ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23471, 7 October 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE A powerful prison drama with a novel and intriguing plot, "Within the Law, 1 ' and a light-hearted picture, "Hard to Get," comprise the programme which was enthusiastically received by crowded audiences at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. in the first production, which is an adaptation of a play that aroused unprecedented interest a generation ago, Ruth Hussey, a newcomer to the screen, is seen in a vivid characterisation that augurs well for her future iii dramatic pictures. William Gargan, Paul Kelly, Lynne Carver and Jo Ann Sayers are wellknown players who contribute splendid supporting portrayals. Ruth Hussey is seen as a young girl, who, although innocent, is sentenced to three years imprisonment. To obtain revenge on her accusers she spends her time studying the law, so that she may, on her return to civil life, bring them the reward they merit through entirely legal means. Olivia de Havilland and Dick Powell arc the pair responsible for the incomparable humour of the second attraction. Charles Winninger and Bonita Granville, another of Hollywood's many promising adolescent player's, are at tiie head of the supporting cast. CIVIC THEATRE Large audiences marked the commencement of the second week • of the season of "They Shall Have Music' at' the Civic Theatre yesterday. A' world renowned musician. Jascha' Heifetz, brings the glories of exquisite violin music to the screen in a story which receives its total inspiration from music. Gene Reynolds, the brilliant boy actor who will be remembered for his sincere acting in "Boys Town,"» appears . as a hoy. of the slums who is taught to recognise the beauty of life through' the 'efforts of a poor music professor. Joel McCrea and Andrea Leeds also have-leading roles. • , REGENT THEATRE "Stand Up and Fight," which had its initial performances before large audiences at the Regent Theatre yesterday, is an exciting drama of tho American West, which takes the principal actor, Robert'Taylor, another step toward greater popularity. .The picture is compelling in its appeal of the pioneering, days • when the_ old-time stage coach is threatened extinction by the railway, whose tracks fast spread across the continent. The rivalry between the two services is hlended into a fine' story, around which is romance and poignant emotionalism. Robert Taylor has always been a competent actor. He proved this conclusively in "Camille," when he had his chanco to play opposite Greta Garbo, hut this is the first occasion on which he has been called to take the part of a primitively savage male, and his performance is a great credit to his abilitv. One of tho most thrilling scenes in the film is the final fight between Robert Taylor and Wallace Beerv, when they almost try to kill one another, and then in a snowstorm do their utmost to save each other's lives. The two men give equally perfect portraits of their types, Beery being not so drunken and rather harder and nastier than usual, while Taylor is faultless as the young aristocrat. , ST. JAMES' THEATRE The struggle of American pioneers against oppression and exploitation is clothed in dramatic terms in the colourful film "Song of the Plains," which opened its season yesterday at the St. James' Theatre and was warmly acclaimed by the large audiences present at all sessions. Apart from tho lusty adventure, delightful romance and the glorious singing of Nelson Eddy, "Song of the Plains" has a sincere underlying motive that cannot fail to impress, it proves that in the long run humble and honest people will always carry the day against thieves and bullies, provided they can discover a leader, and also shows the part that can be played by a free and enlightened press. The picture is a realistic representation of life in America's Western areas, when the railways were first being laid from one seaboard to another and tho men who financed them would brook no interference from the original occupiers of the land, no matter what the justice of their claims might be. The story of this conflict and the eventual triumph of justice is unfolded in. a virile story, which is notable for the veracity of its characters, settings and dramatic trends. Nelson Eddy has a role , admirably suited to his straightforward personality and sines with ' all his accustomed warmth and expression. As his sweetheart, Virginia Bruce is always charming, and is heard in a duet with Nelson Eddy.in "Drigo's Serenade," reentitldd "Love's Serenade" for the picture. Victor McLaglen and Edward Arnold are excellent, ill minor roles. ; . CRYSTAL PALACE ~ AND RIALTO "The Little Princess," in which is featured the popular child actress Shirley Temple, heads the , splendid, programme at tho Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-day. Other important parts in the picture are taken by Richard Greene, Anita Louise, Beryl Mercer and Arthur Treacher. A feature of the supporting programme is 0110 of the March of Time series, "Japan, Master of the Orient." PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE "Trouble Brewing,", George Formby,'s latest comedy, is the main attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre to-day. Gus MeNaughton and Googie Withers appear in supporting roles. "Romance in the Dark" is the associate film, John Boles and Gladys Swarthout being tho principal players. A picture which shows Britain's readiness for emergency, "The Warning," also will be shown. BRITANNIA THEATRE A strong cast appears in the polished comedy "The Shining Hour," which will bo shown with.. "The Ware. Case" at the Britannia Theatre to-day. Clive Brook gives a. masterly, portrayal in the second film. ADELPHI THEATRE An appealing story is unfolded in "Nearest Thing to Heaven," which will he presented at the _ Adclphi Theatre to-dav with "Daredevil Drivers." Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer appear in the first picture. REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM The inimitable Charlie McCarthy is responsible for much of tho humour in "Letter of Introduction," which will be shown with "Fisherman's Wharf" at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-day. ASTOR THEATRE A drama of the boxing ring. "The Crowd Roars," will be shown with the rollicking comedy "His Exciting Night" at the Astor Theatre to-day. Robert Taylor appears in the first production. VICTORIA THEATRE "Men With Wings," a technicolour film depicting man's progress in aviation, is the main attraction at the Victoria Theatre to-day. "The Last Express" will also be shown. EMPRESS THEATRE Douglas Corrigan, tho aviator . who averred that he flow tho Atlantic by mistake, appears in "The Flying Irishman" at the Empress •Theatre to-day. "Four's a. Crowd" will also be shown. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Loretta Young and the English actor Richard Greene appear together in the technicolour picture "Kentucky," which will head the programme to-day at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay.

PLAZA THEATRE Entering into the spirit of the gay plot ivith zest, the leading players of the comedy "Bachelor. Mother," which was shown for the first time to large and highly-amused audiences at the Plaza Theatre yesterday, extract the maximum in laughter from a film which has seldom been equalled in humorous possibilities. The uproarious trend of events begins in the first moments as Ginger Rogers finds herself the innocent butt of a thousand horrified accusations and insinuations when she picks up a tiny baby from the steps of a foundling home. In spite of her frantic protests, she is immediately assumed to be the mother, and her unfortunate predicament finds her the object of renewed interest from her employers. David Niven, as the son of her firm's director, however, has as much cause to regret this as does Ginger Rogers herself, for it is soon assumed by his father that he is the baby's other parent, an/I should at once marry the girl. There are many merry moments before the myriad complications are . satisfactorily smoothed out, and the polished presentation of. the film ranks it as one of the' most brilliant comedies to be. seen in recent months. Ginger Rogers, better known as Fred Astaire's dancing . partner, proves conclusively that she is a talented actress in light , roles. MAYFAIR THEATRE i The Twentieth. Century Fox Films' production "The Gorilla," being shown at the Mayfair Theatre, is a curious blend of the horrific and the peculiar humour of recurrent anti-climax exploited by the Ritz Brothers. The device of alternating terror and laughter 'is ' a ■ well-tried and almost inevitably successful, one. The complications are doubled in an involved happy ending, which manages to explain the identity of all the characters that in several cases have been in grave doubt. Lionel A twill, Anita Louise, Joseph Calleia ' and Patsy Kelly provide the sound supporting roles.. The associate picture, "It Could Happen to. You," is a fast-moving 'murder mystery in which is infused a good deal of humour. ROXY AND TJVOLI .THEATRES , Preston .Foster, is seen in a typically lusty, . virile .role as an , adventurous American newsreel cameraman ,in the exciting picture "Chasing Danger," which heads the splendid doublefeature programme to be shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Wally Vernon is seen as his assistant, and offers excellent light relief to the dramatic trends of the plot. The story traces the exploits of the two Americans when they become implicated in a desert revolt, their desperate fight against an Snscrupulous financier who has incited the Arabs. The second attraction is another fastmoving picture, "The Great White Trail." STRAND THEATRE A poignant and essentially human drama is unfolded in the main attraction at the Strand Theatre to-day, the R.K.O. Radio picture "Career." Anne Shirley and Edward Ellis, the two players who took the leading roles in "A Man to Remember," a film of similar type that gained unexpected success, are at the head of the strong cast, which also includes Alice Eden and John Archer, the winners of the "Gateway to Hollywood" talent search. EMBASSY THEATRE The delightful romantic film "Four Daughters" will continue its successful season at the Embassy Theatre to-; day. Leading roles are capably interpreted by Priscilla Lane, John Garfield, Jeffery Lynn and Claud Rains. A strong supporting programme includes a newsreel showing the mobilisation of New Zealand troops. STAR CINEMA Many amusing adventures befall the popular comedian George Formby in the riotous farce "It's in the Air," which is to head to-day's programme at the Star Cinema. Richard Dix and Joan Fontaine appear in the second attraction, "Sky Giants," which will be shown with a strong supporting programme, including a Laurel and Hardy comedy. STATE THEATRE The brilliant skater Sonja Henie. who has also become an accomplished actress, has the leading role in "My Lucky Star," which will be shown with "Vivacious Lady" at the State Theatre to-day. . ... STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Alice Faye and Constance Bennett handle the main roles well in "Tailspin," which will be shown with "King of the Turf" at the State Theatre, Onchunga, to-day. Roger Daniel and Dolores Costello are cast in the second film. REGAL THEATRE Two fine pictures, "White Banners" and "Mystery House," will be presented at the Regal Theatre,to-day. The principal parts in the first' film are taken by Claude Rnins and Fay Bainter. ALEXANDRA THEATRE "Jesse James" and "Pardon Our Nerve" are the pictures to be shown at the Alexandra Theatre to-day. Tyrone Power, and Henry Fonda give convincing performances as the principals in the former film. TUDOR CINEMA "Topper Takes a Trip," the sequel to "Topper," will bo shown at the Tudor Cinema to-day. Roland Young and Constance Bennett interpret' the incomparably amusing story with the utmost humour. PRINCESS THEATRE The well-known English singer Gracie Fields is featured in "Keep Smiling," which will be presented at the Princess Theatre to-day with "They Made Her a Spy," in which Sally Filers and Allan Lane appear. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT The popular dancers Fred Astaire and"Ginger Rogers have the principal parts in "The Story of. Vernon and Irene Castle," which will be shown with "Made For Each Other" at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. CAPITOL THEATRE The Australian comedian Cecil Kellaway has a leading part in the gay film "Mr. Chedworth Steps Out," which will 'he shown with "I Am the Law" at the Capitol Theatre to-day. GREY LYNN CINEMA The popular juvenile actress Deanna Durbin heads the cast in the delightful comedy "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," which, with "Disbarred," comprises the programme at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-day. MAYFAIR. SANDRINGHAM "Mario Antoinette,'' a stirring historical drama, will bo shown with "Gangster's Boy" at ' tho , Mayfair Theatre, Sandringhaiu, to-day. Jackie Cooper is in the second film. DELTA THEATRE Shirley Temple has a leading role in "Just Around the Corner," which will bo shown with the brilliant modern comedy "Holiday" at the Delta Theatre to-day. STAR THEATRE. PAPAKURA Bernard Shaw's witty comedy "Pygmalion'' bonds the programme at tho Star Theatre, Papakura, to-day. Mickey Roonov and Freddie Bartholomew appear 'in the second film "Boy from ]3arnardos." i