CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 136, 6 December 1938, Page 4

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGEN'i THEATRE,

More vivacious and likeable than ever. Oeanna Durbin scores another hit in 'her latest picture. "That Certain Age." which is still drawing large audiences to the Regent Theatre. As the daughter of a wealthy newspaper proprietor Deanna embarks, upon a troubled romance when, although regarded by everyone as a child, she makes an unwilling hero of a returned war correspondent, a part admirably played by Melvyn Douglas. Jackie Cooper, as her boy friend of her own age, is ruthlessly rejected in favour of the sophisticated Douglas, and the climax of the picture is provided by the efforts of Deanna's parents and Douglas himself to talk Deanna out of her infatuation. Action, sparkling comedy, and music are about equally blended in ihis bright picture, which teems with memorable incidents. There is a ghost, scene which is far better than the average and other well-produced interludes are those in which the unsuccessful suitor talks with his mystified rival. Altogether it is a picture than can truthfully be said to suit all tastes. Included in a strong supporting programme is an illuminating review of Britain's troubles in Palestine, and a New Zealand "movielogue" full of interesting glimpses of the Dominion.

MAJESTIC THEATRE

Everyone who knows "More Than Somewhat," which swept all London into its engaging net a year or so ago, and "Furthermore," which followed it, will appreciate the fact that when Damon Runyon writes a story it is not like other stories. And Warner Bros.First National have had the happy idea of letting him take the gangsters and "dolls" and "citizens" of whom he has made such successful use and put them into a movie. The result is "A Slight Case of Murder," which is showing at the Majestic Theatre. The title itself ia* evidence of his system of under-statement, for the slight case of murder involves four bodies in one room. But the point is that they are found by a one-time racketeer, who has grown respectable since Prohibition (with disastrous effects to his business), but whose record is still not what it might be. The facts that the bank is threatening to take over his brewery, that his daughter is engaged to a young man who has just become a policeman, that there is the loot of a big robbery hidden in the house and a gunman lurking about in the effort to escape with it are woven into an ingenious story, full of surprises, replete with laughs.

ST. JAMES THEATRE

An intensely emotional and gripping drama heads the bill at the. St. James Theatre this week. This is "Wives Under Suspicion" starring Gail Patrick and Warren William. Warren William plays the part of a district attorney whose entire energies are devoted to securing convictions of those unlucky enough to fall foul of the law. Although really a good fellow at heart, he becomes, through his calling, almost dehumanised, and it is small wonder that his wife's love for him begins to fade. Suspicious of everything and everybody, he finally finds his wife preparing, as he believes, to dally with the affections of another man. A chain of circumstances lends colour to his belief, and so blind is his fury that he reaches to the verge of murder. But when he finds that his suspicions were groundless, he becomes a changed man. A special short feature on the programme is "A Nation Grows." This is a review of New Zealand's world-famous Plunket system, and is a delightful and intimate picture of the nurses at work. In "Going Places" the manufacture of rubber is interestingly pictured, as is also the catching of seals for circus purposes.

PARAMOUNT THEATRE,

Setting a new standard in good, straight comedy, the Australian picture, "Dad and Dave Come to Town," is now in its fourth week at the Paramount Theatre. With the veteran Bert Bailey as Dad and Fred McDonald as Dave, and a first-class cast backing this inimitable pair up, the picture makes history in the field of entertainment and is a credit to the country which produced and the characters which inspired it. From the farm and Dave's fantastic inventions to the polished surroundings of the gown salon the story proceeds in a credible and nicely-balanced manner, with one humorous situation crowding on another, and with clever dialogue to match. The laughs start from the opening of the story, when Dad falls foul of Dave's and Joe's fox trap, and from then on ■ the antics of the pair, particularly when they are being educated into the ways of the city and what the well-dressed salon proprietors should wear, are irresistibly funny.

NEW PRINCESS THEATRE

Blending all the romance, fun, and heartache of two young people in love, Universal's new drama that gains power from the simplicity of its theme, "Youth Takes a Fling," is showing at the New Princess Theatre. Joel McCrea and Andrea Leeds register the best performances of their careers in the picture. McCrea is a Kansas farm youth fired with an ambition to go to sea and Miss Leeds is a department store salesgirl whose one hope is some day to wear one of the wedding gowns she sells. The associate feature is United Artists' "52nd Street," a gay musical romance, starring Leo Carrillo, Pat Paterson, and a large cast.

KILBIRNIE KINEMA

Columbia's little child star, Edith Fellowes, proves the surprise of the year as a result of her singing role in "Little Miss Roughneck," which is showing at the Kilbirnie' Kinema. The youngster's voice is unbelievable. She sings difficult operatic arias 'with the ease and poise of an established prima donna, and turns in a splendid allround performance. Blazing new trails to new thrills from Arizona's hills, "Hawaiian Buckaroo," is the associate film. Smith Ballew, popular singing cowboys, stars in the title role. Used in* a Western for the first time, the exotic setting of the paradise isle of the Pacific js splendid for the vivid action of the story and the romantic singing of Ballew.

REGAL THEATRE, KARORI

• Errol Flynn, that handsome young Irish actor who leaped to fame overnight in "Captain Blood," is the star of the modern comedy-drama, "The Perfect Specimen," which is showing at the Regal Theatre. The story deals with an eccentric old lady possessed of many millions who has an ambition to see her grandson raised as an altogether perfect young man, and who for that reason supplies him with an abundance of tutors but keeps him confined to the limits of the family's vast estate. A young village girl— Joan Blondell —manages to break into the virtual prison and meet the young man. She succeeds in getting him outside of his bounds, and he begins to understand and love the world without.

EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY.

Fresh from his triumphs as the pirate chief's blustering lieutenant in "The Buccaneer," Akim Tarairoff returns to the screen in a dramatic: story of the rise and fall of a political ringmaster in Paramount's "Dangerous to Know," which is showing at the Empire Theatre. Mysterious Anna May Wong has a leading role as his adviser and hostess. A stormy romance between two headstrong young lovers against the wishes of their respective parents forms the basis of the new merry comedy, "Maid's Night Out," the second feature, in which Joan Fontaine and Allan Lane have the top roles.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE

PLAZA THEATRE,

DE LUXE THEATRE

STATE THEATRE

TUDOR THEATRE

REX THEATRE

ROX¥ THEATRE,

Superb photography, part in sepia toning, permits Sbnja Henie to be seen to good advantage in '"My Lucky Star," which is showing at the King's Theatre. Sonja has a new role as a young Ameri can girl of Scandinavian parentage who works in a big city store. The dissolute young son of th-j managing director, played by Cesar Romero, has a .brain-wave, and sends Sonja to a big university under instructions to wear as many of the firm's magnificent winter clothes on as many different occasions as possible. The job is no sinecure, for many feminine hearts are seized with jealously when the pretty blonde skater appears on the college campus in a different outfit four times a day. One consolation, which makes up for this, is that the most attractive young man in the college, played by Richard Green, has been captivated by Sonja, and stands by her in all her difficulties. Everything leads up to the great college ice carnival, at which Sonja takes all honours. Supports include an unusually good travelogue dealing with California and topical newsreels.

Since the days when he and Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare gave to talking films much of its best comedy, Tom Walls has passed through various phases, losing, it must be confessed, a little of his popularity. But he deserves to regain it by his latest show,

"Strange Boarders," which is showing at the Plaza Theatre. As a Secret Service worker compelled on his wedding night to track down a gang of spies, Walls gives one of his best performances in recent years, scoring with Renee Saint Cyr. the amusing French actress, in amusing situations and in-, triguing drama. Twists of the plot lead Walls to a Bayswater boardinghouse, apparently a typical place used by retired army men and so on; but in reality the scene of operations of the dangerous* gang stealing Air Force secrets There is plenty of comedy as Walls ferrets out the secrets of the gang and tense drama when he becomes caught in its machinations. Good shorts complete a programme of unusual merit and excellence.

A fast-moving newspaper story in the American style is "Personal Secretary," which is screening at the De Luxe Theatre. Bound up with the newspaper angle is a domestic tragedy from which arises an amusing feud between the two persons responsible for the publicity given to new developments in the case. Universal have taken a story with real possibilities and produced a picture that is good entertainment throughout. There are tense moments, particularly during the Court scenes and when the murderer is caught, but there is as much humour as anything else in the picture. William Gargan plays a typical role as the wise-cracking, keen newspaper man, and Joy Hodges is an admirable foil as a girl columnist. The associate feature is "The Man Who Changed His Mind," with Boris Karloff as a brilliant brain Specialist who finds the secret of transplanting the mind of one man to the body of another, with amazing results.

Lying in the harbour of New York, famous Ellis Island, the immigration station, has been the portal for many years to thousands of people seeking a new land and new Jives.. In "Gateway," 20th Century-Fox's latest production, which is showing at the State Theatre, it provides the scene for a drama of enthralling interest. The story opens on a trans-Atlantic liner which is on her way to New York. Don Ameche, a weary war correspondent, meets a bright Irish colleen, Arleen Whelan, and promptly falls in love with her only to find his hopes dashed when she tells him she is going to America to marry her fiance. Becoming involved in an affair with a foolish politician on board the ship, Miss Whelan is prevented from landing in New York and is put on Ellis Island where an inquiry into her case is held. Here Ameche sees how indifferent Miss Whelan's fiance is, but his efforts to prevent her escaping from the island with a gangster to meet her fiance are unsuccessful until he organises a general riot to give the alarm.

Presenting a dazzling array of stars and a variety of talent, "The Goldwyn Follies," the glorious technicolour musical extravaganza which marks the first entertainment in Goldwyn's 25 years of picture-making Lo carry the producer's name, is showing at the Tudor Theatre. The musical, which also marks the producer's swing to the colour standard, has been produced on a scale more lavish than anything the screen has ever knowp. "The Challenge" a stirring drama of the Alps, starring Luis Trenker, Robert Douglas, and Joan Gardener, is the associate film.

"Murder by an Aristocrat," a First National mystery drama, based on one of the most popular of Mignon E. Eberhart's baffling murder stories, is showing at the Rex Theatre, with Lyle Talbot. Marguerite Churchill, and Claire Dodd in the leading roles. The plot centres about the deaths of two members of the proud and aristocratic Thatcher family. "The Big Noise," the associate film, is a romantic comedy drama filled with thrilling episodes and hilarious laughter. The cast includes Guy Kibbee, Warren Hull, Dick Foran. Marie Wilson, Henry O'Neill, Olin Howland, Virginia Brissac. and William Davidson.

The Republic production, "Call of the Yukon," adapted from James Oliver Curwood's popular novel, "Swift Lightning," which is showing at the Roxy Theatre, is a thrilling epic of the frozen north. Woven into the narrative are many delightful incidents depicting the mateship between a colile and a savage halfwolf, half-Alsatian dog. Richard Arlen as the trapper and Beverly Roberts as the novelist are excellent in the main roles. Ralph Reader and Gina Malo play the leading rodes in the supporting feature, "The Gang Show," Herbert Wilcox's delightfully different film of the attempts of a "gang" of talented youngsters to stage a revue.

OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN

"Always Good-bye," co-starring Barbara Stanwyck and Herbert Marshall, heads the double feature programme at Our Theatre. Barbara in love waits for her eager young man who is speeding to City Hall to-marry her. He is killed as his car crashes into a trolley. Stunned at the tragedy, she wanders towards the river, where Marshall, a derelict physician, talks her out.of a suicide attempt. She faints, and the physician sees that she is taken to a hospital, where her son is born. Marshall's sincere love for the girl, her love for her child, and the ultimate love which brings the story to a conclusion, create a beautiful saga with a message for today's womanhood. "Kate Plus Ten," starring Jack Hulbert, is the second attraction.

CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR

There arc not many people as funny as Joe E. Brown can be when he puts his mind to it. And he really concentrates in his latest picture, Columbia's "Wide Open Faces," which is showing at the Capitol Theatre. Haunting new tunes, unusual river settings, enthralling story, big dance ensembles, .five leading men, and a new Jessie Matthews are the ingredients of "Sailing Along," the second attraction. Sonnie Hale was responsible for the direction of this film, which shows Jessie Matthews as the adopted daughter of a bargee who plies his way up and down the Thames.

OPERA HOUSE

A double-feature programme of more than usual interest and ent .rtainment is the offering at the Opera House.

'•Springtime in the Rockies," the associate feature to the main film, "Sing Me a Love Song," is a new release in New Zealand. Gene Autry, the world-famous singing cowboy, with the assistance of sundry guitars, laces an action story with tuneful numbers; and finds the girl he is looking for when a party of girl graduates from a cattle college go west to the ranch managed by Gene and owned by one of the party. "Sing Me a LoVe Song" has its full quota of catchy songs, all sung by James Melton. Melton is a young man who falls heir to a large department store, and when Hie business is heading for the rocks is persuaded to take an active interest. He decides to start from the bottom and joins the music department, which provides a natural outlet, for his rich tenor. There he meets Patricia Ellis, a pretty blonde. Finally he casts off his mask—he is working under an assumed name—and averts a financial catastrophe.

PALACE THEATRE, PETONE

"There, but for the Grace of God, 1, Portia Merriman, would be facing a verdict of life or death—instead of this young, unfortunate victim of a coward's infatuation." A sensational outburst from the lips of the country's foremost woman barrister, forced by circumstances to be a stranger to her own son, and later ordered by Fate to defend the murderess of that son's father. This is the problem of Portia Merriman, played ~with illuminating depth and insight by Frieda lnescort in "Portia on Trial," which is showing at the Palace Theatre. The supporting attraction, "The Gladiator," stars Joe E. Brown.

GRAND THEATRE. PETONE,

"Four Men and a Prayer," the famous Cosmopolitan Magazine story by David Garth, spreads its vivid thrills across the screen, and around the world, in the 20th Century-Fox picturisation which is screening at the Grand Theatre. Loretta Young is featured, with Richard Greene, the new star discovery, as her leading man. George Sanders, David Niven, and C. Aubrey Smith are also featured in the story of four gallant brothers pledged to a quest that mocks at death.

STATE THEATRE, PETONE.

Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell are. co-starred for the first time in the Javish musical "Rosalie," which is showing at the State Theatre. Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell supply the romantic interest in this tuneful melange, which varies in locale between a football game, a military college, a transatla/itic aeroplane, arid the colourful, mythical kingdom of "Roma nta" The pairing of Eddy and Miss Powell was a happy idea.

"MESSIAH" REHEARSALS

In addition to a choir of 150 voices, and its conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, most of the members of the committee of the Auckland Choral Society will come to Wellington next weekend for the Royal Wellington Choral Union's performance of the "Messiah." to be sung at the Town Hall next Saturday evening. The soloists and members of the committee of the Auckland Society will be entertained at supper after the performance. The final rehearsal of the chorus will take place tonight. Mr. Muston will rehearse the work with the orchestra and soloists on Thursday evening.