CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 139, 13 June 1940, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Deanna Durbin scores • another hit os the star of the musical comedy, "It's a Date," now in its second week at the St. James Theatre. This young star pas all the charm and appeal of yoii^, and the story affords her ample scope to display her attributes as a very fine actress. Her part is that of a young stage singer who becomes a rival of her mother (Kay Francis) for the lead in a musical play, and also rival for the love of a man, and^the many amusing situations that arise in her quest for fame, make "It's a Date" a thoroughly entertaining film. MAJESTIC THEATRE. j "Balalaika" is now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Based on the successful London musical comedy of Imperial Russia of the war years and the early revolution, "Balalaika" is the story of a prince and Cossack officer, played by Nelson Eddy, who falls in love with a cafe singer, Ilona Massey, the daughter of a revolutionist. War, prison, and death span a period between first love and a reunion when the prince, the girl, and her father flee from Russia to meet in Paris. The music is particularly fine in both vocal and orchestral items. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Hitler—Beast of Berlin" will be shown finally tonight at the Paramount Theatre. "Dark Eyes of London" and "Village Barn Dance" open tomorrow. OPERA HOUSE. In company with "Double or Nothing," that uproarious comedy, "Sing, You Sinners, concludes tonight at the Opera House. Outstanding performances are given in "Sing, You Sinners" by Bing Crosby, Fred Mac Murray, and Donald O'Connor. Cleverly written by Claude Binyon, "Sing, You Sinners" tells the story of the ups and downs of a small-town Californian family. "Comedy Week" will begin at the Opera House tomorrow, when "A Night at the Opera," featuring the Marx Brothers and Allan Jones and "Way Out West," featuring Laurel and Hardy, will be shown. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Five Came Back' 'and "Sons of the Sea" conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre. One of the most imposing casts of the season, headed by Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart, is seen in "Destry Rides Again," opening tomorrow at the New Princess Theatre. Miss i Dietrich in the role of a belle of the old west, and Stewart in the title role, appear with a host of - important players. The associate feature is Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "Sergeant Madden," starring popular Wallace Beery. REX THEATRE. "Captain Scott's Last Expedition" heads the concession night programme at the Rex Theatre. Also showing is "Rose of the Rio Grande," a story, of a Mexican Robin Hood. ASCOT THEATRE. Annabella co-stars with Robert Young in "Bridal Suite," showing-at the Ascot Theatre. It is a bright comedy of married life from a new angle. The accompanying feature, "Spellbinder." with Lee Tracy and Barbara Read, is a stirring drama of a crooked lawyer with whom the law finally catches up. The supports include a new "Our Gang" comedy. < TUDOR THEATRE; ■ Fdr .all its "militaristic theme, there is a particularly pleasing leavening of dry humour in the patriotic film, "For Freedom," . which is showing at the Tudor Theatre. Though based on factual material, some of the chair; acters are fictional, with Will Fyffe playing the main part. The story of the war. right up' to the Battle of the River Plate, is- shown in newsreel form, with commentary by sight and sound welding the scattered fragments of military, naval, and civil effort into a convincing unity With Alice Faye and Warner Baxter together for the first time as a romantic team, "Barricade" is the associate aim. ; EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Joan Bennett, who has become even more alluring as a dark-tressed glamour girl, is cast in a light comedy role as the heroine of Hal Roach's new screen romance, "The Housekeeper's Daughter," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. "Sudden Money" in the form of a sweepstakes fortune hits a typical modern family and causes a million-dollar riot in the new "Paramount comedy, "Sudden Money," the associate film. REGAL, THEATRE, KARORI. "Dark Victory," the Warner Bros, picture which is showing at the Regal Theatre, presents Bette Davis as the ill-starred heroine of one of the tenderest romances ever unfolded upon the- screen. It is a story of great love and dauntless courage, both pitted against an implacable fate. Kay Kyser, foremost orchestra leader in both the radio and dance fields, makes an auspicious film debut in the musical | comedy, "That's Right—You're Wrong," the associate film. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "I Kiiled the Count" and "The Streets of New York" conclude tonight at the Capitol Theatre. Tomorrow a musical extravaganza in technicolour from the United Artists studios will be shown. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Solving a murder mystery by the ancient science of astrology is the novel theme of "When Were You Born?" the Warner Bros, melodrama I with Anna May Wong, Margaret Lindsay, and a host of others, which is 'showing at the De Luxe Theatre. A. I thrilling story of mutiny and sudden | death on the high seas, "Mutiny on the Blackhawk," is the second feature. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. The double-feature programme at the King George Theatre is an excellent one. Will Fyffe, John Loder. and Margaret Lockwood appear in "Owd Bob." and Phil Regan and Jean Parker in "Flight at Midnight." GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. In Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's thrilling drama "Blackmail," which is showing at the Grand Theatre. Edward G Robinson discards his former type of role and assumes the part of a wronged man whose life is dedicated to revenge. Melyyn Douglas and Florence Pice as a delightful husband and wife who share a life of high adventure are featured in "Fast Company," the second attraction. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Keep Fit," starring George Form by. heads the bill at the Palace Theatre. It is one of the comedian's finest films. Glorifying the American boy is the business of Monogram's "Barefoot Boy," the associate film. A story of youth and its high code of honour, "Barefoot Boy" will recall many a nostalgic memory of the old swimming hole. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. No happier combination of stellar players has been achieved in recent months than that of Claudette Colbert and James Stewart, who are seen together in "It's a Wonderful World," showing at the State Theatre.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. With Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine heading a cast of outstanding players and with a story filled with drama, suspense, and mystery, David O. Selznick's latest production, "Rebecca," is showing at the King's Theatre. "Rebecca" is the film version of the best-selling novel of the same name by Daphne dv Maurier. Laurence Olivier, who last year made a tremendous hit as the hero of "Wuthering. Heights," plays the role of Maxim de Winter, the socially prominent owner of Manderley, the vast Tudor estate where most of the action unwinds. PLAZA THEATRE. Sonja Henie's latest 20th CenturyFox picture, "Everything Happens at Night," which is showing at the Plaza Theatre, is thrillingly different from anything this famous star has yet done on the screen and makes splendid entertainment for anyone. With the aid of Ray Milland and Robert Cummings, who as a pair of enthusiastic young reporters after a big scoop fall in love with Sonja simultaneously; there is an' excellent comedy note injected. Darryl F. Zanuck selected Irving Cummings to direct, and this screen veteran is responsible for an enjoyable picture. STATE THEATRE. "What Would You Do, Chum?" seems a curious title for a film, but the problem which confronted Syd Walker, the lovable old coster and central figure, waa sufficient to justify him putting the question vei'y earnestly to his friends. This picture, which is showing at the State Theatre, has a theme set in the heart of London, where the costers are seen at their markets, and where the homely sincerity and friendship of the trades people forms the background of a romantic and dramatic story. Walker is generous, open-hearted, and happy, but his problem arises when his ward, a lovely young girl, gives her heart to an earnest but weak young man who is mixed up in passing counterfeit bank-notes. How he is tested in a. dramatic court scene is one of the high lights. There is plenty of humour too. The twin feature is "Frozen Limits," starring the Crazy Gang. They are shown as the "Six Wonders," whose act has not proven very popular with the fair and sideshow audiences to whom they have beer playing. They decided to try their luck on the goldfields, and they join in a rush to Alaska, only to find that the rush had taken place many years ago. Their information had been secured from a 40-year-old newspaper which had been 'used to-wrap "up the. fish and chips they were eating when they saw the great news.. But the Crazy Gang are not disconcerted, and in a short while Red Gulch is transformed from a ghost towii into a thriving centre. How they fare after that is the laughter . spot in this intensely amusing .film. TIVOLI THEATRE. "The Great . Waltz" and "Lightning Conductor" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. The sensational career of a, resourceful attorney and his vital influence on the future destiny of a now-famous city comprises the compelling theme of R.K.0.-Radio's "Reno," starring Richard ■■ Di* and Gail Patrick, which opens: tomorrow. Virtually a saga of the city indicated by the title, the vividi story opens in the year 1905 when ; the Nevada town was a. pioneer community. Dix, as a young lawyer, achieves fame as an authority on mining law. His amazing success and his romance, and marriage with Gail Patrick, la local *girl, lay the foundation for the ensuing drama rif.the powerful Story. Hal Roach's "A Chump at Oxford,"; which is the associate film, is the funniest and most hilarious fourreeler yet to co-star Laurel ..and. Hardy, the screen's leading pair of comedians. RIVOH THEATRE. "Daughters Courageous" and "Television Spy" conclude tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. . ■■ • : Billy Halop and Huntz Hall, two of the popular "Dead End Kids," are united with their traditional riyals, the "Little Tough Guys," in Universal's new dramatic comedy, "Call a Messenger," which .opens tomorrow. Described as entertainment which blends laughter, action and suspense, the story, deals with the adventures of. a band of street kids who go to work as messenger boys, and make good in spite of themselves. Ten people stranded by a plane crash in the jungles of the Amazon —means of escape for five only —who shall live? That is the question in "Five Came Back." In addition to Chester Morris and Lucille Ball, the featured cast includes Wendy Barrie, John Carradine, Allen Jenkins. Joseph Calleia, C. Aubrey Smith, and Kent Taylor. ■ ■ . DE LUXE THEATRE. "Nick Carter, Master Detective," and "Kid Nightingale" conclude tonight.at the De Luxe Theatre. "The Return of Dr. X" and "Everybody's Hobby" open tomorrow. ROXY THEATRE. "Traitor Spy" and "Colox'ado Sunset" conclude tonight at the Roxy Theatre ' ''."■■' • Aimed straight at the heart of all j 'humanity, "Boys' Town," starring SpenI cer Tracy, and Mickey Rooney. opens tomorrow. Based on the story of| Father Edward J. Flanagan's Boys' Town, located 12 miles outside of Omaha, Nebraska, the role of the priest whose mission in life is to give home and shelter to needy boys affords Spencer Tracy an opportunity for one of the sincere natural portrayals for which he has become deservedly famous A fast-moving action-drama, generously flavoured with comedy, is "Telephone Operator," the associate film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. Telling the dramatic story of grimfaced boys who challenge society for a chance in life, Universal's production of "Code of the Streets," is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. On the same programme is the amazing story of sabotage in the skies, "Trapped in the Sky."'