ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23423, 12 August 1939, Page 20

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE Dick Foran gives his most dashing performance in "Heart of the North," tho exciting film of the activities of tho Royal Canadian Mounted Polico "which will bo presented again at the Regent Theatre to-day. Ho appears as an officer avlio is set tho duty of capturing tho murderer of a fellow sergeant, and.tho difficulty of his task is admirably portrayed in this picture, which has the added attraction of outstanding colour photography to recommend it to theatregoers. The supporting cast is headed by Patric Knowles, Gloria Dickson, and Allen Jenkins. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Two of the screen's greatest players, Clark Gable and Norma Shearer, were brought togother to enact the leading roles in the brilliantly provocative drama "Idiot's Delight," which opened 'a season, before largo and appreciative Audiences at St. James' Theatre yesterday. The film is an adaptation of Robert Sherwood's successful stage play, a daring commentary on the trend of modern affairs, which enjoyed long runs in both London and New, York and which won for the author the coveted Pulitzer Prize. Bringing together a 'group of people representative of all types and classes, Robert Sherwood showed their various reactions while the harrowing stress of modern warfare undermined their normal stability and morale. Tho characters, all of which have been clearly drawn, are gathered together i\i a frontier hotel when international strife breaks out. They include Aehillo Weber, a wealthy, cynical armaments manufacturer, _ Dr. Waldersee, an old German scientist, a Swiss frontier officer, an English honeymoon couple, and a pathetic old waiter. « All give way to emotional outbursts under the nerve-racking • stimulus of an aerial bombardment. One of the most effective scenes of the picture'is that where a pacifist Marxist indulges in an hysterical but trenchant Condemnation of the insane slaughter, an indictment , which stirs oven the piost complacent. * In vivid contrast to the grim warning note conveyed by this portion of "Idiot's Delight," the opening scenes move at a swift, cheer-ful-pace, allowing Clark Gablo numerous opportunities to indulge in his 'typical dogged humour. He appears as Harry Van, tho carefree leader of a small vaudeville troup who falls in love with an acrobat, the role played by Norma Shearer. The couple readily fall in love, after the fashion of their happy decade, but are forced to part. When Harry Van arrives at the frontier ''hotel, unable to leave the country owing to the confusion and 'Jsuspicion bred by the war, he is strangely fascinated by a Russian countess, tho lover of tho munitions manufacturer. The crisis over, the guests prepare to leave the hotel, but in a fit of' spite Achille Weber refuses to back his lover's passport. Van comes to her aid and finds tho "countess" to be his former sweetheart. Before she leaves Weber, Norma Shearer denounces- him and his ways in scathing terms,' perhaps the most convincing scene in which she appears. Edward Arnold is appropriately cruel and material as tho armaments manufac- , turer. b ' PLAZA THEATRE The lawless days of early Australia prQyide the theme for , tho exciting drama of a modern -Robin . Hood in "Captain Fury," the current attraction ati.the Plaza Theatre. Filmed against an'.authentic scenic background, the • picture, tells,of. a political; prisoner who /f defeat thb/.efforts _ of- um-v who are stealing the la rids of, the-struggling', pioneer settlers. ' Aherne is outstanding in this giving perhaps his finest performance as = tb,9 man who came in a time of need to unite tho i- scattered forces of * right against the criminals who had so far found their way easy. Other parts in the production are taken by Victor McLaglen, Paul Lucas and June Lang. / ' \ STRAND THEATRE Henry Fonda has another convincing I dramatic role in "Let Us Live," which will, again be shown at , the Strand Theatre to-day. Ho appears as a man z who is unjustly accused of a murder and sentenced to death, from which / only the efforts of his fiancee, played by Maureen O'Sullivan, can save him. An amazing tension is worked up by «the performances of theso two principals, and even at the end, the tragedy of tho event goes 011 living in the embittered heart of this innocent victim of careless official haste. Comedy and drama are combined in the other at- / traction, "Missing Daughters," which is founded on the lives of those girls /who lose everything in their efforts to / make themselves a career on the stage. 1 Richard Arlen, Rochelle Hudson, and Marion Marsh are the leading players. , STATE THEATRE Janet Gaynor has a delightful role as a small-town girl who comes to a great' city in. "Three Loves Has Nancy," j which will again head the programme at the State Theatre to-day. She refuses to see that many of the customs of the country will not suit her new environment, and this, together with the stern rivalry of two of her lovers, ,/ played by Robert Montgomery and Franchot Tone, maintains the note of comedy throughout. The entertaining supporting programme includes a Peto Smith item. / '

STAR CINEMA The momentous drama "Slave Ship," in which a powerful cast including Mickey Rooney, Warner Baxter, and Wallace Beery appear, will again be presented with "Keep Fit," on the enjoyable programme at the Star Cinema to-day. A fine selection of supporting items includes a musical comedy, cartoon and another episode of "Wild Bill Hickok." BRITANNIA THEATRE . . A powerful boxing story is told in "The Crowd Roars," in which Robert Taylor and Maureen O'Sullivan have the main parts, which will again be ' shown with "Mr. Clicdworth Steps Out" on the double-feature.programme at the Britannia Theatre to-day. VICTORIA THEATRE Lew Aj'res is the leading player in •ffho tense drama "Young Dr. Kildare," which will again be shown at the Victoria Theatre to-day. Also on / the programme is the entertaining comedy "Say It in French," in which Olympo Bradna and Ray Milland appear.

DELTA THEATRE Tho outstandi/ig teehnicolour epic of the outposts of the Empire, "The Drum," will be the main attraction at the Delta Theatre to-day. Sabu and Poger Livesev are the leading players. Also 011 the programme is "Tho Last > Gangster." EMPRESS THEATRE Olivia de Havilland and Claude Rains head the cast of the exciting drama | 'Gold is Where You Find It," which is the main attraction at the Empress Theatre to-day. "Arizona Wildcat" also will be shown. / ' ADELPHI THEATRE .The thrilling story of the intrepid airman Douglas Corrigan is unfolded in The Flying Irishman," tho picturo / jjnich will be screened together with •irni delightful teehnicolour version of ' The Mikado" at the Adelphi Theatre Jo-day.

CIVIC THEATRE The fine comedy "Wife, Husband and Friend,'' was, greatly appreciated by large audiences at its opening at the Civic Tlieatro yesterday. All the ele-= ments of laughter have been welded in this production, in which Warner Baxter and Lorctta Young have the main parts, and as a result, there is 110 flagging in the enjoyment throughout the varying course of the .matrimonial conflict which is its main theme. The film tells of the efforts of a husband to try and dissuade his wife from embarking 011 a career as a singer. Ho is, however, imprudent enough to add that she has a very pooivoice indeed, and after this can do nothing to stem a determination which lie has inadvertently helped to strengthen. From this point onward, the story moves with a gay abandon, another woman, Binnio .Barnes, coming to add further complication when she moves to jealousy the alreadyaroused wife, and the husband helping to increase the friendly animosity by achieving success in the very field of art where his wife is unsuccessfully trying to make her name. * TIIO two main players were together before in "Wife, Doctor, and Nurse," another eoinedv with a somewhat similar theme. Both show that their flair for comedy is perfectly suited by tho exuberance of modern comedy, and contrilAito portrayals which will lonjj bo remembered by all who see tho picture. Other bright leading performances arc given by Cesar Romero, Eugene Pallette, and J. Edward Bromberg. A novelty item by tho organist, Charles Tuckwell,- is a main feature of tho supporting jirogramme. MAYFAIR THEATRE Kniily Bronte's famous _ novel, "Wuthering Heights," is convincingly brought to tbe screen in tho brilliant film of the same name which will head tho now programme at tho Mayfair Theatre again to-day. All the atmosphere of tragedy brought about by excess of passion hangs around this remarkable production, an effect that is made possible not only by the bleak setting of the Yorkshire moors, but also by acting that has rarely been equalled. The main roles are taken by Merle Oberon as Cathy, Laurence Olivier, and David Niven, and in tho hands of such players, the well-known characters conio to life with a reality that is. greater than the most hopeful could have expected. Adolpho Menjou has the main part in the second attraction, "King of tho Turf," appearing as a formerly prominent racing, figure who. has fallen in tho world through - his addiction to drink, but who manages to rise again through hard work and a fortunate purchase when 110 finds ho lias someone for whom to build up a future. The picture is a most enjoyable mixture of humour and pathos, with tho racecourse contributing its usual quota of thrills. Fine performances are also given in supporting roles by Roger Daniel, Delores Costello, and Alan Dinehart. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES, Au exciting battle between police agents and a gang of ruthless, modern smugglers takes place in tho thrilling picture "Society Smugglers," which is to head the attractive double-feature programme at the Roxy and 'livoli Theatres to-dav. The leading roles are taken by Preston Foster, Irene Hervcy and Regis Toomey. A forceful portrayal is given by Walter Woolf King as tho elusive leader of the daring criminals. In an endeavour to exposethe smugglers, who are persistently flouting" the Customs laws of; all nations, Irene Hervcy obtains a position with a luggage firm which is suspected of being implicated in the contraband trade. With the aid of Preston -Foster and Regis Toomey, who track down the wanted men on both sides of tho Atlantic, she is successful in bringing tho criminals to justice. The methods of the ancient science of .'astrology, which for so long have remained a secret, are revealed in the novel and entertaining film "When Were You Born?" which also is to be screened. In addition, an astrologer, played by Anna May Wong, is seen using her powers to unravel a murder mystery which has baffled eminent detectives. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE The moving story of a priest who sets out to provide boys of the slums with a chance to build themselves a career is told in "Boys Town," the main film to be presented at tho Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Spencer Tracy gained the Academv award for his portrayal of Father Flanagan in this film, while 3lickev Rooney also gives an excellent performance in a difficult dramatic role. "The Rat," in which Ruth Cliatterton and Anton Wal brook appear, is the second attraction 011 the enjoyable programme. TUDOR CINEMA Errol Flynn gives his finest performance in the role of the dashing outlaw of Sherwood Forest in "The Adventures of Robin Hood," which will again be the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema. Other leading roles in the production arc taken bv Olivia de Havilland and Claude Rains, the latter giving an excellent portrayal as Prince John. REGAL CINEMA The glamour of the racetrack is vividly recaptured .in the technicolour film "Kentucky which is to bo shown at the Regal Cinema to-day. Lorctta Young and Richard Greene are the principals. The dramatic film "Back in Circulation" is the associate attraction.

CAPITOL THEATRE Akim Tamiroff gives an outstanding portrayal as a courageous Russian exile in "Escape From Yesterday," which will lie shown with the riotous comedy "Holiday" at the Capitol Theatre today. Gary Grant and Katharine Hepburn appear in the second film. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM "Wings Orer Africa," a thrilling murder mystery with a tropichl setting, and "The Devil's Party" are the two films to be shown on the enjoyable programme at the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, to-day. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The film version of the famous novel "South Riding" will he screened at the.State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. Kdna Best and Edmund Gwcnn have the leading roles. Delightful singing by Bobby Breen, the boy soprano, is a feature of "Fisherman's Wharf," the associate attraction.

STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNCA A ''ghost," played by Constanco Bennett, is responsible for much of the, humour in the novel comedy "Topper Takes , a Trip." which, together with "Trouble in Sundown," will be shown.at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. GREY LYNN CINEMA The outstanding comedy "You Can't Take It with You," winch was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize as a play and the Academy Award as a Aim, will be shown with "Arrest Bulldog Drummoiul" at the Grey Lynn Cinema today. John Howard is in the second picture. BERKELEY. MISSION BAY Delightful music, bright comedy and the amazing skating of Sonja Hcnie are the main features of the enjoyable comedy "My Lucky Star," which is the main feature on the programme at tao Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, „ to-day.

MAJESTIC THEATRE , The unusual and thrilling crime film "Tho Amazing Dr. Clittcrhouse," in which Edward G. Robinson has the leading role ? was received with many delighted tributes by packed audiences when it opened its season at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Long famous for his portrayals ot ruthless criminals, the principal has an opportunity in this picture to demonstrate the high order of his acting skill in an ongrossingly-complex character role — that of a doctor who spends his days in tho practice of medicine and his nights in his hobby of crime. Just as with the central figure, so the picture' itself has an effectiveness far beyond that of the ordinary crime film, because there is added to its thrilling action tlio fascinating problem of criminal psychology, while there is a rich thread of humour running through the whole production. 011 the surface, Dr. Clitterhouse is a highly-respected, neurological surgeon, but he becomes so obsessed with a study of the physical and mental reactions of criminals at the moment that they are committing their crimes that he determines to engage in such activities himself in order to observe his own reactions and those of the men he will be associated with. From this moment onward the action quickens in an amazing series of adventures which result in the surgeon rising to the leadership of a band ot robbers. Hardened criminals in every i respect, these men do not .know what to makoi of "tho Professor," as they call him. hut they good-humouredly do not oppose his whims and allow nun to test their reactions in a series of crimes for the planning of which ho is mostly responsible. The former leader of the gang, played by Humphrey Boggart, is the only one who ever thinks to become suspicious of his motives, from this fact tho climax of the film breaks in startling fashion. The brilliant supporting cast is headed by Claire Trevor, and includes Gale J age, Allen Jenkins, and John Litel. Also to bo presented on the programme is the bright English comedy, "No Parking, in which ~ the ever-popular Cockney comedian Gordon Hark or gives another of those entertaining character portrayals for which ho is famous. EMBASSY THEATRE Rarely has such a strong cast been assembled as for "Tho Great Waltz, tho inspiring romance of that wonderfill musician, •Johann Strauss, winch will bo presented again on tho programme at tho .Embassy Theatre today. Not only is tho charming story most convincingly acted, but tho immortal melodies of the composer aro rendered in a manner which only inspired direction could have achieved. In this respect, tho sequence in which tho "Talcs of the Vienna Woods" is introduced stands supreme, for never before has the mood which underlies a musical creation been captured so delightfully. Another outstanding featuro of tho film is the singing of the celebrated Continental soprano, Miliza Ivor jus, while the Academy award winner, Luise Rainer, and Feniand Gravet, aro the principals of a convincing cast. "Glimpses of Australia, an unusually beautiful Fitzpatnck Traveltalk, and "Clown Princes, an amusing Our Gang comedy, are included 011 tho entertaining supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Tho momentous days of the Great War are brought to the screen in the stirrincr picture "Submarine Patrol,, which is the main attraction on the current programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Richard Greene heads a talented cast. "Everjbodv's Babv," in which the popular Jones Family appear, is also to be shown. PRINCESS THEATRE "Gold is Where You Find It," a stirring drama of conflict between mining and farming interests, will be screened with the amusing comedy "Arizona Wildcat" at the Princess Theatre today. Olivia do Havilland appears in the first film. ASTOR THEATRE Varied entertainment is offered at the Astor Theatre to-day, when the two pictures will be "The Cowboy and The Lady," with Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon in the principal parts, and the moving drama "Woman Against Woman." ALEXANDRA THEATRE The stirring adventures of three British sergeants are depicted in the colourful film "Gunga Din," which will be shown at the Alexandra Theatre todav. Gary Grant, Douglas Fairbanks, juii., and Victor McLaglen have leading roles.