CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 96, 20 October 1937, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Some months ago a British troopship, homeward bound with a regiment after the latter had served five years in India, received notification that the regiment was to proceed at once to the Near East, after a stay of six hours at Southampton. That is history now. It also is the subject and plot of the latest English picture, "Farewell Again," now at the Regent Theatre. One can imagine the jubilation of the men of a regiment who have been absent from sweethearts, wives, and families for five years, and who are only a day or so away from England again. The picture shows the scene on the big troopship "Somersetshire." on the last stage homeward bound from India. Singing and broad jocularity in the men's quarters, optimism where the wives and families of the officers, who have stayed with their men in the rigours of foreign service, dream again of England and home. Then comes the order for a short stay and a quick return to foreign duty. A fine cast of players includes Leslie Banks, Flora Robson, and Sebastian Shaw. The first half of the programme consists in the main of Walt Disney's five Academy Award winning cartoons, "Flowers and Trees," "Three Little Pigs," "The Tortoise, and the Hare." "Three Orbhan Kittens," and "The Country Cousin." ST. JAMES THEATRE. Bright, breezy comedy from start to finish interspersed with dashes of hilarious humour, make. '"Love In a Bungalow," now at St. James Theatre, one of the most appealing comedies of the year. Nan Grey, of "Three Smart Girls" fame, and Robert Kent have the leading roles, and they make a very interesting and wellmatched pair. The story centres about Mary Callahan (Nan Grey), who is a hostess at a model home and her dismay on arriving there one morning to find lying on her bed Jeffi Langan (Robert Kent). Her anger soon changes to affection and while listening to the radio one evening the pair hear the details of a special competition, "Who are the happiest married couple?" For the sake of something better to do, they enter and much to their surprise they are awarded the first prize of 5000 dollars. Their real difficulties arise when the person offering the prize wishes to deliver it personally and also to see their two charming babies. What with a pair of hired babies, mentioned in the letter as twins, but obviously with about three years difference in age, and trying to keep up all the appearances of a married couple, the picture rushes forward to a screamingly funny climax. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The race-track with its adventure and uncertainties makes a thrilling background for "Saratoga," featuring Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Returning from Europe, Carol Clayton (Jean Harlow) announces her engagement to a wealthy American. Her father is delighted, expressing to Duke Bradley (Clark Gable) his satisfaction that his daughter will be away from the environment of the race-track. While ■watching an exciting race shortly after this the owner collapses and dies after a heart attack. His daughter Carol takes the stud farm iq hand, but finds herself out-manoeuvred at every turn by Bradley, who is, trying to turn the tables on Carol's rich fiance on the score of an old gambling loss. Events develop into a thrilling climax when Bradley risks everything in a fabulous wager with Carol's fiance. Thinking to defeat him once and for all, the girl arranges to "switch' 'jockeys. Bradley discovers . the trick, but can do -nothing, and the race is ,run amid scenes of tense excitement. NEW OPERA HOUSE. A double-feature programme, "The Case of the Black Cat" and "That Man's Here Again," is now showing at the New Opera House. "The Case of the . Black Cat"—an inept title, by the way, because the cat is piebald—deals with the mystery and excitement surrounding the supposed 'death of Peter Later, an eccentric millionaire who changes his will at the last minute. His caretaker, Ashton, and his nurse. Miss DeVoe, both die by violence in the resulting intrigue. Though not as thrilling as the title would suggest, the film reintroduces Ricardo Cortez as Perry Mason, the inquiring attorney, who unravels the mystery.. And he is ably supported by June Travis. The other film features the attractive Mary Maguire, the Australian star, in a rather well-acted sentimental piece about a boy and a girl, a slightly idiotic elderly sympathiser, and a baby. Hugh Herbert wins honours for some good fooling, and Mary Maguire shows talent and promise. Good supports complete the programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Those who remember the picturisatlon of Erich Remarque's "All Quiet On the Western Front" will find his "The Road Back," which has been transferred to the Paramount Theatre, equally thought provoking. "The Road Back" is a sequel. Soldiers - return to find a chaotic post-war Germany—a Germany split by internal faction and strife. The Kaiser has fled, and there is an effort to rid the country of those military despots •who the average citizen believes were responsible for the war. The soldiers find it impossible to pick up the threads of their civilian life where they had laid them down four years before. They are twisted mentally. The process of 'adjustment is difficult. . They find fickle sweethearts and : sweethearts who, cannot understand. : Life is still cheap. Food riots see men, ; who had stood shoulder to shoulder in 1 the trenches, shot down* by their former superior officers. The picture is well treated and it is well acted. John King, Richard Cromwell, "Slim" Summerville, and Andy Devine portray the i chief characters. There is an excellent supporting programme. "Mutiny on the Bounty" returns to the Paramount on Friday. SHORTT'S THEATRE. t Charlie Chan encounters the Strang- j est 1 and most baffling case of his ' career as he combats the deadly < machinations of a ruthless killer 1 in i "Charlie Chan at the Race Track," 1 now at Shortt's Theatre. Murder 1 with a-phantom horseshoe, an infra- i ray that hurls unseen death, and a poison foam that bubbles venomously are but a few of the macabre means of murder that Chan deals with as he races neck-and-neck. half-way round 1 the: world, with an Invisible killer. ] Warner Olahd once again plays ; Charlie Chan, with Keye Luke, Helen ( Wood, Thomas Beck, and Gavin Muir | also featured in the cast The associ- , ate feature is "Everything is Thunder," T starring Constance Bennett and Doug- j las Montgomery. , CAPITOL THEATRE. j "Sinner Take All," now at the ] Capitol Theatre, is crammed with ex- ] citing episodes. Based on a novel by £ Whitman, Bruce Cabot plays his first < leading man role after a succession of £ "heavy" characterisations and proves himself an admirable selection for the part. Margaret Lindsay as the heroine" is as talented an actress as she is lovely to look at. Joseph Calleia , is in one of his superb villain charac- n terisations. Bobby entered a girls' < school in search of a missing ( legacy. What happens when Bobby j "walks in his sleep" into the girls' t dormitory looking for a bust of < Napoleon, in which the legacy is , supposed to be hidden; when he sings the male part in the school pageant ( song; when he dances the historical v (hysterical) dance with .Vera Pearce; s and when he presents the school prizes j is indescribably funny. "Please, c •Teacher," the second feature, is without i iMlonbt a scream. i

r CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES H

PLAZA THEATRE. Now in its sixth triumphant week, ; "Wings of the Morning," a film which i is different from the usual, is still at- : trading capacity houses to the Plaza Theatre. While the work of the photographers in producing such an outstanding achievement in technicolour is e-.tremely good and the acting of all players worth the highest praise, it is Annabella, the new and charming French star, who steals the show. Her roles, first as a nineteenth-century gipsy princess, then as a Spanish duchess fleeing in disguise from the civil war, and thirdly as a society girl are superbly taken and contribute largely towards the success of the film. Henry Fonda plays opposite Annabella. and a strong supporting cast includes John MeCormack and Steve Donoghue. The story opens when a gipsy girl marries the Earl of Clontarf and the latter is killed in a riding accident. Modern times finds Annabella, the great-granddaughter of the widowed gipsy, fleeing from war-torn Spain to Ireland, where she can have her horse Wings of the Morning trained for the English Derby. Victory would provide her with a dowry to marry her Spanish fiance, but she falls in love with a young horse trainer and the situation becomes complicated. The supports are of a very high standard. DE LUXE THEATRE. The thrills of ice hockey, which has been called the fastest game in the world, and the comedy of Patsy Kelly and Lyda "ioberti make the bill at the De Luxe Theatre this week wellbalanced and of Dopular appeal. John Wayne appears as the star in "Idol of the Crowds," which reveals the fight of an ice-hockey team to regain its lost prestige and shows the drama and romance that lie behind the flashing skates of the sides battling for a championship crown. The main attraction, however, is the new comedy team of Patsy Kelly and Lyda Robert!, the latter having replaced Thelma Todd. The new team is , probably better than the old; Miss Roberti lacks the concentrated rage which Thelma Todd used to employ against Patsy, but her foreign nationality makes it possible for many, amusing misunderstandings to develop, ana ' her genuine comic gifts make >her a : sort of female Stan Laurel. The film, ■ which deals with the adventures of 1 two' nurses who become amusingly , mixed up with a newspaperman, a , detective, and the baby of a pair of ] famous adagio dancers, is an ingenious i one. j STATE THEATRE j Sparkling with an originality and < freshness of treatment that make it a i , most entertaining musical comedy, i '■ R.K.O.'s "New Faces of 1937," which ( '■ is now screening at the State Theatre, ] 1 has a distinguished cast. Heading the i cast of radio celebrities and vaudeville i and stage favourites, Harriet Hilliard, 1 who is famous as a radio vocalist, is 1 given much opportunity in the film to 1 produce her best talent Other promin- 1 ent members of the cast are Milton I Berle, who makes his debuit, Joe Penner, Parkyakarkus, William Brady, Jerome Cowan, and Thelma Leeds. The story hinges on the activities of an unscrupulous show producer I who makes a great deal of money by I deliberately showing worthless plays l and making his unsuspecting backers \ pay the huge losses incurred. When ] he is finally exposed one of the men, t he has ruined takes charge and pro- e duces a show that is a dazzling success. ( Several romances are woven into the ( film, the principal one being between a Miss Hilliard and William Brady, a s newcomer with a fine tenor voice. " ■ ' ? KING'S THEATRE. \ Two entertaining comedies of a high ® standard are now being screened at the " King's Theatre. "Wild Money," starring Edward Everett Horton, Lynne Overman, and Louise Campbell, is a newspaper story and is one long collection of exciting, hilarious situations. Hor- c ton as a cautious newspaper auditor, v while on holiday, stumbles on the kid- r nappin'g of the richest man in the , country. His precise and meticulous | bookkeeping methods assert themselves s and he proceeds to buy up all the t material ii the neighbourhood which j might help rival newspapers and he j. takes control of the situation for his c own paper. The climax of the round- „ ing-up of the kidnappers and how Hor- f ton frees himself from the ostracism „ of his associates is a succession of + laughs and thrills. The other film, c Paramount's Mountain Music," in j which Robert Burns and Martha Raye c are co-starred, is the tale of backArkansas country life and depicts the lives of two families who have been fighting a feud for many years. How the wedding between two members c of opposite sides affects the others is shown amid many humorous and " breezy scenes. The supporting programme is excellent. KILBIRNIE KIXEMA. Something of the mess one can get oneself into by not minding one's own business is revealed in the new Paramount comedy "Mind Your Own Business," with Charlie Ruggles and Alice Brady, which is now at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Unassuming Ruggles is perfectly content to mind his own business, which is editing a Nature column for a large newspaper, until his wife, played by Miss. Brady, decides to mind his business for him. The prowess of the T-men against the ruthlessness of the counterfeiters is shown in "Counterfeit," the associate feature. A new angle on thrill-packed entertainment jrashes on to the screen. Headed by a cast including ' Chester Morris, Margot Grahame, Marian Marsh, and Lloyd Nolan, the film is absorbing and exciting. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Marlene Dietrich and Robert Donat, one of the, most glamorous romantic teams in screen history are to be seen at the State Theatre in "Knight Without Armour." The film casts the exotic Marlene as an alluring Russian countess, and Donat is seen as a mysterious modern knight errant whose hatred flares into a flame of protective love as they live through a series of stirring adventures, knowing moments of incomparable horror and bliss as they flee from the countless terrors that threaten to tear them apart. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Wallace Beery, whose human, down to earth characterisations have made him one of the most beloved of screen actors, is starred in Don Marquis's famous comedy, "Good Old Soak," now at the Grand Theatre. A hit as a stage play, packed with good-natured chuckles and a heart-tugging climax, it is the perfect vehicle for Beery. In the supporting cast are Una Merkel, Eric Linden, Judith Barrett, Betty Furness, Ted Healy, Janet Beecher, George Sidney, Robert McWade, James Bush, and Margaret Hamilton. An outstanding supporting programme, including an Our Gang" comedy, will also be shown. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. _ rn ,? s Dunn is seen in "Come Closer, Folks, now showing at the Palace rheatre. Lo >ly Marian Marsh, Wynne Gibson, Herman Bing, George McKay, bene Lockhart, and others help Dunn in causing plenty of laughs. Alive with Lhe colour and romance of the old South-west, but played against the very up-to-date tactics of a band of modern :attle rustlers, R.K.O. Radio's "Border Cafe," the associate feature, provides .inique entertainment. A love story of i young Easterner and a Mexican girl is woven into a thrilling and adventurous story c" the Texas border, starring Harry Carey and John Beal, with \rmlda.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Conrad Veidt and the beautifu young newcomer, Vivien Leigh, pro vide a strong starring team in Vic tor Saville's first production for Lor don Fims, "Dark Journey," whicl is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre Stockholm during the war year provides the background of th story, a thrilling and romantic tal of counter-espionage. Conrad Veid has a strong dramatic role as a Germai spy who is torn between duty am love. Although a neutral capital Stock holm was a happy hunting ground fo spies of all nations. Baron Karl voi Marwitz, an apparent deserter from th German Navy, seeks peace in the frivo lity of Stockholm's gay life. He fall in love with Madeleine Godard, whosi shop provides a cloak and means -o communication with Paris for her poll tical activities The story is stronj and full of surprising twists. Thrill ing highlights include the encounte: of a Swedish packet-boat with a Ger man U-boat and many other sea battles culminating in a most thrilling anc original climax. Music of an unusua type distinguishes "Banjo on Mj Knee," the second attraction. Th< locale of the story is a shanty-boaters colony on the lower Mississippi, anc the primitive and picturesque peoplf who are born, live, and die in these colonies have a type of music whicl: is definitely all their own. The pic ture co-stars Barbara Stanwyck anc Joel McCrea. RIVOLI THEATRE. "John Meade's Lady" and "Fire Over England" are showing at the Rivoli Theatre. The fact that the films are two of this year's most successful productions will be sufficient inducement for most patrons, but, in addition, there is an outstanding programme of short subjects, which include Walt Disney's silly symphony masterpiece, "The Country Cousin," which recently won the academy award. Also, there is a Grantland Rice sportlight on wrestling This week's issue of Cinesound News includes pictures of the Upper Hutt girl who changed her Bex to that of a man. A pictorial and Paramount overseas news are also on the programme. Another programme of exceptional merit commences on Friday. Johnny Weismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan are featured in "Tarzan Escapes," and Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea in "Banjo on My Knee." On Labour Day a fresh programme for holiday patrons will include the successful "Dark Journey" and "The Show Goes On," featuring Gra'cie Fields. REX THEATRE.. Carole' Lombard, May Robson, and Walter Connolly; .have the featured roles' in Columbia's "Lady By Choice," which is now showing at the Rex Theatre. This is the story of a fan dancer and a broken-down drunkard, with Miss Lombard as the dancer and May Robson as the elderly derelict. Walter Connolly, well-known character player, is seen as the Police Court Judge who, with Miss Robson, interferes in the business and love affairs of the fan dancer. "Death at Broadcasting House," which is the associate feature, has a real broadcasting atmosphere about it. Not only is the locale of the story the famous Broadcasting House, the home of British broadcasting, giving many intimate glimpses into what goes on behind the scenes there, but the man who wrote the novel is Val Gielgud, who writes plays for the 8.8.C. The principal roles are played by lan Hunter, Henry Kendall, and Mary Newland. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Show Goes On," starring Gracie Fields, which is now showing at the New Princess Theatre, is a sparkling musical comedy, bubbling over with laughter and happiness. Cyril Ritchard, already well known to Australian and New Zealand audiences, is also prominently cast as Gracie's accompanist pal -Jimmy"; Owen Nares scores as Martin Fraser, and John Stuart as Gracie's home-town sweetheart. The associate attraction, "The Jungle Princess" is the story of a native girl in the heart of a Malay jungle wno falls in love with an explorer. the first man she had ever seen. Dorothy Lamour, noted radio artist, and Ray Milland, play the principal roles. ROXY THEATRE. "Slim," a Warner Bros, melodrama dealing with a class of young men whom the films have overlooked: up to now—the lads who string high-tension power lines across the country—is now showing at the Roxy Theatre. Costars in the picture, and pals in the story, are Pat O'Brien and Henry Fonda. The girl whom they both love is the attractive and capable Margaret Lindsay, who plays a hospital nurse. "Killer at Large," the supporting feature, is spinechilling entertainment that manages to be logically constructed and convincing at the same time. Mary Brian and Russell Hardie head the cast SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. "Nancy Steele is Missing," now at the Seaside Theatre, begins in the troubled days of 1917, with the disappearance of the daughter of Walter Connolly, a munitions magnate. Shortly afterwards, Victor McLaglen, in the hysteria of war-time, is given a twoyear prison sentence. Framed by fellow-prisoners as the instigator of an ; attempted gaol break, McLaglen is sentenced to life. A shrewd cell-mate, ' Peter Lorre, suspects that the huge ' prisoner is concealing a valuable ! secret, and, when, twenty years later, McLaglen is released for good behaviour Lorre trails him constantly. In a tense, dramatic climax, McLaglen attempts to restore the grown-up Nancy Steele to her rightful father. "Strangers on Honeymoon," a comedydrama featuring Constance Cummings, Hugh Sinclair, and Noah Beery, is the supporting feature. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The age-old conflict between East and West/is powerfully demonstrated in a stirring manner in Joseph Hergesheimer's famous adventure romance "Java Head," which heads the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. The principal players are John Loder, Elizabeth Allan, Edmund Gwenn, and Anna May Wong. The associate feature is "Cheer Up," starring Stanley Lupino. It is a hilarious musical mix-up centring around the misadventures of a penniless playwright and composer who have written a show, but cannot find anyone to produce it for them. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. With a large and magnificent cast, Forsaking All Others" is showing at the Empire Theatre. The cast is headed by three outstanding stars, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Robert Montgomery, who, while they have played in teams, have never before appeared together. The picture has a verve and pace not the slightest bit weighted or slowed down by the enormity of its cast. As a light comedienne, Joan Crawford reveals'a new side to her many admirers. She is par excellence as Mary, Park Avenue-ite, who is left standing at the altar one minute and is pursued by two of New York's most dashing males the next. The associate feature is "Windbag the Sailor," starring Will Hayes. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy unite their exceptional acting ability in one of the most''entertaining films of recent years, "Libelled Lady," a drama with a newspaper angle, which will be shown finally tonight at the Regal Theatre. The action of the film centres about U society girl who considers that a newspaper has insulted her and files a damage suit for five million dollars. The managing editor solicits the aid of a former star reporter to extricate the paper from its difficulties. In his scheme to make the heiress drop her suit the reporter succeeds in making her fall in love with him. It is when he, in turn, falls in love with her that complications begin. At the matinee on Saturday Sequoia, starring Jean Parker, will be shown. "Sequoia" is something more than a "motion picture. It is a magnificent document that brings out the better side of mankind

AMATEI . BOXING. [ The Miramar Boxing Club, after a . period of inactivity due to alterations . being made to the gymnasium will hold ■ a .tournament tomorrow night at their i gymnasium, Miramar Avenue, vhen . the club will endeavour to hold the Lou Smith Shield against a challenge from the Moera. Club. Up to the present Miramar have been successful in defending the trophy three tin?as, i and some very determined bouts should [ be seen when the boys from R. Dunn's • gymnasium try to lift the shield. In • addition to the shield bouts several i well-known Wellington amateurs will be seen in suporting bouts. The teams will be selected from the following:— Moera: M. Morton, A. Byrne, T. Dunn, J. Treanor, P. Treanor, T. Coburn, W. I Booth, J. Finlay, B. Murphy, B. Fair--1 brother, S. Coburn, J. Scott, T. McPherson, and B. Watson. Miramar: S. Watson, H. Thomas, L. Jones, J. Canute, V. Hatchard, L. Juno, R. Juno, V. Coveny, K. Covney, R. S. Sissons, Bass, M. Daly. Patrons are assured of an excellent evening's entertainment. Particulars are advertised. BROOKLYN THEATRE. The attractions at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight will be "Murder Goes to College," featuring Roscoe Karnes and Masha Hunt, and "Wives Never Know," starring Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. The supports are excellent.