ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The powerful portrayal of Wallace Beery in the title role, the uniformly fine work of the supporting cast, which includes Virginia Bruce, Dennis O'Keefe, Joseph Oalleia and Bruce Cabot, and the distinguished direction of J. Walter Ruben have combined to make "Bad Man of Brimstone" one of the best Western dramas Unit has been screened in Auckland. The picture is the main attraction on the programme which opened a season at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday, the second feature being a Laurel and Hardy comedy "Country Hospital." Beery is cast as "Trigger" Bill, an outlaw who rules the town of Brimstone by the ruthless use of his guns, giving a performance fully equal to his portrayal of Villa in "Viva Villa !" Bruce, taking a part totally different from her usual roles, offers a splendid portrait of a pioneer schoolteacher, supplying the romantic interest in the picture. Dennis O'Keefe, one of Hollywood's latest screen discoveries, is seen as a prize-fighter, Jeff Burton, on his way to San Diego, who, when the coach in which ho is travelling is held up by the outlaw and his henchmen, is revealed as the son of Beery, who sends him to a law school. The young man returns as a United States marshal, attempting to bring law and order to Brimstone. The story offers numerous opportunities for exciting scenes, reaching a tense climax with a terrific gun battle. The production was filmed against the rugged grandeur of the Zion j National Forest in I tab, an excellent j natural background for the adventur- j ous days of the West in 1880. Among the outstanding associate features is a Pathe Gazette, depicting the German march into Austria and the terrors of the recent Californian floods, one of the Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer " Crime Doesn't Pay" series and a HamnanIsing cartoon. CIVIC THEATRE A worthy successor to her earlier pictures "Girl in a Million'' and "I Inn Ice," Sonja Hcnie's new picture "Happy Landing" is to continuo screenings at the Civic Theatre to-day. The Olympic figure-skating champion presents a number of brilliant dances on the ice and several new songs by Pokrass and Yellen. including "Hot and Happy" and "You are the Words to My Heart," are features of this outstanding musical comedy from the Twentieth Century-Fox studios. Darrvl F. Zanuck was responsible for the production and Boy del Ruth directed. Playing opposite Miss TTcnie is Don Arneche who was associated with her in "Girl in a Million," her first picture. Others prominently cast are Cesar Romero. Jean Hersholt, Ethel Merman and Billy Gilbert. One of the most interesting short features ever screened in New Zealand is one of the March of Time series "Hitler and the Jens." which was banned in Germany. This, with other excellent short pictures, completes a most enjoyable entertainment. REGENT THEATRE The splendid musical comedy production from New Universal studios, "Mad About Music," with the popular girl soprano Deanna Durbin heading the strong cast, is to continue its highlysuccessful season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Miss Durbin is ably supported by such polished players as Gail Patrick and Herbert Marshall, while excellent comedy is introduced by the English , comedian Arthur Treacher. Two unusual musical organisations art* heard in support of the young singer, the Viennese Boys' Choir and Cappv Bara's Harmonica Ensemble. There is an outstanding programme of short features to be shown in conjunction. STRAND THEATRE The inimitable humour of the child actress Jane Withers and excellent acting by a large cast headed by 'ihomas Beck, Louise Henry and the Hartmans, combine to make "Forty-five Fathers," the principal attraction at the Strand Theatre, an enjoyable entertainment. The 45 fathers are the millionaire members of an exclusive bachelors' club who, when Jane s father is killed while hunting in Africa, adopt her, only to find they have accepted the almost impossible task of looking after the young girl and her pot monkey. The screen version of one of P. G. Wodehouse's books, "Thank You. Jeeves," is the second picture on the programme. The title role is excellently handled by Arthur Treacher, who is supported by Virginia Field and David Niven. Both productions are Twentieth Century-Fox.

ADELPHI THEATRE Telling an exciting story of the Spanish War, "Last Train from Madrid " is the principal attraction 011 today's programme at the Adelphi Theatre. To be shown in conjunction is the comedy "Oh; Mr. Porter." STATE THEATRE The screen version of the operetta "Mavtime," with the popular singing team" Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, in the leading roles, is the current attraction at the State 'lheatre. The picture is produced in lavish style, and all the players give first-class performances, while the music is excellent both as regards 'the singing of the principals and the accompaniment. STAR CINEMA Ronald Coleman, in a dual role, gives an outstanding portrayal in tho exciting story of intrigue and romance 111 the courts of Europe. ' The Prisoner of Zenda," which will again be presented to patrons at the Star Cinema. Also prominently featured are Madeleine Carroll, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Mary Astor and C. Aubrey Smith. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO There is an excellent programme to be presented to patrons at the Crystal Palace and Hialto Theatres to-night, comprising the two fu 1-length productions, "Doctor Syn" and "Fit for a King.'* The first picture is a mystery drama and the second an hilarious comedy with Joe E. Brown in the leading role. VICTORIA THEATRE The outstanding programme to be presented at the Victoria Theatre todav includes the two musical comedies "100 Men and a Girl" and "It's All Yours." ALEXANDRA THEATRE The programme to be shown at the Alexandra Theatre to-day includes the two excellent pictures, "Smash and Grab" and "Roll Along, Cowboy." EMPRESS THEATRE Warner Oland again plays the part of the Oriental detective in "Charlie Chan on Broadway," now showing at the Empress Theatre. The second picture on the programme is "Borneo." REGAL THEATRE Peter Lorre, the little Hungarian actor, gives an excellent portrayal in the title role of "Think Fast, Mr. Moto," which will be shown to-day at the Regal Theatre. PRINCESS THEATRE The outstanding comedy "You Can'tr Have Everything is the first attraction to be screened at the Princess Theatre to-daV._ Also to be presented is "Non-stop New; York."

PLAZA THEATRE An exceedingly bright example of musical comedy and one of tlio best pictures in which the popular British actor Jack Hulbert has appeared, "Paradise lor Two," a United Artists' Jilm, opened its season ,on Saturday before crowded audiences at the Plaza Theatre. Hulbert gives an exceedingly entertaining performance as a French millionaire, Bene Martin. 'l'h« feminine lead is taken by Patricia Ellis, who is seen as .leanette, an actress in a Paris vaudeville show, which .is in tin; course of preparation and" is in iinancial difficulties. The manager, Jacques, is played by Arthur Riscoe and his voluble attempts to obtain a backer for the production unci to csiliu worried creditors provide many amusing incidents. Rene Martin is first seen as a somewhat sanctimonious young business man, who becomes innocently linked in romance with .leanette, who is also quite innocent of any designs upon him. Intrigued with the idea he jyetends to play a game of his own and pretends to be a newspaper reporter covering the rumoured romance. He discovers that the girl is playing a hoax on the theatrical manager, and he proceeds, without betraying his own identity, to aid her in her deception. The result is bewildering to the girl and lier associates, but highly entertaining to the audience, to which both sides of the story are revealed. One of the most amusing scenes in the | film is where the manager Jacques wishes to meet the millionaire, and Jcanette is forced to bring him to a dinner party, all the time thinking that he is a penniless reporter. Ihe film winds up with an exciting and exceedingly funny scene, on the openin" niglit of the vaudeville show, Martin almost being arrested on a charge of forging his own signature to a cheque, and finally taking part in the production. The supporting programme includes a colour cartoon, a Paths Pictorial, a newsreel and another short feature in full colour. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two full-length pictures will be presented to-day at the Poxy and Tivoli Theatres, the first being the latest Jack Holt film "Making Headlines." Holt gives a virile characterisation in the role of a detective in the production, which is from the Columbia studios, and others in the cast are Beverly Roberts, as a newspaper reporter, and Craig Reynolds. The second production is the 20th CenturyFox picture "Hawaiian Buckaroo," featuring the singing cowboy Smith I Ballew, and it is set against a colourful background of Honolulu. Ballew introduces three new songs, "Riding to the | Rlivthm of the Round-up," "Hawaiian Memories" and "I Met Her on the Beach at Waikiki." He appears as an Arizonian cowboy Jeff Howard, while Evelyn Knapp takes the role of Paula Harrington, the owner of a cattle ranch at Honolulu, and Harry Woods is seen as McTigue. an unscrupulous land promoter. McTigue sells Jeff Howard a "fertile pineapple plantation" in Honolulu. Dust storms in Arizona have thrown Howard and a friend out of work and they invest their savings in the plantation in order to make a new start in the tropical country. \\ bile travelling to Honolulu Howard meets Miss Harrington on board the ship and falls in love with her. She repels his advances but the romance thus introduced is brought to a happy conclusion as the result of his fight on her behalf against McTigue. who endeavours to wrest the control of the ranch from her. When Howard arrives at his destination he finds that he has been made the victim of a swindle and he | and his friend are forced to take work i 011 Miss Harrington's ranch. From this I point the story is developed in an exciting manner, Howard pitting his wits against the unscrupulous land dealer.

MAYFAIR THEATRE Telling the exciting story of the efforts of unscrupulous criminals to obtain possession of the seven scrolls which comprise the key to the fabulous treasure of Genghis Khan, "Thank You, Mr. Moto," which is the main attraction at the Mayfair Theatre, has Peter Lorre in the title role as the little, bland Oriental detective. Interwoven with the story, but not interfering with the main theme, is a romance between Tom Nelson (Thomas Beck) and Eleanor Joyce, played by Javne Regan. The second picture to be shown is the romantic comedy "Change of Heart." Gloria Stuart and Michael Whalen make their third appearance on the screen together, heading a east that also includes Lvle Talbot. Delmar Watson and Jane Darwell. Both attractions were produced by Sol M. Wnrtzel for Twentieth Century-Fox release.

EMBASSY THEATRE One of the greatest outdoor stories ever brought to the screen. "Wells Fargo." which is at present showing at the Embassy Theatre, tells of the romance behind the building and maintaining of America's first lifeline of Kmpire, the Wells T'"*ar<ro Trail. Opening in the year 1850. when the overland route had reached St. Louis, the picture unravels the exciting story of stage coach travel and the pony express. of gold-rush days and civil war, while inter-woven with these, but not interfering with the main theme, is a story of the romance between Kamsav MacKav, a trailbreaker for the Wells Fargo company, played by .Toel McCrea, and Justine Fryor, portrayed by Frances Dee. Heading the supporting cast are Bob Burns, Henry O'Neill and Robert Cununirigs. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Song of the Citv." with Margaret Lindsay and Nat Pendleton in leading roles, will be screened to-day at the Prince Fdward Theatre. The second picture on the programme is mystery drama "Sophie Lang Goes West," featuring Gertrude Michael and Lee Bowman. LONDON CINEMA The film in which the girl soprano Deanna Durbin makes her screen debut, "Three Smart Girls," is the chief attraction at the London Cinema to-day. Also appearing in the cast is Nan Grey. The picture is a New Universal production. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Vogues of 15I.18." Walter Wanger's beautiful technicolour production, will he screened with "Mysterious Crossing" at the Britannia Theatre to-day. REGENT, EPSOM Binkie Stuart and Fred Conyngham have the leading roles in "Rose of Tralee," the principal attraction 011 todav's programme at the Regent Theatre, Epsoni. ASTOR THEATRE "Charlie Chan at the Opera" and "She Had to Eat" are the two pictures to be shown at the Astor Theatre to-day. Newsreels complete the programme. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Victor McLaglen and June Lang are prominently featured in "Nancy Steele Is Missingi" which is to be shown in conjunction with "Said O'Reilly to McNab," at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "Jungle Princess," with Dorothy Lamour in the title role, and Hiding On Air" are the of the cur--1 rent programme at the State lheatre, jQuehunga.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE "Marie "VValewska," a Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer film, which was screened before a crowded audience at fet. James Theatre 011 Saturday night, is an historical production of the highest class. Lavishly mounted, splendidly east a tut brilliantly directed, the picture challenges comparison with the best historical films yet brought to the screen. TJio production is a triumph tor Greta Garbo and Charles Boyer, who play the leading roles, and for Clarence Brown, the director. As unfolded on the screen, the love story of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Walcwska, a young Polish countess, presents many fascinating phases of the European epoch dominated by the soldier from Corsica. Notable among the memorable scenes of the film are the opening sequences, showing a troop of Cossacks galloping up marble steps into a Polish palace, jumping their horses over furniture, smashing chairs for firewood, and feeding their horses with chaff and straw clumped into a grand piano. Ihe stamp of authenticity pervades such scenes as the snowbound Polish village, wheie Marie Walewska first sets eyes on the almost legendary figure of the hmperor, the magnificent ballroom at the palace of Warsaw, where Napoleon is first attracted bv the young countess, and the Imperial winter quarters at the castle of Finkenstcin, where the lovers enjoy a brief period of idyllic happiness. But even if it were not for its spectacular backgrounds, the picture ,would still bp outstanding for the sterling acting of the leading characters. As Mane Walewska. Greta Garbo again reveals her preeminence among contemporary screen actressies by her radiant portrayal ot a woman passionately devoted to her country's welfare and to the happiness of those she loves. But fine as Miss Garbo is. it is fitting that Charles Bover's portrait of Napoleon should dominate the remaining characters as complete! v on the screen as the Km per or did in fact. Bover's portrayal is probablv the most penetrating study of the creat Corsican ever presented on the screen, With a remarkable physical fitness for the role, he gives the character a vitality and sincerity that ne\er fail to impress. First-class supporting items include newsreels, with splendidlv photographed scones of this year s Grand National Steeplechase, Glimpses of Austria." a Fitzpatrick travelogue, and an amusing Pete Smith odditj. TUDOR CINEMA The matinee programme to-day at the Tudor Cinema includes The I lamsman." with Gary Cooner and Jean Arthur in the leading roles. A Pa\ at the Races." with the three Marx Brothers. Allan Jones and Maureen O'Sullivan featured, heads the evening entertainment.