ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

: REGENT THEATRE Powerful drama and a considerable romantic interest are combined in the Paramount production "Souls at Sea,' which will continue its season # to-da> at the Regent Theatre. The theme of the picture is based on an actual happening and deals with the slave trade in the days when Britain was attempting to stamp it out. Gary Cooper gives a stirring portrayal as a sailor who is a British agent in the fight against slave trading and George Raft leaves his customary roles to play tho part of a likeable friend of Cooper's, whoso interests, however, lie in the continuance of the traffic. The romantic interest is provided by Frances Deo and Olympo Bradna. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Espionage in the picturesque central European centres at the beginning of the present century is the theme of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture "The Emperor's Candlesticks," tho main attraction on tho current programme at the St. James' Theatre. William Powell and Luise Rainer aro once again brought together in the 111 m and are seen as the secret agents of rivai Powers. Opening at the same theatre next Friday will be the colourful musical film "Maytime," in which the popular players Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy take tho leading parts: The picture is an adaptation for the screen of the light opera of tho same name and combines with a bright romantic story many fine musical numbers giving wide scope for the brilliant singing of the two mail! characters. PLAZA THEATRE "Dr. Syn," a Gaumont-British picture which opened a season at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, is an excellent melodrama, distinguished by the uniform quality of its acting and by the attractive atmosphere of 18th century backgrounds. Telling an exciting story with humour, gusto and a wealth of picturesque detail, the film deals with a clash between revenue officers and the smugglers of Dymchurch, England, whose secret leader is none other than the vicar of the parish, Dr. Syn. Once a pirate, Syn had led a most adventurous life. In his earlier days he was known as Captain Clegg and his career as a sort of maritime Robin Hood came to an apparent end when he was thought to have been captured, hanged and subsequently interred in the churchyard of Dymchurch, his povertystricken native village. Twenty years later he is seen as the vicar of tho community, now thriving from the profits of smuggling. The way in which he again outwits the King's men is narrated in a story replete with action, eeriness and excitement. In the role of Dr. Syn, George Arliss gives a capital performance. Outstanding in the work of a first-class supporting cast is th«? comedy of Graham Moffatt, a fat potboy who wants to grow up to be a hangman. He is so amusing that he "steals'' most of the scenes in which he appears. A supporting programme of an equally high standard is also iihown. It includes a Fox newsreel atid a highly amusing comedy. .1. i \ EMBASSY THEATRE Robert Montgomery has a role which is an entire departure from anything he has had before in "Night Must Fail," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama which is the chief attraction to-day at the Embassy Theatre. The whole picture is in the nature of an experiment as it is different from the ordinary standards of motion picture technique. The picture is taken from the successful London stage play and some of the original cast, including Daine Slay . Whitty, appear in the film. Rosalind Bussell has the main feminine part as the niece of an old lady, played by Dame Whitty, with whom Danny' (Robert Montgomep-) gains employment. The fascination which Danny exercises for the bid lady's niece and her realisation that ho is a criminal, gives a strong interest to the film. —,—l— THEATRE ! The popular Irish-American comed'.an Will Mahoney and the noted Scots '.character Will Fyffe take the chief parts in "Said O'Reilly to McNab," which will be given its first Auckland screenings to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. The picture iB capably directed and the numerous situations abound in comedy. The mixture of Irish and Scottish gives rise to a great deal of natural humour and the dialogue all through is exceedingly funny, particularly when the-two main characters indulge in their frequent arguments about the respective merits of typical products of their countries. The second picture on the programme shows the child actress Jane Withers in a Western role in "Wild and Woolly, in which she appears with Walter Brennan, Jack Searle and Douglas The story concerns an attempt to rob a bank in a small town which is celebrating its anniversary with a procession depicting the early days in the

STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The brilliant comedy-romance "I Met Him in Paris" provides entertaininjr far© to-day at the State Theatre, Devonport. Claudette Colbert, Melvvn Douglas and' Robert Young head the talented cast and much of the story is set amid splendid alpine scenery. A tale of outlawed airmen, 1 light from Glory," will also bo shown, the chief parts being taken by "Whitney Bourne and Chester Morris.

STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Warner Baxter and Wallace Beery mil be seen to-day in "Slave Ship" at the State Theatre, Onfehunga. The picture is a stirring drama and deals with a mutiny on board a sailing ship. The second part of the programme will comprise the comedy "That's My Stoj*y," featuring Ralph Morgan and Herbert Mundin.

BERKELEY THEATRE A dramatic story brilliantly directed and acted makes "The Charge of the Light Brigade/' which will be shown to-day at the Berkeley Theatre, _ a picture of the highest entertainment value Errol Flynn and Olivia de v Havilland take the chief roles and give "" outstanding characterisations. An added attraction' will be the appearance on the stage of the Berkeley Trio. ' MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM Two bright 1 and amusing productions are to be seen to-day at the Mayfair Sandringham. The first, "Man j n Possession," is a brilliant comedy with a strong cast of player*, and thf second, "New Faces of 1937,". is a musical production. BRITANNIA THEATRE 'A story of Russia during the revolution, "Knight Without Armour," will be shown to-day at the Britannia Theatre in conjunction with "The 13tb Chair." GREY LYNN CINEMA A well-balanced double programme ■will be presented to-day at the Ore? Lynn Cinema, where the films will be "Michael Strogoff" and "Tall Timbers." ASTOR THEATRE Entertaining fare will be presented fifes#** » double-feature programme' will ißfeMpe, screened. The two full-length picbe "Love From a Stranger"

CIVIC THEATRE Spectacular in the extreme, "The Hurricane," a Samuel Goldwyn production, which opened a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday, attracted largo audiences at all sessions. Jon Hall has the role of Terangi, a native of a little island of Manukura. In the early scenos ho is married to a native girl, Marama. Dorothy Lamour, who will be remembered for her appearance in the "Jungle Princess," gives a moving portrayal in the role of Marama. Shortly after their marriage Terangi has to sail away on a little trading schooner, of which he is mate. In Tahiti he becomes involved in a btawl with a drunken white man, and as the latter has political influence, Terangi is sentenced to six months' imprisonment. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to escape, which produced only additions to his sentence, he is successful in getting away, and, in a tiny canoe, he makes a hazardous voyage back to Manukura. Here body sympathises with him, except the administrator of the island, a part taken by Raymond Massey. Terangi is forced to hide from him, but on seeing a hurricane approaching ho hurries to Manukura to warn tho people of their danger. When the hurricane breaks he succeeds in saving tho lives of his wife, his little daughter and the administrator's wife. The s'tonn sequences aro particularly realistic, and tho destruction of the island is depicted in graphic fashion. After tho hurricane has spent itself tho implacable administrator returns from a search for the fugitive, but lie is so moved by the fact that his quarry has saved tho life of his wife, that ho pretends that the canoe in which Terangi and his family are making for a neighbouring island is only a floating log. In conjunction with "The Hurricane" an attractive supporting programme is being screened. This includes a delightful chemi-colour cartoon, "Tom Thumb."

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Joe E. Brown reaches new* heights of hmnonr in "Fit for a King," which will be shown to-day at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Supported by Helen Mack and Paul Kelly, Brown has the role of a newspaper reporter, Virgil Jones, who covers the story of a political plot in a mythical European country. Kelly appears as Brings, the rival of Jones and the correspondent of a competitive news service, and until Jones learns the tricks he is continually outwitted by the other. Helen 'Mack is cast as the heir to the throno who has been reared in America, and her adventures with a political party which wishes to assassinato her forms the theme of the film. The second fulllength picture, "Headline Woman," is a last-moving and well acted production with Heather Angel and Roger Pryor in the starring roles. The plot concerns a fetid between a chief of police in an American city and tha newspapers as a result of the continued sensational reports of crime news which arc published. Many thrilling incidents arc contained in the film aid a romantic thread runs throughout. STRAND THEATRE Splendid scenic effects and an appealing story arc features of the 20th Century-Fox production "Heidi of the Alps," which heads the double programme to be presented to patrons today at the .Strand Theatre. Shirley Temple gives one of the most attractive performances of her career in the character of the girl Heidi, whose cheerful and friendly nature wields a strong influence for good. The noted character actor Jean Hersholt has a difficult yet powerful role as the grandfather of Heidi, and when the story commences is a taciturn and embittered recluse leading a solitary life in a mountain retreat. Arthur Treacher also has a prominent part, and is seen as usual as a manservant, this time in a wealthy Frankfort home, and in his support to Heidi he plays an important part in the plot, as well as supplying much of the humour. The second picture on the programme is "52nd Street," an outstanding musical film. The main players are lan Hunter, Leo Carillo, Pat Paterson and Zasu Pitts. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "An interesting double-feature programme will he presented to patrons at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-day. One of the films, "His Affair," concerns„the adventures of an American secret agent early in the life of the country. Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck and . Victor McLaglen are tho chief players. The popular English comedian Jack Buchanan gives an entertaining performance in tho second picture, "Smash and Grab." STATE THEATRE The dramatic film "A Family Affair," a production from the Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, will be presented to fatrons to-day at the State Theatre, he noted actor Lionel Barrymore has one of tho leading parts and is supported b.y Cecilia Par leer and Eric Linden. The programme also includes "A Woman Rebels," in which the main players are Katharine Hepburn and Herbert Marshall. STAR CINEMA Fast-moving action and romantic interest are featured in "Tho Woman I Love," the first picture 011 the double programme to be shown at tho Star Cinema to-day. The prominent screen players Paul Miuii and Miriam Hopkins appear in the film. The second attraction, "Sally of the Regime'nt," is in lighter vein, the main roles being 'taken by Wallace Ford and Anna Lee. PRINCESS THEATRE Cay musical numbers and an entertaining story are combined in "The Singing Marino," the chief picture today at the Princess Theatre. The main players aro Dick Powell, Hugh Her' bert, Lee Dixon and Larry Adlcr "North of the Rio Grande" will alse bo shown. CAPITOL THEATRE An entertaining double programme will be offered to patrons to-day at the Capitol Theatre. The main picture is "Craig's Wife," and "Sea Devils" will also no screened. WINDSOR THEATRE Jack Buchanan gives a typically amusing performance in "This'll Make You Whistle," the chief attraction to l day at the Windsor Theatre, ."Adventure in Manhattan" will also be included oh the programme'. ORPHEUS THEATRE A double programme ' comprising "THo Go-Getter" and "Fight to a Finish" will be presented .to patrons to-day at tho Orpheus Theatro. ALEXANDRA THEATRE "Another Dawn," a gripping dramatic production, and "Love Under Fire" comprise tho current programme at the Alexandra Theatre, , EMPRESS THEATRE Dancing and comedy are combined iiv "Shall We Dance," which will be screened with "Night of Mystery" at the Empress Theatre to-day. I.' J . ADELPHI THEATRE "The Road Back," a film based on - the novel by Erich Remarque, and "You Can't Buy Love," will be shown to-day at the Adelphi Theatre. A strong cast appears in both films.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "The Westland Case," a New Universal thriller based on the novel by Jonathan Latimer, provides interesting entertainment at the Majestic Theatre, where it will be shown to-day in conjunction with tho Action Pictures release "Crimson Romance, which has as its subject the exploits of tho German war pilot Baron von Richthofen. , In tho first picture Preston l'oster appears as the detective whoso clover deductions save a woman from a false charge of murder. Eric von Stroheim and Sari Maritza appear in "Crimson Romance," in which there are many exciting incidents dealing with war in the air. "The Westland Case" is one of tho Crime Club stories and present# a new formula for mystery pictures, Foster is seen as Detective Crane, who masks his brilliance under a pretended weakness for blondes and smart parties, and who solves the "perfect crime" by a stroke of shrewd deduction while nt tho same time losing the affections of the lady who has been the inspiration of his discoveries. Though mystery and suspense predominate, there runs through each scene a delicate thread of comedy and an entertaining dialogue. There arc many surprises in the plot, which proceeds at a fast tempo, and the whole production is built up to a thrilling climax. REGAL THEATRE Dick Powell, Hugh Herbert and Lee Dixon take prominent parts in th* bright musical film "The Singinc Marine," which is tho main attraction to-day at th» Regal Theatre. The mouth organ player Larry Adler is also heard. Tho second picture is "North of tho Rio Grande." TUDOR CINEMA Pleasing screen entertainment will be seen to-day at the Tudor Cinema. The main attraction will be tho full-length picture "Dangerous Number," which combines drama and romance, and there will also be a strong supporting programme. GAIETY THEATRE, OTAHUHU Errol Flynn and the Mauch Twins take prominent parts in "The Prince and tho Pauper," a romantic tale of an adventurer's masquerade, which is the main attraction to-day at the Gaiety Theatre, Otahuhu. LONDON CINEMA A programme in which aro blended comedy and romancp will provide the attraction to-day at tho London Cinema. The two full-length pictures to be shown aro "They Met in a Taxi" and "Hi Gaucbo." VICTORIA THEATRE The thriller "The Crimson Circle" will be shown to-day at the Victoria Theatre, with the romantic comedv "Love on tho Run." _ • REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM "Westbound Limited" and "The Princo and the Pauper" will bo shown to-day at the Regent Theatre, Epsom. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The two films to be shown to-day at the Prince Edward Theatre are "Nobody's Baby" and '"Street Singer's Return."