STATE THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 131, 6 June 1939, Page 5

STATE THEATRE

New Programme Tomorrow,

A dramatic story of a great father-and-son fellowship, through which is stitched fine threads p'f comedy and romance is Bobby Breen's new starring film, "Fisherman's Wharf," which opens tomorrow at the State Theatre. For the first time in his career, Bobby has an opportunity to play a rough, tough, thoroughly -all-American youngster, as adept with his fists as he is with his yoice. With a seal as his pet, and a melting-pot gang of Chinese, Italian, and American youngsters as playmates, the singing star has ample opportunity to demonstrate his boyish qualities. The plot concerns Bobby's efforts to stick by his father in spite of the intrusion into the household of an aunt and cousin who do their best to wreck the father's friendship for his adopted son. Unusually strong is the cast 01 "Fisherman's Wharf," with Leo Carrillo as Bobby's father. Henry Armetta as Bobby's close friend, Lee Patrick, Tommy Bupp, Rosina Galli, and others. A most revealing story of underworld intrigue and of the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat racketeering, is depicted in "Smashing the Rackets," the associate film. This R.K.O. Radio film is unique in the fact that it shows the cause of an important social problem as it exists today and also, -vividly illustrates how it may be solved, by concerted coI operation between citizens and legal machinery. Presenting Chester Morris, Frances Mercer, Rita Johnson, and Bruce Cabot in the four leading roles, "Smashing the Rackets" deals with a sensational racket purge in a large city. The dramatic story also throws light on the clever system employed by organised racketeers in defrauding the public, particularly business men who are forced by intimidation to pay heavy tribute for so-called "protection." The iron-fisted methods used by Morris, as the special grand jury prosecutor who has come up from the ranks of the G-Men, in gaining evidence that sends the gang chieftains up the river, is realistically and absorbingly revealed. A Walt Disney technicolour cartoon, "Donald's Lucky Day," will j also be shown.