CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 99, 24 October 1939, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

, REGENT THEATRE. Given added force by the recent turn of international events, "The Four Just Men," the powerful new British film now showing at the Regent Theatre, is an exciting, well-construct- , ed film dealing with the less palatable side of international scheming. The ramifications of the spy system of a foreign Power so extensive that it embraces even a member of the British Houses of Parliament, form the background of the plot, and the Four Just: Men, working outside the law, but for the good of the Empire, are striving to awaken the nation's peoples to the danger surrounding them before it is too late. It is an unusual picture, but a very welcome one, with good acting and smooth, polished English voices. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A splendid double-feature programme is now showing at the Paramount Theatre. "East Side of Heaven," which heads tlie bill, is a bizarre and fast-moving comedy—a mixture of satire, humour, pathos, and romance. The theme is excellently woven and retains the interest throughout the film. The leads are Bing Crosby, as a crooning troubadour placed in charge, owing to a family difference, of the clever baby star Sandy, and Joan Blondell, as a telephone operator. Bing sings four catchy tunes. Mischa Aver, as Crosby's out-of-work roommate, supplies a good line of gags, and C. Aubrey Smith is fine as an egotistical grandfather. The second attraction, "The Gracie Allen Murder Case," features the hilarious attempts of Miss Allen, a firm favourite among; screen comediennes, to shou«he'r worth as a detective. -'■~. . ST. JAMES THEATRE. Australia's popular stage comedian, George Wallace, scores an outstanding triumph in "Gone to the Dogs," which as showing at the St. James Theatre. The picture is a riot of humour from start to finish, with George,-, in his in- . imitable way, providing all the fun. The theme centres round the exploits arid tribulations that befall George in his discovery of a tonic for the training of greyhounds, but unfortunately the formula is lost. Fun in abundance „is provided when George and John . Dobbie trace a stolen dog to a haunted house. To most people a haunted house is just a haunted house, but with George it is just a joke. However, after . his experiences With ghosts, headless men, creaking doors, and a room with the ceiling on the floor, he is a strong believer in the supernatural. DE LUXE THEATRE. Three first-class films at the De Luxe Theatre this week make the programme -one of the best screened in Wellington |or many weeks. They are two thrilling mystery dramas, "King of theUnderworld" and "Bulldog Drummond's Bride," and a timely issue of the well-known March of Time series, entitled "Background for War." Humphrey Bogart is the featured star in "King of the Underworld," and opposite him is the beautiful Kay Francis. In this fast-moving Warner Brothers' story Bogart is presented as . a typical gang leader who imagines ] "himself to be a veritable Napoleon of j crime. The other principal picture i is "Bulldog Drummon's Bride," in ( avhich John Howard once more ap- \ $>ears as Sapper's popular character, i -Hugh Drummond. Heather Angel , takes the part of his attractive fiancee. , Phyllis Clavering. « MAJESTIC THEATRE. Another delightful chapter in the history of the Hardys is unfojded at tlie Majefctie Theatres vvhefceji '.''The Hardys Ride High" is now in its second week. The irrepressible Mickey 'Rooney as . Andy Hardy, • whose , bustling self-importance makes him . a very human character, and Lewis _ Stone as Judge Hardy, with his ( wealth of sympathy and understand- ' ing, provide the main background for j the story of how. Judge Hardy In- j herits a couple of million dollars tern- ( 'feorarily. The readjustment required s ■by the translation of the Hardys from £ a small-town atmosphere to the, extra- j vagance of a mansion and plenty of ( money has a varying effect on each being the least perturbed. NEW OPERA HOUSE. The famous French film "Mayerling" i is continuing a remarkably successful 1 season at the New Opera House. It •, tells the tragic story of the Archduke .. Rudolph, heir to the throne of Austria- _ Hungary, who killed himself at Mayerling in 1889. Much" of what lay be- _ hind this tragedy is shrouded in mys- ] tery, but enough is known to make s the film authentic and plausible in its solution. The Archduke Rudolph was I unhappily married —an arrangement to suit State purposes. He was really in love with the little Baroness Marie r Vetsera, and, unable to reconcile the s affairs of his heart with the affairs of i State, he does away with himself at "\ the Royal hunting lodge. As a spec- I tacular background to the tragedy, i "Mayerling" gives a magnificent picture of the colourful life of old Austria. Danielle Darrieux and Charles Boyer are the two stars, co-operating 'Iwith a strong cast. *■ ■ ~,:; . r ; EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. - ;.' The immortal role of the woman t whose love inspired "one of the most c thrilling achievements in America's V "past is brought to life by Loretta i in "The Story of Alexander s Graham Bell," now at the Empire 1 'Theatre. Don Ameche and Henry s -Fonda are also starred. An unusual ;romance that blossoms in the shadow j of gangsters' guns, is threaded throughout the exciting action of "Crime t ARing," the associate film, in which \ Allan Lane and Frances Mercer are I "co-featured. I j REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. I "Hotel Imperial," the story of a mag- \ nificent love forged in the crucible of \ a world at war, which is showing at * the Regal Theatre, introduces to movie- ' goers one of the most dazzling women ever to appear on the screen—blonde lsai Miranda, who co-stars with Ray c Milland in the picture. Earl Derr ..Biggers's famous character, Charlie I Chan, is played for the first time by c Sidney Toler in the 20th Century-Fox 1 '.mystery "Charlie Chan in Honolulu," ( the associate .film. i ASCOT THEATRE. i Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's new musical * •film "Honolulu," now showing at the c Ascot Theatre, stars Eleanor Powell, queen of tap dancers, and Robert Young. It is an amusing comedyromance set to music against the exotic r .background of Hawaii. The additional 'attraction, "Exposed," stars Glenda Far- t rell and Otto Kruger in a rapid-fire j plot of a girl with a candid camera r smashing a band of racketeers and win- ] •ning her way to love. An Our Gang r fcomedy and items of interest complete t [the programme. j |. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN- 1 "The Goldwyn Follies," in Technicolor, is the main- attraction at the . Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Adolphe Menjou, the Ritz Brothers, ( iZorina, Kenny Baker, and Andrea r, ■Leeds. "Bulldog Drummond's Secret !P6lice," starring John Howard and , Heather. Angel; is the supporting fea- ( ture. Two excellent supports are also x Ishowing. . , t \ CAPITOL THEATRE. I * "Confessions of a Nazi Spy," star- i ''ring Edward Q. Robinson, is showing c at the Capitol Theatre. It is a sen- s •sational expose of the direct military J !and naval espionage of Nazi agents in t -the United States as brought out in 'the recent trials in New York. "The Gang Show" is an annual stage treat •at tlie Scala Theatre, London, and the ;;picturisation of this refreshingly dif- -J •rferent musical show is the second fea- <• ture. i]

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. t The popularity of "Four Feathers" is r! remarkable, and this fine technicolour i picture of one of the most important t- incidents in the Empire's development - is still drawing large audiences at the 2 King's Theatre. The story con--3 cerns the dispatch of three white a feathers to an officer who, on his .- own admission, . turns coward and i resigns . his commission on the eve . of his regiment's departure for the t Sudan campaign. The fourth white c feather he appropriates for himself when his. fiancee shows pain 'at his cowardice. The picture ; deals mostly with his secret journey 3 to the Sudan, where, in advance of his > regiment, he carries out espionage • work for Kitchener's army among the Dervish (Fuzzy-Wuzzy) forces. The main part is played by John Clements, who is supported by a strong cast, in-1 eluding June Duprez as the leading - girl. _ 1 PLAZA THEATRE. 'Bachelor Mother," now showing at [ the Plaza Theatre, is without doubt , one of the most entertaining of farce , comedies to be shown in Wellington > for many a day.. One gets used to » Ginger Rogers in a dancing and singing i part in the type of film in which her . looks and dancing ability take precedt ence over her acting powers. In • "Bachelor Mother" she shows that she ,is an actress of the top flight. "Bachi elor Mother" is pure farce from I beginning to end, and as such is ■ a refreshing change. David Niven ; continues his rather startling rise fi to fame by a fine character study i ofv^a rich, carefree young man loath to accept the responsibilities of his position, but forced to accept responsibilities .of a very different nature. Others prominent in the picture are . Charles Coburn, as the earnest and . determined father of the young man: 1 and E. E. Clive, thoroughly at home • m one of the butler parts he does so 1 well. • ' STATE THEATRE. ; "News Is Made At. Night" and Charlie Chan in Reno" conclude to- , night at the State Theatre. ; "Young Mr. Lincoln" and "Chasing Danger" commence tomorrow. i :—. TUDOR THEATRE. The major entertainment values m ; "Good Girls Go To Paris," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre, are the affairs of a young Englishman (Melvyn Douglas), professor of Greek at a Mid-Western university, and tne escapades of a pert, blonde waitress (Joan Blondell), who has every intention of going to Paris, but whose conscience prevents her from going by the "gold-digger" route. The associate feature is "Parents on • Trial," a drama of the rebellion of modern youth, against the outworn standards of past generations. Jean Parker and Johnny Downs head a large cast. r NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. A whole galaxy of Hollywood's greatest players shine in Paramount's new romantic comedy, "Midnight," now at the New Princess Theatre Claudette Colbert and Don Ameche are ■ co-starred; The associate feature ;s the B.E.F. drama "Black Eyes," star- - ring Otto Kruger and Mary Maguire i A-special., featurette is "The Unfmisn- • ed Symphony," Schubert's immortal Symphony, .played by the same mighty ■, orchestra that gave the memorab'e "Tannhauser." ROXY-THEATRE. Deriving drama rrom the ever- ] changing world affairs of today, Universal's "The Sun Never .Sets," star- ■ ring :' Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Basil Rathbone, Virginia Field, and Barbara O'Neil. is showing at the Roxy Theatre. The picture concerns itself largely with the romantic careers of two closelvknit couples in England and on the Gold Coast of Africa. Herbert Marshall, Virginia Bruce, and Mary Astor are seen togethor for the first time in "Woman Against Woman," the associate film. ' . | ...... . KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ] Drama, romance, thrills, and the 1 gorgeous music of Victor Herbert's i greatest operetta are blended in 1 'Naughty Marietta," Metro-Goldwyn- < Mayer's spectacular romance of Creole J 'days in New Orleans, which brings i to the screen of the Kilbirnie Kinema < Jeanette Mac Donald. "Hotel Im- j penal," introducing a new star, Isa j Miranda, with Ray Milland, is the associte film. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER i HUTT. j "My Bill," Warner Bros.' film star- ] ring Kay Francis and Anita Louise is showing at the King George Theatre. The associate attraction is "Accidents Will Happen," which introduces Ronald Reagan. Gloria Blondelf has the leading feminine role. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. Luise Rainer, twice winner -of the ] motion-picture Academy Award, re- ' veals her consummate acting talents in j "The Toy Wife," which is showing at ] the Prince Edward Theatre. The drama ] offers an impressive supporting cast ' headed by Melvyn Douglas and Robert ' Young. Richard Dix once more assumes the role of a crusading journa- ! list in "Twelve Crowded Hours," the ' associate film. J DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. ] "Four Girls in White," showing at < the De Luxe Theatre, pays a tribute i to the great profession of nursing, i There is a cast of five principals— i Florence Rice, Una Merkel, Ann j Rutherford, Mary Howard, and Alan 1 Marshal. The cast of "The Gang's All ] Here," the associate film, includes Jack , Buchanan, Ed. Everett Horton, and , Otto Kruger have leading parts. j STATE THEATRE, PETONE. j "Out West With the Hardys" con- 1 eludes tonight at the State Theatre. 1 Elisabeth Bergner has the greatest ' part—or parts, for she appears in .a 1 dual role—of her career in "Stolen i Life,'' which her husband, Dr. Paul : Czinner, has produced and directed. - and which opens tomorrow at the State J Theatre. "Stolen Life" affords the star ' fresh scope, and those who have seen i the picture are loud >in their praise '< of her performance. ; GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. j "Scarface" will be shown finally to- , night at the Grand Theatre. Mr. Moto finds his most breath- j taking adventures on "Danger Island," in Twentieth Century-Fox's exciting - new mystery of that title, starring _ Peter Lorre as Moto. which opens to- , morrow. The dream of every roman- . tic-minded youngster comes true for « Jane Withers in her latest Twentieth- ' Century-Fox comedy, "Always In ' Trouble," the associate film. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Boots and Saddles" and "Circus Girl" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. Starting off with the premise that a girl must live, and live well, "Pardon. Our Nerve," which commences tomorrow, is one of the best comedies of < the season. The cast is headed by I Lynn Bari, June Gale, and Guinn Wil- i liams. The supporting feature. "Tomorrow's Youth," is an entertaining j drama, with action, tears, romance, and -, suspense. The featured players are- ! John Miljan and Martha Sleeper, and •' the juvenile Dickie Moore. £ REX THEATRE. For the concession night at the Rex Theatre there arc showing "Wings s Over Honolulu," a thrilling air film,! 1 and "Women Arc Trouble," a comedy. J J

TIVOLI THEATRE

"The Citadel" has been brought to the screen hi a notable picture which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced this film at its British studio in Denham, England, with Robert Donat and Rosalind Russell in the leading roles. A cast of more than one hundred players appears '... support, principal among them the well-known English players Ralph Richardson, Rex Harrison, Emlyn Williams, and Penelope DudleyWard. The dramatic story of a young and obscure physician in the Welsh collieries is revealed on the screen with all the emotional power of Cronin's outstanding novel. A whole village was reconstructed for one sequence and the depths of a coal mine are shown in another. . "There's That Woman Again"—"that woman" being Sally Reardon of "There's Always a Woman" fame—is the associate film.

RIVOLI THEATRE

Deanna Durbin has done it again. In her fifth consecutive success, this 16----year-old singing star has bettered her former efforts. When Deanna made "Three Smart Gilds" some two and a half years ago, she came as a surprise star, a new entry in the Hollywood firmament. Her picture created a lot of discussion, the burden of which was that it was a fluke, and that she could not repeat. Then she made "100 Men and a Girl," and it was acclaimed greater than "Three Smart Girls." And "Mad About Music," her third, was hailed with approval and the acclamation that she had surpassed her previous efforts. And then came "That Certain Age." But now comes "Three Smart GirlS Grow Up," her fifth Universal picture, and it is showing at the Rivoli Theatre. Hal Roach's "Captain Fury," co-star-ring Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen, and June Lang, is the associate film.

BOXING NEXT THURSDAY

It is expected that the professional welterweight boxing contest at the Town Hall next Thursday evening, between Vie. Caltaux, of Auckland, and Syd. Sloane, of Australia, will be about the brightest to be presented locally this season. The pair have met on a previous occasion- and as, in some ways, the bout had a rather unsatisfactory [ending in Caltaux's favour, considerable interest attaches •to the forthcoming encounter. This is quite apart from the fact that the contestants are among the most attractive boxers of their weight at present in the Dominion. There will be an abundance of hard hitting and speed. Caltaux has been kept pretty busy during the last couple of seasons, particularly, owing to the consistently bright nature of his performances and his high degree of skill and toughness. Wellingtonians have had only one opportunity of sizing Sloane up. That was when he beat Billy Parris on a technical knockout hi the last bout to be held locally. He made a good impression, too. The general opinion was that he was a really shrewd and competent campaigner. There will be some first-cla3s amateur preliminaries. Particulars are advertised.