ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 256, 27 July 1939, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

Double-Feature Programme At

State Theatre

"The Saint” is with us again, in "The Saiut Strikes Back,” the main feature at the State Theatre. Leslie Charteris's now famous hero has made more than one appearance on the screen, and this latest performance should prove as popular as is predecessors. George Sanders is one of the up and coming young actors on the films, and his portrayal of that modern knight errant, “The Saint,” shows sonic of his better qualities. “The Saint" is, of course, a superman. He is handsome, always well dressed, always talkative, always deadly with his gun, and he never makes a mistake. The villains always suffer the fate they deserve, and "The Saint" shows how superior his wit and ingenuity are when pitted on the one hand against murderous and cunning criminals, and on the other against the just-not-clever-enough, though very amiable police force. “The Saint” is neither fish, flesh nor fowl as far as the police are concerned. They would like to question him about many unproven crimes, and they have to admit that he is very useful in helping to trace desperadoes. In “The Saint Strikes Back” Wendy Barrie has deliberately leagued herself with a gang of questionable characters in order to free her father’s name of dishonour. “The Saint,” though at first viewed with suspicion, is finally enlisted in this cause, and in the end the true vilain is unmasked. George Sanders, though a trifle theatrical at times —‘but then “The Saint" is surely an ultra-theatrical person—is excellent in the name-part, and Wendy Barrie ably assists him. A very good character part is taken by Barry Fitzgerald. He portrays an Irish down-and-out who is enlisted as “The Saint’s” partner in this particular deal. Barry Fitzgerald was once a member of the famous Abbey Theatre Players, and graduated to Hollywood via just such roles as he plays in this film—remember him as the beachcomber in “Ebb Tide”? He is not on this film for any length of time, but every appearance is one that holds the interest of the onlooker—this onlooker, at any rate. The other feature, “I’m From the City,” is not easy to place. Joe Penner has the lead, and if you know Joe you'll guess what sort of a film it is. He is cast as a circus performer who hates horses, but who appears under the Big Top daily doing a bareback riding stunt that captivates the audience. The truth is that Joe is capable of equestrian feats only when hypnotized I An elderly ranchwoman sees his stunt and takes him back to her ranch so that he can win the annual horse race for her. The picture ends with what is surely the most peculiar and surprising race in history, in which a pig and a duck—l was wondering when the duck was coming into it—play conspicuous parts. There are some very delightful situations, and Joe puts over amusing gags. I can't say I was particularly impressed with the film as a whole —I must have been in the wrong mood for people on either side were “laughing hearty."—E. Stanhope.

Hardy Family Entertains Again At Theatre Majestic

The Hardy Family is invited to be the guests of the Northcotes at their Arizona ranch while Judge Hardy tries to unravel the red tape round the Northcotes’ water rights—a neighbouring rancher threatens to take over tkt ir ranch if they cannot pay a certain .int for water when the present contri <xpires—in “Out West, With the Hnr’i' ' which will end a sea-' son at the Theatre Majestic today. The younger members of the Hardy Family find it hard to keep out of trouble when the invitation is accepted, and they arrive at the ranch. While the judge uses guile to no avail with the water matter is eventually solved by a chance phrase and an old Indian blanket —Marian Hardy proceeds to full in love with Hay Holt, the handsome ranch foreman, and Andy Hardy finds a new companion in Jake Holt, the foreman’s capable young daughter. “Honolulu.” That enjoyable musical comedy, “Honolulu,” in which Eleanor Powell, one of the finer novelty dancers in the —orld, plays the leading role, will begin a season at the Theatre Majestic tomorrow. There is an irresistible air of gaiety about the whole production, and from the amazing art of Eleanor Powell to the clever elownning of Gracie Allen, every factor tends to accentuate the entertainment value of the film. The story, tells how a famous screen actor changes place with a plantation owner who is his exact double, but immediately finds that his new status brings him more trouble than amusement, for iiis double's fiancee is determined to marry him straight away. His embarrassment. however, has its happy side, for it provides opportunity for ns gay n series of adventures as have ever been brought to the screen. This outsanding dual role is in the capable bands of Robert Young, and another fine comedy part is taken by George Burns. “Confessions Of A Nazi Spy” Shows At St. James Revealing tn a new and unexpected light the amazing activities of agents who were seeking the secrets of the United States in order to betray them to a foreign power, were the recent New York trials of Nazi spies, and “Confessions of a Nazi Spy,” one of the more during films produced. which will end a season at the St. James Theatre today, was directly inspired by the menace which was .then discovered to he so unexpectedly serious. A former Federal agent, Leon G. Turr.au, who was primarily responsi' le for the disclosures made on the historic occasion, supervised the production of the film, so that, though the storv itself is fictional, the actual methods shown have the soundest foundation on fact. Edward G. Robinson, on the side of the law, carries oil* acting honours, though it may be said that the supporting cast does inspired work. “Heart of the North.” Laid in country that is one of the world’s last frontiers —the thirny populated Mackenzie River region just below the Arctic Circle—the story of the tilrn, “Heart of the North,” which will begin a season at the St. James Theatre tomoirow, revolves al out the successful efforts of Dick Foran, as an officer of the “Mounties,” to track down, and capture the leaders of a band of outlaws, which has held up a little river steamer carry-, ing expensive furs and many pounds ot newly-mined gold to the outside world from a frontier trading post. It is fast-moving, thrilling stutf, which does not lose its pace for a moment even though an engrossing love story is. interwoven into the web of exciting incidents. , , , .Much credit can be shared for presenting a lot of swiftly mounting climaxes between the director, Lewis Seiler, a nd the scenarists, Lee Katz and Vincent Sherman, who based their screen play on a novel by William Byron Mowery. Regent Retains “Midnight”

The theme of the film, "Midnight, which has been retained by the management of the Regent, Theatre for a second week, is the unravelling of matrimonial tangles. Unable to find work in a rain-tormented Paris, Eve Peabody (Claudette Colbert) gatecrashes a society musical. Becoming bored, she decides to move on, but at the door is accosted —will she make a fourth at bridge? In the room she finds Helene Flammarion (Mary Astor), wife of Georges Flammarion (John Burry more) who imagines she is much in love wiih Jacques Picot (Francis Lederer) To the room comes Georges Flammarion. havin'.' followed Eve from the musical. Eve does not want to use her own name when introductions are made, she uses that of a taxi-driver (Don Ameche) who has been of assistance to her, Czerny—and is mistaken for a baroness,

After bridge Jacques, to Helene’s disgust, insists that he must take Eve to her hotel, the Ritz, which she had mentioned earlier. Her surprise is great when she discovers that there is a suite for her at the Ritz; and more so next morning when baggage arrives; Her good fortune is soon explained, however, for Georges Flammarion close behind and admits that he has been responsible for the seeming miracle. He seeks Eve’s aid in regaining the affection of his wife— Eve is to win the undivided attentions of Jacques. The scheme works well, but with an unexpected twist —Georges and Helene are reunited, and Eve finds solace in the arms of the taxi-driver, Tibor Czerny. “Wife, Husband And Friend” Screens At Plaza The sparkling story of a gay, modern marriage which is all bliss till the wife decides that she can, and should, have a singing career, is unfolded in “Wife, Husband and Friend," which nears the end of its season at the Plaza Theatre. “Tail Spin.” A story of women who fly, the thrills that come with their split-second escapes, and the heart-throbs behind their spectacular lives, instead of another “epic of the air,” is “Tail Spin,” which will begin a season at the Plaza Theatre tomorrow. With Alice Faye as Trixie. Constance Bennett as Gerry and Nancy Kelly as Lois, “Tail Spin’* is the exciting tale of these three who brush wings with death in the gamble they can lose only once. Trixie flies for the money that’s in it, Gerry because she finds the .sky’s the place to hide from love, and Lois because it brings her closer to the man she loves. Darryl F. Zantick, Hollywood's ace producer, was in charge of production, and Roy Del Ruth directed from a screen play by Frank Wead. Screen Version Of Bewildering Novel At King’s A flawless portrayal of the attractive and high-spirited girl Cathy, is given by Merle Oberon in the film of the same name its that bewildering novel by Emily Bronte, “Wutliering Heights." which is at the King’s Theatre. As the brooding half-gipsy, whose tortured mind cannot stand the bitter blow of being denied her love, Lawrence Olivier acts with insight and poignant fervour. The sullen, but forceful personality of this embittered lover dominates the film, creating a realistic and compelling . tension with its very eccentricity and vitality. Vaudeville Troupe Subject Of Picture At Tudor Leading the members of a touring vaudeville troupe in revolt against a rascally manager, taking them to her grandfather's farm where their openair rehearsals startle even the cows, and eventually making them the most popular performers among seaside carnival shows, is Gracie Fields in “Keep Smiling,” which will end a season at the Tudor Theatre today. “Jesse James” and “The Three Musketeers.” “Jesse Janies," a film about America’s most romantic outlaw of the 'seventies; and the musical comedy version of “The Three Musketeers" will be screened at the Tudor Theatre; beginning tomorrow. Western & Comedy Attractions At De Luxe Theatre “Renegade Trail,” the main attraction at the De .Luxe Theatre, has an even blacker villain than usual—he is a convict who breaks jail and joins a gang of cattle rustlers who are stealing from his own wife and son. "Hopaloug" Cassidy (William Boyd) and his riding companions, “Windy” and “Lucky," are in action putting matters to rights. “Never Say Die,” the associate attraction, deals with the insane goings-on in a European watering place. The principal participants are a millionaire hypochondriac, an American heiress,a scheming Russian prince, a romantic-minded /'US driver, and an often-married lady pistol champion. Gene Autry Sings Seven Songs At Opera House Gene Autry, the screen’s foremost singing cowboy, sings seven popular Western songs in “Git iklong Little Dugies,” the main attraction at the Opera House. The story deals with the heroic efforts of Anti: y to protect fellow-ranchevis against a deceitful oilwell manager. Featuring the orchestras of Duke Ellington, Eddie Duehin, and Carl Hoff, is the associate attraction, “The Hit I’arade." I’hil Regan, handsome Irish tenor, plays opposite Frances Langford in the lead. The plot weaves itself engagingly about the songs, dances and comedy sketches that make up the production.