CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1938, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Fast-moving comedy of the craziest and most entertaining kind characterises "Ever Since Eve," the Regent Theatre's lastest offering. The two leading roles are taken by Marion Davies and_ Robert Montgomery. Marion Davies is the secretary cursed by an over-issue of good looks, and Robert Montgomery is a young and erratic novelist who is very interested in the opposite sex. Patsy Kelly is in her very best form as the girl secretary's room-mate, and as her boy-friend, Allen Jenkins, as usual, contributes his full share to the lighter side of the picture. Louise Fazenda is cast as the dynamic publisher who has the difficult.job of handling Montgomery's contribution to the nation's literature. As a ghost-writer of schoolgirl stories, Frank McHugh is well up •to usual standard. When the pretty secretary, made up as one of the typical stage type, is given a job with the young author, many really humorous situations occur. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Thorne« Smith had a sense of mirth peculiarly his own, and in "Topper,' the film adapted from his novel "The Jovial Ghosts," which is showing for a third week at the Majestic Theatre," the atmosphere of the story is caught splendidly. Topper, admirably portrayed by Roland Young, is a banker, very quiet, very unobtrusive, resigned outwardly at any rate to the prim and conservative existence to which he has been moulded by a too-socially-care-ful wife.- But the whole tenor of his life is abruptly changed when two friends, Constance Bennett and Cary Grant, gay young sparks, are killed in a motor smash and return in spirit form determined to lift Topper out of the rut of his existence. They are eminently successful. They can materialise or vanish at will, and they lead their old friend a merry dance. ST. JAMES THEATRE. A great metropolitan hospital "forms the background of the tensely dramatic story told, in "Between- Two Women," which is :< showing-:-at'the 'St. James Theatre. ■■ Heading' a strong cast of players are Franchot Tone, Maureen O'Sullivan, and Virginia Bruce. Tone gives an outstanding performance in the role of an ambitious young interne. Miss Bruce is an heiress who goes to the hospital as a patient and falls in love with him. Miss O'Sullivan appears as a nurse, unhappily married, who secretly loves the interne herself. Doctor and heiress marry and their union is a failure. She concentrates on another man, also a doctor. Tone knows that he loves the nurse. Then her husband is brought in, an emergency case. If he lives, they will be separated for ever. Should he die, the way is open to them for happiness.'Tone operates and saves his life. ; ;• NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Paul Robeson's glorious voice is heard to complete advantage against an authentic African background in "Sanders of the River," which is the featured picture at the Paramount Theatre this week. The chief. figure in the picture is Sanders, the Resident Commissioner of the river territory. There is one crusty old hill chief who loves causing trouble, and ■ Senders is forced to take firm action to' put him in his place. When Sanders goes on leave the word maliciously gets round that he is.'dead, and the old gentleman from .the hills gathers.his-fighting regiments round him. Sanders is hurriedly recalled so that his: influence, may; restore order, but^the Kill chief will not,believe he is! alive until ,the Commissioner arrives with a machine-gun. At this stage Robeson, as" Mosambo, the river chief, whose wife has been kidnapped by the hill chief, gets his own back and spears the latter full in the chest. .; /■'■■' KING'S THEATRE. \ ;'- " .The hilarious adventures of Joe E. Brown are brought to the screen again in "Fit for a King," which is showing at' the King's; Theatre. His latest riot of laughter shows him as a foreign correspondent of a newspaper, who is sent on an assignment in a/mythical European kingdom. Here Joe discovers a tremendous plot, that of kidnapping and assassinating the Queen. He immediately sets to work, but he is beaten at every turn by his more clever rival, Paul Kelly. Joe, however, soon learns the tricks of the trade, and he provides a merry climax. The associate feature, "Dangerously Yours," is the story of a diamond which is being taken across the Atlantic. It is the cynosure of many crooks' eyes, and the whole plot centres around their activities to obtain it. Cesar Romero and Phyllis Brooks are starred. REX THEATRE. The most hilarious achievement of the career. of America's dean of all comics is Paramount's "Poppy," W. C. Fields films which is showing at the Rex Theatre. Rochelle Hudson, Richard Cromwell, Lynne Overman, Catharine Epucet, and Rosalind Keith are featured players supporting Fields. Zane Grey's stories have been film highlights for many years, and his latr est effort, "Nevada," the second feature, is no exception. It has been dramatised by Paramount, and has Larry ("Buster") Crabbe, Kathleen Burke, and Monte Blue in the cast. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. The terror of a woman, faced with the resurrection' of a youthful indiscretion which will ruin her happiness and wreck her husband's career, has been thrillingly brought to the screen in "I'd Give My Life," featuring Sir Guy Standing, Tom Brown, Frances Drake, and Janet Beecher, which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Enough talent to cast half a dozen big Broadway production, with'the accompanying music, specialty numbers, dance offerings, settings, costumes, etc., is offered in "Merry-Go-Round of 1938," the second attraction. • STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "More Than a Secretary," a romantic comedy-drama of a shy beauty and her employer, starring Jean Arthur and George Brent, is showing at the State Theatre. . The film, tells of the exploits of a bespectacled prim proprietress of a, business schogl, who is forced to take a position as private -secretary to the editor of a health magazine, a violent health addict. What happens when the two undergo a'mutual humanising treatment provides the comedy theme. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. The new Universal mystery drama, "The Man Who Cried Wolf," now at the Palace Theatre, concerns a famous actor who commits "the perfect crime," only to discover that his own son is charged with the murder and later convicted. Lewis Stone plays the leading dramatic role as the actor who devises a scheme so clever that it endangers those he loves most. His son is portrayed by Tom Brown, who shares a tender romance with Barbara Read. The second attraction "Western Gold," is a thrilling story of the esrly days and features Smith 'Ballew, a new Western singing star. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Depicting a side of aviation never before revealed on the screen—the bitter, . reckless careers of "outlaw' flyers who risk their lives in obsolete aeroplanes along the far-flung outposts of the world—"Flight From Glory/ starring Chester Morris, is showing at the Grand Theatre. The deeply dramatic story of a young Irish girl for whom life and love are twisted and almost destroyed by the Easter Week "Insurrection" of 1916 in .Dublin, gives Barbara Stanwyck one of the richest roles of ■her career in "The Plough and the Stars," the second attraction.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. ; Breaking away from his customary • type of role, George Arliss emerges ;as a new personality in "Dr. Syn, ■ which is now showing at the Plaza ; Theatre. It is as no world-famed statesman, surrounded by pomp and ceremony, no stirring fanatic, that he appears, but as a shrewd, scheming, yet kindly old Kentish parson of 100 years ago. In those days the King's men i combed the little Kentish ports for . stores of hidden brandies and wines, : brought by smugglers from France to evade the duties. As the parson of the village Dr. Syn conducts a profitable business in smuggling, and as a result his flock is endowed with more material blessings than is the case in most of • the" seaside villages. The history of a famous pirate, Captain Clegg, is inextricably interwoven with that of the village, and his relationship to several of the characters plays an important part in the final sequences. DE LUXE THEATRE. One of the greatest comedians on the screen today is Will Hay, and the theatre-going public know him well as the hopeless schoolmaster, but in "Oh, Mr. Porter," now screening at the De Luxe Theatre, he is seen in an even more hilariously funny role than that of a schoolmaster. This time he is a railway employee. William Porter is the blot on the railroad's escutcheon, but his good connection with the "people higher up" make it impossible for him to be dismissed. The authorities bear it as long as they possibly can, and then William Porter finds himself transported to a far distant and very small town -in Northern Ireland. The film is full of side-split-ting scenes as the serious Will Hay, trying to be more serious, becomes more delightfully funny. The popular Jack Holt has the ideal "heman" role in a thrilling and gripping tale of the East, "Outlaws of the Orient," which is the associate feature. Jack Carter, "the Yodelling Cowboy,' renders popular items at the evening sessions.. '■.■>. ; ; . STATE THEATRE. Rising considerably above the usual standard of spy dramas, "Lancer Spy, a thrilling tale of espionage atad romance, is screening for a further week at the State Theatre. George Sanders and Dolores Del Rio are in the starring roles. The story deals with the capture of a German officer, whose remarkable likeness to an officer in the British Navy sows the seed for a daring exploit. Plans are wanted of an impending offensive, and they can be obtained, only by espionage in Berlin. A substitution is made ana the spy departs for Berlin. Dolores Del Rio, a member of'the, German Secret Service, greets the-Englishman as an old sweetheart. Later, when she learns his identity, instead of endeavouring to send him to the firing squad, she endeavours to assist in his escape .The supporting cast is good, particularly Peter Lorre, as a member of the merman Intelligence Staff. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. All the elements of a thoroughly entertaining motion picture are combined in Bobby Breen's new musical starring vehicle, "Make a Wish," which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. Foremost among its attractions is the sweetly tender voice of young Bobby himself, who sings several numbers written especially for the picture by Oscar Strauss, noted Viennese composer.Basil Rathbone shares the love interest with Marion Claire. The associate feature is. Cinesound's .epic pearling romance, "Lovers and Luggers," starring Lloyd Hughes and-. Shirley Ann Richards. .-.:/......:., SHORTT'S THEATRE. Unforgettably portrayed by the star of "The Informer" and an inspired cast, "Nancy Steele is Missing," is showing at Shortt's Theatre. The performances of Victor McLaglen, Walter Connolly, outstanding actor of stage and ■screen, and Peter Lorre's Europe's oneman chamber of horrors, make "Nancy Steele Is Missing" a tremendous document. Edward Everett Horton has one of the best parts in his career in the latest piece of delicious fooling, "The Man in the Mirror," the second attraction. ROXY THEATRE. Breath-taking ' action and side-split-ting comedy combine to make excellent entertainment out of Columbia's "Murder in Greenwich Village," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Richard Arlen. and Fay Wray present an attractive screen combination as the romantic leads in the picture. "It Happened in Hollywood," the second attraction, with Richard Dix and Fay Wray, is a fascinating and thrilling film. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The mixture,of comedy and drama which W. S. Van Dyke unfailingly injects into a mystery picture is evident again in his latest effort, "After the Thin Man," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, which is showing at the Empire Theatre, with William Powell and Myrna Loy in the starring roles. Sequel to that memorable masterpiece of cinema mystery, "The Thin Man," "After the Thin Man" was written by the same author, Dashiell Hammett, and surrounds the .inimitable stars with- a sparkling cast of favourites, including. James Stewart, Elissa Landi, Joseph Calleia, Jessie Ralph, and Asta, the remarkable wire-haired terrier of "The.Thin Man." REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The New Universal's brilliant com-edy-drama, "As Good as Married," starring John Boles and Doris Nolan, is showing at the Regal Theatre. Boles plays the part of a successful architect, who is about to lose the major part of his large income through taxes, marries his secretary, played by Doris Nolan, in order to reduce those taxes. The resulting complications make for rollicking comedy and tense dramatic siuations. "The Mao Who Found Himself," starring John Beal and Joan Fontaine," is the associate feature. CAPITOL THEATRE. "Crimson Romance," now at the Capitol Theatre, is a thrilling story of the Great War, in which two peacetime friends, a German and an American, find themselves fighting in the air against each other. Matters are complicated by the fact that both are jn love with,the.same girl. Bickerings, squabbles, making-up, and then more squabbles! Such is typical of the lives of Dick and Angela Shale, in "The Dominant Sex," the associate feature. Should Angela keep her job as a secretary, thereby helping with the family expenses? Or, should she settle down to domestic bliss, with a child, thus incurring more expense and less income? f OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The comedy-romance "The Moon's Our Home/ starring Margaret Sullavan, heads the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. The story concerns a tempestuous screen actress and a he-man explorer-author, who start their love affair by developing an unmitigated hate for each other. They meet under assumed names, fall in love, and marry. Then fall out, and, relenting, try to fall in love again. A drama tingling with excitement and suspense is "Desert Gold," a Zane Grey story, which, with entertaining supports, complete the first half of the programme. BROOKLYN THEATRE. A sensational story of a court battle for the custody of a child is the theme of Paramount's "Midnight Madonna," the main feature at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. The cast includes Warren William, Mady Correll, and Kitty Clancy. "Clarence," Paramount's comedy of family life, will also be screened. The stars include Roscoe Karns, Eleanore Whitney, Eugene Pallette, and Johnny Downs. There will also be four excellent supports.

TIVOLI THEATRE. ' A gripping romance, comedy, some of the finest character portrayals in years, and thrills of a thundering racetrack are high lights in "Saratoga," starring Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. "Saratoga" tells the story of the spoiled daughter of a wealthy horse-owner, . and a gambler and bookmaker whom; she first hates, "fights, then loves. The background of the swift action ranges from penthouses and a London hotel to a ' Kentucky horse farm, ■ the Saratoga s racetrack, and famous races on tracks ' in various points of the United States. 1 Odd clues, a sensational motor- - car wreck staged by a criminal, * the roaring offices of a great daily ' newspaper, figure in the latest news- ' paper-detective romance of the screen, 3 "Sinner Take All," starring Bruce i Cabot and Margaret Lindsay, which is j f the second feature. The story deals . with a series' of mystery murders, > solved by a newspaper man enlisied - by a menaced millionaire and his ■ daughter. _____ i Seaside theatre, lyall bay. - "Let Them Live" is the provocative . Universal picture now showing at the t Seaside Theatre. The story deals with » the efforts of a young .doctor, played ■ by John Howard, who puts aside personal ambition to wage a battle against corrupt politics.. As the champion of the poor, he is encouraged by pretty Nan Grey in the role of a. girl whose ; father was ruined ]Dy a crooked poli- | tical ring. Filled with laughter, romance, and comedy, "A G.'xl With , Ideas," the second feature, offers a ' series of novel surprises to audiences. [ RIVOLI THEATRE. > "Feather Your Nest," starring George . Formby, which is now at the Rivoli ; Theatre, has all.the merry swing of 1 its predecessors, "No Limit" and "Keep " Your Seats, Please," and the song ' numbers are both catchy and comical. : In "Feather Your Nest" the fun oscil- • lates between George's work as a 1 gramophone recordist, and his mishaps 'in his "very jerry-built nest," with ■ hectic interludes at Turkish baths, the [ local hotel, and on a run-away motor- ' cycle. Everyone will have a tender ' spot in his heart for the Willie Piper of this picture, with his good nature, his simple desire to get married, and his succession of blundering mistakes that-apparently make his objective more and more out of the question. Joe Cook makes his first appearance in a full-length motion picture feature in Paramount's "Arizona Mahoney," a hilarious story of love on the western plains, which is the associate feature. Cook rides on a circus elephant to the rescue of Robert Cummings and June ; Martel, surrounded by bandits, with : startling results. | FRANK NEIL'S REVUE. i There was a large demand for seats at the D.I.C. this morning when the box plans were opened for the season, beginning on Saturday afternoon, of Frank Neil's revue "Wonder Show of World's Stars,"-which enjoyed a successful season in Auckland. Speed is the keynote of the success of the latest revue, which includes features from London, Paris, Berlin, and New York. Playgoers are looking forward to the reappearance here of the come- . dian, Mr. Jim Gerald. He was for several years principal comedian for J. C. Williamson's musical comedy and pantomime companies, and more recently he accepted engagements in London and New York, where he became very popular. Mr. Gerald has brought back with him a large num- '• ber of new sketches and song successes. For sheer artistry the work of Miss Ella Shields compares more than favourably with any other vaudeville star. She is an outstanding exponent of male impersonations. Miss Shields, too, has brought with her ■ from England a number of the latest song hits. Great interest is being taken in the appearance of Gautier's wonderful dog performers, whose work is astounding. They enter into the spirit of'the parts they enact like experienced actors. One of the finest turns is that of Don Galvin, who has an excellent singing voice and is brilliant with-a guitar and a banjo. Arne Hartman gives a dazzling display on a piano-accordion; Petillo and Pesco 1 are astounding acrobatic clowns, and ■ Munro and the Adams sisters are bril- ' iiant in a dancing musical juggling act. There are 30 scenes in the revue, ■ of all them set to a tempo of song ' and dance. A feature of .the show is the work of the famous Tivoli ballet. WRESTLING AT TOWN HALL. The 1938 wrestling season will be opened in Wellington on Monday night when Joe Tonji; an Italian-American, 'will be opposed by Leo Jensen, a Danish-Canadian, in. "a professional heavyweight bout of eight ten-minute rounds at the Town Hall. Both Jensen a.nd Tonti have impressive records and, as they will naturally be anxious to give of their best in making their debut, the public can anticipate some thrilling exchanges. Tonti is a man Of amazing physical development and his wrestling ability is revealed by the fact that he held Dean Detton to a draw, shortly before the latter won the world title. Jensen has wrestled extensively in North America and, during a tout which, took him to South Africa and Europe two years ago, he remained unbeaten. There will be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. HEALTH LECTURE FOR MEN. Whether Mr. area Mrs. Price are right or wrong in their crusade on behalf of their theories about food, in its relation to disease, there are large at- ■ tendances at their lectures, and on most occasions many have "been, unable to gain admission. Tomorrow night in Nimmo's Hall, Mr. Price, in response to requests, will give another talk to men. On Saturday night, in Nimmo's Hall, and on Sunday night, in the King's Theatre, Mrs. Price will lecture on "Health and Right Eating."