CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 132, 7 June 1939, Page 5

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "Four's a Crowd" concludes tonight at the Regent Theatre. "White Banners," starring Fay Bainter, opens tomorrow. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Picturegoers will be pleased that the Paramount Theatre is giving "The . Ware Case" an extended Wellington season. The high ranking cast is headed by Clive Brook, whose performance as the irresponsible Sir Hubert Ware is probably the finest work of his career. Jane Baxter, who plays Lady Ware, is as charming as she is talented. Barry K. Barnes plays the part of a barrister who has been for long secretly in love with Lady Ware. The method of telling the story is unusual and effective. The scene opens with Sir Hubert Ware in the criminal dock facing a charge of murder, and the greater part of the picture is then taken up with the circumstances that led to his appearance there. "The Longest Night," the associate film, stars Robert Young. I Florence Rice, Sidney Toler, and! others, who are the players in a murder mystery in a huge department store. DE LUXE THEATRE. Character acting of a high standard is seen in "King of Chinatown," which heads the programme at the De Luxe Theatre. The film brings together a remarkably capable cast, which is headed by Anna May Wong, and includes such well-known favourites as Akim Tamiroff, J. Carrol Naish, Roscoe Karns, and Sidney Toler. Anna May Wong is well cast as a woman surgeon and the daughter of Chinatown's king, and the manner in which she solves her particular problem—devotion to her duty in Chinatown and the wider appeal which comes from the wartorn fields of her native country—goes to make a story of strong emotional appeal. It seems to be a misapplication of terms to refer to "Blondes For j Danger" as the second feature, but on such a programme the place is one of pride. Gordon Harker, one of England's foremost comedians, has the chief role and beyond that it is necessary to say very little. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Deanna Durbin's newest picture, "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," which is showing at the St. James Theatre, is tangible proof of the widely-accepted truism that "there is nothing the matter with the motion picture business that a good motion picure can't cure." It is far and away the best of the Joseph Pasternak-Henry KosterDeanna Durbin pictures. One does not forget "Three Smart Girls" when this picture is mentioned as the Pasternak-Koster-Durbin best. What was true of the original "Three Smart Girls" then, as box-office records throughout the country proved, is true of "Three Smart Girls Grow Up." Miss Durbin has grown up, artistically as well as by two adolescent years, and Messrs. Pasternak and Koster have grown up, professionally, from venturesome novices eager to test their \talents in fast company to matured masters in sure perfection of their especial skill. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "The Citadel," dramatically powerful story of a young doctor who barters his ideas for worldly riches, heads the programme at the Majestic Theatre. Superb portrayals are given by Robert Donat and Rosalind Russell in the principal roles. A dramatic love story is unfolded in the account of the young .surgeon who struggles' among the miners and -marries;- a humble, schoolmistress. There is agonising suspense when he descends into a mine that has collapsed to amputate the arm of a man trapped beneath a fallen timber. There is drama' when he deliberately dynamites a sewer that has been spreading disease but which authorities refuse to move. The moving story has become even more dramatic on the screen, without an alteration, but because of the added power of visible action. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. In "Premiere," which is showing at the New Princess Theatre, the crime fiction lover Vill find great entertainment, for the solution of the murder of a theatre impresario in a crowded auditorium points to several possible culprits, but all their apparently questionable behaviour is explicable. John Lodge and Judy Kelly head a brilliant cast. The associate feature is Paramount Films' "Paris Honeymoon," a hilarious film of laughter and music, with Bing Crosby and Franciska Gaal in the leading roles. There is a fine supporting programme. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Filmed entirely at Big Bear, California, "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," which is showing at the Seaside Theatre, tells how an ancient hill feud, involving two families, and resulting in dozens of deaths, is affected by the inroads of civilisation. Joan Bennett and Cary Grant are co-starred in "Wedding Present," the associate film. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Otto Kruger gives the performance of his career in the title role of "Housemaster," the Associated British screen version of lan Hay's long-running play, which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. "Housemaster" is a bright and breezy comedy with a sympathetic and human note underlying its humour, the action of which takes place almost entirely within the walls of a large English public school. The associate attraction is "Miss Fixit," starring Jane Withers. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. . Youth is the keynote of "Spring Madness," wh,ich is showing at Our Theatre. Maureen O'Sullivan and Lew Ayres are featured in this delightful college romance. "Sing While You're Able," with Pinky Tomlin and Toby Wing, is the second feature. It is an amusing musical with a new happiness twist and five catchy songs. Selected shorts fill an excellent programme. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. The character of the West's most famous bandit finds a remarkable parallel in Harold Bell Wright's "The Californian," stirring outdoor drama, which is showing at the Palace Theatre with Ricardo Cortez in the starring role. The celebrated Edgar Wallace thriller, "Kate Plus Ten," starring Jack Hulbert and Genevieve Tobin, is the associate film. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Combining in one role the drama of a mother forced to give up her son and the glamour of a Fifth Avenue model displaying 24 creations, Barbara Stanwyck co-stars with Herbert Marshall in "Always Good-bye," now at the Grand Theatre. Warner Baxter and June Lang are teamed together in "White Hunter," the associate film. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Smartly dialogued, brimming with laughs, and offering finished and believable characterisations by such stellar psrformers as Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery, and Franchot Tone, "Three Loves Has Nancy" heads the bill at the State Theatre. It is one of the most refreshing and original romantic comedies seen for some time. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. A gay musical comedy, sparkling ; with wit and packed with brilliant novelty acts is the feature attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. The picture is "Gang Show," starring Ralph Reader .and Gina-Malo, with a cast of 160 1 talented Boy Scouts. The associate at- '. traction is the Clarence E. Mulford 1 western, "Sunset Trail." featuring Wil- } liarn Boyd, "Windy," and "Lucky." I i

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. ; A new departure in films has been the making of a movie of the famous ■ Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "The Mikado," which forms the chief attraction at the King's Theatre With only "The Gondoliers" to rival it, "The Mikado" will probably rank at the c head of the list even for the most ' confirmed Savoyard, and in music, J possibilities for the colour film, and • opportunities to the cast, the Japanese ■ fantasy is unexcelled. The result is a most interesting production, brilliant;jly filmed, with gorgeousness of colour, 1 splendid choral work, and -principals >of outstanding ability. It is difficult >to believe that there has -"er been a ■ more competent cast assembled for "The Mikado" than that presented by j Gaumont-'British Finis. I STATE THEATRE. A dramatic story of a great father- j and.-son fellowship, through which is stitched fine threads of comedy and • romance is Bobby Breen's new star- . ring film. "Fisherman's Wharf," which i heads the new bill .at the State Theatre. For the first time in his career, ; Bobby . has an opportunity to play a rough, tough, thoroughly ell-American youngster, as adept with his fists as he is with his voice. With a seal as his pet, and a melting-pot gang of Chinese, Italian, and American youngsters as playmates, the singing star has ample opportunity to demonstrate his boyish qualities. The plot concerns Bobby's efforts to stick by his father in spite of the intrusion into the household of an aunt and cousin who do their best i Ito wreck the father's friendship for his adopted son. A most revealing story of underworld intrigue and of the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat racketeering, is depicted in "Smashing the Rackets," the associate film. Presenting Chester Morris, Frances Mercer, Rita Johnson, and Bruce Cabot in the four leading roles, "Smashing the Rackets" deals with a sensational racket purge in a large ■ city. # PLAZA TKEArr.S. Splendid acting by both Jair.es Stewart and Carole Lombard in "Made for Each Other" absolutely make the picture, which is the feature on the progranime at the Plaza Theatre. The story itself is slight and requires an appreciative and polished interpretation to sustain it and to lift it out of the class of thin melodrama into something finer and deeper and more lasting in its appeal. These two actors succeed in doing it with honours. It is questionable whether either of them has done any better straight acting in their careers. TUDOR THEATRE. Romance and adventure, comedy, and thrills emerge in a whirlwind of impetuous, headlong action throughout the colourful scenes of "Gunga Din," sensational screen drama of British army life in India, which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen. and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., fill the roles of Sergeants nutter. MacChesney, and Ballantine, with Sam Jaffe cast as Gunga Din and Joan Fontaine as the girl, in the drama. Several ingenious methods for delaying a city election are demonstrated in . "Quick Money," starring Fred Stone, which is the associate film. NEW OPERA HOUSE. Poignant war arama that does not hesitate to expose the folly and brutality of needless slaughter "All Quiet on the Western Front," film version of Erich Remarque's sensational novel, concludes tonight at the New Opera House. Paul Baumer, the young recruit whose fortunes in the German army the film follows, is carried from his school desk on a wave of hysterical patriotism and catapulted, after the preliminary barrack training, into the dirt and terrors of the fighting line. He and his comrades live through years of war, dropping out one after the other as they are killed, maimed, or broken. ''All Quiet" is not so much the story of one man's life during the war, but it is the story of thousands of young men's lives, whether they be German or British. Austrian or French. Lewis Ayres plays the central role, and the late Louis Wolheim and John Wray give him excellent support. ROXY THEATRE, Thrills'of a great horse race, inner machinations of race-track crooks, and intrigue of the betting ring, provide a thunderous background for a heart-gripping story of friendships and loyalties of youth in "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre. Mickey Rooney, Ra Hould, and Judy Garland are starred. Romance and war hit the range country at the same time in the "Hopalong Cassidy" outdoor action thriller, '"The Frontiersmen," which is the supporting feature. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Paul Robeson, one of the world's greatest and most glorious singers, returns to the screen to thrill audiences in an original, dramatic filn* with music, "Big Fella." The film, which is showing at the Empire Theatre, presents him in a role unlike anything he has ever done, combining powerful drama and human characterisation with a number of stirring musical numbers. Five film favourites are seen in their most outstanding roles to date in the comedy romance, "Hold 'Em Navy," the associate film. These are Lew Ayres, John Howard. Mary Carlisle, Benny Baker, and Elizabeth Patterson. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Say It In French," a story of complications that arise when a young American society lad returns from abroad with a French bride only to learn that he must shield his marriage from the world and announce his engagement to a N.Y. heiress in order to prevent his father's shipping business from going on the rocks, is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Ray Milland and Olympe Eradna are starred, j "Break the News." produced and directed by Rene Clair and starring Jack Buchanan and Maurice Chevalier, is the associate film. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. A lot of people questioned the possibility of transferring the Crazy Gang to the screen. They said that the boys' spontaneous humour could never get over. --O-Kay For Sound proved that ' their fun-making could reach the : screen without any loss of their spontaneous combustion. Now their second ' collective effort, "Alf'^Button Afloat," ( is showing at the Regal Theatre. ! What happens when a Texas Ranger - is sent to arrest a beautiful Mexican J girl who has been "'framed" on a murder charge, forms the theme of 1 George O'Brien's latest film, "The : Renegade Ranger," which is Ihe asso- ; ciate attraction. J , 1 BROOKLYN THEATRE.' 1 Two selected features will be ( screened at the Brooklyn Theatre to- { night. Walter Winchell, Simone Simon, and Bsn Bernie will be seen ! in "Love and Hisses." "Walking Down . Broadway" will be the second feature, ! starring Claire Trevor, Phyllis Brooks. : and Michael Whalen. Next Saturday 7 will be the grand closing night at the old theatre. The box plan for the I Vogue Theatre opens on Tuesday next at 6.30 p.m. at the theatre. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. \ The public of Wellington are invited ' to attend a lecture. "A Medical Officer's c Experiences in China," and a presenta- c tion of awards, in the St. John Ambu- ( lance Hall tomorrow night. The meet- j ing will begin at 3. J j

TIVOLI THEATRE. Drama and romance in the life of a struggling junior physician are entertainingly blended in "Young Dr. Kildare," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Lew Ayres, as the eager young Dr. Kildare, is human and natural in a role which he plays with artistic restraint. Lynne Carver handles the romantic lead with technique that indicates beyond question her early rise to stardom. Lionel Barrymore, as the grizzled surgeon who knows that his days are numbered, gives a performance ; that is entirely in accord with the 1 Barrymore tradition. The boisterous spirit of Captain Flagg and Sergeant j I Quirt, of "What Price Glory" and "The ■ Cockeyed World," rises high in 20th ' Century-Fox's comedy of the Ameri- ■ can Legionnaires in New York, "Battle of Broadway," which is the associate film. Victor McLaglen and Brian Donlevy are the two he-men in the outfit, \ and Louise Hovick sings "The Daughter of Mademoiselle." RIVOLI THEATRE. '• A comprehensive and authentic panorama of Britain's sea might, of life in the Navy, below as well as above decks, forms the background for "Our Fighting Navy," the thrilling naval melodrama, which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. It is comprehensive I and authentic because the Navy League and the Admiralty for the first time granted the fullest possible cooperation, allowing the mighty battleships of the Fleet to appear as actors, and lending liaison officers to Herbert Wilcox to facilitate "shooting." A complete production unit was taken to Scapa Flow, and the autumn manoeuvres of the Atlantic- Fleet were filmed, cameras and sound crews being placed on board H.M.S. Nelson, the flagship of the Fleet, H.M.S. Express, and H.M.S. Oregan. In all some 15 ships participated in the filming of "Our Fighting Navy." Adapted from the story by "Bartimus,", "Our FightI ing Navy" also has a huge human cast, including H. B. Warner, Richard Cromwell, Hazel Terry, Noah Beery, and Esme Percy. "Nearly Married" would j be an appropriate title for the Warner Bros, newspaper-mystery drama, ''Adventurous Blonde," the third of the popular "Torchy Blanc" series, which is the associate film. In it Glenda Farrell and Barton Mac Lane are continually on the verge of getting married. But they don't—quite. KIRCHMEYER V. DONOVAN. Rollend Kirchmeyer, the wrestling giant from Oklahoma, will make his second appearance in the Wellington Town Hall ring next Monday night when he will meet "Irish" Jack 'Donovan, who has been having a remarkably successful tour so far. This match is the most important that could be arranged at the present time and is bound to produce fast and aggressive wrestling with plenty of skill as well as ruggedness. Donovan has distinguished himself by scoring two wins and a draw in three matches with Lofty Blomfield and has also the distinction of having competed before the biggest houses so far at both Wellington and Auckland. A big and powerful man who was prominent as an amateur wrestler and a professional boxer before he took up wrestling as a profession, he is fitted to deal with every contingency in the ring, mixing hefty jolts and tackles with punishing/ holds. Kirchmeyer, who is 6ft l\\xi I in height and weighs nearly 18 stone,' was an American Olympic representative in 1923 and is one of the most formidable professionals that country has produced. There will be preliminaries from 8 o'clock. LOTTE LEHMANN. Lotte Lehmann. the world's greatest soprano, should not be missed by students and music-lovers when she gives her two recitals in. the Opera House, Wellington, this week. The first recital will be given tomorrow night; the other on Saturday night. In addition to having a voice of rare beauty, Lotte Lehmann is acknow- ' ledged as one of the finer technicians '■ of the day. Of all the difficult things < in vocal technique, perhaps the most ■ difficult is perfect artistic control of ' breath, yet, to any person hearing it in a great singer, it seems natural and : easy. By vocal inflection and gesture ■ Lotte Lehmann identifies herself with • the moods of the characters of every ; song she sings. She is renowned as : the greatest living exponent of lieder, j but at the same time she excels in everything else she attempts. In this ; respect she will, during her New Zealand tour, demonstrate her remarkable versatility by singing everything ranging from opera to light songs, and will ; present in her programmes selections from Beethoven. Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Hahn, Rachmaninoff, Hugo Wolf, Schumann, and other great composers. At all concerts she will sing several songs in English. GOUNOD'S "FAUST." Visits of grand opera companies are so few and far between that lovers of : operatic music will welcome the performance of Charles Gounod's "Faust" : by the Royal Wellington Choral Union at the Town Hall tonight. This is Gounod's most popular work, and the committee is sparing no expense in making it an artistic performance. The society is fortunate in having secured a particularly strong cast of principals. The part of Faust will be taken by Mr. Ray Trewern, who will be heard for the first time on a concert platform since his return from abroad. Miss Alma Clegg will take the part of Margarita, Mr. James Leighton, the I popular Auckland basso, . will undertake the role of Mephistopheles, the < baritone part of Valentine will be sustained by Mr. Geoff Colledge, while the parts of Siebel and Wagner will be taken by Miss Molly Atkinson and Mr. K. H. B. Strong respectively. The chorus and orchestra, which number 300 performers, will be conducted by Mr. Stanley Oliver. The box plan is at the D.I.C. The doors will open at 7.15 and the performance will conclude about 10.20.