CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 8

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THE YTRE. "The Adventures of Robin Hood" conclude tonight at the Regent Theatre. "Tha. Boy from Barnardos," starring Freddie Bartholomew, opens tomorrow. 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 in "Marie Antoinette," which is now In its third! week at the Majestic Theatre. Married to Louis XVI before he was King I 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 dv 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 discontent begin to gather, to lend his aid to the Queen, but he is too late, and the 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 make 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 in Air Force headquarters. He first makes his mark as a singer—and the songs are catchy— then as the man who steals the heroine from the "nasty fellow" of the film, and finally as an aviator, when without knowing even 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 up 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," which is now snowing 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. The supporting programme, which is all in colour, contains several entertaining films. ROXY 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. Colin Tapley, the New Zealander, is starred. . REX THEATRE. The main attraction at the Rex Theatre is "The Private Secretary," starring Edward Everett Hortbn. This production, as a play, broke all comedy records and ran for three and a half years in London. The associate attraction is "White Fang," Jack London's thrilling sequel to his great adventure story "Call of the Wild." Michael Whalen and Jean Muir head an exceptional cast that includes Slim Summerville and Charles Winninger. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. An • original story by Erich yon Stroheim, "Between Two Womenj" is showing at the Capitol Theatre, with Franchot Tone, Maureen O'Sullivan, and Virginia Bruce. It is a dramatic narrative of life, death, and romance in a great metropolitan hospital. Peter B. Kyne, the master of all action writers, is responsible for the story of "Dodge City Trail," which is the associate film. . BROOKLYN THEATRE. Two delightful features will be screened at the Brooklyn Theatre tonight. "Reckless Living," with Robert Wilcox, Nan Grey, and Jimmie Savo, is a fast whirling picture of life, love, and luck. "Trouble at Midnight," starring Noah Beery, jun., and Catherine Hughes, is the second attraction. There will also be a full supporting programme. 1 PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Doctor Rhythm," Paramount's musical comedy starring Bing Crosby, Beatrice Lillie, and Mary Carlisle, is showing at the Palace Theatre. Bing Crosby is seen in the role of the fashionable New York doctor who dons a policeman's uniform for a day to help his best friend. Sylvia Sidney, in her most dramatic role since "Street Scene," and George Raft, the daredevil mate of "Souls at Sea," score again as the stars of "You and Me," a story of America's parole system which is the associate film. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. A new romantic team,' in the persons of Dennis O'Keefe and Maureen O'Sullivan come to the screen in Metro-Gqldwyn-Mayer's "Hold That Kiss," a bright, happy comedy-romance which is the main attraction at the Grand Theatre. Also in the cast are Mickey Rooney, Jessie Ralph, Fay Holden. Stan Laurel, and Oliver Hardy are seen at their best in "Beau Hunks," which is the second attraction. STATE THEATRE, PETONE, Romance and comedy are combined with uproarious results in "Rich Man, Poor Girl," featuring Robert Young, Lew Ay res, and Ruth Hussey at the State Theatre. Young, a socialite millionaire in love with his secretary, played by Miss Hussey, is presented in another of those breezy, personable roles which earned him acclaim in "Married Before Breakfast" and "I Met Him in, Paris."

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. Without resorting to extravagant scenery, which has too often cloaked a weak plot, the makers of "The Cowboy 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 she finds 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. V 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 resourceful. 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 place on a train. DELUXE THEATRE. A double-feature progranime 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 country. 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. The second offering, "The Affairs of Annabel," is about a film-star whose live-wire publicity agent is away 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 the1 memories of an epochal period in world history, Garbo plays the role of the beautiful , Countess Walewska, v/ho 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.. 'Ihe second attraction is "Straight, Place, and Show." starring the Ritz Brothers. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. / Uncontrollable merriment—born of an hilarious mixture; of comic adventure and side-splitting situations, characterises the new George Formby and Florence Desmond offering, "Keep Your Seats, Please/ which is showing at the T Kilbirnie Kinema. Martha Raye, Bob^ Hope, Betty. Grable, and Jack Whiting have the leading roles in "Give Me a Sailor," which is the associate film. The story concerns a contract, made in childhood, by which two brothers promise to marry two sisters, and the efforts of one of the young men to evade its terms. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Jealousy, with its ever attendant romance, fear, and conflict, is the keynote of "Wives Under .Suspicion," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Directed by James Whale, I the film introduces an all-star cast1 headed by Gail Patrick and Warren William. Quite different from the usual type of screen musical is "Some- I thing to Sing About," the second j feature, in which. James Cagney is starred. X This, latest Cagney picture is "a comedy .with music," for, primarily, it is an amusing arid occasionally sentimental tale, well told and well acted. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A submarine rammed in a fog-ridden sea, a desperate "crash dive" for safety, and the heroic efforts of navy divers to carry a life-bearing hose to the trapped men serve as the spectacular climax to a lively tale in "Devil's Playground," the main attraction showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. A brilliant cast, comprising Richard Dix Dolores Del Rio, and Chester Morris, appears in the leading roles. The comedy-romance "Come Closer, Folks " starring James Dunn and Marian Marsh, is the associate feature. COVENT GARDEN RUSSIAN BALLET. Preliminary bookings for the Wellington season of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet closed at noon today, and the first performance will be staged in the Grand Opera House on Saturday, February 18. The box plans for other bookings will open in Wellington on Monday, and telegrams and letters from intending country patrons will be treated in the order in which they are received. The Covent Garden Russian Ballet includes many of the world's most famous dancers, and travelling with it is the distinguished choreographist, Michael Fokine, who directs his own ballets. The loveliness of his and the other ballets, of which the best and the most successful in the company's repertoire will be presented in Wellington, . must be seen to be appreciated. The whole company numbers 120 members, and includes a full symphony orchestra, under the direction of Antal JDorati. The ballets will be presented with the same dancers, scenery, wardrobe, and lighting effects f)s during the, London season,

TIVOLI THEATRE. "That Certain Age," Deanna Durbin's latest'starring production, is showing at tHe Tivoli 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." In musical richness, it contains the same musical treat which was such an integral part of the previous offerings. "That Certain Age" present Deanna as a fifteen-year-old girl undergoing her first pangs of schoolgirl romance when she falls romantically in love with a man many, years her senior. The plot is ..more comedy than any of the previous stories, but it has the same heartinterest and stirring emotional qualities which have distinguished all of her. pictures. "Three Blind Mice," starring Loretta Young and Joel McCrea, is the supporting film. ; SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. "Piccadilly Jim,"..., starring Robert Montgomery, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. Of all the hilarious comedies written by the brilliant British humorist, P. G. Wodehouse, "Piccadilly Jim" has been proclaimed his funniest. "Women Are Trouble," the associate attraction, is a newspaper story out of the ordinary. Stuart Erwin, Paul Kelly, and Florence Rice liave the leading roles. ■..-.. :

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Seven, of . Hollywood's greatest character stars were assembled for important roles iiv Warner Baxter's newest starring film, "I'll Give a Million," which is showing at the Regal Theatre. The production, a sparkling qomedy drama which has Baxter and vibrant Marjorie Weaver as the romanr tic leads, is a story of a millionaire who leaves his yacht to enjoy life as a tramp. "The Lone Wolf in Paris," the second feature, proves an ideal vehicle for the charm of Francis Lederer and the beauty of Frances Drake. ■ '