CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 5, 6 July 1939, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE,

A novel and tremendously exciting newspaper murder mystery with Barry X Barnes and Valeric Hobson in the principal parts. Paramount^ new British release, "This Man Is News,' heads the new programme at the Regent Theatre. The imposing cast also includes Alastair Sim. John Warwick. Garry Marsh. Edward Lexy. James Pirrie, and Kenneth Buckley, while David Mac Donald directed. The storypacked tight with action, thrills, suspense, delightful comedy, and witty dialogue deals with a reporter who achieves notoriety as the result of a murder story he sends in to his paper before" the actual crime is committed. As may be imagined, this produces uncomfortable consequences for him; but, fortunately,' he is able to prove an alibi. The gang of crooks concerned, however, are of the opinion that either he must possess amazing foresight, or else he Knows too much; and they decide lie would be better out of the way. Their attentions cause the reporter to become front-page news himself, but in the end, with the help of his wife. Tie is instrumental in bringing the crooks to justice.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

"The Great Waltz," which is now m Its second week at the Majestic Theatre, looks like proving the musical success of the year, both for strength of story and the magnificence of the musical presentations of the works of Johann Strauro, the Second, the "Waltz King." The film producers have declared that they sought to recreate the spirit of the Strauss music rather than show connected with his life, and the result is as gay and appealing a film as has been screened here for years. The elusive spirit of Vienna seems to have been captured very' successfully,- especially in some of the great scenes, such as the raising of a restaurant to popularity during the appearance of the Strauss orchestra and. the writing of the "Tales from the Vienna Woods" waltz. The leading roles are played by Fernard Gravet, Luise Rainer, and Miliza Korju's. a beautiful Latvian star.

■ST. JAMES THEATRE

If Wellington picturegoers recognise a good thing when they see it then St. James Theatre should experience a record season for "The Lambeth Walk." ' Nothing more hilariously comic in the greatest sense of the word has ever been. .offered, and Lupino Lane's work as Bill Snibson, the Cockney 'who dramatically discovers that he is a peer of the realm, entitles him to rank with the great laughter-makers of modern stage history- The part of Bill's girl, Sally Smith, is admirably played by Sally Grey, and Wellingtpnians who remember Seymour Hicks's ap- : pearancfe in the flesh on the stage of St. James.-.when it was His Majesty's Theatre, will be interested to see him *n the same.theatre in this picture as one of Bill's new-found noble relations. In fact, he is the one member of the family who does not agree with the rest that Bill's ennoblement must be followed by his separation from ' Sally.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

"Good Morning Boys" and "Danger, Love at Work," conclude tonight at the Paramount Theatre. "Stolen Life," starring Elisabeth Bergner, opens tomorrow.

DE LUXE THEATRE,

"Hold My Hand" and "The Mystery of Mr, Wong" conclude tonight at the ;- De Luxe Theatre. "Newsboys' Home" and "Vacation ■p from Love^ Commence tomorrow. ■•■'•■

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE,

"Storm: Over Bengal" and "Fools For Scandal" .conclude tonight at the New Princess theatre. ■. . Produced and directed by William A. Wellman, the man who made "Wings," and boasting an all-star cast headed by -Fred Mac Murray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell, Paramount's great Technicolor cavalcade of aviation,""Men With" Wings," opens tomorrow. "Men With Wings" tells the story of two men and a woman who love each other very much and aviation more. The associate feature is "Silver,on the Sage," a thrilling Western drama starring popular William Boyd as Hopalong Cassidy. Included in the featurettes is the Popeye cartoon "The Jeep."

SHIRLEY TEMPLE

One of the most original story ideas ever conceived for Shirley Temple is "Just Around the Corner," which commences at Our Theatre tomorrow. It tells of a happy confusion of a wealthy old banker (Uncle Sam) with the lean and bewhiskered gentleman who is the symbol of America. A very strong cast supports Shirley. It includes Chas. Farrell, Joan Davis, Bert Lehr, and Bill Robinson. The second attraction, "Up the River," is a prison comedy with a chain gang who are "in and out" so often that they have swing doors on their cells. Preston Foster, Tony Martin, Slim Summerville, Arthur Treacher, and Jane Darewell are the stars. Topical supports complete an excellent programme. -,

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

"Pygmalion," the screen version of Bernard Shaw's brilliant comedy, is now at the State Theatre. Bernard Shaw's story tells of a Cockney flower girl (Wendy Hiller) who becomes the subject of an experiment of a professor of phonetics—a role which provides Leslie Howard one of the greatest opportunities of his distinguished career.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE

"Over the Wall," a gripping melodrama of a man falsely imprisoned for murder and his subsequent rise to fame by means of a beautiful singing voice, is showing at the Grand Theatre. Dick Foran and June Travis are starred. "Mr. Chedworth Steps Out," the second feature, marks the return of Cecil Kellaway from Hollywood. "Mr. Chedworth," as portrayed by Cecil Kellaway, is a role that is an intensely human one.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

Joan Bennett and Jack Benny play co-starring roles in Paramount's "Stranded in Paris," a gay comedy of a stranded theatrical troupe, which heads the' bill at the Palace Theatre. "The Little Adventuress" is the second feature. Edith Fellowes plays the title role of the film, with Richard Fiske, Jacqueline Wells, and Clift Edwards.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

Four new hit tunes are heard for the first time in "Paris Honeymoon," Paramount's new Bing Crosby comedy now showing at the De Luxe Theatre The songs are "The Funny Old Hills, I Have Eyes," "You're a Sweet Little Headache." and "Joobalai." Besides Bing. the singing is done by Shirley Ross and Franciska Gaal. The associate feature, "Disbarred,' stars Robert Preston and Gail Patrick.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, : LOWER HUTT. "The Lady Vanishes" will be shown •finally tonight at the King George ■ Theatre. "Pygmalion," the screen version of Bernard Shaw's brilliant comedy, opens tomorrow. Leslie Howard plays the starring role. "Pygmalion" provides something new, fresh, and different in the way of cinematic entertainment. It is a real London story with the genuine London backgrounds. The ■characters, in the film are the ordinary everyday people of these islands —unrivalled the world over for their quaintly whimsical, broadly humorous, L immovable strait-forward, outlook on Owl? 9 •—JziSSlsf

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE

STATE THEATRE,

PLAZA; THEATRE,

TUDOR THEATRE

fJRQXX THEATRE

REX THEATRE

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

"The Nearest Thing to Heaven" concludes tonight at the King's Theatre. "Jesse James," starring Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda, opens tomorrow .

A thrilling story of how two youny men nearly meet thair death in the electric chair because of bad luck and the red tape of the United States' police, is the basis of "Let Us Live/ one of the two big pictures now showing at the State Theatre. Brick Tennan (Henry Fonda), a taxi-driver, ana a friend are arrested on the eve of Tennant's marriage to pretty Mary Roberts. The two man are mistakenly identified by eye-witnesses as robbers and murderers, and on this testimony and amazing ch-cumstantial evidence are convicted and sentenced to die. Mary Roberts refuses to give up her struggle to prove them innocent, but is hampered by the lack of interest shown by the law and the red taps which binds its actions. When the men are in gaol a further hold-up occurs, and the girl manages to get hold of a spent bullet which is identical to the ones fired in the first robbery. This is not enough to convince the law, but with the haip of a friendly police lieutenant she continues her task until a few minutes before the pending execution. There is a rather surprising ending. "North of Shanghai." the second feature, is a story of war-torn China and the intrigue which goes on behind the lines. It centres around the efforts of a newsreel cameraman (James Craig) and a young woman reporter (Betty Furness) to discover the people behind the plots which send thousands of men to their doom. The two soon make themselves unpopular with the plotters, and in the mysterious manner of the Orient they have many ■exciting adventures before they finally win through. The supporting programme includes a coloured cartoon and a musical revue.

.With a background of the oici West in the frontier days and Claire Trevor and John Wayne in the leading roles, 'Stage Coach" is showing at the Plaza Theatre. It is the story of a stage coach's dash through country terrorised by a murderous band of Apaches, with two women, a gambler, an absconding banker, a spirits "drummer, a drunken doctor, and an outlaw as passengers. The film is remarkable for its sustained suspense, for, from the time the coach sets out the audience is aware of a tenseness that is increased as at each successive halt comes more news of the depredations and atrocities of the Indians.

"Submarine Patrol" and "The Edge of the World" conclude tonight at the Tudor Theatre.

Hailed as one of the most successful dramatic films of-the year, "South Riding," the filmisation of Winifred Holtby's best-selling novel of that title, opens tomorrow. The main characters are superbly played by a distinguished cast headed- by four popular stars, Ralph Richardson, Edna Best, Ann Todd, and Edmund Gwenn. The wellknown story revolves around the intrigue of shire politics which takes place as a result of a scheme for slum clearance in the County of South Riding. Victor Jory and Evelyn Venable have the leading roles in "Streamline Express," a new Action Pictures release, which is the associate film. The film is a comedy-drama, set on board the express train of the future, and the keynote of the production is ultra-modernity, both in story and settings.

" "Merrjly We Live" and' "Pi-rates of the Skies" conclude tonight at thej Roxy Theatre. - ' Glamorous Paris during the. tihfor-i gettable days when powerful Burgundy hammered at.the gates of, the city and all France breathlessly waited on the commands of a vagabond poet, forms the setting for "If I Were King," Par amount's epic story of the life of Francois Villon, which opens tomorrow at the Roxy Theatre. Ronald Colman has the leading role. A thrilling exposure of the fake injury racket, whereby insurance associations have been robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars in America, is shown in "Accidents Will Happen,"' the associate feature.

"Dangerous Number" and "We Went to College" conclude tonight at the Rex Theatre.

"Blockade," though it employs the war only as a background and favours neither side in the conflict, furnishes a highly interesting and remarkably accurate picture of Spain's civil strife. Produced on a lavish scale, .with an exceptional cast supporting Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda, the film opens tomorrow at the Rex Theatre. Horse lovers will find plenty of entertainment value in "Fighting Thoroughbreds," the associate film. The story presents a new twist on the old theme of rivalry between horse owners.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN.

"Gateway," a drama of the most dramatic spot on earth, Ellis Island, is showing at the Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Don Ameche, Arleen Whelan, Gregory Ratoff, Binnie Barnes, and Gilbert Roland. "St. Louis Blues" is the second feature. Dorothy Lamour, Loyd Nolan, and Tito Guizar head a large cast. There are also good supports.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

Jane Withers's* latest escapade, appropriately, titled "Always in Trouble," is showing at the Regal Theatre. The mischievous miss is shipwrecked, marooned on a desert island, and threatened by a gang of smugglers in the new comedy. A wild, roistering Cossack from the bleak plains of Russia who tries to transplant his mode of life to rural America and rule his son's life by gangster methods forms the exciting central figure of "Escape From Yesterday," the associate film. Akim Tamiroff heads a large cast.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY

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," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. It is comprehensive and authentic because the Navy League and the Admiralty for the first time granted the fullest possible cooperation. Twin romances are combined with an exciting story about college basketball in "Campus Confessions," the associate film. Hank Luisetti, Betty Grable, and Eleanore Whitney head the cast.

Take a story that is filled with action and spectacle, one that is filled with comedy, romance, drama, melodrama, and pathos; combine all those elements, and you have the story of "Army Girl," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The cast includes Madge Evans, Preston Foster, James Gleason, and H. B. Warner. "Ambush," featuring Lloyd Nolan and Gladys Swarthout, is the associate attraction.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"The Shining Hour" justly claims place of honour in the new doublefeature programme at Our Theatre. It stars Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas. Margaret Sullavan, and Joan Crawford in a dramatic story that ends on a happy note following a fire, which results in near-tragedy. "In Old Santa Fe," featuring Gene Autry and Ken Maynard, has a background of gorgeous scenery and delightful singing with a thrilling action story. An Our Gang comedy, a colour cartoon, and a musical based on the life of Franz Liszt complete the programme.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

An ultra-modern comedy-romance is presented in "Three^ Loves Has Nancy," now at the Tivoli Theatre. The stars are Robert Montgomery. Janet Gaynor, and Franchot Tone. The film tells of a small-town girl who cannot make up her mind which of three suitors she prefers, ' but who eventually negotiates the bumpy path of true love. The Lone Wolf, that debonair rogue whose light-fingered knavery made him the bane of police officials throughout the world, returns to the screen in the person of Warren William. Ida Lupino is co-featured with William in the new Columbia film, '"The Lent- Wolf Spy Hunt," which is the associate film. Hollywood has already hailed "The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt," not alone because it marks the return of a beloved literary and cinema figure, but because the new film is both splendid and timely entertainment.

RIVOLI THEATRE

One of the most pleasing and thoroughly entertaining pictures in the 'crazy" tradition yet to be released in New Zealand is "You Can i Take It With You." which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. It is more than a story oi' gay irresponsibility, it had a message, the old but always true one, that money is nt 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 tor money and power has rather dimmed his eyesight in other directions James Stewart and Jean Arthur make a new and appealing team in the leading juve'riile roles, as the young couple who venture against the storm of class prejudice. The associate" feature is "Secrets oi a Nurse." with Edmund Lowe, Helen Mack, and Dick Fbran heading the cast. :

HUTT VALLEY BOXING,

Under the auspices of the Hutt Valley Boxing Association on Tuesday evening, two local boys. Mayne Morton and Jack Griffin, will meet in a tenround professional welterweight contest at the Labour Hall. Petone. Prospects are for an interesting and very willing mill. Morton, although in his first season in the cash ranks. has already established a useful reputation with a draw against Billy Parris and a win over the Australian Benny Leonard. As an amateur he had an exceptionally fine record and is already among the soundest professionals of the weight in the Dominion. Griffin, also, had an excellent amateur record —in fact he did not sustain a loss. After leading well on points from Val Borcovsky in his professional debut at Blenheim recently he was beaten through carelessness, but he will not repeat the mistake. He will at the very least, give Morton a good fight. There will be a six-round amateur preliminary between Jack Page, of Blenheim, and Dave Boswell, of the Hutt Valley. Owing to "Chick" Elsmore being overweight his bout with Tommy Dunn will not take place. Particulars are advertised.

"KING KONG" COX'S RETURN

On Monday night Wellington wrestling enthusiasts will have a chance to renew their acquaintance with one of the most sensational drawing cards ever featured by the sport in this country. This is Ted "King Kong" Cox, who will meet Jim "Dazzler" Clarke in the bout at the Town Hall. Cox, who grows grapes in California as a sideline, has been wrestling as a professional for nearly ten years and, at 31 years of age, is sft llin in height and weighs a few pounds under 17 stone. Consequently he is equal in height and weight to Clarke, who follows the same rugged style. That Cox is an extremely hard man to beat was shown every time he entered the ring 911 his last tour and his successes during the past year indicate that he will be at least no easier this season. Clarke* however, is just the right stamp of wrestler to be- able to take all the Californian has to give and return it with interest. There will be another: professional preliminary between two local boys, Alf. Bloomfield, this week's winner, and Mark King. Particulars are advertised.