ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23542, 30 December 1939, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

RECENT THEATRE " ' ' Now one of the established favourites of the screen, Deanna Durbin has a maturer rolo in "First Love," the enjoyable romance which is - having a successful season at the 'Regent Theatre. Provided with a story of unusual interest and many opportunities for the principal to show the increased beauty of her voice, the picture is perhaps the best in which the young singer has appeared. Supporting players are Robert Stack, who takes the part of Miss Durbin's first leading man, Helen Parrish and Eugene Pallette. ST. JAMES' THEATRE "Good-bye, Mr. Chips," which will once more be presented at St. James' Theatre to-night, is another triumph for Robert Donat and the English spirit which lias given such power to many recent pictures. Donat has never given a better performance than this characterisation of a schoolmaster whoso whole life is bound up with liis profession of serving the youth of his country. A new actress, Greer Garson. heads the supporting cast. PLAZA THEATRE One of the year's most delightful comedies, "Fifth Avenue Girl," is to continue a popular season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Ginger Rogers gives further proof of her versatility with her perfectly-timed interpretation of the title role. Other major parts are filled by such well-known players as Walter Connolly, James Ellison. Verrce Teesdale, Tim Holt and Kathryn Adams. The growing might of Nazi Germany, its conquest of neighbouring States, and the stens taken* by Britain to meet its challetrge is the central theme of "Tho Lion Has';; Wings," a film produced by Alexander Korda' and sponsored by the British' Government. A step is taken back to the days before the war, and scenes of life in Britain —holiday crowds, the King and Queen with their subjects, the building of hospitals and tho Englishman's traditional love of sport—are compared .4 with the drift of affair:? in Germany, with Adolf Hitler continually making impassioned pleas to his people and defying outside opinion. Exploits of the Royal Air Force, now itritain's first line of defence, include a graphic reconstruction of the raid on tho Kiel Canal. Ralph Richardson and Merle Oberon are the leading actors. CIVIC THEATRE . , The engrossing drama of a man ■who is turned from his musical studies by • the promise of glory to be won as a professional boxer and of his, fight against the degrading elements of this new field forms the basis of "Golden Boy," which will again head the fine programme at the Civic Theatre today. William Holden a brilliant portrayal in tho leading part, while supporting roles are taken . b\V Barbara Stanwyck and Adolplie Menjou.. CENTURY THEATRE The final presentations of the new Century Theatre's first attraction "Susannah of the Motilities," in which Shirley Temple again gives a fine performance. will be given to-day. i Set in the wilds of north-west Canada at the time when the railroad was being built to the Pacific, the plot concerns a little girl who is the sole survivor of an Indian-.massacre and, adopted by a patrol of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is again involved in a thrilling conflict as the Indians again break out in rebellion. Others in the cast are Randolph Scott and'' .Margaret Lockwood. A novel type of film, "Hotel for Women," is to open a season at the Century Theatre on Monday. Produced by 20th Century-Fox, this comedy drama marks the first screen appearance of Elsa Maxwell, well, known in the United States as the official hostess at the New York and Sail Francisco World's Fairs.. Her cleverly planned/parties have become a byword among society and her pithy comments on people and their affairs provide the film with pointed and sparkling dialogue. The most prominent members of the large supporting cast are Ann Sothern, Linda Darnell, James Ellison, Jean Rogers. Lynn Bari and John Halliday. The director was Gregory Ratoff. ! - ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two enthralling melodramas, "The Fighting Gringo" and "Overland Express," comprise the current pro- - gramme at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres. George O'Brien gives a tvpi- > cal straight-forward portrayal in the first production, in whicli he appears as the leader of a gun-runners inMexico. The period in which the film is set is during the middle of last century, when Mexico was overrun by ruthless bandits, and pillage and bloodshed were of frequent occurrence. Lnpita Tovar, Lucio Villegas, Leroy Mason and William Royle head a talented supporting cast. The veteran actor Buck Jones is associated with the promising young actress Marjorie Reynolds in the second attraction, which is an exciting story of the pioneer days of the famous pony express. STRAND THEATRE Sandy Powell, who is well-known to New Zealanders through his recordings, appears in his ° third film in "Home from Home," the current attraction at the Strand Theatre. The accomplished English actress Rene Ray appears opposite the rotund ; little * comedian. "Tropic Furv," with Richard Arlen and Andy.: Devine prominently cast, also will be shown. f EMBASSY THEATRE ' Sights and adventures that are the very essence of fantasy abound .'in the colourful production "The Wizard of Oz." which still continues to attract delighted audiences to the. Embassy Theatre. Judy Garland, Frank Mor-. gan and Ray Bolger are included in the large and talented cast. An entertaining supporting programme will also be shown. EMPRESS THEATRE "The Story of Alexander Graham j Boll," in which Don Afneche and Lorctta Voting have leading roles, and "The Gorilla" are the two films on the excellent programme at the Empress Theatre to-day. . TUDOR CINEMA Gracie Fields gives one of her brightest performances in the musical comedy "Keep Smiling," which will he presented at the Tudor Cinema to-day. "Paris Honeymoon" will be shown on Monday. - - OXFORD THEATRE A stirring chapter of British history is inscribed on tho screen in Alexander • Korda's film "The Four Feathers," which heads the present programme at the Oxford Theatre. John Clements, Ralph Richardson, June Dttprez and C. Aubrey Smith are the leading players. STATE THEATRE .. An excellent programme, consisting of "Four Girls in White,'' in which the main roles are taken by Florence Rice and Una Merkel, and "A Christmas Carol," will bo shown at the State Theatre to-night. ' CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Mystery and romance are the in- ] gradients of the 20th CenturylPox film :|' "The Man in the Iron Mask," which ' heads to-day's programme at ! : the y, Crystal Eaiace and Jlialto Theatres.