ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 22

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE Splendid performances are given by 'Maureen O'Sullivan and Lew Ayres in jfche romantic comedy "Spring Madpess," which will be 6bown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Heading the fine cast in the second attraction, "Woman against Woman," are Herbert Marshall, Virginia Bruce and Mary Astor. An exciting story is unfolded in the Paramount film "King of lAlcatraz," which is included on the double-feature programme to be prejsented at the Majestic Theatre tomorrow. A luxury liner provides the Betting for the picture, which deals with the attempt by a gang of criminals to take control of the vessel. The leader of the band has escaped from the Alc'atraz prison and he and / his followers board tho liner in dis j guise. All resistance _is overcome except that of the radio operators, who continue to 6end out messages stating the ship's position. The picture is brought to a brilliant climax. competent cast includes Lloyd Nolan, a promising newcomer, Robert Preston, J. Carrol Naish and Gail Patrick. The

second feature on the programme is the film version of one of Clarence ' Mulford's novels, " Pride of the West," in which William Boyd once iagain takes the part of Hopalong Caseidy. CIVIC THEATRESome spectacular scenes are included in Darrvl Zanuck's entertaining film "Suez*" which will continue the third week of its season at the Civic Theatre to-day. Tyrone Power, Loretta Young and Annabella are the principal players. Adapted from an amusing storv by I. A. R. Wylie, the brilliant comedy "The Young in Heart" will be shown at the Civic Theatre to-morrow. The picture has a splendid cast headed by Janet Gavnor. Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Roland Young and Billie Burke, while Paulette Goddard has her first talking picture role. The amusing story deals with the activities of the Carletori family, who journey from city to city living by their wits. They are forced to make a hurried i departure from . the Riviera district and arrive in England looking for a likely victim. The picture abounds with „ amusing, situations and all the players give capable performances. REGENT THEATRE Now in its fifth week at the Regent Theatre, the spectacular technicolour production "Adventures of Robin Hood," will have its final presentations at the theatre to-day. Errol Flynn, Olivia de Hayilland, Basil Bathbone and Claud Rains are among the players. George Formby gives one ■cf his most entertaining performances in the bright comedy "It's in the which is to commence a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. He appears under his own name as a unintelligent young man whose ambition is to wear a uniform. _As he is admiring himself in the uniform of his sister's fiance, who is an air force despatch rider, he discovers an undelivered letter in his pocket addressed to headquarters. He arrives at the aerodrome, is mistaken for the real rider, and becomes involved in a series of highly amusing "adventures. Formby is supported- by Polly ..Ward, Frank lieighton and Garry Marsh.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE A vivid picture of France before the revolution is brought to the screen in "Marie Antoinette," which is enjoying a successful season at St. James' Theatre. Norma Shearer makes a welcome return to the screen in the title role and is well supported by Tyrone Power, Robert Morley, John Barrymore, Gladys George and Joseph Schildkraut. v 1 * ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES " A well-balanced programme is offered at the Rosy and Tivoli Theatres to-day, when "Road Demon" and "The Patient in Room 18" will be presented. In the first film Henry "Arthur takes tho part of a young racing driver, Jimmy Blake, who,loses his position driving a truck and is trying to secure employment as a racing driver. At the stadium he makes friends with another young driver, Ted Rogers, who is experimenting with a new racing car. After a crash the inventor of tbn machine decides to discontinue ' the. trials, but Blake induces some friends to buy the car and he himself commences to recondition it in preparation for an important race. Three unscrupulous drivers determine to prevent the new car winning and, when the race is in progress, try to force Rogers, who is driving the machine, to crash. There are many thrilling scenes before the film is at length brought to a satis- '» factory conclusion. Among the other players in the picture are Joan Valerie, H«mry Armetta and Bill Robinson, i In. the second film, "The Patient, in Room 18," an unusual murder story is. unfolded. At a hospital a wealthy patient is found murdered and the radium with which he is being treated is stolen. A detective, who is' convalescing in a near by ward, commences investigations and the mystery is solved, in an original manner. T'he cast includes Patric Knowles, Ann Sheridan and Eric. Stanley. r : ' STATE THEATRE "Dodsworth," which is regarded by many film' critics as one of the most outstanding pictures ever produced, is the main attraction on the programme at /the State Theatre to-day. Accomplished portrayals are given by. Walter Huston, Ruth Chatterton, David Niven and Mary Astor. The second picture is the musical''Cocoanut Grove,"in which Fred Mac Murray, the Ritz Brothers and Harriet Hilliard appear. The film deals with the efforts of a dance band to secure employment. - • » . ,

PLAZA THEATRE Gary Cooper returns to cowboy roles in his latest film "The Cowboy and the Lady," which will continue the second week of its successful season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. The amusing story deals with the romance between a cowboy and a beautiful society girl, a role taken bv Merle Oberon. A "March of Time" and "Eternal Fire," one of the "World Window" series, will also be shown. EMBASSY THEATRE Bette Davis continues her outstanding screen career with a fine portrayal m Warner Brothers' powerful drama "Jezebel," which will be presented at. the Embassy Theatre to-day. Miss Davis is cast as a beautiful but heartless societv girl, living in New Orleans before the Civil War. She is engaged to a hard-working young man, but quarrels over a trifling matter and leaves him to go to ]New York with a spendthrift. The years pass by and the girl realises that she is still in love with her former sweetheart, but when she returns she finds that he has married. The meeting of the two women brings the film to a cl ran in tic climax. Henry Fonda, Margaret Lindsay and George Brent have the main supporting roles. STRAND THEATRE An outstanding double-feature programme is provided at the Strand Theatre to-day, when the romantic comedy "Youth Takes a Fling, in which Joel McCrea and Andrea Leeds are prominently cast, will bo presented with the entertaining film "His Exciting Night." Charles Ruggles is included in the accomplished cast in tho second attraction. MAYFAIR THEATRE A number of attractive new songs are introduced by Tony Martin in the enjoyable comedy "Up tho River," which will have its final presentations at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. The film has its setting in an ultra-modern prison, where every cell has a radio and the prison football team takes part in outside competitions. There is an interesting associate programme. STAR CINEMA Outstanding entertainment is provided at the Star Cinema to-day when the two Metro-Goldwvn-Mayer comedies, "Double Wedding" and "My Dear Miss Aldrich," will be shown. Heading the cast of players in the first film are William Powell, Myrna Loy, John Beal and Florence Rice, while in the second picture Walter Pidgeon and Maureen O'Sullivan appear.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The Olympic skating champion Sonja Henie introduces a number of startling new sequences in her latest film "My Lucky Star," which will be presented at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. The leading male role is played by the young English actor Richard Greene, while Cesar Romero, Joan Davis and Buddy Ebsen are also prominently cast. PRINCE EDWARD. THEATRE An entertaining performance is given by Patsv Kelly, in the comedy "Nobody's Baby," which will be shown with the crime drama "Sinner Take All" at the Prince Edward Theatre tonight. Bruce Cabot and Joseph Calleia appear in the second attraction. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY ■Rudolph FrimPs beautiful composition ".The Firefly," is brought to the screen in the film of the same name, to be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night. The main roles are played with success by Allan Jones and Jeanette Mac Donald. BRITANNIA THEATRE A strong cast headed by Mary Carlisle and Lloyd Nolan appears in the film "Tip Off Girls," which will be presented with the romantic drama "Sinners in Paradise" at the Britannia Theatre to-night. : ASTOR THEATRE Brilliant performances are given by Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer in "Big City/' to be shown with "A Girl ■with Ideas" sit the Astor Theatre tonight. The : first film has its setting in New York slums. TUDOR, CINEMA The popular comedian Will Hay is seen at his best in the amusing picture "Oh, Mr. Porter," which is the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema tonight. There is an enjoyable associate programme. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT A cavalcade of,modern music is provided in the film "Alexander's Ragtime Band," which heads the programme ■at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-night. STATE . . THEATRE,- ONEHUNGA Splendid entertainment is offered at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night, when the comedy "Pigskin Parade" and the drama "Behind the Headlines" will be shown.. PRINCESS THEATRE The delightful musical comedy "Carefree," in which Fred_ Astaire and Ginger Rogers appear, will be presented at the Princess Theatre to-night. LONDON CINEMA The delightful musical film, "Rose Marie," in which Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald appear, will be presented at i;he London Cinema to-day.