ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT, THEATRE _ Deanna Durbin gives another delightful performance in her third film, tne New Universal production "Mad About Music," which had its first „ screenings before exceedingly large audiences at the Regent Theatre. The attractive youug singer is given ample opportunity to use her voice, the most entertaining number, being Gounod's "Ave Maria," which is presented in an appropriately dignified church setting. *iiss Durbin sings three other modern numbers, "I Love to Whistle," "Chapel Bells" and "Serenade to the Stars." Her activities, however, are not confined to singing. Her acting has * refreshing naturalness in both humorous and emotional sequences. "Mad About Music" has a strong supporting cast, Christian Rub appearing M. the janitor of the Swiss boarding Moool where Deanna is a pupil. Herbfflrt Marshall is cast as a composer *ho comes to Switzerland for a holiday and is adopted by the orphaned Joohg singer as her father. Arthur Treacher gives a highly amusing characterisation as Marshall's valet. In conjunction with "Mad About Music," • ?n'attractive supporting programme to being shown. This includes a New Zealand Government travelogue of National Park, a Pathetone review and » universal newsreel. , ' * * jR". • - : STRAND THEATRE Sparkling with a wealth of hearty «igh sequences, "A Damsel in Diswhich' Fred Astaire gives another of his delightful performances, jjonunenced screenings at. the Strand fteatre yesterday. The story is of an ouarious love fetid-which takes place medieval Castle in rural England, j J" Joan Fontaine, as a titled English jVi and Astaire, cast as an American v?. c ® r > iaking part in the adventure, aided and abetted by George Burns, «racie Allen, Reginald Gardiner and *ff • ' e - The hectic and riotous love J starts in a London taxicab when , tn Astaire and Miss Fontaine are eneavouring to lose thoir followers (in in iL ase Astaire, Burns and Allen, jm«™r ease of the English lady, her cairti on^nues Many catchy songs and clever 'T^ii ll6B ky Astaire are features of ijws R.K.0.-Radio production. %, t' ' ( LONDON CINEMA i#* o To-night," with Bine sSPcT anf l Joan Bennett in leading supported by Mary Boland, will with "Nevada" at tho Cinema' to-day. Monte Blue PicturJ' ra^e aro the second - v CIVIC theatrette liri? ® Xc iting drama of mutiny on the "nfo'ded in "Hell-ship j thorvm c,,rr ent attraction at . Profrri> IVIC Tho associate ' fea^ 6 com P r ' ses sonie excellent & VICTORIA theatre film "Night Must Fall" J screened''to-day at the Victoria t ) '» etlier W "Adventure in i

CIVIC THEATRE Constructed upon an ingenious theme, the RKO-Radiio musical comedy "Radio City Revels," which opened a season yesterday at the Civic Theatre, contains " a large cast of popular players, headed by Bob Burns, Jack Oakie, Kenny Baker, Ann Miller and Milton Berle. The yearning of an Arkansas youth to be a song composer and his peculiar faculty of automatic writing form the theme of the picture. The young man, played by Bob Burns, is hopelessly amateurish in his efforts to write popular songs, but when ho is asleep his faculty enables him to turn out catchy tunes. It is upon this odd phenomenon that the whole plot hinges. A triangular romance develops between Jack Oakie, Kenny Baker and Ann Miller. Victor Moore, as the Radio City producer, Milton Berle, as Oakie's pianist, and Helen Broderick, as Ann Miller's acidtongued sister, also take prominent parts in the plot. The spectacular scenes in the picture,, its glimpses of the business of song-writing, and its unusual story and highly amusing situations, make it bright entertainment. The.supporting programme, which is of an equally high standard, includes tlie Walt Disney colour cartoon "Donald's Ostrich." MAYFAIR THEATRE The «beautiful Continental actress Annabella has the leading role in "Dinner at the Ritz," the principal attraction at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. j Romance, mystery and lavish settings are features which make the picture a most enjoyable entertainment. The etory tells of a young girl's efforts to discover the murderer of her father, her adventurous mission taking her from the brilliant salons of Paris, through the gaining rooms of Monte Carlo, and on to a luxurious yacht in the Mediterranean. She is accompanied throughout by a humorous American reporter-detective, Romney Brent, whose quest coincides with her own, while also playing opposite her are David Niveu and Paul Lukas. The second attraction on the programme is the comedy "Danger—Lovo at Work." STAR THEATRE, PAPAKURA One of the best newspaper stories to have come to the screen for some months, "Love on the Run," which is now showing at the Star Theatre, Papakura, has Franchot Tone and Clark Gable in the main roles. The second attraction is "Life Begins at College." STATE THEATRE An excellent programme to be shown at the State Theatre to-day includes the two full-length pictures "Another Dawn" and "San Quentin." STAR CINEMA Outstanding portrayals are given by i Luise Rainer and Paul Muni in "Tlie Good Earth," a story of the Chinese t peasantry, which is to bo presented j with "Here Comes Carter" at the Star Cinema to-day. TUDOR CINEMA With Annabella, popular French act- 1 ress, in the leading part, "Wings of ' the Morning" is to have further screen- 1 ings at tho Tudor Cinema to-day. Henry * Fonda and Leslie Banks also appear.

PLAZA THEATRE , Witty, genial stnd irresistibly enter- > taining comedy is presented in "Stand--1 in," a United Artists picture which 3 opened a season at the Plaza Theatre 1 yesterday. Based on a story written by r Clarence Budington Kelland, author of "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," endowed > with a brilliant script by Gene Towne * and Graham Baker, two of the best > scenario w'riters in Hollywood, and , graced by admirable performances r from every member of the cast, . the picture is it one of the best j comedies screened in Auckland this . year. Just as "A Star is Born," L a United Artists release shown last year, achieved widespread success by its convincing presentation of suc- , cess and failure in Hollywood, so does "Stand-in" deserve the same degree of popularity for its satirical comedy at the expense of Hollywood methods of finance and film production. The story tells how a young banker, experienced only in high finance and business organisation, saves an independent, almost bankrupt studio from an unscrupulous plot to merge it into a rival combine. Leslie Howard gives a brilliantly conceived and splendidly executed comedy performance in the principal role and he receives excellent support from Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart and Maria Shelton. EMBASSY THEATRE The magnificent voice of Paul Robeson, the popular Negro singer and actor, is heard once again in many stirring numbers in "Jericho," the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre. Cast as Corporal "Jericho" Jackson., Robeson gives one of his most forceful portrayals. Unjustly sentenced to bo shot for what was actually an act of heroism, "Jericho" makes a sensational escape in a .fishing boat, on which he meets an American, also a fugitive from justice. After many daring adventures the two men reach the interior of Africa, where Jericho'B medical knowledge wins them the friendship of a native tribe, Jericho eventually becoming their virtual chief.. Tho supporting cast includes Henry Wilcoxon, Princess Kouka and Wallace Ford. EMPRESS AND PRINCESS THEATRES Sonja Henie and Tyrone Power are the principal players in tho delightful musical production "Thin Ice," the main attraction 011 to-day's programme at the Empress and Princess Theatres. The second picture to be shown is "Last Train from Madrid," in which I the main part is portrayed by Dorothy Lamour. Nowsreels also are to be shown. BRITANNIA THEATRE Tho programme at the Britannia Theatre to-day includes "Adventure's End," with John Wayne and Diana Gibson featured, and "A Day at the Races," in which the Marx Brothers give ono of their typically hilarious performances. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM The musical comedy "Shall We Dance," in which tho popular dancing and singing team, Ginger Rogers and i Fred Astaire, appears, is to be shown 1 with "The Big Game" at the Mayfair < Theatre, Sandringham, to-day. 1

ST. JAMES' THEATRE A sparkling screen adaptation of the West End musical comedy "Over She Goes," which had record seasons in London, commenced presentation at St. James' Theatre yesterday before largo audiences. The cast, which includes Stanley Lupino, Claire Luce, John Wood and Gina Malo, appeared in the original stage version, and the ease and smoothness with which the roles are played reflects their long acquaintance with the characters. The story opens in a high-spirited manner at the castle of Lord Harry Drewsden, a former vaudeville player, who inherited the title on the supposed death of his uncle. At tho castle lie has several of his friends, Billy Bowler, Tommy Teacher, Pamela. Kitty and Dolly Jordan. By a ruse while out hunting the girls cause their rather backward partners to propose to them, and scenes of merriment follow. Trouble comes, however, syhen Alice Mayhill, a former fiancee of Lord Harry, hearing about his changed fortunes, arri/es determined to remind him of his promises. Tommy Teacher, who is inimitably played by Stanley Lupino, decides that the only way Alice can be put off the trail is by resurrecting the uncle, and taking the title away from Harry. His impersonation is the source of much merriment in the picture. The concluding scene, when a strong man, played by Max Baer, comes to the castle, followed by the real Lord Drewsden, returned from Africa, are equally amusing. Tho supporting programme includes a March of Tirryo feature, and several other interesting films, >

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Ronald Colman adds to Lis already long list of successes by his performance in "Lost Horizon," Frank Capra's Columbia picture which is now at the Crystal Palace and llialto Theatres. A considerable .amount of humour is introduced into the story by Edward Everett Ho'rton, while also in the cast are Jane Wyatt and H. B. Warner. ADELPHI AND RECAL THEATRES A thrilling adventure romance "The Jungle Princess," together with the clever comedy "Ever Since Eve," in which Robert Montgomery and Marion Davies appear, will be 'presented to natrons of the Adelphi and Regal Theatres to-day. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Ginger Rogers and Katherine Hepburn take leading roles in "Stage Door," which will be presented to-day at the Stato Theatre, Devonport, a second attraction being "Wild and Woolly." STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Two entertaining full-length films, "You Can't Have Everything" and "Think Fast, Mr. Moto," comprise today's programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga. GREY LYNN CINEMA Shirley Temple gives a delightful performance in "Stowaway," the chief attraction at the Grev Lynn Cinema today. The second picture is "A Day at the Races."

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Taken from a story by Harold Shumate, "Counsel for Crime" tells in dramatic style of the unscrupulous methods employed by some criminal lawyers in the courts of America. The main picture on the programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres, it has Douglass Montgomery, Otto Kruger and Jacqueline Wells in the principal parts and a strong supporting cast headed by Thurston Hall and Nana Bryant. In the office of Otto Kruger, cast as a brilliant and spectacular attorney, Montgomery learns of his employer's shady legal work Jacqueline Wells appears as Kruger's secretary, who is torn between her deep affection for the brilliant lawyer and her love for the younger man. The second attraction is "Night Spot," another thrilling mystery drama. j PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The exciting story of the ever-lasting war waged against crime in America, "Trapped bv G-Men" is the chief picture to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Jack Holt, in the principal role, gives a forceful portrayal. Also to be screened is "Keep Fit," a comedy with George Form by the main player. REGENT, EPSOM One of the best comedies recently shown in Auckland, "I Met Him in Paris," will bo screened to-night at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, with "Espionage." CAPITOL THEATRE The Mauch brothers are seen in "The Princo and the Pauper" with Errol Flynn at the Capitol Theatre today. The second film is "Alibi for Murder." WINDSOR THEATRE Cnppy Ricks is cleverly portrayed by Charles Winninger in "The GoGetter,"which, together with "Melody for Two," comprises to-night's programme at the Windsor Theatre. BERKELEY THEATRE Outstanding portrayals are given by Irene Dunne and Randolph Scott in the musical drama "High| Wide and Handsome," which is the current attraction at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay. ASTOR THEATRE William Powell and a strong associate cast are seen in "Libelled Ladv," the comedy which will be shown to-day at the Astor Theatre, the second attraction being "A Dangerous Adventure." ALEXANDRA THEATRE Paul Muni has the leading rolo in "The Life of Emile Zola," which heads to-day's programme at the Alexandra Theatre. "Blazing Sixes" will also bo screened.