ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 7

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre.—The riotous comedy?' "Saps at Sea" had an enthusiastic re- inception from the large audiences at the,; Plaza Theatre yesterday. In the skilful j hands of Laurel and Hardy the sus-'r tained comedy, which might easily have'** become monotonous, retains its hum- a orous interest throughout the film. An old associate of the two comedians in. silent films, James Finlayson, makes at return to the screen and proves he-? has lost .nono of his ability to raise laughter. t

Majestic Theatre. —Crowded audiences. at the Majestic Theatre yesterday acclaimed the entertaining musical film £ "Buck Benny Bides Again" when it", commenced an Auckland season. Four - new songs are introduced in the pic—., turc, which is set against a background? of a ranch in America. Jack Benny v takes the part of himself as the well- - known radio personality, and is sup- '' ported by a cast of popular broadcast- ; ing and stage artists. Ihe associate attraction is the colourful outdoor ad- - venture drama "The Light of Western. * Stars." Novelty piano items by two-, members of the Royal New Zealand Air. Force are included in the programme.

Civic Theatre. —Typical of SamuelGoldwvn's productions, the film "The Westerner," which commenced the sec-v: ond week of its season at the Civic Theatre yesterday, has all the spectacu- -• lar action of the drama of settlement in." the West. Gary Cooper, as Cole Harden, has another rugged and adventur-.. ous role, and he does full justice to it. Walter Brennan gives a good-, character portrayal as the notorious Judge Boy Bean. ?

Regent Theatre. —Refreshing entertaininent is provided by the charming; story of "Four Wives," a Warner Brothers release, now in the second week of its season at the Regent Theatre. Leading characters are por- , trayed by Priscilla Lane, Claude Rains, r Jeffry Lynn, Lola Lane and May Robson, all of whom appeared in "Four< Daughters," the forerunner of the present attraction. Scenes from the outstanding films of the last decade are once more brought to the screen in "Cavalcade of Academy Awards," which heads the associate programme. St. James' Theatre. —Rich in humour and romance of a man's life, the film "Edison the-., Man" was fully appreciated bv ; the large audiences which attended its first sessions at St. James' v ' Theatre yesterday. Twice winner of the ;r Academy Award, Spencer Tracy in the - title role gives a performance well up to the standard of his former appearances. Although authentic in its details, the picture is not merely a biographical survey of the American inventor's life. Rather, it aims at portraying the character of the man and the lesserknown incidents in his life, and in this Tracy has a role, suited toil im, and he. succeeds in his interpreta-_. tion even beyond expectations. A news: review and one of the "Passing Parade" series are included on the,, supporting programme. j. Oxford Theatre. —Exciting romance and drama are blended in "South o£. Pago Pago," the current attraction at'the Oxford Theatre. Jon Hall, Victor McLaglen and Frances. Farmer are three popular players in important roles. A March of Time heads the associate features.

Century.Theatre.—Lavish musical set*; tings and the introduction of popular melodies of 50 years ago contribute to the undoubted success of the film "Lil--lian Russell," current attraction at the Century Theatre. In the role of the. famous stage actress, Lillian Russell,--Alice Faye acts with conviction, while her singing of such songs as "Rosie, You Are My Posie," and "After the Ball" is excellent. Don Ameche as a music composer and Henry Fonda as a newspaper editor give fine performances, while Edward Arnold is outstanding as Diamond Jim. A recent; news-* reel and the short feature "The Battle of Britain" will be shown. Strand Theatre.—The romantic film: "Florian" will be shown at the Strand Theatre to-day. An interesting love story is unfolded round the life of a Lippizan stallion belonging to the Em-' peror of Austria, and all the pageantry of the Austrian Empire before the Great War is portrayed in the film i; The romantic interest is supplied by Robert Young, as a groom at the Im-; perial stables, and Helen Gilbert, as the Duchess Diana. Irina Baronova, the Russian, ballerina, makes her first appearance ou the screen in this pro-" duction. i-

Roxy, Tivoli Theatres. —Replete withi thrills, the Warner Brothers production "Tear Gas Squad" is to be shown again at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Methods of combating the depredations of gangsters are revealed in the picture, a gripping climax showing the police gas squad in action. Dennis Morgan and Gloria Dickson head ai talented cast. "Pride of the Bluegrass," enthralling story of a racing thoroughbred, completes the pro-, gramme.

Embassy Theatre.—The bright comedy romance "Bemember the Night?'* •will be shown at the Embassy Tlieatra, to-day. The leading roles are taken bya new romantic team, Barbara Stanwyck and Fred Mac Murray, and theycreate a very favourable impression together. The whole cast' gives a per-, formance which fully exploits the opportunities provided by the ingenious plot of the film. A coloured cartoon, a sporting feature and newsreels will also be shown. '

Prince Edward Theatre.—Music and humour are delightfully blended in "The Starmaker, to-day's main attraction at the Prince Edward Theatre. Bing Crosby and Linda Ware are tha lending players. The English musical film "Talking Feet" also will be shown. State Theatre.—The hilariously funny. Australian comedy "Dad Rudd, ■will be shown at the State Theatre to-day. Bert Bailey repeats the success of his former appearances as SteeleRudd's lovable backblocks s character, Dad Rudd.