ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Something of the spirit of England during the colourful reign of Richard the Lionheart is brought to the screen in Warner Brothers' outstanding film "Tho Adventures of Robin Hood." which will continue the third week of its successful season at the Regent Theatre to-day. Errol Flynn gives a dashing performance in the title role and among the other players are Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathhone, Claude Rains and Herbert Mundin. There is an excellent associate programme. ST. JAMES* THEATRE "The Crdwd Roars," the latest Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, in which Robert Taylor appears, will continue its season at St. James' Theatre today. Supporting Taylor is Maureen O'Sullivan, who was last seen with him in "A Yank at Oxford," while the other players include Edward Arnold, Frank Morgan and Lionel Stander. Taylor is cast as a professional boxer who retires from the ring after accidentally killing a friend. His inability to obtain other employment forces him to continue with his boxing career and he comes under the control of a gambler. "Marie Antoinette," a film which promises to be one of the most outstanding of its type yet produced, will be presented at St. James' Theatre on Friday. Norma Shearer makes a welcome return to the screen in the leading role as the ill-fated Queen of France. A splendid cast includes Tyrone Power, also a brilliant young English actor, Robert Morley, and John Barrymore, Anita Louise and Joseph. Schildkraut. PLAZA THEATRE A fine portrayal of a little orphan girl is given by Shirley Temple in her latest success. "Little Miss Broadway," the 20th Century-Fox production which is at present enjoying a highly-successful season at the Plaza Theatre. The young actress is supported by the versatile dajicer and comedian, George Murphy, while others in the cast are Phyllis Brooks, Jimmy Durante, Edna May Oliver and LI Brendel. There is an excellent supporting programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE The famous comedians Stan. Laurel and Oliver Hardy appear together for the last time in the Hal Roach comedy "Blockheads," which heads the attractive double-feature programme at the Majestic Theatre to-day. The story commences with Laurel guarding a post in Franco 20 years after the war, being unaware that the Armistice has been' signed. He is discovered by a passing airman and returns to the United States as a national hero. Here he rejoins Hardy and the pair are soon involved in a series of amusing adventures. The second feature on the programme is "The Chaser." ROXY THEATRE Lovers of action pictures of the western type will be pleased with the programme now being shown at the Roxy Theatre. The R.K.0.-Radio production, "Lawless Valley," in Which 'the popular cowboy actor, George O'Brien appears, is the main attraction. O'Brien is cast as ; a young man, Larry Rhodes, who returns to his hotne_ town after having served a sentence in prison for alleged robbery. He was convicted of having taken part in a train robbery and his father was said to have committed suicide. The picture'is full of thrilling incidents and the story tells how Rhodes succeeds in clearing his name and also solves the mystery of his father's sudden : death. In the second film; "Outlawed Guns," Buck Jones, who will be remembered ' for many a stirring .performance in the days of silent films, has the leading part as a rancher _ whose brother becomes associated with a gang of robbers. Interesting short features are included on the programme. MAYFAIR THEATRE The outstanding attraction, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," which has proved _ immensely popular with Auckland audiences, continues to attract large crowds to the. Mayfair Theatre. Having all the elements of drama, comedy and pathos, the film, which is the first Walt Disney fulllength cartoon, has proved one of the best box-office productions ever made in Hollywood. The colouring of tho film is a feature, while the voices are re-; markably clear. In addition to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," an ex- j cellent supporting programme is being screened. EMBASSY THEATRE Hilarious performances are: given by Leslie Howard, Bette Davie and Olivia de Havilland in the brilliant modern comedy "It's Love I'm After," which is to he shown at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Miss de Havilland is. cast as a romantically-minded girl who falls in Jove with a famous actor, portrayed by Howard. At the request of the girl's fiance, the actor attempts to disillusion' her, but his efforts are of no avail, as the girl becomes more and-more infatuated. Witty dialogue and amusing situations combine to make a bright entertainment. STRAND THEATRE The fine. young singer and actress Deanna Durbin gives an outstanding portrayal in "That Certain-Age," the principal attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day. In her latest triumph Miss Durbin gives a very mature performance, while her singing is delightful and her personality as pleasing as ever. Others in the cast are Mdvyn Douglas, Irene Rich and Jackie Cooper. An excellent selection of shorter films also is being shown. LONDON CINEMA An outstanding cast, including William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise R iner and Frank Morgan, appears in ' The Great Ziegl'eld," which will continue its successful season at the London Cinema to-day. The • associate programme includes excellent short features. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Comedy and mystery are combined in the splendid programme to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Alice Brady and Guy Kibbee are the leading players in the amusing film "Mama Steps Out," while Edmund Lowe appears in the drama "Under Cover ;of Night;'' < '

CIVIC THEATRE Amazing spectacle is provided in the 20th Century-Fox film "Suez," which will be presented at the Civic Theatre to-day. The picture depicts Ferdinand de Lesseps' wonderful achievement in building the canal which was to connect the Mediterranean and Red Seas and make a short trade route to the East. Tyrone Power, who takes the part of de Lesseps, is first seen as a young French officer sent on a diplomatic mission to Egypt. While riding in the desert ho imagines what it would mean it such a canal could be built and, inspired by his dream, he carries out his project in the face of tremendous opposition. Tlie loading feminine roles are capably played by Loretta Young and the French actress Annabclla. TIVOLI THEATRE Guest-night concessions will be available for patrons of the Tivoli 1 heat re tn-night, when an entertaining doublefeature programme will bo presented. Good performances aro given by I Ricardo Cortez and June Travel's in , the first film, "Case of the Black Cat," j while the leading roles in tho second : attraction, "Land Beyond the Law.' j are played with success by Dick : Foran and Linda Perry. Among tho selected short features arc a two-ret?] comedy, a musical and a cartoon. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The screen version of tho famous play "Alf's Button Afloat" heads the well-balanced programme to bo shown at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. Tho principal roles in this amusing comedy are played by "The Crazy Gang," who are the British counterparts of the Marx and Ritz Brothers. The second attraction is "Sharpshooters," a film depicting the dangerous work undertaken by news- | reel photographers. : STATE THEATRE The journeys of tho great Venetian explorer to the East are depicted in Samuel Goldwvn's spectacular picture "Adventures of Marco Polo," which will commence a season at the State Theatre to-day. Fine performances are given by Gary"Cooper, Sigrid Gurie and Basil Rathbone. STAR CINEMA Fine entertainment is offered at the Star Cinema to-day, when a doublefeature programme, including "Judge Hardv's Children" and "Beg. Borrow or Steal," will bo shown. Mickey Rooney heads a strong cast in the first film. CAPITOL THEATRE The charming French actress Simone Simon gives a delightful performance in the comedy "Love and Hisses." which will bo shown with "Blind Alibi" at the Capitol Theatre to-night. Richard Dix has the chief role in the second attraction. TUDOR CINEMA The beautiful voices of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald are heard in the entertaining musical production "Maytime,'' which heads the attractive "programme to he shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. ASTOR THEATRE The well-balanced programme to be presented at the Astor Theatre tonight includes the "Sea Spoilers" and "Her Master's Voice." Newsreels will complete a most enjoyable entertainment. BRITANNIA THEATRE A bright comedy is offered at the Britannia Theatre to-night, _ when "Kentucky Moonshine," in which the Ritz Brothers appear, will be presented. "Reformatory" is also included on the programme.