CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 19, 24 January 1938, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. All the beauty, colour, and swashbuckling adventure of the famous Anthony Hope romance are seen at the Regent Theatre in David O. Selznick's magnificent film production of "The Prisoner of Lenda," with Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., playing the leading roles.' Cotaian plays the dual role of King Rudolf V and the adventurous Rassendyll in this tale of love and intrigue among the courts of Europe, which John Cromwell directed from a screen play which John L; Balderston and Wells Root based on Edward Rose's dramatisation of the Anthony Hope novel. Miss Carroll plkys the beautiful Princess Flavia and young Fairbanks is seen as the dashing Rupert of Hentzau. Also prominently featured in the cast are Mary Astor, C. Aubrey Smith, Raymond Massey, and David Niven. Sixty-two sets, ranging in size from a sentry-box no larger than a telephone booth, to a huge cathedral and two castles, were constructed for the picture. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Eclipsing even their triumphs in "Naughty Marietta" and "Rose Marie," Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy, the favourite singing stars, are now at the Majestic Theatre in "Maytime," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's lavish adaptation of the Rida Johnson Young operetta, which was one of the memorable hits of the New York stage. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, the man who gave filmgoers "The Great Ziegfeld," with a wide variety of songs by Sigmund Romberg and Herbert Stothart, and with a brilliant supporting cast headed by John Barrymore, the pic-; ture, which is in its second week at the Majestic, -is one of the outstanding sensations of the new movie season. The famous song hit of the original play, "Sweetheart, Will You Remember?" was retained for the film version, with the remainder of the music divided; between the sentimental and operatic. • ■ < ' ST. JAMES THEATRE. The fact that "Merry-go-Round of 1938" is having an extended season at the' St. James Theatre is in itself a recommendation. A: hqnrstop comedy, featuring a team, of first-rate artists, the picture is replete from start to finish with racy dialogue and excellent stage work. The names of Mischa Aver, Alice Brady, Billy House, Jimmie Sayo, and Bert Lahr are household ones in 1 the American entertainment world.! and these artists all combine to produce a film of untiring comedy. Briefly, the story concerns the adyentures of four comedians,; who have*'perforce to grapple with the problem of bringing up an adopted infant daughter, and then having accomplished this to their satisfaction are faced' with the equally difficult problem of getting her married to the right millionaire (John King). This they find not so easy of solution. The supporting programme is excellent. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. One of the most delightful musicalofferings the screen has produced in recent years, "One Hundred Men and a Girl," is showing at the Paramount Theatre. Deanna Durbin, possessor of a remarkable and exquisitely-trained voice and a winsome and appealing personality, would alone' make the picture outstanding, but-she has the backing of a symphony orchestra under the baton of the famous American conductor Leopold Stokowski, and the superb combination provides a feast of music of the highest order. Adolphe Menjou and Mischa Aver have leading roles, the former giving a fine characterisation of an out-of-work musician. Eugene Pallette and Alice Brady are responsible for much of the humour of the film. The story provides an admirable vehicle for . ,the musical theme. Supports include" a cartoon and' travelogues. KING'S THEATRE. The most ' talented of juvenile actresses, Shirley Temple, is at her best in "Heidi of the Alps," which is now screening at the King's Theatre. She has a charm all of her own, and her acting in this picture, as it has been in all her other successes, is superb. The story tells' of the great attachment of an orphan (Shirley Temple) to her grandfather (the versatile Jean Hersholt), who lives the life of a hermit in the mountain fastnesses far removed from civilisation. There are many complicated situations in which the hermit becomes involved, and on one occasion he breaks away from gaol in time to rescue Shirley from falling into the hands of a wandering band of gipsies. The supporting feature is "The Californian," adapted from a well-known story by Harold Bell Wright. Ricardo Cortez is in the starring role. SHORTT'S THEATRE. Joe E. Brown is the star in the musical comedy romance, "Sons 0' Guns," now at Shortt's Theatre. The picture is based on the rollicking Broadway stage hit of the same title by Fred Thompson and Jack Donahue, a colourful, tuneful comedy of World War days, dealing only with the bright and hilarious side of doughboy life in the" A.EI. ?'Man Hunt," the second feature, combines tense, exciting melodrama with hilarious comedy^ There is a talented cast headed by Ricardo Cortez, Marguerite Churchill, William Gargan, and Charles (Chic). Sale. REX THEATRE. "Get the picture—we can't screen abilis!" That's the order that starts John Wayne, as a newsreel cameraman, off on a series of hair-raising adventures in far-off and little-known Mesopotamia! That's the plot and the locale;; of the new Universal picture, "I Cover the War," now at the Rex Theatye. Wayne is seen as Bob Adams, ace newsreel cameraman, with orders to get motion pictures of Muffadhi, Arabian bandit and rebel, whom the British forces have been trying to find for years. Sandy Powell, Britain's greatest comedian, is the star of "Can You Hear Me, Mother?" the second attraction. - OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. ."Dangerous Number," the M.G.M. Comedy-romance starring Robert Young and Ann Sotherh, heads the double-feature bill showing at Our Theatre. The story deals with the marriage oi a young business man to a vaudeville actress. They fail to understand each other; there are countless comical quarrels, an odd marital mix-up hinging on California's threeday marriage licence law, and a comedy denouement in which the husband gives the recalcitrant bride the soluble dress, drives her into a pool in a purloined taxi-cab, and thus tames her rebellious spirit. The associate feature is the romantic comedy, "Sing and Be Happy," with an all-star cast. SEASIDE THEATRE, LJTALL BAY. Kipling's colourful characters live glamorously, adventurously, and courageously on adventure's last frontier in "Wee Willie Winkie," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre, with Shirley Temple and Victor McLaglen in the starring roles. From the heart of mighty India, where all the world is wild and strange, comes this glorious adventure of the Scottish Highlanders in action and of the little girl who Yon the' right to wear their plaid. "For Valour," co-starring Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn, is the second feature. The famous comedy co-stars both appear in dual roles. CAPITOL THEATRE. Kipling's colourful characters live glamorously, adventurously, and courageousl; on adventure's last frontier in the Aventieth Century-Fox picturisation of his famed . "Wee Willie Winkie," now at the Capitol Theatre, with Shirley Temple and Victor McLaglen in the starring roles. From the heart oi mighty India, where all the world is wild and strange, where the British raj ends at Khyber Pass, in the land of the Bengal Lancers, comes this glorious adventure of the Scottish Highlanders in action and of the little tfirl who won the right to wear their plaid. "The Texas Rangers," starring Fred Mac Murray, is the second attraction.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

XIVOLI THEATRE. "Head Over Heels"and "Espionage" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. Arresting and spectacular melodrama adds particular vividness to Paramount's colourful production, "High, Wide, and Handsome," which comes to the Tivoli Theatre tomorrow. This film shows capable Irene Dunne from still another refreshing angle, and reveals Randolph Scott in a performance permeated with strength, and virility. The picture has been frankly developed as entertainment in the broad and picturesque sense. In this it has the advantage of a well-con-ceived narrative with a sprinkling of historic fact. The production begins as a romantic love story, but suddenly develops into a gripping melodrama; All the musical hits of the stage production are- presented in new and enter fcainmgs fashion in the film version of "Over She Goes," starring Stanley Lupino artd Laddie Cliffe, which will also be shown. Smart gags, capital fooling, lilting songs, and expert direct tion make this, picture highly entertaining.- '"■■'. RIVOLI THEATRE. A significant, phase of modern American ■ life is portrayed with dramatic intensity in Universal's "Let Them Live," which opens tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. The story sets forth the valiant battle of a young doctor to compel political bosses to improve health-conditions in a city. The romantic element of the screen drama develops when two lovely girls are. attracted to the doctor. The leading role' is played brilliantly by -John Howard, who scored in "Lost Horizon." Nan Grey, Judith Barrett, Robert Wilcox, and Edward' Ellis are the other main players. "The Case of the Velvet Claws," the associate feature, is a baffling mystery thriller by the famous author. Erie Stanley Gardner. Warren William heads "the cast, which also in-, eludes Claire Dodd, Winifred Shaw, Gordon Elliott, Joseph King, Addison Richards, Eddie Acuff, and Olin Howland. Warren William .plays the xole of Perry Mason, fiction's famous attor-ney-detective. ' ' . .[ - STATE THEATRE. Three of filmdom's best-known stars, Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Adolphe Menjou, head-the cast, in "Stage Door," a drama of the ordeals of girls in search of a if i ar,'which is showing at the State ;ih.?atre. It blends in its vivid dramatic fabric the hopes and dreams of a score of stage-struck girls, eager, ambitious, confident that they will succeed in opening the portals to fame and fortune. Until that day arrives, they live at a theatrical boardinghouse, whose, landlady is herself a former actress, and in this setting much of the film's action takes place. Miss Hepburn is one of these girls, a society debutante determined on a stage career, despite the opposition of her wealthy family. Her room-mate is Ginger Rogers, a care-free night club entertainer who yearns to go into musical comedy. ROXY THEATRE. The extent to which circumstances can weave a noose around an innocent man's neck is dramatically portrayed in Paramount's "The Accusing Finger," a tense drama of circumstantial evidece which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, with Paul Kelly in the starring role. A jewel robbery, an excellent mystery story, and gay music are contained in 'Hideaway Girl," the supporting feature. In the cast are Shirley Ross, Robert Cumming, Monroe Owsley, and Louis DaPron. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. , . All the musical hits of the stage, production are presented in. hew and eritertaining fashion iij the film version of "Over She' Gbes," starring - Stanley Lupino and Laddie,, Cliff, which i's showing at the.New Princess .Theatre. Merry entertainment, aptly describes "Over -She GoesV Smart gags, capital fooling, lilting songs, and expert direction make this picture highly entertaining. .: .The associate feature is "Kathleen Mavourneen," starring Sally O'Neil and Tom Burke, the world-fam-ous tenor. KILBZRNIE KINI2MA. "The Last of Mrs. Cheyney" and "Feather Your Nest" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Jessie Matthews returns to the screen in her best musical film to date, "Head Over Heels," which opens at the Kilbirnie Kinema tomorrow. This Gaumont-British film gives the favourite star every opportunity of appearing at her best.-"Head Over Heels" is a zestful comedy-romance, set in the Parisian cabaret world, of three young people and an actress, who has homewrecking tendencies. Bringing to the screen the romance based upon the career of Jim Fisk, one of the most colourful and spectacular financiers of the period immediately following the Civil War, "The Toast of New York," the associate feature, presents Edward Arnold,- Cary Grant, Frances Farmer, Jack Oakie, and a huge cast in a glittering panorama of American drama. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck have been teamed by_ Twentieth Century-Fox in "His Affair," screening again tonight at the Regal Theatre. The story tells of a love supremely courageous and unashamed, endangering the nation's highest places and gambling life itself for a greater stake. Bette Davis is the star in "Marked Woman," which is the second feature. All pass-out, checks received on Saturday night will be accepted tonight only unless special arrangements are made with the management. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAX. "His Affair," the story of a love supremely courageous and unashamed, endangering the nation's highest places and gambling life itself for the greater stake is now showing at the Empire Theatre. It provides Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck with the most important story, either of these great stars has ever had. The second attraction is "Good-morning, Boys," a Gaumont-British film starring the famous comedian Will Hay, in one of his typical successes. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Dealing with the regeneration of a young doctor after he is forced by a freak of circumstances to abandon his career and become a derelict, "The Man Who Found Himself, now at the Palace Theatre, presents powerful human drama against the highly modern setting of a big airport John Beal has the starring part. A superblywritten drama, brilliantly enacted by an imposing cast anoTset in the scenic grandeur of the very summit, of America's timber belt, "Roaring Timber," starring Jack Holt, is the second attraction. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Kipling's colourful characters live glamorously, adventurously, and courageously on adventure's test frontier in "Wee Willie Winkie," now at the State Theatre, with Shirley Temple and Victor McLaglen in the starring roles. From the heart of mighty India, where all the world is wild and strange, where the British raj ends at Khyber Pass, in the land of the Bengal Lancers, comes this glorious adventure of the Scottish Highlanders in action and of the little girl who won the right to wear their plaid. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Three of the screen's most popular saddle-mates, "Hopalong Cassidy, "Windy" Halliday, and "Lucky" Jenkins ride to adventure and romance again in "Rustlers' Valley." latest ;of the popular Clarence E. Mulford action stories; which is showing at the Grand Theatre. Six well-known comedians have been assembled by Paramount for the screen treatment of the stage success, "Blonde Trouble," which is the second feature. They are Eleanore Whitney. Johnny Downs, Lynne Overman, Benny Baker, WII7 liarri Demarest, and El Brendel.

PLAZA THEATRE. Dazzling in its spectacle, exhilarating in its fresh, gay out-of-doors romance, "Thin Ice," Twentieth Century-Fox film starring Sonja Henie, more radiantly exciting than ever before, and Tyrone Power, handsome young screen star who soared to fame in "Lloyd's of London," is showing at the Plaza Theatre. A star in her first picture, Miss Henie tops "Girl in a Million" with new miracles Of grace never before revealed, as she skates and skis along the silvery Alpine slopes, with Tyrone Power and romance, following close behind. Arthur Treacher, Raymond Walburn, and Joan Davis are featured in the notable supporting cast. The story is swiftly paced, exhilaratingly exciting, and hilariously funny. Interspersed throughout the romantic story are three elaborate skating numbers, the Prince Igor Russian Ballet, a beautiful Vienna Waltz,, and the Foxtrot Fantasy. DE LUXE THEATRE. Combining all the best virtues of the recent cycle of semi-crazy films, "Married Before • Breakfast," which is showing at the De Luxe, gives Robert Young the funniest part of his career. He invents a soap which can, he says, "do everything a razor can do,except open cans." The soap is a flop;! but one company, on which Young tries to foist his product, dismayed at the possibility of losing their razor trade, pays him 250,000. dollars for the invention. In a burst of exuberance, Young distributes gifts lavishly to/all his friends. And as-a final task he sets out to aid Florence Rice in her endeavours to marry a young insurance agent whose hopes of matrimony, have, been dashed by failure to sell a policy to a milkman. Th& other feature is "The Westland Case," starring Preston' Foster.