ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 185, 2 May 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre Programme Reviewed Most film "fans” go to the pictures for entertainment. Some select their films because of the story, and others because of the cast. Those of tlie latter type who delight in Gordon Harker, should not hesitate to see "Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday,” tlie main feature at the Stale Theatre from yesterday. Inspector Hornleigh is, of course, played by Gordon Harker, and the inspector's helper aud abettor, the lightning-minded Sergeant Bingham, is played by Alastair Sim. In tliis film Inspector Hornleigh aud liis sergeant are, as the title indicates, on holiday. They are idling their time away at a seaside boarding-house when an accident occurs, and one of their fellow boarders is apparentlj’ dashed to his death over a cliff- The inspector scents foul play, and his investigations lead him to the unravelling of an ingenious, multiplemurder, worked for insurance money. The adventures of the inspector and the sergeant, lead them into many farcical and thrilling situations. The dialogue is snappy, and the disguises assumed by the inspector are many and varied —a sailor, a grave-digger, and a doctor —and all exceedingly funny. Gordon Harker and Alastair Sim are shown at their best. The other feature, “Too Busy to Work,” is another in the Jones Family series, and is as good as its predecessors have been. This tme the Jones Famly is in trouble because Father Jones (Jed Prouty), during his year in office as mayor, neglects his drug-store business for his official duties, and thus worries his level-headed wife (Spring Byington). Cousin Lolly comes down frojn the country, and Mother Jones, to pay her husband back for his neglect of the family welfare, leaves the house in charge of the cousin and joins an amateur dramatic company. On the night of the performance, 10,006 dollars of trust money is stolen, and a great to do ensues till it is returned. Lolly, who has been acting as stage manager, has taken the money from the safe for use in tlie play, and when the loss is discovered, chaos reigns supreme. After the money is restored, Jones promises to devote more time to his business, and his wife returns to her own sphere. As is usual in these Jones Family stories, family foibles are very neatly "hit off,” and the difficulties attendant on the production of an amateur theatrical show are turned to extremely good (and amusing) account. The original Jones Family cast is still to the fore, with the addition of a few new supplementary characters. Joan Davis, as the country cousin, offers an effective brand of eccentric comedy which causes much laughter. The domestic and small-town atmosphere is very well achieved, and the back-stage scenes are well done. Majestic Theatre Following is a review of “Another Thin Man.” which had its Wellington premiere at the Majestic Theatre yesterday :— The first “Thin Man” film has a lot to answer for. Since the advent of Nora and Nick Charles (played, of course, by William Powell and Myrna. Loy), there has been quite a spate of their prototypes. Numerous wisecracking, tit-for-tat matrimonial partners have laughed and quarrelled themselves through various exciting and amusing adventures. Good as these couples have been, film! audiences who saw the first "Thin Man” films will be overjoyed to know that the original Nora and Nick are back agaiu. In “Another Thin Man,” the latest of the' series, the Charles couple are just as happy-go-lucky as they, ever were. To their menage has been added' yet another member—a baby. “We got him because Asta was lonely,” explained Nick to an

astonished friend when be saw Nick, jiin., for the first time. Asta is, of course, the terrier that plays s ueh an imiportaut part in the Charles family chronicles.

“Another Thin Man” deals with a “quiet weekend Nora and Nick spend on the estate of Nora’s guardian and business adviser, Colonel McFay (C. Aubrey Smith). Colonel McFay has been threatenwl by Phil Church, a former engineer who worked for him and who was imprisoned because of some of his slightly shady activities. Church, who is released after spending 10 years in jail, is bitter against the colonel, declaring that while he, Church, did the “dirty work,” the colonel reaped the benefits. Church declares that he has dreamt twice that the colonel is due for a particularly nasty death, and that when he has the same dream for a third time, that dream would become a reality. It does. Suspicion immediately falls on Church, but he has a watertight alibi, and so cannot be charged. Another dea'th occurs, that of the fiance of the dead colonel's daughter. The new governess the Charles's had engaged disappears. Suspicion falls on many people, and three very pretty young women (two blondes, and one brunette), to say nothing of Mrs. Charles herself, are all in some way or another involved in the mystery. Nick's adventures take him to a fairly low “dive” and to a questionable a.partnie.n't house. Mre. Charles sees to it that he does not go alone. There is a hectic party which Nick’s old pals of gangsterd'om stage for Nick, jun.—and some very 'tense scenes when no one in the audience can guess exactly what is going to happen next. The actual culprit is unmasked after a series of exciting and amusing scenes, and the film ends with the Charles family collapsing thankifuJly, exhausted, after their "quiet” weekend. “Another Thin Man" marks William Powell’s return to the screen after an extended absence. He has been ill for a long time, but. it is pleasing to note that in this, his latest film, he shows no falling off in his old ability and sense of humour, Myrna Loy is still at the top of her form. The supporting cast include Virginia Grey; Nat Pendleton, as the tlumib but well-intentioned police lieutenant; Otto Kruger, as the assistant attorney who starts by suspecting Charles of the crime and ends by asking his advice; Ruth Hussey, as the disappearing governess; and Patrie Knowles, as the fiance who is shot early in the story. Plaza Theatre Sequences in the lives of some of London’s ordinary, everyday people are followed in “A Window in London,” today ending an extended' season at the Plaza Theatre. Set beside the Thames, most of the action of “A Window in London” has for its background tlie building of the new Waterloo Bridge. Michae] Redgrave, who made an auspicious film debut in “The Lady Vanishes.” is the principal of this mystery drama, and others in the east include Sally Gray, Paul Lukas, Patricia Roc, Hartley Power, and Gertrude Musgrove. The director was Herbert Mason. “Pack Up Your Troubles.” With the Ritz Brothers as a trio of vaudeville artists who enlist for service in tlie last war'and find their way to France on a transport as “nursemaids” to a herd of army mules, and Jane Withers as a young French girl who befriends the “nursemaids,” “Pack Up Your Troubles” will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from tomorrow. Regent Theatre 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 today 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 gains tlie confidence of tlie natives, becomes their leader 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 tlie land. St. Janies Theatre In "Each Dawn I Die,” which is being shown at tlie St. James Theatre, the paths of James Cagney, newspaper reporter, mid George Raft, callous criminal, cross when the reporter is “framed” on a manslaughter charge, and sent to a penitentiary for a long term. Raft, who lias been a man of some importance in the underworld, has finally been caught, and is in the "pen” for life. Rebellious because of the injustice done him. Cagney is a difficult prisoner for the authorities to handle. He and Raff become friends when he saves Raft from an attempt, on ilis life made by an enemy in the prison. Raft eventually pays his debt with interest when he lays down his life as the outcome of his efforts —which are successful—to obtain evidence that will prove Cagney's innocence of the manslaughter charge. King’s Theatre Samuel Goldwyn’s “Raffles,” today ending a twice-extended season at the King’s Theatre, is about a gentleman crook, 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; and then, just as he is about to withdraw from his dangerous enreer. lie 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 Havilland’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 MaeKenzie. of Scotland Yard, by Dame Mav Whitty. as Lady Melrose, by Lionel Pape, as Lord Melrose; and by Douglas Walton, as Bunny Manders. “Of Mice and Men.” A richly emotional and tensely dramatic story of the migratory ranch workers of California is told in “Of Mice and Men,” which will he shown nt the King’s Theatre from tomorrow. Burgess Meredith and Betty Field are the principals. ‘-'Of Mice and Men,” based on the novel of the same name by John Steinbeck, was produced and directed by Lewis Milestone; De Luxe Theatre Barry K, Barnes again plays Simon Drake, ace newspaper reporter, Valerie Hobson Mrs. Drake, and Alastair Sim Macgregor, the news editor continually harassed by Drake, in “This Man. in Paris”—a sequel to “This Man is News” —the main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre. 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. New Opera House A further return Wellington season of the screen version of D. Frank Bauni’s fantasy, ‘‘The Wizard of Oz,” will begin at the New Opera House today. In the “IVizard of Oz” there is described how a little Kansas farm girl gets caught in a. cyclone and 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. All these characters go to the Wizard to ask him to grant their wishes. The farm girl 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. Judy Garland plays the farm girl, and has opportunity to sing. Frank Morgan and B“rt Lahr are others in the cast. Tudor Theatre The cast of “Over the Moon,” which, is being warmly received at the Tudor Theatre, is headed bv Merle Oberon. 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 admirably cast. The theme of the story is an adventurous romance the Kid has while in Arizona. Suburban Theatres KINEMA, (fcilbirnie). — “Stronger than Desire,” with Virginia Bruce and Walter Pidgeon; and “Society Smug* glers,” with Preston Foster and Irene Hervey. CAPITOL (Miramar). — “The Saint Strikes Back.” with George Sanders; and "Torchy Blane in Chinatown,” with Glenda Farrell and Barton Mae Lane. TIVOLI (Thorndon). —“Stanley and Livingstone,” with Spencer Tracy; and “Tail Spin.” VOGUE (Brooklyn).—“Four Girls in ■White,” with Florence White; and “Gold Diggers-in Paris,” with Rudy Vallee. KING GEORGE (Lower Hutt).— “The Jones Family in Hollywood”; and “Back Door to Heaven,” with Wallace Ford and Patricia Ellis. PRINCE EDWARD (Lower Hutt).— “King of the Turf.” with Adolphe Menjou and Dolores Costello; and “Fixer Dugan,” with Lee Tracy and Virginia Weidler.

DE LUXE (Lower Hutt).—“Swift Vengeance.” with Tim Holt and Ace, the Wonder Dog; and “I Stand Accused,” with Robert Cummings.