CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 115, 18 May 1938, Page 8

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. l-. Two generations of a great American family are traced against a bold background of Western history in •'•"Wells Fargo," Paramount's romance, • >now at the Regent Theatre. /■ The story is concerned with the family fortunes of Joel McCrea, a man of vision-, and • Frances Dee, a trusting wife who does _ r not understand her husband's dreams. _This is woven around the establishment of the famous Wells-Fargo Traili . from St. Louis to San Francisco, America's "lifeline of Empire," and takes in the twenty colourful and "crucial years in America which began -with the discovery of gold in California and the end of the war between the States. Bob Burns, Lloyd Nolan, Henry O'Neill, Porter Hall, Robert . Cummings, and Ralph Morgan are in the supporting cast which numbers over two thousand. More than three years of research b£ a large staff of „ historical experts were required by the " producer director, Frank Lloyd, before beginning to film this historical epic.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. 1 -*••■ Mr. and Mrs. Thin Man are back again in another uproarious comedy hit ""This time the famous William Pdwell- ' Myrna Loy co-starring team makes its . appearance in. "Double Wedding," ..which is showing at the Majestic • 'Theatre. With Powell cast as a penninVless but devil-may-oare artist who lives in a' trailer, and Miss Loy as the "owner of a fashionable New York gown ' shop, the laugh-padded story describes the efforts of the heroine to prevent her younger sister from'marrying Lowell instead of the man she herself -•has picked out for her. As may be suspected, in the end Miss Loy falls for , the irresistible Mr. • Powell herself. Florence Rice, plays the younger 6ister, | .and John Beal the man Miss Loy has chosen as her prospective husband. I

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

In the new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

production, "Beg, Borrow, or Steal," a now at the St. James Theatre, Frank ■ •* Morgan has a role which suits him :.-exactly. Cast as the petty chiselling 'escort of American tourists in Europe,he has plenty of opportunity for fun throughout, ' Trouble strikes him ' when he grandiloquently offers the use of his.chateau for his daughter's ■ wedding to the vice-president of a -'Small-town bank back home. The trouble is that he,has no chateau.- But a timely palming of a fake Murillo enables him to hire a castle and to entertain his wife and daughter and the relatives of his son-in-law \o be. Unfortunately,,- complications in the person of John crop up to persuade his daughter on marriage other than in the intended and : meanwhile there are constant complications which give* Morgan grey hairs and the audience plenty of laughs. NEW OPERA HOUSE. 1 - Couples contemplating a divorce be- , .cause of an occasional tiff, or even now . -and then a downright row, will see How ridiculous' they may become in ■""The Awful Truth,' r now screening at the New Opera House. Irene Dunne ''"and Cary Grant are the couple who 'imagine themselves'-unhappy together, - and, after a particularly salty\quarrel, make a bee line for divorce, and see it through. The trouble is not the custody of the children, for this is a modern „ couple, but a dog, which is so important to both of them that for a while it seems as though there must be a hitch. Once divorced, they have time to think, and it soon dawns on them that - they have '■ made ' a mistake, and are really miserable apart. Especially is * this realised on the stipulated occa-/ ,sions when the husband meets the dog,] * which is in the custody of the wife. It is a brilliant comedy and there is fun in every moment of a cleverly-plotted social muddle. I PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Prisoner of Zenda," Anthony - Hope's swash-buckling tale of love, intrigue, and adyenture in the Courts of Europe, with Ronald Colman, Made'leine Carroll, and Douglas Fairbanks, -"jun.. in the leading roles, commences -today at the Paramount Theatre. "Colman is at his charming best in "the difficult dual role "of the adventurous Rudolf Rassendyll and as roistering King Rudolf V, whom he resembled so closely. Lavishly mounted with some sixty-odd sets, including a cathedral, a castle, and the sumptuous castle ballroom, designed '3&y Lyle Wheeler, "The Prisoner Zenda" offers some of the most imSressive and beautiful scenes ever lmed, notably the Coronation' ceremony and the Coronation ball. John L.. Balderston and Wells Root have .made a grand screen play, based on -Edward Rose's dramatisation of the Aiithony Hope novel, and all the members of the imposing cast turn in uniformly Sne performances under v the expert direction of John Cromwell.

KING'S THEATRE. The title of the main film at the King's Theatre, "Thank - You, "Mr. Moto," gives no clue really "to the type of picture, except to "readers of the American publication The Saturday Evening Post." To them the character "Mr. Moto" is well ■ known as the ace sleuth of J. P. Marquand's detective stories. Thte story is invested with any amount of action, suspense, and thrills,:. It concerns Seven scrolls, supposed to be the key ;to fabulous riches, and the of •Mr. Moto to thwart those seeking to ;gain possession of the scrolls and plunder the treasure. There is' a 'thrilling climax to this gripping picture in which Mr. Moto triumphs over ■4be gang of thieves. Among those in /the supporting ! cast are Pauline Frederick, a star in the days.of*the silent films, Thomas Beck, and Jayne Regan. The second feature is a - Comedy-romance .with the title of "Time Out for Romance," starring Claire Trevor and Michael- Whalen.

ROXY THEATRE. «. "The Game That Kills," now at the Roxy Theatre, is a thriller dealing with something different in the world of sports. Ice hockey, has been called by many the fastest game of them all . . . and just about the most dangerous. Here is a picture that brings all the action and thrills of a dozen contests, combined with underworld intrigue and young romance. Based on the ingenious premise of a wealthy young 'man, feigning amnesia to escape' from .- his matrimonial •troubles, "There Goes • the Groom," starring Ann Sothern, Burgess Mere'dith. and Mary Boland, is the second feature. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Ali Baba Goes to Town," starring Eddie Cantor, which is' showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. is the most magnificient combination of colourful ex.travaganza, side-splitting comedy, song hits, beautiful girls, exotic dances, brilliant dialogue, and lavish sets ih the history of fun. Penetrating the forbidden fastnesses of ■the isle of the incredible ori a venture so perilous that Government authorities at first refused permission, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson encountered the greatest adventure of Cithern all, filming the .piotorial climax "of Martin Johnson's career in "Bor.neo," the second) attraction.

* CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. , Called into action on New York's Great White Way, Charlie Chan iniVades the night clubs to seek the killer •whese double murder casts a shadow M terror over Manhattan's gayest spots 'In the newest of his screen adventures, l"Cnarlie Chan on Broadway." which J» showing at the Capitol Theatre. Warner Oland is featured in his familiar .'jjutstandina characterisation of the 'Chinese datective. William Gargan Ttnd Judith Barrett are the stars in •the associate feature, which is a romantic comedy dealing with broadcasting.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

I FLAZA THEATRE. | One might truthfully say of Bobby Breen that he is the Deanna Durbin j of his sex, and this is well borne out !In his latest film, "Hawaii Calls," now screening at the Plaza .Theatre. Superb, photography has supplied an ideal background for his rendering of native son,gs, and he scorces a distinct hit in the popular "Song of the Islands." The story deals with the life of a boy', who, with a Hawaiian friend, stows away on a ship to San Francisco bound for Hawaii.* They are discovered on board by the screen's greatest pessimist, Ned Sparks, and it is the latter Who gives to the film many humorous incidents. They escape from the ship on arrival at port, and depart to live with the relatives of hißTriendj Ned Sparks misses his boat and stays, too. So do a band of crooks who are .endeavouring to steal the plans of an American air base. There are mansbthrills as Bobby and his friend stumble on the hideaway of the crooks, and in a stirring finish they manage to rescue the plans.

DE LUXE, THEATRE. Although first produced in Australia some five years ago, "On Our) Selection" will be', joyously received as a revivifying tonic by hundreds of film patrons in Wellington, uo, matter whether they have seen it before or not, and the De Luxe Theatre, where "On Our Selection" has entered upon a season, is likely to record a series of full houses. This new release stars Bert Bailey, Fred Mac Donald, Alfreda Bevan, and Willie Driscoll, who make an excellent team. The humour, without being forced, never lets! up from the moment.the film begins until the final flicker, and there is an excellent story as welL On the same programme is another splendid film, but of a very different type. This is "Trapped by G-Men," and, as its title implies, there is sensation and action in abundance. STATS THEATRE. .... Romancing stars, dancing stars, comedy stars, singing stars—there are starsall around the screen's No. 1 star, Shirley Temple, in her latest musical hit, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," 20th CenturyfFox picture which is showing at the State Theatre. Randolph Scott and Gloria Stuart are gloriously in love; Pat Haley and Slim Summeryjlle make merry; Bill Robinson dances with Shirley at tap-speed; anG other talent includes Phyllis Brooks, Helen Westley, the Raymond Scott Quintet, Alan Dinehart, and J. Ed. Bromberg. Six new rhythm songs stud the happy musical score. Songs which will, add to the humming repertory of people everywhere are "An Old Straw Hat," by Gordon and Revel; "Alone With, You," "Happy Ending," and "Crackly i Grain Flakes,". by Pollack and Mit-1 chell; "Come and Get Your Happiness," : by Pokrasahd Yelen; and "Toy Trumpet," with music by Raymond Scott and lyrics by Pollack and Mitchell.-,

I/.■',■: REX THEATRE..; "Thirteen Hours by Air," now at the I Rex Theatre, is a dramatic chronicle of the adventures that befall half-a-dozen passengers and the. crew of a transport plane as it zooms across the country from New York to San Fran-i tisco.' Fred Mac Murray, is one of the pilots of the machine,' and Joan Ben: i nett is the lovely passenger who intrigues Mac Murray. Lavishly gar-, nished.with. catchy tunes and bring* ing two new youthful - and talented .players to the, screen, Paramount's musical romance, "Coronado," is the second attraction, with Jack Haley and Andy Devine. ■'■' *"■ - - U NEW iTHEATRE, ; .« With brilliant acting performances from Joan Crawford, Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Melvyn Douglas,; and James Stewart, VThe Gorgeous Hussy," now at the New Princess Theatre,- is one of the finest pictures to come from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Miss Crawford andjßobert Taylor offer .something new" in. love, teams and their acting together gives the story its most poignant and unforgettable moments. The associate feature is Paramount FUms' musical comedy, Way, Please," which features Charle3 ("Buddy") /Rogers, Ned-Sparks; and Betty Grable.

SEASIDE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. After solving crimes in manycorners of the earth, Warner Oland, as the super-sleuth of the screen, comes to the most famous of all Main Streets to unravel the mystery of a double murder in "Charlie Chan on Broadway,' Which is showing at the Seaside Theatre. A gay, romantic musical is presented in 'Three Cheers for Love" a Paramount film with Eleanore Whitney and Robert Cummings m the leading roles, which is the associate, attrac r tioni- "•••■ " ■"■•'• - ■■'.' v. -

OUR THEATRE, -NEWTOWN, v

"Fatal Lady," a film combining murder, mystery, miislc, and romance, thrills and comedy, heads the doublefeature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. Mary Ellis and Walter Pidgepn have the. principal roles. The story involves a. famous opera singer whose; love 4s, fatal to three suitors who are mysteriously murdered. The fourth narrowly escapes a similar fate before the killer is uncovered. Jimmie Allen to the screen his daring sky exploits in^'The Sky Parade." the associate feature. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Valiant Is the Word for Carrie," the compelling drama of a woman's resurrection and "noble sacrifice, is -showing at the Palace Theatre. The excellent cast includes Gladys George, Arline Judge, John Howard, and many others. The second attraction, "Clarence," Paramount*!! comedy of family life' by Booth, Tarkington,' has Koscoe Karns, Eleanore Whitney, and Eugene Pallette in the leading roles. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. In "Chained," now at the G -, r , an {? Theatre, Joan Crawford and Clark Gable are co-starred in a story written especially for' them. by Edgar Selwyn, noted writer, director, and producer. They are cast in the kind, of roles which each i has made famous—Joan as a vivid young lady of Manhattan, and Clark as a young American rancher in Bueons Aires. Three stars have places of honour in "Times . Square Lady," a fast-moving >■ new comedydrama of metropolitan night life, which is the associate feature. They are.Virginia Bruce, Robert Taylor, and Pinky Tomlin, a new screen crooner.

STAVE THEATRE, PETONE. "Sparkles," starring- Jessie Matthews, is showing at the State Theatre. The story sets a newj standard for screen musicals, and Jessie sings, dances, and acts in a role packed with delightful comedy and tense dramatic action. Barry Mackay plays opposite Miss Matthews. .This young actor has good, looks, and acting ability. Noel Madi-< son and Nat Pendleton sketch amusing portraits of American gangsters, and Olive 'Blakeney as Nedda Beaumdnt, -contributes an excellent performance^ "GIRLS WILL BE BOYS*." "Girls Will be Boys" will be the main picture on an excellent ° programme to be presented at the De Luxe Theatre on Sunday at 8.15. p.m. The proceeds will be devoted to the funds to erect a full-sized ship on Mount Victoria as a memorial to the pioneers. The. New Zealanders' Association ig confident that every New, Zealander will i receive with enthusiasm a scheme that will give Wellington a memorial [that will be admired and visited by everybody.

tivol: theatre. "Dead End," \he one spot in New York where the poor and the rich live side by side, is the background for the stirring film of> that name which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The story» is that of a young slum-dwelling girl (Sylvia Sidney), who attempts to save her young brother from a career of crime for which he is quickly heading. She is in love with a young and poor architect (Joel McCrea), but he is devoted to a girl who, having risen from the slums, is living in luxury. "Baby Face" Martin, a hunted killer, decides" to return to the place which started him on his life of violence to see Tnis mother and former sweetheart., His risky exploit is wasted, however, for he finds that his mother despises him and the girl is not at all-what he expected., He decides to kidnap the son of a rich man who lives in the neighbourhood, but a thrilling gun battle between his partner and him and the architect ends this plan dramatically. The boys of the Dead End gang are those' who played in the sensational New York stage success. Mischievous Jane Withers decides to become a sleuth in the second attraction, "Angel's Holiday," RIVOLI THEATRE. Paramount's "Her Husband Lies," a drama of a lie that had to be told, brings Gail Patrick and Ricardo Cortez to the Eivoli Theatre. The story concerns Cortez, a gambler, whose wife, Miss Patrick, gives him the alternative, of giving up gambling or losing: her. He gives her his word that he is through with cards, and the climax arrives when he is forced to go back orr his word in order to save his younger brother and square himself with his erstwhile associates. "The Man in Blue," the second, attraction, is the dramatic story of a "'policeman who adopts the son of a burglar whom he kills in self defence during a gun battle It is a powereful, inspiring story of hate and love; of distrust and' Suspicion; of faith and redemption. Through is woven a beautiful romance that makes a man's life whole again. Robert Wilcox and Nan Grey head the'cast. v .

i . REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. , The inspiration, execution, and results of an advertising puzzle contest are shown, in "Everybody's Doing It, a comedy drama with Preston Foster and Sally Eilers, which is showing at the, Regal Theatre. Foster is seen as the artist who conceives the ideas for the puzzles, and Miss Eilers appears as his personal inspiratfon. Complications are furnished when two separate gangs Jry to kidnap: Foster. Through the ingenious device of planting clues in" the pictures he draws, while tive, Foster is able to ,tip Mtes Eilers off as to his whereabouts. Selected short features comprise the first half of the programme. N EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Presented by an impressive cast headed by Freddie Bartholemew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, and Melvyn. Douglas, "Captains Courageous 'is ' showing at the Empire Theatre. {Freddie Bartholomew.crowns his bnlJiant young career in the role oi the rich American boy who is swept from [the deck .of a liner in a.gale, rescued by a fishing crew, and trained to the life of the 'hardy men' of the sea. The romantic exploits of a • newspaper cameraman and his society sweetheart form the basis of "They /Wanted to Marry," the second featura with jGordog Jones and Betty Furness. r # TUDOR THEATRE. Edgar Wallace's greatest thriller, "The Squeaker," heads, the programme now showing at the Tudor Theatre. Edmund Lowe, Sebastian Shaw, Tamara Desni, Ann Todd, and Robert Newton star. "Hawaiian jjuckaroo," with Smith' Ballew, the singing cowboy, Pat O'Brien, and Evelyn Knapp, is the second attraction.' It is rousing outdoor adventure, and ranges in scene from Arizona's to the shores of Hawaii.

BROOKLYN THEATRE. ' Rex Beach's story "Th'S" Barrier" will be the main attraction at;th> Brooklyn Theatre tonight. The cast includes Leo Carillo, Jean Parker, James Ellison, Otto Kruger, Robert Barrat, and Andy Clyde. . Mary Boland, ! Julie Haydbn, and Donald Woods are-featured in "A Son Comes Home," the second attraction. There will be three excellent supports. '.' WRESTLING. | Leo Jensen, the "Danish-Canadian wrestler, who was one/of the contestants in the first bout of the season at Wellington, will make his second appearance at the Town' Hall oft. Monday night when he will be opposed by Andy Moen, one of the two unbeaten wrestlers in the Dominion at the present time. Since he had a chance to work into best" form and accustom himself to New Zealand conditions, Jensen has given consistently high-class displays and has been in demand by promoting bodies all over the Dominion. He was considered to be extremely unlucky to lose .the verdict»in a bout with Blomfield and he has also held Moen to a, draw, so that there is no doubt that the latter >will be extended to the utmost on Monday. Jensen's success as a wrestler arises very largely from the fact that he makes a fetish of keeping in perfect physical condition, with the result that he as able to keep a bout moving at a fast pace the whole time and is often able to- turn the result, in his favour by staging' a stronger finish" than his"opponent. Moen is always popular with; the local crowd and the similarity in build and tactics of the two men assures a first-class match. There will be amateur preliminaries. : ':./ ' SKATING. ■ '; The cool weather now prevailing makes skating the ideal. sport, and many private parties are being arranged at the Golden Gate rink. Tomorrow night is health night, and proceeds are for the Crippled Children's Fund. ■■' .