CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

REGENT THEATRE. Errol Flynn, Anita Louise, Margarst Lindsay, and Sir Cedric Havdwicke have the principal roles -in "Green Light," the main feature at the Regent Theatre. ' This picture breaks new) ground, and is admirably acted. | The prominent. and charitable Mrs. Dexter dies on the operat- " ing table •as the result of a surgical mistake. The operation was begun by the young and brilliant surgeon Newell Paige; it was taken over by Dr Endicott, a man who at this . moment has been caught up in a crisis and momentarily unnerved. Paige is blamed by the hospital and bound to silence by the terms of his medical vow. And then there comes back .o America the daughter of the woman who died so unnecessarily, and the two fall in love. This tense and dangerous situation for them both is worked out in a novel and thrilling way. The supporting films include an interesting newsreel which has some startling pictures of the Hindenburg crash, spectacular and incredible in its speed and horror, a musical. novelty, "Swine for Sale," and a pictorial news, in colour. '•MAJESTIC THEATRE. 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, "Rose Marie," starring Nelson Eddy:; and Jeanetts Mac Donald, which is in its fourth week at the Majestic . Theatre, will live in the memory for many years to come. In such numbers as "Rose Marie," "The Indian Love Call," "Song of the Mount.ies," and selections from the operas "Romeo and Juliet" and "La Tosca," the stars are given ample opportunity to demonstrate their ability, and the result is a feast 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 in Northern Canada, sets off to find him, and falls in love with Sergeant Bruce, .of the Mounties. (Nelson Eddy). The supports include an M.G.M. newsreel of the Coronation. ST. JAMES THEATRE. Grace Moore achieves another triumph with "When You're in Love," which is screening at .the. St.. James Theatre. She makes a real hit in the "tough" song "Minnie,"- and slips with equal versatility into the memorable number from "Madam Butterfly," "One Fine Day." Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields produced two excellent songs, "Whistling Boy" and "Our Song," the first of which cleverly exploits a very effective accompaniment by children. . "Vissie Darte," from "La Tosca," "In the Gloaming, the waltz aria from "Romeo and Juliet, "Siboney," and Schubert's "Serenade" are some of the other numbers that make the film a music-lovers' delight. Cary Grant's acting is excellent. Others in the cast are Aline McMahon, Henry. Stephenson, Thomas Mitchell, Cather-' me Doucet, and Luis Alberni. The supports include a very thrilling film "Plane Devils," and a special animated cartoon number. KING'S THEATRE. "Lloyds of London," which is playing a return Wellington season at the King's Theatre, ■is a' consummatelytold romance, dealing with the glamorous period of English history which culminated in Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in the early part of last century. Around that famous insurance house, Lloyds of London, the producers have woven a tale of adventure and romance. The lead is taken by Tyrone Power, who is cast as Jonathan Blake, the enterprising member of Lloyds, who brought that firm to the high international reputation it holds today. Others in the cast are the late Sir Guy- Standing, C. Aubrey Smith, Douglas Scott, and John Burton. Madeleine Carroll supplies the romantic interest. The second attraction is "Pigskin Parade," a fast and furious musical comedy with football as its theme. The cast includes. Stuart Erwin, Johnnie Downs, • Arlirie Judge, and Betty Grable^ . BOXY THEATRE. With, the theft of the world-famous "Mona Bell" of Rembrandt as its motivating theme, "Woman in Distress,' a fast-paced comedy-melodrama featuring May Robson, Irene Hervey, and Dean Jagger, is screening at the Roxy Theatre. The daring robbery of the Rembrandt painting from the modern Maine home of Miss Robson sets in motion u a series of exciting escapades which culminate m a hairraising ■ climax. Joseph Schmidt is starred in "A Star Fell .From Heaven," the supporting picture. This is a romantic musical comedy, a scintillating satire on the eccentricities of filmland, set in .a Continental atmosphere and decorated with a delightful musical score, .magnificently rendered by' the famous "pocket tenor." . . OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. The love story which changed the destiny of an empire, with the screen s new romantic sensation, _ handsome Tyrone Power and beautiful Madeleine Carroll, is told with stirring beauty against a magnificent setting in the 20th Century-Fox.- triumph, "Lloyds of London," which heads the double-feature programme now showing at Our Theatre. Starring Freddie Bartholomew and Madeleine Carroll, the film also features Sir Guy Standing and C. Aubrey Smith. Merrily rolling along on a vacation on ■wheels, the happy,, scrappy Jones Family fill the wide open spaces with fun and hilarity in their latest hit, "Back to Nature," which is the second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. Universal's'gay comedy drama, "The Luckiest Girl in the World," is screening at the Capitol Theatre. Jane Wyatt proves her right to high ranking in this laugh-rousing . production and Louis Hayward gives an outstanding^performance. The supporting feature is "Conflict," from a Jack Lon- ' don story, "The Abysmal Brute," It is acted out by John. Wayne. Jean Rogers, and Eddie Borden, and is colourful, exciting, and romantic. There are also specially-chosen short subjects. "Our Gang" comedies, cartoons, and Victor Herbert's immortal "Babes in Toyland" will be shown at a special matinee at 2 p.m. tomorrow. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "Wanted! Jane Turner," with Lee Tracy and Gloria Stuart, and Henry Hunter and Polly Bowles in "Love Letters of a Star," will be screened finally tonight at the Palace Theatre. Commencing at the matinee tomorrow afternoon the Palace Theatre will offer another double-feature programme, consisting of "We Have Our Moments," starring the comedy team Sally Eilers*and James Dunn, and "Racing Lady," with Ann Dvorak and Harry Carey. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. "That Girl from Paris" will be shown finally tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. The mystery of, how a man committed murder while buried under water in a sealed casket is unfolded in Columbia's mystery melodrama, "Find the Witness," coming to the Grand Theatre, Petone, tomorrow. Featured in the cast are Charles Quigley and Rosalind Keith. Bing Crosby's latest comedy with music, "Pennies from Heaven," will also be shown. STATE THEATRE, FETONE. "It Isn't Done" concludes tonight at the State Theatre, Petone. The story of "Fli-e Over England, which opens at the matinee at the State Theatre, Petone. tomorrow, at 2 p.m.. is laid in Elizabethan days, showing the Queen, played by Flora Robson, at the height of her power. Elizabeth's adroit handling of her Spanish rival. Philip, and her welding of the English people into a united whole to meet and rout the mighty Armada provide the ■ dramatic ..-framework for thrilling spectacle' and- vivid-incident.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

PLAZA THEATRE. A brilliant new star, an entirely original theme, and an exceptionally strong supporting cast all help to make "Girl in a Million," which is continuing for a third week at the Plaza Theatre, the most outstanding comedy romance of . the . year. Sonja Henie, world champion skater, demonstrates her ability on the ice in a number of sensational exhibitions, and proves herself to be. a charming and accomplished actress. Combining graceful figure skating routines and ice ballets, catchy musical numbers, and plenty of humour, the film is indeed an outstanding one. The story is that of a beautiful Swiss girl whose father, an innkeeper and once famous skater, is training her in the hope that she will win the Olympic championship. Complications arise when a troupe of American musical artists and a reporter visit the inn, but all ends happily. The supporting programme includes a film of the Coronation. DELUXE THEATRE. The first feature at the De Luxe Theatre, ■ "The Man Who .Lived Twice," is an unusual drama of a criminal's transformation after a miracle of modern surgery. Ralph Bellamy carries out a dual role with complete understanding, portraying first. . the crime-hardened thug, and then the hew man,: with a new outlook on life, arisen from the operating table. Supporting players include Marian Marsh and Isabel Jewel. In lighter vein, I with a certain amount of tuneful'.Kiel-1 ody is "When Love is Young,"; the picture featuring in a new rols the talented Virginia Bruce. Miss Bruce emerges not only as a first-class actress but as a singer of considerable merit. A short feature which must be acknowledged one of the most sensational news films ever screened shows in tragic detail the burning of the gigantic Zeppelin Hindenburg. Norman Dawe at the Wurlitzer and Jimmy Fitzpatrick, boy soprano, . "are additional attractions each evening. V •'.' STATE THEATRE. Winsome Shirley Temple makes a greater appeal than ever in her latest picture. "Stowaway," which is featured at the State Theatre. Orphaned by a bandit raid in the Chinese interior. Shirley is forced' to flee to .the coast, and there, accompanied by Mr. Woo, a dog of uncouth appearance and questionable:, pedigree, she. meets Robert Young, who acts the part of. a millionaire playboy. Fortuitously, Shirley and Mr. Woo stow away, on the luxury liner that is.; taking the playboy back, home, and on discovery she is taken in hand by the ' playboy. Also. on the boat is Alice Faye, who takes the role of a young bride-to-be going sonic-; where to be married. Shirley acts as an unofficial Cupid in the matter, and before long it is obvious that there are complications ahead. However, the bride-to-be changes her mind, the playboy reforms, and Shirley gets herself a position as adopted daughter. Topical features and a cartoon supplement the main picture. ■■.■■.• >. NEW OPERA HOUSE. "Land Beyond the Law," a story of New Mexico in the days of the pioneers, heads the programme ; at the ■ New Opera . House, It is a vigorous Western film, easily the best in which Warner Bros, have starred their singing cowboy, Dick Foran. There is plenty of action] tense situations in which primitive passions are unleashed, tender scenes in which Linda Perry plays opposite Foran, and catchy music which is in keeping with the story. ■ "Midnight Court/-' a melodrama whose character are introduced to the audience at a novel police tribunal,' is the associate feature, with the popular , Ann Dvorak in the starring role. John Lite], an ■ excellent actor' who recently left Broadway for Hollywood, has the featured male role. ,;' ■ . EEX THEATRE. ' ■The spectacular "carryings-on" of a wild,. madcap family, members of the idle rich, who suddenly become the "noveau poor," are told in a gay, lighthearted manner in "Three-cornered Moon," the main feature at the Rex Theatre, starring Claudette ■ Colbert, Richard Arlen, and Mary Boland. Richard Arlen, Judith Allen, Sir Guy Standing. Charley Grapewin, S. Matsui, and William Frawley compose the cast of Paramount^ "Hell and High Water, the other feature. In the story, written by Max Miller, author of "I Cover the Waterfront," Miss Allen appears as Sally Driggs. Orphaned, penniless, and. completely disillusioned by life, she throws herself into the bay. Instead of drowning, she is unwillingly rescued by the drag net of Richard Arlen's boat, and. romantic and dramatic developments, follow. PRINCESS THEATRE. Paramount's "College Holiday," which is the principal attraction ■ .at the Princess Theatre is one of _ the funniest, gayest, and most , hilarious comedies with music to reach the screen this season. Jack Benny, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Mary Boland, Martha Raye, Marsha Hunt, Eleanore ■' Whitney, Lief' Erikson, Johnny Downs, Olympe Bradna, Louis DaPron, Ben Blue, and Etienne Girardbt are the principal players: A courageous English girl valiantly sacrificing her own desires for her daughter's is the dramatic.role, played by Katharine Hepburn in "A Woman Rebels," the associate feature. Herbert Marshall, an English diplomat, plays opposite Miss Hepburn in this RKORadio. picture. SHORTT'S THEATRE. iA-short story by Damon Eunyon,dean of Broadway writers, serves as the basis for the. plot "of 20th Century's "Professional Soldier," which is the main feature at Shortt's Theatre: Starring Victor McLaglen and. Freddie Bartholomew, it tells of warlike adventures in a strange European kingdom. Gloria Stuart and Michael Whalen occupy the chief supporting roles. "The Country Beyond," the Fox picture which is also showing, featuring Buck, the giant St. Bernard, with an all-star Hollywood cast, is perhaps the most famous of James Oliver'Curwood's tales of courage and hardship. in the Northern wastes. Rochelle Hudson, Paul Kelly, and Robert Kent are the leading players. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. "Stoleni Holiday" and "Suzy" conclude tonight at the Kilbirnie Kinema. A sweeping panorama of America's greatness. in the making, "The Plainsman," Cecil B. de Mille's tribute to the men and women of America who brought civilisation to the plains, comes to the Kilbirnie Kinema tomorrow. Handsome Gary Cooper is cast as "Wild Bill" Hickok, and lovely Jean Arthur .portrays "Calamity Jane," famous frontier-woman who loved the silent, hard-fighting peace officer, but could not have him. Behind their tender romance de Mille paints on heroic canvas the whole of the American frontier scene in the ten years which immediately followed the Civil War. A thoroughly delightful and hilarious comedy of married life, Paramount's "Wives Never Know" will also be shown, starring that charming and inimitable screen husband and wife, Charlie Ruggles and Mary Boland. Adolphe Menjou is featured. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. An impressive array of screen favourites supports Bobby Breen in "Rainbow on the River," the main feature at the Empire Theatre. The boy tenor heads a stellar group that includes May I Robson, grand old lady of the theatre; Charles Butterworth. popular dead-pan 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 Lilian Yarbo.

TIVOLI THEATRE. MG.M.'s "San Francisco," with Clark Gable and Jeanctte Mac Donald sharing the starring roles, is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. For the first lime, the rugged, two-fisted Gable of old and the lovely Miss Mac Donald, with" her glorious voice, are brought together, with Spencer Tracy also sharing the honours. "San Francisco'1 contains drama, Ipve interest, comedy, and spectacle. Gable has the rough-and-toueh type oi role in which his screen public likes him best. Miss Mac Donald appears in the ideal. part to give, her opportunity to sing, and her voice is heard to splendid effect. The story, which was directed by W. S. Van Dyke.'the man who made "Naughty Marietta," concerns the Barbary Coast of 30 years ago, opening on New Year's Eve, 1906, and continuing through one of the most disastrous dramas of the century—the San Francisco earthquake and fire. Gable has never been seen to greater advantage. He gives a performance that stands out for its power arid sharply-etched character delineation. Miss Mac Donald, singing songs which range from simple ballads to glorious operatic arias, surpasses even her superb work in "Naughty Marietta." RIVOLI THEATRE. Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer ■: are co-stars of David O. Selznick's lechnicolour production of "The Garden of Allah," concluding tonight at the Rivoli Theatre. The famous Robert Hichens love story "presents Miss Dietrich and Boyer.in their greatest roles as the principals in one of the strangest and most beautiful romances ever brought to the screen. An unusual murder plot is unfolded in the supporting picture, "Fugitive in the Sky." The stars are Jean Muir and Warren Hull. Nino Martini, world-famous singing .star of radio, opera, and films, comes to the Rivoli Theatre tomorrow in Pick-ford-Lasky's sparkling, romance, "The Gay Desperado." Ida Lupino and Leo Carillo are featured in support of the handsome tenor. The picture completely discards t.he conventional plot formula for films starring famous singers and tells a fast-moving romantic story of a gay and glamorous Mexican bandido who sings his way out of a succession of difficulties, saving his life and winning the girl by the magic of his voice. In addition to the original songs written ■ for' Martini, there are several operatic solos and a number of Mexican folk songs. In Paramount's "The Plainsman," a saga of the West, which will also be shown. "Calamity Jane" is played by beautiful Jean Arthur, and it is her romance with "Wild Bill" .Hickok, famous peace officer in the lawless wild, portrayed by Gary Cooper, which forms the basis of the broad and sweeping-film of America in"-the "making. Other famed frontier characters who come back to life in the De. Mille saga are "Buffalo Bill," played by James Ellison; his wife, Louisa, by Helen Burgess: General George A. Custer, by John Miljan: and a host of other, noted soldiers, gamblers, pioneers, Indian chiefs, and frontiersmen. ■■ . REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. 1A young boy's attempt to escape the luxurious .but. inhospitable .surround-, ings- of -a-.Yankee,grandmother's mansion in New' York to return to a negro mammy's'humble cabin in New 'Orleans, where he was reared, provides.a situation 'of dramatic intensity in "Rainbow on the River," starring Bobby Breen, the young lyric tenor, at the Regal Theatre, tonight. May Robson, as- the grandmother, heads a notable supporting cast. .. ' SEASIDE : THEATRE, LYALL BAY. ■Singing, dancing, and dimpling her way once more into millions of hearts, Shirley Temple gomes to the Seaside Theatre tonight dn her new ■Twentieth Century-Fox triumph, "Dimples." The picture, featuring.swingy new song hits and dance steps, is heralded .as Shir-ley's'-finest work to date.- The associate feature, "Sensation," starring John Lodge and. Margaret ;,Vyner is toe inside story' of a murder hunt— -Fleet Street versus Scotland Yard. There will be a'special '.^Dimples",matinee tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.