ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22976, 2 March 1938, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

roxy and tivoli theatres Two full-length pictures are included in the well-balanced programme which is to commence screenings at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-dav. A dramatic setting on the oil-fields of Texas provides a thrilling background tor the HKO Radio film "Danger Patrol, which is the chief attraction on the programme. John Real takes the pait of a young medical student, who, in order to gain sufficient money to complete his studies, takes up the dangerous profession of "soup-handler, the name given to the men who undertake nitro-glycerine work on the oilfields. This treacherous explosive is used to open up new wells or to extinguish hn-s and the workers, although well paid', carry their lives in their hands. The voting man, Dan Loring. falls in love with Cathie Street, daughter of a veteran "soup-handler." An accident occurs, however, in which one of the men is killed, and Cathie, although .she is in love with Dan, is unwilling to marry him unless he gives up the dangerous work. The climax of the film is unusually dramatic, and provides a fitting end to an exciting story. "Danger Patrol" was directed by Lew Landers, avlio also made the films

♦•Without Orders" and "Flight from Glory." Sally Filers and Harry Carey are prominently cast. Claire J revor lias ;t leading role in the second him on the programme, "Big Town Girl." Her husband, a bank robber, escapes from prison and orders her to flee with him. She hides, and eventually obtains work on the radio as "The .Masked Countess," through the help of Larry Edwards, a press agent, played by Alan Dinehart. Donald Woods, a reporter, seeks to learn her identity for his paper, hut is unsuccessful until he has pursued her to a small town, where they are marooned in an hotel by a flood. Her husband also arrives there, and the film ends happily after a number of tense scenes in the hotel. ''Big Town Girl" is a 20th Century-Fox production. MAJESTIC THEATRE William Boyd is again seen in the role of Hopalong Cassidv in "Texas Trail," which heads the attractive double - feature programme to be screened to-day at the Majestic Theatre. In the second attraction, "Night Club Scandal," the leading players are John Barrymore. Lynne Overman and Charles Bickford. On Friday the outstanding New Universal production "One Hundred Men and a Girl" is to open a season at the Majestic Theatre. This film is notable for the appearance of Dcanna Dttrhin with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. CIVIC THEATRE ' A brilliant film depicting the life of one of Britain's greatest queens, "Victoria the Great." will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. Ihe leading part is taken by the famous English actress Anna Xeagle, who portrays the life of Victoria in realistic fashion from the age of 18 until her jubilee 60 years later. As the Trince Consort, Anton Walhrook. who is a popular Continental actor, gives one of his best characterisations, showing the prince as a charming and talented man. The closing scenes of the film, which depict the magnificence of the jubilee ceremonv, gain effectiveness from the beautiful technicolour in which they are made.

REGENT THEATRE Irene Dunne appears with Cary Grant in the entertaining comedy " The Awful Truth," which will be presented at : ..he Regent Theatre to-day. They are seen as a married couple, whose happiness is hindered in amusing manner bv a dog which belongs to them, played by Asta, the wire-haired terrier who was seen in "The Hun Man." There is a strong associate programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE The Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer film "Maytime," which .is experiencing a successful season at St. James' Theatre, will again be screened at all sessions to-day. The film tells in charming fashion the story of tho romance between two singers, played by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, who meet in a cafe in Paris. As the jealous husband of the prima donna, John Barrvniore has one of his most important parts since "Romeo and Juliet," and handles it in convincing fashion. EMBASSY THEATRE The medical drama " Between Two Women," with Franchot Tone and Maureen O'Sullivan in important parts, will be shown for the last time at the Embassy Theatre to-day. A character made famous" by the brilliant actress Sarah Bernhardt comes again to the sceen in "Madame X,'" a Metro-Gohl-wyn-Maver film which is to commence a season at the Embassy Theatre tomorrow. The story tells of a woman s tragic downfall and how she was at the last defended hv her son, who did not know her. Gladys George, who has played the role on the stage, brims to the screen one of the outstanding performances of recent months. As the son. John Beal shows understanding of a difficult part, while as the husband, Fleuriot,. Warren William gives one of the most artistic characterisations of his career. The supporting cast is of an equally high standard, and includes Reginald' Owen, William Henry and Lynne Carver. The producer of the film | was Sam Wood.

TUDOR CINEMA Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone and Clark Gable take important parts in "Love on the Run," which heads the programme to-night at the Tudor Cinema. r CAPITOL THEATRE The comedy "If You Could Only Cook" will be screened at the Capitol Theatre to-night together with "Woman Trap." Herbert Marshall appears in the first film. . BERKELEY THEATRE Clark Gable and Marion Davies head the cast of "Cain and Mabel," the amusing comedy which is to be screened to-night at the Mayfair Theatre. i STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Two full-length films, "Seven Keys to Bald pate" and "36 Hours to Kill," will be screened at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. r CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Song and Dance Man" heads tonight's programme at the Crystal Palace. The second attraction is entitled "Powder Smoke Range." r STATE THEATRE A long and. entertaining programme will be presented to patrons of the State Theatre to-night, tlae films being "Shall Wc Dance. with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in leading roles, and "Girl in a Million." STAR CINEMA Two full-length films. "Shall We Dance?" and "Cherokee Strip," are the chief attractions on the programme at the Star Cinema to-day. t ASTOR THEATRE "Final Hour" and "King Solomon of Broadway" are the chief attractions at the Astor Theatre to-night.

PLAZA THEATRE A Butcher Empire production, "The Minstrel Boy," is to continue its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The leading roles are handled in highly capable manner' by Fred Conyngham and Lucille Lisle. A number of delightful Irish songs arc introduced in the course of the film. Entertaining supporting features also are being screened. STRAND THEATRE Two clever films comprise the main part of the programme which is to lie shown to-day at the Strand Theatre. In the first picture, which is entitled "Sparkles," the popular English actress Jessie Matthews gives one of her most attractive performances. The story deals with the adventures of a woman jewel thief, and her conflict with the police. The Jones Family are seen in further comic escapades in the second film on the programme, which is entitled "Borrowing Trouble. ' "1 Live My Life" and "Woman Wanted" will open a. season at the Strand Theatre on Friday. MAYFAIR THEATRE An entertaining double-feature programme is to be screened to-day at the May fair Theatre. Warner Baxter, I-or-etta Young and Virginia Bruce are seen in the title roles of "Wife, Doctor and Nurse," a thrilling drama of the medical profession. 'I he second, attraction is the Alexander Korda production " The Squeaker," in wliicli Edmund Lowe is prominently cast. LONDON CINEMA A strong double-feature programme comprising "Follow the fleet' and "Love on a Bet" will be presented to-day at the London Cinema.