CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 30, 6 February 1939, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. i , One lives in another world during the time that Robin Hood flashes across j the screen in the person of Errol * Flynn at the Regent Theatre. In its fourth week this romance of green- j wood and castle, king' and traitor1 prince, is as popular as ever. The artistry of the production alone would charm, but it achieves a realistic actuality little short of marvellous. The beauty of the scenes in Sherwood Forest, the blithesome liberties taken by Locksley with the god of "chance, the loyalty of his men, and the wellconveyed kinship of manhood between Lion Heart and the outlaws who are the only bulwark against the terrorism of the Saxon population by the crew of Norman blackguards who fawn on Prince John, combine to make an absorbing story, presented in . colour. Through all the hair-breadth escapes and madly-plotted surprises runs the love story of the famous outlaw, with Olivia de Havilland as Lady Marion. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Completely absorbing the vivacious character of .< that unhappy figure of the French Revolution, the daughter of Maria Theresa, Norma Shearer probably plays the most perfect dramatic role of her career iri "Marie Antoinette," which is now in its third week at the Majestic Theatre. Married to Louis XVI before he was King to form an alliance between two countries, Marie Antoinette is first shown as a lonely figure, disregarded by her husband and the object of sneering abuse and insult from the exceedingly jealous Madame du Barry. Meeting by chance the Swedish Count de Fersen (Tyrone Power), who bluntly and pointedly tells her of her reckless . and light-hearted behaviour, she falls in love with him. only to be reminded of her duty to her throne and family. After living in America for some years the Count returns to France as the clouds of dis- - content begin to gather, to lend his aid . to the' Queen, but he is too late, and thie picture proceeds to its tragic climax. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Warner Bros, have scored another success with "Crime School," now attracting more than usual attention at the St.. James Theatre. The story centres around a gang of half a dozen youngsters in an East Side district of New York, who, spurred on by a junk dealer, launch into petty thievery. They are sent to a reformatory where the officials are political crooks who mike money out of school contracts for food,/clothing, etc., hold the boys under rigid discipline like adult criminals, and make no attempt to inculcate any of the ethics of right living. Conditions, however, become a public scandal and the Governor of the State appoints a trained social,worker to investigate. Humphrey Bogart plays ; the role of the investigator, and the six New York boy actors who became famous for their acting in the: stage and screen versions of "Dead End," comprise the youngsters of the gang. ' • -' GRAND OPERA HOUSE. George Formby reaches new heights •as a comedian in "It's in the Air," which has been transferred to the Opera House. Briefly it tells the tale of a man (Formby), who is refused by the authorities when he tries to enter the Air Force. Circumstances' occur whereby he is forced to spend a considerable time ah Air Force, head--quarters. He first >makes his mark as a singer—-and the s'6ng_ are catchythen as the man who steals the heroine from the "nasty fellow" of the film, and finally as an aviator, when without knowing efren the rudiments of the business and without knowing that "big-wigs" are watching, he: performs thrilling stunts in a machine that is actually out of control. Selected supporting features make tip the first half of the programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The dramatic story of a woman who " lost her-happiness, her husband, and her daughter through the selfishness of a man and who, after twenty years' . search, found her girl in that'man's ; arms, is revealed in "Confession," y?hich is now showing at the Para- ' mount Theatre., The film opens when a famous musician (splendidly played by the suaVe Basil Rathbone) makes the acquaintance of a young girl (Jane Bryan) also interested in music, and it is not long before he is telling her of his great love. At .a cabaret a fair-haired singer (Kay Francis) is doing her number when she sees the musician and the girl, follows them outside, and shoots the man. A trial is held and then the story really starts. There is a particularly good supporting programme, all in technicolour. This includes "King of the Islands," a musical-comedy romance of a stranded sailor, "All-American Drawback," with the wisecracking "Charlie McCarthy" and Edgar Bergen, "Coconut Grove," a cartoon burlesquing many of the well-known film stars. "Regular Kids," a vaudeville show, "Vitaphone Pictorial," and "Pearl of the Pacific," an interesting • travel picture. REX THEATRE. Contrast between stage and screen becomes more marked as Hollywood continues to adapt from the theatre and at the same time draw from Broadway for its players. This is evident in "London by Night," which is showing at the Rex Theatre. George -Murphy, once a Broadway dancer of note, more recently of the' screen, appears in his first dramatic role; Rita Johnson, likewise of the New York theatre,, makes her film debut. And Leo G. Carroll, long of the theatre, plays a pivotal role.; "Romance of the Limberlost," starring Jean Pai ker. is the ' supporting film. ..._--.. THEATRE. In "Professor Beware," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, Harold Lloyd introduces a new leading lady in the person of Phyllis Welch. The picture deals with Harold's mad dash across the Continent to arrive in New York in time to catch a boat sailing to Egypt. A young Englishman, who gives up everything and risks his life in untamed jungles to catch a mysterious white tiger, is the central figure in "Booloo," the second feature. Conn Tapley, the New Zealander, is starred. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Deanna Durbin comes to the Kilbirnie Kinema in her fourth Universalproduction, "That Certain Age." Withj her, in the principal supporting role, is Melvyn Douglas, with a supporting cast which includes Jackie Cooper, Irene > Rich, John Halliday, Juanita Quigley, Peggy Stewart, Jackie Searl, Nancy Carroll, and Jharles Coleman. Five songs are rendered by Deanna in the new picture. Thrills, laughs, and spills seem to be the keynote of "Romance for Three," which is the second feature. The all-star comedy cast is headed by Frank Morgan, Robert Young, Mary Astor.- and. Edna May Oliver. j CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Transferred direct from the St. James Theatre, George Formby's latest film, "It's* In the Air" is the main attraction at the Capitol Theatre. Kay * Francis has the featured role in "The •.White Angel/* the associate attraction. The picture is set in the period of the Crimean War and brings an entirely new locale, perio'd, and atmosphere to the motion picture public.

CUY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

j KING'S THEATRE. Without resorting to extravagant j scenery, which has too often cloaked j a weak plot, the makers of "The Cowj boy and the Lady," now showing at the > King's Theatre, have produced a picture which relies principally on human interest. This is the story of a rich girl's escapade which takes on a more serious .turn when shefinds herself married to a cowboy. Of course, as the cowboy is Gary Cooper, and the rich girl is beautiful Merle Oberon, nobody is really worried when the rich girl's father threatens to spoil her happiness. But the cowboy is not pleased at first to find that his wife is a very different person from the lady's maid she pretended to be. However, everything ends happily with social differences 'forgotten and the newly-weds safely installed on their ranch. An excellent supporting programme includes two fine travSl pictures —one in colour —dealing with Vesuvius and. Venice respectively. PLAZA THEATRE - "The Lady Vanishes" is now in its third week at the Plaza Theatre. Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood) receives, a blow on the head just before boarding a Continental train and receives the kindly ministrations of a fellow Britisher Miss Froy. After a while Iris falls asleep and when she wakes up her benefactress has disappeared. It is not long before she suspects foul ■play ? and with the help of a young, musician, played by Michael Redgrave, she liberates Miss Froy who is an English spy. Margaret Lockwood is a charming and intelligent rescuer, and. Redgrave, as the musician, is exceedingly resdurceful. Dame May Whitty as the spy gives an excellent characterisation, and Paul Lukas's "villain" is a very polished performance.. The story, unusual for British films, is a fast-moving one and most of the action takes plac'e on a train. DE LUXE THEATRE. A double-feature programme of considerable merit is showing at the De Luxe Theatre, the two pictures depicting different phases of American life. "Missing Witnesses" is the story of an American city in the grip of gangsters who levy tribute by terrorising all who can give evidence against them. John Litel, Dick Purcell, and Jean Dale play the principal parts, their task being the difficult one of securing evidence that will bring the gangsters to justice. "Army Girl"' deals with the transformation of a modern army, the locale being the border desert, where a regiment of cavalry gives way to a mechanised regiment. Madge Evans is the army girl and Preston Foster is an army captain with a flair for engineering who sets out to prove' that a light tank designed by him can beat the horse in desert country1* He succeeds in his aim, the tank performing in a way that will astonish all ifcho see the picture. STATE THEATRE. A light-hearted programme is showing at the.State. Theatre. The show opens with the college football burlesque "Mr. Doodle Kicks Off," which tells of the adventures of the eccentric- Doodle Bugs. Though his sympathies lean more towards a "swing" band, he is persuaded into playing football by the college faculty, who have been promised a grant of _ 200,000 dollars for the college if Doodle becomes a football star. By a series of unorthodox plays, so unorthodox that even a player of real Rugby football can get a hearty laugh out of them, he skyrockets to fame. But here the comedy really begins, as he is carried away by his own importance in a series of. extravagant poses. The second offering. "The Affairs of Annabel," is about a film-star whose live-wire publicity agent is aways seeking a new publicity angle. Joe Penner, without his pet duck, stars in the first film, and Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball in the second. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Hailed as the most distinguished motion picture in which Greta Garbo has yet appeared, "Marie Walewski," is showing at the New Princess Theatre. Charles Boyer is costarred. In the story, filled with the memories of .an epochal period in world history, Garbo plays the role of the beautiful Countess Walewska, who forsakes her home and her husband in a heroic attempt to win over Napoleon and thus save the life of her country. The associate feature is "Back to Nature," starring the popular Jones Family. TUDOR THEATRE. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the famous Disney full-length feature, is showing at the Tudor 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, tortoises, and deer—and not a villain among them. The second attraction is "Straight, Place, and Show," starring the Ritz Brothers. OCR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "A Yank at Oxford" heads the double-feature programme at Our Theatre. The story deals with the career of Lee Sheridan (Robert Taylor), who, after proving a magnificent athlete at his American school, manages to get a scholarship to Oxford. His bombastic entrance and general demeanour in the early days' gain him many enemies, and for some time he is very unpopular. Some of his actions are considered "not cricket," but after a while he begins to learn what is expected of him. Maureen O'Sullivan provides the romantic interest. "Freedom for Sale" is the associate feature. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. With gold' at a premium and the world's attention drawn as never before to fantastic quests for buried treasure, the fictional adventures of Edmond Dantes who found fabulous wealth on a deserted island in Alexandre Dumas's immortal romance, "The Count of Monte Cristo," seems less strange and mythical t: an ever before. The film version of this story is showing at the State Theatre with Robert Donat and Elissa Landi in the main roles. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Mr. Moto Takes a Chance," starring Peter Lorre, is screening at' the Grand ' Theatre. The' film is based upon the '■ astute Japanese character of J. P. Marquand's stories, and features Rochelle Hudson, Robert Kent, and J. Edward ■ Bromberg. In the blue coat and sil- ■ very buttons of a city flame-fighter, ; instead of the sombrero and hair-pants ; of "a Western range rider, Dick Foran ; (Singing Cowboy) is seen the support- ; ing film, "She Loved a Fireman." PALACE THEATRE,^ PETONE. Paul Cavanagh and Marcelle Chantal co-star in "A Romance in Flanders," which is the main film at the Palace Theatre. The film tells in . vigorous fashion the tragic yet ; beautiful story of a woman who be- • came married during the Great War only, because she believed the man she ■ really loved tojhave been killed whilst • making a gallant rescue. "Song of the i Forge, the second feature, tells the ' tale of Joe Barret, a die-hard old 1 blacksmith who refuses to march with the times.

TIVOLI THEATRE. Presenting a warm and vibrant love story into which are woven the romance, laughter, and restless desires of youth, Universal's emotional'drama, "Youth Takes a Fling," is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Joel McCrea is j starred as the Kansas farm boy who seeks adventure by going to sea," and Andrea Leeds is co-starred as the romantic salesgirl in. the wedding gown department of a big store, who lives only for the day she herself will be a bride. How their conflicting am-1 bitions, hopes, and desires almost wreck their young lives has been blended into a captivating drama. "Owd Bob," the new Gainsborough picture, which is the supporting film, is a modern adaptation of Alfred Ollivant's famous novel. It introduces to the screen that grand Scottish actor, Will Fyffe, in his first dramatic and starring .role. RIVOLI THEATRE. The advent of any Deanna Durbin picture is a milestone in the history of the screen. From the surprising "Three Smart Girls," through the beautiful and stirring "100 Men and a Girl," and the touching "Mad About Music". right to the current, "That Certain Age," now at the Rivoli Theatre, her pictures have been a delight and a revelation. "That Certain Age" is as different from the previous trio as each of them were from the other. Starring Deanna, with Melvyn Douglas, Irene Rich, Jackie Cooper ,and many others, it tells the story of a young girl, nearing sixteen, who meets a war correspondent and fancies herself violently in love with him.' Temporarily infatuated with him, she forgets her younger "boy-friend" and childish playmates until it is brought home to her that she is still a child, and that romantic love has no place in her life. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAi. All the beauty, colour, and swashbuckling adventure pf the famous Anthony Hope romance comes to the screen of the Empire Theatre, where David Selznick's. magnificent film production of "The Prisoner of Zenda" is showing, with Ronald Colman, Madeleine Carroll, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., playing, the leading roles. Colman plays the dual role of King Rudolf V and the adventurous Rassendyll in this tale of love and intrigue among the courts of Europe. The supporting film is "Renegade Ranger," starring George O'Brien. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The most dramatic situation of the present day—the Spanish civil warforms the background of the tempestuous love story which is told in "Blockade," Walter , Wanger's thrilling romantic drama starring Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda, which is showing at, /the, Regal, Theatre., , Loretta Young adds a new leading man to her distinguished list with "Three Blind Mice," the second film. He is Joel McCrea, who eclipses his past screen/performances in this gay comedy based on a. play by Stephen Powys.