CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1938, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CTTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

DE LUXE THEATRE,

■ Romance, tragedy, and wild adventure march hand in hand in Universal's "Sinners in Paradise," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Madge Evans, John Boles, and Bruce Cabit have the principal roles, with Marion Martin, Gene Lockhart, Nana Bryant, Charlotte Wynters, Mnburn Stone, Morgan Conway, Donftid Barry, and Willie Fung also prominently cast. Directed by James .Whale, the.picture relates the vast changes in character that occur when nine passengers on a trans-Pacific airliner are cast away on an island inhabited only by a doctor and his I Chinese servant. The doctor is hiding] from the law because he has killed the man who led his sister to her doom. The castaways are an oddly-assorted crew. Columbia's little child star, Edith Fellows, proves the surprise! of , the year as a result of her j singing role in "Little Miss Roughneck," which will be the supporting feature. The youngster's voice is unbelievable. She sings difficult operatic arias with the ease and poise of an established prima donna, and turns in a splendid all-round performance that will win the heart of the most critical observer.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

Joan Crawford, who has romanced on the screen with Clark Gable, Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery, Gary Cooper, and other famous film heroes, adds rugged, two-fisted Spencer Tracy to her long list in "Mannequin," now in . its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Miss Crawford as Jessie • Cassidy has the role of a shop." girl, who seeks escape from poverty.' by marrying Eddie Miller, a cheap crook. Eddie is played by Alan Curtis, Hollywood's newest leading Irian discovery. When Eddie fails her, Jessie to live her own life. John L. Hennessey, a role which gives Traqy a powerful characterisation as a man \yhO worked his way up from the ; ; docks to become a wealthy steam-! ship owner, refuses to' let her. Jessie married Hennessey. She learns to love him.'when Eddie attempts to blackmall them. His plan fails because Hennessey goes broke. This gives Jessie \a . chance to prove her love in a surprising and dramatic climax. Never more beautifuly gowned, Miss Crawford; has twenty-eight costume changes, designed by Adrian as an advance fashion preview of feminine styles for 1838.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

"In Old Chicago," Darryl F. Zanuek's 20th Century-Fox film production, is sho'wing at the Tivoli Theatre. The story of the lives and loves, of a mid-west pioneer family, which is depicted with the Chicago fire, of 1871 as a dramatic background, costars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and Don Ameche. Critics have heaped eulogy upon eulogy in praise of the consummate skill of producer, cast, and director of this masterpiece. Henry King, one of the outstanding,, directors in screendom, wove the many vital factors of the Niven Busch story, "We, the O'Learys," into the film. "Here Comes Carter," the second feature probes behind the scenes of both radio and broadcasting stations and moving picture • .studios. Ross Alexander, Gl£nda Farrell, and Anne Nagel are m the -featured roles.. The picture is packed' with thrills and rollicking humour. ;from start to finish. The action centres around the activities of an express agent of a film company who uses his knowledge of the movies 4g broadcast scandal and gossip about the stars. For his attacks on a matinee idol who had. caused his dismissal he to help the actor out of one of his many disgraceful escapades, he is given a terrific beat>ing by a ban'd of gangsters. ' '

TUDOR THEATRE.

- Jack_ Buchanan, Maurice Chevalier, ?. n-S -^, uns Kni Sht are co-starred in -Cx.B.D. s hilarious comedy, "Break the News, which is showing at the Tudor Another comedy feature on the same bill is "A Trip to Paris," starring the Jones Family.

CAPITOL THEATRE, BHRAMAR.

In "Happy Landing," Darryl F Zanuck's newest musical of superlative splendour, which is at the Capitol Theatre, Sonja Henie scores her third straight triumph on the screen—exactly as she thrice took the Olympics figure skating championships by storm. To motion picture audiences she repreSSB? ?u the fresh, vibrant life of the glittering open spaces of her home country, Norway. The underworld of Pans gives to the motion picture screen a new drama, "The Rat," which is the associate film. Ruth Chatterton has been teamed with Anton Walbrook Sfnw?"^?l^ star ' in this thriller from the dunly-hghted haunt of notorious Paris criminals.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

rfn^H 66? Two Women" heads the double-feature programme at Our Theatre. Franchot Tone is excellent in the role of an ambitious young interne. Virginia Bruce is an heiress who goes to the hospital as a patient and falls in love with him. Maureen O'Sullivan appears as a nurse unhappily married Who secretly loves the interne herself. Doctor and heiress marry, and their union is a failure. She concentrates on another man, also a doctor. Tone knows that he loves the nurse. Then her husband is brought in, an emergency case. If he lives they will be separated for ever. Should he die. the way is open to them for happiness. Tone operates and saves his life. The second attraction is "Career Woman," with v Claire Trevor' and Michael Whalen m the main roles.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE,

"Stolen Heaven" concludes tonight at the Palace Theatre. "Flight Into Nowhere," which opens tomorrow, tells of a headstrong young pilot who crashes in the jungle and depicts his adventures and his strange jungle romance; also the thrills encountered by the rescue party which sets out to locate him. Jack Holt is I starred, while Jacqueline Wells is cast I as his leading lady. Dick Purcell also ! has a very important role. The second attraction, "Love on a Budget," stars the well-known Jones Family in another of their excellent comedy dramas. j

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE,

of Bar 20" and Tip-off Girls" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Three top-ranking stars, Kay Francis, Errol Flynn, and lan Hunter, appear in "Another Dawn," which opens tomorrow. It is a story about a small British garrison in wild and picturesque Irak, Arabia. Flynn and Hunter both love Miss Francis. One or the other has to sacrifice his life—and leave Kay to the survivor—in order that the garrison might not fall a prey to the bloodthirsty Arabs who surround it. One of them does. How they decide which one it shall be —how the hero goes forth to glory—and haw the remaining one fares with the girl — all these things make up a tense and gripping, film.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

"Judge ...Hardy's Children" and "Women are Trouble" conclude tonight at the; State Theatre. Any George Wallace show has been sure of full houses in Australia and New Zealand, for years, but the Australian comedian with the nimble feet and the insecure nether garments has never done anything better than Cinesound's "Let George Do It," which opens tomorrow. George does most of j it in his own inimitable manner, and I the spaces in between are very capably filled by such excellent supporting players as Joe Valli, Letty Craydon, Alex Kellaway, Genres TJoyd, and Harry Abdy.

PLAZA THEATRE,

Hollywood has made "Four Men and ja Prayer." And the transition of this I popular story, read by millions in book i form or magazine serial, provide a ! number of surprises. The 20th ; Century-Fox production, which is jto be shown for another week at the Plaza Theatre, has added an emo- ! tional dimension to the motion pic- j ture that defies description. Scenes speak volumes without a word . . . menace stalks across the screen in a weird silence that rumbles in the heart, unheard by ear—it's a new and eerie effect, done by a marvellouslyassembled cast. Four stalwart young men, with a grand old soldier-father, are bound by a gallant pledge to rove the world to avenge his dishonour and death. That great love pervades the entire story. Yet the shimmering beauty of Loretta Young and her love for one of the brothers, Richard Greene, is a joy to behold. Miss Young gives a flawless performance as the American girl who covers her intense loj'alty to the brothers' cause with an "American" flippancy which amazes her British sweetheart most of all, but more than anything puts spirit and vigour into the grim quest.

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

The story of the greatest of Antarctic expeditions is told in the film "Captain Scott's Last Expedition," which ;s the new film at the St. James Theatre. Photography shows as no other medium could the terrific fight made by the members of the expedition against the forces of the frozen South. The magnificent photography is by Herbert Fonting .who accompanied the expedition. The last sledge party is shown making its way southwards. The immortals—Scott, Oates, Dr. Wilson, "Teddy" Evans, and Powers—are brought to life again by the magic of cinematography. Superb scenes show fantastic ice caverns, huge icebergs, and strange natural architectures. High lights of the film are the pictures of storms at sea, encounters with ferocious "killer" whales, strange birds, sea lions, seals, and penguins. The most poignant scene of all is the discovery of the gallant party in the tent which they had pitched when they could go no further. There is a foreword by Admiral "Teddy Evans," and the splendid commentary is by Herbert Ponting.

STATE THEATRE,

. A gripping drama of modern aviation and a timely glimpse behind the scenes of the training that today's flyers must undergo, are both presented in R.K.O. Radio's "Sky Giant." which is showing at the State Theatre. Richard Dix, co-starred with Joan Fontaine and Chester Morris in this up-to-the-minute offering, plays a noted pilot transferred to managing a big aviation school under the strict discipline of its superintendent, Harry Carey. Carey's son, Morris, enrols in the school without his father's knowledge, and the conflict begins, with Dix in continual hot water trying to keep matters smoothed out between father and son. The romantic element is introduced when both men fall in love with Miss Fontaine. Drama results through a quarrel between Morris and Miss Fontaine. Dix marries the girl himself just before setting out with Morris and another pilot, Paul Guilfoyie, on a dangerous flight, intended to map out an air route to Europe, via Alaska and Siberia. All come to grief in a lonely Alaskan wilderness. The three airmen, one of them badly hurt, set out for the coast, and safety, but Morris's jealousy endangers the lives of all three.

"REX THEATRE.

Based on Peter B. Kyne's widelyread novel, "The" Three, Godfathers," now at the.Rex Theatre, is described as a saga of the American desert. Most of its scenes were shot beneath the blistering sun of the Californian desert. In the principal roles are Chester Morris as young Bob, Lewis Stone as the philosophical Doc, and Walter Brennan, remembered as the patch-eyed rouseabout in "Barbary Coast," as Gus. The impact of a valiant girl's love against the inbred tiger-code of sinister waterfronts makes "Nurse from Brooklyn," the second feature, one of the most unusual dramatic romances ever seen on the screen. Sally Eilers and Paul Kelly head the cast in the roles of the nurse and the policeman. They have strong support in the stellar performances of Larry Blake and Maurice Murphy.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

Now at the Princess Theatre is one •of the funniest comedy pictures which the management have secured for many a long month. This is "Leave It to Me," the British hit, starring that inimitable Yorkshire comedian, Sandy Powell. 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. All that need be said about the story is that it concerns Sandy's activities as a special constable. The associate feature Is Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy, "I'll Take Romance," starring Grace Moore and Melvyn Douglas.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

A new and remarkable boy star is introduced in "Elephant Boy," which is showing at the Regal Theatre. He is Sabu, a thirteen-year-old Indian lad who was discovered in India by Robert Flaherty, co-director of the film, working in the Maharajah's elephant stables. "Elephant Boy" is rare and restful entertainment, right off the beaten track. The story, based on "Toomai of the Elephants," one of Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book" yarns, tells of a little Indian boy, son of a mahout, who dreams of the day when he too will become a great elephant driver like his famous grandfather, the renowned "Toomai of the Elephants." Jane Withers is at her uproarious best in the proudest racing silks on the track in "Checkers," her latest picture, which is the second attraction. Even when Lady Luck forgets to act like a lady, Jane is a thoroughbred in this new screen play.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

Constance Bennett and Cary Grant, co-starred for the first time, and Roland Young as "Topper." achieve a joint triumph in the Hal RoachM.G.M. feature comedy, "Topper," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The screen play is sensational and refreshingly novel in its motivating theme. Adapted from Thorne Smith's book by Jack Jevne, Eric Hatch, and Eddie Moran, the Kerbys are shown as a rich, madcap couple who, after death in a car accident, are low plane spirits with the ability to mortally materialise and dematerialise. The astounding adventures and. ribald escapades in which the gay ghosts involve "Topper," their former friend, bursts all bounds of comedy. In the end they lift Topper from his smug existence, make him a happy human being, and joyously escape themselves . from their earthbound existence. "The Big Broadcast of 1935" is the second attraction

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY

Gifted with an exceptionaly strong cast "The Squeaker," a filmisation of the late Edgar Wallace's popular thriller, is showing at the Empire Theatre. Edmund Lowe has the chief role as ex-Inspector Barrabal, of Scotland Yard, a brilliant detective brought to the verge of ruin by drink* It is he who, in a vivid and original climax captures the mysterious underworld figure known and despised as "The Squeaker." Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall are teamed in "Breakfast For Two," R.K.O. Radio comedy-romance, which is the associate film. Cast as a wilful heiress from the South, Barbara Stanwyck falls in love with a lazy ne'er-do-well, portrayed by Herbert Marshall, and tries to..straighten him out by.taking away his source of income and putting him "on his own."

RIVOLI THEATRE,

A dramatic paradox embracing the regeneration of an embittered woman convict by a prison psychiatrist and then her heroic sacrifice for him in return is presented in "Condemned Women," which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Sally Eilers and Louis Hayward have the principal roles in the picture, most of which is laid in the sombre setting of a large penitentiary for women. Sullen and discouraged when she arrives at the institution, Miss Eilers is brought to a happier viewpoint by the young doctor. Their association ripens into love and plans for marriage. However, convinced that marriage would I ruin Hayward's career if he weds an ex-convict, Miss Eilers decides to sacrifice her own dreams of happiness, and risks her life by participating in an prison break, feeling that this will destroy his love for her. The world's most famous night club is brought to the screen for the first time in Paramount's "Cocoanut Grove," the second feature. The cast is headed by Fred MacMurray and Harriet Hilliard, aided and abetted by the antics of the Yacht Club Boys. Ben Blue, Rufe Davis, and Harry Owens and his Royal Hawaiian Orchestra.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

Dainty Deanna Durbin will be seen at the Paramount Theatre in " a special return of the picture that made her famous, "Three Smart Girls." Possessing a lyric soprano voice that electrifies all who hear it, Deanna makes her movie debut in one of the gayest comedy dramas ever to come out of Hollywood. It deals with the madcap adventures of three lovely daughters of a New York millionaire Who join in a conspiracy to break up their father's romance with a for-tune-hunting beauty. The blonde, played by Binnie Barnes, and her scheming mother, portrayed by Alice Brady, put up a spirited fight for their matrimonial prize, but are outwitted by the three smart girls. Charles Winninger, as the millionaire, Ray Milland, and Mischa Auer are prominently cast. A daring mystery-drama, "Making the Headlines," starring Jack Holt, will be the supporting feature.

ROXY THEATRE.

A thrilling story of gangdom's last stand against law and order, "Hunted Men," is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Lloyd Nolan is seen as a hunted gangster who takes refuge in a small suburban household to escape the police who are hot on his trail, and stays there long enough to learn the way the other half of the world lives. The story of a gallant woman who died to right a wrong provides a thrilling theme for the new "Hopalong Cassidy" outdoor action picture, "Heart of Arizona," which is the second feature.

"THE STUDENT PRINCE."

Highly spectacular and packed with glorious melodies, "The Student Prince" continues to draw packed houses at the Grand Opera House. At last night's performance the audience was enthusiastic in its appreciation of the various numbers and the choruses, especially, appealed. The singing of Alma Clegg as Kathie, and Norris Denton as Prince Karl Franz, is very fine, particularly in the wellknown duet, . "Deep in My Heart." Ivan Smith is a most convincing Dr. ! Engel, the kindly and sympathetic adviser to the Prince, and acts the part with distinction. That clever comedian George Power is in his element as Lutz, and he receives much support from Vernon Small (Hubert) and Ina Small (Gretchen). Graeme Dowling (yon Mark) is another actor of considerable ability, as is Dudley Alexander, who takes the part of Ruder. Kathleen Ainslie is in the role of the Grand Duchess, and Norman de Fincham as the Princess. Others taking part are Norris Smith, Mollie Cook, Ted Harvey, L. M. Cachemaille, Arthur Haley, and Laurie Gubb. The singing of "Gaudeamus" by the concealed choir of students is particularly effective. "Schuplatteltanz" is immensely popular with the audience. Mr. Harison Cook is producer, and Mr. John F. Woodward musical director.