CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1940, Page 14

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

A" really brilliant exhibition of i dramatic character acting is given by Akim Tamiroff in "The Way of All Flesh," the attraction at the Regent Theatre. Many people will not be strangers to the story, but in its new guise and handled by a talented cast it has everything one could wish for in a new production. As the title suggests, there is a moral to the tale, a very strong moral—a successful career can be lost by a moment's rashness. Akim Tamiroff heads the cast. The strongs supporting programme includes pictures of attacks on London, a reconstructed version of the German attack on a lightship, "Easy on the Ice, a skating item, a "Popeye" cartoon, and general news. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Whether based on fiction or fact, "Mystery Sea Raider," which is continuing at the St. James Theatre, shows in some degree the effectiveness of submarine warfare at considerable distances from recognised bases. Magnificently produced, the film shows the operation of German submarines in and around the West Indies at the start of the present war. Flagship of the "German Caribbean Fleet" is the mystery sea raider, formerly the American freighter Apache. This ship, pirated from its American crew and captain (Henry Wilcoxon), is disguised as a Danish merchantman. It locates AHied shipping, notifies submarines in the vicinity, and they do the rest. The tragedy of ships being torpedoed and life on German "hell ships" is convincingly shown. Interwoven with these facts of current interest is an excellent story, with Henry Wilcoxon and Carole Landis providing the romance. "World in Flames," which is also showing, is the most outstanding "short" to be screened in Wellington. It runs for 55 minutes, and is an impressive piece of film journalism which pieces together major international happenings of the last decade and shows their culmination in the second World War. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Another of those entertaining and delightfully human pictures of the well-known Hardy family series heads the new programme at the Majestic Theatre. With Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy dominating the doings as usual, the same team, with the addition of the vivacious Judy Garland, gives one of its best efforts. Andy Hardy's antics in the field of romance are again a source of trouble to his family. This time it is a long-distance affair, and with the burning fervour of youth Andy fastens his affection on New York's No. 1 debutante. As a long-distance lover, Andy outdoes Lothario, but when Judge Hardy has to go to New York and Andy's bluff is in danger of being called, things are not so good. With Judy Garland's help, however, he manages to get himself photographed with this charmer, and disconcerts certain people by getting the photograph printed in his college magazine. Features of the picture are Andy's forty-dollar dinner solo at a New York club; his all-night ride with Judy Garland in a horse-drawn cab; Judy Garland's singing; the amazing Butch, a precocious orphan; and Judge Hardy's common-sense observations about life; The supporting programme includes an "Our Gang." comedy and novelty shorts. TIVOLI THEATRE. The conflicting sacrifices and . loves of two women bound to the pitiful soul of a man whose mind is on the brink of eternal darkness are woven into gripping drama for "A Bill of Divorcement," showing at the Tivoli. Maureen O'Hara, Adolphe Menjou, Fay Bainter, and Herbert Marshall are starred. "Buck Benny Rides Again" Jack Benny's newest picture for Paramount, which is the second feature, is also his funniest. This picture has plenty of good music and dancing. RIVOLI THEATRE. A saucy story of a district attorney who falls in love with a girl he is trying to send to prison, directed with the Mitchell Leisen magic from an original story by Preston Sturges, is presented in "Remember the Night, which is showing at the Rivoh. The stars are Fred Mac Murray and Barbara Stanwyck. All is chaos on the Western plains as two-fisted Jack Benny bites off more than he can chew and comes to rue it in Paramount's ''Buck Benny Rides Again," the associate film. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Two shows in one is "Talking Feet," which heads a long and varied programme at the Paramount Theatre. It is a first-class screen story with a brilliantly staged variety show as its climax; the best in films has been combined with the best on the stage, and the result is eminently satisfying. When an English community wants something it seems to have a habit of getting it by sheer determination and cooperation, so when one of the poorer class districts in London is threatened with the loss of its hospital if £10,000 is not raised for the purchase of the site everyone gets together to stage a huge variety show—dancing, piping, delightful music by such world figures as Mark Hambourg and William Heughan (both of whom have visited New Zealand), and other excellent turns. In the background to all this is the film story, rich in delicious Cockney humour. Nine-year-old Hazel Ascot, with the twinkling feet, is the star, but she is not alone in her talent. Real entertainment value is in the supporting programme which includes a "Donald Duck" cartoon. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Allan Jones shares the star honours with Mary Martin and Walter Connolly in Paramount's musical romance, "The Great Victor Herbert," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre tonight. The associate attraction features the tempestuous Lupe Velez and the rubber-legged comedian, Leon Errol, in a comedy farce, entitled "Mexican Spitfire." KILBIRNIE KINEMA. Presenting as co-stars two of the screen's greatest actresses, Bette Davis and Miriam Hopkins. "The Old Maid is showing at the Kinema. The associate feature is "Five Came Back, starring Chester Morris. Lucille Ball. Joseph Calleia. C. Aubrey Smith, and Kent Taylor. KHANDALLAH PICTURES. In "Johnny Apollo." screening tonight at the Khandallah Pictures, Tyrone Power is cast as the son of a banker turned mobster when the father whom he idolised is imprisoned and his wealthy friends have turned against him. Dorothy Lamour, Edward Arnold, Lloyd Nolan, and Lionel Atwill are in the cast. The second feature, "The Gorilla," stars Patsy Kelly. NGAIO CITIZENS' PICTURES. "Untamed," an exciting film in technicolor and starring Ray Milland, Patricia Morrison, and Akim Tamiroff is showing at the Ngaio Pictures. The associate feature is "The Gracie Allen Murder Case," a mystery comedy by S. S. Van Dine, wi'" Gracie Allen and Warren Williams starred. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. Headed by a cast which stars debonair David Niven and lovely Olivia de Havilland. Samuel Goldwyn's production of the exciting mysterymelodrama. "Raffles," is showing at the Vogue. "Pop Always Pays," starring Leon Errol, Dennis O'Keefe, and Adele Pearce, is the supporting feajture. The latest "March of Time" is ialso showing.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. Another page in American history is presented at the King's Theatre in "Kit Carson," a picture that tells something of the colourful lives of the great border scout of that name and Captain John Preemont, the United States Army officer who led a scientific expedition into California and started the movement that brought that part of the North American continent into the Union. "Kit Carson," like a number of other pictures produced during recent, yeara, aims at presenting an interesting aspect of American history in conjunction with entertainment of a high standard. The claims of entertainment probably detract from the historical value to a considerable degree but, apart from students of American history, no one is likely to quarrel with that. The stars are Jon Hall and Lynn Bari. The film is supported by a number of excellent shorts, amongst which a "March of Time" dealing with the Japanese threat to the Dutch East Indies will prove of exceptional interest to New Zealanders. PLAZA THEATRE. Although "Four Sons," which heads the programme at the Plaza Theatre, deals with the destructive and tragic effect on family life of the rise of the Nazi Party in Central Europe, it is in no sense a propaganda picture. The story is a tragic and moving tale, showing the disintegration through political hatred and war of a once happy Czecho-Slovak family consisting of a mother and her four sons. One of the sons secretly joins the Nazi Party, and during the troubles associated with the German occupation of the Sudetenland is mortally wounded by his next eldest brother who has remained loyal to Czecho-Slovakia. The Nazis are informed of the identity of the man, and is shot down while attempting to escape. A third son is killed with the German army during the invasion of Poland. The picture ends on a happier note xvith the mother and her daughter-in-law setting out to join the fourth son who has made his home m America. The picture is notable for the inspired acting of Eugenic Leontovich, who plays the part of the mother. Others in the cast include Don Ameche, Mary Beth Hughes, and Alan Curtis. The supporting programme is excellent. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Phantom Raiders," another of the Nick Carter series, starring Walter Pidgeon, Florence Rice, Steffi Duna, and Joseph Schildkraut, heads the new bill at the De Luxe Theatre. The scene of most of the action is Panama. Nick Carter, assisted by his beekeeping friend Bartholomew (Donald Meek), discovers that ships are being sunk by bombs concealed in cargo and exploded by radio control. From then on the pair's efforts to trace the transmitter form the story. The second attraction is "The Captain is a Lady," a sentimental and unusual comedy concerning a retired master of a coastal schooner who, through a combination of unfortunate circumstances, is forced to accept the hospitality of an old women's home. Charles Coburn capably handles the leading role. An instalment of the serial "Drums of Fu Manchu" completes the programme. STATE THEATRE. Taking the previous World War for a background, the two pictures that comprise the new programme at the State Theatre are of timely and topical interest. The main picture ,is "Lancer Spy," an espionage drama of more than usual quality and entertainment value. George Sanders, Dolores del Rio, and Lionel Atwill head the cast. The supporting picture is "Submarine Patrol," which deals with the exploits of the submarine chasers in the last war. It features Richard Greene and Nancy Kelly. TUDOR THEATRE. Adventure, mystery, suspense, international intrigue—all are present in the timely film, "Foreign Correspondent," which has been transferred to the Tudor programme. Just how the correspondents get their news is often as exciting as the news itself. In "Foreign Correspondent," Joel McCrea is seen as an American newspaperman sent by his paper to "cover Europe" immediately before the present war. "One Crowded Night," is also showing. ROXY THEATRE. The mummy of an Egyptian prince, dead 3000 years, comes to life with startling results in "The Mummy's Hand," which is showing at the Roxy. Dick Foran, Cecil Kellaway, and Peggy Moran are starred. The other attraction is a comedy, "Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me." REX THEATRE. George Formby's new comedy, "Come On, George," is showing at the Rex Theatre. Previewers are unanimous in their declaration that this is the funniest film even George has made. Darryl F. Zanuck's production of "The Rains Came," the great Louis Bromfield novel, starring Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power, and George Brent, is also showing, as well as the first episode of "Jungle Menace," a new serial. PRINCESS THEATRE. "The Story of Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet," a film constructed along the same lines as "The Story of Louis Pasteur," is showing at the Princess. Edward G. Robinson has his greatest role as Dr. Ehrlich. "Miracles for Sale," fantastic drama of sinister seers, mysterious magicians, and murder, is the second feature, with Robert Youn?; and Florence Rice. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. The Saint, a dashing, debonair but deadly killer, returns in the most exciting chapter of his colourful career, "The Saint's Double Trouble," which is showing at the Grand Theatre. Paramount's new romantic comedy, "Honeymoon In Bali," the second attraction, stars Fred Mac Murray, Madeleine Carroll, and Allan Jones. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Old Barn Dance." starring Gene Autry, the attraction at the Palace Theatre is a musical Western with all the ingredients of high-class entertainment. James Stephenson appears in "Dangerous Fingers," the second feature. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Three of the foremost celebrities of both screen and radio, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope, make their appearance together in "Road to Singapore." showing at the Regal Theatre. . Douglas Fairbanks, jun., and Madeleine Carroll are stars of "Safari," exciting romance in the background of the African jungle, which is the second feature. ASCOT THEATRE. A return season of the reissued film "Mutiny of the Bounty" is showing ai the Ascot Theatre. Charles Laugliton. Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone are starred in the film, which tells a true story of the sea. Also showing is "Cafe Hostess." with Preston Foster and Ann Dvorak. It is a daring drama exposing the night club racket. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. "Broadway Melody of 1940," starring Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. Continuous action, thrills, romance, and comedy are the entertainment ingredients blended into "Danger on Wheels." the associate film.

OPERA HOUSE. The film version of the best read and best-liked Kenneth Roberts historical novel, "North-west Passage," screening at the Opera House, is particularly fine entertainment; a splendid story acted against the magnificent background of the forests of mountain, and lake and riverside of Canada, and filmed in colour. The novel has too great a sweep of history, romance, and action to be encompassed in a single film, so this picture deals with the first section of the novel only, the staggering punitive expedition carried out by the Rogers Rangers against Indians, the treacherous allies of the enemy French. It is an outstanding story of what man has endured under pioneer conditions. Spencer Tracy is the leading figure, in the character of Major Rogers, adventurer and visionary. Robert Young is Langdon Towne, the young city man who, through speaking his mind, is driven into the rigours of river work and bush fighting. Apart from the principals there is a strong cast. The supporting films are well chosen. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. A motion picture as timely as tomorrow's headlines, "The Mortal Storm," is showing at the State. Characterised by brilliant performances on the part of an outstanding cast, this film is designed to make audiences think The stars are Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A sparkling potpourri of popular new melodies are sung by Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope in "Road to Singapore," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. A beautiful white woman alone in the heart of the jungle with two men! That is the situation in "Safari," the second feature. Madeleine Carroll, Douglas Fairbanks jun., and Tullio Carminati are starred.