ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23185, 3 November 1938, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE The boy actor Jackio Cooper gives an entertaining preformance in the drama of the slums "Boy of the Streets," which will be shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The second attraction is "Who's Your Lady Friend?" "On Our Selection," Australia's first "talkie" picture, will commence a return season at the Majestic Theatre to-morrow. When the Cinesound studios were first founded, newsreels alone were produced, and these rapidly won popularity. It was then -decided to make a "talkie" picture and the next difficulty was to find a typical Australian story and a fine cast to interpret it. In "On Our Selection" an entertaining story was discovered about tlm, life of an Australian family living far from civilisation in the back country. The chief role was taken Iby Bert Bailey as "Dad," with Fred Mac Donald and other accomplished players in support. The film proved an outstanding success, and even to-day it holds the attendance and popularity records for many theatres in Australia. Ail added attraction will be the appearance on the stage of "Aussie," the boxing kangaroo, with his trainer Lindsay Fabre. A "Guy Fawkes" competition will be held for children attending the theatre on Saturday morning. CIVIC THEATRE Many of the most popular songs composed during the last 25 years by Irving Berlin, together with two modern compositions, are included in . the 20th Century-Fox production "Alexander's Ragtime Band," which will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. Leading roles are taken by Tyrone Power, Alice Faye and Don Ameche. An outstanding associate programme includes newsreels dealing with the Munich conference and items on the Wurlitzer organ by Penn Hughes. Life in the colourful French city of North Africa is depicted in "Algiers," which will commence its season at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. Charles Boyer is prominently cast as a fugitive jewel-thief, living in the native quarter of the city, where he is free from capture by the police, who fear to molest him while he is with the natives. One day ho meets a French girl (Hedy Lamarr), with whom lie falls in love, and the story is brought to a thrilling climax when he risks arrest by the police and loaves the squalid native district to journey with the girl to France. , RECENT THEATRE The inimitable Australian comedian, George Wallace, is seen at his best in the Cinesound production "Let George Do It," which will continue at the Regent Theatre to-day. Interesting supporting features complete a most enjoyable programme. An outstanding cast, including Pat O'Brien, George Brent and Wayne Morris, appears in the thrilling film "Submarine D-l," which will open its season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. The film depicts the exploits of submarines during manoeuvres by the United _ Stated Navy, and there are' many exciting scenes as the undersea, boats attempt to escape through the cordon of battleships, destroyers and cruisers. Brent appears as the commander of-> a newly-launched submarine which, while taking part in manoeuvres, is accidentally rammed and sinks to the bottom. The efforts of the men to reach the surface bring the film to an exciting climax. A feature of the splendid associate programme is a travelogue, "Long Bright Land," a beautiful colour picture of New Zealand.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Continuing the success of such films as "Naughty "Marietta" and "Rose Marie,'' the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical production "The Girl of tho Golden West" will be presented at St. 'James' Theatre to-day. Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald take the leading roles and are heard ill a number of enjoyable songs. There is a fine associate programme. EMBASSY THEATRE Anna Neagle, the actress who received world-wide acclaim for her portrayal in "Victoria the Great," takes the leading role in the romantic musical "London Melody,3' _whieh will'commence a season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Miss Neagle appears as a poor but beautiful girlliving in London and, as the picture opens, she is seen outside a fashionable West End cabaret, -where a motor-car has knocked down her barrel-organ. She becomes engaged in a heated argument with title owner of the car, a cultured diplomat, whp is intrigued by her fiery personality. Unknown to her, he arranges with one j of her friends to have her trained as a dancer. She is an instant success and a romance with her benefactor brings the film to a successful .-conclusion. Good performances are also given by the supporting cast, which includes Tullio Carminati, Robbrt Douglas and Horace Hodges. - '

STRAND THEATRE! An entertaining romance, -with many thrilling jungle scenes, is offered in the teehnicolour production "Her Jungle Love," which is enjoying a successful return season at the Strand Theatre. Ray Millaiid appears as a .young aviator who is forced to land on a tropic island, ofi which he discovers a beautiful white girl (Dorothy Lamour) ; who is regarded by the superstitious natives as a goddess.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A stirring adventure film is offered in the 20th Century-Fox production "Four Men and a Prayer," which will bo shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. An'outstanding cast includes Loretta Young, a 'young English actor, Richard Greene, David Niven and George : Sanders. There is an entertaining supporting programme. .v - - •_ , STATE THEATRE Greenwich /Village, \ New York's colourful art colony; provides the. setting for the romantic comedy "Live, Love and Learn," which will foe shown at the State Theatre to-night,. Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell have the main roles. . - < STAR CINEMA' Claire Trevor and Michael Whalen are prominently cast in the drama "Walking Down Broadway," to be presented at the Star Cinema to-day, with -the Jones Family comedy "Love on a Budget." TUDOR CINEMA An insight.into how pictures are produced in Hollywood is provided in the satirical comedy "Stand In," to be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. The main roles are taken by Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell. • AVONDALE CINEMA Bright singing by Bobbv Breen is a feature of the musical film Hawaii Calls," to be presented with the drama "The Jury's Secret" at tho Avondale Cinema to-night. STATE THEATRE,. ONEHUNGA " The enjoyable films to be presented at the State Theatre, Onehunga, tonight are "The 'Frisco Kid" and "Second Wife." James. Cagney appears in the first production; . PRINCESS THEATRE The i Alexander Korda comedy "Divorce of Lady X," and "Checkers," in which Jane, Withers appears, comprise the programme to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-night.

MAYFAIR THEATRE f| An excellent double-feature pro* gramme is offered at the Mayfair Theatre to-day, when the mystery- film 1 "Mr. Moto Takes a Chance, ' in which Peter Lorre appears, and "£o Man" will be shown. Ginger Rogers and 9Douglas Fairbanks, junior, appear to- ' gether for the first time in the bright outdoor comedy "Having Wonderful Time," to bo presented at the Mayfair ' Theatre to-morrow. The amusing story f, deals with a stormy romance between "* a young student and a stenographer at a vacation camp.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Stuart Erwin, well-known to theatregoers for his amusing performances in supporting roles, is prominently cast in the delightful comedy "Passport Husband," which beads the wellbalanced programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Erwin appears as a waiter in a night-club where a Spanish dancer is employed as the leading entertainer. Cabot (Erwin) believes himself to be infatuated with.-the dancer, but he is really in love with the cigarette girl* Mary Clayton. Cabot becomes famous when ho strikes a notorious gangster for annoying Mary and the criminal is deported. The Spanish dancer is the gangster's sweetheart and there is a danger that she also will be considered an undesirable alien unless she is married to some reputable citizen. Cabot is the unfortunate individual who is chosen as the husband and the former timid waiter finds himself thrust into ci series of gang wars and "racketeering" businesses. However, he succeeds in freeing himself from the criminals and the picture is • brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Other, roles are taken by . Joan Woodbury, Douglas Fowley and 1 Pauline Moore. The second attraction is the entertaining outdoor picture "-=• "Rose of the Rio Grande." in which a talented young singer, John Carrol, makes his first appearance ill a leading role. The supporting players include Don Alverado and Antonio Moreno, who will bo remembered for their v-. portrayals in silent pictures. ;j-v

BERKELEY, MISSION BAY William Powell and Luise Rainor rn take leading roles iri the spy film "The Emperor's Candlesticks," to be shown : at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night.

ASTOR THEATRE r ... Entertainment at the Astor Theatre <' to-night includes the splendid comedy "Prescription for Romance" and the musical production "Turn Off the 3 J Moon."