ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22865, 21 October 1937, Page 22

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE The realistic boxing film "Kid Galahad," in which Bette Davis is ably supported by Edward G. Robinson and Wayne Morris, will have its final screenings at the Regent r l heatre todav. The next attraction at the Regent Theatre, "Another Dawn," which will open its season to-morrow, has au unusual setting in a military outpost in India. Scenes of great beauty, varying from the isolated quietness of the desert to violent storms, give a tropical background to the film which is in keeping with the tense nature of the story. Errol Flvnn, popular adventurer' of many other films, takes the part of a military captain. He falls in love with the colonel's wife, played by Kay Francis, and, in the unfolding of the complicated story, an unusual note is struck. Lan Hunter makes the character of the colonel come to vivid life, in strong contrast to the more dashing nature of the captain. Others who appear are Herbert Mundin and Frieda 1 nescourt. ST. JAMES' THEATRE After a successful season the racing film "Saratoga" will conclude its screenings at St. James' Theatre to-dav. Considered bv overseas critics to be one of the greatest films ol the year, another production of the Metro-Goldwyn-Maver Company, "Captains Courageous," will commence a season at St. James Theatre to-morrow. Rudyard Kipling's robust story of the fishing fleets that sail for the Grand Banks is even more spectacular in its screen the action being enhanced by magnificent photography dealing with every aspect of life 011 the picturesque schooners. Spencer Tracy, who will be remembered for his performances in "Fury" and "San Francisco," takes the leading role of Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman, and his sincere portrayal of this difficult character makes him a likely candidate for this year's academy award. As the spoilt son of a millionaire, whom circumstances place on Manuel's schooner, Freddie Bartholomew is responsible for clever acting, and others in a strong cast are Lionel Barry more and Melvyn Douglas.

PLAZA THEATRE The musical comedy "New Faces of 1937," in which a large number of wellknown radio and vaudeville performers appear, will have its final screenings at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Jane Withers gives an amusingly energetic performance in "Angel's Holiday," which will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. She takes the part of a child known as Angel, for reasons that are hard to discover. Her father is a writer of mystery stories and her uncle conducts a newspaper and, when Angel lias a holiday from school, she turns all her attentions to their respective professions. Among the characters that she meets are a film star, whose manager is arranging her disappearance as a publicity scheme, and a number ol "gangsters," one of whom is a surprisingly mild voung man named Cecil, although his friends call him Butcli. The story is in turn exciting and humorous, and provides abundant opportunity for Jane Vt ithers unusual type of acting. Sally Blanc and I'obcit Kent are included in the cast. MAJESTIC THEATRE The attractive double-feature programme, headed by the musical film "Kathleen Mavourneen,," will again be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Tom Burke has an important part in this picture. The second attraction is "Hitch Hike Lady," a comedy with Alison Skipworth, Mae Clark, Arthur Treacher and Jimmy Ellison in leading roles. EMBASSY THEATRE "Stella Dallas," which was a brilliant success as a silent picture several years ago, has been made in a sound \eision, and will bo presented at the Embassy Theatre for the first time to-day. The character who gives her name to the film was a mill-girl, who married a business man, Stephen Dallas, although he was far outside her social sphere. The differences in their outlook 011 life, which were magnified by the passing of years, made the marriage an unhappy one. Stella was snubbed for her unconscious vulgarity, and her husband lost all affection for her. The climax of the picture is told in moving fashion, when Stella Dallas realises that she is standing in the way of her daughter's happiness, and sacrifices herself for the sake of her child. Barbara Stanwyck gives a brilliant performance, and others who act with outstanding ability are John Boles and Anne Shirley.

STRAND THEATRE One of the most beautiful coloured films, "Wings of the Morning," will continue a successful season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The leading part is taken by Annabella, a French actress appearing in her first British picture. John McCormack appears in one scene and sings a number of popular Irish melodies, including "Killarney" and "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The popular British actress Jessie Matthews ap]>cars in "Head Over Heels," which will be screened at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres tonight, together with "Romance in Paris." ASTOR THEATRE "More Than a Secretary," with George Brent and Jean Arthur taking important parts, is to be shown at the Astor Theatre to-night. The second attraction is "Conflict." CAPITOL THEATRE "Stowaway" is the entertaining picture that will be screened at the Capitol Theatre to-night, together with "Charlie Chan at the Opera."