CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 41, 16 August 1941, Page 12

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. A dual role, which leads to farcical situations, is playe^ by Brian Aherrie, who is starred with Kay Francis in Universal's comedy "The Man Who Lost Himself," now showing at the Regent Theatre. Aherne is seen on the one hand as a worthless man-about-town, and on the other as an honest, temperate business man. The comedy develops when the business man, after a night out, 'finds himself in the waster's home, and unable to convince anyone, incsuding the latter's wife, that he is not the lawful master of the house. MAJESTIC THEATRE. Metro-Godwyn-Mayer's dynamic production, "Boom Town," now in its third week at the Majestic Theatre, has much more than its superlative cast, headed by Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr and Frank Morgan, to commend it as first-rate entertainment. Drama and humour, thrills and tragedy flash through its scenes, which range from the oilfields of the great south-west of the United States to the penthouses of Manhattan.. The story is typical of those which accompanied the development of the oil Industry in America^ with its dramatic tales of wealth made and lost over-night, of primitive passions flaming up in a territory where the only rule is that of might and opportunity, and of spectacular incidents associated with the quest for the vital oil. "Boom Town" has much in common with "San Francisco" for excitement and general appeal, and it has a leavening of romance which adds to its interest. There is a splendid sup-1 porting programme. J ST. JAMES THEATRE. Rhythmic melody from first-class exponents is heard in "Second Chorus" at the St. James Theatre. Fred As-, taire and Paulette Goddard are starred, and Artie Shaw and his band play a major part in a musical and merry mix-up. The college band is so well paid that nobody wants to graduate. Then mischievous love gets to work, and creates discords between two firm friends over a girl secretary, and when the three are shot out of college into the big world some ludicrous things happen. The rivals are both trumpet players, and neither will allow the other a fair chance, professionally or with the girl. Fred As taire, the successful one with the girl, does some unusual dancing, and among his songs are "Love of My Life" and "Poor Mr. Chisholm," Mr. Chisholm being the rich impresario whom Paulette Goddard makes young again. "From the Four Corners" is a London ! sketch, giving the dialogue between chance-met Canadian and Anzac soldiers on leave, who are entertained by s.r> Englishman eager to find out why they enlisted. Shorts include "Return from Crete," a rapid-shooting Zane Grey fishing jaunt, "Fisherman's Pluck," a cartoon, and newsreels. DE LUXE THEATRE. A famous radio feud results in an even more famous screen feud when Jack Benny and Fred Allen meet each other with the gloves off in the Paramount Picture, "Love Thy Neighbour," the chief attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. Mary Martin as Fred Allen's niece makes a valiant attempt at "bearing the olive branch," but after a' temporary reconciliation, a faux pas by Rochester leads to hostilities being renewed with increased v.enom. The war is doubtless still in full swing, but as far as the film went Mr. Allen cer- . tainly came off second best. The singing of Mary Martin, particularly of one of Cole Porter's hits, and the presence of the brilliant Merry Macs combination make the film one of the best musical comedies of the year. The associate feature, "Mr. Dynamite," is a truly high-explosive film in which Irene Hervey, as a Canadian secret agent, manages, with the aid of Lloyd Nolan, to expose a foreign spy organisation. Episode 11 of the current serial completes the programme. PRINCESS THEATRE. "Public Cowboy No. 1" Gene Antry; "No Time for Comedy," Janies Stewart and Rosalind Russell. ROXY THEATRE. "Moon Over Burma," Dorothy Lamour and Robert Preston; "Christmas in July," Dick Powell and Ellen Drew. REX THEATRE. "Swanee River," Don Ameche, Andrea Leeds, and Al Jolson; "The Cat and the Canary," Paulette Goddard and Bob Hope. TIVOLI THEATRE. "The Road To 'Frisco," George Raft and Ann Sheridan; "Law and Disorder," Barry K. Barnes and Diana Churchill.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. A novel kind of matrimonial tangle forms the theme of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," a cleverly-constructed and cleverly-acted comedy of the sophisticated type, which is showing at the King's Theatre. It stars Robert Montgomery as Mr. Smith and Carole Lombard as Mrs. Smith, that is, until they discover that, through some unexpected geographical upset, that they haven't been legally married at all for the past three years. Then there is only Mr. Smith; Mrs. Smith reverts to her maiden name, and Mr. Smith has to start wooing her all over again. The erstwhile Mrs. Smith, with three years' experience of Mr. Smith's fads and foibles, however, proves a little difficult, and Mr. Smith has to work hard in the face of strong opposition to make the grade again. The picture is full of piquant situations and refreshing fun. The supporting programme shows some excellent topical shorts of the troops in Egypt during Mr. Fraser's visit, and the return from Crete, and a British propaganda film featuring a New Zealander, Australian, and a Canadian, and Leslie Howard. PLAZA THEATRE. Two of the most popular screen favourites of recent years, James Stewart and Paulette Goddard, are starred in "Pot o' Gold," a bright comedy now in its second week at the Plaza Theatre Well remembered for his successes in "No Time for Comedy" and "Philadelphia Story." Stewart scores another big hit in his newest screen appearance as a small town music-shop proprietor who becomes involved in a startling manner in the food manufacturing business in New York. Dainty Paulette Goddard plays the part of one of the opposition to the business in which the hero finds himself, and Charles Winninger in his own inimitable style does much to keep the audience amused. Singing and dancing are cleverly introduced into the story. The topical supports include pictures of the return to Egypt of men lfrom Greece and Crete. TUDOR THEATRE. In launching "Lady Hamilton," his' first Hollywood production and his most ambitious picture to date, Alexander Korda selected Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier—the most glamorous couple in the world—to play the stellar roles in this great romance. "Lady Hamilton," now showing at the Tudor Theatre, unfolds on the screen one of the most-stirring and unforgettable love stories of all time, romi ance of Lady Hamilton and Lord Nel--1 son. The associate feature is "Girls Under 21," with Bruce Cabot and Rochelle Hudson. 1 STATE THEATRE. "Shipyard Sally" is the film in which Gracie. Fields .first sang one of her most popular songs, "Wish Me Luck." It is showing for a return season at the State Theatre. Gracie is always at her best when she has a part set among the humbler people of Britain, and in "Shipyard Sally" she is the darling of the workers in the shipyards. The % second picture, "Murder Among Friends," tells of the adventures which befall ten people who.sign a strange pact. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Regal Karori).—"Hullaballoo," Frank Morgan, Billy Burke; "Sky Murder," Walter Pidgeon. Ascot (Newtown).—"Strike Up the Band," Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland; "Missing Witness," Dick Purcell, Jean Dale. Kinema (Kilbirnie).—"One Night in the Tropics," Allen Jones, Nancy Kelly; "Dulcy, Ann Sothern, lan Hunter.Empire (Island Bay) .—"Kitty Foyle," Ginger. Rogers; "Where's That Fire?" WilfHayy Moore Marriott. Rivoli (Newtown).—"He Stayed for Breakfast," Loretta Young, Melvyn Douglas; "Wildcat Bus," Fay Wray, Charles Lang. Capitol (Miramar). — "North-West Mounted Police," Gary Cooper, Madeleine Carroll; "Tear Gas Squad," Dennis Morgan, John Payne. State (Petone).—"Arise My Love," Claudette Colbert and Ray Milland. Prince Edward (Woburn).—"Call a Cop," George Formby; "The Cisco Kid and the Lady." Be Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"Moon Over Burma," Dorothy Lamour, Robert Preston; "Double Date," Edmund Lowe, Una Merkel. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Flowing Gold," John Garfield, Frances Farmer; "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante," Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney. King George (Lower Hutt). —"Foreign Correspondent," Joel McCrea and Herbert Marshall. Palace (Petone).—"Boy Meets Girl," James Cagney and Pat O'Brien; "Glamour for Sale," Anita Louise and Roger Pryor. Grand (Petone).—"The Man Who Talked Too Much," George Brent and Virginia Bruce; "Dancing on a Dime." Khandallah Pictures.— fAll This and Heaven Too," Bette Davis and Chas. Boyer; "Cavalcade of Academy Awards." Ngaio Citizens' Pictures.—"lrene," Anna Neagle and Raye Williams; "Cavalcade of Academy Awards."