ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 280, 21 August 1940, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre.— Heralded as one of the bet tcr-tluin-averuge class of well-produc-ed Westerns, “Prairie Law” is the main feature on the particularly attractive double-feature programme which will be presented at tin. - State ThT-atre from today. Tlie virile George O'Brien plays Hie part of a rich young ranch-owner who. with surrounding rmn-hers, is worried by the increasing influx ol settlers into their land as the result, of the schcmings of a crooked politician who is selling them building lots in the town he is creating. The politician knows that the land is Worthless without the springs which are controlled by the ranchers, and by means of crooked legislation he has. them reclaimed. leaving the ranchmens cattle to die of thirst. Thoroughly roused bv his actions, Brill (O’Brien) bands the ranchmen together and runs the politician and what they leave of his gang out of the country. Virginia \ ale is beautiful and competent as the leading lady. The wedding plans of the characters admirably portrayed bv Dennis O'Keele and Adele I’earce are the cause ol all the lijlarious trouble in “Pop Always Pays.' the other feature. The girl's cantankerous father (Leon Errol) decides that her fiance is a spendtlirift,, ami forbids their marriage till such time as the young man can display a savings account of 100(1 dollars. So sure is the father that the task will prove too great for his prospective son-in-law. lie offers to give Hie young man a thousand to match his. The complications when the father tries to raise his thousand are as uproarious as they are thrilling.

Plaza Theatre. — One of the most colourful and romantic periods in America's history—the days of minstrels and river boats-—is preserved in the music oi Stephen Collins Foster, ami it is about Foster, the “great American troubadour,' that "Swanee River,” in an extended season at the Plaza Theatre, is woven. A.l .Tolson and the Hall Johnson Choir sing delightfully many of Foster’s most famous melodies.

Sandy Powell's latest eotnedy hit, “All at Sea,” will be shown at the Plaza Theatre from Friday. Sandy gives a most praiseworthy rerforniancc as Sandy Skipton, and has associated will) him such capable and experienced players as Kay Walsh, John Warwick, Gas McNaughton. Leslie Perrins, and George Meritt. Sandy Skipton wages a lone fight against a pair of enemy agents who are trying to steal a secret new high explosive. Sandy takes the explosive away with him when ho is sacked from the chemical factory where he is employed as a messenger, joins the Navy, and is sent to the Mediterranean. The agents chase after him, and then ensiles a series of hilarious thrills. Written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr, who wrote “South of Hie Border” and “We’re Going to Hung Ont (lie Washing on the Siegfried Line." “Ain't it Grand to he in the Navy,” sung by Sandy, is a feature of Hie production.

St. James Theatre.— While uproarious comedy is the underlying motif of “Dad Rudd, M.P., - ' which was most enthusiastically applauded again at yesterday's sessions at the St. James Theatre, there is more to it, than guffaws round flu 1 cowshed. A note of Australian national importance is struck by the introduction of the problem of water conservation for tile man on the land—the aspect, indeed, which motivates Dad Rudd's political aspirations. The bewhiskered Bert Bailey again portrays Dad admirably, and Fred McDonald, as Dad’s dull-witted son. Dave, is thoroughly convincing.

Regent Theatre.— That musical drama of extraordinary merit, “The Great Victor Herbert,” is being shown at, the Regent Theatre. It is not, so much a biography of Victor Herbert as a highly successful endeavour to show his widespread influence over the glamorous show world of his day. As Herbert, the late Walter Connolly hns crowned a brilliant career with a masterly portrayal. Allen Jones. Mary Marlin, and the 14-yenr-old Susanna Foster are in excellent voice, ami are heard in many of Herbert's most popular works, including “Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life," “Thine Alone." “A Kiss in the Dark," and “I'm Falling in Love ilh Someone."

King’s Theatre.— With “Pinocchio, which is being rottsingly received at tlie King’s Theatre. Walt. Disney brings to the screen a. strange and enchanting array of fresh characters. “Pinocchio” is the story of ni) old woodciirvcr mimed Geppetto. who creates a little puppet boy of pine. Because Hie kindly old man loves children and has never had any of bis own, the Blue Fairy brings the marionette, Pinocchio, to life to he a son to him. Pinoeehio. however, is told by tlie fairy that he cannot become a real boy till be has proved himself worthy, ami it is how he does this that is so fascinating and absorbing.

Majestic Theatre, — Two of the screen s most popular and accomplished dancers, Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell, appear together in Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Broadway Melody of 1940,” nearing the end of an eminently successful season at the Majestic Theatre. Six tuneful Cole Porter hits further contribute to the entertainment value of this latest “Broadway Melody,” as well as beautilul women and glorious settings. Tliore are two solo dances, twosomes, and trio numbers between tbe principals, which inchi<ie George Murphy. The story is highly amusing and dramatically human, and flic dialogue sparkles. Norman Taurog, that renowned director of childhood stories, has done a brilliant piece of work in “Young Tom Edison, which will be launched on a season at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. The story of “Young Tom Edison’’ is simple. it is that, of a nonconformist youth who. misunderstood in his homo town, ulltinatelv triumphs to show them that the brail/ he has is that of a progressive youth and not that of an “addled” person. Yet. in the telling of this story, there is comedy, pathos, thrills, nd vent tire, and a great. lovp between a boy and his mother, a hoy and his- sister and the development, of love and understanding between a boy and his father. As Tom Edison. Mickey Rooney shows his right to the claim oi being an actor. He is ideally east, mid has never been made more lovable, not; even as Andy Hardy. 3mined with Mickey is clever Virginia Weidler. ns Tom’s sister. Fay Bniiiter and George Bancroft are lino ns Edison s parents, ■and SUP] m-ting cast includes Eugene Pallotte. Victor Kilian. Bobbie Jordan. J. M. Kerrigan. Llovd Corrigan. John Kollog. Clem Bevans. Eily Mnlyon. mid 11.-irry Shannon.

De Luxe Theatre.- “I he Eater," in which the 10-yoar-old Lilly lee is cast as the resolute Southern boy who makes n blue-ribbon C-hmnpion out of mi outcast puppy, is the appealing nmin attraction m Hie De Luxe Theatre. Ihe engaging plot leads the young Southerner into a tragic predieament where ho Ims Io ehoos-e between his love for his dog mid his duty to his tmnily. How a young cattle rustler, reformed by thy love of a hemilifut woman, helps to bring a semblance of law mid ordc.r to the “badlands, is vividly deserilied in "Kniidifs of tile I’.ingc,’’ the iisstH'isitc nttruction.

Tudor Theatre.— Rarely has there been a comedy-romance so stimulating, so entertaining as "The Amazing limns," the nmin attraction at the Tudor Theatre this week. Responsible for provoking most of Hie langhs are Melvyn Tloiiglas and Joan Biondoll. I lie over-popular Jimmy ••Sehnozzle" Durante. Walter Connolly. Joan Perry, and Charles Starrett provide a flirtlu-r fun feast tn “Start Cheering.’' the associate fentnrelenglh mt ruction.

Opera House.—When the progi'timtue for “t'omcdv Week” nt the Opera House is considered, it. is not: surprising that it is proving so popular. The main items “Merrily Wo .Live" and “Another Thin Man.” are both of feature length, and each is outstanding on its own. “Merrily Wo Live,” starring Billie Burke. Brian Aherne and Constance Bennett, its particuhirlv note worthy, because it is in this tluil Billie Burke plays the first "f her tim-versally-apprecialed “dizzy ’ roles. I lie plot of "Tlie Tli'n Mau.'' a ''thriller. ' -,s most, ingenious. \\ illiam Powell, hindered and assisted l-v Myrna Loy, and a baby, -elves Hie mystery with delightful nouelialniice and numerous whiskies and sathfep