CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 6

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGENT THEATRE,

Errol Flynn, Anita Louise, Margaret Lindsay, and Sir Cedric Hardwicks 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 operating 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 m 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 to. ■America the daughter of the-woman who died so unnecessarily, and the two fall in love. This'tense and-dan- ■; gerous 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 Jeanette ■ Mac Donald, which is in its fourth week at the Majestic Theatre, will live in the memory foi- 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 op.portunity 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.Ser- ; geant 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 1 memorable'number from "Madam-But-terfly," "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 accompani"merit 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 McMahdn, Henry • ' Stephensori, ■ Thomas Mitchell, Catherine HDoucet, and Luis Alberni. The supports include a very thrilling film "Plane Devils," and a special animated cartoon number. : .■:..- NEW PARAMOUNT THEATRE. Commencing today at the New Paramount. Theatre, two first-run attractions -wTirbe offered, headed by Joe E. Brown in "Polo Joe." Carol Hughes takes the feminine lead as Joe's sweetheart. Joe opens the story by-reappear-, ing in American society 'after an absence of some years in China, to find that to be noticed at all he: must be. an expert polo player. Spurred' on by the attraction of a friend of his people, '■: Carol Hughes, he spreads the story_ that \he is a "ten-goal man" and •an : mter- ! national star. Actually he is .terrified. of horses, sneezes whenever they come ■near, him,, has never handled ,a polo ;- mallet',Jh his.life, and has.no .inten■'tion, of:doing,so. The highlight-of the :'.-filrn' comes When his :kidnappers fturn ;~pri him and'demand money:1 Joe.tackles '/ihem single-handed, and his.: antics : while ■ swinging on a chandelier and ' hitting his assailants on the head ..with a beer' bottle will .delight- ■■ every audience. The associate feature, "Expert's'Opinipn," is a powerful melodramatic story of espionage'and inter- ■ national intrigue, with action and Romantic-interest. Leslie Perrins, who portrays the aeadingurole. is supported .: by ,Kirri Peacock, Lucille Lisle, and -.■;■ Molly Fishery .' - \ ■..,'-.. :" . 'I-'- : :.•'.,- ■■ -KING'S THEATRE. V ; -i . ■■' ■■■'■'■ "Lloyds, of .London," which is! play-* ving a return Wellington season -at: the ■^King's Theatre,., is a consummatelytold- romance, dealing with ■ the glarn- '■■ orous period, .'of English: history ; which culminated in ■ Nelson's. victory ,"at Trafalgar in the eariyspart .of last (century.- Around that famous'insurance house, Lloyds of London, the pro:'.ducers 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, v Douglas; Scott- and John Burton. Madeleine Carroll -supplies the;romanticin. ' tefest. .The^second .attraction-is,."Off: to the Races." with' Slim" Summerville and the Jones: Family. *. . _ ; _. "Park Avenue Logger" and We Wlio Are About to Die" will form, the new bill at-the King's Theatre on Friday. ROXX THEATBE. 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 J;he "modern Maine home- of Miss Robson sets in motion a series of exciting escapades-which'culminate in 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." ' STATE THEATRE, PETONE. The story of "Fire Over England," which is showing at the State Theatre, Petone, 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 mightyArmada provide the dramatic framework for thrilling spectacle and vivid incident.. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. The double-feature programme now showing at the Palace Theatre is headed by a thrilling drama of the sport of kings, "Racing' Lady," which stars Ann Dvorak, Harry Carey, and . Smith Bellew. "We Have Our Moments," starring Sally Eilers and James Dunn, is a romantic comedy drama of crooks, which takes place on board a luxury liner at sea. The short subjects are excellent. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. An outstanding double-feature programme will be shown tonight at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Columbia's mystery melodrama, "Find the Witness," featuring Charles Quigley and Rosalind Keith, deals with a clever murder plot. The second feature is the musical laugh hit of the season, "Pennies From Heaven," starring Bing Crosby and Rosalind Keith. -.'•-,\. ■'■:'.i::BiKOD.KtXN-: THEATRE. : - '■"'■'Peg'of Old Drury," starring Anna Neagle as Peg - Woffington, and Sir CedrioHardwieke as DavidGarrick will j be'the main''feature at the Brooklyn! Theatre tonight. "The Hope of His 'Side," with Sidney Howard,, will also 'be" screened. The supports, are excellentt ■ .. '

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. ';0:;'' ; :i/;.DE LUXE THE ATRE.,.'' ••" :■ :% '•• 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 new man, with a new outlook on "life, arisen from the operating table. Supporting players include Marian Marsh, and Isabel- Jewel. In lighter vein, with a certain amount of tuneful melody is "When Love is Young," the picture featuring'in a new role', 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. STATE THEATRE. Winsome Shirley Temple makes a greater appeal than ever in her latent 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 aefs 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 somewhere to' 'be married. ■;■'., .Shirley. acts. as an unofficial Cupid in the matter, and before long it is obvious that there are complications ahead. Topical features •and a -cartoon supplement, the main I 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 Litel,. an excellent actor-who recently left -Broadway for Hollywood, has. the featured male role. ..jREX-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 Wjlliam. Frawley compose the.'cast of Paramount's "Hell and. High Water,the other feature. In the .story, written Dy Max Milled 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'sv boat, :and romantic and , dramatic developments follow1. ; PRINCESS THEATRE. . Paramount's "College Holiday," which is- the principal attraction -at - the Princess Theatre is ' one of the funniest,' .gayest, and most hilari-ous-comedies with music to reach the screen * this season.1 -'Jack- Benny, George'Burnsand: Gracie Allen, Mary Boland, Martha'.Raye, Marsha. Hunt, Eleanore ;-:Whitney, ■ Lief Erikson, Johnny Downs,..'Olyrnpe Bradna,-Louis DaPron, Ben Blue, and: Etienne Girardot are the principal players.- a A courageous; English, girl valiantly Sacri-ficing'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. A short story, by Damon Runyon, 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. "Fatal Lady" and "Men Without Names" will be the new features at Shortt's Theatre on Friday. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. Sinclair Lewis's "Dodsworth," which thrilled millions as a novel and as a stage play, comes to the screen in Samuel Goldwyn's film production, which is showing at the Regal Theatre, with Walter Ruston, Ruth Chatterton, Paul Lukas, Mary Astor, and David Niven in the leading roles. This is a stirring story of an easy-going American husband who retired to travel and find himself, but instead found out the pretty, selfish, frivolous wife who wanted one last fling at romance before settling down to middle age. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. A dramatic revelation of ecstatic first love, a young, exciting new personality, and a daringly different emotional story are features of "Girls' Dormitory," the 20th Century-Fox production at the Empire Theatre. Simone Simon, brilliant Continental star, makes her American debut as the lovely young girl trapped by an emotion she does not understand. Herbert Marshall and Ruth Chatterton are starred with Simone. The i second feature is the sensational drama, '''Woman Wanted," with Maureen O'Sullivan, Joel McCrea, and Lewis Stone. SEASIDE THEATRE, LYALL BAY. Singing, dancing, and dimpling her way once more into millions of hearts, Shirley Temple comes to the Seaside Theatre tonight in her new Twentieth Century-Fox' triumph, "Dimples." .The picture, featuring swingy new song hits and dance steps, is heralded as Shirley's finest work jto date. The associate feature; "Sensation," starring John I Lodge and Margaret Vyner, is the in- ; side story of a murder hunt—Fleet | , Street versus Scotland Yard. Short subjects are shown from 7 p.m. .

TIVOLI THEATRE. M.G.M.'s "San Francisco," with Clark Gable and Jeanette Mac Donald sharing the starring roles, is now showing at the Tivoli Theatre. For the first time, 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" contains drama, love interest, comedy, and spectacle. - Gable has the rough-and-tough type, of 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 and 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. In Paramount's "The Plainsman," a saga of the west, which is screening at the Rivoli Theatre, "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. Nino Martini, worldfamous' singing star of radio, opera, and films, heads the cast in PickfordLasky's, sparkling romance, "The Gay Desperado," which is also showing. Ida Lupino and Leo Carillo are featured in support-of the handsome tenor. The picture concerns 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. KILBIRME KINEIKA. A sweeping panorama of America's greatness in the making, "The Plainsman," Cecil B. de Mille's tribute to the men arid women of America who brought civilisation to the plains, is screening at the Kilbirnie Kinema. Handsome Gary Cooper is cast as >rWild 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. • 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.: . ' CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "-". "Suzy,"- Herbert Gorman's ■ gripping novel of an American girl caught in the intriguing web of the spy system during the World War, comes to the screen as thrilling entertainment. Jean Harlow takes the title role, with Franchot Tone and Cary Grant as her leading men. The comedy, team of- Robertson Hare and Alfred Drayton are starred in "Aren't Men Beasts?" the supporting feature, one of the finest laugh-provoking comedies of the current season. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. Simone Simon, Herbert Marshall, and Ruth Chatterton are starred in "Girls' Dormitory" the 20th CenturyFox picture which is the main attraction showing. tonight' at Our Theatre. The story is concerned .with an exclusive finishing school attended only by the daughters of the very rich. In this school the girls are taught everything pxcept that which the. rules forbid— life.. The : film is a dramatic, realistic portrayal of a young girl's .first love. "The Big Game," R.K.0.-Radio's football story, starring Bruce Cabot, June Travis, and James Gleason, is the associate feature,;- :■ -,■■■ ' : ; : SUNDAY PICTURES. ; At the De Luxe Theatre on Sundaynight the Port Nicholson Band will present the scintillating musical comedy romance "The Song. You Gave , Me." Two of'the brighest stars in the films, Bebe Daniels and Victor Varconi, were specially-chosen to play the leads. The story is-an original one which gives ample scope to the director and principals,'and the backgrounds, both musical and artistic, are as ravishing as anything that has come from Hollywood. Bebe Daniel's glorious voice is heard at its best in "The Song You Gave Me." Iris'Ashley, the popular cabaret star, also sings a snappy number entitled "Who'll : Buy Me?" A full house is anticipated,. and patrons are advised to be early.