ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24085, 2 October 1941, Page 16

ENTERTAINMENTS

Majestic Theatre. —Thrills and action combine in the latest production from the Paramount studios, ' The Monster and the Girl," which will head the double feature programme at the Majestic Theatre to-day. Ellen Drew, who appeared prominently in "I he Mad Doctor," has the leading role in the picture and gives a remarkably effective performance. The film unfolds the exciting story oi a gorilla with a human brain, which seeks the destruction of six gangsters. Through the genius oi a scientist the brain oi a man executed for murder he did not commit is kept alive and transplanted into the skull ol a monster gorilla. Killed with flaming hate against the six peoples responsible for his unjust conviction for murder, the executed man betoro he died swore that he would some day have his revenge against those who were responsible lor his unjust conviction. As the gorilla searches out its victims with its human cunning and destroys them one by ono_ with its monster strength, the entire city is terrorised bv the crime wave. Directed by Stuart 'lleisler, the film _ has a strong supporting cast, which includes Robert Paige. 'Paul Onslow Stevens and Phillip Terry. The associate attraction is the well-directed hltft "Power Dive. ' which deals with the efforts of a small group ol fliers to sell an aeroplane constructed on revolutionary lines by a blind inventor. Brad Karrell, a daring air pilot, is the hero of the film, and his attempts to prove the aeroplane worthy of its acceptance by the United States Army, and his subsequent efforts to establish a new trans-continental speed record, provide absorbing entertainment. Richard Arleu has t he leading role. Embassy Theatre. — Bringing out the best, and only occasionally the'worst, of the two extremes ol society, and blending its observations into romance that has humanity and abundant humour, the R.K.O. Radio. British, production "Tilly of JBloomsbury," will have its 'first presentations at the Embassy Theatre to-day. The well-known old play has been transferred to the screen with all the sincerity that a talented English cast can give it, and the way in which young love is depicted is very .refreshing. The story concerns & Airs. Welwyn, a hard-working woman, who, with her academic but alcoholic husband Lucius, keeps a boarding, house in Blooinsbury. The Welwyns have a son Percy, and two daughters, lilly and Amelia. Tilly and Dick Jlamwaring. son of aristocratic pa rents, meet acc!dontally and their meeting 1 cads to romance. Tilly believes that Mainwaring is out of work and that he like herself comes from a working class home, and she is rather shocked when site visits the ancestral Mamw aring home. Complications arise lor her, when Lady Marion, Dick s classconscious mother, manoeuvres a return vi.sit to the JBloomsbury boaidmg house. It is at this point that the story becomes most entertaining. A friend of the Welwyn family masquerades as a butler and his efforts are, as is to bo expected, not successful, in fact the way he bungles the job makes one of ihe best scenes in the him A capable cast is headed bv Sydney Howard, who as the pseudo butler, litids unlimited scope tor bus humour. I lean Gillie as Tilly acts with sincerity, while Michael Wilding contributes an amusing cockney character study as Percy. . Plaza Theatre. —Sparkling in its story and treatment, R.K.0.-Radio's "The Devil and Miss Jones, ' in which .lean Arthur has the leading role, will have its first screenings at the Plaza 1 heatre to-morrow, and should prove a welcome addition to recent entertaining screen productions. Robert Cu turnings has the romantic lead opposite Miss Arthur and Charles Coburn lias another prominent role, that of a gruff multi-millionaire—-the richest man in the world —Mr. Merrick, who owns a string of progressive and enterprising American stores. Merrick, a bachelor, powerful enough to have his photograph kept out ot the newspapers for at least 120 years, is visited by the directors of some of his companies who are greatly agitated because Merrick has been hanged in effigy outside one of his departmental stores. The incident upsets him and he j impersonates a private detective who | has been engaged to investigate the I matter. He manages to gain employment in one of his stores, und his presence at staff meetings and his instrumentality in correcting the system of management of his own enterprises. are a seemingly endless source of entertainment of the lighter variety. "The Devil and Miss .Jones" is a social document, whose general tone is wholesome laughter, showing that rich comedv can be evolved from those situations and conditions which seem to assume such vital importance to the average person to-day. Ihe film, ill Miss Arthur's case, shows what happens when a good-natured girl employee of a large store unwittingly humanises her wealthy employer, whom she had mistaken for just another employee. Century Theatre.—Based on an amusing screen-plav written by Rian James, Hal Roach's biggest comedy to date, "Broadway. Limited." will have its first screenings at the Century Theatre to-morrow. The picture is a gay romance and unfolds a fast-moving tale of the tribulations of the great film star April Tremainc. who is en route from the west coast to New York with her director and publicity woman. As a publicity stunt, the public is informed that the glamorous Miss Tremaino lias become the mother of a babv girl. The baby is obtained, unknown to Miss Tremaine, from an engine driver, and it manages to break up a budding romance between the famous actress and an old sweetheart. Complications arise, however, when if is discovered that a baby, heir of a wealthy family, has been kid-, napped and that the date of its disappearance coincides with the date of the adoption of the baby lor Miss 'I remaine. Hilarious situations follow in rapid succession, and. as most of the action of the film takes place on the famous Pennsylvania fxpress between Chicago and New York, many awkward positions arise as the principals dodge in and out ol corridors and apartments. Certain passengers on the train are mistaken for members of the kidnapping gang and merry mix-ups follow, as the director endeavours to get rid of the baby and is thwarted each finie. The feminine lead in the picture is capably handled by Maiurie Woodwort.il. who is regarded as a possible successor to • lean Harlow. Opposite her is Dennis O'Koele. who recently played a small part, for what it was worth, in "Topper Returns." He appears as a young and handsome physician Dr. Harvey North. St. James' Theatre.—Two of the most popular players under eonlrael to the Mel ro-Ooldwyii-.Mayer studios. William Powell and Myrna Loy. appear as Steven and Susan Ireland, the principal characters in the entertaining domestic comedy "Love Crazy," which will begin a season at St.. .lames' Theatre tomorrow. The third wedding anniversary plans of Steven .and Susan are rudely interrupted by the unexpected visit of Mrs. Cooper, Susan's mother. Steven finds that he is delegated to sit and keep her company while Susan goes to the station to meet an aunt. Wearied by playing cards, he pays a visit to Isohe | Grayson. an old friend, who lives in an adjacent apartment. Hearing of this. Susan, in an effort to get even, decides to call on Isohei's husband. A heated quarrel ensues and Susan institutes divorce proceedings. Steven consults his family lawyer, who tells him that if lie wants the hearing postponed he has two alternatives: he can break his leg or he can feign lunacy. The harassed husband decides on the latter course, but, although it all starts as a joke. circumstances begin piling up until everybody is convinced that he has lost his mind. Among the supporting players arc Gail Patrick, recently seen in "Gallant Sons." Sidney Blaekmer. Sje Ruinann. Kathleen Loekhart and Sara lladen. The cast also includes "Jonesy." a white cockatoo, which appears in a comedy sequence where it steals a wristlet watch.