ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23106, 3 August 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Richard Dix appears in one of the most unusual roles of his career in the exciting film "Blind Alibi," which will bo presented to-day at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. Dix is cast as Paul Dover, a penniless sculptor, who pledges his aid to recover from a gang of blackmailers letters written by his sister. To avoid creating any suspicion during his search; Dover poses as a blind man and lets his dog direct him as he walks. Romantic interest is added when he moots Julia Eraser (Whitney Bourne), a yirl whom ho had previously known in Paris. Dover's services are enlisted by a rival band of blackmailers and ho now has to avoid the police, who have become suspicious of his activities. The gang discovers that Julia has the incriminating letters and take Dover with them to steal the letters. He manages to outwit them, but is attacked by the gang, his faithful dog being severely wounded in his attempts to save his master. Julia arrives on the scene in time to take the dog to a veterinary surgeon and the picture is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Good performances arc also given by the supporting players, who include Eduardo Ciannelli, Frances Mercer, Paul Gitilfovle and Richard J jane. The second attraction is tho entertaining film "Telephone Operator," in which Judith Allen, Grant Withers and Warren Hvmer are prominently cast. Shorty (Hymer) and Red (Withers) are sent to the small town of Riverdale to erect telephone lines to an almost-completed dam. Soon after thoir arrival Red falls in love with Helen Malloy (Judith Allen}, who is the town's telephone operator. Helen is discharged when she attempts to rescue a friend from an embarrassing matrimonial complication and Red also loses his position after a fight with the head linesman. The picture is brought to a thrilling climax with a flood which breaks through the half-completed dam and threatens tho lives of all the people in the district Helen rushes to the telephone exchange to warn everybody of the flood for her heroic work is restored to her former position.

REGENT THEATRE With a cast which includes eight leading players the comedy "Romance for Three'' is to-day's attraction at the Regent Theatre. Frank Morgan, a leading financier, wins a slogan contest which lie has promoted and elects to go to a resort in the Alps for a holiday as a prize. Desiring a change from the life he has been forced to lead, he pretends to be a poor man, but his family learns of his plans and seeks to defeat them by advising t\i'e hotel management of Morgan's true identity. A mistake is made and Robert Young is thought to be the wealthy man and is treated accordingly, while Morgan is relegated to the attic. ST. JAMES* THEATRE Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy head the cast in the thrilling Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama "Test Pilot," which will continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The picture contains some of the most spectacular flying scenes ever filmed and these, together with an enjoyable story, make the film an excellent entertainment. The fine supporting programme includes a Robert lJenchley novelty and a Fitzpatrick travelogue.

MAYFAIR THEATRE The splendid musical romance "Command Performance," to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, is marked by a number of songs by Arthur Tracy, "The Street Singer," who takes a leading role. Ronald Squire and Jane Baxter appear in the second attraction, "Dusty Ermine." This film deals with the operations of a gang of international forgers and the work of Scotland Yard to check them. MAJESTIC THEATRE Excellent entertainment is offered patrons of the Majestic Theatre to-day, when an attractive double-feature programme, including the exciting drama "Devil's Party" and the bright comedy "Reckless Living," will be presented. Victor McLaglcn, Paul Kcllv and William Gargan have the principal roles in the first film, while Jimmy Savo and Nan Grey are among the players in the second production. An additional attraction will be a film showing the boxing contest between Louis and Sell moling.

EMBASSY THEATRE The appealing drama, "Of Human Hearts," with Walter Huston and Beulah Bondi prominently cast, is to conclude its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. The entertaining romantic film "Stolen Heaven," with the glamorous new player Olympc Bradna in a leading role, is to be shown for the first time at the Embassy Theatre to-morrow. The film tells a romantic tale of two young jewel thieves who. in their efforts to elude the police, hide away in a remote forest, where they find refuge with an old musician, played by Lewis Stone. They hope to aid him to make a 'return to the concert platform, but they are joined by their former confederates, who convince them that they are too soft-hearted. They agree to make their escape on the eve of th© festival at which Stone is to appear, but at the last moment Olympe repents and decides to stay beside the old man when he gives his recital to lend him confidence. The police learn, of her whereabouts and sho is arrested, together with her partner, Gene Raymond. This unusual film is set against a musical background of such masters as Liszt, Moskowski, Chopin and Strauss. STATE THEATRE The splendid Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry" is to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. The powerful cast includes Ronald Sinclair, the young New Zealand actor, and C. Aubrey Smith, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. STAR CINEMA Alice Fayo and Don Ainecho aro prominently cast in the bright musical production "You Can't Have Everything," which will be shown at the Star Cinema to-day, with "Sophie Lang Goes West." TUDOR CINEMA Fred Astairo and Joan Fontaine appear in leading roles in the amusing comedy "Damsel in Distress," to be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. The story is taken from the novel by P. G. Wodehouse CAPITOL THEATRE The dramatic production "The Lone Wolf Returns" is to-night's attraction at the Capitol Theatre. The associato film is "Crime Unlimited." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The excellent romantic comedy "Charm School" is to be presented- at the Crystal Palace and Kialto Theatres to-night. The second attraction on a splendid programme is the drama "Forgotten Faces." BERKELEY, MISSION BAY George Form by, popular comedian, takes a prominent role in the film "Keep Your Seats Please," to be shown to-night at the Berkeley Theatre. Mission Bav. "Bulldog Drummond Comes Back" will also be shown. i

CIVIC THEATOE

Samuel Goldwyn's outstanding production "The Goldwyn Follies" will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. This picture lias been filmed entirely in technicolour, and the delicate, imaginative use of colour is one of the features of the production. Good performances are given by a strong cast of players from almost every typo of entertainment. Adolphe Menjou has the principal role, and is well supported by the Ritz Brothers, Andrea Leeds, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, while a newcomer to the screen, Zorina. is seen to advantage in several attractive dancing scenes with the famous Balanchine ballet. An enjoyable associate programme will also be shown. STRAND THEATRE ~ The French actress Annabolla gives a splendid performance in the excellent comedy "The Baroness and the Butler," to be shown at • the Strand Theatre to-day. William Powell appears ns a butler who enters the political field, becomes leader of the people's party, and ultimately becomes prime minister when his party secures a majority. The splendid supporting programme includes a topical number of the "March of Time" "series.