AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 20

AMUSEMENTS.

REGENT. Those who like their pictures fast and sophisticated will appreciate "Four Wives," the film which opens a season at the Regent Theatre to-morrow. One of the frankest pictures seen for many a long time, it reveals the mind of the average young matron towards the delicate question of raising a family. Priscilla, Kosemary and Lola Lane and Gale Page interpret the roles as faithfully as they did in the "Four Daughters," which took audiences by storm a few months ago, and Claude Rains and John Garf.eld take leading parts. Also on the programme is the feature "Cavalcade of Academy Awards," showing on the celluloid the "stars of Hollywood—the greatest in their greatest triumph since 1928. Here may be seen Janet Gaynor, Mary Pickford, George Arliss, Marie Dressier, Bette Davis, Paul Ttfuni, .Luiee Rainer, Spencer Tracy, Robert Donat and Vivian Leigh, among a host of others, and Judy Garland will entertain by singing "Over the Rainbow." This great- film will bring back a flood of memories to all picturegoers, and is the finest personality picture ever shown m the cty. PLAZA. All that is romantic and interesting in the South Seas is contained in "South of Pago Pago," the film that opens a season at the Plaza Theatre to-morrow. Here is depicted the trouble that arises when outsiders come into a native paradise, bringing with them all that is bad for the natives, including crafty guile, avarice and that liquid accompaniment, gin. In the picture there are many shots of all the best in native dancing, some of the finest scenes of pearl-diving ever filmed, and enough fisticuffs to satisfy the greatest craving for red-blooded excitement. This is Jon Hall's first film since "The Hurricane," and here he is again in the most up-to-date South Seas tan, playing the part of a young native chief, to whose South Sea island there come disturbers of the peace. Victor McLaglen takes the part of the leader of the intruders and Frances Farmer is the white girl of the bar rooms who marries the chief with her own particular aims in _ view. Gene Lockhart, • Douglas Dumbrille and Olympe Bradna supply excellent supporting interpretations STRAND. Opening a season at the Strand Theatre to-morrow'"Dr. Kildare's Strange Case" is a dramatic presentation that holds the ■attention throughout. Here are revealed all the secrets of the.medical profession and a charming love' interest makes the film an outstanding one. Lew Ayree, as an impulsive young medical man, Lionel Barry more as the chief diagnostician at a large hospital, and Loraine Day as a pretty nurse, are the principal characters. Ay res takes matters into his own hande to help a surgeon friend who is in trouble over what is thought to be a bungled brain operation, and the dramatic incidents that are recorded keep the audience , on the tip-toe of excitement. The story was written by Max Brand and Willis Goldbeck, and is one of the, finest ever to be recorded on the celluloid, dealing as it does with'an'unusual and little-known' phaee of activity! In addition to the main picture there is a strong programme of supports, and patrons can be assured of excellent entertainment. ST. JAMES'.

Those who love hones —and the finest of horses—will appreciate "Floijan," the feature that opens, a seaeon at the St. James theatre on Friday. Th* central figure -is the Lippusan stallion which bears the name of tine title of the film, and he is one of six of hie breed in America and a descendant- of a lons line of cavalry mounts bred by the Hapeburgs for the defence of Austria, and the horse is ateo a product of the world-famed > Spanish riding school. -The performance of this animal is outstanding, and in some of the feats that demonstrate his training he demonstrates intelligence that is almost human. Even if there were no other characters in the film it would be sufficient attention, but there Jβ an excellent story that commences about the year 1910 and rune through the fate that befell the Hapsburgs until it is transferred to America and takes up with the younger generation and comes to an ending that is happy for all. It is definitely a worthwhile picture. EMBASSY.

A mother who ie forced to watch her own child being brought up to regard her as an aunt, hiding tb(e pain in her heart even though it is well-nigh unbearable— such is the poignant story of "The Old Maid," current attraction at the Embassy Theatre. That great character actrese of the screen, Bette Davis, is provided with still another .triumph in this powerful story from Edith Wharton's famous best-seller of the same name, while ample support from other talented artists in Miriam Hopkins and George Brent rounds off the presentation. The remainder of the cast is, perhaps, overshadowed by the performance of Miss Davis, but that is simply the .story. Donald Crisp, Jane Bryan and Louise Fazenda, all contribute to the smooth running of the presentation, which was directed with all his customary brilliance by Edmund Goulding. The supporting programme, which is of- the customary Embassy standard, includes a colour cartoon, "Robin Hood Makes Good," and an entertaining selection of organ solos by "The Crawfords."