CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1939, Page 8

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

One of Mark Twain's best-loved stories is "Huckleberry Finn," the film version of which is in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. All the colour, romance, and dreamy peace of the Mississippi, and the pathos, humour, and drama of its people, mixed as only Twain coufd mix them, are there. The acting throughout is natural, dignified, and of a uniformly high standard. Mickey Rooney, as Huck, gives a splendid portrayal; his acting is sincere and restrained. Rex Ingram, famous negro actor, gives a very fine characterisation of the slave Jim, who is aided in his escape from his owners by Huck, who later saves him from being lynched by an angry mob. Supporting players include Walter Connolly, William Frawley. Lynne Carver, Elizabeth Rioden, Jo Ann Sayers, Victor Killian, and Clare Blankick. (

PARAMOUNT

Youth and its problems are interestv " to adults when presented as they are in "Out West with the Hardys." which is showing at the Paramount Theatre, with Lewis Stone. Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, and Fay Holden in the main rotes. A breakdown over a spring cleaning induces Hardy, a metropolitan Judge, to take his family to a friend's ranch for a change. Half man and half boy, Mickey :s scornful of the queer little ranch girl, his thoughts lingerin, on the society girl he has left behin_. It is not long before he is ir- cowboy rig. but ne finds much difference between dress and playing the part to match, and it is the little spitfire, half boy and half girl, who shows him his place. "Rootin* Tootin' Rhythm," with Gene Autry heading a music-mad but hard-riding bunch of fellow cowpunchers, gives plenty of action, and some good camp crooning.

DE LUXE THEATRE

A good double-feature programme is now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. In the "Spirit of Culver," which is the main attraction. Culver is a military school with the school spirit highly developed, and it boasts of a record second to none. Its esprit de corps is the underlying motive of all its actions. Into this atmosphere, where tradition plays such an important part, comes a rebel, in the shape of a homeless war veteran's son whose only experience of life has been gained in bread lines. He outrages all the school decencies, but in the end the school atmosphere wins. The main parts are excellently taken by Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew. The second feature is "Queer Cargo," a maritime thriller of the China Seas. The main parts are taken by John Lodge. Judy Kelly, and Wylie Watson. There is also showing .the final episode of "The Lone Ranger."

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, is showing at the Roxy Theatre. 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 million-dollar riot in "Sudden Money." the associate film.

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 is showing 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.

"Stolen Life," starring Elisabeth Bergner. which is showing at the Regal Theatre, has a story that any heart anywhere can understand. Sparkling with wit and riotous fun. "So This is London," the associate film, has Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton as its stars. "Tannhauser," a concert performance of the great Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of America —122 men and a chorus of 50 male voices, is also showing.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY

"The Count of Monte Cristo," starring Robert Donat and Elissa Landi is showing at the Empire Theatre, No greater adventure has ever been written than this story of Edmund Dante, who was convicted without trial and condemned without mercy to twenty years in a dungeon. Generously provided with amusing dialogue by Ben Travers in a hilarious story of transatlantic rivalry. Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton prove themselves art ace comic team in "So This is London," the associate film.

ASCOT THEATRE

The Ascot Theatre presents on its double-feature programme Zane Grey's "Forlorn River," starring Larry Crabbe and June Martel. It is a thrilling action story of cattle thieves and their capture. The inspiring out-door settings are a feature of this film. The second feature is "Along Came Love," a breezy comedy of complications with a delightfully romantic couple. The stars are Irene Hervey. Charles Starrett. Doris Kenyon. and H. B. Warner. The supporting items nre of excellent variety.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

. Dick Powell and Joan Blondell have the leading roles in "Stage Struck," Warner Bros.' comedy musical, which heads the bill at the Capitol Theatre. "Isle of Fury," the brilliant Warner Bros.' picturisation of Somerset Maugham's romance of the South Seas, "Three in Eden," is the associate film. Margaret Lindsay and Humphrey Bogart are starred.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER

HUTT.

The ambitions, struggles, disappointments, and triumphs of a group of young people who are certain that they have all the requirements that go to make up movie stars, is told in "Dramatic School," which opens. a two-day season at the King George Theatre tonight. The stars are Luise Rainer, who has twice won the Academy Award, and Paulette Goddard, the beautiful little lady who appeared first in films with Charlie Chaplin in his last comedy. "Modern Times." This will be followed on Friday with the exciting technicolour drama of the famous outlaw Jesse James, with the well-known stars Tyrone Power, Henry Fonda. Randolph Scott. Nancy Kelly, and Slim Summerville.

DE LUXE THEATRE. LOWER HUTT

The first "Hopalong Cassidy" outdoor action picture ever to be inspired by a popular song is "Silver on the Sage," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. William Boyd. George Hayes, and Russell Hayden are starred. The associate attraction, "Newsboys' Home." stars Jackie Cooper, the Little Tough Guys, Edmund Lowe, and Wendy Barry.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE

found on Page 18.

STATE THEATRE

OPERA HOUSE,

TUDOR THEATRE

One of the most unusual pictures in years is "Five Came Back," a new dramatic offering, which heads the bill at the King's Theatre, with an allstar cast headed by Chester Morris, Lucille Ball, and Wendy Barrie. The film deals with the plight of a group of aeroplane travellers forced down in a tropical jungle. While head-hunting natives threaten to wipe out the whole party, romance and adventure and jealousy and heroism flourish among them, as the two pilots labour to repair the craft and fly it out to civilisation. And when the survivors are ready to go, they discover that the crippled plane can carry only five of them —the others must stay behind and face certain death. Around this stark situation the film's cast and technical staff have woven a brilliantly developed piece of screen-fare, grim, colourful, realistic, tender, and memorable.

The latest biographical film to be released in New Zealand "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell," now showing at the Plaza Theatre, is worthy of a high place in the list of such pictures. The story which is that of a young man's triumph over adversity, is very well suited to picturisation. For one thing, the action extends over only a short period of years. The later achievements of Bell are merely indicated, as the young visionary, having invented the telephone and having won his case against a rival company which endeavoured to share the fruits of his invention, talks of other fields of man's conauest rather than exulting in his vir/§_ry. For the title role, Don Ameche is at all times convincing. As Bell's beautiful deaf wife. Loretta Young also plays her part well. The film is closer to the real thing than many film biographies, and there are few obvious distortions.

To-day's radio progammraes will be

It is a joy at the Joneses. Dad is a grandad now as a brand-new Jones joins America's favourite family in "Everybody's Baby," 20th Century-Fox picture which heads the new programme at the State Theatre. All the familiar members of the popular screen household celebrate the "blessed event" that comes to Bonnie and Herbert who, newlyweds no longer, settle down to raise a family only to find their family raising the baby for them. An amazing new sleuth, who collects rare stamps and clever murderers with equal calm, is introduced to screen audiences in "Inspector Hornleigh," the 20th Century production which is the associate feature. "Inspector Hornleigh," a familiar and popular radio character throughout Europe, is portrayed on the screen by Gordon Harker, while Alastair Sim supplies the comedy relief as Sergeant Bingham, his bungling aide.

Without question "The Lambeth Walk," which is showing at the Opera House, is one of the brightest films to be presented .in Wellington for a considerable time. The picture has as its theme song t l-' now famou_ Lambeth Walk tune, and one of the high lights is the dancing of the number by a huge crowd. Briefly the story describes how a bright young Cockney lad, played by Lupino Lane, is informed that he is heir to enormous wealth and a fine country house. He has to leave his Cockney habitat and his Cockney lady friend, superbly played 'by Sally Grey, and mingle with the aristocracy with rather alarming but exceedingly humorous results. There is an excellent supporting film, "Public Wedding," starring Dick Purcell and Jane Wyman, and there are some interesting short subjects.

Shirley Temple has her first technicolour production in Frances Hodgson Burnett's great classic, "The Little Princess," which has been transferred to the Tudor Theatre. She reveals all her charm and radiance in what is easily her finest film. The action is set in London 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 endure the cruelty of the heartless schoolmistress, Miss Minchin. Sherlock Holmes matches his cunning with that of a giant, unearthly hound, in "The Hound of the Baskervilles," the associate attraction.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN.

"Merrily We Live" is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray, and Patsy Kelly. Carrol Naish and Mary Carlisle are featured in "Illegal Traffic," which is the supporting feature. The supports include a newsreel and a "Crime Doesn't Pay" Series.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"You're Only Young Once," starring the popular Hardy family, is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. It is a hilarious story of the visit of Judge Hardy, beloved jurist of a small American town, and his family to Catalina Island. Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Ann Rutherford, and Mickey Rooney head the cast. The popular comedian. Will Hay, is featured in "Convict 99. the associate attraction.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE

When a couple of imaginative adolescents set out to find a husband for a girl's mother, anything can happen and does in "Listen, Darling," which heads the programme at the State Theatre. Freddie Bartholomew, Judy Garland, and Mary Astor head a large cast.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

"St. Louis Blues," featuring Dorothy Lamour and Maxime Sullivan, is showing at the Palace Theatre. It is a story of romance and music and feat ture_ that most famous of modern songs, "The St. Louis Blues." The second feature is "Sons of the Legion,' a heart-stirring story of a father who could not fail because his boys would not let him.

GRAND/ THEATRE, PETONE

Based on what i_ said to bt the most original story idea ever conceived for a Shirley Temple picture. "Just Around the Corner" is screening at the Grand Theatre. The story concerns the hilarious but happy consequences which arise when Shirley confuses a wealthy old banker (whose name happens to. be "Uncle Sam" Henshaw) with the lean and bewhiskered gentleman who is the symbol of American national life. Loretta Young, Warner Baxter, and Virginia Brace are starred in "Wife. Doctor, and Nurse," the associate film.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. WOBURN.

"The Prince and the Pauper," a Warner Bios. production and the first talking-film version of Mark Twain's immortal adventure-romance, is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. Errol Flynn. handsome younp Irish star of "Green Light," "Captain Blood." "The Charge of the Light Brigade." and "Robin Hood." heads the cast. Once more he is » swashbuckling swordsman.

TIVOLI THEATRE

Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell, and Patric Knowles share starring honours in the new Warner Bros, comedy, "Four's a Crowa," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. "Four's a Crowd" has only one objective, and that is to make the audience laugh. It is an up-to-the-minute comedy of the" modern scene. The story moves along at a breathless pace, with a rapid-fire succession of novel and humorous twists. The never-told-before drama of the heroic

"Splinter Fleet" climaxes John Ford's award-winning career in "Submarine Patrol," the associate film. The sub. chasers are a branch of the Navy that have received comparatively little notice and yet saw some of the most exciting action of the Great War. Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly, Preston Foster, George Bancroft, and Slim Summerviile are included in the cast.

RIVOLI THEATRE

Edward Small's new romantic film drama, "King of the Turf," which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, not oniy stars Adolphe Menjou in one of his most important roles to date, but also introduces a young newcomer, Roger Daniel. "King of the Turf" is a story teeming with action and movement and colour. Its background is the exciting world of racing fans and gambling tables. Its characters come from all strata of society, its story is rich. in drama and comedy, humour, and pathos. The plight of a girl in love with a married man who cares more for money than romance provides the basis of "Beauty for the Asking," the second feature, in which Lucille Ball, Patric Knowles, Donald Woods, and Frieda Inescort play the featured roles The story deals with the romance of a beauty parlour operator and a handsome salesman. Engaged to be married, the couple is suddenly separated when the salesman is swept off his feet by a wealthy socialite and marries her.

REGENT THEATRE. "The Dawn Patrol" concludes tonight at the Regent Theatre. The intriguing love story of a vaudeville artist and a beautiful Continental adventuress is traced ia the film "Idiot's Delight," due for release at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. An adaptation of a play by Robert Sherwood, which enjoyed remarkable runs in London and New York, and won for the author the famous Pulitzer Prize, this picture is also a frank and trenchant commentary on the tragedies of modern warfare. The basic futility, the intrinsic coarseness of war, are disclosed as the characters, so vividly drawn by Sherwood, are forced to remain in a frontier hotel when international conflict is imminent.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

George Form by's fast growing reputation as one of the great screen comedians of tod- is well.justified by his hilarious nerformance in "Trouble Brewing," which is in its second week 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 *s made a 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 an_ is a striking argument in favour of the need for preparedness in these troublous times.

REX THEATRE,

Tonight is concession night at the Rex Theatre. The two main pictures are "Can You Hear Me. Mother?" starring Sandy Powell, and "Sing While You're Able," with "Pinky" Tomlin star-red.