CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 50, 27 August 1940, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

; ST. JAMES THEATRE. Those well-known stage, film, and radio characters, Dad and Dave, with ■ all their typical Australian outback humour, are here again in the newest Australian picture "Dad Rudd, M.P., the popularity of which has given it a second week at the St. James Theatre. 1 Bert Bailey as Dad is, of course, the centrepiece around which this up- ! roariously funny picture is built, but he is given telling support by a large cast, with Fred McDonald taking the part of the dull-witted Dave. The story concerns a political battle between wealthy squatters and thear poorer neighbours over the construction of an irrigation dam. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Young Tom Edison," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, is a film of a most unusual type. It is a real-life story, of course, but does not follow the conventional line of portraying the rise of a great man to the pinnacle of his greatness. The story is one of the very early years of the great man, and the triumph in which it concludes is the obtaining by young Edison of a position as telegraph operator in a railway company. More than anything else, the story is one of American family life in the mid-nineteenth century. Mickey Rooney, George Bancroft, and Fay Bainter head the cast. It is not to be lost sight of that this, film is the first of two covering the life of Thomas Alva Edison. The lead in the second film is entrusted to Spencer Tracy. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Hollywood probably has had a surfeit of sophistication, and attempts to market "unspoiled children of Nature" (complete with armour-piercing Bronx accent) have not always been successful. That was what the director in the production heading the surprise programme at the Paramount Theatre thought; his discovery had to come straight off the hillbilly turnips, dragged off the stern family plough. Of course, she had to be planted there in the first place, and her Broadway experience should have pulled her through. Unfortunately, a genuine, hog-yodelling mountain . lass was picked up by mistake by the talent scouts, and her passage through Hollywood is just one long riotous scream. The supporting feature is also outstanding of its kind. It is a gangster story with a difference, a fast-moving drama without pause in its excitement. ROXY THEATRE. Two new comedies, dissimilar yet equally delightful, are showing at the Roxy 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. Mischa Aver heads the supporting 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 men on jazz bands, for himself. REGENT THEATRE. The influence of Victor Herbert on the world where the entertainment of the public is the keynote and motif is brought out well in "The Great Victor Herbert," now in its second week at the Regent. It is a skilful presentation of the world's appreciation of a great and popular musician rather than his life history, though it contains a romance laid in the lavender of such .melodies as "Kiss Me Again," "A Kiss in the Dark," "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life," and "I'm Falling in Love With Someone," sung in a delightful manner. The story and music appeal throughout as the humour and pathos of a stage career are unfolded. Mary Martin, Allan Jones, and Walter Connolly,- the last-named as Victor Herbert, head the cast. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Thrilling adventure and stirring romance are contained in "Green Hell," starring Douglas Fairbanks, Joan Bennett, George Bancroft, and George Sanders, which is showing at the Capitol tonight. Also on the programme is "The Lady's From Kentucky," featuring George Raft, Ellen Drew, Hugh Herbert, and Zasu Pitts, in a good action story of the racecourse, with a dash here and there of sparkling comedy. ASCOT THEATRE. Another bright family programme, headed by Frank Capra's "You Can't Take It With You," is showing at the Ascot Theare. The film stars Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, and Edward Arnold in a happy story of human beings who dared to live their own lives. Also showing is "Blondie," a bright, laughable story (adapted from a famous comic strip. The supports are splendid. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. Columbia's hit comedy, "The Lady and the Mob," is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre. The film features Fay Bainter and Ida Lupino. The large cast includes such brilliant players as Warren Hymer, Lee Bowman, Henry Armetta, and Tom Dugan. John Trent appears in "Danger Flight," the associate film. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. Beautiful Loretta young and handsome Richard Greene, the screen's fast-est-rising favourite star, are in "Kentucky," a thrilling racecourse film, which is showing at the King George Theatre. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "This Man in Paris" and "Emergency Squad" conclude at the Grand Theatre tonight. William Boyd appears in another of the famous Cassidy series, "Law of the Pampas," which opens tomorrow. Cassidy wins a new badge of courage in this thrillpacked adventure of the Argentine. The story of a young man who suffers all the trials and tribulations of a great love only to find that at seventeen he is not yet a man is told in "Seventeen," the associate film. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Another Thin Man" will be shown finally tonight at the State Theatre. "Henry Goes Arizona," hilarious adventure of a timid tenderfoot in the toughest town in Arizon, opens tomorrow. The picture stars Frank Morgan as the nervous vaudevillian who inherits a cattle range and Virginia Weidler as his small niece who inspires him to really "go Western." "Blockheads," Hal Roach-M.G.M. production, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, is the second feature. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Escape to Paradise" and "Everybody's Hobby" conclude at the Palace Theatre tonight. Commencing tomorrow "Bulldog Drummond Escapes" will be the feature. Murder on the fog-bound moor, a kidnapping, the machinations of a counterfeit band, and the imprisonment of a beautiful woman in a house of mystery, are a few things "Bulldog Drummond" has to solve in this film. Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert appear in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," the second attraction. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER OUTT. Republic Studios present Gene Autry in "In Old Monterey" at the De Luxe Theatre, and it is a first-class production. Stamped as one of the most unusual of all mystery dramas, "The Invisible Man Returns" is the second attraction. Vince Price, Sir Gedric Hardwicke, Nan Grey, and John Sutton head the cast.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. "Pinocchio" continues to be the magnet for both young and old at the King's Theatre. This Walt Disney's latest full-length masterpiece, will naturally be compared with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and most people will agree that "Pinicchio" is in many respects better: Technique has been improved, and "Pinocchio" presents a most delightful fairy tale which no other medium except the animated cartoon could do justice to. "Pinocchio" is crammed with delightful characters of all kinds, animals, birds, insects, and even fish, and its action ranges over land and sea and even under the sea. ■ j PLAZA THEATRE. The popular English comedian Sandy Powell is the star of "All at Sea," principal attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Thinking he is offering to take part in an advertisement for a picture theatre Sandy finds that he has really enlisted in the Navy. Through another accident Sandy finds himself as selfappointed saviour of a pretty girl (Kay Walsh) on the track of two bold bad business men who are trying to sell a secret explosive formula to a Continental firm. There are many amusing incidents in this rollicking, story, and Sandy has the opportunity to sing two comedy numbers. Pictures of Australian and New Zealand troops in England and Palestine are an interesting feature of the newsreels. TIVOLI THEATRE. Greta Garbo's long dream of playing in a sophisticated romantic comedy has become a reality with "Ninotchka," her first picture in two years, which is showing at the Tivoli Theatre, and the gay new Garbo it presents indicates that her desire was well justified. The Swedish star is seen as a gay, ultramodern girl in a romance wijth a French count. She dances to swing music, sings, wears glamorous gowns, figures in clever situations, and dialogue. Superb characterisations by Frieda lnescort, Otto Kruger, and Rochelle Hudson —fitting enactments of persons whose problems are absorbing and authentic—make Columbia's "A Woman is the Judge," which is the second feature, one of the most dramatic films in recent months. TUDOR THEATRE. "Swanee River," which is showing a. the Tudor Theatre, 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. Though the Jones Family is practically without money at the outset of "On Their Own," the associate attraction, that does not affect their inimitable knack of provoking laughter throughout. STATE THEATRE. "Prairie Law" and "Pop Always Pays" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. , , ~ , In "Men Without Souls," which opens tomorrow at the State Theatre, with John Litel, Barton McLane, 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." Charles Starrett and the Sons of the Pioneers, all of. whom created something of a sensation recently with their singing in "Two-fisted Rangers," return in "The Stranger From Texas/ the other feature to be. DE LUXE THEATRE. Billy Halop, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, and Bernard Punsley, otherwise "The Dead End Kids," are starred in "On Dress Parade," now showing at the De Luxe Theatre. With the exception of Gorcey, the boys desert their previous roles as quick-witted guttersnipes for the roles of cadets at George Washington Military Academy. Gorcey alone maintains the traditions of the well-known team for hard-boiled backchat. Neverr theless, the film is of the same entertaining standard as previous "Dead End Kid" productions. The supporting feature is "Man From Montreal." a story of fur stealers and the Royal North-west Mounted Police. Richard Arlen and Andy, Devine are starred. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Lionel Barrymore, as the cantankerous but human old doctor, guides Lew Ayres through another tempestuous adventure in "Calling Dr. _Kildare," second of the new medicaldetective series, which is showing at the New Princess Theatre. The associate film is popular "Naughty Marietta," starring Jeanette Macdonald, Nelson Eddy, Frank. Morgan, and Elsa Lanchester. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. The trend to simple, homespun, down-to-earth drama which has been forging to the lead in public favour, is reflected in "Our Neighbours—the Carters," Paramount's story of life in a small Ohio town, which is showing at the Vogue Theatre. Handsome Charles Boyer has his most romantic role as a lovable fugitive in Walter Wanger's "Algiers," the associate film. Sigrid Gurie and Hedy Lamarr play opposite him. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. A bored young society girl has the awakening of a lifetime when she steps off Park Avenue for a new thrill and marries a newspaper reporter to get her name in the gossip columns, in Paramount's "Cafe Society," which is showing at the Regal Theatre. Madeleint Carroll is starred. "Stranded in Paris," starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett, is the associate attraction. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. The dramatic adventures of two sister nurses, one courageous and loyal, the other—younger, frivolous, and neglectful—form the basis of R.K.O. Radio's "Vigil in the Night," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Carole Lombard and Anne Shirley portray the two sisters in this picturisation of the widely read A. J. Cronin novel. "Espionage Agent," starring Joel McCrea and Brenda Marshall, which is the second feature, is a powerful and sensational drama of the unknown guardians of a nation's peace during history's most dangerous days. OPERA HOUSE. Eighth and latest of the much-appre-ciated Hardy Family series, "Judge Hardy and Son," is the principal attraction at the Opera House. "Judge Hardy and Son" sees the mercurial Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) engage in detective work to aid his father (Lewis Stone) in a law case, it sees him with three pretty girls, and thereby getting into trouble with his sweetheart (Ann Rutherford), and it gives him the opportunity to play hero when he pilots his sister (Cecilia Parker) across a raging river to reach the bedside of their sick mother (Fay Holden). A palatable feast of fun is provided in "Swiss Miss," which is the associate attraction. Stan Laurel's and Oliver Hardy's portrayals of mouse trap salesmen are highly amusing. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "I Don't Want My Baby to be Born a Nazi!" An anguished cry from the depths of a woman's heart ... a woman who wanted babies, yes, but not babies to become part of the war machine of a power-crazed dictator. This dramatic outburst occurs in "Hitler —Beast of Berlin," which is showing at the Kinema. The associate feature is "The Day the Bookies Wept," a fast and hilarious horse-race picture, starring Joe Penner.