ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE A picture calculated to stir the imagination of tho most complacent, Alexander Korda's "The Four Feathers," is to continue a successful season at the Civic Theatre to-day. Filmed in magnificent tcclinicolour this picture vividly brings to the screen the thrilling episodes of Kitchener's campaign in the Sudan against the fanatical Dervishes. John Clements has the. leading role as Harry Fayersham. a young officer who proved his worth to his doubting friends' REGENT THEATRE Tho light-heai-tcd English comedy "The Lambeth Walk" is to continue , its popular season at the Regent Theatre to-day. The lending players of tho original play, which under the title of "Me and My Girl" was shown for three years in London, were Lupino Lane and Sally. Grey, "and they give amusing portrayals in identical parts in the film. An outstanding supporting programme includes a newsreel .depicting the latest developments on all war fronts. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Joan Crawford, Lew Ayres, James Stewart and Lewis Stone are the principals in the magnificent ice extravaganza "Ice Follies of 1939," the MetroGold wyn-Mayor production which is to continue its season at St. James Theatre to-day. Tho final scenes of this picture are in tcclinicolour, and show a brilliant revue on ice. " THE HARDYS RIDE HIGH" The Hardy family, who have become the most famous group of in current film series, make .Wicuvlatest appearance in the comedy ' The rlarciys Ride High," which is to open a season at St. James 1 Theatre to-morrow. Ihe reaction of every member of tho family to the acquisition of sudden wealth is the theme of this film, and once more provides the brilliant young actor Mickey Rooney with nn opportunity to excel in one of the shrewd portrayals of adolescent youth which have won him such wide populnritv. He gives vent to his incomparably amusing sallies with attractive directness, made more enjoyable by his mischievous and self-satisfied demeanour.. Although the opening scenes show' Mickey .Rooney as the Andy Hardy of former films, as the storv 1 develops and he becomes a young millionaire .infatuated by a chorus girl, ho shows a 'brilliant aptitude for sincere characterisation. Lewis Stone is once again convincing as Judge Hardy and Cecilia Parker, Fav Holden and Sara Haden appear in their usual parts. > • PLAZA THEATRE The brilliant skater and actress Sonja Henie heads a talented cast in the gay musical comedv "Second Fiddle, which is continuing the second week of its season at the Plaza Theatre today. She is supported by Tyrone-Power. Edna Mav Oliver, Rudy Vallee and Marv Healv.- An entertaining story is unfolded against a background of spectacular skating and dancing scenes, and to tho accompaniment of six new tunes by Irving Berlin. TIVOLI THEATRE "San Qnentin." n tense drama of prison life, heads the guest-night profrrnmmc to be shown at the Tivoh Theatre to-night. In the leading parts Humphrey Bogart and Pat O'Brien give excellent portrayals. Patricia Ellis and James Melton are ' tho _ lcadinp players in the second attraction, the gav musical comedy "Melody for Two." A bright comedy, a musical revue, and a highly-amusing cartoon in colour complete the programme. STRAND THEATRE Brilliant acting by all members of the cast, which is beaded by Frieda Inoscort, ensures the success of the enthralling drama "Woman Doctor, which is to head to-day's programme at the Strand Theatre. The theme of the picture is the question which confronts manv women, whether their career or their home deserves the most attention. "Star of the Circus, with Otto Kruger in the main role, also is ' to be shown.

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Thrilling aerial combats of the Great War are the theme of the absorbing drama "Crimson Romance," which is to be shown with' "Harmony Lane ' at the Prince Edward Theatre to-night. The second film traces the life story of a famous American composer, this part being capably interpreted by Douglass Montgomery. BERKELEY. MISSION DAY Drama and comedy are brilliantly blended in the English film "The Lady Vanishes," the main attraction at the Berkeley Theatre, Mission Bay, tonight. A' strong cast is headed by Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. Films of the war are included in the supporting programme. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn are the leading players in the rollicking comedy "Holiday," which heads to-night's programme at the Crystal Palace and R'ialto Theatres. Edward Everett Horton and Binnie Barnes are other accomplished comedians who are included in the cast. BRITANNIA THEATRE Boris Karloff appears in the eerie mystery drama "Tho Mysterious Mr. Wong," which heads the well-balanced programme at the • Britannia Ibeatie to-night. "St. Louis Blues," a bright musical comedy, is the second picture. ASTOR THEATRE Two outstanding dramas, "Outcast" and "The Tenth Man," comprise tonight's programme at the Astor Theatre. 4 Warren William and Karen Morley are tho principals in tho first film. TUDOR CINEMA An incomparably amusing picture, "There Goes My Heart," is to he shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. Virginia Bruce, Fredric March, Alan Mowbray and Nancy Carroll are the leading players. A strong supporting programme also will, be shown. VICTORIA THEATRE "Hitch Hike Lady" and "Let's Make a Night of It" are the two comedies which comprise the programme at the Victoria Theatre to-night, when puestnight reductions will be available. Alison Skipworth and Arthur Treacher appear in tho first film. STATE THEATRE. DEVONPORT Fernand Gravet, who appeared as Strauss in "The Great Waltz," heads the cast of "Pomance in Paris," the bright comedy to be shown at the State Thua'ro Devonport, to-night. "Dodge City Trail" is the associate attraction. Guest-nU'ht reductions will bo available to patrons. PRINCESS THEATRE An enthralling drama, "Saints in Exile," and a thrilling film, "Strangers on a Honeymoon," comprise the guestnight programme at the Pinccss Theatre to-night.

MAJESTIC .THEATRE Irene Dunne and Fred Mac Murray prove their talent for dramatic roles m the tense emotional drama "Invitation to Happiness," which heads the current . programme at the Majestic Theatre! The story concerns the marriage of a rich girl and a professional boxer, and their efforts to keep their happiness for the sake of their son. A riotous comedy, "Never Say Die," is the associate attraction. Martha Raye lias a leading role. EMBASSY THEATRE "The Four Just Men." the timely adaptation of one of Edgar Wallace's most thrilling and impressive novels, is to continue a successful season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Frank Lawton and Anna Lee are the principals. •A cast of well-known players has been assembled by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for the screen adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous story "A Christmas Carol." which will begin a season at the Embassy Theatre on Thursday. Dickens' genius for creating'characters who were essentially human , and true to life mado him one of the greatest; figures of English literature, and seldom was lie in such complete touch with human nature as in the immortal story of Ebcnezer Scrooge. The players chosen to interpret the characters of this tale include Reginald Owen, Gone Lock hart, Terry Kilburn, Ann Rutherford and the New Zealand boy actor Ronald Sinclair. STAR CINEMA Adapted from a romantic mystery by the well-known novelist E; Phillips Oppenheim, "The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss" will head to-day's programme at the Star Cinema. The leading players are Carv Grant and Mary Brian. A gay musical comedy entitled "Stranded in Paris," with Jack Benny and Joan Bennett in the main roles, is the associate film. The supporting programme includes a screen fashion parade. STATE THEATRE Mickey Rooney appears in the title role of tho Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Huckleberry Finn." the main attraction at the State Theatre tonight. The chief supporting parts are taken by Walter Connolly, Rex Ingram and Lynne Carver. ; GREY LYNN CINEMA Carole Lombard and Fred Mac Murray are the popular players appearing in "Swing High, Swing Low," the musical film which is to be shown with "Three Married Men" at the Grey Lyrrn Cinema to-night". Lynne Overman and Roscoe Karns appear in the second production. STATE THEATRE, ONEHUNGA Guest night will be observed at the State Theatre, Onehunga. to-night, when the two entertaining films "Super Slueth" and "Wallaby Jim of the Islands" will be shown.