CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1939, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

DE LUXE THEATRE,

The frontier West in the days when its lifeline was the stage coach, which carried the mail and money of the community, forms the picturesque setting for Paramount's latest "Hopalong Cassidy" story, "Pride of the West," at the De Luxe Theatre tonight. When the stage is plundered and the lifeline cut, the ranchers, under the leadership of William Boyd, rise up in fury against the bandits who are interfering with frontier law and order. A pair of criminals, who pose as respectable citizens of the pioneer town in which the action of the story takes place, make their big mistake when they try to pin the blame for the robbery on "Hoppy's" two saddlemates, "Windy Halliday" and "Lucky Jenkins." The lead is played by William Boyd, with George Hayes, Russell Hayden, Charlotte Field, Earle Hodgins, Billy King, and Kenneth Harlan. The second film will be "King of Alcatraz," a story of a "crime tsar" who cracked his wayout of Alcatraz. Lloyd Nolan Gail Patrick, and J. Carrol Nish play the leads. Other attractions are the singing usherette and Reg. Maddams's Wurlitzer items.

PLAZA THEATRE.

The romance between a small-town author and a hotel manager's secretary in New York is threaded throughout the uproarious .antics of the Marx brothers in "Room Service," the funfilm adapted from the Boadway stage success of the same name, showing at the Plaza. Ann Miller is cast in the feminine lead, while Frank Albertson is seen as the hayseed author whose first brain child is accepted for production by Groucho Marx, a producer of questionable reputation. Harpo and Chico play his nimble assistants who are also involved in a plot to promote an angel' for the show before their creditors close in. Lucille Ball contributes a new brand of fun-making as the Marx maniacs* star-to-be. R.K.O.Radio produced "Room Service."

STATE THEATRE

Murder strikes on a musical cue in Mr. Moto's latest case—one of the most unusual angles ever woven into the amazing sleuth's mystery assignments. Four times during "Mysterious Mr. Moto," to be shown at the State tonight, assassins strike with, terrifying suddenness and each time the same "death tune" is the signal for their lethal deeds. "Mysterious Mr. Moto" features Mary Maguire, Henry Wilcoxon, Erik Rhodes, and Harold Huber. "Variety Hour," the second feature, presents some of the best variety performers of today against their -proper background—the stage. It is a real variety show wound into a story concerning Clapham and Dwyer, as themselves, endeavouring to reinstate themselves in the good opinion of the director of a broadcasting corporation and their hilarious attempts at a comeback. Three numbers have been specially written for the film, "Why Don't You Leave Me Alone?" "See the Soldiers on Parade," and "Swing It High."

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

The central character of "The Crowd Roars," starring Robert Taylor, with Edward Arnold, Maureen O'Sullivan, and Jane Wyman, which is continuing its successful run at the Paramount Theatre, is a composite character, combining the characteristics of many champions, and enacting incidents in the careers of others. He is credited with a "lucky punch," with which he knocks opponents out, after being well behind on points. His famous namesake, Al McCoy, won the middleweight title of the world from George Chip, with what was universally believed to be a very lucky punch, a wild right swing to the jaw. Maureen O'Sullivan once more shows herself the ideal romantic foil, sincere, appealing, and forthright. And for competition there is her school chum, Jane Wyman, admirable as the blonde rival for Taylor's affections. If any one could "steal" the picture from Taylor, which is well-nigh impossible, it. would be Frank Morgan as his father. As Brian McCoy, Morgan is superb not only in his comedy, but in his dramatic delineation of all the character's potentialities. It is an acting gem. Edward Arnold as the big-shot gambler who pulls the behind-the-areria strings, William Gargan in a memorable role as Johnny Martin, ex-light-heayyweight champion, who is killed by his former pupil, Taylor, in a come-back bout, Isabel Jewel as Gargan's wife, Lionel; Stander, typical as "Happy," Taylor's trainer, Nat Pendleton as Arnold's racketeering rival, and young Gene j Reynolds, outstanding as Tommy Me- j Coy as a boy, vie so closely for sup- j porting honours that a host of other character players can but follow in their' footsteps. To the director, Richard Thorpe, goes credit for the amazingly fast action, the breathless suspense, and the warm romance of George Bruce's story; to the producer^ Tom Zimbalist, plaudits for investing this picture with the most authentic vigour of any fight film ever to come out of Hollywood. In addition to the main film, a splendid selection of first half pictures is shown. These include Judy Garland and'Deanna Durbin in "Every Sunday Afternoon," Laurel and. Hardy in "Busy Bodies," "Hollywood Party," with a host of stars, an 'Our Gang" comedy, and ■ a Pete Smith specialty. i

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

Presenting the beautiful international star, Danielle Darrieux, in her initial American screen role, Universal's The Rage of Paris," a dashing romantic comedy, is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Texas in the turbulent days following the war between the States forms the exciting background of Paramount's epic drama of the reconstruction period, "The Texans." With Joan Bennett, Randolph Scott, and May Robson heading a huge cast, the picture tells of the Souths struggle to attain self-rule and find a new way of life after the ravages of the war.

CAPITOL THEATRE

In "The Firefly," showing at the Capitol Theatre, Miramar, screen artistry is at its height, and the dramatic story of Spain in the era when Napoleon was conquered at Vittoria by Wellington, provides a moving plot as vast and impressive as any that could be filmed. The Ritz Brothers take to the hills in "Kentucky Moonshine." The Ritzes play a mad trio of hillbillies in the 20th Century-Fox comedy, the second feature film. There are also very good supports.

EMPIRE THEATRE,

Two fine films, both recommended as more suitable for adults than for children, are to be screened at - the Empire Theatre, Island Bay, tonight. "Come and Get It" and "Mademoiselle Docteur," though very different in theme, are alike in the powerful stories that are unfolded and the strength of the casts. The supports are bright and newsy.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

A mystery within a mystery in which a crook chases a killer to prove his innocence provides a basis for one of the season's most thrilling adventure dramas in "Arsene Lupin Returns," the main atraction at Our Theatre. Melvyn Douglas, Virginia Bruce, and Warren William share the leading roles. The story deals with an international police chase of a jewel thief. As the plot develops Lupin has to commit robbery to clear his name of a theft and murder charge so that he can marry the woman of his choice. "The Fugitive Sheriff," starring Ken Maynard, is the associate feature.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

REGAL THEATRE

REX THEATRE,

The extremely beautiful film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," intended to be a Christmas, week attraction at the new King's Theatre, is entering its fourth week, with attendances as large and as happy about it as they were in the. first week. All Disney pencil, brush, and paper pictures are delightful, but Snow White is very much more than a Disney cartoon. He has taken the old Grimm story of the princess, the jealous and envious (and murderous) step-mother H ueen 3R d the dwarfs and has made pi it still a simple, but a vastly de-l^l-i I tovy in gorgeous colours, so detailed, in fact, that one cannot appreciate at the first seeing all that was drawn in the three years it took to make The story, the art work, and the dialogue and music are in splendid balance. The first half of me programme is an interesting selection of bright and varied shorts.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

The fourth of the now famous Judge Hardy Family" series of talking pictures, "Love Vinds Andy Hardy" is showing at the Majestic Theatre. The undoubted appeal of these chapters in the life of a typical family lies in the fact that they deal with people and surroundings that arouse sympathetic understanding because they are iamiliar to all of us. Mickey Rooney is excellent as Andy. Lewis Stone and Cecilia Parker (Marian Hardy) complete the famous group. Judy Garland appears as "Betsy," a wise and pretty miss who helps Andy out of the troubles that fall upon him when he finds himself pledged to take two girls to the ball of the season. A good supporting programme incluq.es an Australian newsreel; "Buried Treasure," a hilarious cartoon featuring the "Captain and.the Kids," John Silver; a beautiful James Fitzpatrick travel talk picture in technicolor of the" historic island of Madeira; and an interesting special feature relating, in serio-comic vein, the story of the discovery and application of anaesthetics.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

The story of "The Count of Monte Cristo" might almost be said to be universally known, and all yvho have read the story of Alexandre Dumas with pleasure will find even greater pleasure in the story as it is presented on the screen of the St. James Theatre. The picture is a magnificent production, and those playing in the title roles have caught the spirit of Dumas's story in a way that makes the adventures of the young French sailor and his sweetheart live. Dumas wove many characters into his story, and they are all included in the picture, even to those whom Dumas kept in the background, Napoleon and Louis XVIII. The producer has avoided heaviness by -making use of his characters to provide a lighter touch here and there. The excellent acting does more than tell the story; it brings the adventures of Edmund Dante to life and to a high standard of entertainment. The supporting features are interesting.

Dramatic interludes in the life of a typical American family are highlighted in "You're Only Young Once," which comes to the Tivoli Theatre tonight. The new comedy offers Hollywood's conception of an ideal family group. .... Lewis Stone is the father, understanding and tolerant Cecilia Parker is.the daughter, just put of college arid engaged to a' mining engineer. Mickey Rooney is the son, playing his first grown-up role. Others in the cast are Fay Holden as the mother. Frank Craven, Ann Rutherford, Eleanor Lynn, Ted Tearson, Sara Haden, Charles Judels, and Selmer Jackson. The story concerns the first vacation for the Hardy family in eleven years. Going to Catalina Island, they encounter adventures strange to their small-town experience. Judge Hardy, played by Stone, is forced to postpone his expressed ambition to. catch a swordfish to straighten out internal entanglements.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE.

Seldom if ever has there been a more; sparklingly • and hilariously funny comedy than "It's Love I'm After," which commences today at the New Princess Theatre. Bette Davis and Leslie Howard are remembered for their outstanding work' in "Of Human Bondage" and "The Petrified Forest," but fine as were both of these, this new comedy brings them to the screen in what is considered to be their finest picture. The associate feature is "Breakfast for Two," starring Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall.

The new bill at the Regal Theatre combines a lively comedy and a modern drama in splendid balance. Tom Walls plays an admirable lead in "Second Best Bed," and Joan McCrea and Andrea Leeds are the stars in the associate feature film, "Youth Takes a Fling." The evening is rounded off by a carefully selected set of supports.

Catchy songs, magnificent settings, two famous band organisations, a swiftly-paced inside story of Hollywood life, a cast headed by Dick Powell and Louella O. Parsons, are some of the elements which make up "Hollywood Hotel," showing at the Rex Theatre. "Midnight Intruder" contains all the elements of good entertainment. There are hilarious situations, tense moments, a gorgeous night club set, all skilfully woven into this Universal production.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE,

Eddie Cantor in "Ali Baba Goes to Town" and Warner Oland in "Charlie Chan at the Racetrack" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. Edward G. Robinson, the screen's most dynamic star, returns to the Palace Theatre tomorrow in "I Am the Law." Robinson, as the professor, stages a crusade against organised vice which rocks his city. In a thrilling climax, he rounds up the small fry and higher-ups of the underworld. Also in the cast are Wendy Barrie, Otto Kruger, Barbara O'Neil, and John Beal. The associate attraction is "Romance of the Limberlost," with Jean Parker and Eric Linden. .

STATE THEATRE, PETONE,

"Yellow Jack" will be finally shown at the State Theatre, Petone, tonight. The new bill at the State, Petone, tomorrow is headed by the American cavalcade, "Alexander's Ragtime Band." To prepare the background for the film, the research facilities of the 20th Century Fox studios went into action, tracing the history of the most astonishing years in history. Irving Berlin was interviewed, libraries, newspaper files, pictures, biographies, almanacs, and histories were searched and there emerged a screen play in which Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley, Jean Hersholt, Helen Westley, and John Carradine have parts.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE

"Sing You Sinners" will be shown finally tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone.

One of those who saw a Hollywood preview of "God's Country and the Woman," to head the new programme tomorrow, made the reiriark that the colour is as natural as the talk, and that the gorgeous forest scenes are the nearest approach possible to a trip to the Great North-west. Snow-capped mountains, tumbling waterfalls, giant trees in their glory or falling by the woodsmen's axes, fire, and the debris hurled by ' dynamite, all appear as though seen by the natural eye.

RIVOLI THEATRE,

Some of the fire engines, charred from the original Chicago fire of 1871, take part in the motion picture version of the catastrophe which provides a climactic scene in "In Old Chicago," showing at the Riyoli Theatre tonight. A complete reproduction. of the nineteenth century. Chicago was built and destroyed by fire i?ru°-. btai? c remarkable production. While the flames roared skywards on the 110-acre studio lot, modern Los Angeles city fire apparatus and the studios own completely equipped fire laddies "supervised" the blaze to prevent an actual repetition of the oldtimer. This was necessary because more than 1000 persons and Hundreds of head of cattle were practically "on. their own" among the blazing: buildings. "In Old Chicago" co-stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, and v Don Ameche. The second feature will be "International Settlement," a drama of today's troubles in the East. Dolores Del Rio, George Sanders, Dick Baldwin, and June Lang are the stars.

ROXY THEATRE

The screen's first great saga of the men who plough the Arctic seas ia search of Alaska's "silver horde" of salmon is told in "Spawn of the North," which Paramount is presenting at the Roxy Theatre, with George Raft, Henry Fonda, and Dorothy Lamour heading an all-star cast. About as many laugh-winning v players as Warner Bros, had on their own lot or could rally from outside sources were poured into "Marry the Girl," the wild and hilarious farce-comedy which. will be the supporting feature. "The Texans" and "Beg, Borrow, or Steal" will be shown finally tonight."

THE DODGEMS.

Messrs. Miller and Davey have moved their fine fleet of new Dodgems to a new location in Adelaide Road, where they will operate for an extended season. Their high popularity during the carnival at Evans Bay is their best recommendation as providers of first-rate fun and real thrills without danger. The firm has deservedly a reputation for providing a high standard of amusement.