CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 138, 8 December 1938, Page 14

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

KEGENI THEATRE,

More vivacious and likeable than ever, Deanna Durbin scores another hit in her latest picture, "That Certain Age,' which is now in its fourth week at 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. There is a complete change in the supporting programme. MAJESTIC THEATRE. "A Slight Case of Murder" will be shown finally tonight at the Majestic "Theatre. "Tovarich," starring Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer, commences tomorrow. ST. JAMES THEATRE. "Wives Under Suspicion" will be shown for the last time tonight at the St. James Theatre. . "Woman Against Woman," starring Herbert Marshall, Virginia Bruce, and Mary Astor, commences tomorrow. OPERA HOUSE. Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, has the title role in a Western film, "Springtime in the Rockies," the principal attraction at the Opera House. Drama, comedy, and music are neatly blended in this superb picture. James Melton, starring in "Sing Me a Love Song," tries the practical method of learning to run his own business by accepting a job as a clerk and creates -plenty of excitement while learning. Patricia Ellis and Walter Catlett are also prominently cast. PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "Dad and Dave Come to Town" concludes tonight at the Paramount Theatre. Splendid in every sense of the meaning Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's lavish musical offering, "Maytime," with Jeanette Mac Donald and Nelson Eddy in the starring roles, opens tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre. A description of the original theme would be superfluous to veterans of the theatre, but it may be written here without fear of contradiction that the studio has gone far and beyond any beauty which the stage attained. "Maytime" was a musical piece of gorgeous proportions when Rida Johnson Young's play was on the boards and it closely approaches the status of a musical masterpiece on the screen. REX THEATRE. "Murder by an Aristocrat," a First National mystery drama, based on one of the most popular of Mignpn E. Eberhart's baffling murder stories, is showing at the Rex Theatre, with Lyle Talbot Marguerite Churchill, - and Claire Dodd invthe 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. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. "Youth Takes a Fling" and "52nd Street" conclude tonight at the New Princess Theatre. When two midshipmen fall in love with the same girl then things are bound to happen—especially when Robert Young and James Stewart are the midshipmen and Florence Rice is the girl. These three popular stars provide the romantic complications in "Navy Blue and Gold," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's colourful and thrilling story of naval life, which is coming tomorrow to the Princess Theatre. Lionel Barrymore, Billie Burke, and Tom -Brown head a strong supporting cast. The associate feature is United Artists' "Mademoiselle Docteur," starring Dita Parlo, John Loder, and Erich yon Stroheim. OUR THEATRE, NEWTOWN. "The Great Impersonation," the greatest of all the romantic mysteries ever written by E. Phillips Oppenheim, heads the double-feature programme showing at Our Theatre at reduced prices. Edmund Lowe plays a dual role in this exciting story of international intrigue and love, and opposite him are beautiful Valeric Hobson and Vera Engels, the lovely women in his life who finally pierce through the secret of "The Great Impersonation" and bring it to a grand conclusion. "Sweet Surrender," starring Frank Parker and Helen Lynd. is the second attraction. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. There are 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. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. "Rosalie" concludes tonight at the State Theatre. "The Perfect Specimen," a comedydrama starring popular Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell, opens tomorrow. This Warner Bros, production has been rated as among the very best laughand thrill-photoplays of the year. It shows that Flynn, in addition to his qualities as a swashbuckling ffghter with ancient weapons (as in "Captain Blood," "The Charge of the Light Brigade," and "The. Prince and the Pauper") is also a first-class battler with the gloved fists in the roped i arena. I PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. Sketched in bold strokes against a colourful background where the desert meets the sea, "Border G-Man," RKORadio's outdoor drama, which is showing at the Palace Theatre, casts George O'Brien in the type of fast action role that made him a universal favourite. As a Federal agent, O'Brien receives a dangerous assignment to track down a gang of smugglers shipping arms, munitions, men, arfti horses to a foreign nation in violation of America's neutrality laws. The second attraction, "Variety Parade," is a musical and comedy show of screen, stage, and radio stars. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Wallace Beery, who has played everything from a Mexican bandit to a wild animal trainer during his versatile acting career, now comes to the screen as the owner and barkeeper of the Marseilles waterfront cafe in "Port of Seven Seas," which is showing at the Grand Theatre, Petone. Frank Morgan, Maureen O'Sullivan, John Beal, and Jessie Ralph also have roles in the picturesque new drama.

KING'S THEATRE

Superb photography, part in sepia t toning, permits Sonja Henie to be seen I to good advantage in "My Lucky Star," £ which is showing for another week at i the King's Theatre. Sonja has a new J role as a young American girl of 1 Scandinavian parentage who works in < a big city store. The dissolute young < son of the managing director, played 1 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 i 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 i 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 i difficulties. Everything leads up to i the great college ice carnival, at which ] Sonja takes all honours. Supports in- < elude an unusually good travelogue j dealing with California and topical \ newsreels. ] A PLAZA THEATRE. \ "Strange Boarders" will be shown finally tonight at the Plaza* Theatre. "I'll Give a Million," starring War- X ncr Baxter and Marjorie Weaver, J opens tomorrow. J DE LUXE THEATRE. j "Personal Secretary" and "The Man \ Who Changed His Mind" conclude to- • night at the De Luxe Theatre. t Two women, facing each other in an < underlying play of life and death, is f one of the dramatic high lights in t Warner Brosi newspaper murder mystery drama, "Back in Circulation," starring Pat O'Brien and Joan Blondell, which opens tomorrow. In her role of a reporter, Miss Blondell has been in- j strumental in the conviction of Mar- r garet Lindsay on a charge of murder. £ Convinced that the condemned woman j is innocent, she contrives to break „ down the silence Miss Lindsay has ' maintained throughout the trial. The ' final scene between the two actresses , is replete with emotional intensity l and one that will be long remembered. | Wild days in the old Indian territory, * which was later to become Oklahoma, « are brought vividly to life in "The c Devil's Saddle Legion," Dick Forans newest starring Western for Warner .1 Bros., which is the second feature, i The tall, handsome Singing Cowboy is r at his very best in this tale of lawless c country and lawless men. And there t are three ballads, suited exactly to the \ red-headed star's* pleasing baritone voice. They are by M. K. Jerome and Jack Scholl, who wrote his most re-! cent hit, "My Little Buckaroo. : STATE THEATRE. "Gateway" concludes tonight at the l ST&I£S2& Mr. Moto, the "Satur- \ day Evening Post" detective created t by J. P. Marquand, faces his most £ sensational adventure in "Mr Moto < Takes a Chance," new 20th CenturyFox picture opening at the fatate Theatre tomorrow, with Peter Lorre i in the stellar role. Disguised as an t archaeologist, the Japanese detective Moto goes to the jungles of Indo-China i to suppress a native uprising While trying to uncover a lead on his mis- j sion, Moto runs into a most amazing trail of events; but finally, with the aid of a young cameraman, Robert j Kent, and a round-the-world aviatrix. . Rochelle Hudson, who has crashed in the jungle, the detective manages to discover a smuggler .of- arms to the natives. But there his troubles have ] only begun. Trapped in a mystic temple in the weird wilderness with his friends, Moto encounters wells of i death,' native sorcery, and poisonous , blow-gun darts. By brain and brawn the wily Oriental outwits them—using jiu-jitsu, swords, and machine guns— -, and saves the day. ( TUDOR THEATRE. \ "The Goldwyn Follies" and "The 1 Challenge" conclude tonight at tne , T"Alw^Go'd-bye," 20th Century- j Fox film which begins tomorrow at the Tudor Theatre, has a distinct appeal 1 for women. Barbara Stanwyck portrays the life of a young mother who has to decide, for the sake of giving her child a name, between the man who helped her in her distress and the man she really loves. Though her 1 role in "Always Good-bye" is pnmar- ■ ilv a glamorous one, the screen play < by Kathryn Scola and Edith Skouras . is ya remarkable combination of beauty and forceful dramatic appeal. ; ROXY THEATRE. '• "Call of the Yukon" and "The Gang ! Show" conclude tonight at the Roxy ■ America's "Devil's Island" forms the ; background for the new Warner Bros, production, "Alcatraz Island," which opens tomorrow at the Roxy Theatre. With an O. Henry twist at the last, the film is a well-acted melodrama that gives a good insight into the lives of the men behind stone walls. The story concerns the life of a racketeer (John Litel), who is brought before the State attorney for income tax evasion on the day he had planned to leave America with his daughter (Mary : Maguire) for an extensive' tour of Europe. The second feature, "Prairie Thunder," starring Dick Foran, the singing cowboy, depicts one of the stages in the development of American ' expansion in the West. 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 Kilbrrnie 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 as- - sociate 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 is splendid for the vivid . action of the story and the romantic J singing of Ballew. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. , Acclaimed by critics on both sides of , the Atlantic for her superb artistry in ( both dramatic and comedy roles, Dan- ; ielle Darrieux. radiant idol of the , European screen, makes her American ] debut in "The Rage of Paris," Universal comedy romance, which is showing at the Empire Theatre. The gay ( story creates a brand-new formula for ( romantic adventure films. Universal s ] "Air Devils," a dramatic thriller of . love, battle royal, adventure, and ( comedy on a South Sea island, is the : associate film. Larry Blake. Dick , Purcell, Beryl Wallace, and Mamo - Clark have the featured roles. , VICTORY DANCE. ] The Wellington North branch of the ] New Zealand Labour Party will hold } a victory dance in St. Francis Hall on ( Thursday evening. The Prime Minis- ( ter and other members of Cabinet are ] expected to be present. ( MYSTERY PARCELS. i Tomorrow, at 8 a.m., the public will < again have an opportunity of assisting < the Smith Family Christmas effort. There will be on sale throughout the city 10,000 mystery parcels, containing | J all sorts of useful, everyday articles, j } Every parcel will be worth at least i' one shilling. In addition to others, j; there will be several valuable articles, j < which have been donated by local busi- \ ness firms—a radio set, a vacuum - cleaner, an economy cooker, an electric \ radiator, wickerware, oil colours, and; I a large selection of goods donated by : supporters. The public are advised : i to buy early, as the demand is likely j3 C to be great. ['

TIVOLI THEATRE. How a combination of musicians who, after months of struggle and sacrifice, finally attain the rich rewards which lie in store for them, is told in the musical film "Cocoanut Grove," which opens tomorrow at the^Tivoli Theatre. In this case the musicians are the members of a dance band whose leader is Fred Mac Murray, and the personnel includes the Yacht Club Boys, Harriet Hilliard, Ben Blue, Rufe Davis, a hillbilly character, and Harry Owens and his Royal Haiwaiian Orchestra. At the commencement of the film the band is seen getting the sack because j Mac Murray is a little free with his fists and knocks down their employer, and for a long time work evades them, the leader keeping the musicians together by' telling falsely that they have a chance of playing at the "Cocoanut Grove," a mecca of all struggling dance bands. In "The Bad Man of Brimstone," the second feature, Wallace Beery has the most dramatic role since "Viva Villa. " It is a story of pioneer days and the victory of law and order over banditry that marked America's first Western settlements. RIVOLI THEATRE. Again given a photoplay that has plenty of scope for her unique emotional talents, Bette Davis is the star of "That Certain Woman," which opens tomorrow at the Rivoli Theatre. Adventure, romantic love, martyrdom, mother-love are all portrayed by Bette in the course of this exciting drama. Her part in the play is much more important than the one in her recent "Kid Galahad," with Edward G. Robinson, and the role is ftven more tense and engrossing than the one she had in "Dangerous." "That Certain Woman" is a story .about the widow of a slain gangster who, despite the scorn of the world and the persecution of enemies, wins her way to business success and to the affections of a worth-while man. Vividly revealing the life, laughter, and tragedy which throbs in the hearts of young people of the streets of a big city, Universal's "Little Tough Guy" is the associate film, featuring the "Dead End" kids. Sweeping in its scope, and filled with stirring emotional moments, the picture is a compelling human document. 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 girlJoan 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