ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23121, 20 August 1938, Page 22

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE Robert Louis Stevenson's memorablo novel "Kidnapped," is brought to the ' screen in very effective fashion in tho 20th Century-Fox production of the same name which opened a season before particularly largo audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Warner Baxter, who is usually seen in lighter parts, gives ;i notable performance in the role of the Scottish patriot Alan Breek. Jn hoth the action sequences aad the romantic interludes his portrayal is equally impressive. A newcomer to ihe screen, Arleen Whelan, appears opposite Baxter, and the gentleness and wistfulness of her acting are most appealing. The other leading role is taken by the boy actor Freddie .Bartholomew, and lie also gives a. powerful charasterisation as a boy torn between his oath of loyalty to the .English King and his affection for the rebellious Scottish patriot. A feature of tho production is the capable manner in which the supporting roles are handled, C. Aubrey Smith, as the stern Duke of Argyll, and Reginald Owen as a villainous sea-captain, being specially Although Stevenson's original narrative has been to a certain extent adapted, this in 110 way detracts from the entertainment value of the film. The supporting programme being screened in conjunction with " Kidiiiipped" also is of a high order. Of outstanding appeal is a Walt Disney cartoon in technicolour, "The Clock Cleaners." The reform of the penal system in the United States and Hitler's dramatic annexation of Austria are graphically presented in the latest "March of Time" newsreel. Selections on the Wurlitzer organ by Penn Hughes complete a highly entertaining programme. CIVIC THEATRETTE ''The Return of Peter Grimm," in which an accomplished performance is given by Lionel Barrymore, will be shown at the C'ivic Theatrette to-day. The second film on the programme is the thrilling production "Another Face." BERKELEY, MISSION BAY The girl soprano "Deanna Purbin gives an attractive performance in "100 Men and A Girl," to be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-day. The Mickey Mouse cartoon "The Clock Cleaners" will also be presented.

MAJESTIC THEATRE After a fairly lengthy absence from tho screen the popular comedian and singer Bing Crosby was assured of ;i warm welcome in his latest production, "Doctor Rhythm," which opened at tho .Majestic Theatre yesterday. The film is a fast-moving comedy with J)r. Mill Remsen ( Ming Crosby), in the male leading role as a doctor who kindly takes the place of a friend as bodyguard of the daughter of a wealthy society matron and falls in love with the girl (.Mary Carlisle). Mis task is to prevent her from contracting an undesirable alliance with Chris Loßov (Fred Keating), and her efforts to escape his surveillance provide many of the comic moments of the film. In an attempt to i meet Leßoy. Judy books a passage on a liner bound to Bermuda. hoping to leave tho ship with the mail pilot and reach Ix'Roy's yacht. Romsen is forced to kidnap the girl and take her to an amusement park to keep her iron: boarding the ship. On their way through | the park they fall in love, but a misunderstanding prevents their achieving happiness until it has been cleared up. In the course of the film, Crosby sings a number of songs in the manner which has made him lamous, and hi* gilt of quiet humour makes for many amusing moments. As his policeman lriend O'Roon Andy Devine also contributes some comic fooling. The second attraction is a thrilling story of crime and punishment, and presents Don Terry and Rita Haywortb as the main players. Under the title "Who Killed Gail I'res ton V' is told an interesting tnlo of murder in a. night club, and the presence there at the time the murder was committed of a number of people who might have wanted the death of the sillier Gail Preston (liita lfayworth), adds to the difficulty of the detective. Raffled for a time by the crime, he arrests the band leader, and it is not until the scene is reconstructed that the murderer is tricked into revealing his hand. The suspense is skilfully maintained throughout the film.

I PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE i The epic film of American pioneering days "Wells Fargo" heads the current programme at the .Prince Fdward Theatre. Tho Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer production "Navy Blue and Gold" will aslo be shown. MAYFAIR. SANDRINGHAM Baroness Orezv's novel is btought to the screen in "The .Emperor's Candlesticks," which will be shown with "The Lady Fights Back" at tho Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, to-day.

MAYFAIR THEATRE The oliild actress Jane Withers continues her successful screen career with !mi amusing performance in "ChcckI ers," which heads the splendid programme at the .Mayfair Theatre to-day. ; Edgar Council (Stuart Erwin) is the • owner of a racehorse Blue Skies, hut , liis interest in racing does nob please his fiancee, Mamie Applehv (Uiiii iMerkel). iIo and liis niece "Checkers" ! (.Jane Withers) are delighted when the horse wins a race, hut in another event Blue Skies falls and breaks his leg. ! Council refuses to shoot the animal, and he and "Checkers" take the horse to Mamie's farm. Before Mamie will consent to marry Council, she insists that Blue Skies must he sold, and Council is in a dilemma, as a rival lor .Mamie's affections, in the person of a. wealthy hanker, has appeared on tho scene. By a ruse, he forces the banker to reveal the ulterior motive of his courtship, hut the same ruse places .Mamie in serious financial difficulties. As u last attempt at saving Mamie's farm, Council decides to race Blue Skies, which has now recovered from its injury. Further difficulties almost prevent the horse from starting in the event, but "Checkers" comes to the rescue and, after a thrilling race, their j financial difficulties are solved. The; supporting roles in tho film are capably portrayed by Marvin Stephens, Andrew Tombes and June Carlson. An added attraction for children and adults alike will be the stage presentation of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" at the afternoon sessions.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO An outstanding cast has been assembled in the musical film "Love and Hisses," which is the main attraction at tbe Crystal Palace and Rialto theatres to-day. Siinone Simon has the chief role and is well supported by Walter Winched and Ben Bernie. The spy film "International Settlement" is the second attraction. GREY LYNN CINEMA Tho life of the famous Irish patriot is depicted in "Parnell," which is included on tho programme at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. Tho comedy "Merry-Go-Round of 1938" is the second attraction. LONDON CINEMA Mary Astor and Melvyn Douglas appear in "And So They Wero Married," to bo shown at tho London Cinema to-dav; Tho second film is "Paroled," in which Ann Preston and Harry Hunter have tho main roles.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Equalling the success of previous Metro-Gold wyn-Ma.ver musical productions, "Rosalie" will continue the second week of its successful season at St. James' Theatre to-day. This film marks tho first appearance together of Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell, and, as a musical team, they are outstanding. Frank Morgan and Edna May Oliver are responsible for much of the humour in the picture, as the King and Queen of the tiny Balkan kingdom of Romanza. The associate programme includes a. Pete Smith specialty "Surf Heroes," an historical mystery "Joachim Murrieta" and a newsreel dealing with a number of topical subjects of interest including the Royal visit to France. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Alice Faye and Tyrone Power have the main roles in the entertaining film "In Old Chicago," which will bo shown with "Love on a Budget" at the Stato Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. ALEXANDRA THEATRE The popular girl comedian Jane Withers has an important role in "45 Fathers," which will be shown with "Paradise for Two" at tho Alexandra Theatre to-day. Jack Hulbert has the main part in the latter production. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The popular hoy singer Bobby Breen lias the main role iu "Hawaii Calls," which will ha shown at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day, together with the film "Walking. Down .Broadway." Claire Trevor appears in the second film. PRINCESS THEATRE

Shirley Temple gives a good performance in "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," which is included on tho programme of the Princess Theatre today. "She's Got Everything" is the second film. REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM Entertainment at the Regent Theatre Epsom, to-day includes the films "Slave Ship" and "Life Begins in College." TUDOR CINEMA Jon Hall and Dorothy Lamour have the chief roles in the drama of the south seas, "The Hurricane," to be presented at the Tudor Cinema to-day.

j REGENT THEATRE j In tho comedy "Live, Love and ! Learn," which will continue its season | at the Regent Theatre to-day, Robert j Montgomery is cast in a typo of role ' which has won him wide popularity on | the screen. As in "Night Must I'all, | lie appears with Rosalind ."Russell, but j in contrast with the grimness of the former picture,* this film offers Montgomery and Miss Russell an opportunity to demonstrate their talents at i comedy and melodrama. Montgomery is j a. penniless artist trout Greenwich Village, New York's art colony, who starts on the road to success when ho marries a rich society girl (Rosalind i Russell) His paintings gain unexpected publicity, but his success makes him | conceited. Robert Benehley, Micke\ j Rooncy and Helen Vinson are among ! the supporting players. An interesting ! associate programme includes a Pete | Smith specialty and one of tho "Crime Doesn't Pay" series. STATE THEATRE Fred Astaire has the main male role in tho modern comedy musical "A Damsel in Distress," which will continue at the State Theatre to-day. Joan Fontaine has the leading femmino role and gives a pleasing performance, and the well-known Burns and Allen contribute to Hie humour of- the production. A second attraction is the film "Sea Devils," with Victor McLagiori iri the main role. STAR CINEMA "The Old Corral" is the main feature to be presented at the Star Cinema to-day. This will be followed by Victor Jory and Evelyn Venahlo in "Streamline Express." WINDSOR THEATRE, PAPAKURA The excellent programme to be presented at the Windsor Theatre, Papakura, to-day includes the films "San Qucntin" and "It's All Yours." ASTOR THEATRE Clark Gable and Jean Harlow have the principal roles in "Saratoga," which is included on the programme at tho Astor Theatre to-day. Ihe second attraction is "The Shadow." BRITANNIA THEATRE Brilliant performances are given by Cary Grant and Constance Bennett in "Topper." which will bo shown with "When G-men Step In" at the Britannia Theatre to-day.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The popular cowboy hero of the screen Buck Jones has the main rolo ill tlio New Universal western production "For the Service," which heads the well-bal-anced programme at the ltoxv and Tivoli Theatres to-day. In a stirring story of the period when the American pioneers were seeking new lands in the west, Buck Jones is cast as a scout in the artnv which protected the settlers from Indian attacks and enforced the law in the isolated territory. The scout makes friends with the captain's son, whoso reluctance to take part in the force's expedition is regarded as cowardice by his father, The massacre of his mother and sister before his eyes as a child has left an impression of horror on the boy's mind and, when his father places him in charge of an expedition to capture a gang of dangerous criminals, ho is overcome by fear. Jones comes to his rescue, and together they are instrumental in bringing about the defeat of the gang. Other roles are taken by Clifford Jones, Fred Kohler and Beth Marion. The second attraction is the comedy "Start Cheering," in which Jimmy Durante, Walter Connolly and Joan Perry appear.

EMBASSY THEATRE Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne prove highly successful as a new comedy team in the bright comedy "Merrily Wo Live," which heads an excellent programme at the Embassy Theatre to-day. The amusing story deals with the. adventures of an American family who are in the habit of taking in passing tramps as guests in an attempt to reform them. A young novelist (Aherne) who happens to call ;it the door is taken for a tramp and decides to accept their invitation to stay in order to obtain a humourous plot for his latest novel. The scenes which follow provide plenty of material for his book. Billie Burke, Alan .Mowbray and Patsy Kelly also appear in tlio film. REGAL CINEMA The Continental actress Annabella gives a good performance in "Dinner at the Ritz," which will he presented at the Regal Cinema to-day. "Thank You, Mr. Moto" is the second film. EMPRESS THEATRE Charming Sonja Henie appears with Don Ameche in the film "Happy Landing," at the Empress Theatre to-day. Preston Foster has the lead in the second attraction, "Double Danger."

STRAND THEATRE ' -C Tlio popular American radio sonalities Edgar Bergen and Charif* McCarthy appear in the spcctactfe Samuel Goldwvn production "The finU wvn Follies," which will he present j at the Strand Theatre to-day. The fii is entirely in technicolour and the dnr* cate, imaginative use of colour j s of its outstanding features. Menjou heads a talented cast a| < Hollywood film producer who fimnN 8, himself losing touch with his is forced to employ a typical Amej-;„* \ girl (Andrea Leeds) to criticise thS ° ttiros in production. The leader ballet is /orina, a newcomer who is * accomplished actress as well as an t- : tractive dancer. The Bit/. Brothers -f pear in many amusing scenes ajj Kenny Baker renders a number modern songs in a pleasing manner.«°£ ADELPHI THEATRE .... "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo" n-'n be shown at the Adelphi Theatm * day. Also on the programme {« A°* satirical comedy "Stand-in," in n-v , Leslie Howard appears. ■ Whlcl » CAPITOL THEATRE The drama "Souls at Sea" "Music for Madame" comprise X excellent programme to be nresmJ j * tlw c "» tol VICTORIA THEATRE |1 Samuel Goldwyn's dramatic TuWilH tion "Dead End" will be shown at Victoria Theatre to.,lay. The traction is the film version of BoW Lotus Stevenson's novel "Ebb Tide"