ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES An entertaining comedy drama set against a background of race-tracks and counterfeit dens, "Torchy Gets Her Man," is to head the new programme at the lloxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Glenda Far roll ' appears once more as the famous screen aharactor, the astute girl reporter, Torchy Blane, and her vivacious acting and smart interpretation of the brilliant dialogue make the film the most entertaining of the scries yet produced by Warner Brothers. Barton Mac Lane also reappears in the role of her fiance, and the detective- whom she so often defeats in their friendly rivalry to solve the most baffling criminal cases. On this occasion Torchy Blanc and the police are on the trial of a notorious counterfeiter known as "Hundred Dollar Bill" Bailey. The pursuit takes them to the famous racing centre, Santa Anita, where Torchy's conviction that Bailey will be attempting to circulate his spurious dollar notes among the throngs of race-goers proves correct. However, many exciting incidents follow, with the brilliant girl reporter's life threatened, before the picture reaches a thrilling climax. Tom Kennedy is responsible for. much of the humour with his clever portrayal as Mat-Lane's well-meaning but dull-witted chauffeur, while other members of the cast are John Ridgely, Tommy Jackson and Frank Keicher. The oftenmisunderstood and much-maligned system of probation is the theme of the second attraction, "Girls on Probation." CIVIC THEATRE "The Four Feathers," Alexander Korda's masterly adaptation of A. E. W. Mason's widely-read novel, is to continue a popular season at the Civic Theatre to-day. Produced in teclmicolour, the film is a stirring blend of adventure, romance and drama, and vividly depicts the thrilling events of Kitchener's famous campaign against the Dervishes in the Sudan. John Clements, Ralph Richardson, Juno Duprez and C. Aubrey Smith are the principal players. REGENT THEATRE Lupino Lane, tho comedian who introduced the "Lambeth Walk" to Londoners in tho successful stage play "Me and My Girl," appears in the screen version, "The Lambeth Walk," which is to continue a successful season at the Regent Theatre to-day. An outstanding supporting programme includes a film from Poland depicting the heroic defence of the Westerplatte garrison. ST. JAMES* THEATRE The Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer skating spectacle, "Ice Follies of 1939," which is being shown at St. James' Theatre, is notable for the amazing grace of Bess Ehrhardt, Roy Shipstad, and members of the International Ice Follies Company. Joan Crawford and James Stewart are cast as a struggling young couple, each ambitious in a different sphere. While Stewart is busy with his Ice Follies, Joan Crawford is climbing to greater heights as an actress. The story that knits the episodes together is absorbing. PLAZA THEATRE The new craze for dancing on ice skates is brought to the screen in "Second Fiddle," the film at the Plaza 'lheatre. Sonja Henie appears as a schoolmistress who gets the opportunity of taking a much-publicised role for a Hollywood film company. Tyrone j Power, as a publicity man, becomes entangled in a love affair between Miss Henie and Rudy Vallee, and the consequences are smoothed over not without • considerable humour, a deal of which is supplied by Edna May Oliver. STRAND THEATRE . One of the screen's most gifted singers, the boy soprano Bobbv Breen, has the laeding role in "Way Down South," tlie E.K.O. Radio film which heads to-day's programme at the Strand Theatre. The famous Hall Johnson negro choir accompanies Bobby Breen in traditional American airs. The sec- | ond attraction is the amusing picture "The Girl from Mexico." STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Guest-night concessions will be available to patrons at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-night, when an entertaining double-feature programme, comprising the films "Sabotage" and 'J lint I May Live," will be shown. Oscar Homolka and Sylvia Sydney appear in the first production. STAR CINEMA Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck have the main roles in the hilarious mystery comedy "The Mad Miss Manton." which is the principal attraction to be shown at the Star Cinema today. Sam Levene, Frances Ridges and Yield Lester head the supporting cast. The associate film is "Next Time I Marry," with Lucille Ball and James Ellison. STATE THEATRE , Dorothy Lamour gives an attractive performance in the teehnicolour picture "Her Jungle Love," Avhich is to be shown at the State Theatre to-night. Ray, Milland and Lynrto Overman head a strong supporting cast. "Jov of Living," a bright comedy, with Irene Dunne in tho leading role, also will be shown. CLARION. GLEN EDEN A thrilling melodrama based on a novel by "Sapper," "Arrest Bulldog Drummond," heads tho entertaining programme to he presented to-night at tho Clarion Theatre, Glen Eden. "There Goes tho Groom" is the assoeiato attraction. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY Claude Rains has a loading role in the spectacular teehnicolour production "Gold is Where You Find It," which is tho principal attraction to be shown afc the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night., Olivia de Havilland is also in the cast. TUDOR CINEMA The teehnicolour film version of Gilbert and Sullivan's popular comic opera "The Mikado" is the main attraction at the Tudor Cinema 10-night. Kenny Maker is cast as the Mikado's soil, Nanki-l'oo, wliilo Jean Colin plays Yum-Yum.

VICTORIA THEATRE Carole Lombard and Fred MncMurray appear in thy entertaining musical comedy "Swing High, Swing Low," which, together witli "Three Married -Men," will be shown at the Victoria Theatre to-night. Koscoc Karns and .Mary Urian have tho eliief u>les in the second film. BRITANNIA THEATRE A majjnifieetit cast, headed by Basil K'athbone, Bela I.ugosi and Boris Knrloff, appears in the thrilling New Universal production "Son of Frankenstein," which, together with "King of Chinatown," will be shown at the Britannia Theatre to-night.

MAJESTIC THEATRE A fine double-feature programme comprising "The Girl Downstairs" and "I Stole a Million" will be presented again to-day at tho Majestic Theatre. In tho former film tho- refreshing- young actress Pranciska Gaal takes the part of a scullery maid with whom Franchot Tone falls in love after ho has played lightly with the affections of her mistress. Claire Trevor and Georgo Raft have the principal roles in the second film. EMBASSY THEATRE A film concerning the activities of self-appointed guardians of the British Empire, "The Pour Just Men," which is at present showing at the Embassy Theatre, is well above the standard of the average thriller type of picture. The men's pursuit of a gigantic Eastern intrigue leads them inside tho sacrosanct portals of the Houses of Parliament. The principal players in the film are Frank Lawton, Griffith Jones, Francis L. Sullivan, Hugh Sinclair and Anna Lee. MAYFAIR THEATRE Sidney Toler appears as the famous screen detective Charlie Chan for the second time in the fast-moving thriller "Cltarlio Chan in Reno," which is to be shown with the comedy "Ask a Policeman" at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Will Hay, a well-known English comedian, heads the cast of the second attraction. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Jean Arthur and Joel McCrea are the leading players in the brilliant comedy "Adventure in Manhattan," •which heads the programme to be phown to-night at tho Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres. Also being shown is a bright comedy, "The Big Shot," with Guy Kibbee and Dorothy Moore. Guest-night concessions will be available. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Buddy Rogers is cast opposite June Clyde in the highly successful musical comedy "Let's Make a Night of It," which is the main film to be presented at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The associate attraction is a merry comedy entitled "Hitch-hike Lady," with Alison. Skipworth and Arthur Treacher. Special concessions will be available for patrons. GREY LYNN CINEMA The film "As Good as Married," with Doris Nolan and John Boles in the leading roles, and a gripping drama, "Conflict," .in which John Wayne and Jean Rogers appear, comprise the enjoyable programme to be presented at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-night. Guest-night concessions will be available to patrons. ASTOR THEATRE Fred Mac-Murray and Charles Rugglcs appear in the entertaining film "Exclusive," to be shown at the Astor Theatre to-night. "She's No Lady," with John Trent and Ann Dvorak, is also on the programme.