CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 7

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

; STATE THEATRE. . A gripping story of high dramatic merit is told in "Three Sons," main attraction on the new double-feature programme at the State Theatre. It deals with the personal history of a Chicago self-made millionaire and his family arid the mammoth business he built up from a tiny beginning towards the end of last century. It has been his life's dream that his sons should grow u& to carry on the business after him, but 'he is doomed to be disappointed. The- eldest son turns out a gambler and- waster, the second son fails in his ambition to lead a successful dance band, the,daughter deserts her family tp marry a senile man who can give heir a title. There remains the youngest son, apple of his father's eye, but he; too. deserts his home after a quarret with his father. The story ends on: a hopeful note after a dramatic scene in which the dying father meets three of his four children. The character of the father is excellently played byVEdward Ellis. Other notable players in the cast include William Gargan, Kent Tayor, and J. Edward Bromberg. The second big picture, "The Fighting ' Gringo." which occupies most of the first half, brings to vivid life a stirring Western yarn about land thieves, a beautiful Spanish-Mexican woman m distress, heroic rescues, hard riding, quick-shooting gunmen, and the other accompaniments of this popular phase of American fiction. George O'Brien makes a likeable hero. Third and not the- least important item on the programme is a coloured Mickey Mouse cartoon. "Society Dog Show." REGENT THEATRE. Those who enjoyed the stage version of "Yes, My Darling Daughter" in Wellington, recently will find much o: additional interest and entertainment ' in the screen adaptation^ of this successful comedy by Mark Reed, which is now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. For. those who missec the play the picture will provide aqual diversion. Warner Bros, have made the most of the romantic comedy opportunities of the play and selected a cast that leaves no room for criticism; indeed, every player earn,s the highest praise for.acting ideally suited to the part. "Yes, My Darling Daughter," is sophisticated comedy, and demands a certain degree of broadmindedness without which its subtlety cannot be fully appreciated. It is the story of a mother's dilemma when her very "liberal" ideas are adopted by her daughter. Those two charming youngsters, Priscilla Lane and Jeffrey Lynn, play the romantic roles with complete success. •-■... ■, . THEATRE. Robert Donat, who gave the screen one of its finest performances as the idealistic doctor of "The Citadel," once again reveals his consummate artistry and acting skill in "Good-bye, Mr. Chips," film version of the celebrated James Hilton novel, which is showing for an extended season at the Majestic Theatre. The story of "Mri Chips" is the story of the education of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly schoolmaster t who comes to a large English/ school asa young man and passes'his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his carer and when these bojfs grow up they send their sons back to "Mr Chips." He meets and falls in love with a young and beautiful girl and when she ultimately dies the tragedy leaves "Chips" with a great human understanding and compassion. • NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Mayerling" and "Death of a Champion" conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre. Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck hive been teamed by 20th CenturyFjEdcUn "His Affair,",which commences tdniorrow at the New Princess Theatre.' ( Th'ei story of a love supremely cqurage--1 ous" and unashamed, • endangering a nation's highest places and gambling life itself for a greater stake, the film provides both Taylor and Miss Stanwyck with the most important story either of the great stars has ever had. The associate feature is "Mr. Reeder in Room 13," with Edgar Wallace's famous fiction character, portrayed by Gibb McLaughlin. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. With Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland supplying a somewhat hectic romantic interest and more than a fair share of the comedy, "Hard to Get" is at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Should-' a woman doctor sacrifice her hard-earned, laurels, her career, her place in a man's world that skill and courage have won her, to grace the kitchen, nursery, the drawing-room? That is ihe question asked and answered in "Woman Doctor," the second feature. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Hotel Imperial," the story of a magnificent love forged in the crucible of a world at war, introduces to moviegoers one of the most dazzling women ever to appear on the. screen— blonde Isa Miranda, who co-stars with Ray Milland in the picture, showing at theEriipire Theatre. Hilarious fun and an unusual quality of beauty .are distinguishing features of "Everything's Oh.lee," the second feature, which has tiny six-year-old Irene Dare in its leadingrole. : CAPITOL THEATRE, MERAMAR. Alternating moments of gay comedy with moments of such tenderness as can- be evoked only by looking into . the1 heart of a child, "Little.Miss Thoroughbred," is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Columbia's comedy, "The Lady and the Mob,"-starring Fay Bain- v terv.and Ida Lupino, is the associate t attraction. A variety of supports I completes the bill. \

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. "The Lion Has Wings" will be shown finally tonight at the King's Theatre. "Nurse Edith Cavell," starring Anna Neagle. commences tomorrow. PLAZA THEATRE. ' The Plaza Theatre will show "Stanley and Livingstone", for the last time tonight. "Hotel For Women," with Ann Sothern, Linda Darnell, and James Ellison, at the head of a, large cast, opens tomorrow. . v PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Man's Castle" and "Blondie Takes a Holiday" conclude tonight at the Paramount Theatre. "They All Come Out" and "Tropic Fury" commence tomorrow. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Wings of the Navy" will be shown finally tonight at the St. James Theatre. "The Beachcomber," starring Charles Laugh ton and Elsa Lan Chester, commences tomorrow. / TUDOR THEATRE. Despite its sober theme —espionage and sabotage in the air inrce of a great nation—and its sombre title "Clouds Over Europe," now in its second week at the Tudor Theatre, is possessed of a delightful melody of persiflage. Laurence Olivier is seen as a debonair test-pilot who undertakes a dangerous flight, fully aware that it Ajay b<* his last, in order to help to solve a mystery about aeroplane disappearances, and Ralph Richardson, as the Scotland Yard man most interested in the solving of the mystery, gives a characterisation as incere as it is pleasing. Blondie Bumstead is successful in regaining her husband's job for him—not without hilarious incident— in "Blondie Meets the Boss." the associate attraction. , REGAL THEATRE. KARORI. The gripping story of a husband handcuffed by convention but yearning to break his bonds so that he can marry the woman he really loves is the basis of the dramatic action in "In Name Only," co-starring Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, and Kay Francis, which is showing at the Regal Theatre. Mystery goes merry when the Ritz Brothers, as three half-wit detectives, get on the trail of something big as an elephant and ten times as nasty in "The Gorilla," the associate film. ASCOT THEATRE. The current programme at the A*cot Theatre is headed by the memorable drama "Within the Law." which tells of a woman's attempt to "get even with society." % The stars are Ruth Hussey, Tom Neal, and Paul Kelly The additional feature. "This Marriage Business." is a sparkling comedy of cupid's capers in the matrimonial market. Victor Moore and Allan Lane share the starring honours. The .sup-, ports are excellent. REX THEATRE. "Between Two Women." starring Franchot Tone, Maureen O'Sullivan, and Virginia Bruce, heads the bill at the Rex Theatre. The associate 'llm is "Bad Guy," with Bruce Cabot and Virginia Grey heading the cast. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "Going Places," the • new Warner Bros.' comedy, showing at the De Luxe Theatre, introduces a batch of new tunes. Penned by the inimitable team of song writers, Harry Warren and Johnny, Metcer, the songs are "Say It With a Kiss," "Mutiny in the Nursery," and"Jeepers Creepers." Randolph Scott portrays a real-life role in Cohimbia's "Coastguard," the associate film. KING GEORGE THEATRE. LOWER HUTT. Scrooge, T. my Tim, the Cratchits, and all the other undying characters of Charles Dickens's immortal classic, "A Christmas Carol," come to life in the screen version of the world-beloved tale, which is showing at the King George Theatre. Included in the cast are Reginald Owen. Gene Lockhart. Kathleen Lockhart, Terry Kilburn. Barry Mackay, and Lynne Carver. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. . The thundering hoofs that dashed across the pages of history to be immortalised by the unforgettable poem of Alfred Lord Tennyson sound again through Warner Bros.' stupendous screen version of "The Charge of the Light Brigade," which is showing at the Palace Theatre, with Erroll Flynn and Olivia de Havilland in the featured roles. "Isle of Fury," a thrilling melodramatic romance of the South Seas, is the second feature. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. An outstanding double-feature programme is showing at the Grand Theatre. The main attraction is Jane Withers- in her latest comedy hit, "Boy Friend." "Inspector Hornleigh," a thrilling murder mystery, starring Gordon Harfcer and Alastair Sim, is the second feature. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. With Jack Benny providing comedy, Dorothy Lamour the romance, Edward Arnold in an important role, and Bin- a nic Barnes, Phil Harris. Betty Grable, * "Rochester" and Matty Malneck and -f t his orchestra numbered among the supporting cast. Paramount's lively com- s edy with music "Man About Town." a is screening at the State Theatre. fe

TIVOLI THEATRE. "Four Daughters," the Warner Bros.' picturisation of a famous story by Fannie Hurst, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. A moving tale of four devoted sisters who fall in love with the same man, the film -has one of the most unique casts in motion picture history. First it marks the only time in motion picture history when three sisters not only played important roles in the same picture, but were, in fact, cast as sisters. They are, of course, the Lane girls. Priscilla, Rosemary, and Lola. The fourth sister, incidentally, is played by Gale Page, who fits beautifully into the Lane ensemble. Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton, rapidly establishing themselves as England's No. 1 comedy team in both films and on the stage, star in "So This is London." the associate film. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Boy Meets Girl" and "Women In the Wind" conclude tonight at the De Luxe Theatre. "The Magnificent Fraud," starring Akim Tamiroff, and "Million Dollar Legs," with Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan starred, open tomorrow. > RIVOLI THEATRE. "Jamaica Inn" and "Good Girls Go To Paris" conclude tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. One of the cleverest and wittiest film productions since the invention of the cinema is "The Cheat," which opens tomorrow. It was written and produced and acted by one amazjng man, Sacha Guitry, the well-known French playwright and actor. The film shows forty years in the life of one man, a cheat, who escapes death at the age of twelve because he steals. After that he just can't go straight. What happens when an internal war among gang leaders involves the leading citizens of an. entire community is shown in Paramount's new crime thriller, "King of Chinatown," the associate film. Akim Tamiroff, Anthony Quinn, J. Carrol Naish, and Anna May Wong are starred. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. James Oliver Curwood's "Call of the Yukon" is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Richard Arlen, Beverly Roberts, Lyle Talbot, and Mala. "Gang Show" is the supporting feature, starring Gina Malo and Ralph Reader. Selected supports complete the programme.