CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 47, 24 August 1939, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. "The. Dawn Patrol," , Warner Bros.' thrilling war-time aviation epic, is now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. Starring Errol Flynn, wuh 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 "East, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die." There is a splendid supporting programme. 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 i the British Government anu is a striking argument m 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 that lovable vagabond. Huck Finn, just as Charles Laughton is associated, in 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 Mystery of the White Room" and "Ex-Champ" will be shown finally tonight at the De Luxe Theatre. Tomorrow's heroes are the boys of today! From the carefree ranks of boys who now spend their lives in sport and play must come the men who will "run the world" tomorrow. How some of these boys are trained for leadership and courage forms the dramatic theme of Universal's "Spirit of Culver," which opens tomorrow at the De Luxe Theatre, with Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew in co-starring roles. Told in fast-moving and graphic | scenes, the screenplay shows what j happens to Cooper, a homeless vagabond, when he is awarded a scholarship and given a chance to prove himself at Culver. John Lodge as the skipper of a humble tramp steamer to whom a ship' is a ship whether it be a Cunarder or a canal tug and a command not lightly relinquished, is the) star of "Queer -Cargo," the associate! film. Piracy, mutiny, and most of the other major crimes of the sea are the troubles that threaten to take his ship from him. Judy Kelly is the co-star. The question of her safety, rendered acute by the captain's growing love for her, complicates the satisfaction of the pirate's ultimatum to yield up the valuable pearls carried on the ship or be blown sky high. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Three Smart Girls Grow Up" and "Code of the Streets" conclude tonight at the Paramount Theatre. "Out West With the Hardys" and "&ootin\ Tootin' Rhythm" commence tomorrow! OPERA HOUSE. "One-third of a Nation" concludes tonight at the Opera House. If Wellington picturegoers recognise a good thing when they see it then the Opera House should experience a record season for "The Lambeth Walk, which commences a return season tomorrow. 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 Wellingtonians who remember Seymour Hicks's appearance in the flesh on the stage will be interested to see him in the same theatre in this picture as one of Bill's new-found noble rela- j tions. 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. "Public Weddmg," starring Jane Wyman and Dick Purcell, is the associate attraction. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. . "King of Chinatown" and "Tom Sawyer, Detective," conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre. A new comedy team that bids fair to rival any screen combination of the past makes its debut in the persons of Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce, teamed for the first time in "The First Hundred Years." which commences tomorrow at the New Princess Theatre. Presenting Montgomery in all his accustomed comedy deftness, the picture further offers Miss Bruce what is certainly her most important role to date. The associate feature is Paramount Films' adaptation of Clarence E. Mulford's "Renegade Trail," starring the ever-popular Western hero "Hopalong" Cassidy, portrayed by William Boyd. 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 Theatre. 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 McCallion. "Stranded in Paris," starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett, which is the associate film, is an amusing comedy drama. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Boasting a story genuinely human in 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- j Topping its four predecessors in Uni- ! versal's Crime Club series in eerie '; suspense, wise-cracking comedy, and; romantic delineation, "The Last Express" is the associate film. j

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. 11 "The Little Princess" will be shown 'finally tonight at the King's Theatre. j "Five Came Back," with an all-star ■ cast, opens tomorrow. j PLAZA THEATRE. j The final showing of "There's That i Woman Again" will take place at the : Plaza Theatre tonight. •! ''The Story of Alexander Bell," star-' | ring Loretta Young and Don Ameche, ! opens tomorrow. ' j STATE THEATRE. Recent sensational exposures of tac-j j tics of foreign spies in the United States no "doubt inspired the production of "They Made Her a Spy." a dramatic and revealing film which is! now showing at the State Theatre. The j story is fiction, but it has a very strong j basis of fact, and reveals the ramifications of overseas espionage organisations .which will stop at nothing in j order to steal secrets of America's latest warplanes and other technical I military equipment. Sally Eilers is cast as the sister of a young army lieutenant who is killed when sabotage is responsible for the premature explosion of a new mortar shell which he has invented. Determined to unmask the men who are responsible for her brother's death, the girl offers her services to the United States Intelligence Department, is accepted, and is fortunate enough to make contact with the main gang of spies. Actually working in their pay. she carries out dangerous assignments, waiting for the day when she can expose the whole organisation. Excitement, murder, and suspense follow quickly before the gang, through her efforts, is run to earth. The second film on the programme is "Swift Vengeance." a swiftmoving crime story featuring Ace, the wonder dog. Tim Holt and Virginia Weidler are in the cast. TUDOIi 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 ol bringing together American and English business concerns whicJa 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. ROXY THEATRE. "Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police" and "Mystery House" conclude tonight at the Roxy Theatre. " . A- glorious successor to "Magnificent Obsession" and "Green Light"—"White Banners" also adapted from a best-sell-ing novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, opens tomorrow. It is a moving tale, entertaining, and full of the idealistic fe, ivour so characteristic of Douglas's work. Claude Rains. Fay Bainter. and Jackie Cooper are starred. "Sudden Money" in the form of a sweepstakes fortune hits a typical modern family and causes a miliion-dollar riot in "Sudden Money." the asspciate film. REX THEATRE. Tonight is concession night at the Rex Theatre. A first-class doubleI feature programme will be presented to the audience, who will be admitted at reduced prices. The main feature is "John Meade's Lady," starring Edward Arnold. "Hideaway Girl," with Shirley Ross and Robert Cummings, a comedy musical show, is the associate feature. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. "Thanks For the Memory" is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Bob Hope, Shirley Ross, Charles Butterworth, Otto Kruger, and Hedda Hopper. Basil Rathbone and Boris Karlofl are featured in "Son of Frankenstein," the supporting feature. There are also' selected supports. 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. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Boys Town" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. "The Great Waltz," glamorous musical drama based on the life of Johann Strauss, opens tomorrow, with Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, and Miliza Korjus, new opera star discovery, heading an elaborate cast. The story deals with the life and loves of Strauss, played by Gravet, his wife, Poldi, played by Miss Rainer, and the opera singer with whom he was infatuated, enacted by Mme. Korjus. 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 boys from "Bar 20" in Paramount's "Silver on the Sage," which heads the bill at the Grand Theatre. Martha Rave co-stars with Bob Hope in "Never Say Die," Paramount's uproarious new comedy, which is the associate film. An added attraction is the seventh episode of the serial "Red Barry." x PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Mr. Moto's Last Warning," featuring Peter Lorre, 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 Powell in "I've Got a Horse," is the second feature. It is a riot of fun from start to finish. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "Riffraff" and "Burn 'Em Up O'Connor" conclude at the King George Theatre tonight. The true story of Father Flanagan's struggle to establish his home in face of prejudice and lack of money is movingly told in "Boys' Town," which opens tomorrow. Spencer Tracy plays Father Flanagan, and Mickey Roon«y plays Whitey Marsh, a boy from the streets, who learns, when his gangster brother places him in Father Flanagan's care, that a boy has to be really tough to be good. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. An important cast of players headed by Clive Brook, Ann Tod'd, and Margaretta Scott, appears in Victor Saville's latest London film. "Action for Slander." which is now screening at the De Luxe Theatre. "Down on the Farm," starring the Jones Family, is the associate film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE WOBURN. Patrons will enjoy trying to spot the murderer in the .intervals of witnessing some very spectacular stage scenes in •■Premiere.'' which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre John Lodge T>nd Judy Kelly head a brilliant cast. The second feature. "Dare-Devil Drivers." involves the car insurance racket and necessitated many action shots of cars careering around corners, smash-ups. men flying off motor-cycles, and racing cfir sequences.

TIVOLI THEATRE. The entire world knows that of ail 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 very close to being the peer of them all. "Stolen Life" has a story that any heart anywhere can understand. It is s story that any real man or woman will embrace, for the same story has happened to many and can happen >o almost anyone. In other words, fundamental drama is involved in "Stolen Life." even though the manner of its telling may appear more colourful than anything that could happen to mere mortals. Michael Redgrave is costarred. A novel and exciting newsI paper murder mystery with Barry K. | Barnes and Valeric Hobson in the principal parts, Paramount's new British I release, "This Man is News," is the j associate film. RIVOLI THEATRE. Forsaking comedy for a straight roimantic role, Irene Dunne adds new laurels to her already brilliant brow in "The Nearest Thing to Heaven," | which is showing at the Rivoli Thea itre, Charles Boyer is co-starred. i She portrays a modern sophisticate j who falls desperately in love with a J Continental Casanova during an ocean voyage. After a fast-moving series of romantic adventures Miss ) 'unne seeks i to stifle her love when she is injured in an accident. Returnee to the American screen after film triumphs aY 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 breath j taking 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. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Via the genius of David O. Selznick anri the magic of technicolour, Mark Twain's famous characters step from the pages of his immortal story and on to the screen in "The Adveiitures of Tom Sawyer," which is showing at. the Kilbirnie Kinema. The most seasoned follower of the adventures of screen I 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 dej tective in the person of that ex-horror man and master of eerie characterisation. Boris Karloff. ASCOT THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The Ascot Theatre is presenting another of its outstanding double-feature programmes. The favourite comedians Will Hay and Edgar Kennedy appear in "Hey.l Hey! U.5.A.," a hilarious story of a hotel porter impersonating a professor of education, and his part in capturing a band of crooks. The accompanying a'ttractio , "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 unusual interest complete an excellent programme.