CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 70, 20 September 1939, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Never has British effort and sacrifice " been more stirringly depicted, than in "The Sun: Never Sets," which is now - showing at the Regent Theatre. The ~ traditions and high sense of duty of i the British ■ diplomatic service is the ' theme, and the central figures are1 pictured as belonging to a family which has followed the service for generations. Although Douglas Fairbanks, jun., is billed as the leading star, honours go to Basil Rathbone, who gives another of his faultless performances as a. responsible official on the Gold , Goast. Unscrupulous-foreigners, under the pretence of a scientific expedition, ' choose the jungle to cloak nefarious activities, and- secretly mine the _.precioustmolybdenum to dispose of at a colossal price when the war which ■ they' are fostering should break out. MAJESTIC THEATRE. '' i "Song of the; Plains/ now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is an' unusual film with a really splendid cast. It ' is unusual in that, it is a Western drama of land-grabbers and settlers v/ithout - any gun-play iix it. The story is about j „. a group of .settlers .-on? the Western i - -plains who are menaced by the machi- . nations of an unscrupulous Wall Street magnate. The railroad is being built across, the plains, and an advance guard of men has the task' of buying up. all j ' the- surrounding land, regardless of j opposition. They carry out their orders j • ruthlessly until they meet the qpposi- _, tion of a young Westerner who has : been trained as a lawyer in the East, j I The cast includes . such favourites as Nelson Eddy, Virginia- Bruce* Edward " Arnold, Victor McLaglen, Lionel Barrymore, and Charles Buttexworth. j \, ST. JAMES THEATKE. ■' j The heartless avariciousness of the' . American gangster of a few years back is portrayed- in all itS' truthfulness in " "Scarface," which is now showing at the St. James ■ Theatre. Scarface, the leading figure, played by Paul Muni, . is typical of "the merciless racketeer of 1. the prohibition era^ taking toll from . saloon proprietors ana beating up or .- wrecking the premises of those who will riot accept his orders. Tony Camonte, the gangster played by Muni, starts off in a 'small* way. but, drunk with power, he shoots and blasts his - way to the top flight of gangsterdom, only to find that a rival gang is deter- . mined to bar his* progress. Also in the ~- cast' are George Raft, Ann Dvorak, Wils. Ham Boyd, and Karen Morley. ■ , DE UUXE THEATRE. ■ ' . Another of the smart, sophisticated = comedies which have been so much to :. the fore of recent years" is "Cafe So- • ciety," the new film which is screenr ing at the-De Luxe Theatre., A new team of stars has been brought* together for the film, Madeleine Carroll play- " ing opposite Fred Mac Murray. Their 1 appearance fits in well with their - parts,' Madeleine Carroll being cast as < a beautiful and sophisticated society woman who. in order to do something sensational, elopes with a newspaper reporter. After the marriage comes the storm, as she finds herself tied to a man who despises her life and what it stands for. •• "The Luck of the Navy," the associate film, is in the traditional style,=and also contains plenty of action and humour. • Judy Kelly takes the leading role, and is well suited to the part. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. English- players are seen on' the screen 'after a long absence in "Jane Steps: Out;" an Associated British, production- which is now .showing at the - Paramount Theatre.. Diana Churchill, - who'takes the title role, is 'icasf as' a " girl whose-lot it is to serve "as unpaid housekeeper to the rest of the family. Eventually she rebels, forsakes the dustcap/. and apron for more gorgeous and becoming apparel, and carries out ' a threat to steal her sister's beau,. Jean Muir, playing sister to Jane, plays the rather catty member of the Wilton family. Mary Maguire and George. Sanders touch heights of dramatic power rarely achieved on the screen in "The Outsider?' the associate film. One of the finest, "short" subjects, presented for a: long time is another of the popular March of Time series, "Inside Nazi Germany." KOXiT THEATRE. " "Heart of the Worth,"" the Warner r 'BroSi production in Technicolor, which Vr-'is screening at the Roxy Theatre, is . thrill-packed'and completely authentic tale of that famous' law enforce- >• -ment body-of the Canadian North-west, tithe Royal Canadian Mounted Police. IT,"Blondes at Work" is the associate film. =■-■- NEW PRINCESS. THEATRE.. ■*■■■•' Splendid in every sense of, the meanr "ingi Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's lavish musical offering, "Maytime," is showing at the New Princess Theatre, with Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy in the starring roles. A unique manner of smuggling aliens is introduced in Republic's "Forged Passport," which is the associate feature, with Paul Kelly and June Lang in the leads. , vr . ..-■'. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. ■ »■> ....-.. "Jezebel." a colourful and. exciting '', romantic drama of the south, of the .VIX.S.A. shortly before the Civil War, !=-is the feature attraction at the Stale | Tl Theatre. Bette Davis is co-starred with J^Henry Fond,a, George Brent, -and Marj*;garet Lindsay. : PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. ■' The Dionhe Quintuplets are revealed Cas real' entertainers' in their new pic- " ture "Five of a Kind," which heads khe --•bill at the Palace Theatre. The second -"feature, "Melody, and Romance," is an ■--■■entertaining film of a barge man who dreams of becoming a famous musician, i ■;:-. GRAND THEATRE. PETONE. \ j-r: Robert Montgomery- and . Rosalind ;.,Russell race across the screen in "Fast ' and Loose," which is showing at the "'Grand Theatre. It is a sequel to last! ..year's comedy hit, "Fast Company."! "~ The new picture is a most unusual ""mystery comedy that contains all the) --qualities of first-rate entertainment. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. Magnificent in its pageantry, with beauty of brilliant costume ana setting, flawlessly cast with such famed film names as Norma • Shearer, Tyrone Power. John. Barrymore. Anita' Louise, Joseph SchildkrautN Gladys George/ and scores of others, "Marie Antom-j "".ett'e" is showing at the Prince Edward '"Theatre. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. •■-• The double-feature programme now ■-screening at the De Luxe Theatre prob- • ably contains more exciting episodes i'than have been seen at the theatre for '- -some time. The first film, is a circus ""story 'Circus Girl," which is breathtaking in its action. -Two'men are -'both madly in love with a girl and one -plans-a: horrible death for the other. -■The other -feature is a fast action drama, "-Code' of the Streets," in which _:the "Dead End Kids" are cast with • Harry Carey. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER ■-' The famous' block in New York located oh 52nd Street bounded on the -'East by sth Avenue and on the West -■ by 6th" Avenue and which contains in 'its small area more music, excitement, thrills, and entertainment than any "other spot in the world, has at last ""been transplanted to. the; screen _in Walter Wanger's "52nd Street," which "is showing at the King George, Theatre. ' v 'Kenny Baker heads the distinguished cast, . ■'-- "■ -'-■- ■'■

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. The retention of "The Man in the Iron Mask" for a longer season as the principal attraction of the programme at the King's Theatre was inevitable. The France of Louis XIV is the background, and the story deals with the lives of King Louis and his twin brother Philippe, who at birth is whisked away to the country in order to avoid succession complexities. At the age of 22 Philippe turns up at the Royal Court. Louis is astonished at his brother's likeness to him and decides to use him to gain his own ends. Louis Hayward gives a fine performance in a double role. Joan Bennett plays opposite the star. The supporting programme is in keeping with the high standard set by the main attraction. It includes the King's broadcast on the declaration of war. ■ STATE THEATRE. A thrillingly dramatic story of a psychiatrist who matched his wits', against a murderer's.;,5: blazing gun, Columbia's "Blind AMey" heads the new bill at the State Theatre. The him swings into tense action from its initial scenes, when the summer home of a professor of psychology is invaded by an escaped prisoner whose record of killings is formidable. With his seizure of the estate air members of the household and several guests are subjected to a reign of terror. One of the compelling features : of this Columbia picture is the revelation of what makes the criminal. Although his life is in danger, the professor asks questions. The killer answers, and in:this verbal. battle the dark, story of a criminal' is bared. Flawless performances are turned in by Ralph Bellamy and Chester Morris. The inner workings of the American Bureau or Missing Persons, that colourful and efficient section of the ' metropolitan police department which handles the cases of missing girls, is shown nvthe other- feature, "-Missing Daughters, 11 starring Richard Arlen, Rcichelle Hudson, Marian Marsh, and Isabel Jewell. PLAZA THEATRE. An original and pleasing note in the way of aviation pictures is struck in "Only Angels Have Wings," now screening at the Plaza Theatre. A close insight into the difficulties of working transport planes in little-known parts of the world is dealt with in this film, which stars Cary Grant and Jean Arthur. The picture opens with an American actress (Jean Arthur) stopping in Baranca, a South American port, in the course of a cruise. She meets Cary Grant, head of an American aviation company, and falls in love with him.. But Cary has already been jilted by one girl and he is cool, to say the least, in his approach. There are many complications to the story, ; and the actual aviation scenes are outstanding features of the film.. > TUDOR THEATKE. "Captain Fury," the story of dauntless men and brave women who migrated to the brush country of Australia to hew a nation out of a strange wilderness, is showing at the Tudor Theatre. Brian Aherne and Victor McLaglen play the leading roles. "A Bride For Henry," starring Anne Nagel and Warren Hull, is the-associate film. : '*'•■/ TIVOLI THEATRE. Few people can be unacquainted with the songs from "The Mikado"— the famous Gilbert and Sullivan opera and the first to be. brought to the screen, and which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. There is lilting, melody, romantic sentiment, and cheerful patriotism contained in "A Wandering Minstrel"; the caustic witticisms which are such a feature of the Mikado's vocal.announcements that he "intends to make 'the punishment fit the crime"; the sweet charm of the "'Three Little' Maids" chorus, and the wistful humour of "Willow Tit-Willow." Kenny Baker plays the part of Nanki-Poo and the role of Yum-Yum is portrayed by Jean Colin. Two o excitement-seeking reporters go looking for New York's loneliest girl, and find Broadway's most dangerous woman in "Inside Story." the associate film. Michael Whalen and Chick Chandler are starred. . ; REX THEATRE. . Tonight is concession night at the Rex Theatre. Two big attractions, "Swing High, Swing Low," a musical sensation, and "Three Married Men," a comedy, will be screened. KILBIRNIE 3CINEMA. Hailed as one of the most successful dramatic films of the year, "South Riding," the filmisation of Winifred Hoitby's best-selling novel of that title, is showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema. The main characters are superbly played by.Ralph Richardson, Edna Best, Ann Todd, and Edmund Gwenn. Four, new hit tunes destined for high positions on the "most played" lists are heard in "Paris Honeymoon," new Bing Crosby comedy, which is the associate film. ■ • VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. Ronald Colman, Frances Dee, Basil Rathbone, and, a cast of thousands appear in "If I Were King," which is showing at the Vogue Theatre. The second feature is "Three Smart Girls Grow Up." Deanna Durbin and Robert Gumming.; take the leading roles. ASCOT THEATRE, NEWTOWN. A thrilling melodrama of three women of the sky, "Tail Spin," is showing at the Ascot Theatre. Alice Faye, Constance Bennett, Joan Davis, and Charles Farrell are seen in a story of adventure and courage. Also screening is "Mr. Moto's Last Warning," another exploit of this famous Oriental detective, portrayed by Peter Lorre^ Topical news items and variety supports make up an excellent programme. , CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Paramount's new thrill • drama. "Ambush," is showing" at the Capitol Theatre. Here is tingling suspense as Gladys Swarthout, in her first dramatic role, lives through the most terrifying experience in any woman's life. Do careers and marriage mix is the question posed, by "Men Are Such Fools," the associate film. The answer is presented in a thoroughly entertaining manner by Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A glorious successor to "Magnificent j Obsession" and >"Green Light"—"White Banners," also adapted from a bestselling novel by Lloyd .C. Douglas, is showing at the Empire Theatre. It is a moving tale, entertaining and full of the idealistic fervour so characteristic of Douglas's work. Fay Bainter . and Claude Rains head the cast. London's most spectacular bank robbery and police round-up on stage, screen, or in real life for some years takes place in Edgar Wallace's "Kate Plus Ten," the. associate .film, starring Jack HulbeiM. - ; REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. A Mississippi River showboat of the present day forms the romantic setting for Paramount's. new drama with music, "St. Louis Blues," a story based an one of the world's best-loved songs, which is . showing at the Regal Theatre, with Dorothy Lamour heading the cast. A fabulous treasure in gold and jewels, buried by Royalist soldiers three hundred years ago, forms the basis for "Bulldog Drummond's" newest exciting- adventure in "Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police," the associate film, |

RIVOLI THEATRE. With Claire Trevor and John Wayne playing the top roles, Walter Wanger's new frontier drama, "Stagecoach, which is showing at the Rivoli Theatre, unfolds a gripping story of pioneer courage—of the brilliant heritage that has descended to young generations from men who fought and hewed a nation out of a wilderness. It was a saga of brave women who went with them to bring comfort and love to lonely outposts. How unlicensed and unscrupulous "mystic fortune-tellers can delude gullible clients and rob them of millions annually is vividly depicted in R.K.O. Radio's Crime Ring," the associate film, in which Allan Lane and Frances Mercer are teamed. NORTH CHINA TROUPE. The high reputation which Asiatic entertainers have in New Zealand is fully upheld by the Great North China Troupe at the Opera House. The Oriental setting of the stage and the exotic costumes worn by the - peiformers add much to the pleasure of the programme. Many fresh items have been included in the programme this week, including several balancing] turns. Some of the old turns, sensa-1 tional enough in themselves, have been made even more thrilling. Cmv emu, a beautiful young girl, gives a graceful fan dance; and the hearts of the audience are reached by the nine-year-old singer, Herbert Young. The most amazing act is probably that performed by a small girl who contorts her body while balancing and moving two glasses of coloured water. Alexander Cooper, balladist; "The Campbell Boys," concertina players; Latona and Sparks, acrobatic dancers; "Roylston," ventriloquist; Keith Connolly and Elsa Hoskins; Effie Fellows, cheery male impersonator; and the Three Musical Camerons also provide bright items. ; ■ . ■ RUBE WRIGHT'S LOCAL DEBUT. •The wrestling match at the Wellington Town Hall on Monday night will serve to introduce to the local crowd a prominent matman who has not yet been seen in this city. He is Rube Wright, of Texas, who is to meet "Lofty" Blomfield, the New Zealand champion. When Blomfield met Pinder this week he was opposed by a man much lighter than himself, but he will need all his weight and strength when he comes up against Wright, as the latter is about 6ft 2in in height and weighs nearly 18 stone. Wright has been wrestling as a professional for six years, starting his career after he had won the American amateur heavyweight championship. He has wrestled not only throughout the United States and Canada, but also in various European centres and in Australia. He is freely regarded as one of the most promising prospects among the presentday American wrestlers as he combines exceptional scientific ability with great size and ruggedness. Specialty holds such as a figure-four head scissors and a barred toehold top off a full, equipment of attacking measures and he can also use a powerful forearm jolt. He and Blomfield are ideally matched in many respects. The preliminaries will include a semi-professional bout.