CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 82, 7 April 1941, Page 10

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Busman's Honeymoon," at the Grand Opera House, reveals Robert Montgomery at his best in his portrayal of Lord Peier Wimsey, the incomparable detective who never seems to make a false move The plot is typical of the brilliant work of Dorothy L. Sayers, while the finely photographed scenery of the English countryside lends a charming note to an entertaining film. The feminine lead is taken by Constance Cummings. Sir Seymour Hicks and Leslie Banks lend able assistance. There is an excellent programme in support.

TUDOR THEATRE. The story oj that unbelievable street where songs are born is excitingly told in 'Tin Han Alley," starring Alice Faye and Betty Grable, which is screening at the Tudor Theatre. "Tin Pan Alley" has a brilliant featured cast headed by Jack Oakie and John Payne. The associate feature is "The Gay Caballero." starring Cesar Romero REX THEATRE. "Honolulu" and "Calling Dr. Kildare" are the current attractions at the Rex Theatre. KING'S THEATRE. Mystery, suspense, and tense final moments throng "The Chinese Bungalow" at the King's Theatre. Paul Lukas and Jane Baxter excel themselves. A cafe singer new to Singapore dazzles a Chinese millionaire into a marriage as hasty as it is mistaken. She cannot stand the loneliness of the palatial bungalow up the river, isolated amidst a swampy tropic hinterland, and he tires of her shallow mentality. Thenceforward the story moves swiftly to tragedy. Supports include scenes of the London Docks during a night raid. DE LUXE THEATRE. "The Man Who Talked Too Much," the main feature of the double bill at the De Luxe Theatre, is a dynamic story in which the human and romantic elements have been excellently blended. The lead is taken by George Brent. William Lundigan. Virginia Bruce, Richard Barthelmess, and John Litel ably portray their parts. The supporting feature is "Meet the Missus." latest of the Higgins Family series. Findlay Robb gives two sessions at the Wurlitzer organ. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Brother Orchid." which heads the programme at the St. James Theatre, is a tale of a hard-boiled gangster who seeks culture and "class" in the gilded capitals of Europe, but eventually finds it in a flower garden. The part is played by Edward G. Robinson with his customary artistry and polish. The supporting players include the vivacious Ann So them and Humphrey Bogart. There is an interesting programme of "shorts." MAJESTIC THEATRE. In the last few years Ann Sothern has built up a reputation of being one of the most competent of Hollywood actresses in •'scatty" roles. She justifies this reputation with a delightfully "dumb" performance in "Dulc>," the current attraction at the Majestic Theatre. Moving in New York society. I Dulcy causes havoc in a blissfully unconscious manner. When it appears that she is certain to be murdered by one or other of the people she threatents to assist, everything "is smoothed out. The supports include several topical war items. REGENT THEATRE. "North-West Mounted Police" is the main attraction at the Regent Theatre. As a technical feat the production is brilliant, and that brilliance is equalled by the excellence of the acting and the depth and strength of the plot. Gary Cooper, hard-bitten Texas Ranger on a man-hunt, joins forces with the police and the drama trips along at uni relieved tension. Madeleine Carroll I adds to her successes in the part of a heroic nurse, and there is an imposing list of supporting players. Also on the programme are a skiing film, a newsreel, and a fine musical short, "Moments of Charm," featuring an all- ; girl orchestra. ! \ PRINCESS THEATRE. Ralph Bellamy and Margaret Lind- | say are seen as a pair of adventurous Americans on the trail of art thieves in Mexico City in Universal's romantic mystery drama, "Meet the Wildcat," at the Princess Theatre. Joan Blondell and Dick Powell are starred in the associate feature, Paramount's I"I Want a Divorce," a sprightly ! comedy-drama of marital difficulties. I ' ROXY THEATRE. "Three Cheers For the Irish," a warm-hearted, captivating story of the ups and downs in the lives of a typical Irish-American family, starring Priscilla Lane. Thomas Mitchell, Dennis Morgan, and Alan Hale, is showing at the Roxy Theatre. A thrilling action drama, "South to Karanga," with Charles Bickford, James Craig, Luli Deste, and John Sutton, is the other feature. STATE THEATRE. An absorbing and compelling story surrounding the dramatic side of a murder trial is featured in "On Trial," the main attraction of the double bill at the State Theatre, starring John Litel and Margaret Lindsay. The theme is treated in an unusual manner, in that the alleged murderer makes comparatively no attempt to assist his own case but remains adamant in his plea of guilty. Thr climax «in which he finally gains his freedom is splendidly handled, and there is not a dull moment throughout the film. "The Man From Sundown," starring Charles Starrett. is a rollicking story of the I Wild West.

SUBURBAN THEATRES. Palace (Petone). —"Captains Courageous." Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Mickey Rooney. Grand (Petone).—"Two Girls on Broadway," Lana Turner, Joan Blondell; "Fast and Loose," Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"Daytime Wife," Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell; "Fugitives From Justice." Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Miracles for Sale," Robert Young and Florence Rice: "Down Went McGinity," Brian Donlevy and Muriel Angelus.' Prince Edward (Woburn).— "Safari," Douglas Fairbanks, jun.. and Madeleine Carroll; "Smashing the Money Ring." Donald Reagan and Margot Stevenson Rivoli (Newtown).—"The Doctor Takes a Wife," Hay Milland and Loretta Young: "Scatterbrain." Judy Canova. Kinema (Kilbirnie). — "North-west Passage." Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan. and Ruth Hussey; "Tear-gas Squad," Dennis Morgan. John Payne, and Gloria Dickson. Empire (Island Bay).—"The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex," Bette Davis and Errol Flynn; "Women Without Names." Regal (Karori).—"Come On, George," George Formby; "Dance, Girl, Dance," Maureen O'Hara and Louis Hayward; King George (Lower Hutt). —"Andy Hardy Meets Debutante," Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Judy Garland. State < Petone).-r'The Sea Hawk," Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, and Alan Hale. Cafritoi (Miramar). —"Spring Parade." Deanna Durbin. Ascot (Newtown). —"Susan and God," Fredric March and Joan Crawford; "Freshman Year."

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

TIVOLI THEATRE. ! Metro-Goidwyn-Mayer's "Florian," featuring Robert Young and Helen Gilbert, at the fivoli Theatre, is a dramatic story of the pomp, colour, and gaiety of Imperial Austria, against which is told the love story of a boy and a girl, its episodes traced through the life of a magnificent Lippii zan horse. "Cheer, Boys. Cheer," the associate feature, has Nova Pilbeam, Peter Coke, C. V. France, and Edmund Gwenn in the main roles.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Saturday's Children," the main item on the Paramount Theatre's programme this week, is an extraordinarily good film with a first-rate cast. It is a lively and vital story about the troubles and pleasures of ordinary people. John Garfield and Anne Shirley are the leading figures. Roscoe Karns and Lee Patrick provide a good dea] of amusement, and that grand old trouper, Claude Rains, gives his usual effective performance. The associate feature, starring Richard Dix, is an outstanding Western picture, "The Indian Nation." PLAZA THEATRE. "Little Men," which has come to the Plaza Theatre for a season, will probably achieve the same degree of popularity as did its predecessor, "Little Women." Filmed on a sumptuous scale. "Little Men" is a pleasing mixture of drama, romance, and comedy. The amiable swindler. Major Burdle. is well portrayed by George Bancroft, and the part of Willie, the other crook, is equally well played by Jack Oakie. The scenes at the Plumfield School are particularly well done. The supporting programme includes an interesting travel film, a nigger minstrel show, and excellent views of the recent visit of the American fleet.