CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 78, 3 April 1939, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

Although the beautiful'building and grounds of an English public school provide the setting for "Housemaster," which is show} ag at the Majestic Theatre, the story \j concerned primarily with the intensely interesting character study of a man, Charles Donkin, who happens to be a schoolmaster and the head of the school's principal house. Donkin's fine qualities as a man and as a schoolmaster are thrown into relief by contrast with the newly-appointed head, the Rev. Edmund Ovington, but as Donkin tells him in one of the few moments when his feelings get the better, of him Ovington lacks the one essential quality, humanity. Although its principal theme is serious there is plenty of first-rate comedy,and an interesting series of subsidiary interests in "Housemaster." A fine performance as Charles Donkin is given by Otto Kruger. Phillips Holmes is well cast as a shy schoolmaster, who needs the interest of a pretty woman to bring out his better qualities, .and Diana Churchill as that pretty, woman is as charming as she is talented.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

"Dead Men Tell No Tales," which is the main attraction at the Majestic Theatre, is considered by most London and New York critics to be the most powerful murder mystery film ever conceived. \ It is particularly interesting for several reasons—first, it is the adaptation of Francis Beeding's world famous novel "The Norwich Victims"; secondly, because it introduces the young actor-author genius of the London stage, Emlyn Williams. It is a crime play that more than lives up to its ominous title—it is a study with terrific punch and tension. Emlyn Williams plays the key role, and his portrait of sly, diabolical villainy bears marks of genius. It is "Grande Guignol" stuff with^a vengeance, and, as one London pressman, puts it, "Night Must Fall" is .a^bedtiaie story in comparison. The:£high' mortality rate (there are thtee-'. murders and a full expiation of crime) is .not, however, responsible ifor lack df. logic in story design. ■ "'.•■.■■•■.■ •••'.'

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

A transplanted Cossack in America who retains the swagger and bluster of his yesterday is Akim Tamiroff, star of "Escape from Yesterday," now screening at St. James Theatre. He has managed to reconcile his honourable army traditions with the not so honourable pursuit of modern scientific cattle-rustling, but his hardriding qualities acquired with the Cossacks are little use when the Federal Bureau of Investigation steps in. Just before-vhe becomes a guest of the State, a woman of the past presents him with the son Tamiroff last saw when he was a year old. Now twentyone, the son is as tough as his father, and he devotes his energy, by joining the army, to freeing his father. On the supporting programmes are two news-, reels, a "Popeye" cartoon, a musical symphony, and a scenic film in colour.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

The main attraction on the doublefeature programme at the Paramount Theatre is "Talent Scout," featuring Donald Woods and Jeanne Madden. Woods is cast as a talent scout whose ideas of publicity stunts earn for him his employer's extreme displeasure. As a result he is stranded hundreds of miles from Hollywood. However, during his return journey he attends an ''amateur night" in a small town theatre, where his attention is caught by a girl singer (Miss Madden). He considers that the girl will become a star, and so she goes to Hollywood with him. A screen test is a failure, so the couple have to resort to a ruse to attract the movie magnates' attention. The second picture is "The Patient in Room 18," based on one of Mignon -E. Eberhart's wellknown detective stories. The sleuth in the case, played by Patric Knowles, is in hospital suffering from a nervous breakdown when a wealthy fellowpatient is murdered and a fortune's worth of radium .stolen from a pack 'bound on to his chest.

REX THEATRE,

"Council for Crime" and "Strange Faces" conclude tonight at the Rex Theatre. A dozen radio entertainers in addition to screen and stage talent were assembled by Paramount to make "The Big Broadcast of 1937," which opens tomorrow, with- Jack Benny, George Burns, and Gracie Allen, Bob Burns, Martha Raye, Benny Goodman, and his Swing Orchestra, and Leopold Stokowski and his Symphony Orchestra, heading the cast. The extent to which circumstances can weave a noose around an innocent man's neck is dramatically portrayed in "The Accusing Finger," the second feature. Marsha Hunt, Robert Cummings, and Paul Kelly are starred.

ROXY THEATRE,

A thrill-packed story written around an amazing racket—the transportation of fugitives from justice across State and national borders for- > exorbitant sums—is told in Paramount's "Illegal Traffic," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Paramount's first "Hopalong Cassidy" story to continue the action of a former "Cassidy" picture is "In Old Mexico," the associate film. The popular outdoor hero, William Boyd, rides again with his two traditional companions, George Hayes and Russell Hayden. '

REGAL THEATRE. KARORI

Endowed with many thrilling action scenes and providing absorbing entertainment. "Mademoiselle Docteur" is showing at the Regal Theatre. Two favourites are starred in this wartime spy-drama. They are the blonde beauty, Dita Parlo, and that popular Hollywood figure, Erich yon Strohejm. Bing Crosby, Fred Mac Murray, and Donald O'Connor are the leading trio in "§ing. You Sinners," Paramount's new, comedy, which is the associate feature.

CAPITOL THEAT,RE, MIRAMAR

Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell, Hollywood's magnificent baritone and the world's greatest feminine tap dancer, are together in the spectacular musical, "Rosalie," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. If Dad Jones had not taken his- duties as a citizen so seriously, the Jones Family would never have found themselves in 'Hot Water," which they do in the film of that name, which is the associate attraction.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"The Toy Wife." starring Luise Rainer. is showing at the King George Theatre. As "Frou-frou" Brigard, Miss Rainer gives a remarkable performance. By turn the frivolous, lighthearted girl, the equally irresponsible wife, and* the broken, tragic figure which her own folly makes her, she draws a masterful and truly moving picture which any nther actress of the year will be hard pressed to match. Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young have the male leads.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

Effectively utilising the talents of the six New York boy- who became famous in both stage and screen versions of "Dead End," as well as such adult players as Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page, the new Warner picture, "Crime School," which is showing at. the De Luxe Theatre, makes a strong case for its basic theme, that the old type of boys' reformatory is in fact a "Crime School." The associate feature is '"Painted Deserti" starring George O'Briea.

CITY AND' SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE

DE LUXE THEATRE,

STATE THEATRE

"Trade Winds," thrilling and romantic tale of a detective's chase through the Orient for a murderess, which is in its second week at the King's Theatre, stars Fredric March and Joan Bennett. Kay Kerrigan (Joan Bennett), whose sister commits suicide, shoots the man responsible for her sister's tragic step. She leaves America for Japan, then China, and on and on, avoiding detectives. When she first meets Sam Wye (March) she does not realise who he is. but she eventually finds- out. She thinks he is only trying to win the rewards for her capture, but he convinces her that he loves her, and they leave for < bunch of islands off the coast of Ceylon. But the law extends even to this unknown spot, and she is finally arrested and taken back to New York, where, in a sensational climax, she is found not guilty.

Though now in its third week, the pictured drama of Shaw's "Pygmalion" is at the height of its popularity, and is enjoyed by packed houses at the Plaza Theatre at each performance. The film is popular for a very good reason, for. seldom if ever before have producers and director so sympathetically treated the work of a master playwright. As the young Cockney flowergirl who, to settle a bet, was presented to society as a princess within six months of being "'rescued" from Covent Garden, Wendy Hiller scores magnificently. As the clever but bombastic student of phonetics, who is forcibly introduced to his own lack of manners, Leslie . Howard is thoroughly in character. .There are no flaws in the supporting characters. The supporting programme this week contains a remarkable added attraction, entitled "Vyvyan Dormer's Fashion Forecast."

A series of notable events enacted in New York during the early years of the present century are incorporated in "Manhattan Melodrama," the chief film on the De. Luxe Theatre's programme. In what may be termed the prologue is re-enacted with startling realism the General Slocum disaster of a few years ago, when more than a thousand lives were lost in the burning and beaching of this steamer. Delving further back \n the past of New York's vivid history, the famous Winter Garden, roof is shown, recalling the shooting of Stanford White by Harry Thaw and the long legal fight over the latter's sanity or insanity. These and many other dramatic episodes form the background for the story of two youths who grow up the closest of friends, parte played by Clark Gable and William Powell, which is sufficient indication of the dynamic quality of the cast, especially when it is added that Myrna Loy plays the principal feminine role. "Spring Madness," starring Lew Ayres and j Maureen O'Sullivan,. is the second feature.

When tragedy enter- the life of "The Little Adventuress" (Edith Fellowes) at the State Theatre, her world crashes round her. A merry little trouper, a Stage accident leaves her an orphan, with only Cliff Edwards and Counto, a beautiful trick horse, as companions, The wanderings of the two caravans take them far afield. They run into a racing family, and the girl sees fortune in her favourite horse as a racer. Thence forward the story, while maintaining itj human interest and providing plenty of fun, becomes one of the track, with all its trickeries and excitement, and the climax is exceptionally moving. "Flight to Fame" is the story of a death-ray which is not accepted by the authorities until the inventor, whose intellect' has weakened through continuel refusals of a trial, works the ray out on aviators at work. ; Charles Farrell and Jacqueline Wells are starred.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE

Edward G Robinson, who played the first gangster in motion pictures, now plays , the last. He comes to the Princess Theatre in "The Last Gangster,"' a dramatic story of a man's term in a penitentiary, with James Stewart, Rose Stradner, glamorous new actress from Vienna, and a notable cast. "The Last Gangster" tells of the imprisonment of a "public enemy" and the struggle of his wife, who did not know his calling, to lose her identity and save their child from the disgrace attached to his name. The associate feature is Warner Bros, comedy-romance, "Love Is On the Air," starring Ronald Reagan and June Travis.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY.

"The Toy Wife," starring Luise Rainer, with Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young sharing honours as leading men, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. A story of life in New Orleans and on the Louisiana plantations of the 1850's, "The Toy Wife" presents Miss Rainer in the title role of "Froufrou" Brigard, with Douglas as George Sartoris, attorney and political figure whom she marries, and Young as Andre Vallaire, gambler, swordsman, and also suitor for her hand. "Exposed," with Glenda Farrell and Otto Kruger, is the associate attraction.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY,

A crook's code of honour towards the woman he attracts is a high light in the film "The Rat," a drama of the Paris underworld, starring Ruth Chatterton and Anton Walbrook, which is showing at the Empire Theatre. A wealthy woman on a slumming tour becomes infatuated with the Rat, but he, upon learning of her past, turns for romance to a young girl he has sworn to protect. Sketched in bold strokes against a colourful background where the desert meets the sea, "Border G-Man," the second feature, casts George O'Brien in the type of fastaction role that made him a universal favourite.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE,

Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney play the principal juvenile roles in "The Boy From Barnardo's, which is showing at the State Theatre. The film deals with the training of young Britishers at the merchant marine school, a division of the Barnardo Homes. Sam Wood was director of the picture, in which Freddie, as the tool of adventurers, is taken from his guardians and placed in the nautical training home, where he finds regeneration and a new life.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE,

"A Slight Case of Murder," a farce film that frankly and unreservedly makes fun of the whole business of gangsterism and -racketeering, is showing at the Grand Theatre. It is a Warner Bros, production with Edward G. Robinson as star But he is a different Edward G. Robinson He is no menacing, sinister underworld character this time. He is a fellow who was a beer baron in dry days and now. since prohibition repeal, has been trying to get along as a legitimate brewer.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

Universal's sixth Crime Club production. "The Last Warning," is showing at the Palace Theatre. Preston Foster anc Frank Jenks appear for the third time as Bill Crane and Doc. Williams, super-sleuths, who punctuate their expert detective work with wisecracks. The second feature is "Love on the Air," Warner Bros.' radio drama, featuring Eonald Reagan and June Travis.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

The age-old triangle^, of a man and two women still finds novel and up-to-the-minute treatment in "Woman Against Woman," screening at the Tivoli Theatre. 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, with the first determined that his marriage to the second 'shall not be a success. In the hands of this trio the story takes on telling conviction, with Marshall turning in a performance that rivals that of his father role in "Mad About Music." Miss Bruce is more charming than ever and continues the steady dramatic advance she evidenced in "The First Hundred Years," and Miss Astor gives a skilful interpretation of a most unsympathetic role "Sabotage," the second feature, stars Sylvia Sidney, with Oscar Homolka, John Loder, and Desmond Tester This is an excellent thriller, dealing with modern sabotage and the human drama behind it. It has fine suspense, first-class acting, and distinctive touches.

RIVOLI THEATRE

An intensely dramatic, all-but-for-eotten piece of maritime history that was an international sensation nearly one hundred years ago is brought to the screen by Paramount as further evidence that truth, in the hands of a good re-xvrite man, is better boxoffice than fiction. The picture is "Souls at Sea," and it is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, with Gary Cooper and George Raft in the leading roles. Behind the srceen play is the tale of an actual shipwreck and of a man who "played God" with human lives on the brink of disaster and got away with it. "The Dark Angel," the second feature, stars Fredric March, Merle Oberon, and Herbert Marshall. This powerful and beautiful' love story, set in a lovely, quiet corner of rural England, reflects the hearts of a woman and two men—one of whom she loves, while the other loves her.

TUDOR THEATRE,

Returning to Wellington to show at the Tudor Theatre is "Kidnapped," a film made from Robert Louis Stevenson's book of the same name. Those in' the cast of this adventurous, story are Warner Baxter. Freddie Bartholomew, Arleen Whelan, and John/Carradine. The supporting attraction is "Tarzan's Revenge," starring Glen Morris and Eleanor Holm-Jarrett.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN.

Alfred Hitchcock, one of Britain's foremost directors, has welded the silent to the talking screen for the opening of his latest picture, Gainsborough's "The Lady Vanishes,," which is the main attraction at Our Theatre. The film, which stars Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave, a newcomer to the film, is a vivid story of an English governess's mysterious disappearance from a Continental train and its dramatic denouement. Damon Runyon's "Straight, Place, and Show," starring the Ritz Brothers, with Richard Arlen and Ethel Merman in featured roles, is the second attraction.

HUTT GALA CARNIVAL,

The main attraction tonight at the gala carnival at the Hutt Recreation Ground will be a military gymkhana. The military display tonight will be particularly interesting, as the locality is to be defended by an anti-air-craft unit under Captain A. J. Dunn, against a night raid by an aeroplane. There will also be a display by the artillery unit under Captain A. Ainsley, 17th -Battery, 6in Howitzers, and a mimic attack by the Ist Battalion, Wellington Regiment, under Major R. J. Wells. Thousands of people are visiting the carnival, which will be in full swing until Easter Monday, with nightly changes of programme. The carnival is being held under the auspices of the Hutt Valley Centennial celebrations committee, and is for the purpose of raising funds for the Hutt Valley's quota towards the cost of the Centennial memorial.

NATIONAL ART GALLERY

In connection with the exhibition of Facsimile Reproductions of Old Masters and Modern Paintings at the National Art Gallery, Mr. R. Hipkins, A.R.C.A., will give a talk, in the gallery at 8 o'clock next Wednesday night, his subject being "The Italian Primitives." The lecture was to have been given on Tuesday evening, but owing to the official.handing over of the portrait of Queen Mary to the trustees by her Excellency, Viscountess Galway, tomorrow night, the lecture has been altered to Wednesday evening. Admission will be free.