ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 40, 15 August 1942, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

KING'S THEATRE. Carole Lombard and Jack Benny, both adept in comedy, are teamed in Ernst Lubitsch's latest film to be released here, "To Be or Not to Be," now at the King's Theatre. It may be described as a Shakespeare play as it might have-been revised by Noel Coward. Just for general alignment, it may be.said that the film begins in pre-war Warsaw and is played out there after the Nazi conquest of Poland and that in it "Hamlet," the Gestapo,' a light attachment between a beautiful Polish actress and a flyer with the R.A.F., Hitler, the theatre, and a great deal of excitement and comedy are mingled. The Lubitsch touch is all over this movie and the sure strokes with which he gains his effects are there. The supporting cast -includes Sig Rumann, at his best as a Gestapo chief. The bill includes an absorbing film, "The Battle for Oil." ST. JAMES THEATRE. Stirling Hayden and Madeleine Carroll appear in "Bahama Passage,' which is now at the St. James Theatre, and which, filmed in Technicolor, is certainly one of the most beautiful films to be shown here for a long time. "Bahama Passage" tells the story of an English family which for generations has owned a West Indian island where hundreds of negroes labour producing salt and where the welfare of the. whole place.. has come to depend upon the white men. The drama of the film begins when the father of the only son dies suddenly and a manager has to be brought to the place to help run it. The worthless manager, his daughter who "has been around," the sick and jittery mother and the son who wants nothing but to.ship off the interlopers and run the ' island himself help to build up a dramatic situation which proves . explosive. Flora Robson, Leo G. Carroll, and Cecil Kellaway are in support. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The popular Hardy family are back at the Majestic Theatre1, this time with the addition "of an up-'arid-coming blonde member, in "The Courtship of Andy Hardy." As Andy, Mickey Rooney takes on a job as the local Lothario just to help his father out. This comes on top of a crop of his own worries, but it's no trouble to the exuberant Andy, who also finds time to help his blonde sister out of a spot of bother 4 . In the course of all this his own love-life gets a little tangled. The picture is as entertaining as its predecessors, with its fun, its warm appeal, arid the little bit of useful moralising by the judge. A high light is when the entire family sit down to dinner in their nightgowns because sophisticated sister insists on wearing hers to. a dance. The supports are variedt and include a bright Pete Smith sports novelty. '-'"■ DE LUXE THEATRE. ''. Africa's- dark jungles have provided ; the background for more than one sue-" cessful picture, but seldom with more effect than in "Drums of the Congo," showing at the De Luxe Theatre. The story is a sensational' one about the activities of secret agents, but these almost pale into insignificance when compared with the activities of the jungle beasts and natives. A big cast is headed by Ona Munson, Stuart Erwin, Peggy Mpran, Don Terry, and Richard Lane. "Tuxedo Junction" features the famous American team of Weaver Bros, and Elviry, and 'is hillbilly drama replete with ..humour, songs, and dancing. "Weapons of Horror" is a further episode in the thrilling serial which started with "The.Hurhan Torpedo." ' Walt Disney's latest cartoon, "Early to Bed," is also showing. STATE THEATRE. On the new programme at the State Theatre "Sh! The Octopus" takes pride of place. -This is an excellent blend of mystery and comedy. Hugh Herbert is allowed to give full rein to his antics, and he gets able support-from Allen Jenkins and Marcia Ralston. The starring comedian is cast for the role of a detective and at sleuthing he proves himself totally incompetent, but at the same time very funny. To the usual ingredients of this, kind of film Herbert adds a distinctly novel touch. The second feature is "The: Return of Daniel Boone,'?- featuring -/Bill Elliott. This is western drama of-the usual •kind,, only more so, and has the added merit of being founded on fact. Action, suspense, and romance are punctuated with. the shootings, fightings, and chasings characteristic of all western films.. . ■ * '... OPERA house: . "The Great Waltz," Miliza Korjus, Fernand Gravet, Luise Rainer. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "The Lady :tas Plans," Ray Milland. Paulette Goddard; "Ruggles of Red Gap," Charles Laughton, Charlie Ruggles, Roland Young. TUDOR THEATRE. "Ladies in Retirement" Ida Lupino, Louis Hayward; "Tillie the Toiler." TIVOLI THEATRE. "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," Robert Montgomery; "The Feminine Touch," Rosalind Russell, Don Ameche. ROXY THEATRE. ( "Paris Calling," Elizabeth Bergner, Randolph Scott; "Wyoming," Wallace Beery, Ann Rutherford. r TIME' THEATRE. ' "Santa Fe Trail," Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland; "Torrid Zone," James Cagney, Ann Sheridan. PRINCESS THEATRE. "New York Town," Robert Preston, Mary Martin; "Dr. Kildare Goes Home," Lew Ayres, "Lionel. Barrymore.. , PLAZA THEATRE. "How Green Was My Valley," Walter ; Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara. SUBURBAN THEATRES. Khandallah Pictures. — "Middle Watch," Jack Buchanan, Rosemary Lane; "Fast and Furious," Franchot: Tone, Anne Sothern. Ngaio Citizens' Pictures. — "Balalaika," Nelson Eddy, Ilona Massey; "Ladies Must Live," Wayne Morris, Rosemary Lane. Regal (Karori).—"The Girl in the News," Margaret Lockwood, Barry K. Barnes; "Power Dive," Richard Arlen, Jean Parker. Ascot (Newtown).—"When Ladies Meet," Robert Taylor, Joan Crawford; "Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga," Leon Errol, Lupe Velez. Empire (Island Bay) .-—"I Wanted Wings," Ray Milland, William Holdenr "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum," Sidney Toler as Charlie Chan. Kinema (Kilbirnie).—"Adam Had Four Sons," Ingrid Bergman, Warner Baxter; "Topper Returns,". Joan Blondell, Roland Young. . Capitol (Miramar).—"Honky. Torik," Clark Gable, Lana Turner; "Target for Tonight." King George (Lower Hutt) .—."Louisiana Purchase," Bob Hope, Vera Zorina. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"Laugh It Off," Tommy Trinder; "Two in a Taxi," Anita Louise, Russell Hayden. Prince Edward (Woburn).—"Men of Boys' Town," Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney; "Ellery Queen and the. Perfect Crime," Ralph Bellamy, Margaret Lindsay. Vogue (Brooklyn). — "Virginia," Madeleine Carroll, Fred MacMurray; "Treat 'Em Rough," Peggy Moran, Eddie Albert. Palace (Petone).—"The House of the Seven Gables," George Sanders, Margaret Lindsay; "Lucky to Me," Stanley Lupino. Grand (Petone).—-"Great Guns," Laurel and Hardy"; "Night in New Orleans," Preston Foster, Patricia Morison. State (Petone).—"Louisiana Purchase," Bob Hope, Vera Zorina.