PICTURE FILMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 170, 30 April 1943, Page 6

PICTURE FILMS.

ST. JAMES THEATRE. Finally to-night, 7.30 p.m.—Doublefeature programme: Joe E. Brown in “Shut Mv Big Mouth.” Second feature: “Madame Spy,” with Constance Bennett and Don Porter. Plus latest air-mail news.

Commencing Saturday, at 2 p.m. and 8| p.m.—Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in “Ride ’Em Cowboy.” Selected supports complete this programme. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, rated Hollywood’s most sensational box-office drawing cards, who come on Saturday 7 to the St. James Theatre in Universal’s new laugh film, “Ride ’Em Cowboy,” have definitely cast their lot with the screen. The two zanies, recruited from the footlights, not only are investing their heavy earnings in Southern California real estate, but they’ve even gone so far as to chart their separate courses against an era when cinema audiences no longer want them as a mirtli-generating team. The dour-faced Abbott plans, when his comedy days are finished, to turn to fast-talking character roles. The rotund Costello, however, intends to stow away) his make-up kit and turn his talents to talkie direction. Abbott is exceptionally capable in parts requiring the spouting of dialogue at a ma-chine-gun clip. Costello is a master of comedy timing, and his directional suggestions have figured prominently in the amazing success of Universal’s Abbott and Costello features. Heading the big east playing in their supportin “Ride ’Em Cowboy” are Diek Foran, Anne Gwyline, Johnny Mack Brown, Samuel S. Hinds, The Merry Macs, Ella Fitzgerald and many others.