ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23599, 7 March 1940, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

PLAZA THEATRE Maintaining a grim, realistic note even in the most spectacular scenes, the intriguing drama "The Rains Caine" is to continue its season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Impressive portrayals are given by M.vrna Loy and Tyrone Power in the leading roles.

MAJESTIC THEATRE "Legion of Lost Flyers" and "Let's Be Famous" comprise to-day's programme at the Majestic Theatre. A cast of popular players has been assembled for Warner Brothers' merry musical comedy "Naughty But Nice," which will open a season at the theatre to-morrow. Dick Powell, who is unrivalled as a singer of popular tunes, and Ann Sheridan appear in the main parts, while Gale Page, Ronald Reagan, Helen Broderick and Allen .Jenkins also figure prominently in the amusing story. "Big Town Czar," with Barton MicLane and Torn Brown, will be the second attraction.

CIVIC THEATRE Bing Crosby's latest film, "The Star Maker," will conclude a popular season at the Civic Theatre to-day. The meeting of an independent, rather smug woman executive of a department store and a carefree adventurer recently returned to New York from the famed tropic island of Bali results in a happy story of romance and comedy in tno Paramount picture "Honeymoon in Bali," which is to begin a season at th o Civic Theatre to-morrow. The accomplished tenor Allan Jones is appropriately cast as an opera singer, and other well-known members of the cast are Helen Broderick, Osa Massen and Carolyn Lee, a very clever juvenile actress.

RECENT THEATRE "The Beachcomber," a lusty comedy marking the latest appearance of Charles Laughton, will be shown to-day at the Hegent Theatre. Adapted from a brilliant novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, famous as the author of "Magnificent Obsession" and "White Banners," the dramatic Warner Brothers production "Disputed Passage" will be shown for the first time at the theatre to-mor-row. Woven round the personal life of a yonng doctor, the absorbing story often reaches superb heights as a realistic chronicle of human emotion and tribulation. The gifted character actor Akim Tamiroff and John Howard and Dorothy Lamour portray the leading personalities.

CENTURY THEATRE An unusual story is given credence by the magnificent acting of Richard Greene, Richard Dix, Roland Young and Brenda Joyce in "Here I Am a Stranger," the main attraction at the Century Theatre to-day. A rollicking comedy entitled "Lightning Conductor" and a newsreel of the Australian soldiers' arrival in Egypt are the associate features. Refreshing in theme and replete with witty dialogue, ingenious situations and lavish setting filmed in glorious technicolour, "Over the Moon" is to open a season to-morrow at the Century Theatre. Produced by one of the most famous figures in the film industry, Alexander Ivorda, "Over the Moon" has received lavish praise from overseas critics for the verv fine acting of the two principals, Merle Oberon and Rex Harrison. The former was recently seen in "The Lion Has Wings" and prior to that as Cathy in "Wuthering Heights." Rex Harrison will be remembered by many theatregoers as the wealthy voung doctor in "The Citadel."

STRAND THEATRE Claudette Colbert fills the title role in the bright film "Zaza," which concludes its season at the Strand Theatre to-day. An urgent social problem is frankly presented and discussed in "Damaged Goods," the screen version of a play by Eugene Brieux, which will be snown at the theatre to-morrow. The play was adapted by Upton Sinclair.

EMBASSY THEATRE Repeating their successful association in "Four Daughters," Priscilla Lane and John Garfield are outstanding in "Daughters Courageous," the current attraction at the Embassy Theatre. A varied supporting programme precedes the main feature, which is now in its second week.

OXFORD THEATRE American political methods are trenchantly criticised' in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," to-day's attraction at the Oxford Theatre. James Stewart and Jean Arthur head a fine cast.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE Masterly acting by every member of the large cast ensures the success of "The Women," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's version of Clare Booth's remarkable stage play, which is now being shown at St. James'- Theatre. Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland and Paillette Goddard are the principal players.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Few actors have enjoyed such lasting popularity as Jack Holt, who is responsible for another of his pleasing, straightforward portrayals in the fastmoving drama "Fugitive at Large," the main attraction on the new doublefeature programme which was shown for the first time at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres yesterday. Exciting incidents culminate in a forceful climax when a man, completely innocent, seeks revenge on those responsible for his harsh treatment as a criminal and outcast of society. Jack Holt is supported hv Patricia Ellis, Stanley Fields. Gu in n \Y illiams and Arthur Hold. Equally thrilling, the'melodrama "Conspiracy" completes the programme. Set in the maelstrom caused by the conflict of political, raciaj and economic ideals in modern Europe, the picture reveals the high standard of acting reached by the promising player Robert Barrat, who heads the cast.

CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO An adventure that stirred the imagination of the whole world is re-enacted in "Stanley and Livingstone," tonight's attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. THEATRE DE PARIS Brilliantly acted and produced, the outstanding French film "Un Garnet de 3al" will be shown again at the Theatre de Paris to-day.