CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. . The romantic and half legendary stories that have through the centuries gathered round the figure of Robin Hood have been made excellent use of in the picture of the same name which is continuing a successful season at the Regent Theatre. The adventurous atmosphere of Sherwood Forest, domain of the outlawed knight and his green-clad followers, is faithfully reproduced. Clothyard shafts fly to their marks in the bodies of Norman oppressors of the Saxons and the merry outlaws of the forest carry out the policy of robbing the rich to give to the poor and to pay the ransom for Bichard the Lion Hearted imprisoned.. in Europe. Meantime Richard's brother John, aided by certain nobles, is planning to seize the Throne and Bobin Hood's several successful attempts to upset his plans provide some of the more exciting moments in the picture. The film is entirely in colour which enables full justice to be done to the brilliant pageantry of medieval England. Errol Flynn plays the lead- ., mg role and Olivia de Havilland is a ... lovely Lady Marion. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The kind of comedy provided by , George Formby in "It's in the Air," which kept the audience at St. James Theatre last night in continuous up- - roar, is after the manner of "Punch," in. that American producers could neither originate nor successfully copy it. The dialogue is bristling with humour; in fact, there is hardly a let up between one laugh and the next. George Formby plays the part of a softy" who turns out trumps in the end. Donning an Air Force uniform to save his future brother-in-law from trouble by delivering a forgotten dispatch to nearby headquarters, George finds himself dragooned into the service by force of circumstances. He is made the butt of all manner of practical jokes by an aircraftman who is in love with the Sergeant-Major's ■ pretty daughter (Polly Ward), but George counteracts this by showing his unusual talents as a banjo player and singer of comic songs, one of the best of which is directed at the SergeantMajor. There are many hilarious scenes, culminating with an accidental flight when George finds himself for the first time in his life at the controls of an aeroplane. George Formby introduces several new song numbers in this picture, notably "They Can't Fool Me." "Our Sergeant-Major," and "It's in the Air." The first half of the programme includes a newsreel revue of the principal events of 1938. a pictorial exposition of the art of fencing, views of Glamis Castle, home of Queen Elizabeth, and a clever cartoon in colour. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. ' Booth Tarkington's schoolboy immortal from which is taken "Penrod and Sam" has the ingredients for firstclass' film entertainment worthy of heading any programme; but at the Paramount Theatre it takes second place to "The Case of the Stuttering Bishop, an outstanding detective drama. Add to these two productions fifteen minutes of Charlie McCarthy, the almost-human star (in company with Edgar Bergen, of course) and "Sunday Round-up," with Dick Foran. the singing cowboy, turned parson, and there is a programme of unusual merit. "Penrod and Sam" brings to the screen again Billy Mauch, the young star of "Anthony Advejse." Billy Mauch is chief of a small band of. "G-men," school pals pledged to help, the police by looking for • suspicious characters. His fights with the school bully add to ■■•the''excitement and amusement 'of the - gang's operations. "The Case of-the Stuttering Bishop" has a depth of plot that is only too rare in mystery dramas. The fraudulent substiti^-^n of a girl for a millionaire's granddaughter years before the action of the picture is the basis for really thrilling—and often humorous—adventures. The denouement at the preliminary trial of a woman held for murder is a bright piece of ingenuity. .Donald Woods as Perry Mason, an investigating attorney, has been well cast, and Ann Dvorak makes a helpful, if somewhat disturbing, secretary. REX THEATRE. With Warren William and Gail Patrick in the leading roles, Universal^ "Wives Under Suspician," depicting the soul regeneration of a merciless district attorney, is showing at the Rex Theatre. This picture, in , which tragedy, despair, and poignant romance alternate in rapid succession, was adapted for the screen by Myles Connolly from an original story idea by Ladislas Fodor The second feature is a thrilling crime drama, "The Last Express," starring Kent Taylor, Dorothea Kent, and other well-known artists. ROXY THEATRE. The endeavours of a psychiatrist to play Cupid and marry off his best friend to a noted actress is the theme of "Carefree," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the stellar roles. However, the scheme runs into unforeseen difficulties when the patient falls in love with her doctor instead of with the man she's supposes to marry. Bing Crosby's latest picture, "Sing You Sinners," is the second feature. It is a comedy built around a madcap California family, composed of Bing, his mother, two brothers, and the fiancee of one of the brothers. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Music of Liszt and Gounod, old folk songs of the days of '49, dreamy love melodies by Sigmund Romberg, and sprightly Spanish airs all went into the picture of pioneer California in the music of "The Girl of the Golden West,'" musical translation, of the famous David Belasco play, with Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy, which is at the State Theatre. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, "The Girl of the Golden West" tells the same story related in the David Belasco stage play, but its structure has been changed, the Monterey fiesta added for colour, spectacle, dancing numbers, and to embellish the music. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. For a long and profitable period on New York's Broadway, a mysterymelodrama called "Without Warning" ran as a stage play. Now "The Invisible Menace," a Warner Bros, picture production, with Boris Karloff as its star, based upon the play, is showing at the Grand Theatre. The name Karloff must not conjure up the idea that this is a horror show of the type that Boris so frequently makes. It isn't. He wears no outlandish makeup, and appears, not as a monster of any sort, but as a civil engineer of middle age. PALACE THEATRE. PETONE. Henry Wilcoxon and Marian Marsh are ■ co-starred in "Prison Nurse," which is showing at the Palace Theatre, Miss; Marsh plays the part of a young nurse, who is sent to a southern prison ■ during a ravaging flood, to assist in caring for typhoid victims. Wilcoxon is the doctor in the film, serving sentence, for a "mercy-death." The associate attraction, "Personal Secretary, with William Gargan, Joy Hodges, and Andy Devine, is an entertaining mystery-comedy drama. HOLIDAY BUS SERVICES. The New Zealand Railways Road Services advertise in this issue particulars of their bus time-tables for Monday, Anniversary Day. , BAND PERFORMANCE. The' Port Nicholson Silver Band will . give a performance at Central Park |. . tomorrow afternoon commencing at 3 o'clock.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the famous Disney full-length feature, continues to draw large audiences at the King's Theatre. Of the millions of persons throughout the world who see Walt Disney pictures each day, not all realise that the principal reason for their universal appeal is the manner in which Disney endows animals with human foibles. This will be found particularly true in this picture. There are rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, several kinds of birds, tortorises, and deer—and not a villain among them. When Snow White becomes lost in the woods and breaks down through fright, the little animals approach her timidly and befriend her, leading her to a safe haven. This happens to be the home of the seven dwarfs, where she lives until the Prince Charming finds her weeks later. PLAZA THEATRE. Fine acting and gripping drama, sprinkled with rich English comedy, combine to make "The Lady Vanishes a noteworthy production. A G.B.D. film, "The Lady Vanishes," which is showing at the Plaza Theatre, tells of the mysterious disappearance of an English governess (Dame May Whitty) from a Continental train. Dame Whitty is travelling with a young English girl (Margaret Lockwood) at the time of her disappearance. Miss Lockwood, who had received minor concussion before entering the train, falls asleep during the journey and on awakening finds that Dame Whitty has vanished. Though all her fellow-passengers deny ever having seen the woman and another passenger, Paul Lukas, an eminent brain specialist, declares that the effect of receiving slight concussion a short time before has been responsible for her "illusion," Miss Lockwood immediately begins a search for her friend. Michael Redgrave, a happy-go-lucky composer whom she had met by chance the previous evening, comes to her aid and together they discover a plot to kill Dame Whitty. The suspense in the film is relieved by the comedy, and one of the most amusing scenes is that in which Miss Lockwood first meets Redgrave and attempts to have him put out of his room in the hotel in which she is staying. Two very English Englishmen (Nauton Wayne and Basil Radford) also add to the humour, as their thoughts, even in the most serious crisis, are all of cricket. A good supporting programme includes "shots" of the disastrous Australian bush fires. DE LUXE THEATRE. Melvyn Douglas has plenty to occupy his time in "The Vampire Bat, now screening as the main feature at the De Luxe Theatre. Outsize bats, corpses in plenty, a madman whose ambition is to create life artificially, and, of course, beautiful Fay Wray with her hypochondriac Aunt Gussie (Maude Eburne), all claim his attention. A small German village is terrified by a series of mysterious deaths and simultaneously a plague of giant bats, giving rise to rumours of vampires and were-wolyes. Douglas's task is to solve the killings, and his investigations culminate in a hair-rais-ing laboratory scene with a hypnotic and demented *scientist. The second picture is "In Old Santa Fe," a fastmoving melodrama of the modern West. But the spirit of the pioneer days lives oh. and there are gun battles, wild dashes across country, and runaway stage coaches that rival those of the old frontier days. Gene Autrey and Ken Maynard head the cast. In addition to the main attractions there is a newsreel, and musical items are rendered by. the. Singing Usherette and Reg. Maddams at the Wurlitzer organ. j " STATE THEATRE. Another splendid Ritz Brothers' film, "Straight, Place, and Show," is the current attraction at the State Theatre. Madder and merrier than ever, they are the life and soul of the picture, although good support is given by Richard Arlen, Ethel .Merman, and Phyllis Brooks. The Ritz Brothers are the owners of a pony track, giving rides to children, when they hear of a "sure thing" for a big race, back the wrong horse, and find themselves richer by several thousand dollars. The winning horse, Playboy, is owned by Miss Merman, but her fiance, Arlen, wins it on -a bet, and, thinking that the girl is paying more attention to the steed than to him, gives it to the brothers. When Miss Merman discovers that the horse has been given away she is very angry, breaks her engagement, and goes to look for Playboy. The Ritz Brothers are off to enter him in a steeplechase, and when she finds them she persuades them to let her have a quarter share in the horse that was once hers. How they train Playboy, raise the 1000 dollars entrance fee (in a wrestling match), and deal with other competitors in the race form part of a most amusing story. The second feature, "Sharpshooters," the first of a series dealing with the exploits of two devil-may-care cameramen, is a real thriller. The heros, after photographing the assassination of a kins, discover a plot to kill the heir to the throne. The story tells of how they outwit the murderers after a series of amazing and spine-tingling adventures. There is plenty of humour in this film, also. Brian Donlevy, Lynn Bari, and Wally Ve'rnon are in the featured roles. There is an entertaining supporting programme. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Foremost musical picture of the year and probably in screen history, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's adaptation of Rudolf Friml's operetta, "The Firefly," is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, with Jeanette Mac Donald starred, and Allan Jones and Warren William in featured roles. Here is screen artistry at its height 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. And. artistically, it provides a vehicle for the Friml score that thrilled the audience. Jane Withers's newest starring film, "Rascals," which is the associate film, features Rochelle Hudson. Robert Wilcox, and Borrah Minevitch and His Gang in the cast. EMPIRE THEATRE. ISLAND BAY. "Submarine D-l," a melodrama dealing with the exploits of Uncle Sam's undersea boats and the gallant lads who man them, will thrill audiences at the Empire Theatre, where this Warner Bros.' feature is showing. The picture is authentic as well as stirring, for it was made with the complete co-operation of the navy, which turned over to the movie-makers all its facilities at Newport. R. 1.. Cocos Coco in the Panama Canal zone, and San Diego, California. The tangled lives of convicts on parole and forbidden to marry, are told in the powerful story of Paramount's new Sylvia SidneyGeorge 'Raft film, "You and Me." which is the second attraction. i REGAL THEATRE. KARORI. Charles Boyer and Jean Arthur are the stars in Walter Wanger's "History is Made at Night," now at the Regal Theatre. This smart, fast-paced romance casts Boyer in a totally new type of role as Paul Rumond, dashing man-about-town and the most popular head waiter on the Continent, while Jean Arthur is seen as a lovely New York mannequin. All the roisterous colour and excitement of life in the great lumber camps of the north woods are brought to the screen in "Come and Get It!" the second film, with Edward Arnold, Joel McCrea, and Frances Farmer as the stars. ; BROOKLYN THEATRE. "The Texans," starring Joan Bennett, Randolph Scott, May Robson, and Walter Brennan, will be shown tonight at the Brooklyn Theatre. The supporting j feature will be the light comedy "Along Came Love," starring Irene Hervey and Charles Starrett.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Consistently faster and funnier as life goes on, America's famous Jones Family cuts loose in an uproarious frenzy of grand comedy in "Love On a Budget" at the Tivoli Theatre. This beloved group of 20th CenturyFox players, who have won their way into the hearts of millions of movie fans by their good, clean, fun, are at their best in this picture; which for the Jones Family fans takes up the business of Bonnie and her bridegroom starting out where the honeymoon left off. Entertainment of a gripping nature is offered in "The Last Gangster," the second film, with Edward G. Robinson back in the type of role which first made him famous as one of the screen's foremost character stars. In the new story of a notorious gangster whose ruthless criminal career is brought to a close when he is sent to prison for ten years for income tax evasion, Robinson once- again portrays his brilliant technique and consummate acting ability. RIVOLI THEATRE. Gay humour vies with thrilling mystery a.id sparkling dialogue with exciting romance in "Half Angel," which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, with Frances Dee, Brian Donlevy, and droll Charles Butterworth featured at the head of an imposing cast. "Half Angel" raises itself beyond the ordinary in the opening scenes, with Miss Dee on trial for the poison murder of her father. Everybody is convinced of her guilt—with the exception of Brian Donlevy, a dashing reporter, and comical Charles Butterworth. Edward G. Robinson brings all of his consummate artistry to the role of Joe Krozac, gangster, killer, and extortionist of "The Last Gangster," which is the second feature, and the result is a portrayal which for sheer power and dramatic effectiveness has not been equalled even by the actor's own "Little Caesar" of some years back. In "The Last Gangster" we have the picture of a domineering, ruthless, underworld tsar—a man who has outsmarted rival crooks, a man who has laughed at Judges, and a man who recognises no power greater than his own. TUDOR THEATRE. "Room Service," with the Marx Brothers, has been transferred to the Tudor Theatre. The action of "Room Service" takes place in a big Broadway hotel, with two brief sequences in an adjoining alley and a theatre. The story concerns the production of a play and the unexpected arrival of the author in search of his advance royalties, the backer who is tricked into financing the show, the hotel manager who regrets that he eyer became the producer's brother-in-law, the hotel supervisor who finances the play without knowing it, and the hectic ruses by which the madcap Marxes restrain all interference till the curtain goes up provide mirthful laughter. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Frank Morgan, Florence Rice, and Robert Young have the principal roles in "Romance For Three," the main attraction showing at Our Theatre. The story concerns a rich capitalist who wins his own contest for a prize slogan and goes to the Alps for two weeks as a prize. He pretends to be poor and takes his valet along to act as a rich man. His family informs the hotel that Morgan is actually rich, but they make a mistake and treat the other contest winner, Young, as the rich man. Young has been poor so long that he enjoys the mistake, and that's where the trouble starts. "When G-Men Step In." starring Don Terry and Jacqueline Wells, is the second attraction. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. 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 New Princess Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. is co-starred with the versatile French actress who appeared in some of Europe's mos' distinguished films, including the prize-winning "Mayerling." before going to Hollywood. The associate feature is "Mother Carey's Chickens," starring Anne Shirley, Ruby Keeler, James Ellison. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "That Certain Age," Deanna Durbin's latest starring production, is showing at the Capitol Theatre. The picture is the fourth to come from this remarkable singing youngster who has made screen history ever since she first appeared in "Three Smart Girls" some two years ago. Bulldog Drummond returns to the screen in another "Sapper" story, with John Howard playing the part of Drummond. The new picture is entitled "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back," and it is the associate attraction, with a cast headed by John Barrymore, Louise Campbell, and Reginald Denny. FRANK NEIL REVUE. A revue may be anything, but Frank Neil's, at the Opera House, will remain popular while it is here. The artists take pleasure in pleasing, and all are worth while in their turns. Will Mahoney leads in humour, and besides the unexpectedness of the jokes has fun in his feet. Violet Carlson, the tiny comedienne, is as clever as ever. There are some mysterious illusions, and the troupe is industriously entertaining, with first-rate work. Particularly popular are Tex Morton, who sings Western songs to his own guitar accompaniment, Jimal, an uncanny card and cigarette trickster, and Evie Hayes, who has a pleasing voice and commanding personality. The ballet, with their frocking, lend colour and rhythm to the many scenes. SUNDAY PICTURES. Under the auspices of the Tramway Band, the film version of Gene Strat-ton-Porter's novel "The Keeper of the Bees" will be shown at the De Luxe Theatre tomorrow night. Playing the central role in this intriguing story is Neil Hamilton, who gives one of the most inspired performances of his successful career. Appearing opposite him in the leading feminine role is pretty Betty Furness, M.-G.-M. featured player, while the supporting cast of outstanding excellence includes Emma Dunn, Edith Fellowes, Hobart Bosworth. Marion Shilling, and Helen Jerome Eddy. Christy Cabanne, who won laurels for his smpathetic handling of "The Girl of the Limberlost," guides the screen presentation to its successful conclusion.