ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23281, 25 February 1939, Page 21

ENTERTAINMENTS

I' ST. JAMES' THEATRE 1 Adventure and comedy are combined II? . Afptro-Golthvyn-Mayer's entertaining Suction "Too Hot to Handle," which P r re ceived enthusiastically by the wL audiences at St. James' Theatre rferday. Clark Gable and Myrna ? r who will be remembered for their fl' portrayals in "Test Pilot," are 4 together once again _ and contribC te largely toward- making this pictire a"first-class- entertainment. As rhris-Hunter, a carefree newsreel Mncranian stationed at Shanghai, Pable as a ro ' c P crfect] y suited to talents, and his performance holds sj attention of the audience throughI Miss Lot is as charming as ever' 1 Ssifn iAtrepid woman flier, who is quite § capable of defending horself in any arguments. Other players in the film 1 inwude Leo Carrillo, as Hunter's sound I «sistant, Walter Pidgeon, as a friendly. I rival both for newsreel "scoops" and $ {lie airwoman's hand, and Walter Con- | ' o j]y ; who plays the part of Hunter's i Employer, always in a state of anguish. The picture opens with Hunter and | ijj r ival continually outwitting each I o tjjer by unscrupulous yet amusing 1 methods. Hunter has won a certain I fame by sending to the United States is sensational photographs, which are, 1 loffever, "faked" in an ingenious man--1 jjgj., Jhe obtaining of these "authentic" S pictures when nothing of a sensational I jjature has occurred forms one of the 'main sources of the film's comedy. I Hunter's opponent decides to retaliate I by arranging for a famous woman flier, I iportrayea by Miss Lov, to fly from 1 Manila to Shanghai, presumably bringI ing a serum to the stricken victims If in the city. By these means ho hopes I -fy) obtain exclusive pictures, but Hun- | ;.{ er hears of the scheme and prevents it | lehifr carried out. Later the girl flier is 1 discredited when one of the' pictures II : in which she appears is proved to be % unauthentic. Feeling that they are I responsible for her misfortune, the two i cameramen' sell their own equipment 3 in order to finance an expedition which she is taking to South America. The scenes in the tropical jungle prove exciting as well as amusing. An outstanding associate programme will also be 'presented. These short features include a Fitzpatric-k travelogue in technicolour, "Sydney, Pride of Australia," Isn interesting liistorical mystery, '/' Bravest of the Brave," and newsreels I Sepicting recent events overseas. | • PLAZA THEATRE 1 !A cast of distinguished players is ini eluded in Alexander, Korda's brilliant [J drama "Prison Without Bars," which '■■■ vras well received by the large audii ences at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. | The picture is notable for the introduc- | tion of a talented new actress, Corinne | luchaire, who, although only 17 years | of age, gives an assured portrayal and | reveals an exceptionally attractive per--5 tonality. Supporting her are Barry K. | Barnes, Edna Best and Martita Hunt. Barnes first came to fame on the screen | for his portrayal in the title role of | ''The Return of the Scarlet PimperI rel." while Edna Best has been known f in English films for many years. The I fJm has its setting in a French school I of correction, where the girls receive II brutal treatment from the officers i:i § charge. Suzanne {Miss Luchaire), alI though innocent, is'sent to the reforma- ■' tory and soon becomes embittered by the harsh regulations. Her capture after an attempt at "escape coincides with the arrival of a new superintendent, Yvonne, who is determined to introduce reforms. In spite of opposition from her staff, Yvonne brings about Eany changes, and wins the gratitude of Suzanne, for whom she is trying to secure a pardon. The young girl is trusted, but when blackmailed by another inmate, she breaks her parole and brings discredit fo the work of the superintendent. The film is brought to i dramatic climax when an inquiry is tjVidd and it is discovered that Suzanne r 'Ein love with .the ; reformatory,doctor, is Yvonne's fiance. Excellent supIporting features will also be shown. 1 * MAJESTIC THEATRE gj A splendid programme including the ||and the thrilling mystery film "The gjVampire Bat" was presented at the !" "Majestic Theatre yesterday. The popular English comedian Tom Walls gives one of his best performances in recent vears as Victor' Garnett, a wealthy kehelor who falls in love with a temperamental and self-willed girl, Patricia Lynton. Patricia, who is constantly surrounded by: a group bf fawning admirers, is both surprised and fascinated sheu Garnett dares to point out her foot-faults at a tennis tournament. SiiHe are later married, and Patricia discovers that her husband will not toleriftte any of her foolish whims, such as looking at dinner between courses. @Sie Becomes upset by his domination, Sod Garnett is forced to resort to g|strategic measures to win back her •giiffeetion. But complications ensue tjvhen Garnett finds himself involved jga an awkward situation after he has ||«friended' a village girl and aroused ||p wife's "jealousy. At last, however, pta resolves on a plan to conquer his if fife's distrust and disobedience and, |P ambled at last, she becomes the kind wife he- has always wanted. The §f dialogue is witty, the situations amusand altogether the picture is a comedy. Melvyn Douglas and |}S FSy Wray are the leading players in the fend attraction, "The Vampire Bat.'' || Douglas is . east as the inspector of Ifljrtice in a small European town, where Ijjiere is a sudden outbreak of murders, ijla each case the victim is discovered fg ®Hh a tiny -wound in his'threoat, and gwe superstitious villagers are certain ff «at the murders are the work of a The inspector is alone in his := jWief that a human fiend is responsible, ||ot there are many thrilling scenes beS'l! sr ? the mystery is finally solved in an limiting and •' unexpected manner. »el Atwill and Maud Eburne head ||® supporting cast. p«OXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A well-balanced programme is offered the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres to- :{? J ?when the drama of the boxing ring : The Kid - Comes Back" and the "23J Hours' Leave" will be fpjsented. In the first production, is from the Warner Brothers' £ Wayno Morris takes the part f ? a young cowboy, Rush Conway, who ©out of work in New York. He beMessicmal boxer and a leading pPfiriean heavyweight, "Gunner" I' who watches the contest, and pressed with Conway's skill a more experienced man. ' ~^° ne offers the cowboy a contract Conwny rapidly becomes an accomboxer under his _ guidance. 1% world's heavyweight chamretires, Malonc and Conway are ''i eacli "S c °ntenders for the title, '-Ji COH 'boy is unwilling to fight his i&LT* Malonc, however, is eager for : °out and by a ruso forces Conway ||L a g r ee to the contest. The title bout the film to an exciting concluI leading roles in the second |5c Ure are played with success by ij| s Ellison and Terry Walker. jj STAR CINEMA ijf fine cast of young players, includ]\"ow Zealand actor Ronnie Ri»i r ,' Mickev Rooney and Judy llrn v? ' a PP e ars in the Metro-Gold-gftWer production "Thoroughbreds IC o Cr - V -'! which will be shown at ||t otar Cinema to-day. v Also to be |f Se ntod is the comedy "Women Men Kb i'" u 'bi''h the principal roles ll®, P'ayed i>v George Murphy, Claire jjp nn( ' Josephine Hutchinson. i REGAL THEATRE &iJ G i comedy "Three Blind flti v * n JlcCrea and Lorappear, is to be presented ML 1 ot ' lor Carey's Chickens" at the i to-dav. James Ellison Ann Shirley are'cast in the second

REGENT THEATRE Few players have had such a meteoric rise to popularity as the English comedian George Formby, whose latest film "It's in the Air," is now in its second week at the Begent Theatre. He has a brand of humour of his own and his performances have improved with each succeeding film. In the present picture, Formby is cast as a rather unintelligent young man who finds himself a member of the Royal Air Force by a mistake. Here, he earns the displeasure of his senior officer by giving him a terrifying ride on a motor-cycle and makes himself unpopular with the drill sergeant because if his inability to distinguish his right hand from his left. The picture is brought to an hilarious climax when Formby finds himself "stunting" in an unpiloted aeroplane. EMBASSY THEATRE Fine entertainment is offered in the Columbia film "Holiday," which will continue its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Adapted from a play of the same name by Philip Barry, the picture sets out to prove that temperamental affinity is more important for a successful marriage than love. This is done in dramatic fashion with bright comcdv touches to relieve the tenseness of some of tho scenes. Cary Grant appears as a young man. Johnny Case, who falls in love with the dnughter of a wealthy industrial magnate. His fiancee and her father cannot understand him when bo states that wealth and position are of no importance. Gradually he discovers that the girl's sister sympathises with his beliefs and the picture is brought l to a satisfactory conclusion after a number of dramatic scenes. Katharine Hepburn gives a brilliant characterisation opposite Grant and other parts are taken by Lew Ayres, Doris Nolan and Henry Kolker. STRAND THEATRE Brilliant spectacle is provided in the 20th Century-Fox production "Suez." which is now in the fifth week of its successful season at the Strand Theatre. The film deoicts the magnificent achievement of Ferdinand de Lesseps in building tho canal which was to divide two continents and yet unite two worlds. The part of de Lesseps is played by Tyrone Power and seldom has this actor given such a fine performance. The picture opens with the young man being sent to Egypt on a dinlomatic mission, and it is while riding through the desert- that he first envisions the idea of joining the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Hfc obtains the support of the Egyptian Government and financial aid from France, but he encounters numerous difficulties. The most spectacular scene in the film is where a black simoon passes over the almost-completed canal, leaving behind a trail of desolation. MAYFAIR THEATRE Garv Cooper and Merle Oberon give exceptionally fine performances in Samuel Goldwyn's entertaining comedy "The Cowboy and the Lady," which will bo shown at the Mayfair Theatre ,to-day. Miss Oberon appears as the (laughter of a senator, who wishes to become President of the United States. At the last moment, when only the support of a staid politician is needed for his candidature, his daughter Mary is present at a night-club which is raided by the police. To avoid any chance of scandal, the girl is sent down to Palm Beach, where she meets and falls in love with a cowboy from a visiting rodeo. Before her father arrives, Mary is married to the cowboy, but the senator is determined to keep the news out of the papers, for fear it will spoil his chances in the election. Eventually he realises the selfishness of his actions and the picture is brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

STATE THEATRE ' - "The Prisoner of Zenda," on© of the most entertaining films yet to the screen, heads the outstanding double-feature programme vyhich . will be presented at the State Theatre to-day Ronald Colman gives one of his finest performances in a dual role, while Douglas Fairbanks, junior, Madeleine Carroll, Raymond Massey and David Niven head the excellent supporting cast. The' second attraction is the film version of Edgar Wallace's well-known novel "Sanders of the River." Paul Robeson and Leslie Banks have the main parts. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Jane Withers is as attractive as ever in her latest picture, "Miss Fix-It," which, with the comedy, "Up the River," will comprise the outstanding entertainment at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-day. The principal players in the second production are Tony Martin, Preston Foster. Phyllis Brooks and Slim Summerville. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE One of the most popular characters in French detective fiction is brought to the screen in "Arsene Lupin Returns," which is included on the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Melvyn Douglas and Virginia Bruce arc the chief players. An hilarious performance is given by George Formbv in "J See Ice," which will also be shown. CIVIC THEATRETTE Heading ■ the thrilling Western programme at the Civic Theatrette to-day is "Rocky Mountain Mystery," in which the principal roles are played by Randolph Scott and Chic Sale. The film version of Zane Grey's well-known novel "Wanderer of the Wasteland" is the second attraction, In this the chief part is taken by Dean Jagger. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA An excellent cast headed by the Olympic skating champion, Sonja Henie, Richard Greene and Joan Davis appears in the musical comedy, "My Lucky Star," which will be shown with "Safety in Numbers" at the State Theatre, Oneliunga, to-day.

PRINCESS THEATRE The well-balanced programme to be offered at the Princess Theatre to-day includes "Always Good-Bye," in which excellent performances are given by Herbert Marshall and Barbara Stanwyck, and "Alf's Button Afloat." STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The" splendid" dancing, film, "Carefree." is to be shown with the racetrack drama, "Speed to Burn," at the State Theatre Dcvonport, to-day. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers give attractive dancing displays in the first film. VICTORIA THEATRE The comedy of Edgar Bergen and his dummy, Charlie McCarthy, is a feature of the John M. Staid production "Letter of Introduction," which will be shown with the drama "Yellow Jack" at the Victoria Theatre to-day. GREY LYNN CINEMA The amusing Australian picture "Dad and Dave Come to Town" will bo shown with the musical "Dr. Rhythm" at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-dav. Bert Bailey and Fred. MaeDonald have the title roles in the first film. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Adolphe Menjou, Andrea Leeds, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy are among the players in the entertaining New Universal film "Letter of Introduction," which is. the main attraction at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-day.

CIVIC THEATRE A brilliant comedy is offered at the Civic Theatre to-day, when David Selznick's entertaining production "The Young in Heart'' will continue the second week of its senson. The cast has been well chosen. There is Roland Young giving an hilarious performance as "Colonel" Carleton, the father of a fortune-hunting family, whoso transition into honest, hard-working citizens is the theme of the story. Billio Burke is as attractive as ever with her meaningless chatter, while Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Janet Gavnor, Richard Carlson and Pauletto Goddard make an appealing quartet of young peoplo. Specially effective is the musical accompaniment which provides a background for the more emotional scenos and the dialogue is in places, witty, Other roles are capably played bv the famous New York actress Minnie Dupree, Eilv Malyon, Henry Stephenson and Walter Kingsford. Among the entertaining supporting features are newsreels, a "March of Time" revealing Britain's position in European affairs, and one of the popular "World Window" series. EMPRESS THEATRE , The beautiful voice of Bobby Breen is heard in "Breaking the Ice," which is the main attraction at the Empress Theatre to-day. The second feature on the programme is the entertaining film, "Mother Carey's Chickens." ADELPHI THEATRE Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr appear in the drama, "Algiers," which is included on the programme at the Adelphi Theatre to-day. The second attraction is the gay comedy, "Affairs of Annabel." ALEXANDRA THEATRE The dramatic film, "Always GoodBye," in which the leading players are Herbert Marshall and Barbara Stanwyck, will bo presented with the bright comedy, "Alf's Button Afloat" at the Alexandra Theatre to-day. BRITANNIA THEATRE The enjo.vable double-feature programme to be provided at the Britannia Theatre to-day includes "Everybody Sing," in which the girl singer Judy Garland is heard, and "The Lady in the Morgue." ASTOR THEATRE "Of Human Hearts," the stirring drama in which Walter _ Huston and Beulah Bondi are cast, is to be presented with the Joe E. Brown comedy "Wide Open Faces" at tho Astor Theatre to-day. CAPITOL THEATRE Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel "Kidnapped" is brought to the screen in the film of the same name which will be shown with the hilarious comedy "Vivacious Lady" at the Capitol Theatre to-day. LONDON CINEMA The enjoyable Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film "Mavtime" heads the programme at the London Cinema to-day. The famous singing team, Nelson Eddy and Jeanctte Mac Donald, is heard in a number of attractive songs. TUDOR CINEMA An adventure story of the NorthWest Frontier of India is brought to the screen in the spectacular technicolour film "The Drum," to be offered at the Tudor Cinema to-day. The Indian boy Sabu has the leading part.