ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23606, 15 March 1940, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

MAJESTIC THEATRE

Hollywood's most popular group of juvenile players, the "Dead End Kids," make their latest appearance in the colourful drama "Hell's Kitchen," a Warner Brothers' production, which is the main attraction on the new; programme to he shown at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Supporting parts are very capably played by Margaret Lindsay, Ronald Reagan and Stanley Fields. A fast-moving comedy-drama, "They Asked For It," completes the programme. Prominently cast are the well-known actors Michael Whalen and Willima Lundigan. CIVIC THEATRE Combining the humour -of brilliant dialogue with the thrills of a wellacted mystery drama, the very entertaining English film "This Man in Paris" will to-day open an Auckland season at. the Civic Theatre. The instantaneous success of "This Man is News" prompted the producers to make this picture and, unlike many sequels, it conserves the spontaneous gaiety and repeats' all the intriguing turns and surprises in the plot which made the original of the series so refreshing. Barry K. Barnes again appears in the title role, and gives an excellent interpretation as a clever newspaper reporter who outwits scheming gangsters. The leading members of a talented supporting cast are Valerie Hob,son and Alastair Sim. Once again the latter, as a harassed news editor, is responsible for a novel and incomparably amusing comedy portrayal. Like "This Man is News," the picture is noteworthy for its authentic presentation of newspaper methods and the interior of a newspaper office. REGENT THEATRE Enacted against a background of arid Sahara wastes, where, under a fierce, torturing sun, men of the famed Foreign Legion join battle with the ruthless horsemen of the desert, a new adaptation of P. C. Wren's widely-read novel "Beau Geste" is to be shown for the first time at the Regent Theatre to-day. Gary Cooper is .superbly cast as the dashing, reckless Beau, who, with his .brothers, John and Digbv, endures the hardships that are the lot of a mercenary soldier to preserve the honour of their family. Ray Milland and Robert Preston are always convincing as the brothers, while Susan Hayward also has a main part. ST. JAMES' THEATRE The screen version of Clare Booth's brilliant satirical comedy " The Women" will enter the third week of its season at St. James' Theatre today. Norma Shearer heads a talented cast. PLAZA THEATRE Brilliant drama interpreted by a powerful cast, including Myrna Lov, Tyrone Power and George Brent, is presented in "The Rains Came," which will again head the programme at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Interesting uqwsreels of events of the war will also be shown. CENTURY THEATRE An interesting emotional conflict between a young woman who suddenly comes into a large amount of money and a doctor, concerned only with the standard of. his achievement, provides a background to a lighter theme in "Over the Moon," which Nj'ill again be screened at the Century Theatre to-day. Fresh from her triumphs in "Withering Heights" and "The Lion Has Wings." Merle Oberon shows her gifts in a different type of role, her portrayal accounting for much of the spontaneous gaiety which ensures the popularity of the production. Other roles in the film, which has the added attraction of beautiful technicolour, are taken by Rex Harrison, who will' b£' remembered for his performance in "Storm in a Teacup." and" IJrsulaJeans. A "March of Time" on Finland heads the supporting programme. This also includes scenes of the arrival of. New Zealand and Australian troops in Egypt, and of H.M.S. Ajax in England, j as well as a Pathe Pictorial.

EMBASSY THEATRE There were large audiences At the Embassy Theatre yesterday to see the first screenings of "Dark Victory," the latest film in which Bette Davis has the main role, and the production fully lived up to its dramatic promise. Miss Davis, who lias long been one of the greatest actresses of the films, gives a vivid interpretation of her role as a girl used to the bright things of life who suddenly realises that she has only a few months left to live. Other parts arc taken by George Brent, Humphrey Bogart and Geraldine Fitzgerald. There is a fine supporting programme. \ ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES Richard Dix gives another of the forceful, straightforward characterisations which have won him such wide popularity in the absorbing drama <! Reno," thfe main attraction Of the splendid double-feature programme now being shown at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres. The remainder of the cast is headed by attractive Gail Patrick,; Anita Louise and Paul Cavanagh.l Walter Connolly, one of the screen's most accomplished character actors, appears with Iris Meredith in the drama Those High Grey Walls," which is the associate film. OXFORD THEATRE "The Thirty-Nine Steps," one of the earlier successes of the fine actor Robert Donat, who recently reached the height of his career in "Good-bye, Mr. Chips," will be the now attraction at the Oxford Theatre to-day. Adapted from the famous story by the late John Buchan the picture tells of the strange quest for an international gang which is seeking to disturb the peace of the world. Also to be shown is "Too Busy to Work," in which the popular 1 . Jones family has further amusing adventures. STRAND THEATRE A poignant human drama emphasises the points made by the striking educational film "Damaged Goods," which is to continue a season at the Strand Theatre to-day. The story is adapted from a famous French play by Eugene Brieux, the screen version being prepared bv the forthright novelist tlpton Sinclair! Leading members of the cast are Douglas Walton. Phyllis Barry. Pedro de Cordoba, Esther Dale and Greta Meyer. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO A poignant emotional drama, "Intermezzo," and the hilarious farco "The Flying Deuces". comprise the well-bal-anced programme to be shown to-night at the Crystal Palace and Rialto Theatres..