CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1941, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE.

My ma Loy, as charming and as brilliant as ever, and the versatile Melvyri Douglas turn an excellent plot into excellent entertainment in "Third Finger, Right Hand." a sophisticated comedy which is showing at the Majestic Theatre The theme of the story is unusual, and it takes many unusual turns, and each turn is delightfully and daringly different from what is generally served up The supports include a Pete Smith specialty and a "Crime Doesn't Pay" series, together with some new topical pictures.

"I Wanted Wings," which heads the programme at the Regent Theatre, is a chapter out of the life of an American pilot-trainee, and from the time the pilot starts his first solo flight in the sleek little two-seater trainers at Randolph Field—where incidentally, some of the R.A.F pilots are being trained —to the time he takes the controls of a giant four-engined flying fortress, the picture is full of action and excitement. The featured players are Ray Milland, William Holden, and Wayne Morris, as the trainees, and Brian Donlevy as the instructor.

Those two screen lovers, Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy, who have endeared themselves to all by reason of the many sorfgs they have popularised on the screen, are attracting large audiences at the Opera House. "Maytime" having made a welcome reappearance. Without doubt this Goldwyn-Mayer production ranks as their most popular picture after 'Naughty Marietta." The two stars have a particularly strong cast supporting them.

An unusual plot, which has the added advantage of providing the opportunity of introducing some musical relief, is a feature of "Her First Romance," the new film at the St. James Theatre. The story, that of a modern Cinderella, contains more than the usual quota of humour in addition to poignant romance. Edith Fellowes, a diminutive star, overshadows the other players.

In these days of swing and other musical eccentricities an audience would be prepared for anything, but "Magic in Music," at the Paramount Theatre, introduces a really brilliant production. Music of the best type, is played by scores of children at a music camp, a co-educational institution set in delightful scenery, and the finale justifies the use of the word "magic" in the title. "Mutiny in the Arctic," a thrilling drama of a search for radium, is the second feature, and stars Richard Arlen and Andy Devine.

"The Housemaster," Otto Kruger and Diana Churchill; "East of the,j River," John Garfield and Brenda Marshall.

"Judge Hardy and Son," Mickey Rooney and Lewis Stone; "San Francisco Docks." Burgess Mered:th and Irene Hervey.

Events of the moment, with world attention focused on Russia, give the presentation of "The Circus" at the Tivoli tomorrow a double interest, quite apart from the attractions which it holds as a musical extravaganza with its unusual romantic story. There is much to be seen—and heardr-of how Russia has been built to meet such a situation as that with which it^ is now faced On the supporting programme is another Russian film, "Song of Youth." "Hullabaloo," starring Frank Morgan, will also be shown.

"Heart of the North,!' Dick Foran and Gloria Dickson; "Wine, Women, and Horses," Ann Sheridan and Barton Mac Lane.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

REGENT THEATRE.

PLAZA THEATRE.

STATE THEATRE.

OPERA HOUSE

TUDOR THEATRE.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

TIVOLITHEATRE

ROXY THEATRE

PARAMOUNT THEATRE.

SUBURBAN THEATRES.

REX THEATRE.

PRINCESS THEATRE.

KING'S THEATRE.

Harmless little Topper runs into jmore trouble than ever in the latest ;of this series of pictures, "Topper Returns," which is showing at the King's Theatre. In this picture the producers have combined a first-class murder mystery with pure farce, and the result is extremely pleasing. Roland Young plays the name part, and this time the shadowy damsel in distress is Joan Blondell. The whole scene takes place in a sinister house where everything that isn't supposed to opens and shuts with weird regularity.

Romance is skilfully woven round the commercial development of radio in "The Great American Broadcast** at the Plaza Theatre Alice Faye, Jack. Oakie, John Payne, and Cesar Romero are the stars. Jack was never better than as the pugnacious telephone linesman whose mechanical skill supplies the nucleus of the W.A.B company and who changes sides in the many rows which occur in its management. A three-cornered attack on the heart of Alice adds to the laughter.

"Pastor Hall" and "Thanks a Million" conclude tonight at the State Theatre. Warren William is leading man in "The Lbne Wolf Takes a Chance," which begins tomorrow. "Two-gun Law," starring Charles Starrett and Peggy Stratford, will also be shown.

"Lady Hamilton," Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier; "The Face Behind the Mask,'' Peter Lorre.

The Universal film "The Black Cat," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre, was inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe story and it certainly is not lacking in spicy horror scenes which are, however, cleverly offset by the presence ot :*ugh Herbert. Sinister figures include Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, and Gale Sondergaard. The promising young singer. Mary Lee, very nearly steals some of the scenes in the associate film, "Carolina Moon," from the stars, Gene Autry and June Storey.

Palace (Petone) .—"Let's Make Music," Jean Rogers and Bob Crosby: ■ 'Gunsmoke Trail." Grand (Petone).—"All at Sea," Sandy Powell, "Double Date," Edmund Lowe and Una Merkel. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"The Bluebird," Shirley Temple; "Bowery Boy," Dennis O'Keefe and Louise Campbell. State (Petone) .—"The Bluebird," Shir-ley Temple. Regal (Karori).—"Bulldog Drummond Sees it Through," Jack Buchanan, Greta Gynt; "Sergeant Murphy," Ronald Reagan, Mary MacGuire. Ascot (Newtown).—"Gallant Sons," Jackie Cooper, Bonita Granville; "Each Dawn I Die," James Cagney, George Raft. Kinema (Kilbirnie).—"Pinocchio"; "Escape to Paradise," Bobby Breen. Kent Taylor. Empire (Island Bay), — "Strange Cargo," Joan Crawford, Clark Gable; "The Great Plane Robbery," Jack Holt. Rivoli (Newtown) .—"A Little Bit of Heaven," Gloria Jean; "Saloon Bar." Gordon Harker, Elizabeth Allan. Capitol (Miramar). — "Maryland," John Payne, Brenda Joyce; 'Tm Nobody's Sweetheart Now," Helen Parish, Dennis O'Keefe. ... Prince Edward (Woburn) .-—"Pinocchio"; "The Fighting Gringo," George O'Brien, Lupita Tovar. Vogue (Brooklyn;.—"The Great Dictator," Charlie Chaplin. :■ King George (Lower Hutt) .—"Lucky •Partners/ Ronald Colmah, Ginger Rogers.