CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

OTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE. i PLAZA THEATRE. . . I «*A*i?* i *!?*» unusual comedy, redolent! Very different from so many modern 2f-j ?A 1 and romance of the films in which smart dialogue takes mid-eighteenth.century, is."The Great the place of action is "Four Men and a Jjrarrick,' now showing at the Regent Prayer," which is now showing at the Theatre. The play is one which for Plaza Theatre. Here is action occurlightness of touch and speed of move-,ring in many countries of the world ment might well have been written by i—England, America, India, Egypt, and one- of ■ those fashionable dilettante the Argentine—and action based upon a playwrights of the period whose facil-jpiot containing a welcome amount of ity was responsible, for the develop-j mystery and adventure. Heading the 23?" °L the drawing-room comedy. | cast are Loretta Young and Richard The of Brian Aherne as: Greene, an attractive newcomer to the David Garriek, whose acting earned for i screen, and the staunch favourite C. the Drury Lane Theatre a permanent Aubrey Smith is also given a prominent place on the role of dramatic fame, part to play. The story deals with the is-excellent. His affectation of the: disgrace of a colonel in the British steamed artificiality of the "grand man- j Army, and his subsequent murder berier" adopted; by the gentlemen of thei fore he has the opportunity to clear period was very well done indeed, espe- j his name. His four sons assemble from cially when it is made clear that under the four corners of the earth, and it .all the great man is constantly | pledge themselves not- only to discover afraid of the laughter of the crowd. As!the murderer, but also to.remove from the.-;beautiful young French society! the family name the disgrace which has girl who meets him under the strangest. been unjustifiably cast upon it. Their of circumstances and who deceived him quest take them to many lands in an as the most famous members, of the endeavour to track down the leaders i Comedie Francaise are unable to do, of a gang of armament dealers whom' Olivia de HaviUand achieves her great- they are sure are responsible for their est success to date, fathers' death. Intrigue in India and| . —; revolution in South America are „ B ,™„ m^.Mn^r.^ » bravely faced, arid finaUy their prayer DE LUXE THEATRE. is rewarded and the murderer uncovThrUling and fast-moving entertain- ered. Loretta Young Ogives a fine perment is provided in "Sinners in Para- formance, and- is . ably supported.' disc," now showing at'the De Luxe Among the short subjects is a very ln-j Theatre. -Madge Evans and John Boles teresting "March of Time" dealing with provide the romantic interest in the the rise to power and the career of main "roles, .while Bruce Cabot, Marion Adolf Hitler, culmination in the anMartin, Gene Lockhart, and Willie nexation of Austria, and his entry into Fung are members, of a large support- Vienna. ing, cast. Briefly the story tells of the departure. from America in a giant tw^tt Tnr&TRF trans-Pacific plane of nine people who tivol.l iHfcAJ.Js.e-. , have urgent reasons for leaving the "In Old Chicago," Darryl F. country. Two are criminals fleeing Zanuck's . 20th Century-Fox film from justice, one is a woman whose production, is showing at the Tivoli marriage has been a failure, another Theatre. The story of the lives and seeks her son in China, two are. dead- loves of a mid-west pioneer family, ly rivals in business hoping to put which is depicted with the Chicago fire over a big deal in munitions in the of 1871 as a dramatic background, coOrient, one is a. Senator, pompous and stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and stout, one is an heiress who wishes to Don Ameche. Critics have heaped forget money for "a while, and the last eulogy upon eulogy in praise of the. is the steward on the airliner. Foi- consummate skill of producer, .cast, lowing a frightful storm the aeroplane and director of this masterpiece. Hehry bursts into.-;flames arid crashes into the King, one of the outstandirig directors sea.. • The pilots are kiUed, but the in screendom, wove-the/many vital others are washed ashore oh an island, factors of the Niven Busch story, "We, the sole inhabitants of wbhich are a doc- the O'Learys," into the film. "Here tor (John Boles) and his Chinese ser- Comes Carter," the second feature, vant From then oh romance, tragedy, probes behind the scenes of both radio and humour, take their: course, and the a^ broadcasting stations and moving film, finishes on a very happy note. The picture studios. Ross Alexander, supporting picture, "Little Miss Rough- Glenda Farrell, and Anne Nagel are neck" might almost be said to bring in the featured roles. The picture is into the hmehght another Deanna Dur- pac k ed with thrills and rollicking bin. "The. Roughneck," Edith Fel- humour from start to' finish. The !?^f. wh. 0 1S abl?" supported by Leo action centres around the activities of CarriUo, is the victim of 'a_ publicity an express agent of a film company ftunt-to^get her;into <nws. She sings who uses his knowledge of the mOvies beautifully and is altogether a charm- to broadcast . scailda i and gossip, about mg personality.. "Aunt Daisy's" film, the stars . For his attacks on a mati- ' Good Morning,. Everybody, is an en- nee idol wto had cause d his dismissal tertaimng support. because he refused to help the actor ■'■'■ ' "i' out of one of his many disgraceful statw TnFATRF escapades, he is given a terrific beatbTATfc iHfcAJ.«.Ju mg by a band of gangsters. Dedicated to the men who blazed the tratf of transport- by air, "Sky Giant" nnY v twit atvp ' now showing at-the. State. Theatre, is kuax ihhaibe. an old story with a novel twist and A thrilling story of gangdom's last plenty of excitement It is old in stand against law and order, "Hunted that the eternal-triangle, plays a pro- Men," is showing at. the Roxy minent part, but to those who are air- Theatre. Lloyd Nolan is seen- as a iriinded (and even to-those who are hunted gangster who takes refuge in not) :it is a film weU worth seeing, a small suburban household to.escape Harry Carey, as: a hard-boiled army the police who are hot on his trail, and officer, takes-charge of an air company's stays there long enough to learn the training,school and, much to the train- "way the other half of the world lives, ees'disgust, runs it on very strict lines. The story of a gallant woman who died Richard Dix, who is interested in fly- to right a wrong provides a thrilling ing. for- flying's sake and has no liking theme for the neAV "Hopalong Cassidy" far;rigid discipline, is appointed to aid- outdoor action picture, "Heart of AriCarey; • Carey's son (Chester Morris) zona" which is the second feature, enrols at the school without his father's ' —— Consent .ahd. Dix is kept busy straight- KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ening: matters, out between the tAvo /-<««<_+.«, „*_ Ta Q „„«+* •,„.* r-^^.. /■* + an* soothing strained relationships. 6^ tt «wd Gran*J Bpth Dix and Morris fall in love wfth | 0 0 "f asr^ rtl f°E *J "T^L^^^yi a-girl, (Joan Fontaine), but Morris re- S n<i r^^f f^ %2Pe^ro7 aChw^t, a fu^s to give up his flying career for rn^ v Ha^«T^i?» Her spd; Six becomes the successful M,G'M .feature. comedy. Topper, suitor?" Hfe marries the young lady 'SffiJ.. 1?' sh™^g. a**JJu g Iffee« c on the eve of-a map-making flight of Sff and in6^ an-air-route to Europe, via Alaska and SSSLXg t£tSl g\*?Zl}* *™ Siberia, in which both men and a friend T^k hv a?SS tIS? (Paul Guilfoyle) participate. They S HaK^ • fShj'J^ y iufe£„ JeVSS set off, with some ill-feeling between kSSito fre'^hSJ? « a 3K^ a^S Dix and Morris, and crash in a lonely £3 who SS?ril^h i^vS^nP spotin Alaska. Guilfoyle has his legs S lo^laSl snirits with th* injured in the > crash and, so that he abMtvto Sorfcaffv SI. _Sl wUI not hamper the progress of the lemateriali^ T^a^Su^f-JS? others, he sacrifices his life. The other tiSS? andribald ISnadS^ £h??h tWoflnd thfeir way through the blind- thelay ghSts^invol?|P"Tonne^ »^th^r tag snow to safety and commence to fn^er Send wK?*T? ES^.. „5 S^no^l 10^ tangle ' ThereSre taS%£^-I&W%^ good supports. ■ from his smug existence, make jfiim •""""" a happy human being, and joyously TUDOR THEATRE. escape themselves from their earthJack Buchanan, Maurice Chevalier, g rt&ariH?^ 'ta*-' June Knight are co-starred in OI iy*° ls me seconct attraction. 6iß.D.'s hilarious comedy, "Break the „.„_,.-_ „,„„*,„.„ mmm . m „-' Hews" which is showing at the Tudor CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Theatre. Another comedy feature on In "Happy Landing," Darryl F. the same bill is "A Trip to Paris," Zanuck's newest musical of superlastarring the Jones Family. tive splendour, which is at the Capitol .__ Theatre, Sonja Henie scores her third REX THEATRE. straight triumph on the screen—ejjcact- ; -o~~ n Ay~ »«+«- xi '■ Tr™**'*, «r;^«i«. i y as siie thrice took the Olympics refHSvef ':IS? 7" mTe fating championships bystornC Mwatthfeßexmieatee is dSwSS as To illo^,o^ Picture audiences she reprenow,at tne .ttex ineatre, lsaescrioea as sents all th fresh vibrant life of the a saga of the/American desert. Most guttering oneti ™<Si nf w w of its scenes; were shot beneath the fountev Norway T^f nStJ^LSfK blistering sun of the California* desert. Ss Jves to* th? mntfn^S,,^ In the principal roles are Chester Mor- iSSk'a^ew d?a«2%ffi2H?£~ pSSS: ris as young BoVLewis Stone as the kS^eMfflK?' ??,?>, rL^« h philosophical Doc, and Walter Bren- if* *jf *X«, ™: Fj^La^ecrn nan, remembered as the patch-eyed jgf Sri a «on«i i 2l A? T J°?i,] VaJ^ r? 1 ? k ' rouseabout in "Barbary Coast" as Gus. J?iS^w™Sr«2?s F 1 this^thnller The impact, of.: a..valiant girl's love 6* haunt of notorf' against the inbred tiger-code of sinis- ous Faris crmunals. ter.waterfronts makes "Nurse from Brooklyn," the second feature, one of OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. the most unusual' dramatic romances "Between Two Women" heads the ever seen on the screen. Sally Eilers double-feature programme at Ou? and Paul Kelly head the cast in.the Theatre^ F^chbtSffflxclLntVn roles,of -the nurse and the policeman, the Toll ol^^biSSS!^ll^ernS ****** Bruce is who g?es performances of Larry Blake and to the hospital as a patient and falls Maurice Murphy.. in love with him. Maureen O'Sullivan —_— appears as a nurse unhappily married, NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. who secretly loves the interne herself. Wow at the Princess Theatre Do.ctor and heiress marry, and their is N°one ■&;.•*& SS^s St Smldl JH-icSJ m^^a^ocfor^nl SfflS:_ffS»? e«-kS_f!SS t S K^alhe^tVetuS: SS ff^S>J^lt°^B_l?» Se^StSh M? her husband is brought in, an emer-Sr.vHnl-that^ inSitawl Yorkshire gency case. If he lives, they will be SSS« Sandy That tSS separated for ever. Should he die. the «o«r SiwJ-lf Sves th<T!rand troune?- way is °Pen to them for happiness. 3?^T«^S ™f%o hSI- ftaTe aSd rldio Tone operates and saves his life. The S^Sff'SS'SSo^S^h^baS second attraction is ."Career Woman," ecann%^Tdoub?ed eSA hU%hlt w^h gaire m^evor and Michael need be said about-the story is that it whalen in the mam roles, concerns Sandy's activities as a special constable. ■ The associate feature is PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Columbia Pictures', rom^tic comedy, "Flight Into Nowhere," now at the •TllV Take .Romance" starring Grace Palace Theatre, tells of a headstrong Moore and Melvyn Douglas. young pilot who crashes in the " "~~. " jungle and depicts his adven- " REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. tures and his strange jungle new and remarkable boy star is romance; also the thrills encouniri^duced in-"Elepbant Boy," which tered by the rescue party which fe^howing at, the Regal Theatre. He sJ^f J°.l°^ W ,Jagt Holt, m is Sabu, aT thirteen-year-old Indian lad starred, while Jacqueline Wells is cast who Avas discovered in-India by Rob- as his leading lady. Dick Purcell also crt Flaherty, co-director of the film, has a very important role. The seowOrking in the Maharajah's elephant ond attraction, "Love on a Budget," stables. "Elephant- Boy" is rare and stars the weU-known Jones Family in restful entertainment, right off the another of their excellent comedy beaten track. The story, based on dramas. "Toomai of the Elephants," one of Rud- * . yard Kipling's "Jungle Book" yarns, rißArcn twpatrf pfthnf tells of-a little Indian boy, son of a fcrKAND THEATRE, PETONE. mahout, who dreams,of the day when Three top-ranking stars, Kay Franhe. top will become a great elephant cis, Errol Flynn, and lan Hunter, apdriver like his famous grandfather, the pear in "Another Dawn," which is renowned "Toomai of the Elephants." showing at the Grand Theatre. It Jane Withers is at her uproarious best is a story about a small Brim the proudest racing silks on the tish garrison in wild and picturtrack in "Checkers," her latest picture, esque Irak, Arabia. Flynn and Hunter whicb; is the second attraction. Even both love Miss Francis. One or the •when tiady Luck forgets to act. like a other has to sacrifice his life—and lady, -JSne is a thoroughbred in this leave Kay to the survivor—in order new-screen play. that the garrison might not fall a ... , : — prey to the bloodthirsty Arabs who EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. surround it. One of them does. How Gifted with an exceptional strong they decide which one it shall be—hoAv cast" The Squeaker," a filmisation of the hero goes forth to glory—and the ■ late Edgar Wallace's popular how the remaining one fares with the thriller 'is showing at the Empire girl—all these things make up a tense Theatre Edmund Lowe has the chief and gripping film. role as ex-Irispector Barrabal, of Scotland Yard, a brilliant detective brought STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Sl'ShnT^-^H^H Srffiadl&? George, WaUace show has been a,^^lrtm,Q^SdfflSSis sure of full houses in Australia and fllu^tofe^^Sse^as^'The New Zealand for years, but the Aus-•sßSSfcS^-^baffTSS^S aSd tralian comedian with the nimble feet Herbert Marshall are teamed in and the insecures nether .garments has breakfast-For Two," R.K.O. Radio never done anything better than Cine-coriiedy-romance. which is the .''associ- sounds. Let George Do It, _which ate-film. Cast as a wilful heiress from is showing at the. State Theatre, George the South, Barbara Stanwyck falls in does most of it m his own inimitable love with a lazy ne'er-do-well, por- manner, and the spaces m between trayed by Herbert MarshaU, and tries are very capably filled by such exto straighten hirii out by taking away cellent supporting players as Joe bis invxce of^income and putting him Vallv Letty Craydon, Atoc^Kellaw»y,j -oni^Bown^ 'Georfie Lloyd, «»«. Harry. Abe* '

RIVOLI THEATRE. A dramatic paradox embracing the I 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 rum 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 ! ?,? impending prison break, feeling that this wiU 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 Mac Murray 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. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Mannequin" a drama of life in a big American city, is now in its second , week at the Majestic Theatre. It concerns the paradox of American life— millionaires, paupers, and wasters from | the same street, separated only so far as their native ability can separate them, but very similar as to their outlook on and reaction to life. The story revolves about Hester Street, a thori oughfare in the squalid slum portion jof the city. In a house in Hester Street lives a family of four. The menfolk are apparently too tired to look for work, and the burden of maintaining the family faUs on the daughter. In order to get away from it all, she marries the boy with whom she had been "walking out" for some years, only to discover that he is even more of a liability than the others. He introduces the girl to a millionaire who was a former resident, of the street, and the millionaire is not slow in becoming interested in the unsuspecting bait. 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 s>f ships" as the dialogue has it. It is a difficult role, but this finest of film actors carries it off splendidly. IncidentaUy, it is his first role for some time which has a happy ending,. and theatregoers will be pleased indeed that this , time he is neither shot, drowned, nor killed in an 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. "Three Smart Girls," the picture in which Deanna Durbin, now one of the most popular of the personalities of the screen, made her debut, has returned to the Paramount, where it should be certain of another very full season. "Three Smart Girls," apart altogether from the introduction it gives Deanna Durbin, is one of the best comedy offerings in recent years. The fun is fast and furious and reflects the youthful high spirits of the "Three Smart Girls" who form the central trio of the story. The songs sung by Deanna Durbin in this film have now become part of the popular repertoire, but there is, in addition to Deanna, a very strong supporting cast, featuring such wellknown players as Binnie Barnes, Alice Brady, Ray Milland, and Charles Winninger. Nan Grey and Barbara Read play the parts of Deanna's two sisters, and the three of them'are an entirely charming and high-spirited combination. Those who did not see the "Three Smart Girls" when they first appeared and those who have already seen them, alike will welcome their return. There is a splendid supporting programme, which includes a mystery drama, "Making the Headlines," starring Jack Holt. -'■ BROOKLYN THEATRE. "Magnificent Brute," starring Binnie Barnes, Victor McLaglen, Jean Dixon, and William Hall, will be shown tonight at the Brooklyn Theatre. Jean Arthur and George Brent will also be seen in "More Than a Secretary." There wiU also be four short subjects. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. "The Great Ziegfeld," Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's giant picture, which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre, can be described in three wordsworld's greatest entertainment. Challenging aU competition, "The Great Ziegfeld" has more firafr-rate entertainment values crowded within its sixteen reels than any other picture labelled "musical" or otherwise. "THE STUDENT PRINCE." Those who have not yet seen the Wellington Operatic Society's presentation of "The Student Prince" should lose no time in doing so, as the season definitely closes on Tuesday evening. From the prologue to the final curtain, the show is carried, on with a businesslike swing, and earns hearty rounds of applause from the audience. Crowded houses have been the rule, and booking is advisable. The story of "The Studerit Prince" is the love story of a- Prince and a waitress. It is full of romance, beautiful melodies, and plenty of good, clean humour. Alma Clegg and Norrie Denton • take the leading parts, with Ivan Smith as D. Engel, and George Power as Lutz. Kathleen Ainslie takes the role of the Grand Duchess, and Norma de Fincham acts and sings well as the Princess. Dudley Alexander, Ina Small, and Graeme Dowling have also prominent parts. Others in the cast are Vernon Small. Norris Smith, L. M. Cachemaille, Mollie Cook, Ted Harvey, Arthur Haley, and Laurie Gubb. The "Schuplatteitanz" an unusually effective ballet, is presented during the first act by Dprothy Parlette, and the orchestra, under Mr. John F. Woodward, distinguishes itself in its accompaniment to this number. Special mention should be made not only of the scenery, but of the uniforms of the soldiers and students, and the dresses .of the girls. These are the same that were used in the original production of "The Student Prince," and are particularly striking and effective. Mr. Harison Cook is the producer, and is to be congratulated on presenting a splendid entertainment. The box plan is at the D.J..C, and seats may be booked after 5 r_.m. by telephoning the Grand Opera, House (55-160). SUNDAY PICTURES. At the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow evening, "Little Men," a picture which provides delightful entertainment, will be screened. This is an adaptation of the famous love story by L. M. Alcott, and the incidental music is by Hugo Reisenfeld, who was responsible for the score of "Rainbow on the River." The cast is a splendid one. It includes Ralph Morgan, Erin O'Brien Moore, Cora Sue Collins, Phyllis Fraser, Tad Alexander, David Durand, and Tommy Bupp. It might lie mentioned that Tad Alexander is the young New Zealand boy who appeared as the Tsar's son in "Rasputin and the Empress" and made such a hit. So far "Little. Men" has not been released for public screening in Wellington but in some of the other centres the picture has greatly pleased large audiences. It is described as " a film for the family." Proceeds are for the funds of the Artillery Band. Reservations may be made by telephoning the theatre (53-080) after 6.30 p.m. tomorrow. INAUGURAL CONCERT. Great interest is being taken in the inaugural concert of the Wellington Conservatoire, which will be given in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Tuesday, October 11, at 8 o'clock. The Conservatoire Choir will be heard in a selection of interesting music, and the rest of the programme will consist of items by the various principals. The ibox plan opens at Begg's on Tuesday" 'next. , _ . '