ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23565, 27 January 1940, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE The outstanding Universal production "Rio," in which the talented English actor Basil Rathbone lias the principal role, attracted large audiences to the Civic Theatre yesterday, wlien the film was shown i'or the first time. The main feminine lead is taken by Sigrid Gurie, who was last seen in "Algiers." Fine performances are also given by Victor McLaglen and Leo Carrillo. Scenes depicting the scuttling of the German raider Graf Spee are included in a neusreel on the fine supporting programme. , ; . . /

RECENT THEATRE Presented in technicolour photography which, has seldom been surpassed, Warner Brothers' dramatic adventure film "Dodge City" entered the second, week of its season at the Regent Theatre yesterday. The stirring story is splendidly suited to : tlie virile; acting of Errol Flynn. The interesting supporting programme includes pictures of tho, Graf Spec, victim of the Achilles. Ajax and Exeter.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE . ' : The .seventh of the extremely popular "Hardy Family" comedies, "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever," attracted large audiences to St. James' Theatre yesterday, when it opened its Auckland season. Mickey Ilooney is once more the centra] figure as Andy Hardy, son of the staid Judge, who, in this production, with a high school stage production and-a "serious" love affair on liis hands, proves more amusing than ever. Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden and Ann Rutherford take their customary parts, while Terry Kilburn appears in the series for the first time. A striking short feature on the programme is a "Crime Doesn't Pay" subject entitled "Drunk Driving."

PLAZA THEATRE . . A picture that has made a strong appeal ,to all interested in historical and personal data relating to famous people, "Stanley. and Livingstone" is attracting large audiences to the Plaza Theatre, Pleasing in its authenticity,, the film has an absorbingly interesting quality throughout. Spencer Tracey, who has been entrusted with the part of Stanley, succeeds admirably with his portrayal, and the growing inspiration the man derives from contemplation of Livingstona's life-work is convincing enough to pass an uncritical inspection. Sir Cedric.. Hardwicke appears .as Livingstone, and suceeds in creating a stimulating , optimism in his part of a man who opens Africa to civilisation. The other actors in the film include Charles Coburn, "Walter Brennan, Bichard Greene 'and Nancy Kelly. The scenes •of the African safari are extraordinarily vivid, being compiled by Mrs.-, Martin Johnson.

MAJESTIC THEATRE The story of Texas, and particularly the man who brought the "lone State'' under the United' States flag, has been made the subject of one of the best historical films seen in recent months, "Man of Conquest," which attracted large and appreciative audiences when it was shown for the first time at the Majestic Theatre yesterday. As Sam Houston, soldier, pioneer and statesman who fought for and won Texan liberty, Richard Dix fits the role in every way, and makes it a giant of respect and mighty effort. Gail Patrick, George Hayes and Ralph Morgan are other leading players. "The Witness Vanishes" is the title of the second attraction, air exciting melodrama. . - ~

CENTURY THEATRE A 'remarkable documentary film telling the tragic story of the heroic English nurse who, in the last war, was shot by Germans for saving the lives of wounded Allied prisoners, and enabling them 'to escape from the enemy-held town of Brussels to their own army, "Nurse Edith Cavell",had its first Auckland presentations at the Century Theatre yesterday before large audiences. The quiet narrative is profoundly moving and the' acting restrained and natural. The central part in this R.K.0.-Radio picture has been entrusted to the English actress Anna Neagle, Well known for her character portrayals in "Victoria the Great" and "Sixty Glorious Years." Her performance is a remarkable one, for she makes the character live in a strangely negative way. Negative because the face and figure betray hardly a flicker of change throughout the long story. Only once, when Nurse Cavell hears the sentence of death passed by the German war lords does the face move; and that is a poignant moment. Elsewhere the actress. presents a blank demeanour to the camera, and leaves it to the audience and the narrative to suffuse the character with emotion. Her dying message, "Patriotism is not enough. I must not feel hate or bitterness, toward anyone," acquires a new vibrancy ,in a world that has once more rushed to arms..."The Battlefields of England," a colour fashion forecast, and a cartoon, comprise the associate programme. ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES" "Git Along Little Dogies" and "The Day the Bookies Wept" are the two light-hearted films which comprise the current programme at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. In the first picture the popular singing actor Gene Autry is once more associated with Smiley Burnette in a Western story with bright musical interludos. The inimitable comedian- Joe Penner appears ,with Betty . Grable in the second attraction, a comedy dealing with the efforts of a taxidriver to make a fortune at horseracing.

STRAND THEATRE Robert Donat retains all the sincerity and integrity of the original character in his role as James Hilton's schoolmaster in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's outstanding film Mr. Chips!" which opened a season at the "Strand Theatre yesterday. He is supported by a newcomer, Greer Garson, who acts the part, of his wife with restraint and natural charm. Terry Ivilburn, first seen in "Boy From Barnardo's," a ' so has a prominent role as ono of Mr. Chips' pupils. OXFORD THEATRE - An informative and often spectacular survey of Great Britain's Avar effort is made in "The Lion Has Wings," a film produced by Alexander Korda And sponsored by the British Government, which is now being shown at the Oxford Theatre. A reconstruction of the Kiel Canal raid is an outstanding feature of the section devoted to the exploits of the Royal Air Force. EMBASSY THEATRE Now in its third week, at the Embassy ( Theatre, the sophisticated American, farce. "Yes, My Darling Daughter," ranks as one of the most amusing to bo shown in Auckland for some months. Priscilla Lano and Jeffory. Lynn head an accomplished cast. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Ginger Rogers has hor. first comedy role, which sho essays very success-fully,-iu ;"Bachelor Mother;" the maiir . attraction at tho Crystal Palace and Rial to Theatres to-day; "The Girl, From .Mexico" also will be shown.