ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 17

ENTERTAINMENTS

ST. JAMES'; THEATRE A moving and dramatic story is brought to a spectacular climax when members" "of thi> original Ice 1' ollies stage a lavish revuo on ice in the Metro-G oldw v n-May or production Ice Follies of 1939," which attracted large audiences to St. James* Theatre yesterday, when it began the second week of its'season. Joan Crawford and James Stewart are the popular players who head the cast, being ably supported bv Lew Ay res and Lewis Stone. So lavish has been the praise accorded this novel tvpe of musical extravaganza that it is sure to be the forerunner of manv films in which the ice rink will take the place of the conventional stage revue. A varied supporting programme also is to be shown. PLAZA THEATRE Large audiences at all sessions marked the opening of the second week of the entertaining musical comedy "Second Fiddle" at the Plaza Theatro yesterday. Formerly an Olympic skating champion, Sonia Heme, acts with an added charm and poise in this picture. while retaining all her brilliance on the ice. Tyrone Power appears opposite hor, while Edna May Oliver, Rudy Vallcc and Mary Ilealy are all good in the main supporting roles. Six new tunes by America's foremost composer of popular music, Jrving Berlin, contribute to the gaiety of the production, while among the spectacular dances is included yet another novel ballroom number entitled "Back to Back." This dance shows that Sonia Henie is equally as graceful on the dance floor as on the skating rink. Brilliant scenes on the ice include ballets, rhunibas and tangos, all performed in perfect rhythm. MAJESTIC THEATRE The fine double feature programme, comprising "Invitation to Happiness and "Never Say Hie," attracted large audiences to the Majestic Theatre yesterday. "Invitation to Happiness ' is a drama which presents an emotional problem that might develop in the lives of any couple. It is the story of a prize-fighter who marries .a society girl. Determined to become champion, his work takes him away from his wife. While he is away a son is born to them and the boy grows up t<? hate his father because his mother is unhappy. Yet these three people realise that somehow they must find happiness and remain united. Their groping efforts to understand one another make this picture one of the finest dramas of recent months. Irene Dunne and Fred Mac Murray portray the young couple and Billy Cook is seen as the son. Charlie Rucglcs. William Collier, senior, and Marion Martin are in the supporting cast. Hilarious situations in a European holiday resort, in which the chief participants are a millionaire hypochondriac, 'an American, heiress, a scheming 'Russian prince, a romanticminded bus-driver and an often-mar-ried lady pistol champion, provide plenty of action in "Never Say Die." The "principal parts are taken by Martha Rave and Robert Hope, while Alan Mowbray, Andy Devinc and Gale Sondergaard take the supporting roles. The characters find themselves in a merry mix-up when Hope, who thinks he has only one month to live, marries the desperate Miss J?aye in order to save her from the prince whom her father has chosen for her husband. The situation takes a turn _ for the worse when Devine. the American busdriver Miss Rave thinks she loves, insists on making the honeymoon a threesome. A burlesque duel between Robert Hope and Alan Mowbray forms the climax of this highly entertaining comedy. CIVIC THEATRE Thrilling episodes from Kitchener's famous campaign in the Sudan, a drama of conflicting loyalties and an appealing lore story have been deftly blended in the latest of Alexander Korda^i^pictures,""'"The Four Feather?," which was shown to large and .enthusiastic audiences when it began the third week of a season at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Historic incidents have seldom been so vividly re-enacted, being .filmed in spectacular technicolour photography and giving the film a realism and power that should arouse the most complacent audience. Masterly acting by every member of the cast ensures that this note of compelling drama and living history is never lost. John Clements, Ralph Richardson and June Duprez are the leading players. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE A grim drama of a little-known portion of the American" underworld, "King of Chinatown," is the principal attraction at the Prince "Edward Theatre to-day. Leading roles are taken by Akim Tamiroff, Anna May Wong and J. Carroll Naish. "Society Lawyer," with Walter Pidgeon and Virginia Bruce, is also included in the programme. STATE THEATRE "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," with Mickey Rooney in the principal role as Mark Twain's outcast lad who proved that at heart he was a steadfast and affectionate character, is to be shown at the State Theatre to-day. Rex Ingram is outstanding as the runaway negro slave Jim, while other prominent members of the cast are Walter Connolly, Lynnc Carver. William Frawley and Jo Ann Savers STAR CINEMA Charlie McCarthy,' Edgar Bergen and W. C. Fields have the main roles in "You Can't Cheat An Honest Man," which, together with "The Last Express," will be shown to-day at the Star Cinema. ADELPHI THEATRE Two comedifis, "Four's a Crowd" and "Boy Friend," comprise the enjoyable programme to be shown to-day at the Adelphi Theatre. Jane Withers is in the second film. ALEXANDRA THEATRE A fine technicolour extravaganza, "The Goldwvn Follies," is the main film to be shown at the Alexandra Theatre to-day. "Boy Friend" is the associato attraction. REGENT THEATRE. EPSOM Freddie Bartholomew has the title role in "The Boy from Barnado's," which, with the George Formby comedy "Keep Yonr Seats, Please," will be shown to-day at tho Regent Theatre, Epsom. REGAL THEATRE "King of the Turf" and "Elephants Never Forget," featuring Oliver Hardy, comprise tho entertaining programme to ho shown to-day at tho Regal Theatre. TUDOR CINEMA An unforgettable human drama, "The Shining Hour," with Margaret Sullavan, Joan Crawford and Fay Ha in tor, will be shown to-day. at the Tudor Cinema. The associate films comprise pictures of the war in Poland. ASTOR THEATRE The bright New Universal comedy "Three Smart Girls Grow Up," featuring Deanna Dtirbin, and "Homicide Bureau" form the programme to be presented at the Astor Theatre to-day. CAPITOL THEATRE The outstanding technirolour film version of Gilbert and Sullivan's famous light opera "The Mikado" heads the current programme at the Capitol Theatre. "Ambush" also will be shown.

RECENT THEATRE The crowded audiences at all sessions of "The Lambeth Walk," the gay English comedy how being shown at the Regent Theatre, were ample proof that the second week of its season will be as successful as the first. Lupino Lane, with his vigorous antics and inimitable patter, is the central figure of the inconsequential story, which gains much of its appeal from the brilliant comedy performances of a talented cast. Sally Grey and Norah Howard are the leading supporting players. Further pictures from the war /.ones are a. feature of the supporting programme, man and Russian invasion of Poland and the French advance on the Western Front being graphically depicted. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The system of probation which affords potential . young criminals a chance to redeem themselves and their future staUis in society is the theme of the dramatic Warner Brothers picture "Girls on Probation," which heads | the current programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. At the head of a talented cast is Jane Bryan, whose brilliant performance augurs well for her future in films with a dramatic trend. Ronald Regan, Sheila Bromley, Anthonv Averill and Henry O'Neill give talented portrayals in supporting parts. Further thrilling adventures of Torchv Blane, the astute girl reporter, are the subject of "Torchy Gets Her Man." another Warner Brothers production, which completes the programme. Glenda Farrell once more appears in the title role and her vivacious acting lends a bright and original touch to the melodramatic plot. As her fiance, Detective Stevo Mcßride, Barton Mac Lane also gives a splendid performance. STRAND THEATRE "Woman Doctor,"' the absorbing drama of a woman -who sacrifices her home life on the altar of her career, heads the programme to be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. Frieda Inescourt, whose good performances in two films of vastly different type, the comedy "Call it a Day" and the drama "Portia on Trial," stamped her as an actress of the highest standard, appears in the title role. Her equally fine portrayal in "Woman Doctor," which, together with the inspired acting of Henry Wilcoxon and Claire Dodd, lifts this British Empire Films production above the rut of the average emotional drama. "Star of the Circus," in which John Clements has a main part, also is to be shown. MAYFAIR THEATRE An outstanding cast headed by the Ritz Brothers, Patsy Kelly, Lionel At-; will, Bela Lugosi and Joseph Calloia appears in the mystery comedy "The Gorilla," which win be shown to-day at the Mayfair Theatre. Also on:the pro-, gramme is an entertaining comedy "It Could Happen to . You," featuring Stuart Erwin and Gloria Stuart. The first film is played in an eerie country house at midnight with a terrifyjng storm raging outside. A murdering maniac who calls himself "The Gorilla" is loose somewhere in" the house intent on claiming a fresh victim, and the Ritz Brothers, as detectives, art* called in on the case. Many hilarious episodes follow. EMBASSY THEATRE "The Four Just Men" is to continue its successful season the Einhassv Theatre to-day. This outstand-. itig film reveals in stark detail the menace of insidious espionage, which even in times of international peace threatens the leading nations of the world. As an adaptation of-one of Edgar Wallace's best known novels, the story also affords exciting entertainment above tlio standard of th» average "thriller." CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO As fine a tribute as could be imagined from one famous dance team to another, "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle," with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers playing the celebrated pair, will be shown to-day at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. The associate programme includes a Walt Disney coloured cartoon, "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood." VICTORIA THEATRE Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, one of the most popular teams of singers in films to-day, appear in the technicolour production "Sweethearts," which heads the outstanding programme at the Victoria Theatre today. "The Last WarYiing," with Preston Foster in a leading role, will also be shown. GREY LYNN. CINEMA Rated as the most popular comedian on the English screen, George Formby is featured in the farce "Trouble Brewing," which is the main feature to be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema today. The associate' attraction is "Personal Secretary," in which chief roles are taken by William Gargan and Joy Hodges. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA A thrilling technicolour melodrama, "Heart of the North," in which Dick Foran, Allen Jenkins and Gloria Dickson appear, and "Wife, Husband and Friend," will be shown at the State Theatre, Onehunga, to-day. STATE THEATRE, DEVONPORT A magnificent human drama, "White Banners," with Claude Rains, Fay Baintcr and Jackie Cooper, will be shown at the State Theatre, Devonport, to-day. "I've Got a Horse" is the associate film. EMPRESS THEATRE Fredric March and Virginia Brneo j*ppear in "There Goes My Heart," which, together with "King of the Turf," will bo shown at the Empress Theatre to-day". DE LUXE THEATRE Grade Fields' latest comedy, "Keep Smiling,"' heads the programme to be presented to-day at the De Luxe Theatre. "IVelve Crowded Hours" also will be shown. PRINCESS THEATRE Shirley Temple's- first technicolour picture, "The Little Princess," and a thrilling mystery melodrama, "Mr. Moto on Danger Island," comprise today's programme at the Princess Theatre. BERKELEY. MISSION BAY Mickey Koonev is featured in the comedy "Love Finds Andy Hardy," which is the main attraction at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, tonight. The talented ■ girl singer Judy Garland appears opposite him. BRITANNIA THEATRE George Formby's latest farce, "Trouble Brewing," and n thrilling drama entitled ".1 Am the Law," with Edward G. Kobinson, will be presented at tlio Britannia Theatre to-day. MAYFAIR, SANDRINGHAM Clark Gable heads tlio cast of "Too Hot to Handle," which is to be shown together with "In Old Mexico" at the Mayfair Theatre, Sandringham, to-day. DELTA THEATRE A riotous comedy, "It's in the Air," and another bright film, "Miss Fix-it," comprise the programme to be shown at the Delta Theatre to-day.