CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 44, 20 August 1940, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES THEATRE,

Another step, and a very big one, is taken up Australia's ladder to movie eminence with "Dad Rudd, M.P.," now showing at the St. James Theatre. The delightful rustic humour of Dad and the no less entertaining behaviour of Dave must by now be an Australian institution, in which New Zealand shares through the radio. Excitement in the Rudd family starts with the acquisition of a horse-drawn fireengine that Dave and the boys put through a rapid course of depreciation and finish with Dad's election to Parliament and his fighting speech to have the local dam extended. Fred MacDonaldis Dave, and Connie Martyn plays the part of Mum. .

MAJESTIC THEATRE,

"Broadway Melody of 1940," now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, is a spectacular musical and dancing film of Broadway show business well in the tradition of its popular predecessors. This time Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer have surpassed themselves by assembling what is . unquestionably the greatest tap-dancing team to be seen and heard on the screen. The principals are. Fred. Astaire, Eleanor Poweli, and George Murphy, and they combine to give the pubI lie such a feast of dance , specialties las it has never had before. In adI dition, the picture is studded with new songs by Cole Porter, of which the best is ''Begin the Beguine," with its long and novel dance sequences.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

Two new. comedies, dissimilar yet equally delightful, head the bill at the Paramount Theatre. "Sandy Is a Lady" is one of those hair-raising impossibilities in which Baby Sandy dodges traffic, running at fictional speeds, and disports with glee and facial tremors on steel girders on the skyline. Micha Aver, Eugene Pallette, Billy Gilbert, Edgar Kennedy, ;. and Fritz Feld are also in the cast. "La Conga Nights" is the supporting feature. In it Hugh Herbert has no fewer than seven family parts, reserving the most humorous, that of the big business man on jazz bands, for himself.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE,

• Dorothy Lamour, Akim Tamirofl, and John Howard share top dramatic honours in "Disputed Passage," an exciting story . about the problems of medical men, which is showing at the, New Princess Theatre. Based on Lloyd C. Douglas's best-sell-ing novel, it.asks the dramatic question: Will marriage interfere with the career of a promising young surgeon? The trend to simple down-to-earth drama, which has been' forging to the lead hv public favour, is'reflected in "Our Neighbours—-the Carters," the associate film.

OPERA HOUSE.

! Two of the greatest comedy films of recent years are showing at the Opera House. They are "Another Thin Man," starring ■ William Powell and Myrna Loy, and "Merrily We Live," with Billie Burke, Brian Aherne, Alan Mowbray, and Constance Bennett in the title roles. "Merrily We Live" is among the finest, comedy films of all. times, and is remarkable in view of the fact that Billie Burke plays the first of her "dizzy" roles which.have taken her from one outstanding success to another." "The Thin Man" film is a real thriller with Mr. and Mrs. Nick Charles in possession this time, not only of Asta the dog, but also of a son.

DE LUXE THEATRE

A story as warm and colour-filled as its captivating Dixie background is told in Paramount's "The Biscuit Eater," which.is showing at the De Luxe Theatre. .With talented ten-year-old Billy Lee cast in the principal role, "The. Biscuit "E,ater" tells the story of a Georgia boy who takes up a dog the rest of the world has rejected, turns him into'a champion' after a titanic . effort, and then is faced with the tragedy of having to choose between his boundless love for his pup and his loyalty to his parents. Against a background of desert vistas and rugged mountain scenery, Paramount has filmed Zane Grey's "Knights of the Range," a thrilling tale of gallantry in the wide open spaces, which is the j associate film.

TUDOR THEATRE,

That bright and thoroughly entertaining comedy-romance, "The Amazing Mr. Williams," is.showing at the Tudor Theatre. Any comedy would be more • zestful as a result of the teaming of the renowned "• Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell to play its leading roles,? and together they are in "The Amazing Mr. Williams." Jimmy "Schnozzle" Durante, Walter Connolly, Joan Perry, the Three Stooges, Charles fStarrett, the rising young-singing star, and Hal Le Roy provide a further feast of fun in "Start. Cheering," which is the associate feature.

DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT.

"Geronimo," a thrilling story of Indian uprisings against a background of the Old West, is. showing at the De Luxe Theatre. Preston Foster heads an imposing cast. With a provocative title only a shadowy promise of its hilarious, sparkling plot, "Good Girls Go to Paris" is the second feature. Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell are starred.

KING GEORGE THEATRE. LOWER HUTT. . Has a married man the right to fall m love with another woman? The question faces Charles Boyer in UniversaFs "When Tomorrow Comes," in which he stars with Irene Dunne and which is showing at the King George Theatre.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, j WOBURN. Clive Brook, brilliant star of "The Ware Case," comes to the screen at the I Prince Edward Theatre in Robert Mor- \ ley's outstanding stage success "Return to Yesterday." Buck Jones appears in a thrilling drama of the Royal Canadian Mounties, "Border Brigands," the supporting attraction.

GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "The Invisible Man Returns" and "Beware Spooks" conclude tonight at the Grand Theatre. The combination of Gracie Allen's talents, a story by the late S. S. Van Dine, and excellent work by a large group of featured players equals one of the best mystery comedies to reach the screen in many a year. It is Paramount's picturisation of S. S. Van Dine's "The Gracie Allen Murder Case," and it opens tomorrow at the Grand Theatre.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Arkansas Traveller" and "Mil-1 lion Dollar Legs" conclude tonight at the Palace Theatre. Dramatic and exciting is Columbia's] "Clouds Over Europe," which opens tomorrow. This picture is something different in the way of spy films because of the constant introduction of clever witticisms and humorous situations. The second feature is "Within the Law," starring Edward G. Robinson.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. Excitment, love, and adventure are combined in the production of "Green Hell," initial Famous, Productions film for Universal release, which is showing at the State Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Joan Bennett head an outstanding cast of eleven principals.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE,

PLAZA THEATRE,

STATE THEATRE,

RIVOLI THEATRE

ROXY THEATRE.

REGENT THEATRE,

Walt Disney's latest masterpiece, "Pinocchio," now showing at the King's Theatre, is destined for immediate popularity with Wellington audiences. The great master of the animated cartoon has used all of his skill in the production of this full-length feature, and the result is a realism that is amazing. In comparison with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the. only other Disney production in the full-length cartoon field, "Pinocchio" does not suffer in the least. Indeed, were the two films to be'seen together, a further advance in technique would probably be noticed. "Pinocchio" is painted on a broader canvas—its action ranges over land and sea, in the caverns under the t ocean, and away again to the sinister Pleasure Island

"Swanee River" holds pride of place at the Plaza Theatre for' the third week in succession. This beautiful technicolour production has a wide appeal,, not only owing to its colourful glimpses of the. old days, but also because of the minstrel melodies which everyone loves .to hear and never tires of. In fact, the singing and tlie acting; coupled with the beautiful photography, stamp this as one of the finest productions of recent years. "Swanee River" is the story of Stephen C. Foster, the great American troubadour, a part played to perfection by Don Ameche,and his varied and emotional life is pictured against the romantic days of river boats and coloured minstrels.

"Shooting High" and "On Their .Own" conclude tonight at the State Theatre.

Hollywood's No. 1 cowboy star, Buck Jones, appears in Columbia's new action drama, "Headin' East," which opens tomorrow at the State Theatre. The picture, a slight departure from the. type of story Buck usually makes, is both timely and highly entertaining, dealing as it does with racketeering and the so-called "protective associations" which yearly bilk merchants and farmers in America of millions. In "Headin' East" Buck Jones portrays a cowboy whose father has forsaken round-ups and rodeos for, the more lucrative business of lettuce growing. Lucrative, that is, until racketeers at. the New York wholesale markets begin destroying his shipments. In "Men Without Souls," the associate feature, ! starring John Litel, Barton Mac Lane, and Rochelle Hudson, Columbia has produced a revealing film of life in a large prison with an eye to showing conditions as they actually are. Litel plays a humane, 'straight-shooting minister who is appointed chaplain of a penitentiary. He finds out very quickly that the "cons" refuse to trust him, and the drama of the film develops when he tries to win their confidence and aid them in "getting out right"

"Espionage Agent," which is showing at the, Rivoli Theatre, recalls at the outset what happened in America in 1915 and 1916, .when agents of the Central Powers engaged in sabotage which, resulted in the loss of many American, lives and the destruction of millions of dollars'. worth of industrial property, supplies, and commodities. Joel McCrea, Brenda Marshall, Jeffrey Lynn, and George Bancroft head the cast. How a girl-author's embryonic career is shattered by the amazing Broadway success of her amateurish play, is the paradoxical theme of "Curtain Call," a comedy drama, which is the second feature. Barbara Reed, Alan Mowbray, and Helen Vinson are starred.

George Formby's new . comedy, "Come On, George," is showing at the Roxy .Theatre. It is the funniest film even George has made, a real laughter tonic for these troublous times. "Come On, George," is a horse-racing comedy, "Within the Law," Bayard Veiller's memorable drama of a woman's attempt-to "get even with society" is the second feature. Rita Johnson, Paul Kelly, and Ruth Hussey are starred.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR,

How an adventurous lad obtains complete revenge on a country circus with the aid of his mother's sleeping tablets precipitates much comedy and excitement in "Peck's Bad .Boy With the Circus," now screening at the Capitol Theatre. The associate feature is-"Disbarred," with Gail Patrick, Robert Preston, arid Otto Kruger.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI,

A gusty, salty, romantic tale of the first triumph of steam over sail, "Rulers of the Sea," is at the head, of the programme at the Regal Theatre. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., as a seaman who believes in the future of steam navigation, Margaret Lockwood, as the daughter of an inventor who boasts that he has perfected a steam engine capable of driving a ship across the Atlantic, and the famous Scottish character actor Will Fyffe, as the inventor, form a great starring trio.

The beautiful melodies of Victor ■Herbert, the famous composer of operetta, run through Paramount's musical drama, "The Great Victor Herbert," which heads the programme at the Regent Theatre. Such hits as "Kiss Me Again," "A Kiss in the Dark," "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," and "I'm Falling in Love with Someone," are heard sung by the stars of today and, for the most part, against a background of spectacular stage settings. The picture is not so much a biography of the composer as a highly successful endeavour to show his widespread influence on the show world. Mary Martin, Allan Jones, and Walter Connolly, the last-named as Victor Herbert, head the cast.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The world's foremost exponent of popular song, Bing Crosby, returns to the screen in a new comedy drama with music. It is Paramount's "The Star Maker," and it heads the bill at the Empire Theatre. With Beverley Roberts once again, enacting the part of the business woman, a Warner Bros. melodrama, "The Daredevil Drivers," dealing with the warfare between her outfit and a rival concern, is the associate film.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Barry K. Barnes, Valeric Hobson, and Alastair Sim, the three stars who so thoroughly entertained in "This Man Is News," are back again in another fastmoving mystery thriller, "This Man In Paris," which is now showing at the Kinema. The associate feature, "Elephants' Never Forget," is an uproariously funny comedy starring Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon, Alice Brady, and many others.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. "Tarzan Finds a Son," fourth of the famous Tarzan jungle adventures, reuniting Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan, is showing at the Vogue Theatre. It brings with it a new character, Tarzan, jun., and introducing in the role five-year-old Johnny Sheffield, America's most amazing child athlete. Barry K. Barnes co-stars with Valeric Hobson and Alastair Sim in Paramount's "This Man In Paris," the associate film.

TIVOU THEATRE. Warner Bros.' magnificent historical drama, "Jaurez," starring Paul Muni and Bette Davis, is showing at the Tivoli. In addition to being headed by the actor and actress who are generally acknowledged to be the foremost screen artists of their time, the cast includes a host of other film notables, such as Brian Aherne, Claude Rains, and John Garfield. The picture tells a story . that is at once powerful drama and authentic history, played against a rich panorama of backgrounds ranging from imperial palaces to poor peon huts. How a well-mean-ing third party seeks to patch up -the differences that have separated a married couple makes for the hilarity of "You Can't Fool Your Wife," the second feature. Lucille Ball and James Ellison are starred. ASCOT THEATRE. An excellent family bill is presented at the Ascot Theatre. Gracie Fields and Sydney Howard are starred in "Shipyard Sally," an inspiring story of Britain's ship builders told with comedy and song. Also showing is "Young As You Feel," starring the Jones Family. The latest newsreels and variety supports complete a splendid programme.