CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 8

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

The title "Holiday" provides little' clue to the nature of the first-rate Die- j ture heading the programme at the Regent Theatre. It is concerned more with the secret of personal hap- j piaess. Cary Grant plays the Dart of a rising young business man whose heart's desire, strangely enough, is to earn enough money early in life to enable him to drop routine work and spend his time inquiring into the scheme of things. Having met and become engaged to a girl at a wintei resort he calls at her New York address to find that she is the daughter of a millionaire. Commercial success with money and yet more money is all that the millionaire aims at, and having been persuaded by his daughter to accept the prospective son-in-law he sets about arranging a career for him. There are two members ot the rich family who have dreamt of other things than the money god. They are the fiancee's younger brother and her sister Linda (Katharine Hepburn). MAJESTIC THEATRE. The much-discussed talents of Luise Rainer have probably never been granted a part more made to order than that of "Frou-frou," fickle, shallow, empty-headed, and frivolous little creature who takes the title role in "The Toy Wife," which is now showing at the Majestic Theatre. With Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young in support the film, in reality a tragedy, traces the disastrous effects on the lives of many people of a hasty marriage between a serious young business man and an irresponsible young girl who is in love rather with the thought of marriage than with the man to whom she is to be married. Disillusionment comes when Douglas, as the husband, finds that he has indeed married a "toy wife," a pretty, attractive creature who cannot even run her own home, and whose mind is taken 'up with trifling thoughts and adoration of silken dresses, from the very sound of which she has derived her nickname. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Reno, "the city of broken hearts," figures largely in the new film at the St. James Theatre, "The Road to Reno." Starring Randolph Scott and Hope Hampton, with Miss Hampton as "Linda Halliday," grand opera star, making her farewell performances before . going to Reno for the severalnce of her matrimonial knot. She chooses the famous Musette waltz from the opera, "La Boheme." This depicts "Musette" in a gay Parisian boulevard outdoor cafe. She has her aged admirer with her, but her young sweetheart is seated, consumed by jealousy, at a table nearby. While the gay night life of the cafe goes on about her, "Musette" endeavours through her songs to convince her old admirer that she is faithful to him, while at the same time assuring her young sweetheart that money is not everything, and that, eventually, she will return to him. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The place young criminals should occupy in a community and the different schools of thought to teach them to take that place are 'dealt with in the Columbia film "Reformatory," now showing at the Paramount Theatre. Filling the chief roles among the incorrigifeles are Bobby Jordan, of the "Dead End" Kids, and Frahkie Darro. The story centres about a reform school to which boys with a bad list of criminal offences are sent. Under the normal routine they are bullied and thrashed into submission. Appointed to the school as the new supervisor, Robert Dean (Jack Holt) realises the weaknesses of the old system, and soon effects a change to allow the boys to direct their own affairs under a system of self-government. The associate feature, "Blossoms on Broadway," is a gay comedy dealing with the attempts of a daring gentleman crook to steal the wealth of a country girl who owns a gold mine. The main roles are taken by Edward Arnold, Shirley Ross, and William Frawley. REX THEATRE. Paramount's "Yours for the Asking," which is showing at the Rex Theatre, marks the fourteenth picture for George Raft under the Paramount banner. This is the first time he has starred with beautiful Dolores Costello Barrymore, and this picture is one chocked full of laughs and romance. "Straight From the Shoulder," Paramount's dramatic story which is the second film, with Ralph Bellamy, Katherine Locke, and Onslow Stevens in featured parts, brings to the screen one of fiction's favourite characters, Lucian Cary's "J. M. Pyne." ROXY THEATRE. In presenting Robert Taylor in the title role as the cocky all-star athlete who comes to Oxford to "teach the natives" and himself learns plenty in return, "A Yank at Oxford," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, affords the star his greatest opportunity to demonstrate his athletic ability to handle genuinely dramatic scenes. Lionel Barrymore, Vivien Leigh, and Maureen O'Sullivan are in supporting roles. Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, and Jack Whiting have the leading roles in "Give Me a Sailor," Paramount's madcap comedy, which is the supporting feature. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. The plight of a star reporter who spends his wedding night on a goat hunt—under orders from his managing editor —provides the theme of the new Columbia romantic comedy, "No Time to Marry," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. "The 'Crime' of Dr. Hallet," starring Ralph Bellamy, which is the associate film, is a powerful and poignant picture. STATE .THEATRE, PETONE. "Gangster's Boy" will be shown finally tonight at the State Theatre. The age-old triangle of a man and two women still finds novel and up-to-the-minute treatment in "Woman Against Woman," which opens tomorrow. In this instance the man, Herbert Marshall, is a husband, and the women, Virginia Bruce and Mary Astor, are his second and first wives respectively. Cave-man tactics by a modern man provide hilarious entertainment in "Dangerous Number," which is the second film. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Bar 20 Justice" and "Touchdown Army" conclude tonight at the Palace c Theatre. ' . * Comedy is substituted for chemistry, ] laughter for languages, and music for I mathematics in Columbia's riotous col- i lege musical, the next change at the -^ Palace Theatre, commencing tomorrow. £ Jimmy Durante heads a large cast, in- t eluding Joan Perry and Walter Con- " nelly. The second attraction is a thrill- £ ing and dramatic story of a woman s who pitted a career against love. It s co-stars Lanny Ross and Gloria Stuart. s I c GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. r "The Last Express" and "The Ad- \ venturous Blonde*" conclude tonight at , the Grand Theatre. Two splendid attractions open to- c morrow. Starring Peter Lorre as the r famed "Saturday Evening Post" sleuth, I "Mr. Moto's Gamble," new mystery I drama, is the main film. The second 1 feature is "Nancy Steele is Missing," 1 Twentieth Century-Fox's tense and i thrilling drama, starring Victor Me- r jaglen, Walter Connolly, and Peter g I Lorre. , c

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES'

KING'S THEATRE.

"Suez," with its mammoth sets showing construction of the great canal, its scenes of royal' courts, and the colourful pageantry of the Middle East iis continuing a successful season at the King's Theatre. The principal members of a strong cast are Tyrone* Power, who plays the part of the Frenchman, Ferdinand de Lesseps, whose energy was responsible for construction of the canal in the face of the active opposition of Great Britain; Loretta Young as the Empress Eugenic, wife of the Emperor Louis Napoleon; and Annabella, who has a delightful part as tomboy of the desert who falls in love with de Lesseps. She eventually gives her life to save his when the dreaded simoon known by the natives as the "devil wind" strikes the canal construction and destroys everything in its path. PLAZA THEATRE. A stirring story of the life, sacrifices* hopes, ambitions, and achievements of a kind-hearted rural doctor, who is looked upon as something of a failure until he saves the community, forms the basis of "A Man to Remember," which is now showing at the Plaza Theatre. The film starts with the funeral of the doctor (Edward Ellis) who, at the time of his death is greatly respected by practically everyone in the town. In a lawyer's office above the silent and deeplytouched crowds watching the funeral i pass, three hard-headed and somewhat unscrupulous business men are looking at the doctor's estate and hoping he has paid his debts to them. It appears that he has only left a number of old bills and it is from these that the story is told. After his death the three merchants who hindered him most in his work find that the doctor has the last say. Edward Ellis, Anne Shirley, and Lee Bowman are starred. DE LUXE THEATRE. Outstanding entertainment in the shape of two feature films and supports, with the additional attraction of "The Singing Usherette," accompanied by Reg. Maddams at the Wurlitzer organ, is provided at the De Luxe Theatre. "Wolf's Clothing," the first feature film, stars Claude Hulbert (never more hopeless and delightfully funny), and Gordon Harker in a tale of intrigue in the Secret Service. Four of five British agents meet violent death in the sewers of Paris, and Hulbert, who is next on the list, .misses death on several occasions by the skin of his teeth. It is a humorous film, but there are plenty of thrills. "Wallaby Jim of the Islands," the main feature, stars George Houston (who makes a welcome return to the screen) and Mamo Clark, the beautiful native girl who came into prominence in "Mutiny on the Bounty." Fast moving, exciting, and with moments of romance and hilarity, the film depicts the life of pearl fishermen in the South Sea Islands. STATE THEATRE. A night club hostess brought up to a racketeering life, who turns to the Gospel with unexpected results, makes the story of the film "Tarnished Angel," which is showing at the State Theatre, one of the most unusual for some time. It also gives Sally Eilers unusual opportunities to demonstrate her skill. The result is a .picture which begins as satire and ends with the night club hostess developing healing gifts in her revival mission, which she had begun as a racket to make money. The second feature on the programme stars the popular George O'Brien in a thrilling Western, "Lawless Valley," notable not only for exceptionally fine photography but for dramatic excitement as O'Brien unfolds the chain.of circumstances which had cast him wrongfully into prison. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Perfect Specimen," a comedydrama starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell, is screening at the New Princess Theatre. This Warner Bros, production shows that Flynn, in addition to his qualities as a swashbuckling fighter with ancient weapons (as in "Captain Blood," "The Charge of the Light Brigade," and "The Prince and the Pauper") is also a first-class battler with the gloved fists in the roped arena. The associate feature is the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Between Two Women," starring Franchot Tone, Virginia Bruce, and Maureen O'Sullivan. TUDOR THEATRE. Bobby Breen appears in "Rainbow on the River," which is playing a return season in Wellington at the Tudor Theatre. A musical romance played in the aftermath of the American Civil War, this film is about a young boy all of whose kin failed to survive the deadly enmity between North and South and who was reared knowing no mother other than a fat and faithful ex-slave. Bobby Breen is a boy tenor and he heads a stron gcast. The Hall-Johnson choir appears prominently. The associate attraction is "Blonde Cheat," with Joan Fontaine and Cecil Kellaway. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Test Pilot," starring Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy, heads the double-feature programme at Our Theatre. Clark Gable plays the title role as a daring aviator, willing to risk life and limb for a job he loves. Myrna Loy plays an unsophisticated farm girl who marries the famous flyer and i finds herself combating the unseen lure of the sky in a battle to win the love of her husband. Spencer Tracy, as the best mechanic in the business, takes care of Gable's plane, a double duty that is almost too much for one man. The second attraction is "Under Suspicion," starring Jack Holt. KILBIRNJE KINEMA. - A comedy as typical of Harold Lloyd as his world-famous spectacles is "Professor Beware" which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The story concerns itself with the antics of a penniless archaeologist, Lloyd, and his screwy cross-country jaunt from California to New York, pursued by a beautiful girl. The trackless Malayan jungle formed the scene of the filming of "Booloo," Paramount's vivid drama of the world's "darkest" ; region, which -is the second feature. SPARKLING REVUE. Another large and enthusiastic audience greeted Stanley McKay's sparkling revue, "Life Begins.at 8," at the Opera House, Wellington, last night. Mr. McKay's company has made a big name in New Zealand for the quality and variety of its entertainments in the past and the 1939 offerings are no exception to the rule. In George Hurd the "Gaieties" company has an artist with a world reputation. New Zealand has seldom seen such a juggler, and after seeing his work it is easy to understand why he was chosen to appear before Royalty. Prominent in the large cast are Stan Foley and Alec McKinnori, clever comedians; Stella Lamond, Lhe brilliant personality girl; Nellie Rolle, famous male impersonator; Scotty and Dolly, Australia's premier dancing duo; the San Reraos Bros., matchless hand balancers; Assam, Pekoe, Souchon, and Congo, crazy acrobatic clowns; Gerry Keogh and Snowy J Powers, acrobratic dancers; Stella Coltier, soprano; Barry Ross, baritone; and Alex. Reddy, light comedian. The final ' matinee of "Life Begins at 8" will be ; given tomorrow. Reserves are avail- : able. (]

TIVOLI THEATRE. "Alexander's Ragtime Band," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre, is greater than they said it was. Periodically Hollywood produces a picture that stands out as a beacon along the high road of motion 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. Add story to cast and direction and the film amountsto a picture that for years to come will be remembered as a turning point— a new trend —the utilisation of memorable melodies in a dramatic story of ti the screen's mightiest moment. The - Berlin score is, of course, without pret vious or subsequent parallel. It took c Berlin 27 years to write it, and every one of the 28 songs, used wholly or l" partially in the picture, topped the hit ', parade of its era. Tyrone Power, Alice i, Faye, and Don Ameche head a large 7 cast. "Mr. Moto Takes a Chance," 2 starring Pete Lorre, Rochelle Hudson, - and Robert Kemp, is the second feal ture. 5 SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. r Bringing the world-famous team of | | Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to- j * gether once more, "Carefree," which is - showing at the Seaside Theatre, pre- " serits a glittering, joyous, and song--1 studded film romance. Film detective fans, who pride themselves on solving screen mysteries before the cinema detective, will have a hard job when they see "The Lady in the Morgue," the second feature. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY, ' t AND REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. After a run of several years in New York, London, Paris, and various other > world capitals as a stage play, "Tovat rich," a comedy dealing with a grand 5 duchess and a prince who were exiled ■ from thir native Russia by the revos lution, now comes to the screen. It - is showing at both the Empire Theatre ■ and Regal Theatre. Warner Bros. ■ made the picture and endowed it with [• a splendid cast and many magnificent '■ settings. Claudette Colbert plays the ' Grand Duchess and Charles Boyer the : Prince. Other notable performers in ; the cast include Basil Rathbone, Anita 1 Louise, and Melville Cooper. "Convict ! 99," starring Will Hay, is the second ; feature at the Empire Theatre. The 1 unforgettable drama of a tiny group J of persons marooned by the relentless- » ly rising waters of a mighty river in the flood is told in "On Such a Night," which is the supporting film at the Regal Theatre, with Karen Morley, Grant Richards, and Roscoe Karns. "THE REBEL MAID." 1 Lovers of light opera will have the r opportunity of hearing Montague Phillips's "The Rebel Maid" sung by the ' Wellington Conservatoire Choir on ; Thursday night at 8 o'clock in the ; Town Hall Concert Chamber. A strong i cast has been chosen and Mr. Thomas Wood will conduct. The composer 1 wrote the music during duty with the \ North Sea Fleet during the Great War, ' and naturally the ooera has a sea--1 going flavour.. The Box Plan is open ; at Begg's.