CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 16

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. In "1 take This Woman," which is continuing at the Regent Theatre. Spencer Tracy tries his hand at a little straight romance, and makes a conspicuous success of it. With the charming Hedy Lamarr, he does not lack incentive, and the result is a ctelightfuJ story ot an East Side doctor's love for a rather pampered product of.the fashion salons. Ths supporting programme includes shorts showing the attack on Bardia, and a screen commentary of how England spent its last Christmas, MAJESTIC THEATRE. One 'of the most heroic chapters in Australia's war achievements in 1914----18 is relived in "Forty Thousand Horsemen," which has been retained for a further week at the Majestic Theatre. It is the story of the operations of the Australian Light Horse Brigade in desert warfare. The dash and stark courage of these "mad bushmen" at El Arish, Gaza, and BeersHeba are reproduced with remarkable fidelity, and one feels a surge of pride at the recollection, brought home with vividness and ihten'sity, of how this body of horsemen, with their grit, tenacity, and comradeship, won fame as one of the most formidable fighting units in the world. They were "dinkum Aussies" all right, and the reputation they made-for themselves is being upheld to the letter by the next generation now in Egypt. To the principal players, Betty Bryant as Julie, and Grant Taylor as "Red" Gallagher, go the acting honours, and to Charles Chauvel the credit for producing a very fine picture. The supporting programme is excellent. ST. JAMES THEATRE. A horror picture with a difference, "A Date With .Destiny," featuring Basil Hathbone, Ellen Drew, and John Howard, is the new attraction at the St. .Lones Theatre. It is the story of an insane, wife-slaying, yet brilliant doctor from Vienna, who practises psychiatry in the United States. The picture differs from the usual run of horror, films, however, for the madman's emotions and feelings are not overlooked, and Rathbone interprets them very capably. Ellen Drew gives a splendid performance ia the role of the doctor's suicidally-inclined patient who becomes his last wife. Chief among the supporting items is "North With the Springboks," the first official film of South African troops in action in East Africa. A "Popeye" cartoon, a sports feature, and a Pathe Gazette complete the programme. DE LUXE THEATRE. Broad Cockney humour of the type which is at present being displayed in Britain's hour of trial is portrayed perfectly by the cast headed by Gordon Harker and Mervyn Johnson in the British Empire film "Saloon Bar," showing at the De Luxe Theatre. A slice of luck puts Gordon Harker on the trail of a murderer, and the suspense, in no way allayed by the humour, is maintained to the last minute when simple deduction finally brings the villian to justice. Universal Pictures' "They Asked for It," the associate feature, is an amusing tale of how three young friends improve their businesses and put a small town on the map by announcing a normal j death as a murder. It is left to Joy Hodges to unravel the tangle when it is discovered that their "murder" is actual and when an innocent girl confesses to the crime. Support comes from William Lundigan and Michael Whalen. A further episode of "Drums of Fu Manchu" tops off an excellent programme. TIVOLI THEATRE. The homespun charm, the sweet, down-to-earth sentiment contained in L. M. Montgomery's well-loved book, "Anne of Windy Poglars," is unfolded on the screen in«a picturisation of that famous story, which is showing at the Tivoli. Anne Shirley gives a gay and brilliant performance. The amazing adventures of three men and a girl whose lives are vitally involved with the braiding of the fastest pursuit plane in the world form the unique basis of "Men Against the Sky," the associate film." REX THEATRE. "Gunner George," starring George Formby, and "Men With Wings," are showing at the Rex Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE. /"Convoy," starring Clive Brook, and "It's a Wonderful World." with Claudette Colbert and James Stewart, head the bill at the Princess. ROXY THEATRE. "Tarzan Finds a Son," starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan, and "Argentine Nights," with the Ritz Bros., are showing at the Roxy.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. Among the new generation of film stars two who stand out highest in the public favour are Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and it is these young people who are cast in "Twenty-one Days Together," the new film at the King's Theatre. Based o- a Galsworthy theme, the film contains the mixed elements of excitement, humour, suspense, and, above all, romance that triumphs over difficulties. Laurence Olivier is cast as a ne'er do well young man who cannot hold a job, but who is, withal, exceedingly attractive and likeable. He falls in love with a young Russian, Wanda, also penniless, and what slim chance they have of happiness seems to vanish when the boy kills a scheming rascal who was blackmailing Wanda. Although the killing was accidental, another man is charged with murder, and the young couple have twenty-one days in which to seize their happiness before Olivier must give himself up for the crime. Associate features include a colour cartoon and newsreels. STATE THEATRE. "Charter Pilot," one of the two big features on the new programme at the State Theatre, is a highly entertaining comedy-drama notable for its wellknit story and for smart and clever dialogue. Lloyd Nolan and Lynn Bari head the cast, the former showing that he can portray a romantic hero every ; bit as well as he has in the past the part of the suave "villain." Lynn Bari, as an ultra-smart , young woman, makes good use of the many clever and amusing lines in her part. "Street of Memories," the second big picture, starring Lynne Roberts, Guy Kibbee, and John McGuire. TUDOR THEATRE. """" "The Ramparts We Watch," which is showing at the Tudor, is a production with one sole purpose—to depict the true story of what happened in the precipitation of the present cataclysm of war. And in that word "true" lies the essence of the ■~ film's appeal. The associate feature is a murder mystery, "Sued for Libel," in which Kent Taylor, Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond, and Morgan Conway have the leading roles. PLAZA THEATRE. \ In almost every great star's career there is one outstanding role that seems made to order for his talents and his personality. For Tyrone Power this part has come in the Twentieth Cen-tury-Fox film, "The Mark of Zorro," showing with great success at the Plaza Theatre. The title role is undoubtedly the most famous and colourful the screen has ever known. Zorro, the masked bandit of old California's most exciting days, whose sword mark —a jagged Z —struck terror to every heart but one, was the'role which gave the late Douglas Fairbanks his greatest fame. Now, in "The Mark of Zorro," it marks for Tyrone Power a triumph greater than those he scored in the memorable "Jesse James," "In Old Chicago," and "Alexander's Ragtime Band." The brilliant featured cast is headed by Linda Darnell. The bright supporting programme includes a complete change of newsreels, which show, among other things, fire destrucition in London. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Sea Hawk," which is heading the double-feature programme at the Paramount Theatre, takes one back to those unforgettable days of action in the silent films, but in action -only. Modern technique has brought those tales of sea adventure to the peak of realism, and "The Sea Hawk" gives the irresistible impression of being j the best of its kind. With Errol Flynn, Bfenda Marshall, and Flora Robson in the lead, it is a brilliant slice of Elizabethan adventure, when Philip of Spain Was asking for his beard to be singed, and English privateers plundered the Spanish galleons. Errol Flynn gives one of his best performances. Parts of the film are grim, but necessarily so to achieve the atmosphere. Charlie Ruggles gives another of his bright efforts in "The Farmer's Daughter," the second film, which is an excellent comedy of a Broadway producer striving to get the rustic touch. Martha Raye is the "daughter." NGAIO AND KHANDALLAH PICTURES. "The Lion Has Wings," starring Merle Oberon and Ralph Richardson, and "The Witness Vanishes," with Edmund Lowe and Wendy Barrie, form the double-feature »bill at the Ngaio Pictures. v "The Lion Has Wings" is also showing at the Khandallah Pictures. The second feature is "Elephants Never Forget," with Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon. Billy Burke, and Alice Brady. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Grand (Petone).—"The Saint Takes Over," George Sanders and Wendy Barrie; "If I Had My Way," Bin?, Crosby and Gloria Jean. Palace (Petone). —"Passport to Al- j catraz," Jack Holt; "I Can't Give You , Anything But Love, Baby," Johnnie' Downs and Peggy Moran. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). —"South tc Karanga," Charles Bickford and Lul: ■ Deste; and "Bulldog Sees it Through," | Jack Buchanan and Greta Gynt. State (Petone).—"Convoy," Clive Brook and Judy Campbell. King George (Lower Hutt). —"Spring Parade," Deanna Durbin, Robert Cum-1 mings, and Mischa Aver. Prince Edward (Woburn).—"The Ghost Comes Home," Frank Morgan and Billie Burke; and "The Roaring ' Twenties," James Cagney and Priscilla j Lane. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"lrene," Anna Neagle and Roy Milland; and "Inside Information." Rivoli (Newtown).—"Pride of the. Blue Grass," Edith Fellowes and James McCallion; "South of Samoa," Dorothy Lamour and Robert Preston. Ascot (Newtown). —"The Mortal Storm," Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart; "Two Thoroughbreds." Empire (Island Bay).—"Virginia City," Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins; "The Boys from Syracuse," Allan Jones and Joe Penner. Kinema (Kilbirnie).—"The Way of Aj Flesh," Akim Tamiroff and Gladys George; "My Favourite Wife," Irene Dunne and Gary Grant. Capitol (Miramar). —"Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever," Lewis Stone and Mickey Rooney; "You're Not So Tough," the "Dead End" Kids. Regal (Karori).—"lt's a Wonderful World," James Stewart and Claudette Colbert; "Old Iron," Tom Walls.