ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23097, 23 July 1938, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE JSplondid entertainment is offered at fl(; Ik-gent Theatre to-day when the comedy "Romance For Three." which commenced a season yesterday, is to be shown. The east is an impressive one and the story is treated by Frank Morgan and Robert \oung in leading roles. "Romance For 1 hrce has included in its cast many ot the principals of the former comedy "Ben, Borrow, or Steal, one of the most successful productions of its kind in recent years. A wealthy and influential financier wins lirst piiz.e in a slogan contest which he himself has initiated. He elects to go to a holiday resort in the alps for a prize, pretending on his arrival to be a poor man imitating a rich one. His family learns of the masquerade, however, and inform the hotel management, but a mistake in identities is made and another Contest winner, Robert Young, who actually is poor, is thought to be the financier who is relegated to a seivant's room in the attiu, while Young is lavished with attention. Young and Morgan thoroughly enjoy the change of personalities and preler each other's company, much to the amazement of other wealthy guests at tho hotel. V, lien Morgan s beautiful daughter t Florence Rice) arrives to rescue her father from the indignities she has learned are being imposed upon Jiiin the position becomes more involved by her becoming engaged to the impoverished Robert Young. Insulted by the hotel management, Morgan and the remainder of the party leave. 1 he lilm ends happily when Young is given a position in the firm controlled bv Morgan and iveds the girl. ST.- JAMES' THEATRE Excellent entertainment is offered in Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer's outstanding drama of the air, "lest Pilot, which commenced a season at St. James Theatre yesterday before large audiences. 1 lie story deals w itli dai ing flights' which arc performed by pilots who test newly-launched aeroplanes to prove their airworthiness. A fine performance is given by Clark Gable in the role of Jim Lane, a tearless test pilot who laughs at death and regards anv dangerous flights as merely part of'his day's work. Spencer Tracy as Gunner, portrays a man of entirely different temperament and, whereas Lane is reckless and carefree, Gunner is careful and always ready to listen to the warnings of other airmen. Lane and' Gunner are friends and while one is tho pilot and the other a mechanic, both fell are in the triumphs of thensuccessful adventures. During a transcontinental tliglit. Lane is forced to land on a farm where he meets an attractive farmer's daughter, a role portrayed by Myrna Loy. Miss Lov gives a line performance and is responsible for much of the humour which is needed to relieve the tenseness oi many of the scenes. Lane eventually marries the girl whom he meets on his forced landing, but still continues to test machines. The stress ol the flying, the grip it lias on the imagination ol the pilot and the tooling ot fatalism it breeds are well illustrated in a series of flying scenes unparalleled in the history* of the screen. The camera work is magnificent, particularly in the scenes of the transcontinental flight, the formation living bv army bombers and of a machine diving spectacularly to its destruction. The strong supporting cast includes Lionel Barrymore, Samuel Hinds and Marjorie Mains. A Robert Benehlev novcltv "An Evening Alone and a beautiful Fit/.patrick travelogue "Czechoslovakia on Parade ' are included in the interesting supporting programme.

MAYFAIR THEATRE Splendid entertainment is provided in the exciting mystery film, Ihe Saint in New York," which is showing at the Mayfair Theatre to-dav. The screen version closely follows the original story by Leslie Charteris, and outstanding performances are given by a strong cast. Louis Hayward. as Iho Saint," is enlisted by American citizens to rid Now York of a ring or notorious criminals. He succeeds, but in achieving his end the mystery man comes nearer death than at any other stage in his adventurous career. A convincing portrayal is given by Kay Sutton, who takes the part of a girl ol the underworld and assists "111© Saint" in his operations. The associate film, "This Marriage Business," is an amusing comedy which provides n good vehicle for Victor Moore and Allan Lane. TUDOR CINEMA The splendid production "Victoria the Great" is to be presented at the Tudor 'Cinema to-day. Anna Neagle and Anton Walbrook. take leading parts in this great historical film. There is a splendid supporting programme. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Debonair Ronald Colman takes a leading role in the drama "Lost Horizon," to-day's attraction for the Berkeley Cinema, Mission Bay. British air news is included in a bliort supporting film, together with a Cinesound review.

CIVIC THEATRETTE Robert Taylor and Loretta Young give fine performances in "Private Number," which is included on the programme at the Civic Theatretto to-day. The second attraction is "Here Comes Trouble," with Paul Kelly in the chief role. LONDON CINEMA The well-balanced programme to be presented to-day at the London Cinema includes " The Invisible Ray" and " Grand Jury." Frank Law ton and Uoris Karloft appear in the first film, •while the main role in the second attraction is portrayed by Fred Stone. BRITANNIA THEATRE The , outstanding musical production "Maytiine," in which Nelson Eddy and .Icanette .Mac Donald appear, will be presented to patrons of the Britannia Theatre to-day. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM The thrilling drama ".Men Are Not Gods." in which Miriam Hopkins and Gertrude Lawrence have the main roles, and "West Hound Limited" will bo shown to-day at the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham. REGAL THEATRE Fred Astairo appears in the screen adaptation of P. G. Wodchouso's amu.sihg novel "A Damsel in Distress," which, with "Danger Patrol," will form the interesting programme at the Regal Theatre to-day.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The operatic soprano Grace .Moore has the chief role in "I'll Take Romance," which heads the entertaining programme to be presented at the Prin.co Edward Theatre to-day. The second attraction is tlio western production '"Texas Trail." , PRINCESS THEATRE Barry K. Harries gives a fine portrayal of Raroness Orc/.y's famous character in "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel." which is included on the programme to-day at the Princess Theatre. "Wise Girl" will also ke shpwn.

CIVIC THEATRE The beautiful French actress of "Wings of the Morning" Annabella, appears with William Powell in the hilarious comedy "The Baroness and the Butler," which will continue its successful season at the Civic theatre to-day. Powell is cast as a butler in the household of an aristocratic Hungarian family, the Sandors, and Annabella appears as the daughter of Count Sandor. the Prime Minister of Hungary. The count is surprised to discover that his butler has been elected to Parliament as the member of the People's Party, which is in opposition to the Government, but his surprise is greater still when the People's Party becomes the Government and his former butler the brilliant Prime Minister. At first the Count's daughter considers that the butler has insulted her father, hut gradually a romance develops between them and the picture is brought to a successful conclusion. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES John Boles is prominently cast in the bright comedy "She Married an Artist," which is included on the interesting programme to be presented to-day at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres. Holes appears as a rather conceited New York artist, Lee Thornwood, whose dignity is upset when a Parisian dress designer makes a statement in the papers to the elfect that I hornwood's paintings are ridiculous and are the laughing stock ol Europe. The enraged artist immediately visits her in order to make her retute the report, but their quarrel is ended when a ronnnce develops between them. 'I be supporting cast includes a newcomer to Hollywood films. Lull Deste, also Frances Drake. Helen Westley and Jacqueline Wells. The second attraction is "Quick Money," in which Fred Stone, Dorothy Moore and Jlertou Churchill have the principal roles. Stone is cast as the Mayor of Glonwood, a small American town which is 1 visited by two business men who atI tempt to sell shares in one of their I business concerns to the townspeople and municipal corporation. In spite ol 'the advice of all his trends, the mayor j refuses to buy stock and his policy is I vindicated when the men are arrested ! as notorious criminals and their shares ! are shown to be worthless.

STRAND THEATRE A dramatic love story is told in the film "1 Met Mv Love Again," which is to be shown 'at the Strain! Theatre to-dav. Leading roles are taken by Henry Fonda and Joan Bennett in this production, which is marked throughout bv splendid acting. Julie (Miss Bennett) and Ives (Fonda) were sweethearts at college, but a worldly-wise worthless novelist wins her aflectioii and with him she elopes to 1' ranee. Julie soon tires of the Bohemian hie which she is lorced to lead and Jiei husband meets his end in a wineinspired duel. Still in love with her former sweetheart, Ives, .Julie returns to the home of an aunt in America. Ives, now professor ol a university, learns of her return, but appears to be in love with a girl student at. the college. The film is ultimately brought to iC satisfactory climax after many touching scenes. EMBASSY THEATRE Vividly depicting tho contrast between Dead End, tho sqmilid slum area of New York, and the adjacent wealthy apartment houses, Deai End" ' will continue its successful season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Svlvia Sydney and Joel McCrea are the leading players in the picture which was adapted to the screen from a play bv Sidnev Kingslev. Others prominently featured are Humphrey Bogart. Claire Trevor and Alan Jenkins. Samuel Goldwyn was the producer.

STATE THEATRE Excellent entertainment is offered patrons of the State Theatre to-day, when the comedy-romance " Double Wedding" will be shown. The east is a splendid one, including 1' lorencc Rice. John Bealc, Jessie Ralph and Barnet Parker. The comprehensive supporting programme is one that w ill find wide appeal. STAR CINEMA The splendid comedy " J hat Man s Here Again" is the attraction to be presented at the Star Cinema to-day. Hugh Herbert and the popular Australian actress, Mary McGuire, appear in this film, which is filled with hilarious episodes. Billy Mauch appears in the supporting feature, " Pernod and Sam." EMPRESS THEATRE Fredric March and Carole Lombard are prominently cast in the drama " Nothing Sacred," to be shown at the Empress Theatre to-day. 1 lie associate film is the screen adaptation of Russell Thorndyke's novel " Dr. Syn," in which George Arliss takes a leading part. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The beautiful voice of the boy singer Bobby Breen is heard in the enjoyable musical comedy " Hawaii Calls," to be shown to-day at the Crystal Palacc.and Rialto Theatres. Ann Sothern and Gene Raymond appear in the hilarious comedy " She's Got Everything,' which is the second attraction.

REGENT, EPSOM The popular comedian Kddie Cantor has the chief role in "Ali Balm Goes to Town," which will he presented today at the .Regent Theatre, Epsom, with the comedy "Borrowing Trouble." VICTORIA THEATRE A powerful cast appears in " Between Two Women," to be shown at the Victoria Theatre to-day. Victor McLaglen takes a prominent role in the supporting film, " Laughing at Life." GREY LYNN CINEMA An entertaining programme is to be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema today, including the films " The Bride Wore Red" and " Farewell Again." A splendid supporting programme includes sports features and a travel talk. , STATE THEATRE. DEVONPORT In the film "45 Fathers," to be shown at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day, incomparable .Jane Withers takes a leading role. " Stand In" will also be shown. ALEXANDRA THEATRE "Lancer Spy," a thrilling film dealing with international espionage, will be shown to-day at the Alexandra Theatre with the bright couiedv "Sky's the Limit."

CAPITOL THEATRE "Over She Goes" and "Change of Heart" comprise the entertaining programme to lie shown at the Capitol Theatre to-day. l'owerfttl casts appear in each picture. WINDSOR, PAPAKURA The comedy "The Awful Truth" and " Fight Kor Your Lady" are to be presented to patrons of the Windsor Theatre, Papakura, to-day. ADELPHI THEATRE A clever exhibition of tap dancing is given by Fred Astaire in " A Damsel in Distress," to he presented today at the Adelphi Theatre with the tense drama " Condemned Women."

MAJESTIC THEATRE Am outstanding programme, which includes tin- comedy "Wide Open Faces," the drama "The Crime of Dr. Mallet " and the sporting feature • How'l L'lav (Ticket," coniiuenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterdav Hilarious Joe K. Brown takes a leading role in "Wide Open l-aces, an amusing film of unusual eharactei. Brown is asked hy a man ultimatelv moved to he a crook to accompany jiiiii to a deserted hotel to recm ci .1 necklace hidden there by his mothei. Going to the inn that nifjlit Brown is surprised to liud that it has recently hcen occupied bv .lane Wynian and liei aunt, Alison Skipworth, who have inherited the hotel hut have no money to reopen it. The robher is apprehended in tlie meanwhile, hut, as the loot from his last t licit has not been recovered, gunmen troin all over the countrv who have heard ot his efloits to get to the inn llock to the town nm fat lend a gala opening of the hotel, all with the same purpose. Ihe hlni ends with an exciting linale. A human ,|i||,.ma provides the theme of the picture "The Crime of Dr. Mallet," the associate feature. Working under intolerable hardships in a lever-infested tropical jungle, a heroic scientist finds his elforts to save countless thousands ul' human lives thwarted hv the death of a single individual. Ihe cast ill this powcrl'iif drama includes Ralph Bellamv Josephine Hutchinson, Barbara ! | J cad' William Cargan and John King. I '|'|„. feature -Mow I l'lav Cricket,' by ! |),,11 Bradman. is a topical iilm that I will appeal to all. | STATE Tf lEATRE, ONEHUNGA " Dinner at the Kit./." is the chief attraction to be shown at the .State Theatre Onchiinga, to-day. Chester Morris and Ann Shirley appear i" the I drama " Law of the Fnderworld.