CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 144, 21 June 1938, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Gently swaying tropical palms, silvery streams and pools, and beautiful Pacific seascapes make a perfect setting for the colourful background 01 "Her Jungle Love," the new technicolour film now showing at the Regent Theatre. Dorothy Lamour, tall and brunette, is well cast as Tura, the beautiful girl who lives a strange, lonesome life on the island until two American aviators, Bob Mitchell (Ray Milland) and his co-pilot crash spectacularly among the island palms. The three lead an unconventional though not unhappy life until the arrival of a fleet of native canoes from a neighbouring island, bringing with them as captive another missing aviator. Some striking scenes follow in the native temple, where the flying man is sacrificed to the sacred crocodile, a fate which is narrowly averted bv the other two castaways. Concluding scene" feature a terrific volcanic upheaval in which the crocodile temple is destroyed, many t °f the worshippers themselves being thrown into the jaws-of the creatures.

MAJESTIC THEATRE. I Sometimes successful, at others differently received, Hollywood's com. binXns y of male and female stars art seldom made without deep study bv the film studios. The combination 01 Jeanette McDonald and Alan. Jones for "The Firefly." Which is showing at the MaVestic Theatre, promises to be as ?o?ul« .as U in recent years, particularly -if it is. P«" uec !. Th n e j££ tures as entertaining as Ibe Dire fly" --The wealth of melody in he Sml sonss, the excitement of the Sot the S outstanding sequence fhowiligTow the Duke of Wellington savprl Spain from Napoleon, and me lxc e ellent Pa sin|ing of the two jrinciKcV'wS" « lo oYthTTo°nftav" fh-iuntine quality and the "Donkey le has a tune that «,iii nnt Ipave the hearer tor aay&. Throughout the Picture there are songs to olea"e anybody and an interesting $ot P of 14 ionage y and counter-espion-age. .

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Happy-go-lucky George Formby. FnJiand's popular comedian, once S meets trouble and difficulties in hfsatest production "I See Ice," which fsnow King at the St. James Theatre George, as a country photographer's Assistant, has ambitions of joining a London newspaper, as a cameraman, but when he arrives at London by accident he runs foul of the nolice Then commences a wild chase fhrough London, He succeeds m gainihg temporary respite by masquerading as a woman, ana ne Ss his trick camera, concealed in L bow tie, into action to obtain some important photographs. Rvaivinß these to a big newspaper hfe is ettgaged to photograph an important ice Tiockey match which no photoirapher is allowed to attend. A aweSgly funny climax is reached when Geoge becomes confused as a referle and is'compelled to control the game. Naturally opportunity is given George to sing some of his lnimitame songs with hit own banjo accompaniment.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The beautiful technicolour production? ' Wings of the Morning:' is playng a return season at the Paramount Theatre. liv charming settings the French actress Annabella moves in Fhe en gipsy world with dramatic mpursions into titled lne in mi. land The story turns on the gipsy..curse, on those, of their race who .marry outside their own blood. The curse extends over three generations "Wing's of the Morning" is a horse owned by the gipsies. Annaland we.have a Derby Day in.all us Sance, with Steve Donoghue himself 'as the rider who brings Wings and the Gipsy Queen to triumph. A supporting feature, ."One Mile from HeW." >kes the audience into a variety of American life. The prmpi pals are»Claire Trevor, Lilly Blane, and Douglas Fowley. ■

KING'S THEATRE. Something entirely new and refreshins in the way of musical comedy is Produced in ''Radio City Revels/' now screening at the Kings Theatre The theme of the picture is a novel one, and with the popular Jack Oakie, Bob Burns, Kenny Baker, arid Ann Miller in the .starring, roles it moves, with a swing. Bob Burns enacts the role of a country farmer with yearnings to become a gteaV song writer like his teacher (Jack Oakie), who conducts lessons per correspondence. Oakie, however, is not as successful as the country lad thinks and he «i quite unaware when he goes to the city .that his teacher is penniless. Something in the nature of a miracle happens to put the teacher back on a prosperous path. The country lad falls asleep and in his sleep sings turtefUl melodies that Oakie and his pianist copy Oakie and his partner coin money but their plot is discovered in the end by Helen Broderick. who has designs on the singer. The associate attraction, Hideawly," with Fred Stone in the leading role, is a film . abounding with thrills, romance, and humour.

REX THEATRE. America's under-cover; man faces death'to trap the last of the mob men in "36 Hours to Kill," now at. the Rex Theatre. Brian, Donlevy, Gloria Stuart. Douglas. Fowley, Isabel Jewell, and Stepin Fetchit are featured in the cast. Love's young dream is a nightmare to dad in "Educating Father," new Fox film featuring The Jones Family, which is the associate feature. Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane, Dixie Dunbar, Spring Byington. and Kenneth Howell have the featured roles in this happy comedy of life with an average American family. .

KILBIRMIE KINEMA. "Black Legion," now at the Kilbirnie Kinema, will probably take rank alongside that other Warner film of several years ago, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, which was one of the most successful pictures any studio ever turned; out. The story concerns a young motor-car mechanic, played by Humphrey Bogart, who joins the Black Legion-purportedly a patriotic order -in a fit of bitterness over losing.the foremahship of his shop to a foreignborrT fellow-worker. The Legion, of course, is portrayed as a racket, enriching its.promoters. Dr. Syn. tte associate feature,, presents George Arliss in a truly remarkable double role -that of a preacher who, when not in the pulpit, is a daring smuggler.

CAPITOL, THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Song of the City," now at the Capitol Theatre, deals wi h a worth while young playboy who is broke but Sill has the pride not to marry a girl with money. While crossing the bay to San Francisco he gets drunk and falls overboard. Rescued by an Italian family he is nursed back to lYea th by the beautiful daughter who falls in love with him. From then on many complications ensue, and the action Is exciting. "Dr. Syn," the second picture, presents George Arliss in a t P ruly remarkable double role-that of a preacher who, when not in the pulpit, is a daring smuggler.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. A dramatic story of a warden's daughter and the prisoner she dared to love is told in "Penitentiary," now at the Seaside Theatre. Walter Connolly, John Howard, Jean Parker and Robert Barrat are featured. "Okay for Sound," the second attraction, first and foremost brings the Crazy Gang to the screen. This gang is comprised of three famous British humour teams.

CTTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

''' VtelAfE .THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE. j As a singing comedienne, gay, viya-i cious little Simone Simon makes a tri-1 umphanf debut in the bright and snappy comedy "Love and Hisses, which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre. Simone, as attractive and as J saUCy as ever, takes a lighter type of role than she has in the past and sings a number of catchy songs with charm and vitality. 'Walter Winchell and Ben Bernie, popular radio stars, cause many merry moments in their friendly fight over the pert. Parisienne who promises to be a new sensation in entertainment. Ben brings Simone over from Paris for his night club and tries to get Walter, America's 'tone-man newspaper," to boost her up in his daily news session over the radio, his hopes are shatteredf however, when Walter, wishing always to get the better of his rival, puts over- the air the most adverse criticism of the new "nnd." Simone's rise to fame is qutcKly stopped, but Ben is not beaten and arranges things so that Walter disher under- another name.

DE LUXE THEATRE. Excellent comedy is provided in "You're Only Young Once," now at the De Luxe Theatre. The scene is laid on famed Catalina Island, whither repair a complete family who are having their first real,holiday in.ll years. All the family have their own and individual ideas about the way in which the holiday is to be sp.ent, but the bestmade schemes do hot always work out according to schedule. Lewis Stone plays the part of the father who has to bear the burden imposed upon him by a daughter' Who has" just left college and an adolescent son. The girl, Cecilia Parker, is engaged to a mining engineer, but that by no means I prevents her entanglements with other young men. of various sorts. The son. too, is a source of anxiety to his parents, who never know what he will be up to next. "State Police" is the other big film. In this a young necr-do-well is enlisted in the State Police against his inclinations. Ins father being the chiefs ■■■•. '

Catchy song tunes and clever dancing aft'.'ftlways popular, and When ; there is added to them, bright dialogue and -continuous action, as is thecase , in "The Sky's the Limit," which is showing at the State Theatre,., excellent entertainment is attained. Jack .. Buchanan, takes first place in the picj ure and he is capably, supported by Mara Lossef and ghost-of flther. ceVer artists, Jack, as Dave Harber,a clever aeropldn/designer, is giving his ideas to the company emplpymg hirnunUl his friend and room-mate decides that Tack should have the benefit of those ideas;St The friena has written a song and' Jack sets out to sell.it to Madame Isbbella (Mara-Losselh u *le many minor, complications, mostly ■■■ J -.. : > NEW OPERA HOUSE. Don't Cry," brought N e e S w Zealand h boy e %or) through the deal of his grandfather by shock £h lnwina a race on which ne nas pwteu hif alT'lß' W to his own- devices amongst a community where. ; "anyfhine goes," and has to assert himself, wlMttie preparation for' the rough inrt■■ tumble-S life, amongst a. tough ?Stock crowd. The leading ockey (Mickey Rodney) ■ sees the sterling Sties beneath the unsullied skin of iVi<i vounc English ladi ana it is xnis riln y d°ship g whfeh eventually smoothes oUt a very tangled, skein. Partneis wi h Rooney in a self-relianj vouth out of a self-effacing boy are ' keeper of the boarding-house where the jockeys live, and Judy Garland.

ROXY THEATRE. , Daring circus aerialists, the crack; of the whfp, rollicking clowfis, the wild clamour of Jungle animals, and_the nasal twang of the side-show barKer are high lights in ;The: a thrilling back stag 6 story of the Circus, now at-the Charles Qu gley and Rita' Hay worth Heay he rast The lives of the men who make the mosttretthirous • explosive, nitroglycerine, form thP background of the supporting-fea-ture, whose plot turns on She' rdSahCe between two young people. Sfllly Eilers and John Beai.

TUDOR THEATRE. "In Old Chicago" iss showing at .the Tudor Theatre, with Alice Brady Tvrone- Power, Don- Ameche Alice Faye?lnd Andy Devine in the leading rolls Long after its-sensational fears' ar£ forgotten, the immortal love sS the moving, sympathetic appea of tWssaga of a pioneer t .amily .will live in the memories and hearts of those who see it. . Irr its.power to arouse the. .emotion, the story of. in Old Chicago" stands out as the finest Darryl Zanuck has ever presented. It is a storywhich has many pf the beauliful qualities of devotion The second feature will be Big lown Girl," with Claire Trevor.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Lilting music, rollicking laughter, and glowing romance combine to make "«?ins? Me a Love Song, a Cosmopo "tin production released . through First National, which is showing at the Ernpirl Theatre, one of the most entertaining musical comedies of the year There is an all-star.cast headed hv James Melton, the radio singer, Patricia Ellis, Hugh Herbert, Zasu pftts Alien Jenkins, and Nat Pendleton "Bulldog Dnunmond Comes Back" is the associate feature.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. How a dog kleptomaniac, by shrewdnesandan unconquerable liking for secreting everything he can steal, brines confusion to a pair of amafeur Sherlopk Holrrteses to .say nothing about the regular professional trackers of crime, Is hilariously "Hi °h Flyers," starring Bert Wheeler anTßdbert .Woolsey, which is showing at the Regal Theatre. A wealth of practical1-knowledge of murder trials, and Court procedure entered into the making of "The Jury's Secret" the m ory"of■ a man who nearly went to the chair as the result of being imp heated fn a web of circumstantial evidence, which is the second feature.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Trulj/ magniffceht in its spectacular sweep, yet absorbingjn its delightful intimacy, "A Tale of Two Cities,' .starring Ronald Colman, is showing at the New Princess Theatre.' It takes its place among the immortal works of the screen, eritertainrrientwhich cannot be praised too highly. Colman never has had'a role which gave him such opportunity for the quiet humour, the high-drama, and the poignancy he expresses so well. As Sydney Carton, whimsical, sardonic, brilliant wastrel, he reaches the peak of his artistic career The associate feature is the R.K.O. Radio Pictures comedy "Murhrriy'S Boys," starring' Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. May Robson has never been seen to better advantage than in the title role of "Woman in Distress." the main attraction at Our Theatre. The story tells of the professional rivalry between fi handsome young star reporter and a beautiful girl on ari opposition daily. The rivalry, however, is confined only to business, and thrbugout the story there is always an Under-current of delightful romance. When the two attempt to aid an eccentric old lady in solving the mysterious theft of her valuable painting, complications arise that speed the story to a thrilling climax. The associate feature Is tne exciting drama "The Devil is Driving." starring Richard Dix and Joan Perry.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Based on Baroness Orczy's bestselling novel, "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Barry K. Barnes, a newcomer to the screen, and already hailed as the most important star find since Robert Donat, plays the title role Barnes is Seen as Sir Percy Blakeney, an intrepid young Englishman, whose main occupation is snatching.French aristocrats from under the gulllotme His narrow escapes from of the tyrant Robespierre, comer to a brilliant climax that .is both' w™}yj| and spectacular. Sophie Stewart plays the part of Sir Percy's wife, who ,s captured by Robespierre only to be rescued by the League of the Ptagw nel under her husbands leaaersnip. Sandv Powell, Britain's inimitable stage, and screen ie tiit> star in It s. a urano. yi« Word." which is the second feature Sandy is seen with Cyul £"?.»« of he muf mirth, and melody, brings Sandy, to, the screen as a football £"! " * ad, °,d , a stage hand, a hon tamer, ana a gambler

RIVOLI THEATRE. Based on Baroness Orczy's bestseUing novel, "The Return of the Scarlit Pimpernel" is showing at the Rivnli Theatre. Barry K. Barnes, a R ewc'omer e tothe screen, plays role Barnes is seen as Sir fercy Blakeney, an intrepid young. .BnglMhman whose main occupation U i snatchins French aristocrats from under the euillotfne ■ His narrow escapes from fh dutehes of the tyrant Robespierre; come to a brilliant climax that is both thrilling and spectacular. The first «torv of the South Seas to cie filmed in 1 Techhicolour, fittingly enough, is ■ based. ;on, a Jal e ,' b JT. KoDe " Louis Stevenson and Lto* Pstourmi. Paramours "Ebb Tide.-which is the associate feature ."Ebb Tide tells the stbrv of a pair of young lovers who in the South Seas, who go tnrougb 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 Parmer, and Oscar Homolka are featured in the film.

ALEXANDER KIPNIS. Only at rare intervals is it made possible for music-lovers in Wellington to enjoy seeing and hearing such a distinguished artist as Alexander Kip'nis, one of the finest bassps in the world today. However, at the Town Hall on Saturday next such an opportunity is to be afforded when, under engagement to the National Broadcasting Service, this great Russian singer will, in association with Noel Newson, solo pianist and accompanist, give ! the v first'of two concerts In all the great musical centres .of the world Kipriis. has proved himself just as great a favourite on the concert platform as on the operatic stage, and he is particularly noted in Europe and America for his Lieder singing. On both sides of the Atlantic his outstanding artistry is acclaimed, as instance these two brief eulogies from London and Los Angeles; "The Times' pronounced'him as inimitable and as having "the utmost finish and sophistication '.combined 1 . With.sincere and real emotion iti-his voice,? while the Daily News," L6s' 'Angeles, sa id of him: "Kipnis's voice is' a vibrant, exciting basso wh6se'tremendous Volume has to sacrifice absolutely nothing to dramatic delivery." Also, he is an actor of no mean ability, with range from the intensity required of Wagner to the sly humour of Strauss." The box plan is "at the D.I.C. ...J.. ' '

BOY VIOLINIST. An opportunity to see and hear the nine-year-old.. NeW., Zealand... wonder boy violinist. Alan Loveday...whose plaj'irig has amazed the critics and who is to be sent abroad for tuition, will be afforded at the Concert Chamber Of the Town Hall \this evening when he will> appear with the We - lington Harmonic Society,. ■•■■This tallttted child will play "Rondo, -(Mozart-Kreisler)., Canary (Pbliakih), "Tambourin -Ghinols (Kreisler), etc. Another artist on the programme will ba Mr. W. DeardenJackson, solo pianist recently from London, whose programme numbers will include "Prelude—'Polish' m C Sharp" and "Prelude in G Minor (Chopin), "The Submerged Cathedral and "Prelude on Whole Tones" (Debussy), "Rhapsodie Hunganca No. 11 (Liszt), .and "Ruralia Hunganca (Dohnanyi).' The balance of an ex-ceptionally-well-varied attractive programme, will be by the choir of the HarmOnic Society, Under the conductorship Pt Mr. H Temple White, As usual;-** Willi include., sqme. hew numbers as well as old favourites, among which are "Evening Scene . (Elgar), "Promised 1 ,Joys" , (Mendelssohn). "Folly's- -SOng." and "How Beautiful This Night" (Percy Fletcher) "The Bells of St. Michael's.Tower" (Stewart), etc. Popular prices are being charged, there being 150 seats at. Is each.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Marie Walewska" concludes tonight at-the: State Theatre, Petone. In the role of a French mannequin who rises to the heights of fashion dictator for the world, Kay Francis, beautiful brunette dramatic actress, who wears clothes so magnificently, is starred in "Stolen Holiday," First National which opens tomorrow at'.the State .Theatre. The story was literally "made to order" for Miss Francis. The original story by. Warren Duff and-Virgihia'Kellog was tailored for Kay and no one else.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Melody for Two" and "Counsel for Crime" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. . It is mixing up identities that causes all the complications that make the plot of "High Flyers," the feature attraction at the Palace Theatre commencing tomorrow, an entertaining comedy. Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey are starred. "The Lady in the Morgue" is the associate attraction, and the sfers are Preston Foster, Patricia Ellis, and Frank Jenks.