CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 67, 21 March 1939, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The amusing farce, "Say It In French," is showing at the Regent Theatre. Kay Milland and piympe Bradna are starred. The situation! develops rapidly when the young son of a New York shipbuilder arrives home from golfing triumphs . in France with a charming young' Frenchwoman he has secretly -married. The shipbuilder, facing bankruptcy, is hoping that the announcement of his son's engagement; to a wealthy heiress will save his ) credit, and hearing the situation before she has been introduced to the family, the French wife forces her husband to go ahead with the arrangement temporarily. A notable feature of the first half of the programme is a fine rendering of the overture to Wagner's opera "Tannhauser," played by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, under' the baton of Frederick Feher. MAJESTIC THEATRE. With Joan Crawford in her first dancing role since "Dancing Lady," "The Shining Hour," which is showing at the Majestic Theatre, also presents Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas, and Fay Bainter. The picture relates the adventuers of a Broadway night club dancer who married a middle-western . gentleman farmer. He takes her into the heart of his .family, and there her difficulties begin. A brother-in-law promptly falls in love with her, and his wife is the one friend she has in the household. An elder spinster sister despises her and makes no secret of it. In this situation the girl is helpless.- Tragedy comes into the picture when the spinster sister sets fire to the house which the newlyweds have built. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The ever-popular background of the racecourse is the settling for "Stablemates," which is in its second week at • the St. James Theatre. The picture is noteworthy for at least the fact that throughout its length there is practically a cast of only three —a man, a boy, and a horse. Mickey Rooney is cast as the waif who is employed as a stable boy, and Wallace Beery as the tramp and racecourse hanger-on. Mickey's owner has a horse which should be great if it did not have the habit of "fading out" at the critical point of a race. Disgusted with the animal's performance the owner decides to send it to the. "glue factory," but Mickey takes the horse in lieu of wages overdue. The horse's life is saved, but Mickey has a problem on his hands till the tramp comes on the scene. REX THEATRE. Laughter, gaiety, and music are mixed in liberal proportions in "College Holiday," which'is showing at the Rex Theatre. Jack Benny heads the list of radio and screen comics. He is aided by George Burns and Gracie Allen, Mary Boland and Martha Raye. Paramount's "The Crime Nobody Saw," an unusual mystery story with a comic twist, is the second feature. Lew Ayres, Ri'th Coleman, Eugene Pallette, and Benny Baker are in the leading roles. It is a thrilling story which moves at a rapid pace and it; has everything it takes to make first-class motion picture entertainment. ROXY THEATRE. "Mr. Wong. Detective," which Is showing at the Roxy Theatre, introduces a new screen detective in the person of that ex-horror man and master of eerie characterisation, Boris Karloff. A masked horseman who commits bold robberies and donates the proceeds to the poor, who becomes the most feared figure in the West without ever hurting an honest man, and who saves the ranch of a beautiful young girl from rustlers without revealing his identity, forms the romantic central character in "The Mysterious Rider," the second feature. Douglass Dumbrille plays the strange rider. TUDOR THEATRE. Now in its fifth week at Wellington, "Suez," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre with Loretta Young, Annabella, and Tyrone Power, shows the supreme effort of the elements to prevent the joining of the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. In this film and in' this incident is proof that earth, air, and water—once thought to be the elements that constituted man and mis environment—are among the basic elements of man's entertainment. Mr. Moto Takes a Chance," starring Peter Lorre, Rochelle Hudson, and Robert Kent, is the associate film. KIL.BIRNIE KINEXttA. More than a dozen of the screen's most famous players head the cast of Paramount's dramatic story of. Alaska, "Spawn of the North," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Chief among tfcesn are George Raft, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour, Louise Platt, Akim Tamiroff, John Barrymore, and Lynne Overman. "Variety Hour," the associate film, presents ten brilliant variety acts. The first episode of Universal's sensational chapter play, "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars." commences at .7.15 p.m. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell are co-starred for the first time in the super-lavish musical "Rosalie," which is the main attraction at Our Theatre. The story concerns a West Point cadet who falls in love with a princess and flies across the ocean to be with her. But the royal family has other ideas and it looks as if the football-playing cadet is going to pass the rest of his life alone in an army camp. The wartime comedy, "Twenty-three and a Half Hours' Leave," starring James Ellison, is the associate feature. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Jealousy, with its ever attendant romance, fear, and conflict, is the keynote of "Wives Under Suspicion," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre. The film introduces an all-star oast headed by Gail Patrick and Warren Williams. Aflame with the colour of the -western frontier, George O'Brien's new starring vehicle, "Paintdd Desert," is the associate film. THESPIANS PRODUCTION. First-rate entertainment in the "comedy-thriller" class is provided by "Someone at the Door," which was presented by the Thespians to another large audience in the Concert Chamber last night. The season will conclude tonight. Members of the well-chosen cast have received deservedly high praise for their work in this production. The best possible use has been made of the material provided in the play and the suspense is well maintained. The players include Selwyn Toogood, Joan Goodwin, H. A. Painter, Myles F. E. Wright, R. J. Larkin, John McCreary, and Arthur Rayner. The stage manager is Mr. Evan Harrowell. Miss Susie Painter is property mistress and Mr. Jack McLeod prompter. The play was produced by Mr. Victor S. Lloyd, director of the society. "Someone at the Door" is concerned with a young London journalist's plan to fake a murder and then sell a front-page stoi\y to one of tHe newspapers. The victim is to bs his sister Sail, who eventually agrees to go into hiding for a week. The idea is well worked out. The play should not be missed by lovers of thriller stories.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. I A rollicking comedy with a diverting I plot and an ideal cast is "The Young in Heart," which is in its second week at the King's Theatre. The film has as its featured players Douglas Fairbanks, [jun., Paulette Goddard, Janet Gaynor, 'Billie Burke, Roland (Topper) Young, and Henry Stephenson. Roland Young, as is often the case, will be considered by the majority of those who see the film as giving the most amusing performance, but the others all portray: | their parts well. The film deals with I a family of very indolent people who prefer to chase around Europe in search of.legacies and fortunes rather, than work for their living. They become very hardened —so they think— when they start out to work for an old lady's fortune, but when they are faced with the possibility of the old lady 'dying, they find that their affection for her outweighs their avariciousness. PLAZA THEATRE. Acclaimed by the world's Press as "a production that marks a new era in picture presentation," Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" is showing at the Plaza Theatre. The story of "Pygmalion" is the story of a modern Cinderella, Eliza Doolittle, daughter of a none-too-re-putable dustman, an uneducated girl of the slums*with the wqrld against her, who sells flowers in Covent Garden Market. Eliza Doolittle's chance comes through her accidental meeting with Professor Higgins, a teacher of phonetics, and his admirer, Colonel Pickering. Higgins boasts that he could by tuition remove all trace of her Cockney accent, teach her manners and deportment, dress her properly, and pass her off as an out-and-out lady at a high social function without the deception being detected. Colonel Pickering dares him to take Eliza in* hand and make good his boast. He accepts the challenge and starts in on his great experiment, with an amazing result. Leslie Howard is credited with presenting the finest work of his career, while Wendy Hiller, as the flower-girl, is excellent. DE LUXE THEATRE. Hopalong Cassidy, Windy Halliday, and Lucky, those delightful characters of the Bar 20 created by Clarence Mulford, are on the trail again at the De Luxe Theatre, though not. this time at the famous ranch. They have more serious business on "In Old Mexico," and their guns still have the habit of talking first. In the sun-blistered land of the cactus, where the army son of a wealthy Spaniard is murdered to satisfy a long-standing feud—the man whom he and Hopalong nearly brought to the rope bears a grudge about it — the three cheery cattlemen have their hands full of bad men, and the story moves ■to an excellent climax. The second full-length feature is "Illegal Traffic," the story of a big transport firm which specialises, under the cloak of normal commerce, in transporting hold-up men and other spectacular criminals to safety. Apart from a good news programme in support there are "The Singing Usherette" in two numbers and Ronald Lavin at the organ. STATE THEATRE. A first-class double-feature programme is showing at the State Theatre this week. The main feature is "Road Demon" and those patrons who enjoy thrills of any description will find plenty to satisfy their appetite in this picture, which has for its background the motor racing track. The cast includes Henry Arthur, described as America's ace driver, Joan Valeric, Henry Armetta, Bill Robinson, and Tom Beck, and each gives an outstanding performance. The high tension point in the picture is reached when a large field of competitors start off on the 500-mile race round a two and a half-mile track. The associate feature is "While New York Sleeps," a thriller of the best-known type. There is a faked murder which turns out* to be real, a suicide which is also a murder, the theft of valuable bonds, a night club, and through it all figure the Roving Reporters—Michael Whalen and "Chick" Chandler. PERRY BROS.' CIRCUS AND ZOO. Coming by special boats after a triumphant season in the South Island, the famous Perry Bros.' modern circus of 50 international stars, together with a zoo of 18 cages of wild jungle animals and herd of elephants, will commence their Wellington season at the Winter Show Building tomorrow night. Perry Bros, come to New Zealand after a record-breaking tour of Australia. Perry Bros, is an entertainment that has held the support and approval of the Australian audiences for 70 years. There are acts from all parts of the world in acrobatics, tumbling, ladder and perch pole balancers, trapeze artists, head balancers, jugglers, rope spinners, wire walkers, springboard and Risley artists, lady and gentlemen riders, contortionists, performing dogs, sheep, horses, lions, tigers, and elephants. Direct from Europe, Perry Bros, have imported a new team of clowns and dummies who introduce clean, clever comedy. Headine this outstanding array of talent are the Flying Dunbars, the most sensational act* ever imported to Australia and New Zealand. They come with the plaudits of five continents still ringing in their ears. These thrilling performers perform miraculous feats whilst flying in midair 40 feet up in the dome of the big top. In addition to the splendid circus performance, Perry Bros, present the largest travelling zoo in Australia and New Zealand. This zoo will be open from 4 to 5 p.m. daily for the feeding of the wild animals. There will be special matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30 p.m. The box plan is at Begg's. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Little Miss Broadway" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. After a run of several years in New York, London, Paris, and various other world capitals as a stage play, "Tovarich," a comedy dealing with a grand duchess and a prince who were exiled from their native Russia by the revolution, now comes to the screen. It opens tomororw at the State Theatre. Claudette Colbert plays the grand duchess and Charles Boyer the prince. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Reformatory" and "Not Wanted On Voyage" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. To those who like thrills in a picture, "The Lost Jungle," which opens tomorrow, will be welcome as good entertainment. Kamor is a lost island whereon roam in plenty the fauna of both Africa and Asia, lions and tigers, panthers and leopards, hyenas and bears galore. An expedition in search of the cradle of civilisation is wrecked on Kamor, and Clyde Beatty, hero of the big ring of mammoth circuses, leaves with the relief party. "Secrets of a Nurse," starring Edmund Lowe and Helen Mack, is the associate film. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Back in Circulation" and "His Exciting Night" conclude tonight at the i Grand Theatre. In what is described as the most elaborately staged and most highly emotional picture of her brilliant career, Kay Francis comes to the Grand Theatre tomorrow in Warner Bros.' drama "Confession," adapted from the famed European play "Mazurka," which had sensational runs in the Continental capitals. Columbia's mystery drama, "Convicted," with Charles Quigley and Rita Hayworth, is the second feature.

TIVOM THEATRE. Katharine Hepburn, co-starred with Cary Grant, is seen at the Tivoh Theatre in "Holiday," Columbia screen version of the Philip _ Barry stage success. "Holiday" is . the story of a young debutante, stifled by wealth and family position, confused by the crowded and meaningless activity of a socialite s life, who falls in love with a young n.an with a sense of humour and a sense of proportion. He wants to retire while he is young and can still (enjoy life. Miss Nolan is seen as another member of the wealthy family. Her gods are family position and a fat bank account, and she has no desire to abandon them for love. The first half of the programme will consist of specially selected short features. RIVOLI THEATRE. An all-musical Programme is showing at the Rivoli Theatre The mam attraction is "My Lucky Star, slairing the world's skating champion, Sonja Henie, Richard Green, Joan Davis, Cesar Romero, Buddy Jbsen, and Arthur Treacher. A flight of the film is the Alice in Wonderland ballet. "Wake Up and Live" the associate film, has in the cast Walter Winichell, Ben Bernie, Alice Faye, Patsy Kelfcr, Neil Sparks, Jack Haley,, and Joan Davis. Nine recent song hits are featured. In addition there are selected supports. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. David Garrick has come to H*? on the stage several times, chiefly m rather heavy and ponderous drama. But now he comes to the screen—and delightfully—in a rollicking comedy, and proves to be a most attractive sort of fellow Tall good-looking, Britishborn Brian Aherne plays the name part of "The Great Garrick,' which Ps showing at the .New Princess Theatre. Lovely Olivia de Hayilland is the lass who arouses his romantic interest. The associate feature is "Army Girl," an adventuredrama of a far-flung military outpost, starring Madge Evans • and Preston Foster.

RADIO PROGRAMMES Today's radio programmes will be found on Page 18. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Romance For Three" is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Nearly every poor man would like to enjoy the life of a millionaire for two weeks, and every rich man would like to go back to the simple pleasures—at least for the same time. And that is just what Frank Morgan, Robert Young, and Reginald Owen do in this escapade oi the Alps. "Freedom For Sale, a drama of the American parole evil, is the associate film. WORLD-FAMOUS REVUE. With the acclaim of huge audiences in some of the great overseas capitals to their credit, the world-famous Young Australians will commence their comedy revue and stage band performance at the Grand Opera House next Thursday. The revue is made up to give enjoyment to those who like a good laugh, whilst those who enjoy popular music by a novel and attractive stage band will also be well catered for. In addition, there are clever tap dancers, amazing impersonators, and many ! other unique features. The stage pre- | sentations are attractive and colourful, the entire revue is well dressed, and is performed in polished, professional style by Australia's most brilliant young artists. Among the Young Australians' records are a season of 78 consecutive performances in Johannesburg, South Africa, without having an (empty seat in the theatre for any ! matinee or night performance. The boys played a season of four weeks m Auckland recently, and they have also played seasons in the best theatres in the capital cities of Australia. The Young Australians will give matinees on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 2.15 p.m. Reservation arrangements are advertised. MASSED BANDS' DISPLAY. The hexagonal serpentine display by the massed bands, which attracted a great crowd to Newtown Park on March 5, is to be repeated next Sunday with new evolutions and music added. Twelve bands will take part.