CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 145, 16 December 1939, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE,

Excitement with a novel twist to it is provided at the Regent Theatre, which features "Miracles for Sale," starring Robert Young and Florence Rice. As a supplier of commercial magic and marvellous miracles to stage illusionists, Robert Young and his gadgets are entertainment in themselves, but he unwittingly gets tangled up in a spot of psychic bother and before one realises it there haye been three murders committed in distinctly spectacular fashion. On second thoughts, there may not have been three murders, though three bodies are produced for the pained bewilderment and undisguised stupefaction of one of the best investigators on the New York police force. Dead bodies that disappear, typewriters that work with an invisible hand, couches that open into dim cellars and contrivances that behave in the most fantastic manner, help to form the background for this most unusually conceived picture.

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

"Tarzan Finds a Son," now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, is the latest and most thrilling of those films in which the written works of Edgar Rice Burroughs are brought to visual and audible life. Johnny Weissmuller, world champion swimmer and holder of the record for the fastest hundred yards sprint swim, is back again as Tarzan, the character who brought him fame in the film as well as the aquatic world. With him is Maureen O'Sullivan. The role of the "son," who is actually the heir to a considerable fortune and who is found as a baby in the wreck of an aeroplane in the jungle, is taken by the child athlete John Sheffield, who acts very well indeed as a fearless and jungle-wise youngster. Trouble, apart from the usual battles with lions, tigers, and such, moves into that corner of the jungle when a large search party arrives in search of the boy.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

The plot of "Mutiny in the Big House," the feature of the new programme at St. James Theatre, is based on a prison mutiny which took place in California some years ago. A young offender is sent to gaol for a minor forgery, and finds himself placed in the same cell as a notorious convict. The prison chaplain endeavours to help the younger man, but the influence of the old convict seems to be stronger. The convicts plan a mutiny, but when news of its impending outbreak reaches the warden's ears it is the young forger who is suspected of giving the show away. A riot, however, .ensues, ana the convicts barricade themselves in the machine shop, and a thrilling climax is reached with the prison chaplain, single-handed and unarmed, attempting to quell the mutiny. As can be imagined, "Mutiny in the Big House is dramatic «»nd it achieves a high degree of realism. Charles Bickfora and Barton Mac Lane are the two principal actors. An added attraction on the programme is the appearance on the stage of the Hiruharamu Maori Choir, who give hakas. songs, and poi dances. All the performers are young, but they are talented, and their entertainment is a very bright and pleasing one. "The March of Time" deals exclusively and most interestingly with Finland, and a Pathe Gazette gives glimpses of the Navy and Air Force at work. An unusual short is "Destiny," concerning an expedition dying of thirst in sandy wastes.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Patrons of the Paramount Theatre this week will have a feast of thrills which should be enough to last them a lifetime. Each of the features has more than its fair share of thrills, mystery, and suspense. Universal Studio made the first film, and their reputation as the leading exponents of the "horror" film is fully maintained by "The House of Fear."s It concerns the efforts of a detective1 to solve the mystery of a murder which took place in a theatre, and to do so he turns producer and stages the play again. By this means he finally solves the problem. The stars of this production are William Gargan, Irene Hervey, Alan Dinehart. and Dorothy Arnold. The associate attraction is one of the popular Crime Club series, "The Witness Vanishes." A newspaper owner is robbed of his paper by a gang ot criminals who manage to get him placed in a lunatic asylum by pretence, and while he is safely confined they proceed to rob him of all his money. However, they are in an unenviable position when the "lunatic" escapes with plans already worked out for their murder. From this situation the film moves on to a' dramatic finish. Edmund Lowe and Wendy Barne are. the stars. The ghostly element is sustained by the supporting programme, which includes one of those amusing 'Popeye" cartoons, a colour cartoon. Skeleton Frolics," and a comedy, "The Timid Ghost." .

DE LUXE THEATRE. ,

Excitement and adventure are provided in good measure in the current attraction! at the P^ Luxe Theatre The principal feature is "Two Bright Boys, in which appear two of the brightest stars of the juvenile firmament in America—Freddie Bartholomew and Jackie Cooper, both of whom show unmistakable signs of growing up. At ™ y rate, their nightly-competent acting and the vigour with which they carry on their disputes and adventures could not be bettered by Payers of an older school. The story deals largely with oil fields and the difference of opinion existing between an American and a British youth. It is amusing and interesting fare that should appeal to all. The other feature film is Kid From Texas," with Dennis O'Keefe and Florence Rice, in a high-speed story from "down south" America. The new De Luxe serial "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" continues during the ensuing wick with chapter 2 of a lively thriller in which all the resources of SJviedom's wild west studios are •brought into use.

ROXY THEATRE

With Humphrey .^.^J'l'Sffi'ulderwWf SSntifully interspersed humour, unusuS angles; and a surpnse ending. tions, which is the associate film.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Second in the "Dr. BMa«" gng : featuring Lew Ayres an/ Llf™l, .more, "Calling pr^idare" which ,s showing at the Kilbirme Kmema, car ries on the adventures of the young Physician with a bent for amateur detective work who is sponsored and coached by his mentor the veteran Dr. Sflespie DiaSa Churchill's comedy triumph, "Jane Steps Out,' is the associate attraction.

ASCOT THEATRE

"The Great Waltz," glamorous musical drama based on the life of Jofann Strauss, which is showing at the ascot Theatre, recreates the romance ot old Vienna. Starring Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, and Miliza Korjus, .it tells of the pomp, pageantry, music and spectacle of a great life. Also showing is "Blonde Cheat," with Joan Fontaine and Cecil Kellaway in the leading roles. Selected short subjects complete a splendid programme.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR.

Huckleberry Finn, boy roamer of the Mississippi, goes through his amazing adventures, read by millions in MarK Twain's sequel to "Tom Sawyer, in the- person of Mickey Rooney, m his first solo starring vehicle, now showing at the Capitol Theatre. Timely screen expose of a national menace, Columbia's "Smashing the Spy Ring" is the associate film.

KING'S THEATRE,

Screen "finds" like Dietrich and the Garbo, coming as they do but rarely, bring to audiences that essential glamour that gives a spur to the industry. Into that category falls Ingrid Bergman, equally appealing in ability and more charming because of her freshness and lack of sophistication. She is one of those natural actresses who need no intensive training in the art of make-believe to convey the deepiest of emotions. In '-Intermezzo, a Love Story," now playing at the King's Theatre, she has a plot that gives full range to her native artistry; she alone would make the production outstanding, but opposite her is Leslie Howard, the same skilful Howard, but different from.the one in "Pygmalion." As Holger Brandt, world-famous violinist, his excellence is exceeded only by the music of his fiddle. He has returned from a tour, and meets for the first time his young daughter's music teacher, a brilliant pianist (Miss Bergman). Friendship quickens into love, and Brandt, unable to bear the subterfuge of secret meetings, breaks with his wife (Edna Best). With Miss Bergman as his accompanist he tours again; they are deliriously happy together, but they realise that true happiness cannot' be built on the unhappiness of others. It is aii excellent plot, brilliantly conveyed. On the same programme is a "March of Time showing the progress of motion pictures, a Dar-win-flavoured film showing the similarity between monkeys and men, ana other entertaining items.

PLAZA THEATRE,

With a well-balanced theme surrounding the famous violinist, Jascha Heifetz, "They Shall Have Music, feature film at the Plaza Theatre, provides varied entertainment. It is an outstanding picture, enriched by the glorious music of Heifetz, who makes his first film appearance. The impressive feature of the film is the quality of the recording. This is not apparent in the opening sequences, but when the clear beautiful modulated strains ot Heifetz's violin commences the technical achievement of the producers "35 fully realised. Clever photography m the musical sequences, displaying the dexterity of the master's handling of the violin, characterises the film. Heifetz plays no fictitious- role—he impersonates himself. The story is splendidly told, brilliantly directed, and stirringly acted. The cast featured in support of Heifetz includes Andrea Leeds,' Joel McCrea, Walter Brennan, Gene Reynolds, and Tommy Kelly. No small part is played by the Cahfornian Junior Symphony Orchestra, who^e musical ability is amazing. There is an excellent supporting programme

STATE THEATRE.

The two main features of the new programme at the State Theatre provide between them humour and thrills. The humour is abundant in "The Jones Family in Hollywood," as can well be imagined, while in "The Return of the Frog" creeps and thrills are the main ingredients. Barely do the Jones Family reach Hollywood when things begin to happen. Lucy has ambitions about becoming a star and invokes the aid of a male star to accomplish this, but only manages to become an extra in a bathing suit. Jack falls for a glamour girl, and there are all sorts of complications before Dad, in his usual hilarious way, manages to fix everything up satisfactorily. "The Return of the Frog" is based on Edgar Wallace's thriller "The India Rubber Men." It features Gordon Harker, Una O'Connor. Hartley Power, Rene Ray, and others. The shorter subjects include several items of topical interest.

TUDOR THEATRE

The bold era of adventure and turmoil which reigned in the Philippine Islands after the American Army was evacuated following the Spanish-Ameri-can War and the islands were overrun with religious native terrorists, is dramatised in "The Real Glory," transferred to the Tudor Theatre. Gary Cooper plays the type of heroic outdoor role which had made him the prime favourite with motion picture lovers, and Andrea Leeds is the heroine. David Niven plays an important and amusing role as Cooper's rival for the heroine. Ann Sheridan plays opposite Richard Carlson, with Helen Parrish and Robert Armstrong in support, in "Winter Carnival," the associate film.

OPERA HOUSE

Hero-worshippers of the voice of Jimmy Allen, heard so often over the radio, can see their idol in person at the Opera House this week. "The Sky Parade" brings to the screen the young hero of so many aerial adventures, and along' with him are all the old favourites, "Speed," "Flash," and Tommy. The film starts in 1918, with four young men all more or less geniuses at piloting the "flying crates" of the war. One of them, Scotty Allen, hears that his wife has died, but that he now has a son to carry on the tradition of flying. Scotty at first cannot bear to look at his child, but with the help of Katherine de Mille, a young girl parachutist, decides to do all that is in his power to give the youngster a chance in life. To do this he and his companions decide to join a flying circus and go barnstorming round the countryside. Time goes on, and Scotty is killed while trying to fly to Paris on a pioneer flight. Those who are left decide that the old type of flying is outdated and that safety first in aviation as well as? in any other venture is the best and "only sensible plan. From this point on the film builds up to a dramatic climax. There is a splendid supporting programme.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE WOBURN.

"Three Loves Has Nancy," which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre, brings together three of the motion picture screen's greatest farceurs and most talented players—Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery, and Franchot Tone. The supporting feature, "The Hurricane," stars Dorothy Laraour and Jen Hale.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

An intensely dramatic film story, enacted by a great cast, can hardly fail to be exciting modern picture fare. Add to this the beauty of California's redwood country, filmed in technicolour, and you have "Valley, of the Giants" showing at the De Luxe Theatre. There is a new addition to the Jones Family, and Dad Jones is a grandad now, in "Everybody's Baby," the second feature.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

The adventures of a small-town newspaper editor who becomes involved in a strange murder mystery high light the swift action found in "They Asked For It," which is showing at the Palace Theatre. Leo Carrillo, Steffi Duna, and Tim Holt have the principal roles in R.K.0.-Radio's "The Girl and the Gambler."

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE,

One of the greatest mystery thrillers of literature is showing at the Grand Theatre in Twentieth Century-Fox's film version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story, "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Victor McLaglen's newest role is in Twentieth Century-Fox's comedy of the American Legionnaires' unconventional convention in New York, "Battle of Broadway," the associate feature.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE

The building of the "Union Pacific" railroad in America, a feat which seventy years ago joined the Atlantic and Pacific with an iron band, is brought to the screen on an epic scale by Cecil B. de Mi lie in his latest pro duction, Paramount's "Union Pacific," now at the State Theatre.

TIVOLI THEATRE

The frantic but futile efforts of a behind-the-counter girl to deny the parenthood of a foundling accidentally wished on her form the basis of the Ginger Rogers-David Niven comedy hit, "Bachelor Mother," which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Ludicrous complications develop when her employer's father, owner of the department store, grows convinced that the child is his grandson, and tries to persuade his son to marry the girl: When a picnic ends up with one of the picnickers being accused of murder, it is a safe bet that Gracie Allen is somewhere in the vicinity. That is just what happens in S. S. Van Dine's "The Gracie Allen Murder Case," the new Paramount mystery-thriller-comedy which is the associate film.

RIVOLI THEATRE

Tomorrow's heroes are the boys of today! From the care-free ranks o_ 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 is screening at the Rivoli Theatre with Jackie Cooper and Freddie Bartholomew in co-starring roles. Told in fast-moving and graphic scenes, the screen play shows what happens to Cooper, a homeless vagabond, when he is awarded a scholarship and given a chance to prove himself at Culver. Ralph Bellamy is co-featured with Chester Morris and Ann Dvorak in Columbia's "Blind Alley.'* the associate film. He appears as a distinguished scientist whose home is seized by an escaping mobster.

"I KILLED THE COUNT."

The remark is sometimes heard, "Why don't the firm of J. C. Williamson send us more good stage plays?" Well, it is announced today that Alec Coppel's now famous mystery-comedy drama "I Killed the Count" will commence a season of seven nights and three matinees at the Opera House on Saturday next at 8 p.m. "I Killed the Count" took London by storm in 1937 and was acclaimed by Press and public as the best play of its kind that had been staged during the last twenty years, not excluding "The Ghost Train" or "Ten-minute Alibi." Naturally it would never do to describe the plot of the play or to disclose its denouement. Sufficient to say that an abundance of ingenious plotting has gone to the making of it. A Count is murdered. Two detectives investigate. To their confusion a peer, a liftman, and an American separately confess to the murder and there is evidence to support all their confessions. It then appears that they have conspired together to defeat the police, and no sooner is this known than a fourth confession, this time quite genuine, is thrust upon the detectives. Three versions of the crime are shown in flash backs and the final curtain is as clever as it is amazing. A specially-chosen cast is said to give a flawless interpretation of the play. The box plans will open on Monday morning at the D.I.C.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN,

"The Lambeth Walk," starring Lupino Lane, Seymour Hicks, and Sally Grey, is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. "The Sun Never Sets," starring Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Basil Rathbone, Virginia Field, Lionel Atwell, and C. Aubrey Smith is also showing. There is also a full supporting programme.

REGAL. THEATRE, KARORI

The story romance between a strongwilled department store executive and an unmarried sales-girl whom he unreasonably believes to be the mother of a baby boy provides the amusing basis of "Bachelor Mother," which is showing at the Regal Theatre, and in which Ginger Rogers and David Niven have the top roles. A story containing all the charm and drama of another "Seventh Heaven," "Stolen Heaven," Paramount's new musical drama co-star-ring Olympe Bradna and Gene Raymond, is the associate film.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Circumstantial evidence that points to Ginger Rogers as the mother of an abandoned baby she finds is the basis for much of the uproarious comedy in "Bachelor Mother," co-starriug David Niven, which is showing at the Empire Theatre. "A thousand stories within a story" are contained in the epic prologue to Universal's modern-day drama which has its background in the British Civil Service, "The Sun Never Sets," the associate film.

REX THEATRE

The latest George Wallace film, "Gone to the Dogs," which is showing at the Rex Theatre, is a veritable riot of comedy and spectacular dance ensembles punctuate the fun and add to the entertainment value of the production. Lovely Lois Green, Jonn Dobbie, John Fleeting, Alec Kellaway. and Letty Craydon head the big supporting cast. Also screening is "Rose of Tralee," with the lovable four-year-old Binkie Stuart, who sings and dances. Also in the cast are Fred Conyngham and Kathleen O'Regan.

CONCERT TOMORROW.

As one of the series of Sunday night concerts which are being held at the Town Hall as part of the Centennial celebrations, the Wellington Symphony Orchestra will present a varied programme at 8.30 p.m. tomorrow. This will be the last opportunity of hearing the orchestra this year. A bright, attractive programme which should appeal to all tastes has been chosen. One item is a "Gavotte and Minuet" for strings, composed by the well-known English composer Thomas Gray. Mr. Gray recently came to New Zealand and will conduct his own work at the concert. The .soloist for the evening will be Miss Viviemie Blamires, who recently completed her studies in London. She will play *.he "Romance in F for Violin and Orchestra." by Beethoven. Probably the most popular item at the last concert of the Symphony Orchestra was the "Introduction and Allegro for Strings," by Sir Edward El gar. One of the great English composer's finest works for strings, this item wil-1 be repeated by request. Two compositions by Sibelius, possibly the greatest living composer and a national figure in Finland, will also be presented.

MOTOR-CYCLE RACES TOMORROW.

The Manx Motor-cycle Club will hold their Christmas race meeting at the track at Pahautanui tomorrow, commencing at noon. A varied programme of motor-cycle sports has been arranged. Admittance is free and hot water is provided free also.

RECITAL ON MONDAY.

There can be no question that New Zealand can claim some of the finest of juvenile talent in the world, and one calls to mind such brilliant youngsters as Bebe Witts and Ra Hould. Wellington does not lag behind, and a large percentage of this talent will be found in the Assheton Harbord recital which takes place at the Concert Chamber on Monday. Of special interest to musicians will be the appearance of 'Tots of Rhythm." The plan is at Begg's and details are advertised.