CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 107, 9 May 1938, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. j It is not at all surprising to find "The Awful Truth" showing for a c further week at the Regent Theatre. | e Indeed, it is such delightful comedy |" that it merits repeated visits from pat-; r rons, and this is what it is getting.. s Irene Dunn and Cary Grant are the i t chief fun-providers, and they surpass ! I anything in this line which they have j s previously accomplished. They appear I first as a happily-married couple, but f when the husband returns from a sup- 1 posed visit to Florida with an c artificial sun-tan and with Cali- < fornian oranges, and when the wife spends an evening at a J hotel with her singing master (the excuse being that the car had- broken ] down—not a very novel or convincing j explanation), the fat is in the fire, and ] there appears nothing for it but ( divorce. During the three months before the decree can be made absolute, a very great deal happens, a dog playing a by no means unimportant part. MAJESTIC THEATRE. 1 The latest of a long and remarkable j series of annual musical films, "Broad- £ way Melody of 1938," is now showing J at the Majestic Theatre. Ever since * the first "Broadway Melody," which J was one of the first pictures to demonstrate what the talking film could do ( in broadcasting Broadway, these an- , nual celluloid revues have maintained a high standard. This one reaches a standard hard to surpass in the number of stars it presents. It is also remir.iscent to a great extent of previous . successes. Through it are cleverly ; woven song sequences recalling other • bright shows, memories of the golden : days of Broadway, and dances which bring back memories of other film successes. In the role of a young com- • poser-producer Robert Taylor is convincing, but he is not allowed m any way to dominate the cast. Eleanor Powell is as charming as ever, and is neat and efficient in her tapping repertoire. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The delightful voice and charming acting of Deanna Durbin continues to entertain the public of Wellington at the St. James Theatre, where her latest film, "Mad About Music, is being presented. Set against the picturesque background of Switzerland, the picture deals with the fortunes of a schoolgirl exiled from her home because her film star mother dare not admit that she is old enough to have a daughter aged 14 years. Realising that she may not acknowledge her mother, the girl invents for herself a heroic father who, in her imagination at least, performs heroic deeds as an explorer in unlikely corners of the world. But in the end her elaborate tissue of lies threatens to disgrace her in the eyes of her schoolmates. She must find a father in a hurry or be exposed. Herbert Marshall reluctantly obliges, and creates a hilarious situation from which he escapes with a charming and famous wife.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Dead End," Samuel Goldwyn's film production based on the Broadway stage hit by Sidney Kingsley, is showing at the Paramount Theatre, with Sylvia Sidney and Joel McCrea in the starring roles. Sylvia is seen as Drina, the slum girl who is battling desperately to raise herself and her small brother Tommy to a better life; McCrea plays Dave, the poor architect she loves, who, in turn, loves Kay (Wendy Barrie), who has found a way out of the slums into luxury. Humphrey Bogart is seen as "Baby Face" Martin, the gangster with a price on his head, who braves death in the slum where he was born only to find that his own mother hates him and that Francey (Claire Trevor), his boyhood sweetheart, has taken life the easiest way. The Dead End kids from the original New York stage relive their famous characterisations of T!ommy, "T. 8.," "Angel," "Dippy," "Spit," and Milty. KING'S THEATRE. Tarzan, the jungle king of man and beasts, has another set of adventures in the latest production of this series "Tarzan's Revenge," which is showing at the King's Theatre. Playing opposite Tarzan (Glenn Morris) is Eleanor Holm, the famous American swimmer. The story concerns a safari in Africa which sets out to obtain specimens for a zoo in America, but which, because of the admiration a powerful chief has for Miss Holm, is waylaid and Miss Holm captured. Tarzan and his faithful chimpanzee come to the rescue, and despite the almost insurmountable obstacles in front of them, snatch the girl from under the nose of the guard. ' The associate feature, "Nonstop New York," is a departure from the ordinary type of thriller, and comedy and drama are mingled with good effect. The stellar roles are taken by Anna Lee and John Loder.

ROXY THEATRE. * A thrilling sea story framed against a Southern Sea canvas, Universal's "Adventure's End," with John Wayne and Diana Gibson in the leading roles. : is showing at the Roxy Theatre. It teiis 1 of the love of Miss Gibson for Wayne, who comes on board the whaling vessel after he has obtained a rich fortune in pearls despite the efforts of natives to kill him. A baffling murder in a big ' Broadway theatre forms the basis of "Forty Naughty Girls." featuring James Gleason and Zasu Pitts, which is the second attraction. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. The three most famous boy stars of the screen are united in "The Devil is a Sissy," now at the New Princess Theatre. The stirring new picture tells of an English youngster who learns American ways in a New York East Side school with the aid of two tough but good-hearted young roughnecks, In the associate • feature Jessie Matthews gets into trouble when New York's gangsterdom mistakes her for "Sparkle," Europe's most notorious jewel thief, but she can dance her way out of any situation. Nat Pendleton is the humourist, and Barry Mackay is her leading man-detective. In addition there are outstanding supports. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "You're a Sweetheart," starring Alice Faye, with a big cast of selected players and specialty acts, is showing at the Grand Theatre. Produced by B. G. DeSylva and directed by David Butler, - the Broadway-by-night story presents _ George Murphy, song-and-dance man, in the principal supporting role, with a cast that includes Ken Murray and Oswald, of screen and radio fame. The picture marks the first appearance of the Novelle Brothers, bird imitators; the Five Playboys, Maida and Ray, and Edna Sedgwick, the fastest toe danccr in the world.

-I STATE THEATRE, PETONE. 1 A story by Rex Beach combining the roaring days of 1898 in Alaska with a beautiful love story of the north woods. That's the combination that makes Paramount's "The Barrier," which is showing at the State Theatre, an unforgettable picture. The film contains some of the most thrilling action scenes that have been seen in recent years and outstanding outdoor photography. Leo Carillo and Jean Parker are starred. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Dad's running for Mayor, Mother's running Dad. Roger's running a scandal sheet, while Jack's running after a blonde in the most hilarious film the Jones Family has ever made, "Hot Water," now showing at the Palace Theatre. The second attraction, "The I Jury's Secret," tells the story of the man who endeavours to quiet the call of his own conscience when another man is forced to go to trial on a charge of murder, even though he committed the murder himself.

cm AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. A pleasing combination of all the elements necessary for screen success ensures the entertainment qualities of "Hawaii Calls," Bobby Breen's latest musical starring vehicle, which is showing at the Plaza Theatie. The background itself is one of unusual beauty, since the story is laid in the semi-tropical beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. Many of Honolulu s most famous spots are scenes of the action in various parts of the story. The comedy element of the picture is ably cared for by the grim-visaged Ned Sparks and by Irvin S. Cobb, writer and entertainer. Tense drama comes from a plot involving the attempted theft of Government naval secrets. Foremost of the picture's attractions is the silvery voice of Bobby Breen himself, who is heard in five songs during the progress of the story. , DE LUXE THEATRE. Once more the popular hero of fiction lovers, Bulldog Drummond, is portrayed on the screen in one of "Sapper's" detective stories, this time in "Bulldog Drummond's Revenge, starring John Howard, which is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The plot deals with the hazardous business of safeguarding military secrets from foreign and hostile Governments, and it offers plenty of scope for action and intrigue, especially against the background of the Continental nations. At the outset of the film a powerful and revolutionary explosive, known as "Haxonite," is stolen from its inventor by a servant placed in his employ by a spy ring, and the thief immediately sets out to take it to his employers on the Continent. It is then that Bulldog Drummond takes a hand, and the result is an exciting film. A bright musical comedy, "Thrill of a Lifetime," with Dorothy Lamour, the Yacht Club Boys, Betty Grable, and Eleanor Whitney, is the associate feature. STATE THEATRE. Picturegoers whose childhood reading included "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which still holds girlhood enthralled, will probably be puzzled by the adaptation of the story for the latest Shirley Temple film, which is showing at the State Theatre. The only connection with the original story seems to be the actual farm, of which the glimpses are few. For all that, Shirley Temple shines again in the story of a talented youngster who becomes "Miss America of a celebrated radio programme. She l escapes from the machinations of a rascally stepfather to her Aunt Miranda, of Sunnybrook Farm, creates a sensation with her singing in a radio broadcast, and then is hauled back to the city life under a Court order. But she escapes by the simple trick of pretending her voice is gone, and returns to her farm, helped by the interest of her cousin, Gloria Stuart, and the man in the case, Randolph Scott.

TUDOR THEATRE. Annabella stars in "Dinner at the Ritz," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. She is supported by Paul Lukas. David Niven, and Homnev Brent. A powerful drama of love and jealousy, "Dark World,' which has as principal players Tamara Desm, Con Quartermaine, and Morton Selton, will be the second feature. REX THEATRE. "Man of the People," starring Joseph Calleia, is showing at the Rex Theatre. Calleia has the best role of his career and Florence Rice, in the romantic role, continues her steady ascent to stardom. Ted Healy provides comedy, and a capable supporting cast includes ! Thomas Mitchell and Catharine Doucet. "A Girl With Ideas," which is the assoi ciate feature, has a brilliant all-star i cast including Wendy Barrie, Walter Pidgeon, Dorothea Kent, Kent Taylor, and Hobart Cavanaugh. Featuring an entirely new story, the picture is one of the most entertaining to come out of Hollywood. I 1 KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ' "Wings of the Morning" and "A Day ' at the Races" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. "Isle of Fury," the ' picturisation of Somerset Maugham's romance of the South Seas, "Three in Eden," opens tomorrow with Humj phrey Bogart and Margaret Lindsay as I the stars. The hero of the thrilling . story is Val Stevens, a man of primitive instincts and a refugee from the I clutches of the law, who has built up [ a profitable pearl fishery on a remote £ Pacific island—but is compelled to do battle for his' beautiful young bride I against a polished man of ,the world, j Eric Blake, whom he has rescued from ! a shipwreck. Hopalong Cassidy, Windy ; Halliday, and Lucky Jenkins bring a new exciting adventure story to the screen in "Texas Trail," the second

feature. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The most interesting spy story ever screened, "Lancer Spy," heads the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre. George Sanders, Dolores Del Rio, and Peter Lorre have the principal roles. The story of "Lancer Spy" places Sanders in the extraordinary position of a British agent, sitting with the German high command in the uniform of a Prussian lancer. If he lives he can strike a deadlier blow that a million marching men. A ruthless war against taxicab racketeers is depicted in "Born Reckless," the second attraction, starring Rochelle Hudson and Brian Donlevy. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Based on fact, "Danger Patrol," now at the Regal Theatre, with Sally Eilers and John Beal, gives an accurate picture of the lives of the men engaged in one of the world's most hazardous occupations, the handling of high explosives in commerce. "This Way, Please," starring Charles Rogers and Betty Grable, is the associate feature. Adapted from Rudyard Kipling's famous story, "Captains Courageous," with Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, and Freddie Bartholomew, commences on Wednesday. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Trouble comes double when Jane Withers comes to town and laughs come thick and fast when her latest escapades as an amateur detective make front-page news in "Angel's Holiday," Twentieth Century-Fox comedy, which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Rob. ert Kent and Joan Davis are also in the cast. Will Hay has departed froir the Narkover tradition and become Mr Stubbins, a broken-down solicitor tr his latest film "Where There s a Will, the second feature.

CAPITOL THEATRE. A gay and majnificent musical that skims along the silvery Alpine slopes, snow-drenched with dazzling spectacle and exciting beauty, heart-warming with riotous fun and young romance, brings Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power together in "Thin Ice," now at the Capitol Theatre. Miss Henie is more radiantly exciting than ever as she displays new beauty, new daring, and new breath-taking thrills. Zane Grey's "Forlorn River," with Larry Crabbe, is the associate attraction. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Exhilarating in its fresh, gay out-of-doors romance, "Thin Ice," a gay and magnificent musical starring Sonja Henie, more radiantly exciting than ever before, and Tyrone Power, handsome young screen star who soared to fame in "Lloyds of London," is showing at the Seaside Theatre. The supporting feature is a tense and exciting drama, "Saints in Exile." George Bancroft and Evelyn Venables are :n the leading roles.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "Big Fella" and "Fifty Roads to Town" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. , I

One of the most notorious scandals in modern history supplies the theme for "The Life of Emile Zola," which commences tomorrow. The scandal is that surrounding the conviction and imprisonment of Captain Alfred Dreyfus on Devil's Island, on a trumpedup charge that he had sold importand army secrets to Germany. Not only the great success of "The Story of Louis Pasteur," with Paul Muni in the title role, but also the powerful drama of Zola's picturesque career as a moulder of public opinion in France, influenced the studio in making this picture. Muni, who won the Academy Award for his Pasteur effort, also has the title role in "Zola." _ Zola was France's first great naturalistic novelist. His most sensational work was "I Accuse," in which he viciously attacked everyone who had any part in the condemnation and imprisonment of Dreyfus. He had become convinced of the officer's innocence, and with characteristic vigour attacked the powerful military hierarchy with all the strength at his command. 'I Accuse" was deliberately written to provoke a libel suit.

RIVOLI THEATRE. Fritz Kortner, Continental character ! actor, is the star in "Midnight Men- ; ace," now at the Rivoli Theatre. He ; is cast as M. Peters, foreign representative of Grovinia, a tiny European country cut about by the Treaty of Versailles. He attempts to draw England into a European struggle because of his daughter's death in the hands of some Allied troops during the Great j War. In this attempt he would have been highly successful had not Gra- ; ham Stevens, political correspondent of the "Daily World," accidentally j stumbled on the plot. Because of his . knowledge Stevens, returning to the "Daily World," is pushed into a stream ■ and killed, but not before he has warned Brian Grant, a cartoonist on the same paper, that a big story is on its way. Gay with lilting tunes, sparkling , with happiness, and bringing to the screen "The Riviera," a new dance, "Dancing Feet," starring Joan Marsh and Eddie Nugent, is the associate feature. TONIGHT'S WRESTLING. Pat Fraley, the brilliant Nebraskan wrestler who has beaten Blomfield and Tonti and drawn with Moen in his three matches in Auckland, will make his first appearance in Welling ton tonight when he will meet Abe Yourist at the Town Hall. Fraley, on his Auckland form and his overseas reputation, is undoubtedly one of the finest wrestlers ever _ brought to the Dominion and there is no doubt that there will be thrills in plenty when he goes into action against Yourist tonight. The Jewish wrestler also knows the mat game inside and out and has a penchant for fast and spectacular tactics. He has an excellent recard and his displays in New Zealand have made him exceedingly popular. There will be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. SHIP'S CREW ENTERTAIN. A fine concert was given by the concert party of the Rangitane at the Mission to Seamen Institute last week. The performance was given by permission of Captain H. L. Upton, and great credit is due to the producer, Mr. Middleton Clarke, for the manner in which the concert, appropriately entitled "Odd Spots," was performed. The Rangitane Band opened with favourite choruses and was ably assisted by a male and female ballet. Among the performers were Arthur Blake, Harold Hamilton. Norton and Young. Frank Clarkson, Albert Dowsett, Tolly Argyle, Middleton Clarke, and Thompson and Clark. During the interval the Rev. B. J. Williams thanked performers for the concert and paid a tribute to Captain Upton for his work and interest in the crew's welfare.