ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 190, 8 May 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

King’s Theatre i "Of Mice And Men.” presented by the I m.-inagemeiit. of the King’s 'Theatre, tells a richly emotional and tensely dramatic story of the migratory ranch workers ot I California. Burgess Meredith, Lon I Chaney, jun., and Betty Field are the : principals. The setting is Agmira Ranch. George mid Lennie have travelled the ranches ol California for years, with George devoted to Lennie, whose brute strength and weak mind have invariably upset their “best laid plans.” Then, nt. long last, it seems as it' their dream is to become reality—they have saved enough nionev to huv a small farm ol their own and live “on the fatta the lan’.' But they have nor counted on Mae. Hie only woman on the ranch, married to Curley., the owner’s son, for she it is who ruins the materialization of their dream —ami brings the story to n elimax that is as unexpected as it is stunning. "U-Boat 2I».” Conrad Veldt, accomplished Continental uetor, makes another screen appearance in “U-Boat 29,” a stirring drama of the World War, which will be shown at the King’s Theatre from Friday. He is cast as a German submarine commander entrusted with the task of destroying a British naval base. Valerie Hobson, memorable for performances of merit in “Clouds Over Europe” and "Tin’s Man Is News." has a leading ride, playing Hie young member of the British Secret Service who thwarts the German plans.

State Theatre

A re-i<ssue of the very successful "I Was a Spy” will be the main feature nt tlie State Theatre from today. The cast is headed by Conrad Veidt, Madeleine Carroll. Herbert Marshall, Sir Gerald du Maurier. and Edmund Gwenn. Iu its- essentials, the story of “I Was a Spy.” has all Hie simplicity of greatness. The actions of a young Belgian woman, Martha McKenna, in the last war, provide the subject matter. There is a romantic interest.

Tiie altering forever of tlie tenor of eight lives during eight thrill-packed hours behind Hie bolted bronze doors of an exclusive gambling club is tlie theme of “City of Chance,” the other feature to be. Lynn .Bari. C. Aubrey Smith, Donald Woods, and Amanda Duff are tlie prominent players.

Plaza Theatre

On the Ritz Brothers arriving in France in “Pack Up Your Troubles," which is being shown at the Plaza Theatre, they make friends with a young French girl, Collette (Jane Withers.l, while “Angel Face” Walker (Stanley Fields), the sergeant under whose charge the Ritzes are—they are members of tlie Allied forces during the World War — takes into his company Yvonne (Lynn P.ari), who later turns out to be a spy. Ot the subsequent events, some lire hilarious, other less cheerful—but none dull.

“Day-time Wife.”

Gay comedy and romantic revelry are the keynote of ‘-‘Day-time Wife,” which will be released at the Plaza Theatre on Friday." The principals arc Linda Darnell, memorable for her performance in “Hotel for Women,” and Tyrone Power and other players are Warren William, Binnie Barnes. Wendy Barrie, and Joan Davie. Linda and Power are cast as husband and wife, and Wendy as the husband's secretary, who almost breaks up the happy home.

St. James Theatre

'The paths of James Cagney, newspaper reporter, and George Raft, callous criminal, cross in “Each Dawn I Die,” which is nearing lhe end of an extended season at the St. James Theatre, when the reporter is “framed” on a manslaughter charge, a-ud sent to a penitentiary for a long terra. Raft, who has been a man of some importance in tlie 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 Raft become friends when he saves Raft from an attempt on his life made by an enemy in the prison. Raft eventually pays his debt to Cagney, with interest, when lie lays down his life as the outcome of liis 'efforts—which are successful—to obtain evidence that will prove Cagney's innocence of the manslaughter charge. Others in the cast are Jane Bryan, George Bancroft, Maxie Rosenbloom, Stanley Ridges, /Han Baxter. Victor Jory, Edward Pawley, and Emma Dunn.

“The Star Maker.”

Based in lhe amazing career of Gus Edwards, famed showman, “The Star Maker” will be shown at the St. James Theatre from Friday. The principals are Bing Crosby and Linda Ware, the 1-1-year-old singer “discovered” by Charles R. Rogers, Paramount producer, and among the other players are Louise Campbell, Ned Sparks, Laura Hope Crews, and Walter Damrqsch, conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra of Los zYngeles.

Regent Theatre

Paramount's eurtoou version in colour of “Gulliver's Travels,” which is being warmly appreciated at the Regent Theatre, deviates only in the slightest from the first half of the original story by Dean Jonathan Swift —and it. is only that half with which it deals. Eollowing rhe adventures of Lemuel Gulliver, (lie English seaman wrecked on the shores of a land of miniature people “somewhere in the South Seas,” Hie film shows how he gains the 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 tlie peace of the laud.

Majestic Theatre

The ''Thin Alan” pair, Nick and Nora Charles —played by William Powell and Myrna Loy—appear again in "Another Thin Man,” blending laughs with thrills and mystery with mirth in their memorable and delightful fashion. The two preceding episodes of Hie “Thin Man” saga—- “ The Thin Man” and “After Hie Thiu Man” —set a high mark in entertainment value and also « new style in mystery films-, and “Another Thin Man.” which is being shown at the Majestic Theatre, is a worthy successor. Asia, the terrier, is again responsible for many laughs, and the addition of a baby to the "Thin Man” family gives Hie whole play a piquant touch.

De Luxe Theatre

Jackie Cooper and Belly Field are the principals of “Seventeen,” the main item on Hie programme presented by the management of the De Luxe Theatre this week. Tlie theme of “Seventeen is the falling in love of a smalltown boy with a ’ philandering young woman front the city—lo Hie worry ol his family, ami to tlie discovery by himself that he is not so growti-tip after all. “Hopaloug” Cassidy (William Boyd) rides yet again in Hie interests of justice in Hie oilier fiill-lenglli Hem. "Law ol Hie Pampas.” “Hop.’ilmig’’ opposis (‘).iHii‘ rustlers in this further story from tlie pen of Clarence E. Mulford.

Tudor Theatre

Samuel Gohlwyn’s ”Ralfles, tlic main Ulin at the Tudor Theatre, is about a famous cricketer and man-abmit-town who leads a life of secret crime for Ihe fun and .adventure. David Niven and Olivia de llavilhind head the cast. A binrkout in is the signal that plunger: Charlie Chan into a tense mystery of deadly intrigue in “Charlie < han in Citv of Harkness.’' tile associate Him.

Suburban Theatres

JvINEMA (Kilbil-nie). —"The Young iii Heart,” with Janet Gaynor and

Douglas Fairbanks, jun.; and “Blind Alley,” with Chester Morris and Ann Dvorak. CAPITOL (Miramar). — “Stronger Than Desire,” with Virginia Bruce and Walter Pidgcon; and "Society Smugglers.” with Preston Foster and Irene Hervey. TIVOLI (Thorltdoii.L—Elsa Maxwell’s “Hotel For Women,” witli Ann Sotheru and Linda Darnell; and "They All Come Out.” VOGUE (Brooklyn).—“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” with Mickey Rooney; and “Blackwell's Island." with John Garfield and Rosemary Lane. KING GEORGE (Lower Hutt).— “It’s in the Air,” with George Form by; and “I Am a Criminal.” with John Carroll. PRINCE EDWARD (Woburn).— “The Hit Parade," with Phil Regan and Frances Langford; mid “The Forgotten Wonien,” with Sigrifi Gurie. DE LUXE (Lower Hutt). —“Let’s Be Famous.” with Bonnie Hale and Jimmy O’Dea : and “Gold Mine in the Sky,” with Gene Autry.