CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1938, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

I REGENT THEATRE. "Spawn of the North" concludes tonight at the Regent Theatre. "It's Love I'm After," starring Bette Davis and Leslie Howard, opens tomorrow. MAJESTIC THEATRE* Ranging from the most popular of List and Gounod compositions through | Californian folk, songs and dreamy waltz tunes to sprightly Spanish melodies, the music of-"Girl of the Golden I West," which js showing at the MajesI tic Theatre, is a treat\in itself. Jeanette Mac Donald is cast as the owner of a soloon at the 'Cloudy Mountain gold camp in old California. Nelson .Eddy is the leader of a band of outlaws. When Miss Mac Donald is on her way to Monterey Eddy holds up her coach, but, entranced by the beauty oi the young woman, follows it to the city. There, disguised as an army officer, he escorts her to the fiesta. The appearance of soldiers hastens > the bandit's departure. They meet again later, but the outlaw's one-time sweetheart betrays him to the sheriff, who eventually captures him wounded in Jeanette's cabin. Miss Mac Donald is forced to promise to marry the sheriff if he spares Eddy's life, and it is only on the eve of the ceremony that the lovers are reunited. An added attraction is the personal appearance on the stage of Mr. Eric Bell, a talented young pianist. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Submarine D.1," now showing at the St. James Theatre, is a fast-moving drama of the United States submarine service in which the keynote is action and excitement. The impressive thing about the picture is its absolute realism, which Warner Brothers have achieved through the close co-operation of the United States Navy. Some of the most interesting "shots" of the naval training bases yet screened are shown, and the educational value of the picture is thus extremely high. The working of > the ultra-modern "lung," which enables the crews of damaged submarines to escape to the surface from depths of 200 feet and more is demonstrated at surprisingly close range. Some of the under-water scenes are truly remarkable. The picture is one of the best films of the service ever shown, as much for the authenticity of the settings as for the excellence of the acting. Wayne Morris plays the part of a sailor, Pat O'Brien is a petty officer, and George Brent is impressive as the captain of the submarine. The feminine interest is supplied by Doris Weston. STATE THEATRE. Anne Shirley, Ruby Keeler, and | James Ellison combine their talents to portray the leading roles in "Mother Carey's Chickens," the screen version of the well-known classic by Kate Douglas Wiggin, which is showing at the State Theatre. The screen version of the novel concerns the brave efforts of a fatherless New England family, to stick together. Anne Shirley and Ruby Keeler are cast as the younger and older Carey sisters respectively, while Fay Baintei* is seen as their courageous mother? The death of their navy captain father starts a train of unfortunate events • that require the mother and her four children to combine all their ingenuity in order to exist on a meagre income. James Ellison and Frank Albertson bring romance into the Carey family in their courtships of Anne and Ruby. Comedy also, plays a prominent role in the liyes of the Careys in .the hilarious climax featuring a - supposed haunted house. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ' Paul Muir's skill as an actor has I placed him among the three or four finest stars in pictures. Arid "The Story of Louis Pasteur," which is showing at the Paramount Theatre, is easily one of his greatest films. The story of Pasteur, the French chemist, who fought suspicion and intrigue, malice, and hypocrisy, to give the j world discoveries qf supreme scientific importance, is among the finest in science or any other branch of endeavour, and Mtini so effectively absorbs the spirit of the great scientist that the picture moves with a remarkable smoothness. It is not a dry-as-dust story; it is exciting, thrilling, and constantly entertaining. The cast supporting Muni, including Josephine Hutchinson, Donald Wood, Anita Louise, and Fritz Leibey, aids MuniV to make the film a screen triumph, a picture which can be thoroughly recommended. "Prison Nurse;" a thrilling melodrama starring Henry Wilcoxon and Marian Marsh, completes a programme of outstanding interest and merit. ROXY THEATRE. Mysterious and intrigueridden Morocco forms the romantic setting for Paramount's latest "Bulldog Drummond" adventure - story, "Bulldog Drummond in Africa," which is the main' attraction at the Roxy Theatre John Howard plays the role of the intrepid amateur sleuth. "Renfrew of the Royal Mounted," the supporting picture, presents an intriguing variety of adventure and excitement. ; which sweeps along like a clean, bracing wind. Janet Newill and Carol Hughes have the supporting roles. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. From out of the depth of the tenements of a great city rises a stirring, triumphant story of youth and honour and of a boy's fight to find himself. It is Monogram's splendid "Boy of the Streets," which is showing at the Princess Theatre, and its star is Jackie Cooper, whpse moving characterisation of Chuck, the tenement "big shot," definitely establishes him. as an" adult star. "Boy of the Streets" is a picture of real life with a real moral. The associate feature is Columbia Pictures' comedy-romance "No Time-to Marry." starring Richard Arlen, Mary Astor, and Lionel Stander. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. •Crammed with thrills and replete with romance and sparkling comedy, "Blackmailer" heads the double-fea-ture programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. William Gargan and charming Florence Rice are featured in this thrilling photoplay, which moves with breath-taking speed from one dynamic situation to another, effectively interpolated with | comedy and sparkling dialogue. Others in the cast include H. B. Warner, George McKay, and Joan Perry. Ann Sothern and Lloyd Nolan have the principal roles in "You May Be Next," the associate feature. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Anthony,' Adverse," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre, is the last Iword in magnificent screen entertainment. The picture follows the romantic adventures of Anthony Adverse through five countries, across the seas, and over three continents. For mammoth sets, for colourful and pictur- • esque backgrounds, for dynamic action, for the unusual characterisation of its tremendous cast from Fredric March, the star, down to the smallest player, this r>icture is unsurpassed. 1 EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. I The gay, dignified swish of peerage and its coming a fall in a middleEuropean new deal offers a delightfully exciting theme for "The Baroness and the Butler," which is showing at . the Empire Theatre. This Darryl F. Zanuck production for 20th Century-Fox co-stars William Powell and Annabella in a blithe screen version of the stage hit that had half of Europe agog. The i boisterous spirit of Captain Flagg and I Sergeant Quirt, of "What Price Glory" and "The Cockeyed World," rises high in the comedy of the American Legionnaires in New York, "Battle of Broadway," which is the second film. . Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, and Louise Hovick are starred.

CTTY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. Periodically, Hollywood produces a picture that stands out as a beacon along the highroad of modern -picture progress—and such a picture is* Darryl F. Zanuck's production of Irving Berlin's great saga of three decades in the march of America, "Alexander's Ragtime Band," which i will be the feature film with which the King's Theatre will reopen tonight. The Berlin score is, of course, without previous or subsequent parallel. It took him 27 years to write it, and every one of the 28 songs, used wholly or partially in the picture, topped the hit parade of its era. They are the mileposts along rhythm's conquest of mankind. The film makes them integral story material by casting the principal characters as members of a fictitious Alexander's Ragtime Band—-and letting them do just about what the members of a real band would have done. In the bewildering brilliance of "Alexander" one remembers that Tyrone Power starts with a small band. Don Ameche writes the tunes which Alice Faye sings. Love smoulders, flares* cools, blows up, and is rekindled over the years for' Tyrone and Alice. History, moves before the eyes with the reminiscent melodies of Berlin as a gentle guide through the plot. Such a story framework—the career of n young musician and the girl who sang the nation's love songs—two hotheads quarrelling and parting, forgiving and finding love again through the music that was their life—is iovel and scintillating. PLAZA THEATRE. Ginger Rogers is between two fires I with both Fred Astaire and Ralph Bellamy paying her attention in "Carefree," the very enjoyable comedy film which is now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre. Ginger is cast as a rather temperamental young woman who is about to marry Ralph BelI lamy, but who keeps putting off the happy day, much to the disap-, pointment of the latter. In desperation I Bellamy calls in the services of Fred Astaire, a young psychiatrist, who offers to psychoanalyse his friend's young lady and discover just what is responsible for her attitude. Various experiments with hypnosis and autosuggestion are brought into play in an endeavour to make Ginger realise her love for Ralph, but unfortunately the young doctor himself has great difficulty in keeping his feelings hidden, as he also has fallen under her spell. Events move rapidly, and after a series of crazy adventures when Ginger escapes while still under a spell, the film comes to a happy conclusion. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Something to Sing About," one of the brightest singing and dancing films to be shown in Wellington for many months, is a triumph for James Cagney, who steps out in an entirely new and convincing role as a dancer and singer from New York and who, after being transferred under contract to Hollywood, becomes the sensation of that city with its fickle inhabitants, practically overnight. The film is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. There are a number of t really catchy songs, unusual dancing routines, and the story provides something different from the usual musical with a Hollywood background. Actually the film is a delightful satire of Hollywood, its fads and its fancies, its testing performances, and its managers and publicity agents. There is a first-class supporting cast. Gene Autrey, the "singing cowboy," is in splendid voice in "The Old Corral," the supporting film. - TUDOR THEATRE. Two first-rate attractions are on the bill, of fare at the Tudor Theatre. The principal feature is "Blockade," a stirring epic of modern Spain. Madeline Carroll and Henry Fonda head the cast of this mighty film of the revolution. Jane Withers leads a band of merry happy-go-lucky gipsies in "Rascals." There is plenty of lilting melody and riotous fun from beginning to end. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. An exultant fiesta of song, comedy, and romance, Columbia's new Grace Moore film, "I'll Take Romance," featuring Melvyn Douglas, Stuart and Helen Westley, is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Edward H. Griffith directed the film, which surpasses all previous Moore hits in the importance, variation, and discrimination of her numerous renditions. A brilliant cast headed by one of the most popular and talented personalities on stage and screen today, Jack Buchanan, a gay story of love and laughter, abounding in sparkling repartee, uproarious situations, novel dramatic twists—such are the pleasing ingredients of "The Sky's the Limit," the second feature. REX THEATRE. "Road Gang," which is showing at the Rex Theatre, carries all the dynamic force of "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang," and the rugged picturesqueness of "Black Fury." The picture is one of stark realism, set in two locales: the first the prison farm, where human beings are subjected to medieval persecution; the second, in the Blackfoot mines, where recalcitrant convicts are sent. - The picture has an unusually large and talented cast, which is headed by Donald Woods and Kay Linaker. "Personal Maid's Secret," the second feature, is a comedy-drama, with Margaret Lindsay and Warren Hull. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Thrills of the work of the Government secret service agents, pitted against organised crime, to whom a mis-step or recognition means death, form the background of "Public Hero Number 1," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's amazing and gripping document of the war of the Department of Justice on gangland, which is showing at the Grand Theatre. The thrills and drama of the war between the States of America in the sixties furnished the interesting background for the comedy "General Spanky," which is the second feature, STATE THEATRE, PETONE. The talents of three grand stars, Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, and Virginia Bruce, are brilliantly blended in "Wife, Doctor, and Nurse," gay and penetrating drama with a catch in its heart ahd a twinkle in its eye, which is showing at the State Theatre. Two modern women who thought they could reason about love and a man who would not listen to reason are the high lights of one of the year's most exceptional pictures. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The Paris underworld is the background for the new dramatic thriller, "The Rat," co-starring Ruth Chatterton and Anton Walbrook, which is showing at the Regal Theatre. The central character is an elusive jewel crook who charms his feminine victims and is thus able to keep out of prison. Romance, hilarity, and music in generous portions^ are provided in Paramount's "Waikiki Wedding," the gay comedy of love in the pineapple groves with Bing Crosby, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, and; Shirley Ross, which is the stTcond attraction. , PALACE THEATRE,. PETONE. A romance conducted along the lines of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules aptly describes the hectic love affair between Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall in RKO Radio's "Breakfast for Two," now showing at the Palace Theatre. From the time the pair meet during a wild night club tour of cocktail rendezvous, they are engaged in open hostilities right up to their inarch down, the aisle to the altar.

TIVOLI THEATRE. From the world's great stories come the greatest motion pictures and "Kidnapped,' which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre, proves this axiom to the hilt. Warner Baxter portrays the never-to-be-forgotten Alan Breck, fugitive clansman of the highlands, and Freddie Bartholomew gives a fine performance to the role of David Balfour, the boy hero of the piece. The movie takes- liberty with the original script in introducing a "heart interest to" the life of Alan Breck. But even Robert Louis Stevenson might have rewritten his story had he known Arleen Whelan. This bright-eyed, mischievous Irish lass brings a freshness and beauty to the story that makes "Kidnapped" a treat for eyes jaded with glamour girl after glamour girl. A chance to take a peep behind the Hollywood scenes is provided by "Stand-In," the side-splitting Walter Wanger comedy, starring Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell, which is the supporting feature. RIVOLI THEATRE. Tonight is "Old Favourites'" night at the Riyoli Theatre. The main attraction is "Thirty-nine Steps," a film which needs no introduction to patrons. It was this picture which made the star, Robert Donat, famous. Madeline Carroll plays opposite Donat. Wallace Beery, Barbara Stanwyck, and John Boles are the stars in "A Message to Garcia," the supporting film. Boles is the man who carries the message to Garcia in the jungle interior, a message that will change the destinies of three nations. For a companion, he takes Wallace Beery, an amusing rogue who is half-traitor, half-hero. When they discover that the man who was to guide them to Garcia has been killed, they take his daughter, Barbara Stanwyck, to show them the way. Hardship, peril, adventure faced together in the treacherous jungle draw Boles and Miss Stanwyck to each other. But, when she is wounded Boles carries on bravely ,with his mission, leaving her behind in the care of Beery. There is a most exciting climax. OPERA HOUSE. "Letter of Introduction" is showing at the Opera House. The plot, which allows for many dramatic situations and comedy undertones, makes "Letter of Introduction" a picture out of the ordinary. The letter of introduction which gives the title to the film leads to some amazing situations. When Andrea Leeds, as Kay Martin, takes it to John Mannering, screen and stage idol, whose powers are waning, and who is played to the life by Adolphe Menjou, Mannering discovers that Kay is his daughter, whose existence he had never suspected. George Murphy, Kay's sweetheart, is not told of the relationship between Kay and Mannering, and misunderstands it,! a lovers' quarrel thus arising. The letter also serves to introduce Bergen and "Charlie McCarthy," a really amazing ventriloquial turn. SCHOLA CANTORUM. The annual choral recital by the Schola Cantorum, conducted, by Mr. Stanley Oliver, will be given in the Concert Chamber on Thursday, November 10. This year's programme promises to be the most brilliant and versatile which this choir has as yet presented. All phases of choral techr nique and expression are represented, ranging from declamatory vocal utterance to the flowing smoothness of ecclesiastical music. Perhaps the most notable item to be sung will be "The Tunning of Elinor Running." This is a typical Vaughan Williams excursion into Middle English village atmosphere. It is a drunken brawl cleverly expressed in music. This and other items on the programme were sung by the Schola Cantorum in Christchurch recently. Writing in the "Press,"' Mr. Ernest Jenner said: "All the works were sung with an admirable certainty, expressive of complete intimacy with the score,-and of complete grasp of the spirit and meaning of each work." The box plan opens at Begg's tomorrow. '''.-•■' "LOVE FROM A STRANGER." Wellington audiences will shortly have an opportunity of seeing one of the plays which was received so tumultuously in London and New York — the last play written by Frank Vosper, "Love From a Stranger," which was adapted from a story by Agatha Christie. When the play was produced in London the part of Cecily Harrington was played by the former Wellington actress Marie Ney, and Frank Vosper himself played opposite her' in the part of Bruce Lovell. The dramatic scenes in the final act of the play were played superbly by these famous players, and caused a sensation. Mr. Victor S. Lloyd has chosen "Love From a Stranger" as the final Thespian production for 1938, and has selected a strong cast to present the play. "Love From a Stranger" will be presented in the Concert Chamber on November 19, 21, and 22. The cast includes Geraldine Gallaher, Evan Harrowell, Hazel Vaughan. Peter Palmer, Coralie Smythson, F. Stewart Hill, Molly McKenzie, and Arthur Rayner. SCHOOIi OPERETTA. One of the most interesting and attractive school performances seen in Wellington has been arranged by the staff of the Miramar South School for tonight and tomorrow night, when the charming operetta, "Jan, of Windmill Land" will be presented in the Rongotai College Hall. It is based on Dutch life and folk song and dance, and includes all the features that make the country and the people of Holland so fascinating. The music of the operetta is bright and melodious, the plot intriguing, and the dialogue clever and amusing. The chorus will number 200 young people, and their work will be under the direction of Mr. Leslie Souness, L.T.C.L.. L.R.S.M. The choruses will be assisted by an efficient orchestra. "THE FLEET RETURNS." Last year Miss Margaret Oates presented her pupils in "The Fleet's in Port Again," and owing to its popularity' it is to be repeated this year, but on a much larger scale, with more performers and appropriate scenery and lighting. Some spectacular scenes and ensembles are to be staged, including "Snowtime Revels," "Shopping With You," "Paris in the Spring,' and a Dutch scena, and "A Martial Cavalcade," a brilliant military ensemble. Miss Oates will partner ■ Miss Joan Mabin in a classical duo. "The Fleet Returns" is to be held on Saturday at 7 45 p.m. in the Concert Chamber.