CITY THEATRES

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 21 September 1938, Page 7

CITY THEATRES

CIVIC "FOUR MEN AND A PRATER" COMING An unusual and stirring drama, "Four Men arid a Prayer," starring Loretta Young and a new star, Richard Greene, with Aubrey Smith - also in the cast, begins on Friday at the Civic. The theme is an inspiring departure from the usual run of film stories. Four stalwart young men, with a soldier-father, are bound by a gallant pledge to rove the world to avenge his dishonour and death. This theme pervades the entire story. Yel the beauty of Loretta Young and her love for one of the brothers, Richard Greene (a sensational new star discovery, by the way) provides an additional interest. - Loretta Young gives a notable performance as the American girl who covers her intense loyalty to the brothers' cause with an "American" flippancy which amazes her British fiance most of all. but more than anything puts spirit and vigour into the grim quest. There are superb characterisations in the cast. Special mention should go to George Sanders, David Niven. William Henry (the other three brothers). C. Aubrey Smith (the. lather), J. Edward Bromberg, John Carradine, Alan Hale, Reginald Denny, Berton Churchill, and Barry Fitzgerald. " . The screen play by Richard Sherman, Sonya Lovien, and Walter Ferris, was prepared from (he book by Davin Garth. Kenneth Macgowan was associate nroduccr. "Wise Girl." at present showing at the Civic, is a totally different kind of film. The Bohemian life of artists usually provides amusement for those who are used to a more prosaic type of existence, and this,. combined with plenty of action, romance, and comedy makes "Wise Girl" a film which should appeal to most types of picturegoers. Miriam Hopkins, who plays the leading role, is an actress who undoubtedly brings colour and freshness to ' the films in which she acts, and Ray Milland, who plays opposite her, ably supports her in these respects. The story has amusing situations and sparkling dialogue.

MAYFAIR "KENTUCKY MOONSHINE" In "Kentucky Moonshine," a hilarious comedy now at the Mayfair Theatre, the Ritz brothers are at the top of their form. In the opening scenes the organisers of a sponsored radio programme are at their wits' end to find some new feature that will appeal to the public A way out is found by the Ritz brothers and Marjorie Weaver, who have failed in repeated attemptto get contracts with the radio orga hisation, and are in equally difficult straits because they have not earned enough to pay their board. ' CRYSTAL PALACE

"BATTLE OF BROADWAY" AND "PANAMENT'S BAD MAN"

Mistaken identity, with a good mixture of romance and comedy, makes •'Battle of Broadway," which begins on Friday at the Crystal Palace, an entertaining' film. '■■ f . McLaglen this time is known as Big Ben Wheeler, and his .comrade in adventure goes by the name of Chesty Webb. Brian Donlevy has this role. They are returned soldiers, and the setting for their exploits is provided by a convention of' the. American Legion of Veterans in New York. Big Ben and Chesty have a special reason for attending, having been commissioned by their employer (Raymond Walburn) to break up a romance between his son.and an actress.

Also showing will be "Panament's Bad Man," starring Smith Ballew and Evelyn Daw. This is a cowboy, story from a new angle.

Sorija Henie's film, "Happy Landing,' which is having a return season at the Crystal Palace, has the gaiety which has become well known in all its predecessors. The first presentation in Christchurch of "The Jones Family in Paris" conies with "Happy Landing," and this good comedy takes up nearly all the first half of the programme.

PLAZA "THE RETURN OF JIMMY VALENTINE" Jimmy Valentine, the spectacular hero of the underworld, makes his latr est appearance in the Republic. production, "The Return of Jimmy Valentine," which is coming to the Plaza with "1000 Dollars a Minute." His brave deeds and daring exploits are more interesting than ever. . >Koger Pryor gives another of . his personable and true to life portrayals as the breezy reporter whose agile brain conceives the idea of the "Find Jimmy Valentine" contest for his newspaper.. " .. ■.■•■-. Amusing situations usually arise out of freak bets and "1000 Dollars a Minute" turns out to be one of the best examples. When Wally Jones, a freshly fired journalist, walks into the office of Big Jim . (a gambler), and "Sonny" Ruycross (a playboy), it turns out to be an opportune or inopportune moment for him. He is chosen to be the official spendthrift to see if a person can spend, not give away. 720,000 dollars in the brief space of 12 hours. Out Wally goes to "give it a go," and then the fun begins—for he almost loses his girl, his mind, and his health. Now showing at the Plaza are "Pepper," starring. Jane Withers, and "Th» Great Barrier," a story of the finding of a pass through the Canadian Rockies through which to run the Canadian Pacific Railway. CHRISTCHURCH CINEMAS, LIMITED An exciting story of romance and adventure, "Test Pilot." with Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy, is in its second week at the Regent. "Romance for Three," starring Robert Young, Frank Morgan, and Florence Rice, begins on Friday. The season of "On Our Selection." the Australian classic, starring Bert Bailey and Fred MacDohald, at .'the Majestic, has been extended for another week. "Aussie," the boxing kangaroo, is appearing on the stage. "I See Ice," starring George Formby, begins on Friday, At the Tivoli, {'The Awful Truth," starring Irene Dunne and Gary Grant, is the current attraction. The film is an entertaining romantic comedy. At the Liberty "Dark Journey," starring Conrad Veidt and Vivien Leigh and "Love From a Stranger." starring Ann Harding, are being shown. - ~.'•'■' At the Grand, this week's programme presents "The Princess Comes Across," starring Carole Lombard and Fred Mac Murray, and "Fatal Eady," starring Mary Ellis.

AVON

««THE PERFECT SPECIMEN"

A new kind of romantic comedy is presented in "The Perfect Specimen," which is now at the Avon. The story has that spice of variety ■so necessary to give the appeal of novelty, its action never flags, and all the important members 'of the cast are established favourites. At the head of the cast are Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell, and supporting them excellently are Edward Everett Horton, Hugh Herbert, May Robson, and Allen Jenkins. The "perfect specimen" is Gerald Beresford Wicks, brought up in seclusion by his multi-millionaire grandmother, and the fun of the story is provided by his reactions when he comes abruptly out of his seclusion REX THEATRE, KICCARTON Two big films will be shown at the Rex Theatre to-night, to-morrow, and on Friday, at 7.30. Loretta Young and Don Ameche are starred in "Love Under Fire," and Alice Faye in "You're a Sweetheart," one of the best musical shows of the year.