AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 26 September 1940, Page 11

AMUSEMENTS.

majestic. "l^ck t R^ ra % 0 - U , nt executives think of the t lde6 A * ain >" which heads TWre- r»n £ **ture bUI at the -Majestic Manf wt ' J",* 1 ®* 1 * r °m the fact that medhtffv a ff C ' W ' ho , dlrect ed the film, imn- c< ? m Pletion received a new vw frL Ca v, g f for * wo new Pictures a And nwf i! 1 , for the ne *t three years, hearted I#lc ' ure "agnates are not softtions™ ? i ßtory 4 eaJs with complications on a dude ranch when Buck Benny iliw. lOVe T lth a ranch « irl and becomes jealous of a radio singer whose ch^L aPPearß to thrill the of his for F<T e m ° re ' han 6een * to be called e ? ngS ~ 4uta all of them—are \r » Ut L lng ? new comedy number, and e pbn r H E9dle £ ndei * on > Al »dy Devine Harris. Completing the western ifEffi-SP . r , he fi lm version of Zane Grey s The Light of the Western Stars," a fast-moving action drama of hard-ridden horses and flaming guns. Victor Jory and Jo Ann Say ens take the main leads. REGENT. Enjoying an extended season at the Kegent 1 heatie is a double feature programme with all the elements of entertainment which go to make for universal appeal. Heading the bill is "Four Wives," a sequel to the successful "Four Daughters, seen in Auckland recently. The i ee T , ane Bis ters—Priscilla, Rosemary and Lola—and Gale Page play the title 'pies once again, while the remainder of the cast, with the exception of "new arrivals," is essentially the same. Filmgoers will remember the performances of John Garfield, who died in the original production and returns this time in vision form, Jeffrey Lynn, Claude Rains, May Robson and Dick Foran—all give equally good performances in a story which is, if anything, better than the previous family portrayal. Scenes from prize-winning pictures during the last two decades are seen once again in "Cavalcade of Academy Awards," an unusual and highly interesting film, which comprises the remainder of the programme. Of most interest to Aucklanders will be shots from the highly publicised "Gone With the Wind."

CENTURY. Blonde and lovely Alice Faye portrays the first and greatest of America's glamour giils in Darryl Kanuck's production of "Lillian Russell," the 20th Century-Fox attraction, which continues to attract large crowds to the Century Theatre. The colourful lives and loves of the actress, whose name was a by-word a decade ago, are revived in all their splendour and magnificence with the sparkling, dashing days of America's most fabulous era as a background in this epic of the screen which has Don Ameche and Henry Fonda chief rivals for the attentions of the star. Don Ameche has th£ role of Lillian's composer husband, who struggles to author her greatest stage success, while Fonda is seen as Alexander Moore, the newspaperman who fell a victim to the charm of the gorgeous Lillian, but omitted to tell her of the fact. Fresh from his triumph in the "Grapes of Wrath," Fonda gives yet another stirring portrayal. An interesting point is that Irving Cummings, to whom Darryl Zanuck assigned the direction of the picture, was Miss Russell's last leading man.

EMBASSY. One of the best films of its kind to be seen ill the city for some time, Paramount's comedy-drama, "Remember the Night?" begins its' Auckland season at the Embassy Theatre to-day. Laughter and tears are adroitly mixed in this story of the change which Christmas festivities render in the hearts of even the most cold-blooded, and it is one of those stories which could —and does — happen anywhere. A girl steals a bracelet and is arrested. That was just before Christmas. The prosecuting attorney, knowing the soft-heartedness of juries at such a time, secures a postponement of the case, but in the meantime is himself smitten with good feeling toward mankind, and promptly falls in love with the - Fred MacM url ' a y> as the attorney whose hard heart is melted, gives an .excellent portrayal, Awhile Barbara Stanwyck- u the remanded thief offers excellent support and shows up well in romantic scenes. Sterling Holloway, whose singing brings an unwilling lump to the throat, and Willard Robertson are also seen in supporting roles. ST. JAMES*. Continuing the story of "Young Tom Edison," seen recently in the city, "Edison the Man," which will open its Auckland season at the St. James' Theatre to-mor-row, is a further account of the life of the great inventor between the ages of 22 and 35. Leading role this time is taken by Spencer Tracy, Academy award winner, who is said to give a performance which at least equals those in recent biographical successes. Edison's life is followed faithfully by the "story which is mainly concerned with the first great step toward modern lighting facilities—the making of the incandescent lamp. The story leads up to this triumph dramatically and gives an excellent impression of- the drastic : change in the appearance of New York at night after it had first been lit by electricity in 1882. As might be expected, Tracy's performance dominates the picture, but Rita Johnson, as his wife, and Lynne Overman, who is seen in a light-hearted mood, both give excellent portrayals in supporting roles. The film continues the high standard of other picture biographies recently produced. '

PLAZA. They are as unchangeable a» time. The names of Laurel and Hardy, whatever the picture and wherever it may be, _< still remain guarantees of hilarious rib-splitting entertainment and in their latest, "Saps at Sea," coming to the Plaza Theatre tomorrow, they uphold their reputation in no uncertain manner. _ Ollie is working in a horn factory. As might be expected, the continuous tooting sets his delicate nerves on edge and an the verge of a breakdown he consults a doctor. He is advised to

take a eea voyage, but he and Stan, after countless adventures preparing for the trip, compromise in the end by hiring a boat and leaving it tied to the dock. Peace, however, still elud« them. An escaped murderer shanghaies them and the two on the high seas in such company have a situation which they can turn to best advantage in producing a comedy which fans will remember for many and many a year. The supporting programme is excellent.

STRAND. All those who love horses will love "Florian," tJhe picture that is commencing | a season at the Strand Theatre on Friday. Here is portrayed one of the most famous horses in the world. A descendant of the long line of cavalry horses bred by the Hapsburgs for the defence of Austria, the central animal figure is seen in a picture of the passing of the ancient: Empire. The story commences with the collapse of the Hapeburgn and passes through a series of incidents to see the background changed to the most m<Jdern of modern America, where the hero and heroine are brought together after adventures that would try the greatest of optimists. This is a picture that is above praise and very few of the like have been seen. The production has been based on the novel by Felix Sa'lten, and the film includes a wonderfully impressive imperial ballet sequence, starring Irina Baronova. There is also an excellent supporting programme. CIVIC. The lure of the Wild West and the bad old days, when the gun was the law and every man settled his quarrels in the smoke of a six-shooter, still grips the most sophisticated of people. In "The Westerner," the feature that is continuing a successful season at the Civic Theatre, all the elements that go to make thrilling Western drama are skilfully combined in a blend of excitement and drama rarely equalled. In the days when the horizon was the limit of the cattleman's range there was a continued feud between them and the homesteaders who attempted to fence in land on which to run their sheep. The old cattle laws were bound to disappear, but in the course of their elimination hundreds of good men died in gun battles. That is the theme of "The Westerner." As a hard-riding puncher, Gary Cooper has an excellent role, and romantic interest is supplied by, attractive Doris Davenport. Walter Brennan is a notorious judge and Lillian Bond plays the part of the great Lily Langtry. In addition there is an excellent programme of supports.