ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22862, 18 October 1937, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE An attractive double programme is at present being screened at the Majestic; Theatre and comprises the Irish story "Kathleen Mavourneen and "Hitch Hike Lady." Irish settings, wit and songs arc, featured in the first film and the chief roles are taken by Sallv O'Neil and Tom Burke. Alison Skip worth and Arthur Treacher take the chief parts in "Hitch Hike Lady, the former as a widowed lady who sets out to cross America to find her son, and the latter as a kindly criminal who befriends her after she lias been swindled out of her money. Mae Clarke and James Ellison are also seen in the film. CIVIC THEATRE Notable for the splendid acting and singing of Paul Robeson, "Big 1 ( ella, the main attraction at the Civic Theatre, is art unusual type of picture. Robeson takes the part of Joe, a wellknown character among the docksuie workers of Marseilles. Gerald Oliphant, a boy travelling with his parents on board a ship, disappears and it is thought that he has been kidnapped. He is found by Joe, but as he does not wish to return to the ship, Joe nml Manda, a cafe singer, played by Elizabeth Welch, look alter hiin. however, the boy_ is really kidnapped, and the picture is brought to an effective climax. Robeson's vivid personality is a feature of the film and he sings six songs, each dramatically appropriate. Elizabeth A\eleh_ also acts with ability and her voice is heard in several numbers. REGENT THEATRE The Warner Brothers' production "Kid Galahad," the screen version of a novel by Francis Wallace, one of the leading American sports writers, will be presented to patrons to-day at the Regent Theatre. With a direct appeal to boxing enthusiasts, the film not only shows aspects of the ring known to everyone, out takes the audience behind the scenes to the manoeuvring of boxers and managers. Two of the most talented and experienced actors in. motion pictures, Davis and Edward G. Robinson, have the chief parts, the latter as a hard and unscrupulous manager. Niqk Donati, and the former as "Fluff," a girl friend of Donati. The story tells of a bell-bov Avho makes good in the boxing world through the management of Donati. Wayne Morris plays this role and his romance and the jealousy of Donati give rise to many exciting incidents.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE A thrilling story of racing in the United States, "Saratoga," which is now in its second week at the St. James' Theatre, continues to attract large audiences. More than the usual interest is attached to this film as it marks the last screen appearance of the actress Jean Harlow, whose death occurred shortly before the picture was completed. The popular Clark Gable plays opposite Miss Harlow and takes the part of a bookmaker, giving a strong and entertaining portrayal. NEXT ATTRACTION A gripping drama of a spoilt boy reformed through the friendship- of a fisherman, _ "Captains Courageous," screen version of a novel by Kipling, is to be the next attraction at the St. James' Theatre. The leading portrayals are brilliant and the sea backgrounds, with their magnificent picttures of schooners under crowded sail, are beautiful, exciting, and full of vigorous life. Two things which stand out are the fine restraint of the friendship between the rich boy and the loveable Portuguese fisherman —this through the fine acting of Freddie Bartholomew and Spencer Tracy—and the stirring background of fishing on the Grand Banks. As Harvey Cheyne, spoilt son of a millionaire, Bartholomew falls overboard from an Atlantic liner and is picked up by the Portuguese fisherman Manuel, who takes him to the schooner, to which all _ the small fishermen return ■with their catches. The autocratic child there finds that his father's wealth has no effect. At first lie sulks, but soon, through the friendship of Manuel,' he learns to love the life. The tragic note which enters the picture serves to deepen the appeal of the whole production, in which Spencer Tracy gives a performance which is considered to be one of bis greatest. Among the other excellent performances are those of Lionel I3arrymorc and Melvyn Douglas. STRAND THEATRE Filmed entirely in new technicolour. the British film "Wings of the Morning" continues to attract large audiences to the Strand Theatre. Based on one of the Destiny Bay stories by Donn Byrne, "Wings of the Morning" tells of the contact between an Irish landowner and a gipsy king's family, a racehorse owned by Ihe gipsies plaving an important part in the plot. An outstanding portrayal of a high spirited young woman, related both to the gipsies and to the landowner, who is forced to flee from Spain owing to the civil strife there, is given by the French actress Annabella. Henry Fonda plays opposite her in the romantic male lead. The well-known singer John McCormack is introduced in one of the sequences and sings several numbers from his extensive repertoire. The jockey Steve Donoghue also appears in the film. The outdoor scenes are realistic and the climax of the film, the running of the Derby, is a thrilling one. • MAYFAIR THEATRE The British film, "Rose of Tralee," with the attractive child actress Binkie Stuart in one of the main roles, is the principal attraction at the Mayl'air Theatre. The prominent Irish tenor, Danny Malone, has a prominent part in the production and he presents a number of delightful Irish melodies The second picture, "A Doctor's Diary" is of more than usual interestto New Zealand audiences in view of the fact that the Dunedin boy Ra Hould takes one of the major roles. Drama centring round the medical profession is presented in the film, in which George Bancroft, Helen Burgess and Joan Trent also appear. LONDON CINEMA Paul Lukas and Madge Fvnns have the main roles in "Age of Indiscretion," the main item of entertainment on the current programme at the London Cinema. A second attraction is "Fighting Shadows," in which Tim McCoy appears. STATE AND STAR THEATRES The hardships which an extra has To overcome before she rises to the position of a great actress are graphically portrayed in "A Star Is Born," which is now being shown at the State and Star Theatres. Janet Gaynor has the role of the girl who becomes a great screen plnver, while opposite her is cast Fredric March, who is also responsible for a convincing acting performance. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO An entertaining double-feature programme is to be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night, when the principal attraction will be the comedy "Keep Your Seats, Please." The supor'ting film will bo "Behind the Headlines."

MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM All entertaining programme at. present being shown patrons of the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringliam, comprises the films "The County Chairman" and "Thunder Mountain.''

PLAZA THEATRE. "New Faces of 1937," an RKO-Radio musical comedy, wilj continue its season to-day at the Plaza Containing a novel plot, charged with action and highly humorous situations, the film is the first of a new series of yearly extravaganzas and features the popular American radio and stage artists Joe Penner, Parkyakarkus, Milton Berle, Harriet Hiliard, William Brady, Jerome Cowan and Thelina Leeds. Embellishing the production are five colourful stage numbers introducing a large amount of new talent to tho screen. Practically all the action takes place behind the stage and Miss Hilliard plays the part of Jin actress, with Brady as her playwright fiance. Cowan plays tho paR of a dishonest producer and Parkyakarkus is his entertaining assistant. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Romance, comedy and music blend smoothly in the 20th Century-box musical 'jhit '"Sing and Be Happy," which heads the double programme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. Featured iu tiie film are five song successes and the new screen song and romance team Anthony Martin and Leah Bay, with Joan Davis, Helen Westlcy, Allan j Lane and .Dixie Dunbar. First seen together in Oic Jane Withers comedy "Tho Holy Terror," Martin and Miss Ray are given their first, romantic leads in "Sing and Be Happy," which has a radio background, particularly appropriate for these two singers who have become popular favourites in American broadcasting. Rivalry between two advertising firms seeking to uain a large radio contract forms the lively theme of the film, with Martin as a barnstorming orchestra lender who is persuaded by his father to enter his advertising firm. Leah Ray plays the part of the daughter of tiio rival firm's proprietor and the attraction she and Martin fepl for each other upsets the competition between tho two businesses. They* meet with success over the air and after they discover a dishonest employee s theft of advertising ideas, all ends happily. The second picture on the programme is entitled "The Great Gambini," a Paramount mystery story, with Akim Tamiroff, Marian Marshy and John Trent in the leauding roles. Tamiroff plays thf) part of Gambini. a clairvoyant in a fashionable night club, and hi 3 prophesy that a marriage will not take place is proved correct by tho murder of the prospective bridegroom After many interesting situations the mystery is solved in an entirely unexpected and novel manner. EMBASSY THEATRE Stephen Foster, whose simple negro melodies are known throughout the world, comes to life in Action Pictures' "Harmony Lane," which is the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre. The part of Foster is taken by Douglass Montgomery, and this actor, who has not previously sung in films, displays n pleasing voice when he sings some of the composer's songs, such as "My Old Kentucky Home," and "Banjo on My Knee." Leading feminine roles are taken by Adrienne Ames and Evelyn VenabJe, is taken by William Frawlev. At the time with which the film deals, Abraham Lincoln was engaged in his struggle to secure the negroes' independence and the plight of the black race had aroused Foster's sympathy. Tho Shaw Choir is heard in numbers by the composer and a genuine Christy Minstrel Show appears. The next change at the Embassy Theatre is the new Samuel Goldwyn production "Stella Dallas," claimed to be one of tho finest pictures to have come from those studios. Barbara Stanwyck takes the leading role and the cast includes John Boles, Anne Shirley and Alan Hale.

BRITANNIA THEATRE "Elephant Boy" is the main attraction on the current programme at the Britannia Theatre. "The Bride Walks Out" also is being shown. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "Wee Willie Winkie" and "Step Lively, Jeeves" are the two films at present limine shown at the State Theatre, Devon port. TUDOR CINEMA The popular singer Jnines Melton is heard in several new songs in "Sing Me a Love Song," the main item of entertainment at the Tudor Cinema.