CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 145, 16 December 1940, Page 12

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE.

A really brilliant exhibition of 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 strong supporting programme includes pictures of attacks on London.

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 ifilm shows the operation of German ! submarines in and around the . West [Indies at the start of the present\war. Henry Wilcoxon and Carole Landis head the cast. "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 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. The supporting programme includes an "Our Gang" comedy and novelty shorts.

TTVOLI THEATRE

"Bill of Divorcement" and "Buck Benny Rides Again" conclude tonight at the Tivoli. One of the most amusing films of 1940, "The Amazing Mr. Williams," opens tomorrow. Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell are the stars, and a big cast of comedians supports them. Hazardous and thrilling adventures of the men of the United States Secret Service are dramatised in "Secret Service of the Air," the second feature.

RIVOLI THEATRE,

"Remember the Night" and "Buck Benny Rides Again" conclude tonight at the Rivoli 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," which opens tomorrow. Maureen O'Hara, Adolphe Menjou, Fay Bainter, and Herbert Marshall are starred. "Private Affairs," a new Universal comedy starring Nancy Kelly, Robert Cummings, Hugh Herbert, and Roland Young, is the second feature.

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. Spencer Tracy is the leading figure, in the character of Major Rogers, adventurer and visionary. Robert Young is also starred.

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. 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 are presented. 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. Real entertainment value is in the supporting programme, which includes a "Donald Duck" cartoon.

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 at the Ascot Theatre. Charles Laughton, 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.

VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN.

"Raffles" and "Pop Always Pays" ocnclude at the Vogue tonight. A woman's beauty makes men as savage as the jungle beasts they hunt in "Safari," which commences tomorrow. The cast includes Madeleine Carroll, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Tullio Carminati, Lynne Overman, and Billy Gilbert. Virginia Weidler, Gene Reynolds, and Guy Kibbee are starred in the second feature, "Bad Little Angel." Selected supports complete the programme.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA,

"The Old Maid" and "Five Came Back" conclude tonight at the Kinema. Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone appear in Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer's thrilling saga of the sea, "Mutiny on the Bounty," which commences at the Kinema tomorrow. It is one of those rare pictures that will always be remembered. Joe Penner is starred in the supporting feature, "Millionaire Playboy?'

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.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "The Mortal Storm" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. "The Great Waltz," glamorous musical drama based on the life of Johann Strauss, which opens tomorrow, recreates the romance of old Vienna. Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet, and Miliza Korjus, new opera star discovery, head an elaborate cast.

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. Para, mount's new romantic comedy, "Honeymoon In Bali," the second attraction, stars Fred Mac Murray, Madeleine Carroll, and Allan Jones.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE

PLAZA THEATRE

DE LUXE THEATRE

STATE THEATRE,

TUDOR THEATRE.

ROXY THEATRE.

REX 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. The stars are Jon Hall and Lynn Bari. The film is supported by a number of excellent shorts amongst which is a "March of Time" dealing with the Japanese threat to the Dutch East Indies.

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. 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.

"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, where Nick Carter, assisted by his beekeeping friend Bartholomew (Donald Meek), are on the trail of saboteurs who sink ships by bombs concealed in-cargo and exploded by radio control. The second attraction is "The Captain is a Lady," a sentimental and unusual comedy. An instalment of the serial, "Drums of Fu Manchu," completes the programme.

Taking the previous Worid War lor a background, the two pictures that comprise the 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.

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.

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. Ddck Foran, Cecil Kellaway, and Peggy Moran are starred. The other attraction is a comedy, "Ma, He's Making Eyes at Me."

"Come On, George" and "The Rains Came conclude tonight at the Rex Theatre.

"Checkers," starring popular Jane Withers .opens tomorrow. Stuart Erwin and Una Merkel are featured in romantic roles in the film, and Marvin Stephens plays Jane's first screen boy friend. Dad Jones becomes a "Big Brother" in the Jones Family picture "Borrowing Trouble," the associate film.

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 Young and Florence Rice.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

A sparkling potpourri of popular new melodies are sung by Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, and Bob Hope m "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.

SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALI. BAY.

"The Man From Dakota," Civil War story starring Wallace Beery and Dolores Del Rio, is showing at the Seaside Theatre. An amazing story of sabotage m the skies is told in 'Trapped in the Sky," the associate film.