ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1944, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE

All the manifold thrills of the jungle with its motley collection of fierce and untamed beasts are introduced into "Captive . Wild Woman," which has opened its season at the Paramount Theatre. The central figure of this thriller is Acquanetta, the gorilla girl. Many weird and exciting things happen as the result of experiments with animal and human glands by Dr. Walters, a part played by John Carradine. Others in the cast are Milburn Stone as an animal trainer who becomes almost an animal himself, Evelyn Ankers, and Cheela as the fierce orangoutang which :1s caged up in the doctor's laboratory. On the same programme is "A Gentle Gangster," which shows how deceptive appearances may be. Barton Maclane, Molly Lamont, and Jack La Rue figure in this story of a man with a past which he found very difficult to live down. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Only Damon Hunyon could have written "It Ain't Hay," the nonsensical story about a horse, which commenced at the St. James Theatre last night. It is the perfect vehicle for the type of humour for which Bud Abbott and Lou Costello have become famous; The situations are absurdly humorous, and revolve round the efforts of Abbott and Costello to provide a little girl with a horse. They do, but the horse happens to be a famous racehorse. And even then, there is mistaken identity, until ,no one is quite sure which horse is which. The .supporting cast is excellent, Edigene Pallelte being particularly good. Supporting features include the latest "March of Time," the story of the coming invasion of Europe, Paramount News, a swing musical and a short of interesting items "King of the 49-ers." KING'S THEATRE. Even If you don't know the first thing about baseball, you will find grand entertainment in "The Pride of the Yankees," which started at the King's Theatre yesterday. It stars Gary Cooper, who plays the part of Lou Gehrig, one of the greatest figures in American sport, a man. who remained unassuming and unspojled in spite of his brilliance on the diamond and the hero-worship of millions of fans. Comedy and drama and pathos are interwoven in the story, and the picture is. a triumph of acting for both Cooper and Teresa Wright, the latter almost stealing the show with her looks and ability. She plays the part of Lou's wife, who was ever his constant lover and companion. The supporting programme is brief in order to make way for the long main picture, but it is interesting particularly a short of the New Zealanders in the Solomons, which is very well done. DE LUXE THEATRE. .Variety in entertainment is the feature of the new programme at the De Luxe Theatre. The main picture stars Jane Withers and a collection of well-known and precocious personalities headed by Alfalfa. It is "Johnny Doughboy," and it is packed full of laughs. The supporting attraction is "Tahiti Honey," starring Simone Simon and Dennis O'Keefe. Set in the Pacific, the story lacks neither action nor humour, particularly when the boys get loose among the charms of the tropics. Tlie final two chapters of the serial, "Zorro Rides Again" are also shown. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Lily Mars," Booth Tarkington's romantic story of show-world charm, at the Majestic Theatre, presents Judy Garland and Van Heflin in a show that goes with a swing, and has musical numbers that delight. Humour abounds, and the supporting cast contains Fay Bainter and Marta Eggerth, also two favourite orchestras. Tommy Dorsey's and Bob Crosby's. The setting is magnificent, and there is the utmost modern modification of the brilliant repartee which constituted the chief charm of the works of this popular author. In addition there is the delight of Judy enjoying a role which gives her greater opportunities than many of her former triumphs. TIVOLI THEATRE. "To .the Shores of Tripoli" and "Man at Large" are being shown at the Tivoll Theatre. Tomorrow's programme contains "Forty Thousand',Horsemen" and a youthful romance, "San Antonio Rose," featuring Jane Frazee, Robert Paige, and the Merry Macs. TIME THEATRE. "The Sea Wolf," Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, John Garfleld; "Four Mothers." PRINCESS THEATRE. "North-West Mounted Police," Gary Cooper, Akim Tamiroff, Madeleine Carroll, Paulette Goddard; "Traitor Within," Donald M. Barry. ROXY THEATRE. "Son of Dracula," Lon Chancy, Louise Allbritton; "Always a Bridesmaid," Andrews Sisters. TUDOR THEATRE. "Army Surgeon," James Ellison, Jane Wyatt; "The Fighting Frontier," Tim Holt. OPERA HOUSE. "Went the Day Well?" Leslie Banks, Marie Lohr, Frank Lawton, Elizabeth Allen. STATE THEATRE. "Lady of Burlesque," Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea; "Inside Fighting China." PLAZA THEATRE. "Bambi," Walt Disney production, with CharHe McCarthy, etc. SUBURBAN THEATRES. j Kinema (Kilbirnicft —"The Amazing Mrs. Holliday," Deanna Durbin; "The Invisible Agent," Ilona Massey, Jon Hall. Rivoli (Newtown). —"Salute for Three," Betty Rhodes, Macdonald Carey; "The Goose Steps Out," Will Hay. Regal (Karori). —"Palm Beach Story," Joel McCrea, Claudetto Colbert; "Destroyer," Edward G. Robinson. Empire (Island Bay).—"George and Margaret"; "Wagons Roll at Night." Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Three Hearts for Julia," Ann Sothern, Melvyn Douglas; "Sherlock Holmes in Washington." Capitol (Miramar) .—"lmmortal Sergeant," Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara; "Whistling in Dixie," Red Skelton. Ascot (Newtown). —"Seven Sweethearts," Kathryn Grayson,' Van Heflin, Marsha Hunt; "Tuxedo Junction." State (Petone).—"Keeper of the Flame," Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn. Palace (Petone). —"Second Chorus," Fred Astaire, Paulette Goddard; "Frozen Limits" the Crazy Gang. ' Grand (Petone) .—"Underground," Jeffrey Lynn, Philip Dorn, Kaaren Verne; "King of Iho Stallions." King George (Lower Hutt).—"Who Done It?" Bud Abbott, Lou Costello. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"Stardust on the T',, £ ene Autry' Sralley Burnette; "Never a Dull Moment," the Ritz Brothers err. !ss-"a!ssist r=; Khandallah Pictures.—"Ship Ahoy" Eleanor IKS.KSSffi.' "V"*L -k*= Ngaio Citizens' Pictures.— "Ice-CaDades" ny> Dorothy Lewis ' *£^£i;