CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 134, 3 December 1940, Page 10

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

EEGENT 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 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. All the broad sweep of action and colour which Kenneth Roberts presented in his book "Northwest Passage" has been faithfully reproduced in the film of that name now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre. Spencer Tracy is the leading figure m the character of Major Rogers, lionhearted adventurer and visionary, whose spirit refuses to surrender to the gravest hardships which man and Nature can inflict. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "The Roaring Twenties," showing at the St. James Theatre, does not refer to any particular latitude on the earth's surface, but to the latitude allowed, or rather taken by, a certain section of the American public in the hectic days which followed the close of the Great War. This turbulent period m the history of the United States was noteworthy among other things for its experiment in Prohibition, and the exploits of rival- bootlegging gangs are what .constitute -he mainsprings o± action. The film stars James Cagney and Priscilla Lane. TIVOLI THEATRE. "On Your Toes" is showing at the Tivoli Theatre with the beautiful, lissome, and exotic Zorina in the leading role. Comedy is the main goal of the production, even the terpsichorean talents of the great Zorina being directed towards that end. Therefore, the supporting cast is made up wholly of comedians. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Madeleine Carroll are stars of Paramount's "Safari," exciting romance set against the background of the untamed African "jungle, which is the second feature. RIVOLI THEATRE. •"Dad Rudd, M.P.," which is showing at the Rivoli, is a modernised story of the adventures of the popular Rudd family, made to make audiences laugh, just when they need a laugh most. But whilst comedy is the predominant note of the film, it is also rich in real Australian sentiment. Graphic adventures of a white huntress in conflict with jungle beasts and African savages are presented in "Zanzibar," the associate film. Lola Lane and James Craig are starred. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. A double-feature programme of merit is being shown at the Paramount Theatre. "Four Wives" is a sequel to "Four Daughters," one of the best picture hits of last year; in every way it is quite up to the standard of its predecessor. Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, and Gale Page play the leads. "Remember the Night" is a light and happy story of a district attorney who falls in love with the girl he is to prosecute. Fred Mac Murray is the attorney and Barbara Stanwyck is the girl. j _...„. . I OPERA HOUSE. /' ■ j Humour, melody, and rhythm i crackle through both features at the j Opera House. In "Scatterbrain" Judy Canova is seen as a farm girl of the Ozark Mountains. Naturally musical she sings all day, .and is so fond of dancing that she has made special foot brushes with which she can jazz the floor clean. Found in this setting by a film producer, Judy is at once grabbed and the fun commences when she literally strikes Hollywood. "Earl of Puddlestone" tells of the amusing situations that arise when Joe Higgins, advertising American salesman, suddenly finds himself an English earl. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. 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 is showing at the New Princess Theatre. 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 film.

ROXY THEATRE. The Western comes into its own in a new locale in "Stand Up and Fight," showing at the Eoxy Theatre, 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. Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, and the famed "Ernst Lubitsch touch" contribute equal shares to one of the most delightful entertainments ever filmed, "The Shop Around the Corner," showing at the Kinema. The associate feature is "The Affairs of Annabel," a rollicking Hollywood story starring Jack Oakie and Lucille Ball. ASCOT THEATRE. The film version of "The Grape's of Wrath," one of the most-discussed novels of modern times, is showing at the Ascot Theatre. The strong cast is headed by Henry Fonda, Jane parwell, John Carradine, and Charlie Grapewin. The Ritz Bros, are starred in "Kentucky Moonshine," the second feature. Tony Martin and Marjorie Weaver are also featured. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. With Jascha Heifetz, the world's most renowned violinist, starred, Samuel Goldwyn's major production, "They Shall Have Music," is showing at the Capitol tonight. The principal romantic roles are played by Andrea Leeds and Joel McCrea. The associate feature, "Danger on , Wheels," co-stars Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "The Great Waltz," dealing with the life story of the famous composer. Johann Strauss, is showing at the Empire Theatre. The strong cast is headed by Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, Miliza Korjus, and Hugh Herbert. The supporting feature is "Stop, Look, and Love," a comedy, featuring Jean Rogers and' William Framley. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Engineering and photographic problems never before encountered in a motion picture went into the filming of "The Wizard of Oz," hailed as Hollywood's most ambitious musical spectacle since "The Great Ziegfeld." The picture, one hundred per cent, musical and filmed in technicolor, is showing at the Regal Theatre. There will be special children's matinee sessions on Saturday. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. The "Dead End Kids on Dress Parade," starring the Dead End Kids, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. \ An entirely different type of prison ! film, Columbia's "Men Without Souls,"' is also showing. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. I "Road to Singapore," starring Bing j Crosby. Dorothy Lamour, Bob Hope, and Charles Coburn, is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. "Frozen Limits." featuring The Crazy Gang, is the second film.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. Some idea of the momentous happenings in a number of European I countries just prior to the outbreak of the present war is shown in the thrill- I ing film, "Foreign Correspondent," i which is continuing at the King's Theatre. "Foreign Correspondent," as the title suggests, relates the story of a New York reporter who is assigned-! to cover the prospective war front in , Europe. The role is admirably filled by Joel McCrea. v I PLAZA THEATRE. "Charley's Aunt" has become big! hearted, which means that new rich- j ness comes of an old and greatly j favoured dispenser of humour. The stage favourite for close on fifty years has been modernised, and the new creation, being presented at the Plaza Theatre, not only retains the strength of the old appeal but also has a strong touch of freshness of humour. Arthur Askey's impersonation of the "aunt' is masterly. STATE THEATRE. "The Secret Seven" and "Five Little Peppers in Trouble" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. Columbia's "Island of Doomed Men," starring Peter Lorre, opens tomorrow. Rochelle Hudson and Robert Wilcox are also featured in the new film. Lorre has long been recognised as a master of the unbalanced mentality since his psychopathic characterisation in "M" as the brutal child murderer. In the new film, he portrays a somewhat similar role, that of Stephen Danel, a sadistic tyrant who recruits paroled convicts to work a diamond mine on his tiny island empire in the South Pacific. Once on the island, the workers are kept there until they either escape or die. A timely drama of youth, its hopes, fears, and ambitions, Columbia's "Military Academy," which will be the associate film, presents Tommy Kelly, of "Tom Sawyer" fame; Bobby "Dead End Kid" Jordan, Jackie Searl, and David Holt in featured roles. DE LUXE THEATRE. Two full-length features and the first episode of a new serial make up the programme at the De Luxe Theatre. The first film, "And One Was Beautiful," is modern in conception, and deals in part with one of the problems of the age—that of the drunken driver. Billie Burke, Robert Cummings, Laraine Day, and Jean Muir are starred in the film. "Hot Steel," the other big feature, starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine, deals with the lives of men in America's great steel industry. The first episode of "Drums of Fu Manchu" is also showing. TUDOR THEATRE. Glamorous romance and absorbing entertainment result when beautiful Zorina meets handsome Richard Greene in "I Was an Adventuress," which has been transferred , to the Tudor Theatre. Zorina portrays an alluring huntress of fortunes who, till she meets one of her intended victims in the person of Greene, thinks love is not for her. Jane Withers is starred in "High School," the associate film. REX THEATRE. College life set to music and packed with comedy furnished by Bums and Allen, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, and a dozen others, forms the background for "College Swing," showing at. the Rex. Lloyd Nolan and Mary Carlisle head I the dramatic caSt- of "Tip-Off Girls,' the associate film. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE, WOBURN. A story of tenderness, compassion, and sacrifice, "Vigil in the Night," which is showing at the Prince Edward Theatre, presents Carole Lombard, Brian Aherne, and Anne Shirley in the stellar roles. "Miracles For Sale," fantastic detective story laid amid a group of professional magicians and clairvoyants, is the second feature. Robert Young and Florence Rice are starred. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. The film version of "The Rains Came," the sensationally, successful best-seller by Louis Bromfield, starring Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power, and George Brent, is showing at the State Theatre. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "The Proud Valley" and "Adventure in Diamonds" conclude at the Grand Theatre tonight. A plot to destroy the Panama Canal and trap the fleet in the wrecked locks is the challenge faced by the famous Earl Derr Biggers sleuth in "Charlie Chan in Panama," the attraction tomorrow. "The Crooked Road," starring Edmund Lowe, is the second feature. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Prairie Law" and "Pop Always Pays" conclude at the Palace Theatre tonight. Sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, and always exciting, the Dead Ei. 1 Kids are seen in "Crime School," the attraction tomorrow. "Submarine Dl," a Warner Bros, melodrama of the sea, is the second attraction. Pat O'Brien and Geo. Brent have the leading roles.