ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre.—Conrad Voidt, recently sot. 1 ) i in the I'll in "Contraband," has a major role in Hie lancinating technicolour fantasy "The Thief of Bagdad," the current attraction at the Plaza Theatre.

Majestic Theatre. —Based on authentic incidents leading to the discovery ol' diamonds in South Africa, with the subsequent lawlessness and disorder which followed in the wake ol the rush to the diggings, I'liiversiiFs adventure drama "Diamond Frontier" will head the new programme to lie shown at the .Majestic Theatre to-day. Victor MeLaglen. John Loder and Anne Nngel are among the principals. Mending youthful romance, comedy and music, 'Tin Nobody's Sweetheart Now'' is the associate film. Dennis () Keclc, Constance .Moore, Helen Parrish and Lewis Howard have the main roles.

Civic Theatre.--How a spirited working girl sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of the man she loves is dramatically related in "Kitty Foyle," which will he presented for the first time fo-day at the Civic Theatre. The film, which has been adapted from I Christopher .Mot ley's frank novel, deals with the life and romances of a typical business girl from the time she learns typing until she attains womanhood. The picture i.s notable for the magnificent performance of Cinger Rogers, who won this year's Academy award in the title role. Dennis Morgan, James Craig and Gladys Cooper also have principal parls. Regent Theatre. —With many notable, performances to his credit, George Halt, supported by Humphrey liogart and Ann Sheridan, has the role of a young man accused by a frustrated woman of complicity in the murder of a friend in Warner Brothers' i'astnioving melodrama "The Road to 'Frisco," which will bo screened for the first time at the Regent Theatre today. Other players in the large cast are Ida Lupino, Gale Page, Alan Hale and John Litel. St. James' Theatre. —One of the most- ambitious productions in the annals of the screen, "Gone With the Wind," will have its first presentations to-day at St. James' Theatre. In graphic detail the film describes the pageant and tragedy of the American Civil War, which destroyed the delicate fabric of the plantation age. Vivien Leigh gives a memorable portrait of the central character, Scarlett O'llara, who, faced with the stern alternative of meeting the new era or dying with the old. develops from a pretty coquette into a cohl egoist, determined to rebuild something of the world that has tumbled around her.

Roxy and Tivoli Theatres.—NewYork's exciting waterfront is the background of "l'ier Li'' which heads the current programme at the Roxy and '1 ivoli Theatres. The efforts of a girl to extricate her sister from the clutches of clever criminals without attracting the attention of her police officer friend, make an amusing and dramatic theme. Lynn Bari and Lloyd Nolan are the principals. A ruthless gang of saboteurs is tracked down by the detective Charlie Chan, a part played by Sidney Toler, in "Murder Over New York," which is the associate film.

Century Theatre. —An inspiring story of heroism on board a British tramp steamer, running the gauntlet of sea and air attacks to get its cargo of ammunition to Kngland, is told in the outstanding "Walter Wanger production "The Long Voyage Home," which commences a season at the Century Theatre to-day. The chief characters are portrayed by John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell and lan Hunter. An added attraction at the evening session will be n novelty piano duet presented by two members of the Air Force, Gordon Johnson and Richard Morris.

Oxford and Avon Theatres.—Handsome Cesar Romero has the leading role in 20th Century-Fox's entertaining comedy "Tall, Dark and Handsome, a satire at the expense of Chicago gangsters, which will begin a season today at the Oxford and Avon Theatres. Ihe supporting cast includes Virginia Gilmoro and Stanley Clements, a clever juvenile. The story of a scholar who sacrifices his studies for a football career, "Yesterday's Heroes," also will be shown. Robert Stirling ' and Jean Rogers are the principals.

Strand Theatre.—ln spite of its title, Warner Brothers' "No 'lime for Comedy," which will commence a season at tlie Strand Theatre to-day, is an amusing story of sophisticated characters behind the scenes of a Broadway stage play, .lames Stewart, who won a 19-10 Academy award, and vivacious Rosalind Russell have a magnificent opportunity for lively acting. The supporting players include Genevieve Tobin and Charlie Ruggles. State Theatre. Laurence Olivier, Greer Garson, Mary Roland, Maureen (("Sullivan. Ann Rutherford and Edna May Oliver are among the principals in Metro-Ooldwyn-Mayer's screen version of Jane Austin's "Rride and Prejudice," which is now being shown at the State Theatre. Embassy Theatre.-—Fannie Hurst's stirring love story is vividly brought, to the screen by Charles .Rover and Margaret _ Sulla Vim in ''Rack Street," which is now in its fourth week at the Embassy Theatre. The latest "March of 'lime' 1 heads I lie supporting programme.

Vogue Theatre. —"Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever" and "Viva 'Cisco Kid" comprise the well-balanced programme to be screened at the Vogue Theatre 10-day. Mickey Rooney appears in the former picture.