ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23154, 28 September 1938, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Tho popular singing cowboy, Dick Koran, returns to tho screen in tho romantic western film "Prairie Thunder," which heads a well-balanced programme at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-dav. Foran is cast as Rod Farrell, a member of the United States cavalry, who, with his -friend Wichita, has been assigned the duty oi patrolling the telegraph lines. They discover that the lines have been destroyed in one place by unfriendly Indians and, after following hoof-prints, learn that a white man, Lynch, has been inciting the Indians to prevent the coming oi the railway, knowing that it will interfere with his freight business. Lynch is captiiredj but the Indians come to his rescue and Farrell and his sweetheart, Joan Temple (Ellen .Clancy), are taken prisoner. Farreli's friend Wichita comes to their help" and manages to rescue them from the Indians' camp. On their way back to town, they meet the inhabitants in covered waggons leaving their smoking homes. Farrell warns the people that the Indians will attack, but his advice comes too late and the little band watch Lynch and a whole trihe of Indians come into sight. In the ensuing battle, the odds favour the Indians, and when they resort to flaming arrows, all seems lost. The picture is brought to an exciting and dramatic conclusion. Other roles in the film are taken by Frank Orth, Wilfred Lucas and Albert J. Smith. Henry Wilcoxon and Marian Marsh have loading roles in the second film, "Prison Nurse." The story deals with an outbreak of typhoid fever in a flood-stricken - prison and the valiant attempts of a young doctor and three nurses to check the disease. The attempt by. several prisoners to escape from goal makes further difficulties fo.r the authorities and, by a mistake, the doctor is charged with the murder of one of the prison guards. The doctor is sentenced to death and is only saved by the last-minuto efforts of his sweetheart. The cast includes Bernadcne Hayes, Ben Welden, Pay Mayer and John Arledge. _— i MAJESTIC THEATRE Excellent entertainment is offered at the Majestic Theatre to-day, when an ; interesting double-feature programme, ' including the musical film /"College • Swing" and the mystery "Bulldog i Drummond's Peril," will be shown, i George Burns, .Gnicie Allen and Betty , Grable have the main roles in the first , film, while John Barrymore and Louise 1 Campbell are prominently cast in the second attraction. • 1 CIVIC THEATRE j Spain of to-day provides the setting •( for the outstanding drama "Blockade," j which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. The story is , concerned mainly with a small coastal | town, where the inhabitants have been deprived of food because of the sub- , marine blockade. The chief roles are ( well handled by Madeleine Carroll and Henry Fonda, while the other players , include Leo Carrillo, John Halliday and Reginald Denny. Interesting newsreels 1 as well as items by Penn Hughes on J the Wurlitzer organ are included on ( the supporting programme. REGENT THEATRE , Possessing a charming personality and a bright disposition, the young French actress nDanielle Darrieux makes her first appearance in American films in the modern comedy "The Rage of Paris," to be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day. Miss Darrienx is cast as a girl looking for modelling work in New York and 'the story continues when a former actress takes charge of her and tries to find for her a rich husband. Tho cast includes Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Louis Hayward and Helen Broderick. ST. JAMES' THEATRE The singing of Allan Jones and Judy Garland is a feature of the musical comedy "Everybody Sing." which will bo presented at St. James' Theatre todav. The supporting cast includes Billio Burke. Reginald Owen and Fanny Brice. An excellent associate programme will also be shown. "MANNEQUIN" Adapted from u novel of the same name by tho well-known American authoress Katharine Brush, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mavor production " ManneJuin" will commence its season at St. ames' Theatre on Friday. Joan Crawford and Spoilcer Tracy appear together for the first time, and both are seen at. their best in highly dramatic roles. Miss Crawford appears as a shop assistant who tries to escape from tho grimy tenement houses of the New\ork slums by marrving an unscrupulous criminal," Eddie Miller, a role'well portrayed by a newcomer to the screen, Alan Curtis. On the eve of her wedding Jessie (Miss Crawford) meets a wealthy shipowner, John L. Hennessv (Spencer Tracy), who immediately falls in love with 'her. Hennespy also has known what life is like in the slums, for he has worked his way np from a labourer on tho docks to become an owner of a shipping line. When Miller deserts her, Jessie decides to live her own life, but at length Hennepsy prevails upon her to marry him. knowing that she does not really love him. On their honeymoon Jessie learns to love Hennessy, "and their happiness is complete until Miller attempts to blackmail them. The picture is brought to an unusual conclusion. The supporting cast includes such well-known players as Ralph Morgan, Mary Phillips, Oscar O'Shea and Leo Gorcoy. The production was in the capable hands of Frank Borzage, who has been responsible for the making of many previous Metro-Goldwyn-Maver successes. STRAND THEATRE Bright musical numbers are a featuro of the 20th Centurv-Fox film "Sally, Irene and Mary," which is included on the programme at the Strand Theatre to-day. The title roles are taken by Alice Faye, Joan Davis and Marjorio Weaver, 'who are eapt as three cabaret entertainers who are continually losing their positions, Tony Martin and Jimmy Duranto are also prominently cast. The associate feature is "Tarzan's Revenge." EMBASSY THEATRE One of the most amusing comedies to bo seen in Auckland for several months, "Merrily Wo Live," .will continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. The leading roles are taken by Constance Bennett, Brian Aherne, 'Billio Burke and Bonita Granville. Enjoyable associate features complete a most entertaining programme.

STATE THEATRE Splendid performances are Riven by Robert Taylor, Maureen O'Sullivan and Vivien Leigh in the film "A Yank at. Oxford." which will be shown at the State Theatre to-night. The story deals with the adventures of a young American undergraduate who gains a scholarship taking hirn to the great English seat of learning. STAR CINEMA The bright comedy "Woman Cha?es Man," it" which Joel McCrea and Milium Hopkins appear, will bo presented at the Star Cinema to-day. fho second attraction is tho exciting film "Charlie Chan on Broadway." ASTOR THEATRE The girl soprano Deanna Durbin is heard in the outstanding New Universal film "Mad About Music," to be shown at tho Astor Theatre to-night. The second attraction is "Adventures End."

THEATRE \ \ r The role of ai, girl, with no previous theatrical experience who tries to produce a musical revue is capably por» trayed by the French actress Simon® Simon in the bright eom&ly "Josette,'* 1 which will bo shown to-day ab-the Mayfair Theatre. Good performances are also given by the supporting cast, which includes Don Ameche. Robert Young and Joan Davis. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Bright entertainment will be offered at the Crystal Palace and Theatres to-night when a well-balanced - programme, including-the comedy "The " Moon's Our Home" and the drama i "Two Fisted," will bo presented. ' > CAPITOL THEATRE * Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur appear' in "The Plainsman," to be shown at the 1 Capitol Theatre to-night. The second attraction is tho comedy "Night Spot."BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Adapted from the popular novel by Hex Beach, the film "The Barrier" is to be presented to patrons of the Berkeley Theatre, 3 Mission Bay, tonight. There is a comprehensive supporting programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Chester 'Morris and Lewis Stone are cast in leading roles in the comedy "The Three Godfathers." to be presented at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The associate attraction i3_the comedy "The Bishop Misbehaves."'.