CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. | "Elephant Boy," Robert Flaherty's j jungle film based on the Kipling story, "Toomai of the Elephants," commences today at the Regent. Theatre. This ~tory of little Toomai and his companion, the great elephant Kala Nag, has been for many years one of the popular yarns in "The Jungle Boo?;" of which more than half a iTiillion copies have been sold in Great Britain and the Dominions since it was first published in.,1894. The film was nearly three years in the making, two of which were spent on location in far-away Mysore, where Flaherty and his cameraman, Osmond Borrodaile, toiled daily beneath a broiling sun to bring Kipling's story to life.. The stars of the picture are the Maharajah of Mysore's Iravatha, the biggest elephant in Southern India, and Sabu. the little Indian boy, son of one of the Maharajah's mahouts and an elephant boy in real life. These two, both natural actors of remarkable ability, are mainly responsible for the .unfolding of Kipling's story. Supporting them are Walter Hudd as a white hunter, W. E. Holloway. Alan Jeayes, Bruce Gordon, 'D. J. Williams, and Hyde White. | MAJESTIC THEATRE. There is the usual mixture of pathos and broad humour in Gracie Fields's latest picture, "The Show Goes On,' and Gracie once more delights with her inimitable rendering of songs and her Lancashire dialogue. "The Show Goes On" which will be screened for a further week at the Majestic Majestic Theatre, is the story of a girl who wants her name in lights and is in love as well. The cast is a large one, and all the parts are well played. First, Gracie meets a composer who, seeing that she has talent, 'irranges a tour for her. Her ambitions begin to take shape. Then come unhappy events, and she Is once more back where she started. But things brighten, and after many troubles Gracie wins through. Included in the cast are Owen Nares, who gives a restrained and dignified impersonation of Martin Fraser, the composer, who helps Gracie, Arthur Sinclair, and John Stuart. Of particular interest to New Zealanders is the appearance of Cyril Ritchard as "Jimmy, Gracie's accompanist, friend, and adviser. Cyril Ritchard will be remembered for his performances with Madge Elliot in productions here. In the supporting programme are several interesting newsreels and a Pete bmitn Oddity. ST. JAMES THEATRE. A story of typical American smalltown life is revealed in the picture "A Family Affair," which opens at St James Theatre today. With Lionel Barrymore and many of the cast which appeared in "Ah, Wilderness!" the new film draws a poignant picture of the tragedy and comedy that mingle in the average home m any small town. The cast includes Cecilia Parker and Eric Linden, who portray the young romance, with Mickey Rooney, Charley Grapewin, Spring Byington, Julie Haydon, and Sara Haden. Barrymore. whoso ability to play character roles has made him America's foremost star m that held, enacts the part of a country Judge in a typical small town. Trouble descends upon the family, as it does in read.life, not singly, but in squadrons.. First, an elder married daughter indiscreetly brings the shadow of shame upon the house. The younger daughter quarrels with her fiance and when the old Judge makes a Court decision against a project, which his fellow-citizens want, the chaos is pretty complete. It is then that Barrymore, as the courageous justice, sets out to battle for his family love and the restoration of the esteem in which his townspeople once held him. He averts divorce and settles the domestic difficulties of the older daughter, then proves to the town that his decision prevented what would unquestionably have been disaster. NEW PARAMOUNT. This week's programme at the New Paramount Theatre is headed by First National's powerful melodrama, Once a Doctor." featuring Jean Muir and Donald Woods. This film graphically portrays the vindication of a conscientious but misjudged young doctor, a part played with rare understanding by Donald Woods, who will be remembered for his performances in "Anthony Adverse" and in "As the Earth Turns' with Miss Muir. The climax of "Once a Doctor" is the transfer from a tramp steamer to a gorgeous yacht, m midocean at the height of a terrific storm. of" the young and persecuted surgeon I so that'he may perform an operation Ihat saves the life of his benefactor. These scenes are thrilling in the extreme. "Don't meddle in your husband's business affairs" is the moral of Paramounfs "Mind Your Own Business," the hilarious comedy with Charlie Ruggles and Alice Brady, which is the supporting feature. The film demonstrates in madcap manner what is likely to happen if one does. Miss Brady wasn't satisfied with the way in which Ruggles was progressing in business so he went out to help him. The results: he became the most notorious person in town, a radio personality of note and—the object of gangland's vengeance. KING'S THEATRE. "Seventh Heaven," Austin Strong's immortal love story, heads the bill at the King's Theatre. Simone Simon and James Stewart have the leading roles. For the background of "Seventh Heaven," Twentieth Century-Fox has recreated a vivid and picturesque Montmarf.re, set in the turbulent days of 191.4. In the huge, subterranean. Paris sewer, Chico spends his working days. Chico saves the .waif, Diane, from a beating, and also from gendarmes who would arrest her. To do this he has to pose as Diane's husband, and the gendarmes announce that they will check up on him. Forced to live up to his story, Chico takes Diane to his garret, where the vista of the stars at night makes him forget the day-long toil in the dank sewer. When war breaks out, and Chico is called to the army, he realises that lie is in love with the waif he befriended, and pledges to return to her in spirit at eleven o'clock every day. Despite news of Chico's death, Diane continues to keep her tryst, a faith that leads to a scene of great emotion. How the Canadian Pacific Railway was constructed, in the early eighties,is pictured in "The Great Barrier," new Gaumont-British adventure drama with a background of husky pioneering thrills, which is the second attraction. A special unit, including the director, Milton Rosmer, and the leading actors. Lilli Palmer, Antoinette Cellier, and Barry Mackay, with the star, Richard Arlen, went on location to the Canadian Rockies for outdoor sequences. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. •Dreaming Lips" and "College Holiday" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. For the first time, three of the most famous boys in motion pictures are teamed in the same screen story. They are Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper, and Mickey Rooney. The new picture, "The Devil is a Sissy," based upon an original story by Rowland Brown, opens tomorrow. "The Devil is a Sissy" is the story of three boys who become inseparable pals and, strangely enough, features three hoys -utbo are boon companions in real life. ~"Z'7X. iff those intensely human and altogether believable movie stories is "The Great O'Malley," with Pnt O'Brien ..tnd Humphrey Bogart in the stellar roles, the second attraction. In the supporting enst are Ann Sheridan. Frieda Ine.scort. Donald Crisp, liKle Sybil Jason. Henry O'Neill, and others. "Tin; Great O'Miilley" is a tale of conflict between Pat O'Brien, r, hard-boiled t.op. snd Bogarl, !he toughest bad man of the screen.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

I PLAZA THEATRE. The romance of a thrilling threesome whose escapades sell extras, with hand-1 •some Tyrone Power outromancing his "Lloyd's of London" role, lovely Loretta Young bringing her fresh charm to a portrayal that is enchantingy different, and Don Ameche creating a dashing new screen characterisation, provides hilarious excitement in "Love is News,' which commences at IKe Plaza Theatre today. With Loretta in the role of a beautiful heiress heckled and pestered by sensation-seeking newspapers, an enjoyable pace is set at once when she vows vengeance against Tyrone Power, a reporter, who has just tricked her again into the headlines, without, however, reckoning with his dynamic, hard-driving managing editor, Don Ameche. To give Tyrone a dose oi his own medicine, Loretta determines to make him a public figure, and not only announces her engagement to him, but also states that she has presented him with a million dollars. Loretta s revenge works itself up to a bewildering and amusing climax in which the tables are suddenly turned and the pair find themselves, as the newspapers had so often repeated, really "that way about each other. | DE LUXE THZA'Tr.S. The saga of a woman who battled a whole nation by the side of the man she loved is depicted in a series oi sharp, telling strokes in "You Only Live Once," starring Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda, which opens at the ue Luxe Theatre today. Unjustly convicted of a bank robbery in which several people are killed, Eddie (Henry Fonda) is condemned to die in the electric chair. He makes a savage fight for his life and the young wife sticks by him while he is hounded across the country like a hunted animal. Prominently featured in the supporting cast are Barton Mac Lane, who plays the sympathetic role of Stephen Whitney, public defender, who employs Joan and aids Eddie, though he is his rival for Joan's affections; Jean Dixon, who plays Joan's sister; William-Gar-gan, who is seen as the prison chaplain, an£ the late Charles "Chic" Sale, who makes his last film appearance. There's a laugh a minute in Columbia's rollicking new screen comedy, "Let's Get Married," the associate feature. It is one of the funniest and most original comedies screened and it is gaily flavoured with a riotous romance and sharply spiced with undertones of drama. Ida Lupino, Ralph Bellamy, and Walter Connolly have the three top roles. The story hinges on the romance of Miss Lupino, daughter of a politician, Walter Connolly, and Ralph Bellamy, the official Government weather forecaster. Reg Maddams will play special request numbers on the Wurlitzer organ nightly. STATE THEATRE. "Bulldog Drummond," one of the most popular detectives of fiction and the screen, has only eight hours in which to solve a series of crimes which grip London in his latest adventure, "Bulldog Drummond Escapes," the light-hearted thriller which commences today at the State Theatre. The role of the dashing young sleuth and sol-dier-of-fortune is handled by Ray Milland, the handsome young Englishman who soared to popularity as leading man in "The Biff Broadcast of 1937." He.is supported by Sir Guy Standing, as Inspector Nielson, of Scotland Yard, his rival in the crime ferreting business; Reginald Denny as "Algy," his pal and assistant; Heather Angel as the girl in the case, and Porter Hall—as the villain, .of course. The latest Drummond adventure begins shortly after his arrival in London, by aeroplane. Landing in deep fog at Croydon Field, he soon finds himself confronted with the most baffling crime of his career. His car is stolen from him by a beautiful woman when he stops to investigate a scream on the moor. The first thing he must find out is the identity of the mysterious beauty. When he does, he finds himself with two murders, a kidnapping, and a counterfeit ring to contend with. And, as usual, Inspector Neilson is no help. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. A brilliantly written, superbly acted, delightfully directed romantic comedy, Columbia's "Theodora Goes Wild, is now showing at the Princess Theatre. "Theodora Goes Wild" is screen entertainment which combines delightful nonsense with a plausible story, scintillating performances by Irene Dunne, Melvyn Douglas, and a large supporting cast. The activities of a self-appointed cupid. in the person of a romantic highschool girl who believes it her duty to find a wife for her widowed father, i furnishes the comedy situations in "Make Way for a Lady," which is the associate feature, with Herbert Marshall and Anne Shirley co-starred. Outstanding among the featurettes is The Merry Mutineers," a beautiful colour cartoon. CAPITOL THEATRE. Dainty Deanna Durbin, brilliant and altogether charming personality, is featured in "Three Smart Girls," now showing at the Capitol Theatre. The plot is entirely new, and of a type which has an instant appeal. The vibrant personality and charming soprano voice stamp the film as qne well out of the ordinary. She is well supported by Binnie Barnes, who has been a star of first magnitude for some years, Alice Brady, Ray Milland, Charles Winninger (of "Show Boat" fame), and Mischa Aver, who is rising to stardom as a character and comedy actor. Fearlessly revealing the relentless go-getter methods of Fleet Street's "Murder Gang, a pack of "ace" crime reporters, headed by "Lone' Wolf" Heaton, stop at nothing to get exclusive "behind-the-scenes" stories to splash sensationally across their front pages, in "Sensation, the associate feature. A special children's party is to commence at' 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. The programme will comprise comedies, cartoons, a musical, and episode six of the serial. , STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Craig's Wife" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. Grace Moore and Cary Grant in "When You're in Love" open tomorrow. Miss Moore is glamorous as the beautiful girl who bought herself a husband in a Mexican gaol, wooed him with beautiful melodies . . . and won him in a carousing climax. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. ■ "Brown on Resolution" and "Don't Tell the Wife" will.be shown finally tonight at the Palace Theatre. "Hopalong Cassidy" fights a lone battle in Paramount's "Borderland," his latest screen adventure, which begins tomorrow. William Boyd rides the border alone to capture a notorious bandit. The success of a plan to trick the outlaw depends upon secrecy, and Cassidy, as an under-coyer man for the Texas Rangers, is unable to tell his pals about it. At one turn of the game he is forced to battle his bewildered saddle-mates. A jewel robbery, an excellent mystery story, and gay music are contained in Paramount's "Hideaway Girl," the associate feature. GRAND THEATRE. PETONE. "Sensation" and "Two-fisted Gentleman" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. George Arliss in "His Lordship" 'commences tomorrow. Rene Ray and Romilly Lunge head the supporting cast; The story deals with the efforts of two Englishmen, who were mixed up in an affair in the Near East, to prevent the brother of one of them, Lord Duncaster, British Foreign Secretary, from plunging Britain into wur with the Eastern Power. With the theft of the world-famous "Mona Bella" of Rembrandt as its motivating theme, Columbia's "Woman in Distress," a fast-paced comedy-mclodroiiin featuring May Rqbson. Irene Horvcy, ;md Derm Jaggcr, i.s the second big fcaluro.

ITVOLI THEATRE. In far too few pictures has the world's greatest negro actor and singer, Paul Robeson, appeared. His latest starring vehicle can truly be said to be his greatest—the British Lion-Ham-mer triumph, "Song of Freedom," | which is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The mighty drama of three continents gives Paul Robeson a unique opportunity of portraying ! his histrionic abilities on a scale never before seen in motion-picture entertainment. A galaxy of stars supports the great actor-singer, in- | eluding Elisabeth Welch, Esme Percy, Joan Fred Emney. Ronald Simpson, and Jenny Dean, as well as hundreds of black, and white extras. Paul Robeson sings four new songs in this picture, which were specially written for him by Eric Ansell. They are "Lonely Road," "Song of Freedom," "Sleepy River," and "Stepping Stones." The piquant tale of a beautiful, temperamental heiress who knew what, or rather whom, she wanted, but wouldn't admit it, and an ingenious an-d personable college boy whose very impudence broke the barrier she set up, is told in R.K.0.-Radio's mad comedy, "Walking On Air," with Raymond in the title role and Ann Sothern as an heiress, which is the second attraction. RIVOLI THEATRE. Merle Oberon and Brian Alierne present Hollywood's newest romantic team in Samuel Goldwyn's production "Beloved Enemy," a vivid drama of love under fire, which is now showing at the Rivoli Theatre. The story casts Brian and Merle as a man and woman from two warring worlds who fall madly in love and follows their romance, carried on under fire, with both risking their lives to snatch a few hours together. Against shifting backgrounds the story proceeds to a thrilling climax. Karen Morley, Henry Stephenson, Jerome Cowan, and David Niven are featured in the supporting cast, which includes Donald Crisp, Ra Hould, the New Zealand child actor, Jack Mulhall, Pat O'Malley, David Torrence, Wyndham Standing, and Theodore yon Eltz. "Beloved Enemy" was directed by H. C. Potter from '& screenplay by John Balderston, Rose Franken, and William Brown Meloney, with additional dialogue by David Hertz. It is released through United Artists. The associate feature is "Polo Joe," starring Joe E. Brown. ■ GALSWORTHY'S "ESCAPE." A producer's success, and also an acting success, the Repertory Society's performance of Galsworthy's "Escape" pursues its ,season (which lasts the week) at the Concert Chamber. Mr. R. E. Pope's capable interpretation of the central character (the uncriminal criminal Captain Matt Devant) serves as a connecting link uniting the various episodes. All sorts of people, in their goings and comings, cross the trail of the fugitive; and the audience is thus given a chance to judge these various people in terms of the escapee, and to judge him in terms of them. The net result is a picture of "blind justice" which last night's audience, like its predecessors, found to be interesting. Human nature, which used to love to see the handcuffs at last get on to the wr ls of the villain in old-time melodrama, can just as easily be won by a dramatist to the cause of the fugitive. Besides, Mr. Pope, Miss Pauline Shotlander, Miss Irene Spidy, Mr. H. Painter, Mr. Arthur Heany, Mr. L. F. de Berry, and others contribute to the Repertory Society's success. "Escape" can be seen tonight and tomorrow night at the Concert Chamber. REX THEATRE. The fate of a pretty chorine, accused of murdering her husband, dangles by the slender thread of a sole woman's conviction that she should not hang in "We're on the Jury," co-starring Victor Moore,and Helen Broderick. which is now showing at the Rex Theatre. The comedians are supported by a strong cast. "Crash Donovan," which is the associate feature, is a fastmoving drama filled with intense excitement. Jack Holt portrays a motorcycle officer who has to face unusual dangers in performing his task. The part of the hard-boiled "cop" fits him splendidly. Nan Gray, winsome _in the leading feminine role, is delightfully provocative as the girl who is loved by- two different cycle patrolmen. SHORTT'S THEATEE. The stories behind the gripping headlines of today's newspapers; the icy hauteur and snobbery of society s elite; the menace of the underworld—these things create the dramatic situations of the enthralling Fox picture. "My Marriage," which is now showing at Shortt's Theatre. With Claire Trevor in the leading role, it tells of a girl who silently endured the ostracism and persecution of society because of the strange death of her father, but who uncovered secrets to ■win; back the love of the man she loved. Kent Taylor plays opposite Miss Trevor. Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, and Robertson Hare are .seen in "Pot Luck," the second attraction. It is an irresponsible story of a retired Scotland Yard detective who endeavours to recover a valuable stolen vase. ROXY THEATRE. Exciting riding, bucking urouchos, trick roping, and beautiful photography make a perfect background for "Rainbow's End," Hoot Gibson's second starring picture for Film Distributors, which is now showing at the Roxy Theatre. It is a tale of clash of personalities and ambitions between father and son, with the father ably portrayed by Oscar Apfel, being shown the error of his ways by Hoot, which is quite a reversal of the usual father and son conflict. In "Mary Burns, Fugitive,' the supporting picture, Sylvia Sidney is seen as a girl hunted by the law, a victim oi circumstantial evidence. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The'M.G.M. version of one of P. G. Wodehouse's most popular novels, "Piccadilly Jim," retaining all of the bright and entertaining humour of the original, is showing at Our Theatre. Robert Montgomery appears in the title role, and a stellar supporting cast includes Frank Morgan, Madge Evans, and Billie Burke. It is the story of a young American caricaturist in London who plunges into romantic difficulties by unknowingly burlesquing m a comic strip the family of the girl with whom he is in love. Plow an American "small-time racketeer" reacts to the refining influence of British Army discipline provides the comedy highlights in "Sally of the Regiment,'1 the second attraction. SEASSDE THEATRE, LYAIX BAY. Pursuing its policy of presenting outstanding photoplays of past seasons, the Seaside Theatre tonight presents two Met.ro-Goldwyn productions—"Evelyn Prentice," co-starring the popular favourites, William Powell and Myrna Loy, and "Mystery of Mr. X," with Robert Montgomery in the title role. "Evelyn Prentice" presents William Powell and Miss Loy as man and wife in the grip of a trick of fate from which they emerge in an amazing surprise denouement. Robert Montgomery has the featured role of Revel, gentleman crook, in "Mystery of Mr. X." Tomorrow's features at both matinee and evening performances will be "Three Smart Girls" and "Sea Devils." REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Anthony Adverse," starring Fredric March and Olivia de Havilland, is now showing at the Regal Theatre. The picture follows the romantic adventures of Anthony Adverse through five countries, across the seas, and over three continents. For mammoth sets, for colourful and picturesque backgrounds, for dynamic action, for the unusual characterisation of its tremendous cast from Fredric March, the star, down to the smallest bit, player, for the glamour of its romance, its human interest, and sheer, unadulterated entertainment, tliis picture is unsurpassed. .11 has a tremendous cast, with 98 speaking parts and 2500 players and extras. Jeeves, that hilarious fictional chnrncicr from the pen of P. G. Wodchousc, makes his advent on the screen in "Thank You, Jccvc:;," the second attraction.

NEW OPERA HOUSE. What the balmy breath of spring's i first day does to slumbering hearts is] the theme of the comedy-drama, "Call It a Day," a Warner Bros, production which, after attracting largo audiences to the Regent Theatre, is to continue! its season at the New Opera House. The subject is appealing. As a play it ran for two years in London, then for more than a year in New York. But with the broader sweep of the camera it is even better as a picture than it was behind the footlights. Big good-looking lan Hunter plays the part of a well-to-do Englishman. His wii'e is Frieda Inoscourt. noted London and Broadway actress. The story shows how they have been married for twenty years and are pretty much in a rut. Then there is the daughter of eighteen or thereabouts, the lovely Olivia dc Havilland, and another of fifteen. Bonita Granville, the nasty little girl of "These Three." Peter Wiles, a Britisher, plays the son. It is a wellsettled and unemotional household, but spring works its magic. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "His Brother's Wife," produced by j Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, brings Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor to the screen in a spectacular romance, now showing at the Empire Theatre. Jean Hersholt is featured as a veteran explorer and adventurer'in the far and dangerous places of the tropical jungle. Joseph Calleia scores in another of his suave bad-man roles. The daring story of a young scientist who ventures into the jungle to find the cure for a dread malady and returns to the realisation that the woman he loves is his brother's wife, provides a dramatic vehicle for these distinguished stars. The second attraction, "It's in the Air," starring Jack Benny, Ted Healy, and Una Merkel, is a roat of fun. McCREADI" V. "KING KONG" COX. The Wellington Wrestling Association will provide one of the highlights of the wrestling season at the Town Hall on Monday night when "King Kong" Cox, who in his last Wellington bout gave a sensational performance against Jack Forsgren, will meet Earl McCready, recognised as probably the foremost wrestler in New Zealand at the present time. This match is one that has aroused considerable interest for various reasons. In the first place it is realised that Cox is a tough wrestler who is likely to trouble the best men in the game, and who therefore must be matched with McCready to give New Zealanders a chance of judging just how good he is. Also, Cox has demonstrated a penchant towards unruly tactics and the public will want to see whether he can exploit them to any extent against McCready. If he does then there is a good chance that he will receive more in return than he is looking for. McCready showed against Little Wolf that he knows how to r»s his elbows and forearms, and what is more, is ready and willing to put his knowledge into practice. Cox's popularity is such that the halls in which he has appeared have generally been too small to hold the crowds who have wanted' to see him. He has been doing very much as he likes in the ring so far, but it is doubtful whether he will be able to call the tune against McCready. In any case, there will be plenty of excitement while the issue is being decided. There will be amateur preliminaries.