ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES' THEATRE

' Large and enthusiastic audiences thronged St. James' Theatre yesterday, when one of the most inspiring and dramatic films ever made, "Boys Town," had its first in - Auckland.; In the role of Father Flanagan, a man living to-day, Spencer Tracy gives a magnificent portrayal, gaining the Academy award for the second time. Teamed with him is Mickey Rooney, perhaps the most outstanding juvenile character actor in Hollywood to-day. The forceful plot gains additional strength from the fact _ that it is based almost entirely on fact. There is sucli a place as Boys Town, and there is such a man as Father Flanagan, an idealist who realised his dream of a home for abandoned boys, regardless of race, colour or creed. Tho them© of tho film, revealing Father Flanagan's ' 21-vear struggle to found his home, is drawn from actual files of Boys Town and records left by youths who havo since made a name for themselves in the world. Without tho co-operation of Father Flanagan this film could not have been made, hut when he heard that it was intended to cast. Spencer Tracy as himself, tho priest gave his permission and acted as technical adviser for the whole production. Consequently, the scenes showing Boys Town are real, being actually photographed there. Tho powerfid story tells of the battle waged by Father Flanagan to save boys from, a life of crime, and his problem with one boy who.thought himself too tough for Boys Town. Mickey Rooney is superb as this potential criminal, who nearly wrecks the work of 20 years and has 200 boys thrown back into the gutter. The photography of the film is perfect, the scenes of the boys building their own town being particularly outstanding. A feature of the film is the acting of the boys jyho forin the community. One of the most striking of these characterisations is that of a crippled boy who becomes Mayor of Bovs Town," in spite of his affliction. The sincerity with which Gene Reynolds lives this part makes his performance rank with the greatest acting ever seen on the screen. Pee Wee. a lovable small boy who is the mascot of Bovs Town, is played by Bobs Martin with a delightful naturalness rare in one so young. The theme of the whole picture forms one of the most significant commentaries on social conditions to-day. The tasteful associate programme inehules a Pete Smith specialty, "Heroes of Leisure," an "Our Gang" comedy, "Tiny Troubles," and a 'Robert Benchley oddity, "An Hour for Lunch."

PLAZA THEATRE The fine racing film "Kentucky" will be presented again at the Plaza Theatre to-day. In the main roles are Loretta Young ; and Richard Greene, who appeared together in "Four Men and a Prayer," and who this time are lovers separated by a family feud that started in the American Civil W 7 ar. Many beautiful'landscapes of the famed bluegrass lands are shown in the excellent technicolour, and the thoroughbred horses' who are finally the cause of the reconciliation provide a splendid background to the story. An Academy Award was made to Walter Brennan for the supporting part that he plays in this film as an old Southern gentleman, whose great interest is horses. A fitting climax is provided by the running of the famed Kentucky Derby. MAJESTIC THEATRE The famous adventure story of Alexandre Dumas, "The Count of Monte Cj-isto," has been brought to the screen in the film of the same name, which will be presented again to-day at the Majestic Theatre. Edmond Dantes, a young seaman, played by Robert. Don at, is innocently entrusted ■with the delivery of papers dealing with the return of Napoleon to France, and is arrested on what was to have been his wedding day and sent to the for-bidding-'prison, the Chateau d'lf, in the Mediterranean. However, he escapes by an ingenious method, and, fortified by a treasure of which he was told by an old abbe in the prison, he sets about taking bis revenge as the Count of Monte Cristo. The girl he was to have married has- meanwhile been tricked into marrying one of the plotters responsible for his imprisonment, and this gives him a greater determination in his grim. task.

<• STRAND THEATRE The hilarious comedy "Arizona Wildcat" heads the fine programme at the Strand Theatre to-day. The principal role is taken by the popular juvenile actress, .Jane Withers, whose main task in the. picture is in aiding to round up a bjind of men who are terrorising the district, headed by the sheriff of the town. This brings Leo Carrillo into the story as a retired Mexican bandit who "rides again" with the clever young actress 'and his long-dispersed band. The film winds up in a clever finish when both El Gato, the Mexican, and the villainous sheriff are brought before the Court. The other feature to be shown is the moving- picture of life on one of the loneliest of the Shetland Islands, "The Edge of the World." Simply taken, it is nevertheless a splendid document of the life these people live and has been acclaimed wherever it has been screened. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The fine double feature programme to be presented at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day is comprised of the two comedies "Manproof" and "There's Always a Woman." In the first, which has a .dramatic background, the main actors are Myrna Loy, Franchot Tone and Rosalind Russell, while Melvyn Douglas and Joan Blondell appear in the second film. There is an excellent supporting programme, including a Fitzpatrick Traveltalk. CRYSTAL PALACE, ALEXANDRA The 'entertaining story of how a society girl falls in love with a sincere cowboy is told in the film "The Cowboy and the Lady," which is the attraction at the ( , Crystal Palace and Alexandra Theatres to-dav. Gary Cooper appears as the rather rough cowboy, and Merle Oberon as the girl, who pretends that she is a lady's maid and has to keep the deception up. *

ADELPHI THEATRE Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda are prominently cast in "The Mad Miss jNlanton," which will be shown at the Adelphi Theatre to-day. "Slight Case of Murder" will also bo screened. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT "The Lady Vanishes," with Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood, and "Road Demon" comprise the entertaining' programme at the Stato Theatre, Devon port, to-day. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA An outstanding programme at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day is composed of "The Adventures of Robin Hood'," in beautiful technicolour, and "While New York Sleeps." / RECAL THEATRE The two fine comedies which comprise the programme at the Regal Theatre to-day are "The Great Garrick." with Brian Aherne and Edward Everett Horton, and "Straight, Place and Show." EMPRESS THEATRE The mighty drama of the building of n famous canal is told in "Suez," which will be shown with "Affairs of Annabel" at the Empress Theatre to-day.

REGENT THEATRE Few stories are so full of iuterest as "Men with Wings," the record of the rise of the aeroplane from its experimental stages to its present level of reliability, wliieh was received with great enthusiasm at the opening screenings at tho Regent Theatre yesterday. It opens in the days of the Wright Brothers and moves rapidly along tho road of progress, glorifying thoso who have given their lives so that men might fly and the women who have waited for their return, often in vain. Louise Campbell gives a very fine performance in the rolo of a girl whose father perishes in an enthusiastic attempt to emulate the Wright Brpthers, and who grows up in an atmosphere that gives her, too, a zest for Hying. Her child companions grow up to he her lovers in adulthood, being played by Fred Mac Murray and Ray Milland, and together in 1914 tliey produce a j new type of machine, which enables them to set up as aeroplane manufacturers, Mac Murray, however, has a restless spirit and sets off to France to fight in the Great War, being followed by the girl, and marrying her on tho Continent. On the other extreme is the quiet and steady Milland, who stands by her while Mac Murray goes off to fight in Morocco and then China, finally to be killed on some distant battlefield. Amid the many scenes of the actual progress in aviation as tho years roll by this story unfolds with a convincing simplicity. Anything that might turn the film from a realistic story of men and women has been carefully discarded, and the result is an extreme naturalness, whose own power makes wildly spectacular scenes unnecessary. This is the first aviation film that' has been taken in technieolour, and no opportunity has been lost of exploiting the calm beauties of the skv and the many-coloured patterns of the landscape. Andy Devino gives a pleasing note of humour to the picture, while others in tho supporting cast are Louise Campbell and Walter Abel. Several fine short features are also shown, these including a "Popeve" cartoon, "The Jeep," and an interesting Paramount, airmail news.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two fine comedians. Will Hay and Edgar Kennedv, have the main parts in "Hey! Hey*! U.5.A.," the amusing comedy that will be shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. The plot concerns the kidnapping of Will Hay and the hilarious cousequences, and is well up to the high standard set by Will Hav in former pictures, such as "Bovs Will be Boys." Also to be shown is the exciting mystery picture "Torchy Blaue in Panama," with Lola Lane and Paul Kelly taking the leading roles as the girl reporter and her detective friend. They,play these parts with a /.est that justifies the change, and those who enjoyed the former film of this series will not be disappointed. The story tells of how "Torchy" Blane undertakes to find a bank robber who has eluded the police by pretending to take part in the convention of the lodge of the Loyal Leopards, In order to carrv out her task the girl reporter flies' to Panama and by dropping by parachute in the path of the steamer carrying the members of the convention is able to carry on her investigations in close touch with the suspected person.

EMBASSY THEATRE Louise Rainer has become so definitely the leading dramatic actress of the day, as is shown by the two Academy awards she has won, that her success in "Dramatic School," which is the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre, was to be expected. She plays the part of a poor cirl who works at night in a factory in order to pay her fees at a dramatic school in the day. To make up for her many disappointments she makes an imaginary romance with a marquis who pays a visit to the factory one night, to find later that the man really does take an interest in her. She is so bound up in her ambition to become a great actress, however, that she prefers her classes to the pleasures lie can offer her, although when she is finally left alone she is heart-broken. Yet she carries on with her work in spite of all this, wins success and still- continues to dream.

STATE THEATRE A clever modern comedy, "Say it in French," featuring Olvmpe Bradna, Ray Milland. Irene Hervey and Mary Carlisle, is the main film on the entertaining double-feature programme to be screened at the State Theatre today. v The second production is "Three Blind Mice," with Loretta Young, Joel McCrea, David Niven and Stuart Erwin in the main roles. The story of the first picture is an amusing matrimonial tangle, with a gay touch of sophistication. STAR CINEMA Gary Cooper, Basil Rathbone and Sigrid Gurie appear in "The Adventures of Marco Polo," which, together with the technicolour production "Nothing Sacred," will be shown at the Star Cinema to-day. Fredrie March and Carole Lombard are featured in the second production. A further episode of a serial, "Secrets of Treasure Island," is included on the programme. ASTOR THEATRE . A strong cast headed by the accomplished juvenile actors, Judy Garland, Mickey Roouey and Ronald Sinclair, appears in the racing film "Thoroughbreds Don't Cry," which will bo screened with "Beau Hunks" at the Astor Theatre to-day. BRITANNIA THEATRE The accomplished young singer Deanna Durbin has a delightful role in the comedy "That Certain Age." which, with "Exposed," featuring the late Herbert Mundin, will be presented at the Britannia Theatre to-day. PRINCESS THEATRE The Ritz Brothers appear in the hilarious comedy of the racing track "Straight. Place and Show," which is the main film to be shown at the Princess Theatre to-day. The second picture is "The Mad Miss Manton." LONDON CINEMA

"California Straight Ahead," a thrilling drama of the West, and the powerful story "Wildcatter" will be shown at the London Cinema to-day. John Wayne and Louise Latimer have the leading parts in the first production. GREY LYNN CINEMA The entertaining comedy "It's In the Air." in which George Formby appears, is the main attraction at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. The "Dead End" Kids are in the second picture. "Little Tough Guy." VICTORIA THEATRE George Haft and Dorothy Lamour appear in the fishing drama "Spawn of the North,"- which will be presented with "Youth Takes a Fling" at the Victoria Theatre to-day. TUDOR CINEMA The most enjoyable comedy "Live. Love and Learn," which has Rosalind Russell and Robert Montgomery in leading parts, will he presented at the Tudor Cinema to-day. ROYAL THEATRE Charlie McCarthy appears in "Letter of Introduction," which will be shown with "Devil's Party," with Victor McLaglen, at the Royal Theatre to-day.

CIVIC THEATRE The most colourful of British troops aro seen in splendid action in the film "Gunga Din, which will bo shown at the Civic Theatre to-day. Taken frQtu tho famous poem by Rudyard Kiplmg, tho picture has as its central character tho humble water-carrier Gunga Din, who wants to be a soldier and dies like one, and unfolds on the North-west frontier of India. Afer a long period when all thought that it was finally destroyed, the Thugee rises again and the story of its suppression makes tine entertainment. Victor McLaglen, Gary Grant and Douglas Fairbanks, junior, appear as three roistering sergeants, whose daring exploits provide the main theme of adventure. The fenmune lead in the production is taken by Joan Fontaine, as the girl whose romance with Douglas Fairbanks threatens to break up the comradeship. A Mickey Mouse cartoon is on the supporting programme. The next attraction the Civic Theatre will he Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado." MAYFAIR THEATRE The two principals of "Tom Sawyer," Tommy Kelly and Ann Gillis, are again together in tho film "Peck's Bad Bo.v at the Circus," which will bo screened at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. It tells of a boy who is given somo money to go to a camp where ho is to defend a cross-country race title, but who has to spend it at a circus. Ho then travels with the circus so that, in spite of everything, ho may still take part in tho race, and on the journey becomes very fond of the ten-year-old girl bareback rider, whose place he takes in one performance with amusing results. Finally, however, he does reach the camp, just in time for tho run. Apart from the excellent humour of the film, it is full of the acts that always make a circus so popular, Fdgar Kennedy and Spanky McFarland lend a delightful strain of humour to the story. The excellent supporting programme includes a Walt Disney coloured cartoon, "Farmyard Symphony," an item dealing with China, a comedy, a musical film and the latest Pat.be newsreel. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY A cavalcade of music makes "Alexander's Ragtime Band," the attraction at the Berkeley Theatre to-day. 6ne of the finest entertainments of the year. Tyrone Power. Alice Faye and Don Ameche are the leading players. CAPITOL THEATRE Two moving ' dramas. "Mother Carey's Chickens" and "The Texans," comprise the attractive programme which will be presented at the Capitol Theatre to-day.