ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 27

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians appear in the sparkling musical comedy " Varsity Show," which commenced a season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. A leading rolo is taken by Dick Powell, who sings " Love is 011 the To-night" and "Moonlight 011 the Campus." In this tale of college life undergraduates of a small institution try to produce an entertainment under the supervision of a gloomy and dignified professor. They realise that the show cannot be a success while the professor is running it, so they go to the city and secure a Broadway producer, "played by Powell, and induce him to come back to the school and supervise. At the show rehearsals Chuck Daly (Dick Powell) incurs the "enmity of Professor Biddle when he throws out original scenes and insists on staging his own. The only talent Daly has seen is that displayed by Buck and Bubbles, coloured dancing janitors. His enthusiasm is increased, however, when he hears an orchestra at a dance held to raise the 1000 dollars to pay his fee. Through a misunderstanding he loses the money and sees it turned back to a club treasury. Rehearsals of Daly's show proceed merrily and so well that Biddle tries to stop it by underhand methods. He induces the college dean to back him by forcing the students to accept him as being completely in charge of the show. Daly returns to New York, but the students go 011 strike, and are responsible for his ultimate return, and the production of the entertainment under his control. The second attraction is the thrilling film " Midnight Menace," in which Charles' Farrell and Margaret Vyner are prominently cast. CIVIC THEATRE An outstanding cast of players is included in the brilliant Darryl F. Zanuck production "Sally, Irene and Mary," which opened its season at the Civic Theatre yesterday before large audiences. Bright singing and spectacular scenes are a feature of the film, in which such well-known musical comedy players as Alice Faye, Joan Davis and Tony Martin appear. The new songs include several. Gordon and Revel compositions, " Got My Mind on Music '' and " Sweet as a Song," as well as numbers by other well- . known composers of modern music. Sally, Irene and Mary, portrayed by Alice Faye, Joan Davis and Marjorie Weaver, are three cabaret entertainers under the management of an unsuccessful theatrical producer (Fred Allen). The revue in which they are taking part is brought to an abrupt end and the girls are forced to take positions as manicurists in a large hotel. When a rich foreigner (Gregory Eatoff) falls in love with Sally, the three girls givp a performance in the hotel lounge, but are discharged for their act. They are next employed as cigarette vendors at a cabaret where Sally* meets and falls in love with a young crooner, . portrayed by ' Tony Martin. After numerous amusing episodes, Irene suddenly discovers that she. has inherited a large paddle-boat, which their manager decides to change into a showboat night club. The scheme proves an instant success and the picture concludes with a brilliant scene in the cabaret. Other roles are taken by Jimmy Durante, Louise Hovick and J. Edward Bromberg. Excellent associate features, including news reels dealing with topical events, will also be shown, while Penn Hughes will give a number of items on the Wurlitzer organ. REGENT THEATRE The story of "The Perfect Specimen," to be presented at the Regent Theatre to-day, deals with an eccentric old lady possessed of many millions, who has a desire to see her grandson 1 (Errol Flynn) raised as a perfect young man. For that reason she supplies him with an abundance of tutors and keeps him confined to the limits of the family's vast estate. A young village girl, played by Joan Blondell, manages to break into his virtual prison and meet the young man. She succeeds in getting him outside of his bounds and he learns something of the world. Ho falls in love with the village girl and elopes with her, pursued by his grandmother and the police. Others in the cast include May Robson, Hugh-Her-bert, Edward Everett Horton, Allen Jenkins, Beverly Roberts, Dick Foran and Dennie Moore. STATE THEATRE Fine acting by Walter Huston and Beulah Bondi is a feature of the outstanding drama "Of Human Hearts," which will b® shown at the State Theatre to-day. The story deals with life in a small American community in the middle of the 19th century with Huston, as the minister playing the principal role. The second attraction is "Sworn Enemy," in which a strong cast is headed by Robert Young, Florence Rice, Joseph. Calleia and Lewis Stone take part.

•STAR CINEMA Excellent entertainment is offered at the Star Cinema to-day, _ when a double-feature programme including "Laughing at Life" and "Bulldog Drummond Escapes" will be shown. Ray Milland takes the title role in the second film. ALEXANDRA THEATRE The screen version of Zane Grey's dramatic novel "Rawhide" is to be presented at the Alexandra Theatre to-day. The comprehensive supporting programme includes the film "Dude Ranch," newsreels and comedies. At the matinee session "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is to be presented on the stage. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The screen version of Mark Twain's immortal classic "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," is to be presented at the State Theatre, Devon port, to-day. The supporting programme includes the latest of tho "March of Time" series. CIVIC THEATRETTE Good performances are given by Robert Kent and Gloria Steward in the mystery film "The Crime of Dr. Forbes," which will be shown at the Civic Theatrette to-dav. The second attraction is "Navy Wife," in which Ralph Bellamy and Claire Trevor appear. LONDON CINEMA An enjoyable double-feature programme, including "Yellowstone" and 'The Tenth M an," has been arranged for patrons of tho London Cinema today. John Lodge- lias the principal role to the second attraction. GREY LYNN CINEMA Entertainment at tho Grey Lynn to-day includes tho exciting J(»estern production "The Bad Man of .nmstone," in which Wallace Beery ? IVes one of the most enjoyable portals of his Career.

BERKELEY, MISSION BAY [■ . popular comedian Eddie Cantor | r P£ ea . rs > n tho outstanding musical | Baba Goes To Town," .. heads ar attractive programme 1 to-d ® Gr^c y Theatre, Mission Bay,

MAYFAIR THEATRE .LJie troubles that beset a young college professor and liis bride from the city on returning to his staid home j town and mid-Victorian parents form tlio basis of the story of the film "Vivacious Lady," which is to be shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. - James Stewart is cast as a botany i 11- ' structor oi a small university who visits ■ New York in search of his cousin, a part played by James Ellison. This young man is engaged in a "sit-down" ■ strike at a night club in an endeavour to win the attentions of a popular entertainer, played by Ginger Rogers. The prolessor finds his cousin but falls in love with the beautilul singer and dancer who, strangely enough, is similarly attracted to this seriousminded young man. A hasty courtship ends in their marriage. When the couple returns to the sedate college town a unique problem confronts them. Stewart is frightened to tell his father, who is president of the university, that he has married a night club entertainer, so she masquerades as his cousin's friend. Hilarious complications ensue before the film ends ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Splendid entertainment is provided at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres today, when two exciting films "Danger j 011 the Air" and "Extortion" are presented. 'The first production deals with the mysterious murder of a .Mr. Kluek, a powerful advertising magnate, whose body is found in the control room of a large broadcasting studio. The director of the station tries to make it appear that Kluck's death was from natural causes, but the clever deductions of a young engineer upset this theory. It is proved that the magnato was killed by poisonous gas which was released in the room. Kluck made many enemies during his lifetime and consequently there is a number of suspects. The clues which lead to the arrest of the murderer arc a toy balloon, a straw and a pin. Scott Colson and Mary Russell appear in the mystery-drama "Extortion," which deals with the murder of a college proctor. The film is set on the campas of Brill College. STRAND THEATRE The love of four sons for their father forms the basis of the plot of the ■ dramatic picture "Four Men and a Prayer," which is to be presented to patrons of the Strand Theatre to-day. The cast includes Loretta Young, Richard Greene, George Sanders, David Niven and 0. Aubrey Smith. A colonel at British staff headquarters in India is court-martialled and expelled from the Army on a charge that his negligence brought about the death of a number of troops. His sons receive word of their father's plight and when ho arrives at the ancestral home in England they are there to meet him. The order which resulted in the men's deaths was not given by the colonel, but before he can produce evidence to show this he is murdered. The sons swear vengeance on their father's killer and are ultimately successful ill clearing his and the family name. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The Ritz Brothers appear in the bright comedy "Kentucky Moonshine," to be shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-day. The story deals with an effort by a broadcasting company to secure "hillbilly" talent by sending scouts into the Kentucky woods. The second attraction is the excellent film "Mr. Moto's Gamble," with Peter Lorre and Keye Luke. EMBASSY THEATRE Billie Burke, who appeared as the Victorian wife in the successful film "Topper," is cast as Mrs. Kilbourne, a philanthropist, whose speciality is the reformation of tramps who call at her door, in the bright comedy "Merrily We Live," to be shown at "the Embassy Theatre to-day. Constance Bennett' appears opposite Brian Alierno in the leading romantic role. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Deanna Durbin appears as a- fatherless girl at a Swiss boarding school for j girls in the entertaining film "Mad j About Music," to-day's attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre. George Murphy is prominently cast in the romantic mystery "London by Night." VICTORIA THEATRE The bright comedy "Beg, Borrow or Steal," with Frank Morgan and Florence Rice in leading roles, is to be shown at the Victoria Theatre to-day. The second attraction is the mystery film "The Man Who Lived Twice." EMPRESS THEATRE Gary Cooper and Binnie Barnes are prominently cast in "The Adventures of Marco Polo," to be shown at the Empress Theatre to-day. The Jones Family appear in the amusing comedy "Love on a Budget."

PRINCESS THEATRE Bobby B'reen appears in the splendid film "Hawaii Calls," to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-day. The second attraction is the romantic production "Paradise for Two." ADELPHI THEATRE An appealing romance forms part of the theme of the film "Happy Landing " to-day's attraction at tho Adelphi Theatre. Preston Foster is prominently cast in the thrilling story "Double Danger." STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA The dramatic film "Charlie Chan at I Monte Carlo" is to be shown at the Stato Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. Jack Hulbert appears in the second attraction, "Paradise for Two." REGAL THEATRE A splendid programmo comprising "Hawaii Calls" ana "Stand-In" is to be presented at the Regal Theatre today The comprehensive supporting programme includes newsreels and other topical features. CAPITOL THEATRE The splendid drama "Wife, Doctor and Nurse" will be presented at the Capitol Theatre to-day. Leo Carrillo has tho principa l role in the second film "The Barrier." BRITANNIA THEATRE A fine portrayal of tho Emperor Napoleon is given by Charles Boyor in "Mario Walowska,'' to lie shown at the Britannia Theatre to-day. "Nurse ironi Brooklyn" completes tho programme. ASTOR THEATRE The singing of <Tcancttc Maedouald and Nelson Eddy is a featuro of the musical film "Maytime," which will bo shown nt tho Astor Theatre to-day. Walt Disney's Academy Award review will alsti be'shown. TUDOR CINEMA Joel McCrea and Sylvia Sidney give excellent portrayals in the vivid drama of the New York slums, "Dead End," which will be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-day.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE A musical production which will appeal to all musical tastes is offered in the Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer lilni "Everybody Sing," which opened a season at St. Joines' Theatre yesterday. Something new in the way of screen teams is presented in Allan Jones, the well-known tenor of "The Firefly" and Judy Garland, the young singer who won fame in "Broadway Melody ol H):lß.'' Jones is heard in "On With the Show" and "Cosi Cosa," while Aliss Garland's songs include "Down 011 Melody Farm" and a clever number "Swing Mr. Mendelsson." The other players include the brilliant comedy actress, Fanny Briee, Billie Burke, Reginald Owen and Lynno Carver. Miss Garland appears as a school girl, Judy Bellaire, with a fascination for "swing" music. This proves her undoing, for she is expelled for the fifth time from school when the staid morning music hour is converted into a period of rowdy modern "swing" numbers. Judy returns to her home expecting to be met by angry parents, but discovers, to her surprise, that her family is too interested in its own pursuits to even notice her. Mr. Bellaire is finishing a play, which he hopes to produce in a few months' time and in which his wife is to take part. Her parents decide that Judy should be sent for a trip to Europe, but Judy has other plans and escapes from the boat without her parents realising that she has not leftShe visits her friend Ricky (Allan .Tones'), who is a chef in a large cafe. Together, they attempt to persuade Ricky's employer to sponsor a musical production in which they and some ol their friends will take part. The cafe owner agrees and rehearsals for the sliow immediately commence. Complications ensue when they discover that their opening night coincides with the premiere performance of Judy's father's play, and their audience accordingly suffers. Ricky evolves a scheme to attract the audience to their revue and it proves to be an instant success. The associate features include one of the "Crime Doesn't Pay" series and a Fitzpatrick travelogue.