ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

State Theatre’s New Programme

A coloured film featuring some new names in the picture world and introducing a new singer to the screen is "The Devil on Horseback.” which opened yesterday at the State Theatre. The locale of the story is in South America, and most of the actors come from that part of the world. Leading a large cast is Del Campo, in the role of Pancho Granero, who has incurred the wrath of the political powers and with a price on hi s head, is in exile in his mountain hacienda. This exiie does not worry his merry nature, however, and he is quite happy among his friends and followers. He has o ne desire, to meet the glamorous Diane Corday, famous American film star, and great is his joy one day when, listening to his radio he hears the voice of his old school friend, Gary Owen announcing that Diane is on a personal appearance tour and will visit the republic of Alturas. When Pancho hears this news, nothing will hold him, and he and his band gallop down to the train which is speeding across the desert to take Diane to her destination. When the Press agent sees the band he thinks that a good publicity stuiit would be for Diane to he kidnapped and taken to the hacienda for a day or two. Diane does not like the idea very much, but Pancho thinks it is excellent, -and finally Diane and her party are taken from the train to Pancho's residence. During her visit Diane witnesses a spectacular fiesta in which many dancers take part in a rhumba. This scene is particularly colourful and the singing throughout is of a ver v high quality. Lili Damita takes the part of Diane and that of her wealthy fiance is played by Fred Keating. Mnnuella Torres, who is in love with Paneho. is played by vivacious Bianch Vischer. Alanuella dislikes Diane exceedingly, and there are several passages of arms between the two girls Jane Evans, the unlovely secretary who finds that she is quite a beauty, is (flayed by Joan Chatburn.. The supporting film, "Outlaw Guns, stars that old favourite, Buck Jones and his ('lever horse. Silver. Silver lots some new tricks to show in this film, one of which consists of burying an alarm clock in the sand so that he need not get up so early. Buck Jones does his usual feats of horsemanship and shooting. Also in the east are Ruth Channing, Roy D'Arcy and Charles King. A surprise item introdiieod into, the programme is "Christmas Under hire, with Quentin Reynolds as commentator Reynolds will be remembered as the commentator in the memorable •’Loudon Can Take It." and what he has to say this time is just as telling. The theme is bow England faced last Christmas, and many poignant and courageous scenes are shown.

Regent Theatre.—Spencer Tracy and Hedy Lamarr will be seen at the Regent Theatre todav in the dramatic romance, "I Take This Woman.” The play deals with a social butterfly who, after a wrecked romance, finds her real love and happiness at the side of an earnest seieutmt working for the public good in a tenement elinie. Action ranges from fashionable night clubs and fashion salons to the tenements. Dramatie highlights include an atttempetd suicide and resene, an encounter with a former lover, and a powerfill sequence in whioh the woman realizes she is about to ruin the life of the man she really loves. Verre Teasdale has the chief eoniedv role and Kent Taylor plays Tracys’ rival and love. Other players include Laraine Day, Mona Barrie. Jack Carson-. Paul Cavanagh. Louis Calhern, Francos Drake. Marjorie Main. George E. Stone. Willie Dost. Don Castle. Dalies ■Frantz land Reed Hadley. Elaborate settings include the Zehr.q Club, its pillar® formed hr huge carved zebras: an elaborate fashion show with beautiful models in colcnrfitl new modes: penthouses and other typical bits of New York. Miss Lamarr wears a number of exotic gowns, and an elaborate musical .score contributes glamour to the romantie sequences.

Plaza Theatre.—Out. of the black of night rides a bold masked adventurer, his sword striking terror in every heart, his flashing smile and reckless daring winning the loveliest senorita in all "t Old California. It is Tyrone Power m "The Mark of Zorro,” his latest starring picture for 20th Century-Fox. Linda Darnell and Basil Rathbone are ai rhe head of the featured cast, which includes Gale Soudergnard. Eugene Pallerte, J. Edward Bromberg and many others.

Opera House. — Adventures set against a thrilling background of the present war. "Convoy" adds to its excitement a special anti heart-warming flavour of humour. Here you may see for yourself how the Nnvy is guarding Britain's shore, and the story provides as well as the epie tale of the convoy a little human drama. After screening continuously for nearly two months, this film is now nearing the end of its season.

De Luxe Theatre.— The five "Dead End" Kids and the “Little Tough Guys appear in "You're Not So. Tough as migrant workers following , Gali' fornia’s crops, but preferring to live by their wits rather than by the sweat nf their brows. Nan Grey is a “dust-bowl” refugee with whom one. of them falls in lore. "Hopalong” Cassidy rides again in the “Three Men From Texas.” which deals with the notorious land-grabbing days when a man’s home was his own so long as he was able to keep shooting for it.

Majestic Theatre.— The timely and topical production, "Night Train To Munich” will conclude its season tonight. With the operations oi a large uumber of Australian and New Zealand troops and airmen in the East attention is again focused ou the contribution of the Dominions to the British Empire's war effort. In the .1914-18 war the most picturesque unit of the Australian forces watt the Light Horse, which won immortal glory by victory in the Sinai Desert under the command of their leader. Sir Harry Chauvel. Though modern war is mechanized, there are still a large number of Light Horsemen in Australia, ami recently there xvas a series of spectacular camps in the country districts) of New South Wales and Victoria. Hundreds of the non-commissioned men in the Light Horse are wealthy landowners, and others have substantial means. Their horses are their own. When it wiles decided to produce iu Australia a romantic film of the ’•Bengal Lancers” type, to tell the story of the Light Horse campaign in the last war, they co-operated in assuring accuracy in rhe recreating or the valiant efforts of 1914-18. Thousands ot Light Horsemen became actors in the large scenes, a complete Sinai desert village was reconstructed on the sands of Botanv Bay, near Sydney, and Charles Chauvel. who previously made the Austra'ian film successes. "In the '\ n, ' e 01 the Bountv” and "Uncivilised, was chosen bv'the New South Wales State Government and Universal Pictures to direct it. Typical Australian types were chosen as the Light Horse leads, and, after a Commonwealth-wide search ot a year, an Australian girl, Betty Bryant, was given the starring role JK? 01 } 1 ? the charge scenes nt least .JKK) Light Horsemen participate, and there are also thousands of extras who play the parts of Eastern types. The resulting him. -Forty Thousand Horsemen, will open its season at the Mnjwlic Theatre tomorrow.

St. James Theatre.-— "Texas Rangers Ride Again.” which will conclude toui"ht is a story of cattle rustling on mass-theft lines. Instead of a few hundred stolen steers, thousands are taken away, not nn the hoof, but in motor lorries. The glamorous Ann Sheridan and rugged James Cagney meet in Warner Brothers’ "Tropic Zone,” which will begin a season at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. Pat O’Brien, Andy Devine, Helen Vinsen and George Tobias head the supporting cast. The first half of the programme will include n colourful featurette. "Quiet. I'leiise"; a cartoon. “Pied Pipe,. Porky"; un adventure film. "Playing with Danger,” and newsreels.

King’s Tlieafi-e.— The lavish film production of Vicki Baum’s novel, "Dance. Girl, Dance." is iu the final day of