CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 130, 28 November 1940, Page 14

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. The pageantry of sixteenth-century England plays an inspiring part in the; film "Elizabeth and Essex," now in its second week at the Regent Theatre. Of all the Technicolor productions which have yet reached the screen, this picture shows perhaps the most intelligent j use of the new medium. As Elizabeth, Bette Davis scores a notable success; which is emphasised by the likeness, between the actress and contemporary! portraits of the queen. Errol Flynn gives his usual sound performance as the arrogant soldier Essex. MAJESTIC THEATRE. In "Northwest Passage" Kenneth Roberts painted a sweeping canvas, liberally endowed with the spaciousness of the majestic American hills and lakes, and dotted with colourful characters. To dp justice to such a book required a picture which would have width of vision, brilliance of direction, and acting of more than usual quality Happily, these requirements have been fulfilled in the film version of the story, now showing at the Majestic Theatre. Spencer Tracy is the leading figure in the character of Major Rogers. ST. JAMES THEATRE. The St. James Theatre will show "Rhythm on the River" for the last time tonight. "The Roaring Twenties," starring James Cagney and Priscilla Lane, opens tomorrow. OPERA HOUSE. "I Love You Again," which concludes tonight at the Opera House, is a sophisticated farce of the type of the "Thin Man" series, which have proved so popular There is an absence from the theme of the mystery which was [included in pictures in which William Powell and Myrna Loy have appeared, but the bright, modern comedy and amusing situations keep the film moving at a fast pace. Both principals play somewhat different types from the roles . they generally play, but they are no less entertaining for the change.

DE LUXE THEATRE. "Three Cheers for the Irish" and "Blondie Brings Up Baby" conclude tonight at the De Luxe Theatre. "Hot Steel," "And One Was Beautiful," and episode one of "Drums of Fu Manchu" open tomorrow. REX THEATRE. One of the most amazing real life dramas ever filmed, "Damaged Goods" is showing at the Rex. The second feature is "Too Busy to Work," with the Jones Family. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Good-bye, Mr. Chips" and "Girls on Probation" will be shown finally tonight at the Princess. Laurel and Hardy, conceded to be the most popular comedians on the American screen, make their appearance in a feature-length ■ comedy in "Fra Diavolo," which opens tomorrow. Supported by a cast of more than 50 featured players, Walter Pidgeon and Rita Johnson are teamed for the first time in "6000 Enemies," the associate ROXY THEATRE. "Untamed" and "Flight at Midnight" conclude tonight at the Roxy Theatre. The Western comes into its own in a new locale in "Stand Up and Fight," which opens tomorrow, with Wallace Beery and Robert Taylor starred^: Weird and eerie is the latest adventure of Nancy Drew, as related in "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase," the associate film, featuring Bonita Granville., KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "The Earl of Chicago" and "Music in My Heart" conclude tonight at the Kinema* Dad, Dave, and the whole Rudd family are seen in the harlious comedy, "Dad Rudd, M.P.," which commences tomorrow. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Madeleine Carroll are stars of Paramount's "Safari," exciting romance set against the background of the African jungle, which is the associate film. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "The Great Waltz," dealing with the life story of the famous composer, Johann Strauss, is showing at the Regal Theatre. The strong cast is headed by Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, Miliza Korjus, and Hugh Herbert.

ASCOT THEATRE. | "The Shop Around the Corner" is showing at the Ascot Theatre. Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart are starred. The associate feature, "Behind Prison Gates," is a startling exposure of present day prison life. The cast is headed by Brian Donlevy and Jacqueline Wells. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Binnie Barnes, and "Rochester," and Matty Malneck and his orchestra are in Paramount's lively comedy with music, "Man About Town," showing at the Empire Theatre. "Secret Service of the Air," starring Ronald Regan and John Litel, is also showing. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "Hopalong" Cassidy becomes part of the organised force of law and order, rather than his own dealer of justice in "Santa Fe Marshal," showing at the Capitol. The associate feature, "Parole Fixer," is based on J. Edgar Hoover's "Persons in Hiding," and stars William Henry and Virginia Dale. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. "Millionaire Playboy," starring Joe Penner, Linda Hayes, Russ Brown, and Fxitz Feld, is showing at the Vogue. Glenda Farrell, Barton Mac Lane, and Tom Kennedy are featured in. "Torchy Blanc in Chinatown," the second attraction. Selected supports include a special "March of Time." SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Herbert Ashbury's "Gangs of New York," recognised as the greatest history of New York's world of crime that has ever been written, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. Charles BickBack," starring Kent Taylor, Irene Hervey, and William Lundigan, is also showing. I

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. One of the most unusual of all mystery dramas, "The Invisible Man Returns," is showing at. the Prince Edward Theatre. Walter Connolly is featured in Columbia's "Those High Grey Walls," the associate film. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "King of the Lumberjacks," the Warner Bros, film starring John Payne and Gloria Dickson, is showing at the Grand Theatre. "20,000 Men a Year," an aviation film, is the second feature. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Trouble Brewing," starring George Formby, is showing at the Palace Theatre. The second feature, "I Stand Accused," stars Robert dimming and Helen Mack. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Broadway Melody of 1940" is showing at the State Theatre. Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell are the stars in the film, which is the best "Broadway Melody" picture ever.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

[ KING'S THEATRE. Another of Alfred Hitchcock's cinet matic masterpieces, "Foreign Correspondent," is showing at the King's Theatre. The story is that of a New York police reporter who is sent to ! cover Europe in the fateful days pre- ; ceding the start of the present war. ; There he becomes involved in an interi national intrigue designed to precipitate the conflict, narrowly escaping all j sorts of dangers before bringing his mission to a successful conclusion. Joel McCrea is the reporter, and vivacious and intelligent Laraine Day is the heroine. "Call, for Arms," a British Ministry of Information picture, heads the supporting programme. PLAZA THEATRE. The Plaza Theatre will show "I Was an Adventuress" for the last time tonight. "Charley's (Big-hearted) Aunt," starring Arthur Askey, commences tomorrow. STATE THEATRE. "The Secret Seven," one of the two full-length pictures at the State Theatre, is a gripping story of an American town's fight against a criminal element that is threatening the whole social and business structure. The chief of an out-of-date police department scouts a suggestion from a small group of citizens that science should be enlisted in aid of crime detection. But the matter is taken out of his hands when ihis group of citizens, each a master in his own branch of science, forms a sort of private detective committee and applies science to crimes that have baffled the police. Attractive and talented Florence Rice has the leading feminine role and Barton Maclano and Bruce Bennett are other members of the wellchosen cast. The second big picture is "Five Little Peppers in Trouble," another adventure in the lives of a group of juvenile actors who are fast becoming well-known screen, personalities. Edith Fellows and Ronald Sinclair have leading parts in the cast. The programme is completed with the "Three Stooges" in a farce.

TUDOR THEATRE. "Too Many Husbands," which concludes tonight at the Tudor Theatre stars Jean Arthur, Fred Mac Murray,' and Melvyn Douglas in a merry marital mix-up It is based on W. Somer set Maugham's sensational stage success. "Outside the Three-mile Limit." starring Jack Holt and ' Harry Carey, is also showing.

TIVOLI THEATRE. "An Englishman's Home" and "Dr. Christian Meets the "Women" conclude tonight at the Tivoli Theatre. "Cross Country Romance," dealing in sprightly fashion with the hectic coast-to-coast adventures of a penniless doctor who can't rid himself of a beautiful trailer-stowaway, brings Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie to the screen of the Tivoli tomorrow^ Paramount's "Road to Singapore" is the associate film. Set against the enchanting background of- Javanese native life, "JRoad to Singapore" has as its theme; Bing Crosby's and Bob Hope's vain endeavour" to escape, all women. RIVOLI THEATRE. "Adventure in Diamonds" and "Parole Fixer" conclude tonight at the Rivoli. Theatre. Crime and punishment, innocence and vindication are the twin themes of "Girls on Probation," an exciting film produced by Warner Bros, with Jane Bryan and Ronald Reagan in the leading roles, which opens tomorrow at the Rivoli Theatre. "South of Pago Pago," the second feature, tells a thrilling tale of love and revenge in a Pacific Island paradise. Victor McLaglen, Jon Hall, and Frances Farmer are stai-red. CHRISTMAS FAIR. The Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, in the Church Hall. The fair will be opened at 2.30 p.m. by Lady Elliott. Home-made goods and a variety of Christmas gifts will be on sale. Other attractions will be a white elephant stall, a Christmas tree/ and an advertisement competition. During the afternoon tea interval an excellent programme of items will ■be presented. "ANTHONY AND ANNA." «. . It is claimed that the cast selected by the Wellington Repertory Theatre to present Mr. St. John Ervine's famous comedy, "Anthony and Anna," is one of the best that has ever been assembled in this city. "Anthony and Anna'" is to be presented in the Con--cert Chamber of the Town Hall for five evening and one matinee performance, commencing on Tuesday next. The matinee performance will be given on the following Saturday. The cast comprises Lesley Jackson, Mary Doolan, Myles F. E. Wright, George Cooper, Ernest Le Grove, Robert Charlton, Alex Peacock, and Maxwell Butterton. The action of the comedy takes place in the Inn of St. Peter's Finger England. There are three acts and two settings. Leo dv Chateau is the producer.

Australian brandy, is now taking the place vacated by French brandy in the New Zealand market.

Supplies of linseed oil from India are now obtainable.

| DE LUXE THEATRE. ■•••• Tomorrow's Programme. Telling a graphic story of the lives and loves of men who work in America's giant steel industry, Universal's dramatic film, "Hot Steel" opens tomorrow at the De Luxe mheatre with Richard Arlen and Andy Devine in co-starring roles. Combining action with a powerful human story as two men fight for control of a new . steel process, the picture offers a vivid, behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of America's greatest and most colourful occupations. Offering a powerfully dramatic triangle of the love of two sisters for the same man, "And One Was Beautiful," will be the secondfeature. Robert Cummings, Laraine Day, Jean Muir, and Billie Burke head the cast. Based on Alice Duer Mil--le'r'fc novel, it tells the story of two sisters, one of them shielded by a man's admission of a crime; the other, knowing the truth; torn between love for the man and loyalty to her sister. Amid this situation are, spectacular glimpses into night clubs and life in a fashionable New York suburb. Episode one of "Drums of Fu Manchu," Republic's thrilling new serial, will also be shown.