CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 89, 11 October 1941, Page 12

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE. : It is doubtful whether any other pair of screen stars has kept up such a successful run of really good and amusing films as William Powell and Myrna Loy. Once again, as a married couple, they have the opportunity, in 'Love Crazy," now showing at the Majestic Theatre, to present the humorous back-chat and the ludicrous situations that have become a feature of their films. The supporting programme is unusually good. REGENT THEATRE. Filmed in Technicolor "The Shepherd of the Hills," a Paramount production, is showing at the Regent Theatre. It follows Harold Bell Wright's popular story very closely and provides plenty of excitement and romance, the drama of vengeance and love being worked out against a picturesque background. John Wayne plays the part of young Matt who has vowed to kill a man whom he has never seen. Even when that man turns out to be his own father he attempts to fulfil his vow, but the father shoot? first to save his own son, who is not mortally wounded, from the gallows Betty Field is admirably' cast for the part of the wildcat girl who stands by young Matt. The whole colourful story is packed with action which includes one of the most realistic fistic combats ever screened. The cast is particularly strong and includes, in addition to the two stars already mentioned Harry Carey. On the supporting programme is a "Popeye" cartoon and a very interesting glimpse of sporting dogs at work. OPERA HOUSE. Joan Crawford has played no finei part in recent years than as the leading figure in "A Woman's Face." the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature now screening at the Opera House. The role is one which calls for real dra^ matic acting, and Miss Crawford shows that she is still mistress of her art by giving a most convincing portrayal She is cast as a Swedish woman whose face is terribly disfigured by a scar, the heritage of a fire in her childhood Embittered and cynical because she is shunned on all sides, she becomes the leader of a blackmail gang. Among her victims are pretty women on whom she takes revenge for the raw deal the world has given her, but she herself falls in love with a half-crazy, scheming, would-be murderer who wants to use her for his own ends, and even the removal of the scar by a famous plastic surgeon does not at first solve her problems. Melvyn Douglas Osa Massen, and Conrad Veidt are the. other featured players. The supports include the latest air-mail newsreels. ROXY THEATRE. "City for Conquest," James Cagney and Ann Sheridan; "Model Wife," Joan Blondell and Dick Powell. REX THEATRE. "Thunder Afloat," Wallace Beery and Chester Morris; "Barnyard Follies."

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. : Few countries but America are fori tunate enough to possess such freei dom from officialdom that their playj wrights and film producers can porj tray the lives led by the sort of , folk that are regarded as the skele- ? tons in any nation's cupboard In j "Tobacco Road," which is now showj ing at the King's Theatre, the ghastly ? existence of the poorest share-croppers ; all mentally twisted through years of unbelievable hardship, is fearlessly depicted; depicted, however, with such a wealth of humour, although pathetic, that the film does not leave the sordid impression of earlier productions of the same nature. For individual characterisation "Tobacco Road" is excep- ; tional. .The part of Jeeter Lester, old and worn-out share-cropper, who is about to be turned from his miserable shack, is superbly taken by Charley Grapewin. Marjorie Rambeau, Gerie Tierney, and William Tracy are also starred. Although the film is a vignette of futility and decay, it is presented in a manner that draws forth not contempt but pity and understanding for the human driftwood it portrays. Supports include newsreels and a cartoon PLAZA THEATRE. Adapted from some of the works of Eugene O'Neill. "The Long Voyage Home" at the Plaza Theatre is one of those rare Hollywood productions that will be remembered long after most others are forgotten. Romance in the conventional screen style is entirely neglected, and in its stead Director John Ford presents in vivid fashion a wider and more stirring story—the romance of the sea and those who gain their living from it. Comparable in its dramatic and photographic qualities with "Mutiny on the Bounty," this latest sea masterpiece is the story of the crew of a British tramp steamer, told against the background of a perilous Atlantic voyage through the war zone. Woven in with the main theme are threads of each man's life story, reflecting the genius of the author O'Neill Thomas Mitchell, John Wayne lan Hunter, and Wilfred Lawson play the leading parts, and feminine roles are purely incidental. A New Zealand film of the Army Medica] Unit in Egypt is the high light of the supports. STATE THEATRE. Cesar Romero has a more sophisticated part than he has been playing in the "Cisco Kid" series in "Dance Hall," which is showing at the State Theatre. His leading lady is Carole Landis, who achieved stardom in the film version of Thorne Smith's works. In them she played smart comedy parts, and her role in this film is along the same lines. The second featufe is the latest of the famous Edgar Wallace's works to be brought to the screen, "The Case of the Frightened Lady." TUDOR THEATRE. "Penny Serenade," Irene Dunne and Cary Grant; "Glamour for Sale," Anita Louise. SUBURBAN ENTERTAINMENTS. Regal (Karori). —"Back Street," Charles Boyer, Margaret Sullavan; "East Side of Heaven," Bing Crosby Joan Blondell. --fr Ascot (Newtown).—"Pride and Prejudice," Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier; "Expensive Husbands," Beverly Roberts, Patric Knowles. Kinema (Kilbirnie).—"The Invisible Woman," Virginia Bruce, John Barrymore; "Sailors Three," Tommy Trinder, Claude Hulbert. Empire (Island Bay).—"Down Argentine Way," Don Ameche, Betty Grable; "Alert in the East." Rivoli (Newtown).—"Call a Cop," George Formby; "The Phantom Submarine," Alan Baxter, Anita Louise. Capitol (Miramar). —"Raffles"; "The Mummy's Hand," Dick Foran, Peggy Morgan. King George (Lower Hutt).—"Boom Town," Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Claudette Colbert, Hedy Lamarr. State (Petone). — "Little Nellie Kelly," Judy Garland and George ; Murphy. Khandallah Pictures. — "My Love Came Back," Olivia de Havilland, Jeffrey Lynn. Ngaio Pictures —"'Til We Meet ; Again," Merle Oberon, George Brent; "Two Thoroughbreds," Jimmy Lydon, Joan Brodel. Grand (Petone).—"The Housekeeper's Daughter," John Bennett, Adolphe Menjou; "Down to the Sea in Ships." Prince Edward (Woburn). —"Night Train to Munich," Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison; "Rhythm on the River," Bing Crosby, Mary Martin. De Luxe (Lower Hutt). — "The ' Middle Watch," Jack Buchanan; "Stardust," Linda Darnell. Vogue (Brooklyn). — "Gunner George," George Formby, Phyllis Cal- ; vert; "A Dispatch from Reuters," Edward G. Robinson, Edna Best. i Palace (Petone).—"Play Girl," Kay Francis; "Ride, Kelly, Ride."

OE LUXE THEATRE. Charlie Ruggles, as the founder of a goldmining town in the early Western days in "The Parson of Panamint," which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre, plays a dramatic role far removed from his usual ones, yet it is leavened with much humorous dialogue. His protege, a young God-fear-ing parson, is portrayed by Phil Terry. As an eager young curate, he not only preaches but lives the Commandments, but his influence is lessened by the petty "leaders" of the town, themselves led by Porter Hall, as the banker. He and Ellen Drew, a cabaret girl, eventually come together, but only after a tense Court and a dramatic lynching. The second feature, "Calight in the Act," is an unusual light gangster film. The plot centres round the building and protection racket in which Henry Armetta unwittingly involves himself and his family. The daughter's fiance, a young reporter, appears in the nick of/time to help clean out the crooks. Episode four of the serial "Sky Raiders" and previews complete a worthwhile programme. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Martha Raye is wed to Bob Hope in order that both of them may escape from the clutches of desperate fortunehunters who want to marry them—that is the state of affairs in "Never Say Die," the comedy which is showing at the Paramount Theatre. Martha decides on marriage to Hope so that she can hold off the scheming Russian prince her father has chosen for her, while Bob goes to the altar to save himself from the menace of a muchmarried woman of the world with a deadly ability to shoot a pistol. And since he labours under the false impression that he has only a month to live anyhow, he feels he hasn't much to lose. But wheig his wife's sweetheart from back home, Andy Devine, suddenly arrives to accompany them on their honeymoon, and the Russian prince and grass widow join forces to track them down, Bob's troubles really begin A farcical comedy adapted from the famous Brandon-Thomas stage play "Charley's (Big-hearted) Aunt" is also showing. The original script has been modernised, and the film introduces a new comedy teamArthur Askey, Richard ("Stinker") Murdoch, Moore Marriott, and Graham Moffatt. PRINCESS THEATRE. I "The Monster and the Girl," Ellen Drew and Robert Paige; "Power Dive." Richard Arlen and Jean Parker. TIVOLI THEATRE. "Contraband," a thrilling film with the present war as a background, is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. Conrad Veidt and Valeric Hobson are starred. Will Hay, once again in his famous schoolmaster cap and gown, has some new comedy partners in "The Ghost of St. Michael's," the associate film. They are Claude Hulbert and Charles Hawtrey. '