CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

■.•:': ..;"■'- EEGENTf THEATRE. ■ ■■■ A grim chapter in England's historyis' brought to life in "The Tower of London,"-which heads the programme at the Regent - Theatre. . As a historical feature, it ranks with the best, the atmosphere of those troubled times of the fifteenth- century being reproduced with graphic realism and the whole tragic tale being told with dramatic force. As Henry, 111, the unscrupulous and clever. Duke of Gloucester, who refused to allow the fact that he was sixth in succession to the Throne to be a serious bar to his ambition. Basil Rathbone gives an.outstanding performance. Boris Karloff as Mord, the executioner, and Barbara O'Nett are splendidly cast. The supporting programme includes a musical number and a coloured cartoon. -.;. ■"■" majestic'"' theatre. ;. .■. "The. Women." a satirical comedy denouncing leaders 'of sbciety who spend their time in beauty . salons, night clubs, and drawing-rooms prying into each other's private lives, is now in its second'week at the Majestic Theatre. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ■ have based this provocative film in the famous play of-the same name, which was written by Claire Boothe and which enjoyed instant success ' on the New York stage. Norma Shearer plays the part of Mary Haines, the most likeable character, earnestly and with fervour. Rosalind Russell, as Sylvia Fowler, the gossip, is one of the dominating figures of the film. Equally convincing is Joan Crawford as a calculating vamp who comes between Norma Shearer and her husband. . .—•> . . ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Destry Rides- Again" will be shown finally tonight at the St. James Theatre. "Each Dawn I Die," starring James Cagney and George Raft, opens, on Friday.. . •_ .■ '' '■ PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Hell's Kitchen" and "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase" conclude tonight at -the' Paramount Theatre. . "Under Two Flags" .and "Intermezzo"^ commence on Friday. DELUXE THEATRE. The De Luxe Theatre will show "Hell's Cargo" and "Dancing Co-Ed" for the last time tonight. "This Man in Paris," starring Barry K. Barnes, Valeric Hdbson, and Alavstair Sim, commences on Friday. . OPERA HOUSE. "The Wizard of Oz" concludes tonight at the Opera House. "The Wizard of Oz," which is filmed in colour, is fantasy and pantomime, yet has :an underlying philosophy, and it is tuneful and beautiful. Briefly, it concerns the adventures of Dorothy (Judy Garland), the Tin . Man (Jack Haley), the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). Through the effects of a Kansas cyclone they find themselves in a.remarkable and wonderful place, where all kinds of. curious creatures, and things have their existence. : . ■'...NEW-'PRINCESS THEATRE. . "The Beachcomber" and "British Intelligence" .conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre., . 1 More sympathetically presented Jthan they have Sever b£en before, the. Dead End" Kids are the central characters of "Hell's Kitchen," the Warner Bros, picture which will head the programme commencing on Friday, at the Princess;! Theatre. The story is,also unusual in that lit includes-as a- foil for the boisterous youngsters an adult character who is in effect just such a kid grown much older, much wiser,. and much tougher. This cMrf cter is played 'byo Stanley Fields^ The other Siding: roles are taken by1 Margaret Snds'ayV Ronald 'Reagan, Grant Mitchell and .Frankie. Burke. The associate'featurf is "Here I Am a'Stranger/' starring Richard Greene and Richard Dix. . •' . .»- VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. ■i A feature film produced.'by Samuel Goldwyn always .assures. .Qutstanding entertainment But now this brilliant producer presents one of the supreme achievements of his genius, Stella Dallas," which is showing at the Vogue Theatre. It is a powerful, -ripping re-, relation of a woman'sistruggle to rise above Jjer-naturalv-positipn in^^ life, the gra.dual/-breaking-dpwh- of'-her, .efforts,: and her, -eventual'.xise to supreme nbßility."B^bar.a- Stanwyck is starred.' Looky and- Love," lthe gay-new: ■M&':'Century^Fdx^icture, :which' -'is the. second Jean .Rogers.Wiiliam Frawley; "Robert. Kellard, and ■Eddie ; -Golluis.^:-;'.--.-:;^v:'?;-'-: '■.■■ ■■'■-■ ■■'■■^'■- -'■■- v- :■ THEATRE,- .jIS'LANDrBAY:/' Spencer Tracy.; tufns : in ■■:. another masterful performance :as. the .jdanng reporter-explorer '.in : "Stanley and Livingstone,"- -showing, at the Empire Theatre. Starred with him are Nancy Kelly; arid Richard.- Greene --in-., .the romantic roles, heading an outstanding cast, which = includes Walter .B.rennan, Charles Coburrf, Sir Cedric Hardwicke> Hency -Hull;, and .Henry Travers. Ambrose and his Evelyn Dall, Harry - Richman, and Florence Desmond, are the stars of "Kicking the Moon;Aroun'd," the.associate film. - '.;-, STATE•:'■THEATRE, PETONE. "Dodge; City", concludes tonight at the State Theatre. :;•-•■■'. ' ;. 'y-'ipsxli-' Victory," a W&ttiet Bros, production; starring Be.tte Davis, will open: at thY State Theatre on Friday. The highly'dramatic love; story ,was, direct-by--Edmund> Goiildirig; ■ from > {the siereeii- playiby Casey, Robinson, * based /upon: the stage play, by; George Enier-son;^few.!er,jun.;..-and Bertram Block. Besides^,Miss Davis,;, the^ cast includes George: r;Brent,- Humphrey Bogart, Geraldine.V: -Fitzgerald, .and RonaldReagan, 'vy ;;• ■■ ' : J.~ ■ .;.,v- ■•'-..' ■; .■■ ■ ■ GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. ; Foremost musical picture of the year and probably in screen history, Metro-. Goldwyri-Mayer's adaptation of Rudolf Frimrs operetta, "The Firefly," is showing, at -the, Grand Theatre, with 'Jeariette ' Mac Donald starred, and •Allan Jones..and Warren William in featured roles. • ■ .. .■ i ■■■..:' ■ .. : ;-;; PAJiACE THEATRE, PETONE. f "TheodbraVCJoesi" Wild," ' Columbia romantic* vcomedy .which introduces Irene.Dunne inher first comedy role, Heads-the" bill, at the Palace Theatre. Melvytt'DOuglas : appears opposite the star.The supporting : feature, "Refbrmktory,"' stars Jack.Holt in a thrilling "action, drama.::: : y : ■■.:;■■■ : PRINIbE EDWARD THEATRE, ;■ ■ .-:■.•■■:•■*-.::--iwfjppiJBN:; '.-. ...•=■ A 'Etobpean frbhtier town on the edge of' np-man^s-land,: . wfth two mighty -nations'' .locked :in a life-and-death: Conflict—that -vis: the spectacular getting^for-:: "Hotel Imperial," showing at the:Priiice::;Edward Theatre. "Time Out' For vMtirder," first -of '20th Century*Eox's £ new Roving Reporters series; is-the associate film. " v;'" '■& DE LUXE THEATRE, ■y; ■ -.' :^. ,: LOWER HUTT. ; drieof the year's most exciting films is -Action .Pictures' "The Lost Jungle," the Clyde Beatty starring'-film which is showing- at; the ,De Luxe. Theatre. Beatty-is the world's greatest animal■ trainer,and the only man alive to mix lions, tigers, panthers, and bears in the; one cage, all performing at the safrie.-'■ time. "Garden " of the Moon," starring ■Pat^O'Brien .and. Margaret Lindsay, is: the:second;feature. '.', '■'■ KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER ;■;,._;., ;■;■•;<•;■ --VyHpTT.' ' y,y- . • - "Good-bye, Mr. Chips" screens finally tonight at the. King George Theatre. ;In this M.G.M. picture, Robert Donat gives a remarkable -performance,- one' which earned for him the Academy Award. Greer Garson also plays & leading rols. -

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. .Based on the famous story by Hornung, "Raffles,' screening for another week at the King's Theatre, continues to delight large crowds with its humour, excitement, and romance. In the title role, as the aristocratic thief, Test match cricketer, and society darling, is David Niven (now in the Royal' Air Force at Home) and opposite him is the beautiful Olivia de Havilland. Raffles baffles Scotland with his'daring robberies, most of which are committed with some charitable motive. When, however, he becomes engaged to a charming young lady, he swears to leave the. life' of crime. But one last fling remains, and it is in this final ■ effort that he runs once more against the dour but efficient Inspector MacKenzie of the Yard. PLAZA THEATRE. English films of high quality are seldom seen these days, but occasionally local audiences are fortunate to see a picture that combines a high degree of skill in production and direction with the pleasing qualities of soft English voices and homely backgrounds. Such a film is "A Window in London," in which the leading actor is Michael Redgrave, who sprang into prominence through his excellent performance in. "The Lady Vanishes." The film, which is showing at the Plaza Theatre, is about everyday people; but they seem to pack into the few days depicted excitement, adventure, laughter, and tragedy. The film is finely played, Redgrave being assisted by Paul Lukas and Sally Gray in the other leading roles. The supports include films taken at the funeral of the late Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. STATE THEATRE. What happens when the arrogance and stupidity of a British Army captain unwittingly precipitate an armed rebellion against his, Majesty's-.forces in Pennsylvania before the revolution is told in "The First Rebel," which is th_e main feature at the State Theatre. Claire . Trevor and John Wayne have the'leading roles. The imperilling of ten years; of marital loyalty and devotion when a beautiful interloper endeavours . to break up the happy home, is the theme of "Married and 'in Love," the other feature. Alan Marshal and Barbara Read play the married couple, and Helen Vinsen the 'home-wrecker. A special short feature in technicolour, "The Call of Hawaii," is also showing. TIVOLJ THEATRE. "Bridal Suite" and "King of the Underworld" conclude tonight/ at the Tivoli Theatre. "Wings of the Navy and "Tell No Tales" open on Friday. . RIVOLI THEATRE. • The surprise programme concludes tonight at'the Rivoli Theatre. ; Frank 'Capra's great comedy-drama. "Mr. Smith Goes to. Washington," co-, starring Jean Arthur and James Stew-' art, and featuring a distinguished supporting cast, including Claude - Rains, Edward Arnold, Thomas Mitchell,- Guy Kibbee, Beulah Bondi, Eugene Pallette, and many others, opens on Friday. "Mr.' Smith Goes to Washington" is Frank Capra's greatest hit. Pronounced by a regiment of critics and a vast army of Deanna Durbin fans as the. best picture the amazing star has yet made, "First Love" will be the second feature. In supporting roles are seen Helen Parrish. Robert Stack. Eugene.:Pallette, Lewis Howard, June Storey, Leatrice Joy, Marcia Mac Jones,, Charles Coleman, a!nd many others. " TUDOR THEATRE. A fine.human drama that should stir older filmgoers' memories of 1001 thrilling yesterdays, "Hollywood Cavalcade" has been transferred to the Tudor Theatre. The prpducer of this film of colour was Darryl F. Zanuck. Among the celebrated locales used are the Criterion Theatre, where Al Jolson again electrifies ,the audience • ith ; his singing of "Kol Nidre": the Ambassador Hotel's Coconut Grove, well known as a-rendezvous for moving picture luminaries; the beach at Santa Monica where Maok Sennett filmed his famous bathing beauties. The stars are Alice and Don Ameche. Set partly against the Sandhurst Military College, "Sword of Honour" is the as-, sociate film. Geoffrey Toone and Sally Gray are the principals. • . /REX THEATRE. Helen Parrishc is seen with the famous "Dead End" kids in their new Universal picture "Little Tough Guy, which is showing: at the Rex Theatre. Also- shewing is "The Crime of -Dr. Halle'ti'Y starring Ralph Bellamy and Josephine Hutchinson. ■■•;/-,;' , : v As in the case of "every 'good screen adaptation of a stage success, the motion picture version of "Yes, My Darling' Daughter,", showing at the Kilbirnie Kinema, demonstrates that a good show can be even better when made iritaa film. Priscilla Lane heads the cas;L Victor McLaglen is noted for the rugged characterisations he enacts for the cameras. In. "Ex-Champ," the associate film, he appears as a brokendown, ex-champion prize-fighter, proud of two possessions., They are a championship, belt, arid r a worthless, snobbish son. '.■-:'-; ' ' CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Fist-fighting flyers ; blazing an air traiF over the Alaskan,wilderness are the central figures .in Uniyersal's new Richard Arlen-Andy, Deyine . co-star-ring, action drama, "Legion of Lost Flyers," showings at; the Capitol Theatre An amazing, new sleuth; who collects rare stamps and clever murderers with equal ' calm, is introduced to screen audiences in "Inspector -Hornleigh, the-associate film. -:■■'■. ASCOT THEATRE. "Stronger Than Desire," showing at the Ascot Theatre, with Walter Pidgeon and Virginia Bruce, is a dramatic story of a lovely wife who is suspected of mui-der through.blackmail. The additional attraction is a bright comedy, "A Bride for Henry," with Anna Nagel and Warren Hull in the leading roles. There are entertaining supports. „ ■'■.■■■■'•." REGAL, THEATRE, KARORI. : Although the 'word "glamour" is growing, a bit threadbare through constant usage in; Hollywood, it. will have to do until a better, word: is coined. Meanwhile, "glamour" describes Universal's "Rio," showing at the Re.gal Theatre. The story begins in Paris with Basil Rathbone appearing as a prince of finance whose false empire is threatening to crash about his ears. The associate film deals with the famous "Pyjama Girl" murder case. i