ENTERTAINMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE “WHEN TOMORROW COMES” ( For many years the name of Joseph M. Stahl has been associated with outstanding film productions— Magnificent Obsession,” “Back Street, Only Yesterday,” to mention some of them—and “When Tomorrow Comes, which began a season at the Regent Theatre yesterday, has added another splendid production to his record. He knows none better, the technique of giving strength, colour, depth and a light, leisurely elegance to a romantic incident. As a vehicle for his stars in this achievement, Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, Stahl has chosen an unusual problem story. The adaptation of _ “When Tomorrow Comes” provides a rich field for his directorial abilities as well as for the brilliance of these two screen celebrities. The result is one of the most powerfully dramatic offerings of the season. The supporting programme is unusually interesting. It includes some excellent “shots” of hostilities in Europe, a revue featurette, and a Government film of New Zealand featuring Rotorua, Stewart Island and the Southern Alps. Box plans are at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Regent shop and the theatre. “TARZAN FINDS A SON” MORE JUNGLE ADVENTURES “Tarzan Finds a Son,” fourth of the famous Tarzan jungle adventures, reuniting Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan, comes on Friday to the Regent Theatre, bringing with it a new character, Tarzan, jun., and introducing in the role five-year-old Johnny Sheffield. The boy plays the foster son of the jungle couple, swings through the air on vines with Weissmuller, engages with him in thrills of underwater swimming, is rescued from a rhinoceros, and figures in other thrills. Johnny leaped to fame on the New York stage as the boy in “On Borrowed Time.” “Tarzan Finds a Son deals with the finding of a baby in an aeroplane, wrecked in the jungle. Tarzan and Jane adopt and rear it. A safari penetrates the jungle in search of traces ot the aeroplane to clear up a legacy and the child becomes the object of a plot by heirs who do not wish the youngster’s existence known. Tarzan refuses to give up the boy, but Jane believes he should be returned for his birthlight and tricks her mate. When the party is captured by savages and brought to a torture chamber Jane helps the boy to escape to summon Tarzan, who arrives with his chimpanzee and elephant cavalry. Thrills include the routing of the native torture orgy and amazing rescues from wild animals. When Weissmuller rides his elephant Queenie, Johnny rides Baby Bee, smallest elephant in captivity. Players include lan Hunter, Henry Stephenson, Frieda Inescort, Henry Wilcoxon, Laraine Day and Morton Lowry. The Tarzan tree house, augmented with a ‘ nursery and primitive jungle toys, is the scene of romantic details of the picture. STATE THEATRE “THREE SONS” The Phoenix-like rise of Chicago from the ashes of the fire that destroyed it in 1871 is an inspiring piece of history. And though the fire itself has been recreated on the screen, the saga of the city’s rebirth afterward, its rise to power and its dominance over all the Mid-West, has not heretofore been treated in motion pictures. It is now vividly portrayed in “Three Sons,” which commences at the State Theatre at 2.0 and 8.0 today. Edward Ellis of “A Man to Remember” fame, plays the role of Daniel Pardway. The “three sons” of the title are portrayed by Kent Taylor, Dick Hogan and Robert Stanton. Excellent featurettes include Walt Disney’s Donald Duck in “Sea Scouts,” “Marriage-go-Round” (comedy), “Devil Drivers” (sportscope), “All Dolled Up” (interest) and latest overseas newsreels. “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,” now 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. 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 SIXPENCE TONIGHT “TARZAN’S REVENGE” 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 is now showing at the Majestic Theatre, 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.” Scientists and statistics have proved that ignorance and innocence are the greatest allies of this dreadful disease which is making such 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 the 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).

THE EMPIRE, RIVERTON

Smartly dialogued, brimming with laughs and offering finished and believable characterizations by such stellar performers as Janet Gaynor, Robert Montgomery and Franchot Tone “Three Loves Has Nancy” is one of the most refreshing and romantic comedies to be screened for some time. It will be presented at Riverton tonight. Romance, riches and rumpus mix in a mad, merry melange. The mission of “Three Loves Has Nancy” is to entertain you and you may depend on it. It will fulfil its mission to the last close-up, a hailstorm of hilarity.