ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23601, 9 March 1940, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

CIVIC THEATRE With Bali, Nassau and a New York department store as tlio background, "Honeymoon in Bali" opened a season before large and enthusiastic audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday. The picture tells the story of a beautiful woman executive member of a Filth Avenue department store who falls in love with a carefree young man, but refuses to discard her independence for romance. His eflorts to convince her that she should do otherwise and her evasion of the question lead the film to an interesting and amusing conclusion. The principals are Fred MacMurray, Madeleine Carroll and Allan Jones. REGENT THEATRE Based on a poem concerning the lessons to be learned from those who fight against people for the sake of the moral effect upon them, "Disputed Passage," which commenced yesterday at the Regent Theatre, offers fine dramatic entertainment. Written by Lloyd C. Douglas, the story is the fourth by this author to have been filmed recently, his first three. "Magnificent Obsession," "The Green Light" and "White Banners." proving great successes. The cast of "Disputed Passage" is ' headed by Akim Tamiroff, Dorothy Lamour and John Howard.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE The acting honours are shared by Norma Shearer. Rosalind Russell and .Toon Crawford in the screen version of Clare Booth's provocative comedy, "The Women," now in the second week of its season at St. James' Theatre. These three actresses fairly represent the women of America's leisured classes, Rosalind Russell's interpretation of a shallow gossip being particularly impressive. A varied associate programme includes a comedy featuring Robert Benchley. PLAZA THEATRE The colour and pageantry of India form the spectacular setting for the Dairy] F. Zanuck film, "Tlio Rains Came," which commenced the second week of its successful season yesterday. All the fascinating characters of the book come to vivid life in the picture, and the chief characters are admirably portrayed by Mvrna hoy, Tyrone Power and George Brent. The awesome catastrophes that are features of the story —the .earthquake, the Hood, the fire and the plague—aro realistically reproduced. MAJESTIC THEATRE For many years a popular singer on the stage and screen. Dick Powell appears in one of his brightest films in "Naughty But Nice," which was shown to large audiences when it opened a season yesterday at the Majestic Theatre. Attractive Ann Sheridan heads a talented supporting cast. "Big Town Czar," an exciting melodrama, is the associate feature. Tom Brown and Barton Mael,ane are responsible for fine portrayals. Photographs of entrants in the St. John Ambulance baby contest will be shown at all sessions.

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Two thrilling melodramas, "Fugitive at Large"' and "Conspiracy," comprise the programme to bo shown at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Jack Holt is the principal player, taking the part of an innocent man condemned to a chain gang who breaks loose to wreak vengeance oil his accusers. Patricia Ellis appears opposite the popular actor. Three promising young players. Robert Barrat. Allan Lane and Linda Hayes, head the cast in the second attraction. This film is set amid a turbulent revolution in an imaginary European State. STRAND THEATRE Discussing a social problem in a. frank and clear manner, the British Empire Films Production "Damaged Goods" will continue its season at the Strand Theatre to-day. Besides cjuoting statistics, the picture presents an adaptation of a play by Eugene Brieux, necessary rearrangements of the dialogue and settings being handled by the famous writer Upton Sinclair. Acting with admirable sincerity, the chief members of the cast are Douglas Walton. Phyllis Barry, Pedro de Cordoba. Esther Dale and Greta Meyer. The director of "Damaged Goods" was Phil Stone.

OXFORD THEATRE A natural and very human drama is unfolded in the 20th Century-Fox film. "Here I am a Stranger," which heads the current programme at the Oxford Theatre. Richard Green fills the leading role, even surpassing his very fine performances in "Kentucky" and "Submarine Patrol." Brenda Joyce. Richard Dix and Roland Young are also prominently cast. "Sherlock Holmes." with Basil Rathbone in the title role, completes the programme. EMBASSY THEATRE Successor to the memorable production "Four Daughters," the Warner Brothers' filn) "Daughters Courageous" is attracting large audiences to the Embassy Theatre. Priseilla, Rosemary and Lola Lane and Gale Page bead the distinguished cast, which includes Fay Bain tor. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO Spencer Tracy is cast as the famous journalist and Sir Cedrie Hardwicke as the missionary and explorer in "Stanley and Livingstone," to-day's attraction at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres. STATE THEATRE Johnny Wcismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan appear together once more in the exciting picture "Taiv.an Finds a Son," which is to bo shown with "Miracles for Sale' at the State Theatre to-day. PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE A realistic film of tlio Great War, "Thunder Afloat," and the mystery drama "Death of a Champion," comprise to-day's programme at the Prince Edward Theatre.