ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE / George Formby returns to tho screen in his seventh and best film, "It's in the Air," which opened a season before large audiences <at the Regent Tlieatre Yesterday. Formby's performances have been more and more amusing iiti each Successive picture and in the present production lie reaches new heights. Tho Jim is a series of fantastic and impossible sequences through which Formby makes his way#, turning the most innocent of actions into delightful fun. He appears under his own name as a rather unintelligent young man whose one ambition is to obtain a position in which he will bo able to wear a uniform. One morning as he is bemoaning his misfortune, to his sister, her fiance, who is a despatch rider from the Air Ministry, arrives and leaves his uniform in Formby's room when he changes into another suit of clothes. Formby cannot resist the opportunity of admiring-himself in uniform and discovers an undelivered letter in the pocket. Feeling very pleased with his appearance, he delivers the letter to the headquarters of tho Royal Air Force and is mistaken for the rider. He soons finds himself involved in a series of amusing adventures,' and also, jn a romance with the daughter of tho sergeant-major, who is not greatly impressed with the young man's intelligence on parade. An important day arrives when ah official from the Ministry is coming to tho aerodrome to watch a new machine being tested nnd. ])Y a mistake, Formby finds himself in the air, flying the aeroplane. Instructions are sent to him by wireless, but as he cannot distinguish his left hand from his right they provo useless. The official is delighted at the "stunts" tho machine is performing, and after a crash landing, Formby discovers that he has been admitted as a recruit in the Royal Air Force. Interesting supporting features in keeping with the high standard of the main feature will also be shown.

j ST. JAMES' THEATRE Giving an insight into the life of one bf history's most tragic figures, the entertaining Metro-Gloldwyn-Mayer film "Marie Antoinette" will continue the third week of its Auckland season at St. James' Theatre to-day. The film has been produced on a lavish scale and the French court of Louis XV. and Louis XVI. -is seen in all its glory. Although she announced several years ago that she would retire from the screen. Norrrfa Shearer re-emerges, more radiant and more magnetic than ever. She makes the character of the ill-fated Austrian princess a dramatic creation of remarkable significance and stature. Next to Miss Shearer's performance comes that of an almost unknown English actor, Robert Morley, .who takes the part; of Louis XVI.

'! PLAZA THEATRE Merle Oberon and Gary Cooper aro ieast together for the first time in Samuel Goldwyn's splendid production "The Cowboy and the Lady," which is enjoying a successful season at the Plaza Theatre. The story has many bright comedy touches and- deals with the roinar.es between, a cowboy and a society girl whose father is standing for the presidency of the United States. Among the interesting supporting features, are newsreels showing the New Zealand athlete V. P. Boot in action in Sydney, a "March of Time" and one of the "World Window" series.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A thrilling action programme is pro- ! .tided for patrons of the Roxy and Tivoii Theatres to-day, when the motorracing film "Road Demon" and the murder mystery "The Patient in Room 18" will be shown. Henry Arthur is the main player in the first film and appears as an unemployed racing driver. Jimmy Blake, who becomes interested in a new machine which is being tested at a racing stadium. When the car crashes and the inventor decides to } discontinue the experiments, Blake inI daces same friends to buy the machine and he commences to recondition it. f Ted Rogers, who is attempting to redeem the name of his father who was j-' killed in a crash some years previously, 13 chosen as driver for an important race. Three unscrupulous drivers at- . tempt to prevent the new car from winDing and a thrilling contest ensues. Supporting parts are taken by Joan Valerie, Henry Armetta and Bill Robinson. Patric Knowles is cast as a detective convalescing at a hospital in the second picture "The Patient in Eoom 18." When a wealthy patient is murdered and the radium with which '' he is being treated is stolen, the detective commences investigations and sets a trap for the murderer by leaving a supply of radium in a place where it may be stolen. The suspects are then summoned to his room and, with the aid of an electroscope, the missing radium is discovered and the mystery > solved. EMBASSY THEATRE A brilliant dramatic portrayal is given by Bette Davis in the film •'Jezebel," which will be shown at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Miss Davis has given many fine performances, but rarely one so outstanding asi in the part of Julie, a beautiful but heartless girl liring in New Orleans some years before the civil war. Julie delights in defying southern tradition. She smokes, drinks and enjoys having men fight ' duels over her. But her heartless nature leads to a quarrel with a young man tfhom she really loves and when she v meets him again he is married to an- " other girl. An epidemic of fever breaks out and it is then that Julie redeems /' herself by comiiig to the aid of her former fiance when he is stricken by the yellow fever. Henry Fonda, -^' ar r garet Lindsay, George Brent and .Donald Crisp are also prominently cast in the picture. STRAND THEATRE "The brilliant achievement of the i French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps | hs building the canal to join the Medij terranean and Red Seas and provide a j short 'trade route to the East is dej picted in the spectacular film "Suez," I will be presented at the Strand Ibbatre to-day. The part of de Lesseps is capably played by Tyrone Power aud tta picture opens with the young man oeing sent to Egypt on a diplomatic mission. While riding through the dsisert, he envisions what it would mean if a canal were to be built. Inspired by [ «is dream, de Lesseps secures the permission of the Egyptian Government for his project and also enliists financial sid from France. Soon after the canal commenced, many difficul ties are en- . countered, but de Lesseps perseveres is eventually rewarded with sucLoretta Young aud Anniabella have the main feminine roles.

.CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO ,;i fine cast headed by the famous Sonja Henie, <?nd Richard Joan Davis and Cesar Romero, te?sars in the brilliant 20th Century ,*( [production "My Lucky Star, will be presented at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-day. One the most attractive skating seQUc&ces is an "Alice in Wonderland which for grace and beauty has Ee Mom been equalled on the screen.

< PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE t John M. Stahl, the producer of y ack Street" and "Magnificent Obhas turned his talents toward comedy in "Letter of Introduction," B<"oh will be shown ■ with "Yellow at the Prince Edward Theatre Edgar Bergen and his dummy, girlie McCarthy, appear in. the first

CIVIC THEATRE Aueklanders have been offered numerous comerlies during the past year, but few liave proved as entertaining as David 0. Selznick's brilliant film "The Young in Heart," which was received enthusiastically by large crowds at the Civic Theatre, yesterday. It has an interesting story, while the principal characters are well-portrayed by a very strong cast. Roland Young, who will long be remembered for lus performance in "Topper," is cast as an ex-actor, "Colonel" Carleton, who, with his family, makes it his occupation to relieve wealthy people of some of their money. While "Sahib" and Mrs. Carleton are making the acquaintance of touring millionaires, the two children, Ann (Janet Ga.vnor) and Richard (Douglas Fairbanks, jun.), are hoping to make wealthy marriages. After a successful holiday on the Riviera, Mr. Carleton makes a slight error and tho result is that they have to make a liurriecj departure with the police on their trail. On arriving in England they are prepared to wait for a suitable victim and one is found in the person of a wealthy spinster, Miss Fortune, who decides to make them her heirs because of their kindness to her. But complications ensue when the Carletons feel a touch of conscience at robbing the charming old lady. Good supporting performances are given by Paulette Goddard, making her first appearance in talking films, Billie Burke, as the attractive Mrs. Carleton, Richard Carlson and Henry Stephenson. The outstanding associate programme includes one of the latest of the "March of Time"' series, in which the position of Britain in European politics is discussed, a coloured musical "Rome Symphony," which is one of the "World Window" series, and the latest overseas newsreels brought by air mail. i>

MAYFAIR THEATRE Something of the spirit of England during the adventurous reign of Richard tho Lionheart is brought to the screen in Warner Brothers' spectacular film "Adventures of Robin Hood," which is now in the sixth week of its Auckland season at the. Mayfair Theatro. Filmed throughout in technicolour, the picture offers some of the best examples'of colour yet seen. Errol Flynn gives a dashing performance as tho daring outlaw, who defies the tyrannous rule of Prince John and the treacherous barons while Richard is absent on a crusade. He fights a score of Norman soldiers single-handed, creates a formidable army in Sherwood forest and finally has a thrilling sword contest with his bitter enemy, Sir Guy of Gisbourne. An exceptionally fine supporting cast includes Olivia do Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claud Rains, Eugene Pallette and Herbert Mundin,

STATE THEATRE The entertaining film "These Three" is to be presented at the State Theatre to-day. Fine performances are given by the players, who include Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea, Miriam Hopkins and Bonita Granville. The second attraction is, the screen version of Jack London's thrilling story of the Yukon, "Qall of the Wild." The principal players in this picture are Clarke Gable, Loretta Young and Jack Oakie. STAR CINEMA The enjoyable romantic film, "The Bride Wore Red," in which Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone and Robert Young appear, is to be shown at the Star Cinema to-day with the crime drama,, "The Last Gangster.'' The main roles in the second production are taken by Edward G. Robinson, James Stewart" and Rose Stradner. An episode of the serial "Mysterious Pilot" will alsto be presented. EMPRESS THEATRE Splendid entertainment is offered at the Empress Theatre to-dav, when the drama "Always Good-Bye," in which Herbert Marshall and Barbara Stanwyck appear, and the comedy "Convict 99" will be shown. GREY LYNN CINEMA Erich Remarque's famous novel "Three Comrades" is brought to the screen in the film of the same name to be shown with the Joe E. Brown comedy "The Gladiator" at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. REGAL THEATRE

Wayne Morris, Pat O'Brien and George Brent are the main players in the drama "Submarine D—l," which is included on the programme at the Regal Theatre to-day with the comedy "Safety in Numbers." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT Two accomplished * child players, Bobby Breen and Irene Dare, appear in the enjoyable picture "Breaking the Ice," to be presented with "Dangerously Yours" at the State Theatre, Devon port, to-day. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA The fine acting of Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr is a feature of the I mystery film "Algiers," which, with j "Renegade Ranger," will comprise the Erogranime at the State Theatre, Onounga, to-day. ASTOR THEATRE Spencer Tracy and Luise Rainer, both Academy Award winners, are cast together in the brilliant drama "Big City," to be shown at the Astor Theatre to-dav. '"A Girl with Ideas" will also be presented. TUDOR CINEMA Witty dialogue and amusing situations are features of the enjoyable comedy "'Vivacious Lady," to be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-day. Ginger Rogers and James Stewart are prominently cast. VICTORIA THEATRE Judy Garland and Allan Jones are heard in the enjoyable musical film "Everybody Sing," which is offered at the Victoria Theatre to-day. The second attraction is "Port of Seven Seas." STAR THEATRE, PAPAKURA A virile performance is given by Robert Taylor, who appears with Maureen O'Sullivan and Vivien Leigh in "A Yank at Oxford," to be offered at the Star Theatre, Papakura, to-day. WINDSOR, PAPAKURA Entertainment at the Windsor Theatre, Papakura, to-day includes "Tropic Holiday," in which the main player is Dorothy Lamour, and the comedy-drama "Sh! the Octopus." ALEXANDRA THEATRE The thrilling sea drama "Submarine j)_l" and the adventure film "Sharpshooters" comprise the excellent entertainment to be offered at tho Alexandra Theatre to-day. ADELPHI THEATRE The delightful comedy "Three Blind Mice" will be included on the programme ait the Adelphi Theatre to-day. "Strange Boarders" is to be the second attraction.. PRINCESS THEATRE The romantic musical "Carefree," in which Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers give a brilliant dancing exhibition, will be shown with "Speed to Burn" at the Princess Theatre to-day.

MAJESTIC THEATRE A thrilling story of piracy on the high seas is unfolded in the Paramount production, "King of Alcatraz," which heads tho excellent double-featuro programme which commenced at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. The main roles are taken by Lloyd Nolan and Robert Preston, who are cast as radio operators 011 a liner, constantly quarrelling over their women acquaintances. However, they are staunch friends when trouble arises aud this is encountered when a gangster escapes from Alcatraz prison 111 San Francisco Harbour and makes his way 011 to tho liner in disguise. When the ship is well out to sea, the criminal and his gang. seize the boat and quell all opposition from tho captain and officers. The gang, however, is defied by the two wireless operators and there are many thrilling scenes before the picture is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Gail Patrick has the principal feminine role as a nurse 011 board the liner, and there are several amusing episodes with tho two operators as rivals for the love of the nurse. J. Carrol Naish is splendid as the leader 'of tho criminals and other parts are played by Harry Carey, Anthony Quinn and Richard Stanley. Tho second ' attraction is the fastmoving western production "Pride of the West," which has been adapted from a novel of the same name by Clarenco Mulford. William Boyd takes the part of Hopalong Cassidy, who is called upon to investigate a coach robbery in which a quantity of money is stolen. At the same time he has to clear the names of two friends who were acting as escorts at tho time of the hold-up. Cassidy becomes involved in a number of exciting adventures before 110 is finally able to trap tho criminals. The chief supporting parts are played by George Hayes, as "Windy" Halliday, and Russell Hayden, as "Lucky" Jenkins. Harry Sher- ! man was the producer of this Paramount picture. Overseas newsreels will complete this well-balanced programme. LONDON CINEMA The famous English comedian Stanley Lupino is seen at his best in the amusing film "Over She Goes," which heads the programme to be shown at the London Cinema to-day. The second feature is the drama "Conflict," in which the chief roles are played by Jean Rogers and John Wayne*. CIVIC THEATRETTE A fine action programme is offered at the Civic Theatrette to-day, when the Western film "Prescott Kid," in which Tim McCoy gives a good performance, will be shown with the drama "Devil's Playground." Richard Dix has tho main role in the second film. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY i Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell make a new comedy team in the hilarious ■ film "The Perfect Specimen," which will be presented at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-day. A "March of Time" will also be shown. ' REGENT THEATRE. EPSOM The comedy "Having Wonderful Time," in which Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks, junior, are the principal players, heads the entertainment at tho Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-day.. BRITANNIA THEATRE The famous Rudd family become involved in many amusing adventures in "Dad and Dave Come to Town," which will bo shown with "Port of Seven Sea's" at the Britannia Theatre to-day. DELTA THEATRE The splendid programme to be presented at the Delta Theatre to-day includes "The Joy of Living," in which Irene Dunne has the chief role, and the musical "Melody for Two." CAPITOL THEATRE Hilarious performances are given by the Ritz brothers in "Kentucky Moonshine," which will be shown with "Stolen Heaven" at the Capitol Theatre to-day.