ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24113, 30 April 1940, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “WHEN TOMORROW COMES” IRENE DUNNE, CHARLES BOYER • A new and most successful romantic team in Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne is cast in “When Tomorrow Comes,” which is attracting considerable attention at the Regent Theatre. An unusual problem story is told in “When Tomorrow Comes.” The adaptation provides a rich field for John M. Stahl’s directorial abilities and the acting genius of Miss Dunne and Boyer. The result is one of the most powerfully dramatic offerings of the season. Philip and Helen fall in love at first sight. It happens when Philip (Charles Boyer) a famous continental pianist in America for a concert tour, drops into a restaurant for dinner. His interest in food disappears when he gazes at Helen (Irene Dunne) the lovely girl serving him. Helen goes sailing with Philip but a sudden violent gale forces them to seek refuge in his waterfront home. Momentarily forgetting the steadily increasing fury of the storm in their absorption in each other, Helen and Philip discover a mutual interest in music. As the storm grows to hurricane intensity the full impact of their feelings for each other hits them. Rising waters endanger their lives and they attempt escape in Philip’s motor-car. Death almost strikes both when a tree is hurled against their car by the force of the hurricane. Helen and Philip battle the hurricane to seek refuge. They stumbli on a building that providentially escaped the force of the wind—a church! In the morning they are discovered by the minister, asleep in each other’s arms, in the organ loft where they had been forced by rising waters. Philip confesses he is married, his wife a mental invalid. Philip is faced with the probler’. of choosing between loyalty to his wife and love for Helen. How shall he decide? Romance, exciting action, and the screen’s outstanding romantic stars, make “When Tomorrow Comes” perfect entertainment. The supporting programme too promises to be very interesting, with a Maoriland Movielogue dealing with Stewart Island, Rotorua and other parts, an English scenic, musical and the latest Air Mail News. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre. STATE THEATRE ASTAIRE-ROGERS The colourful career of Vernon and Irene Castle, world-famous dance team of pre-war days, is depicted in striking fashion in “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle,” starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, which screens finally today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre. The struggles of the Castles to win recognition as dancers, their sudden fame and happiness, and Vernon’s experiences as a member of the Royal Flying Corps, are all dramatically unfolded in this spectacular filmusical. Many popular songs of yesteryear, as well as the famous dances created by the Castles, are interpolated throughout the picture. Edna May Oliver, Walter Brennan, Lew Fields, Janet Beecher and Etienne Girardot have featured roles. Specially selected supports complete the programme. TOMORROW AT 2.0 AND 8.0 “THREE SONS” A revelation of the tendency of children of the rich to waste their inheritance on riotous living, “Three Sons,” commencing at the State at 2.0 and 8.0 tomorrow, Wednesday, affords Edward Ellis of “A Man to Remember” fame, a strong screen role. The gripping story presents the distinguished stage and film actor as a long-sighted business man who takes his wife to Chicago directly after the metropolis has been gutted by the great holocaust of 1871. Imbued with the courage of his convictions, he is determined to establish on the city’s ashes a huge mercantile

dynasty for his future children. Sharing acting honours with Ellis in “Three Sons” are William Gargan, Kent Taylor, J. Edward Bromberg, Katharine Alexander, Grady Sutton, Virginia Vale and Robert Stanton. Jack Hively directed. The picture is an RKO Radio relase. Among the supports is a Walt Disney coloured cartoon, “Sea Scouts.” Box plans are at Begg’s or State, telephone 645. “THE LION HAS WINGS” Of special interest and importance as Britain’s first full-length propaganda film, sponsored by the Government, “The Lion Has Wings,” flown to New Zealand by special air mail, will commence screening at the State, Invercargill, on Friday next after recordbreaking seasons in the four main centres. The names of Ralph Richardson and Merle Oberon are sufficient guarantee of the first-rate quality of the cast, while the credit titles are headed by the caption, “Produced by Alexander Korda,” how officially appointed as producer of films for the British Government for the duration of the war. “The Lion Has Wings” can be divided into two parts. First, there is the justification for entering the war. Second, there is a detailed survey of the precautions taken to defend Britain against air raids. One of the most impressive things about the picture’s treatment is its calm and objective approach to facts. Only once is the technique of film editing used to hold Hitler up to ridicule, and that is where short shots of his violent speech-making are placed in rapid alternation with glimpses of English bookmakers _ at Epsom calling the odds. Entertaining from beginning to end, “The Lion Has Wings” tells the story of Britain’s amazing effort to overhaul her rivals in the matter of aerial power, of a successful race to develop her resources and produce an'invincible air armada. The film ends with an up-to-the-minute climax, the wonderful raid on the Kiel Canal the Sunday after war was declared. Box plans are open now at the State Theatre, telephone 645, for Friday and patrons are advised to reserve without delay. CIVIC THEATRE “TARZAN’S REVENGE” “NIGHT WAITRESS” Thrill scenes in motion pictures frequently call for technical tricks to produce a desired effect but in “Tarzan’s Revenge,” the first attraction on the Civic’s half-price programme tonight at 7.45, the exciting exploits of Tarzan (Glenn Morris) and his mate (Eleanor Holm) defied reproduction by anything but real risks to those involved. When Eleanor Holm swam to safety among a pool full of crocodiles, there was no one who could swim faster or more capably under those conditions than Eleanor herself. When Glenn Morris, acclaimed as America’s greatest athlete in the 1936 Olympics, had to swing Eleanor Holm under his arm and leap out of danger in the perfect Tarzan manner, Morris was the only one able to do it. When dozens of wild animals were turned loose in a scene no one knew when natural hatreds would start them off on an unscheduled killing orgy. Small wonder that “Tarzan’s Revenge” makes one of the most thrilling movies of the season. Directed by D. Ross Lederman, the Principal Production features George Barbier, C. Henry Gordon and Hedda Hopper in the cast. Featuring the colourful new starring team of Margot Grahame and Gordon Jones, “Night Waitress,” the second feature on tonight’s 6d. and 9d. programme, has the glamorous San Francisco waterfront as its background. Civic prices tonight are all stalls 6d and all circle 9d. MAJESTIC THEATRE “DAMAGED GOODS” FIGHT FOR HUMANITY

Some may contend that “Damaged Goods,” which opens at the Majestic Theatre today, is somewhat daring, but it is based on actual fact and the truth sometimes hurts. The subject of venereal disease, the “red scourge,” which is yearly claiming five

times as many lives as motor-car accidents, has too long been hidden in the phantom family cupboard of “things unmentionable.” Scientistsand statistics have proved that ignorance and innocence are the greatest allies of this dreadful disease which is making sueh serious inroads into the health and happiness of all nations. Governments, medical authorities, the churches and other such bodies have long fought the evil with varied success. Now tire screen throws its power into this fight for humanity. “Damaged Goods” will be preceded by a selection of short features, and plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s Department Store, box office, Rice’s

Majestic Theatre confectionery shop or at the theatre (telephone 738).