ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

St. Janies Theatre.—Wallace Beery has a splendid role in “20 .Mule Team,” an action-filled picture filmed in Death Valley, now showing at. the St. James Theatre. Beery, as "Skinner” Bill Bragg, has a part in which he revels, and as Piute Pete. the Indian, Leo Carrillo obviously enjoys every minute of the film. A city "smart Alee” comes to Furnace Flats and tries to make the pretty daughter of the hotelkeeper run away with him. The girl’s mother takes the law into her own hands. In a struggle she is dangerously wounded, ami Bill, thinking her dead, trails her assailant over the waste lands of the desert. Assisted by Piute Pete, he finally brings retribution. Action is a universally appreciated quality in moving pictures, and “When the Daltons Rode,” which the change of programme on Friday will bring to the St. James Theatre, is full of action. It is the .story of an American farming family who become outlaws, and are blamed by the community for every crime in their State and even the neighbouring States. Coach and train hold-ups and bank robberies at the pistol point are incidents in this "super Western.” film, and it comes to a climax with a gun battle in which the family is wiped out. Playing a part in vivid contrast, to those that -won her fame. Kay Francis has the leading feminine role opposite Randolph Scott.

Regent Theatre. — Half a dozen star comedians and several converted “straight” players inject all-round comedy into the film version of the farce, "The Boys From Syracuse,” with ancient Greek background, based on the Broadway successes of the same title, which is in its last day at the Regent Theatre. Top-line players include Allan Jones, Irene Hervey, and Rosemary Lane, all successful in so-called “straight” roles, and all now essaying a new type of comedy. Irrepressible Martha Raye contributes lusty antics to the film, and as a contrast Joe Penner is present to portray a wistful, under-pup type of human punching bag. Janies Hilton’s novel constituting a positive statement of the author's case against war is the basis for Warner Bros.’ “We Are Not Alone,” which will begin at the Regent Theatre tomorrow. In his first modern picture for some years, Paul Muni onee again has a character role calling for more than average ability and he ha's the support of Jane Bryan and Flora Robson. The title is explained by a conversation between Muni, who portrays a middle-class physician with advanced ideas, and Miss Bryan, the Austrian girl whom he befriends, shortly before their execution for a murder which they did not commit. The parallel is drawn between their case and that of hundreds of thousands of innocent soldiers in the Great War, who also lost their lives through no fault of their own. It is a difficult theme for the times, but should provide those who see its message with some thought. The keynote of the film is restraint —even in scenes which make this most difficult.

Plaza Theatre.— The old proverb that one good turn deserves another is put into practice with thrilling results iu “The Saint Takes Over,” which is nt the Plaza. It is the latest film in the popular series based on the exploits of Simon Templar, the modern Robin. Hood character created by Leslie Chatteris. George Sanders again plays the title role as the dashing but deadly killer who wars on crime overlords. Wendy Barrie has the romantie lead as a girl of mystery, and Jonathan Hale plays his favourite role as Police Inspector Ferntick.

Based on W. Somerset Maugham's successful stage play, the farce, “Too Many Husbands" will begin at the Plaza on Friday. Jean Arthur, in contrast to the dramatic finesse she displayed in “Only Angels Have Wings.” employs her gift for light portrayals. As a lonely wife suddenly provided: with two devoted husbands, she expresses her appreciation of the flattering circumstances, as well as her perplexed and fearful recognition that its outcome might well mean a prison sentence for her. Except for its many humorous implications, the latter note is not too greatly stressed. “Too .Many Husbands” is. after all, a comedy, and. Jean Arthur is one of the cleverest, comediennes appearing in films today.

State Theatre. — "Pygmalion,” the film version of the famous Bernard Shaw play and one of the most: pronounced successes the screen has yet: known, will begin what should be a popular return season at Hie State Theatre today. Those who remember Samuel Goldwyn’s 1920 film of "Earthbound.” from a story by Basil King, will recall that it made screen history in its generation and set something of a standard for works in kind. Twentieth Century-Fox’s latest version of the theme, which will be the associate feature, has been produced ou a scale commensurate with the calibre of the talent presented and has been brought mi l<> date, but not changed as Io luiidaijjgtttal plot. _ The iteene. .is I'avis. A man is killed by the wife of his best friend for declining to renew a love affair. From this .point the man continues in wraith-like presence among the living, who bury his body and proceed with a trial of tlie Irietid who attempts to shoulder bis wife’s guilt, His efforts to communicate with the lit ing are fruitless, but the audience is left to decide whether his astral presence l>!tilllv leads to the discovery of evidence which clears the whole matter up.

King's Theatre. — Cattlemen and homesteaders of the old West provide plenty of excitement in "The Westerner' at the King’s Theatre. It is thrilling adventure against a spectacular background, and it eian be classed as one of the outstanding Western pictures of the year. Gary Cooper gives a convincing performance in the leading role. "The Westerner” is a great story, magnificently told, dealing with the old days of the cattle ranges, when the homesteader, who wanted to place sheep on what were formerly ttnfenced ranges, had to tight the cattlemen to gain his ends.

Majestic Theatre.— Myrna Loy and William Powell romp through "I Love You Again.” at the Majestic Theatre. The film opens on board a liner in which Larry ilson (William Powell) is returning from a trip to Europe. Larry rescues "Doc Ryan” (Frank McHugh) from a watery dentil and gets struck on the head. When lie recovers consciousness he discuvers thin for nine years he has been suffeiing from amnesia, that ho is not the respectable Larry Wilson but George Carey, and that bis past is not one that bears looking into.

De Luxe Theatre. — "Dust be my Destiny.” a story of two young "nobodies” wild marry but find tlie road to happiness hard and long, heads tlie De Luxe programme. "My Irish .Molly” is the associate film.

Opera, House. — “The Mortal Storm,” now screening at the Opera House, tells of a German family torn asunder by political forces. It is a frank, truthful presentation, completely free from exaggregation or any attempt al sensationalism. Robert Young appears in a new type of role, that of a fanatic young patriot willing to sacrifice all ho holds' dear for his political beliefs. Tudor Theatre.— lloimiuee and drama, songs ami dances, spectacular scenes and novelties are all in "Irene,'’ the film based on the famous stage success of the same name, ami now the principal feature at the Tudor. Aami Neagle and Hay .Milland are co-starred. SU B LiRB AN THEATRES Ascot (Newtown). —“The Proud Valley.” Paul Robeson; “Call ou the President..' 1 Empire (Island Bay).—“Private Affairs,” Nancy Kelly and Roland Young; “Millionaire Playboy,” Joe Penner. Tivoli (Thorndon). — “Remember,” Robert Taylor and Greer Garson ; “Sandy is a Lady.” Baby Sandy and Mischa Auer. Kinenia. (Kilbirnie). —“The .Man in the Iron Mask,” Joan Bennett ami Louis Hayward,; “Peek's Bad Boy At the Circus," Tommy Kelly and Ann Gibb. Rivoli (Newtown). —“Winter Garni-

vol.” Ann Sheridan and Richard Carlson; ’•Cross Country Romance,” "Wendy Barrie and Gene Raymond.

Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Geronimo.” Preston Foster and Ellen Drew; “Premiere,” Joan Marion and Hugh Williams. Capitol (Miramar).- —‘’Honeymoon in Bali.” Madeleine Carroll and Fred MaeMurray: "Double Alibi," Wayne Morris ami Margaret Lindsay. King George (Lower Hutt). —"Earl of Chicago,” Robert Montgomery and Edward Arnold.

Prince Edward (Wobprn).— "The Cheat.” Sacha Guitry; "Opened by Mistake,” Charlie Ruggles and Janice Logan. De Luxe (Lower Hutt).—"Gohlen Boy." Adolphe Menjou and Barbara Stanwyck; "The Law West of Tombstone,” Harry Carey and Tim Holt.

Regal (Karori). —“House of the Seven Gables.” Vincent; Price and George Sanders; "My Little Chickadee,” Alae West and W. C. Fields.