ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23227, 22 December 1938, Page 18

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE "Our Fighting Navy," a film revealing the strength of Britain's first line of defence, will be shown at the Regent Theatre to-day. The principa players are Robert Douglas, Hazel Terry, Richard Cromwell and H. B. Warner. A brilliant sequel to the Australian comedy "On Our Selection," which achieved success some years ago, is provided in "Dad and Dave Come to Town," to commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. Bert Bailey and Fred Mac Donald, who had the main roles in the previous production, are once again cast as "Dad" and Davq Rudd, while other members of this famous country family are portrayed by Shirley Ann Richards- and Connie Martyn. The story opens with the Rudds enjoying a prosperous season on their farm when news , comes that "Dad" has inherited a ladies' lingerie salon in Sydney. In spite of his wish to sell the business, he is finally persuaded by his daughter Jill to take over the management and becomes involved in a series of humorous situations. A personal appearance on the stage at the afternoon and evening sessions will be made bv Bert Bailey. ST. JAMES' THEATRE The fourth of the series of films dealing with Judge Hardy and his amusing American family, "Love Finds Andy Hardy," will continue its successful season at St. James' _ Theatre today. There is an interesting associate programme. "THAT CERTAIN AGE" Repeating the success of such films as "Three Smart Girls" and "M*id About Music," the latest Deanna Durbin picture, "That Certain Age," will be # presented at St. James' Theatre tomorrow. Miss Durbin's rise to fame has been meteoric, for when she appeared in her first film several years ago she was completely unknown to theatre audiences. Since then she has gone from strength to strength, each succeeding picture proving more successful than the last. In her latest production Miss Durbin demonstrates that she has avoided the fate of many juvenile players who give up films when they reach the age of adolescence, in choosing stories for the young actress, New Universal Studios have carefully selected only those suitable to her age and she has never had to appear in the role of a girl much older than she really is. To some extent this may be responsible for the success achieved by all her films. In "That Age" she is cast as a schoolgirl of 15, who imagines herself to be in love with a man many years her senior. The plot has more comedy than any of the previous stories, but it has also the same dramatic qualities which have distinguished all her pictures. In addition to giving a charming performance, Miss Durbin is heard in; a number of attractive new songs, including "My Own" and "Be a Good Scout" and two classical selections. Among the supporting players are Melvyn Douglas, Irene Rich, Jackie Cooper and" John Hallidav. A splendid associate programme will also be presented.

MAYFAIR THEATRE

The boy soprano Bobby Breen gives an entertaining performance in his latest film, "Breaking the Ice," which will open a season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. He is heard to advantage in several new songs, which are rendered in a sweet and appealing fashion. A feature of the film is the first screen appearance of Irene Dare, a five-year-old child, who will amaze theatre audiences with her agility and proficiency on the skating rink. The story deals with the efforts of a young boy to make sufficient money for his mother to return to her farm in Kansas. A strong supporting cast includes Charles Ruggles, Dolores Costello, Robert Barrat and Dorothy Peterson. There is an enjoyable associate programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE The New Zealand actor Colin Tapley appears in the jungle drama "Booloo," which is the chief attraction at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The popular comedian Harold Lloyd makes a welcome return to the screen in "Professor, Beware,'* which will also be shown. The Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer film "Fast Company," which is to be shown, at the Theatre ton Friday, is a comedy-mystery similar to the "Thin Man" series in many respects. Mclv.vn Douglas appears as a detective employed bv insurance companies to recover stolen books for them. He and his (Florence Rice) become involved in a complicated plot in their efforts to carry out their work. Supporting roles are capably played by Nat Pendleton, Claire Doud and George Zucco. PLAZA THEATRE In "My Lucky Star," which will be presented at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow night, Sonja Henie has once again provided theatre patrons with a brilliant display of skating grace and I speed,- As in her former pictures, startling new routines are introduced, the "Alice in Wonderland" ballet being a feature of the present production. Seldom has anything more beautiful and enchanting been seen on the screen. All Lewis Carroll's famous characters are there, with Miss Henie as Alice, darting in and out among them at a startling speed. The young English actor, Richard Greene, who recevied considerable praise for his work in "Four Men and a Prayer," has the leading male role and fully justifies his earlier reputation. The other roles are played by Joan Davis, Cesar Romero, Buddy Ebsen and Arthur Treacher. Splendid short features will complete a most enjoyable programme. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The popular English actress Gracie Fields appears with Victor McLaglen in the bright comedy "We're Going to be Rich," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace ami Rialto Theatres to-night. Miss Fields is seen as an Australian entertainer who joins in the South African gold rush at the beginning of this century, and the storv deals with her adventures and difficulties in obtaining a fortune from one of the fields. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone appear in the entertaining film "The Bride Wore Red," which is to be presented at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night. "Jov of Living" heads the programme to be shown tomorrow night. LONDON CINEMA The singing of Paul Robeson is a feature of the adventure film "King Solomon's Mines," which is to be shown at the London Cinema to-day. The second attraction is "Crime and Punishment." TUDOR CINEMA Modern comedy is seen at its best in "Bringing Up Baby," which will be presented at the Tudor Cinema tonignt. Leading roKs are played by Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. BRITANNIA THEATRE An attractive performance is given by the French actress Annabella in the film "Dinner at the Ritz," to be shown with "Life Begins at College" at the Britannia Theatre to-night. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE An exciting mystery film is offered in "The Invisible Ray," which heads the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. "Dandy Dick," in which Will Hays has the leading role, , is the second attraction. j

CIVIC THEATRE Kate Douglas Wiggin's entertaining story "Mother Carey's Chickens" is brought to the screen in the film of the same name which is to be shown at the Civic Theatre to-day at the morning and afternoon sessions. The cast includes Anne Shirley, James Ellison and Ruby Keeler. Grimm's fairyland fantasy comes to life through the artistry of Walt Disney and his assistants in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs/' which will have _ its gala premiere presentation at the Civic Theatre to-night. Disney, who introduced a new kind of entertainment with his "Silly Symphonies" and "Mickey Mouse" cartoons, has excelled himself in his first fidl-length picture. The film is a technical masterpiece, gaudy colours being eliminated in favour of subdued half-tones. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The efforts of the clever Japanese detective Mr. Moto to put an end_ to the reign of terror instituted by criminals calling themselves the League of Assassins makes for. many thrilling scenes in "The Mysterious Mr. Moto,' which is included 011 the double-feature programme at the Ro&y and Tivoh Theatres to-clay. The title role is played with success by Peter Lorre, and the other players include Marv Maguire, Henry Wilcoxon and Erik Rhodes. Disguised as a servant, Mr. Moto finds employment in the house of one of the criminals and discovers that the league is attempting to obtain a secret formula for a revolutionary type of steel from a Prague steel magnate. When threats have failed, the gang decides to murder the Czech manufacturer and evolves a plan whereby he will be killed when he is visiting an art exhibition. The signal for the crime is to be a "melody of murder," which will be played by musicians who are acting as look-outs. Learning of the activities of Mr. Moto, the league prepares to trap the detective also, but he is warned by the music and escapes, in time to save the inventor of the secret formula and capture the criminals. George O'Brien gives a fine portrayal as the captain of the Texas Rangers in the second film, "The Renegade Ranger.' Tbo Texas border provides the background for this picture, in which Steele (O'Brien) is sent to capture the daughter of an old Spanish family who has been accused of murdering an American rancher. The ranger is taken prisoner by the band of outcasts, who liavo followed the girl, but later escapes and, after many exciting adventures, proves tlie girl's innocence, and captures the real murderer.. Other roles 111 the picture are in the Capable hands of Rita Hayworth, Tim Holt, Ray Whitley and Neal Hart. STRAND THEATRE The popular singer, Bing Crosby, is prominently cast in the Paramount musical production "Sing You Sinners," which is the main attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day. Fred Mac Murray, Ellen Drew and Donald O'Connor are the main supporting players.' Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are reunited on the screen after a separation of over a year in the R.K.O. Radio production "Carefree," which will commence a season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow. Astaire appears as a specialist in mental diseases who is asked by a young man to examine his fiancee, because the girl is continually making excuses when he suggests marriage. Complications ensue when the pretty patient falls in love with the doctor, who now has to face the anger of the enraged young man. STATE THEATRE The family comedy "You're Only Young Once." dealing with further adventures of Judge Hardy's family, and the mystery drama "Whipsaw," comprise the enjovable programme to be shown at the State Theatre to-day. An outstanding cast, headed by Myrna Lov, Franchot Tone, Rosalind Russell and Walter Pidgeon, appears in the bright Metro-Goldwyn-Maver comedy "Man Proof. '* which is to be presented at the State Theatre to-morrow. The second attraction is the domestic drama "The Women Men Marry." Leading parts in this film are taken by George Murphy, Cliff Edwards and Claire Dodd. STAR CINEMA * ■ ■ # :• Brilliant performances are given by Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur in the comedy Mr. Deeds Goes to Town," which is to be shown at the Star Cinema to-day. Peter Lorre is prominently cast m the second attraction, "Thank You, Mr. Moto.V - •' EMBASSY THEATRE Two of the screen's most talented players are brought together in the Warner Brothers' fijm "Tovarich," which is to continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. They appear as a Russian prince and princess, exiled from Russia, who are forced to find humble positions in Paris. The plot leads to many humourous scenes, although the film has also a number of dramatic moments. ASTOR THEATRE Dorothy Lamour is prominently cast in "Jungle Princess," which is to be shown with "Forbidden Valley" at the Astor Theatre to-night.