CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 148, 25 June 1938, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE. It was only to be expected that the film in which Merle Oberon made a welcome return to the screen would be an exceptionally good one, and "The Divorce of Lady X," now screening at the Plaza Theatre, provides not only a large number of delightfully funny incidents, but gives the exotic star another chance to shbw her fine acting ability. In addition to it being a very • neat story it is in technicolour. The story deals with a fog, a young lady, a young barrister, and a pair of pyjamas; plenty of scope for incidents risque. Miss Oberon enacts the role of Leslie, a charming, attractive, but decidedly self-willed young debutante, who is obliged to remain in a hotel owing to an impenetrable fog. Accommodation at the hotel is taxed to capacity, but Leslie,' determined to secure a bed for the night, slinks into the bedroom of the young barrister, Laurence Olivier, and within a remarkably short ■space of time she has secured possession of his bedroom, bed, and pyjamas. With the air of a martyr he retires, to an adjoining room where he endeavours to make himself comfortable on a sofa. In the early hours of the following morning Leslie, still clad in the young gentleman's pyjamas, departs, and explanations are sought by . an irate grandfather when she arrives home In this garb. Incidentally, she leaves the hotel without disclosing her identity, and, of course, this leaves the way open for a series of even more delightful episodes. Morris Selton plays the role of Judge Steele, the grandfather, most convincingly. in addition to the main feature there is a large number- of exceUent supports.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

One of the best British comedies to date, "I See Ice " starring the happy-go-lucky George Formby, is showing'for a second wetk at the St. James Theatre Supporting the comedian are ■ Kay Wa°SheTthe attractive heroine, Frank Lelghton, Cyril Ritchard, and Betty Stockfeld Many difficultsituationsare met and dealt with in typical Formby fashion by the hero, who is a country ohotograpber's assistant, with, ambitions., of joining a I*mdon newspaper as a cameraman. When he arrives at London by accident'he runs foul of the police. mences a wild chase through London. Everywhere Gedrge goes, he hounded by a policeman. ,He succeeds in gaining temporary, respite by masquerading as a he brings his trick camera, concealed in his bow tie, into action to ? obtaSr some Important photographs. Braving these to a newspaper he is engaged to photograph an important ice hockey match which no photographer is allowed to attend. A scFeamingly funny climax is reached when George becomes confused as, a referee and is to control the game. Naturally opportunity is .given George to sing some of his inimitable song 3 with bis own banjo accompaniment. Ice skating forms the background for the film, and some clever. and_mtricate movements are performed. The supporting programme contains plenty of variety and interest.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Her Jungle Love," the technicolour film which is now at the Paramount Theatre, after a season at the Regent Theatre; is rather misleading in title. The name suggests a film of the Tarzan variety with a jungle setting, but actually it has been cast against the more placid background of a South Sea island, a background of gently swaying palms, silvery streams and pools, and colourful Pacific landscapes. Dorothy Lamour, tall and glamorous* brunette, Is admirable as Turo, who pursues a strange and lonesome existence on the island until into her life come two American aviators, Bob Mitchell (Ray Milland) and ' his co-pilot, Johnny Wallace (Lynne Overman), who stage a spectacular crash amid the island palms. The not unhappy though unconventional life of the three is arrested by the arrival of a fleet of native canoes from a neighbouring island, bringing with them as captive another misisng aviator. There any .amount of action in the scenes that follow and one of the most striking is the sacrifice to the sacred crocodile of the natives' captive, a fate incidentally averted with no little difficulty by Mitchell and Wallace. A terrific volcanic upheaval, during which the crocodile temple is destroyed and many of the worshippers are thrown into the jaws of the creatures features in the concluding scenes. There is an excellent supporting programme.

KING'S THEATRE. The mysterious beauty and fascination of the South Sea Islands forms the background for Bobby Breen's latest production Calls," which is now showing at the King's Theatre. As in all his other films, Bobby's voice is given full scope. He plays the part of an orphan who stows away with a Hawaiian boy on board an ocean liner at San Francisco. After eluding authority for practically the whole voyage to Hawaii they are compelled to jump overboard at Hawaii and seek respite in the neighbouring isle of Maui. Here in the course of an idyllic existence the boys reveal a great espionage plot. A fast and exciting climax is reached when Bobby is. captured by the spies. Ned Sparks, as the "greatest ukulele player in the world?' figures prominently in the cast, and gives an .excellent performance. The hilarious exploits of a carefree but debonair young man, who is employed by a newspaper to be sacked several times a day as a stunt when complaints are received from the public, are depicted in tHfe associate feature "Too Many Wives.'- 1 The stellar roles are taken by Ann Shirley and John Morley. The supporting programme is good. NEW PRINCESB THEATRE. The magic of the motion picture camera brings back to life some of the most stirring and colourful days in history in Paramount's , "Wells Fargo," a romance with Joel McCrea and Frances Dee, which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. The romance is built around the family fortunes of McCrea and Miss Dee, _ a pioneer Western family, from the time of the first pony express rider carried his bag of precious mail out of bt. Louis for the remote mining camps of the high Sierras, and ends with the close of the war between the States. The associate feature is Metro-uold-wvn-Mayer's "Exclusive Story' starring Franchot Tone and Madge Evans. ROXY THEATRE. Something new in the way of a feminine character on the screen is shown in "Smart Blonde" a mystery-comedy-drama • starring Glenda FarrelL which is showing at the Koxy Theatre. "Torchy Blane" is the new character. The picture is primarily a murder mystery, yet it has plenty oi laughs, and occasional songs ana dances. Entertainment of a different sort is provided in "Living on Love, the second feature. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "Night Must Fall," starring Roberl Montgomery, is showing at the Kega Theatre. There is no element mystery in the narrative. It is the peculiarly effective account of a youtfl whose mind is bent on crime. The situation is complicated by the romance between him and Rosalind Russell as t girl who finds herself in the unenviable position of loving a man whom she knows to be bad. Crash ol leather, flashing fists, and straining bodies are interwoven with an en; thralling human story of the rise anc fall of a champion boxer, which is unfolded in "Some Blondes Are Dangerous," the associate film. PASSENGER FACULTIES. A long-felt want is being providet by the opening of a new railway sta fion at Andrews, half a mile from Pit CBithly's Siding (on the city side). Thii Will be a marked improvement for i large number of residents. With thi opening of the new station, Pitcaith ly's Siding will be closed. Particular will be found in the advertising columns.

em and suburban theatres

STATE THEATRE.

NEW OPERA-HOUSE,

DE LUXE THEATRE. Those who appreciate action and excitement in their film entertainment have but to go to the De Luxe Theatre and see the current programme to get all they can reasonably want. Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, is starred in "Bed River Valley," which is something superior to the ordinary cowboy run of films. Advantage has been taken of that stupendous engineering work, the Boulder Dam on the Colorado River, to provide a unique background, and the construction and completion of this dam plays a prominent part in a rousing story wherein Arizona and Californian ranchers ride and shoot and make love with an abandon that quickens the pulse. There are sinister influences at work endeavouring to make the dam project a failure, and "Red River Valley" has in connection with this far more story than many such films. Gene Autry is given full opportunity for exercising his vocal talent and he does so very effectively. Another popular screen hero, Jack Holt, appears in "Under Suspicion," which is also a picture replete with action and excitement. He plays the part of a motor magnate who decides to retire. The millionaires decision to hand over his plant to his employees does not altogether, please certain interests, and the millionaire is quite likely to find himself "taken for a ride" or otherwise bumped violently off this mortal coil. However, he forestalls his untimely decease by inviting all possible killers to his mountain lodge where the would-be assassin is trapped. -

Three popular players, Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, and Virginia Bruce have the leading roles in "Wife, Doctor, and Nurse," a cleverly devised drama which is now showing at the State Theatre. The story is one of the eternal triangle, but this theme is treated in a novel way, and the picture blends humour and drama. Warner. Baxter, a prominent doctor, falls in love with and marries one of his pretty patients (Loretta Young), a bright society girl. All goes well until the young wife becomes suspicious of the doctor's beautiful nurse . (Virginia Bruce), who, she believes, is in love with her husband. Miss Bruce denies this but at the same time realises her strong attachment to the young man. She tells the doctor of her love for him and leaves his employ. She has become indispensable Jo:him,, however and her absence causes a great change in him. Loretta: notices this, and tries to make a workable arrangement for the trio, and eventually Miss Bruce returns to the doctor. Things do not work to plan, though, for .both women want the young man, and he needs them both, and so Loxetta sets off for. Reno. It is an accident to a friend of the doctor's that brings the three together in a splendid solution to a problem which provides sparkling entertainment. The supports include a film of the New Zealand-Rugby League team playing New South Wales.

Franchot Tone's popularity an actor has arisen from his starring m many fine pictures. One of his finest, giving him great opportunities to demonstrate his technique, was The Unguarded Hour," which has been reissued and which began a week s screening at the New Opera House yesterday. Dealing with the predicament of a brilliant criminal lawyer who finds that his wife is the chief witness in a case where he has pressed for conviction on circumstantial evidence alone, Tone gives a polished display. Moreover, he himself becomes implicated in a crime and circumstantial evidence against him mounts more and more. For a time, his wife t his home, and everything closest to him become endangered, and the dramatic suspense of the picture is admirably managed. Loretfa/Young is convincingly good as his wife, and Lewis Stone and Roland Young are two supporting players who contribute greatly to the picture. A Pete Smith oddity and a Charlie Chase comedy complete an excellent programme.

REX THEATRE. The Marx Brothers furnish the' fun and three singing favourites of the Broadway stage, Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones, and Walter King, furnish the songs in "A Night at the Opera," which is showing, at the Rex Theatre. Previewed on' the stage to test original comedy situations before, a single scene was filmed, the new comedy is the most ambitious and riotously funny of any produced by the Marx brothers. Chills, thrills, surprises, fast-paced drama, and plenty of heart interest make a firstrate screen mystery thriller of Uni"The Black Doll," which is the supporting feature.

TUDOR THEATRE. "In Old Chicago," the main attraction at the Tudor Theatre, has Alice Brady, Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Alice Faye, and Andy Devine in the leading roles. The second feature is "Big Town Girl," with Claire Trevor, described as a co-mingling of mystery, drama, romance, and melody. SEASDDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. • "Ebb Tide," a drama ; of a madman's folly; of a woman's courage, a courage strong enough to raise three pieces of human driftwood caught in the ebb tide of the Seven Seas to the height of heroes, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. It is a drama so elemental in its force, so primitive in its passion that only natural-colour photography can bring in its raw,'thrilling splendour across the screen. Unique in a number of ways, "Arizona Raiders," the second feature, presents its thrills in doule-barrelled doses. There are two romances; two near-lynchings, and two stampedes worked into the plot.

BROOKLYN THEATRE. Two selected films will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. "Barred Windows," featuring June Travers, ' Craig Reynolds, and several other well-known stars, is the main attraction. The second feature, "Earthworm Tractors," featuring Joe E. Brown, Guy Kibbee, and Dick Foran, is an excellent comedy. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Polo Joe,", starring Joe E. Brown, lis the main attraction at the Palace Theatre. Joe plays the role of Joe Polton, an American youth, who, after several years in China, returns home with a solemn-visaged valet—and an unbounded supply of tall tales. He returns to the arms of his adoring, gushing, and disgustinglyrich Aunt Minnie—who is a member of an extremely swanky polo-playing colony. The second attraction. "Danger Patrol" is a story of the oil fields. It stars John Beal. Sally Eilers. and Harry Carey. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. One of the most notorious scandals in modern history supplies the motivation for the second great Warner Bros.' picture within a year, based upon the fife of a famous Frenchman. The picture is "The Life of Emile Zola." starring Paul Muni, which is showing at the State Theatre. The scandal is that surrounding the conviction and imprisonment of Captain Alfred Dreyfus on Devil's Island, on a trumped-up charge that he had sold important army secrets to Germany. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Dead End," Samuel Goldwyn's film production based on the Broadway stage hit by Sidney Kingsley, is showing at the Grand Theatre, with Sylvia Sidney and Joel McCrea in the starring roles. This powerful drama of a day in the lives of a handful of humans who inhabit a "dead end" city street, where fashionable apartments rub elbows Iwith the squalid tenements of the waterfront, which set records in its Broadway run and was cheered throughout America, reaches even higher heights in the film version.

TIVOLI THEATRE. One of the most unusual and inspiring films ever produced, "The Story of Louis Pasteur," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre, dramatically portrays the thrilling life story of one of the truly great heroes of all time—the man who braved a thousand deaths that countless millions might live. Screened by Warner Bros, on a lavish scale worthy of its great subject, it provides Paul Muni with the most powerful role of his career, supported by a huge cast, including such film notables as Josephine Hutchinson, Anita Louise, Donald Woods, Fritz Leiber. The "death, watch," that little band of Hollywood representatives of the movie industry's trade press, who review pictures months in advance for the private and very practical information of producers and theatre men, stepped put of their character to bestow some of the most ecstatic praise ever heaped upon a screen production after seeing "The Story of Louis Pasteur." The dynamic fighting instincts of Bulldog Drummond are given free rein in Paramount s new adventure picture, "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back," which is the associate feature.

RIVOLI THEATRE. In "Wells Fargo," now at the RivOli Theatre, the director found an assignment particularly adapted to his talents. The story is concerned in the main with the necessity which arose in the American West for dependable transportation service across the continent to California, to carry the mails and news to the scattered wildcat towns on the frontier, and to return to the East with gold and silver. How this need was filled by the enterprising firm of Wells Fargo and Company forms the background of the picture. Laid against this background, which covers the period of 1844 to 1870, is the beautiful romance of Joel McCrea, a young man with farsighted vision who is one of the trail breakers, [and his wife, Frances Dee, who loves I him but fails to understand his dreams. The fortunes of this pair are traced from the time when they are married, at the outset of the picture, until they are reconciled after the war between the States had come between them. [Walter Wanger's musical come.dy "52nd [Street" is the second feature.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Annabella is starred in "Dinner at the Kitz," the main attraction at Our Theatre. She is cast as the daughter of a prominent Parisian banker, has the best gowns that money can buy, and a life that is perfectly carefree. And then her father dies. Suicide, they say, and a suicide that causes a major upset in financial circles; but Annabella knows her father and knows that his death was not by suicide. Literally overnight she becomes an adventuress, seeking those clues that will lead to the arrest of the murderess. Hilarity and romance run riot on the highways in the second attraction, "Time Out For Romance," starring Claire Trevor and Michael Whalen.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Sad-faced Stan Laurel and pompous, jolly Oliver Hardy, who are starred in "Way Out West," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, are a riot of ifun from the time they enter the picture across a desert stream with their trick donkey until their fade-out crossing the stream on their way back. It is their first Western and the pair are screamingly funny as two tenderfoot prospectors trying to do a good deed in delivering a gold mine deed, only to end up in a series of misdeeds. The smashing of the alien smuggling racket provides the background for "Daughter of Shanghai," starring Anna May Wong, which is the associate film.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MtRAMAR. Laurel and Hardy go wild and woolly in their first Western, "Way Out West," which is now at the Capitol Theatre. As tenderfoot desert prospectors going to town for a good deed in delivering a deed of a gold mine to the daughter of a dead miner, Laurel and Hardy commit so many misdeeds that it was surprising, indeed, that they were not shot Mystery, action, and romance are blended in "Daughter of Shanghai," Paramount's romance based on the alien smuggling racket, which is the associate film. P The title role is played 'by Anna May Wong.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAT. There comes a time In every married woman's life when she must decide whether to accept "one more romance" or remain a sober wife, safe with the friends she has always known. Marlene Dietrich, in Paramount's "Angel," which is showing at the Empire Theatre, is thus torn between two men—Herbert Marshall, her busy statesman-husband, and Melvyn Douglas. A wealth of practical knowledge of murder trials and Court procedure entered into the making of "The Jury's Secret," a story of a man who nearly went to the. chair as the result of being implicated in a web of circumstantial evidence, which is the second feature.

MONDAY'S WRESTLING. \ Wellington wrestling enthusiasts are • keenly anticipating the match which is • to take place at the Town Hall oh Monday night between Dick Raines, ,of . Texas, and Pat Fraley, of Nebraska. J These two cowboys have long been • mat rivals but it was not until last \ Monday that they actually met in the ; ring, and the result was one of the ; most thrilling encounters ever seen here. The result—a verdict on points > for Raines—caused the feeling between : them to become more intense than ever . and Fraley lost no time in claiming a : return match in the same ring. He is ■ anxious to prove that he is the better wrestler and also that the unbeaten record which he had maintained in : this country until a week ago is a true reflection of his ability. _ Raines, who showed in his matches with Blomfleld and Fraley that he is as tough a ; wrestler as has ever come to New Zea- ; land, is just as anxious to prove that his win this week was no fluke, and his strength, ruggedness, and skill are such that Fraley will have to give the performance of his career to carry the day. There will be preliminaries from,

8 o'clock. VERSE-SPEAKING CHOnt. The programme to be presented by the Wellington Verse-Speaking Choir in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Wednesday next should prove specially enjoyable. The first half will consist of chorally-spoken poetry, a mixture of well-known and "ttjeknown pieces, including one of the most beautiful of English ' poems, "Kubla Khan," the popular "Lady of Shalott," and poems by Shelley, Byron, Browning, and Humbert Wolfe. There will also be several examples of light humorous verse. Nonsense verse will be represented by "Jabberwocky" and "The Journey." There will be an interesting group of little-known folkrhymes and an example of balladspeaking with mime and two ballads with musical background. In the second half of the programme, Masefield.-. play "End and Beginning" will be presented. This is a fine play in verse written around the theme of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. The part of Mary will be taken by Zenocrate Mount] oy. Other players in the cast are Doris Mildenhall, Pat Henry, Cicely Gallagher, Charles Johnston, and Nat Beatus. The play is produced by Mr. W. J. Mounljoy, jun., under whose direction the whole programme is being presented.

PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A pianoforte recital will be given in Nimmo's Hall on Thursday, July 7, by Madame Betts-Vincent, the wellknown Wellington pianist. The programme, which is a particularly attractive one, will include the Schumann "Carnival," a Chopin group, solos by Rachmaninoff, Dohnanyi, PickMangiagalli, Granados, and Albeniz, a fascinating Staccato Study by Edith Grennop, and the ever-popular "Naila Valse. BEAUTIFYING SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Wellington Beautifying Society will be held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall at 8 p.m. on Monday. The principal speaker will be the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry). The meeting is not restricted to members, citizens who are interested in the work of the society being invited to attend.