CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 119, 23 May 1939, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

The exploits of Robert Montgomery as Joel Sloane, a dealer in rare books' and sometime ..amateur detective, and his charming wife (Rosalind Russell) provide thd actidn for "Fast and Loose, now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. It is the second pictu-e of the same kind with these players, and is also in similar vein to previous productions featuring - William Powell and Myrna Loy The story is concerned with the disappearance from the home of a wealthy collector of a priceless manuscript, followed by the murder of the collector and one or two other people who are about to clear up the mystery. The real- murderer is cleverly hidden ' right to the last moment, and this without drawing any too conspicuous red herrings across the trail. Mr. and Mrs. Sloane trip through the story as an engaging couple with a wealth of brilliant and amusing dialogue. The first half of the programme; is in keeping with the good • main attraction. DE IJ.UXE THEATRE. A merry troupe of theatrical artists, stranded in France's gay city with no money but great capabilities for getting in and- out of trouble, are the cause of many laughs and thrills in "Stranded in Paris," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre: The daughter, of an American millionaire (Joan Bennett), tired of her staid young fiance and society life, joins the troupe and is soon followed by her father, also posing as a down-and-out. The leader (Jack Benny) gets them all jobs in a fashion parade, under false pretences, and his scheme would have worked out had not the millionaire borrowed 'a piece of valuable- jewellery from the house get it copied for his daughter. The second feature, "Pirates of the Air," is. a thrilling film about an irresponsible young oilot who joins the U.S.A. flying. police to make good and prove himself in the- eyes of they woman he loves.--Kent Taylor and' Rochelle Hudson, are starredl The third' picture is the. first chapter-. Of the serial, "The Lone , Ranger.". '; , MAJESTIC THEATRE. Those who view English film offerings with a certain amount of suspicion should waste no time in seeing "Premiere," now showing at the Majestic Theatre. This picture has all the ingredients of first-class entertainment —song, dance, back-stage atmosphere^ and ah interesting and quite painless- murder. The entire action of the film takes place over a period of five htfurs. It commences just before the opening of a new Paris revue, and ends when the curtain comes down on the final act. -During those short hours, however, the backer of the show, a rather odious person whom no one likes, is threatened twice with a' gun. In an act of the show in which the pistols are used to fire blanks, the backer is shot dead in his box, where he sits alone. Fortunately, a famous detective is in the house, and-as. the show goes on he is sent for to find the slayer. The stars are John Lodge, Joan Marion, Judy Kelly, and Hugh Williams. Sl*. JAMES THEATRE. Comedy of a very high standard is contained in "Cowboy from Brooklyn," which is showing at the St. James Theatre. In f act* it is a gem of a thing, notably performed by a cast which includes Dick Powell, Pat O!Brien, Dick Forah, Priscilla Lane, Ann Sheridan,, and a host of minor characters of great talent. The story concerns a struggling musician-singer from Brooklyn, who gets tossed off a freight train somewhere in Wyoming, while on his way, . with two companions, to Hollywood, fame, and fortune. They arrive at' a dude ranch' and the singer's life is in constant peril, for he suffers from a hereditary phobia against all livestock. A theatrical magnate from New York ' hears the singer and rushes him to New York billed as < "Wyoming Steve." The cowboy is a good singer; but unfortunately a poor cowboy. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. First-rate entertainment is provided by the double-feature programme at the Paramount Theatre this week. One of tile main attractions is "Keep Your Seats, Please," one of George Formby's latest efforts. When his aunt dies George ife invited to attend the reading of the will, but the large gathering of relatives is disappointed to find that the fortune has been left to charity. George, however, receives a private note advising him to buy the dinihg-rdom chairs, in one of which a fortune is hidden. George attends the auction, but has rio money, and the chairs are. knocked down to half a dozen bidders. Most of the fun of the picture is provided by the hero's endeavours to find the right .Chair. The second main attraction is "No Parking," in which Gordon Harker gives a remarkable character study as a doiwri-arid-out car-park attendant, who accidentally impersonates a famous American gang leader and gunman. SEASIDE THEATRE, lAALL BAY. A tense, gripping story of a Cossack who, transplanted to Kansas, thought he could dominate the countryside with his brutal, modern cattlerustling .racket brings Akim Tamiroff, Frances Farrrierj and Leif Eriksoii to the screen at the Seaside Theatre in "Escape From Yesterday." Bing Crosby, Shirley Ross, and FrahCiska Gaal get thoroughly mixed up in mad antics in "Paris Honeymoon," the associate attraction. •' STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Via the genius of David O. Selznick and the magic 6£ tecKnicolour; Mark Twain's famous characters step from the pages of his immortal story and on to the screen of the State Theatre where Mr. Selznick's inspired technicolour production, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," is showing. Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Joe Harper, . Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly, Injun Joe, Muff Potter, and all the rest come to vivid life again in this entertaining film. - PALACE THEATRE. PETONE. "Annabel Takes a Tour," starring Jack Oakie, Lucille Ball, and a cast of comedians, is showing at the -Palace Theatre. The second feature is "Telephone Operator," with Judith Allen, Grant Withers, Alice White, in a thrilling story. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. With the most exciting and glamorous spot in the world as its locale and the greatest aggregation of entertainers from both the East and the West in the cast, Walter Wanger's "52nd Street," which is showing at the Grand Theatre, makes a powerful bid for popular acclaim. "Swing Your Lady," a Warner Bros, farce-comedy dealing with life among the hillbillies of the U.S.A. mountain country, is the secpnd feature. Hum-. phreySogart and Frank McHugh are starred, KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. : "The Adventures of Robin Hood," a j Warner Bros, technicolour version of the famous story, is the main attrac- j tion at the King George Theatre. One of the most important pictures of the year, it has been acclaimed by critics and audiences as a masterpiece of screen' entertainment. Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland head a large and impressive cast.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE,

Although sequels are often inferior to the original productions, "Topper Takes a Trip," second of the films dealing with the adventures of Topper, has managed' to: recapture the same spirit of hilarious fun which made the first filifa such a popular favourite. Possessing..the same characters as its predecessor, ''Topper .Takes a Trip, merely carries on the story where the other left off, and the film, which\ is showing at. the; Plaza Theatre, carries the frivolous, yarn to a very satisfactory conclusion. Roland Young, who reappears as Topper, is at the top ci his form; ;and, his. comic. bewilderment at the scrapes into which Coristance v Bennett, 'as the playful ghost, leads him is-a feature of the film. Topperis first seen in the divorce, court with his wife, played by Billie .Burke, but the feminine ghost and her pet dog, set upon doing their good deed, decide to.reunite the pair. ■■"KING'S THEATRE. . The picturisation of Rudyard Kipling's stirring, poem of patriotism and devotion, "Gunga Din," is now in its second week at the Kings Theatre. The film is a. vigorour one, with -stirring . battle scenes on the Indian frontier, spectacular charges by mounted Indian cavalry, accompanied, for a great part, by the rumble of- guns. The three soldiers of the Queen whose adventures form the bulk of the plot are played by Cary Grant, Victor McLaglan, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun. There are many comic sequences* largely as a result of the friendly, bickering among the three comrades. Fairbanks wants to leave the regiment to: marry, the. reason being Joan Fontaine, but his comrades conspire against, him to stop this. Finally foolery way to drama. Gunga Din; the humble water-carrier, who, in his last hours of life, reaches the highest peak of heroism and is in death honoured with the title of soldier, is played by Sam Jaffe. STATE'THEATRE. "Always in Trouble" and "Melody? and Rorriarice" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. , . ~ , ,„, "Thanks. For; Everything" and "Mr. Moto's Last .Warning^ open tomorrow.' TUDOR THEATRE. Bernard- Shaw's masterpiece, 'Pygmalion,"- which is shattering long-run and gross receipts records in all Eng-lish-speaking countries, especially in America, has returned for another Wellington season at the Tudor Theatre: Thus "Pygmalion" establishes a. new record for' length of run1 made by any talking picture in Wellington. The popularity of the film is unbounded. . "Pygmalion," outstandingly acted by Wendy Hiller, Leslie Howard, Wilfrid Lawson, and Mane Lohr, and a long cast of distinguished Iplayersi is splendid'entertainment. "HOLLYWOOD" REVUE. Commencing tonight, Sir Benjamin Fuller will present Harry Howard's "Hollywood Hotel, Second Edition" at the Opera House. This is a complete new all-American revue. Based' on. the same fast-moving principle as the first show with all its colour, beauty, and hilarity, "Hollywood Hotql, Second Edition " brings new production scenes such as the "Grecian Nights," in which the acrobats Park and Clifford will be seen as Roman gladiators. The International" is-a topical spectacular production' number .in which all the nations of the-world are represented. "The Fountain of Versailles," in which the living models 'form a beautiful fountain tableau where real water is sprayed to a height of 20ft, is spectacular, • "The Living Curtain" . is claimed to be the first of its kind used in this country, and is a hand-brocaded and jewelled scene which works oh a one-tracktraveller, the brocaded, figure taking the place of the models' clothing. This scene was taken from the London" Casino Revue and was selected as the finest scene in that production. Another gorgeous fan number will be presented. Marty May, Bobby Morris; and Murray Briscoe will be seen,-in new comedy numbers. Magda Neeld and Robert Berry:with new songs and duets, Jack Whitney and Jack and June Blair,; in new and entrancing dance";routines^ and the world's fastest eight Apple Dancers will also be seen. Box plans are at the DXC. Day; sales for the gallery are at the theatre sweet shop. ROXY THEATRE. "Say It In French," Paramßunt's Sparkling new comedy starring Ray MUlahcJ/and Olymphe Bradna, is showing at. ftie Rbxy Theatre. The story is a masterpiece of Parisian wit and sophistication. Wayne Morris, the sensatioiial newcomer to the screen who became famous overnight for his work in "Kid Gallahad" and "Submarine D-l," appears in the supporting feature, "The Kid Gomes Back." ■NiitV PRiMCESS THEATRE. With William Powell and Myrna Loy, back in the farcical type of roles which have made them famous as the most amusing co-starring team on the screen, "Double Wedding" heads the pro^gr&mme at the New Princess Theatre. The associate feature is New Universal Films' riotous screen entertainment, "Little Tough Guys in Society," starring Mischa Aver, Mary Bolaqd, arid Edward Everett "Horton, in addition to the Tough Guys." REX THEATRE. ■. The arch-enemy of crime, Charlie Chan, comes face to face with the king of terror, Boris Karloff, in "Charlie Chan at the Opera," which is showing at the Rex Theatre. Warner Oland plays-the famous Chinese sleuth. The story of . "Banjo On My Knee," the,; second feature, is set in the locale of Tobacco Road, and offers something entirely different in screen plot construction, with its drama of the shanty-boaters on the lower Mississippi River. Barbara/ Stanwyck and Joel McCrea are co-starred. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, and always exciting, "Crime School," the Warner Bros, picture showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, contains a powerful indictment of unthinking, brutal, out-moded methods of dealing with juvenile crime. The film effectively utilises the talents of the "Dead End" boys, as well as Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page. Playing ■ "Bulldog Drummond," the suave■>,British detective, for the fifth time,: John Howard is seen as the chief character In "Arrest Bulldog. Drummond,"; the associate film. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "Young Dr. Kildare" heads the double-feature programme at Our Theatre. Lew Ayres, Lynne Carver, and Lionel Barrymore have the principal roles. The story presents an ambitious interne in a metropolitan hospital, in love with his boyhood sweetheart. He wins the interest and friendship of a veteran * surgeon, portrayed brilliantly by Barrymore. However, the young doctor encounters difficulty in h profession, first when he protects a fellowinterne who fails to save the life of a prominent politician and again when he disagrees with a superior. "The Big Show," starring Gene Autry. is the second attraction.' CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMABw "Nothing Sacred," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre, is a hilarious comedy satire of Manhattan. Pictorial colour shots show the resort j playgrounds of the east, including metropolitan New York, Long Island, Havana, and Nassau. "Manproof." the second feature, is an up-to-date comedy-drama with a New York background that races through metropolitan newspaper offices, night clubs, Long Island estates, Madison Square Garden, and many other colourful settings of big-town life.

. TIVOLI THEATRE. Conquering where kings, emperors, and Pharaohs had failed, Ferdinand de Lesseps created the Suez Canal—the waterway that today has become the jugular vein of the world. The idea of a short water route to the empires of the East' has long captivated men's imaginations. Columbus. Magellan, Vasco da Gama, and the explorer heroes of history sought such a route in vain. But de Lesseps dreamed of tearing Africa -and Asia apart to join the Mediterranean with the Red Sea that ships might sai] the desert to the Levant. Driven by the love of two women, de Lesseps realised his magnificent dream despite the most discouraging obstacles a man ever faced. Such is the story of "Suez," the 20th Century-Fox spectacular drama, which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Annabella share top honours in the film. The equality of women gets better than an even break in:"My Dear Miss Aldrich," the amusing comedy which will be the associate film. Edna • May Oliver, Maureen O'Sulliyan, and Walter Pidgeon top a first-rate cast. RIVOLJ THEATRE. A hectic romance between an impetuous heiress and a, poor newspaperman blossoms in the shadow of a murder mystery in R.K.O. Radio's "The Mad Miss Manton," starring .Barbara Stanwyck and Henry : Fonda, which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. The story traces the efforts of an impulsive society girl to solve a baffling murder to spite a newspaper editor. Two bodies, one of which, vanishes mysteriously and reappears, four suspects in the, double murder, and a wealth of cor..plica.tions, hair-raising threats, surprising discoveries, and an ingenious solution make up the.deftly-handled mystery element in the picture. Telling an emotional story of adventure and thrills in the lives of wireless operators on American merchant ships, Universal's production of "The Storm" as the associate film. Filmed against the colourful background of giant ships and thundering storms at sea, the narrative possesses power and realism. Charles Bickford, Barton Mac Lane, and Preston Foster are in the cast. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. India is today one of the few countries which still retain the colourful, national spectacles oi the past, and in "Storm Over Bengal," now showing at the Regal Theatre, the reckless soldier of fortune who holds, the attention of the audience in the person of Patric Knowles, moves; against a! setting of splendour, mingled with the mystery of.the1 East. He and Halliwell Hobbes, Douglas Dumbrille, and Rochelle Hudson are the mainstays of a wonderful story. The associate feature, "Gambling Ship," is a story of intrigue and mystery aboard a floating gambling dive. Robert Wilcox and Helen Mack are starred. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. the cards were all stacked against young Larry Kelly when he accidentally ran into the law "He must be guilty, his father's a gangster," the authorities said, as they put the boy behind the bars. But when it came to a fight, the youngster proved that he could fight cleaner than them all. Loyalty is the powerful theme of "Gangster's Boy," starring Jackie Cooper., wKich is showing at the Empire Theatre. Racketeering methods of powerful gambling rings are dramatically disclosed in "Gambling; Ship," with Robert Wilcox and Helen Mack, which is the associate film.