CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 15

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Anton Walbrook, Ruth Chatterton, and Mary Clare, in "The Rat," now showing at the Regent Theatre, show generosity and the finer shades of love do not belong exclusively to the re- j putable and honourable citizens of this world. Walbrook, as "The Rat," a suave, dangerous cat burglar of Paris, to whom danger is the spice pf "life, has never been known to break his word to his friends, and it is that which makes a condemned criminal, who imagined that he could keep his seventeen-year-old girl pure and out of the gutters of Paris, hand over the convent-trained lass to the care of the man most hated by the police. The Rat's haunts are not the place for her, so he simply takes her under his wing, up'in an attic and makes her stay there. Seeing him only now and . again, the girl takes months to realise that be is a dangerous crook, but he plays' the game with his executed friend and gradually the girl!gives up trying to take a place in his life. The prefect of police despairs of ever laying bands on the Rat, and it looks ■-.as though there were a deadlock in rpmance until a r i cn gjr^ wn q comes; into an apache cellar with her fiance . just as the Rat is about to kill a traitor, undertakes/to overcome the distaste which :her kind arouses in this master -... thief. ' ~■•., ••. /;; ;.:.'.. '■ ■ r/ ST. JAMES THEATRE. ' t ..[ Centred around picturesque Mar-seilles-with its ever-changing scenes, "Port of Seven Seas," which is now showing at the St. James Theatre, ii a blend of pathos and comedy. Wallace Beery plays an impressive role as a gruff but understanding" owner of a '. waterside tavern, and John Beal takes the part of his son, torn between love of the sea and love of a young woman ■■. (Maureen O'Sullivan). The story opens when the young man decides, without letting either his father or sweetheart; know, to yield to the lure of the'ocean for three years. The tavern-keeper-' and. the girl grieve his departure and the efforts of Beery's friends <led by Frank Morgan, a wealthy merchant) to cheer them up are riot very successful. Frank Morgan is also a suitor for the hand of Maureen O'Sullivan, but is always, gently refused. When the girl dis"covers that she is to be a mother, .however, she goes to Morgan, and. explaining this to him, asks if he wil still marry her. He readily agrees. Beery learns of the situation and at " first attempts to stop the marriage, but, realising that it is the only solution, he acquiesces. Frank Morgan sets about making a good home* for his family, but his well-meant efforts are interrupted by the return of the sailor son, who comes to claim his sweetheart and baby. Morgan has something of a new role in that he has more dramatic work, but his humour has not been overlooked. The supporting , programme includes a' traveltalk, a Pete Smith sports fea- _ ture, a cartoon, and several newsreels. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Mannequin," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a highly entertaining drama of modern American life, in which the, incongruity of the existence side by side of extreme wealth and extreme poverty is well emphasised. The story is that of a working girl who is the only self-supporting member of a family, the menfolk of which prefer the comforts of the poolroom^ and the home fireside to the hardships of toil. To get away from it all, she marries a childhood playmate, who, despite the fact that she has known. hjria so .: long, develops new characteristics almost as soon as the knot is^ed. F*6m then on he also become^ Ka: rather'.^.than; an ; asset, jpjirswingvhis policy Of lopkink out fofei^u^self^he ; facilitatesy:fnie^Pv ings bet^en-ftis^ife and ayoung injt-lionairff-i^^qv^^vvbe^oinie- very^fpnd -of berll^hfetg^ri^ "howeverj takes: the law infe -her *own.-hands, .assumes heir maiden name;: and -obtains a job as mannequin in a large store.. Events move quickly after.that, arid: it is not long bexdre she is divorced and honeymooning in Ireland as the wife of the millionaire. Rumours of financial troubles draw them back J;o America, however, and they are met on the wharf by the sinister figure of tiie exhusband, who. has a new and even more surprising .proposition to put forward. As-the girl in the- case, Joan Crawford, gives a fine and convincing performance, which' never loses its sincerity. Spencer Tracy is cast in the role of the millionaire who rose to power through his .own initiative in "trading " a rowboat for a fleet of ships" as the dialogue has it. It is a difficult role, but this finest of film actors carries it off splendidly. Inci-* dentally, it is his first role for some tune which has a happy ending, and theatregoers will be pleased indeed ttiat this, time he. is neither shot, drowned, nor killed in; ari« aeroplane crash. A notable cast includes Alan Curtis and Frank Morgan. A Robert Benchley comedy, an "Our Gang" comedy, and the latest newsreels are on the same programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. um^!l^^^ll^ success of years ago, "The Sheik," in which Rudolph Valen+i?°ii n?F deceased, sealed his claim to be the world No. 1 screen lover *%* be£ n revive £ in recent months 2&Ljf ? + r c?ea *ln£ great interest ?££?£? it arnved in Wellington yesterday where it began its season at the Paramount Theatre. "The Sheik," of course, is from the famous novel and deals with the escapade of a young, wayward English beauty, who goes into the desert after having provoked an Arab leader and is abducted by him and kept in captivity until her hatred turns to love. There is a certain period charm about the film: it reveals, in striking fashion, the methods, of actors in the heyday of the silents, its dressing has quaintness, ana its uncropped women are a surprise. The desert scenes, of course, are ageless and Valentino's stern appeal is an education in' what was popular over a decade ago. The film has Agnes Ayres, a well-remembered star, in the women's lead, and Adolphe Menjou, Lucien Littlefield, and other names still familiar fill principal roles. In support is a widely-varied programme including a comedy, showing Walter Catlett's adventures in a Western town, a Betty Boqp cartoon, a Grantham Bice Sportlight of racing' at Miami, a pictorial, and a budget of newsreels. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. The privilege of seeing and hearing' fifteen-yearold Deanna Durbin at her best falls to the lot of patrons at the New Princess Theatre this week where "100 Men and a Girl" is being shown. The sweetness and abandon of the girl, which did so much to make the record success of "Three Smart Girls," are with her in the making of this new and unusual picture. Into the artifiiality of the screen, Deanna Durbin enters' like a breath of fresh air; and one wonders whether advancing age and sophistication will spoil her natural charm. However, it is abundantly with her now, so now is the time to make the most of it, and her new picture, "One Hundred Men and a Girl," provides the opportunity. Many singers can offer nothing in personality, but with Deanna voice and personality—song and smile—are inseparable. The associate feature is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer*s "Camille," starring Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor. ROXY THEATRE. , Ramon Novarrq in "The Sheik Steps Out," is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Handsome Ramon proves that 'The Sheik" as a romantic institution is here to stay and that desert songs and flying burnouses are just as glamorous today as they were ten years ago. Moreover, the modern sheik has a sense of humour, and a greater imagination than his predecessor. "Cocoanut Grove" is the j supporting picture. Its story is based on a young musician's climb to fame and eventually to the top spot of leader of the featured band in this famous ballroom. Fred Mac Murray is starred. I

OH AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE. Bing Crosby is a policeman for a day iii the new musical film, "Doctor Rhythm," the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. His friend, a real policeman, is unfit, for work after a school reunion (held in a menagerie), and so Crosby, taking his place, is assigned* as bodyguard to a beautiful young heiress (.Mary Carlisle). This proves to be quite a task for she is trying to elope with a gambler. The theme provides scope for numerous comic situations. Andy Deyine, as the incapacitated policeman, and Beatrice Lillie, lead the clowning, assisted by Rufe Davis and Laura Hope Crews. The many musical presentations include a song by Crosby, accompanied by a chorus of birds, and a gipsy ballet in which Miss Lillie assists Crosby. The associate picture, I "Prison 1«. • n," is a drama of the lives of the inm...:s of a penal institution, showing the corruption of small-town justice and the harsh treatment ol prisoners unfit for work. The . cast is headed by Lloyd Nolan and Shirley Ross. STATE THEATRE. The very fact that Peter Lorre is starring in a film is sufficient evidence for most people that the picture is a thriller out of the ordinary, for it is" impossible at the moment to name an actor "who can fill a "sinister role more suitably. But in his latest film, "Mr. Moto's Gamble," now screening at the State Theatre, he has, .strangely enough, the leading role in a thriller par excellence —but he js !not the phantom killer as might have been expected; he is the man who is destined to track the killer down. This is accomplished, as is only to be expected, but only after an exciting and exhilarating series of incidents that would appeal to even the most critical and blase of audiences. What really starts matters off with a metaphorical "bang" is the novel, and. distinctly unusual, murder of a prize-fighter-shot by a mysterious gun without bullets—in view of thousands of spectators. "Mr. Moto" (Peter Lorre), assisted by Keye Luke, (of Charlie Chan film fame), sets off on the dangerous game of finding the killer, and in a complex of incident and excitement, that has seldom been equalled on the screen, 'he proves successful, though only after he has endangered his own life on numerous occasions. There is an excellent supporting cast who contribute in no small measure to the success* of the picture. Some of the leading assistants are Dick Baldwin, Lynn Bari, Douglas Frowley, Jayne Regan, and the world-famous boxer, Maxie Rosenbloom. The supports have been well selected and round off a first-class programme. REX THEATRE. "Song of the City," now at the Rex Theatre, is the story of a youth who refused to marry for wealth when his own money was lost in the stock market. The girl, however, loves him, and refuses to give him up easily. The youth is washed overboard from a San Francisco Bay ferry and rescued by an Italian fisherman. Margaret Lindsay and Jeffrey Dean score in the leading, roles. "Midnight Intruder)" the supporting film, contains all the elements of- good entertainment. There are hilarious situations, tense moments, a gorgeous night club set, and tender love scenes—all skilfully woven into this Universal production. Pert Barbara Read plays the role of Patrjcia Hammond, lovely temptress who - ; snares Louis Hay ward, cast as Barry Gilbert, and converts him from a vagabond to a paragon. TUDOR THEATRE. Lawrence Tibbett leads the cast m th&:>-: 20th • Century-Fox production.! "Metropolitan," which is .showing, ptj the Tudor Theatre;s Alice?Brad#,'-Vii> ginia Bruce, and Cesar Romero .are among the supporting cast. "/The second feature of the programme, "City Girl," co-stars Ricardo Cortez and Phyllis Brooks. The programme be r gins at 7.30, with featurettes. KILBIRNIE iONEMA. A whole new world of joy-laden wonder comes winging from the snowsilvered Norseland with America's newest and sweetest sweetheart, Sonja Henie—radiant beyond imagining, in "Happy Landing," the 20th CenturyFox production now at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Surpassing the breathless sensations of "Thin Ice" with scintillating songs by. Pokrassand Yellen, the wonderggirtl t breathlessly in love, veritably brings happy tidings, thrilling as even she never thrilled before. As if they didn't have trouble enough already, Dad Jones adopts the tougni est kid in town and Bonnie becomes a bride' in the fastest, funniest Jones Family picture, "Borrowing Trouble," the supporting film. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Merle Oberon and David Niven are cast together on the screen for the first time in "Beloved Enemy," now at the Regal Theatre. Brian Aherne is starred opposite Merle as the successful lover, while Niven is cast as the young man who loves her but for whom she feels only a sisterly affection. The beautiful romance is carried pn under fire amid the bloodshed and terror of rebellion. The talents of three stars, Loretta1 Young, Warner Baxter, and Virginia Bruce are brilliantly blended in ''Wife, Doctor, and Nurse," the supporting film. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Leave It To Me," starring the English comedian, Sandy Powell, is showing at the Grand Theatre. That this new vehicle gives the grand trouper—famous on music hall, stage, and radio alike—the finest opportunities he has ever had cannot be doubted. Supporting the star is a very strong cast of talented British players, including Iris March as the heroine, Garry Marsh as the superin-1 tendent, Franklin Dyall in the role of the mysterious Chinese, and Wally Patch as the all-in wrestling referee. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. A whole new world of joy-laden wonder comes winging from the snowsilvered Norseland with America's newest and sweetest sweetheart, Sonja Henie, in "Happy Landing," which! is showing at the State Theatre. Surpassing the breathless sensations of "Thin Ice" with scintillating I songs by Porkrass and ■ Yellen,' the wonder girl, breathlessly in love, veritably brings happy tidings, thrilling as even she never thrilled before. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Music for Madame," a tuneful romantic comedy starring Nino Martini, and featuring Joan Fontain, is the * main attraction at the Palace j Theatre. The story revolves about Martini's struggles to win a foothold in Hollywood—and at the same time avoid arrest as a participant in a daring robbery that has turned the screen world upside-down. The second attraction, "Rawhide," is of the blazing action type, deftly interwoven with catchy music and colourful romance. Appearing on the stage is the celebrated ventriloquist, Ventrix, and his pal Jerry. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "The Firefly," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's impressive adaptation of Rudolf Friml's memorable operetta, with Jeanette Mac Donald in her seventeenth musical triumph, is showing at the King George Theatre. Allan Jones and Warren William are the star's leading men. "The Firefly" presents a powerful story of dramatic romance, as well as a vehicle for remarkable music. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. Sylvia Sidney and Spencer Tracy are the stars in "Fury," which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. The narrative, based on an original story by Norman Krasna, has to do with the tragic circumstances that separate two young lovers on the eve of their marriage. "Love on a Budget," the latest of the Jones Family's pictures, is the second feature.

f TIVOLI THEATRE. The tensely human story of a love that affected nations is drawn vividly in the fictional drama of "Parnell," '"Uncrowned King of Ireland," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre, with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy in the starring roles. Gable and Miss Loy- are superb in their respective roles as the fiery Irish leader and the beautiful Katie O'Shea, whom he loves beyond any fame or forfeShe that political power might bring. "Parnell" as it is here presented becomes international, although it remains essentially Irish, of course. But always, it is the dramatic love story of a striking individual and a gorgeous woman, presented with supreme artistry. One of the most baffling of all the Erie Stanley Gardner murder mystery dramas, "The Case of the Black' Cat," is the supporting film. Ricardo Cortez arid June Travis are in the leading roles. One of the unusual features of the plot of this highly involved drama-is that while detectives are trying to solve the supposed murder of one man, the "dead" person himself commits a murder, and still another slaying is perpetrated' by a couple to cover up what they believe to be their crime in "killing" the first man. RIVOLI THEATRE. A story containing all the charm and drama of another "Seventh Heaven" is showing at the Eivoli Theatre. It is "Stolen Heaven," Paramount's new musical drama co-star-ring Olympe Bradna and Gene Raymond. The story deals with a pair of young lovers who try to live down their dangerous past in a forest hideaway with a great musician whom the world has long forgot. This - man, played by Lewis Stone, has so strong an influence on them that they give up their plans to escape the country and devote themselves to preparing for the old man's "comeback." On the eve of the festival, however, their past catches up with them in the form of their former confederates, who arrive at the hideaway and plead with them to flee. All their normal instinct for self-preservation tells them to flee with their ex-confederates, but their sud-denly-realised devotion to Stone makes them stay and "face the music." After a lengthy absence from the screen. Merle Oberon returns more beautiful and talented than ever in "The Diyorce of Lady X," a delicious and highly satisfying repast of wit and gentle fun, which is the second feature. It is Miss Oberon's first, appearance in technicolour. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Heading the double-feature programme at Our Theatre is-"Topper," with Gary Grant, Constance Bennett, Roland Young, and Billie Burke in the principal roles. Topper, admirably portrayed by Roland Young, is a banker very quiet, very unobtrusive, resigned outwardly, at any rate, to the Iprim and conservative existence to which he has been moulded by. a too-socially-careful wife. But the whole tenor of his life is abruptly changed when two friends, Constance. Bennett and Cary Grant, gay young sparks, are killed in a motor smash and return in spirit form determined to lift Topper out of the rut of his existence. They are eminently successful. They can materialise or vanish at will, and they lead their old friend a merry dance. The associate feature ds "She Had to Eat," with Rochelle Hudson and Jack Haley. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper show what happens to a rich American who marries and divorces seven wives; only to be taken completely into camp by his eighth, in Paramount's "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Ernest Lubitsch, master of the famed "Lubitsch touch," directed this urbane comedy of life among the sophisticated inhabitants of Europe's pleasure rer sorts. "Making the Headlines," Columbia's exciting murder-mystery drama, |is the second feature. Jack>Holt stars I in the-production as the intrepid police* ofneer^who Unravels the baffling, mys-; tery, supported by a cast Including: Beverley Roberts and Craig Reynolds. BROOKLYN THEATRE. "^ "His Lordship" will be the main feature at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight; The cast includes George Arliss, Romilly Lurige, Rene Ray, Jessie Winter* and John Ford. "The JnteiTupted Honeymoon" will also be screened. Claude Hulbert, and Frances Sullivan take the leading : parts. There will also be a full supporting programme, "THE STUDENT PRINCE." j. Romberg's brilliant light opera, "The Student Prince," will no doubt be the; venue of all lovers of the theatre dur* ing the current season. The opera, which opened with a matinee this afternoon, abounds with delightful melodies for both chorus and pvineir pals. Alma Clegg as Kathie and Norrie Den ton as Prince Karl Franz are heard to fine advantage in several welU known numbers. The merry drinking songs of the students, as well as "Gaudeamus," beloved by students the world over, will no doubt make a popular appeal. The part of Lutz is taken by George Power, who, with Ina Small as Gretchen, and Vernon Small as Hubert, is responsible for a great deal of clever humour. Ivan Smith takes the part of Dr. Engel, and other roles are capably filled by Kathleen Ainslie, Norma de Fincham, Norris Smith, Dudley Alexander, L. M. Cachemaille, Ted Harvey, Arthur Haley, and Lauri Gubb. The costumes and magnificent scenery used in the original production of "The Student Prince have been made available to the Wellington Operatic Society by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Another outstanding feature of the production will be the dancing of the spectacular "Schuplatteltanz," which has been arranged by Dorothy Parlette. The traditional music for this number has been specially brought from Bavaria. The producer of "The Student Prince" is Mr. Harison Cook, and the musical director Mr. John F. Woodward. The box plan is at the D.I.C. MONDAY'S WRESTLING. In the wrestling match at the Town Hall on Monday night "Lofty" Blomfield, the New Zealand champion, will meet Pat Meehan, the stalwart Canadian who has been one of the outstanding successes of the present season. . For many people it will be enough to know that Blomfield is to be one of the contestants, but the contest will be anticipated all the more keenly in view of the fact that Meehan is to be his opponent. Meehan's visit j has been highly successful from every I viewpoint and, although he has been here since early in the season, he still I packs in the crowds wherever he goes because of his reputation for giving consistently high-class displays. He has.had very few defeats and no other wrestler has caused more trouble to the season's headliners. He recently thrilled the local crowd by his performance against Dean Detton and his record includes a win over the formidable Pat Fraley. Much of his success comes from the fact that he has made a thorough study of the sport, in which he has been interested since he was a boy. The match is certain to cause the 1938 season to end on an enthusiastic note. There will be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. SUNDAY PICTURES. , Tomorrow at the De Luxe Theatre there will be screened one of the most wonderful pictures ever recorded, "Beyond Bengal." The story of an expedition which penetrated the "Garden of Death," the Malay jungle, headed by Harry Schenk, the producer. The Sultan of Perak, who appears in the picture, generously provided all the necessary facilities for the making ofi the film. With him appears Badri, the interpreter; Captain Nam Sei, No. 1 gunner; Miss Baldwyn, British scientist; Bee, a Malay beauty; Ali, the manservant; and Captain Lindsay-Vears, i British Attache. Things happen from ' the start over a route almost impassable except to elephants. The party runs into every possible menacebeasts, reptiles, and plants. Through it all runs a delightful love story of two young Malays who meet for the first time on this expedition. The proceeds are for the Smith Family Joyspreaders, Inc.