CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 50, 27 August 1938, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Errol Flynn, that handsome young Irish actor who leaped to fame overnight in "Captain Blood," and then carried on with "The Charge of the Light Brigade," "Green Light," and "The Prince and the Pauper," is the • star in the modern comedy-drama "The Perfect Specimen," now at the Regent Theatre. The story deals with an eccentric old lady possessed of many millions who has an ambition to see her grandson raised as an altogether perfect young man, and who for that reason supplies him with an abundance of tutors but keeps him confined to the limits of the family's vast estate. A young village girl—Joan Blondell— manages to break into the virtual prison and meet the young man. She succeeds in getting him outside of his bounds, and he begins to understand and love the world without. That gives a general idea of the possibilities of the story. It was written by Samuel Hopkins Adams, who wrote "It Happened One Night," and was adapted into screen form by the quartet of Norman Reilly Raines, Lawrence Riley, Brewster Morse, and Fritz Falkenstein. Others in the cast include May Robson, Hugh Herbert, Edward Everett Horton. Allen Jenkins, Beverly Roberts, Dick Foran, and Dennie Moore. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Merrily We Live," now showing for its third week at the Majestic Theatre, still continues to draw full houses. It is a marathon of wit and merriment, which never falters throughout its length.. Undoubtedly the film is the "crazy" picture to top all "crazy" pictures. Witty conversation and hilarious situations keep the audience breathless, while the life of the funniest family which has yet emigrated from America via the celluloid roll unravels itself. The bare details of the plot are soon told. At a typically large and luxurious American mansion whose mistress is noted for her eccentricities regarding tramps, arrives a dishevelled young stranger. He is welcomed with open arms, and is given the not very onerous job of chauffeur. He is thrown into sudden and surprising contact with the various elements of the family, but manages to adapt himself to the situation with all the aplomb which a young novelist, such as he really is, is expected to possess. A recital of the members of the cast is sufficient to indicate the quality of the show. Brian Aherne is the young tramp-chauffeur-novelist, Billie Burke the lady of the house, Clarence Kolb her irascible spouse, and Constance Bennett, Tom Brown, and Bonita Granville children ol the family of assorted ages. In the servants' quarters are Alan Mowbray, as an impeccable but easily agitated butler, and Patsy Kelly, as .cook. The supporting programme, which includes a newsreel of the third Rugby Test, a , "Crime Does Not Pay" feature, and a < travelogue in colour, is of the usual Majestic excellence. ; PARAMOUNT THEATRE. i George Formby is at his best in "I : See Ice," now" screening at the Para- , mount Theatre. From the start the , picture is hilariously funny and^as the ] title suggests, a great deal of the . amusement is caused through Formby s . antics on the skating rink. The story - deals with a very inefficient photo- . grapher's assistant (Formby), who has . invented a small camera which is at- ( tached to his collar, and dreams of the 1 day that he will join a great news* 1 paper as scoop cameraman. He starts < Cor Birmingham with his employer but comes into contact with a skating j team, consisting of a most attractive \ young lady, Kay Walshe, and a rather poisonous specimen of a man, a role 1 enacted by Cyril Ritchard. He and ' the young lady get along famously, but he forgets to change his train and goes on to London, where he is a j "wanted" man for pulling the com- « municatiOri' ebrd oh the"train. After ' a series of hilariously funny incidents . George gets entangled with the law, and for a fortnight relaxes behind prison bars. In the meantime the man and woman skating team, thanks to 1 the efforts of the prisoner who has ( managed to help a newspaper get a j photo quite by accident, are invited j to give an exhibition at a famous rink, i George is released on the evening of ' \he exhibition and ,is asked by the 1 newspaper he formerly helped to get < exclusive photos of an important ice . hockey match. This is the best mci- I dent in the film, and when George, ] who has not the slightest idea of • skating, is forced to enter the arena ( and referee, the picture rushes to a ] fitting conclusion. The supporting pic- ] ture is "Cherokee Strip," something unusual in the way of "Westerns," with Dick Foran, the singing cowboy, in great voice. There are thrills aplenty in this tale of a land rush at , Oklahoma. j NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. \ Romance runs rampant, adventure t 2? s Il s-,? i, ng' and love conquers all in J the delightful comedy melodrama, I *'Love on the Run," which is show- 1 ing at the Princess Theatre. Team- s ing these two exhilarating and i colourful personalities, Joan Crawford r and CFark Gable, in a dashing tale of \ modern doings by ultra-modern people ■ the new picture provides excitement t and laughter in an entertainment f melange of an heiress, a fortune-hunt- ; ing nobleman, two American corre- Jj spondentSj and two European crooks. The associate feature is United Artists' "Moonlight Sonata," starring Paderewski, the world's greatest pianist. It is a page torn from the life story of the genius himself, rich in romance 1 and adventure, woven with the magi- < cal melody of Beethoven's "Moonlight 1 Sonata' into a love story of charm i and sincerity. . ] SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. * Sandy Powell's new hit, "Leave It To \ Me," is showing at the Seaside Theatre. < It is one of the funniest comedy pic- j tues which the management have se- ] cured for a many a-long month. Ac- j cused unjustly of criminal negligence, r made a fugitive from the law, a rati- a road man risks imprisonment, as well as his neck, to save a passenger train in Universal's exciting "West Bound Limited," which is the associate feature, featuring Lyle Talbot and Polly < Rowles. ] ' " I REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. i Brought together for the first time as J co-stars in the romantic comedy, - "Breakfast For Two," now at the Regal i Theatre, are Barbara Stanwyck and : Herbert Marshall. They are supported by a quartet of funmakers. including Eric Blore, Glenda Farrell,' Etienne Girardot, and Donald Meek. This sparkling comedy-romance, directed by Al - Santell, deals in sprightly fashion with '■ a rich girl's efforts to make a man out i of a charming idler. Walter Winchell ; and Ben Bernie continue the famous ; feud which has made their names by- : words in "Love and Hisses,'" the second feature. This time they fight over , pert arid saucy Simone Simon, who • makes her debut as a singing comedi- . enne. ; CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. j AU the glowing, natural. beauty and ' riot of colour of the glamorous Tropics ] is brought to the screen for the first t time in Paramount's technicolour pro- i duction, "Her Jungle Love," now at the Capitol Theatre. Dorothy Lamour plays < the part of a white "goddess" dis- i covered by Ray Milland and Lynne ] Overman, trans-Pacific flyers forced down by a typhoon on a desert island. A thrilling earthquake provides the daring background for Milland's romance with Miss Lamour. The activities of a special constable affords abundant scope for the English comedian, Sandy Powell, in "Leave It to Me," the : second feature. ] BROOKLYN THEATRE. A double-feature programme will be : presented at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight Jane Withers, supported by Slim > Surnmerville, has the leading role in "Pepper," a first-class comedy. "She > Had To Eeat," featuring Rochelle Hudson and Jack Haley, will also be i screened. There will be four special '. supporti. |

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. ', The main attraction this week at the •De Luxe Theatre is "Borrowing Trouble," which features the Jones '■ family in another of their popular .comedies. Mr. Jones (Jed Prouty) joins ■ the "Big Brother" movement, and, at the instigation of his family, takes into his charge the most notorious youngster in town, who is incidentally a friend of his son, Roger.. Through force of circumstances the two boys are involved in a burglary at the Jones Drug Store, and the picture concludes hilariously with the capture of the real thieves and the much-interrupted wedding ceremony of Bonnie Jones (Shirley Deane) and Herbert Thompson (Russell Gleason). The associate attraction stars the old favourite Ramon Novarro, who stages a "come-back" in the film "The Sheik Steps Out," supported by Lola Lane as Phyllis Murdock, the temperamental American heiress, with whom Ahmed Ben Nesib, a very gentle sheik, runs away and eventually marries. Also on the programme is a New Zealand film entitled "New Zealand Marches On," which is an interesting historical account of the modern methods of the Public Works Department. NEW OPERA HOUSE. After a season of vaudeville and revue, there has been a reversion to cinema entertainment at the New Opera House. The change-back is signalised by the presentation of a programme which makes special provision for the catering of children during their school holidays. For their particular entertainment the management has arranged for the presentation at the matinees of Madame Karno's monkey circus, a stage show containing much of interest. In the various tricks they perform as well as in their more serious work, the monkey actors not only surprise by their accomplishments but also reveal in their all-round performance a capacity for learning or mimicry which has to be seen to be appreciated. On the screen there is an entertaining picture, The Captain's Kid," starring Sybil Jason, May Robson, and Guy Kibbee, and in support a number of cartoons is shown. For the night sessions the mam film is 'Prison Break" into which much action is crammed in a fight for freedom. As the title suggests it is a story of prison life and in the unfolding of .it there are incidents which make it intensely dramatic and moving. The mainpartsare played by Barton Maclane and Glenda Farrell. LAWRENCE TIBBETT. The internationally famous singer Lawrence Tibbett will conclude, his South Island tour in Dunedm tonight, and will travel by air back to Wellington in time for his farewell appearance which will take place in the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. So. great is the demand for seats that accommodation for 3000 is being provided for this unique musical and social event. It would be difficult to say in which songs this grand artist makes the most appeal. He has an amazing repertoire and singq with a full understanding of the texe. He is versatile to a degree and generous to a fault. Lawrence Tibbett treats the serious songs with true dignity and emotion, lives his opera, and enters into the lighter numbers with an infectious gaiety. Tibbett's power of facial expression also plays a splendid part. When he sings, whether it be a great aria or a simple song, he makes an impression so vivid that he captures his audiences. His clarity of enunciation is such that each individual word ; can be understood. Next Tuesday : night's programme will include the ; greatest numbers in Mr. Tibbett's ; repertoire. Patrons are invited to send ■ in the names of encores desired to be ; sungi ; ROXY THEATRE. ! An exciting drama of life behind : the grim walls of a U.S.A. peniten- ; tiary and the hopes and fears of pris- b oners and warders alike are to be : found in "San Quentin," now. at the Roxy Theatre. An Army officer (Pat I O'Brien) is appointed captain of the "yard" at San Quentin prison, and he : I has many new ideas as to the handling of the inmates. A triangular romance : shared by Jack Oakie, Kenny Baker, j and Ann Miller forms the basis of RKO Radio's new musical offering, : "Radio City Revels," which is the second attraction. Bob Burns, Milton Berle, Helen Broderick, and other celebrities are also in the cast. TUDOR THEATRE. The gay, dignified swish of peerage ; and its coming a cropper in a middle- : European New Deal offers a delightfully exciting theme for "The Baroness and the Butler," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. This Darryl F. Zanuck production for 20th CenturyFox co-stars William Powell and Annabella in a blithe screen version of the stage hit that had half of Europe agog. Annabella, in her first American-made picture, believes butlers are bom to obey . . . but debonair Bill obeys such un-butler-like impulses! She's so proud; he's so proper. The associate feature is "Walking Down Broadway," starring Michael Whalen, Claire Trevor, Leah Ray, and Dixie Dunbar. REX THEATRE. Based on the brilliant stories writ- : ten about "The Suicide Club" by Robert Louis Stevenson, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents the film version starring Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. It is showing at the Rex Theatre. An excellent cast supports this new starring team, including such reliable actors as Frank Morgan, Reginald Owen, Louis Hayward, Robert Greig, and E. E. Clive, and the result is tip-top entertainment. Peter B. Kyne, the master of all action writers, is responsible for the story of "Dodge City Trail," which is the second attraction. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Let's Make a Night of It," now at the Palace Theatre, is a spectacular musical production with Buddy Rodgers and June Clyde in the leading roles. Song hits of the production include such numbers as "When My Heart Says Sing," "The Spider and the Fly," and "I Went to Havana." The second atraction is "Blind Alibi," starring Richard Dix and Whitney Bourne. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE, Every two years there is presented to the movie-fans of the world, under the generic title of "Gold Diggers," a big and merry melange of rich comedy, songs that become hits, and pretty, faststepping dancing girls by the hundreds. Warner Bros, originated this idea and have carried it out with unfailing success. "Gold -Diggers of 1937," which is showing at the Grand Theatre, with a large cast, including Dick Powell and Joan Biondell, is as good as its predecessors. A logical enough comedy-yarn is provided, upon which the songs and dances are strung. It . has to do with Powell, as an unsuccessful life insurance salesman, selling a million dollar policy on the life of Victor Moore, a leading theatrical producer. Moore takes a fancy to him and makes him head of his stage enterprises. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Superb screen spectacle, with all the elements that go into the making of great entertainment, "In Old Chicago" is now at the State Theatre. The story leading up to the burning of the city on the night of October 9, 1871, is lusty, powerful, and authentic to an infinitesimal point of careful research and scenic detail. A book by Nevin Buscbh, the legend of Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicking over the barn lantern, and an accurate, brawling, sprawling story ' of life in that era have been evolved by the screen adapters, Lamar Trotti and Sonya Levien. Alice Faye, Tyrone Power, and Don Ameche head a layge cask 1

TIVOLI THEATRE. The return of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," now at the Tivoli Theatre, will be Welcomed by many, and this classic story, filmed in technicolour, will inevitably prove toi be a very popular draw. "Tom! Sawyer" will go down in history! as one of the classic film productions. Its presentation is dramatic, with many a thrilling climax. Young and old alike will enpoy every moment of "Tom Sawyer" whether they have read of him previously or not. The : cast is strong throughout, including as it does Tommy Kelly as Tom Saw- ; yer, Jackie Moran as Huckleberry ; Finn, May Robson as Aunt Polly, Ann ' Gillis as Becky, Victor Jory as Injun Joe, and Walter Brennan as Muff Potter. Tommy Kelly was selected out of'thousands of applicants aspiring to play the title role, and no better choice could have been made. Adopting a strategical policy of "boring from within," the law enforcement officers in the new. 20th Century-Fox picture, "Dangerously Yours," the second attraction, plant their ace sleuth in the gang of international thieves attempting to steal the fabulously valuable Omar diamond. The handsome Latin player, Cesar Romero, is in the leading role. RIVOLI THEATRE. Through the genius of David O. Selznick and the magic of technicolour, Mark Twain's famous characters step from the pages of his immortal story and go on to the screen in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," now at the Rivoli Theatre. In spite of the occasional and decently-obscure touches Selznick has given to the story, Hollywood for once has treated a good story with respect. And from the respect emerges a film of remarkable dramatic strength, even performing for the films that difficult feat of delineating the characters of the players. As this heart-warming drama unfolds on the screen, audiences will alternately chuckle at the adventures and escapades of the irrepressible Tom and his cronies; laugh at the pranks that plagued Aunt Molly and the neighbours; thrill to the drama of Injun Joe and Muff Potter; and glow with the young romance of Tom and Becky Thatcher. Two romantic themes form part of the interesting story of "Radio City Revels," the second • feature. Kenny Baker and Ann Miller are principals of one, while Helen Broderick and Bob Burns carry the torch in the other. Both these romances are played against a background of exciting adventures in the famed broadcasting capital, with unusual comedy contributed by Jack Oakie, Milton Berle, Victor Moore, and others. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Death deals a hand at the gaming tables in "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo," now at the Empire Theatre. The world's ace detective at the world's gayest playground takes a million-to-one chance to solve a triple murder as he mingles with the millionaire playboys, bejewelled beauties, and gay adventurers. "I'll Take Romance," .the second feature, is another glorious triumph for Grace Moore. She is gayer and more sparkling than ever in her most outstanding picture to date, which has enough stars, songs, and laughs to make a dozen hits. Melvyn Douglas appears opposite Miss Moore. "BALALAIKA"—A CAVALCADE. With its many scenes shifting from Paris to St. Petersburg and London, the Williamson musical play, "Balalaika," commencing in Wellington on September 7, will come as a sort of "Cavalcade." It preserves a strictly Russian status and atmosphere; is studded with typical Russian songs and. dances; is remarkable for its pathos and cleancut humour; and has the same sweep of gorgeous pageantry that marked "Cavalcade." It is a magnificent production that promises to be the biggest stage-hit New Zealand has ever enjoyed. Eric Maschwitz, of the 8.8.C. staff, wrote the book, and George Posford and Bernard Grun the lovely [ music. The lavish production, with its choruses, classical and modern ballets, is one of the costliest shows ever to be staged in the. Dominion. Dressing, settings, and rapidly changing scenes are all highly spectacular, and are enhanced by the colourful Cossack uniforms of the men. A cast of 120, 42 speaking parts, a real Balalaika band, and full Russian ballet (led by Thadee Slavinsky, late of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet) are but a few of the features that go to make the latest Williamson show one of the memorable productions of the age. This splendid cast will include George Hancock, a likeable young British musical comedy star; Diane Ducane, charming ingenue; Violet Carlson, dainty American; Don ; Nicol, comedian; Douglas Herald, Gaston Mervale, and many others. SUNDAY PICTURES. Tomorrow evening at the De Luxe Theatre, "The Return of Bulldog Drummond," the greatest of all Sapper , stories, will be shown. Captain Drum- , mond, now happily married and living in seclusion, is again aroused by the ac- , tivities of a foreign exploitation gang, . operating to the detriment of his coun--try. In His own cyclonic way, he raids their headquarters, deals out retribu- b tion, and uncovers the arch enemy, Carl Peterson. The battle is on again, and Peterson, a cold, callous, and fiendish criminal, with his associate, Irma, sets out to destroy Drummond and his beautiful wife. He kidnaps the latter and, with her as a bait, secures Drummond himself. The death of both appears inevitable, but Bulldog Drummond, with his usual resourcefulness, and aided by his well-known "Black Gang," including Algy and Tony, manages to escape, and from then on, the picture moves along with exciting speed and a series of real thrills. It lis indeed a picture that is classified, and justly so, as first-class entertainment. The proceeds will be devoted to the Mayor's Metropolitan Relief Committee. "SPRINGTIME FAIR." When one remembers fairs of past years, the "Silver Lining" fair, the "Daffodil" fair, the "Rainbow" fair, the "Dutch" fair, and the "Evergreen" fair, one gladly looks forward to this year's fair, organised by the Wellington City Mission. The proceeds this year are to be devoted partly to the relief of distress and partly to the Fielden Taylor Memorial Building Fund. The fair will be held in the Town Hall from Saturday, September 10, to Saturday, September 17, and if enthusiasm and organisation count for anything the success of this year's effort is assured. Programme arrangements are almost complete and many novel and entertaining features are promised. Full particulars will shortly be advertised, and meanwhile well-wishers of the Wellington City Mission are urged to keep some nights free to visit the fair. YOUTH WORKERS' INSTITUTE. The Youth Workers' Institute, sponsored by the Wellington Sunday School Union, opens tonight with a social reunion in the Cambridge Terrace Congregational School Hall with a Scripture dramatisation. The ordinary sessions commence on Monday evening in St. Andrew's Church. The subjects for the expository addresses are "The Prisoners of Hope," "Full of Grace and Truth," and "He Suffered For Us," and these will be taken by the Rev. D. M. Hercus. The discussion period which follows will be taken in groups, the sub-chairmen being: Primary, Mr. W. E. Howe; junior, Mr. R. A. Comber; intermediate, Rev. E. P. Blamires; superintendents, Mr. I. K. Purdie, and the speakers will be the Rev. A. Muriel, A. R. Perm, J. E. Lopdell, E. E. Sage, and Pastor A. G. Saunders. SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. A varied concert will be given at Rex Hall, Kilbirnie Crescent, tomorrow night under the auspices of the Kilbirnie Wrestling Club. A fine programme has been arranged, some of Wellington's foremost and leading artists assisting. These include Miss D. Violich (elocution and impersonation), Gibson Boys' String Band, Miss Margaret Oates and Miss Mabin (Spanish dance duo), Ralph and Valeric Wilkin, Nat Beatus (comic monologues), Revellers' Band, Renais Gage, and Val Jones (vocal numbers), J. King and Jacobs (cornet duettisfs), and Frank Gootch (harmonica).