ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23401, 18 July 1939, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE * Excellent acting by tho two princi- q pals, Charles Boyer and Irene? Dunne, t lends a realistic human atmosphcro to t the moving story of "llio Nearest c Thing to Heaven," which will bo ] screened at the Civic Theatre to-day. The film traces the inspiring love affair of a wealthy playboy who dabbles 111 art and a sophisticated cabaret singci, whose carefree shipboard romance gradually deepens into an enduring s affection born of self-sacrifico anu idealism. 1 RECENT THEATRE ! One of the most thought-provoking ' films produced, "Confessions of a Nazi Spv," will again be shown at the Regent Theatre to-dav. Apart from its brilliant acting aiid direction, the_picturc commands admiration for its foalless exposure of espionage methods which threaten the peace of the world. A talented cast, which is headed b.\ Claudotto Colbert, Don Amcelic and Francis Lederer, gives an appropriately carefree interpretation in the gay and , witty comedy "Alidnight," wine 1 will j opeii a season at tho Regent 1 heatro 011 Friday. Tho events that place the penniless ex-chorus girl, Eve Peabod.N, in a situation with all the elements of a joyous, but fantastic, dream, arc 111- . geniously developed, and provide ample scope for the talents of vi\ acious Claudettc Colbert. ST. JAMES' THEATRE A sparkling blend of humour, romance, gay tunes and brilliant dancing is presented in the light-hearted picture "Honolulu." which is to continue its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. Eleanor Powell and Robert Young head the cast, which includes Burns and Allen, whose lively and original humour adds to the success ol the film. PLAZA THEATRE "Stagecoach," the moving drama of nine people who arc set together by , chance for a long and dangerous journey, will again head tho programme at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Claire Trevor and John Wayne have the leading roles as an adventuress and a young criminal who arc drawn together during these comfortless days, while all the others, various as their temperaments are, similarly join in an unexpected harmony. A thrilling scene shows a band of Apaches making an attack upon the coach, while the end of the film produces a powerful climax. The main item on the supporting programme is a "March of Time," dealing with the Mediterranean. EMBASSY THEATRE Clive Brook returns to the screen with an outstanding performance in "The Ware Case," the fine Court drama which will be shown again at the Embassy Theatre to-day. He appears as Sir Hubert Ware, a careless and. in many ways, not very admirable relic of a fading aristocracy, who is accused of killing his brother-in-law, and the flawless sincerity of his interpretation of this difficult part docs much to maintain the atmosphere of suspense that pervades the entire production. A colour film of the Royal tour will also be shown. STAR CINEMA The dangers of the icy seas off the coast of Alaska provide a splendid background for the dramatic struggles of "Spawn of the .North," the story of jealousy between rival salmon-fishing parties, which will bo shown at the Star Cinema to-day. George Raft, Henry Fonda and Dorothy Laniour are the principals, while John Barryniore and Akim Tamiroff are in the supporting cast. Also to be screened is the mystery film "Arrest Bulldog Drummond," with John Howard. STRAND THEATRE The animosity underlying the business deals of an American and an EngI lishman provides the basis for a | sequence of hilarious situations in the | bright farce "So This Is London," | which will be shown at the Strand j Theatre to-day. The popular player ! Robertson Hare has many opportunities j to display his lugubrious humour in his j part as a timid advocate of conciliatory j. methods. Fav Compton, Alfred Drayton and Burton Churchill arc also in the cast. . MAYFAIR THEATRE The stirring life of a ruthless outlawis brought to the screen in the teclinicolour film "Jesse James," which is to be screened at the Alavfair Theatre today. Vigour and colour arc added to the production by the virile performance of Tyrone Power in the title role, while Henry Fonda and Nancy Kelly give direct and sincere portrayals in supporting parts. The second attraction is the comedy "Everybody's Baby." STATE THEATRE Marion Davies•and Onslow Stevens have the. leading roles in the human drama "Peg 0' My Heart," which heads the programme at the . State Theatre to-day. The accomplished actress Luise Rainer, ably supported by a large and talented cast, gives a convincing portrayal in the film "Dramatic School," which also will be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE THEATRE "A Man io Remember," a sincere picture of a small-town doctor and his troubles, will again head the programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre to-night. Edward Ellis gives a fine performance in the main role, while Anne Shirley lias a supporting part. RIALTO THEATRE Errol Flynn gives a most dashing performance in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," the outstanding teehnicolour film which will bo presented at the Rialto Theatre to-night. Fine . portrayals arc also given by Olivia do Havillaud and Claude Pains. LONDON CINEMA , The romance of Old England is brought back in "Tho Adventures of Robin Hood," the brilliant story of the famous outlaw of Sherwood Forest, which will continue its season at tho Loudon Cinema to-day. Errol Flynn appears in the leading role. TUDOR CINEMA Luise Rainer, who has proved herself one of the finest actresses 011 tho screen, lias a moving leading part in "The Toy Wife," which is the main film to lie presented at. tho Tudor Cinema to-night. Entertaining short items will also bo shown. ASTOR THEATRE "As Good As Married," in which John Boles, Doris Nolan and Walter Pidgeon have principal parts, will be shown with "Dodge City.Trail" on the fine double-feature programme at the Astor Theatre to-night. Guest-night, reductions will bo available. BRITANNIA THEATRE • Sonja Henio and Richard Greene have tho leading parts in the entertaining musical comedy "Aly Lucky Star." , which will again be tho main attraction 1 at tho Britannia Theatre to-night. Tho , other picture to bo shown is "Second Best Bed," with Tom Walla.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Tho beautiful musical "Naughty Alarietta," in which the popular singers Nelson Eddy and Jeanetto AlacDonald lirst appeared together will continue its successful icturn season at the Majestic to-day. Tho programme also »: 1 in elude the bright comedy Sudden Money," in which Charlie lluggles has the leading role. TIVOLI THEATRE A splendid programme has been selected for presentation at the in oil Theatre to-night, when the two films will be "Alidnight Court, in which John Litel and Ann Dvorak have the principal parts, and the musical coinedv "Ready, Wi ling and Able. The main players in the second him aie Rubv Kceler and Leo Dixon. An entertaining supporting programme will be shown, including an enjoyable tworeel comedy, a bright musical revue and a coloured cartoon. Guest-night reductions will be made available to patrons. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Two entertaining films, "The Flying Hostess," with William Gargan, Judith Barrett and Andy Devine in leading parts, and "California Straight Ahead," in which John Wayne appears, comprise the programme at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. There is a line series of ■ supporting items. Guest night privileges will be availablo. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY A strong cast headed by Barbara. Stanwyck and .Herbert Alarshall appears in the moving film "Always Good-bye," which will be shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Alission Bay, tonight. The second attraction is "A Slight Case of Murder," in which Kdward G. Robinson appears. :— GREY LYNN CINEMA The comedy "Aren't. Alcn Beasts." in which Robertson Hare, and Alfred Drayton appear, and the melodrama "House of a Thousand Candles" will be the two films to be presented 011 tho guest-night programme at the Grev Lynn Cinema to-night.