ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE "The Four Feathers," a film that is a technical achievement in photography and direction, and also a memorable story of self-sacrifice and dovotion to duty in face of almost incredible hardship, is to continue its popular season at the Civic Theatre to-day. John Clements is outstanding in his first important screen role, whilo the part of Captain Durrance, the British officer who is blinded by the searing desert sun, is brilliantly played by Ralph Richardson. The plot follows closely tlio events of A. E. W. Mason's famous novel, from which it is adapted. REGENT THEATRE Lnpino Lane, with his abounding energy and inimitable patter, is the central figure in the succession of hilarious scenes which make up the light-hearted picture "The Lambeth Walk," the current attraction at tlio Regent Theatre. This film is an adaptation of the successful London stage comedy "Mo and My Girl," in which Lupino Lane and Sally Grey presented the "Lambeth Walk" for the first time. The latter also takes her stage part in the film, while a strong supporting cast includes Sir Seymour Hicks and Norah Howard. Graphic pictures of fighting in Poland aro a feature of a varied supporting programme. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Filmed almost entirely on ice, "lco Follies of 1939," which continues to attract largo audiences to St. .Tames' Theatre, is notable for its good acting, a fine story, sound direction and beautiful tcchnicolour photography in the final stages. Joan Crawford appears as an actress aspiring to greater heights. James Stewart, as her husband, gives a natural and entertaining performance, while Lew Ayres appears as a never-do-well vaudeville performer. PLAZA THEATRE Sonja Heme's piquant and vital personality is as fascinating as ever in "Second Fiddle," which will continue its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Miss Henie performs a number of skating routines which once again show her to be a skater of no mean ability, while her acting is more delightfully pleasing than in any of her other films. Tyrone Power is casually entertaining as a publicity man. Edna May Oliver and Alan Dinohart furnish some good humour. EMBASSY THEATRE The outstanding British picture "The Four Just Men" is to continue a most successful season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. All tlio elements of a thrilling melodrama aro contained in a fast-moving plot, but the story is also noteworthy as a timely revelation of the forces that work against the peace of the world. Frank Lawton and Anna Lee aro included in a strong cast. MAYFAIR THEATRE With typical Chineso astuteness Sidney Toler solves a baffling murder case in "Charlio Chan in Reno," the main attraction at the Mayfair Theatre to-day. Will Hav has the leading role in the associate picture, _ a bright comedy entitled "Ask a Policeman." STRAND THEATRE "Way Down South," a delightful comedy drama of life on the old Louisiana cotton plantations, heads to-day's programme at the Strand Theatre. The brilliant boy soprano Bobby Breen, is prominently cast. A rollicking farce, "Tlio Girl' From Mexico," with Lupe Velez in a leading role, is also to be shown. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Guest-night reductions will be available to patrons of the Prince Edward Theatre to-night when an entertaining programme, comprising the bright comedies "Let's Make a Night of It" and "Hitchhike Lady," will be shown. Buddy Rogers and June Clyde are tlio principal players in the first film, and Alison Skipworth, Mao Clarke and Arthur Treacher appear in tlio second. STATE THEATRE "Her Junglo Lovo" and "Joy of Living" arc the two entertaining films to bo shown at the State Theatre tonight. Dorothy Lamour and Ray Milland head the cast of the first production, and Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks, jun., that of the second. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO The foremost dancers of the modern screen, Ginger Rogers' and Fred Astairc, havo tlio titlo roles in tlio colourful film "Tho Story of Vernon and Irene Castle," which heads tonight's programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. Walter Brennan and Edna May Oliver contribute excellent character studies. e PRINCESS THEATRE Shirley Templo heads the cast of tho appealing film "The Littlo Princess," which will lie shown with "Mr. Moto on Danger Island" at tho Princess Theatro to-night. Peter Lorro appears in tho second film. STATE THEATRE. DEVONPORT Fay Bainter is tho leading player in "White Banners," a moving drama which is to be shown with tho comedy "I've Got a Ilorso" at tho State Theatre, Devoriport, to-night. TUDOR CINEMA One of the most popular of the Savoy operas, "The Mikado," will head tho programme at tho Tudor Cinema tonight. Jean Colin and Kenny Baker appear in tlio main rolos. VICTORIA THEATRE f "Swing High, Swing Low" and "Threo Married Men" comprise the bright _ programme to bo shown at . tho Victoria Theatro to-night. Fred MacMurray appears in tho first production. BRITANNIA THEATRE Tho eerie mystery drama "Son of Frankenstein" will bo shown with "King of Chinatown" at the Britannia Theatro to-night. Boris Knrloff, Bela Lugosi, Basil Rathbone and Lionel Atwill give lino performances in the first film. REGENT THEATRE, EPSOM Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Roonoy have prominent roles in "Boy From Barnardo's," which is to bo shown together with "Keep Your Seats, Please" at the Regent Theatre, Epsom, to-night. ASTOR THEATRE Deanna Durbin, Helen Parrish and Nan Grey appear together in the delightful comedy "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," to he shown with "Homicide Bureau" at the Astor Theatre tonight. Charles Winninger also has a prominent part in tho first film. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY A tonse drama filmed entirely in t.pclmirolour, "Gold is Where You Find It," will lie shown at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, to-night. Olivia do Ilavilland and George Brent aro prominently east.

MAJESTIC THEATRE Franchot Tone and Franciska Gaal head the cast of "The Girl Downstairs," which is the principal film on the double feature programme at the Majestic Theatre. Franciska Gaal is a comparative newcomer to motion pictures, but in her short career she has displayed a personality that has proved very popular among theatregoers. She will bo remembered for her fine performance in "The Buccaneer." An unusual type of crime story is told in "I Stole a Million," in which George Raft and Claire Trevor have the main roles. A fine programme has been arranged for to-morrow. Drama, pathos and humour are skilfully blended in "Invitation to Happiness," which con-, ceriis the misunderstandings and aflcctions of three people, portrayed by Irene Dunne, Fred Mac Murray and Charlie Ruggles. "Never Say Die" will also bo shown. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Crime and punishment, innocence and vindication, aro the twin themes of "Girls on Probation," tho exciting drama which heads tho double-feature programme to bo shown at tho Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Besides affording thrilling entertainment, this Warner Brothers production also explains and defends tho American system of probation. The social value of tho system is strikingly proved in the moving, human story, which shows a girl who is actually .innocent of the crimo of which she is convicted being saved from a long prison sentence and tho possibility of her becoming, if not a dangerous criminal, at least a bitter anti-social member of society. Tho promising actress Jane Bryan has the most important rolo of her career in this part, and is responsible for an excellent portrayal. Other prominent members of tho cast aro Ronald Reagan, Anthony Averill, Sheila Bromley, and Henry O'Neill. "Torchy Gets Her Man" is the second film, and it presents Glenda Farrell in her most famous rolo, that of Torchy Blano, the brilliant girl reporter who consistently outwits tho polico in the detection and capture of the most notorious criminals. Barton MacLano reappears as her fiance, a policeman, and Tom Kennedy affords much amusement as his blundering chauffeur. GREY LYNN CINEMA The thrilling drama "Conflict" and an entertaining comedy, "As Good as Married," comprise to-night's_ programme at tho Grey Lynn Cinema. John Wayne appears in the first picture.