CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 15

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

"Honolulu." now showing at the Majestic Theatre.ds easily the best light musical show which has been screened here for some time. It has more to it than even the dancing of Eleanor Powell and the comedy of Burns and Allen can provide. Robert Young has the dual role of Brooks Mason, a very popular film star, and Joe Smith, a Hawaiian pineapple grower. The film star, in need of a holiday - from his too-enthusiastic admirers, changes places with the planter and goes off to Hawaii. He meets on the boat a girl (Eleanor Powell), with whom he falls in love, but oh arrival at Honolulu finds himself already provided with a fiancee. A series of misadventures results in the film-star being thrown into gaol, and the planter into a strait-jacket. Burns and Allen break new ground in that it is not until the last fifty feet or so that they are seen together.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

Gay, whimsical comedy forms the background for the romantic story of "The Girl Downstairs," starring Franciska Gaal and Franchot Tone, which heads the new bill at the Regent Theatre. The supporting cast includes Walter Connolly, Reginald Gardiner, Rita Johnson, Reginald Owen, and Franklin Pangborn. "The Girl Downstairs" is placed in Switzerland with the colourful background of the Nationale Theatre and the Cafe Metropole. The story is a gay narrative of love and mirthful adventures shared by a smart young man-about-town and a beautiful scullery maid. Franchot Tone appears as the cosmopolitan architect who falls . lightly in love with Rita Johnson only to transfer his affections to the scullery maid working in her home. Walter Connolly as Miss Johnson's apoplectic father endeavours to keep Tone away from his daughter but the youth poses as a chauffeur and gains admission. In that guise he encounters the maid, who promptly falls in love with him. She gathers her savings together and buys him a taxicab, with more than* half a mind on their future. The cavalier discovers that his affections have definitely turned to the girl below stairs, which brings on a series of ludicrous complications.

DE LUXE THEATRE

"The Gang's All Here" and "Mystery House" open tomorrow.

ST. JAMES THEATRE.

"Heart of the North" concludes tonight at the St. James Theatre.

.Drama, romance, thrills, and the gorgeous music of Victor Herbert's greatest operetta are blended in "Naughty Marietta," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's spectacular romance of Creole days in New Orleans, which brings to the screen Jeanette Mac Donald, glamorous heroine of "The Merry Widow," and Nelson Eddy, eminent American operatic baritone. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, of "Thin Man" fame, the film, which opens tomorrow, at the St. James Theatre, tells a graphic story of the settlement of New Orleans by the French in the days of Louis XV and- of the love of a disguised French princess, seeking escape frpm a marriage of State, and an English officer. The photoplay is based on the Victor Herbert masterpiece in which Emma Trentini and Orville Hbarrold first starred on the stage. The dramatic side of the adventure, thrills, 'nd perils of the period is stressed as a. .hundering background for the glamorous music. Such song hits as "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," "I'm Falling, in, Love with Someone, Wi « "Tramp, Ttamp, Tramp," "The Italian Street Song," and all the original music of the operetta are retained with new lyrics by Gus Kahn, of the famous song team of Donaldson and Kahn.

ROXY THEATRE

"The Bad Man of Brimstone" and "Men are Such Fools" conclude tonight at the Roxy Thaetre.

.A thrilling human drama of ragged newsboys who fight for a chance in life on the streets of a big city is presented in "Newsboys' Home," which opens tomorrow with Jackie Cooper in the starring role. "Yellow Jack," dedicated to those five soldiers who risked their lives to free humanity from the yoke of yellow fever, is the associate film. With starkly dramatic scenes, unusual romantic appeal, and a^new type of heroism, the picture is most impressive.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE,

Pulse-stirring and charming, "Git Along Little Dogies," Gene Autry's labtest action-filled musical western, is:showing at the Grand Theatre. Stanley Lupino's stage and screen successes are so numerous that one has come to expect great things as normal from this gifted comedian. "Hold My Hand," the associate film, is a worthy newcomer to the entertainment world and lives up to the Lupino tradition.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE,

"Up the River," a hilarious combination of music, broad comedy situations, and prison football, heads the bill at the Palace Theatre, featuring Preston bFoster, Tony Martin. Phyllis Brooks, Slim Summerville, Arthur Treacher, and Bill Robinson. Peter Lorre is starred as the amazing "Saturday Evening Post" sleuth, with Mary Maguire and Henry Wilcoxon in "Mysterious Mr. Moto." the associate film.

STATE TFEATRE, PETONE

''Three Smart Girls Grow Up" heads the bill at the State Theatre. Directed by Henry Koster, who directed "Three Smart Girls" and "100 Men and a Girl," the current offering is a happy reminder of "Three Smart Girls." It presents approximately the same cast —Deanna Durbin, Charles Winninger, Nella Walker, Nan Grey, and Ernest Sossart, with the addition of Helen Parrish, Bob Cummings. and William Lundigan.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"Fra Diavolo" and "Espionage" conclude at the King George Theatre tonight. The charm of Deanna Durbm's voice and her acting grow greater with each of her films. Her latest, "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," which opens tomorrow, is a notable success filled with humour, fine singing, and dramatic interest The story concerns Deanna's attempts to settle the love affairs of her two elder sisters and to save them from the dangers of incompatible marriage.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

Romance and war hit the range country at the same time in Paramount's new "Hopalong Cassidy" putdoor action thriller, "The Frontiersman," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre wlith William Boyd, George Hayes, and Russell Hayden cast in familiar roles. "Gateway,' starring Don Ameche, and Arleen Whelan, is the associate feature. The first episode of "The Lone Ranger" is also showing.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN.

New York in the early years of the century, when "Diamond Jim" Brady was a familiar figure and Lillian Russell was the toast of the town, lives briefly on the screen in "Manhattan Melodrama," starring Clark Gable, William Powell, and Myrna Loy, which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. With three stellar stars, headed oy-young Mickey Rooney, "The Scrapper" is the associate film.

PLAZA THEATRE.

"Tailspin" will be shown for the last time tonight at the Plaza Theatre. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" opens tomorrow.

STATE THEATRE.

Now well established as one of theleading fictional figures of the screen, the imperturbable Mr. Moto is seen in another of his adventures in "Danger Island," which is part of the new programme at the State Theatre. Peter Lorre, as usual, plays the part of Mr. Moto, and he gives a fine portrayal of the quaint character whose agile brain allows him to keep one jump ahead of the men he is pitted against. • The story, is set in Porto Rico, colourful tropic isle, where civilisation has not entirely stamped out native customs and superstitions. Mr. Moto is on the track of diamond smugglers, and his quest brings him face to face with a powerful gang whose headquarters is located in a poisonous and almost impenetrable swamp of evil reputation. Murder, excitement, and danger in many guises are encountered before Mr. Moto can solve the mystery and bring the fugitives to justice. The second film is "Crackerjack," starring Tom Walls, a comedy thriller built about the fanciful career of a gentleman thief who robs the disgustingly rich and gives the proceeds to charities. His adventures bring him into contact with gangsters and crooks but also with a charming young baroness from whom he endeavours to keep the secret of his real identity. The fibtm is rich in humour, and it moves at a very creditable pace.

KING'S THEATRE,

"Wuthering Heights" will be shown finally tonight at the King's Theatre. "Captain Fury," starring Victor McLaglen, Brian Aherne, and June Lang, opens tomorrow.

TUDOR THEATRE

No excuses for the fact that Jesse James came to be utterly ruthless in his outlaw escapades are made in the picture, "Jesse James," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. Driven with his brother, Frank, into the realms beyond the law. by his simple determination to exact vengeance for the murder of his mother by an employee of. the railroad which is just beginning to thrust its way across the vast grazing lands of the West, he finds a joy in the new life of freedom and danger. The associate film is the musical comedy version of Alexandre Dumas's "The Three Musketeers." The Ritz Brothers masquerade as musketeers, but they know more about the use of carving knives than swords.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

"Count of Monte Cristo" and "Youth Takes a Fling" conclude tonight at the Rivoli Theatre.

| Inspector Bonnard was taking an evening off at the first night of a new show when he was called backstage. The impresario had been shot dead in his box during a scene in which revolvers were used on the stage. A nice little story it turned out to be, for the impresario seemed to have more mortal enemies in the theatre than any blackguard could have. The detective, played by forceful John Lodge, heaved a sigh and left the auditorium, and after disentangling the threads of hate, jealously, and intrigue that ran through the story he unearthed, he finds the murderer before the end'of the show. A nice evening's amusement for any police officer. Such is the -main theme of "Premiere," which opens tomorrow at the Rivoli Theatre. Bringing before film fans a new and youthful romantic team, a Warner Bros, comedy-drama, I "Love-, Honour, and Behave," is the' ; associate • film. -The -youngsters are Wayne Morris and petite Priscilla Lane.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE,

"Man-Proof" ,and "Beauty for the Asking" conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre.

Representing another striking addition to the great dramatic actor's gallery of masterful portrayals, "St. Martin's Lane," starring Charles Laughton, commences tomorrow at the New Princess. Laughton succeeds admirably in blending comedy and pathos with real dramatic force. The atmosphere of the glamorous London theatreland is a novel setting, two famous centres of entertainment being reproduced with remarkable fidelity. The associate feature is "Hold That Kiss," a' Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer comedyromance, starring Mickey Rooney, Maureen O'Sullivan. and Dennis ■O'Keefe.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN.

Thorne Smith's sensational story, "Topper," with Constance Bennett, Cary Grant, Roland Young, Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray, and Eugene Pallette, is showing at the Vogue Theatre. "Road Demon," starring Henry Arthur and Joan Valeric, is the supporting feature. The supports are excellent.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

Margaret Sullavan makes her debut as a singing star in "The Shopworn Angel," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The story concerns a young Westerner who meets a golddigging, fast-living showgirl and immediately falls in love with her. Astounding drama of the queerest pact ever made between man and girl is revealed in "St. Martin's Lane," the asociate film. Charles Laughton and Vivien Leigh are starred.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI.

Powerful in its grip upon the human emotions, "The Nearest Thing to Heaven" is showing at the Regal Theatre, with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. An engrossing story and brilliant dialogue contribute to the dramatic sweep of this poignant romance of two intuitive and highly intelligent people who are able to analyse their own hearts —and brave enough to do something about it. On the supporting programme is another issue of the "March of Time" series.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Aimed to surpass all former entries in the field of blood-chilling shockers, Universal's "Son of Frakenstein," now playing at the Empire Theatre, achieves that mark through the sheer force of its eerie drama. Vivid, living portrayals that make the spine tingle are created by Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi. Every once in a while something comes that revives faith in youth and love. Such a heart-warming piece is "Love, Honour, and Behave," starring Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane, which is the associate film.

KIRCHMEYER V. JONES

"Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police"1 and "Boy Trouble" conclude tonight at the De Luxe Theatre. '

Rollend Kirchmeyer will be back at I the Wellington Town Hall on Monday j night, when he will meet Paul Jones, the tough and versatile Texan. When | Jones put his famous hook scissors on to Blomfield it was obvious to all the I spectators that the celebrated hold was all that had been claimed for it. The hold earned Jones one fall, and there is general agreement that if he had not been distinctly unfortunate when he applied the hold again in the last round he would' have won the bout. Since then Jones has beaten Ted "King Kong" Cox by two straight falls. In every bout in which he has participated Jones has shown that he is an expert at all phases of the sport. Kirchmeyer, while striving to. keep clear of the hook sissors, is bound to lose no opportunity of putting on his python clutch, which has proved to be the most successful fall-winner of the season. Kirchmeyer has all the qualities necessary to deal with Jones, and everything points to a great duel. An attractive programme' will include a; professional preliminary bout between C. Croskery strvßL Alf. Bloomfield.

TIVOLI THEATRE.

"Kentucky" and "Pacific Liner" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. Joan Crawford returns to the screen as a talented dancer in her new picture, "The Shining Hour," which commences tomorrow. The picture is an adaptation of the New York stage success by Keith Winter. Appearing with Miss Crawford are Margaret Sullavan, Robert Young, Melvyn Douglas, and Fay Bainter. The story is an appealing combination of Broadway gaiety, with the lights and music, contrasting with the tranquillity of a midwestern farm. Briefly, it is the account of a charming dancer who marries a grave young farm expert for security and peace rather than for love. Connoisseurs of detective fiction hold certain golden rules of judgment. It is permissible to draw any number of red herrings across the trail of the murderer but never definitely to mislead the reader. All those abortive clues must be justified. In "Premiere," the associate film, the crime fiction lover will 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.

REX THEATRE.

"Ladies in Love" and "Secret Valley conclude tonight at the Rex Theatre. "Fire Over England," which opens tomorrow, was recently awarded ■ the League of Nations Gold Medal. It features an imposing cast of players headed by the famous London • stage actress, Flora Robson, Leslie Banks, Raymond Massey, Laurence Olivier, and Vivien Leigh, . "Thanks for the Memory," the associate film, is based on the famous BroadAvay play of a few seasons ago, "Up Pops the Devil." Featured with Bob Hope and Shirley Ross in "Thanks for the Memory" are Charles Butterworth, Otto Kruger, Hedda Hopper, and Roscoe Karns.