ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23149, 22 September 1938, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAYFAIR THEATRE Ginger Honors gives a refreshing performance in the entertaining comedy "Vivacious Lady," to bo shown at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. An imposing cast,' headed by Don. Aineche, Simone Simon and Robert Young, appears in the comedy "Josette," which is to commence a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-morrow. To break him of his infatuation for Josette, a cabaret singer, two young men send their retired father from his home in New Orleans to New York. The sons themselves become infatuated with the beautiful Josette and hot rivalry ensues for her affections.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Fast-moving entertainment is offered in the variety film "Varsity Show," to be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The associate attraction is the thrilling production, "Midnight Mennce," which deals with events in Europe. Jackie Coogan, Betty Grable and "Skinny" Ennis appear in tho musical production "College Swing," to commence a season at tile Majestic Theatre to-morrow. What happens in a stately college when a backward student inherits the through the peculiar provisions of an old will and sets "about running \the school to suit herself forms the amusing plot of this comedy. The second attraction is the thrilling film "Bulldog Drumniond's Peril." the plot of which centres on the successful formula of a scientist to make perfect diamonds for a few shillings. A rival scientist and a rich diamond merchant evolve plans for getting hold of the formula and it is Drummond's job to prevent them. Ho leaves his fiancee on the eve of their marriage to get on the trail of the crooks.

CIVIC THEATRE The hilarious musical comedy "Sally, Irene and Mary" is to be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. Leading roles aro taken by Alice Faye, Tony Martin, Jimmy Durante and Marjorie Weaver. The dramatic production "Blockade," hailed as the most poignant film of the year, is to commence a season at the Civic Theatre to-mor-row. Tho story opens with Norma (Madeleine Carroll) arriving in Spain to discover that her father and his associate have been active in helping to foment a civil war. War breaks out and Marco (Henry Fonda), a farmer, whom the girl has met and fallen in love with, becomes a solcfier, kills Norma's father as a spy and is obliged to arrest her as a suspect. Released through a traitorous alliance between her father's former associate and a Spanish general, sho is forced to become their aide in espionage work. She is sent as a spy to Castelmare, where other spies are intent on the destruction of a ship laden with food for the blockaded city. The film is brought to a satisfactory conclusion after many exciting scenes

REGENT THEATRE The entertaining comedy "The Perfect Specimen" is to- be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day in continuation of its current season. The beautiful young French actress Miss Danielle Dar r rieux makes her first appearance in English films in the dramatic comedy "The Rago of Paris," which is to commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Miss Darrieux appears as a poor girl looking for modelling work in New York. A former actress, played by Helen Broderick, becomes interested in her and together with a head waiter schemes to find a rich husband for tho pretty French girl. Tho friend of the intended rich husband learns of the plan and decides that his companion will not be sacrificed to an adventuress. The poor girl meets and becomes interested in this "friend," a part played by Fairbanks, jun., and romance quickly develops. The film has a happy ending. A prominent role is taken by Mischa Auor, whb gives a splendid performance in his characteristic polished style. -v>; - , ■ - '

EMBASSY THEATRE A splendid performance is givon by Constance Bennett in ■ the bright comedy "Merrily We Live," to.be presented to patrons of the Embassy Theatre to-day. The theme of the film is woven about the unusual Kilbourne family, of which Miss Bennett is .the daughter. Brian Ah'erne gives a good characterisation as a novelist, whose car goes over a- bank, • leaving him stranded. He makes his way to the Kilbourne home, where ,he meets and falls in love with the daughter. STRAND THEATRE ... . The love of four som for their father forms the basis of the plot of the dramatic , film "Pour Men and a Prayer," to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. 0. Aubrey Smith is cast as a colonel who is forced, to retire from the army after he is found guilty by a court martial of negligence which caused the deaths of a number of soldiers, Tho colonel, who is innocent of the charge, is murdered and his four sons swear vengeance on those responsible for his disgrace and death. STATE THEATRE The enjoyable programme to be shown at tiie State Theatre to-night includes ''Woman Chases Man" and "Artists and Models." Amusing performances are given by Joel McCrea and Miriam Hojjkins in the first attraction. STAR CINEMA Tho Alexander Korda production "Knight Without Armour," in which Robert Donat and .Marlene Dietrich appear, will be -presented with "Girl from Scotland Yard" at the Star Cinema to-day. \ <* _ TUDOR CINEMA Tho programme to bo shown at the Tudor Cinema, this evening is headed by the film "Smash and Grab." A well-balanced series of shorter features makes up the first half of an entertaining presentation. ' >■ '

VICTORIA theatre; The two' films to be presented tonight at tho Victoria Theatre are the romantic drama "Ah, Wilderness," from the story by Eugene O'Neill, and "Hero Comes the Band." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE An entertaining double-feature programme. comprising the films "His Night Out" find Stormy," will be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre this evening. BRITANNIA THEATRE Entertainment 'at v the Britannia Theatro to-night includes "Trailing tho Killer," in which tho canine actor Caesar appears, and "Lovo Under Fire." ' BERKELEY, MISSION BAY A fine performance is given by the French, actress Annnbolla in "Dinner at tho Eitz," to be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, tonight. Tho second film is "Borrowing Trouble." ' PRINCESS THEATRE Gary Cooper appears in "The A(l----ventures of Marco Polo," which will b$ shown with .tho drama "Blind Alibi" at tho Princess Theatre to-night. ASTOR THEATRE Excellent entertainment is offered at the Astor Theatre to-night, when a programme including "Smilm' Through" and "Spy lting' r will be presented,

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Allan Jones and Judy Garland appear in the entertaining musical production "Everybody Sing," to be shown at the St. James' Theatre to-day. Miss Garland is cast as an unhappy pupil at an exclusive girls' finishing school. She becomes bored with the, usual singing hour and introduces a number of '.'swing" songs, which results in her expulsion. Returning to her. home she finds her parents too, engrossed in j theatrical work to be angry with her •for her action. Numbers, in the production include: "Swing It, Mr. Mendelssohn," "Down On Melody Farm," "Cosi Cosa" and "Quainty, Daintv Me."' % ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES

What happens when nine air liner passengers are cast away on a tiny desert island in the Pacific Ocean is told in the dramatic film "Sinners in Paradise," to be shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day, Madge Evans, John Boles and Bruce Cabot appear in leading roles. Other popular players in the cast include Gene Lockhart, Nan Bryant, Charlotte Winters, Milburn Stone, Morgan Conway, Donald Barry and Willie Fung. Caught in a terrible storm over tho raging waves of the Pacific Ocean, a giant air liner bound from California to Shanghai catches fire and plunges into the sea near an uncharted island. All the crew are killed but the steward (Donald Barry). The passengers, after a dreadful ordeal, all manage to gain the safety of the land. 'I. hey are: Thelma Chase, one of the world's richest girls, Anne Wesson, Senator Corey, a pompous politician, Mrs. Sydney. who is travelling to visit her son in China, Iris Compton, fugitive from a gambling investigation, Robert Malone, a trickster, and two business men who planned to sell munitions in China. On the island lives Jim Taylor, a surgeon, and his Chinese servant. Taylor hastily .'left Shanghai after being charged with the murder, of a man who is eventually known to have been Mrs. Sydney's son. First refusing to take the passengers to the mainland, Taylor finally agrees to have his servant transport Mrs. Sydney, Iris, Malone, Anne and the steward there in his small boat. Thelma buys Iris' place in the boat for 100.000 dollars, and Malone, refusing to leave Iris, eddes his place to Corey. The boat is stolen by thtjr two munitions merchants, who wound the Chinese and kill Mrs. Sydney. Here, with all hope of rescue apparently gone, the passengers soon disclose their true characters. Splendid entertainment is offered in the associate feature "Invisible-Enemy," in which TaJa 13irell and Herbert Mundin are prominently cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Amusing situations and witty dialogue aro features of the comedy "Bringing Tip Baby." which heads an attractive programme at the Crystal Palace and -Bialto Theatres to-night. The second film is the screen version of one of Leslie Charteris' novels 1 , "The Saint in New York."