ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23891, 15 February 1941, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre.—With a background of the beautiful southern States of America, renowned for their racehorses, the enthralling film "Maryland" was presented before enthusiastic audiences at the Plaza Theatre yesterday. The fine cast includes two outstanding character players. Fay Bainter and Walter Brennan. who give excellent performances. Romantic interest is supplied by Uremia Joyce and John Payne, and Charles Buggies and Hattic McDaniel also appear. Majestic Theatre.—Brilliantly produced. with lavish musical sets, the film "Dancing on a Dime'' heads the programme which commenced a season at thi> Majestic Theatre yesterday. Introducing a number of popular modern songs, including "Manana," "I Hear Music" and "Dancing on a Dime," the film has (Jrace McDonald and Robert Paige in leading roles. The associate attraction is a thrilling drama of international intrigue, "Constantinople Express," in which Rex Harrison appears. Civic Theatre.—A romance of the South Sea islands, "Seven Sinners." was shown for the first time before appreciative audiences at the Civic Theatre yesterday. Beautiful Marlene Dietrich returns to the screen after her successful appearance in "Dcstry Rides Again," as a deported cafe entertainer. .John Wayne plays opposite her as a lieutenant in the American Fleet, while a good deal of humour is supplied by the pocket-picking magician portrayed by Miseha Auor. Others in the cast include Albert Dekker, Billy Gilbert and Anna Lee. A fine supporting programme will be shown. St. James* Theatre.—A bright and humorous satire of society life of the early nineteenth century which retains all the charm of Jane Austen's book, "Pride and Prejudice" will continue its successful season at St. .James' Theatre to-day. Laurence Olivier and Greer Carson appear. Century Theatre.—Directed for 20th Century Fox studios by Walter Lang, the successful musical' romance "Tin Pan Alley" will continue its season at the Century Theatre to-dav. Alice Kayo, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie and •lohn Payne have the leading roles in the production, which recreates West 46th Street as it was during the period IS)14-J!)19. Some of the most popular tunes of the day, among them "The Shiek of Arab.v," "Moonlight Bay" and "Good-bye Broadway, Hello l'ranee" are revived in the film. Oxford Theatre.—Set in the adventurous days of banditry in California, " 'The Mark of Zorro," is the main feature on the current programme at the Oxford Theatre to-day. Tyrone Power gives a dashing portrayal as the bandit Zorro, and Linda Darnell plays the feminine lead. "What would you do Chums?" is the associate attraction. Embassy Theatre.—Brilliant, sophisticated American wit has seldom been better expressed than in "Hired Wife," the gay comedy which will again be shown at the Embassy Theatre to-day. .Rosalind Russell heads the cast.

Regent Theatre. —Filled with spectacular and startling action, the vivid drama of the exploits of the famed Australian Light Horse "Forty Thousand Horsemen" was well received by enthusiastic audiences at its initial presentations at the Regent Theatre yesterday. Striking a new note in Australian film production, the picture is an outstanding dedication to the heroes of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Palestine in the Great War. Roxy, Tivoli Theatres.—Continuing the adventures of the popular Chinese detective, the exciting mystery film "Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum" again heads the double-feature programme at the Roxy and Tivoli theatres to-day. Sidney Toler portrays the part of the detective, the supporting cast including Sen Yung, Joan Valrie and C. Henry Gordon. Also to bo shown is the romantic drama of modern aviation "Flight at Midnight." Strand Theatre.—Outstanding among the greatest of romantic dramas, the film "All This and Heaven Too'' had a successful opening of its return Auckland season at the Strand Theatre yesterday. Gaining its appeal from 'the magnificence of its direction and the superb performance of the east, the film has an atmosphere of sincerity and conviction which makes absorbing entertainment. Charles Boyer and Bette Davis are the principals. Vogue Theatre. One of the mostprominent oi modern dramatic actresses, Bette Davis, heads the cast, in the brilliant film "Dark Victory, - ' which will continue a season at the \ ogue Theatre to-day. The production is a most revealing drama and provides splendid entertainment. Special programmes dedicated to all British soldiers, seamen and airmen, will bo presented at the Vogue Theatre, commencing on Tuesday next. Scenes of airmen in Canada and the changing ot the guard are typical of the type of film to be shown, while another presentation will be portions of Mr. Winston Churchill's speech on February ](). These programmes will include all branches of training of the men, and should provide unusual and interesting entertainment. Special items will be played by Mr. Ron Boyce at the new Hammond organ. State Theatre. —Laurence Olivier gives an outstanding portrayal in the film adaptation of Emily Bronte's novel "Wuthering Heights," which will be presented at the State Theatre again to-day. The leading feminine role is ably taken by Merle Oberon . Avon Theatre.—Tyrone Power plays the part of a dashing bandit in the adventure film "The Mark of Zorro," to-day's attraction at the Avon Theatre. Linda Darnell gives a pleasing performance in the leading feminine role.