ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23662, 22 May 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

ROXY AND TIVOLI THEATRES A comedy of errors, "Boy Meets Girl," is to head the new double-feature programme which opens a season at the Roxv and Tiybli Theatres to-day. Pat O'Brien and .lames Carney, recently seen together in "Angels With Dirty Faces," are cast as scenario writers who delight in thinking of screen plots that will cause their employers the greatest possible trouble. Other leading players are Marie Wilson, Ralph Bellamy, Dick Koran and Frank McHugli. The film was adapted by Warner Brothers from a famous Broadway stage plav. The story of a singing boxer is . unfolded in "Kid Nightingale," which is io be the associate attraction. Jane Wyman. who revealed her talents for light comedy in "Brother Rat," appears opposite John Payne. PLAZA THEATRE The outstanding newspaper comedy "His Girl Friday," in which Gary Grant and Rosalind Russell both give excellent performances, will again head the fine programme at the Plaza Theatre to-day. There is an entertaining series of supporting itejus. MAJESTIC THEATRE As may be expected of a film in which the "Dead End Kids" take a prominent part, comedy is the keynote of "Angels Wash Their Faces," the main attraction of the current programme at the Majestic Theatre. Ann Sheridan also lias a main part. The associate feature ix "My Irish Molly." A type of film which has become increasingly popular over the last few years, the mysterycomedy, has seldom been more effectively presented than in "Nick Carter, Master Detective.'," the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production opening a season at the theatre on Friday. Excellent performances are given by Walter Pidgeon, Rita Johnson. Henry Hull and Donald Meek. "Barefoot Boy" also is to be shown, the promising juvenile actor Jackie Moran filling the title role. CIVIC THEATRE It is difficult to imagine languid James Stewart and beautiful Marlene Dietrich in a film purely western m theme, but these players fit very well into the story of "Destrv Hides Again," which is showing at the Civic Theatre. Fine performances are also given by Miseha Auer and Charles Winniuger. Another storv from the pen of the popular writer A. J. Cronin is vividly brought to life by the film "Vigil in the Night," a thrilling tale of the medical profession, which will commence a season on Friday.

REGENT THEATRE Ricli in humour, fantasy and song, Max Fleischer's coloured cartoon "Gulliver's Travels" will continue its popular season at the Regent Theatre to-day. .Presenting the charming young actress Deanna Durbin in a lighthearted romance, the New Universal picture "It's a Date" has been selected as the next attraction for the theatre. The production was supervised by Joe Pasternack, who has contributed largely to the success of all Deanna DurbiVs films. Songs -which should appeal to all tastes include Schubert's "Ave Maria," "Musetta's Street Song" from "La Bolicme," "Loch Lomond" and a modern composition, "Love Is All." Supporting parts are taken by such well-known players as Walter Pidgeon, Kay Francis, Eugene Pallette. Leslie Howard and Cecilia Loftus. CENTURY THEATRE Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy again prove themselves the finest comedians of the screen in the hilarious film of English university life "A Chump at Oxford," which 'is now nearing the close of its successful season at the Con turv Theatre. Also to be shown on the same programme is "Rebel Son." A subject remarkably in keeping with events is treated in "An Englishman's Home," which will have its first Auckland screenings at the theatre on Friday. Based on a play by Guy du Maurier. the picture deals with the invasion of England bv parachute troops, a theme which a short time ago was regarded as fantastic. DE PARIS THEATRE Prod need and acted with consummate artistry, the French film "Mayerling" will be shown again to-day at the Theatre do Paris. No less satirical than Dean Swift's English classic, but with a modern theme, the Russian picture "The New Gulliver" wilMie shown for the first time,at the tb'eatrc on Friday. The use of puppets marks a radical departure in screen technique. CRYSTAL PALACE AND RIALTO "Dragoman Courage" beads the entertaining programme to be presented at the Crystal Palace and Rialto 'Theatres to-night. STRAND THEATRE One of tlin most successful musical films of recent years, "Rose Marie," in which Nelson Eddy and Jeannetto Mac Donald havo the loading ..roles, will continue its return season at the Strand Theatre to-day.

ST. JAMES* THEATRE Few more natural characters have been created on the screen than young Dr. Kildare, tlio very likeable American interne, who meets further excitement in ''The Secret of Dr. Kildare," a Metro-Goldwyn-Ma.vor* release, which heads to-day's new programme at St. J allies' Theatre. As in the former films of this entertaining series, Lew Ay res has been entrusted with the title role. Another shrewd character portrayal is given by the veteran actor Lionel Barryniore as Dr. Gillespie, an irascible specialist, who yet takes a great interest in bis student and lends him valuable advice in all his problems, medical and otherwise. Helen Gilbert, Lionel Atwill and Laraine Day have minor parts. The associate programme is of the usual high standard. EMBASSY THEATRE The ingenious drama "Poison Pen," is to conclude its season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. A strong cast is headed by Flora Rohson. Sacha Guitrv, who occupies a place in the French theatrical world comparable with that of Noel Coward in the English, is not only the principal actor and commentator in "The Cheat," but also the author of this sophisticated French comedy, which is to begin its Auckland season at the Embassy Theatre to-morrow". The plot is polished, imaginative and delightfully witty, and allows scope lor sortie magnificent acting, the outstanding players besides Guitr.y being Jncque-, line Delubac and Rosine Derean. OXFORD THEATRE "Pack Up Your Troubles," in which the Hit/. Brothers and Jane Withers appear, will be shown with "City of Chance" at the Oxford Theatre again to-day. C. Aubrey Smith is the principal in the second production.