ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23851, 30 December 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre.—Adapted from the Liberty magazine story "I Married a Nazi," the 20th Century-Fox production "The J fan I Married" is nowshowing at the Plaza Theatre. Joan Bennett and Francis Lederer are the principal players, while the large supporting cast is headed by Otto Kruger, Lloyd Nolan, Anns, Sten and Maria Ouspenskaya, who appeared in "The Rains Came." Majestic Theatre. —The main attraction at the afternoon and evening sessions at the Majestic!! Theatre is "Mystery Sea Raider," a thrilling war story from the studios of Paramount. It. tolls of the activities of a raider which lures merchantmen from their courses by fake distress signals and then sinks them. .Also showing is "World in Flames," a pictorial summary of the last ten years compiled from newsreels. It traces the international events of importance right up to the battle for Britain. Paramount's coloured cartoon "Gulliver's Travels" is being shown at the morning sessions. Civic Theatre. —Several times winner of the Academy award, Spencer Tracy is teamed with the Viennese actress Hedv Lamarr in Metro-Goldwyn-Maver's absorbing drama "I Take This Woman," which is the holiday attraction at the Civic Theatre. Tracy is cast as a doctor, while Hedy Lamarr is the woman who diverts him from his career. Regent Theatre.--Set in the romantic Vienna of the 18!?0's. Deanna Durbin's latest film "Spring Parade" is the current attraction at the Regent Theatre. Robert Cummings appears opposite her, while S. Z. Sakall heads the associate cast. St. James' Theatre.—Metro-GoJdwyn-Mnyer's brilliant musical operatta ".Yew Moon" is attracting large audiences to St. James' Theatre. Nelson Kddy and Jeanette Mac Donald have the leading roles, and are heard singing such favourite numbers as "Lover Come Back to Me" and ''New Moon." An entertaining selection of short subjects will also be presented. Century Theatre.—A delightful fantasj filmed entirely in the glorious tones of technicolour. Maurice Maeterlinck's "The Blue Bird" is proving popular with Auckland audiences at the Century Theatre. Reminiscent in. places of former successful fantasies, such as "The Wizard of Oz" and "Alice in Wonderland," it contains many amazing spectacles, outstanding among which are a forest fire and a representation of "the land of the flaming past." Shirley Temple is castas Mytyl, the dissatisfied little girl who sets out to look for the mythical "blue bird of happiness." while Tommy Russell is cast as Tytyl, her goodnatured young brother. Gale Sondergaard and Eddie Collins also appear. Eoxy, Tivoli Theatres. —The popular singing cowboy Gene Autry is featured in Republic's thrilling Western melodrama "In Old Monterey," which heads to clay's programme at the Eoxy and Tivoli Theatres. Smiley Burnette and George Hayes appear with him. The associate attraction is the Columbia production "South of Arizona," in which Charles Starrett is prominently cast. The "Sons of the Pioneers," a radio choir, sing several numbers during the film. Embassy Theatre. —Directed by Anatole Lit.vak, who made the French epic "Mayerliug," Warner Brothers' production of Rachel Field's great novel "All This and Heaven Too" is attracting large audiences to the Embassy Theatre. Bette Davis gives one of the finest performances of her brilliant career, while Charles Boyer appears opposite her. Oxford, Avon Theatres.—Based on a sparkling short story by the French author Sacha Guitry, "Lucky Partners" heads the entertaining doublefeature programme being presented daily at the Oxford and Avon Theatres, leading roles are portrayed by Ronald Colman and Ginger Rogers. "The Spell Binder" is also being shown. Strand Theatre.—Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland are the principals in the uproarious comedy "Andy Hardy Meets a Debutante," which is now showing at the Strand Theatre. The antics of "Andy" as he tries to take part in the bewildering whirl of New York social life make for many hilarious episodes. Judy Garland is heard in several new "swing" numbers. Vogue Theatre. —Based on the life of Johann Strauss, "The Great Waltz" is now showing at the Vogue Theatre. The role of the Viennese composer is played by Fernand Gravet, while Luise Rainer appears as bis vrife. Miliza Korjus, the opera singer, has a prominent role. i

State Theatre. —The film version" of the prize-winning novel "Not Too Narrow Not Too Deep," M.G.M.'s drama "Strange Cargo" is the current attraction at the State Theatre.