ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 31 August 1942, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

I’lazii Theatre. —Perhaps the best description of "No Greater Sin,” is that given' by Sir W. B. Benham, K.8.E.. of Otago University. He saw the film and remarked that it was "an important warning.” And that is exactly what it is? It is a genuine and most convincing attempt to break down the barriers that prevent open discussion of any public mention of venereal disease—a social menace that is fast causing right-thinking people in New Zealand to raise tlielr eyebrows and begin to ask why fuller facts have not been brought out into the open long ere this.

St. James Theatre.—ln "Hide 'Em Cowboy,” now in its second week, there is a sort of plot which, like a submarine, occasionally appears on the surface and then dives deep into Illogical nonsense again. Abbott and Costello, specially the latter, are the two great screen finds of the war. The film is as subtle us a crack on the jaw, and yet it keeps youthful privates in the stalls and staid colonels in the circle laughing their heads off. There are others in the picture, too, and a scene to remember is a negro girl’s singing of ”A-Tisket, A-Tasket.”

Majestic Theatre. —"The Chocolate Soldier" is well cast, full of rich musical numbers, beautifully mounted, and with it storv which would stand the test without music or big names. Nelson Eddy, singing better than ever, lias at. last, been freed from liis usual saccharine parts, and is allowed to clown and become a figure of fun. Rise Stevens, a newcomer, is not. over-beautiful, has a .magnificent voice and an interesting, enigmatical face.

State Theatre. —There is none of the grimmer touch of "Convoy" in ‘‘Mexican Spitfire at Sea." lu title film the sea is majle to sail on, not to sink into. A honeymoon couple, always figures of fun, whether afloat or ashore, embark on a honeymoon cruise in which the most hectic complications arise with much masquerading, much dashing in and out of the wrong cabins, and a great (leal of laughable tomfoolery. “Come (tn, Danger," 'with Tim Holt, is the associate picture.

Opera House.—“North-West: Passage," which has returned to the Opera House, is a thrilling Technicolonr film of the forcing of the passage which' opened the way to yet greater lands and greater wealth. The scenes are built on a gigantic scale, and leave no room for criticism by those busybodies whose chief delight is an evening spent at the cinema detecting anachronisms. Heading the east and putting up ills usual sterling performance is Spencer Tracy.

King’s Theatre.—“Toxas,” with William Holden, G-len Ford and George Bancroft iu the leads, and Claire Trevor making brief and frequently tempestuous appearances, deals with the early d ays of that famous state and tells of the manner in which the cattle rustlers became the scourge of the land and of how one particular band was defeated. It rolls merrllly on through 8600 feet of romance, glimpses of really lovely country, and fights and numerous killings. A coming attraction is "To the Shores of Tripoli,” the story behind the men behind the guns.

Tudor Theatre.—-One would hardly expect Carole Lombard and Jack Benny to lie on tlie screen together any time, but least of all iu a film directed by Ernst Lubltseh. It is strange that Lubltsch's "To He or Not to Be,” set as it is in wartime Warsaw, should be a roinantiee comedy that gives the stars ample scope Tb<‘ secoud feature is "Go West, Young Lady."

SUBURBAN THEATRES Empire (Island Bay).—"Joan ot I’aria"; "Skvlark," Ray Milland. Claudette Colbert. Regal (Karori).—“Louisiana Purchase.” Bob Hope, Vera Zorina; "The Invisible Woman,” Virginia Bruce. Johu Howard. Ascot (Newtowul. —"House of Seven Gabies” George Sandens, Margaret Lindsay; “Dr. O’Dowd,” Shaun Glenville Peggy Cummins. Tivoli (Thorndon).—“Rood show, \dolph Menjon. Carole Landis; "Moon over Miami," Betty Grable. Don Ameehe. Kinenm (Kilbirnle). - "lee-capades,’ James Ellison, Dorothy Lewis; “Little Mett,” Kav Francis, Jack Oakie. King George (Lower Hutt).—'Topper Returns." Joan Blondell, Roland Young. De I,uxo (Lower Hutt).—“Mr. ami Mrs. Smith." Graeie Allen. William Post. Jun.: "Jungle Cavalcade," Frank Buck Prince Edward (Woburn).—"Western Union.” Randolph Scott, Robert Young; ••Puddin’ Head,” Judy Canova. Capitol (Miramar).— "Kipps." Michael Redgrave. Diana Wyiiyard; "’Frisco Lil’, Irene Hervey. Kent Taylor. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"Made For Each Other” Carole Lombard, James Stewart; "Father Takes a Wife," Gloria Swanson, Adolphe Menjon.