GIMRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 14

GIMRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

Dashing romance, combined with ugly plots and conspiracies supply a picturesque and colourful background for the "Prisoner of Zenda," which is showing, at the Regent Theatre. As Rudolf Rassendyle, an Englishman on holiday in Europe, Ronald Colman is unexpectedly-called upon because oi a remarkable resemblance to act the role of king at a coronation from which the king has been kidnapped. Adventure and danger follow hard on his heels, when, the conspirators, thwarted in their purpose, turn upon him to wreak- vengeance ' The film reaches a high tension when the scenes move to the castle of Zenda y where the king is held prisoner Madeleine Carroll has the leading feminine role of Princess Flavia, betrothed to the king, and she gives an excellent performance. Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. a carefree plotter, Raymond Massey. sneering ambitious throne snatcher, bluff C. Aubrey Smith, Mary Astor. David Niyen, and Montague Love art other members of a distinguished cast. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Maytime," another of Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's successes, is now showing ■at the Majestic Theatre, and its appeal- remains undiminished. The favourite singing stars, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, have never been more happily cast than in this production, and they have practically unlimited opportunities to sing, which is what most of , those who go to the Majestic will want from them "Naughty Marietta" and "Rose Marie" reached a standard beyond which it seemed even these two stars could not go, but "Maytime," in its setting and . story, allows such great scope for acting and singing that it is not surprising to find both Miss MacDonald and her co-star excelling themselves. The story is delightfully embroidered with a wide variety of songs by Sigmund Romberg and Herbert Stothart, as well as excerpts from famous operas. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "'My' Dear Miss Aldrich" concludes its season, aj, the St. James Theatre tonight. "Lovers 'and Luggers," with Lloyd Hughes and' Shirley Ann Richards, commences tomorrow. NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" will be shown for the last time tonight at the New Paramount Theatre. Sylvia Sidney, Fred MacMurray, and Henry Fonda star in "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," which will begin at the New Paramount Theatre tomorrow. The story is well known, and loses nothing in its film dramatisation. The scenes are beautiful, as most of the action takes place outdoors, and their attractiveness is enormously enhanced by being photographed entirely in natural colour. The supporting players include Fred Stone, Nigel Bruce, Beulah Bondi, Robert'Barrett, Spankey McFarland, and Fuzzy Knight. - , KING'S^ THEATRE. ."StagV'Door"vl:oncludes tonight at the King's Theatre. lAII the thrills of those adventurous days when men dared all for love live again in "Under the Red Robe," an exciting, swashbuckling romance starring Conrad Veidt and Annabella, which opens tomorrow. A colourful and epic photoplayV'the -Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox release is based on the unforgettable story by Stanley .J. Weyman, and on the stage play,by Edward Rose.' Combining the • of • "Richelieu," the romance .«ii S'The Scarlet Pimpernel," and the, adventure of "The Three Musketeers,"' they picture tells a tale of-'§carlet,> intrigue, that threatens a throne,~withGorirad Veidt, acclaimed as one of the greatest actors Europe ever produced,' as ,the dashing, audacious adventurer,, Gil de'Berault, whose sword strikes- ■; terror into the hearts of-men, and whose smile brings love to the hearts of women. A triple impersonation which ->qalls forth all the resources of his art is'played" by Peter Lorre vin--"Think Fast/Mr./Moto," the second attraction.';Lorre, internationally known character actor, plays ,the famous Japanese detective- of J. , P. Marquand's "Saturday Evening Post" stories. But as a Japanese detective the Hungarian ' star has to disguise himself as an Armenian rug pedlar, not as a Hungarian would impersonate an Armenian, but as a Hungarian impersonating a Japanese would impersonate an Armenian. ! ROXY THEATRE. "Mountain Justice" and "Mr. Dodds Takes the Air" conclude tonight at the Roxy Theatre. , . When a rival .capitalist obtains the controlling interest in the Erie railroad, Jim Fisk, one of the most colourful of the early captains of industry, merely has additional stock issued until he has enough shares to regain control. Thus is Fisk's unique career dramatised in "The Toast of New York," which opens- tomorrow. A. story bristling with the traditional col"bur of the San Francisco waterfront revolving around the romance and adventure of a young' schooner captain and a plucky girl -is graphically unfolded in the second feature. "Night Waitress," starring Margot Grahame anoV Gordon Jones. OCR THEATRE. "Behold My Wife," starring Sylvia Sydney and Gene Raymond, heads tne double-feature' programme new showing at Our Theatre^it-reduced prices. This drama tells of a pampered youth who married an Indian m an effort to disgrace his family. The accompanying feature f'Love In Bloom," shows the well-known comedians George Burns and Gracie Allen in a romantic farce. Catchy songs and a crazy honeymoon form-a- bright background for enjoyable entertainment. The programme is complete with a variety of support's EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Columbia's timely drama "I Promise to V Pay," the smashing .story of one ■man's.fearless war against the loan shark racketeers, is showing at the Empire Theatre. Featured in the cast are Chester Morris, Helen Mack, Leo Carrillo, and Thomas Mitchell. .Laughter gaiety,' and .'music are mixed in liberal proportions in "College Holiday," the second attraction.. Jack Benny heads the list of radio and screen comics assembled for this film. •„ STATE THEATRE, PETONE. . Sophie Lang, the girl who steals diamonds and hearts with equal ease, turns Hollywood upside down in Paramount^ new adventure-mystery film, "Sophie Lang Goes West" now at the State Theatre. It is a fast, furious, and often hilarious story of jewel thieves at odds, Of a huge diamond, "The Star of the World," and of the stars and studios 'of Hollywood. Gertrude Michael and Lee Bowman play the leads. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Filled with stars, choruses of hundr%ds of glamorous dancers, lilting and catchy music, "Pick a Star," the Hal Roach-M.G.M. all-Ltar feature comedy, is.now showing at the Grand Theatre. With Patsy Kelly, Jack Haley, Rosim Lawrence, Mischa Auer, and Lyda Roberti as the central characters, "Pick a Star" tells the story of three Kansans wK'o sought and found fame and for- . tune in the most glamorous of industries—motion pictures. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "I Cover the War," a saga of the newsreel cameramen Who defy death in far countries in order that the' world may have its thrills, is showing at the Palace Theatre with John Wayne in the'starring role. Having as its back-' • ground the revolt of Arab tribes against British rule in Mesopotamia, the picture tells of a little-known episode in current history. Also showing -s "Follow Your Heart," with the world s new singing sweethearts, Michael Bartlett and,, Marion Talley, in:: the mam roles.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES *'

PLAZA THEATRE,

h "The Queen of the Silvery Skates," a Sonja Henie, is the star of "Thin Ice," d now at the Plaza Theatre. Opposite s ,her, in a role that suits him admirs ably, .is the new screen favourite Tyrone Power. The plot of trie story deals with the falling in love by a prince (Power; with a skating teacher (Miss Henie) .aV a pleasure resort in the Alps. Miss rienie does not suspect lhat Power is anything other Uian a Press reporter attending an international conference in the. village, and many diverting scenes are created The musical numbers are very catchy, and some of the mountain scenes are very fine Sonja is seen in new miracles of grace as she skates and skis along the silver alpine slopes with the prince The very fact that/- Arthur Treacher's name appears in the cast suggests that the film ir, parts has a wealth of humorous incidents. Interspersed throughout the story are three" elaborate skating numbers. : DE LUXE THEATRE.^ , "Bulldog Drummohd Comes Back" and "Blonde Trouble" conclude tonight at the De Luxe Theatre. "Keep Fit," starring George Formby, and "The League of Frightened Men" commence tomorrow. ■ STATE THEATRE! "52nd Street" will be shown finally tonight at the State Theatre. Weaving gay romance for the glorious voice of Nino Martini, "Music for Madame" commences tomorrow. Joan Fontaine is featured opposite Martini. With a fine cast and deftlyturned story, and enhanced with songs that range from operatic selections to modern ballads, the picture promises to make the noted Italian singer even more' of a; screen favourite than his former films, "Here's to Romance" and "The Gay Desperado." Hollywood forms the setting of the story. Martini, a penniless but confident young singer, arrives in the film capital determined to achieve fame. Unfortunately, his debut becomes a misadventure. He is made.the innocent tool ■of a band of crooks, who; commit a daring jewel robbery during a/wedding reception at a'producer's home while Martini is singing. Unable to clear himself, and fearing. both the crooks and the police,. the singer is involved in complications and a tender romance. Ultimately Martini is vindicated, but riot until after, an unique "radio duel" and a concert in the world-famous Hollywood, Bowl, both of which afford him opportunities to charm screen patrons' with the magic, of his voice. RIVOLI THEATRE. As impressive a cast was assembled by Paramount for its new comedy with music, '"Double or Nothing," which opens tomorrow at the Rivoli Theatre. With Bing Crosby in the star position, the cast includes, such popular entertainers asMarthal Raye, Andy Devine, Mary Carlisle, William Frawley, Fay Holden, Samuel -S.. Hinds, William Henry, and others, and also has specialty acts from that famed comedy team the Calgary Brothers, the ,noted eccentric dancing team "of Ames and Arno, Alphonse Berg, Tex Morrissey, Frances Faye, and Ed Rickard. The fanaticism and intolerance -of certain dwellers in remote hill countries of the United States are revealed in "Mountain Justice," the First National melodrama which is the second attraction. This thrilling picture, which is not alone a dramatic sociological document, but a tender romance, co-stars Josephine Hutchinson and George -Brent, and. .was directed by that acknowledged, master of realism, Michael Cur.tiz.' . * BEX THEATRE. "The Crime of Dr. Forbes" is showing at the Hex Theatre. Gloria Stuart land Robert Kent are featured in this production,,the.story of which is based on a theme new to the screen. Kent, a young-(physiciari, goes to trial for the alleged murder -of' Bromberg, £ noted scientist "engaged in research which he hopes will-lead, to'a cure for a fatal spinal'disease.' The glittering rooms of chance1, atVMonte Carlo provide the setting, for* the-opening of the drama of "Champagne Charlie," the second attrition. r.Here Paul Cavanagh is sacrificing thousands to the fickle,goddess, while Miss Wood, possessor of 20,000,000 dollars of inherited wealth, manages to win more thousands. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Maid of'Salem," starring Claudette Colbert, and "Double or Nothing," with Bing Crosby, conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre. An"- outstanding r programme is scheduled for screening tomorrow, headed by "Knight Without Armour," featuring Robert Donat and Marlene Dietrich. A lively story of how one girl won her man in spite of the greatest of obstacles is told in Paramount Films' "Along Came Love," which,is the associate feature, starring Irene Hervey and Charles Starrett. • SHORTT& THEATRE. ' \ "Frisco Kid" and "The Big Noise" conclude tonight at" Shbrtt's Theatre. Edward G. Robinson's newest and most dynamic picture for Eirst National, "Bullets or Ballots," opens tomorrow. In this .picture Robinson has a role as strong. ,as that of 'Little Caesar," althoughTJhe is neither crook nor gunman, but one of the coldest and most hard-boiled detectives of the New York police force. Dick Foran, the flaming-haired singing cowboy, appears in "Treachery Rides the Range," a new type of Western thriller, which is the second attraction. The picture is a story of the Did West, in which frontier battles are waged between the U.S troops and the Indians, -and is crammed full of action, thrills, and suspense. j REGAL THEATRE, KARORI." - Madeleine Carroll and Francis Lederer are brought together for the first time in Columbia's scintillating romantic comedy, "It's All Yours," now at the Regal \ Theatre. Miss Carroll's role as the mouse-like secretary who inherits £1,000,000 under the most unusual -circumstances -\ is her first straight comedy part on ' the screen: Delightful arid exciting screen enter-, tainment is -provided in the second feature "Don't Gamble With Love. Starring Ami Sothern and Bruce Cabot, the film offers a wholesome admixture of suave drama, thrilling suspense, and refreshing romantic comedy. ; . , KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Captain Blood" and "Murder With Pictures" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. This year's fashions in fun, gowns, girls, love, music, dances, and Technicolour are introduced by "Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938," the gay musical extravaganza ; starring Warner Baxter and Joan Bennett, which opens tomorrow. Helen Vinson, Mischa Auer, Alan Mowbray, and Jerome Cowan head the imposing supporting cast, which includes the famous Walter Wariger models. Described as "the most sensational film find of the year," four-year-old Kitty Clancy, a dimpled, curly-haired blonde beauty, vyill be seen for the first time in "Midnight Madonna," a story of a mother's battle for the custody of her child, which is the second picture. CAPITOL. THEATRE. Trouble comes double when little Miss Dynamite comes to town ' and laughs come thick and fast when her latest escapades as an amateur detec- , tiye make front-page news in "Angel's Holiday," Twentieth Century-Fox comedy starring Jane Withers, which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. The 1 story of "Man in Possession," the ' second feature, casts Jean Harlow as Mrs. Crystal Wetherby, who poses in 1 London society as a wealthy American 1 widow, but who is actually impover- • ished and is being pursued by her , creditors. > Robert Taylor plays opposite Miss Harlow. ~

TIVOLI THEATRE. % "It's All Yours" and "They Won't Forget" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. The honours in "Seventh Heaven, which opens tomorrow, are divided primarily between the tremendously moving picturisation of this tender romance, and the fact that in it emerges fully an actress destined to be known as the greatest star on the screen— Simone Simon, co-starred with James Stewart. Austin Strong's immortal love story, adapted from the stage play produced and directed by John Golden, presents .once again that star-crossed pair of lovers, Diane and Chico. Simone Simon, as the little waif, Diane, surpasses all hopes expressed for this sensational French screen find. Booth Tarkington's "Clarence," the Paramount comedy of a family in which there is too much love, with a cast headed by Roscoe Karns, is the second feature. Everybody's in love in "Clarence"—with the wrong person. Eleanore Whitney, the daughter, is in, love with a man old enough to be her father; her •rother, Johnny Downs, is in love with the girl's governess; the butler is in love with the maid, and the maid is in love with Johnny; Eugene Pallette is in love with his wife, but she doesn't believe him. It is up to Karns, man-of-all-work in the household, to straighten out this mess. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. George O'Brien, popular outdoor star,, and Constance Worth have the leading roles in R.K.O.'s thrilling sea' story, "Windjammers," the main feature at the Seaside Theatre. In "The Secret of Stamboul," the second attraction, Frank Vosper plays the part, of a sinister revolutionary leader and reveals with amazing sublety the reasoning of the Oriental mind. The story is alive with action, thrills, and romance. '