CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 26, 30 July 1938, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. . Joyous acting is the keynote of "Tyive, Love, and ,Learn," which is jhowhig for a further week at the Regent Theatre. Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell are the two star performers in this mirth-provok-ing production. There is a young painter who has nothing to live for and, nothing to live on, except his art, and that was not very satisfying. But fate literally throws a society girl into his > arms, so to speak, and wedding bells follow. Although up to this point there is heaps of fun in the picture, thereafter it be- j comes ; hilarious. The wedded pair lead a Bohemian sort of life until a . fortuitous circumstance gives the! young artist more publicity than even his wildest nightmare ever anticipated. In spite of himself, he becomes famous. But success turns his . head for the time being, and it requires the united efforts of his wife and a bibulous family friend to get him back to "art for art's sake." The supporting programme includes a dramatic exposure of quack doctors who fatten upon the ignorance of the public, a "What do you think?" episode wherein a bereaved wife is savec from suicide through supernatural agency, a coloured cooking demonstration which is not without humour, and an interesting gazette. , PARAMOUNT THEATRE. For those who like screen thrills, "Test Pilot," now at the Paramount Theatre, is a picture that will satisfy any craving for visual activity. As its name implies, it is an aviation picture, probably the finest of its kind to come to New Zealand. The background or foreground (it depends how you view it) is one of airports, trans-continental transports, and thrill upon thrill for test pilot work. But the picture is rather more than just one of aviation thrills. The story may not be quite new in theme, but worked out among the miracles of modern flying it takes on a new guise. Any show with Clark Gable, Mlyrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, and Lionel Barrymore as the principals is bound to be good. And "Test Pilot" is good from all angles. The performance of. Gable in the role of the unpleasant and successful pilot contrasts excellently with the splendid acting of his mechanic, the "Gunner," Spencer Tracy. The third person of the eternal triangle, Myrna Loy, is admirably cast as the wife who is neglected, for "the girl in the blue frock in the sky." Apart from the picture as a pure . spectacle, it gives a clear insight into the remarkable development in aviation in America in the last decade. All classes of aircraft come into the picture, and some of the most spectacular scenes are realistic to the degree of being terrifying. There is an excellent supporting programme. KING'S THEATRE. ■ 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 King's 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. It is an accident to a friend of the doctor's that •gSWSSJ #£ J hree together in . a spleneid solution' to a problem which provides sparkling entertainment. The outer main picture is "The Sky's the Limit, _ starring Jack : Buchanan and Mara-Losseff. The programme concludes tonight. . TUDOR THEATRE. m J "Ma£ co Pol°." which is now at the Tudor Theatre, makes excellent use, of the romance and adventure of the legendry journey to China of a Venetian traveller in the thirteenth century. It does not pretend to be a ktfral chronicle historically correct in detail, but it is abundantly entertainand s Pe? tacular; and many times creates novel effects that give vitality to the story. In Gary Cooper the film fcas a star who, as Marco Polo, takes his part with the laughing and romantic manner which made Douglas Fairbanks so Popular in his prime. In addition, "Talk of the Devil," starring ?creenSig C°rteZ and SaDy EUer* > * ROXY THEATRE. Grim in implications but unfolding a poignant romance of young love on a prison threshold, the tense? dynanS? drama "Penitentiary" i s showing at the Roxy Theatre Jean Parkerf John Sr^ ard'«^ d W-aL te£ Connolly are featured. "The High Command," the supEoSfgA3^ is the story bf a small band.of Britishers in a far-flung outpost of the Empire. Lionel Atwill and Lucie Mannheim are the featured players. . r j NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. ™£« stbry&s-£r?*t *as the unforgettable\ V^tOr^u^- ch-inspired- it.--A romance '"ore thrilling than any ever screened before! That is the combination Cecil B. DeMille, celebrating twenty-five years of film-making, has used to bring to life on the screen "The Buccaneer," epic of Pirate Jean Lafitte and his crew, of heroic ruffians, which is show"*g at the Princess" Theatre, with Fredric March. Franciska Gaal, Margot Grahame, and Akim Tamiroff in .the leading roles. The associate ieature is the exciting mystery thriller ''The Crime Nobody Saw," starring Lew Ayres, Ruth Coleman, and Colin Tapley. REX THEATRE. In his new production, "Keep Fit," now at the Rex Theatre, George Formby is a barber in a departmental store. who is accidentally whisked into a gymnasium and made the hero of a national fitness campaign. Entirely by accident he knocks out a leading local athlete, and inspired by the smiles of lovely Kay Walsh, he agrees to a challenge match, and enters the ring as The Battling Barber." , Poignant emotion, similar to that in many great murder trials, is revealed in "The Jury's Secret," featuring Kent Taylor, Fay Wray, Larry Blake, and Nan Grey, which is the associate attraction. ■ STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Shirley Temple has the title role in ' "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which ] is showing at the State Theatre. The '• star is supported by a large cast. Randolph Scott, Gloria Stuart, Jack Haley, Slim Summerville, Bill Robinson, and Shirley, at tap speed, Phyllis Brooks, : Helen Westley, the Raymond Scott ] Quintet, Alan Dinehart, and J. :Edward 1 Bromberg are also featured. 1 PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. i A jealous husband, a golf-crazy wife, ' and a mad-about-women playboy start ' a three-cornered fight to the finish in i "Change of Heart," the feature attrac- : tion now at the Palace Theatre. The second attraction, "The Cherokee ; Strip," a Warner Bros.' picture starring Dick Foran, is a thrilling outdoor adventure romance of those pioneer days of 1889 when Indian territory was thrown open, to white settlers, with ' free lands for the first arrivals. .; ; " _____ ' ■' ■ ] GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. ' No more thrilling drama of the air >' has come to the screen than "China : Clipper," which is showing at the ! Grand Theatre with an all-star cast, J including Pat O'Brien, Beverley Rob- > crts, Ross Alexander, and Humphrey Bogart. The story deals with the lone fight of a war ace to establish a trans- ] oceanic air service. Called a vision- . airy and a madman, he battles against innumerble obstacles with almost : fanatical determination to put over his ideas. • ..■-...

CTTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. f There is a sporting flavour about the s entire programme at the De Luxe Thee atre that should appeal. Victor McV Laglen, Beatrice Roberts, and Paul o Kelly in "The Devil's Party" present a strongly-supported team in one of the gangster stories with a moral, now the fashion. It starts, with a children's mischief party, when they burn a warehouse just to see the fire engine turn out, and when they are grown up McLaglen is seen as the boss of a smart night club, with shady sidelines, Kelly as an ordained priest, Beatrice Roberts as a swing singer, and the other members of the old gang as shining lights in the emergency squad of the fire brigade. The story races and the sentiment rings true. "Reckless Living" is a race track comedy ingeniously diverting. The fun is provided by Robert Wilcox and Nan Grey. For boxing enthusiasts the programme has a special attraction in the form of a film dealing with the Max Schmeling-Joe Louis world's heavyweight title contest at New York last month. "The Post's" .boxing writer took the opportunity of seeing the film yesterday, particularly with a view to learning whether Louis made use of the kidney punch in a manner which would have caused him to be disqualified by most referees, a point which gave rise to considerable controversy after the bout. The delivery of the punch can be clearly seen and it is apparent that it was no more than an accident that it landed in the forbidden area. There are many other points of interest, particularly since the smashing attack by Louis which ended in a technical knock-out is shown in slow-motion.. The manner in which Louis takes charge of the proceedings from the outset is particularly illuminating in view of Schmeling's knockout win against .the negro two years earlier. Not the least impressive feature of the fight was the control exercised by Arthur Donovan, the famous referee. STATE THEATRE. The pent-up emotional excitement of the early days of the Japanese conflict with China, particularly as they affected Shanghai, are vividly depicted in "International Settlement" which began a season at the State Theatre.yesterday. Nothing demonstrating the terror of the first Japanese bombing raids has had quite the power of the scenes in the film. Against this background, the story of the complications affecting an American adventurer who becomes the intermediary in.a gun-run-ning escapade takes sudden dramatic turns. George Sanders, hero of that fine film "Lancer Spy," again acts with admirable restraint as the adventurer, and Dolores del Rio, the lovely cabaret singer who attempts to shoot him, is as attractive as ever opposite him. June^ Lang is particularly good as a supporting player, and John Carradine as the cadaverous Scotsman is appropriately sinister. The dramatic atmosphere of the film is very finely developed, 'and its climax in the bombing scens is most terrifying. Fine shorts complete an excellent programme. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Robert Young and Florence Rice are the principals in the lighthearted, laugh-provoking romantic comedy , t "Married Before Breakfast," which* heads the double-feature programme at Our Theatre. The story concerns a handsome young inventor, played by Young, who is engaged to a society debutante. In a travel agency he meets a charming girl clerk, Miss Rice, and ceases to be so positive about the marriage. In'his efforts to impress the girl he tries to sell her boy friend an insurance policy, and the plot goes into complications. The second attraction is the comedy-drama "Hideaway," starring Fred Stone. . ::" KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Mad About Music," now at the Kil birnie Kinema, is a delightful picture. It presents Deanna Durbin in a different characterisation from those of her i'• previous pictures, and in a mood and i ;empo entirely different. "Mad About ( Music" is a comedy-drama. Only a ( few tears —and those in the most effec- '< tive manner—intrude into the story < of the little girl with the make-be- ■ lieve father and whose dreams come i true. With Pat O'Brien starred, ; "San Quentin" is the second feature. While the story is laid in and about : the famous penitentiary that juts into | San Francisco Bay, it is not one of those sorrowful movies about condemned men and last hours. : EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. '■. One ot the most brilliant periods in : history-*-the opening of the Wells Fargo trail between St. Louis and San Francisco, America's "Lifeline of Empire," forms the powerful background for "Wells Fargo," the romance with Joel McCrea and Frances Dee which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Patterned conscientiously after the actual events, "Wells Fargo" covers twenty years of history Un bold and heroic strokes. A racketeer falls for the sweet and simple things when he falls in love again with his childhood sweetheart in "Saints in Exile," the second feature. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. The producers of "Mad About Music," now at the Capitol Theatre, have boldly thrown Deanna Durbin into a story that demands the utmost in acting talent. As entertainment, "Mad About Music" excels either of her previous pictures. It is almost entirely comedydrama, but with a story that lends itself to several" highly-emotional passages, heart-gripping in their intensity. "Life Begins at College," with the Ritz Brothers, is the supporting feature. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. <. The producers of "Mad About Music," now at the Seaside Theatre, have boldly thrown Deanna Durbin into a story that demands the utmost in acting talent. As entertainment, "Mad About Music" excels either of her previous pictures. It is almost entirely, comedy-drama, but with a story that lends itself to several highly emotional passages, heart-gripping in their intensity. From the island of primitive ferocity, legendary with the terror of wild men and Dyak pirates, comes Martin Johnson's last and most exciting adventure, "Borneo," which is the associate attraction. BROOKLYN THEATRE. Two special attractions will be shown at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. "California Straight Ahead," featuring John Wayne and Louise Latimer, is.a breathtaking drama. "The Merry-go-round of 1938," featuring "The Four Horsemen of Hilarity," is a "splendid musical show. ■ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "■ The romance behind the building— and the maintaining—of America's first lifeline of Empire^-the Wells Fargo trail which linked the Far West with the East, is the background for the gripping loVe story of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee in ' "Wells Fargo," now at the Regal Theatre. Current conditions in the Far East set the atmosphere for the Twentieth CenturyFox set where the filming of "Thank You, Mr. Moto," second in the thrilling series starring. Peter Lorre, which is the associate feature, was made. SUNDAY PICTURES. Tomorrow, at the De Luxe Theatre, the musical comedy "Mr. Cinders" will be presented by the Mayor's Metropolitan Relief Committee. This is one of the finest films of its kind .ever screened. As a stage success it ran for two years at the London Hippodrome. There is snappy music, amaz- ; ing eccentric dancing, hilarious comedy, and Mr. Cinders, so-called because he did all the dirty work for his titled stepmother and his two brothers, the prototype of the ugly sisters. The fairy godmother is the daughter of a millionaire, and there is also a magnificent ball, at which the story does not quite follow the lines of the fairy tale.

TIVOLI THEATRE. The successful romantic team of Clark Gable and Jeanette Mac Donald is brought to the screen in Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's "San Francisco," now at the Tivoli Theatre. Gable has the rough-and-tough type of role in which his screen public likes him best. Miss Mac Donald has the ideal part to give her opportunity to sing. The story is that of the Barbary Coast of thirty years ago, opening on New Year's Eve, 1906, and continuing through one of the most disastrous dramas > of the century, the San Francisco earthquake • and fire. Gable is the boss of one of the most popular . resorts on the Barbary Coast. Miss t Mac Donald is the small-town girl who P wanders into his dance hall, filled with 1 ambition to become a great singer. Be- [ ginning her career on the Coast, she ' succeeds in rising to operatic heights, ■ but returns to' the Coast to sing for L the man she loves. "Ginger" Jane > Withers begins where the wild West t leaves off in "Wild and Woolly," the ' second feature. j ] RIVOLI THEATRE. i How an amateur detective can out- . wit one of Europe's wiliest inter- > national spies is told' in Paramount's . "Bulldog Drummond's Revenge," . which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, r with John Howard again in the title ■ role. In his mad pursuit of the man \ who has murdered England's greatest * scientist in order to get the secret of • a super-explosive, Howard is aided by ; that, cool but relentless chief of Scot- . land Yard, John Barrymore. In the ■ supporting cast are Louise Campbell, Reginald Denny, and E. E. Clive. In- ! stead of the fortune she expects, Ann Sothern inherits nothing but a pile of debts in "She's Got Everything," RKO- : Radio romantic comedy, in which she > is again teamed with Gene Raymond. . which is the second feature. Her efforts to liquidate the various claims against her, and the efforts of the creditors to marry her to a wealthy man to speed the process, lead to many hilarious situations. Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Parkyakarkus, Billy Gilbert, and Solly Ward also have prominent roles. LAWRENCE TIBBETT. Lawrence Tibbett, the famous baritone from the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, is about to give a limited New Zealand season. Lawrence Tibbett broke all records in Australia, giving in Sydney thirteen concerts, which is the greatest number of concerts ever given in one season by any celebrity artist. He receives the highest fee of any baritone ever to visit Australia or New Zealand. Getting close to nature and being utterly natural is the creed of Lawrence Tibbett. Snugly settled in-the alluring hills of Connecticut, some fifty miles , from New York, is his country place. ' It is a 72-acre tract, consisting of woodland, orchards, etc., and it is a permanent summer home as well as a weekend house during the year and has been given the name of "Honey , Hill Farm." A large, rambling frame house about 150 years old, a quaint caretaker's cottage, a small lake, all kinds of fruit trees, several chicken houses, and a barn transformed into a picturesque studio make up the contents of this little world. Away back, Tibbett's ancestors were hardy people —they tilled the soil and laboured with an honest integrity, and Tibbett grew up as other boys do; working on the farm and hiking over mountain trails filled his existence to the full. Arriving some hours before a concert in a strange city, Tibbett started out to fulfil a promise, which was to send a friend a record he had sung of the Prologue from "Pagliacci." He asked the salesgirl for the desired one, but she replied there was no such record. But, insisted Tibbett genially, "I know there is such a record, for I make it." "We have no such name as Tibbett on our list," came back the icy reply. "It is spelt T-i-b-b-e-t-t," persisted the famous singer. Then light dawned and the girl exclaimed: "Oh! You call it Tibbett, do you? Why, we call it Teebay." Two gala concerts will be given in the Wellington Town Hall on Thursday and Saturday, August 11 and 13. MONDAY'S WRESTLING. A highly-attractive wrestling match will be staged at the Wellington Town Hall on Monday night and it will be supported by a professional preliminary of particular interest. In the main event Dean Detton, who has been i showing brilliant form this season, will meet Pat Meehan, the stalwart Canadian trooper who has performed with distinct credit in a number of important engagements lately. Not a great deal has been seen of Meehan in Wellington but local wrestling enthusiasts have followed his activities with close interest as he has made it obvious that he is capable of upsetting any of his rivals. Meehan has been a particularly strong drawing card in Auckland, where he has caused "Lofty" Blomfield, Pat Fraley,' and others a lot of trouble. Another of his highly-creditable performances earned him a draw against RaySteele when that formidable wrestler was in the country. Meehan is always an entertaining wrestler to watch as he combines a high degree of skill with ruggedness and aggressiveness. Detton's return will also be welcome as, in his previous matches here, he displayed wrestling of a quality all too rarely seen. The other bout will be over .five five-minute rounds between Anton Koolman and Eddie Morley (Hawke's Bay) and is a special challenge contest. There will also be amateur preliminaries. Particulars are advertised. BOXING AT TOWN HALL. Excellent boxing will be witnessed at the Wellington Town Hall next Thursday evening when Billy Hamilton, lightweight champion of Victoria will meet Jack Jarvis, New Zealand lightweight champion, in a professional contest over twelve rounds. Hamilton is in great form and is confident of another knock-out win, but Jarvis is one of the best lightweight? in the country and will make a great fight of Ww Q ßoth f r% hard hitters and fast 3 e£ s Q a£ d Jarvis's extra ruggedness will be offset to a certain extent by his opponents slightly superior height and reach. Another fine professional con—?'.°yereißW t rounds, will be provided by Keith Fitzwater, of Wellington, and Clarrie Ford, of Patea! A few months ago these two fought a Sf rd mat?h to a draw at Patea. With n^^ fi K?iV class amateur preliminaries on the bill an unusually attractive proS^&fggSJZ?*****' Particu" BANDS' DISPLAY. Tomorrow afternoon at the Basin Reserve the public of Wellington will have an opportunity of hearing two of the finest bands in the Dominion in a ftPrf camm£ °1 ml ssed and items. The bands are the Waneanui Garrison Band, immediate p^stcSpion band of New Zealand and the Port Nicholson Silver Band, the present champions These combinations are renowned for their wonderful tone and i the massed items alone should be'out- ) standing. In addition, the Wanganui Garrison Band will give a display of the quickstep, and as this band is the present chammon marching band of New Zealand it will undoubtedly put on a fine display. The programme will commence at 3 p.m., weather permitting. KARORI BUS SERVICE. An announcement concerning alterations to the time-table of the Karori bus service, to take effect as from August 1, appears in the advertising columns. BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE. Entries for the annual festival of oneact plays conducted by the British Drama League, to be given in the Concert Chamber from August 10 to 13 have been received from clubs in Wellington and include dramas and comedies and three original plays by Wellington writers. Professor Shelley's judging will be interesting and helpful to the audience and teams. UNITED CHURCH SERVICE. Owing to the unfavourable weather it was found necessary recently to postpone a united service arranged by the churches of, Petone to mark the conclusion of the church rally month. The service will now be held in St. Augustine's Church, Britannia Street, on Tuesday, at 7.45 p.m. The preacher will be the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, 8.A., the ministers of the various churches of Petone will take part, and a combinec} choir will lead the singing.