ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

“Unexpected Uncle” Finds Trouble At The State After all, : one cannot anticipate everything—and uncles least of all. Filmgoers have beeu treated to unexpected fathers, babies and fortunes, but uncles are something new. Audiences at the State Theatre this week/are finding much to amuse them in “Unexpected Uncle," the somewhat hilarious story of a gay old sinner whose platonic interest in a swiftly-moving love affair leads him into far more trouble than he bargained for. In the finish he is ready and willing to believe the old axiom about women, horses and walnut tr The star is "Uncle” Charles Coburn, that excellent actor of the old school who has adapted himself so well to the swifter tempo of the films. Anne Shirley, at last freed, from the restricting influence of green gables and the like, gives a merry —and somewhat scandalous— performance as the niece. Her co-partner in the harmless crime is James Craig. Of the second film the most important point about it is that it takes Tim Holt, son of the well-known Jack Hott, a further step in his movie apprenticeship. Young Holt is growing up Into a worthwhile actor, but he Is certaintly not given full opportunity to display his ability in westerns. His performance, naturally, is more than adequate in "Dude Cowboy,' which fills the first .half of the States programme.' There are many guus, much shooting, some singing by Ray Whitley and his Six-Bar Cowboys, a little lovemaking between Tim Holt and Marjorie Revuolds, and the usual funny man. Briefly the gang’s all back again and lovers of westerns wifi find all they want at the State.

Paramount Theatre.—Vincente BlascO Ibanez’s magnificent “Blood ahd hand in technieolour forms the chief attraction at the Paramount this week, and is certain to draw good houses.. The Incomparable Nazimova heads the galaxy ot stars m this exciting film, and gives one of her beet performances. The associate feature is Gene Stratton Porters ’T'reekles Comes Home,” with Johnny Downs, Gale Storm, and -Mantan Moreland, in the leading parts.

Tudor Theatre. —Now showing in its fifth week at the Tudor, the film ".the Corsican Brothers” is an unusual story based oil Dumas’ novel. Douglas l'’Airbauks nlavs the part of the Friiuem twins, separ ateil in body by the surgeon at birth, but strangely connected In mind and emotions although their upbringing and environments as < l.flt rent as I’aris and the . c °re "'“U ll ’^'?'• associate leal uro Is lie Great 1 llt .’ with Jack Holt and Marjorie key uoldo in (lie leads.

King's ’l'he l itie.-"Cull out the Marines, ’’ anutlwr ot’ the toplenl. coek-eyed stones ot the United States armed lorces, comes to die King's today. Victor McLaglen aud . till the parts of two sen geants who join up ju»t to inipitbs tnc Girls’’ Binnie Barnes aud Paul 1111 ftinor rules in the Him, which will keep audiences rucking with laughter.

opera House.—" Pride and I reiudiee, the 1 classic story of five platers all lookin'' for husbands, comes back to Wellington Ut the opera House today. H “ bHL liaut satire. Tile stars are lovely Gteer ( arson Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Maureen O'Sullivan. Ann Rutherford and Laurence Olivier. The film should draw full houses throughout Ils run.

Kegent Theatre— There is a new fire in Ou. life of Dr. Kildare in the new exciting film. ’'Tfie Doctor and the Debutante Meed by the director oft be "Thin Man" series. All women fell lor the hand some doctor, bul the glamorous debutante fell harder than the others. Lew Ayres s young D*-' Kildare, Lionel Barrymore the J lovable Dr. Gillespie, Alma Kruger is Nurse Molly Byrd, and Anu Ayars the debutante. 'Featurettes on the programme Include the coloured traveltalk, "Yosemite the Magnificent,' and the special miniature." “Tlie Tell Tale Heart.”

Pluzu Theatre.—Acclaimed as the year's best nieture, ‘How Green Mas My Valiev*' the dramatic masterpiece which has captivated Wellington, telescopes the events of a good many years of Huw Morgan's life into a two-hour epan. Gradually trouble comes to the Welsh mining valley, and the beginnings of the labour dispute of the nineteenth century. Donald Crisp plays the part ol the father. Sara Allgood gives a performance as austere and dignified as Crisps; but to little Roddv McDowell must go half the praise earned by the him. It enters its fourth week today. De Luw Theatre. —Cabled news of the activities’of spies in Australia makes one of the films at the De Luxe particularly topical "Unseen Enemy" tells a tale of spy warfare in the Pacific when the •waterfront Is turned into the battlefront. Billed as "American Bists v, Axis Heels, •

it stars Leo Carrillo, Andy Devine, Irene Hervev, and Don Terry. The second feature brings to the screen one of Damon Runyon’s wise-cracking riots which loses nothing in the translation from the book. "Butch aud the Baby.” which has the expected complement of big-hearted toughs, guys and dolls, provides a rollicking setting tor Broderick Crawford, Virginia Bruce, Dick Foran, and Shemp Howard. Both these pictures, together with the newsreel of Russian war scenes,'are showing In New Zealand for the first time. St. James Theatre.—Dorothy Lamour, the No. 1 “pin-up” girl of the United States Army, the top oomph” girl, has a field day in the hilarious “The Fleet s In.” which has kept full houses at the St. James in an uproar since it began its run on Friday. Dorothy Lamour is ably supported'' by William Holden, Eddie Bracken *and Betty Hutton, and Jimmy, Dorsey and his band, which puts over some excellent numbers. Majestic Theatre.—“Johnny Eager’’ tells another breath-taking story by rhe author of "Boom Town.' A society girl takes a chance and a love against which she has been warned. The impulsive heroine is played by Lana Turner, and her chosen by Robert Taylor. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer term the film a dramatic blast and a romantic explosion. SUBURBAN THEATRES Kinema (Kllbirnie)— “Pimpernel Smith,” Leslie Howard, Francis Sullivan; March of Time.” , ~ . Rivoli (Newtown). —‘Mutiny on the Bounty,” Clark Gable, Franehot Tone, Charles Laughton; “Her First Beau, Jane Withers. Jackie Cooper Capitol (Miramar).—“Adam Had hour Sons." Wgrid Bergman, Warner Baxter, “Keep ’Em Flying.” Bud Abbott, Lou C< Voguo (Brooklyn).—“I Wanted Wings,’’ Kay Milland, Constance Moore; The Light of the■ Western Stars,' Victor Jory, An ß<’gid er (Karori).—“You’ll Never Get Rich,” FCed Astaire, Rita Hay worth; The Feminine Touch," Rosalind Russell, Don (Newtown). —"Lone Star Ranger,' John Kimbrough, Shelia Ryan; Moon Over Miami," Bettv Grable Don Ameche Tivoli (Thorndon). — birth of the Blues?’ Bing Crosby, Mary Martin; International Lady," George Brent, Ilona King George (Lower Hutt).—“Hellzapttppln.” Olsen and Johnson; larget lo (Lower Hutt).-“Crooks Tour ” Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne; Torpedo Boat.” Richard Arlen. Dick Purcell. Ring Edward (Woburn).— Hurricane Smith." Ray Middleton, Jane M yaU, “Hurry, Charlie, Hurry.” Leon Errol,.Mß d Empire S (lsland Bay) .—“Keep ’E,m .FlgHur ” Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, ine Great Man’ti Lady,” Joel McCrea, Barbara Stanwyck. .