ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

, CIVIC THEATRE ' A brilliant east, headed by such players as l{oland Young, Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks, jun,, and Paulette Goddard, appears in the modern comedy, "The Young in Heart," which is to bo shown at the Civic Theatre to-day. Produced by l)avid Selznick, who made "A Star Is Born" aud "The Prisoner of Zenda," the picture contains all the elements of a first-class entertainment. The main characters in, the film are the members of the Carloton family, who journey throughout Europe living by their wits. After an unfortunate happening at the .Riviera, the Carletons are forced to make a hurried departure for England with the police on their trail. Here they soon discover a perfect victim in the person of an elderely spinster, on whom they lavish all their attention. Because of the Carleton's kindness, the "victim" is prepared to make them her heirs, but their plans are upset when they feel a touch of conscience at the thought of robbing the well-meaning old lady.

REGENT THEATRE The popular English comedian George Formby gives one of his most enjoyable performances in his la,test picture, "It's in the Air," which will commence a season at the Regent Theatro to-day. Formby, who appears under his own name, is cast as a young man whose ambition is to wear a uniform. Ho discovers that his sister's fiance, who is a despatch rider for the Royal Air Force, has neglected _to deliver an important letter, so he immediately changes into the uniform and sets out for the air force headquarters. At the aerodrome he rapidly becomes the centre of attraction and succeeds in becoming involved in_ numerous escapades. One day it is decided to test a new machine, and by an accident Formby discovers himself flying in an unpiloted aeroplane. Instructions are sent by wireless from the ground, but as lie is unable to distinguish his right hand from his left, they prove useless. An important official, who is watching the test, is delighted with the "stunts" the machine is performing, but the remainder of the staff are frantic. Eventually, Formby brings the aeroplane to a safe landing and discovers that he has been made a Member of tho Royal Air Force.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Seldom has Norma Shearer given such an attractive performance as in the film "Marie Antoinette," which is now in its third week at St. James' Theatre. Miss Shearer takes the title role and other players include Tyrone Power, John Barrymore, Robert Morley and Anita Louise. There is an entertaining supporting programme.

PLAZA THEATRE A successful season is at present being enjoyed by Samuel Goldwyn'sj comedy "The Cowboy and the Lady," which heads the programme at the; Plaza Theatre to-day. Merle Oberon is cast as a society girl, who falls in love with a cowboy when she is spending a holiday on a ranch. The girl's father ■ is a senator who is standing for the presidency, and when he hears of his daughter's romance he forbids her ever to see the cowboy again. The film is eventually brought to a satisfactory conclusion after a number of amusing scenes. Gary Cooper, who first appeared in fdms in western pictures, once again takes the part of a cowboy. One of the "March of Time" series is included on the associate programme.

EMBASSY THEATRE Proving once again that she has few equals on the screen in dramatic roles, the young actress Bette Davis gives an outstanding portrayal in the Warner Brothers' picture "Jezebel," which was well received by the large audiences which attended the Embassy Theatre yesterday. The part of the heartless Julie is a difficult one, but Miss Davis' characterisation is likely to make her a strong candidate for the Academy Award. Julie is a beautiful but spoilt girl, living in New Orleans during the years preceding the civil war. Because she defies all the southern tradition by drinking, smoking and carrying on romances with several men at the same time, she is called by the Biblical name of Jezebel. Julie's chief suitor is a young banker, Preston Dillard (Henry Fonda), but he quarrels with her because of her selfish attitude and leaves for New York. Another admirer, Buck Cantrell, who is a reckless spendthrift, continues with his courtship. The great fever epidemic strikes New Orleans a year later and Dallard returns from New York to take charge of a bank. In the meanwhile he has married and complications ensue when Julie realises that she is still in love with him. He has always been Julie's first choice and when Cantrell is killed in a duel, all her affection goes back to Dillard. The banker falls a victim to the fever and Julie has an opportunity of redeeming herself by nursing him back to health. Fonda is splendid as the conservative young banker and a capable performance is also given by Brent as the reckless adventurer. An excellent supporting cast includes Margaret Lindsay. Donald Crisp, Richard Cromwell and Fay Bainter. A Pathe gazette, a Vitaphone review and an enjoyable musical film, in which Arnold Johnson and his orchestra appear, will also be presented.

ROXY AND TIVGLI THEATRES A thrilling motor racing film is brought to the screen in the 20th Century - Fox production "Road Demon." which is included on the double-feature programme to bo presented at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Leading roles are played by Henry Arthur, Joan Valerie, Henry Armotta and Bill Robinson. Arthur appears as a young racing driver, Jimmy Blake, who makes the acquaintance of another driver, Ted Rogers, engaged in testing a now machine. During one of the trials the car crashes and the inventor is unwilling to continue with the experiments, Blake induces a number of friends to buy the machine and he himself commences to recondition it in preparation for an important race. Rogers is to drive in the contest, but be earns the enmity of three other drivers, who determine to prevent him from winning. Rogers is forced into a crash, but he escapes without injury and is able to continue until ho passes the _ winning post first. The second film is an unusual murder mystery, "The Patient in Room 18," in which Pa trie Knowles, Ann Sheridan and Eric Stanley are .prominently cast. A private detective, O'Lcary (Knowles), is convalescing in a hospital after an illness when a wealthy patient is murdered and the radium' with which he was being treated is stolen. O'Lcary commences investigations and lays a trap for the murderer. The climax comes when all the suspects are summoned to O'Loary's room and the guilty person j.s -discovered by an ingenious method.

STATE THEATRE Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea and Miriam Hopkins bead the cast in the entertaining film "These Three," which will be included on the excellent double-feature programme at the State Theatre to-day. The second attraction is the thrilling outdoor drama "Call of the Wild." The main roles in this Motro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture are played by Clark Gable and Loretta Young. STRAND THEATRE The building of the canal to join the Mediterranean and Red Seas provides the colourful background for the 20t.h Century-Fox picture "Suez," which is to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. Tyrone Power and Loretta Young are included in the cast.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Comedy and drama are combined in the Paramount film "Bang of Alcatraz," which will be presented at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Lloyd Nolan and Robert Preston take the parts of two wireless operators on a liner, who are continually quarrelling. During one voyage the vessel is seized by a gang led by a dangerous criminal who has escaped from Alcatraz Island prisofl and boarded the ship in disguise. All opposition is quelled except that of the two radio operators, who continue to send out radio messages. The picture is brought to an exciting conclusion with a battle between tho criminals and the remainder of the crew. Other roles are played with success by Gail Patrick, J. Carrol Naish and Harry Carey. The second attraction is the screen version of one of Clarence Mulford's novels, "Pride of the West." In this film Hopalong Cassidy is called upon to find the criminals who have held up a stage coach carrying a large amount of money. William Boyd takes the part of Cassidy and he is supported by George Hayes, Russell Hayden and Charlotte Field. STAR CINEMA Excellent entertainment is offered at the Star Cinema to-day, when the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film "The Bride Wore Red," in which Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone and Robert Young appear, will be shown with the crime drama "The Last Gangster." The leading roles in the second feature are in the capable hands of Edward G. Robinson and James Stewart. CRYSTAL PALACE: AND RIALTO Lavish and beautiful settings are a feature of the 20th Century-Fox film "My Lucky Star," which heads the programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. Sonja Henie gives an attractive exhibition of skating as well as a fine acting performance. Among the supporting players are Cesar Romero, Joan Davis and Buddy Ebsen. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The comedy of Edgar Bergen and his dummy, Charlie McCarthy, is a feature of John M. StahlV enjoyable film "Letter of Introduction," which will be offered at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Also to be shown is the drama "Yellow Jack," in which the main players are Robert Montgomery and Virginia Bruce. MAYFAIR THEATRE The spectacular technicolour film "Adventures of Robin Hood" will commence the sixth week of its Auckland season at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. A splendid cast of players includes Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claud Rains and Herbert Mundin. BRITANNIA THEATRE ' A well-balanced programme is provided at the Britannia Theatre to-night when the Australian comedy "Dad and Dave Come to Tow;n" and the drama "Port of Seven Seas" will be shown. Bert Bailey and Fred Mac Donald are the main players in the first attraction. VICTORIA THEATRE The splendid programme to be presented at the Victoria Theatre to-night includes the musical "Everybody Sing," in which Judy Garland and Allan Jones appear, and a drama of the Marseilles waterfront, "Port of Seven Seas." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The musical film "Breaking the Ice" and the drama "Dangerously Yours" comprise the programme to be offered at tho State Theatre, Devonport, tonight. The boy soprano Bobby Breen is heard in the first picture. LONDON CINEMA The attractive musical comedy "Over She Goes," in which Stanley Lupino is prominently cast, is to be shown at the London Cinema to-day. The second attraction is the powerful drama "Conflict." STAR THEATRE, PAPAKURA Robert Taylor gives one of the best performances of his career in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film "A Yank at Ox- 1 ford," to be presented at the Star Theatre, Papakura, to-night. ASTOR THEATRE ' Two Academy Award winners, Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, are cast together ,in the entertaining film "Big City," which is the chief attraction at the Astor. Theatre to-night. "A Girl With Ideas" will also be presented. , STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA \ Outstanding performances are given by Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr in "Algiers," which will be presented at the State Theatre, Onqhunga, tonight with "Renegade Ranger." PRINCESS THEATRE j Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are seen in several spectacular dance sequences in "Carefree," to be shown with "Speed to ' Burn" at the Princess Theatre to-night. TUDOR CINEMA Tho bright comedy "Vivacious Lady." in which Ginger Rogers and James Stewart appear, is the principal attraction to be offered at the Tudor Cinema to-night. REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM An outstanding programme headed by the amusing film "Having Wonderful Time" is to be presented at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-night.