ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 12

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre Based on Noil Swanson’s bcst-sellnig novel. ’’The First Hebei," the main feature nt Hie State Theatre, deals with a stirring period in the history ol America. Laid in tin- 1760'5. “The First Hebei" describes in dramatic fashion the revolt ol the colonists of I’eunsylvaniii against the protection given by lite British soldiery to unscrupulous traders selling guns ami ammunition to the Indans. The theme of "Married ami in l.oVc, rhe oilier feature, is the imperilling of. 10 years of marital loyalty and devotion when a beautiful iiiterjoper endeavours to break up the happy home. “Inspector flornleigli on Holiday" and “To Busy To Work.” Those who enthuse about mystery films will be given fresh material with the releasing of “Inspector Ilornleigli on Holiday” at tlie State Theatre tomorrow. Gordon Harker again plays Inspector Hornloigli, of Scotland Yard, and Alastair Sim the inspector's grumbling but ungrudging assistant. Sergetint Bingham. The Jones Family is al: play once more in "Too Busy to Work." the other feature to be. St. James Theatre The two most-appreciated bad men of the screen, James Cagney and George Raft, are at the head of the cast of Warner Bros.’ “Each Hawn I Die.’ this. week at the St. James Theatre. . Each, in his own way, outdoes everything in the line of vicious characterization he has done before. Other. players- in this, frank, grim, and exciting story of life in a large penitentiary are Jane Bryan. George Bancroft, Maxie Rosenbloom. Stanley Ridges. Alan Baxter, Victor Jory, Edward Pawley, and Emma Dunn. “The Star Maker." “The Star Maker,” featuring Bing Crosby and Linden M are, will be the next attraction at the St, James Theatre. Majestic Theatre

The plot of “The Women,” that modern, satirical comedy which is in the third week of a season at the Majestic Theatre, centres on a group of women, who, with time on their hands, become too well acquainted with the personal affairs of one another, thus leading to a near catastrophe. While the “stronger sex” is notably conspicuous by its absence, the dialogue is almost entirely confined to the respective mates of the women involved. The most important of the unseen males is Stephen Haines, whose philandering is the inspiration for the near catastrophe. The principal actresses are Joau Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Rosalind Russell. “Another Thin Alan." Blending laughs with thrills and mystery with mirth in their memorable and delightful fashion, the “Thin Man” pair, Nick and Nora Charles—played by William Powell and Myrna Loy—appear again in “Another Thin Man,” which will •be shown at the Majestic Theatre from Friday. . . The two preceding episodes of the ‘Thin Man” saga set a high mark in entertainment value and also a new style in mystery films, and “Another Thin Alan, ’ set in New York, is a worthy successor. It has the same witty flow of narrative, a succession of thrills for the mystery addict, and a murder puzzle, which should prove even more perplexing than the others in the series. In addition, “Another Thin Man” presents a Thin Man, jun.. played by eight-mouths old William Poulson chosen from among more than 8200 other infants whose aspiring parents sought the part for them, because of his blase expression. Others in the cast are Virginia Grey, Otto Kruger, C. Aubrey Smith, Ruth Hussey, Nat. Pendleton, Patrie Knowles, Tom Neal —and Asia, as caninely-comical as ever. De Luxe Theatre Well directed and acted, and with a rapid sequence of events, “This Man in Paris,” a sequel to “This Man is News, in the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. Barry K. Barnes is again Drake, ace newspaper reporter, Valerie Hobson Mrs. Drake, and Alastair Sim Macgregor, the -news editor continually •harassed by Drake. Most of the action rises from the uncovering of forgers in the French capital. The bailing out, by unscrupulous means, of criminals from prison, and the havoc these paroled men wreak, form the theme of “Parole Fixer,” the associate attraction.

Plaza Theatre Sequences in the lives of some of Dondon’s ordinary, everyday people are followed in “A Window in London, which is in the second week of a presentation by the management of the Plaza Theatre. Set beside the Thames, most of the action of “A Window’ in London” Jias for .its background the building of the new Waterloo Bridge. Michael Redgrave, who made an auspicious film debut in “The Lady ’Vanishes,” is the principal of this mystery drama, and others in the cast include Saly Gray, Paul Lukas, Patricia Roc. Hartley Power, and Gertrude Musgrove. The director was Herbert Mason. Interview With “Cobber” Kain. A G.B.D. interview with the Wellington air ace, Plying Officer Kain, p.F.L. —referred to more as “Cobber” Kain—now on the same programme as A W inflow in Loudon.” King’s Theatre Samuel Goldwyn’s “Raffles,” which has been retained for a further week—the third- —by the management of the King s Theatre/ is about a gentleman crook, a suave society man who leads a life ot secret crime for the fun and adventure. Known as the Amateur Cracksman, he has been baffling Scotland Yard with his ■ daring and spectacular robberies for months: and then, just as he is about to withdraw from his dangerous career, he furnishes the Yard with its first and only clue. The speedy action that follows carries the story to the beautiful country estate of Lady Melrose, where a famous emerald necklace is stolen —a little carelessly—and a chase to London begins. David Niven, as the Amateur Cracksman, gives a notable performance, and Olivia De Hnvillund’s portrayal of the cracksman’s fiancee proves that she is an actress of brilliant talents. Other stirring performances are given by Dudley Digges. as Inspector MncKenzie. of Scotland Yard, by Dame May Whitty as Lady Melrose, by Lionel Pape, as Lord Melrose, and by Douglas Walton, as Bunny Manders. Regent Theatre With Basil Rathbone and Boris Kar- > toff playing Richard 111 and Mord. the executioner, respectively, “Tower of London” continues to thrill and entertain audiences at. the Regent Theatre. Based on the historical incidents of the time of Richard HI, “Tower of London” des-, cribes- the dramatic and gripping deeds oi that infamous man and Mord. who aided him in hacking his way to the throne of England. “Gulliver’s Travels,” Deviating only in the slightest from the original story by Jonathan Swift, Paramount's cartoon version in colour of “Gulliver's Travels.” which will be released on Thursday afternoon at the Regent Theatre, contains all the bright fantasy, broad humour and romance that have won the book a place on most shelves. Following the 'adventures of Gulliver, the English seaman, in a land of miniature people, the picture shows bow Gulliver gains the confidence of the natives, becomes their leader through his amazing feats of strength, promises a romance between a love-struck prince and princess, ami averts a war that threatens tbc pea<o of tin- land.

New Opera House 'How a little Kansas farm girl (Judy Garland) gets caught in a cyclone and believes she is carried to Oz. where she meets a Scarecrow’ who wauts brains, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart, and o Cowardly Lion who seeks courage, is described in E. Frank Baum s fantasy, “The Wizard of Oz.” which will begin a further return Wellington season at the New Opera House on Thursday. The charteters mentioned go to the M Izard to a*k him to grant their wishes. The farm -'ill wishes to go home again. After many adventures all finally get what they seek' because the Wizard shows them that it was in their power all the time to have and do these things. Tudor Theatre Merle Oberon is the principal of "Over rhe Moon,” which is being warmly received at the Tudor Theatre. She plays Jane ■Benson, the young Yorkshire maid who suddenly inherits £18,600.000. anti determines to do the things of which she has so often dreamt. 1 As the Kid in “The Cisco Kid and the Lady.” the associate film, the colourful Cesar Romero has been admirably cast. The theme of the story is an adventurous ri-manee of the Kid’s while in Arizona. Suburban Theatres KINEMA. (Kilbirnie), --.“Stranger than Desire,” with Virginia Bruce and Walter Pidgeon. ami "Society Smugglers,” with Preston Foster and Irene Hervey. CAPITOL (Miramar) —“The Young in Heart," with Janet Gaynor ~nd Douglas Fairbanks, jun.; and “The Gang’s AU TIVOLI (Molesworth Street}. —•'Stanley and Livingstone.” with Spencer Truer ; and “Tail Spin.” , A OGEE (Brooklyn)— “Oklahoma Kid, with James Cagney; and "Charlie Chan in Reno," wth Sidney Toler. KING GEORGE (Lower Hutt). — “The Jones Family in Hollywood, and “Back Door to Heaven,” with Wallace Ford and Patricia Ellis. PRINCE EDWARD (Lower Hull). — “King of the Turf,” with Adolphe Menjou and Dolores Costello; and "Fixer Dugan,” with Lee ’['racy and Virginia Weidler. „ DE LUXE (Lower Hutt.l.— Charlie Chan at Reno,” with Sidney Toler ami “Great Guy.” with James C’ugiie.t.