CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 64, 15 March 1940, Page 10

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. How the tranquillity of a typical English village is shattered and a series of dramatic events set in train by the writing of anonymous letters making vile accusations against almost everyone in the little community is graphically shown in the Associated British picture, 'Poison Pen," the new feature at the Regent Theatre. The production is distinguished as much by the splendid acting of the players as by the engrossing human story that it tells. England's finest emotional actress, Flora Robson, heads a cast that does full justice to the opportunities for dramatic acting with which the picture abounds. Associated with her in the other leading roles are Reginald 'Tate, whose portrayal of the vicar confronted with a terrible revelation is a masterly one; Ann Todd, Geoffrey Toone, Cyril Chamberlain, Robert Newton, Catherine Fateley, and a number of others equally well cast. The story is a simple one in its essentials, but its treatment is such that it holds the interest throughout. The sudden flood of anonymous letters, each containing a grain of truth in the charge it makes, sets the village in a turmoil. Gossip leads to suspicions and hasty accusation, there is a suicide, then a murder, and finally a dramatic climax as the writer of the letters is revealed. Studies of village life play a powerful part in the unfolding of the story. The "pub," the church, and the post office and grocery store, nerve centre of village life, are all faithfully represented, as are the petty jealousies and foibles of the inhabitants. If the picture has a weakness, it is in the title, which gives no real indication of the worth of the production. In other respects, there is no ground for criticism. The supporting programme also has much to commend it. Lovers of serious music will delight in "Farewell Vienna," a magnificent performance by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of the U.S.A. A Paramount British newsreel, a Pathe variety "short," and another on the training of dogs make up the bill. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Those maniacal murderers of Old Man Gloom, the Mad Marx Bros., are back again in their craziest, wildest, and most side-splitting film, "Marx Bros, at the Circus," which heads the new bill at the Majestic Theatre. This time the Marxes —Groucho, Harpo, and Chico —do not depend solely upon their own inimitable brand of comedy to keep the audience convulsed in their seats for nearly two hours. - They also drag in a circus, and a streamlined one at that, as the playground for their insane antics. The story concerns the three Marxes principally. Groucho is a lawyer, J. Cheever Loophole by name, who has never won a case. Chico is a roustabout and Harpo enacts the assistant World's Strongest Man. Then there is Kenny Baker, of radio fame, as part-owner of the circus; Florence Rice as the star equestrienne and his .sweetheart; Eve Arden as the Upside. ' Down Girl; Nat Pendleton as the Strong Man; Margaret Dumont as the usual society dowager, and many others. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Owd Bob," Alfred Ollivant's worldrenowned story of sheepdogs and their masters, has been brought to the screen with Will Fyffe in the leading role of Adam McAdam, and it is showing at the Paramount Theatre. In the story old Adam had a son whom he continually beat. For modern screen purposes this was considered neither entertaining nor romantic. A daughter was substituted for a son and the role given to Margaret Lockwood, but filmgoers will be relieved to know that she receives no beatings—although she has quite an unhappy time of it—what with fending off the neighbouring creditors, preventing her father from drinking too much whisky, and being forbidden the house when her father discovers her love for David, the handsome young farmer. John Loder is cast as David, the young couple making a handsome team for the screen. All-important members of the cast are, of course, Glyn and Storm, the dogs who portray the famous canine characters of Owd Bob and the villainous Black Wull. Few casts, even in the most pretentious Hollywood productions, can be said to be more perfectly balanced than the group of players, known and unknown, gathered for James Cagney's latest starring vehicle, "Great Guy," which is the associate film. ST. JAME.J THEATRE. A new and more sympathetic Edward G. Robinson, giving a brilliant performance in a tense, vivid theme of blazing oil well fires and a prison camp, is seen in "Blackmail," which is . showing at the St. James Theatre. In it Robinson, although again in the toils of the law, is not the gangster, the killer, or the racketeer. Sent to prison nine years before the story opens for a crime he did not commit, Robinson, as an escaped convict, is returned to a prison camp through the hypocrisy and treachery of a former shipmate. His tortures in the swampy jungle of the prison camp, his treatment at the hands of a bitter prison guard, his burning desire for revenge, and his escape and tensely dramatic means of avenging himself on his betrayer combine to project Robinson upon the screen in a characterisation as stark and vivid as any he has ever done. The heavy role is admirably played by Gene Lockhart, and Ruth Hussey is convincing in the sometimes light, sometimes tragic role of Robinson's wife. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Modern dress, a modern story, and modern technicolor befit Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy better than anything they have attempted in the past. Despite their successes together in "Naughty Marietta," "Rose Marie," "Maytime." and "Girl of the Golden West" they establish still another milestone for the film musical in "Sweethearts," which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. A new warmth and vividness of personality colours all their efforts in this Victor Herbert adaptation. "Women In the Wind," starring Kay Francis, is the associate film. ROXY THEATRE. ''Blackwell's Island," the Warner Bros, picture starring John Garfield, which is showing at the Roxy. Theatre, is based on the cleanup of New York's city gaol in 1934, when Welfare Island, formerly | known as Blackwell's Island, housed all j the short-term prisoners sentenced I from the great metropolis. An actionpacked drama of America's great westward surge, "The Oklahoma Kid," with James Cagney as the title character, is the associate film. ASCOT THEATRE. Basil Rathbone, the star with the perfect "talkie" voice, appears at the Ascot Theatre in "Sherlock Holmes" with Ida Lupino and Nigel Bruce supporting him. The film is a mystery thriller involving the Crown jewels and the most famous of all times. "Frontier Marshal," which is also showing, with Randolph Scott and Nancy Kelly, is a heavy action drama of the untamed west. The supports are excellent. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. | Lusty outdoor drama of the pioneer West, "Song of the Plains," is showing at the Capitol Theatre. The new picture presents Nelson Eddy in his most virile characterisation to date, and surrounds him with such veterans jas Virginia Bruce, Victor McLaglen, Lionel Barrymore, Edward Arnold, | Guy Kibbee, and Charles Butterworth. | The bravery of men who give their I lives that others may live is brought to the screen in Columbia's "Coast [Guard," the associate film.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

i KING'S THEATRE. | Too much money brings unhappiness in its wake, according to Alexander Korda's new film, "Over the Moon," now in its second week at the King's Theatre. Light-hearted and gay, "Over the Moon" nevertheless contains a certain amount of truthful outlook and it is unusual, to say the least, for a film romance to deprecate riches rather than glorify them. The theme is simple. Merle Oberon is the poor orphan couni try girl who falls in love with the 'country doctor, but just as happiness seems within,her grasp someone spoils it all by leaving her eighteen million pounds She loses her head, and in a terrific effort to have everything she has never had before she antagonises the doctor, who is disgusted by her hangers-on and horrified at 'being pointed out as the "Glitter Girl's" hus-band-to-be. Rex Harrison plays the Dart of the doctor The film is in excellent technicolour. and the beautiful mountain scenery and Venetian water ways are fine subjects for the cameraman. PLAZA THEATRE. Many films have been made of ths nfe and habits of India, its superstitions and beliefs, but few have caught the atmosphere of that vast continent with such subtle force as "The Rains Came" now in its third week at the Plaza Theatre. Tyrone Power, as the cultured Indian doctor, is the personification of that breeding and gentle, ness that have marked the true Indian aristocracy; George Brent, hard-living and indolent remittance man. sought after in spite of himself by the inevitable snob section of the community, because his people at Home have a name to conjure with; and Myrna Loy, as the sophisticated and rather bored Lady Esketh, acquaintance (and lover) of the Englishman years before. These players give fine performances. When the rains prayed for by the natives, did come, they brought tragedy and disease, to which earthquake and fire added terror. It was then that the white people sank their differences to fight against the horor and death that swept through the ruined State. STATE THEATRE, Cosmopolitan though it is, the university of Oxford never had a stranger pair of students than Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, who in their latest picture, "A Chump at Oxford," now showing at the State Theatre, cause a series of riotous situations at that centre of learning. Early in the picture the inimitable comedians are shown as typical American "down and outs," taking whatever work they can to bring them in an occasional meal. By good luck and a discarded banana skin they capture a bank robber and as a reward for their services are given by a grateful banker the opportunity of realising their ambition to secure a proper education. From the moment of their arrival at Oxford until the final fade-out there is never a dull moment. On the same programme a new Continental star, Harry Baur, is introduced to New Zealand audiences in an actionfilled story of Tsarist Russia, entitled "Rebel Son." DE LUXE THEATRE. "Code of the Secret Service," with Ronald Reagan, Rosella Towne, and Eddie Foy, jun., in the leads, is the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. "Code of the Secret Service" is based on material compiled by W. H. Moran, ex-Chief of the United States' Secret Service. Noel Smith was the director. Ann Nagel and Robert Kent are featured in "Gang Bullets," which is the associate attraction. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. Boasting a daring, timely, provocative story, and a great cast headed by four of the screen's most sensational performers—Akim Tamiroff, Lloyd Nolan, Mary Boland, and Patricia Morison —Paramount's "The Magnificent Fraud" is showing at the Vogue Theatre. Briefly, the story tells how, in a mythical South American country, an actor dares to take the place of a dictator who has been assassinated in a bombing. Rollicking, farcical comedy with merry music, tightly packed with bright, breezy situations and delightful dancing, "Over She Goes" is the associate film. Stanley Lupino heads tne cast. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. The life of girls on their own in a big city, seeking fame and love, is revealed in a manner that all will find fascinating in Elsa Maxwell's "Hotel for Women," showing at the Regal Theatre. Ann Sothern heads the cast. Deanna Durbin's sixth picture, "First Love," is the associate film. Presenting the young star in a more mature role than any she has ever attempted, "First Love" finds her experiencing her first romance. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. '"There's That Woman Again" and "Behind Prison Gates" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. Presenting Victor McLaglen and Jackie Cooper in a story which blends fast action and thrills with drama, Universal's "The Big Guy" opens tomorrow at the Grand Theatre. Four catchy new songs are introduced by Constance Moore and Mary Carlisle in "Hawaiian Nights," Universal's musical drama of the South Seas, which is the second feature. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Man From Music Mountain" and "Old Iron" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. Jack Randall, the famous Western singing star, heads the cast in a fastmoving story of the prairies, "Where the West Begins," which opens tomorrow. The second feature, "The Edge of the World," features Niall Macginnis and Belle Chrystall. The story, which was filmed on the remote Shetland Islands, is an education in outdoor photography. Also on the screen are the Petone babies entered in the St. John Ambulance Baby Contest. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Charles Laughton, whose film characterisations have ranged from Nero in "Sign of the Cross," through the role of the ribald, robust king in "Henry the VIII," to Captain Bligh in "Mutiny on the Bounty," delineates a new and entirely different —but definitely "Laughton"—character in his latest picture, "The Beachcomber," which is showing at the State Theatre. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE. Headed by Bing Crosby and Joan Blondell, one of the most capable casts ever found in a single picture was assembled for Universal's "East Side of Heaven." showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. 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. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Pictured against the colourful background of Amazon rubber camps, Universal's "Tropic Fury," starring Ricnard Arlen and Andy Devine, is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Automobile racing, as it is done on the Indianapolis Speedway, is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. It provides a thrilling theme for "Road Demon," the second feature. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Currently screening at the King George Theatre "There Goes My Heart" is lively entertainment. Fredric March, Virginia Bruce, and Patsy Kelly are starred in this grand comedy. The attractive supporting items includ* the arrival of the Achilles at Auckland.

TIVOLI THEATRE. I

With Jascha Heifet'z, the world's most renowned violinist, starred, Samuel Goldwyn's new major production, "They Shall Have Music," which is showing at the Tivoli .Theatre, unfolds a gripping story of human interest, high-lighted by tense and thrilling action. The principal romantic roles are played by Andrea Leeds and Joel McCrea,.while the important supporting roles are portrayed by Walter Brennan, Gene Reynolds, and Tommy Kelly. Archie Mayo, who staged such hits as "The Adventures of Marco Polo" and "The Petrified Forest," directed "They Shall Have Music." Retaining the tense emotional flavour of the original stage play by Bayard Veiller, the modernised screen version of "Within the Law" is the second feature. Gustav Machaty, who directed Hedy Lamarr in the European film sensation "Ecstasy," was the director of the new film. Ruth Hussey appears in the role of Mary Turner, created by Jane Cowl in the stage hit of 1912.

RIVOLI THEATRE.

Co-starred for the first time in their spectacular careers. Errol Flynn and Bette Davis come to the Rivoli Theatre in "The Sisters," adapted from the glorious love story by Myron Brinig Besides the brilliant star team the cast includes a list of players that reads like a "Who's Who in Hollywood"—Anita Louise, Jane Bryan. Lan Hunter, Donald Crisp, Beulah Bondi, Henry Travers. Alan Hale, Dick Foran. Patric Knowles, Lee Patrick, Laura Hope Crews, Harry Davenport, and many others. Mary Boland. Charlie Ruggles, Donald O'Connor, Joyce Mathews, and Billy Lee, cast as members of that funny "Fitch" family which made its screen debut in Boy Trouble," return to the screen in the new Paramount comedy "Night Work," which is the associate film.

TUDOR THEATRE.

"Mi\ Smith Goes to Washington," which is showing at the Tudor Theatre, is one of those films which have to be seen and studied to be appreciated. In the first place, it is not a comedy, though it has some very amusing situations. It is, indeed, a drama of the highest order. The film is typically American in that it satirises one of the most sacred American institutes. The leading role is played by James Stewart, who is thoroughly at home in the role of the young,'awkward youth leader who is abruptly pitchforked into the office of United States Senator. Jean Arthur also has a role to her liking as the astute and capable secretary. A golden me-mory-book for grown-ups and a delightful screen experience for children, Columbia's "Five tittle Peppers and How They Grew* is the associate film. Heading the cast of the film version of Margaret Sidney's famous childhood classic is Edith Felr lows.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA.

"Broadway Serenade," starring Jeanette Mac Donald, which is showing at i the Kilbirnie Kinema, is the story of a girl who sings her way to stardom while her husband remains hidden in the obscurity of playing a piano in a five and ten cent store. Miss Mac Donald is surrounded by an impressive cast of supporting players, including such favourites as Lew Ayres, portraying the role of her husband. Behind a good portion of American crime is a beautiful, demanding, and brilliant [woman. That is the belief of J. Edgar Hoover, chief of the G-men, who has written a thrilling story about such a character which, under the title of "Persons in Hiding," is the' associate ifilm.

REX THEATRE. j

"Kentucky," a 20th Century-Fox proj duction filmed in Technicolor, which is ; showing at the Rex Theatre, is a I (romance of the Blue Grass State, and tit features in the leading roles Loretta Young, Richard Greene, and Walter Brennan. The associate feature, "Zero Hour," is a real life drama with Frieda Inescort and Otto Kruger, starred. Also showings is "The Phantom Creeps," a new serial.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

I "First Love/ showing at the Empire Theatre, presents Deanna Durbin as !a parentless girl, who, treated like a poor relation by the family of her wealthy aunt ana uncle, comes through ito a triumphant victory over her surroundings. An outstanding feature of | the picture is that, for the first time, I the producers have injected a goodly j share of romance in the production. ! The associate film is "Nurse Edith ;Cavell," starring Anna Neagle.

OPERA HOUSE.

A mystery-comedy, "The Cat and the Canary," has been transferred to. the Opera House. Based on John Williard's stage play of the same name, the cast is headed by Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard, John Peel, Douglass Montgomery, Gale Sondergaard, Elizabeth Patterson, and George Zucco. A mansion in the Louisiana marshes is the setting. When seven people are in attendance at the mansion to hear the reading of the deceased owner's will, all except one being a potential heir, the chills and fun begin. On lovely Joyce Norman becoming the new owner she is immediately menaced by a hairy, murderous creature, "The Cat," and it is all that Wally Campbell can do to save her from the clutches of "The Cat," what with strange, ominous noises, whisking hands, a murder, and I mysterious passage-ways.