CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 77, 1 April 1940, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

Encouraged, no.doubt, by the good reception accorded "Four Daughters,* the> producers of that successful picture have employed virtually the same cast for "Daughters Courageous," now uv •its third week at the Regent Theatre. Wisely the.makers of the; new picture have not followed the customary procedure of using a sequel; to the earlier story. . The daughters are played >by Priseilla, Rosemary,: and Lola Lane, and Gale Page, and John Garfield, Jeffery Lynn, McHugh, and Dick. Foran .appear as the suitors of the young women. ;As father of the girls Claude Rains carries off the acting honours of the picture.

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

• Mickey Rodney and Judy Garland have teamed admirably in previous films, but nothing so convincing as in "Babes in Arms,"' how screening at the Majestic Theatre. Judy Garland sings excellently—serious numbers and light—and shows a .capacity as an actress far beyond her years. Mickey Rooney, of course, is his usual, delightfully entertaining self. the story deals with the lives of the sons and daughters of once famous stars of vaudeville. Dealt a bitter blow

by the-inauguration of the motion pic- _/■■ ture industry, and later the talking film,: the parents resign themselves to permanent obscurity.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

•-• The,/ age-old tradition and storied history of the great English public ' schools are brought to life in "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," which has come back to Wellington for a return season at the " Paramount Theatre. Three generations ■; are spanned" in this picture, which is a triumph for Robert Donat, as Mr. - Chips, the lower-form master who rose -to1 be headmaster of the famous Brookfield School* which proudly, dated back to the days of Columbus. It is the life story of a man who moulded tne " character of thousands of boys, and the camera, has faithfully caught the spirit that is so much England. The supporting programme: includes two ; very attractive coloured features, one of them:a Disney cartoon, and. a com'redy:. short/ ■ ■

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

The new talking picture version of "Beau Geste." P. C. Wren's famous novel of the Foreign Legioi?, continuing at St; James Theatre, should, by reason of its excellent and lavish production and the splendid acting of the principal players, attract record .attendances. The-strong and" well-chosen cast is headed by - Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, and Robert Preston as the Geste brothers. "Beau," "John," and "Digby," and ;Brian Donlevy gives a fine display of character acting as the brutal sergeant "Markoff" with whom the three .brothers come into conflict Susan Hay ward and J. Carrol Naish figvure in the supporting cast. As indicated by the. nature of the productidn. thousands Of Other players round out the cast ,

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. 1

: Thrills: 61 war and aviation, hairbreadth escapes in the South American wilds, and a love; story of two thrillcraving souls combine in an actionpacked piece of entertainment in."Too Hot to Handle," co-starring Clark Gable andMyrria Loy,■which is showing ;at r the New Princess/ Theatre. A- spectacular drama that • storms inW *6?sweep. " half thfe ■world,; -"^laye^Ship," the. associate, at:; JtTiaction,"-stands^head : }and,jshQulderss above, the, general level of film fare ?■•;■

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. 'T>e: fabulous Crown Jewels of Great Britain are the. loot in the

super-crime of the century, a coup of r criminal genius that bits the master .detective, ol fiction against: his archenemy, the fiendish Moriarty, in "The , Adyeptures of Sherlock Holmes.", 'which is .showing at the Empire; The--atre.": 'Basil Rathbone plays Cpnan • Doyle's gr'feat 'sleuth. , Hugh Herbert heads" an all-star; cast of Hollywood comedy favourites in Universal's gay domestic drama, "The \ Family Next . Door," which is -the associate film.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Teaming Annabella and Robert Young, ''Bridal Suite" is showing at the; Kilbirnie Kinema. , Never were two 'leading players more happily cast than ■■ithis: pair, assuming respectively the "roles, of irresistible manageress of a ■Swissunn and an American playboy. .A swashbuckling, saga of daring heroes in conflict with cut-throat slave runners is revealed in Universal's stirring adventure film, "Mutiny on the Blackhawk,"- the aissociate feature. ■■-;•■.

ROXY THEATRE.

Produced with,the unstinted co-opera-tion of the United States Navy. "Wings of the Jtfavy," a Warner Bros.-Cosmo-politan picture which effectively ■dramatises the thrilling story of naval <• aviation* is showing at the Roxy •Theatre with acast headed by George Brent, : Olivia:, de Havillahd; John Payne, and Frank McHugh. A love '. triangle -in swingtime is the theme of •'Naughty-But Nice," Warner Bros.' • novel .musical - comedy/ which is * the j associate film. : '

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. ' Thrills, drama, and tender romance, told amid the jurigles of Africa, are contained: in "Tarzan Finds a Son!" reuniting Johnny - Weissmuller and Jylaureen; O'Sullivan, :■ which is showing at the State Theatre..-, - ■•-■:■;.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE.

■'■■'■ "The Oklahoma Kid," Warner>■ Bros.' stirring.cavalcade of 'America's westward rriarcti, starring James Cagney, is the main -attraction. at the Grand Theatre. • "Blondie Meets the Boss." Columbia's delightful comedy, featur- . ing Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake, ?is the second feature. The- first thrilling episode of "The Lone Ranger Rides Again" will be shown.

*U PAtACE THEATRE,. PETONE.

depicting the experiendes of a group of New^ York taxidriyers who evolve a unique scheme to beat the <race track . bpokmakers, "The • Day the Bookies Wept," which is showing at the Palace Theatre, presents Joe-.Tenner in the stellar role. Johnny. Downs >. is starred in "Parents on. Trial," the. associate film.., :

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. -' "the Little. Princess," the 20th Cen-tury-Fox spectacular Technicolor .hit, - starring-Shirley. Temple, is showing at '■> the De Luxe. Theatre. The associate feature is "The Saint in London," third and best of the series.

KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER

; That dramatic and exciting Columbia • film "Clouds Over Europe" is; showing at the King George Theatre. It is Britain's laughing answer to the spy menace- "This outstanding attraction stars Ralph Richardson, Valeries ■ Hobsbn, and Laurence Olivier. Not even in its dramatic momenta does this film lose its sense of humour. \ \

* PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, >-"-.V::- WOBURN. ■'• . \

* IrVitig. Berlili's '. "Second Fiddle," •with Sonja :< Hehie and Tyrone Power ■starred, is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. "Rudy Vallee, Edna May Oliver, and Mary Healy also have prominent parts in the film. PJtrainount'S - lively comedy with music, "Mail About .Town," is the associate *film.^:■-'■"" ■:'■:'■ ::; :<: ■■"■" ■"■■■/ ■■■•■ ••■'.••■ ■_:

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE.

TIVOLI THEATRE,

STATE THEATRE.

RIVOLI THEATRE,

TUDOR THEATRE.

ASCOT THEATRE.

■ "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," screening -for a further* week. at the King^s Theatre, .proyides Charles Eaughton with -his most convincing Tole. As Quasimodo, he is b6th a figure capable of terrifying and of arous- ; ing the deepest sympathy. Set about ! the end of the fifteenth century, when France is overrun with superstition, witchcraft;- and -sorcery, ; the picture tells -the tale of a gypsy girl who loved, by an impecunious.poet: .Her great beauty- and' her flirtation : with a soldier cause the Chief Justice, who has i also fallen tinder her spell, to. commit ! a murder. The girl is charged With the- crime and under torture .she confesses. But Quasimodo, whom she showed some kindness earlier, rescues her from, the scaffold and3 takes her to the :.of Notre Dame.

j.-Many filmsihave been made of the ! life and habits ■ of. India, its superstitions arid beliefs^ but few haye caught the atmosphere! that vast continent with suchrsuHtle- force as "The Rams Came," .now. .in'its f.fifth week.; at; the Plaza ' Theatreß' Tyrone Power, as the cultured' Indiaii doctor, is the personification of that breeding and gentle, ness, that have marked the true Indian aristocracy; George : Brent, hard-liying 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

"Qff the Record" and "Charlie Chan in Paris" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre..

Loretta Young arid David Niven, costarring in "Eternally Yours/ which opens tomorrow at the Tivoli Theatre, have the "most unusual screen roles either has ever played. Miss Young, in the realm of legerdemain, accomplishes the bizarre task of appearing and disappearing* at the merest behest Of "The' Great Arturo," played by David Niven. Under his hypnotic spell she kisses him despite^ the fact that in- reality she is boiling mad at him. After a protracted period ofmtensive instruction under one of the country's leading magicians, Paul de Paul, Niven became surprisingly adroit in' performing the many tricks and illusions; called' for in' this , Walter Wanger: romantic comedy, "Broadway Musketeers," the associate film, is concerned chiefly with the fortunes and misfortunes pfa trio of girls, portrayed by Margaret Lindsay, Ann Sheridan, and. Marie Wilson.

, The double-feature , programme at the' ■; State ; Theatre provides both mirth and excitement. The- former is' to be found in /'That's Right— You're Wrong," which marks the film debut Kyser^; /Kay Kyser is already vrfdely known as the leader of radio and danCe"; bands, arid "That's Right—You're Wrong" stars him as a film 'actor at Holly wood' whose scenarios have 'to,-,be specially constructed. But- the trouble is' that th ■ orchestra leader ris not. the' dashing young cavalief' imagined' by the- scenario writers, a^v;what ; j;they.:^rite v •. is; all wrong; There- is ■■'/&■- hectiiY.and -amusing tihie. whfle; ; thei problem!is ;sblyed.. The other i'filmiv ''G,6nspirjacy ;"iis an .action thriller^lpie,:' sjcehei^af:;wMchliis;;laid);iri . sqme : :CMtoentat; it g> taltfctoari,:.State^ i ,f

SpDJ^LUXEITiHEATRE.-

It is rarely that a detective story hasv a cast of the merit of "At the Villa Rose," now showing, at the De Luxe Theatre.1 Inspector Hanaud, A. 'E. W,.Mason's famous detective, is admirably portrayed by Kenneth Kent, and other featured roles are filled by Judy Kelly, Antoinette Cellier, Ruth Maitland, Walter Rilla, and Peter Murray^ H^,,j.The, story. , concerns a murder^ {case, thr<kigh"> which • runs a mystic thread; of..spiritualism, and the seance scenes. ,;, with, Sibelius's "Valse ■:Tfiste"'as- > background music, ar,e« strangely moving. '> However, as the ' story unfolds, it becomes clear that Occult forces are not responsible for the -murder, and in fact, the' medium helps Inspector Hanaud to unmask" the; real culprit. The supporting "film, -"Danger, Flight," is another of - the - enthralling - "Tailspin .Tommy!' series, with plenty of.. action.

•"■' "The Lion Has Wings" and "Garden of the Moon" tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. : . .

"Michael Strqgbff," the historical epic novel, by" Jules Verne dealing with the struggle by - the Tsar of Russia to. save Siberia from ravaging Tartar tribes, opens, tomorrow. With Anton Walbrook," noted international star, in. the\.title; role, and Margot Grahame and Elizabeth -Allan in the featured, feminine leads, "Michael Strogoff'' pictures a "loyal courier's mission which abounds :in, peril-toeset. adventure, romance, and horror born of Tartar torture. A;brand new\screen team makes; its initial .appearance in "The Life o£ the. P£rty," R.K.O. Radio musical, comedy. romance starring Gene Raymond", and Harriet Hilliard, which is I the second feature. :

I Hal Roach's "A Chump at Oxford," which; is showing at the Tudor Theatrej is rated as the funniest arid most hilarious four-reeler yet to co-star Laurel and Hardy. "A Chump at Oxford" tells the , story of two street cleaners who inadvertently capture a. bank robber. 'When the < bank presi dent offers them a reward, they ask instead " that '■■:> they;. ; be;"sent -,to the lofty spirejs. of;, Oxford for; an education, which-during their imisspeiat lives they: happened to miss. From thereon, the story moves at a .rapid pace. The associate film is "First Offenders."

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN.

A "movie" in the real sense of the word, so packed with motion and action that it keeps the audience, on the edge of its seats throughout, is "The Crowd Roars," Robert Taylor's latest stellar triumph, screening at the; Vogue Theatre. Do careers and marriage mix is,the question posed by "Men Are Such Fools," the associate, film. The answer is presented in a thoroughly entertaining manner by the screen's newest and most delightful love team—Wayne: Morris and Priscilla -Lane.

REX THEATRE..... V

. "Lancer Spy/ starring Dolores Del Rio, George Sanders, and Peter Lorre, he^ads the bill at the Rex Theatre. The ; second attraction; is: "Over She Gpes/'-a musical comedy, with Stanley Ltipiriol starred. •

REGAL THEATRE, KARORL

V^ith Jascha Heifetz, the world's most';; renowned .-v violinist, starred, Samuel1 Goldwyn's new major production, "They Shall Have Music," which is showing ,at: the Regal Theatre, unfolds Ja' gripping story,. of i human mteriss't,. high-lighted by tense and thrill-ing-action.' -That mischievous- hoyden of; Hollywood, Jane Withers, goes romantic, in her- newest picture, "Boy Friend," the: associate attraction.

Submarine warfare is exposed in "Thunder Afloat," showing at the Ascot Theatre and starring Wallace Beery, Chester Morris, and Virginia Grey. It is an adventure story of the men who go down, to the sea in. ships. Roger Pry or and Charlotte Henry, are starred in "The Return of Jimmy Valentine," associate^ film. The supporting programme is excellent.