CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 129, 2 June 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

';.':.; REGENT THEATRE, __~ed upon fact —upon a scandal which stirred France socially and politically—"Stolen Holiday," the Regent Theatre's main feature, is as fine a dramatic production as one could wish to see on the screen. The picture Is remarkable for its fine acting by > Kay Francis, who is ably supported :by Claude Rains, lan Hunter, Alison Skipworth, and others. The supporting programme has a Coronation flavour. The New Zealand contingent is seen in London, the King is both seen and heard delivering his first public speech, and intimate glimpses are given of the Royal Family at home. Other interesting, films complete an admirable programme. . . "Green Light," from the stirring story of heroism, sacrifice, and love by Lloyd C. Douglas (author of "Magnificent Obsession"), will start on Friday at the Regent Theatre. Enrol Flyhm whose performances in Captaiii Blood" and "The Charge, of the Light Brigade" won him such honours, rises' to even greater dramatic heights in : "Green Light." Lovely Anita Louise, who shares the honours, is the girl for whose sake Flynn suffers and nearly dies. .. ■ MAJESTIC THEATRE, "nose Marie," starring Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald. which is in its third week at the Majestic Theatre, surpasses in every respect al7 previous films of its type. Not only for the beauty of the singing but for the awe-inspiring outdoor scenes, the high standard of acting, and the strength of the story, this picture will live in the memory for many years to come. In such numbers as "Rose Marie," "The Indian Love Call," "Song of the Mounties," and selections from the operas "Romeo and Juliet" and "La Tosca," the stars are. given ample opportunity to demonstarte their ability and the result is aif east of song. Miss Mac Donald is cast as a leading opera singer who, on learning that her brother has escaped from gaol and is hiding-jn northern Canada, sets off to find him, and meets and finally falls in love with Sergeant Bruce, of the Mounties (Nelson Eddy). It is somfc time before the tangle is unravelled and a happy ending reached. The supports are very good. ST. JAMES THEATRE. , Few star combinations in recent years have proved as popular as Johnny' Weismuller and Maureen O'Sullivan in the Tarzan series. Their latest ■film, "Tarzan Escapes," is in its second week at the St; James, and the picture shows how well justified is the- popularity of the pair. The high standard of previous pictures in the series is fully maintained. The story dea.ls with' the attempt of a blackguardly hunter. Captain Fry, to capture Tarzan while he is leading a safari to Tarzan's stronghold. The picture is notable for the comedy performance of Herbert Mundin, who touches superb heights with his peculiarly inimitable drollery, and for the appearance of the famous chimpanzee, Cheetah, who is so screamingly funny and "so intelligent that every appearance becomes a joy. .The supports include an "Our Gang" comedy and a coloured cartoon with delightful .touches, NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE. The magnificent Warner Bros, pror duction "The Green Pastures" is meeting with marked success at the New Paramount Theatre. This picture is the film version of the play by the same name by Marc Connelly. "The Green Pastures" depicts Biblical history and after-life as the American negro sees them. These conceptions are much more.simple and childish "than those "tif^Europeans; ""but there is something peculiarly engaging in the atmosphere of the film. The picture, 100, is notable as a musical production, ' the Hall-Johnson Choir singing a large number of negro spirituals. "The Green Pastures" has not escaped criticism during its career thus far in New Zealand. Protests were voiced against its screening in Auckland, but it remained to break records. The New Paramount is presenting an outstanding series o£ short subjefcts on this initial "first-re-lease" programme, "Coo Coo Nut Grove," a caricature ,;of"; Hollywood filmed in colour being particularly notable. ~ ■_- ■> ./-■ .• j " KING'S THEATREr In "Borderland," now showing, at the King's Theatre, another of Clarence E Mulford's well-known "Hopalong" Cassidy series^ is brought to pictorial life. A notorious bandit, "The Fox," has successfully defeated all efforts ~by the Texas Rangers and the Mexican secret police to capture him, ' and the services of "Hoppy" (William Boyd) as a discredited former honorary lieutenant of the Rangers are invoked. The supporting feature, "The Accusing Finger," an indictment of capital punishment, is a striking illustration of the queer twists which can be given criminal cases by a chain of circumstantial evidence. Paul Kelly, Harry Carey, and Marsha Hunt head the cast. Also on the programme is a spiendid Fox movietone newsreel of the Coronation, giving'both detail and vjsta of the Royal spectacles SHORTT'S THEATRE. Bubbling with laughter, and bursting* with song, roguish Jane Withers as-starred at Shortt's Theatre in her loyous Fox hit, "Little Miss Nobody." The-picture, follows the adventures of a merry orphan through a series of escapades both hilarious and pathetic. A lovely miss' in danger and outlaws who test the mettle of the !Royal Canadian '. Mounted Police furnish peril and adventure aplenty; for George O'Brien in "O'Malley of the Mounted," the actioncrammed Fox drama, which is also screening. The new features at Shortt's Theatre on Friday will be "Professional Soldier" ar.d "The Country Beyond." OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. *• Jack Holt, virile hero of many wellknown motion pictures, throws himself into a welter of intrigue, crime, and „ questionable courtroom trickery, to t give the public a dramatic answer in his latest starring vehicle, "The Defence Rests," which heads the doublefeature programme now showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. Jean Arthur appears in the feminine lead. The second , attraction, "Unknown Woman," Starring Richard Cromwell and Marian Marsh, is an exciting action drama built around a milliondollar (bond robbery and the efforts of uhder-cover agents to solve the crime. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. ' "Alibi for Murder," Columbia's murder, mystery, shows tonight at the Seaside Theatre with William Gargan, Marguerite Churchill, and Gene Morgan in the leading roles. The film deals 'with a murder case, in which all suspects have an airtight alibi. The second attraction is "Aren't Men Beasts?" taken from the successful „ stage farce end featuring Robertson •Hare and AJfred Drayton. There will „ be selected featurettes from 7.30 p.m. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Rarely has the screen shown a, more touching motion picture than "Magnificent Obsession," filled as it is with " heart-quickening drama and delightful comedy, revealing the compelling power»of a great love. Robert Taylor and" Irene Dunne head the cast, with Charle*' Butterworth, Betty Furness, 'Henry Armetta, Sara Haden, Ralph Morgan, and Cora Sue Collins in sup- * porting roles. James Gleasbn and Zasu Pitts.head the cast in the comedymystery, "The Plot Thickens,"; the suppoitlng feature. .The story deals with ihe attempts of a daring gang of international jewel thieves to .steal a , priceless art treasure from a museum. BROOKLYN THEATRE. The features at Brooklyn tonight ,*rUUbe "Hell-ship Morgan," with Georgesßahcrpft?<and Ann Sothern, aft^iMeeHNe'royWolf," with Edward

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. Of intense interest on the programme at the Plaza Theatre this week is the first film of the Coronation proceedings to be shown in the Dominion. The film, a Fox Movietone newsreel, portrays the wonderful spectacle of the Empire's greatest pageant. The scenes along the route and in the Abbey are extraordinary, and. one responds to the unbounded . enthusiasm of the massed crowds that saw the King and Queen go by. Indeed, those who see the picture see a great deal more than many.of those.who were on the spot. Another timely "scoop" on the programme is a glimpse of the King and Queen and the two Princesses in their grounds, where the Royal Family poses for the cameraman. The other featured picture is "Girl in a Million," the season for vyhich is extended. It stars Sonja Henie, the world's champion ice skater, who shows she can act as well as skate. -Adolphe Menjou and Jean Hersholt are also featured. Entertaining supports complete the programme. DE LUXE THEATRE. Jean Arthur, fast becoming the favourite woman star of the film companies, and George Brent appear together in the unusual "More Than a Secretary" which heads the double-* feature programme at the De Luxej Theatre this week. Supporting parts | are filled by Douglas Dumbrille, Ruth Donnelly, Reginald Denny, and Dorothea Kent. The second film on the bill is "Conflict," from the Jack London story, "The Abysmal Brute." The picture, acted out by John Wayne, Jean Rogers, and Eddie Borden, is colourful, exciting, and romantic. There are also specially-chosen short subjects, including the latest newsreels. A sprightly romantic comedy, Umversal's "When Love Is Young," comes to the De Luxe Theatre on Friday next, featuring Virginia Bruce, Kent Taylor, and Walter Brennan. The picture blends the pathos of a deeply human experience with the brilliance of Broadway's laughter and song. The associate feature will be the mystery thriller. "The Man Who Lived Twice." starring Ralph Bellamy and Marian Marsh. ■ STATE THEATKE. The perilous work of the United States Coast Guard, on ice patrol and on rescue duty in heavy seas, is graphically depicted in "Sea Devils," starring Victor McLaglen, Ida Lupino, and Preston Foster, which is now showing at the State Theatre. The film js noteworthy, largely on account of the excellent marine scenes and convincing storm sequences, and also for the easy continuity of the plot, which combines a welcome amount of humour with plenty of romance and drama. McLaglen has a rdle after his own heart, that of a hard-bitten, hard-drinking officer in the Coast Guard, who determines, in his blunt and stubborn. manner, to see that his daughter marries a man who will not have the same faults as himself. What happens when the girl falls in love with a happy-go-lucky sailor can easily be imagined. Included among the supporting items are newsreels, a travelogue, and a natural history feature. •■— "— ' REX THEATRE. San Antonio,: Texas, site of the Alamo, where a vivid page of American history was written, sees the clock turned back to 1865 in the adaptation of a Zane Grey story, "West of the Pecos," starring Richard Dix, which is showing at the Rex Theatre. Early sequences of this exciting picture are laid in the San Antonio of the period immediately following, the Civil War. A mother's battle to save from destruction a family that is "builded upon sandJi' 4s the thematic thread in R.K.O,Radio's; "Strangers All," which is also on the bill. May Robson and Preston Foster head the cast, which includes William Bakewell, Florine McKinney, James Bush, Susan Kaaren, Samuel Hinds, Clifford Jones, and Leon Ames. ROXY THEATRE. * With Charles Quigley in the breezy character of a go-getting young reporter and Rosalind Keith as a charming but spirited secretary-to a grand opera star, Columbia's new comedydrama, "Find the Witness," is showing at the. Roxy Theatre.' The picture is a swift-moving'one with.a cast of such high capabilities that the featured" roles are lent well-rounded and balanced- support. "Three Married Men," the' supporting film, featuring Roscoe Karas, William Frawley, Lynne Overman, and Mary Brian, provides rapid-fire laughs. :The story concerns the events before and after the marriage of Karns and Miss Brian, members of two families who are not on speaking terms. PRINCESS THEATRE. A novelty, in musical pictures with a hilariously ;funny; story as a thread on which the world's foremost coloratura soprano strings hrer pearls of song, is offered to picturegoers in '"The Girl from Paris," which heads the bill at the Princess Theatre, with a star cast —Lily. Pons, • Jack Oakie, and Gene Raymond. The associate attraction, "Sensation," starring John Lodge, is the inside story of a murder hunt— Fleet Street versus Scotland Yard, with a ruthless newspaper reporter exposing a defenceless woman's most precious secrets to provide front-page news for a sensation-loving public. Other leading players are Diana Churchill. Margaret Vyner, and Jerry Verns. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. "Ramona," a Twentieth Century-Fox triumph, is screening at the Empire Theatre, featuring Loretta Young and-Don Ameche : at the head of an exceptional oast. , including Kent Taylor, Bauline Frederick, Jane Darwell, Kathefine De Mille, and John Carradine. One of the. year's outstanding cinema achievements, "Ramona" sets new standards in the fields of colour, scenic beauty, and romance. It was produced entirely in the new perfected technicoldur. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Tonight's performance at the Regal Theatre will be given as a benefit for the Karori Tennis Club. A speciallyselected supporting programme will be presented, including several slowmotion films of the famous Bill Tildefl in action. The main picture, which was specially selected by the tennis club's committee, will present a favourite star in his most spectacular role — Wallace Beery .. in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's glorious outdoor actionromance "Viva Villa." STATE THEATRE, PETONE. An impressive array of: screen favourites supports Bcbby Breen in "Rainbow on the River," which is showing at the State Theatre, Petone. The boy singer heads a stellar group that includes May Robson, grand old lady of the theatre; Charles Butterworth, popular deadpan comedian; Louise Beavers, noted coloured actress; Benita Hume, beautiful English stage and screen star; Alan Mowbray, polished .English actor; Henry O'Neill, Marilyn Knowlden, and Lillian Yarbo. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. How a flagrant' miscarriage of justice sends a man to the electric chair and his son half-way around the world seeking evidence to; vindicate the father's name, is the dramatic theme of "Winterset," the screen version of Maxwell Anderson's gripping stage hit, now showing at the Grand Theatre, Petone, with Burgess Meredith, Margo and Eduardo Ciannelli in the leading roles, PALAC 1 THEATRE, PETONE. Commencing at the Palace Theatre tonight is a double-feature bill of thrilling drama and comedy. "She's Dangerous." starring Tala Birell. is the story of a girl detective trapped by a gang of crooks. "Millions" features the famous English comedy star Gordon Harker, and is full of fun and merriment. The' supporting programme includes a cartoon, stranger, than. fiction - series, andu^nesisxieeU..

TIVOLI THEATRE. "Anthony Adverse," Warner Bros.' masterpiece based on the vivid story of Hervey Allen's monumental literary classic, is screening at the Tivoli Theatre. The picture follows the romantic adventures of Anthony Adverse through live countries, across the seas, and' over three continents. For mammoth sets, for colourful and picturesque backgrounds, for dynamic action, for the unusual characterisation of its tremendous cast from Fredric March, the star, down to the smallest bit player, for the glamour of its romance, its human interest, and sheer, unadulterated entertainment, this picture is unsurpassed. It has a tremendous cast, with 98 speaking parts, and 2500 bit players and extras. But all this, while full of colour, is but the background for a drama of human life, its loves and hates, its hopes and its disappointments; its desires and passions; its vain and futile struttings, and its vast achievements. Frednc March is ably supported by Olivia de Havilland, who has her first great emotional role. Others in the cast include Edmund Gwenn, Anita Louise, Claude Hams,- and Louis Hayward. Selected short subjects are being shown from 7 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. RIVOLI THEATRE. For the first time the rugged, twofisted Clark Gable of old and lovely Jeanette Mac Donald, with the voice that thrills, are brought together, with Spencer Tracy sharing stellar honours, in "San Francisco," the main feature at the Rivoli Theatre. "San Francisco" has drama, love interest, comedy, and spectacle. The story is the story of the Barbary Coast of thirty years ago, opening on New Year s Eve, 1906, and ' continuing through ione of the most disastrous dramas lof the century, the San Francisco earthquake and fire. A dilemma faced by a woman—gaol on the one hand, or dishonour in the eyes of two children whom she adopted and brought up as her own on the other — is the basis of the tensely dramatic and gripping Paramount motion picture, "Valiant is the Word for Carrie," which is also showing, introducing Gladys George, famous stage actress, to the screen. NEW OPERA HOUSE. Very properly described as a "land beyond the law," was the territory of New Mexico in the late'7o's and early 80's, for it was teeming with killers, cattle-thieves, hold-up men, and defiers of the law. In fact, there was very little law down there, according to authentic histories. Under that title, "Land Beyond ihe Law," and with the New Mexico borderline as its locale, Warner Bros, have produced what is described as a thrilling melodrama for its singing cowboy star, Dick Foraa, and it will be screened at the New Opera House when it reopens for films on Friday. A famed historical character who has much to do with the movement of the picture is the late General Lew Wallace—-not so well known, maybe, as .Governor of the territory of New Mexico as he was later in his life, when he wrote "Ben Hur" in the peace of his Indiana home. "Midnight Court," a melodrama whose characters are introduced to the audience at a novel police tribunal, will be the associate feature, with the popular Ann Dvorak in the starring role. John Litel.an excellent"'actor'who recently left Broadway for Hollywood, has the featured male r01e... nILBIRNIE KINEMA. A "East Meets West," starring George Arliss, which is showing at the Kilbirnie Theatre, is melodrama "of a robust nature, with Arliss giving a characteristic performance as a crafty aultan who replenishes his exchequer by deft diplomacy involving Great ■Britain and an Eastern Power. The picture is a rich offering for all lovers of spectacle and drama. "Fire Over England," from A. E. Mason's celebrated npver depicting that romantic nfVhl °q hls. to,ry A Preceding the 'defeat of the Spanish Armada, will be the other feature. Supporting Flora Robnrn> EllzaH th'■, ?n this magnificent production are Leslie Banks, Laurence & Vivien li^e.jeh,,,andi Raymond Massey, together' with a cast of thousands. MONDAY'S WRESTLING. The: postponed wrestling contest befc n fi Sammy Stein and "LoftT Blomfield is to take place at the Town Hall next Monday night, and the pride of place occupied by these two among the union's wrestlers assures a capacity house being on hand when they enter the ring. Those who wish to be certain of obtaining accommodation -will be well advised,to reserve their seats. Blomfield, whose ability to stand up to any number of reverses and then come with a winning effort at the finish has built up his popularity even more than has his famous elbow jolt or octopus clamp, is definitely the idol of New Zealand wrestling enthusiasts, who flock to see him in action no matter where.he may, be booked to/appear. It is when he-comes but against a man like Stein, however, that his drawing power is greatest, and all his followers who have confidence in his ability to have his revenge on Stein for the defeat the latter inflicted upon him earlier in the. season will- be anxious to see him make his big effort.. Blomfield realises that he will be up against stiff opposition, but he has a feeling that he possesses what is necessary to achieve his desired ends. There wilt be amateur preliminaries from 8 o'clock. _•■___ 1_ '