ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 73, 19 December 1935, Page 15

ENTERTAINMENTS

‘Hop-Along Cassidy’ Commences at Regent To-day There are some film studios which seem to think that a Western picture does not need as much care as is lavished on other types of drama. Paramount is not one of them. This company’s stories of the wide-open spaces are always well presented, well acted, and excellently photographed against fine scenic backgrounds. “Hop-Along Cassidy,” the film version of Clarence E. Mulford’s.famous book, which will start to-day at the Regent Theatre, measures right up to Paramount’s usual standard in this respect; while in other ways it is well above the average Western. In the first place it has the advantage of bringing to .life one of the favourite characters of this most popular type of fiction; again, it avoids many of the usual wearisome melodramatic sequences in favour of developing interest in the strong plot, and the splendid character drawing of Clarence Mulford; and thirdly, it has the benefit, of a fine and vigorous performance by William Boyd in the title role. He brings an entirely new type of two-gun hero to the screen, and one whom it is hoped will be seen again soon in other stories by the same author. The plot of “Hop-Along Cassidy” revolves around the adventures of three cowboy comrades (William Boyd, Jimmy Ellison, and Frank McGlynn, jun.). Inseparable pals, quick on the trigger, they spend their time riding the range looking for trouble, and generally findiijg it. As soon as Robert Warwick and bis daughter (Paula Stone) move next to the Bar--20 ranch, complications ensue which consist of Ellison falling in love with Miss Stone, while the two ranches, Bar-20 and H-2, become enemies. This is because a rustler (Kenneth Thomson) is stealing cattle from both of them, while leading each of them to suspect the other. When the three friends decide to track the rustlers to their hide-out and give them their just deserts, excitement mounts to fever pitch. Sensational riding, dangerous cliff climbing, dynamiting, and desperate gun battles are among the thrills in the picture, while delightfully spontaneous humour comes from the performance of George Hayes, as a veteran cowboy. , “The House That Jack Built.” Throughout the Christmas holidays, at afternoon sessions only, _ the Regent Theatre will present a Christmas pantomime. This will be good news for all parents and children, and as the pantomime will be seen in conjunction with “Hop-a-Long Cassidy,” and with “The Last Outpost,” wonderful holiday entertainment is assured for the whole family. Nearly 40 clever artists will be seen in “The House That Jack Built,” which has been produced by Grace Brown, with all ballets, songs, etc., by Marjorie Vause. The pantomime will commence to-morrow and conclude on Thursday, January 2. Will Hay in “Boys Will Be Boys” at De Luxe The many alarming adventures of a headmaster of a school where the boys are as big a “bunch of toughs” as one could wish to see are chronicled in “Boys Will be Boys,” featuring the inimitable Will Hay, current at the De Luxe Theatre. An added attraction is the De Luxe Concert Orchestra. “Shipmates Forever.” The thrill and romance of naval officers in the making is colourfully depicted in the new Warner Bros.-Cosmopolitan drama-wit.h-music, “Shipmates Forever,” commencing to-morrow at the De Luxe Theatre. It is an intimate and revealing story of the lives of the midshipmen in their study rooms at Annapolis, on the parade grounds, and their cruises at sea. It pictures them at work and plan ; their loves and their laughter ; their loyalty and their courage “under fire.” Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler head the cast. Dick personifies the raw cadet, somewhat spoiled but with the makings of a

man, who is whipped into shape as a gallant officer through the rigour of the Naval Academy training, and Ruby, the loyal daughter of the navy, The film company spent a month at Annapolis, the movie actors enacting their roles with the training school as a background, and with 1000 cadets taking part. While the picture is not a musical, several new songs are introduced by Powell in his role as a night club entertainer. All were composed by the famous song-writing team of Warren and Dubin. The chief of them is a marching song, “Don’t Give up the Ship.” In addition to these, Dick sings a number of famous old sea ballads, amoqg them "Abdul Abulbul Amir” an* “Anchors Aweigh.” There isl an excellent supporting programme, including "Keystone Hotel.” a hilarious comedy showing a team of old-time favourites. The De Luxe Concert Orchestra, under the direction of L. D. Austin, will present a new musical presentation.

Paramount Screening “Smart Girl” and “That’s Gratitude”

Ida Lupino and Gail Patrick are starred in "Smart Girl,” the story of how a bright and pretty little American blonde’s right Ulan marries the wrong woman, her own sister, which concludes to-night at the Paramount Theatre. The second feature of the double programme is “That’s Gratitude,” an extremely amusing aud original comedy, starring Frank Craven and Mary Carlisb’.. “Behind the Evidence” and “Dinky,” Tense, breathless drama’ merges with romantic situations of no little intensity throughout the unfolding of the fast-mov-ing plot of Columbia’s "Behind the Evidence,” which commences to-morrow at the Paramount Theatre. From the very outset the picture exerts a powerful sway over the audience’s emotions. Tony Sheridan, millionaire sportsman, is suddenly impoverished by tne collapse of a trust company. Convincing a sceptical city editor that he will make a reporter, he gets the job. Tony makes good, and in a sensational way runs to earth the chief of a gang of crooks that have been preying on the city for months. Norman Foster does fine work as Tony Sheridan. In support of him is Sheila Manners, relatively a newcomer in the featured field, but showing promise of a speedy rise to stellar heights. The second feature is “Dinky,” starring Jackie Cooper, Mary Astor and Roger Pryor An additional attraction is “The Country Boy,” a special Technicolour featurette.

“Bonnie Scotland,” With Laurel and Hardy, at St. James Laurel and Hardy, the oddly-assorted comedians, have been seen in many short features, but rarely in full-length films. Too rarely, it would seem, for “Bonnie Scotland,” now at the St. James, :s proving a great attraction. It it the two stars work their way on a cattle boat- to Scotland, where they expect to inherit a large estate. On their arrival to their chagrin they learn that the estate has been left to a distant cousin, and their share consists of some valueless heirlooms. Down and out, the pair are forced to enlist in a Highland regiment, and, before they know where they are, they find themselves on the NorthWestern frontier in India, engaged .in a lively scrap with the crafty ruler of a hill tribe. “Charlie Chan in Shanghai” Showing at State In “Charlie Chan in Shanghai,” now at the State Theatre, the Chinese detective and .his son Lee are once again united, and together they face extraordinary dangers in Freaking up _ an international drug ring. Mysterious assailants shoot at Chan during the night, and attempt to kidnap him, but fail to match his Oriental wile. “This Is the Life.” Superb acting on the part of little Jane Withers and an unusual story mark the

Fox Film production, “This Is the Life,” coming to the State Theatre on Friday. Jane has gone far since she appeared as the obnoxious child in, “Bright Eyes,” starring Shirley Temple. In her new picture she gives a scintillating performance both as a dramatic actress and a song-and-dance personality, and’is ably supported by John McGuire, Gordon Westcott, Sally Blane, Sidney Toler, Gloria Roy, and Francis Ford, it is said. The .«tory centres about a brilliant child performer who is made a virtual slave by her guardians until she is rescued from torment by John McGuire, falsely accused of robbery and seeking to avoid arrest by the police. Masquerading as a boy, she hitch-hikes across the continent with her new-found friend while an entire nation searches frantically for her. They have numerous adventures until McGuire gives himself up to the police to save Jane from being returned lo her guardians.

“In Old Kentucky” Commences at Plaza To-day Will Rogers’s last —and greatest—picture, “In Old Kentucky” comes to the Plaza Theatre to-day. Adapted from the play whose humour, sunny romance and tingling horse-race drama have made it a favourite of three generations of Americans, "In Old Kentucky” stars Rogers in a role that presents his rich down-to-earth character in a most lovable light. Sam Hollman, famous humorist, and Gladys Lehman adapted the play to the screen, in a modernised form, but preserved all of its drama and its rich comedy of character and incident. In the picture, Rogers enacts a shrewd and genial trainer of horses whose homely philosophy, and keen wit sets right all the troubles of the impulsive people about him. Russell Hardie and Dorothy Wilson play the romantic youngsters in “Old Kentucky.’’ She is the daughter of old Charles Sellon, who is feuding with Charles Richman. Although his daughter fights to win Hardie for herself, it is Rogers’s shrewd aitj- that finally brings the boy to Miss Wilson. Rogers’s able assistant in the picture is Bill Robinson, the ace tap-dancer genius, who teaches the comedian enough of his foot artistry to win a handsome widow and thus provides one of the comedy touches of the picture. Although “In Old Kentucky” is full of humour and drama iu the feud situations, if reserves its great thrill for the climax, when the racing thoroughbreds pound down the stretch carrying romance and drama in their saddle. Directed by George Marshall, the supporting players include Louise Henry, Alan Dinehart, Esther Dale, and Etienne Girardot. Newspaper Story, “The Murder Man,” at Majestic With a story revolving around the exploits of a newspaper reporter, “The Murder Man” is at the Majestic Theatre. The plot centres round the murder of a crook financier, and the “murder man” is responsible for the detection of the murderer and for his being brought to justice.