CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 101, 2 May 1939, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. There is plenty of action and humour in "Fools for Scandal," which is showing at the Regent Theatre. The story is very simple, but amusing. It concerns two men who want to marry the same girl, and the girl in the case has great difficulty in making up her mind. Carole Lombard plays the part of tha girl—an American movie star on a weekend holiday to Paris—and she gives a thoroughly convincing performance. The part suits her admirably, and whether it be as the romantic young woman seeking love in Paris or the thoroughly-angered actress trying to rid herself of her suitor's attentions her acting is outstanding. Fernand Gravet plays opposite Ler in the role 1 of a young Frenchman who has two achievements —his ability to make love and to cook—and consequently when he establishes himself in the movie star's home as cook and would-be housemaid the fun and the scandal commence. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Boys' Town," starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, is showing at the Majestic Theatre. Based on the story of Father Edward J. Flanagan's Boys' Town, located twelve miles outside of Omaha, Nebraska, the role of the priest whose mission in life is to give home and shelter to needy boys affords Spencer Tracy an opportunity for one of the sincere, natural portrayals for which he has become deservedly famous. Seldom has Tracy found a role more suited to his personality than that of his quiet idealist. Father Flanagan, whose .contention that "there is no such thing as a bad boy," leads him to build a monument of faith to boys the world over. Sharing honours with Tracy as Whitey, tough, unmanageable, and non-conform-ing is Mickey Rooney, cast in one of the most dramatic roles of his career. ST. JAMES THEATRE. A bank robbery followed by a crosscountry flight by truck and aeroplane is the basis on which the exciting plot of "Ambush," now showing at the St. James Theatre, is built. Gladys Swarthout takes the part of the heroine, as secretary to the president of the bank. When the bank is relieved of 98.000 dollars and four people are killed she recognises a truck used in the crime as one upon which her brother had been working and from that learns of his participation in the theft. At the threat of her brother's death she is forced by the gang to lure a transport truck driver, played by Lloyd Nolan, to the criminal's hide-out, where the vehicle is converted into a travelling home for -them. On the same programme half a dozen "shorts cover a wide variety of interests, including the transatlantic flight of the Yankee Clipper and the CambridgeOxford boat race. REX THEATRE. Paul Gallico's "Saturday Evening Post" story of the romance of a pair of scatter-brained newspaper reporters, "Wedding Present," is showing at the Rex Theatre, with Joan Bennett and Cary Grant in starring roles. A fast-stepping tale of a millionaire who had to squander his fortune before he found the right girl, is told in "Spendthrift," the second feature. The picture boasts a cast of featured players headed by Henry Fonda, Pat Paterson, Mary Brian, and George Barbier. ROXY THEATRE. Adapted from the successful st&ge play of the* same namo by Philip Barry. Columbia's "Holiday," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, presents Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in a glowingly human story with a modern setting. "Judge Hardy's Children," third in the popular "Judge Hardy Family" series, is the associate film. Lewis Stone plays Judge Hardy, Mickey Rooney and Cecilia Parker portray his children. Fay Holden is the wife. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Alfred Hitchcock, one of Britain's foremost directors, has welded the silent to the talking screen for the opening of his latest picture, "The Lady Vanishes" which is showing at the Regal 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 uisappearance from a Continental train and its dramatic denouement. The Ritz Brothers are starred in "Kentucky Moonshine," the associate attraction. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. In "Everybody Sing," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre, something new in the way of screen teams is presented by Allan Jones, as the singing chef and little Judy Garland, as the girl who can't keep away from "swing" music. Billie Burke, as the actress, and Reginald Owen, as her playwright husband and Judy's father, are outstanding in their portrayals. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Wives Under Suspicion" and "Public Wedding" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. The first of 20th Century-Fox's new Roving Reporters series, "Time Out for Murder," opens tomorrow, with Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, and Chick Chandler featured. The series deals with the hair-raising and sometimes hilarious adventures of an ace reporter and his wise-cracking photographer. The second feature is "My Old Kentucky Home" starring Evelyn Venable and the Hall Johnson Choir. STATE THEATRE PETONE. "The Crowd Roars" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. With the presence in the cast of two such widely popular comedians as Jack Buchanan and Maurice Chevalier, one is entitled to expect an entertainment out of the common in "Break the News," which opens tomorrow. While the story itself is refreshing in its novelty and abounds in delicious comedy situations, it is dominated by the sparkling work of its stars. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Vampire Bat" and "Pirates of the Skies" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. "On Our Seection," Australia's favourite comedy, starring Bert Bailey and Jocelyn Howarth, opens tomorrow. What is the special appeal of "On Our Selection" is perhaps a natural question, and the answer is to be round in the fact that deep down in its simple rough interior there has ever lain a certain indefinite something that goes straight to the hearts of audiences which other entrepreneurs have sought to discover in long despair, but despite a score of ambitious attempts, its rival has yet to be born. • KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is showing at the King George Theatre. This is the first Walt Disney animated film produced in feature length technicolour, which has been declared by newspaper critics to be the season s biggest sensation. It is unique in more ways than one, combining as it does the pleasures and lure of fantasy with excellent drama and comedy. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Bob Burns, as an Arkansas hillbilly gifted with the peculiar power of writing catchy song numbers in his sleep without knowing it and Jack Oakie, as a broken-dow,n composer, have the top roles in "Radio City Revels," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The associate attraction is "Storm Over Bengal." and stars Patric Knowles, Richard Cromwell, and Rochelle Hudson.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. One ol the most pleasing and thoroughly entertaining pictures in the "crazy" tradition yet to be released in New Zealand is "You Can't- Take it With You." now showing a' the King's Theatre. It is more than a story cf gay irresponsibility; it has a message, the, old but always true one ' t money is not everything, and that its purchasing power is, after all, very limited. Lionel Barrymore dominates an extremely good cast. Edward Arnold is splendid as the wealthy business tycoon Kirby, whose lust for monsy and power has rather dimmed his eyesight in other directions. James Stewart and Jean Arthur make a new and appealing team in the leading juvenile roies, as the young couple who venture against the storm of class prejudice . PLAZA THEATRE. Although now in its seventh week crowds are still flocking to see "Pygmalion" at the Plaza Theatifc As the young Cockney flower girl, who, to settle a bet, was presented to society as a countess within six months of being "rescued" from Covent Garden by a man who dabbled in phonetic sounds (Leslie Howard), Wendy Hiller is« magnificent. Howard is as usual perfect in a role that suits him admirably, and the rest of the supporting cast is excellent also. The picture, which is mainly humorous, has some poignant touches, particularly towards the close when,, after her transformation, the girl is expected to return to Covent Garden. "Toasting the British Navy" and "Sword-fishing at the Bay of Islands" are two outstanding items in an excellent array of short subjects. DE LUXE THEATRE. Two full-length pictures constitute the programme at the De Luxe Theatre. "Over the Wall" is a story of American prison life, with a particularly human touch introduced by Father Connor, the prison chaplain. Jerry Davis (Dick Forah) is a young man with aspirations as a heavyweight boxer, but his first promoter is a crook who sees that Jerry is put out of action in his first bout. Jerry discovers how he has been tricked, and retaliates, with the result that he receives a prison sentence. He fights against prison discipline, but Father Connor (John Litel) and Kay Norton (June Travis) convince him of the error of his ways. "Paris Honeymoon" has for its principal characters Bing Crosby as Lucky Lawton, the wealthy Westerner who went to Paris with the Countess De Remi (Shirley Ross) to marry her as soon as she secured her divorce. But many complications ensue before the story winds its way to an end STATE THEATRE. "Smashing the Spy Ring" and "Homicide Bureau" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. "Just Around the Corner," starring Shirley Temple, opens tomorrow. TUDOR THEATSE. "Kentucky," which is screening for an extended season at the Tudor, has a Civil War prologue to show how a southerner, Mr. Goodwin, is shot by a Confederate officer, John Dillon, while trying to prevent his horses from being commandered by the army. From this old quarrel rises the bar which separates the present-day families and complicates the romance of young Jack Dillon and Sally Goodwin. Loretta Young and Richard Greene are starred. The associaate attraction, "Paid to Dance,' has not been shown before in Wellington. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Fast comedy, starring Constance Bennett, is to be seen in "Service De Luxe," which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. Of note is the initial screen appearance of Vincent Price, New York stage star who is the latest to join the ranks of Hollywood leading men. With the two principals is a cast which includes Charles Ruggles, Mischa Aver, Helen Broderick, and Joy Hodges. The associate feature is Warner Bros.' "Jezebel," starring Bette Davis, with Henry Fonda. George Brent, and Margaret Lindsay in the supporting roles. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The timely problem of the wife who is called upon to giT= up a successful career in order to make a home for her husband, and who cannot bear the idea of relinquishing her business associations and background, forms the theme of "The First Hundred Years," which is the main attraction at Our Theatre. Robert Montgomery plays the boatdesigner husband and Virginia Bruce is his wife. "Men of Yesterday," starring Stewart Rome and Will Fyffe. is the associate feature. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. A prison story of unusual interest, Columbia's "Penitentiary." is showing at the Capitol Theatre. This is the dramatic tale of a politically ambitious warden who finds that life inside a State penitentiary goes deeper than mere individual desires. Walter Connolly, John Howard, Jean Parker, and Robert Barrat play the leading roles. Jack Buchanan returns to his favourite musical comedy in "The Sky's the Limit." the second feature. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. A musical that will appeal to opera lovers and swing addicts is M.G.M.'s popular film. "Everybody Sing," which is , showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Allan Jones and Judy Garland, as the singing chef and the swinging schoolgirl, are outstanding in their singing, dancing, and acting. A new team of romantic screen lovers, Beverly Roberts and Patric Knowles, appear in the second feature, a comedy of gay life in Hollywood and in the old world, under the title of "Expensive Husbands." The most outstanding of the "Crime Does Not Pay" series, "A Criminal is Born." is also showing. PIANO RECITAL. Dorothy Downing, who is to give a recital in the Town Hall Concert Chamber tomorrow, will present a very interesting programme of piano music. The opening number will be the BachSzanto Organ Prelude and Fugue in G Minor; this will be followed by Schumann's "Etudes Symphoniques" and the well-known Ballad in Ab of Chopin.. Brahms will be represented by "Gavotte" (Gluck-Brahms), Rhapsodic in B Minor, Intermezzo in E flat, and Rhapsodic in E flat. The second part of Miss Downing's pro-: gramme will be devoted to more modern music. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. The t^rfrd in the series of lectures on public^administration will be delivered at Victoria University College this evening. Dr. J. C. Beaglehole, of the history department, will speak on the "Development of Self-Government in New Zealand." The lecture, which is open to the public, starts at 8 o'clock BOXING ON THURSDAY. Johnny Foster, Canadian welterweight boxer, and Vie Caltaux, of Auckland, will meet in a professional bout at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, and the public are assured of a bout packed full of thrills. Caltaux gave an excellent exhibition against Don. Johnson and he impressed Wellingtonians as an attractive battler. In Foster, whom he has twice beaten. Caltaux will find an improved opponent. Of the two Foster is the cleverer boxer, but Caltaux's ruggedness will offset this. The Canadian is anxiou? to spoil Caltaux's "hat-trick" and if he produces the form he showed when he beat George Allen (former New Zealand middleweight champion, last year), then he will be hard. Some firstclass amateur preliminaries have been arranged. Particulars are advertised.

TIVOLI THEATRE. ! Filmed entirely in technicolour, "The Adventures of Robin Hood," starring the dashing Errol Flynn, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Long-awaited, this beloved legend, concerning the gallant deeds of a Saxon noble who turned outlaw with a band of followers and plundered the rich Normans to feed and protect the poor and oppressed, has long been a favourite to moviegoers of all ages. But, for this technicolour treatise, Warner Bros, have drawn on much new material rich in the lore of the legendary figure. A new kind of heroine is seen in "Rich Man, Poor Girl," the associate film. This unusual type of character is Joan Thayer, played by Ruth Hussey. a girl who not only refuses to marry a man with a million dollars but goes out of her way to get rid of him. And amazingly enough, the man (Robert Young) is tall and handsome, charming, and quite in love with her. RIVOLI THEATRE. "The Adventures of Robin Hood," a Warner Bros.' technicolour production, is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Heralded by critics as the outstanding adventure film of all time, it stars Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, this newest version of the famous outlaw's adventures, filmed in the new soft-tint technicolour, was written by Norman Reilly Raine. who received the Motion Picture Academy Award for his "Life of Emile Zola" screen play, in collaboration with Seton I. Miller. Excellent entertainment, stocked to the full with irresistible gags, is offered in <k'lt's in the Air," George Formby's latest production which is the associate film. It is a spectacular aerial extravaganza. "THE WOMEN." Whatever may be the divergence of opinion as to the truth or otherwise of the character portrayals in Clare Boothe's satirical play, "The Women," at the Grand Opera House, there is no question of the success of the play as a play. Wherever it has been staged it has enjoyed long seasons and an exceptional outburst of criticism, and, human nature being what it is. the sharper the argument the better the box returns. There are thirty women in the play, and no men. Of the thirty most are American society women gifted beyond the ordinary in capacity to speak of other women as, for various reasons—of social position, of dress, and of the heart—they see and envy them. It is entirely improbable that in one small circle of spoiled society so many really brilliant wits (though not by any means to light and friendly humour) would assemble, but Clare- Boothe could do it on the stage and the play is packed with clever dialogue, centring about the near wrecking of one home, that of Mrs. Stephen Haines (Miss Irene Purcell) by the dazzling blonde (America apparently leans always to blondes as wreckers), played by Miss Mary Dees, but there are endless side stories and pictures, and always dresses and costumes, changing through the twelve scenes of the fast-moving play. Wellington theatregoers will argue over and criticise "The Women" as has been done everywhere it has been staged, but the season will be, almost assuredly, a success, mainly because the play is so thoroughly different and unexpected. "The Women" will be repeated each evening; there will be a matinee tomorrow. NEW ZEALAND CLUB LUNCHEON I A luncheon will be tendered by the New Zealand Club to Colonel the Rev. F. G. Miles, D.5.0., 0.8. E., V.D., tomorrow.