ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 184, 1 May 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent Theatre The pomp and pageantry, lusty excitement, the glittering glory of ancient England will thrill and entertain audiences at the Regent Theatre for the last time today, when “Tower of Ixnidon” ends a season there. A Universal production, “Tower of London" is based on the historical incidents of the time of Richard HI, and describes; thy dramatic and gripping deeds of that infamous num and his executioner. Word, who aided him m hacking a way to tile throne of England. Though tlie theme is familiar to the lovers of literature and the other arts. “Tower of London" has been treated with a freshness and ingenuity that makes i’. readily acceptable. Basil Rathbone plays Richard HI. and Boris Karloff Mord. Ronald Sinclair or Ra Hould. as he was formerly known in New Zealand, plays Prince Edward “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 tomorrow 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 how Gulliver sains the confidence of the natives, becomes their lender through his amazing feats of strength, promotes a romance between a love-struck prince and princess, and averts a war that threatens the peace, of the land. Majestic Theatre 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 released at the Majestic Theatre today. The two preceding episodes of the "Thin Man’’ saga—“ The Thin Man” and “After the Thin Man”—set a high mark in entertainment value and also a new style in mystery films, and “Another Thin Man,” 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-months old William Poulson who was chosen from among more than 800 other infants whose aspiring parents sought the part for them, because of his blase expression. Others in the east are Virginia Grey, Otto Kruger, O. Aubrey Smith, Ruth Hussey. Nat Pendleton. Patrie. Knowles, Tom Neal—and Asia, as caninely-comical as ever. The director was W. S. Van Dyke IT, who directed the others of the series, and the producer again, Hunt Stromberg.

King’s Theatre Nearing the end of a twice-extended season at the King’s Theatre, where it will be succeeded on Friday by "Of Mice And Men,” Samuel Goldwyn’s “Raffles’’ is about a gentleman cook, a suave society man who leads a life of 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; ami 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 t<> 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 Havilland’s portrayal of the cracksman’s fiancee proves tliat she is nu actress of brilliant talents. Other stirring performances arc given by Dudley Digges. as Inspector MacKenzie. of Scotland Yard, by Dame Mav Wliitty. ns Lady Melrose, by Lionel Pape, as Lord Melrose, and by Dougins Walton, as Bunny Manders. Plaza Theatre In the second week of a season at the Plaza Theatre. “A Window in London” follows sequences in the Jives of some of London’s ordinary, everyday people. Set I.eside the Thames, most of the action of “A Window in London” has for its background the building of tlie new Waterloo Bridge. Miehae] Redgrave, who made an auspicious film debut in “The Lady Vanishes.” is the principal of this mystery drama, ami others in the cast include Sally Gray, Paul Lukas. Patricia Roe, Hartley Power, and Gertrude Musgrove. The director was Herbert Mason. Interview With ‘‘Cobber” Kain. A G.B.D. interview with tlie Wellington air ace. Flying Officer Kain. D.F.C. —referred to more as “Cobber” Kain— is now on the same programme ns “A Window in London.” De Luxe Theatre A sequel to “This Man is News,” "This Mnn in Paris” is the main attraction, at the Do Luxe Theatre. Barry K. Barnes is again Simon Drake, ace newspaper reporter, Valerie Hobson Mrs. Drake, and Alastair Sim Macgrcgor. 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 naroled men wreak, form the theme of “Parole Fixer.” the associate attraction. St. Janies Theatre James Cagney and George Raft, the two most appreciated bad men of the screen, are at. the head of the cast of Warner Bros.’ ‘‘Each Dawn I Die.” presented this week by the management of the St. James Theatre. Cagney, in his own way. and Raft in his. 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 .Tory. Edward Pawley, and Emma Dunn. State Theatre Those who enthuse about mystery films will be given fresh material with the releasing of “Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday” at the State Theatre today. Gordon Harker again plays Inspector Hornleigh, of Scotland Yard, ami Alastair Sim the inspector's grumbling but ungrudging assistant, Sergeant Bingham. The supporting cast is headed by lovely Lindon Travers, one of Englands more attractive players, who provides a romantic interest to the thrilling story. As if the presence of the Jones Family itself were not sufficient clue to the uproarious hilarity packed into 20th Cen-tury-Fox’s “Too Busy To Work. the other feature to be. Joim Davis is found ’ a top role. This favourite rough-and-tumble comedian lends her talents to this upside-down comedy of cornerstones, committees, little theatres, and country cousins, making it one of the Family’s most enjoyable hits. New Opera House Describing bow a little Kansas farm girl (Judy Garland) gets caught in a cyclone mid believes she is carried to Oz., where she meets a Scarecrow who wants brains, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who seeks courage,'the screen version of L. Frank Baum’s fantasy. “The Wizard of Oz.” will be shown at the New Opera House lor a short season beginning The characters mentioned go to the M to ask him to grant their wishes. Ihe farm girl wishes to go home again. Alter

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 ‘‘Over th? Aloon,’’ which is being warmly received at the CTudor Theatre, has Merle Oberon as its principal. She plays Jane Benson, the young Yorkshire maid who suddenly inherits £18.000.000, and determines to do the things of which she has so often dreamt. As the Kid in ‘‘The Cisco Kid and the Lady,” the associate film, the colourful Cesar Romero, has been -admirablj’ cast. The theme of the story is an adventurous romance of the Kid’s While in Arizona. Suburban Theatres KINEMA. (Kilbirnic), — "Stronger than Desire,” with Virginia Bruce aud Walter Pidgeon. and "Society Smugglers, 1 with Preston Foster and Irene Hervey. CAPITOL (Miriimar)—"The Young in Heart,” with Janet Gaynor and Douglas Fairbanks, jun.; and "The Gang’s All Here.” TIVOLI (Thorndon). —“Stanley and Livingstone.” with Spencer Tracy; and “Tail Spin.” VOGUE (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,” witli Wallace Ford ami Patricia Ellis. PRINCE EDWARD (Lower Hutt).— "King of the Turf.” with Adolphe Menjon and Dolores Costello; and ‘‘Fixer Dugan." with Lee. Tracy and Virginia Weidler. . ~ .... DE LUXE (Imwcr Hutt).--,’Switt Vengeance.” with Tim Holt and Ace, the Wonder Dog; and "• Stand Accused." with Robert Cummings.