ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 18, 16 October 1942, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

“To The Shores Of Tripoli” Makes Talkie History If film critics bad their way cinemas would be forced by law ‘to change their programme* every week. A nightmare tor critics is the film which remains stubbornly successful and about which ho lias to invent fresh phrases and fresh praise week in, week out.’ “To the Shorets vt Tripoli” is practically the daddy ot them all, and possibly unique iu Wellingtons talkie history. It opened to enormous business at the King’s six weeks ago, and was transferred to the Tudor last week. While still running at the latter theatre it began a simultaneous reason in a second house, the State where it is now launched on vet another successful career. Anu, while American servicemen continue to come and go, providing the Pit-’tu™. with new audiences, “To the Shores of J ripoil looks as if it may, like R.A.F. raids over Germany, 'be an ever-present menace to a critic’s health and happiness. To begin to describe the plot or the stars is to have 50,000 Wellington filmgoers replying. “Tell us 'something we don’t know.” But honestly, there is nothing left to say about the film, winch is primarily designed to show the thorough training undergone by the United 'States Marine Corps. Splendidly pictured in colour, the film has Maureen O’llara, John Payne and Randolph Scott to show the world that the-Marine Corps is built on hard training but only proves that, under the skin, Americans are still the most sentimental race on earth. Brenda Joyce, Bruce Edwards, and George Barbier are featured in ‘‘Marry the Boss’s Daughter," a comedy which fills the first half of the State s bill. It is one of those breezy, improbable comedies—just exactly what its title implies. Tudor Theatre.—"Dangerous Moonlight” stars Anton WalbroOk, supported by Sallv Gray and Derrick de Marney. It Is a vivid story of a. Polish pianists adventures as a fighter pilot. The associate feature is the murder mystery, “btranger on the Third Bloor.” Paramount Theatre. —Too feature films different in type yet likely to appeal to the same large section of moviegoers are being presented at the Paramount Theatre, which has changed its programme earlier in the week than usual. The two films are “Jungle Princess” and the Plainsman. “Jungle Princess” is a Dorothy Lamour film with Akim Tamiroff, Lynne Overman, Molly Lamont and Mala at the head of the supporting cast. The second feature is the Cecil B. de Mille production, ‘The Plainsman,” starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, supported by James hllisou, Charles Bickford, Helen Burgess, George Hayes and Porter Hall. Both these films have had highly successful seasons wlierever they have been shown, and together they form a programme of unusually lilgfi entertainment value.

King’s Theatre.—“Ball of Fire,” 6tnrring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, is an unusual comedy, for it gams its humour from the impact of a night ciuu entertainer on a cloistered group of professors (including Cooper) who are cou *' piling an encyclopaedia. Having dealt with “Sex” and “Slang/ Gary C°°P® r meets Barbara Stanwyck and has to \evise his work. She not only upsets the work on the encyclopaedia, but revolutionizes the lives of the learned men most of all Gary. Those who go to- the King s Theatre and see “Ball of. Fire” are educated in the meaning .of some American slang they may have puzzled- over. Plaza Theatre.—Those who rc “ euib , e ,; Myrtle Tannehill and Hale Hamilton in the stage show some years ago will call lo mind what a riot of comedy Twin Beds” was when it was played in New Zealand. It has lost nothing of its hilarity in its transfer to the screen; in fact, the present version is funnier than ever. George Brent, Joan Bennett and Misclia Auer head the cast.

Opera Mouse.—Patriotism in occupied countries and the adventures of British bomber crews befriended by the Dutch after baling out, are the framework o<. "One of Our Aircraft is Missing.” The men are forced to bale out on a return from a Ruhr raid, and the story goes from this hide-out to that, from one group of Dutch people to another. It is a compliment of high order to the Netherlands. A specially attractive supporting programme is being advertised. It includes a technlcolour picture of Kew Gardens and news films of New Zealand events, as well as overseas newsreels.

Majestic Theatre.—A story of extraordinary appeal is "The Vanishing Virginian. It is the story of Cap’n Bob Yaucey, a typical Southerner, who has almost become a fixture as G'ommonwealili attorney in a Virginian town. Fiery, be seems to spend imau.v of his nights in tlie cells for contempt of court, but while hating sins, be forgives the sinners and endears himself to all. Frank Morgan, as laughable and livable as ever, lite the role of Cap ti Yancy like a glove. The Majestic Theatre is now advertisingits next attraction, “Blossoms in the Dust,” starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeou.

Do Duxo Theatre.—Tlie new programme at lire De Luxe Theatre is headed by “Joe Smith, American,” starring liobert Young, with Marsha Hunt, Darryl Hickman, Jonathan Hale, and Nod Madison. It lulls an unusual story, dramatic aud topical, yet close to civilian life. The name •of tlie star is a guarantee of its worth, for liobert Youug, au unusually independent personality of the American movie industry, lias for some years been appearing iu exceptional films from scenarios ot his own choice. The second feature is "Girl from Alaska,” in which Hay Middleton, Jean Parker, Jerome Cowan, liobert 11. Barrat, aud Bay Mala head the cast. It is a story of gold-miniug, adventure and romance in the snows of Alaska. This film also is being shown for the first time in this country. The, last chapter of "Don Winslow of the Navy ’ complete the programme.

St. Jarnos Theatre.—The change of programme at the St. James Theatre today will bring to that house ‘'This Gun for Hire,” which iutroduces Alau Ladd aud which stars also X’erouica Lake, liobert Preston and Laird Cregar. It tells a story of lore and action. The supporting programme is I likely to be particularly entertaining, containing as it.' does a liobert Benchley comedy, a colour eartoon, "Bedtime Sniffles,” aud a Paramount News. SUBURBAN-THEATRES Rivoli, (Newtown). —“Call Out the Marines,” Victor McLaglen, Kdmund Lowe; “Tough as they Como,” The Dead Knd Kids, Lillie Toug-h Guys. . Kinetna (Kilbirnie).—“Babeti on Broadway,” Mickey Rooney. Judy Garland; “Mr. District Attorney,” Dennis O’Keefe, Peter Lorre. „ Capitol (Miramar). —“We»tern Union, Robert Young, Randolph Scott; “Night of January Kith,” Ellen Drew, Robert Preston. Vogue (Brooklyn).—"A Yank in the R.A.F.” ’Tyrone l’ow<*r, Belly Grable; “Three Men Krum ’l'd.xas.” William Boyd Esther Estrella. Empire (island Bay).—“Bahama I'as* bjige, Madeleine Carroll, Slirling Hayden; “Sir. and Mrs. North,” Graeie Allen, William i’ost, J nr. Regal (Karori). —“The fleet’s to”; “Strange Case of Dr. KN." Palric Knowlvs Lionel Atwill. Arieot ( Newlown i.~ “Tarzaii ts Secret Treasnro,” Maureen O’Sullivan, Johnny Weissmuller; “Rackoi Busters.” Gloria Dickson. Humphrey Bogart. King George (Lower Hull). —“The Courtship of And.\ Hardy,” Lewis Stone. Mickey ltuoi;<»y. I’eeilia Barker, h’ay Holden. Do Luxe (Lower Unit). —’’Texas.” William Holdou, Claire Trevor; “Hurricane Smith.” Kay Middleloii, Jane Wyatt. Pt hire I’idwurd (Woburn).— “Sleepers West,” Lloyd Nolan, l.yiiu Bari; “Pride t if the Bowery,” r l'h<? East Side Kids. Tivoli (Thorndon). —“Tarzan’c* Secret Treasure,” Johnny Weissmuller. Maureen O’Sullivan: "Torpedo Boat.”