CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 77, 27 September 1941, Page 12

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

MAJESTIC THEATRE

KING'S THEATRE,

An unusual ''story, skilfully acted, is "Penny Serenade," the Columbia protold in "A Woman's Face," which is duction showing at the King's Theatre, the new attraction at the Majestic brings to the screen such favourites Theatre. Containing three top-line of melody as "Missouri Waltz," "Three players, Joan Crawford, Melvyn Doug- O'Clock in the Morning," "That Old las, and Conrad Veidt, the film tells Gang, of Mine," and "Penny Serenade" of the tragic career of Anna Holm, a itself as the background to a simple woman whose face is terribly dis- but appealing story of everyday life, figured by a scar, the aftermath of a The central figures, played with confire in her childhood. Shunned by all, vmcing naturalness and sympathy by she forms a blackmail ring, thrilled Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, are a when her victims are pretty women, young married couple, and the joys When she finds love herself, with a and sorrows of these two and the circle half-crazy scheming would-be mur- about them form the theme of the picderer who wants to use her for his ture/ .' Director George Stevens has own ends, her sensitiveness about her to im Part *?_ "Penny Seredisfigurement is, if . anything, height- nade that elusive quality which makes ened. At last a famous plastic surgeon such a Plc^re outstanding—an underremoves the scar, but not before the | t t l n<S« .^, background of ordinschemer has her marked down for the a^ 2*°?}** lives and of the events task of murdering an attractive child fP A a^ lde^l s n shape their bang, who stands in th! way of his inherit- JL^oes without saying^that the two anrp Thp nart of the embittered stars play up to the opportunities for wnn^r, whn finally .tends trial for real acting ■ with which the picture h° t ?iftSK nSdbv Jnan abounds. Edgar Buchanan,. Beulah ™rj? r; ri IS ro S£l f;^ VPidPt fs ythe scheS? Bondl > and Ann Doran are others hapCrawford, Comad Veidt 1 s the scnemer, n cast and th M fth fa g. and Melvyn Douglas the doctor. me ££. th n] - ±~r ; _ ri P «,_T,tf M i TrmY supports include newsreels and a3f enfertaTnlng "shoft^are afso coloured cartoon. . showing.

REGENT THEATRE

STATE THEATRE

Another of the films which has for its background war and its ensuing complications is "One -Night in Lisbon," which has earned a second week at the Regent Theatre. Seductive Madeleine Carroll arid breezy Fred Mac Murray take the leading parts in this story, which provides them both with plenty of scope for the talents which have brought them to the-fore-front of the screen's stars. Miss Carroll plays the part of an assistant in an Espionage Department in wartime London, while Mac Murray is an unconventional young American, whose disregard for hallowed English customs and manners is in proportion to the girl's reverence for them. The action starts in an air-raid shelter in London and then transfers to Lisbon, where a spy hunt adds no* end of complications to the romance of the starring couple. The Regent's reputation for its "shorts" is well maintained by this week's offerings.

OPERA HOUSE.

The late Ignace Paderewski's musical genius has been captured for all time in the film "Moonlight Sonata," which is showing at the Opera House. The unusual story in the picture centres around the famous pianist and his music, which is, of course, of the standard for which Paderewski was renowned. The story tells of the romance of a young couple, who are brought together by the great musician's art. With this combination, a good story, and some of the greatest music the world has heard, the film is one that cannot fail to be appreciated. There is a splendid supporting programme.

DE LUXE THEATRE.

A first-class murder mystery is provided in "The Night of January 16," now heading the Bill at the De Luxe Theatre. A financier is found murdered in his New York apartment. Suspicion falls in several directions and exciting episodes .follow each other in quick succession as one clue after another is followed'up. A nephew of ■ one of the victims' associates turns amateur detective, and the mystery is finally solved in a most unexpected way. Robert Preston, Ellen Drew, and Nils Asther are the main stars in this thriller, which is well leavened with comedy. "West Point Widow," starring Ann^ Shirley, is a happy blending of comedy and romance. There are several rivals for the hand of an enigmatical nurse whose main-passion is football matches, and who also, has a secret. Another episode of "Sky Raiders" is included in the supporting programme until Monday.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Divorced from her wealthy husband and deprived of the custody of her small son, Miriam Hopkins, in "Lady With Red Hair," at' the Paramount Theatre, decides to go on the stage to recoup her fortunes and return to her home town re-established in her own esteem. Warner Bros, have handled a fruitful subject with thorough technique. Claude Rains, as a famous playwright and producer, supplies much of the humour in his determined attempts to make. an actress out of the heroine, whom he describes . as being about as helpful as a telegraph pole. He is, however, intrigued by her fire when she is - really angry, and finally secures her triumph. There is much humour in the rehearsals and in life in a theatrical boarding-house, where jealousies and conceit make every meal a sideshow. When she does return to the old town, she finds that her son, years older, has drifted over to his father. She finds happiness with Richard Ainley, a lovable junior lead, who never quite makes the grade in his profession. Supports include "Africa Squeaks," mechanics in colour, and other varied entertainments.

REX THEATRE

"When the Daltons Rode," Kay Francis and Randolph Scott; "The Middle Watch," Jack Buchanan.

PRINCESS THEATRE,

"The Man Who Lost Himself," Brian Aherne and Kay Francis; "Victory," Fredric March and Betty F.ield.

ROXY THEATRE

"Back Street," Charles Boyer and Margaret Sullavan; "Mutiny In the Arctic." Richard Arlen and Andy Devine.

TIVOLI THEATRE,

"Virginia," Madeleine Carroll, Fred Mac Murray; "Phantom Raiders," Walter Pidgeon, Florence Rice.

SUNDAY PICTURES

At the Paramount Theatre tomorrow night a particularly attractive programme will be presented.. Two pictures, "Streamline Express" and "Land of Fighting Men," will be shown. The former is well-seasoned comedy, with the fun fast and furious. Included in the cast are Victor Jory, Evelyn Venable, Esther Ralston, Ralph Forbes, Erin O'Brien Moore, Lee Moran, Vince Barnett, and Sidney Blackmer. "Land of Fighting Men" is a stirring Western drama, with Jack Randall in the leading role. The entertainment is being presented by the Band of the Ist Battalion, the Wellington Regiment (City of Wellington's Own). Proceeds are for the funds, of the band. Reserves may be obtained by telephoning the Paramount Theatre (51-842) after 7 p.m. tomorrow.

..With a Western thriller at one end and an entertaining comedy at the other, the programme at the State Theatre is well balanced. The Western stars Tim Holt, who does some hard riding and some fast shooting in a picture that is full of action. The second picture, "Footlight Fever," stars Alan Mowbray and Donald Mcßride as the comedy team. They are producers with something to produce but no money to do. the producing, and their efforts to induce various patrons to invest get them into all sorts of extraordinary situations.

PLAZA THEATRE,

The standard of George Bernard Shaw's play, "Major Barbara," in the screen version is reflected in the fact that the film is now in its fifth week at the Plaza Theatre. In it are Wendy Hiller, star of "Pygmalion," Rex Harrison, and Robert Morley. The'film is outstanding not only for, the work of the three principals, but. for the excellence of the cast. The stamp of Shaw himself is/ on the picture as on the play; and although a generation has elapsed sin* the peaceful period m which Shaw' first wrote "Major Barbara," his parable (as. he himself calls it) fits aptly into this age of war —an age in which the much-reviled trade of armament manufacture has become nothing less than democracy's lifeline. ' .

TUDOR THEATRE

Devil and Migs Jones," Robert Cummings and Jean Arthur; "Remedy For Riches," Jean Hersholt.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

As a film idol whose efforts'-to avoid army service finally land him in a uniform, Bob Hope, with the help of Dorothy Lambur, provides rollicking entertainment in his latest picture "Caught in the Draft," which is,showing at the St. James.. Theatre. His strenuous dislike of anything to do with the army doesn't help hini in his efforts to woo the colonel's daughter, and it is only when an elaborate dodge fails ■■ that: he finally becomes a fullblown private. The colonel declares that nothing less than a corporal will do for his daughter, and Bob sets out to reach these dizzy heights. Trouble waits for him everywhere, and the nearest he gets to promotion is peeling potatoes^ ;and cleaning fish' on fatigue. Finally his big chance comes in a mock battle, when he prevents the opposing forces from walking slap bang into the artillery range. The pic T ture is full of fun and hilarious situations. The supporting programme includes the latest newsreel, a Popeye cartoon, and a Robert Benchley feature.