CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 84, 5 October 1940, Page 14

CURRENT ENTERTAINMENTS

PARAMOUNT THEATRE. "On Your Toes," the musical triumph which has opened its season at the Paramount Theatre, offers a double dose of entertainment. First and foremost, perhaps, it is a dancing show, and superlative dancing at that. It stars Zorina, who played the same role in the stage production in London, and who deserted the Monte Carlo Ballet Russe to achieve further fame. Zorina is an exotic dancer Of extraordinary versatility and charm, and in the big numbers she is supported by a ballet whose terpsichorean talents are almost equal to those of Zorina herself. But "On Your Toes" is not solely an exhibition of dancing. In a way the dancing is only incidental to uproarious comedy: indeed, throughout the whole production nothing seems to be taken seriously. There is continuous rollicking humour provided by a cast made up almost wholly of comedians, and the fun never flags for a moment. Eddie Albert, the engaging youth who in recent films scored such distinct hits, proves himself a valuable acquisition to the screen's role of real comedians. Alan Hale is another one who contributes conspicuously to the fun. He is the impresario of a Russian ballet troupe, most of whose members are more than temperamental. Leonid Kinskey is excellent as the lazy composer of ballets who never gets as far as composing one; and then there are Frank McHugh, James Gleason, Erik Rhodes, Queenie Smith, Gloria Dickson, Berton Churchill, and the youngsters, Donald O'Connor and Sarita Wooten, who portray Eddie Albert and Zorina as children. The supporting programme contains newsreels illustrating the ascendancy of the R.A.F. over the Nazi invaders, and the rescue from the English Channel of a New Zealand airman. "The Boat Builders" is a Walt Disney colour masterpiece, there is an amusing comedy, and "Seeing Spots" and "Rita Rio" provide vaudeville and orchestral entertainment respectively. ST. JAMES THEATRE. All the bitter hatreds and strife of the American Civil War are brought to the screen in "Virginia City," which is continuing its successful season at St. James Theatre; there is the love, too, that springs from warfare, made stronger when it tries to bridge the gap between the Union supporters and the Confederates. Errol Flynn and Miriam Hopkins have starred individually inmany outstanding productions, but together they better anything they have done before. They are on opposing sides throughout the film, he as the Union officer who escapes from a prison in Richmond to stop an attempt to run gold from Virginia City to help the southerners in their war effort, and she as the beautiful spy who helps to pave the way for the gold-tram. It is red-blooded adventure, without pause in its action. The supporting programme includes a musical short, a topical newsreel, and a coloured cartoon. MAJESTIC THEATRE. The vivid portrayal of the life and character of Thomas Edison in "Edison the Man," now in its second week at the Majestic Theatre, is not only remarkable for the splendid acting of Spencer Tracy, but also because it is a striking example of the possibilities of the talking screen in the realm of biography. The picture shows the lovable character of Edison the man; I his early struggles when he began life 'as a telegraphist, and the stroke of I luck that brought him the first funds to found his famous laboratory. The story carries on the tale of the work of the inventor and his picked team of workmen, of the period when funds ran out and Edison was forced to pit his fertile brain in a race1 for time against his creditors. The result was the phonograph. The incidents connected with invention of the incandescent electric light form the climax of the picture, and much of the excitement of that momentous event is communicated to the audience. Further dramatic incidents of the war are shown in the newsreel. Of these the most interesting are actual photographs of the first time the German long-range guns along the Channel coast went into action when they fired on a convoy of merchant ships. There are also other pictures of German bombing raids, including views of the first bigscale raids on London. REGAL THEATRE, KARORI. "He Married his Wife," which is showing at the Regal Theatre, tells of an ex-husband who wants to find a husband for his wife so he can stop paying heavy alimony but who balks when she turns down the colourless prospect he digs up for her in favour of a dashing, romantic Romeo. Joel McCrea, Nancy Kelly, and Roland Young head the cast. The associate film is "All at Sea," starring Sandy Powell. Also showing is Walt Disney's "Tugboat Mickey." NGAIO CITIZENS' PICTURES. In "The Mad Miss Manton," whicb is showing at the Ngaio Pictures, Barbara Stanwyck plays a glamorous Park Avenue debutante who uncovers a mysterious murder. The result is a hilarious and exciting mix-up. The associate feature is "Peck's Bad Boy at the Circus." This film has all the thrills of the "Big* Top" and more fun than a real circus. GRAND THEATRE, PETONE. Double portions of mystery, action, and comedy are contained in Universal's "Honeymoon Deferred," the attraction at the Grand Theatre. Edmund Lowe and Margaret Lindsay are the stars. The story of how a crooked boxing racket is smashed is told in Paramount's "Golden Gloves," the second attraction. KING GEORGE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. "French Without Tears," which is showing at the King George Theatre, is a smart Parisian cocktail, with a whirl of romance and the destiny of one girl and four men in a merry mix-up of smart comedy twists. Ray Milland and Ellen Drew are the stars, supported by Janine Darcy, David Tree, Ronald Culver, Jim Gerald, and Guy Middleton. PALACE THEATRE, PETONE. "My Son is Guilty," the feature at the Palace Theatre, is one of those rare films which combines convincing characterisations, believable and exciting incident, and sound down-to-earth human values into a whirlwind of exciting entertainment. "Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love." Universal's musical comedy-drama of that title, is the second feature. STATE THEATRE, PETONE. \ One of the mightiest epics that has ever come out of Hollywood is "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," showing nt the State Theatre. Starring Charles Laughton, one of the world's most distinguished character players, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" brings a record cast of 3500, including 100 principals headed by such superb players as Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Thomas- Mitchell, Maureen O'Hara, Edmond O'Brien. Alan Marshall, snd Walter Hampden. DE LUXE THEATRE, LOWER HUTT. As the title so aptly indicates, "The Angels Wash Their Faces," the Warner Bros.' picture which is showing at the De Luxe Theatre, presents the "Dead End" Kids in the somewhat unfamiliar guise of law-abiding citizens. "Whispering Enemies," Columbia's expose of the "whispering campaign" and of its'vicious role in modern American life, is the second feature.

CITY AND SUBURBAN THEATRES

KING'S THEATRE. The beauty of tropical scenery cannot be conceived in the ordinary light and shadow of the general run of films, and so it was a happy inspiration which resulted in the makers of "Isle of Destiny" using Cosmocolour for the picture, which is now screening at the King's Theatre. Through the medium of the colour camera the glorious tones of sea, sky,' and luxurious vegetation are brought vividly to life, and the gay native costumings, together with the sombreness of a tropical storm, are faithfully reproduced. The plot is well in keeping with the setting, and traces the adventures of a small group of people who are involved in a duel between gun-runners and U.S. Marines. June Lang is seen as a care-free girl pilot who breaks her round-the-world flight at the island, and William Gargan and Wallace Ford are cast as the two marines to whom the arrival of the girl comes as a welcome break in the monotony of their existence. An aircraft crash, through which the girl comes into the clutches of the gun-runners, and other exciting incidents, contribute to the story. The supports include topical newsreels and a short comedy. PLAZA THEATRE. Rich in humour, occasionally dramatic, and with several song hits, "Star Dust," which is showing at the Plaza Theatre, is one of the finest Hollywood productions about Hollywood. It •is perhaps only natural that Hollywood's] latest discovery, the beautiful Linda Darnell, should have the leading role. She is cast as a small town dramatics school girl, who, by fair means or foul, is determined to be heard by a "search-for-talent" scout, a role admirably played by Roland Young. She is heard but is told she is too young for Hollywood. Ignoring the talent scout's warnings of Hollywood, she forwards . her photograph to a studio, is called up for a screen test, and is turned down —but only because of an unscrupulous agent. Actually, her test is a magnificent one, but the crooked agent insists that it be, destroyed without being shown to the film director. However, everything turns out well in the finish, thanks to the ingenuity and colossal nerve of her friends. John Payne and Linda Darnell provide the love interest. Mary Healy sings some really delightful numbers. Donald Meek, Charlotte Greenwood, and William Gargan are others in the cast. Outstanding in a fine array of supports is a short depicting units of the United States navy in mock battles off San Diego. OPERA HOUSE. Refreshingly different in its theme and in its treatment, the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer picture "Florian" has met with great popularity with Wellington audiences and now at the Opera House it is in its third week of showing. The story of the film commences during the colourful period of the old Austrian Empire and traces, through the romantic theme, incidents leading to the Great War and the overthrow, of the Habsburg dynasty. Around the life of Florian, the white Lippizan stallion belonging to the Emperor Franz Josef, is woven the love of a groom for a beautiful duchess, and the picture introduces a great deal of light relief from the dramatic events of history. Robert Young plays the part of the groom at the royal stables, while Helen Gilbert is most attractive as the Duchess Diana. The Russian ballerina Irina Rarnova makes her first appearance on- the screen in this film. There is a supporting programme of a quality in keeping with the feature film. STATE THEATRE. So good is the acting and so cleverly is a tense' story unfolded in "Girl in 313," at the State Theatre, that it is hard to tell the crooks from the police agents. At an invitation display of fabulously valuable jewels by an ostentatious millionaire a necklace is stolen, and the hounds of the police are in 'full cry, together with the insurance companies and the minor crooks, who for adequate sums undertake to secure the return of the jewels. Somewhere in all these varied interests the crooks have their agents. Florence Rice, as the daring police spy, succeeds in fooling and enmeshing the crooks, but falls in love with their smartest operator. Cesar Romero, in "The Cisco Kid," keeps the action fast and lively in a story of the old West. REGENT THEATRE. Fascinating chapters in the history of man's fight against disease are brought to the screen in dramatic fashion in "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet," a Warner Brothers production, which is showing at the Regent Theatre. Dr. Ehrlich, one of the greatest figures in medical science, evolved the theory of "magic bullets" of chemicals to be shot into the bloodstream to destroy disease-carrying germs, and the • film is the story of his life and of how, despite the parsimony of politicians and the jealous animosity of his colleagues, Dr. Ehrlich proves his theory right in practice. Edward G. Robinson, in the title role, gives a masterly performance, receiving able support from Otto Kruger, Ruth Gordon, and a strong cast. VOGUE THEATRE, BROOKLYN. "Beau Geste" is the main attraction at the Vogue Theatre. The cast includes Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Pres-1 ton, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward, and Carrol Naish. Jean Rogers and Raymond Walburn are starred in "Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence," the second feature. Selected supports complete the programme. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. The comedy sensation of the year, "French Without Tears," with Ray Milland, Ellen Drew, Janine Darcy, .David Tree, Ronald Culver, Jim Gerald, and Guy Middleton, is now showing at the Kinema. The story is set in France at a school for diplomats and absolutely bristles with witty dia- j logue and comedy. The associate fea- ] ture, "U-boat 29," with Conrad Veidt., Valeric Hobson. and Sebastian Shaw, | comes as the thrill successor to "Clouds Over Europe." It is the romance of a U-boat commander who had no code and of a beautiful spy who had no heart. TUDOR THEATRE. A programme of adventure and comedy is offered in the two films which are showing at the Tudor Theatre. "South of Pago Pago" has an impressive cast headed by Jon Hall, Frances Farmer,' Victor McLaglen, Gene Lockhart, Douglas Dumbrille, Olympe Bradna, and Francis Ford. The story concerns the strange adventures of Bucko Larson and Ruby Taylor, who undertake an expedition .to a fabulous pearl bed "South of Pago Pago." Those master comics, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, aopear in "Saps at Sea," the associate film. EMPIRE THEATRE, ISLAND BAY. Joel McCrea and Nancy Kelly are : co-starred in the rollicking comedy, "He Married His Wife," whkh is showing at the Empire Theatre. A t sterling comedy cast is featured in support of the stars, including Roland Young, Mary Boland, Cesar Romero, Mary Healy, Lyle Talbot, Elisha Cook, jun., and Barnett Parker. A love triangle in swingtim^ is the theme of "Naughty But Nice," the associate film. Ann Sheridan, Dick Powell, and Gale Page head the cast. CAPITOL THEATRE, MIRAMAR. "French Without Tears." featuring! Ray Milland and Ellen Drew, which needs no introduction to Wellington! film patrons, is showing at the Capitol Theatre. It will be the last opportunity for suburban patrons to see this fine comedy. The associate at^^'on is "Legion of the Lawless."

TIVOLI THEATRE. The latest adventure of the colourful character created by Leslie Charteris in his widely-read novels "The Saint's Double Trouble," with George Sanders again in the principal role is showing at the Tivoli Theatre. As usual, Sanders cuts a fine figure as the suave, audacious hero who rids himself of his enemies with neatness and dispatch. In this case his principal antagonist is an international jewel smuggler. America's boy and girl stars, present and future, have their day on the screen in "Babes in Arms," elaborate screen version of the Broadway musical success, which is the second feature: The cast is headed by the incomparable Mikey Rooney and Judy Garland. RIVOLI THEATRE. Dorothy Lamour, Akim Tamiroff, and John Howard share top dramatic ■honours in "Disputed Passage," an exciting story about the problems of medical men, which is screening at the Rivoli Theatre. Based on' Lloyd C. Douglas's . best-selling novel it asks the dramatic question, will marriage interfere with the career of a promising young surgeon? "Opened by Mistake," the second feature, gives Charlie Ruggles an opportunity to portray again his most memorable characterisation, that of a drunken reporter. Robert Paige plays a companion reporter. DE LUXE THEATRE. "Castle on the Hudson," which is the feature attraction of a fine doublebill at the De Luxe Theatre, is a typical story of the gangster world in America, where two youngsters live a life that knows no law and defy every force that tries to keep them apart. For the main part the story concerns an egotistical and cocksure young i gangster and a tempestuous young lady who are separated through a term of imprisonment merited by the former. He attempts to carry his egotism along the same lines in prison, but finds himself checked at every point by an understanding but strict warden. The climax, when the young man goes to the electric chair for a crime he did not commit, has been excellently handled. John Garfield, Ann Sheridan, and Pat O'Brien head the cast. Johnny Downs plays the romantic lead opposite Constance Moore in Universal's "Laugh It Off," the second attraction. Featuring a cast of well-known players, the story depicts the hilarious adventures of a band of old-time show-girls who turn to swing and jitterbug dances to score a theatrical sensation. A'quarter of an hour of community singing before the programme starts is a popular innovation. REX THEATRE. Latest and most unusual horror picture of that famous pair, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, is Universal's "Black Friday,' which is showing at the Rex. Karloff is a surgeon who performs a daring operation in which he transplants part of the brain of a criminal into they brain of a mild college professor, who then is led unconsciously into a life of ruthless crime. A stirring insight into the tragedy and sorrow behind the administration of social service is provided in "Prison Without Bars," the associate film.. NEW PRINCESS THEATRE. Lupino Lane's latest release, "Lucky to Me," which is showing at the Princess Theatre, is one long laugh from start to finish. Lane is a stockbroker's clerk, and on the day of his marriage he is sent down to a seaside house party to do a deal with a wealthy client. His wife, a typist in the same office, goes with him, and poor little Lane gets into tons of trouble when he tries to get affectionate with his own wife, the marriage having been kept a secret. "Proud Valley," starring Paul Robeson, is the second feature. ROXY THEATRE. A picture designed for the entire family. "The Ice Follies of 1939," starring Joan Crawford, is showing at the Roxy Theatre. There are breath-taking beautiful Technicolour skating scenes, a story with a Hollywood background, and intimate glimpses into studio life and original songs. With Fred Mac Murray, Madeleine Carroll, and Allan Jones co-starred, Par amount's new comedy romance. "Honeymoon in Bali," is the second feature. ASCOT THEATRE. Stephen Foster's immortal romance and songs come to the screen at the Ascot .Theatre in "Swanee River," starring Don Ameche and Andrea Leeds. It is a story of the origin of America's most beloved music, and the life of the man who wrote it told in beautiful technicolor. "Shooting High" is also showing, with Jane Withers and Gene Autry. It is a dashing Western comedy full of humour and mischief. The accompanying short subjects have been well chosen. KHANDALLAH PICTURES. "Everything Happens at Night" is showing at the Khandailah Pictures. There is romance, mystery, and excitement, plus some skating sequences by Sonja Henie in a new setting. Ray Milland and Robert Cummings play opposite Sonja. The second feature is "They Came by Night," starring Will Fyffe. This mystery-thriller has a [most surprising climax.