ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23072, 24 June 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The film version of a play "which 12 years ago had an instant success, "Binebeard's Eighth Wife," heads the programme, to be presented for the first time to-day at the Regent Theatre. The production is a brilliant modern comedy in which clever direction, sparkling dialogue and the ability ol' the two main players, Gary Cooper and Claudette Colbert, have been combined with great success. Cooper is cast as an American millionaire whose selfishness has proved fatal to his seven matrimonial ventures, and has made him so well known that his eighth wife, played by Miss Colbert, demands a settlement beforehand in the event of her being divorced. Being a woman of some spirit, however, she decides to reform the egotist, and does so in a manner which provides sustained, merriment. Eventually she is divorced, the husband retiring at once to a isanatorium to restore his shattered nervous composure. His wife, however, is not yet satisfied, ■ and purchases the sanatorium to pursue, her revenge further. W hen her ox-husband becomes violent on finding hor in possession, she has him put into a straight jacket and •subjects him to rough treatment until he submits. The film lias a brilliance which makes it sparkling entertain-' went, and is a triumph for the genius, of the director, Ernst Lubitseh. ST. JAMES' THEATRE

"The Firefly," with Jcanette MacDonald and Allan Jones in the leading roles, continues to attract large audiences to St. James' Theatre. The picture, which is set in Spain toward the end of the Napoleonic Wars, proves a perfect vehicle for the acting and singing talents of both Miss .MacDonald and Jones, seven songs being introduced. Others who give good performances are Warren William, Robert Spin do! a and Leonard Penn. MAYFAIR THEATRE Simone Simon returns to the screen after a fairly long absence in the brilliant 20th Century Fox production "Love and Hisses," which will be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Miss Simon has a role demanding entirely different acting from that in parts she has previously played on. the; screen, but she gives an outstanding performance. Walter Winchell, the New York gossip-writer, and Ben Bernie are seen in similar parts to those which they had in the successful musical comedy "Wake Up and Live," and give equally entertaining portrayals. Miss Simon is the centre of the fend which rages between Bernie and Winchell. She appears as a young French singer and both Winchell and Bernie try to include her in their radio programmes. After many amusing adventures, in the course of which Bernie is kidnapped by Winchell, the film is brought to a happy and humorous conclusion. A feature of the picture is the singing by Simone Simon of several popular songs composed by Gordon and Revel and Pollack and Mitchell. The supporting cast, includes the well-known comedian Bert Lahr, Joan Davis and Dick Baldwin. MAJESTIC THEATRE Witty dialogue and a clever story combine te make "\ou're Only Young Once," which is to commence a season at the Majestic Theatre to-day, one of the most entertaining pictures to be shown in Auckland for a considerable time. Outstanding in the leading role is Lewis Stone, who portrays the judge of a small town, Mr. Hardy. Mickey Rooney, as Andy Hardy, follows his excellent performance in "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" with a characterisation equally as good, while, as the judge's daughter Marian, Cecilia Parker also acts well. Others promin- ! ently featured are Charles Coburn, Ann Rutherford and Ted Pearson. The second attraction on the programme is the thrilling "When G-Men Step In," with Don Terry and Jacqueline Wells the principal players. "When G-Men Step In" is a Columbia picture describing a federal agent's struggle to break up the criminal activities of his brother. The film was directed by C. C. Coleman, junior, and is taken from a story, by A. T. Horman and R. C. Bennett.

i. ; . STATE THEATRE The outstanding Metro-GoldWyn-s Mayer production "Marie Walewska." 1 with Greta Gtirbo and Charles Bover e prominently cast, will be presented tonight at the State Theatre. Boyer > gives one of the best performances of | his career in the role of the Emperor ■J Napoleon. An entertaining associate * programme, including a Fitzpatriek . travel film and a Pete Smith oddity.' will be shown. 1 [ STRAND THEATRE The spectacular 20th Century Fox ; production "In Old Chicago" will con- [ tinue a highly successful season at the I Strand Theatre to-day. The story deals I mainly with the lives of members of the O'Leary family, who played such a large part in the early political life of the city. The main roles are capably portrayed by Tyrone Power, Alice Faye and Don Ameche, while Alice Brady gives a fine performance in the part of Mrs. O'Leary. t STAR CINEMA Fredric March has the main role in "Anthony Adverse," which with the bright comedy "Wake Up and Live" will comprise the entertaining programme to be presented at the Star Cinema to-day. LONDON CINEMA The well-balanced programme to be shown at the London Cinema to-day includes "Love Before Breakfast" and "Murder on the Bridle Path." TUDOR CINEMA Jean Arthur and Edward Arnold are prominently cast in the interesting film "Easy Living," which heads the programme to be shown to-night at the Tudor Cinema. CIVIC THEATRETTE Excellent entertainment will be offered at the Civic Theatrette to-day when a programme comprising "Shakedown" and "Roaming Lady" will be presented. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Paul Muni gives an outstanding performance in the entertaining production "The Life of Emile Zola," which will be presented at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE j Maureen O'Sullivan and Edna May , Olliver appear in the bright comedy i "My Dear Miss Aldrich," which is in- t eluded on the programme to-night at < the Prince Edward Theatre. The second i attraction is "Streamline Express." , ASTOR THEATRE \ Irene Dunne and Cary Grant have ( the main roles in tbo gay modern com- i edy "The Awful Truth," to be shown ( at the Astor Theatre to-night. The sec- { ond attraction is "The Frame-Up." I ] PRINCESS THEATRE 1 Adapted from the novel of the same J name, the thrilling film "The o Squeaker" will be shown to-night at 3 the Princess Theatre in conjunction J with "52nd Street."- 1

CIVIC THEATRE Filmed entirely in natural technicolour, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," the screen version of thai novel by Mark Twain, is to continue its successful season at the Civic Theatre to-day. In the title role, Tommy Kelly; gives an outstanding portrayal of the" young American boy whose escapades with Huckleberry Finn (Jatikie Moran)j provide an abundance of humour. May, Robson also is prominently cast. The picture was produced by David 0. Selznick lor United Artist's. The associate programme includes one of tlio March, of Time series.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A thrilling western programme in* eluding the films "The Old Corral" and Forbidden Valley" will be presented to patrons of the Roxy and Tivoli ilieatres to-day. In the first attraction tho popular singing co\vhov Gone Autry i* heard in several enjoyable cowboy songs, which add to the -entertainment °i ■ t,J .°. fl,m - Autry appears as she sheriff in a small western town which is visited by a gang of criminals, who are attempting to capture a girl who witnessed a murder committed by their employer. Autry succeeds in defeating the gang after many thrilling struggles,, and the film is brought to a successful conclusion. Smiley Burnette and Cornelius Keefe appear in the'main supporting roles. A strong cast of players headed by Noah Berry, jun., is in••hided in the second film "Forbidden Valley." Beery is cast as a wild horse dealer whoso stock is being continually/ stolen by thieves. After many exciting episodes, including a stampede % the wild horses, the picture is brought to a sti-ring climax with a battle between the thieves and the sheriff's iiosse led by Beery. Robert Barrnt and Samuel S. Hinds are included in the supporting cast. An added feature is ii musical western film entitled "Rhythm Wranglers. "

EMBASSY THEATRE Exciting scenes in the winning of great horse race form part of the thrills in "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry," which will continue a successful season at the j Embassy Theatre to-day. The main roles : are played by three outstanding juven- ; ile players, Ronald Sinclair, July Gar- : land and Mickey Rooney, and they inj vest the film with a charm all the more I striking for its unusual setting. Sine* lair is the grandson of C. Aubrey Smith,, who has set his heart on winning the great American Derby, but, owing to the dishonesty of the jockey, played by Mickey Rooney, their horso loses. In a. thrilling finale Sinclair rides his horse to victory in the succeeding year. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Tho bright programme to be shown: at the Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres to-night includes the films "Nothing Sacred" and "45 Fathers." Fredric March and Carole Lombard give amusing performances in tho first attraction, while Jane Withers is responsible for many hilarious situations in the second film.. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The exciting spy film "Lancer Spy" and "Hitting u New High" comprise the entertaining programme to he presented at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA "A Damsel in Distress" and "Danger Patrol" are included on the enjoyable programme to be presented to patrons of the State Theatre, Oneliunga, to-night. -■* REGENT. EPSOM Rider Haggard's well-known novel is brought to the screen in the outstanding film "King Solomon's Mines," which will be shown with "Sparkles" at the Regent Theatre,. Epsom, to» night.