ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 192, 10 May 1940, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

Regent Theatre Paramount’s cartoon version in colour of "Gulliver’s Travels,” which is being warmly appreciated at Hie llegent theatre where it has entered the second week of a season, deviates only in tile slightest from the first half of the original storv b.v Dean Jonathan Swift—and it is only that half with which it deals. Following the adventures ot Lemuel Gulliver, the English senintin wrecked on the shores of a land ol miniature people "somewhere in the South Seas." the film shows how he gains the confidence of the natives, becomes their lender through his amazing feats ot strength, promotes a romance between :i love-struck prince and princess, and averts a war that threatens the pence or the land. . ~ The music in "Gullivers travels is more important than in most productions, for tile plot hinges on it, and seven ot the eight songs were written b.v the Leo Robin-Ralph Rainger team, famed for its "Thanks for the Memory" and ' Love U> Bloom.”

St. Janies Theatre

Based on the amazing career of Gue Edwards, famed showman, “Jim btar Maker" will have its premiere nclhiiLton showing at the St. James IheatiC this afternoon. The . principals are Bing Crosby and Dimin M are. t™-14-vear-old singer "discovered by Charle.. R. "Rogers, Paramount producer, ana among. Hie other players are Dmnsc Campbell. Ned Sparks. Laura Ho e Crews and Walter Damrosch, conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra ot Los A Brieflv, “The Star Maker" describes how Larry Earl (Crosby), from being a penniless songwriter, becomes a name m the entertainment world, building, up Ins reputation in the production of juvenile shows. Beset by the Gerry boeiety, organized to protect working children, Earl falls from grace for a short '\ 11 . lle i but he is soon back in his former position in the entertainment world again, enpitiiizing on the introduction of. the crystal radio set, and introducing juvenile performers to the microphone. . Included among the songs which Crosby sings are “School Days,” “In My Merry Oldsmobile.” “Look Out. for -limmy \alentine,” “If I was a Millionaire, I Can t Tell Why I Love sou, But I Do, I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now, and “Tammany.” Linda Wares numbers range from the catchy "Darktown gratters’ Ball” to Tsehaikovski s Waltz of tlie Flowers.”

King’s Theatre

A battle between the agents of different espionage services is witnessed in U" Boat 29.” which will he released at the King’s Theatre today. In view ot the present situation, when Britain is at war with Germany. “U-Boat 29” has a. timeliness that will be appreciated by an, and its “drawing” power is enhanced by Conrad Veidt, famed Continental actor, being its principal. Veidt lias been in films as long as most people can remember, and he lias never disappointed his followers. His worn in “U-Boat 29,” however, does not overshadow that, of Sebastian Shaw, Valerie Hobson (memorable for performances ot merit in “Clouds Over Europe and ‘•This Man in News,” Marius Goring, and June Duprez. “U-Boat 29” concerns the adventuies that are suffered by a German naval officer who meets a girl he believes to be an agent of bis own country. The fact is, however, that she is in the employ ot the British Intelligence Service, and the incidents that follow give full opportunity for an elaboration of the struggle that goes on between nations. Many exciting glimpses of submarine warfare are given, and one of the tensest sequences shows a German submarine threading a nerve-racking way through a British minefield.

Plaza Theatre

What have secretaries got that wives have not? —such is the question asked in “Day-time Wife,” which will -be shown at the Plaza Theatre for the first time today. Jane Norton (Linda Darnell) decides to find an answer to this question when her husband ('Tyrone I’owcr) makes a habit of working late at the oflice and coming home with perfume on his collar. Jane and Ken have been married for two years, and Jane, determined not to give Ken up in a hurry, takes the advice of Blanche (Binnie Barnes) and secures a job ns secretary to Bernard Dexter (Warren William), Bernard, who is also married, is susceptible to the strange romantic influence of business oilices, and Jane has an exciting time parrying his advances. Though she makes Ken inwardly miserable by her carefully aimed, innocent allusions to his affair, Jane still wants to win him back. The climax is reached when Ken fails to attend a meeting at which he ami Jane were to arrange their married life afresh. In desperation. Jane accepts a dinner invitation offered by Bernard later that evening, and together they run into Ken and his secretary (Wendy Barrie) at the restaurant. The situation is hilarious, and Ken’s discomfort is heightened when Jane forces him to conceal their relationship. To reveal subsequent events would be unfair to prospective patrons, and to the theatre management, but —the Norton's are reunited.

State Theatre

A re-issue of the very successful “1 Was a Spy” is the main feature ou the programme presented this week by the management of the State Theatre.- The east is headed by Conrad Veidt, Madeleine Carroll, Herbert Marshall, Sir Gerald du Maurier, and Edmund Gwenn. In its essentials, the story of “I "Was a Spy” has all the" simplicity of greatness. The actions of a young Belgian woman, Murtha McKenna, iu the World War, provide the subject matter. There is a romantic interest.

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

Tudor Theatre

Samuel Goldwyn’s ‘‘Raffles,” which today enters the second week of a season at the Tudor Theatre, is about a gentleman crook, a suave society man who loads a life of secret crime for the fun and auventure. 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 Ytfrd 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 .1 notable performance, and Olivia de Havilland’s portrayal of the cracksman's fiancee proves that she is an actress of brilliant talents. inscribing in dmintitic fashion tho rc~ volt, of the colonists of Pennsylvania against the protection given by the British soldiery to unscrupulous traders selling guns and ammunition to the Indians, “ The First Rebel” will bo the associate him from today.

Majestic Theatre

The “Thin Man" pair. Nick and Nora Charles—played by William Powell ami Mvrna Loy—appear again in “Another Thin Man,” blending laughs with thrills ■uid mystery with mirth in their inenior able and delightful fashion. The two preceding episodes of the "Thin Man ’ saga—“ The Thin Man” nn<l ‘‘After the Thin Man” —set a high mark in entertainment value and also n new style in mystery films, ami “Another Thin Man,” in the second wool, of a season 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 the whole play a piquant touch. De Luxe Theatre For the first time in her screen career, Ann Sheridan, known to most filmgoers as the “oomph girl,” plays a sympathetic role in her latest picture for Warner Bros., “The Angels Wash Their Faces,” which will be tlie main attraction at the De Luxe Theatre from this afternoon. Her role as a social worker in this film about tenement slum youngsters, enables her to demonstrate her fine acting ability. The cast includes the “Dead End” Kids.

Slightly -reformed, and this time on the side of the law, the “Dead End” Kids are placed in a slum tenement neighbourhood. Here, they co-operate with the city authorities in bringing to justice a gang of adult criminals. The “Dead Enders” set out to gather evidence against the gang, headed by Eduardo Ciannelli, for two reasons —first, because one 01 their number has bene burnt to death in a tenement blaze caused by the gang; secondly, because another of their members. Frankie Thomas, has been “framed” for the blaze. Sponsored by Ann Sheridan, Frankie’s sister, and Ronald Reagan. deputy District Attorney, the youngsters succeed in electing Billy Halop “mayor” in Boys’ Week, who, in turn, appoints them to his “cabinet.” They immediately proceed to take matters into their own hands. With Jane 'Wyman and Dick Foran at the head of the cast, “Private Detective” will be the associate attraction. Suburban Theatres KINEMA (Kilbirnie). —“Wings of the Navy,” with Olivia de Havilland and George Brent; and “Trade Winds,” with Joan Bennett and Fredric Marsh. CAPITOL (Miramar). —The Beachcomber,” with Charles Laughton and Elsa Lancaster; and “Oklahoma Kid,” with James Cagney. TIVOLI (Thermion). —“Yes, My Darling Daughter,” with Priscilla Lane and Jeffrey Lynn; and “Hawaiian Nights.” ~ , , , VOGUE (Brooklyn). — “Sherlock Holmes," with Basil Rathbone and Ida Lupino; and “Our I,ending Citizen,” with Bob Burns and Susan Hayward. KING GEORGE (Lower Hutt). — “’Hie Under-Pup,” with Gloria Jean. PRINCE EDWARD (Woburn). — “King" of Chinatown,” with Anna May Wong and Akim TnmirolT: and “Women in tin- Wind,” with Kay Francis and William Gargan. DE LUXE (Lower Hutt).—“Let’s Be Famous,” with Sonnie Hale and Jimmy O'Dea ; and “Gold Mine in the Sky,” with Gene Autry.