AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 14

AMUSEMENTS.

"LAWLESS VALLEY." ROXY-TIVOLI. Lan/ Rhodes George O'Brien Bob North Walter MUler Norma Rogers Kay Sutton Tom Marsh Fred Kohler, sen. Jeff Marsh Fred Kohler, jun. Tim Wade George MacQuarrie Director: David Howard (RKO-Radio). Also: "OUTLAWED GUNS." with Buck Jones and Ruth Channlng. Dealing in thrilling and gripping fashion with the daring exploits of a young westerner out to avenge his father's murder, and the wrong done tp himself by a crooked rancher and a corrupted sheriff, "Lawless Valley" had an auspicious first screening at the Boxy and Tivoli Theatres to-day. Virile George O'Brien, one of the most popular Western stars on the modern films, has the leading role, and he gives a typically convincing performance. Not only does this player possess high-class natural acting talents, but he also looks the part. He is singularly blessed physically, and his powerful frame strongly contrasts with the rather unimpressive physiques of many of his contemporary "horse opera" players. Playing opposite him is dark-haired Kay Sutton, the former mannequin, who made her screen debut in "Saint in New York" a few months back. She has a more natural type of role in this than in her earlier _ film, and she is seen in a more attractive light generally. Others in the cast are Walter Miller, Fred Kohler, sen. and jun., and George MacQuarrie. The story is laid in the cattle country of Arizona, and presents the star as a victimised young rancher who, with his father, is blamed for a stage-coach robbery. The real culprits subsequently murder the old man to destroy the son's alibi, and, due to a flagrant miscarriage of justice, the latter is sent to prison. He is paroled out for good conduct after a short term of confinement, and, filled with a bitter desire for revenge, immediately returns to his home town to track. down his persecutors. With the aid of a couple of faithful friends, he desperately seeks evidence to prove the guilt of his enemies in the stage-coach hold-up and in the murder of his father. How the hero manages to expose the crooks, and at the same time save his sweetheart from a distasteful marriage, makes up the balance of the story in which the suspense is maintained right up to the end. The associate feature on the programme is another Western, "Outlaw Guns," in which an old favourite in Buck Jones, has the stellar role, with Ruth Channing as the object of his affections. One of the most exciting of Jones' recent vehicles, the r>'i)t centres round a feud between the star and a bunch of outlaws, [nearly all the action being laid against the background of some of the most impressive scenery in the West. Roy d'Arcy and Frank McGlynn are prominent in the strong supporting cast. ST. JAMES'. Action is the keynote of "The Crowd Roars," at the St. James' Theatre. Unlike many of the earlier vehicles in which the star, Robert Taylor, appeared, romance plays a relatively minor part in "The Crowd Roars," and the chief appeal lies in its stirring, red-blooded movement. Taylor bearo little resemblance to the Taylor of a year or two back, hailed as the successor to Rudolf Valentino, behoved of. all women moviegoers, but rather despised by all male fans. He is cast as a pugnacious youngster, who works his way up from the slums to world class in the boxing ring—every inch a fighter, and

a real "he-man." He gained opularity with many men patrons with his virile performance in "A Yank at Oxford," his previous film, but he.should win over an even greater following as the • result of this characterisation. Maureen that charming little Irish actress, playsopposite him, and is as attractive as ever. A fine performance is given by Frank, Morgan, as the fighter's dissolute fattier, while others prominent are William Gargan, Lionel Stander and Edward Arnold. REGENT. The average inhabitant of this world loves nothing better than romance and adventure, with a touch of colour and excitement about it. This can be experienced by only a few, but the remainder can do the next best thing, and live in the realms of gallant rogues, cruel barons and fair damsels in distress, per medium of the films. This, to a large extent, accounts for the great popularity with local patrons of "The Adventures of Robin Hood," which is enjoying a highly successful run at the Regent Theatre. With swashbuckling Errol Flynn, portraying to perfection one of the most colourful and best loved characters in English history and legend, Robin of Locksley, commonlyknown as Robin Hood, OUvla de Havilland as his lady love, Maid Manon, and all the other Characters interpreted excellently, the film possesses one of the strongest casts seen in any one vehicle for some time. Added attractiveness is given it bv the use of Technicolour in it* most delightful form, and spectacle of unusual lavishness. and the film may justly be claimed to be one of the best of the year. PLAZA. Hailed by American critics as the best film to date in which Shirley Temple has appeared, "Little Miss Broadway" should prove popular with patrons when it opens its local season at the Pfeza Theatre this evening. A recent nation-wide poll conducted in America resulted in the little curlv-top being once again rated as the biggest box-office attraction of ail the stars, and it is likely that, if such apoll were condocted in this country, mere would be a similar result. She is not so ehirhby and childish as she was a few years ago, but she still has loads of natural appeal for children of all ages, while the added experience and training she has received has resulted in an improvement in her dancing, singing and acting. George Murphy, the strapping youngster who shot up to the highest levels of popularity with local audiences after his outstanding performance in "Letter of Introduction," has the leading supporting role, and he fully maintains his newly-won prestige. PhylHs Brooks, Jimmy Durante and Edna Mae Oliver also have prominent parts. Six new song hits are introduced, and the entertaining story was written by Harry Tugend and Jack Yellen. MAYFAIR. After playing to enthusiastic audiences for five full* weeks, "Dad and Dave Come to Town" will have its last Queen Street showing, at the Mayfair Theatre, to-morrow evening. Producer-director Ken G. Hall has turned out a good number of pictures for the Cinesound studios in the last few years, but he reaches his peak in "Dad and Dave Come to Town," which is, perhaps, the best film, technically, made in Australia. Not only from this standpoint is it an outstanding film, however, for the performances by the stars, Bert Bailey and Fred Mac Donald, are excellent, as also are those by the chief supporting players, Shirley Ann Richards, Alec Kellaway,"Sidney Wheeler and Billy Rayes. The story is built up round the adventures of "Dad" and "Dave" when they go to town to run a modern dress salon.

MAJESTIC

Comedians may come, and eomfdJaaa may go, but the Stan Laurel and Oliver •Tardy duo have been keeping on for .many years, ans could probably go on for much longer and still prove < box-office attractions. The powers that guide the destiny of the actors, however, have decided that they shall not appear in any more big films at any rate. Their latest appearance together is in "Blockheads," which opens its local season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, and their many fans are sure to flock to the theatre to bid them farewell. Once again they are , under the direction of Hal Roach, who Bias been enjoying great popularity ocallv since his "Merrily We Live" was s shown here. "Blockheads" presents a series of "—*s" and comic situations, wifti only an airy "threat binding them together. The film opens with Laurel as a soidier in the world war, being strangely affected by the combat. Aftsr the war he gets* invited to Hardy's house, where all the pun occurs. Patricia Ellis and Billy Gilbert are in the supporting cast. "The Chaser," with Dennis O'Keefe and Lewi Stone,* is oh the same programme.

jUKTJSEMEHT GUIDE.

\ CIVIC SOMBRE —Amusement Park. rtcrußf thutwi. CIVIC '¥now White and the Seven Dwarfs.*"> PLAZA —sbtrflay Temple and George Murphy iirt "Little Miss Broadway." •T. JAMES'—nonert Taylor and Maureen O'Sullivan *i "The Crowd Roars." MAJESTIC —Madge Evans and Preston Foster hi Girl" and Edith Fellowes to "City Streets." MAYFAIR —Bert Bstiey to "Dad and Dave Come to Town*' EMBASSY —Mickey Jlooney and Freddie Bartholomew In "The Boy From Barnardo's." , STflAMD—Jane Witness to "Miss Fix-it.* BOXY — Buck Jones an "Outlawed Guns" and.George O'Brton m "Lawless Valley." REGENT—ErroI Flynn and Olivia de Haviiland In "Robin Hoodl" LONDON —"The Rose or •Tralee" and "The Girl on the Front Pas*." ADKLPHJ —Guest Night. ALEXANDRA —Guest Night. AMBASSADOR — "Broadway Melody or 1938." ASTOR —"Love Begins K 2or and "Dnrt Fence." AVONDALE—"Joy or Living" and "Charlie Chan at the Olympics." BERKELEY (Mission May)—' You're Only Young Once" and "Island to the Sky." BIRKENHEAD—"A Saint to New York." BRITANNIA—"Four Men and a Prayer" and "Wings Over Africa." CAPITOL—Guest Night. CRYSTAL PALACE—Guest Night. DC LUXE —"Leave It To Me" and "Tonnr and Innocent." EMPRESS —Guest NighL GAIETY—"Heidi or the Alps." GREY LYNN—Guest Night. KINGBLAND—PopuIar NighL MAYFAIR —Guest NighL "* PEERLESS—"Mr. Moto Takes a Chance," PICTUREDKOME—"Thin Ice." PRINCE EDWARD—Guest NighL PRINCESS—Gueat Nigoc REGAL—Guest Bight. REGENT (Epsom)— Guest NighL RIALTO—Guest Night. STAR (Newton) —"Mad About Music" and "The Jury's SeereL" STATE (Davonsort) —Guest NighL STATE (Symonds Strost) —"First Lady" and "Talent Scout." • STATE (Onahunsa) —Guest Night. STRAND (Onohunaa) —Gueat Mat*. TlVOU—"Lawless Valley" and "Outlawed Guns." TUDOR—"London By NighL'* VICTORIA—Guest NighL