AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

" TROUBLE IN SUNDOWN." ROXY - TIVOLI Clint George O'Bfien. •Tune Rosalind Keith Andy Ray Whitloy Tombstone Chill Wills Dusty Ward Bond Dagsfott Cyrus W. Kendall Director : David Howard (K.K.O. Radio). Also: "NORTH OF SHANGHAI," with Janice Cruitf Hud Ketty Furnces. Tile efforts of a courageous young rancher to clear the name of his eweetheurt'e father, ;i bunker, wrongly accused of robbery and murder, are depicted in "Trouble In Sundown, - ' third of a eeriee of K.K.O. Weuterng, starring George O'Bi ien, which had its first local showinga nt the Roxy and Tivoli Theatre to-day. The (stalwart O'Brien, recently elected fourth highest money-making etar in Western Kims, is ue impressive ae ever, and gives further proof—if any were needed—of hie high quality ae a class player of "horse opera" roles. He looke the part, with hie rugged physique and riret-claee horsemanship, and he hae, in addition, an attractive personality and fine natural acting ability. Jtosalind Keith is excellent ae hie eweetheart, and Ray Whitiey and Chill Wills, who have appeared with O'Brien several timee before, give strong and capable support to the star. Prominent parts are altio filled by Ward Bond, Cyrue W. Kendall and Howard Hickman. Add to theee factors an intereeting and well-thought-out plot, and smooth, capable direction by David Howard, and it can he understood why the wan thoroughly and obviously appreciated by to-day's audiences. O'Brien i« seen a« the rancher who, when his sweetheart's father is wrongly charged with a crime, eets out to expoee the ical crooks. This ie done after a welter of hard riding, hard fighting and shooting, to bring fche film to an impressive and euftpeneeful climax. Although the film hae particular appeal for the younger generation of movie-goere fans of all age* who enjoy good, clean entertainment will find much in it to enthuse over. James Craig and Betty Furneee, both up-and-coming Hollywood stare, are featured in the aseociate attraction, "North of Shanghai." This ie a thrilling adventure melodrama, dealing with the exploits of a news-reel cameraman and a fchrill-eeeking Kirl newspaper reporter in war-torn China. Craig makes an impressive film debut ae the cameraman, and Mies Furness is equally as good ae the reporter. Keye Luke, of "Charlie Chan" fame, heads the supporting cast, which also includes Morgan Con way, Joseph Downing and Ruesell Hicka. D. Ross Lederman directed. CIVIC.

One of the best films in which Gracie Fields, popular Lancashire singer and comedienne, hae appeared, "Keep Smiling," is at the Civic Theatre. In it she is seen as the leader of an itinerent vaudeville troupe, and the story is of her adventures and trouble* in guiding them to the top of the tree in their particular line of entertainment. She performs with her troupe and eings no fewer than seven eongs during the film. The most catchy of these is "Swing Yoair Way to Happiness," but her rendering of "The Holy City" is also particularly attractive. Heading the strong supporting caet is Roger Livesey, the quiet-spoken English actor who may be remembered for his fine -work in "The Drum." He gives a performance in an entirely different type of role in thie film that is, in its way, just ae impressive. Mary Maguire, the lovely young Australian actress, and Peter Coke introduce the romantic intercut. ST. JAMES' Robert Donat, the clever young English actor, gives a brilliant performance in the main role of "The Citadel," screen version of Dr. A. J. Cronin's famous novel, showing in an extended season at the St. Jnmee' Theatre. Aβ Dr. Andrew Manson, the young medico about whose career the picture centres, Donat in juet ae impressive as he was in his two earlier films, "The Count of Monte Crieto" and "The 39 Steps." The utory of the film traces his career from the time he start* practising in the Welsh colliery districts until he goes to London to take a position in Harley Street. There hie struggle to retain his code of ethics is dramatically depicted, and the film comes to nn imprennive climax. The screen play follows ! the original etory fairly closely, and all its entertainment qualities are well brought out. Rosalind Ruenell ha« th> feminine lead, and Rex Harrison head* the supporting caet.

MAYFAIR. With a reputation that haft received a considerable bolstering up following hie successful appearances in the series of films dealing with the adventure* of "The Saint," Louis Hayward steps into a new type of role in his latest starring vehicle, "Duke of Weet Point," opening ite eeaeon at the Mayfair Theatre on Friday next. He ie cant as the son of an American Embawy official in London, who, after a spectacularly successful period at Cambridge University, goes to the famous American military academy at West Point to carry on a family tradition. Accustomed to a rather pampered life, he ie the butt of many and varied practical jokes by his comrades at the school, but he "turns up trumps" in the end after a series of amusing and exciting episodes. Joan Fontaine has the feminine lead, and Tom Brown, Richard Carlson and Alan Curtis are also featured.

REGENT. Delightful entertainment for all clasees of moviegoers, of all ages, is •provided at the Regent Theatre, where Deanna Durbin's latest etarrinp; vehicle, "Three Smart Gills Grow Up," is showing. The lovelylittle Canadian etar has made five pictures in all, and each one has proved a success, but this is the best yet. Few picture* shown in Auckland this year have proved anywhere near as popular, and the crowds are still packing the theatre for almost every performance. The amusing story tells of the troubles into whieh Deanna lands herself and her family when she triea to straighten out the tantded love affairs of her two gisters, iplnyrd by Helen Parrish and Nan Grey. Charles Winningcr is excellent as her father, and the featured cast also includes William Lundigan and Robert Cummings. MAJESTIC. The now-faraoue "Dead End Kids" are featured in "Little Tough Guys in Society,' which heads the programme for the reopening of the renovated and reconstructed Majestic Theatre on Friday. Such successes as "Dead End" and "Crime School" have given theso tough-lookiug youngsters high popularity with a large section of the filmgoing public, and they Hhould increase the ranks of their followers with their performances in their latest picture. They are seen as a bunch of scrappy kids from New York's East Side, invited to spend a holiday on a rich estate, in order to cure the heir to the estate from a severe attack of ennui. Jack Searle gives a delightful performance as the bored youngster, and the supporting cast is headed by such popular favourites ae Mwcha Aucr, Mary Boland, Edward Everett Horton and Helen Parrish. St. Louis Blues." the associate feature, co-stars Dorothy Lamour and Lloyd Nolan. The story is a romance, set against a background of a Mississippi River show-boat, and tho famous Hall Johnson choir and the "swiiiß" sinjter, Maxine Sullivan, are featured in the cast. PLAZA. Two of the mosrt promising players in Hollywood, Richard Greene and Nancy Kelly, head the strong cast of "Submarine Patrol," opening at the Plaza Theatre on Friday. Greene has appeared with success in two films so far, but this is, according to advance reports, hie best yet. Miss Kelly is making her film debut in this film, and she is likely immediately to win the esteem of a large section of tans. Made by director John Ford, who hae to his credit such great pictures as ' The Informer," "Wee Willie Wmkie' and "The Hurricane," "Submarine I atrol deals with the lives of the men who manned AmericaVSplinter Fleet during the war. For the benefit of those who have not read of it. the "Splinter Fleet consisted of tiny, often ridiculed wooden patrol boats, designed to combat the U-boat menace in the Atlantic. Never touched on the screen before to any extent, the subject is of gripping interest, and the film ie parked with excitement from start to finish- Preston George Bancroft, Slim Summerville and John Carradine head the supporting cast.