CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 46, 23 August 1939, Page 8

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "The Dawn Patrol,"'Warner Bros.1 thrilling war-time aviation epic, is showing at the Regent Theatre. Starring Errol Flj'nn. with David Niven, Basil Rathbone, Donald Crisp, and Melville Cooper heading the supporting all-male cast, the picture sets a new standard in thrilling film fare. It centres about the 59th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, a small group of daring aviators whose lifetime in the air is about four and a half hours. Each dawn, some of these' men go out on patrol duty, and about half of them return. With their nerves under this constant ordeal, their philosophy of life is "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. There is a splendid supporting programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. If ever a Hollywood film star has been brilliantly handled it is Deanna Durbin. Her producers have cast her in films suitable to her age and the: result has been satisfactory from every point of view. In her latest show, j "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," which is showing for a return season at the Paramount Theatref there is a story exactly suitable to her age portrayed! in exactly the manner to make the most of it. The story concerns herj attempts to make her father, Charles! Winninger, realise that there is more! to the world than the buying j and selling of stocks and shares. She lays deep-dyed plans, some of them remarkably funny, to effect the issue and at the same time to prevent the marriage of her sister to the wrong man. On the same programme, the little tough guys give another example of their sparkling ability, this time in "Code of the Streets." ST. JAMES THEATRE. George Formby's fast growing reputation as one of the great screen comedians of tod-- is well justified by his hilarious performance in "Trouble Brewing," which is showing at St. James Theatre. George plays the part of a newsboy compositor who cherishes ambitions of becoming a detective and he gets his chance when, through' the connivance of the editor's "secretary (Miss Googie Withers), he is made >. crime reporter. The fun starts when George sets out to catch a gang of counterfeiters who are flooding the country with forged bank-notes. There are many screamingly funny scenes. In these days of rumours of wars an item in the supporting programme titled "Warning" will undoubtedly arouse considerable interest. It has been produced with the approval of the British Government and is a striking argument in-favour-of the need for preparedness in these troublous times. MAJESTIC THEATRE. If the film version of "Huckleberry Finn," which is showing at the Majestic Theatre, encourages people to once again explore the entrancing pages of Mark Twain, it will serve a useful purpose. As an entertainment, the picture is excellent. The glamorous Mississippi is there, the . romantic steamboats are there, and the characters we have come to love are there. "Huckleberry Finn" is a picture that will appeal to young and old.| Mickey Rooney is outstanding, and is seen in what is easily his best role to date. His acting is natural and restrained, and there is no doubt that in the younger mind he will, for many years, be closely identified with tnat ; lovable vagabond. Huck Finn, just as Charles Laughton is associated, m the adult mind, with so many characters from the pages of history. The remainder of the cast is good, if not outstanding. DE LUXE THEATRE. . The murder of a surgeon In the operating theatre, the death of another ( in suspicious circumstances, and a ■ vicious assault thrown in for good • measure, provide plenty of thrills in • "The Mystery of the White Room," a ■ Crime Club mystery film, now showing - at the De Luxe Theatre.- Bruce Cabot ■ and Helen Mack appear as a doctor and i a nurse respectively in. this exciting ( story of crime in a big city, hospital, 1 and although there is a hard-boiled : sergeant from the Homicide Squad in ; the picture; it is the handsome doctor i who really solves the riddle of how ; another surgeon was done to death 1 with a scalpel, as he was performing J an intricate surgical operation. The < other attraction on the first-class : double-feature, programme is "Ex- : Champ," starring Victor McLaglen. The ; picture is much more than the usual ; prize-fight story, although a lot of its : action occurs in the atmosphere of the ' roped square. , NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Some of the screen's best-liked character players^ Anna May Wong, Akim Tamiroff, J. Carrol Naish, Roscoe Karns, Anthony Quinn, Philip Ahn. 1 and Sidney Toler, form the cast of ( Paramount's newest racket picture,. J "King of Chinatown," which is show- < ing at the New Princess Theatre. The as- J sociate feature is "Tom Sawyer. De- ] tective," Paramount's home-spun com- < edy-drama, based on the famous Mark ■ Twain : novel and featuring Donaid ■ O'Connor and Billy Cook. The supporting programme includes "Three Little Pigs," a Silly Symphony in colour. REX THEATRE. ' , Tonight is concession. night at the : Rex Theatre. A first-class double- ■ feature programme will be presented ; to the audience, who will be admitted j at reduced prices. The main feature ] is "John Meade's Lady," starring Ed- 2 ward Arnold. "Hideaway Girl," with < Shirley Ross and Robert Cummings, a 1 comedy musical show, is the associate feature. ASCOT THEATRE, NEWTOWN. ] The Ascot Theatre is presenting an- '- other of its outstanding double-feature ( programmes. The favourite corned- > ians Will Hay and Edgar Kennedyappear in- "Hey! Hey! U.5.A.," a hilarious story of a hotel porter impersonat- ; ing a professor of education, and his ; part in capturing a band of crooks. The ' accompanying attractio ~ "The Edge of the World," is a- powerful human drama, filmed in one of the remote Shetland Islands. It tells of the hardships and the loves of these romantic island folk. Supporting items of un- ; usual interest complete an excellent programme. \ REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. ! Gifted with an exceptionally strong [ cast, "The Squeaker" is showing at the ■ Regal Theatre. This filmisation of the late -Edgar Wallace's popular thriller offers sterling entertainment. Edmund Lowe has the chief role as ex-Inspector Barrabal of Scotland Yard, a brilliant detective brought to the verge of ruin . by drink. Haunting new tunes, unusual ; river settings, enthralling story, big ; dance ensembles, and a new Jessie ; Matthews are the ingredients of "Sailing Along." the associate film. [ EMPIRE THEATRE,-ISLAND BAY. '■ "Boy Slaves," a thrilling story of : boys in an American "reformatory" ; school, is showing at the Empire The- < atre. Boys in their teens are taken from the open road and forced to hard labour with every man's hand turned against them. The cast is headed by Anne Shirley, Roger Daniel, and James 3 McCallion. "Stranded in P.aris," starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett, which is the associate film, is an amusing comedy drama. ,_-.; ~ VOGUE THEATRE,--BROOKLYN. ■ \ "Jesse James" will-be the main attraction at the"'Vogue Theatre tonight. 1 The cast includes .Tyrpti.e Power, Henry Fonda, Nancy Kelly, Randolph Scott, } and Slim' . Summerville.. . There ' are j many other, well-known players in this , film, which is in' technicolor. Michael < "Whalen and -Jean-- Rogers -are starred 1 in "While New York Sleeps," the sup- ] porting feature. ' 1

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

| \ KING'S THEATRE. j Shirley Temple has her first technicolour production in Frances Hodgson Burnett's great classic, "The Little Princess," Twentieth Century-Fox hit. which is> showing at the King's Theatre. She reveals all her charm and radiance in what is easily her finest film. The action is set in London I during the reign of Queen Victoria. It tells how a child, left in school by her ; father as he hurries off to war. finds ; herself suddenly reduced from riches to extreme poverty and forced to en[dure the craelty of the heartless schooli mistress. Miss Minchin. All (.he I laughter, tears,;, drama, and tenderness iof this great story are beautifully presented on the screen, and an impressive cast has been assembled to support the star. A "March of Time,'1 a golf short, and a cartoon in colour add j variety to the programme. | PLAZA THEATRE. . "There's That Woman Again," now showing at the Plaza Theatre, is a light-hearted detective drama in vvhicn Melvyn Douglas plays the part of a harassed«private investigator. He is plagued by a "dumb" but beautiful wife (Virginia Bruce), who also is inj terested in the activities of detectives, | and who contrives to be continuously j under her husband's feet in the most j important of his investigations. Of course, it is the wife who eventually I happens to stumble over the clue that brings the downfall of the murderous gang. The film also contains two exceptionally neat and clean murders, and probably more than the usual quota of hairbreadth escapes. i STATE THEATRE. A girl's revenge for the murder of her brother and its sensational effect on an instrumental espionage plot against the United States form the basis of "They Made Her a Spy,"' featuring Sally Eilers and Allan Lane, which heads the new bill at the State Theatre. With its background laid in official Washington, the unique story presents Miss Eilers as the sister of an army lieutenant. When the latter is killed during his demonstration of a new field gun, the military intelligence department uncovers foreign sabotage behind the "accident." Determined to avenge he*- brother's death and aid her country in exposing the spy ring, the young lady manages to enter the intelligence service as a volunteer operative, fully aware that her life will be in constant danger. Her harrowing experiences make this screen offering a powerful, dramatic document. The loyalty and devotion between a man and his faithful dog results in a thrill-laden action drama. "Swift Vengeance,'' whicn is ■ the associate film. featuring Tim Holt in the title role. Virginia Weidler, Janet Shaw, and Ace, the wonder dog. TUDOR THEATRE. Complication follows complication with almost bewildering rapidity in the typically English comedy "So This is London," starring Robertson Hare, which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. A much-harassed lawyer, Mr, Honeycut, has the task of bringing together American and English business concerns which are interested in the same process — a process which produces bread with qualities much above the ordinary. He sets about the task with the best of intentions, but his welllaid plans go sadly astray. "Wife, Husband, and Friend." the associate film, has lovely Loretta Young and handsome Warner Baxter as the chief romanticists. OPERA HOUSE. A dramatic exposure of conditions existing in New York's slum area is provided in "One-third of a Nation," the feature of tin programme at the Opera House. The tragedy is leavened with comedy and excitement. The appalling housing conditions under which one-third of the city's population lives —conditions breeding crime, disease, and despondency—form the background of an unusually thrilling story Two young people, aroused by the suffering all arounc them, start what on the face of it seems, a hopeless crusade against vested in terests A social-minded millionaire has his services enlisted in the good cause, but it takes more than the waving of the magic wand of dollars to put things right. Sylvia Sidney and Leif Erikson are the two brightest stars in'a cast of stars. Included in the supporting programme is a really remarkable film. It is a "close-up of a number of trained frogs, and incidentally illustrates the frog-jumping contest immortalised by Mark Twain. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. "Let's Make a Night of It," the spectacular musical film produced by Associated British Pictures, which is showing at the Seaside Theatre, is the kind of film which sends audiences home feeling incredible, sparkling. and happy. It is essentially a gay. irresponsible production, containing something to suit all tastes. "Hitch Hike | Lady" is the associate attraction. ' STA^E- THEAI ]?RE, PETONE. " | Aimed straight at the heart of all ,; humanity, ''Boys' Town," starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, is showing at the State Theatre. Based on , the story of Father Edward J. Flan- ( agan's Boys' Town, the role of the priest, whose mission in life is to give home and shelter to needy boys, affords Spencer Tracy an opportunity for one of the sincere portrayals for which he has become deservedly famous. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. William Boyd, as the fearless "Hopalong Cassidy," gets the • toughest assignment of his adventure-packed career when a rustling-king and his twin brother work together to beat out ; the boys1 from "Bar 20" in Paramount's ; "Silver on. the Sage," which heads , the bill :at the Grand' Theatre. Martha Raye co-stars, with Bob Hope in "'Never ; Say Die." Paramount's uproarious new comedy, which is the associate film. PALACE- THEATRE, PETONE. ; "Mr. Moto's Last Warning," featuring Peter Lpi're, is showing at the Palace Theatre.. The story concerns Mr. Moto's adventures in • avenging his own murder and capturing a group of arch conspirators. The inimitable Sandy Powel] in "I've Got a. Horse," is the second j feature. It .is a riot of fun from start to finish. ■ - KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER -:-■-;,/:,■■; HU^TT. / ; One ;<st the largest tuna fleets on the Pacific ,Coast, ships and men, ap- ' pear in "Riffraff," starring Jean Har- ' low, with Spencer Tracey, which is ; showing at the King George Theatre. ' The film was made against the ■ colourful background of the water- '. front, with the cast taking part in the : regular cruises in search of giants of • the deep, -An. exciting motor racing story. ''Burn,'Em Up O'Connor" is the : associate filrhi: The stars are Dennis < O'Keefe and. Cecilia Parker. : PRINCE;'EDWARD THEATRE, .' : ■:■-.;■ ;>tiWOBUEN. . Alexandre : Dumas's "The Count of \ Monte Cristo;" which is showing at the ; Prince Edward Theatre, is a story that ■ has thrilljed.... .millions and become im- ; mortal. ■ adventure has ever been writ'jEJe^.piaiJ ,this story of Ed- , immd Dan'tef :tvhot was convicted with- • out tri'aj-'^an'&^^eondemned without . mercy to twenty years in a dunccon. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. An important cast of players, headed by. Clive Brook. Ann Todd, and Margaretta Scott, appears in Victor Saville's latest London^ film, "Action for ■ Slander," which is now screening at 1 the De Luxe Theatre. "Down on the * Farm," starring the Jones Family, is < the associate film.

TIVOLI THEATRE. h The entire world knows that of ali the truly great dramatic actresses that the screen has brought to the picturegoers of all nations.. Elisabeth Bergner ranks among the first four. In "Stolen Life," which heads the bill at the Tivoli Theatre, the opinion strongly asserts itself that she comes vet;/ close to being the peer of them ali. "Stolen Life" has a story that any heart anywhere can understand. It is & story that any real man or woman will embrace, for the same story has hap- ' pened to many and can happen .-.> M almost anyone. In other words, fun- " damenta] drama is involved in "Stole;: ; Life." even though the manner of its ' telling may appear more colourful f ] than anything that could happen to "I mere mortals. Michael Redgrave is coil starred. A novel and exciting .news- \ paper murder mystery with Barry K. Barnes and Valeric Hobson in the prin--5 cipal parts. Paramount's new British '' release, "This Man is News," is the ' associate film. ] RIVQLI THEATRE. Forsaking comedy for a straight ro- j • mantic role, Irene Dunne adds new - laurels to her already brilliant brow iin "The Nearest Thing to Heaven," which is-showing at the Rivoli Thea tre, Charles Boyer is co-starred, j She portrays a modern sophisticate j who falls desperately in love with a Continental Casanova during an ucean voyage. After a fast-moving series of romantic adventures Miss ) 'unne seeks to stifle her love when she is injured in an accident. Returned to the American screen after film, triumphs ar oad, Charles Farrell continues the career he started .as .the . immortal Chico of "Seventh Heaven" with his appearance in "Flight To Fame," with Jacqueline Wells, which is the associate film. "Flight to Fame" is filled with breathtaking action high-lighted by a thrilling duel between a bombing plane and a mobile ""death ray." Farrell is seen as a daredevil army aviation officer who has perfected a new type of pursuit plane. ROXY THEATRE. Romance, intrigue, murder and i hunt for buried treasure in a mysterious old castle move the action of Paramount's latest "Bulldog Drummond" thrill drama 'Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police.' starring John Howard and Heather Angel, which is showing at the Roxy Theatre. "Mystery House," the story of how a wealth: nian was slain at his remote hunting lodge, and how a clever detective found the killer, is the associate film. Dick Purcell and Ann Sheridan are starred. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Via the genius of David O. Selznick ! an<-> the magic of technicolour, Mark Twain's famous characters step from the pages of his immortal story and on to the screen in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," which is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The most seasoned follower of the adventures of screen sleuths will get a real thrill out of Monogram's "Mr. Wong. Detective," which is the associate film, for not only is it a clever mystery drama, full of action and suspense, but it serves to introduce a new screen detective in the person of that ex-horror man and master of eerie characterisation, Boris Karlbff. ■ , CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Boasting a story genuinely human in j theme, richly enhanced by homely' humour, with scenes laid in the contrasting backgrounds of a quaintly rustic section of Pennsylvania and the entertainment world of Chicago, Bobby Breen's latest picture, "Breaking the Ice," is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Topping its four predecessors in Universal's Crime Club series in eerie suspense, wise-cracking comedy, and romantic delineation, "The Last Ex- ( press" is the associate film.