ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES The main attraction on the splendid double-feature programme which will bo shown for tho first time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day is tho. thrilling Warner Brothers film "Women in the Wind." The main roles are brilliantly interpreted by Kay Francis and William Gargan, who have not appeared together since they shared tho acting honours with Leslie Howard in "British Agent." Apart from its dramatic qualities as a story of intrepid women who share with men the dangers and thrills of aviation this film is also a record of aerial achievement. The _ most sensational recent events in aviation are incorporated in the plot, which is based on a successful novel by Francis Walton. Some of the most spectacular scenes arc those depicting tho triumphant finish of a record-breaking flight round the world, the breaking of the transatlantic record by an ingenious young pilot who claims that he did not know ho was flying across the ocean, and the winning or a women's air Derby by an attractive young aviatrix. Good acting by the main supporting players, Maxie Rosen bloom, Victor Jory, Sheila Bromley, Eddie Foy, jun., and Eve Arden, contributes to the success of "Women in tho Wind." The sensational broadcast of an imaginary Martian invasion which had such wide repercussions in the United States recently serves as the basis for tho spectacular climax of "SOS Tidal Wave," the associate attraction. Ralph Byrd, George Barbier and Kay Sutton are tho leading players.

PLAZA THEATRE Comedy and melodrama have been brilliantly blended in the 20th CenturyFox film "The Three Musketeers," which will ho shown once more at the Plaza Theatre to-dav. The three Ritz Brothers are responsible for the picture's most hilarious moments, while, as Alexandre Dumas' fiery D'Artagnan, Don Ameche is perfectly cast. A "March of Time" dealing with the growth of cinema entertainment and a graphic film showing tho running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington arc tho leading features of the supporting programme.

MAJESTIC THEATRE A fast-moving mystery drama, "Mr. Wong in Chinatown," and a gay musical comedy, "Brother Rat," comprise the well-balanced programme to bo shown at tho Majestic Theatre to-day. Boris Karloff and Grant Withers have prominent roles in the first picture, while Priscilla Lane and Wayne Morris head a talented east in the second. A remarkable drama, which reveals tho fear-haunted life led by a dictator, "The Magnificent Fraud." is to open a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Akim Tamiroff gives a magnificent portrayal in tho title role, while other well-known actors in lesser parts are Lloyd Nolan, Mary Boland and Patricia Morison. The associate attraction will bo the incomparably amusing film "Should Husbands Work?". James Gleason, Lucille Gleason. Russell Glcason, Harry Davenport, Mary Hart and Tommy Ryan take the main parts. The film traces the adventures of the Hic;gins family, who wore soon in the successful comedy "My Wife's Relatives." CIVIC THEATRE Tho espionage menace is made the basis of uproarious comedy in the Columbia production "Clouds Over Europe," which is the current attraction at the Civic Theatre. With an Anthony Eden hat and a Neville Chamberlain umbrella, the accomplished English actor Ralph Richardson makes a most unconventional Scotland Yard investigator. Although his efforts to traco a notorious spy ring are in tho main purely amusing, the film is not without its moments of exciting drama. Laurence Olivier and Valerie Hobson also are in the cast.

REGENT THEATRE "The Sun Never Sets," an enthralling drama inspired by the work of those English families who have served in the colonial service for generations, is to continue its season at the Reuent Theatre to-day. Basil Rathbone, Douglas Fairbanks, jun., Barbara O'Neil. Virginia Field, C. Aubrey Smith and Lionel Atwill head an outstanding cast. Newsrcels from tho war zones are included on the supporting programme.

EMBASSY THEATRE Excellent acting by a talented cast makes "Bridal Suite," now showing at the Embassy Theatre, one of the brightest comedies of the year. The leading players, Amiabella and Robert Young, arc supported bv Billie Burke, Walter Connolly and Reginald Owen. A strong supporting programme includes films depicting the embarkation of British troops for Franco and recruits of the. Royal Air Force in training. STRAND THEATRE Three of the screen's most popular players, Carv Grant, Carole Lombard and Kay Francis, appear in the moving human drama "In Name Only," which heads to-da.v's programme at the Strand Theatre. Walt Disney's latest "Silly Symphony," entitled "The Ugly Duckling," also is to be shown. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Joel McCrea takes the part of .liinmie Ivildare in the absorbing drama "Student Doctors Can't Take Money," which is to be shown with "The Devil is Driving" at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. The popular actress Barbara Stanwyck also has a leading role in the first production. STAR CINEMA Excellent light entertainment is provided at the Star Cinema to-dnv, when "I'll Give a Million" and "Up tho River" comprise the programme. The leading players iu the first film arc Warner Baxter, Peter Lone and Marjorio Weaver, while the main parts in "Up the River" are taken by Arthur Treacher and Slim Summervillc. STATE THEATRE Miliza Rorjus, Fernand Gravct and Luise Raincr are the principal players of the colourful musical film "The Great Waltz," which is to be shown at the State Theatre to-day. The picture traces the life of the renowned composer .lohann Strauss. VICTORIA THEATRE Sincere portrayals are given by John Wayne and Xan Grey in the dramatic film "The Sea Spoilers." which is the main attraction at the Victoria Theatre to-night. "Wings Over Honolulu',' also is to be shown. BRITANNIA THEATRE "The. Perfect Specimen," with the popular actor Errol Flynn in the title role, is to head the programme at the Britannia Theatre to-night. Raymond Masscv has a leading part in "Black Limelight," the associate film. TUDOR CINEMA Two brilliant juvenile players, Judy Garland and Freddie Bartholomew, head the cast of "Listen, Darling." a bright comedy which will be shown at the Tudor Cinema to-night. Mary Astor also is prominently cast. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Cesar Romero and Judith Barrett have tho main roles in the drama of the skating rink "Idol of the Crowd," which is to be shown with "Armoured Car," an exciting melodrama, at tho Prince Edward Theatre to-night.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden and Sara Haden take their usual parts in the latest of the Hardy Family series, "Tho Hardys Ride High," which will continue a season at St. James' Theatro to-day. This natural human comedy has been acclaimed as tho best of the series filmed. "BROADWAY SERENADE" The charming actress and singer Jeanette Mac Donald takes the leading role in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Broadway Serenade," which is to begin a season" at St. James' Theatro on Friday. Filmed in a modern setting this picture allows the popular playet to prove her talent as a dramatic actress, while her delightful soprano voice is heard in a pleasing medley of both modern and classical songs. There are selections from grand opera that have retained their appeal throughout the years, lilting love songs of that colourful era known as the "Gav Nineties," and several modern tunes writton specially for "Broadway Serenade." Rich in elaborate stage settings, tho film also unfolds the moving love story of a young couple who became separated when tho wife won sudden fame as a singer. The story moves against two backgrounds; the glittering theatro world of which the girl becomes a part, and the dingy garret, where her husband, a composer, strives in her absence to win success himself. Lew Ayres is responsible for a sincere and restrained performance as Jeanette Mac Donald's husband, while other popular players in the cast are Frank Morgan, lan Hunter, Rita Johnson and William Gargan. BERKELEY, MISSION BAY A well-balanced programme, comprising the comedy "Cafe Society" and the drama "Storm Over Bengal," will be shown at the Berkeley Theatre. Mission Bay, to-night. Madeleine Carroll and Fred Mac Murray are the principals in the first picture. GREY LYNN CINEMA Eric von Stroheim and Herman Bing are tho leading actors in the war picture "Crimson Romance," the main film on the entertaining programme to be shown at the Grey Lynn Cinema to-night. "Harmony Lane" is the second attraction. ASTOR THEATRE Two light-hearted pictures, "Wedding Present" and "Blonde Trouble." comprise to-night's programme at the Astor Theatre. Carv Grant and the attractive actress Joan Bennett head a talented cast in the first film.