ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23206, 28 November 1938, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE The latest Laurel and Hardy comedy "Swiss Miss" will continue its successful season at the Regent Theatre today. Tho famous comedians appear as mousetrap salesmen who journey to Switzerland, hoping that a country which produces a great quantity of cheese will provide a sale for their goods. An "Our Gang" comedy "The Awful Tooth," is a feature of tho enjoyablo associate programme. The life of fishermen off the coast of Alaska is depicted in the stirring drama "Spawn of tho North," the next attraction at tho Regent Theatre, which will open its season on Friday." Outstanding performances are given by a strong cast of players, including Henry Fonda, as the courageous captain of a fishing vessel, Akini Tamiroff, as the "villain" of the story. George Raft, who appeared with Gary Cooper in "Souls at Sea," and Dorothy Lamour. of "Jungle Princess" fame. John Barry more, Louise Piatt and Lynne Overman also appear picture, whicli is a Paramount production. ST. JAMES* THEATRE John M. Stahl's entertaining production "Letter of Introduction" continues to attract largo audiences to St. James' Theatre daily. Much of tho humour in the film is provided bv Edgar Bergen and his doll Charlie McCarthy, who are rapidly becoming as popular on the screen as they are on the radio. McCarthy is ever ready with some cheok.v remark, although the object of his sarcasm may be anyone from a millionaire to the boot-boy in the hotel. Adoiphe Menjou.gives a fine characterisation in the chief role, while romantic interest is provided by Andrea Leeds and George Murphy. In keeping with the high standard of the first production, an enjoyable supporting programme," including a New Zealand travel film, a Mentone musical and overseas newsreels will be presented. MAYFAIR THEATRE A of attractive new songs are introduced in the bright English production " "Kicking tho Moon Around," which is enjoying a successful season at tho Mayfair Theatre. A splendid cast include 3 Ambrose and his orchestra, the crooner of the famous band, Evelyn Dall, tho Atlantic flier and Broadway entertainer, Harry Richman, and Florence Desmond. The interesting story deals with the attempts of a young millionaire to locate a pretty singer whom he has heard at a dance hall, in order that he may introduce her to Ambrose. The second attraction is a mystery film "Time Out for Murder," which deals with the solving by a group of reporters of a murder. The main roles are capably handled by Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, Chick Chandler and Douglas Fowley.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Boris Karloff appears in a role very different from those ho usually takes in the Warner Brothers' drama "West of Shanghai," which will continue its season at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Karloff is cast as a Chinese general, who is virtual ruler of the provinces in North China. Into this territory comes a group of financiers, intent on obtaining the rights to the rich oil fields by any means in their power. The fields are owned by a young engineer, and a desperate struggle for control ensues. The supporting players include Beverly Roberts, Ricardo C'ortez and Gordon Oliver. The associate feature is the brilliant musical production "Hollywood Hotel," in which a number of well-known artists from screen and radio take part. The cast includes Dick Powell. Rosemary Lane and Benny Goodman and his swine band. STRAND THEATRE Attempts by three country girls to find millionaire husbands provide many amusing scenes in the 20th CenturyFox comedy "Threei Blind Mice," which is to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. The chief roles are taken by. Loretta Young, as the elder girl, Joel MeCrea, David Niven and Stuart Erwin. The girls' efforts seem likely to prove successful, when one of them complicates matters by falling in love with a penniless young man at the holiday resort at which they are staying. The second feature on the programme is the clever, romantic comedy "Live Wire," in which leading roles are taken by Jean Gillie and Bernard Nedell. Altogether, the programme provides outstanding entertainment. EMBASSY THEATRE A clever domestic romance along light comedy lines is provided in the MetroGold wvn-Mayer film "The First Hundred Yeaj-s," which will be presented at the Embassy Theatre to-day, Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce make n new comedy team to join the distinctive group presenting the sophisticated domestic stories now fashionable on the screen. They appear as a happily married young couple who quarrel violently when the husband, after obtaining a lucrative position, demands that his wife should give up her own successful career. A Robert Benchley novelty, a Pete Smith specialty and an "Our Gang" comedy are among the excellent supporting features. 1

TUDOR CINEMA Claudette Colbert and Gary Cooper give amusing performances in the modern comedy "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," to be presented with excellent associate features at the Tudor Cinema to-night. % ' BRITANNIA THEATRE The drama of the New York slums, "Dead End," and the mvsterv film "Arsene Lupin Returns," comprise the splendid, programme to be shown at the Britannia Theatre to-night. , PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Entertainment at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night includes the thrilling film "Dangerous to Know," in which Akim Tamirotf and- Anna May Wong appear," and the Sandy Powell comedy "Leave It to Me."

CIVIC THEATRE Reunited after over a. year, Fred Astaire and Gitager Rogers once again {live excellent performances in the musical comedy "Carefree," which will continue its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. With new songs composed by Irving Berlin and with startling dances performed by Astaire. and Miss Rogers, the film offers entertainment rarely seen. In addition, there is an enjoyable and amusing story which gives the main players ample scope for using their talents as a comedy team. The associate features include Walt Disney's latest Mickey Mouse cartoon "Mickey's Trailer," one of the "March of Time" series, and items by Penn Hughes on the Wurlitzer organ. The "March of Time" is of particular interest as it describes Gibraltar, Briton's fortress at the western entrance to the Mediterranean.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A cattle stampede, the wrecking'of a train carrying tungsten ore by a gang of and an attempt to dynamite a mine, are among the thrilling scenes in the outdoor production "Painted Desert," which is one of the features to be shown at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. A good performance is given by George O'Brien, who is cast as a rancher 011 whose land a wandering prospector and his attractive grand-daughter are attempting to develop a tungsten mine. The old prospector is later killed in a gun battle, after selling his claim an unscrupulous mining producer, Fawcett. He, in turn, disposes of the property to Bob McVey (O'Brien)._ When the rancher goes to visit the mine, he finds the girl in possession and, realising that she. still believes she is owner, offers to go into partnership with her. The mine proves very valuable and Fawcett tries to gain control of it once again. After failing to wreck McVey financially, he proceeds to set his gang to cause trouble when the rancher commences to take the ore away from the mine. The picture is brought to an exciting conclusion as Fawcett plans to dynamite the mine. The supporting cast includes Larauie Johnson, Ray Whitley, Stanley Fields and Fred Kohler. The second .Sim ic the comedy "Wine, Women and Horses," in which Barton MacLarie, Ann Sheridan and Dick Purcell appear. Selected short features will also be presented. STATE THEATRE An intensely human story is offered in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer drama "Port of Seven Seas," which is to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. The players include Wallace Beery, Maureen O'Sullivan, Frank Morgan and John Beal. STAR CINEMA The well-balanced programme to be shown at the Star Cinema to-day includes the comedy "The Awful Truth," in which Irene Dunne and Cary Grant appear, and the western production "Empty Holsters." Dick Foran is prominently cast in the second attraction. \ CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The entertaining comedy "The Perfect Specimen," in which Errol Flvnn and Joan Blondell take leading roles, heads the attractive double-featuro programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. The English production "Young and Innocent" will also be shown.