor little cockney tramp who takes shelter in "No. 17." Throughout the play the pathos and humour of Ben provide a relief to the plot and counter-plot as thieves fall out. A strong cast is engaged in the production, which is being produced by Evan Harrowell, with Victor S. Lloyd as advisory director, and several well-known and popular players will be seen in the show. The cast is as follows: —H. A. Painter, H. Norman Hannah, Selwyn Toogood, Ola Neilson, Constance Bradstock, Eric Evan-Young, W. M. Willis, George Aldridge, L. M. Schneideman. The stage manager is Myles F. E. Wright, tha prompter Susie Painter, the property mistresses Isobel Burton and Peggy Lucas, and W. Sutherland has charge of the special effects. The box plan opens at Begg's, Manners Street, on Monday, and early booking is advised. GLADYS MONCRIEFF'S TOUR. Miss Gladys Moncrieff and a powerful supporting company of well-known and popular musical comedy and comic opera artists are to tour New Zealand in a series of musical plays in which the famous soprano has achieved her best successes, including "The Merry Widow," "The Maid of the Mountains," and "A Southern Maid." The reception accorded to Miss Moncrieff on her Reappearance in Auckland in Franz Lehar's glorious operetta was the most enthusiastic ever known in the Williamson theatre there, and record audiences are attending every performance. It is said that Miss Moncrieff is singing better at present than she has ever sung before. The Auckland season will terminate on June 12, and the company will then present "The Merry Widow" and "The Maid of the Mountains" in the following places: —Hamilton, on Monday and Tuesday, June 14 and 15; New Plymouth, on June 16 and 17; Wanganui, on June 18 and 19; Palmerston North, on June 21 and 22; Hastings, on June 23 and 24; and "The Merry Widow" will be produced at Mastertqn on Friday, June 25. Miss Moncrieff will make her reappearance in Wellington in "The Merry Widow" on Saturday, June 26. The company includes Cecil Kellaway, Don Nicol, Eric Bush, Arthur Clarke, Isobelle Cue, Leslie Crane, Carmen Mascagny, Cecil Pawley, Gerald Connolly, Leslie Donaghey, Peter Dawson, Geoff Colledge, and other well-known artists. Each opera will be staged with new and elaborate scenery, dresses, and effects. Box plans for the Wellington season will be opened on Wednesday, June 23. "MERRIE ENGLAND." The Circassians are to give two performances of the late Sir Edward German's opera "Merrie England" in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on I Wednesday and Thursday, June 16 and 117. A different cast of principals will jbe used each evening. Mr. Thomas I Wood will conduct and the accompani- ! ments will be, played . on two pianos jby Miss Barbara Bannister and Miss I Iris Mason. The box plan opens at Begg's on Monday next-

DE LUXE THEATRE. Two feature pictures, of an entirely different character, together with one of the most ama2ing newsreels ever filmed, form the programme which ;s now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. The first feature is an unusual drama of a criminal's transformation after a miracle of modern • surgery, and the theme has something of the Jekyll and Hyde motif in the background. This is no ordinary film of gangsters, with the usual round of bank smashes, machine-guns, and sudden death, but a story of a man's struggle against disgrace and dishonour. Ralph Bellamy carries out a dual role with complete understanding, portraying first , the crime-hardened thug, and then the new-man, with a new outlook on life, arisen from the operating table. Supporting players include Marian Marsh and Isabel Jewel. In lighter vein, with a certain amount of tuneful melody is "When Love is Young," the picture featuring in a new role the talented Virginia Bruce. Miss Bruce emerges not only as a first-ciass actress but as a singer of considerable merit. The theme is simple, but the acting ot the principals and the tuneful staged numbers give the picture character and variety. A short feature which must be acknowledged one of the most sensational news films ever screened shows in tragic detail the burning of the gigantic Zeppelin Hindenburg. lne monstrous dirigible is seen falling from the sky, with flames bursting from her frame, until she sinks to the ground, to lie a twisted mass of melting metalwork and flaming oil and fabric. ROXY THEATRE. With the theft of the world-famous "Mona Bell" of Rembrandt as its motivating theme, "Woman in Distress,' a fast-paced comedy-melodrama featuring May Robson, Irene Hervey, and Dean Jagger. is screening at the Roxy Theatre. The daring robbery of the Rembrandt painting from the modern Maine home of Miss Hobson sets in motion a series of exciting escapades which culminate in a hairraising climax. Joseph Schmidt is starred in "A Star . Fell .From Heaven," the supporting picture. This is a romantic musical comedy, a scintillating satire on the eccentricities of filmland, set in a Continental atmosphere and decorated with a delightful musical score, magnificently rendered by the famous "pocket tenor." SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Ben Travers, that prince of ultramodern comedy authors, wrote "DisHonour Bright," showing at the Seaside Theatre tonight, specially for Tom Walls and the result is the most scandalously funny film the popular star has made, even eclipsing the unforgettable "Rookery Nook." "Suzy, the other attraction, tells an electrifying story of an American chorus girl stranded in London at the outbreak of the World War and caught in the web of wartime espionage. Jean Harlow is starred, and has two of the screen's most popular leading men in Franchot Tone and Cary Grant.