CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 22, 26 January 1940, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Alcatraz has fallen to the magic of ■ the motion picture camera. The im--1 pregnable fortress has been exposed for the first time. Audiences now can * see "The Rock," as the prison is - known in prison parlance, in the dramatic new film, "They All Come Out;" - which is showing at the Paramount Theatre. The prison drama was pro- - duced with the co-operation of the ,- United States" Government. The film provides a dramatic insight into the federal prison- system as seen in the ■ actual case history of a gang of five differently-typed criminals. Heading •■' (the cast of "They All Come Out" is " Bita' Johnson. Others in prominent . roles include Tom Neal, Bernard Nedell, Edward • Gargan, John Gal- - laudet,. Addison Richards, Frank M. Thomas, George Tobias, Ann Shoe- - maker, and Charles Lane. Revealing the methods necessary to break a threatened world-wide rubber mbno- - poly, Universal's newest Richard Arlen, , Andy pevine action-drama, "Tropic l. Fury," is the second feature. The two stars ride to higher popularity as a - team-of adventurers in a setting of - jungle-terror and tropical romance. | ST. JAMES THEATRE. <4The Beachcomber," which is show- - sng at the St. James Theatre, marks the highest point in the distinguished career of the great screen actor Charles Laughton. At the inception of the action, "Ginger Ted" is disrupting the peace of a tropical Dutch Indies : Island. English remittance man and ■ beachcomber, he is at odds with . the scheme of things on the island. The island's Dutch controleur, a missionary named Miss Jones, and her brother Dr. Jones, have a hard time trying to control him. Yet the controleur prefers his company to that of '- the strict, humourless Miss Jones and ■her fussy brother. At the same time , Miss Jones is having a difficult time keeping "Ginger" away from her native •^irl students. In the course of the - ."story "Ginger" and Miss Jones are marooned on a reef for a night, along ■with two native boys. She is frantic with fear. But Laughton1 ignores her •^-a fact which brings mingled emotions in her reaction. She decides that it ' is her duty to bring out the good in ' his nature. Charles Laughton's .wife, - Elsa Lanchester, delivers a fine performance as Miss Jones. ; STATE THEATRE. f.- A .gripping story of high dramatic , merit is told in "Three Sons," main at-' ■ traction on the new double-feature programme at the State Theatre.. It deals ■with the personal history of a Chicago 1 self-made millionaire and his family and 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 up to carry on the business after him, but he is doomed to be disappointed. - The' character of the father is excel-" .tently played by Edward Ellis. Other ribtable players in the cast include William Gargan, Kent Taylor, 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"1 beautiful Spanish-Mexican woman in 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. * <• NEW PRINCESS THEATRE., , ' Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck have been' teamed by 20th CenturyFox in "His Affair," showing at the New- Princess Theatre. The story ,of a love •' supreniely courageous ■'• and un- ■ , ashamed,, : endangering a nation's highest places and " gambling life itself -for a greater stake, the film provides both Taylor and" Miss Stan- * wyck 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. t . , REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Paramount's "Jamaica Inn," showing -at the Regal Theatre, is based on Daphne dv Maurier's novel of the same name. It.is a story of the' smugglers and wreckers who operated in Corn- ■ wall about the year 1820, and presents Charles Laughton as a Jekyll and Hyde character. The well-known British comedian, Will Hay, ably hindered - by Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt, heads the cast in the G.B.D. -' attraction "Ask a Policeman," the second feature. • 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 ana.Ralph Reader. Selected supports complete the programme. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Headed by Bing Crosby and Joan ■ -Blondell, one of the most capable casts ever found in a single picture was as* sembjed. .for "East Side of Heaven," showing at the Empire Theatre. Bing and Joan are - co-starred in this film, which features hit songs, romance, and comedy against a strong human background. With Anna May Wong, J. Carrol Naish,-Anthony Quin, and Eric Blore in the featured roles, "Island of Lost Men," new Paramount drama of romance and intrigue in the Orient, is the associate film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. RKO Radio's "Five Came Back," in which Chester Morris, Lucille Ball, and Wendy Barrie head a notable cast, is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. Continuing the • adventures of James " Lee Wong, famous Chinese' detective, "The Mystery of; Mr. Wong" is the second feature. 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 Mercer, the songs are "Say It With a Kiss," "Mutiny in the Nursery," aad "Jeepers Creepers.". Randolph Scott portrays a real-life role in Columbia's "Coastguard," the associate film. 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 Harker and Alastair Sim, is the 'second feature. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. With Jack Benny providing cdmedy, Dorothy Lamourthe romance, Edward Arnold in an important role, and Binnie Barnes. Phil Harris, Betty Grable, "Rochester' and Matty Malneck and his orchestra numbered among the supporting cast, Paramount's lively comedy with music, "Man About Town,"' is screening at the State Theatre,

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE. Those who enjoyed the stage version of "Yes,. My Darling Daughter" in Wellington recently will find much of 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 missed 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 Jeaves' no room for criticism; in-, deed, every player earns the highest praise for acting ideally suited to the part. "Yes, My Darling Daughter/ is sophisticated comedy, and demands a certain degree of broadmindedriess 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. TIVOLI THEATRE. Dreamy days on the Mississippi, thrilling adventure, comedy, and pathos, written as only Mark Twain could write of them, mark Mickey Rooney's first solo starring vehicle in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," showing at the Tivoli Theatre. The picture has caught the full flavour of Twain's whimsical humour and deep understanding of human kind. The adventures of the river boy who aids a runaway slave in an attempt to reach a free State; their travels up the river on a raft; their adventures with the rascally "King" and "Duke," a pair of crooks,- are all faithfully portrayed. Back to the type of role in which she rose to stardom comes Joan Crawford in "The Ice Follies of 1939," the associate film. . A picture designed for the entire, family "The Ice Follies of 1939" has "everything." : RiyOLI THEATRE. One. pf ..the. ql.ejve.resl; and wittiest film productions . since. the. invention pf the cinema is "The Cheat," which is showing at.the Rivoli Theatre. It was written: and produced and acted by one amazing man, Sacha Guitry, the wjell-khowh 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 ■involves1 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. --- • MAJESTIC 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 "fbiT an extended season at the Majestic ; Theatre. The story -of "Mr..Chips" is the story of the educatidn of youth the world over. Donat plays the kindly schoolmaster who comes to a large English school as a young man and passes his entire life there. He becomes the ideal of the boys in his care, and when these boys 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. , : DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Magnificent Fraud,", a Paramount picture of exceptional merit, is the -main attraction at- the -De Luxe Theatre. The principal players are Akinr Tamiroff,' Lloyd Nolan, - George Zuctfo, arid Patricia Morison.- Robert Foley was the■ director. -Betty'Grable and Jackie. Codg^n provide mirth-pro-voking entertainment;, in "MillionDollar; Legs," the ass<>ciate attraction. REX THEATRE. Warner; Bros.' finest film, "The Adventures of Robin Hood," starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland, hea.ds the bill at-the Rex Theatre. "Where the West Begins," with' Jack Randall, singing cowboy, is also showing. • ROXYTHEATRE. Movie-goers who like their adventure ■spiced with comedy, thrills, and romance1 will be drawn to "Fast Company," which is' showing at the Roxy Theatre. Melvyn Douglas and Florence Rice are starred. ? Hazardous and thrilling adventures of the men of the United States Secret Service are dramatised in "Secret'; Service Adventures," starring Ronald' Reagan, which is the second feature. ... TUDOR THEATRE. The growing might of Nazi Germany, its conquest of neighbouring States, and the steps taken by Britain to meet its challenge form, the theme of "The Lion Has Wings," the Alexander Kbrda production transferred to the Tudor Theatre. Exploits, of the Royal Air Force in attacking enemy positions and in beating off enemy squadrons are dealt with, the item of greatest interest being a realistic reconstruction of the successful raid on the Kiel Canal soon after the outbreak of hostilities. Leading roles are N taken by Ralph Richardson and Merle Oberon. A weird, fascinating, startling drama that fairly bristles with terror, "The Man They Could Not Hang" is the associate attraction. Boris Karloff Heads the cast. ASCOT THEATRE. Sparkling with gaiety and bright music, "The Ice Follies;" showing at the Ascot Theatre, is full of spectacular scenes and wonderful skating by an internationally famous ballet. The cast is headed by Joan Crawford, James Stewart, Lewis Stone, and Lew Ayres "Annabel Takes a Tour*' i s also showing, with JackOakie. and Lucille Ball. It is a romance with laughs.' The supporting features are excellent. PLAZA THEATRE. Elsa Maxwell, famed for her wisecracks and world's most famous partygiver,gives a world of girls on their own a new slant on life in her first film, EJsa Maxwell's "Hotel for Women." which is showing at the Plaza Theatre. They are smart and beautiful and they are on the make for fame—the gay, glamorous girls in this Cosmopolitan production for Twentieth Century-Fox, some of them looking for life in a penthouse and some of them longing for love in a cottage. In the cast are Ann Sothern, Linda Darnell (new screen discovery), James Ellison, Jean Rogers, Lynn Bari, June Gale. •' Joyce Compton,. Elsa herself, John Halliday, Katharine Aldridge, Alan -Dinehart, and' Sidney Blackmer. SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT. At the Town Hall on Sunday at 8.30 p.m. the concert arranged by the Wellington ' City Centennial Celebrations Committee will provide an opportunity of hearing a visiting organist, Miss Glen Carty, F.T.C.L., L.R.S.M.. of Nelson. Miss Carty is teacher of the organ and piano at the Nelson School of Music and her organ recitals are held in high regard. Miss Carty will play Sonata No. 1 (Mendelssohn), Finale from Symphony No. 6 (Widor), and other organ pieces by Bach, Guilmant, Cocker, and Rowley. Mrs. Wilfrid Andrews, contralto, whose singing always gives pleasure, will sing songs by Gounod, Noel Johnson. Allitsen, and Sanderson. The piano accompaniments will he played by Miss Nora Gray, L.R.S.M.