ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE . Two entertaining films from the < Paramount studios will have their first : screenings at the Majestic Theatre to- i day, the main attraction being "Born ' to the West'," a thrilling Western drama written by Zane Grey. John ; Payne, Marsha Hunt and John Mack Brown take leading roles, and there is ' a strong supporting cast. The story deals with the adventures of two roaming cowboys, Dare Ruud and Dinkey Hooley, who go to Montana, ; where Dare's cousin, Tom Fillmore, owns a ranch. The men obtain work there, and Dare is put in charge of a cattle-drive. A rustler Bart Hammond, •in league with the foreman whom Ruud had superseded, attempts to steal the cattle, but is beaten off after an exciting gun-fight. There are many thrilling incidents when Dare, having eold the cattle, is inveigled into a dishonest card game, the film culminating in a battle between the cowboys and the rustlers. The second film, "Love on Toast," is a delightful comedy about a publicity project, prominent players being Stella Ardler and John Payne, both of whom are well known on the American stage. CIVIC THEATRE The new R.K.0.-Radio production "A Damsel in Distress," whicb. is to commence screenings at,..-the Civic Theatre to-day, is a perfect vehicle for the dancing and: singing talents of the popular player Fred Astaire, and for the -com&ly introduced by George Burns and Gracie Allen. Taken from the successful novel by P. G. Wodehouse, "A Damsel in Distress" tells the story of a love affair that commenced in a taxicab in London when Astaire, '.vhose publicity agents George and Grace have made him a reputation of being a great lover, is endeavouring to escapo from pursuing women, and steps into the same taxi as Joan Fontaine, cast us Lady Alyce, who is equally determined to give her guardian the slip. Lady Alycc's guardian Keggs (Reginald Gardiner), is left in the hands of the law through trying to force an entry into the taxi and is reprimanded by his employer, Lady Alyce s mother. He saves himself by telling her of Alyce's clandestine meeting with the famous American dancer and she insists that thereafter, until her marriage with a foppish saxophone-player, her daughter should be confined to the grounds of the family's ancestral home, a medieval castle e.et in rural England. Astaire follows her and the love affair ripens, until, assisted by the butler, the page-boy and the girl s father, he is aide to save her. REGENT THEATRE One of Rex Beach's greatest outdoor stories and the grandeur of one of the most beautiful settings in the world, the North W T oods of Alaska, combine to make an excellent picture, "The Bar-' rier," which is to be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day. "The Barrier," a Paramount production, tells the love storv of a girl of Alaska, Necia, played by Jean Parker, and a young army officer, Lieutenant Burrell (James Ellison), set in the days of the gold rush. The cast also includes Leo Carrillo, Otto ICruger, Robert Barrat. Andy Clvde and Sara Haden. The film was produced by Harry Sherman and directed by Les Selander. There is an outstanding, programme of short features. The Easter attraction will be "Mad About Music," with Deanna Durbin prominently cast.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Witty dialogue, clever acting and modern trick photography combine to make "Topper," the Metro-Goldwvn-Maver production now screening at St. James' Theatre, one of the best comedies to be see : n in Auckland for some months. Carv Grant and Constance. Bennett are the leading players, being supported by Roland Young, Alan Mowbray and Billie Burke. There is an excellent associate programme. EMBASSY THEATRE The appealing romantic drama "Smilin' Through," which | had a highly-successful season in Auckland Jn 1933," is at present enjoying an equally successful season at the Embassy Theatre. Norma Shearer is cast an a dual role, parts taken by Norma Talmadge in the earlier silent version of the story. She is first seen as Moonyeen, and later as the child of Moonyeen's sister. Frerleric March, also in a dijal role, gives a distinguished performance, while a;r>. excellent portrayal is given bv Leslie Howard as the lover of Moonyeen. 0. P. Heggie, well-known character actor, also is in the strong cast of supporting players. STRAND THEATRE Two hilarious Twentieth CenturyFox comedies comprise the excellent entertainment to be presented at the Strand Theatre to-day. The mam picture, "Ali Baba Goes to Town," has the popular roving-eyed Jewish comedian EUdie Cantor in the chief role,; and heading a strong cast are Roland Young, Tonv Martin, and Louise Hovick. "School for Husbands', j is the second attraction. Rex Harrison and June Clyde head the cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The screen version of Edna Ferber s story "Stage Door," with Ginger Rogers heading a cast which also" includes Adolphe - Menjou and Gail Patrick, will be the inain < picture on tonight's programme at the Crystal Palace and Rinlto Theatres. James Gleason and Zasu Pitts appear in the second picture, "Forty Naughty Girls." ' ''•'« ' ; : " 1 .V- • '• ,- T ~ : ::. y ,-i .. '• MAYFAIR THEATRE The popular comedy "Libelled Lady" makes a return to Auckland to-day and will commence screening nt the Mayfair Theatre. The four leading players. William Powell. Myrna Loy. Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy, all givo excellent portrayals in the picture. which is a Metro-,Goklwyn-Mayer production. The second attractionis the Laurel and Hardy comedy "Live Ghosts," and also to be shown are the features "Hit and Run Driver" and '.'Killer Dog."

STATE THEATRE The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production directed by Dorothy Arzner, "The Bride Wore Red," is to commence a season at the State Theatre to-night. Adapted from one of ' Mol* nar's works, and set in the romantic Tyrol, the film has Joan Crawford in a leading role opposite Robert Young and Franchot Tone. Excellent portravals are given by George Zucco. Billie Burko and Lynno Carver. There is an attractive associate programme. STAR CINEMA An excellent programme to be shown at tho Star Cinema to-day includes "Slave Ship" and "The Case of the Black Cat." "Slave Ship," with Warner Baxter and Wallace Beery prominently cast, tells of the stirring times when the slave traffic held sway along tho African coast, around 1850. Ricardo Cortez and June Travers are in tho second attraction. ' . LONDON CINEMA A well-balanced double-feature programme comprising the films "Remember Last Night" and "Wanderer of the Wasteland" will be presented to-day at the London Cinema. TUDOR CINEMA Claudette Colbert, Robert l'oung and Melvyn Douglas give talented characterisations in the comedy "I Met Him in Paris," which heads a strong programme at the Tudor Cinema to-day.

PLAZA THEATRE Claimed to be one of the_ greatest* discoveries in film history, Barry K, Barnes gives an outstanding performance in the title role of Tjj®. of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the thrilling drama which is to . its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day.: Taken from Baroness Orczy s novels, "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel" opens in the year 1797, when the "liberty, equality, fraternity" of. the French Revolution had given way to the ruthless dictatorship under the heel of Robespierre, and when the Pimpernel, Sir Percy Blakeney, is drawn from his retirement b,v the capture or his wife, a part taken by Sophie Stewart back to a life of adventure.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES "Bad Guy," a thrilling story of the. escapes and escapades of two hightension power linesmen, and a clever comedy, "All American Chump" form the well-balanced programme to bo shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. In "Bad Guy" Bruce Cabot appears as a power linesman, "Lucky" Walden, and Edward Norris is cast as his half-brother, Steve Carroll. Walden kills a-man who cheated him at cards and is sentenced to death, but Steve, through ceaseless efforts, has the sentence commuted to life imprisonment. Walden is paroled for heroism,, but is again imprisoned for parole violation. While lj'ing in the city gaol awaiting transfer to prison, Walden is visited by his half-brother, who helps him to escape. Walden, however, when later trying to elude re-capture, is electrocuted while crossing high-tension lines. Virginia Grey supplies the romantic interest in tbo picture. "All American Chump" is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production with Stuart Krwin prominently cast as Elmer, a human adding machine, who is employed at a bank, but is persuaded to join a carnival. While travelling from town to town he is forced into a game of bridge with the American bridge champion, and defeats him. His promoters realise they have discovered a money-making in Elmer, and the manner, in which they exploit his powers form the amusing background for an excellent entertainment. Also to be shown is a picture of the Farr-Braddock heavyweight boxing contest.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Deanna Durbin give a delightful performance in "100 Men and a Girl," which is to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Music forms the basis of the production and a feature is the appearance of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. A second feature, "The Devil is Driving," will also be screened.

MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM The brilliant film of Chinese life "The Good Earth" will be the main attraction at the Mavfair Theatre, Sandringliam, to-night. Also to be shown is the musical picture "Head Over Heels."

ASTOR THEATRE ~, A strong programme will be presented to patrons of the Astor Theatre to-night, the chief films being the musical production "Girl in a Million" and "It Happened in Hollywood."

BERKELEY THEATRE Jean Arthur and Edward Arnold take prominent parts in the clever comedy "Easy Living," which heads the strong programme to be screened to-night at the Berkeley Theatre. CIVIC THEATRETTE ' The charming actress Mary' Astor has a prominent part in the exciting film "Trapped by Television," ndw at the Civic Theatrette. , . f' PRINCESS THEATRE Paul Muni appears in "The Life of Emile Zola," which heads to-night's programme at the Princess Theatre, the second attraction being "Blazing Sixes." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Two full-length films, "Heidi of the Alps'' and "Sing and Be Happy," comprise the entertaining programme at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. STATE THEATRE. ONEHUNGA The brilliant skater Sort]a Henie is seen in the musical film "Thin Ice." which will be shown to-night at the State Theatre,' Onehunga, with "A Doctor's Diary." STAR THEATRE, PAPAKURA The exciting story of espionage "Lancer Spy," will be shown at the Star Theatre, Papakura, to-night, with "Postal Inspector."; < BRITANNIA THEATRE

Robert Montgomery appears in an unusual role in "Night Must Fall," whichwill be screened to-night at the Britannia Theatre. The second attract tion is "It's All Yours." • *"