ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE \\ ith a cast headed by such accomplished players as (.'lark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, the outstanding Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production " Jest L'iloi" w ill continue its Mrressful season at St. .lames' Theatre today. '1 he film depicts the daring and somewhat 1001-hardv tasks undertaken by pilots who test newlylauneJied aeroplanes to prove their airworthiness, and contains some of the most spectacular flying scenes ever brought to the screen. An excellent portrayal is given by Clark Gable as a tearless and carefree pilot. Jim Lane. Lane is employed by an aeroplane manufacturer (Lionel Barrymore), and in the course of his work attempts to lower the transcontinental record and tests military machines. Spencer I racy appears as Lane's friend and mechanic, Gunner, while Myrna Lny has the role of a girl La mi meets, when lie makes a forced landing, and later marries. The entertaining associate programme includes a liobert Benchley novelty and a Eitzpatriek travelogue.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A film 'which includes flying thrills and jungle mystery, "Flight Into Nowhere." to tie shown to-day, provides j excellent entertainment for patrons <>t j the Kox.v and Tivoli Theatres. Ramon j Novarro takes a prominent role in the second attraction, "The Sheik Steps Out." The story of "Flight fnto Nowhere" tells of a daredevil young pilot (Dick Purcell), who secretly marries the niece of the owner of the airline by which lit: is employed. Purcell, in the course of a flight into remote country in South America, crashes near an ancient city inhabitated by a tribe of lnean origin. Injured in the crash, the young pilot is cared for by the daughter of a white man who had found the city many years before, and ! ultimately marries her. PiirceH's superior. playei i by Jack Holt, locates the 1 lost flier after a series of exciting ad\entures in the jungle, but is not preI pared to return with Purcell when ho learns that he is married to a native. The film cuds with an exciting climax. As a sheik who seeks the band of a beautiful American girl and ultimately wins her after a series ot complications, Ratnon Novarro gives a convincing performance in "The Sheik Steps Out. ' The feminine lead is taken by Lola Lane. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO One of the greatest fires of history is portrayed in the dramatic film "hi Old Chicago," to-day's attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Leading roles in this outstanding drama are taken by Tyrone Power and beautiful Alice Fare, who both give mo-;t convincing performances. The supporting programme includes one of the latest "March of Time" series. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY The exciting newspaper drama "Exclusive" is to fie presented at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-day. Fred Mac Murray, Frances Farmer and Charlie Ruggles give convincing performances in the leading roles. The associate programme includes British air news, a Cinesound review and a Mickey Mouse cartoon, "Hawaiian Holiday.' PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE John Barrymore gives a convincing performance in "Xight Club Scandal," to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. A story of the goldmad Yukon is told in "The Barrier," adapted from the novel by Rex Beach. Leading roles are taken by Leo Carrillo and Jean Parker.

REGENT THEATRE Ihe bright comedy "Romance For Three" is to be shown at the Regent J heat re to-day. The cast is a powerful one, including such players as Frank Morgan, Robert Voting, Florence liice, Mary Astor, Edna May Oliver, Hermann Bing and Reginald Owen. As a wealthy financier, Morgan wins a slogan contest which he himsell has promoted and elects to go to a resort in the alps for a holiday as a prize. Ho masquerades as a poor man, but a mistake in identities is made and Robert Young, also a contest winner, - is treated as the wealthy man by tie: i hotel staff, who have been advised of | Morgan's true identity. The resulting ; complications keep the humour at a . high level throughout. The associate j programme includes an "Our Gang" | comedy, a musical, "Snow Gets in ; Your Eyes," an historical mystery film | and newsreels. STRAND THEATRE The beautifid French actress Annabella, who will be remembered for her outstanding performance in "Wings of the .Morning,'' is prominently cast in the hilarious 20th Century Fox comedy "The Baroness and the Butler," which will continue its season at the Strand Theatre to-day. William Powell gives an amusing performance as Johann Porok. a butler in the service of an aristocratic Hungarian family, the Sandors. Count Sandor is the leader of the government, and his daughter, the Baroness Katinka (Annabella), is married to a worthless politician. Porok surprises his master by being elected to Parliament as a member of the People's Party, which is in op|x»sition to the government. The count is rather amused by the situation, but is dumbfounded when Porok's party is successful at 1 lie next election and his former butler becomes the Prime Minister. The supporting cast includes Helen Westley, Henr.v Stephenson, Joseph Schihlliraut and J. Edward Brombcrg. REGAL THEATRE The oft-quoted "eternal triangle" is portrayed in the film "Wife, Doctor and Nurse," to be presented to patrons of the Regal Theatre to-dav. "Radio City Revels," with Jack Onkie and Bob Burns, is the associate film. There j is a strong supporting programme.

PRINCESS THEATRE A powerful cast is a marked feature of the production "Lancer Spy," today's attraction at the Princess Theatre. Jack Oakie and Bob Burns appear in "Radio City Revels." A Walt Disney cartoon, "Lonesome Ghosts," is included in the programme. ADELPHI THEATRE A thrilling picture of intrigue and mystery, "The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel," is to be presented to patrons of the Adelphi Theatre to-day. Wheeler and Woolsev appear in "High Flyers." The programme includes one of the "March of Time" series. MAYFAIR, SANDRINCHAM Splendid entertainment is offered patrons of the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, to-day, when "100 Men and a Girl" and "Adventure in Manhattan" are to be shown. CAPITOL THEATRE The versatile young actress Shirley Temple appears in "Heidi of the Alps," to be presented to-day at the Capitol Theatre. The second film is "Who's Your Lady Friend?" VICTORIA THEATRE Clark Gable portrays the famous Irish patriot in the fine production "Parnell," which will be shown to-day at the Victoria Theatre with "Devil's Playground."

I CIVIC THEATRE With an outstanding cast, including artists from almost every field of entertainment, the spectacular Samuel Goldwyn production, " The Goldwyn Follies," commenced a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday before large audiences. The picture has been produced entirely in technicolour and the delicate, imaginative use of colour is one of the most impressive features of the film. Pastel shades are generally used and are always suited to the mood of the scone. Adolphe Menjou has the main role and gives an accomplished performance as a rather eccentric Hollywood producer, who, finding himself losing touch with his public, decides to employ a typical American girl, a part well played by Andrea Leeds, to criticise the pictures in production from the point of view of the average theatre-goer. The ventriloquist's doll, Charlie McCarthy, is responsible for much of the humour with his sarcastic remarks. It is difficult, to realise that it is Edgar Bergen's artistry which makes his doll such an amusing personality. A wide variety of music, including modern melodies sung by Kenny Baker and songs from " La Traviata," make tins film one which will appeal to all tastes. A newcomer to the .screen. Zorina, reveals herself as an extremely attractive dancer, and her performance in the scenes with the Balanchine Ballet is one of the features of the film. The remaining players include the amusing Ritz Brothers, Helen •lep'-on. Ella Logan, Phil Baker,and Frank Shields. A feature of the associate programme is the appearance at the organ of Penn Hughes, an accomplished Wurlitzer player. A Popular Science film and a short feature entitled "Make-up Secrets of Hollywood" complete a highly-enjoyable programme.

EMBASSY THEATRE Walter Huston, as Ihe minister who neglects his family, Beulah Bondi as his wife, and James Stewart, as their brilliant son, are the leading figures in the picture "Of Human Hearts," which i;> to lie shown at the Einbassv Theatre to-day Huston frowns on his son's ambitions to become a doctor, but aided by his mother Stewart achieves his end after leaving home. Following his father's death the son achieves fame as a surgeon, but in his success be forgets the mother who aided him in his younger days. The film has a climax which is most appropriate for such a production. The supporting programme outstanding, including newsreels, a comedy, and a most unusual short film, "An Optical Poem." BRITANNIA THEATRE Spencer Tracy, Gladys George and Franchot Tone bead the cast of the comedy "They Gave Him a Gun, ' to be shown at the Britannia Theatre to-day. William Boyd takes the role of Hopalong Ca.ssidy in the film "Texas Trail." LONDON CINEMA The romantic drama "The Plough and the Stars," with Barbara Stanwyck in a leading part, is to be shown at the London Cinema to-day. The thrilling film "Border Flight" provides the associate attraction. TUDOR CINEMA The bright comedy "No Time to Marry" is to be presented at the Tudor Cinema to-day. The entertaining associate programme includes British air news, a cartoon and a "Sportlight" feature CIVIC THEATRETTE Frank Buck's outstanding production "Fang and Claw" will be presented to patrons of the Civic Theatrette to-day. The second attraction is the thrilling drama "We Who Are About to Die," in which an excellent performance is given by Preston Foster

MAJESTIC THEATRE An entertaining programme, including a thrilling drama, "Devil's Party," and a bright comedy, "Reckless Living," commenced a season at the .Majestic Theatre yesterday. The story in the first film begins with the adventures of a band of slum children and continues after they have grown up. Their friendship stili continues and each year they have a reunion of their "gang" of former days. Jerry Donovan (Paul Kelly) is a priest, Marty Malone (Victor MeLaglen) the owner of a night club, and the other two men, Mike and Joe, policemen. On the night of their annual dinner a murder is committed and, while .Joe is investigating, lie is also killed. The evidence leads Mike to believe that Marty was responsible, and the picture is brought to an unexpected and dramatic conclusion. Robert Wilcox is prominently cast in the second attraction as an impecunious racetrack follower, Danny Farrell, who is always unsuccessful in his attempt to discover "winners." Me is in love with a cabaret singer (Nan Grey), but as he is penniless, he fee's it woidd lie useless to ask her to marry him. Eventually Farrell manages to win a large sum of money and decides that hp will enter business and give up gambling. On the last day of the races he rakes an old friend, who has a strong sentimental attachment to one of the horses. In order to please his friend, farrell tells him that this horse has won and is dumbfounded when his companion explains that he has bet a considerable amount of money on the horse. Once more he is penniless, but the singer hears of the episode and the story is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. An added attraction will be a short slow motion film showing the recent world's championship boxing bout between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. The film is of particular interest, as it clearly shows the blow which aroused such wide comment when Schmeling was knocked out.

EMPRESS THEATRE The adaptation of the famous novel by Baroness Orczy, "Tho Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel," with Barry K. Barnes in a leading role, is to he presented at the Empress Theatre to-dav. The comedy "Life Begins in College" is also to he shown. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Tyrone Power and Loretta Young are prominently cast in the comedy ''Sec- j ond Honeymoon," to be presented at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. The second attraction is the thrilling film "Tnrzan's Kevenge." ALEXANDRA THEATRE The incomparable voice of the boy actor Bobby Breen will be heard in the film "Hawaii Calls." to be presented at the Alexandra Theatre to-day. The programme includes the splendid production "Nothing Sacred." ASTOR THEATRE Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell appear in the drama "Night Must Fall," to be shown at the Astor Theatre to-day The splendid programme includes the second film "The Lady Fights Back." REGENT, EPSOM The amusing comedy "A Damsel in Distress" is to-day's attraction at the Regent Theatre, Epsom. Will Hay appears in the associate picture "Oh. Mr. Porter." STATE THEATRE. DEVONPORT "Happy Landing" and "Law of the Underworld" are to be shown at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. Chester Morris and Ann Shirley take prominent roles in the latter thrilling drama.

MAYFAIR THEATRE "The Street Singer," Arthur Tracy, sings a number of delightful numbers in the musical romance "Command Performance," which is to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Tracy, on the verge of a breakdown, escapes from the attentions of admirers and flees to the countryside, where ho meets beautiful Susan, daughter of a roaming gipsy. He falls in love with her, but they become parted through a misunderstanding. Betty, Susan's sister, sets out to walk to London to bring the singer back, is injured by a motor-car and ultimately the couple reunite over the bed of the peacfullv sleeping girl. Ronald Squire takes a leading role in the associate film, "Dusky Ermine," a mystery picture. STATE THEATRE The entertaining Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry," which will he presented to-day at the State Theatre, is of special interest to New Zealand audiences, as the young Dunedin actor Ronald Sinclair appears in..one of the main roles. The cast includes Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, C. Aubrey Smith and Sophie Tucker. STAR CINEMA Rider Haggard's famous novel is brought to the screen in the film "King Solomon's Mires," which will bo shown to-day at the Star Cinema. Tho second attraction i.s the interesting picture "Change of Heart." GREY LYNN CINEMA The noted vocal combination Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MncDonald appear in the musical production ''Maytime," to be presented at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. Laurel and Hardy are cast in hilarious roles in the comedy ''Perfect Day."