ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23384, 28 June 1939, Page 11

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The detective Mr. Moto, played by the popular actor Peter Lorre, is involved in a series of breath-taking adventures in the thrilling film "Danger Island," which will head the programme to be screened at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Set against the colourful background of the island of Porto H ico, which is steeped in the traditions of the Spanish Main, the story opens with Mr. Moto being asked by _ the United States authorities to investigate the smuggling of cheap South American diamonds through the island. One investigator from Washington has already been murdered, and when Mr. Moto steps on to the pier he is immediately attacked and kidnapped by members of the gang of criminals he has come to thwart. After escaping he continues his efforts to try to discover the real leader of tho smugglers. Many exciting encounters arc made with the desperadoes in the fastnesses of the great swamps which cover many parts of the island and at length the band is captured. Their leader, however, is still at large, but is eventually found by Mr. Moto, who uses a novel method to bring the criminal into his trap. Peter Lorre, who plays the part of the detective in his usual clever manner, is admirably supported bv Jean Hersliolt, as a wily shipowner wlio sides with the smugglers. Amanda Duff and Warren Hymer. The second film 011 the programme is the rollicking farce "Larger than Life," which outlines the story of a bashful young man who fell in love with a statue and then the girl who posed for it. The plot abounds with hilarious complications, Cora Witherspoon appearing as a designing mother who wishes her daughter to marry the voting man, while a senator, played by Berton Churchill, is highly indignant over his daughter's becoming an artist's model, and is fearful lest his political enemies should use the fact against him. Frank McHugh is cast as the shy suitor, while Diana Lewis takes the part of the senator's daughter. PLAZA THEATRE The stirring days of the Great War, when tiny patrol' boats manned by daring crews defied the enemy submarines in their attempt to destroy the mercantile shipping of the Allies are vividly brought to the screen in "Submarine Patrol." which is the current attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Richard Greene and Nancy Kelly head a talented cast, which includes Preston Foster, who is responsible for a splendid portrayal as the quiet, resolute captain of the patrol boat. MAJESTIC THEATRE "Little Tough Guys in Society," the novel comedy of a band of slum youths which disturbs the calm and quiet of a beautiful country home, will again head the entertaining programme at the Majestic Theatre today. Beside the six young actors who give splendid performances as the "little tough guvs," the leading players are Edward Everett Horton and Mischa Auer. The second attraction is the bright musical film "St. Louis Blues," with Dorothy Lamour. CIVIC THEATRE The bright Gracie Fields, picture "Keep Smiling" is now nearing the end of its season at the Civic Theatre. It tells of the troubles of a small company of variety artists in their efforts to defeat the malicious scheming of a show manager who wishes to have them banned from all provincial theatres. The outstanding attraction which will be shown for the first time at the theatre on Friday is the longawaited "Jesse James," a version in technicolour of the life of the most notorious and most colourful outlaw America has ever known. . Tyrone Power lias tho leading role, while Henry Fonda plays his brother, as ruthless and brave as himself, and the story of how they are driven from their lives of peace by the murder of their mother, and how they become still more embittered as the years roll on makes splendid entertainment. REGENT THEATRE The fine young singer Deanna Durbin shows an added maturity in both her voice and her acting in "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," the gay comedy which will be presented again at the Regent Theatre to-day. Received with enthusiasm by thousands of audiences overseas. the amusing mystery melodrama "This Man Is News" should prove equally popular when it opens its Auckland season at the theatre on Friday. A Paramount production made in England, the film follows along the lines laid down 'by the extremely successful "Tho Thin Man," but this time .the scene is laid in tho famed Fleet Street and lively British humour has come into its own. Barry K. Barnes is cast as a reporter who is discharged by an irate editor for failing to bring in some news concerning a jewel robbery, but he later becomes involved in a hectic series of adventures following a lucky guess that loads both the police and the criminals to believe that he has inside information. An outstanding character portrayal is given by Alastair Sim as a Scottish editor, while Valerie Hobson plays tho wife of the reporter. STRAND THEATRE The life story of the intrepid young aviator Douglas Corrigan forms the dramatic theme of "The Flying Irishman." which is to bo screened at the Strand Theatre to-day. The leading role is taken by Corrigan himself, and tho film depicts in realistic fashion the hardship, disappointment and selfdenial he was forced to face before he realised his ambition to become a certified pilot. CRYSTAL PALACE, ALEXANDRA The human story of tho life of a policeman is told in "The Great O'Malley," which will head the fine programme at the Crystal Palace and Alexandra Theatres to-night, when guestnight privileges will be available. "Back to Nature," the second attraction, is an hilarious comedy in which the Jones family appear. RIALTO THEATRE An excellent programme headed by the thrilling adventure film "Gunga Din" has been selected for the reopening to-morrow night of the Rialto Theatre, which has been closed for several months to enable extensive repairs to be carried out. Victor McLaglen, Carv Grant and Douglas Fairbanks, junior, head the cast. MAYFAIR THEATRE A powerful drama revolving round life in the barracks of West Point, the famous American military academy, is vividly depicted in "Tho Duke of West Point," which is tho current attraction at tho Mayi'air Theatre. Louis Hayward appears in the leading role and is supported by Joan Fontaino and Tom Brown. EMBASSY THEATRE Tho intriguing story of an identical twin who attempted to assume 'her sister's personality is dramatically unfolded in "Stolen Life," which is tho ourront attraction at tho Embassy Theatre. Elisabeth Bergner has the leading role. „ ■'' ■ TUDOR CINEMA Walter Huston and Beulah Bondi are tho two principals in the moving picture "Of Human Hearts," which will head the attractive programme at the Tudor Cinema to-night. The supporting features include an Our Gang comedy and a Peto Smith novelty.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE The fine story of a doctor who, after; r many trials, comes at last to. tho realisation that the true aim of every real member of the profession is the service of mankind, "The Citadel," will be shown at St. James' Theatre again today. Robert Donat and Rosalind llussell have the leading parts. "HONOLULU" Eleanor Powell has a splendid chance to show her wonderful dancing talent in "Honolulu," the enjoyable musical film, which is to bo presented 011 the * new programme at the St. James Theatre on Friday. Filled with music and provided with a wonderful _ series of gay sequences in which tho principal can show her art, tho picture provides entertainment of tho gayest type, and tho background of the beauties 01 Hawaii has been cleverly utilised to the greatest effect. The story tells hm v a famous screen star, played by Robert Young, sets out on a voyage to Honolulu to escape from the worries of his work and happening t6 meet a plantation owner who is exactly like him immediately changes places, his double to make personal as the actor in theatres in New York. jilo finds, however, that he has run into trouble, for his doublo's sweetheart, tired of waiting, has made up her marry him straight away. His efforts to straighten out tho matter' provide more laughter, while the clowning of George Burns and Gracie Allen is_ an outstanding feature of the .production. STATE THEATRE Excellent variety is provided b.v the programme at the State Theatre tonight, when the powerful drama "Spawn of the North" and the hilarious comedy "Rascals" will be the two picture's. Dorothy Lamour,' Geo'rge Raft and Henry Fonda have the leading roles in the former, a thrilling film of adventures on the salmon fishing grounds of Alaska, while the* popular juvenile player Jane Withers, supported by Rochelle Hudson and Robert Wilcox, appears in the latter attraction. STAR CINEMA Charles Bover, Marlcne Dietrich and Basil Rathbone are excellently cast in the main parts in "Tho- Garden of Allah," the outstanding technicolour drama, which will again be shown at tho Star Cinema to-day. The film version of Edna Ferber's famous story "Come and Get It," with Edward Arnold and Joel Mcßea, is the other film to be shown on the fine programme. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Romance and action are provided in the film "Tho Girl from Scotland Yard," an engrossing/drama of international intrigue, which will be presented with "Mountain Music" at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. Karen Morley and Robert Baldwin are in the first attraction and Martha_ Raye appears in the second. Guest-night reductions are available. LONDON CINEMA Two comedies, "I've Got a Horse,", with Sandy Powell, and "Thanks for, Everything*," comprise the attractive programme to be presented at the London Cinema again to-day. AdolpheMenjou and Jack Haley are in the second film. ** ' ■< ASTOR THEATRE Guest-night privileges are available at the Astor Theatre to-night, when? the two films will be "Wings Over ; Honolulu," with W T endy Barne. and-! Ray Milland, and "Nobody's Baby,''* in which Patsy Kelly has a role. BRITANNIA THEATRE "Rose of the Rio Grande," withJohn Carroll, and the. drama "A Man,. Betrayed" comprise the two films to be presented at the Britannia Theatre tonight. Lloyd Hughes is the main player in the second picture, VICTORIA THEATRE, DEVONPORT., A splendid array of talent was as't sembled for "Pick a Star," the amusing picture which will be presented with. "Espionage" 011 the guest-night programme at the Victoria *• Theatre; fievonport, to-night. GREY LYNN CINEMA ' - The entertaining film "Hollywood Boulevard," with Marsha Hunt and John Halliday, will be presented with Zane Grey's ""Forlorn River" on the guest-night programme at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-night. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY , Outstanding entertainment is pre-' vided in the bright detective melodrama* "There's Always a Woman," which will head the programme at the Berkeley Theatre tp-night. Melvyn-Douglas, Joan Blondell and Frances Drake are the principal players. CAPITOL THEATRE An exciting murder mystery "Sinner Take All," with Margaret Lindsay, and "The Great Gambini," in which Akim Tamiroff appears, are tho two main films to be screened Qn the guest-night programme at the Capitol Theatre tonight. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA A well-selected programme which should appeal to all music-lovers is to be presented by the Auckland Symphony Orchestra at its first concert in the Town Hall to-morrow. Mr. Paul Schramm, celebrated European pianist, and Miss Zona Hart, famous harpist, will appear with the orchestra, which will be under the direction of Mr. Colin Muston, with Miss E. Whitelaw as leader. \ . <-.j"