ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23545, 4 January 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE The screen version of Clitford Odet's provocative play "Golden Boy" is to conclude its season at the Civic Theatre, to-dav. The title role is very capably interpreted by William Holden, a newcomer to the screen. Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer appear together for the second time in the moving romantic drama '"When To-morrow Comes," which heads the new programme at the theatrp to-morrow. Their acting, and also the direction, are of a very high standard throughout. REGENT THEATRE A typical! v sincere portrayal is given by Deanna Durbin in her sixth picture "First. Love." which is the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. The gifted young actress is supported by Helen Pnrrish, Robert Stack and Eugene Pallette. ST. JAMES' THEATRE Robert Donat gives a masterly character portrayal in "Good-bye. Mr. Chips." the film version of James Hilton's novel, which continues its season at St. James' Theatre to-day. PLAZA THEATRE A graphic illustration of Great Britain's war effort, with special emphasis on the sterling part played by her most modern defence arm, the Royal Air Force, is provided in Alexander Korda's momentous production "The Lion Has Wings," the present attraction at the Plaza Theatre. Several prominent players, including Merle Oheron and Ralph Richardson, take part in the story, which has been woven round recent events. Perhaps the most thrilling scenes are those which depict the air raid on the German naval base at Kiel a few days after the outbreak of war. MAJESTIC THEATRE Cinesound's comedy "Gone to the Dogs." featuring George Wallace, and the thrilling melodrama "One Hour to Live" will be shown for the last time to-day at the Majestic Theatre. Jhe two principals of Warner Brothers' great success "Four Daughters." .John Garfield and Rosemary Lane, appear in the grim drama "Blackwell's Island," which, with "Death of a Champion." will begin a season at the Majestic tomorrow, "Blackwell's Island" is stated to he an authentic revelation of the almost, incredible conditions existing i' l New York City's gaol before they were exposed and corrected in 1934. It shows how a powerful gang loader incarcerated there took over the actual running of the prison and turned it into a gigantic racket. Lynne Overman. Virginia Dale and the popular juvenile Donald 0 Connor appear in the second film. CENTURY THEATRE Known throughout the United States as the official hostess at both the New York and San Francisco World's Fairs, Elsa Maxwell makes her initial screen appearance in the 20th Century-Fox production "Hotel For Women," which heads to-day's programme at the Century Theatre. Her novel parties are a by-word in American social circles, and a typical Elsa Maxwell cocktail party is one of the brightest interludes in this polished comedy-drama. Her role is that of chapcrone to the girls who live in a women's hotel in New York, and she plays a large part in righting their tangled romances, which form the central theme of the films. A large cast of promising players includes Linda Darnell. Ann Sot-hern, James Ellison, Jean Rogers, Lynn Bari. .Tune Gale, Joyce Compton and John Halliday. The director was Gregory Ratoff. Another bright film to be presented on the same programme is "Ston. Look and Love." One of the latest and most informative newsreels from overseas has as its subjects the Munich bomb explosion, the visit of the Duke of Windsor to the Maginot Line, the German Army in the field and Finland's front line. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Jane Wither's infectious gaiety is splendidly suited to the light-hearted atmosphere of "Chicken Wagon Family," the main attraction on the doublefeature programme now being shown at the Roxv and Tivoli Theatres, l/oo Carillo, who was associated with Jane Withers in the highly-successful comedy "Arizona Wildcat," also has a leading role in this film. The story follows the adventures of a carefree family who spent their days in an old horse-drawn waggon trading trinkets with farmers in return for chickens, which they later sold in the city markets. A further hilarious plot is unfolded in the associate attraction. "Quick Millions." Typical of thousands of American families. the popular Jones Family continue their adventures in this merry farce. Jed Prouty and Spring Bvington head the cast. STRAND THEATRE The riotous comedy "Homo From Home" will be shown for the last time with the drama "Tropic Fury" at the Strand Thpatre to-day. Thrilling adventures in the heart of the tropical jungle are realistically presented in "Tarzan Finds a Son." which will head the programme at the theatre to-morrow. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO One of the world's greatest violinists Jascha Hcifetz has the leading role in the fine musical production "They Shall Have Music," which will head tiie programme at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres to-night. EMBASSY THEATRE "The Wizard of Oz," Metro-Goldwyn-Mnyer's brilliant fantasy, will enter the third week of a popular season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Judy Garland heads a talented cast. OXFORD THEATRE John Clements. Ralph Richardson, .Tune Duprez and C. Aubrey Smith give inspired portrayals in Alexander Korda's technieolour epic "The Four Feathers," which will be presented again to-day at the Oxford Theatre.