ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

Plaza Theatre The Ritz Brothers are a trio of out-of-work vautlcvilliujis who enlist for service with the British in the World War and are sent to France on a transport as “nursemaids” to a herd of army mules, under Hie supervision of hard-boiled Sergeant “Angel Face Walker in Back Up Your Troubles,” which will be shown at tlie Plaza Theatre from today, Arrived in France, the' Ritzes make friends with a young French girl, Collette (Jane Withers), by way of their pct mule, Margie, while “Angel Face” takes into his company Yvonne (Lynn Bari), who later turns out to be a spy. As- is only to be expected, the Ritzes get themselves into many delicate and delightful situations — ;ln( | out again—and Collette provides plenty of thrills with her bravery when she tries to save iter father from the- very headquarters of tlie German Army. As Well as singing "Who II Buy My Flowers.” bv Sidney Clare ami Jule Styne, Jane Withers impersonates George M. Cohan singing “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy.” and Eva Tanguay singing “I Don't Care.” , . Stanley Fields is a most, convincing "Angel Face" Walker, and Joseph Schildkraut, as Collette's father, has been well east. Aotearoa in Sydney. • Scenes of Hie flying-boat Aotearoa arriving and alighting on Rose Bay, Sydney, on Tuesday afternoon, having inaugurated the long-awaited Tasman airmail and service, will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from today. Tins film was brought over by the Aotearoa on ■her eastward flight yesterday. King’s Theatre A richly emotional and tensely dramatie story of the migratory ranch workers of California is told iu “Of Mice and Men.” which will have its premiere showing in Wellington at the Kings I’hentre today. Burgess Meredith, Betty Field, anil Lon Chaney, jun., are the principals. The setting is Aguora Ranch. George and Lennie have travelled the ranches of California for years, with George devoted to Lennie, whose brute strength and weak mind have invariably upset their “best laid plans.” Then, at long last, it seems as if their dream is to become reality—they have saved enough money to liny a small farm of their own and live “off the fatta the lan'.” But they have not counted on Mae, the only woman ofi the ranch, married to Curley, the owner's son, for she it is who ruins the materialization of their dream —and brings the story to a climax that is as unexpected as it is stunning. “Of Mice and Men,” based on the novel of the same same by Steinback. and which was adapted for the Broadway stage by Eugene Solow, was produced and-" directed by Lewis MileStone.

Aotearoa in Sydney. Scenes of the flying-boat Aotearoa arriving and alighting on Rose Bay. Sydney. on Tuesday afternoon,. having inaugurated the lofig-awrtited Tasman airmail and passenger service, will be shown at the King's Theatre from today. This film was brought over by the Aotearoa on her eastward flight yesterday. Tudor Theatre About a gentleman crook, a suave society mini who leads a life of secret crime for the fun and adventure, Samuel Goldwyn’s “Raffles” will be the main attraction at the' Tudor Theatre from today. Known, as the American Cracksman, ho hay been baffling [Scotland Yard with bis daring and spectacular robberies for months; and then, just aS he is about to withdraw from bis 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, ns the Amateunr Cracksman. gives a notable performance, and Olivia De ITavilland's portrayal of the. cracksman's fiancee proves that she is an actress of brilliant talents. Set in Paris, while Charlie Chan (Sidnev Toler) is there attending a small reunion of the World War’s Intelligence officers, “Charlie Chan In City Tn Darkness” will be the associate attraction. The reunion is interrupted by an nir-i;aid siren, and tlie blnekoilt that follows is the signal that plunges Chan into a tense mystery of deadly intrigue. State Theatre Those who enthuse about mystery films are given fresh material in “Inspector Hornleigh on Holiday,” the main feature at the State Theatre. As in others of the Inspector Hornleigh series, Gordon Harker again plays the inspector, and Altistiiir >Sim the iuspetcof’s grumbling but ungrudging assistant, Sergeant Bingham. The supporting cast is headed by lovely Linden Travers, one of England's 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. Joan Davis is found in a top role. Mayor Jones's neglect.of ins family and business is flic inspiration for much of the story of “Too Busy to Work. St. Janies Theatre The paths of James Cagney, newspaper reporter, and George Raft, callous criminal. cross in “Each Dawn I Die, today entering the second week of a season nt the St. Janies Theatre, when the reporter is "framed’’ on a manslaughter charge, and sent to a penitentiary for n long term. Raft, who lias been a man of some importance iu the underworld, Ims finally been caught, ami is in Hie "pen” for life. Rebellious because of the injustice done him. Cagney is a difficult prisoner for the authorities to handle. He ami Raft become friends when lie saves Raft from an attempt on his life made by an enemy in the prison. Raft evcntuallyy pays his debt to Cagney, 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. Others in Hie cast ore Jane Bryan. George Bancroft. Maxie Rosenbloom, Stanley Ridges, Alan Baxter, Victor Jory, Edward Pawley, and Emma Dunn. New Opera House The screen version of L. Frank Baum s fantasy. “The Wizard of Oz,” began yesterday a further return Wellington, season at the New Opera House. In B>e Wizard of Oz” there is described how a little Kansas farm girl (Judy Garland) gets Caught in a cyclone and believes she is carried to Oz, whole she meets a Scarecrow who wants brains, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion "ho seek, courage. All these characters go t<> Gw Wizard to nsk him to grant I lieu-wishes. The farm girl wishes to go homo ag.i n After many adventures nil finally get what they seek, because the Wizard shows (hem Hint it was in their power all tn? lime to have and do those things. De Luxe Theatre “Seventeen,” with Betty Field and Jackie Cooper nt. the head ot the cast, will be the main attraction at the Di. Luxe Theatre from today. The theme of “Seventeen” is the falling in love of la smnl'l-town boy with a philandering young woman from the. city—to the worry of his family, and to the discovery by himself that he is not so grown-up alter all “IIopalong” Cassidy (William Boyd) rides vet again in the interests of justice in "Law of the Pampas.” which will be the associate attraction. “Hopalong” is Ibis time opposing entile rustlers, ami. fighting them with their own weapons, brings order out of chaos.

Paramount Theatre

Gloria Jean, the 11-ycar-old girl chosen by Universal to fill the shoes of the rapidly maturing Deanna Durbin, makes her debut in "The Under-Pup” today, beginning a return Wellington season at the Paramount Theatre. Gloria Jean lias a voice of exceptional range and clarity, and her acting ability is far beyond that which one would expect from one of her age. Slic plays Pip-Einitia, member of New York’s "great unwashed.” Wihiiing aii essay coiltest which entitles her to attend a summer camp with many of the daughters of New York’s exclusive families, Pip-Emma leaves home gaily; but tlie girls—all except one —do hot take her immediately to their hearts. However, as a result of lier ciiaracfer and of advice she receives from her gniiidfather, she eventually breaks down the opposition. Pip-Eihma and Iler grlihdfather fife alefo successful in (lie prevention of a divorce between the parents of one of the girls at the camp.

Others in the cast of "The Under-Pup” are Virginia Weidler, Nail Gray, Robert Beulali Bondi, Margltret Lindsay, flic Kntzenjaihmcf Kids, 0. Aubrey Smith, Billy Gilbert, Ann, Gillis, Raymond' Walburn, Patil Cavanagh and Samuel S. Hinds. The associate film at the night sessions will be “Inside Information, featuring June Lang, Dick Foran,-Harry Cafey, and Mary Carlisle. A young criminologist who bares the activities of a band of jewel thieves through science, is the central character. Short subjects will be shown instead ot "Inside Information” at the afternoon sessions. These will include “Doiiald's Golf Game.” with Donald Duck, “Pluto’s Quinpuplets,” “Self Control,” with Miekey Mouse, and a Charles Chase coiuedy, “Rattling Romeo.” Regent Theatre Warmly welcomed when it was released in Wellington at the Regent Theatre yesterday afternoon, Para mount’s chrlbon version in colour of "Gulliver's Travels” deviates only in. the slightest froin the first half—and if is that only with which Ihe film deals—of Hid original story by Dran jonaflian Swift. Following the adventures of Gulliver, the English seaman wrecked on the shores of a land of miniature people, “somewhere in tlie South Seas.” tlie film shows how Gulliver gains? the confidence of Hie 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 tlie pence of the land. Majestic Theatre Blending Innghs with thrills and mystery with mirth in their memorable and delightful fashion, the “Thin Man” pair, Nick and Nora Charles—played by William Powell land Myrna Loy—appear again in “Another Thin Alan.” which is being shown at the Majestic Theatre. The two preceding episodes of the “Thin Man” saga—“ The Thin Man” and “After the Thin Alan”—seta high mark in entertainment value and aifio a new style in mystery films, and "Another Thin Man,’’ set in New York, is n worthy successor. Suburban Theatres KtNIiMA (Kilbirnie). —"The Beachcomber,” with Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchestcr; and "Maisie,” with Robert Voting and Ann Sothern. CAPITOL (Miramar). —“The Cowboy and the Lady,” with Gary Cooper and Merle Oberon; and “Golden Boy.” witll Barbara f'tauwyck and Adolphe Menjoii. TIVOLI (Thermion) —“Bluekwell’s Island”; and "Stronger Thau Desire,” with Walter Pidgeon and Virginia Bruce. VOGUE ( Brooklyn).—“Four Girls m White,” with Florence While; ami “Gohl Diggers in Paris,” with Rudy Vallee. KING GEORGE (Lower Hutt).— “Trade Winds,” with Joan Bennett and Fredric March. PRINCE EDWARD 'Lower Hutt!.— "The Big Guy.” with Victor McLaglen and Jackie Cooper; and "Let’s Be Famous,” with Sonnie Hate and Jenny Don DE LUXE (Lower Hutt). —“Swift Vengeance.” with Tim Holt and Ace, the Wonder Dog; ami "I Stand Accused,” with Robert Cummings.