ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23042, 20 May 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE

Cecil B. de Mille's entertaining production "The Buccaneer" will commence its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. As 9 the "gentleman" pirate, Jean Lafitte, who terrorised the coast around New Orleans for many years, Fredric March gives an outstanding performance. Lafitte is a man without a country, but decides to aid the United States against the British in the war of 1812. Although at first liis services are declined by the Americans, he joins in the struggle and goes to the aid of General Andrew Jackson, and, with him, helps to save the besieged city of New Orleans. The burning of the capitol in Washington by the British is but one of the many spectacular scenes in tliis entertaining film. There is a pleasing romantic interest between Lafitte and a Dutch girl (Franciskn Gaal), who was 011 one of the ships captured by the pirate. Miss Gaal, who is a newcomer to Hollywood, gives a delightful portrayal and seems destined for great heights in the film world. ST'. JAMES' THEATRE The bright comedy "Double Wedding" will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The picture is notable for the light-hearted way in which all the players portray their roles. The cast includes William Powell and Mvrna Loy, who continue the success they won in "The Thin Man" roles, while Florence Rice and John Real provide an additional romantic interest. A fine supporting programme will also be screened. ' MAYFAIR THEATRE' ' •Set amid the beautiful tropical scenery of Hawaii, the entertaining film "Hawaii Calls" will commence its thil'd week at the Mayfair Theatre today. The music in the picture is outstanding, with Bobby Breen singing several attractive Hawaiian melodies. In the story Bobby appears as a young San Francisco boy who travels to Hawaii by stowing away on a ship. With the aid of the ship's musician. Bobby and his small, Hawaiian friend escape from the ship and commence a series of exciting and amusing adventures ashore. An excellent supporting programme, including a coloured cartoon, "Lonesome Ghosts," will also be presented. MAJESTIC THEATRE The thrilling film "Mutiny on the Elsinore," which was taken from the novel of that name, will be, screened to-day at the- Majestic Theatre. Paul Lukas is cast as an author who decides to take a voyage on the "Elsinore," a fully-rigged sailing ship, in order to gain the' requisite knowledge for his next novel. The vessel has scarcely left the sight .of- land when trouble arises among the crew and two men, including the captain, are murdered. Some of the crew mutiny and the boat is divided into two camps. An exciting battle ensues, but the mutineers are at last forced to surrender, and the voyage is continued peacefully. Others in the cast are Kathleen Kelly and Lyn Harding. Buddy Rogers and June Clyde ha ve the chief roles in the second attraction, "Let's Make a Night of It." A feature of this film is the number of new songs introduced, while several clever dances are performed. Interestj ing short features will also be screened.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The bright musical film "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round" and "Under Suspicion" comprise the well-balanced programme. tp be presented to-day at.the Rosy and Tivoli Th^atjres. •A" 'featiire .of-the 'first; filnt- is 'the Brillia'nt" cofo'ecly and*'tha- 'presentation of several new songs-by the tenor Phil Regan. Regan is- an artist in a recording studio, over which a gang of "racketeers," under the leadership of the genial Leo Carrillo, gain control. Carrillo is endeavouring to secure the services of a noted opera singer Charlizzini, whom every recording company has sought in vain. Difficulties arise when the singer's manager objects, but when Charlizzini is kidnapped the manager readily agrees. The fine supporting cast includes' Ann Dvorak and the popular American singing cowboy Gene Autry, whp makes his first appearance on the screen. Jack Holt has the main role in the second attraction "Under Suspicion;" Holt, as a motor magnate, makes many enemies when he decides to retire and transfer his holdings in the company to his employees. As he is taking off in his aeroplane, to go to his mountain home, where he will complete the transfer, the machine crashes. Another attempt is made to murder him when he is convalescing, but although the attempt fails, a trap is laid for the assailant. The film is brought to a thrillin g_ climax when all the are invited to Holt's home and the criminal is discovered. Kathleen de Mille and Rosalind Keith appear in supporting roles. . "

STRAND THEATRE The child player Shirley Temple has the main role in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," the musical film ■ which heads the programme to be presented at the Strand Theatre to-day. Support-

ing parts are in the hands of Gloria Stuart and Randolph Scott. Also to be screened is "Romance in Flanders."

STATE THEATRE

The life of the great Irish patriot and politician is vividly brought to'the screen in "Parnell," which will be shown to-night at the State Theatre. Clark Gable appears in the title role, while Myrna Loy plays the" part of Katie O'Shea. STAR CINEMA Arthur Treacher takes the part of P. G. Wodehouse's well-known character in "Step Lively Jeeves, which will be screened to-day at the Star Cinema. The second attraction is "They Gave Him a Gun," with Spencer Tracy in the main role. TUDOR CINEMA Rosalind Russell and Robert Montgomery give fine performances' in the' dramatic film "Night Must Fall," 5 which is the main item of entertainment at the Tudor Cinema to-night. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Entertainment at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night, comprises the films "Tarzan's Revenge" and "52nd, Street."

STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA The two attractions to be presented at the State Theatre, Onehunga, tonight, are "Stage Door" and "Thank You, Mr. Moto. - < k\-) LONDON CINEMA s The programme to be shown at the London Cinema to-day comprises * the films "Two in the Dark" and "Fighting Code." ■ * ' ASTOR THEATRE "The Last of.Mrs. Cheyney" will be shown with "The Game That Kills" to patrons of the Astor Theatre tonight. CIVIC THEATRETTE The entertaining programme to be presented to-day at the Civic Theatrette includes the films "Devil's Squadron," a thrilling story of the air, and "The Lone Wolf Returns."

CIVIC THEATRE j The name of Marco Polo, tho great - Venetian adventurer who seven ' centuries ago travelled to the far-off empire of Cathay, has lived through tilO ages and the story of his adventures is vividly brought to the screen in Thel Adventures of Marco Polo," which will be presented to patrons of the Civic Theatre to-day. The perils of his journey, the lavish splendour of the Oriental courts, and the story of his romance with the emperor's daughter nre all convincingly depicted in this fine entertainment. Gary Cooper, in the title role, gives a splendid performance as the gay adventurer who was the first to establish trading relations with the . East. Basil Rathbone, who will be remembered for his fine acting as Tybalt .« in "Romeo and Juliet," gives an v , equally convincing performance, while the new feminine player, Sigrid Gurie, as the emperor's daughter, is outstand-ft ing. The supporting players include George Barbier, as the emperor, and Alan Hale. • ••.

EMBASSY THEATRE Few films contain so many amusing •■s'situations as "Beg, Borrow or Steal," s, which will continue its successful season - 7 at the Embassy Theatre to-dav. Al- . though the main parts in the picture are taken by players who have previously appeared only in supporting i roles, the acting is of a high standard Vj and provides excellent entertainment. Frank Morgan, as an American surrounded bv friends of doubtful " character, gives a highly amusing per- A formance, while romantic interest is provided by Florence Rice and John Beal. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO £ A brilliant cast interprets the main roles in "A Damsel in Distress," which is the main feature on the. programme ■■ of the Crystal Palace and Rialto :< Theatres this evening. l Fred' Astairev the comedians Burns and Allen, and Joan Fontaine, contribute, to the J merriment of the film; -which offers de- -r lightful comedy entertainment. "£ PRINCESS THEATRE The historical drama "Victoria the Great" will be screened with "Hot A Water" at.the Princess Theatre to-■ night. . . : • ~