ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 182, 30 April 1941, Page 10

ENTERTAINMENTS

St. James Theatre.— in "Dr Cyclops,” now screening at. the St. James Theatre, Paramount have produced an extraordinary and exciting film, m which the drama anil sane humour is based . on the entirely changed conditions of life which would result from reducing human beings to Lilliputian size, in a world which otherwise remains normal. The cause of all this excitement is Dr, Cyclops, a crazy scientist who discovers a means of reducing human beings to about, a fifth ot their normal size. Albert Dekker plays the scientist. "Road to Frisco,” with George Ratt, Ann Sheridan, Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupiuo and Alan Hale, will be the next attraction at the -St. James, beginning on On Thursday, May 8, a east of W elliug ton players will present on the stage at the St. James Theatre, the Ivor Novcllo comedy, -’Fresh Fields. The entire proceeds will go to patriotic funds.

State Theatre.— Two widely different pictures, each with its own appeal, lire included in the new programme at the State Theatre. Michael Lanyard, again played by the inimitable Warren William, returns io the screen m "The Lone Woif Keeps a Date.” lie succeeds in making ihe screen's suavest scamp come to life more convincingly than ever, as he gaily prowls along 'the Florida shore, -finding adventure and romance in every shadow, llis romantic foil in this latest hit of the popular series is Frances Robinson, attractive young star. Tae light-fingered scoundrel's current adventures take him Io Miami, pleasure meeea of millions, where he becomes involved in a desperate plot revolving round the kidnapping of a millionaire. Eager to help Patricia Lawrence, who has the £loo,o€K> ransom money in her possession, Michael Lanyard, The Lone Wolf, temporarily puts aside his hobby of stamp collecting and busies himself in a desperate search for the kidnappers. His exciting adventures make first-class screen fare. An exciting story, full of interesting and unusual situations, “Girls Under 21,” the associate feature, has Rochelle, Hudson, Bruce Cabot and Paul Kelly in the main roles.

King’s Theatre. — With all his old charm and his old mannerisms, Charlie Chaplin has a ' special message for the world of democracy in his famous picture, “The Great Dictator,” showing at the King’s Theatre. He plays a <lual role—the persecuted Jewish barber, and a great and powerful dictator. There is a suggestion of tears through this comedy, for Chaplin brings out all the sadness and misery that results when one strong man abuses the power given Jn’m by a nation. Supporting him are Jack Oakie, in the part of the rival dictator, and Paulette Goddard, the little barber’s sweetheart. De Luxe Theatre. — “Murder in the Air,” now being screened at the De Luxe Theatre, is hailed by critics as one of the most exciting films of the year. Ronald Reagan stars in the role of an alert young secret service operator who must smash a spy ring that has caused federal officials much concern. The story finds ninny parallels in the daily headlines, for its delineation of subversive activity gnawing at the roots of American democracy is extremely timely. The other feature is “The Bank Dick,” an hilarious comedy, starring W. C. Fields.

Plaza Theatre.— “Brigham Young— Frontiersman,” with Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell and Dean Jagger heading a strong cast at the Plaza Theatre, tells the story of the jjijjiderings of the Mormons in America in the 1840’s. “Tall, Dark and Handsome,” the next attraction, at the Plaza Theatre, is a gangster melodrama with an antic twist, for in this new offering violence is funny, underworld execution is hilarious and a gang war is a bit. of sprightly.nonsense. Cesar Romero, familiar to many an audience as the "Cisco Kid,” here appears as a tender-hearted gangster of the Chicago of the late.l92o’s, who keeps his supposed' victims alive and well in a private jail. ’L» ike authors should go much of the credit for the success of this film. Karl Tuuberg and Darrell Ware have none to Chicago during the tail-end of thp prohibition era for their characters and situations. They have projected them artfully in a kidding script and line after line of amusing dialogue has been neatly dovetailed into the story. Though it may be somewhat difficult to imagine the type of gangster who pretends to kill his rivals, but really locks them up instead, the idea is continually funny. His brilliant comic conceit of inventing a family to impress a nice young girl and his eventual escape from a gangster's existence is a shrewd bit of plot manipulation in which the acting plays a large part. Virginia Gilmore is most attractive as the girl of romance, and Charlotte Greenwood gives a sound performance. *

Majestic Theatre.—Screening at the Majestic Theatre is a spy melodrama of the first order. Notable for its acting and for its technical excellence, "Contrabund” also is fortunate in its excellent plot. The thrills that race through it have a note of authenticity which has been given the film largely by the cooperation of the British Admiralty. There are scenes of London in the blackout and other effects which give the film a strongly topical note. A most exciting plot fills the cup of motion picture entertainment to overflowing. Conrad Veidt plays the part of C-aptain Andersen, skipper of the Danish ship Heloig, and Valerie Hobson is Miss Clayton, alias Mrs. Sirensen, one of several mysterious passengers.

, ' Regent Theatre. — For light and enjoyable entertainment and a sure cure for worry—for 85 minutes anyway—there is no better film than “My Love Came Baek,” which is screening at the Regent Theatre. The leading roles are taken by Jeffrey Lynn and Olivia de Havilland, both of whom give delightful performance. The trouble starts when t Olivia de Ha villalid as Amelia Cornell accepts money to support herself and family. She believes it is to be provided by a scholarfehip, which she is told she hns won. In truth, the money is being provided by an .elderly gentleman who, learning of Amelia’s difficulties and taking a fancy to her, decides to secretly help her through a promising musical education.

Tudor Theatre.— The story of a jovial grape-grower's, effort, to gain a correspondenue wife, “They Knew What r l hey Wanted,” which has been transferred to the Tudor Theatre, has Charles Laughton and Carole Lombard in the leading roles. ’’Dreaming Out Loud’’ is .the associate feature.