CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

: REGENT THEATRE. ' I The screening of a picture with . j Charles Laughton has always been an I | event of importance in the enteiv- ■ i tainment world, and for that reaLson "St.' Martin's Lane,' now show - , ing at the Regent Theatre, is bound to. attract attention. Vivien j Leigh plays opposite the star. In ■! contrast to the. spectacular personages he has represented in previous notable productions Charles Laughton appears in "St. Martin's Lane"' as \ ("Charlie;"' one of a trio of "buskers" | | who make a precarious living by sing- ; I ing, dancing, and reciting to London ; j theatre queues and the like. The story ! I proper open^ when Charlie accident-i . j ally meets "Libby," a half-starved j guttersnipe with an inborn passi&n for | dancing. Charlie takes her to the j third-rate lodging-house where he and his fellow-buskers live, and Libby is tamed and later trained to become v a ' j busker. But Libby has talent, and I her chance comes when she is noticed by a famous and, incidentally, attractive composer. Laughton and Miss Leigh display fine acting in the pathetic and comic scene where Libby tells- Charlie she is going on the stage and repulses him after.he has confessed his love for her. Libby goes on to rapid stage fame while Charlie leaves his companions to drift through a period of drunkenness and Court convictions.' Thereds a dramatic ter between the now famous actress and her former protector, and the final scene shows how they work out their respective destinies. The newsreel^ containing further pictures of the Royal tour of North America, is a feature of the good supporting programme. There is also a spectacular and interesting feature dealing with Canada's majestu* red pine forests. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Without doubt one of the most daring films to see light in the last facade is "Confessions of a Nazi Spy," which is showing at the St. James Theatre. The title —•'Confessiont. of a Nazi Spy"—tells the story, but beyond the story lies a deeper and fuller menace. A fictional account, 'Confessions oi a Nazi Spy" was inspired by revelations contained in the recent Nazi spy trials held in New York. Los Angeles, and the Panama Canal Zone. Edward G. Robinson, playing the role of an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who leads the'spy. ring smashing activity, carries off acting honours, al though it may be said .that the sup porting cast does an inspired job Francis Lederer, a former resident of Czecho-Slovakia and one of the lead ers in peace activities in • Hollywood, takes a leading role, the .first unsympathetic one in his career. Lya Lys. a foreign actress making: her Holly wood debut, stands out as a new threat in the glamour ranks. MAJESTIC THEATRE. When the Hardys go Wild West in ( the wide open spaces. Judge Hardy 'faces the serious problem or keeping his energetic family properly corraled. but with his usual wisdom and understanding he manages to settle Andy's troubles, prevents Marian from making a hasty marriage and solves the perplexing legal difficulties of. an {old sweetheart in "Out West With the Hardys," which heads the bill at the Majestic Theatre. This, the fifth of the Hardy pictures, follows them through another action-filled episode of their colourful doings, reolete with hilarious comedy^ human, heart-warming pathos, trials, and tribulations. It brings newlaurels to thef'favourites millions of motion-picture fans have come to know and to love,: Lewis Stone as the Judge. Mickey Rooney as_Andy, Cecilia Parker as Marian, Fay Holden as Mrs. Hardy. Sara Haden as Aunt Milly, Ann Rutherford as Andy's "steady" girl friend, Polly, and-Don-jCastle as Dennis Hunt, Marian's Carvel boy friend. It also introduces a new guest star in Virginia Weidler, eleven-year-old frozen-faced comediehnevv-v*':/• ■ ; v ;; ;; DE LUXE THEATRE. A new co-starring team makes its screen debut at the De Luxe Theatre with the initial performance of a new Warner Bros, comedy called "Women Are Like That." Pat O'Brien and Kay Francis make an; ideal movie team. "Women Are Like That" is a gay comedy revolving around, the colourful and exciting advertising business. One can imagine Pat with his staccato patter selling advertising accounts and one can also fancy Kay wielding her feminine - charms for the same purpose. While this movie is by no means a fashion show, .Miss Francis wears no less than thirty-five-differem costumes. "Society Smugglers," starring Preston Foster, .is v the supporting feature. In this Universal drama Foster plays a Department of Treasury operative. He teams with Irene Hervey and Regis Toomey to break down a smuggling ring. Frank Jenks, Walter .Woolif King, and Fred Keating have other -roles. Joe May directed from ■ the screen play by Arthur :_Hornian,: with Ken Goldsmith as associate? producer. ,: ; ; .■:-'• PARAMOUNT^^E&TRE. \ Magic melodies of ■"■ Vienna amid a dramatic, romantic story .of the musician who was the voice of the gayest city in fhe world brings Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, and Miliza Korjus, Estonian opera star, to the screen in "The Great Waltz," drama of the life of Johann^Strauss, which has been transferred to the Paramount Theatre. Strauss's waltzes and operetta airs are presented in spectacular sequences in the Imperial Opera, the Dommayer Casino, grand ball sequences, and the court of Emperor Franz Josef. Thrills are provided by the Revolution in the days of Metternich. Romance abounds. The story deals with' the composer from the time he lost his position as a bank clerk and turned to music to his final honours in the Emperor's Court. His marriage to the sweetheart of his youth and his subsequent infatuation for a brilliant opera star who sends him back to his faithful wife, form the plot against which dazzling spectacle, ballets, and other glamorous incidentals bedeck the best-loved music i:a the world. ROXY THEATRE. Hollywood's particular flair for dramatic films, exposing evils in American society, is at full force in "Boy Slaves," now at the Roxy Theatre. A gang of boys are captured by the police and are freed to work in what is more than a slave camp. It is there that the drama becomes tense and moving. Although it starts in a Western locale, "Cowboy from Brooklyn," the associate film, with Pat O'Brien, Dick Powell, and Priscilla Lane featured, is definitely not a Western picture. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A romance that blossoms in the shadow of ominous threats of religious uprisings in the land of golden dome temples, threads a danger-filled course through the vivid story of "Gunga Din," picture version of Rudyard Kip-, ling's ballad, starring. Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., which is showing at the Empire Theatre. A stormy romance between a girl of the underworld and a society man is the basis of "Tarnishfed Angel/ the second feature, with Sally Eilers, Ann Miller, and Lee Bowman in the top roles. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. For sixty years the biting wit and bon mots of ex-civir servant and dramatic critic Sir William Gilbert and the lilting music of Sir Arthur Sullivan have thrilled the world. Now the operas are to be presented through a new medium, a form of entertainment which was practically unknown when Sullivan died in 1900, and only in its infancy when Gilbert, was drowned eleven years later. The Gilbert and Sullivan' operas are to appear on the screen, and the first of them. "The Mikado," is showing at the Regal Theatre with an all-star cast. "Hey! Hey! U.5.A.," starring the popular comedian Will Hay is the associate film.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

BULNG'S THEATRE. in 1848 there was born in a small j American town Jesse James, who. for i - about fifteen years was the most no-1 •. lorious outlaw in the United States. | JHis life, from the time his mother waSj >; murdered by a railroad hireling till, at i the age of 34, he was killed by being i shot in the back, is brought to ' the ■ screen in "Jesse James," now screen ing at the King's Theatre. The picture is in technicolour, and as it is primarily an "out-of-doors" film some \ lof the scenes are remarkably fine, i j There is, in addition, an all-star cast,' headed by versatile Tyrone Power, as Jesse James, Henry Fonda, as his al- ■ i most equally notorious brother, Frank, and Nancy Kelly, who, with the firstnamed, provides a delightful love interest. Randolph Scott, as a sheriff, has an important role, and Brian Donlevy makes a very sinister murderer, j STATE THEATRE. Where there's a will there's a way, as the new film, "The Flying Irishman," now showing at the State Theatre, very conclusively demonstrates. The film depicts the life of "Wrong Way" Corrigan, the American aviator who flew from. America to Ireland "by mistake" in a nine^yearold overloaded aeroplane. It is an enthralling story of a young man's dreams and disappointments, and a lesson in courage and dogged perseverance. The second feature on the 1 programme is "Trouble in Sundown," a Western film in which George O'Brien portrays a cattleman who succeeds in clearing up a mystery which involves the happiness of his sweetheart and her father, who is falsely accused -of robbing his own bank. TUDOR THEATRE. Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer are each engaged when they meet m ■ "Nearest Thing to Heaven," which has returned to Wellington to screen at the Tudor Theatre. They break these engagements, and, during the following six months, decide not to see each other and to endeavour to reform their ideas of life. But Fate takes a hand, playing the cards cruelly. With Lee Tracy, 11-year-old Virginia Weidler, and Peggy Shannon in the top roles, the story of "Fixer Dugan," the associate film,, describes how a man who "fixes" any troubles or complaints that rise in and about a circus and a liontamer struggle to raise an orphan girl in the atmosphere of the Big Top. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Hilarious comedy sequences deftly woven into a powerful story stamp UniversaFs "You Can't Cheat an Honest Man" as one of the year's best screen offerings. Heading the cast of the picture, which is showing at\ the New Princess Theatre, are W. C. Fields, Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy. High lighting the film is the bitter feud between Fields and his wooden nemesis, McCarthy. The associate attraction, "The Ware Case'," starring Clive Brook, Jane Baxter, and Barry X Barnes, is a romantic drama so real and so "different that it. lives long in 'the memory. REX THEATRE. A "The Challenge," now at the Rex Theatre, tells the story of the bitter rivalry between Edward Whymper, famous English mountaineer, and Jean Antoine Carrel, a notable Italian guide, and reconstructs their gruelling race for the honour of conquering Mount Matterhorn. Edward Everett Horton is a fastidious, and sober gentleman's gentleman again in "Paris Honeymoon, the second featuVe. This time he is Bing Crosby's man on a trip to Paris arid to the Balkans and is aided and abetted by Bing. Franciska Gaal, Shirley Ross, and Akim Tamiroff. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. A romantic rogue becomes ruler of France because he kills one. of the king's enemies" in a street brawl, makes love to a haughty princess,, rallies the half-starved people of Paris to the defence of a king who has all but forgotten them, and drives a powerful enemy from the very gates of the city in "If I Were King," starring Ronald Colman, which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Joan Crawford returns to the screen as a talented dancer in her new picture, "The Shining Hour;" which is the associate film. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. "Arsene Lupin Returns," with Melvyn Douglas, Virginia Bruce,- Warren William. John Halliday, and Nat Pendleton in the cast, is showing at the Vogue Theatrs. i3onald Woods and Jeanne Madden are the stars in "Talent Scout," the supporting feature. There are the usual selected supports. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Big City" and "Spring Madness" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. ; Hailed as another Capra triumph Columbia's screen version' of the George S. Kaufman-Moss Hart Pulitzer Prize play, "You Can't Take It With You," opens tomorrow at the State Theatre with a cast which includes Jean Arthur. J*ames Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Edward Arnold, Mischa Aver, Ann Miller, and numerous others. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "Mr. Reeder in Room 13" and "Men Are Such Fools" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. "Gold is Where You Find It," a Warner Bros.' all technicolour production starring George Brent and Olivia de Haviland, opens tomorrow. It is the story of the famous feud between the wheat ranchers and the hydraulic miners of California during the 1870's. An additional attraction will be the personal appearance of "Davolo," a master of mystery, who will delight with his wonderful cigarette act. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Smashing the Rackets" and "Fighting Thoroughbreds" will be shown finally tonight at the Palace Theatre. A youthful circus equestrienne is portrayed by Ann Gillis and Edgar Kennedy is a lion tamer in "Peck's Bad Boy With the Circus," which opens tomorrow. An unusual amount of action is packed into George O'Brien's current R.K.O. Radio Western film, "Arizona Legion," the associate film, which has Laraine Johnson appearing opposite the popular outdoor star. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. "Mr. Chedworth Steps Out" and "Blazing Sixes" conclude tonight at the Prince Edward Theatre. Glamorous' Paris during the unforgettable days when the powerful Burr gundy 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," Paramount's epic story of the life of Francois Villon, coming to the Prince Edward tomorrow. Ronald Colman has the leading i*ole. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWEB HUTT. "Premiere," starring John Lodge, Hugh Williams, and Judy Kelly, heads the programme at the De Luxe Theatre "Over the Wall," a gripping melodrama of a man falsely imprisoned for murder and his subsequent ris^e to fame by means of a beautiful singing voice, is the associate film. Starring Dick iforan, the picture's love element is supplied by June Travis. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Drama and romance in the life of a struggling junior physician are entertainingly blended in "Young Dr. KiJdare," now at ■ the King George Theatre. Lew Ayres is excellent in. the title role, Lionel Barrymore brilliantly portrays the veteran surgeon, 1 and both, are ably supported by Lynne Carver .and Nat. Pendleton. . .

TIVOLI THEATRE. When a poor girl marries a rich man out of pity, learns to love him on their honeymoon, and then has to prove her j love when he goes broke, it evolves into j one of the season's most highly-enter-1 taining motion pictures, particularly: when Joan Crawford is the girl, Spen- j cer Tracy the man, and the picture id.' "Mannequin," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Here is the Joan Crawford her fans have been clamouring for. A wild, roistering Cossack from the bleak plains of Russia Who' tries to transplant his mode of life rp rural America and rule his son's life by gangster methods forms the exciting i central' figure of Paramount's "Escape; From Yesterday," the associate film, i with Akirh Tamiroff heading a large ; cast of popular players. Hard-riding, ! hard-living, and hard-loving, Tamiroli is about to find happiness with his long-lost son when the United States gaols him at Leavenworth as punish- j ment for his bold theft of cattle from Government farms. 1 i RIVOLI THEATRE. j A particularly enjoyable concoction j of human interest, comedy, drama, and music is presented in.the latest Bobby Breen picture, -'Fisherman's Whart, now at the Rivoli Theatre. The human' interest is provided by a delighttui father-son theme between Bobby, and Leo Carrillo; the comedy by Henry Armetta, Rosina Galli, and Slicker, the famous screen seal; the drama by Lee Patrick and young Tommy Bupp, ana. the music by Bobby. The only, indictment that can be brought against the Republic picture, "I Stand Accused, the associate film, is that it is refreshing entertainment. This Republic I drama takes two barristers, ]ust out ot ; college, and throws them upon the; world. Robert Cummings, one of the| young lawyers, seizes upon an oppor-, trinity to defend a gangster, and then, finding how easy it is to earn mg money for ignoring scruples, becomes an underworld mouthpiece. Tom Beck, his pal, sticks to honour and poverty while awaiting his big opportunity. ( j "FUNZ-A-POPPIN'." j Nobody has pulled strings to greater purpose in this country before than the deft hands which animate Salici s Parisian Puppets, star turn of .the •'Funz-a-Poppin' " company's variety j show at the Opera House. It is an amazing act and one.that is of great interest and entertainment value to young and old alike. Salici's marionettes do things well beyond the scope of the activities of other puppet shows seen in this country. In truth they constitute a show within a show. Although the puppets are outstanding, they but top off a very good showbright and merry with comedy, vocal numbers, dancing, acrobatic work, and balancing. Bdbby Morris., the little comedian who was here with the "Hollywood Hotel" Revue, is in charge of the amusement department, with able assistance coming fr^bm Harry Ross, Eddie Edwards. and "Bozo Snyder. Some tuneful vocal numbers are presented by Murray Greene and Elsa Lang, and the Van Twins are two exceptionally neat dancers. Their chain-gang dance, in which their ankles are chained together, is a novel and clevei'ly-executed number. The ballet of twelve sprightly smiling girls (and they know how to smile) make a very substantial contribution to the programme with their dance routines. There is very little that Jack Bickel cannot do with his body. He twists it into all shapes, and gets through his number with amazing speed. Another very fine act is that presented by the Carr Brothers, a comedy acrobatic and balancing team, which has given a Royal command performance at the Palladium Theatre, London. The programme will be repeated tonight, and there ."will be a matinee tomorrow. . SUNDAY PICTURES. '•.! ; On Sunday night at the De Luxe Theatre the Port Nicholson Band will present a grand picture entertainment, headed by the delightful musical romance "Two Hearts in Harmony.' A brilliant cast includes Bernice Claire, the charming star of "No, No, Nanette" and "Song of the Flame, 5 Now she has •come to grace the screen once again, her voice more mellowed, her beauty more arresting, and her acting more polished. Others in the. cast are George Curzon, who will be remembered in "Scotland Yard Mystery," and the wonderful child prodigy Paul Hartley, who excels in the role of Bobby. Intending patrons are requested to either arrange for reservations or be early in order to secure a seat. Proceeds are in aid of the band funds. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Paramount Pictures has made the greatest story of aviation to come from the studios in Hollywood, "Men With Wings," an inspiring, thrilling story oi flying from the day the Wright brothers went aloft in a box-kite with a motor attached and proved that men could fly. The cast is headed by Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell. Joe E. Brown appears as a crook-catching soda fountain clerk in the associate film, "Wide Open Faces."' OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The famous Dionhe Quintuplets are revealed as real entertainers at Our Theatre in "Five of a Kind," which also stars Jean Hersholt, Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero, and Slim Summerville. This bright story whirls through a series of exciting adventures with metropolitan New York as a fitting background. Also showing is "While New York Sleeps." A brilliant cast includes Michael Whalen, Jean Rogers, and Chic Chandler. The programme is complete with latest news and short subjects. MOLNAR'S "LILIOM." Written by Franz Molnar and produced by Mr. G. N. A. Swan for the Wellington Repertory Theatre, "Liliom" will be performed again tonight and tomorrow in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, Wellington. Of "Liliom" is has been written: "If this were to be plainlyconsidered as a record of Liliom's dream, as a tale told *for the tale's sake, it would be enough to say that it was a story slight in substance but delicate in treatment. We might then explain how Liliom, a wild, erratic crier to a round-about in Budapest, met a young girl, Julie, loved her, and married her. How he beat and abused her and repented in his heart. How, getting into villainous company, he fell foul of the police and stabbed himself to escape from them. How in the next world judgment upon him was suspended so that after 16 years he might return as a ghost for one day to see his wife and daughter, and how at last he awoke and threw himself in humility at Julie's feet. If this were but a tale, there the tale would stand. But. 'Liliom' is by no means as simple as that. It is called a legend—a word that cries out 'Beware, this fellow is up to something that does not lie on the surface of his work.'" McCREADY AND COX. Wellington wrestling enthusiasts are looking forward to "King Kong" Cox's bout at the Town Hall on Monday night against Earl McCready, the British Empire champion. Memories of the strenuous clashes between these two men a couple of years ago, when Cox provided the Canadian with as strong opposition as the latter encountered from anybody make it apparent that a match of outstanding appeal will be seen. In 1937 Cox met McCready twice and held him to a draw each time, which is something that very few wrestlers have been able to accomplish, and his iqvm this year looks so good that he may do even better. Cox's rugged style is in itself sufficient to carry the day in most of his matches, but when he comes ;.v against McCready he will need to draw more freely upon his knowledge of the more orthodox side of the sport. Nor is McCready likely to suffer lightly any rough treatment from Cox. The preliminaries, which will commence at 8 o'clock, will include a bout between two local professionals, n. McDonald and Syd. Scott.