ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

Hegent Theatre.—New Uiiiversal's "Spring Parade." which will again be shown at the Pegent Theatre to-day, once more provides Deanna Durbin with a delightful opportunity to use her maturing talents both as an actress and a singer. St. James' Theatre.—Nelson Eddy and Je.iiiette Mac Donald both give excellent performances in the screen version of the famous musical operetta "New Moon," which will continue its successful season at St. James' Theatre to-day. There is a fine supporting programme, including an Our Gang comedy entitled "Waldo's Last Stand/' Plaza Theatre.—Based on the Liberty Magazine story by Oscar Schisgall, the film "I Married a Nazi," current attraction at the Plaza Theatre, is noteworthy for its brilliant production and its outstanding cast. The story becomes even more poignant and vital in the capable hands of experienced players, while the direction of Irving Pichel contributes greatlv to the success of the film. J can Bennett displays a fine sense of the dramatic in a leading role, while Francis Loderer and Lloyd Nolan give good performances in major parts. Majestic Theatre.—A fililliantly produced melodrama, "Mystery Sea Raider," heads the programme at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Suspense and excitement are the main features of the film, and particularly outstanding among the players is Henry Wileoxon as ihe captain of an American merchant sliip which is seized by the Nazis and used as a raider. Associate attraction is a review of major events of the past 10 years, "World in Flames," which will also bo filmed at special sessions at ] p.m. daily. The full-length coloured cartoon "Gulliver's Travels" will be shown at the 11 a.m. session daily. Civic Theatre.—A dramatic story of the emotional conflict of a doctor's lifo i< unfolded in "I Take This Woman." the Metro-(!oldwvn-Mayer production which will again be screened at the Civic Theatre to-day. Spencer Tracy gives an outstanding performance in the main role as a doctor torn between humble and useful work and the prosperity of fashionable practice, while lledy Lamarr, who is the other principal, also adds greatly to the romantio appeal of the film. Century Theatre.—A delightful fantasy, comparable in entertainment value with such films as "The Wizard of 0/." and "Alice in "\yonderland," the production "The commenced an Auckland season before enthusiastic audiences at the Century Theatre yesterday. Screen version of | the famous story by the Belgian writer Maurice Maeterlinck, the film is brilliantly produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, ! with the talented young actress Shirley Temple in the leading role of Mvtyl. The beauty of the story is considerably enhanced by the use of remarkably natural technicolour, while an excellent cast gives outstandingly" fine portrayals. Roxy, Tivoli Theatres, —Popular singing actor of Western pictures. Gene Autry makes his latest appearance in the thrilling film "In Old Monterey," which is tlie main attraction at the Roxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Dealing with the dissension among ranchers on the confiscation of land for military purposes, the film has a fast moving and exciting story. The supporting cast is headed by June Storey, while a great deal of humour is supplied by Smiley Burnctte and George Hayes; The associate attraction is another brilliant Western film, "South of Arizona," in which Charles Starrett appears. Embassy Theatre.—Two of the finest players on the screen, Bette Davis and Charles Bover, have the leading roles in "All This and Heaven, Too," which will again be presented at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Not even in those portrayals which have won her the Academy Award has Miss Dayisi had a. better opportunity of displaying her ability, while Boyer's part, reminiscent of that in "Mayerling," is probably the first in English-speaking picturesworthy of his experience. Oxford, Avon Theatres.—Sparkling dialogue and brilliant wit characteristic of Saelia Guitry's writing is very much in evidence in the screen version of his play "Lucky Partners," which will he shown again to-day at the Oxford and Avon Theatres. A new, and very successful, comedy team is introduced in the film in Ronald Colman and Ginger Rogers, who both give good performances. Also to be shown is "The Spellbinder." Strand Theatre.—The experiences of irrepressible Andy Hardy in New York form the theme of "Andy Hardy Meets a Debutante," which will again be shown at the Strand _ Theatre to-day. The popular young singer Judy Garland appears opposite Mickey Rooney, while Ann Rutherford. Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker and Fay Hohlen are among the favourites of former productions who again appear. State Theatre. —Remarkable in the powerful characterisations given by its leading actors, "Strange Cargo" should again attract large audiences when itis" shown at the State Theatre to-day. The film deals with the adventures ; of a banc! of fugitives from a tropical prison settlement and has Clark Gable and Joan Crawford in main r,oles. Vogue Theatre. —Few musical films have been so universally popular as "The Great Waltz," which will be the main attraction on the programme at the Vogue Theatre to-night. At a special children's matinee the entertaining film "Peck's Bad Boy With the Circus" jand the outdoor melodrama "Lawless valley" will be shown. Victoria Theatre.—The delightful Australian comedy "Dad Rudd, MP. will be the main attraction at the Victoria Theatre to-day. "Code of the Streets" is the second film.