CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 131, 6 June 1938, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

The public will like "The Buccaneer," which is showing at the Regent IfTheatre. The name is enough to recall a the story-book heroes'of the old days and the .public will .thrill as Fredric March portrays the role of the good, bad : Jean Lafltte, who terrorised fee New Orleans coast at the beginning of last century, and will be captivated with the cliarm of the naive little Gretchen, plßyed by Franciska Gaal {a newcomer to Hollywood productions) < The. rich humour of the villainous, but open-fisted Dominique You __ (Aklm Tamirofl) • will -'producejnany a » hearty laugh. As a Cecil B. de Mille 5 production the picture is marked with Sfall the artistry that this great show«inan can command. It is good, sound Entertainment, with all the thrills of 'days ;that can be groupwed' 1 under the name of action, plus rollnwice ■ and roystering comedy. There Sare intimate touches of humanity ana Ethel lavishly spectacular scenes as they Stinerge info the sensational can be exSpected to produce that tingling feeljng at the base of the spine.

MAJESTIC THEATRE; ' All the glamour and panoplyif war Sas?«it used,,to be,'and the beauty . that X-was olcWime Spain, is: recalled in "The Firefly," now showing at the Majestic Theatre. -The picture is noteworthy formany things: for its beautiful lyrics by - itiml, its fine and harmonious settings,:, |»d for its simple, appealing are set in old Madrid, in Bayonne, and among the Pyrenees, and they carry with them a conviction that the screen seldom brings. The picture is one of brilliant contrasts, depicting the struggle Of the Spanish people, lided by the Duke of Wellington and his British, troops, against the might >f Napoleon's armies. It is one of inrigue behind enemy lines, and of omance which even the grimness of yar cannot quelL As Nina Maria, an ntertlilter wnose Spanish parents had >een slain-in the French invasion 20 ears before, and who seeks revenge >y! playing the part of a spy against '% fapoleon, Jfannette Macdonald scores ; ri even greater success. than she did i ""Naughty Marietta." In the role of he dashing Spanish cavalier who purues Nina Maria so tirelessly, and vhose advances are welcomed until he .urns out to" be Captain Francois Andre, of the French Intelligence, Allan Jones, who has an excellent ' voice, also scores in what is his first .--major role. BT. JAMES THEATRE. ' . Three children, a jnotherly landlady, u and one of the great horse races of !2the American season mingle thrills and "drama with heart interest, love, and in, "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry," sdrama of. youth and the -Turf, which >ils ihowjng at the St. James Theatre, gptonald. Sinclair,- New Zealand boy makes his- bow in his first im--jportant role, teamed with Judy Gar<gland, Mickey,, Rooney, and Sophie JSTacker. He plays an English boy who owns a horse. ? Rooney plays the jockey who - tricks him, and* through remorse and friendship finds regeneration'. Miss Tucker has the sympathetic as the landlady.'and extracts every «aoiince of drama from it. Based on a Eleanore Griffin and J. Walter £Rubeni 'Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" projjvfde*. many racing thrills aside from 3! th« heart interest Hundreds of people appear in the race sequences :£ filmed at Santa Anita, race track. £ : PARAMOUNT THEATRE. |3 TJie. awakening of China's teeming, to battle against age-old op£*preuibn is the., basis of a thrilling ro- £ mance of intrigue and adventure, "The t General at Dawn,"- a Parajnou/it I pteh«y*i6ty 'Screening Ift the Para- ' mount Theatre. With Gary Cooper as ta dashing soldier of fortune who links ;hi« . fate with the and .with 'beautiful Madeleine Carroll as the jwoman whose charms are used by a 'scheming war-lord to destroy him, "The General :Died at Dawn" was based on factiial background. Enmeshed in the 'web she helped to prepare, Miss Car--3 roll finds her admiration for her vic\tim blooming into love. She offers her "life in return lor' his, freedom. But -their destinies;are worked out as they "could be only in the modern, war-torn "Every Day's a Holiday," starcxing Mae West, is the supporting feature. ' V KING'S THEATRE. Good entertainment is provided at • the King's Theatre. "Checkers," which »~i» one of the two features, is ja story with the racecourse Sa» : the* backgroimdy ' and it deals f*w*th the fortunes of an itinerant s racehorse owner, his horse, and his —pal, the part of the , pal being taken by Jane Withers. "Checkers" is one ?+ot the best of Jane Withers's pic- • '"tures, and the mixture of comedy and 1! pathos which the story demands is *' well portrayed by this artist. Stuart •! Erwin takes the part of the racehorse !| owner who finds his love for Jai}es j; aunt upset by his love for his horse, • i and he ia responsible for much of .the !! comedy work.* Th.e "second -pirturfe xs J 1 "life - Begins at > College," and fea--2i tures the Rltz brothers; thoseiniI! mitable comedians- who have-estab- • lished . fheshselVes as flrm iayourites 11 with flimgtters who - like burlesque. '; "Life Begins at Colleige" is a scream * 1 from start to finish, and the Ritz broil ! thers are seen in some very clever J first-class entertainment. 31; KILBIRNIE KINEMA. " The boldest venture a British secret t! agent ever faced, impersonating an ■! officer in the German high command, i i forced to gamble on the love of a i). woman whose business was betrayal, ivith the opportunity to strike the »; deadliest blow of the Great War if' he I! lived, is the.theme ,of "Lancer Spy," fj; tow at the Kilbirnie Kinema with Dolores Del Rio, George Sanders, and 3! 'eter Lorre in the leading roles. Arthur ,5; Tracy, the world-famous "Street *■ Singer," who enjoyed such success' in ;i' ils first screen production, "Street J: Singer's Serenade," sings his way. to jj lew heights, of popularity itt "The • * Street Singer's Return," the second at.raction.. h.... GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. fj: "The Crime of Dr. Hallett," starring ■■i ■ lalph Bellamy and William Gargan, It! low at the Grand Theatre, is a power-] t! !ul and poignant picture. It holds the • nterest from the moment that Dd. Hal* - tett is flrsl seen fighting a tragic mis- >; inderstanding in his Sumatran jungle j laboratory, until the moment when he ». plucks vic tory and love from the jaws ot defeat, and the snares of hatred. «• 'Command Performarce," the second I: feature, provides an ideal musical and *; dramatic starring role, for Arthur Tracy '*■ the Street Singer. •* [ V '•* •' " ; PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. j A new romantic comedy about New , York's studio life, "She Married An |: Artist," is showing at the Palace TheJ atre John Boles and Luli <; Deste "are co-starred. In featured roles J; are Frances Drake, Helen Westley, and • Alexander D'Arcy. Marion Gering , i directed the film, which marks the ;; \mericfrfn debut of Miss Deste. The « ;econd attraction, "Western Frontier," 4 jives the star, Ken Maynard, and his J | Aropderful horse, Tarzan, just the roles j; hat they excel in. Both these features I. will be screened at a special matinee *; Monday at 2 p.m. ' JI STATE " THEATRE, PETONE. ;: "The Awful Truth," now at the State Theatre, is brilliant comedy, played vith distinction and restraint. It is sumptuously mounted and was directid by Leo McCarey with superb timing clever characterisation. Irene 'ti Dunrte and Joyce Compton, sing, and jg the star performs a mirth-provoking 5 dance Specialty with Ralph Bellamy. S Outstanding in other important roles . «g are Cecil Cunningham as Miss Dunne's 3 tartar-tongued Aunt Patsy, and Alex-, jj ander D'Arcy as a romantic foreign S young vocal teacher. SB:

OT AND SUBURBAN [HEATRES

I PLAZA THEATRE. A story of the heroic deeds of a bold traveller, a fierce fighter, and a dashing lover, "The Adventures of Marco Polo," is showing for .week at the Plaza Theatre. The hard task of bringing to the screen the life 01 seven centuries ago presented no aim cutties to Samuel Goldwyn, for the film is splendidly produced and the photography outstanding. Marco Polo (ably played by Gary Cooper), an ambitious young Venetian, sets out Worn his native town for the little-known Cathay with the idea of opening up trade with the East. After a hard and perilous three-year journey lie reaches the court of the great Kublai Khan, in Kambalu, Peiping. For some time he remains in the Khan's service and soon finds himself pitted against erous Minister of State (Basil Rathbone) who attempts io usurp tne throne. Many are the exciting scenes which take place during young Polos stay in China, and one of the finest is when he storms the city walls with his Tartar army and ousts the rascally Minister. Romantic interest is introduced by Sigrid Gurie. DE LUXE THEATRE. Fine performances by the principals, Mary Astor and Richard Arlen, make the uproarious picture of romance behind the scenes in a big newspaper office, "No Time to Marry," now. screening at the De Luxe Theatre, an excellent film. Perry Brown (Arlen) and Kay McGowan (Miss Astor), the former the star reporter and-the latter the social writer on the newspnper, have been trying to get married for a long time, but on at least three occasons some big assignment has caused their entry into matrimony to be postponed. Everything is ready for the event when a famous heiress disappears and Perry is asked to cover the story. Perry's boss, however, cancels this assignment, and orders him to bring to his home town two goats, which he has promised his neurotic child for a Christmas present. Perry, Kay, the heiress, and the newspaper photographer somehow find themselves together and they all depart in a search for goats. The associate feature "Wings Over Africa" is a highly exciting picture dealing with a search for diamonds in Africa. Additional attractions are piano-accordion and harmony items by the celebrated Mexicanos. STATE THEATRE. When there is mushroom growth, easy money, bright lights, and quick profits it is usually the case that poverty and vice are to be found just across the street. So it was that in the days when old Chicago was suffering most froni growing pains corruption and graft ruled the political field, and the destinies of the city were decided, not in the council chambers, but in the hectic atmosphere of the saloons and other questionable establishments in the other side of the town. "In Old Chicago," which, is now showing at the State Theatre, does for Chicago what "San Francisco" did for that city, Even in plot, sequence, and spectacle, it bears a! close resemblance to the former film, and its climax comes, too, when .a great disaster sweeps clear the hovels- of the slums to make- way for a greater, grander,, and more dignified city. Having its climax in the great fire of Chicago, the film contains some awe-inspiring and terrible scenes, scenes which represent human suffering, petty jealousies, and greed, but also provide the opportunity for heroism and self-sacrifice to raise their heads. Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Doh Ameche, Alice Brady, Andy Devine, and Brian' Donlevy play the principal roles. There: are several excellent supporting subjects. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. , . TtiS first iftoryi of'tlie South Seas to be filmed in - techhicolour. fittingly enough. Is based oh a tale by Robert ; Louis. Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne, Paramount's "Ebb Tide," which is showing at the Princess Theatre. "Ebb Tide" .tells the story of a pair of young lovers who meet under unfavourable circumstances in the South Seas, who go through perilous adventures and a typhoon together at sea, and who finally work out their destinies on an isle dominated by a madman. Ray Milland, Frances Farmer, and Oscar Homolka are featured in the film. The associate feature is the romantic musical comedy, "You're a Sweetheart,", starring Alice Faye and George Murphy. TUDOR THEATRE. Acclaimed by Increasing numbers as the most exciting sweethearts of the screen, Tyrone Power and Loretta Young are co-starred again in Twentieth Century-Fox's "Second Honeymoon," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. The film is said to be their perfect picture together. Love at first sight is romance enough. Tyrone and Loretta agree. They fall for each other twice in this gay story. The second feature will be "Rawhide," with Smith Ballew and Lou Gehrig. REGAL THEATRE, KARORL "Slim," a melodrama dealing with a class of young men whom the films have overlooked up to'.now—the lads who string high < tension power lines across the country—is showing at the Regal Theatre. Co-stars in the picture, ana pals in the story, are Pat O'Brien and Henry Fonda. Margaret Lindsay is in the feminine lead. There is a distinct melody of modern life in the crowded places, with all its overtones and minor chords/ in "Song of the City," ■ the second; attraction. One of the most spectacular ship fires ever filmed provides 'the scene for: the climax. ; ' <: - EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Years ago, one of the greatest hits of the ajteht screen was a screen version of Jack London's novel, "The Mutiny of the Elsinore." Now the picture has j been refilmed as a talkie, and- it is even inore. thrilling with dialogue. "The Mutiny ot the Elsinore," starring Paul' Lukas, which is showing at' the Empire Theatre, tells of life aboard a windjammer, of the hardships and dangers that the sailors on these romantic vessels have to face. The eternal question of whether a criminal lawyer should defend and attempt to clear a murderer although ; he definitely knows he is guilty, is brought forward again as an integral part of the plot of "Counsel for; Crime," the second featiire. - Otto Kruger. Douglass Montgomery, and Jacqueline Wells are featured. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "Thin Ice" will be shown at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. The cast includes Sonja Henie, Tyrone Power, Arthur Treacher, Raymond Walburn, and Joan Davis. "Hot Water,". featuring the Jones Family, will also be screened. The cast includes Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Spring Byington, and Russel Gleason. There will also be a full supporting programme. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. The Gershwins' latest songs, a group of novel dance numbers, and a riotous P. G. Wodehouse story have Been blended into the framework of Fred Astaire's new starring film with George Burns and ' Gracie Allen in RKORadio's "A Damsel in Distress," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre. "Some Blondes are Dangerous," a story of the prize ring, with Noah Beery, jun., and William Gargan, is the second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. The boldest venture a British secret agent ever faced, impersonating an officer in the German High Command, forced to gamble on the love of a woman whose business was betrayal, : with the opportunity to strike the i deadliest blow if he lived, is the theme !of "Lancer Spy," now at the Capitol | Theatre, "Yours for the Asking,' the second attraction, is a balanced combination of romance and comedy, 1 blended skilfully' into a fast-moving 'plot.

TIVOLI THEATRE. All the thrills of those adventurous days when men dared all for love live again in "Under the Red Robe," starring Conrad Veidt and Annabella, which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The film stands out as the greatest adventure of an adventurous era. Combining the intrigue of "Richelieu," the romance of "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and the adventure of "The Three Musketeers," it tells a tale of scarlet intrigue that threatens a throne, with Conrad Veidt, acclaimed as one of the I 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. As the radiant and charming Lady Marguerite, rapturously in love and unaware that her ardour can destroy a throne, Annabella more than fulfils the promise of her earlier screen appearance. The hilarious comedy "Good Morning Boys," starring the inimitable Will Hay, who is supported by a large cast, will be the second attraction. RIVOLI THEATRE. While there was plenty of precedent at their own . studios for a picture directly from front pages of newspapers, Warner Brothers have never before tackled so immediately current a topic as \"Black Legion," which is showing for the first time in Wellington at the Rivoli Theatre. A few months ago, American newspaper readers were horrified at published accounts of so-called "Black Legion" activities in Michigan. The story broke when a young mechanic was taken out by a group of masked men and cruelly flogged, then shot, because of an allegation that he had beaten his wife. After his death, it was proved that the unfortunate victim was a kindly man whose wife denied vehemently he was ever anything but gentle and considerate. Developments brought' out that the deluded members of the "Black Legion" had been led to believe themselves patriots fighting for the rights of true Americans and that religious prejudice and racial hate served the cause of justice. Finally trapped by the police, their cloak of patriotism was stripped away and found to cover nothing more noble than puny jealousies and resentments against their victims. The dramatic details of this story form the base of the film, "Black Legion." The cast is headed by Humphrey Bogart. NEW OPERA . HOUSE. The sensation caused by the emergence into the limelight of the literary world of Trader Horn had its natural sequel in the film world, and "Trader Horn," the "Tllm now starring at the New Opera House, has proved to be one of the greatest of the several African motion pictures which from time to time have appeared. For this superb Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production a lengthy sojourn in the Dark Continent was necessary, but the expedition was rewarded with material that has no screen superior. The African jungles gave up their secrets to the cameramen, who obtained almost incredible shots of wild animals in their natural haunts— animals at play and animals fighting to the death. But these, almost a complete programme in themselves, are but incidental to the story of "Trader Horn." The old trader, with his homely philosophy, is admirably played by Harry Carey, and the romance in a jungle setting is provided by Edwina Booth, as the girl-wooed from savagery, and Duncan Renoldo as the boy Peru. 1BOXY THEATRE. "Black Legion," now at the Roxy Theatre, is a daring and thrilling melodrama based upon the actual operations of the secret, hooded, night-riding order which terrorised Michigan recently. The cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Dick Foran, and Ann Sheridan. The supporting feature, "The 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.» Fay Wray and Kent Taylor have" the principal roles. REX THEATRE. Lionel Barrymore always :master of the character analysis in a screen portrayal, again touches the heart in his latest role as a fearless old country judge in "A Family Affair," now at the Rex Theatre. The supporting cast is strongly reminiscent of "Ah, Wilderness!" similarly produced at the Met-ro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. George Bancroft, in a role reminiscent of his memorable portrayals in "Underworld," "Dragnet," and "Docks of New York," heads the large cast appearing in Columbia's "Saints in Exile," the second feature. Appearing opposite Bancroft is Wynne Gibson. J i OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Doctor Syn," which is the main attraction at Our Theatre, presents George Arliss in a truly remarkable double role—that of a preacher who, when not in the pulpit, is a daring smuggler. It is packed with action, excitement, and drama, showing the star in an entirely new type of characterisation. Supporting him are John Loder and Margaret Lockwood as romantic leads. The second attraction is the hilarious comedy "Oh, Mr. Porter!" starring Will Hay. STEELE AT TOWN HALL TONIGHT. The famous Ray Steele, who has been for some years in the front rank of world wrestling, will make his only appearance at the Wellington Town Hall tonight when he will meet Andy Moen, the tough and capable wrestler from Minnesota. In both his bouts at Auckland Steele displayed highly convincing form and impressed the spectators by his skilful as well as rugged mat work. On his arrival in Wellington today Steele said that the two matches, combined with daily workouts, had enabled him to reach his top form. "I realise that Moen is an opponent worth watching," he said, "but I think I have what it will take to fix him." He said that he was leaving for Australia .at the end of the week, but liked New Zealand so much that he would make every effort to return some time. Amateur preliminaries will commence at 8 o'clock. BOXING AT TOWN HALL. Wellingtonians are certainly going to see a great little lightweight boxer in action at the Town Hall on Thursday evening when Dommy Ganzon makes his Wellington debut. Billy Hamilton, who made such a favourable impression against Rayner at the Town Hall a fortnight ago, could stay only six rounds with Ganzon in Christchurch on Saturday evening before he was knocked-out. so it is going to be interesting to see what showing Wellington's brilliant lightweight hope, Henry Dunn, can make against the Filipino. Dunn has improved out of sight and is ftow a tough specimen equally capable .of absorbing punishment and dealing it out. Their tenround match should be "something out of the box." The other professional match between Tommy Hansen and Tommy Carbin will also be brimful of interest as both are well known to Wellirigtonians as fast boxers. There will be excellent amateur preliminaries including a return bout between Jackie Parker and Joe Hansen. Particulars are advertised. CHURCH ANNIVERSARY. Tomorrow evening a 7.30 the Newtown Congregational Church will celebrate its fortieth church anniversary with a conversazione. All old members and friends are invited.