ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23134, 5 September 1938, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The popular cowboy character Hopalong Cnssidv, is brought to tho seiecn onco" again 'in "Heart of Arizona," which heads the well-balanced programme at the Mejstic rheatre to-day. William Boyd takes the role of Cassidy, who is given the task of capturing a band of cattle thieves. The film is brought to an exciting conclusionwith an open battle between Cassidy's cowboys and the criminals. The second attraction is the tenso drama "Hunted Men," in which Lloyd Nolan, Mary Carlisle and Lynnc Overman appear.

CIVIC THEATRE Adapted from the novel of the same name by A. E. W. Mason, the outstanding Alexander Korda production "The Drum," will continue its season at tho Civic Theatre to-day. A fine performance is given by the young Indian actor Sabu, who takes the role of Prince Azim, son and heir of the Khan of Tokot. When the khan is murdered by his brother, tho boy flees to the British and after the uncle attempts to start a rebellion against tho British in India, Azim is restored to his rightful throne. A feature of the film is the beautiful mountain scenery which is seen to advantage in technic colour. An interesting "March of Time," dealing with a number of topical subjects, will also be shown.

REGENT THEATRE Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer are cast together in tho stirring drama of life in New York, "Big City," which will continue its season at the Regent Theatre to-day. The main characters in the film, a taxi-driver and his wife, are brilliantly portrayed by Tracy and Miss Plainer, who equal their successes in "Captains Courageous" and "The Good Earth." Tho excellent supporting features include a Pete Smith novelty "Three on a Rope," a Eitzpatrick travel talk "Land of the incas," Paramount British News and an historical mystery. An outstanding cast of players appear in the Warner Brothers production "The Perfect Specimen," which will bo presented at the Regent Theatre on Friday. In an amusing story which continues the trend for "crazy" comedy, the principal characters aro portrayed by Eitoll Fl.vnn, May Robson, Hugh Herbert, Dick Foran and I'M ward Everett Horton. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A post-war drama from the pen of Erich Maria Remarque, well-known author of "All Quiet on the Western Front," is brought to the screen in the outstanding Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Three Comrades," which will be shown at St. James' Theatre to-day. Tho story deals with three young Germans who return from the war to find that work is scarce and social unrest is evident everywhere. They open a small garage and as the plot continues, it shows the troubles and hardships undergone by the German youth after the four years of struggle. Tho roles of the three comrades are splendidly portrayed by Robert Taylor, Franehot Tone and Robert Young, while Margaret Sullavan has the main feminine lead as tho wife of Erich (Taylor). The associate programme includes a Pete Smith specialty "Modelling for Money" and a Robert Benchlcy novelty "How to Raise Baby." ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An outstanding Western programme, in which two of the screen's most popular cowboys appear, will be presented to-day at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres. George O'Brien heads a strong cast in the first attraction, "Gun Law.' 1 ' As Tom O'Mallcy (O'Brien) is on his way to investigate an outbreak of lawlessness in the border town of Gunsight ho is taken by surprise and captured by an outlaw known as The Raven. Later he discovers The Raven dying beside a pool of poisoned water and in his pockets finds a letter of introduction. In an effort to become acquainted ■with the leafcrs of tho gang, O'Mallev shows the letter round Gunsight and is soon asked to join the other criminals. In the course of his employment he discovers that the ringleaders of the gang are among the best-known citizens, and he experiences many exciting adventures before lie at last succeeds in breaking up the band of criminals. Th 3 principal supporting roles are m the capable hands of Rita Ochmen. the cowboy singer Ray Whitley, and Paul Everton. Buck Jones appears in the second film, "Stone of Silver Creek." Stone is a New York resident who, because of a disappointment in a love affair, retires from publicity to live a simple life in the small town of Silver Creek. The story deals with the episodes of his life in the town, where he wins the enmity of several people, including two unscrupulous gamblers. Niles Welsh, Noel Francis and Marian Shilling are included in the cast. STRAND THEATRE A delightful performance is given by the girl soprano Deanna Durbin in ono of the year's must successful productions, "Mad About Music," which will bo presented to-day at the Strand Theatre. Miss Durbin is cast as a fatherless girl at a Swiss boarding school, where her companions are continually boasting of the achievements of their fathers. The young girl decides to invent a fictitious father, and reads letters from him, describing his big-game hunting expeditions, to an interested audience of schoolgirls. Complications ensue when she adopts a travelling bachelor, portrayed by Herbert Marshall, but tho picture is eventually brought to a happy and satisfactory conclusion. The musical film " Carnival Queen ' will also bo presented. STATE THEATRE Continuing the success of other musical films from the same studio, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "The Firefly" will continue its season at. tho State Theatre to-night. The story has as its background the Peninsular War. Jeanette Mac Donald appears as a Spanish dancer who acts as a spy, and Allan Jones is cast as tho young adventurer who wins her heart bv his charming personality and fine tenor voice. STAR CINEMA A fine exhibition of tap dancing is given by Fred Astairc in the musical comedy "A Damsel in Distress," which will be shown at the Star Cinema today. The second attraction is "Artists and Models." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Entertainment at the Crystal Palace ami Rialto Theatres to-night includes the outstanding musical production "Command Performance" and "Owd Bob." TUDOR CINEMA Brilliant acting by Frieda Inescort is a feature of the excellent drama Portia on Trial," which will be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. VICTORIA THEATRE The double-feature programme to be presented at the Victoria Theatre tonight includes "The Bad Man of Brimstone" and "Night Club Scandal." BRITANNIA THEATRE r "Navv, Blue and Gold," with Robert \oung, Florence Rice and John | Barrymore in the leading roles, is to ; be .shown with "Daughter of Shanghai" I at the Britannia Theatre to-night^

MAYFAIR THEATRE A splendid programme headed by the comedy "Kentucky Moonshine, in which the Ritz Brothers have the mam roles, will be' shown at the Maytair Theatre to-dav. A harassed radio sponsor (Tony Martin) endeavours to improve his programme by securing the services of some authentic hill billy singers. Ho sets out for Kentucky and there encounters the Ititz Brothers, who have heard of his plan and have disguised themselves as mountaineers complete with long beards. Before they succeed in convincing him of their talents, however, there are manv amusing episodes in tho course of which they become the centre of a family feud. Other roles in tho film are taken by bv Marjorie Weaver, Slim Summerville and John Carradine. The associate features include a stage presentation "Pope.ve on the Air," two cartoons and two comedies. EMBASSY THEATRE Brian Alierno and Constance Bennett give amusing performances in tlio chief coniedv roles in ''Merrily We Live," which will be presented at the Embassy Theatre to-day. _ The Kilbournes are a carefree American family who hav3 formed the habit of inviting passing tramps to stay with them as guests. Although several of tlio wanderers of the roads have repaid their hospitality by departing with the family silver, Mrs. Kilbournc perseveres, and when a young novelist (Aliernc) calls at the door he is accepted as a tramp and asked to stay. Many amusing episodes follow, in the course of which the "tramp" falls in love with the oldest daughter of the family.

BERKELEY, MISSION BAY The beautiful voice of the operatic soprano Lily Pons is heard in the bright film "That Girl from Paris," which will be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night.