ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

roxy and tivoli theatres The clever Japanese detective Mr. Moto is once again called upon to solve a baffling murder, mystery in the 20th Century-Fox picture "Tho Mysterious Mr. Moto,' which heads the outstanding double-feature programme at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres todnv. Port raved bv Peter Lorrc, Mr. Moto is set the task of_ putting an end to a. reign of terror instituted by ft gang of men calling themselves the League of Assassins. The league attempts to force a Prague steel magnate to surrender his secret formula for a new type of steel, btit Mr. Moto, who finds himself a position as n servant in the house of one of the gang, learns of their plans and takes over the case from Scotland Yard. When the Czech magnate refuses to give up his secret to the league they decide to murder him. the signal being n "melody of murder," which is played by musicians acting as look-outs. J lie see no for the crime is to ho an art gallery, but Mr. Moto, after escaping from a trap set for himself, is able to foil the final effort of tho gang to obtain possession of the secret formula. Tho young Australian actress Mary Maguire has the leading feminine role and the other players include Henry Wilcoxon, Harold Huber and Lnk Rhodes. The second attraction is an exciting Western film, "The Renegade Ranger," in which the leading roles are played by George O'Brien, Hit a Havworth, Rav Whitley and Tun Holt. O'Brien is cast as a Texas ranger, Jack Steele, who sets out to capture the daughter of an old Spanish family, who has fled with her followers into the mountains, after being accused of murdering an American rancher. By a daring ruse Steele is admitted to the band of outcasts who have joined her, but is later recognised and sentenced to death as a spy. He escapes during a surprise raid 011 the girl's enemies and succeeds in capturing her and taking her to- prison. A rival band kidnaps tho girl from prison, but the ranger comes to her rescue and. alter an exciting gun battle, unmasks tho real murderer and proves her innocence. A number of selected short features also will be presented. REGENT THEATRE The strength and efficiency of the British Navy is vividly illustrated in Herbert Wilcox's entertaining production "Our Fighting Navy" which is to continue its season at the Regent •Theatre to-day. Leading roles are taken by Richard Cromwell, Hazel 'lerrv, H. B. Warner and Robert Douglas. A splendid sequel to the great Australian comedy "On Our Selection is offered in the Cinesound film "Dad and Dave Come to Town," which will be presented at the Regent Theatre 011 Friday. Tho amusing story deals with the adventures of the Hudd family when they inherit a ladies' lingerie shop in Sydney and leave their quiet home iii the country for the city. The m»m characters are portrayed bv Bert Bailey. Fred MaeDotnild. Shirley Ann Richards and Alec Kellaway. Ken G. Hall, who has been responsible for a number of previous successes, directed this picture. Ail fielded jiitrnction \\ ill be tho personal appearance of the Australian comedian Bert Bailey on the stage. There will be an interesting supporting programme.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Mickev Rooney fully justifies the high praise of those critics who regard him as one of the foremost actors on the screen by his splendid performance in "Love Finds Andy Hardy." the Metro-Goldwyn-MaVcr comedy which is to continue its season at St. James Theatre to-day. "THAT CERTAIN AGE" The girl soprano Deanna Durbin, who. after a meteoric rbe to fame, is among the most popular players on the screen, heads the talented east in New Universal's film "'I hat Certain Age," which will be presented at St. James' Theatre on Friday. Contrary to the usual fate of most juvenile players, who gradually disappear from films as they grow older, each succeeding film of Miss Durbin has achieved greater success than the last, and "1 bat Certain Age" provides a fitting climax to the three former outstanding films. She appears as a girl aged about 15 who imagines herself to be in love with a man much older. The plot never lags, but retains interest up to the very last scene. Among the several attractive new songs introduced in the picture are "You're as Pretty as a Picture.'' "Be a Good Scout" and "That Certain Age," A brilliant supporting cast includes Melvyn Douglas, Irene Rich. Jackie Cooper and John Halliday. Entertaining associate features will also be shown.

MAYFAIR THEATRE A bright programme' is offered at the May fair Theatre to-day, when the screen version of W. A. Darlington s popular farce "Alf's Button Afloat" will continue its season. The chief parts are taken l>v "The Crazy Gang,'' who are regarded as the English counterparts of tlit l American comedians the Marx and Ritz Brothers. The attractive singing of Bobby Brecn. and tb.e skating scenes in >\hich a child actress, Irene Dare, appears, are features of the film "Breaking the Ice," which will commence a season at the Maytair* Theatre to-morrow. Supporting roles are played"by Charles Buggies, Dolores Costeiio and* Robert' Barrat. MAJESTIC THEATRE The New Zealand representative in the Paramount "Search for Beauty" contest some years ago. Colin Taplc.v, gives a fine portrayal in his first important role in "Booloo." the thrilling jungle film which is included on the programme at the Majestic Theatre todav. "The second attraction is the bright comedy "Professor, Beware," in which Harold Lloyd is prominently cast. PLAZA THEATRE After several months of reconstruction and refurnishing, the Plaza Theatre will be reopened on Friday, when the brilliant 20th Century-Fox production "My Lucky Star" will be shown. Lavish backgrounds add to the enjoyment of the skating .scenes in which Sonja Heme* appears, and -some, startling scenes are introduced;. The leading male role is nlave<l by Richard Greene, the young English actor who made his first appearance in/ films in "Four Men and a Prayer." The other players include .Toan Davis, Cesar Romero and Buddv F.bsen. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Bright entertainment is offered at the Crystal Palace and Rinlto Theatres to-night, when a well-balanced programme, comprising "Law in Her Hands" and "Her Master's Vbine," will be presented.

TUDOR CINEMA The gay comedy "Bringing Up Baby," in' which bright performances nre given by Cnry Grant and Katharine Hepburn, will be presented with attractive short features 5t the Tudor Cinema to-night. BRITANNIA THEATRE •An attractive portrayal is given by the French actresfi Annubellu ill the film "Dinner at the Bit/,," to be shown with "Life feegins at College" at the Britannia Theatre to-night. CAPITOL THEATRE v The films "Gentlemen of the Navy" and "Dracula's Daughter" comprise the entertaining programme which is to bo presented at the Capitol Theatre tonight.

CIVIC THEATRE The film version of Kate Douglas Wiggin's entertaining story, "Mother Carey's Chickens," will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. The principal roles are played by Anne Shirley, James Ellison, Ruby Kecler and Walter.Brennan. There is an interesting supporting programme. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Walt Disney's technieolour production which has achieved wonderful success wherever it has been shown, will open its season at the Civic Theatre' to-morrow night with n gala premiere performance. This film, which cost over £250,000 and took two years to produce, is a fitting achievement for the man who has been responsible for making the delightful "Silly Symphonies," which have served to brighten many picture programmes. Excellent associate features will lie shown. STRAND THEATRE In a role considerably different from those which lie has played informer films, Ring Crosby gives an enjoyable performance in "Sing, You Sinners, which is the main attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day. Ho is well supported by a newcomer, Ellen Drew, Fred Mac Murray and Donald O'Connor. The most famous dancing team on the screen to-dav. Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, heads the cast in "Carefree,' which is to be shown fit the Strand Theatre on Friday. They are seen in several new dances, and. in addition, introduce a number of attractive songs, which should win wide popularity. In the supporting roles, Ralph Bellamy gives one of the best performances of his career. Interesting short features will complete a most enjoyable programme. EMBASSY THEATRE The plight of two Russian aristocrats, who arrive in Paris penniless after the revolution and are forced to sock humble positions, provides both humorous and dramatic scenes in "Tovnrich," the . film version of the stage success of the same name, which is to be shown at the Embassy Theatre to-day. A touch of irony is added to the story, owing to the" fact that they have in their possession ft vast fortune entrusted to them by the Tsar, which is .to be retained until their country needs it. STATE THEATRE An enjcvablo programme is offered at the State Theatre to-day, when the comedy "You're Only Young Once" and the mystery film "Whipsaw" will be presented. The firm film deals with the adventures of the Hardy family, the main roles being played by Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stono and Cecilia Parker. STAR CINEMA - Outstanding performances are given by Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in tiie hilarious comedy "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," which is to be presented with "Thank You, Mr. Moto" at the Star Cinema to-day. ASTOR THEATRE Entertainment at the Astor Theatre to-night includes the drama "Mary Burns, Fugitive," and the romantic coinedv "Freshman Love.''

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Boris Karloff gives a fine portrayal in the thrilling mystery film "The Invisible Ray," to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The second attraction on the programme is "Dandy Dick." LONDON CINEMA The singing of Paul Robeson is a feature of the film version of Rider Haggard's novel. "King Solomon's Mines," which heads the programme at the London Cinema to-day. "Crime and Punishment" will also be presented. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY The romantic comedy "The Bride Wore Red." in which leading parts aro taken by Joan Crawford and Franehot Tone, will be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay. to-night. There is an enjoyable associate programme.