CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 112, 15 May 1939, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. ' Clever comedy and all the excitement of a first-class murder mystery are blended by an expert hand in "Fast and Loose," the new feature at I the Regent Theatre. It stars Robert j Montgomery as Joe Sloan, an expert on books, who possesses a flair for a little amateur detecting on thft side, and Rosalind Russell, as his wife. These two make a wonderful team, their sparkling domestic interludes providing highly amusing relief from the serious business of murder. There are three murders. All the bother starts over the attempted sale of a Shakespeare manuscript by a collector who is in financial difficulties. Sloan is commissioned to do the job, and in the ordinary course of business his activities lead him from one extraordinary situation into another. The position is complicated by the existence of a clever forgery of the manuscript, and everyone, including the audience, is adroitly baffled until the final showdown. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Boys' Town," starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. is now in its third week at the Majestic Theatre. Based on the story of Father Edward J. Flanagans 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. The development of the aeroplane from its unreliable beginning to its present state of efficiency is dramatically traced in Paramounit's technicolour film "Men With Wings," which is now in its second week at the St. James Theatre. The story, which commences with the flight of the Wright brothers in 1903, tells of the work that three people, Fred Mac Murray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell, do for aviation. With the outbreak of war in 1914 Mac Murray sets out for Prance to fight in the air. He 'is eventually followed by Miss Campbell, and they marry in Paris at the end of the war and return to America. Mac Murray, however, cannot settle down, and when he dies fighting in China the other two continue their work for aviation, and their triumph is reached in the production of a giant army bomber which revolutionises air fighting. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The Paramount Theatre has chosen paramount entertainment for this week's programme a double feature, plus two interesting short films, being shown. "The Housemaster," with Otto Kruger and Phillips Holmes in the principal parts, has returned for another season. Otto Kruger gives the performance of his career in the "Housemaster," which is a bright and breezy comedy with a sympathetic and human note underlying its humour. The other half of the double feature is •'My Old Kentucky Home," With Evelyn Venables, ".Grant Richards, and Clara Blandick, in the leading parts. The story is that of the young heir to a home in Kentucky and a valuable business who is to marry a girl from a neighbouring family. On the night that: his engagement is announced another girl, who is in love with him, attempts, to poison herself, and he receives some of the poison in his eyes when he upsets the glass. Thereafter there are many complications before the climax is reached. RQXY THEATRE. Foremost musical picture of the year and probably in screen plays, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's adaptation of Rudolf Friml's operetta "The Firefly" is screening at the Roxy Theatre, with Jean: ette Mac Donald starred, and Allan Jones and Warren William in featured roles, "The Daredevil Drivers," a Warner Bros, melodrama, is the supporting feature. It is the story of a bitter rivalry existing between two bus companies, one of them headed by a girl, Beverly Roberts, and the other by Gordon Oliver. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Adventures of Robin Hood," a Warner Bros. Technicolor production, is showing at the State Theatre. Heralded by critics and audiences 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 is filmed in the new, soft-tint Technicolor. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Lew Ayres returns with Lionel Barrymore in M.G.M.'s "Young Dr. Kildare," which heads the programme at the Grand Theatre. It is a thrilling hospital mystery-drama I'ull of adventure and romance, with Lynne Carver in the feminine lead. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Carole Lombard plays the female Ananias, and Fred Mac Murray her "I cannot tell a lie" husband in Paramount's "True Confession," which is showing at the Palace Theatre. John Howard., as the handsome amateur sleuth; Heather Angel, as the fiancee who can never get her wayward sweetheart to the altar; H. B. Warner, Reginald Denny, and E. E. Clive head the cast of "Arrest Bulldog Drummond," the second feature. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. A new screen team is introduced to audiences at the King George Theatre where Wallace Beery and Mickey Rooney appear in their new starring vehicle, "Stablemates." Beery is seen in the role ot a once brilliant veterinarian who changed to a race-track hanger-on because he was framed into a murder charge. Rooney plays the part of the stable boy ana fockey who befriends Beery in order to get the latter to operate on his injured horse. The two join forces and tour the country with +.he racehorse. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. William Boyd, George Hayes, and Russell Hayden, the familiar and wellliked saddle-mates of many a "Hopalong" Cassidy outdoor action romance, return to the screen in a new Clarence E. Mulford thriller, Paramount's "In Old Mexico," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. In the associate feature "Illegal Traffic," Robert Preston and Mary Carlisle play two youngsters forced to fight for their love, and later for their lives, against an astounding and vicious racket. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY, AND REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The merry romantic adventures of a madcap heiress who runs away from tier fortune and into a roving reporter who is out to get her story but comes back with her heart are gaily depicted in Hal Roach's "There Goes My Heart," which heads the programme at both the Empire and Regal Theatres. The second feature at the Regal Theatre is "Holiday," starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. "The Last Warning," starring Preston Foster and Frank Jenks, is the associate film at the Empire. It is the latest of the Crime Club thrillers.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE

Dear to the hearts of patriots, the stirring stanzas of Rudyard Kipling's "Gunga Din" have for years been a I favourite with elocutionary concert ! artists. Now, however, the story of | i Gunga Din, the traditional bhisti, or ' regimental water-carrier, has been I dramatised by R.K.0., and their film interpretation of the spirit of the poem is showing at the King's Theatre. In order to give the necessary heroic finish to his life, Gunga Din is pictured, with his dying breath, sounding a bugle call which saves his comrades from annihilation, a more colourful end than his humble death in Kipling's epic. The film is a vigorous one, with stirring battle scenes on the Indian frontier and spectacular charges by mounted Indian cavalry. The three soldiers of the Queen whose adventures form the bulk of the plot are played by Gary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun. PLAZA THEATRE. "Topper Takes a Trip," r.ow showing at the Plaza Theatre, is one of those delightful Thorne Smith fantasies in which anything is likely to happen and most invariably does. It does not follow directly the lines of the book of the same name, but the scrapes into which Topper is dragged when he visits the Riviera in pursuit of his wife are every bit as hilarious as those described by the master of this most unusual type of light reading. As Topper, Roland Young is again the man for whom the part was written. He is entirely in tune with the story, and at all times and in all situations extracts the greatest amount in the way of amusement. Constance Bennett makes a" lively and strikingly carefree ghost in the • role of Marion Kerby, whose sudden demise occurred some time before the opening of the story. DE LUXE THEATRE. Based upon the "fake injuries" racket, which has cost American insurance companies fabulous sums and which has been exposed in recent times, "Accidents Will Happen," a Warner Bros.' picture, is one of the features of the attractive bill at the De Luxe Theatre. A timely and fast-moving melodrama, it is played by an excellent cast, and the well-knit story is leavened with romance and comedy. ' The central roles are convincingly portrayed by Ronald Reagan, Gloria Blondell. Dick Purcell, and Sheila Bromley. Set against the background of a Mississippi River showboat of the present day and telling the story of a Broadway celebrity's flight from fame and glamour. "St. Louis Blues" is the associate picture, with a sterling cast, of which 'the principals are Dorothy Lamour, Lloyd Nolan* Tito Guizar, Jerome Cowan, Jessie Ralph, and William' Frawley. Romance, melody, comedy, and action are well blended to make an entertaining production. STATE THEATRE. Two bright, f ast-moying units form the double-feature bill at the State Theatre. The main production. "Peck's Bad Boy With the Circus," is a rollicking story of schoolboy pranks, enriched by some fine circus adventures. Tommy Kelly, the boy star of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," adds to his popularity in the main role, and allied with him is Ann Gillis, again his little girl friend. The Pecks have a. hard time, .keeping young Bi'il Peck in"'order/bu't'trouble just seems to be his permanent companion. "Annabel Takes a Tour," the second full-length production, brings Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball back to the screen, she as the "personal appearance" film star and he as her Press agent. Nothing very much seems to f;o right, but it is all very right so ar as the audience is concerned. Also on the programme, apart from newsreels, is a bright cartoon showing Donald Duck's efforts with golf. TUDOR THEATRE. "Just Around the Corner," which has been transferred to the Tudor Theatre, has a plot which is based on a small girl (Shirley Temple) mistaking her playmates "Uncle Sam"—a tall, lanky, chin-whiskered old banker—for the Uncle Sam of the United States of America. Her father has just lost his job and fallen upon hard times, due, he says, to "what is happening to Uncle Sam these days," so his young daughter feels it her duty to try to help the old gentleman if she can. Screening for the first time in New Zealand, "Arizona Days", is the associate attraction. The story gives Tex Ritter, the star, one of the best vehicles he has had to sfiow how he can ride, shoot, and sing. REX THEATRE. "It's In the Air" and "Love Under Fire" conclude tonight at the Rex Theatre. Take Bob Burns with a lost memory, Martha Raye as a lovelorn lass, Terry Walker as a" mountain beauty, and John Howard as a hillbilly, and a bckground of the catchiest mountain music ever heard—put them all together, and they spell "Mountain Music," the riotous new comedy which opens tomorrow. Science's latest contribution to modern warfare, the invisible death ray, is shown in action in an aerial battle in Paramount's "The Girl From Scotland Yard," the second feature. Karen < Morley and Robert Baldwin are : starred. : NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. , "Gold is Where You Find It," a Warner Bros.' all technicolour production starring George Brent and Olivia de Havilland, is showing at the New Princess Theatre. An outdoor drama based on the colourful war between the ranchers and the miners of California in the 1870's, "Gold Is Where You Find It" is an adaptation for the screen of Clements Ripley's best-setting novel by the same ; name. The associate feature is "Dis- : barred," Paramount Films' dramatic blast at an American racket. Featured players are Gail Patrick, Otto Kruger, Robert Preston, and Sidney Toler. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy again leave behind them a trail of hilarious disaster. In "Block-Heads," their new Hal Roach-M.-G.-M. comedy which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, the two funsters persevere in their- well-meaning way, but for- i tunately for a world that likes to < laugh, the obstacles are almost insur- 1 mountable. Far from exhausting their ■ bag of tricks, the ample pockets of 1 Stan and Laurel bulge with a supply 1 of new ones. Heralded as one of the < year's most exciting pictures, "The s Vampire Bat,' starring popular Mcl- ] vyn Douglas, is the second feature. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. J In "The Boy From Barnardo's," ] showing at the Capitol Theatre, Mickey ' Rooney is teamed with Freddie Bartholomew. It is a story of boyhood that touches every human heart and at the same time thrills with its high courage and its depth of understanding. Modern piracy sets the theme for Paramount's thrilling new adventureromance, "King of Alcatraz," which is the associate film. The cast is headed . by such screen favourites as Lloyd '. Nolan, Gail Patrick, J. Carrol Naish, ] Harry Carey, and Porter HalL J SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. J Weaving an exciting story around ' the training and the lives and loves i of the men who guide transport planes ] through the sky, RKO-Radio's "Sky '< Giant," starring Richard Dis!, Chester Morris, and Joan Fontaine, is show- , ing at the Seaside Theatre. "Gamb- , ling Ship" is the associate attraction. ' A variety of supports completes the ' bill. s

TIVOLI THEATRE. "The Lady Vanishes" and "Port of! Seven Seas" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. Freddie Bartholomew and Mickeyl Rooney play the principal juvenile roles in "The Boy From Barnardo's," which opens tomorrow. The film deals with the training of young Britishers at the merchant marine school, a division of the Barnardo Homes, famous institution for the care andt education of orphaned boys in England. Boys on graduation are placed in positions on ships in England, Canada, Australia, or other Dominions. Sam Wood was director of the picture in which Freddie, as the tool of adventurers, is taken I from the guardians and placed in the nautical training home where he finds regeneration and a new life. "Yellow Jack," the associate film, is dedicated to those five soldiers who risked their lives to free humanity from the yoke of yellow fever. The film impresses the audience with" starkly dramatic scenes, unusual romantic appeal, and a new type of heroism. Metro-Gqld-wyn-Mayer spared nothing in making the authentic story of Major Walter Reed a thrilling tribute to the man responsible for lifting the yoke of yellow fever from Cuba in the distressing days following the Spanish-Ameri-can War. Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce head the cast. RIVOLI THEATRE. "The Lady Vanishes" and "Holiday" conclude tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. The realisation of one of the greatest dreams of man, the building of the Suez Canal, is picturised in. "Suez," the spectacular film which opens tomorrow. Dug through the shifting sands, constructed despite heart-breaking delays, hostile tribesmen, and, worst of all, : base political scheming, the canal was, and still is, a great memorial to the foresight and genius of one of the world's greatest engineers. Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Annabella head the cast. Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney play the principal juvenile roles in "The Boy From Barnardo's," the associate film. The film deals with the training of young Britishers at the merchant marine school, a division of the Barnardo Homes, famous institution for the care and education of orphaned boys in England. Boys on graduation are placed in positions on ships in England, Canada, Australia, or other Dominions. Sam Wood was director of the picture in which Freddie, as the tool of adventurers, is taken from the guardians and placed in the nautical training home, where he finds regeneration and a new life. TONIGHT'S WRESTLING. Jim "Dazzler" Clarke, who is to meet j Jack Donovan, conqueror of "Lofty" j ißlomfield, at the Town Hall tonight, was a prominent athlete at the Southeastern University, Memphis, and won a wrestling title in the Tri-States university tournament in 1927. Ten years ago he started wrestling as a professional and was coached by Farmer Burns, Al Haft, Paul Bowser, and other old-timers. He has had a remarkably successful career, having several times gone very close to winning the-world title in matches against Jim Loxidos, BrorJko Nagurski, Dean Detton, Ed Don George, and others. He is a wrestler who revels in the rugged tactics which figure so largely in the modern sport. He has decisions over Lete Wykoff, Steve Savage, Steve ("Crusher") Casey, and many other prominent wrestlers. Donovan created a fine impression last week and his reappearance will be welcomed. "HOLLYWOOD HOTEL." There seems to be no doubt among audiences that the "Hollywood Hotel" revue, is playing at the Opera House, &is the most entertaining and spectacular "show" to "have been presented in Wellington for some time. On Saturday night the i theatre was packed to capacity. It appears that first and foremost the company's aim is to present something really Spectacular,'and in this.-.jit has succeeded. Ttif large and talented cast includes men and women who have made names for themselves on "The Great White Way." The ballet is very much larger than the majority that have been seen, in Wellington in recent years, and it is highly talented. Magda Neeld, or Jack Hyiton dance band tame, sings her way into the hearts of the audience, with hits, old and new, rendered in a delightful soprano voice. Bobbie Morris (remarkably like the Charlie Chaplin of old) and Marty May provide the humorous touches. There is some sparkling and subtle repartee, and frequently the comedians have to pause in their efforts to allow the audience to recover from their laughter. Frank Park and Robert Clifford are oustandingly clever acrobats, and Jack Whitney, the star solo male dancer, is well known on Broadway— sufficient testimony to his ability. "The Temptation of Eve," "The Feather Ballet," and "The Show Boat" numbers give the girls ample opportunity to display their charms, and the lighting effects make the numbers singularly colourful. One of the most entertaining items is the parade of models in i antastic apparel. There are many other items, including numbers by a negro band of dancers, and many other stars in this original and fast-moving revue. SHAW'S "APPLE CART." Bernard Shaw in his famous preface to "The Apple Cart," which is to be staged in the Concert Chamber by members of the Wellington Repertory Society for five performances commencing tomorrow at, « p.m., says, among other things:— The nearest thing to a. puppet in our political system is a Cabinet Minister at the head of a great public office. Unless he possesses a very exceptional share of dominating ability and relevant knowledge, he is helpless in the hands of his officials. He must sign whatever documents they present to him and repeat whatever words they put into his mouth when answering questions in Parliament, with a docility that cannot be imposed on a king who works at his job; for the king works continuously, while his Ministers are in office for spells only, the spells being few and brief and often occurring for the first time to men ot | advanced age with little or no training for, and experience of, supreme responsibility. In , conflicts with monarchs and popularly" elected Ministers the monarchs win every time when personal ability and good sense are at all equally divided. In 'The Apple Cart' this equality is assumed. It is marked by a strong contrast of character and methods which has led my less considerate critics to complain that I have packed the cards by making the king a wise man and the Minister a fool. But that is not at all the relation between the two. Both play with equal skill, and the king wins because he has the ace of trumps in his hand and knows when to play it." Box plans and other particulars are advertised. Mr. Leo dv Chateau is the producer. OUR THEATRE,' NEWTOWN. Robert Taylor, fresh from his triumphs in "A Yank at Oxford," now comes to the Our Theatre screen as the two-fisted hero of "The Crowd Roars," smashing drama of a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who rises to fame in the prize ring. Maureen O'Sullivan makes her second appearance opposite the star and others prominent in the cast include Edward Arnold, Frank Morgan, and Jane Wyman, "Who Killed Gail Preston?" featuring Don Terry and Rita Hayworth in a thrilling murder mystery, is the associate feature.