ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23010, 11 April 1938, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE A clever and witty satirical comedy set in Hollywood, "Stand-In" will again be presented to-day at the Plaza Theatre. In his first comedy role, Leslie Howard gives a brilliant performance as Atterbury Dodd, a shy and scholarly mathematician who is placed in control of Colossal Film Studios when that company is involved in financial difficulties. Joan Blondell gives a vivid and natural portrayal of a former child actress, and Humphrey Bogart has a sympathetic part as a clever producer hampered by the eccentricities of a Continental director, a part capably taken by Alan Mowbray. There is an entertaining associate programme

MAJESTIC THEATRE Otie of the most authentic pictures of life in a naval academy in America, "Navy Blue and Gold" heads the strong double-feature programme to be presented again to-day at the Majestic Theatre. The leading roles are capably handled by a cast that includes Robert Young, James Stewart and Lionel Barrymore. Robert Young is seen as a cynical young midshipman, while James Stewart is an oiler from a battleship working for his commission. The second film. "Gentlemen from Louisiana," is an exciting story of the racing track. CIVIC THEATRE An ingenious story and sparkling comedy are found in the RKO-Radio musical film "Radio City Revels," which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. There is a large cast of well-known players, including Jack Oakie, Ann Miller, Bob Burns, Kenny Baker and Milton Berle. Bob Burns is seen as a youth from Arkansas who, while asleep, composes catoby songs, a faculty which escapes him when he is awake. Spectacle and a close association with reality make "Radio City Revels" pleasant entertainment. The supporting programme includes Walt Disney's latest cartoon, which is entitled "Donald's Ostrich."

REGENT THEATRE The unsophisticated charm of Deanna Durbin's personality is again seen in "Mad About Music," which is enjoying a successful season at the Regent Theatre. Deanna Durbin takes the part of Gloria, the daughter of a successful Hollywood actress, who, in order that she may not interfere with her mother's career, is sent to a girls' school in Switzerland. Her singing is as delightful as in her previous films, and the acting of the large cast is on a high plane. Herbert Marshall, Gail Patrick and Arthur Treacher have important parts. The Viennese Boys' Choir is also heard in several numbers. There is a strong supporting programme.

EMBASSY THEATRE In the tradition of the brilliant film "Sanders of the River," is the British Empire Films production "Jericho," which will continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Paul Robeson, whoso magnificent voice is heard in several songs, takes the part of Jericho Jackson, an American negro soldier who, escaping from the transport, makes his way to central Africa. There his dominating personality makes him virtual chief of a tribe, and many thrilling adventures ensue. Dealing with the express business founded by Wells and Fargo shortly after gold was discovered in California, "Wells Fargo," a clever historical picture, will hare its first screenings at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday. The film was directed by Frank Lloyd, who made "Cavalcade" and "Mutiny of the Bounty," and a story which is remarkable for its realism, romance and humour is told in gripping fashion. Joel McCrea, Frances Dee, Bob Burns and Lloyd Nolan head a strong cast.

STRAND THEATRE Fred Astaire's engaging personality and brilliant dancing aro outstanding features of the film "A Damsel tress," taken from one of P.G. Wodehouse's best-known stories, which will again bo screened to-day at the Strand Theatre. Astaire takes the part of an American dancer in England, who, attracted by Lady Alvce, follows her to Totleigh ' Castle. Tho story moves rapidly throughout, songs and dancing being interspersed with clever comedy. Bob Burns and Gracie Allen appear as his publicity agent and stenographer respectively, while Joan Fontaine, sister of Olivia de Havilland, makes a charming heroine.

MAYFAIR THEATRE Tho attractive actress of "Wings of the Morning," Annabella, is seen again in "Dinner at the Ritz," which heads to-day's double-feature programme at the Mayfair Theatre. She is seen as a young Parisienne, whoso father, a banker, dies mysteriously. She decides to solvo the mystery of his death, and is accompanied by an amusing financier, portrayed by David Niven and a clever American detective, characterised in amusing fashion by Romney Brent. There are many exciting situations before the climax is reached. Jack Haley, who established an enviable reputation in "Wake "Up and Live," has a leading role in the second film "Danger—Love at 'Work." Opposite him appears Ann Sothern, while a considerable amount of humour is derived from tho comedy of Edward Everett Horton.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Frank Capra's brilliant film "Lost Horizon," with Ronald Colman in one of his best parte, will head to-night's programme at tho Crystal Palace and llialto Theatres. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Two exciting full-length films, "Traped by G-Men" and "Keep Fit," in which the English comedian George Formby appears, will bo presented tonight at the Prince Edward Theatre. STATE THEATRE Douglas Fairbanks, jun., is seen in "When Thief Meets Thief," which, together with "Hands Across the Table," comprises the programme at tho State Theatre to-night. STAR CINEMA Paul Muai and Luise Rainer givts outstanding characterisations in "Tho Good Earth," which will be screened to-day at the Star Cinema. The 6econol attraction is "Here Comes Carter." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Two strong full-length films, "Stage Door" and the Jane Withers comedy "Wild and Woolly," will be offered to patrons of the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night TUDOR CINEMA Doanua Durbin, together with Stowkowsky's Symphony Orchestra and a strong cast, appear in the delightful musical film "100 Men and a Girl," which will be shown to-night at the Tudor Cinema. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Irene Dunne appears with Randolph Scott in the film "High, Wide and Handsome," which heads to-night's programme at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE With the original London stage cast taking the principal roles, the recordbreaking musical comedy "Over She Goes" will be presented in a successful screen version at St. James' Theatre again to-day. The setting of the story i.s a castle, which Harry Drewsden, *a former vaudeville star, has inherited on the disappearance and presumed death of his uncle. Drewsden is entertaining a number of his former stage partners at the castle, when a calculating young woman to whom ho was once engaged comes to the castle. The strategem by which they divert her attention is' laughable and original. Stanley Lupino heads the cast, others being Gina Malo. John Woods, Sally Gray and Max Baer. The songs are of a particularly high standard, including several favourite numbers. The supporting programme is notable for a strong March of Time feature. /

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An unusual story is told in "Counsel for Crime," which heads to-day's programme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. Otto Eruger takes the part of a brilliant but unscrupulous crime lawyer, in whose office a young man, portrayed by Douglass Montgomery, works." He becomes suspicious of some of his employer's dealings, and the picture has a novel climax in which the young man, ivho is in reality a son of the lawyer, ("barges him in court with breaking the law. Jacqueline Wells acts with ability as the girl who is torn between love for the young man and a respect for the lawyer which his -deeds cannot diminish. "Counsel for Crime" is a Columbia production. The second attraction on the programme, is equally interesting although differing in nature from the first film. It is a bizarre adventure story entitleu "Night Spot," and deals with the attempt at solution of a number of baffling mysteries. The large cast which ably interprets the many difficult roles includes Parkvakarkus, Joan Woodbury, Alan Lane and Gordon Jones. The picture was produced by the RKO-Radio film company.